iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

GROUND CONTROL in a gif: Sarah has to decide if she'll follow her husband on a one-way trip to Mars... but what happens if love isn't enough to take her all the way? Order direct from sleyhouse.com for 25% off, or from your local bookshop at bookshop.org.

media.tenor.com

a woman says the things we do for love while standing next to another woman

ALT: a woman says the things we do for love while standing next to another woman

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Serious question: do people NOT named Karen also get this ad with these hairstyles, or is this a targeted attack? Because I feel attacked.

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Reposted by Karen Hough Writes

Strong Women, Strange Worlds @swsworlds.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Giving Tuesday is right around the corner! We're grateful for any amount (or even a share!). If you have a few dollars looking for a worthy cause, please consider dropping it in our Ko-Fi! ko-fi.com/strongwomens...

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

"It wasn’t just the possibilities that sounded bizarre and unreal, but the one-way journey; a ship made to take off from Earth and land on Mars wasn’t made to take off from Mars and land on Earth." From Ground Control, by K.A. Hough (2022). www.sleyhouse.com/product-page...

A night time rocket launch, with billowing clouds, reflected in a clear body of water. Text: "There's no going back. GROUND CONTROL."

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Reposted by Karen Hough Writes

Strong Women, Strange Worlds @swsworlds.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Why should you attend our FREE twice-a-month online readings (starting again in January)? See what our fans say! t.co/WkFKHonXum

Strong Women Strange Worlds

OUR LISTENERS ARE SAYING...

"THIS IS AMAZING! I WANT TO BE AT EVERY ONE OF THESE."

Join us for FREE First Friday-Third Thursday Quick Reads of scifi, fantasy, and horror by women and NB authors!

Strong Women Strange Worlds

OUR LISTENERS ARE SAYING...

"I REALLY ENJOYED THE STORIES--THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO IN SUPPORTING THESE AUTHORS."

Join us for FREE First Friday-Third Thursday Quick Reads of scifi, fantasy, and horror by women and NB authors!

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

There is no movie that cannot be enormously improved by replacing 95% of the actors with Muppets, and this is a hill I will die on.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Me at 5:30 am today: I'm going to get up and write! Me at 12 pm, having cut my own hair, done my nails, given the dog a bath, driven a kid to practice, and cleaned out two small appliances: I should probably sit down and write.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Oh, hi! I'm Karen (I'm sorry), a Canadian writer/editor/personal trainer/mom living at the mo in the US. The important thing to remember is that I think I'm funny. My book: a.co/d/1ZcPGaW My bathroom selfie:

A wee, pale red-haired woman in a black and white polka-dot dress and heels poses awkwardly in a toilet against an elegant backdrop of garbage can and hand dryer.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Now THAT's a review! "...The blend of personal struggle, ethical dilemmas, and survival stakes makes this perfect for book clubs seeking discussion-rich titles that balance science and soul." GROUND CONTROL's book club discussion guide is here! karenhoughwrites.com/for-book-clubs

karenhoughwrites.com

Get your free book club discussion guide for Ground Control | Karen Hough Writes

Delve deeper into the world of Ground Control by downloading a free book club discussion guide... you can even invite author K.A. Hough to your next meeting!

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

In our house, you are not allowed to lick any bowl or plate... unless it is/was holding ice cream. And then it's mandatory. 🍨 What are your favourite #HouseRules?

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Fuchsia is either spelled wrong or it's pronounced wrong.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

I need to live more like my dog: 1. Wake up 2. Do big stretchies 3. Walkies! 4. Drink lots of water, have a snack 5. Nap Repeat.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

I love this recent review of GROUND CONTROL (2022, Sley House): 🔭"Sarah’s struggle between following her husband into the unknown or finally choosing herself makes for a powerful, thought-provoking read that blends personal stakes with cosmic scale." www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1737...

amazon.com

Ground Control

There is no going back. Fifteen years ago, Sarah was a biology student with a lot of potential. Since then, she's been drifting from city to city, leaving behind friends and family to follow her ambit...

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Me: Whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger. My brain: Or kills you.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Can we all agree that, while the rise of Uncrustables is another spot-on metaphor for the collapse of civilisation, it's *slightly* too on-the-nose?

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Read any good books lately? www.sleyhouse.com/product-page... @sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social

"There's more to this story about space travel than space travel." Ground Control by K.A. Hough

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Reposted by Karen Hough Writes

Strong Women, Strange Worlds @swsworlds.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Coming THIS WEEK! Grab your lunch and spend an hour with 6 fantastic women & nonbinary authors! Giveaways! Chat with readers & writers! Make new friends! share.google/ioprLU8hUUY4...

Friday, September 5 at 12:00 noon (EDT)
featuring
Aislinn Brophy, Gabriela Houston, Heather Kamins,
Ruth Frances Long, Elaine Pascale, and Eve Smith

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Dialogue snippet from Ground Control (Sley House, 2022): Trailing spouse Sarah talks to her parents about not wanting to leave for Mars with her husband. sleyhouse.com/product-page...

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

TWIST! Sarah has serious doubts about leaving everything else behind forever, but follows her husband on a one-way, 9-month shuttle to Mars. ...What could possibly go wrong? Check out GROUND CONTROL, published by @sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social. www.sleyhouse.com/product-page...

sleyhouse.com

Ground Control by K A Hough | Sley House

"There's No Going Back"Fifteen Years ago, Sarah was a biology student with a lot of potential. Since then, she's been drifting from city to city, leaving behind friends and family to follow her ambiti...

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Semi-annual reminder that my first novel is available everywhere you buy your books. GROUND CONTROL has something for everyone: soil pathogens, strong female friendships, & a trailing spouse on a one-way trip to Mars. (And it needs more reviews!) www.sleyhouse.com/product-page...

sleyhouse.com

Ground Control by K A Hough | Sley House

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Reposted by Karen Hough Writes

Pauline Barmby @pbarmby.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

3 days! On Thursday at 7pm EDT I’m excited to read my story “N-Body Code” from the 2024 @parseconfluenceink.bsky.social Triangulation Anthology “Hospitium”. Join us on Zoom with @swsworlds.bsky.social - free! Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/first-frid... #womenauthors #speculativefiction

eventbrite.com

First Friday - Third Thursday QuickRead

6 authors * 8 minutes each - come find your next favorite read with us!

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Reposted by Karen Hough Writes

Strong Women, Strange Worlds @swsworlds.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Break time's almost over! But you can register NOW for our next Quick Reads! But be sure to keep your eyes open for some fun extras while you wait for our next live QuickReads! We'll be back to our regular schedule on... www.eventbrite.com/o/strong-wom...

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

My husband: Would you like to go for a romantic dinner with me tomorrow night? Me, googling the restaurant: Oo! The patio is dog friendly! Can I bring the dog?

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Super cool! Unbeknownst to me, GROUND CONTROL is on the shelf at TWO DC libraries! Go give it a read! (And thanks, @dcpl! 🥰)

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

That awkward time between submitting something to your publisher and getting the edits back... should I dive into a new project? Start revising an old one? Finish that flash fiction? ... just feel guilty that I'm not doing any of the above?

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

I just resubmitted my revised manuscript to @sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social. (inside squeeee)

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Almost everything needs to be kept in a cool, dry place. Is there ANYTHING that you store in a warm, moist (sorry) place?

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

I want to add the phrase, "that I am not paid to clean," every time I mention my house.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Did I burn an entire batch of candied bacon? Yes. Am I sad about it? Also yes. Am I going to eat it anyway? You betcha.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Readers, despite the stunning cover reveal and great team at @sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social, PAPER MOONS needs a little more time to incubate. I'll share the publication date when I know it. In the meantime, thanks for your patience and support!

A man in a khaki overshirt and grey hoodie seems to float, his arms outstretched. He hovers in a light-grey tiled space, beaded strings of light draped above him. Text: "What, unnatural?" Ilona's laugh is throaty, seductive, the laugh of a much younger woman. "We have the capability, the opportunity... no, the responsibility to advance human evolution."

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Haaaaaaave you subscribed to my newsletter yet? It's a lot like me: short, witty, and somewhat random. Here's the most recent one: preview.mailerlite.io/preview/6282...

preview.mailerlite.io

Random catchup newsletter

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

I try not to keep too close tabs on my Amazon author page, but woot woot! Many someones are buying my book! (Now if more of you could please leave reviews...) a.co/d/6QEC1iw

a.co

Ground Control

Amazon.com: Ground Control: 9781737310266: Hough, K A: Books

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Woke up with a pillow crease so epic, it's Blofeldian.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

If we all agree that "following the roomba around and giving it little foot taps to redirect it" counts as cleaning, then yes, I cleaned my house today.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

I've never been one of those "you have to earn my respect" people, but I'm amazed by how often people bend over backwards to earn my disrespect.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

While I'm sure Future Me will be happy that Past Me increased the weights on all my leg exercises yesterday, Present Me thinks she's a total jerk.

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Ok, so let's say my concussion accounts for my current state of blanked-out memory, lack of focus, and blurry vision... That only covers the last two weeks...

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Excitement is building! PAPER MOONS makes its debut on March 11, 2025: it's spec fic, for dog people. Preorder now from SleyHouse.com. @sleyhouseeditor.bsky.social

Half of image: An older dog is chasing a ball down a path, towards the camera. In the background, a child is silhouetted. Text: "Dog people know this: you learn the dogs' names weeks before you learn their owners', if ever."
Other half of image: "Paper Moons" is written against a backdrop of a celestial sky, with two moons and stars. Text: "Paper Moons by K.A. Hough, coming March 2025. Preorder now at SleyHouse.com."

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Reposted by Karen Hough Writes

Strong Women, Strange Worlds @swsworlds.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

We know, it feels like this sometimes. If you are a woman or nonbinary speculative fiction author with a new book that's just been released it is coming out soon, promote it on this thread! ⬇️

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Karen Hough Writes @karenhoughwrites.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Best interview ever! I was well-groomed, well-dressed, and had interesting questions and anecdotes prepared that showcase my professional qualifications, experience, and knowledge. ...sure wish the person that was supposed to interview me had been there too. Their loss.

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