iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Absolutely reeling from the ignominy of being eliminated from a Yahoo fantasy football death league in Week 3. Outside, I can feel the eyes of strangers boring into me. “That’s him,” they whisper. “That’s the one.”

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Grandiloquent Word of the Day @grandiloquentwords.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Flamfew [FLAM-fyoo] (also “Flamefew”) (n.) 1. Moonlight reflected upon water. Used in a sentence: “The flamfew glittered upon the ornamental koi pond, lending an air of enchantment to a place where three governesses had mysteriously vanished and the fish had grown inordinately corpulent.”

A "Grandiloquent Word of the Day" meme for “Flamfew,” defined as “moonlight reflected upon water.” An antique engraving shows a full moon low over the sea, its light shimmering across the waves as a sailing ship passes on the horizon. The example sentence reads: “The flamfew glittered upon the ornamental koi pond, lending an air of enchantment to a place where three governesses had mysteriously vanished and the fish had grown inordinately corpulent.”

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

When it comes to promoting my new book, I don’t know what to do, but that’s OK because I don’t know how to do it! #allworksout #booksky

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Absolutely crazy rose light in Brooklyn right now. It’s a nor’easter on the way, but it looks like Zuul

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The first review is in! It’s from PW & it’s fantastic! The Birder Murder is “a top-notch cozy”! “Charming”! A “winning adult debut”! They even mention the 🐕 Woohoo! 🥳 (And phew! 😮‍💨) Out 12/1 from @crookedlanebooks.bsky.social! #booksky @saracrowelit.bsky.social www.publishersweekly.com/9798892427630

publishersweekly.com

The Birder Murder (Figman Files #1) by Michael Northrop

Children’s bestseller Northrop (Dear Justice League) makes a winning adult debut with this charming spy-themed cozy. The mononym...

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

“9 a.m. on the hour hand And she’s waiting for the bell And she’s looking real pretty Just waiting for her clientele…” #shopcat #nyc #catsky

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

1,100 words today to nudge me past 27K in the weird art thriller™️. I’ve earned it—or, anyway, I want it. Prost! #writesky

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The Whimsical Muse @whimsicalmuse.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

At the moment, I'm regrettably not having cappuccinos and croissants in a quaint café in Vienna, so no, I'm afraid your email did not "find me well.”

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Kim Harrington @kimharringtonbooks.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

My "what if a Hallmark movie had a serial killer" book is out today! Get A KILLER FOR CHRISTMAS at your favorite store or library: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/808849... #booksky 📚💙📚 #mysterybooks

The cover of the novel A Killer for Christmas

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Laughing at alpine murder with the great Lucy Foley last night! @barnesandnoble.com #booksky

Lucy Foley, seated behind a table with sharpie in hand, prepares to sign her new book as we talk briefly about last year’s Hamptons Whodunit. She hopes to be invited back. I like her chances!

The author shares a delightful aside. I respond doofily.

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Got a real lift at the Lucy Foley event @barnesandnoble.com Union Square last night! #booksky

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Aisle seat @barnesandnoble.com Union Square for Lucy Foley and her new Agatha Christie novel, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel. Packed house of mystery lovers, gently buzzing. So excited for this one! #booksky

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

It’s messed up when the alarm wakes you from a bad dream because you start the day worried about, like, the tentacles prying open your kitchen window

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

First writing day in a month, and I somehow remembered how to do it. Just like riding a bike. In the ocean. At night. Anyway, 1,300 words. Glub glub! 🐳 #writesky #writingcommunity

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Friday evening and no rush fact-checking came in. That means I have three straight mornings to write before anyone can ambush my inbox on Monday. Back to my weird, slowly simmering little art thriller. Sweet! #writesky #amwriting #thriller

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Rosemary Mosco @rosemarymosco.com · 18/09/2026

Humaning.

A four-panel comic. In panel 1, a Northern Cardinal and American Goldfinch perch above a busy crowd in a city, looking down. The cardinal says "It's a nice day to go humaning." The goldfinch says "Just look at them. Majestic." In panel 2, a close-up of the two birds. The cardinal says "Nobody tells you that you'll reach a certain age and suddenly get into humaning. I hit 3 years old, and then bam."The birds are looking out over the crowd scene. In panel 3, the cardinal says "Their calls sound funny to us, but each one has a unique meaning." Below, people are saying various things: "I'm tired." "Where's my phone?" "I'd murder a burrito." In panel 4, the birds look down excitedly at a man walking by. The cardinal says "Wait, is that a guy who got dressed in the dark and put his shirt on inside out and backwards?" And the goldfinch exclaims, "Holy... that's a lifer!"

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Another LARGE day for sub-rights! The Birder Murder is my adult debut after 16 kids/YA books and (perhaps not coincidentally) the first time we’ve sold LARGE PRINT rights! 👓 📕 @saracrowelit.bsky.social @crookedlanebooks.bsky.social #booksky

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Wildlife @worldwildlife.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea): 15.2cm (6in). This is a bird native to southern China and the Himalayas, Nepal, Bhutan & India. Adults have bright red bills and a dull yellow ring around their eyes. Their backs are dull olive green. Striking photo taken by Nelson George in India. #leiothrix

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Megan Greenwell @greenwell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I’m writing a book about teaching reading and what it even means to be “a good reader.” I want to talk to as many teachers, librarians, parents, and students as possible. If you have thoughts about reading, please get in touch at readingmachinebook@gmail.com. (And please pass along!)

THE READING MACHINE By Megan Greenwell
Imprint: Dey Street Books
August 10, 2026
Former Deadspin editor-in-chief and author of BAD COMPANY Megan Greenwell's THE READING MACHINE, a narrative investigation into how policy and profit reshaped the relationship between American children and books, changing what literacy is for and leaving millions of students behind in the process, to Libby Burton at Dey Street Books, at auction, by Anna Sproul-Latimer at Neon Literary (NA).
Rights: kent@neonliterary.com

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A walk that is very pleasant while carrying 1 hot coffee and a bag is a frickin nightmare with 2 coffees and a bag #hot #spilly #therealOdyssey

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The Browns are doomed to live under a foul curse in which no sun will shine and no beans will grow until they banish Deshaun Watson to the cleansing waters of the lake bottom and I am here for it #nfl

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Gianmarco Soresi @gianmarcosoresi.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

if Digger is a musical I will convert to Scientology

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Derrick Henry remains a very large man. #nfl

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Your feed is awash in @barnesandnoble.com preorder posts, and yet it is this leafy pitch you fall for 🍁 Who can say why? What we do know is that The Birder Murder comes out 12/1 from @crookedlanebooks.bsky.social & you can rake in 🍂 25% off now! #BNpreorder www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-birder...

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Andrew @athomashemlock.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

[Benoit Blanc during a Reacher Christmas episode crossover] Listen, son, I myself am of the conviction that violence is the crude weapon of an incurious mind, but I will admit that my gigantic friend here makes the most convincing argument I've yet heard on the virtues of expediency through force.

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𝕯𝖆𝖓🍂🎃🕸️ @arepublic86.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Charlotte Wainwright restoring and saving old/ancient books. www.wainwrightbookbinding.com

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Out of bread. Bout to have some redneck charcuterie

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Josh Gondelman @joshgondelman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

My heart goes out to the millions of people struggling to remember how to write "Thanks! Sounds great!" in an email.

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Christine Kooi @christinekooi.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The poets always say it best.

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

The city wasn’t even up and this building was already playing Tetris

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Walking to the Amtrak at dawn yesterday was strangely beautiful

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Halfway up “the Manayunk Wall,” big climb at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic. Hang it in the Louvre!

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Crazy Philly welcome as U.S. champ Quinn Simmons enters the picture!

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Fantastic day at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic. My first time seeing World Tour teams in person!

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Charlotte Clymer @charlotteclymer.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Y'all... the Band of the Coldstream Guards performed "9 to 5" in front of Buckingham Palace in honor of Dolly Parton.

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Could someone please tell my cat that his head is upside down again? 🙃 #catsky

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Left the house for half an hour this morning and saw three people filming themselves in that for-content way and that is three too many

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Biked out to the end of the world—I mean Brooklyn. Here’s the view from Bay Ridge.

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

The thing about rooting for a fantastic Belgian sprinter is now I get to celebrate with a fantastic Belgian beer!

A cold and whimsically portly bottle of La Chouffe, featuring a gnome on a bright yellow label.

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Lady Starblade @ladystarblade.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

With that win, Jasper also takes the leader’s jersey and the points jersey. And some weird little tricycles. Not a bad day’s work! 👏👏 #RenewiTour #JPDF (📸: Luc Claessen)

Jasper Philipsen wears the leaders jersey on the podium after his win in stage 2 of the 2026 Renewi Tour. He’s also holding a little green bike in one hand

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CozyMystery.com @cozymystery-com.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

A reminder, our featured author this week is @jckenney.bsky.social. Read our interview with him here: cozymystery.com/blog/j-c-ken...

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Amal El-Mohtar @amalelmohtar.com · 14/08/2026

Absolutely enormous respect to whoever understood that the necessary follow-up to “what if Reacher faced a larger man” is “what if Reacher held a tiny kitten”

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Crossed the 20,000-word mark in my WIP. The MC just survived an attempt on his life (gas leak) and still thinks it was just an accident. I’m enjoying the dramatic irony you can create with a slightly hapless protagonist! #writesky #writingcommunity

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Brandon Friedman @brandonfriedman.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Axios writer: I melted my brain with AI. Not only can I no longer read, but I don't even understand the purpose of reading anymore. Here's how you can also do this. www.axios.com/2026/08/11/r...

Axios: AI has become my reading buddy as I've plowed through my summer book list, helping me keep track of plots and characters, unpack themes, and make sense of wordy, old prose.

Why it matters: The way many of us actually read books — a few pages before bed, a chapter at the beach, another on a plane — makes it easy to lose the thread. AI can help you pick it back up without starting over.
📖 I really got into using AI while reading James Fenimore Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans." The text was far too dense for casual vacation reading. My first prompt asked:

"I'd like a guide as I read The Last of the Mohicans who can help me understand what I've read and where the story is, without giving spoilers or getting ahead of my progress. Can you do this, chapter by chapter?"
The robot agreed: "Cooper's sentences are long and his diction is archaic."

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Michael Northrop @michaelnorthrop.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I know I’m going well on a book when I start the day with a motley little stack of the additions & thoughts & edits I’ve accumulated since the day before, all duly/Post-It noted #writesky #writingcommunity

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