Moodboard for my latest project. Speculative historical fiction, multi-POV, dual timelines. When a bookshop sends a woman to 1934, she must confront her grandmother's fascist past, opinionated ghosts, and shifting history to save her family from an authoritarian regime intent on erasing them.

Delighted to share my first published words! My short non-fiction piece was published in the Fall 2025 edition of @doorisajarmag.bsky.social. Click on the Youtube link below to listen. *Potentiel triggers: miscarriage, suidical thoughts, accidental death. m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwt3...

Despite my nerves, I had fun at a reading event with @doorisajarmag.bsky.social last night. I read my short non-fiction piece, Thunk, and enjoyed listening to the other contributors. Will post the video link soon!

It's pub day for #doorisajarmagazine's ten-year anniversary issue! I'm thrilled my creative non-fiction piece, THUNK, is included. Copies available here: www.doorisajarmagazine.net/issues/fall-.... Digital only $3.99! Check out my IG story @robin_brooks_writes for a photo related to my submission.

I'm honored to be a contributing author to the ten-year anniversary issue of @doorisajarmag.bsky.social. Pre-orders are available now. www.doorisajarmagazine.net/issues/fall-...

I attended the magnificent launch of A Most Puzzling Murder by Bianca Marais last night. To be surrounded by so many book lovers was a remarkable experience. Congratulations to everyone for a fabulous event. Go get your copy! I'm starting mine today.

Interesting article! open.substack.com/pub/honested...

New writers appreciate support. Some of us also appreciate Sam Heughan, but that's a separate thing altogether.

Any other writers get warm fuzzies reading the endings of your own books?

Word!

Now, more than ever, we need stories to make sense of the world.

Perhaps...writer's block is fear. Of not measuring up, "wasting" time on something bad, dying unexpectedly and someone reading it & thinking, "Wow, this sure is crap!" When I fear the page, I pretend I'm a successful author who can do no wrong. This frees me from that pesky, uninvited guest, Fear.

📚I almost never self-promo, so bear with me. I just released my free historical fiction research guide, WRITING THE PAST. Packed with everything I've learned about crafting authentic historical fiction. Grab your copy through my newsletter signup (link in bio). #HistoricalFiction #writingcommunity

My five-year old phone died, so I'm temporarily using a ten-year old phone, which seems just as good. This is why I write books that take place before 1995.

Which is better: saving the day or not caring about being labeled a "bitch"?

My WIP is inspired by the life of my grandmother, who joined the BUF in the 30s. She was so ashamed that she never spoke of it. As I edit my manuscript, I wish I could ask her about the seduction of extreme thinking. Photo from a video of a BUF march. She is wearing a white shirt.

Kind of like life. One of these days, I'll get it right.

An old quote that probably rings even truer today. My grandmother often saw Huxley checking out his sales at bookshops in 1930s London. Unfortunately, she never approached him or I might be in possession of a first edition signed copy of Brave New World. Sigh.

I recently had the honour of being a guest on the podcast Writer Unblocked. Check out today's episode on Spotify. Happy listening. open.spotify.com/episode/6hMD...

Great stuff, Kirk!

Take a trip with me this month to Nova Scotia in 1816. I'm reading The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers, which tells the story of Emeline, whose new husband's previous wife might not be quite as dead as she's been told. Highly recommend!

I realized recently that both my book on submission and my WIP center around intergenerational trauma, redemption, and women discovering their strengths. Oh, and time travel. Gotta have that.

First draft done on my Back to the Future/Pretty Woman/The Man in The High Castle, dual POV WIP. Can't wait to start fine tuning this sucker.

Anyone else returning to work with difficulty?

Watched this fascinating documentary as part of research for my WIP. This quote stood out. "Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last." I recommend watching this for a quick overview of how close the outcome of the war was (part of my WIP's premise).

This book was fun, suspenseful, and imaginative. Highly recommend. AI and murder mystery.

Am I the only person on social media who has no idea how many books I've read in 2024?

The Last Secret Kept, a story about how three women demolish walls between family and friends before they lose a loved one for a crime he is blamed for, is now on Pre-sale: Amazon: amzn.to/40924v1 Barnes & Noble: bit.ly/3ZKxJkW

people tell you the best thing about having written a book is getting to call yourself a published author or sharing your vision with the world but really the best thing about having written a book is that you don't have to write it anymore

Jenna's substacks are always informative.

Had fun writing this scene yesterday.

Yep, that would be me.

It's been an eventful year for me. This time last year, I was just starting the first chapter of my novel that is currently on submission (seems like years ago). I am now close to completing the first draft of book 4. Bring on 2025!

Holidays have begun, which means more writing time. Researching Oscar Wilde quotes this morning for my WIP.

This has been the highlight of my day. Granted, I didn't leave the house today.

Me trying to convince daughter to get ready for bed: "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise." Daughter: "Did you just make that up?" Me: "Why yes I did." (Follow me for more parenting excellence.)

My agent @jessicaberg.me needs headshots of her clients. She let us know she can use the ones she already has or we can send in new ones. And I'm over here thinking, yeah...I only look nice about once a year, so we'll go with the old one.

I'm over halfway through the first draft of my WIP and need to plot the end before I continue. This is my starting point. Sprinkle some fairy writing dust my way. Heck, throw it in handfuls.

cat's out of the bag now 🙊

Just joking, of course. Or mainly joking. Kind of.

You know what the new rug is missing? That pungent dog smell.

My top podcasts for 2024.

Wicked was truly awesome. Happy to report I started the audience cheering at the end. I'm sure Ariana and Cynthia appreciated it.

No one in my family is on Bluesky, so I thought I'd show today's Christmas present purchases.

Can't wait to share my book (on sub). Target audience? Are you a mother or a daughter? Ever discover a family secret (or kept one). Deeply regret something? Had a parent with addictions (& another who enabled it)? Ever wished for a vacation to your past? If so, you'll likely love SKIPPING STONES.

Someone asked today if I've finished my Christmas shopping. Never knew a question could be so judgmental.