iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Kate Heartfield

James W. Lackie - Dark fantasy Author @jameswlackie.bsky.social · 6h

Mercutio, by @kateheartfield.com, is so wonderfully weird! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The book somehow manages to effortlessly weave historical events and some of the world's best, most magical stories into something beautiful and terrifying but strangely plausible. I am so happy that I picked this one up! 📚🙂

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 19h

Currently doing several author events per week while keeping up with a busy day job and the only way I can get through it is how I approach driving in downtown Toronto (which I also did this weekend): make one decision at a time when it needs to be made, keep smiling, watch out for delivery bikes

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 28/09/2026

I'm currently reviewing copy edits while my nails dry, and I got to a note that requires thinking about the timing of plot events and I thought "ugh, I can't do that now with my nails wet"

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 28/09/2026

Off to host a conversation with R.F. Kuang at the Ottawa International Writers Festival tonight. That event is sold out in person, but you can get tickets to watch online here: writersfestival.org/event/taipei...

writersfestival.org

Taipei Story

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 28/09/2026

Side note to side note, but this fascinates me bc writing interactive fiction brought a programmer's way to thinking (alien to me) to creative work that is, for me, deliberately iterative. It takes seconds to type the same sentence 3x, and I was resistant to learning to code my games to avoid that.

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 27/09/2026

SFF fandom has had this type of guy (and in some cases the same actual guys) trying to turn that culture into this for decades, and not always failing. You have to treat the creeps like the infestation they are or this is what you get. When they succeed in becoming the ones in charge, well, yikes.

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 27/09/2026

Today's fresh nonsense is an invitation to join a substack-like app (that may or may not exist, who cares). Invitation includes a completely garbled "quote" from my buttondown newsletter. "The only other voices are the Knowledge's — writers from centuries past — reading aloud from their own books"

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 27/09/2026

I'm listening to The Watch That Ends the Night and boy, that Hugh MacLennan knew his way around a sentence. So deft and unfussy and every moment is perfectly captured.

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Reposted by Kate Heartfield

Brandon Crilly (Announcements Only) @brandoncrilly.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Oh right, *I* have a panel schedule for @canconsffh.bsky.social too! Cannot wait to sit down with the infinitely cool @annaleen.bsky.social and talk shop with three of my favorite folks, @sarahgailey.bsky.social @geoffgander.bsky.social @kateheartfield.com. See you in 3 weeks! (good gods)

Graphic displaying the following:

Find Me at Can*Con! October 16-18, Brookstreet Hotel, Ottawa, ON

Friday at 4:30 - Opening Ceremonies

Saturday at 4:00 - Stories Are Weapons, Dissected, with Annalee Newitz

Sunday at 10:00 - Quirks and Perks of Writing for a Big IP

Sunday at 11:00 - Signing

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026

Well the drama is ended and it is time for me to check out of the Chelsea Hotel, and I didn't even have a chance to write Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands (different Chelsea Hotel, but oh the earworms I get when I stay here)

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026

I had a whole Hotel Morning 😁 planned (pool, latte, copy edits) but instead I am having a Hotel Morning ☹️ (fire alarm complete with fire fighters, exile to the ground floor)

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026

Great thread from a great writer. My tie-in work didn't pay better than my originals but it was fun (also, the trad pub cycle is slow, so diversifying [into other genres, tie-ins, pen names] can help money flow somewhat more steadily. Multiple sources of income is always good for the self employed.)

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026

(I know a lot of Canadian SFF writers and their work so if anyone happens on this thread and wants a tailored recommendation, I can probably do that!)

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Joel Wood 🇨🇦 @joelwwood.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Given the US hostility to Canada, I want to start reading more new Canadian fiction: Any recommendations for newish Canadian sci fi, fantasy, or historical fiction?

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Jamie McKelvie @mckelvie.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It's very "funny" this is happening at the same time the AI companies got away with stealing everyone's books

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 25/09/2026

Good morning! Here is today's newsletter, mostly a look back at my book contracts over the last 11 years. People often ask me how long it took me to write a given book (I was asked last night) and I struggle to answer that because I'm always working on multiple projects.

buttondown.com

Tour dispatch, plus a timeline of book contracts

Hi everyone! I write to you from beautiful Burlington, on the shore of Lake Ontario, where I’m partway through my tour for Mercutio. I’m driving a rental car...

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Reposted by Kate Heartfield

Marie Bilodeau @mariebilodeau.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

My latest novel is out! And it’s a BATTLETECH ROMANCE!! It’s full of action, angst, and yes, spice! Do your weekend a favor and grab a copy! 💖🎉 books2read.com/BattleTechRo...

books2read.com

Available now at your favorite digital store!

BattleTech Romance: Hearts of Iron by Marie Bilodeau

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 25/09/2026

Toronto, I love you, and lord knows as an Ottawan I have no standing to criticise other cities' transit, but WHY are you blasting hot air into your subway stations on an afternoon when people are walking around in shorts and tshirts? I just want to understand.

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 25/09/2026

Spent a happy half hour in a fab bookstore (A Different Drummer in Burlington.) Bought a book on Shakespeare, chatted with the owner about it. Did I mention I am a novelist whose recent book is Shakespearean? No I did not, because when my book is not already on the shelf I cannot. Do not be like me

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 25/09/2026

buttondown.com

Tour dispatch, plus a timeline of book contracts

Hi everyone! I write to you from beautiful Burlington, on the shore of Lake Ontario, where I’m partway through my tour for Mercutio. I’m driving a rental car...

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 25/09/2026

When you're in a hotel and there's a weird noise and you think "oh it's just the cat" and then you remember the cat does not travel with you

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 24/09/2026

I am (briefly) at the southwest corner of beautiful Lake Ontario. If you happen to be in the St Catharines area, come on by to the Lincoln Pelham Public Library at 6:30 p.m. tonight, for a Q&A and signing. We love a public library!

Rocky landscaped shore and waves. It is windy.

Big lake with a bit of shore visible around the bend, and a bit of pier visible too.

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 24/09/2026

People of Cambridge, Ontario and environs! City of my birth! I stopped at Indigo Cambridge Centre as I passed throigh today, and signed stock, including an original 2018 edition of Armed in Her Fashion, which is a rare find these days! (It was rereleased later as The Chatelaine.)

A stack of copies of Mercutio, plus one copy each of Armed in Her Fashion and The Valkyrie.

Kate holding a copy of Mercutio as smiling.

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Reposted by Kate Heartfield

Kevin Hearne @kevinhearne.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

We have the same initials and we’re friends and we both write fantasy and we often observe that cheese was a pretty great idea

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 24/09/2026

At the pre-meeting for a panel I let drop in very uncool fashion that I've never been as keen to do a panel as I am for this one, and the moderator asked why. First, it's at the Stratford Festival! Second, it's an actor, a scholar and a novelist (me)! Third, it's about fairies! Anyway it's today!

stratfordfestival.ca

Do You Believe in Fairies? | Stratford Festival Official Website

Stratford Festival

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 23/09/2026

Hello from Stratford ON, where the swans are tame and the writers roam free

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 23/09/2026

I am mid-road trip and listening to 1599: A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare by James Shapiro, which is GREAT. Fascinating look at everything that we know was happening in Shakespeare's personal and wider world as he worked on four plays, and connecting his work to sources and contemporaries.

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Merchant Adventurers’ Hall @merchantshallyork.org · 22/09/2026

Three amazing things about this 16th century letter: 1. It is written in code. 2. It complains about pirates. 3. It is written by King Henry VIII!

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Tobias S. Buckell @tobiasbuckell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I've launched a GoFundMe to help me get my cats to a safer home in Scotland, and you can pay-what-you-want using the GFM system and get 15 of my books as eBooks as a Thank You every Friday as an update! www.gofundme.com/f/help-autho... That's almost 700,000 words of fiction, pay what you want!

gofundme.com

Donate to Help Author Tobias Buckell and His Cats Move to Scotland, organized by Tobias Buckell

Hi, I'm author Tobias S. Buckell, and these are my two cats, P… Tobias Buckell needs your support for Help Author Tobias Buckell and His Cats Move to Scotland

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 23/09/2026

Mini Ontario book tour starts tomorrow! Packing road trip snacks because my body is far too middle-aged for highway fast food. 🤘

A selection of crudités, halloumi, sandwiches, trail mix, oranges and hippie granola bars

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 22/09/2026

I have made the ugliest ever graphic to go into my newsletter on Friday, but it gets the job done. You, too, can sign up to experience truly hideous graphic design, along with my thoughts about writing and publishing:

buttondown.com

Kate Heartfield's Newsletter

I'm Kate Heartfield, a writer of historical fantasy novels and other things. My newsletter is a way to let you know what I'm up to, and to talk about books and ideas. It comes out every second Friday.

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Joanne Merriam @joannemerriam.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Word on the Street Toronto created this great little graphic for the panel I'm on this Saturday with @barfridmantell.bsky.social and @kateheartfield.com. I'll also be signing at the Inanna table 11 am - noon. Hope to see some of your there! #BookSky

The Word on the Street Toronto Book & Magazine Festival presents: Reclaiming Old Stories
Authors: Kate Heartfield, Joanne Merriam, Bar Fridman-Tell
Love & Shadows Stage
Sept 26 - 2:30 pm

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Eroina @eroina.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Illustration intitulée « Le Lecteur de romans policiers » de l'artiste allemand Martin Claus, publiée dans le magazine satirique "Fliegende Blätter" en mars 1933.

Une femme assise sur un fauteuil lisant, autour d'elle des fantômes de criminels et de victimes

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 20/09/2026

Today at the Smiths Falls Literary Festival. L>R Ted Outerbridge, Anuja Varghese, Amanda Connolly, yours truly, Elle Wither.

Five people on stage smiling for the camera.

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Joanne Merriam @joannemerriam.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Folks going to Can*Con, and folks looking for cool mostly-Canadian SFFH writers to follow, I made a starter pack with the folks I could find from the program: go.bsky.app/SE8c2SQ #BookSky @canconsffh.bsky.social

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 20/09/2026

This made me curious about the situation in Canada, so I looked it up on StatsCan. We're at 68%.

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 20/09/2026

Two hours of copyedit review starts now. Red Rose in my mug, Murder by Death Live and Underground on the record player. I'm on page 21/384 (this is for The Realm Invisible, my Tudor spy novel coming out next year.)

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 18/09/2026

I was on CKCU's Special Blend this morning to talk about Mercutio with Susan Johnston. Starts at about 35 mins in, then I read for 4 minutes, then Q&A for 20 minutes. Cellphone sound quality bc of technical difficulties, alas, but I enjoyed the questions!

cod.ckcufm.com

CKCU: On Demand: Friday Special Blend Friday September 18th, 2026

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 18/09/2026

I almost allowed the Washington Post editorial about Canada to disturb my peace, but it was so poorly argued that I just pitied it and its writers by the end. Godspeed you turnips

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 17/09/2026

Yesterday I got 12 of these in a 24-hour period. They're coming at a rate of one every two hours now. You can all come visit me in my offgrid shack.

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 17/09/2026

If you were going to drive (as a solo adult) from Stratford ON to St Catharines ON and you could stop at one historic plaque, weird building, great store, roadside attraction, natural feature or other cool thing along the way, what would it be?

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 16/09/2026

One of the many reasons having a teenager in the house is cool is that you get to witness a person constantly doing things they couldn't have done (or done as confidently) two months ago, a year ago, etc. It's very inspiring.

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 15/09/2026

I know we grumble about author-targeted bot spam but there is just so much of it. I get almost no other spam. This is 4 days' worth. My filters caught about 3/4.

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 15/09/2026

I think it's time to replace the 2024 events on the events page on my website, possibly with 2026 events

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Horned Lark Press @hornedlarkpress.com · 15/09/2026

Callooh! Callay! A DUBIOUS CLAMOR is out today! Available wherever you buy books! Can be enjoyed with or without cake, but we always recommend cake. Let @marissalingen.bsky.social tell you a story of magical music, enchanted swords, harpies & more. Handy links: hornedlarkpress.com/product/a-du...

A copy of A Dubious Clamor on a table with tea, a cookie, some bookmarks and stickers

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