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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

Anna Vangala Jones @anniejowrites.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

are you okay babe you’ve barely touched the novel your author bio says you’ve been working on for years

Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

I’m just about done drafting my new WIP, a multi-POV thriller featuring zombies, cults, and one last rocket to a fledgling colony on Mars. 🚀🔭🫣 My goal is to finish a first draft by the end of 2025. Wish me luck!!

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

On my fifth iteration of “_Final.pdf”, how’s your day going? 😅 #grantproposalseason #dayjob

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

An agent’s guide to: All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship, a 73,000 word adult mystery novel with cozy elements and a romance subplot. Featuring a diverse cast of characters reminiscent of the TV show Community with the touch of absurdity you can only find on a college campus. #QuestPit #Q #MY #A

An Agent’s Guide to All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship, a college mystery by Marina Ruhr. 73,000 words. Set in Annapolis, Maryland with cozy elements and a romance subplot. Background picture is a snowy brick colonial building in Annapolis.

The Pitch.

When a disastrous mistake in class spirals into a heated exchange at a party, college student and part-time barista Anise looks like a suspect in the murder of her friend Cody. Afraid the school will revoke her scholarship if they think she’s a killer, Anise sets out to clear her name. She jumps from one suspect to the next, wearing out the patience of the detective assigned to Cody’s case. Her investigation leads her into a tangled web of love triangles, alcohol poisoning, and even corporate espionage.

Just when Anise thinks she’s cracked the case, her prime suspect, Calvin, saves her from an attack by the real killer. After the death of yet another student, Anise realizes that the killer is only targeting scholarship recipients. Even as students start fleeing campus, Anise refuses to abandon her five year plan so easily. With Calvin, a former Navy sailor, helping her investigate, Anise is in a race to track down the killer before the campus gets shut down for good.

Comp titles:
If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
Schooled in Murder by Victoria Gilbert
Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban

Tropes:
Suspect turned investigation partner…turned crush?
Amateur sleuth
Death of a friend
Academic anxiety
Diverse cast of characters
The absurdity you can only find on a college campus - think the TV show Community

Excerpt:
Anise paced across the few feet of floor space between her bed and Diane’s, pulling anxiously at the hairs at the end of her braid. “What if Detective Talbrook actually thoughtI killed him? What if the school thinks I did it? They could take away my scholarship!”

Diane slowly turned to face her. “That’s what you’re worried about?”

Anise flushed. “I mean,” she hedged. Diane threw her hands up.

“Anise, someone died! This isn’t about your scholarship!”

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Now querying! Anise doesn’t have time for petty college drama until she becomes a suspect in the murder of her friend Cody. Now she must uncover the secrets around her to clear her name and save her scholarship. 73,000 word mystery with cozy elements and a romance subplot. #QuestPit #Q #MY #A

A mood board for the mystery novel All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship by Marina Ruhr. Tagline: What would you do for a full ride? Pictures include: a row of books in a library; a snowy colonial brick building from Annapolis, Maryland; a brunette girl standing in a snowy landscape; a coil of rope on a dock; and the inside of a college study area.

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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

Anna Vangala Jones @anniejowrites.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

you’ve written a new story. congrats! you will now reread it so many times on screens, on paper, & aloud to revise it that the words will lose all meaning & yet somehow there will still be a typo

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

For the code breakers out there - what do you think these labels mean? Hint: these are both pepper varieties.

Two pots of pepper plants labeled “Havanah Ooh na na” and “JP Morgan”.

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Half asleep at 1 am, I grabbed my phone and made a new note called Title Ideas. I had an ✨inspired✨ idea for the title of a second book in the college mystery series. What was this inspired title, you ask? “The World, The Oyster.” The me of the next morning was less convinced.

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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

Victoria Jayne (they/them) @victoriajayneoh.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

LEGENDS AND LATTES x LATE BLOOMER - Fibro/hEDS rep - still disabled at the end - medium burn with maximum mutual pining - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ - femme x butch - #ownvoices - cottagecore vibes #PosterPitQ #PosterPit #FR #A

The witch and the grocer with yellow flowers around it. Text saying a disabled witch and a butch grocer fall in love while a ghost torments the witch’s failing apothecary. Revpit shortlisted and longlisted directed by victoria jayne

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Now querying: All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship, a 73,000 word adult mystery novel with cozy elements and a romance subplot. Featuring a diverse cast of characters reminiscent of the TV show Community with the touch of absurdity you can only find on a college campus. #PosterPit #PosterPitQ #A #M

A movie-style poster for All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship, a novel by Marina Ruhr. What would you do for a full ride scholarship? The poster shows a brunette girl with blue eyes against a snow covered pine tree.

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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

Emilia Young | Author @emiliayoung.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

A poster for “Mark of a Magpie”! 📖🐦‍⬛ When a small-town thief crosses paths with the kingdom’s big-shot assassin, an unlikely partnership is born; but can their goals align before their egos and secrets land them both a spot on the gallows? #Q #YA #NA #F #R #Dis #PosterPitQ #PosterPit #amquerying

Picture is a movie poster for the book “Mark of a Magpie.”

In the background is a ship sailing across open waters, with two magpies flying at each other above it. Between the two birds is the title, “Mark of a Magpie.”

At the top of the poster, there are four tropes and themes that read: Thief x Assassin, Forced Proximity, Morally Gray, and Women’s Wrongs.

The very bottom of the poster reads, “A Young Adult Fantasy by Emilia Young.”

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

TV’s Community x Schooled in Murder by Victoria Gilbert All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship, a 73,000 word adult mystery with cozy elements, humor, and a romance subplot, using a fictional college campus in Annapolis, MD to achieve the classic cozy mystery community. #PosterPit #PosterPitQ #A #M

A movie poster for #PosterPit with a picture of a colonial brick Annapolis building in the snow. Now Querying: All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship. A novel by Marina Ruhr. What would you do for a full ride scholarship? With the stress of grades and homework looming over her, Anise doesn’t have time for petty college drama. Unfortunately, when she becomes a suspect in the murder of her friend Cody, she has no choice but to dig into the secrets all around her.

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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

Perla Zul @perlazul.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

A fantasy like you've never seen before, coming soon! The monster with hooves and broken horns is locked away after the hero defeats her, haunted by the ghost of her beloved. When the hero returns seeking her help, the ghost follows her out... #PosterPit #PosterPitW #F #NA

Poster picture of the sound of marigolds, titled above. A large marigold descends from the top of the poster, with hooved legs skipping on grass extended from it. At the top are the tropes, sapphic fantasy, unrequited love, and monster protagonist. By the hooves is the tagline, the monster you defeated is now your last hope. Encapsulated by wreaths are the lines, flipped fantasy tropes, and haunting, heartbreaking, healing. At the bottom right corner is the text, coming 2026

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

Anise doesn’t have time for petty college drama until she becomes a suspect in the murder of her friend Cody. Now she must uncover the secrets around her to clear her name and save her scholarship. 73,000 word adult mystery with cozy elements and a romance subplot. #PosterPit #A #M #PosterPitQ

A movie poster for All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship, a novel by Marina Ruhr. A brunette girl stands in the snow with a mysterious smile. The logline is What would you do for a full ride scholarship? College mystery, cozy elements, romance subplot, amateur sleuth.

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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

Kayla Joy 🌻 @kaylajoyauthor.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

"Was I just an alibi?" 💜🔍💙 Ten years after the finale of a beloved mystery sitcom, a cast reunion ends with the murder of a former child star, and the former fan-favorite it-couple are the primary suspects. #PosterPit #PosterPitQ #M #T #NA #A

Cartoon style poster depicting a press conference, a young couple standing in front of photographers and microphones. Behind them, text says NONE OF THAT WAS REAL.

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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

Kanani O’Kelly @kananiokelly.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

An introduction to my Hawaiian-inspired, young adult fantasy. “Maia must unravel a lifetime worth of secrets to understand the dangers that lurk around the corner—and she must do so before it’s too late.” #PosterPit #PosterPitW #YA #F #OwnVoices

A movie poster that displays the image of a sailboat beneath the reflection of the night sky. This is to showcase my novel “Whispers of the Sea.”

Across the top can be found a list of what to expect in the novel. The list includes: epic adventure, forced proximity, earth magic, and Hawaiian influences.

At the bottom of the poster is a summary that reads:
“Jasad Heir meets the Starless Sea in this young adult fantasy following a teen girl who embarks on a journey to uncover the whereabouts of her missing uncle. Maia must unravel a lifetime worth of secrets to understand the dangers that lurk around every corner—and she must do so before it’s too late.”

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

After many rounds of edits, I’m excited to say that I am now querying my college mystery novel, All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship! Wish me luck in the query trenches! 😅

A picture of a Maryland colonial building in the snow. Title: All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship. Subtext: A Mystery with Cozy Elements. 71,000 words. Set in Annapolis, Maryland. By Marina Ruhr.

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

It’s my philosophy that a cutout cookie should be so delicious on its own they never last long enough to get frosted! (The trick is to use a recipe with a whole block of cream cheese 😋)

A tray of cutout Christmas cookies shaped like stockings

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

This has been an intensely busy month or so. I’ve solo managed a move, finished a scientific paper and a grant proposal, completed a course of vision therapy that massively helped my migraines. Somehow, with all of that being said, I have also *completed the first draft of my cozy mystery WIP*. 😅😴🥳

A mood board for All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship, featuring: snow, books, Annapolis, MD

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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

Carrie Brewer 👩‍🚀🪐 @carriebwrites.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

WHAT IF THE LOST COLONY OF ROANOKE HAPPENED ON ANOTHER PLANET? When her loved ones disappear from a colony on a distant planet, Jo leaves Earth behind to seek answers herself. What she discovers casts doubt on every loyalty she's carefully constructed her life around. #MiseryPit #SFFM #A #WIP

A mood-board collage with celestial imagery, astronauts, and quotes saying "in this world, it's just us," "I am sharp as broken glass and just as fragile," and "it's all getting out of my hands..."

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

After a heated exchange at a party, college student Anise looks like a suspect in her friend’s murder. When she discovers that the victims are all scholarship kids, she must work with her former suspect turned crush to find the real killer - before she ends up dead herself. #MiseryPit #A #COM #WIP

Title page for “All’s Fair in Love and Scholarship”, a cozy college mystery with a projected word count of 59,000 words.

A mood board with images of Maryland colonial buildings, books, and snow.

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Final numbers for my November challenge: I added 25,000 words to my cozy college mystery, and while I didn’t finish the first draft, I’m only ~10,000 words away!

A word count tracker with a final November word count challenge count of 25,324 words added

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Pear custard pie update! It came out beautifully this year 😍

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

When you make one small change and pieces you didn’t even know were connected fall into place 😭🥹

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Just me, sitting in the dark, giggling while I write in some ✨subtle little clues✨

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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

Jane Austen First Drafts @austen1stdrafts.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Caroline Bingley holding a book upside down:

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

There’s nothing like hitting a nice, round word count number to trick you into stopping for the day!

A word count tracker with daily, monthly, and November challenge goals listed.

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

“What if the school thinks I did it? They could take away my scholarship!” “That’s what you’re worried about? Someone died! This isn’t about your scholarship!”

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

The love interest: Hey let’s get dinner at a nice restaurant The FMC: What? Why would I spend money on that when I could just go to the dining hall? The love interest: 💀 Me, the author, trying to get them to a fun new setting: 😓

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Reposted by Marina Ruhr is writing

John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 19/11/2024

The secret is that other writers aren't competition; they're peers, colleagues and friends. Someone who reads me is going to read other writers as well; the entire publishing economy is "yes, and." Therefore it does me no harm, and much good, to support other writers and to wish them well.

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Marina Ruhr is writing @marinaruhr.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Hello! I’m an aspiring author currently working on a cozy college mystery, and I’m excited to join what seems to be a really cool group of authors and aspiring authors here. 😊

A picture of a woman wearing an orange sw

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