iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Melissa Marr

Jon Cooper @joncooper-us.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Nobel Peace Prize, my ass.

834153596015

Reposted by Melissa Marr

John Picacio @johnpicacio.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

🧵 Attention, Fellow SFF Artists and Authors -- here is my response to Must Read Magazines, after they presented an Asimov's art contract expecting me to waive all Moral Rights and Copyright to my art. And, I would strongly advise the following to my fellow pros…. 1/

John Picacio’s response to Must Read Magazine’s request for his waiver of all Moral Rights and Copyright of his commissioned art for an ASIMOV’S assignment. Short version — Picacio says a resounding NOPE.

451183526

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Received a covid booster, my experimental heart drug, & sat for blood labs. I am feeling rather pin-cushion-y. . . but my wife bought me a lovely bouquet of flowers. I bought myself some nice coffee beans. My publisher picked A Treason of Magic for a Kindle monthly deal so 3 good w 3 owie, I guess!

040

Reposted by Melissa Marr

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I was just pointing out a couple of days on here that this is the LOWEST HANGING FRUIT of low hanging fruit for Democrats to promise if they take control of Congress. RAISE THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE from $7.25. It has not risen since 2009. It's criminal.

101078271

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

DC Folks: I am looking for restaurants to take the newly teen son that are good, but also NOT seafood (I am allergic to so many things). Trips for him are "oh & then we ate . . . and the next day we ate . . ." Hit me with ideas?

021

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

In related notes... Me to family: "Oh, I turned in that project. I can either treat myself to an extra day of writing the Unsold Project or resume writing the Recently Sold Project or do that anthology story I owe in 2027! Ooooh, maybe I work on one today, one tomorrow, & one Sunday!" Writing=JOY

011

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

If I could have a robot me (complete with excess floofy hair, obv) to join calls or review contracts or go over royalty statements . . . Ok, I'd probably still prefer humans, but at least I could hear arguments. The WRITING part though is my joy. WHY would anyone want to outsource that part?

110

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

All jobs include work. However, *writing rarely feels like work. (Writing=draft, revise, research, CE.) The work part of being an author is "all the stuff one must do that is not writing." It occurs to me today that the fundamental AI objection many of us have is bc we LIKE the writing part.

131

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Love that place! I took my daughter there after one of her degrees (archaeology). Excellent mother/daughter trip!

020

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Err, if it is necromancy, will you let us know? I'd be down for that. *clinging to hope* I have lingering questions for a number of dead authors...

000

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Friend: I just want murder shows, esp documentaries. Me: My time has come! *sends a list* My "happy place" when I am sick is murder TV. I have pondered this at much length, & I think it's just the combination of "puzzles are good" and "villains pay" that appeals to me when I feel ill.

000

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

"THE ARRIVALS straddles a line between world-building sci-fi and interpersonal, intimate drama... You’ll want to definitely saddle up for this one.” - USA Today THE ARRIVALS is on ebook sale for $0.99. IDK for how long, but it's there as I type this . . .

Desert palate background with NPR quote saying "If anyone can put the goth in Southern Gothic, it's Melissa Marr." Next to it is a picture of the trade paperback of THE ARRIVALS by MM.

001

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I'll be in Washington state this week, signing & talking in Forks . . . which I am told is free to the public to attend, so come & say hello to me & @jfrostauthor.bsky.social 10am-4pm signing at the Kit’la Center on Friday & 11:15am-12:30pm Author Book Signing at Forks High School Commons.

011

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Sometimes the best part of Autumn is that I'll be able to go back out to the river in AZ to watch the wild horses...

A group of wild horses entering the Lower Salt River in AZ. 3 white horses & one brown are at the front. 2 of the white are chest deep. Behind those are 2 more (6 horses total)

041

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I think far-right men are trying for what they think "alpha" looks like, but instead look like they have congested noses bc they are doing a slightly-open-mouth thing.

020

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

This is my life goal now. I am putting it into the universe. One day, I want to work on a ghostwriting gig for an athlete. Bonus points if it's basketball. Double bonus if it's WNBA (which I follow like it's my church), but really any pro sport.

010

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Log: Year 13 of trying to convince my kid to like books We read; he laughed aloud. Paused. "It's a shame your books aren't funny . . . or about sports. I like sport biographies." I literally signed on with a ghostwriting company in an attempt to one day get to work on a sports book bc of him.

130

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Sigh. I do think publishers ought not be taking ANY share, tbh. They rake in millions--and did literally nothing to combat piracy. We get our wee checks after asking for decades for them to act.

020

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

True. :) I feel like my overall stress decreased when I started asking, "Is this stupidity, laziness, or malice?" I think in most cases, it's one of the former. Thinking that has helped me forgive a lot of stressors. Is it still irritating? Work I shouldn't need to do? Yes. It's not *hateful* tho.

010

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I am wondering if the Harper one was error not malice though. These all look like they're "rights reverted" books. (I uploaded my proof of reversion, & it looks like that resolves it.) IDK what's up with all the Scholastic ones I see posted.

110

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

You described the start of my morning with a reverted book, too! Added to it was another publisher asserting rights to an anthology that I edited that they didn't publish, and a second antho misclaimed. I'm assuming that the pubs hired a slew of temp workers who were overwhelmed & made mistakes.

100

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

You are the source of sanity for me, fwiw. I check in to your posts for Anthropic lawsuit updates before anywhere else, so thank you for doing the good work here and on other issues over the years. That is all. *resumes quiet reading*

170

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

In unrelated notes, I wrote 40k words on novel projects this month in an unexpected word blur. I typically get 15-25k at retreat, but this time was my record. I stayed longer, & I could not stop. I am waking up w story in my head; it's my most productive month of the year between class & writing.

020

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Working on class delivery package revision and my nerdy heart is gleeful. Once upon a time 28 years ago, I received a grant to "digitize" classes for NC State's English Dept, which I was already doing for my classes. I used to update annually, but until this last month I forgot how much I loved it.

130

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

She is NOT gone. Childhood Me & Adult Me often disagree, but on the subject of Dolly we are in perfect accord. My barefoot, poor mountain self thought I could be an author bc Dolly PROVED it's possible to be anything we want. Literally, having her face/sticker on my book felt like my career height.

020

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I'm sorry, but I am not accepting the news about Dolly Parton. I cannot. I will not. She's alive in a beautiful Dolly Field somewhere still bringing light & joy to our world. I grew up believing I could do anything BECAUSE OF HER. When she bought my Wild Horses book, I sobbed on & off for days.

130

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Away writing. Local coffee shop has a "Bad Bunny Blood Latte" & I have to admit that I am in love. I need to order supplies to make it at home... Sometimes when I travel I try new coffees to add to my at home menu. This is amazing.

Hand holding an iced latte with red (strawberry) syrup dripping through it on the sides like blood. You can see the thumb with chipped pink nail polish, the interior of a car dashboard, and part of a leg wearing striped fabric

020

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

For the last 12 years, I have been called as soon as my "eligible to be called" hits like clockwork. So I now base my plans around it. "Oh, we should do that soon bc I'm in my juror window the next month." Meanwhile, in the same period, my wife was called 2x.

041

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

The animals in this book--and the rest of their bands--are at risk because of the monstrosity that is happening. I'm glad to see national discussions of it. Please keep speaking up for the AZ wild horses and every other wild horse herd we still have.

040

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I'm hoping that some of the 100s of thousands of you who either bought this book OR received it via the Imagination Library (founded & run by my childhood--and adulthood--hero Dolly Parton) are speaking up for the wild horses right now. THAT was the point of the book

A group of wild horses running through the river in Arizona. It is the cover of a book and has the Dolly Parton Imagination Library sticker on it, which is a train with the words Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

141

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I have some grow lights from houseplants a few years back. I think I may need to give it ago. I hate the recent feeling that my food is a game of chance if I dont remember to go to the Farmers Market or am out of town like this week.

120

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I've been weighing the idea of indoor lettuce growing bc I live in AZ where outside is a furnace, & these contamination things are really harming my diet (which was 90% produce). Maybe this is a sign . . .

140

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

In France, I went to a writers colony at a former convent on a few times. The shower light was a multicolor discoball, & the doors had no locks, & some steps had holes--but there was an amazing coffee machine that had a bean storage, grind settings, & brew settings. Writers=caffeine priorities

020

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Still way at the writers colony. Last trip someone donated a new electric kettle. Btw then & now, someone donated a nice coffee maker with bells & whistles. We arrived thus time with an espresso machine to donate (& use). Nothing else changes but the options for Writer Fuels.

120

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

That was my zen time too when I had a yard like that. I like Krissy.

000

Reposted by Melissa Marr

Chaucer Doth Tweet @levostregc.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

SUPPORT THESE DATA CENTERS (from magic city books : magiccitybooks.com )

Support These Data Centers: Schools, Libraries, Bookstores, Museums, Public Media, Concerts, Elders, Farmers Markets, Record Stores, Theaters.

1474176

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Those are some mighty fine lawn lines you have there.

120

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Err, only write in your own books. Not library books. I use the library every month and have never written in their books, but every one of my NF books has notes inside OR I havent read that one yet.

000

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I do most of this. . . but I don't get the phone one. Why would it have to be in another room? Are people answering calls or texts or something? I'm confused. But 100% agree on reading multiple books, reading NF & F, & quitting if a book isn't for you. I'd add read multiple genres too.

100

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I don't know how any person could want to ban books and think they're a "good guy." (And I say that mostly as a mom/thinking human/reader, but ALSO person who has books on their absurd list.)

031

Reposted by Melissa Marr

kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The Texas Lt. Governor Threatens Public School Librarians and Educators: “We’re Coming for the Books." He claims the state has a list of 2,200 books every public school needs to remove or face consequences. That list is one by conservative "activist" Bonnie Wallace. bookriot.com/dan-patrick-...

bookriot.com

Texas Lt. Governor Threatens Public School Librarians and Educators: "We're Coming for the Books"

Texas's Lieutenant Governor threatens public school librarians and educators over books in their schools.

28577

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

It IS. My Pennsylvania roots and avid "spooky stuff hides in small towns" belief says "buy it, buy spares for gifts!" *sputters* I scowl at you, John Scalzi, with one foot tapping and a handul of salt tossed over my shoulder.

010

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I do not need to add to my TBR. I do not. But also . . . look at this!

021

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Damnit, John, that looks like a book I may have to buy.

140

Melissa Marr @melissamarrwriting.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Bizarre to realize that I wrote this series 20 years ago & it's reaching new readers under a new cover & in KU today. . .

040

Reposted by Melissa Marr

Ravven @ravven.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Also, in the spirit of birthdays, I'm going to do some self-promo by pointing out that I have a ton of cheap predesigned book covers available. I enjoy doing them, but I cannot sell predesigned covers for the life of me. :/ ravven.com/predesigned-...

023

Reposted by Melissa Marr

John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 31/07/2026

I've written a longer piece on the book that's been pulled due to "AI" use allegations, what that means particularly for newer authors, and what, if anything writers can do in the "AI" era to prove their work is their own: whatever.scalzi.com/2026/07/31/a...

whatever.scalzi.com

Another Reason Not to Use “AI” For Your Writing

Back in February I did a long post about “AI” and why I wouldn’t use it for my own writing, and one of the reasons I gave was “the fact that ‘AI’-generated text …

17569158