Melanie Marttila (she/her)
@melaniemarttila.bsky.social
📤 213
📥 143
📝 63
#ActuallyAutistic
writer of poetry and speculative tales of hope in the face of adversity.
The last 2 weeks of October were busy, and then the return to Standard time messed me up. So, this post-con report was delayed. But I had fun, did 2 panels, attended 2 launches, and got some awesome pub news!
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Can-Con, October 17 to 19, 2025
A post-con report
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/can-con-october-17-to-19-2025?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
1 day ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Stephen Kotowych 🇨🇦
3 days ago
Hey! Apparently it's
#IReadCanadian
day! If only there was somewhere readers looking for new
#Canadian
SFF authors to read could find a bunch of them all in one place... 🤔
a.co/d/azXj9pF
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Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction: Volume Three eBook : Kotowych, Stephen: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store
Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction: Volume Three eBook : Kotowych, Stephen: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store
https://a.co/d/azXj9pF
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Andy W. Taylor
21 days ago
Super Canucks features stories by
@premeemohamed.com
,
@melaniemarttila.bsky.social
,
@harkback.bsky.social
@myexplodingpen.bsky.social
@niallspain.bsky.social
@pbarmby.bsky.social
, Jim Robb, Chris O’Halloran,and Dwain Campbell. Coming March 2026. 2/2
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Can-Con is 1 week away! I’ll be on two panels at this year's Can-Con! The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
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Schedule — Can*Con
https://www.can-con.org/schedule
28 days ago
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Wordstock is in 2 weeks! Take a gander at this year's line up and while you're at it, subscribe to the Wordstock Substack to keep up to date on what's happening with Sudbury's literary festival. Don't forget to get your tickets! Streaming available!
wordstocksudbury.substack.com/p/are-you-jo...
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Are you joining us in 2 weeks? Browse Wordstock Sudbury's lineup for Oct 24 & 25
Tickets on sale now for Sudbury's annual festival for readers, writers, and lovers of words
https://wordstocksudbury.substack.com/p/are-you-joining-us-in-2-weeks-browse
28 days ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Suyi
28 days ago
It's
@canconsffh.bsky.social
next weekend! I'm excited for: snazzy new venue; time with friends old & new; dope panels & events + fave Toronto bookstore
@bakkaphoenix.bsky.social
; the thrill of enthusiastic readers; copious beers; etc. Thankfully, I have a slim schedule this year. See below!
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Getting back out into the world while respecting my energy levels and maintaining healthy boundaries can be tricksy, but it can be done. Some writerly news to share causing much excite, and my usual takes on what I've been watching and reading.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: September 2025
Getting back into creative life with an in-person event!
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-september-2025?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
about 1 month ago
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My review of We Bury Nothing by Kate Blair is out in today's The Seaboard Review! It's a fabulous YA historical mystery that ties the past to the present with an engaging and topical plot. Reader, I loved it :)
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-bury-no...
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We Bury Nothing by Kate Blair Ties Past to Present with Engaging Mystery
Reviewed by Melanie Marttila
https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-bury-nothing-by-kate-blair
about 1 month ago
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I’ll be on two panels at this year's Can-Con! The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
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Schedule — Can*Con
https://www.can-con.org/schedule
about 2 months ago
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My review of Birch and Jay by Allister Thompson is in today's The Seaboard Review of Books. Allister already reached out on IG and said he liked it (he really liked it!). Such an honour to support a fellow northeastern Ontario and Latitude 46 author.
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/birch-and-...
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Birch and Jay by Allister Thompson
The Knowledge Seekers: Book 1
https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/birch-and-jay-by-allister-thompson
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Stephen Kotowych 🇨🇦
about 2 months ago
I need a timeline cleanse. How about a table of contents announcement! That’s right—despite the world being on fire, it’s time to reveal the TOC for Year’s Best Canadian F&SF Volume 3! It was VERY hard to narrow the list down but it's all killer, no filler. The book launches October 14. Enjoy! 1/2
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
The Seaboard Review of Books 🇨🇦 📚
2 months ago
“Thyme Travellers is fabulous...the timing of this anthology is perfect.” Review by
@melaniemarttila.bsky.social
. THYME TRAVELLERS is published by
@fernpub.bsky.social
.
#speculativefiction
#palestinianfiction
@soniasulaiman.bsky.social
theseaboardreview.substack.com/p/thyme-trav...
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My review of Thyme Travellers: An Anthology of Palestinian Speculative Fiction edited by Sonia Sulaiman is now out in The Seaboard Review! This was such a touching and timely anthology to read. You should all get a copy!
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/thyme-trav...
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Thyme Travellers: An Anthology of Palestinian Speculative Fiction, edited by Sonia Sulaiman
Reviewed by Melanie Marttila
https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/thyme-travellers-an-anthology-palestinian-speculative-fiction
2 months ago
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Keeping a level head as I re-enter the world. Exciting writing-related stuff is happening! Writing and revision progress, and as always, lots of thoughts about stuff I watched and read. Join me for my review of this writer’s life in August.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: August 2025
If I don’t accept your “gift,” it’s yours to keep.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-august-2025?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
2 months ago
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I'm furiously happy about this interview in On Creative Writing! Let the happy dancing commence!
www.oncreativewriting.com/post/neurodi...
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Neurodivergent author Melanie Marttila on the power of reclaiming your authentic voice
Neurodivergent SFF author Melanie Marttila says a 2021 autism diagnosis helped her reclaim her authentic voice and take creative risks. She was influenced by a supportive undergraduate community and ...
https://www.oncreativewriting.com/post/neurodivergent-author-melanie-marttila-on-the-power-of-reclaiming-your-authentic-voice
3 months ago
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Progress is being made! And I guess I'm a book reviewer now? But, as ever, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It's a process. And a journey. And a becoming. Will let you know how it all turns out.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: July 2025
A gradual return to work and change of schedule seem to have made all the difference.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-july-2025?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
3 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
The Seaboard Review of Books 🇨🇦 📚
4 months ago
"....a thought-provoking, and timely novel"
@melaniemarttila.bsky.social
reviews THE MIDNIGHT PROJECT by Christy Climenhage.
#clifi
#climatechange
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-midnig...
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Six weeks off work can make a lot of difference. And also very little difference at all. Except, of course, that I read a lot of books and watched a lot of movies. This post is a looong one, folks.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: June 2025
My ongoing burnout journey and the desire for definitive change.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-june-2025?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
4 months ago
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It's been a rough month and I'm not out of the burnout woods yet. Finally put my own mask on first and took sick leave to recover from burnout. Availing myself or EAP and learning to pay attention to my feelings. It's a work in progress. And so am I.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: May 2025
My little love got sick, and I realized I’m not out of the burnout woods yet.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-may-2025
5 months ago
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New lessons in the life autistic, election stress, work stress, and counting spoons for the writing. It’s all part of the month in this writer’s life.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: April 2025 update
My brain, she does not brain. Oh! And … May the fourth be with you. See what I mean? My priorities are all messed up.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-april-2025-update?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
6 months ago
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I am so excited to be on an episode of Suzy Vadori's Show Don't Tell Writing Podcast! We just recorded this yesterday and I'm amazed at how quickly Liz put together the final version.
www.buzzsprout.com/2333353/epis...
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42. Writing as a Neurodivergent Author with Melanie Marttila - Show, don't Tell Writing with Suzy Vadori
In this week's episode, Suzy chats with Author and Poet Melanie Marttila. They discuss Melanie's journey as a writer, through her adult diagnosis of Autism, and how that shifted how she thought about ...
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2333353/episodes/17013985
7 months ago
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Yes, the sh*t has officially hit the fan. Struggling? I know I am. Some Substack recommendations to keep Canadians abreast of events, an upcoming local poetry reading, and some lovely reading and watching recommendations to soothe the world-weary soul.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: March 2025
The sh*t has officially hit the fan.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-march-2025
7 months ago
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The Aurora Awards are accepting nominations until April 5th 2025. I humbly offer my eligible works for consideration. But you know, if you're Canadian and you love science fiction and fantasy, join the CSFFA and nominate your favourite authors.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Auroras eligibility post
It’s that time of year again. Again? Yeah. Feels weird. But good-weird.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/auroras-eligibility-post
8 months ago
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Sweet lord, but aren't we all tolerating ambiguity these days? Some thoughts, my month in writing, some interesting articles, what I'm doing to stay sane, and all the things I'm watching and reading. The latest issue of Alchemy Ink, free to read, always.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: February 2025
Tolerating ambiguity. It’s harder than it looks.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-february-2025
8 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Queer Momentum
8 months ago
✨ ARE YOU READY TO ORGANIZE FOR QUEER RIGHTS? ✨ Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate is on the rise in Canada and around the world. We have a choice: to sit back and let others decide our fate, or to come together and decide for ourselves. We choose to organize. Today, we're launching
RainbowEquality.ca
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Writers and creators with privilege, want to use it to support the marginalized/oppressed creatives in your communities? Sign up for the Writing the Other "Are You My Ally?" Webinar! Deadline to register is March 2nd!
writingtheother.com/are-you-my-a...
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Are You My Ally? A Webinar for Writers and Creators - Writing the Other
Join authors Nisi Shawl and K. Tempest Bradford for a webinar that will empower would-be allies to support marginalized creatives.
https://writingtheother.com/are-you-my-ally-2025/
9 months ago
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January 2025 was a bit much. So is this month's Alchemy Ink. A wee ramble in addition to the usual life in general, the month in writing, of interest on the interwebz, filling the well, and what I'm watching and reading segments. It's big, but it's worth it 😊
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: January 2025
As the light returns . . .
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-january-2025
9 months ago
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Happy New Year, all! The December issue of Alchemy Ink is out and free to read.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: December 2024
Settling into recovery mode ... (cue olde-timey modem squealing)
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-december-2024?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
10 months ago
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Winter has arrived in northeastern Ontario, and I'm sick again (!) Find out what else is going on in this writer's life in the latest Alchemy Ink.
melaniemarttila.substack.com/p/alchemy-in...
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Alchemy Ink: November 2024
This bear wants to hibernate.
https://melaniemarttila.substack.com/p/alchemy-ink-november-2024
11 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
11 months ago
If you're into romance reading, try the novels of M.Francis Lamont. Three series and counting!
#EBookGifts
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Nina Munteanu
11 months ago
"“There is no depression more debilitating than knowing that you cannot go back home, even though you’re already there.”--Lynna Dresden in "A Diary in the Age of Water"
#books
#ecofiction
#EBookGifts
ninamunteanu.me/2023/12/31/w...
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When Water Speaks: quotes from A Diary in the Age of Water
“There is no depression more debilitating than knowing that you cannot go back home, even though you’re already there.”Lynna Dresden “This is a significant book for our times … creative, inventive,…
https://ninamunteanu.me/2023/12/31/when-water-speaks-quotes-from-a-diary-in-the-age-of-water-19/
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#EBookGifts
Poetry lover on your list? Consider The Art of Floating, direct from Latitude 46 Publishing or Amazon $9.99 CAD.
store.latitude46publishing.com/products/the...
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The Art of Floating
PoetryPub Date: April 6, 20245.5 x 8.5 in | 92 pgsTrade Paperback : 9781988989747e-pub: 9781988989754 Melanie Marttila captures the solace and healing she has found in the terrestrial landscapes, fl...
https://store.latitude46publishing.com/products/the-art-of-floating
11 months ago
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#EBookGifts
Poetry lover on your list? Consider The Art of Floating, direct from Latitude 46 Publishing or
Amazon.ca
$9.99 CAD.
store.latitude46publishing.com/products/the...
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The Art of Floating
PoetryPub Date: April 6, 20245.5 x 8.5 in | 92 pgsTrade Paperback : 9781988989747e-pub: 9781988989754 Melanie Marttila captures the solace and healing she has found in the terrestrial landscapes, fl...
https://store.latitude46publishing.com/products/the-art-of-floating
11 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
11 months ago
A terrific nonfiction book by
@jmgalat.bsky.social
Optimism & activism in age-appropriate ways for young people.
#EBookGifts
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
11 months ago
Delighted to share: King Kwong, my bio of hockey hero Larry Kwong, made it to #1 in hockey ebooks on Amazon in May this year. It's doing well on Kobo, too. Available on over a dozen online vendors thru
books2read.com/kwong
#EBookGifts
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
11 months ago
There are four books now available from in Celu Amberstone's series Tales of Tasimu. Here are links to them all at
books2read.com/b/taste
#EBookGifts
The final two books in the series will be released early in 2025 from Kashallan Press!
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Su J Sokol (xe, xyr)
11 months ago
My second novel, Run J Run: friendship, polyamory, and queer, non-traditional family combined with a mystery and a contemporary urban psychological drama. Content warning for suicidal ideation, child abuse, racialized violence. Dark in parts but also full of hope and light.
#EBookGifts
(2 of 3)
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Su J Sokol (xe, xyr)
11 months ago
Third novel: Zee (available in French and English): Adult and YA story about empathy and its uneven distribution in our society through the metaphor of a kid who can hear the thoughts and feel the emotions of others.
#EBookGifts
books2read.com/u/bQnNZ6
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#EBookGifts
Poetry lover on your list? Consider The Art of Floating, direct from Latitude 46 Publishing or
Amazon.ca
$9.99 CAD.
store.latitude46publishing.com/products/the...
loading . . .
The Art of Floating
PoetryPub Date: April 6, 20245.5 x 8.5 in | 92 pgsTrade Paperback : 9781988989747e-pub: 9781988989754 Melanie Marttila captures the solace and healing she has found in the terrestrial landscapes, fl...
https://store.latitude46publishing.com/products/the-art-of-floating
11 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
11 months ago
I'm so happy with feedback from scientists about Science Critters, the pattern book I made with little figures to knit or crochet. One biologist wanted a spider, another a sea slug ... these were fun to make.
#EBookGifts
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Nina Munteanu
11 months ago
#EBookGifts
#ecofiction
#water
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
11 months ago
Wow! The colours in that cover! That grubby hand... I'm in. Just acquired ROSE by Mike Bryant, as it is available on Kobo and I have a Kobo Plus subscription.
#EBookGifts
www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/...
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Rose ebook by Mike Bryant - Rakuten Kobo
Read "Rose" by Mike Bryant available from Rakuten Kobo. What do you do when the undead comes knocking on your door? Play pop music for her, of course. Katya, a grieving suburba...
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/rose-105
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Nina Munteanu
11 months ago
#EBookGifts
#RheaHawke
#SplinteredUniverse
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Brain Lag
11 months ago
It's
#EBookGifts
day! With over 50 titles, we're bound to have something perfect for (almost) anyone on your list (including you!). Let us know what you're looking for and we'll be happy to suggest a title. And don't forget to check out the other
#EBookGifts
participants!
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
11 months ago
Check out James Bow's books and more at his website
bowjamesbow.ca
#EBookGifts
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By James Bow
My Books. My Thoughts. My Writing.
https://bowjamesbow.ca
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Nina Munteanu
11 months ago
Happy
#ebook
day! Here are some of my ebooks: cautionary
#ecofiction
; an intelligent virus that runs a city; flawed but gifted detective solving a universal mystery; a Teutonic time travel adventure to future Paris...These 8 books are available on Amazon
www.amazon.ca/stores/Nina-...
#EBookGifts
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
12 months ago
I love depending on
@skyladawn.ca
because nothing bad happens to pets in her books.
#EBookGifts
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
11 months ago
Oi,
@catelli.bsky.social
, what do you like to read? Our hashtag
#EBookGifts
has so far mentioned poetry, ecofiction, fantasy and more. I'm sure one of us has a book you'd like to find in the public
#library
.
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#EBookGifts
Poetry lover on your list? Consider The Art of Floating, direct from Latitude 46 Publishing or
Amazon.ca
$9.99 CAD.
store.latitude46publishing.com/products/the...
loading . . .
The Art of Floating
PoetryPub Date: April 6, 20245.5 x 8.5 in | 92 pgsTrade Paperback : 9781988989747e-pub: 9781988989754 Melanie Marttila captures the solace and healing she has found in the terrestrial landscapes, fl...
https://store.latitude46publishing.com/products/the-art-of-floating
11 months ago
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