iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

OK, I think I've figured it out: Instagram stories for IRL updates. Bluesky for academic/teaching posts. Threads for my romance girlies. TikTok for my audio erotica fixation. Discord for fandom. Substack to build my indie author platform. Reddit to find the drama. Twitter/X never.

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Matt Bell @mdbell79.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

For as long as my pro-AI university allows me to ban generative AI, I'll continue to do so. But because so many classes allow or even encourage it, even in the Humanities (ugh), I feel like I have to lay out more of my reasoning every semester. Basic argument: LET'S MAKE HUMAN THINGS, WHILE WE CAN.

Generative AI Policy:

Other classes at ASU may allow or even encourage the use of generative AI, but in this course, you will not use it for either your fiction or your reading responses
Together, we’re reading and writing work made by humans, for humans, in search of a human reaction. It is not appropriate to ask me or your classmates to read fiction or other prose written primarily or in part by machines
(I will also not use AI in my class prep or in any of the materials I make for you: this course is an expression of my ideas, art practices, and imagination, designed for you by me, based on years of study and experience)
Especially at the start of your artistic and academic careers, I believe that even light reliance on tools such as AI will inhibit the development of the skills, mindsets, and abilities necessary for your success
TLDR: I want your fiction, and your reactions to the books we read. That’s the path to an A in this class (and, more importantly, to learning all that this class has to offer)

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

@dnbryn.bsky.social I love your guides for dating vampires series so much I had to write an entire blog post about it. substack.com/@rachelkolma...

substack.com

don't sleep on gay vampires

and other sentences about D.N. Bryn's work

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

new trigger: when I see "research suggests that..." or "these findings suggest that" in a student's paper, it SCREAMS AI. please stop doing this.

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

oh student, flattery will get you.... everywhere well done A+

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

is this a thing? "....I want to write something about how happy I am that women’s erotica is no longer a sitcom punchline, how I’ve been craving spaces like this since I was 17, and how finally, there’s a community of like-minded people I vibe with...." substack.com/home/post/p-...

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

In a writing slump? Here's a fun little contest online -- write a 10 word short story. Winner gets a free creative writing class at @gothamwriters.bsky.social Closes June 1st. v2.writingclasses.com/contests/a-v... Here's my entry: "he's her first sip of liquor. She's his hangover."

v2.writingclasses.com

A Very Short Story Contest - Gotham Writers

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

When a story idea sparked earlier this week, I basically dropped everything so I could crank it out. And I’m so glad I did — here’s why. substack.com/home/post/p-...

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

that's my MFA alma mater. hell yeah to those students and a big fuck you to the admin who cares more about research dollars

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Did I spend my afternoon grading assignments and editing like I was supposed to, or did I write a spicy 2500 M/M shower scene? I was a good girl and did the one you think I did. :)

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Though I couldn’t be at AWP in person this year, I still got some value out of the AWP virtual experience — particularly the panels with agents. #AWP #literaryagents rachelkolman.substack.com/p/i-attended...

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

I had such a fantastic time teaching a workshop on Saturday for folks who want to infuse more creativity into their CNF! We covered how to apply common fiction techniques to essay writing and then looked at creative forms like braids, collages, and hermit crabs. Here’s a sample slide for a peek 👀

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Calling all CNF Writers! I'm teaching a one-day master class on how to infuse more creativity into your nonfiction! Spend an afternoon on Zoom with me and leave with tons of new ideas for your personal stories. Saturday, March 14, 2026 10 AM - 3 PM EST Register here! rosemont.edu/college/acad...

rosemont.edu

Writer's Studio - Rosemont College

The Writer's Studio is a part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes Rated best online college and a best Main Line college.

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

What gorgeous artwork -- thanks @brettpribble.bsky.social for giving this one a home!!

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

hooollyyyy shit this excites me to no end.... you gotta meet my FMC Lizzy :)

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Manuscript Wish List® @manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Hello Friends! Welcome to #MSWL Day 2026! 🎉 This is our second ever #MSWL Day on Bluesky. We’re happy you’re here! You can, as of TODAY, search Bluesky and ManuscriptWishList.com posts at once: manuscriptwishlist.com/smart-search. All posts are verified by a human who works in publishing. ☕

manuscriptwishlist.com

The Official Manuscript Wish List Website – #MSWL: What do you wish you had in your inbox?

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

In 2016, I self published a M/M romance novella. I was too shy to let others know I had a soft spot for it. And now…it’s no secret how well M/M romance is doing. So I republished that old Kindle ebook for a world more accepting of two boys finding love. rachelkolman.substack.com/p/re-releasi...

rachelkolman.substack.com

Re-releasing my first ever Kindle ebook, 10 years later

The M/M romance space is thriving

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

rosemont.edu

Writer's Studio - Rosemont College

The Writer's Studio is a part of why Rosemont College is a Forbes Rated best online college and a best Main Line college.

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Manuscript Wish List® @manuscriptwishlist.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Hello Writing Community! We are delighted to announce our Second Official Bluesky *** #MSWL Day *** February 26, 2026. 🎉🎉🎉 Agents + editors can post what they ✨wish✨ they had in their inboxes; writers can find their next best fit for querying. Learn more: manuscriptwishlist.com/2025/01/the-...

manuscriptwishlist.com

The Next Official #MSWL Day: February 26, 2026 – The Official Manuscript Wish List Website

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

meddling producers? Color me curious!! What fun comps!

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

I love this one! What a good premise!

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

My dream is to live in a London flat -- want to escape into this story so much!!

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

That poster!! 😍love a marriage pact premise.

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

SEVEN DAYS IN PARADISO: a second-chance fake-dating contemporary romance that sits between THE EX VOWS and THE PARADISE PROBLEM. Because wouldn't you also escape this bitter winter cold by running off to a lush Mexican resort for a week -- even if it includes your ex-fiancé? #QuestPit #Q #R #A

a fake hotel poster advertising the author's book pitch

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

All of a sudden, I have three speaking/teaching gigs booked this winter! These all sort of came together and I'm so happy: Jan 28 - Talk on how to get started in publishing Feb 5th - workshop on writing better instructions for students March 14 - class on infusing more creativity in CNF

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

I have a Substack! Writer friends, let's follow each other! substack.com/@rachelkolma...

substack.com

Rachel Kolman | Substack

Redheaded romance writer.

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

thank you for considering my ranking of books I read this year, I will not be taking questions at this time

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ana street rat @uldahstreetrat.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

so fucking tired of people saying AI "democratizes" creative skills, it's fucking privatizing it you dumb fuck, they're stealing your creativity from you and selling it back to you at a premium the ability to draw and write and sing and fucking whatever else came free with your fucking humanity

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authorblues @authorblu.es · 01/12/2025

This is an extremely cool time to be a teacher. When students aren't using ChatGPT to do their homework for them, they're asserting they have a First Amendment right to get an A and your administration fires you if you don't give them an A. I'm so tired.

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

that feeling when you think 'wow I nailed that interview' and then the job offer comes in and basically says 'yeah, you nailed it congrats' what a wild new feeling this is

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

got my #RevPit feedback and yep, I had a hunch that prologue had to go. Cutting ASAP. Thank you @madelynknecht.bsky.social and your time on my pitch!

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

reading back some old fanfic from like 15 years ago, it's funny how I see shades of my voice now as a romance writer tucked in there.

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

The good news: my beta readers and I all agree on what edits need to be done to raise the stakes of my novel. The bad news: now I actually have to, you know, *write* it.

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One Who Walks Among the Dead @anubisthejackal.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Charlie Kirk died doing what he loved: encouraging people to do more gun violence.

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

What in the fresh blue prince parlor hell is this bathroom

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

I cannot understand how my upstairs neighbor has had a fire alarm battery beeping for the last two days without doing anything about it. I've heard her walking around up there, too... perhaps she has a penchant for punishment?

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

life could be sitting in various breweries during the summer, laptop open and tweaking at my manuscripts, and that would be ok.

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Rachel Kolman @bestthingaround.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

finally on final proofs for the novel I cranked out last summer... makes it all feel real 🥹 agent queries, here I come!

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