iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I do have some exciting news - my second book is coming out in just over a month, on August 12th! THE TAILOR'S TREASURE, the sequel to THE BLACKSMITH'S BRIDE, is Isabel's story, and it has been a labour of love in every sense of the word. You can preorder it here: books2read.com/u/bMj8JB

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I realize I haven't been #onhere for months. The reason for that is very simple: life became a three-car pileup back in January and I simply have not had the energy to do anything but work and sleep.

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I did a podcast episode with the First Encounters Podcast! Tune in for thoughts on the Black Death, epilogue babies, gay angst, and economic mobility (single moms edition.) youtu.be/YPs3ShjgEWA?...

youtu.be

S1 E13—Life During the Medieval Period in Historical Romance with Alison McKenzie

YouTube video by First Encounter—A Historical Romance Podcast

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

New blog post! Are the dreaded Not Like Other Girls coming for your romance novels? No. Obviously not. That's dumb. amckenziewrites.substack.com/p/no-like-th...

amckenziewrites.substack.com

no, like those OTHER girls

on gender essentialism and breaking the fantasy

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

I'm finally sitting down to watch Heated Rivalry, and I think the simplest explanation for its popularity is that it's an adaptation that clearly respects romance as a genre.

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

My book "The Blacksmith's Bride" is part of the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale! Check out all the cool indie books for sale at 50% off at smashwords.com/sale #EOYsale25 #ebook #sale #books2read #indiebooks

smashwords.com

Smashwords – Sitewide Sale

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

a bit of a pivot for the newsletter this week! we're talking the real-life relationship between Hannah Cullwick and Arthur Munby, and what their play says about the society they lived in. amckenziewrites.substack.com/p/real-life-...

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

"this book is going to be a lot fluffier than normal" I say about a story in which everyone's moms are dying and their dads all hate them.

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Charlotte Moore-Lambert @charlottereads.com · 14/10/2025

this is only literary opinion adjacent but it is definitely unhinged when I am stocking copies of a face-out book at the bookstore, I will put the fresh copies behind any copies already on the shelf, because they’ve been waiting their turn to be picked and I don’t want their feelings to get hurt

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

The discrepancy between the content of the Bridgerton books and their Netflix tie-in covers has been discussed already, but man oh man is it going to be awkward when they get to Francesca's book!

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

stephen king sure writes about love a lot for a guy whose whole thing is horror.

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

This week's newsletter is a postmortem on the Conjuring series, a franchise which managed to be a horror story, a romance, and tradcath propaganda all rolled into one open.substack.com/pub/amckenzi...

open.substack.com

reflections on romance: the conjuring franchise (2013-2025)

on catholic superheroes, the protestants (me) who love them, and the appeal of sincerity

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

the sex scenes in this new book might be some of the best I've ever written. they might also be some of the most unintentionally revealing I've ever written.

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Isobel_Starling @isobelstarling.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

I am so bad at book promo... but #booksky, THE SHOOTING SEASON is a cracker, suitable for #mmromance #historicalromance readers. Available in ebook, paperback and audiobook, narrated by @garyfurlongvo.bsky.social Cover art by @noahdeaart.bsky.social www.amazon.com/Shooting-Sea...

Cover artwork for The Shooting Season by Isobel Starling

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

I think Written? Kitten! is struggling a bit

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

me: still has three books and a novella to write in my current series the devil on my shoulder: you should start writing a lesbian romance set at the Moulin Rouge

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

okay, back in the saddle, that's a good paragraph

Isabel took it, her face still blank. Constance couldn’t bear it. Something inside her was cracking, like glass shattering in the frigid depths of winter. She stepped closer, leaning in as if she meant to hand something else to Isabel - just close enough that she could whisper in her ear. “I love you,” she said, as wisps of Isabel’s hair tickled her temple and the brush of her cheek against Isabel’s reminded her that she would never feel this again, never lean against Isabel and feel warmth settling between their bodies, never kiss a smile onto her face or hear her provoked to unexpected laughter. She did not dare touch Isabel as she did it, and stepped back as soon as the words left her mouth. If she lingered, she knew she would not be able to let go.

Isabel’s mouth twitched. “Why do you say that?” she said softly, and Constance knew she did not expect an answer, not really. “It’s of no use now.”

Constance clasped her hands tight together to stop them shaking. “I thought you ought to know,” she said simply. There was nothing else to say.

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Sacha Coward @sachacoward.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/

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Lee Mandelo @leemandelo.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Show rec time!! We’re only 2 eps in so far, but Be On Cloud’s newest production ‘Shine’ is blowing me away. It’s a gay historical drama set in 1969, dealing with protest, politics, and (proscribed, complex) queer desire If you enjoyed ‘Fellow Travelers’ I definitely think you should check this out

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BOOKSNS @booksns.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Novel with a lesbian romance and mental health themes www.booksns.com/155620 I'm looking for an urban fantasy OR realistic fiction novel, with a lesbian romance (no explicit scenes), that also explores mental health themes. I'd really appreciate some help, as I've been struggling to …

booksns.com

Novel with a lesbian romance and mental health themes - Trending Books

I'm looking for an urban fantasy OR realistic fiction novel, with a lesbian romance (no explicit scenes), that also explores mental health themes.

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Today's the day! THE BLACKSMITH'S BRIDE is now available from all major retailers (and minor ones - ask your local indie bookstore!) Click purchase and immediately have 98k of friends-to-lovers class war yearning in your hands! Who doesn't love that kind of instant gratification?

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

'twas the night before bookmas, and all through the house . . .

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

I am not deliberately writing this novel as lesbian propaganda, but also. did I lie?

Isabel turned that thought over in her head: that just seeing her like that had pushed Constance over the edge. That her pleasure could bring pleasure to Constance as well, that pleasure was something that could be shared instead of taken.

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

It's my birthday! And you know what would be a great present for you AND me? Pre-ordering my book ;)https://linktr.ee/amckenziewrites 🎂

linktr.ee

amckenziewrites | Instagram, TikTok | Linktree

alison. writer of kissing books. https://substack.com/@amckenziewrites

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

My episode of the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast is up! I read an excerpt from The Blacksmith's Bride, then chat with Katherine Grant about the end of feudalism, Robin Hood RPGs, and who gets an HEA in historical romance. youtu.be/tAA4TB_7pPE?...

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Maryanne @colantuono.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

I am a school librarian and I would love to restock the library with books and supplies. Please repost. Thanks so much. www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...

media.tenor.com

a cartoon of a girl says i want to read all the books

ALT: a cartoon of a girl says i want to read all the books

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

why don't we have any better synonyms for "damp" than "moist" or "dank." it's making this sex scene really hard to write.

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

set myself a goal to have a draft of book 2 finished by the time book 1 came out (next Wednesday) but I'll be honest guys, I don't think that's happening.

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Amy Stauffer PA @amystaufferpa.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

🐉 🌈📚 New LGBTQ+ book releases: August 3, 2025. 🔗 Find them here: bit.ly/m/QBR Happy reading, y'all! 🖤🤟🏼 #queerbookreviews #sapphicromance #queerromance #mmromance #mmromancebooks #lgbtbooks #mmbooksky #sapphicbooksky #queerbooksky #readqueerallyear #booksky #romancelandia

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Hal-Lou-een 🐈‍⬛ @louellastone.com · 03/08/2025

#books #booksky 📚💙 Interested in a bracelet inspired by one of your book covers? Each one is made with glass beads and love. ko-fi.com/s/6d7b4b34d7

BOOK COVER
Bracelets
Grab yourself a bracelet inspired by your book covers.
Each bracelet is made using glass beads and love.
let me know your colors

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Toronto Romance Writers @trw-writes.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Check out these new releases from TRW Authors @jacquelynmiddleton.bsky.social, Alison Mckenzie, @rianaeverly.bsky.social, and @robattigelli.bsky.social

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

you can even ask your library to order my book, and then not read it! I won't even be mad!

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R.B. Lemberg. Yes, still in Kansas @rblemberg.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Tachyon's 30 year anniversary bundle includes two of my Birdverse books - Yoke of Stars (World Fantasy finalist!) and Geometries of Belonging (Le Guin Prize for Fiction finalist!) for all your Birdly needs. www.humblebundle.com/books/tachyo...

humblebundle.com

Tachyon 30th Anniversary: Smart Speculative Fiction for Everyone

Elevate your home library with the Tachyon 30th Anniversary Bundle and help support the Electronic Frontier Foundation with your purchase!

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David Rothkopf @djrothkopf.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Pro-Israeli apologists for their crimes, seeking to portray every critic (including Jewish ones like me) as anti-Semites, often will ask, "Do you believe Israel has a right to exist?" My answer is "Do you believe these murdered Palestinian children had a right to exist?"

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Aaron Radney COMMISSIONS OPEN (3/7 slots left) @aaronradney.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

I cannot second this strongly enough. I'm not a librarian (haven't earned that. I'm a library aide) but Ben is *very* correct here. This also has the benefit of being a good hedge against the people demanding some things be removed from the library as well.

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Kayleigh Donaldson @ceilidhann.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

And this is (at least partly) why the Romance Con situation got so big. These books are HP brand extension exercises, reliant on letting readers and the industry know their direct connection to Rowling's work. If sales weren't dependent on that connection, why do these exist?

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

a somewhat belated newsletter post: what are tropes, and more importantly, are they the fault of capitalism? open.substack.com/pub/amckenzi...

open.substack.com

tropes: what are they good for?

well, not ABSOLUTELY nothing

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Alison McKenzie @amckenziewrites.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

I truly don't understand why you'd even want to promote your book as fanfic. Do you not feel like it can stand on its own? Do you WANT to be known as a cheap copy?

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Kayleigh Donaldson @ceilidhann.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

As a queer Scot who has watched Rowling decimate trans safety and rights in my own country, I personally find it deeply offensive to see people claim that they need to keep HP relevant because some queer people still want to read fanfic and buy Etsy stickers.

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Kayleigh Donaldson @ceilidhann.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

I understand this makes me a bitch but I truly have no sympathy for this notion that "HP fans who don't support Rowling need their own space to reclaim the books." Why are we so much quicker to appease this coddling than the people who Rowling's legislative fury is destroying? Read another book.

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Kayleigh Donaldson @ceilidhann.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Two Harry Potter fanfics are on the NYT bestseller list. The author of one was uninvited from Romance Con because readers believe she's helping to keep JK Rowling relevant and profitable. The issue has exposed how HP fandom may never truly be separate from the bigot. I wrote about it for Pajiba.

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Jeanne (she/they) @fangirljeanne.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Booked Eu Claire, a small convention based in Wisconsin, is offering their last author spot (for free) to an author who has to dropped out of #RomanceCon. #Romancelandia

Screenshot of Booker’s Threads post. “booked__eauclaire 19h
Our event might not be huge, but we strive to create a safe and inclusive space for all.
We have ONE author space available and want to offer it (for free) to an author who had to pull out of Romance Con.
Our event is Sept 12-13 in Eau Claire, WI. If you're interested, please message us asap. Priority will go to someone from the Trans, then LGBTQ+ community (but otherwise it's first to claim gets it).”

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Scott 𐚁 🦇 Cave 🦇 @hellabarnes.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

no, I said I wanted a tradewife. like a union electrician

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