iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Mark Feenstra

Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 09/05/2025

I don’t really care who the Pope is, but seeing the reactions from a certain subset of bigots makes me think the cardinals made a good choice.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 01/04/2026

The only people who love a good map more than fantasy readers are fantasy authors. Mostly because we’re simple folk who are constantly messing up logistical details if we don’t record them somewhere for future reference1, but also because they look neat. open.substack.com/pub/markfeen...

open.substack.com

Never Trust a Perfect Map

On fantasy maps and imperfection.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 01/04/2026

Field Note #30: “Surviving once teaches you very little about surviving twice.” (These notes are drawn from my journeys with the Traveling Librarian. The full account arrives soon.)

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 01/03/2026

Final major revision of The Traveling Librarian is complete! A few minor details to work out, then on to proofing.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 26/02/2026

I think I misunderstood something in the writing advice "open a blank page and lay bare your soul." Are we all writing naked or am I the only one??

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 09/01/2026

I don’t know how I’d never heard of The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, but what a spellbinding read. I was absolutely entranced for 700 pages of history, travel, and Dracula lore.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 04/01/2026

Found a copy of Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor in a little free library and devoured it over 3 days. First read of 2026 was a wild ride!

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 02/01/2026

2026 resolution is more belligerence. Way more belligerence.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 04/12/2025

How old am I? I’m “6:50 seems a bit late to see this 2.5 hour Paul Thomas Anderson film in theatre on a Wednesday night” years old.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 28/11/2025

#41 on the Rising in Fiction list! Come see what all the fuss is about at markfeenstra.substack.com

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 22/11/2025

On my way to learn the fine art of stabbing people with swords at Academie Duello.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 21/11/2025

Currently running a Black Friday sale: buy one of my books and you get one of my books.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 21/11/2025

Had an ugly interpersonal conflict play out in public the other day. If you need me, I’ll be sticking my head in a favourite book* and not coming out until I’ve regained my equilibrium. (*Lies of Locke Lamora)

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 16/11/2025

Great day at CONnections today. Met so many lovely people and sold out of Wolf of the Library and Vanthology!

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 11/11/2025

I'll be at CONnections this week, speaking on panels, reading, and signing books! Come say hi if you're in the Vancouver area. open.substack.com/pub/markfeen...

open.substack.com

Appearances and Publishing Update

Come see me at CONnections where I'll be speaking on panels, reading, and signing books!

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 02/11/2025

Accidentally got the French sports channel subscription for tonight’s Jays game and only understood every third word, but in the end, I think it made the whole thing more dramatic.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 30/10/2025

Four books to get to know me

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Reposted by Mark Feenstra

Vancouver Genre Writers @vancouvergenrewriters.com · 29/10/2025

VANTHOLOGY is here! From misty seawalls to far-flung worlds, Vanthology gathers original short fiction from the Vancouver Genre Writers community. If you love discovering new voices and fresh blends of genre, Vanthology belongs on your shelf. Get your copy now: mybook.to/vanthology

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 20/10/2025

So wrapped up in work that I forgot my kid was home sick. Freaked out for a moment wondering who was walking through the apartment.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 02/10/2025

Readers: those permanent bookclub/award stickers are The Worst. Publishers: hold my beer.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 14/09/2025

A behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making a book cover. This represents 15,000 Procreate brush strokes and more than 15 hours of work to get to the final cover treatment in Photoshop. [Book link in bio.]

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Reposted by Mark Feenstra

quantum katana @quantumkatana.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Just want to give a shout out to an awesome writers group that I've been a part of since 2022. We have super-fun in-person meetups at pubs and cafés. Come join us when you're in the area! www.vancouvergenrewriters.com

vancouvergenrewriters.com

Vancouver Genre Writers | Bringing Genre To The Fore

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 16/05/2025

Made the mistake of watching Murderbot with my partner, and now I’ll have to wait every week until we can find time to watch it together.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 09/05/2025

I don’t really care who the Pope is, but seeing the reactions from a certain subset of bigots makes me think the cardinals made a good choice.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 06/05/2025

I started reading James before it was cool. Like, a day before… but it still counts right?

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Reposted by Mark Feenstra

Indigenous Editors Association @indigeditors.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

May 5 is Red Dress Day. We remember and honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ People. Their stories, their lives, and their memories matter. #RedDressDay #MMIWG2S #NoMoreStolenSisters #IndigenousEditors

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Reposted by Mark Feenstra

Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

it’s highly anticipated because you sat on the land for 17 years after getting a $211 million interest free loan

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 04/05/2025

A little light reading on a Sunday morning.

Book: Botanical Curses and Poisons by Fez Inkwright

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 04/05/2025

My kid just started book 9 of the Keepers of the Lost Cities series. She’s about to discover the agony of waiting for the next book to release, which feels like a rite of passage for any fantasy reader.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 03/05/2025

Ploughed through the first half of The Bee Sting by Paul Murray yesterday. Not sure why, but I’d been worried this might be a slow read for me. It’s turning out to be one of my favourites of the year so far.

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Reposted by Mark Feenstra

Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

CIVILIZATIONS RISE CIVILIZATIONS FALL HEDY FRY IS FOREVER SHE WINS VANCOUVER CENTRE FOR THE 11TH STRAIGHT TIME

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 29/04/2025

Took a break from watching election results to leave flowers at the Lapu Lapu day memorial on 41st and Fraser. Arrived during the candlelight vigil. Absolutely gutted, but somewhat buoyed by the outpouring of community support.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 28/04/2025

Gave myself permission to watch political movies (Current: Wag The Dog) and doomscroll politics all day. It’s ether that or day drinking.

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Reposted by Mark Feenstra

Kevin Hearne @kevinhearne.bsky.social · 28/04/2025

Canadian peeps! Please remember to vote today! There is nothing more important than keeping Canada strong & free from fascism! (Every conservative govt elected in recent years has rapidly slid into authoritarianism. For reference, see India, Israel, Hungary, Italy, and now the U.S.) Please vote!

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 28/04/2025

Had a great time at @tbcart.bsky.social’s book launch yesterday! Jester is a witty underdog story with a big heart. Can’t wait to see what Tim does next!

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 28/04/2025

Elbows up, Canada! No excuses for not voting. Keep Poilievre from running this country into the ground.

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Reposted by Mark Feenstra

Nghi Vo @nghivo.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Love trans people, protect trans people, feed trans people, and to hell with anyone, individual or govenment entity, that disagrees. UK friends, I'm so sorry.

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Reposted by Mark Feenstra

Jonathan Edward Durham @thisone0verhere.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

If you think about it, the very best books are really just extremely long spells that turn you into a different person for the rest of your life

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 10/12/2024

Just saw my first cybertruck in the wild. Obviously I knew it was more than a meme, but actually seeing one on the road was like watching someone eat a Tide Pod.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 06/12/2024

I fell off the Stormlight Archive halfway through book 4, but I’m seriously jealous of everyone who gets to dive into such a highly-anticipated fantasy epic at midnight! #WindAndTruth

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 29/11/2024

I’m a 25 pages away from finishing this book and I realized I haven’t figured out my next read yet. Now I have to stop reading to plan ahead so I don’t waffle in indecision all night.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 15/11/2024

I love my mechanical keyboard for writing, but I am giving up on the desk and retreating to couch and blankets with my laptop for the rest of the day.

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Mark Feenstra @markfeenstra.com · 14/11/2024

Is it so wrong that I just want to live in a cozy cabin in the woods very far away from other people but still be walking distance to great cafés, local markets, bookstores, and pubs?

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