Melanie Marttila (she/her)
@melaniemarttila.bsky.social
📤 207
📥 143
📝 58
#ActuallyAutistic
writer of poetry and speculative tales of hope in the face of adversity.
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 22 hours 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
1 day ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Stephen Kotowych 🇨🇦
5 days 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 🇨🇦 📚
14 days 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
15 days 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
16 days 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
about 2 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
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
The Seaboard Review of Books 🇨🇦 📚
2 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
3 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
4 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
5 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
5 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
6 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
6 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
7 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Queer Momentum
7 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/
7 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
8 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
9 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
10 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
10 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
10 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
10 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
10 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
10 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
10 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
10 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)
10 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)
10 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...
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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
10 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
10 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
10 months ago
#EBookGifts
#ecofiction
#water
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
10 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
10 months ago
#EBookGifts
#RheaHawke
#SplinteredUniverse
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Brain Lag
10 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
10 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
10 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
10 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
10 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
10 months ago
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Nina Munteanu
10 months ago
#EbookGifts
“When you look at a deep pond, you don’t see the bottom. Instead, you see yourself reflected there. The calmer the pond, the more you see of you, the less of the pond.”-Lynna Dresden in 'A Diary in the Age of Water'
ninamunteanu.me/2023/06/14/w...
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reposted by
Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Paula Johanson
10 months ago
Glad to see your note, Melanie! And I hope everyone gets to see the lovely cover on your poetry book The Art of Floating. That's a terrific choice for
#EBookGifts
!
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So thrilled to have my dystopian cli-fi story "The Beekeeper" included in the Exile Editions anthology Through the Portal: Tales from a Hopeful Dystopia. Cover reveal and pre-order link in the Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Cover reveal and pre-order link
New short fiction!
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/cover-reveal-and-pre-order-link?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
10 months ago
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#EBookGifts
holiday small press promotion! Saturday, November 30, 2024 All social media platforms Need some holiday gift suggestions? Join us on all social media platforms using the hashtag
#EBookGifts
on Saturday, November 30, 2024 for some e-book suggestions.
10 months ago
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Wordstock Sudbury 2024 marked my first official literary festival appearance. It was a fabulous event and I just wanted to share it with you all!
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Wordstock 2024 post-festival wrap-up
My first official literary festival appearance and all the other goodies.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/wordstock-2024-post-festival-wrap?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
11 months ago
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Between moving to a new team and work and family drama over the past few months, I've once again succumbed to burnout. It's not pleasant, but it's part of the life autistic.
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Alchemy Ink: October 2024
Hello, burnout, my old friend…
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-october-2024?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
11 months ago
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The latest issue of Alchemy Ink is out and free to read. Life happens, people. It also goes on. Be kind to yourselves.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
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Alchemy Ink: September 2024
Getting back into the swing of things…until the swing breaks.
https://open.substack.com/pub/melaniemarttila/p/alchemy-ink-september-2024?r=h5jld&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
12 months ago
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Ah! So grateful that the /tεmz/ Review has published three of my poems, Trauma cluster I, II, and III in Issue 28! Content warning for Trauma cluster III: suicidal ideation. To be honest, as the titles suggest, the content of all these poems is dark. Take care.
www.thetemzreview.com/issue-twenty...
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Issue Twenty-Eight
Maung Htike Aung "A Tale, by the Dead" "It is Just a Single Room" "The Last Keeper" "Mud for a Lotus" Carolena Fernandez Brazfield "tbh," MICHAEL CHANG "BLUE JUPITERS" "GOVERNMENT RAISINS" "GOLDEN...
https://www.thetemzreview.com/issue-twenty-eight.html
12 months ago
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