Halfway through my book group, my bra came unhooked. We were discussing asking for help when you need it. I managed to surreptitiously refasten the bra, but the woman next to me came mighty close to getting to put her words into action. #BookGroup

What historians see when people claim AI is solving mysteries that have baffled historians for years.

Hotel employee thought stranger and I were together; we immediately bantered about why it never happened for us. Turns out he's a Bruins fan and I'm Red Wings; decided we're incompatible. Kept it going a long time--to employee's horror--and it was fun. Love those unexpected interactions. #lgrw

When you've pushed your publicist too far:

My regular reminder to sign up for my newsletter so you won't miss news of workshops I'm giving, updates to my website The Purple Crayon, and the like. Simple form on my Contact page. Infrequent mailings: www.underdown.org/contact.htm#...

On tour with my publicist and she asked which of the deadly sins I think is my main one, and then we looked at each other and said, "Wrath!" That's a good sign for a working relationship, right? When they know your deadly sin? #TeamWrath #BookSky

Announcing new deals for @zaybashah.bsky.social @katiewritesbks.bsky.social @juanamartinezn.bsky.social + more

Spent the day in Salem visiting many spots important in the Salem witch trials. Incredibly moving. #history #teacher

Had a great time at the Boston Book Festival! Fun panel with Erin Entrada Kelly. Hadn't been to the BPL before--what a fantastic interior courtyard. #WriterSky

Updating my LEGO White House

The West Wing is now just the Wing.

hey this seems bad

Going through an old computer folder and discovered I have a "Questionable Limericks" file. Pretty on-brand, honestly. #Writing

Turnout 126 in rural red Iowa for an event that was only advertised word-of-mouth. #NoKings

Did you ever think about how the first hour of the day is 12 o'clock, followed by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11? Twelve through eleven?--mathematicians have some explaining to do.

All of this. Please read.

I sincerely apologize for borrowing a book from #MIT and returning it late. They need to concentrate on fighting bigger criminals than me.

damn. hoping it at least signifies something

Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning. Standing with #Chicago.

I told prof I was going to write a paper on Soviet/South African diplomatic relations for my SAf history class--then 2 days before paper was due, discovered they didn't HAVE relations. I wrote 10 pp on their ABSENCE--the space, instead of the form. Got an A. Try that, #GenAI.

Got an ad telling me if I pay some bucks, I can extend the reach of my books to 0 people. It's nice to see honest advertising.

Looking forward to the Boston Book Festival! I'll be in Copley Square on Saturday, October 25! #BBF

👇👇👇 From DID YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED IN SALEM? by @katiewritesbks.bsky.social — perfect spooky history (horstory?) for the season!

My elderly father wrote, "I have outlived optimism," and I am gutted. #ICE

a copyright *is* an opt-out from this sort of use

The Restricted Beach Boys

Got a phone call at the library where I work part time. Me: Information Desk. Her: How do you spell diarrhea? Me: D, I, A.... Just a regular day at the library. #Library

Got my performance review.

we do need this one on T-shirts actually

If a government tells you that you can’t call it authoritarian, it’s authoritarian.

Urgent question: if I tell my editor I was raptured, is that an automatic deadline extension? #writing

More than 1800 detainees are missing after the closure of Alligator Alcatraz. Their families and lawyers can’t find them and they’ve vanished from the ICE database. Feels like this should be a much bigger story www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

My elderly mom was getting routine medical care today when a tech asked her age. When Mom told her, she said, "Well, damn, girl!" And now Mom's having a happy day. We can still make a difference for each other. Little things help, too.

My targeted ads are all whiskey right now. At first I thought, That's weird--I don't drink whiskey. Then I realized the algorithm has seen the news.

Iowa has feels.

Had fun at Iowa City's Sidekick Coffee and Books today! It's a little gem--if you're in the area, go see what I mean.

I found a photo of the elusive leader of #antifa.

I lost half my hearing to measles as an infant and it has been a pain in my ass every day of my life. This is cruel. #vaccines

Madison's watching.

If you have questions about the First Amendment, THE CONSTITUTION DECODED can help. Adults are allowed to read, too. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-consti...

When we write the list of cowards unequal to this moment, #ABC will be at the top. The alphabet has spoken. #Kimmel

Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. #Kimmel

oh my fucking god

OK, not even getting into the ethics or the existential issues around AI: Have some goddamn self-respect. If you're a writer and you do this I don't know how you look at yourself, but I know exactly how I look at you.

Just wrote an epically convoluted margin note. Torn between revising for clarity (and human decency) and leaving it so my editor has something to pin by the water cooler and garner sympathy. Editors probably have contests about this kind of stuff, right? She could win something. #Writing

if you’re an isolated, angsty, strange young man, please know that you can become a Kierkegaard scholar instead of joining fringe online communities

Tried to get takeout in my parents' town bc they're not very mobile, but the restaurant didn't offer takeout. I apologized, explained why I tried. The woman said, "Oh, for the elderly? We can do that." And they boxed up meals for us. #kindness

I wrote a book to help you navigate the strange and wonderful world of writing and publishing books. It covers everything from how to write a query letter to how to write your next book. Get it wherever books are sold! bookshop.org/p/books/writ...