Are you joining me for this year's December Writing Challenge? Keep your creative muscles primed and start 2026 with great momentum. Get all the details for this low-key challenge in my most recent newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/working-th...

It's that time of year! Who's joining me for my annual December Writing Challenge, starting Monday? Full details in the newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/working-th...

Elliott Erwitt, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. New York City, USA. 1988.

Why that novel you've read five times might be the key to your next big writing project, today in my newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/writing-as...

It's that time of year! Who's joining me for my annual December Writing Challenge, starting Monday? Full details in the newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/working-th...

Why that novel you've read five times might be the key to your next big writing project, today in my newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/writing-as...

Writer Beware is always looking to hear about stuff like this [email protected]

What's the difference between a conversation in real life and one on the page? Discussing dialogue, today in the newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/let-them-s...

It’s #FridayReads time! Let’s boost all signals. Repost this and let us know what to repost for you. I’m sharing this one because it’s very timely, helped me land an agent, was a Stoker nominee, was published in France and Italy, and it’s 30% off! www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...

Like you give away tax cuts to big corporations and the richest Americans?

I called Ossoff about this yday, but I may call again today tbh. He's worried about reelection but he has to know that if he screws this up he's gonna lose us. (If your senator is one of the few listed here, please call!)

What's the difference between a conversation in real life and one on the page? Discussing dialogue, today in the newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/let-them-s...

"The Republican Party has created an entirely avoidable mess for itself. By taking a resolute stand in favor of making healthcare unobtainable for many Americans, and now threatening to starve children to achieve that perverse goal, they have made performative cruelty their political calling card."

Ever pulled out a book and started reading in a café? What about a bar? Have I got the book club for you, today in the newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/reading-in...

We're on the front table at The @strandbookstore.bsky.social, NYC! 2 Signed Copies now available! AMERICA'S MOST GOTHIC: HAUNTED HISTORY STRANGER THAN FICTION examines real, haunted history through the lens of Gothic Literature! An "Instant USA Today Bestseller!" 🖤👻🖤

Remember when Paul Krugman’s columns were soooo wonky. “It sounds crazy to say that Republicans are making children go hungry to protect pedophiles, but it’s actually a reasonable interpretation of the situation.” - Paul Krugman

"I DON'T NEED YOU TO FUCKING REWRITE WHAT I'VE JUST WRITTEN!"

WGA Members and Aspiring Writers: Please beware of a link circulating for a “WGA TV Career Launch ScriptFest.” This is NOT affiliated with the WGA and could be a scam. Do not give them your money.

Delighted to be participating in this online event the weekend of November 7th and 8th! Still time to sign up for pitch appointments and for any number of workshops and panels. Hope to see you there! theseattlewritingworkshop.com

Voter suppression. Trump and MAGA are planning for permanent power. All in front of us. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...

Writing fiction means building a world, no matter what the genre. In today's newsletter, we take a look at different aspects of world building and how your world can enhance both your characters and the narrative of the story: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/crafting-a...

This photo of Robert Bloch is the most writer photo to have ever writer photo’d. It is Pure Writer Photo.

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY: Make your voices heard. Join us in a peaceful protest across our country against the most corrupt, deceitful & criminal Administration in U.S. History. We say NO KINGS, NO CROOKS, NO SPRAY-TAN CONMAN! 👎 Check for a location near you at: www.nokings.org #BeThere 👍

How to be an informed, pro-library, anti-book ban voter in upcoming fall elections (if you have them) and well into the future. Don't just celebrate banned books. Don't just read banned books. VOTE to support the democratic institutions creating access to them. bookriot.com/library-elec...

Looking for a way to kickstart your new writing project? Current routine not working? Wondering what November will look like without NaNo-frenzy? Check out today's newsletter for some inspiration: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/the-challe...

Rachel Ayers highlights six of the many fine retellings of the fairy ballad Tam Lin. I was honoured to publish @pameladean.bsky.social's extraordinary Tam Lin in the Fairy Tale Series (Tor Books), and I'm delighted to see it listed as one of the greats. It truly is. reactormag.com/a-knight-to-...

Looking for a way to kickstart your new writing project? Current routine not working? Wondering what November will look like without NaNo-frenzy? Check out today's newsletter for some inspiration: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/the-challe...

Distribution is THE under-reported story in book publishing (outside of the trade publications) and losing B&T is going to have untold ripple effects on the industry, small presses, and authors.

Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to support public TV stations after federal cuts

Your moment of calm this morning, in totally unwartorn Portland. Cedar waxwings lit by the sun, preening on branches.

Are you making the most of the settings you've chosen for your novel? Let's chat about how setting can help build an immersive reading experience, in today's newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/tell-me-wh...

Publishing Professionals Against Book Bans is proud to stand with our esteemed colleagues in the defense of the freedom to read! #BannedBooksWeek #ReadBannedBooks

Are you making the most of the settings you've chosen for your novel? Let's chat about how setting can help build an immersive reading experience, in today's newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/tell-me-wh...

Yesterday was a chaotic day, but in the hour or so before the movers showed up with my furniture, I issued a challenge to myself and my readers over on my newsletter. nepheletempest.substack.com/p/100-days-a...

Yesterday was a chaotic day, but in the hour or so before the movers showed up with my furniture, I issued a challenge to myself and my readers over on my newsletter. nepheletempest.substack.com/p/100-days-a...

This September seems to be luring more and more people into a back-to-school mood. Have you fallen prey to the personal curriculum trend? Discussing the latest wave of self-education, in today's newsletter: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/back-to-sc...

David Letterman on his career mocking presidents: “Beating up on these people, rightly or wrongly, accurately or perhaps inaccurately, in the name of comedy—not once were we squeezed by anyone from any governmental agency, let alone the dreaded FCC.” Watch more: bit.ly/4n0Uv2p #TAF25

This was great and I want everyone to see it. Because I want them to look at what journalism was, and what it used to do

The irony of Trump usurping power over the BLS, Federal Reserve, the tariff power of Congress, and a growing portion of the private sector is that these abysmal job numbers can only be pinned on him. If nothing else brings him down, his authoritarian control over the economy surely will.

How many times have you started a novel draft over because you needed to change the POV? Join me for an overview of the different POVs and to discuss what each might bring to your project, in today's installment of series on editing for submission: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/whos-telli...

Still time to sign up for pitches this weekend, so be sure to check this out. Plenty of agents with some slots remaining. Hope to see you there!

Wooooo! THE SEA WITCH is a USA TODAY bestseller!!! Thank you to all the readers who helped make this happen!!

Long overdue IMO. www.gov.ca.gov/2025/09/03/c...

How many times have you started a novel draft over because you needed to change the POV? Join me for an overview of the different POVs and to discuss what each might bring to your project, in today's installment of series on editing for submission: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/whos-telli...

Far too young…RIP.

I think there are a number of people on here who would be interested to see these pics of Dodie Smith’s London pad. www.countrylife.co.uk/interiors/co...

The difference between the text of the post and the headline of the article below it is staggering

Today in my newsletter, discussing everything that stood between me and my ambitious summer reading plans this year: nepheletempest.substack.com/p/my-summer-...

Very excited to take one-on-one pitches at the 2025 (Online) Minnesota Writing Workshop on September 5-6. Join me! Anyone from anywhere can attend. Learn more about the virtual writers conference here: minnesotawritingworkshop.com