iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Third, if you're going to assemble one of these, have some sort of a tool to pop the pieces out. It's not the same as popping plastic ones out.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Second, there is something wildly historically inaccurate about this model. Can you spot it?

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

First - more than 10 years of waiting but it took me just about an hour to assemble. What you procrastinate on usually doesn't take as long as you think.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Have you seen those flat-packed metal models in gift shops and wondered what it's like to assemble one? Well, I bought one more than 10 years ago and finally assembled it. Hear all about it and see the process in less than 10 minutes: youtu.be/yqqmytCuS38?...

youtu.be

Crafting My Procrastinations - Metal Earth Model Assembly

YouTube video by Acutely Amanda

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

This powerful social commentary brings a refreshingly underrepresented plot to familiar genre territory.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Berry places missing Black girls, who historically receive little media attention, into the exact narrative space normally occupied in psychological thrillers by: marital infidelity blackmail mysterious inheritances

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

The NAACP reports that Black US Americans make up 34% of all missing persons cases but only 12.85% of the population.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Someone quickly thanked me for both edits. This is the joyful side of fandoms, I think.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

The next day I sat down with my cassette player and listened to both sides to see if it was the complete story. It was. I then created an account on Fandom and logged in just to edit the cassette information with the number of cassettes and the narrator. dearamerica.fandom.com/wiki/Voyage_...

dearamerica.fandom.com

Client Challenge

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

This week I found a cassette of Dear America: Voyage on the Great Titanic in an antique store (I know, I know, my poor Millennial heart). The fandom didn't know how many cassettes made up the book. There was only one. I risked the $2 and bought it.

A white woman's hand holds a cassette tape labeled "Scholastic Presents Dear America Voyage on the Great Titanic The Diary of Margaret Ann Brady."

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

The Smithsonian has made a digital collection of their horse art for the upcoming Year of the Horse, and it's adorable. So much horse art is just named "a horse" or "horses." www.si.edu/spotlight/lu...

si.edu

Year of the Horse | Smithsonian Institution

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Overheard in a record store today. The vibe I got was GenX dad with millennial daughter discussing younger relative. Dad:"She asked for a cd player for Christmas" Daughter:"Should we get her some cds then?" Dad, baffled:"She says she wants to listen to *my* cds." Daughter:"You do have a lot."

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Here's a sample of what we'll be making - shape options include a tree, star, stocking, candy cane, or gingerbread person.

Flat lay of crafting supplies and a final craft. A metal cookie cutter in the shape of a Christmas tree, loose roving wool in green and gold, a needle felting needle, and a finished christmas tree ornament.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Central Mass folks! I’m running a beginner needle-felting ornament workshop on Dec 19 at Melody Maker in Clinton 🎄✨ Make your own felted ornament — all materials included. Save your spot: forms.gle/4VycxyQzUjHX... Clinton Massachusetts • Worcester County

forms.gle

St*b & Sip at Melody Maker December 19th

Doors open at 6:00 PM Crafting begins at 7:00 PM Event ends at 9:00 PM Come learn the cozy and creative art of needle felting! This beginner-friendly workshop will guide you through shaping wool using...

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

That bittersweet sensation of finishing reading a print book you own only to realize it's one you definitely want to keep so your book hoard will not, in fact, decrease. #booksky

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

I just got my FIRST EVER poetry acceptance!!! This has been a goal of mine for literal years. Never give up.

Screenshot of text reading, "Congratulations! This message confirms the acceptance of your submission"

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Thank you!! I think in this case it was less brave and more had no idea it would be more difficult than thread, LOL.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

If you’ve ever looked at a handmade piece and thought, “That looks peaceful,” this episode is your reminder: creative chaos counts as crafting too. ✨ What DIY have you tried because it “looked easy” only to find out….not so much?

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

The project taught me that “shirring” (those cute stretchy seams you see on dresses) is deceptively difficult. Let’s just say my sewing machine and I had some tension issues… literally and emotionally. 😅 (Did you know crying is a rite of passage for shirring? I sure didn’t!)

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

This week, I’m sharing how what was supposed to be a quick DIY project — turning a too-big fall dress into a skirt — became a full-blown sewing adventure. 🧵🍂 🎧 Watch here: Upcycling a Dress into a Shirred Skirt for Fall youtu.be/s7l7NffY7hc #Crafting #Sewing #DIY #Upcycling #Podcast

youtu.be

Upcycling a Dress into a Shirred Skirt for Fall

YouTube video by Acutely Amanda

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

The next time you feel like social media is inescapable, think about that 34.3%. I know I will be.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Sometimes it feels like EVERYONE is on social media. But that's patently untrue. About 1/3 of people are not. They can't ALL be children. (Especially with how many children have social media).

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Only 68.7% of the world's population uses the internet. *The internet.* 65.7% of the world's population uses social media. (Shout out to that 3% on the internet but not on social media). This statistic really surprised me. #BookSky 📚💙 #digitaldetox #socialmedia

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

If that resonates, I hope you’ll stick around. Let’s build a quieter corner of the internet together. What phrase brings you peace when the world is loud? 🫶

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

That koan kept circling my mind during a road trip for my 10th anniversary with my husband. I don’t want to add to the firehose. I want to be a brook in a meadow. A place to breathe. This fall, I’m letting silence speak more often. Building something alive with meaning.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Sometimes the world feels like a firehose aimed at your face. And we’re all under pressure to add to that flood. But this fall, I’m choosing something else. One phrase that brings peace is better than a thousand words that have no use. #Koan #CreativeLiving #RecoveryPosse #FallVibes #BookSky 📚💙

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

Curious—what’s one little swap you’ve made that helps you scroll less? Or if you haven’t yet, what would you try?

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

I’ll be honest: it didn’t happen all at once. My hands were used to grabbing my phone,. But each time I chose creating over scrolling, it gets a little easier. Now my days feel calmer and more intentional.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

I’ve been slowly replacing doomscrolling with something better: crafts. 🪡🎨 This week it was coloring + cross stitch—and the difference in my mood has been huge. #Crafting #DIY #MindfulLiving #CreativeHabits #BookSky 📚💙

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Urban fantasy doesn’t have to stay urban. Sometimes the strangest magic shows up in the woods behind your house. 🌌 Would you believe in Bigfoot if she turned up in your hometown? #fantasybooks #indieauthor #paranormalromance #BookSky 📚💙

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Tova’s world has always been rooted in paranormal Boston. 🌆 But the sequel expands into central Massachusetts, where forests, backroads, and small towns hide their own supernatural secrets. 🌲👀 Bigfoot is just the beginning…

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

👣 Bigfoot has arrived in the Tova Gallagher universe— but not in Boston. This week’s Acutely Amanda short story takes us to Leominster, MA, where cryptids walk among the pines. 🌲✨ 🎧 Watch/listen here: youtu.be/qQKKR5UDh7E #urbanfantasy #specfic #Bigfoot #BookSky 📚💙

youtu.be

Bigfoot Speaks from Leominster Urban Fantasy Short Story

YouTube video by Acutely Amanda

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Aw poor spruce. At least it hung in there for you!

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Nitrous is a great option for those who can have it! (It’s contraindicated for me personally.)

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Zone 6! This particular species was first discovered in Ohio - similar zone to me.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Aren’t they? The first time I saw one at an arboretum I knew I wanted one someday.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Love this! Thank you for sharing. I’m really looking forward to the golden leaves.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

It depends on the variety. My dwarf will grow 2-3” a year and should reach full height in 10 years.

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Buddy might be small now, but one day he’ll be full of golden fan-shaped leaves. 🌟 Have you ever planted a tree or a plant that really means something to you? I’d love to hear about it. 🌱💬 #nature #sustainableliving #greenhope #BookSky 📚💙

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Ginkgo are drought and deer resistant, and their fibrous roots help prevent erosion. Planting one felt like adding a tiny bit of resilience + hope to my own yard. I can’t wait to watch him grow and change with the seasons. 💛🍂

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Amanda McNeil (she/her) @mcneilauthor.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

🌱 Planted my very first tree this week — meet Buddy, my Ginkgo biloba ‘Maidenhair Tree’! 🌳✨ The process was messy, grounding, and honestly kind of magical. Here’s why I chose Buddy 👇 #gardening #treeplanting #BookSky 📚💙 youtube.com/shorts/wdUG4...

youtube.com

Ginkgo biloba ‘Buddy’ Maidenhair Tree #treeplanting #diy #bethechange

YouTube video by Acutely Amanda

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