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Kate Heartfield

@kateheartfield.com
7.7K followers 2.7K following 5.7K posts

I write novels, games and stories. Coming in 2026: MERCUTIO and THE SWORDMASTER. Writer at CHEO Foundation (my views are my own). Former journalist. From Manitoba, now in Ottawa. She/her. Trans rights are human rights 🏳️‍🌈 kateheartfield.com

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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 7h
My summer job in an insurance company in 1997 was to take the paper application forms that we had been mailed or faxed and type the information into a computer, which usually involved calling the broker on the phone to ask about mandatory fields they had missed or screwed up or written illegibly.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 8h
It was so great to meet you! I have really enjoyed all the events and it is a real privilege, even if a bit tiring.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 9h
All those outcomes are great (I am always happy to talk about books!) but unpredictable for planning how long the signing will take, depends on the crowd and culture, maybe even time of day
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 9h
Different crowds are more or less likely to go buy the books after they watch a panel. I've been in a room with 12 people in the audience and 11 of them bought at least one of the panelists' books, or I've been with 40 audience members and 3 buyers, etc. +
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 9h
Some notes from having done a lot of book events over the last few weeks: - so many lanyards - when people ask whether your book would be appropriate for a young reader, what they are asking about is sex - the ratio of book buyers to audience members is not constant - panels have chemistry (or not)
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 10h
Hey good to see you! I now share my home with this excellent cat named Minerva. She is a little sleepy.
Snoozy black cat who managed to pull a comforter up over herself like a person.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 11h
It went very well, thanks! I listened to the same playlist again when I was driving around to some book events last week, so on playlist form it seems to be becoming permanent.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 14h
I like the defintion of fascism a character gives us in The Watch That Ends the Night: "the organization of every murderous impulse in a human being"
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 01/10/2026
A pivotal canoe chapter!
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 01/10/2026
I just finished the canoe chapter. As someone who struggles to convey movement and sometimes skips it entirely, I admire how MacLennan conjures exactly how a canoe would behave in different waters and the strokes a small solo canoeist would use, and it never feels clinical.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 30/09/2026
If you can be in Kingston, ON tomorrow morning, come to this panel with Rebecca Hirsch Garcia, Sophia Hannan and me. Rebecca's book is great. Sophia's book LOOKS great but I can't say because my son stole my copy. Moderated by Kimberly Lemaire.
kingstonwritersfest.ca
Beyond the Veil of Things - Kingston WritersFest
Sophia Hannan and Rebecca Hirsch Garcia take to the stage with two remarkable fantasy novels.
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Reposted by Kate Heartfield
James W. Lackie - Dark fantasy Author @jameswlackie.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
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 · 30/09/2026
This is so kind and I am thrilled you enjoyed it!
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 30/09/2026
Mark your calendars folks
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 30/09/2026
Scheduling my breakdown for AFTER I come to a complete stop
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 30/09/2026
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 · 29/09/2026
That is my hope!
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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
On Friday evening, the tables turn and I'll be one of the gusts (alongside Amanda Connolly and Eden Robinson) with host Susan Johnston. That event is free, both in person and streaming online, but do reserve tickets here: writersfestival.org/event/august...
writersfestival.org
What Dreams May Come
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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
But yeah, this is among the reasons why the whole idea of having robots do rich work for you seems unappealing or even bordering on impossible to me. A different way of seeing processes -- emergent vs planned I suppose.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 28/09/2026
What I mean is, 30 years ago I thought "maybe one day I will be good enough not to need to write three drafts" and now I write, like, a dozen drafts. (Purely applies to me personally, not universal wisdom or anything)
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 28/09/2026
But when it comes to writing prose I would say my learning over the last 30 years has led me to lean into being less efficient and let revelation emerge through repetition, so it really was two ways of approaching creation in the same project. Always instructive to try something new / uncomfortable.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 28/09/2026
I never really cared about whether it would save me time, but I did eventually see the value in only having to make a change to one place, later on, if needed for bug fixes or copy edits.
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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
So many layers of wtfery
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 27/09/2026
The "quote" from me is like half my own words and half generated gibberish. Why would I want to be part of an app that cannot even cut and paste properly when it stealing from me
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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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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026
Yeah, RIP On Spec. I'm not as up to speed as I should be lately but Augur does some great work. The Year's Best Canadian FSF edited by @ourmankoto.bsky.social are a relatively new and very welcome addition to the scene.
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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
🖤
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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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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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Reposted by Kate Heartfield
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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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026
I am going to stop there but not before I mention Buffalo Is the New Buffalo by Chelsea Vowel which is maybe my favourite story cycle ever and extremely relevant for Canadians.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026
Short story collections I recomment include Alias Space and Other Stories by Kelly Robson, Skin Thief by Suzan Palumbo and The Tomorrow Factory by Rich Larson. Lost Ark Dreaming is a novella and a great introduction to the work of Suyi Davies Okungbowa.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026
Fonda Lee's Green Bone trilogy (start with Jade City) is a masterwork. People mentioned Premee Mohamed -- her latest is Wickhills, a spy novel in a weird city. The Winter Knight by Jes Battis is queer Vancouver Arthurian. Venue 13 by David Jòn Fuller is Winnipeg theatre ghosts.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026
I second the writers people have mentioned and will add a few! Loghan Paylor's A Cure for Drowning is Canadian historical with a smidge of speculative and has got deserving attention. The Butcher's Daughter by David Demchuk and Corinne Leigh Clark is a great take on Sweeney Todd.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 26/09/2026
Aw what a nice thread to wake up to!
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Reposted by Kate Heartfield
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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Reposted by Kate Heartfield
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
Oh no
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 25/09/2026
Ambient heat I understand, but actual fans blowing very hot air directly onto the platform, I don't. I guess it's venting from somewhere else.
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Kate Heartfield @kateheartfield.com · 25/09/2026
Also, I feel like if I descend into the inferno again I might die.
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