Well I'm awake now. 0/10 do not approve. #AlaskaSky #Alaska #Earthquake

That was a pretty decent quake, y’all. Now to wait for the official, but one guess high fives, low sixes?

Alaska’s version of “stop and smell the roses.”

Solid feedback on a rejection earlier - a few things I can improve, and things they really liked. I’m feeling kinda hopeful after it because they took the time to tell me. I feel like that isn’t the norm anymore, and it makes me hope I can reflect on the feedback and tighten things up. 🥰

I haven’t talked a whole lot about my querying - largely because it seems impolite - but … y’all I am holding my breath every time an e-mail arrives.

A reminder: Agents are usually just English majors who want to get an A+ on the pop quiz of your book. Make sure your query is clear enough that we feel smart. If we're confused, we may think, "I must not be the right agent. I'll let someone who understands it take it on."

"Two Old Women" is an adaptation of Velma Wallis' novel of the same name. Wallis's 1993 book is based on an Athabascan legend and takes place before colonization.

A reminder that agent-speed comprehension works differently than the luxurious reading pace of a critique partner, English major, or coffee shop read. How to fix? Print your query, share with someone who knows nothing about it, set a timer for 60 seconds, then quiz them. Pivot as needed.

I am so angry and sad about this. Draconian staff cuts at KYUK in Bethel are an incalculable loss for the region and indeed all of Alaska. #AlaskaSky #PublicRadio

authors you have the chance to do the funniest thing right now

Just some very general advice, apropos of nothing: If you're smart enough to hire a professional for advice, be smart enough to listen to what they tell you. e.g., don't hire an attorney to advise you on your divorce (or anything, really) and then ignore what they tell you.

If anyone was wondering why flags are flying at half mast…

I spent today down in Hamilton, Ohio as part of the official grand opening of a new @barnesandnoble.com there, and used this enormous pair of scissors to cut the red ribbon. I considered stealing the scissors. I ultimately did not. If the staff cannot find them later IT WAS NOT ME.

In fact, B&N has been expanding rather a bit recently; their sales are up and they've refreshed their stores. And independent books stores have been growing in numbers too! It's been quite a turnaround for brick and mortar bookstores in the last couple of years. I hope it lasts.

This is my favorite of the night… my road ❤️Never gets old.

Some nights, you just gotta punt on the whole idea of sleep.

Catching snowflakes ❄️🫎 📸 Jane Thompson #alaska #moose #elandthemoose #akwildlife #awcc #alaskawildlifeconservationcenter

Just write the thing. You can fix anything but a blank page. #amwriting #steponetellthedamnstoryalready

If you are dealing with a lapse in SNAP benefits in Alaska: The Food Bank of Alaska has a list of food resources - for Anchorage & Mat-Su here's a list of hot meals and food pantry hours: foodbankofalaska.org/hubfs/Websit...

Start the countdown! Only 5 days left until ClusterCon II! Link to livestream: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg-1... Video: blue_mirmaid (Twitter)

Very real kids hear all of us when we show distain, contempt, or mockery for kids like them. Please, let's be mindful of how we speak. Let's choose respect and compassion. The more we feel respect & compassion for ourselves, it can flow out of us to them. 8/

A Monday haiku My brain will not brain, no matter how much coffee. Screen font so tiny.

Got amazing feedback from a @manuscriptacademy.bsky.social thing I did - really smart feedback, hyped to dig in to revisions and polish things up. It’s very motivating.

Really grateful that they are reporting the impacts of the other small communities too.

All #writers really need to read this post. The scams are morphing faster than we can keep up... and it's terrifying the lengths the scammers are not going to. Seriously, READ THIS POST! #writingCommunity #WriteSky #AmWriting #AmEditing

I thought today was Tuesday. Not sure how that happened.

Thrills and Chills beta group virtual write-in is tonight! Looking forward to getting some words in!

The Editorial Board of @adn.com Free speech isn’t free if politicians decide what can be said “This is not a small-town squabble. It’s a breach of one of the most basic principles of American democracy: that a free press must be free from government interference.” re: MAGA Rep. Sarah Vance

"Every spectral footstep, every door opening without a sound, blurs the line between psychological unrest and paranormal activity." - One Tribune Straw Girl is a haunting so subtle, you'll question reality. Maybe keep the lights on. Just in case. books2read.com/u/3JB1zK

Deep red Wasilla, Alaska. #nokings

If you have the ability to help, please do. Thank you.

How are the rest of you #amquerying writers coping with the nerves that set in? I'm running out of things to clean/organize, and I'm at the point in drafting my next book where I'm working on structural things which takes way more brains than nervous energy... #writersky #amwriting

As of October 16th, the QT request rate is down to 4.2%. Down four tenths of a percent since June.

I love using the 3 Act Structure because it's an easy formula. Specifically, I follow K. M. Weiland's suggestion for structuring scenes because I like it best: www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/secrets-stor...

Comp titles are so hard! Stuck in research and panic? We can help. 📖Day One: Live Class with Agent Jessica Sinsheimer 📝Day Two: Workshop Comps with fellow writers + agent guests 📚Day Three: Comp Title Feedback Panel with Agent John Cusick (he's amazing!) incomparable.manuscriptacademy.com

Undated "Hills Outside of Fairbanks, Alaska," oil on canvas by Magnus Colcord "Rusty" Heurlin (1895-1986). Via Bonhams. #alaskahistory #alaska

Don't forget to vote! Fat Bear Week matches 5 & 6.: explore.org/fat-bear-wee...

To help other authors brace for reality in publishing better than I did, I’m dishing the DIRT: 80+ ways you can get rejected in publishing after getting an offer for a book deal open.substack.com/pub/dianaurb...

I'll admit, I really enjoyed this one - the abrupt horror/thriller pivot delighted me. but I could see how it wouldn't speak to everyone.

No matter how painful, always speak the truth and stand up for what’s right. That’s “punk.”

I always love the @manuscriptacademy.bsky.social classes - tonight's class on hooks had so much good information in it! Really glad to see so many other Alaskans in the chat, too! What a great night :)

The last thing my grandmother wanted was to go home. Transportation from the hospital had been arranged, but she died first. In the hospital, where she didn't want to be. Her ashes were picked up today, and tomorrow, she finally gets to go home. Not the way she wanted. But home, nonetheless.

It came to my attention today that spooky season is right around the corner. For deep chills and never trusting a darkened window again, check out Straw Girl! books2read.com/u/3JB1zK Going to do a reading October TBD at the Shapleigh library. Maybe have some flickering lights. 😈👻

It's not a career. It's not a calling. It's a terminal hobby. You will die doing this. Become a writer.

Today started with one coffee cup breaking, pouring the coffee into a second cup, and then that one also immediately breaking. Different cup styles/brands. Said to heck with it, had an energy drink, but y'all. The tears I am crying inside right now. #firstdayofschool #welcomebackteachers #coffeefail

The largest Ukrainian flag in the world is on its way to Anchorage and we need your help to set it up! 1:30 pm | Park Strip (H Street) | Friday afternoon. #AlaskaStandsWithUkraine #SlavaUkraine #AlaskaVisit

If you're a storymap kind of person, here's one that nicely explains what's happening & why with the glacial lake outburst flooding now underway on the Mendenhall River near Juneau. #akwx #ClimateChange #Flood #Glacier @spiraledu.bsky.social @alaska.bsky.social storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/72ce...

Love the Lupine! 😍