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This month I became a Level 56 Human! Every year on my birthday I write a journal entry about the past year. You can take a look here—I’ve even included a party favor.
With February underway, we’re quickly closing in on the release of The Martian Contingency. In just over a month, it will be out to the world, completing the Lady Astronaut Universe novels.
If you haven’t yet preordered a copy, please do.
Your preorder is one of the most helpful actions you can take to ensure the book’s success. The more preorders it receives, the more bookstores know to stock it on their shelves.
MUNDANE MOMENTS WITH MRK
A quick snapshot of what I’m…
- Crafting: Māls (Clay) Sweater
- Reading: Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
- Writing: “On the stoop of a ramshackle boarding house, a woman stood with a thin shawl wrapped about her narrow shoulders.”
- Watching: Nate and Jeremiah by Design
- Enjoying: A heated rug
THE MARTIAN CONTINGENCY BOOK TOUR
I’ll be traveling throughout the U.S. during the release of The Martian Contingency. Do come by, say hello, and get your book signed!
For more details about each location/event, follow the links below:
- Tues. March 18 – Powell’s, Portland, OR
- Wed. March 19 – Eagle Eye Books, Decatur, GA
- Thurs. March 20 – Murder by the Book, Houston, TX
- Fri. March 21 – Volumes Bookcafe, Chicago, IL
- Sat. March 22 – Anderson’s Bookshop, Naperville, IL
- Sun. March 23 – Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, OH
- Mon. March 24 – Left Bank Books, St. Louis, MO
- Tues. March 25 – Boulder Bookstore, Boulder, CO
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
Hugo and Nebula Award Nominations
It’s nomination season! If you’re eligible to make award nominations, I’m grateful for your consideration of the following stories I wrote in 2024:
“Deep Space Has the Beat” – Asimov’s – Nov/Dec 2024
“Marginalia” – Unacany Magazine – Jan/Feb 2024
“Rude Litterbox Space” – Morning Transport – March 3, 2024
“In the Moon’s House” – Reactor – July 17, 2024
“Infinite Branches” – The Sunday Morning Transport – November 24, 2024
Short Story Intensive: May 2025
Spend three days diving into the craft of short stories. You’ll emerge from this workshop with your own completed story, along with new tools for your writing toolbox. Register for the intensive.
Writing Excuses: 2025 Retreats
The Writing Excuses podcast will host two retreats this upcoming year, and I’ll be at both of them! Learn More
FEATURED READ
Each month, I’ll post a new link to a book, short story, or other work I think deserves a read. Sometimes it will be my own writing, other times it will be someone else’s.
This month, I’d love to share one of my award-eligible short stories, Rude Litter Box Space, a timeless tale of talking cats inspired by Elsie.
FEATURED PATREON EVENT
Make Me Write: Sundays 10 AM Eastern Time
Writing is often thought of as a solitary task. Unfortunately, motivating yourself to write consistently, without the support of others, can be daunting.
The truth is, many people’s brains don’t work well in isolation. Coworking, collaborating, and cheering one another on lead to far more words on the page than writing in isolation.
Make Me Write is a Patreon tier dedicated to those of us who benefit from the presence of others to create consistency. It’s a weekly writing date with (optional) prompts, reflection, and, of course, writing time.
Join the Make Me Write Tier of Patreon
ELSIE‘S CORNER
Elsie has opinions about many things, including what constitutes an appropriate bedtime. And she’s not afraid to let me know if I’m violating her interpretation of the rules.
Recently, I was hosting a writer’s retreat where we were staying up past my usual bedtime.
You can click here to see exactly what Elsie thought about it.
Note: I’ve linked you to my YouTube account, where I’ve been posting Elsie videos more frequently in an attempt to divorce myself from Instagram.
If you’re not following me and you want more Elsie content, make sure you hit Subscribe.
If you’d prefer to receive this update in your email inbox (along with additional content, like my cat’s latest conversations), you can sign up for my newsletter using the form below. I’ll also send you a short story in thanks.
