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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Apologies for absence - long summer busy rewriting and editing my YA Fantasy, CHILD OF ICE… Which I can now genuinely announce is coming early 2027! BUT…you can read Chapter 1 already for free if you join my newsletter. Just one email a month; no spam! 🙂 Sign up at alexmcnab.com

alexmcnab.com

Alex McNab | Fantasy Author

Alex McNab writes fantasy for young adults and younger readers. His upper YA debut Child of Ice is coming in 2027.

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Dilemma: Been invited out by friends to a bar to watch the 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 game tonight… do I: A) Politely decline because kick-off is 23:00! & now that I’m over 40 is way past bed time! B) Accept both invite & ugly truth that now I’m over 40, any event past 11pm will require an afternoon nap!! 😬

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

and that’s that…well…all the artists performed anyway!! 70 years. SEVENTY!! - and we’re still here!! Now for another 5 hours of voting!! #eurovision

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Romania clearly has no time for easy names or easy concepts… ‘Choke Me’!? - no words really…she’s awkwardly dressed in something that suggests she raided a high-fashion dystopia..and the lyrics and theme… well…just no comment! 😬

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

This can only be described as a Viking Freddie Mercury rave! What a way to bring the contest to a close! Ya Ya YA repeated at increasingly unhinged volume while bouncing around stage with pure joy of a man who’s consumed far too much aquavit!!? This could be a fave of the night! #eurovision #norway

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Ok… I’m biased…but: The lasers are perfect….The vocals are perfect….the lighting perfect. I still think Felicia looks like she was assembled in a lab specifically for Eurovision…but I’m here for it!!! #eurovision #sweden

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Lithuania arriving in what appears to be the wardrobe from a mid-budget sci-fi film!! 😬 ….Extraordinary…& Baffling. That is all. 🤔 #eurovision #lithuania

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Oj - First live mic’d instrument in like 30 years….and sounding awesome! Bookies fave for a reason…Finland came to win! #eurovision

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Moldova has given some of the most joyfully chaotic entries in Eurovision history - & this year does not disappoint!! Deux points from me on sheer spectacle alone!! #eurovision #moldova

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Let me get this right….Post-Brexit UK is representing itself at a European song contest by performing in German on machines built from the skips outside Maplin…this is either deeply satirical or a complete coincidence!!? You decide! #eurovision

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Bulgaria is BACK! - and they have absolutely not spent the time away being sensible! This performance is…how do I put it… there’s no other word - Unhinged - but, in the best possible way.! I kinda love it! #eurovision #bulgaria

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

AIDAN looks like the kind of person who would help you move apartments and also bring good wine - clearly the definition of a Maltese cowboy! 🤠#bella #eurovision #malta

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

The late, great Sir Terry Wogan famously advised never to touch a drink before Song 9 at Eurovision! So here’s to you Sir Terry! Kraj Mene, indeed. 🏰🧛‍♂️ #Eurovision2026 #Vienna #SongNine #Wogan

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Australia continues its refusal to acknowledge that it’s not in Europe by sending Delta Goodrem… a true Aussie national treasure in my eyes! (& yes, I had a major celeb crush on her since Neighbours!) - No scooter needed….Just Delta & a shit load of #Swarovski - that’s all that’s needed! #eurovision

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Now it’s Eurovision!!! - rides a scooter on stage , a 3-story prop, only to then be chased by video game characters!! #Greece spends 10 months a year in mild economic anxiety and then 2 weeks a year absolutely nailing this contest! Respect! #eurovision #greece

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I don’t care what anything says… this makes me happy every year!! Bring on the madness! #eurovision #eurovisionsomgcontest

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

P.s. for perspective, I’ve over 1k followers on @bsky.app, if just 1/3 of you donated just a single dollar / £ / € I’d smash my target! 🙏 #alzheimersresearch #charity #research

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

FYI, I’m running London Royal Parks Half in October for @alzheimersresearchuk.org , who have kindly given me a place. It's personal…as a family member was recently diagnosed. Goal is £350. Swapping XC skis & trails for London gravel paths. Any support, however small, means a lot 🤍 bit.ly/42ioQ3S

bit.ly

I'm running the Royal Parks Half for Alzheimer's Research UK

Help Alex McNab raise money to support Alzheimer's Research UK

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Agreed - I think I sometimes blur the line between what’s a trope and what’s a narrative structure; but I guess they also often intertwine. 🙂

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

“A reckless child mistakes silence for conspiracy. She would reveal what we laid to rest for a essential purpose, and call it ‘freedom’! Order and peace is older than her voice, and it under my rule it must outlast her.” #VillainVoices #CampRevPit #CRPDryads

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Personally not really into Romantasy that much so mine would be more mythic…folklore as true, old vs. the new, magic that’s felt rather than explicit, landscape as living…. Not sure if they’re tropes as such, as I feel that the word these days more refers to Romance? 🤔 #CRPDryads #CampRevPit

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

My WIP goal is to refine / edit slightly based on beta read feedback but overall feedback has been strong and positive with only relatively minor suggestions, so mainly I think just adjust querying strategy and maybe try querying outside of the UK. #CRPDryads #CampRevPit

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

On a personal level I’m 41, British by birth, but live in Stockholm, Sweden where I’ve been for the last 2 years. Looking forward to being part of #camprevpit and #CRPDryads and have signed up to all the events including positivity share and 5 pages swap. See you round the campfire! 🔥 3/3

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Im Alex and I currently write YA (Upper) Fantasy, although started with MG (self published). Currently querying ‘CHILD OF ICE’ - a Norsk / Sami inspired fantasy adventure following Kaija, a young Bone Whisperer determined to find out the truth of the Hollow Gods. #camprevpit #crpdryads 2/3

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Morning (Europe time anyway) all #CampRevPit #CRPDryads campers. I’ve been on mute these last couple of days of camp as been on a business trip…. But here’s me now briefly introducing myself and hope to be more engaged in the coming days… 1/3

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

This is a fantastic initiative from #revpit. I’ve signed up! - Really looking forward to meeting more fellow writers and sharing feedback! 🏕️ #CampRevPit

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Thanks so much @raqueledits.bsky.social for emailing everyone who subbed to you (myself included), and for your kind and encouraging words. 🙏

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Forgive my ignorance, but I can’t seem to tell whether this is free or if there is any cost involved?

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

I’m thinking the same (but maybe just me being optimistic) - particularly as I’m YA Fantasy and of my three editors, there was only about 2 or 3 YA Fantasy #10queries anyway across all sessions….

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

This is amazing you do this for all your entries - sadly I didn’t submit to you this year…but would be amazing if other editors did this too.

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Anyone got any past stats on ‘Winner who didn’t get a single mention in #10queries’ 🤔 - asking for a friend? Is all hope lost if you didn’t spot your MS in any potential #10queries?

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

I told myself I’d give myself a year to query this one as it’s my strongest MS I’ve written I think so want to give it its best shot at Trad before deciding where to take it…meanwhile I’ll just keep writing.

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Well, #revpit and #revpitwaiting pretty much done it seems. I MAY have spotted my MS in 1 #10queries but not sure… Question is… now what? More self editing in hope I’m heading in right direction? Keep querying? (I’ve only queried 12 so far…) or abandon & write something new…. Decisions decisions…

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

I love reading (and writing Fantasy) and read Thrillers for pure easy escapism, so I thought ‘why the hell not combine the two!’

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Not sure how fast you read but I’ve also just started this! So far so good…

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

In fact, there are several issues with this despite the obvious duplication of percent; the repeated ‘and’ and thus, because this is now two errors, the word ‘mistake’ should be pluralised.

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

I doubt that stat is true though? Isn’t it fairly obvious? 🤷‍♂️ sadly I’ve seen this a lot in published pieces (news and online mainly), along with ‘£50 pounds’ or $100 dollars.

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Coffee, coffee and more coffee! ☕️ 🤣

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Same goes for any genre I think. The more you read, the better writer you’ll become!

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Love this setup - does the typewriter work?

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Missed this yesterday - but this is my desk where I’ll do a lot of my writing if typed and at home…but lots also happens in notebooks wherever I happen to be…. #revpitwaiting #writingspace #writer #revpit2026

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Do all editors do a #10queries session? Not heard anything from two of mine! 🤔

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Thanks once again - all interesting feedback. Q20/P20 ‘could’ be mine as I can’t recall if I was consistent with the title and comps in caps / italics? 🤔 but interesting feedback nonetheless… food for thought.

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

Many thanks for all of these #10queries - Out of curiosity, if you are fairly sure your MS isn’t one of the 10, does that mean you are likely not even long or shortlisted? Or are they more ‘random’ queries and pages chosen.

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

#RevPitWaiting Working from phone today so this is best I can do… Mood board of CHILD OF ICE - Glacial, bone-white, geothermal, volcanic. A frozen world where gods are worshipped in ice temples…but beneath the surface, something ancient is failing... The truth always runs hotter than faith.

Cinematic moodboard collage in cool blues and fiery oranges, arranged in a 2x2 grid of Nordic-inspired fantasy scenes: top-left shows a glowing blue ice cave with rippled translucent walls; top-right depicts an ornate ice temple with rune-carved pillars and arched doorway; bottom-left reveals a cracked glacier with molten orange lava flowing beneath; bottom-right features ancient carved wooden totems and shamanic drums on snowy ice. Overlaid in large frosty fantasy lettering are the words ‘Norsk’, ‘Legend’, ‘Sami’, and ‘YA Fantasy’

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Action & Atmosphere I’m a very lyrical and poetic writer, so I enjoy writing scenes that are heavy on atmosphere build… but action is fun and where I tend to match the pace of the scene with the speed of my writing.

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

#RevPitWaiting and then there’s Tove. A cynical temple guard who looks carved from the same ice he protects. He doesn’t trust secrets, nor the Elders, & definitely doubts Kaija’s plan. But when the world starts cracking, he’s the one who stands loyal throughout .

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

#RevPitWaiting Also, there’s Siv… Kaija’s best friend, the bright-eyed one who always sees the politics others miss. Her grandmother collected forbidden folk tales, & Siv inherited that hunger for hidden truths. She’s warm, steady, and fearless.. Will that fearlessness be her downfall?

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

#RevPitWaiting Meet Kaija… a Bone-Whisperer apprentice whose first solo ritual goes terribly wrong. She’s brave but full of doubt, fiercely loyal, and about to discover that everything her people believe in is not all as they say it is. Her journey for the truth costs her almost everything!

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Alex McNab @mcnab-lundback.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

#RevPitWaiting CHILD OF ICE is a YA fantasy set in Ísarnheimur, a frozen Norse/Arctic-inspired world. When apprentice Bone-Whisperer Kaija discovers the Gods they worship may not be all they are led to believe, she must choose between ‘comforting faith’ and ‘dangerous truth.’

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