Don’t get hung up on the first draft. It took me forever to finish my first draft of my first book because I kept trying for perfection the first time, and it’s flatly not possible. Let yourself do it badly. You can always make it better later. #HiveMentor

Day five of AMAs with @write_hive! If you have questions, ask in the comments! Someone else summarized my answer on the Discord: Burnout is not a badge of honor. But here’s my longer one…

#HiveMentor I wish I knew that just because I'm getting a lot of words on paper does not mean that I am in a good mental health space. I've been very vocal about creatives of all sorts -- but writers as it's relevant to this -- making sure you take breaks for your mental health and sanity. (1/3)

Follow the rabbit 😌

I highly doubt I'll get any projects that are too close to my own, but just in case, please don't send me: 1930s mg runaways, 2001 adult Appalachian witches, crossover contemporary secret society vs artistic revolutions, or adult space operas with non-corporeal alien ships, k? thx! 😌 #HiveMentor

For today's @writehive.bsky.social #HiveMentor question, I have a lot of reservations about my answer already, so please @ me to ask questions this week if you have them. "I think" should be the caveat here, bc I'm always open to being surprised by a manuscript OR a writer's process!!

My favorite book tends to be whatever I'm currently reading, and right now that's The Garden by Nick Newman. I'm really enjoying the sibling relationship at its center, their playfulness & warmth amidst such a grim world. #HiveMentor

Day 1 of #HiveMentor AMA - so let's get crackin!

It’s time for mentor AMAs for HiveMentor! Q1: What is your mentorship style? What can mentees expect from working with you? Answer in graphic 🐝 #hivementor

#HiveMentor AMA Q1:

It’s AMA time with #HiveMentor! Here’s my answer to the first question!!! If you have any questions for me, feel free to ask in the comments!!!

✨I'm so pleased to be returning as a 2026 mentor with @writehive.bsky.social #HiveMentor! Scroll to check out my MSWL here, and important dates for the program. You can learn more at: writehive.org/writehive-me... And check out our fun AMAs in the week to come!

✨It's time for the @writehive.bsky.social #HiveMentor AMA! Here's my answere for Q1: What is your mentorship style? What can mentees expect from working with you?

#HiveMentor From there, it's my job to help give guidance as to how to make that shine through in a story. I work best via email or chat, as well as being able to work with someone asynchronously, but above all yes, I want to help the story you want to tell succeed.

#HiveMentor My mentee is not me. I know that's a weird sentiment, but it's also my guiding principle both as an editor and a mentor. I am here to help make a story the best it can be within the framework of the story you're trying to tell. I want to know what you're passionate about in the story...

Scroll for my answers to @writehive.bsky.social #HiveMentor AMA! Question 1: What is your mentorship style? What can mentees expect from working with you?

IT HAS NOT BEEN

The USDA has funding set aside to keep food assistance programs running during emergencies. Trump just won’t release it. 440,000 Minnesotans - and millions more Americans - will pay the price.

Alright. Fine. I did what I promised. I made graphics. But I did sign one of them in MS Paint. I have a brand.

I’m a mentor again for WriteHive! I had so much fun with last year’s mentee and I’m excited to find another amazing manuscript this year. Swipe for my #mswl and to view important dates. The link in my bio will take you to all mentors ✨🐝📚 #HiveMentor

✨Announcement✨ Absolutely thrilled to announce that I've been chosen as a WriteHive mentor this year! I could not be more excited to read all of your pitches and be a part of this fantastic organization. Swipe to see my wishlist and important dates! @writehive.bsky.social #HiveMentor #WriteHive

✨Announcement✨: I am honored to have been chosen as a WriteHive mentor this year! As a former mentee who benefited from similar contests before I was agented, I am beyond excited to influence another writer's journey in the same positive way. 💙 @writehive.bsky.social #HiveMentor #WriteHive

SO thrilled to be a WriteHive mentor for another year! Yes, you're counting right - I'm a part of 2 mentorship programs this year! Double the fun, y'all! My MSWL is, as ever, very loose. This is so that you don't self-reject, and so that you don't pigeon-hole yourself into not applying. Just do it!

I’m. @writehive.bsky.social mentor! My time as a mentee was vital in preparing me for the query trenches and beyond, and I’m so excited to have a chance to pay it forward. I can’t wait to see what y’all are working on! 💜 #HiveMentor

I’m baaaaaaack I’ll make a graphic later. It’s been a day

Oh hey look at that 👀👀👀

Aaaaaaah! I’m mentoring for @writehive.bsky.social’s mentorship program this coming year! Check out my MSWL, bio, and all that jazz at the link in the repost. And note all the important stuff coming up! #hivementor

In the immortal words of Caduceus Clay.... help, it's again ✨ Surprise! I'm going to be a part of TWO mentorship programs this year! I've loved working with WriteHive both in the conference and as a past mentor, and I couldn't be happier to be here once again. Mentor MSWLs on the website!

Hi! I’m a #HiveMentor once again this year and excited to participate. Last time I was incredibly privileged to get to know two fantastic writers, and I hope to be lucky again 🤓 Do check out this programme as there are many wonderful folks participating, covering trad and indie and hybrid and more.

✨Big News!✨ I'm a mentor for this coming year's #HiveMentor program from @writehive.bsky.social! 🎊✨🎊✨

I'm an Alberta based artist who has a thing for storms & space. I do commissions & have originals & 50 different canvas & paper prints available earthskyart.ca/shop #art #painting

Cover reveal! 🥳🎉 DEAD WEIGHT is translated by @maryrobinettekowal.com and will hit the shelves on May 26th. Nothing tests a friendship like blood on your hands 🩸 Preorder here: us.macmillan.com/books/978125...

MOON DUST IN MY HAIRNET (@mythicroads.bsky.social) by @jesscreaden.bsky.social is a semifinalist for the 2025 Small Spec Book Awards! Congratulations! #SSBA #SSBA2025

Make time tomorrow to call your Congressperson and both your senators tomorrow. Remind them that trans rights are human rights. Hell, call your reps even if they're Republicans. Let's remind them that they will eventually need to be reelected.

For no reason in particular at ALL, I would like to suggest people check out my award-winning book MOON DUST IN MY HAIRNET about an autistic lunar lunch lady and her cohort of neurodivergent friends!

Probably gonna be a lot of autism misinformation tomorrow, so please, if you need anyone to talk to about it, it’s not me, because you’re a grown adult willing listening to that man who sounds like a garbage disposal with a Lego in it.

I'm trying not to hold my breath, but... I THINK y'all just about saved my family?? We are SO CLOSE to the goal now, and for the first time in 2 months I feel a little hope? ❤️‍🩹🙏🥹 THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR DONATIONS AND SUPPORT!! Please keep sharing if you can? It truly means the world to us.

My best friend needs immediate help. Please consider donating, or sharing. #mutualaid

EMERGENCY UPDATE: Not only have I lost my marriage, my dog, my trust, & my home, I'm about to lose the only chance I have of moving forward safely. PLEASE HELP? If you aren't able to give out of sympathy, we'll take spite $ too!! gofund.me/1d44a21e6 #help #donation

THIS is how you strike like the French! This gives me hope! YES Chicago! General Strikes next! Let’s do this BEFORE things get worse, not wait. Volunteer, raise mutual aid @thepeoplessickdays.bsky.social @generalstrikeus.bsky.social

gofund.me/e0b1c447 Please help or share if you can

I lost my earlier post (consequence of sharing a lot lol) Anyway - 💚2 slots 💚 still available! Come get it before it’s gone (will close when all slots are filled) #vgen

What incredible news!! I'm thrilled for MOON DUST IN MY HAIRNET to be in such an awesome collection of semifinalists and want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to all nominees!! 🎉🎉🔥🔥!!!;

I'm really not ok right now and I'm so tired of feeling like this

im getting really tired of everything being bad bc like 12 ppl can't fill the hole in their hearts despite being billionaires

If you’ve ever wanted to help a family fight back & win, now’s your chance. Every dollar brings us closer to a future where the kids can finish school, I can work, & we can thrive. Please donate & share: gofund.me/fdb258ff Thank you for believing in us.

The best boy forever 😭💔🐾

My latest podcast interview is out! Many thanks to Daniel Midgley and the #BecauseLanguage podcast for welcoming me to the show to talk about conscious language and the very real challenges in using it. 📚 #AmEditing #WritingCommunity #Edibuddies #ConsciousLanguage #ConsciousStyleGuide

Please help save my dog? I'm losing my home and can't bring him where me and my kids have found shelter. We have friends who can take him, but he needs surgery first. Please help give Leto a safe, pain-free fresh start. Every share and donation means the world!