iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

"Mirage" is my first fiction to appear in print. Military Science Fantasy, you could call it, also in flash fiction length (~700 words)... Paperback copies of Bullet Points #14, edited by Nathan Toronto (@bulletpoints.bsky.social), are now available for order from the link below:

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

"Qes, a deserter, wanders a distant world, facing a ghost from his past." My #scifi flash fiction, "Mirage," has been published by @bulletpoints.bsky.social: read on the Bullet Points website at bulletpoints.nathantoronto.com/open-details...

bulletpoints.nathantoronto.com

Bullet Points

Military SFF that Captures the Complexity of Warfare

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Writing Day Workshops @writingdaywksp.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

World building is critical for ALL GENRES. Keep asking questions! Keep building! Because the more you understand, the fuller your writing, characters, and world become! #writing #writingtips #writingadvice #writingcommunity #author

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Bullet Points @bulletpoints.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

The full cover for Bullet Points 14. Out July 15. Subscribe today: zurl.co/xljN8

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

My military SF flash fiction, "Mirage," is set for publication on July 15th in Bullet Points (@bulletpoints.bsky.social). More info coming closer to pub date, excited to see this online and in print!

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Bullet Points @bulletpoints.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Bullet Points 13 is now available, with stories from @karldandenell.bsky.social @rondferguson.bsky.social @ericfomley.bsky.social @cuylermeade.bsky.social @amworleywriter.bsky.social and many more. Read it online: zurl.co/9v1eK

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Charlie Fish & Fiction on the Web @charliefish.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

In "The Wanderer", a deserter crash lands on an alien world and has a crisis of conscience. What did readers think? "The story has the feel of Ursula Le Guin." "A lot going on in this good little story." "I enjoyed this character's internal transformation." www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/03/the-...

fictionontheweb.co.uk

The Wanderer by M. L. McCortney

Short stories hand-picked from authors around the world. Submissions accepted. Humour, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and everyday life.

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Strange Horizons @strangehorizons.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

This Brutal Moon by Bethany Jacobs reviewed by Roseanna Pendlebury Link ⬇️ strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

My new sci-fi short story, "The Wanderer," will be published by @charliefish.bsky.social on March 25th, 2026 in Fiction on the Web! I'll post the link when that day comes. For now, here's a link to FotW's vast collection of free short fiction: www.fictionontheweb.co.uk

fictionontheweb.co.uk

FICTION on the WEB short stories

Short stories hand-picked from authors around the world. Submissions accepted. Humour, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and everyday life.

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Writing Day Workshops @writingdaywksp.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

3 ways to immediately level up your dialogue! Have you thought about these yet? Writing dialogue and not making it sound monotonous can be a struggle. What’s the most difficult part of writing fiction for you? #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #writercommunity #authors #writers

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World Anvil Worldbuilding @worldanvil.com · 03/12/2025

A second world setting is a BIG undertaking, BUT you can get started with just the essentials... 1/3

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

A little organization goes a long way in terms of writing and world-building. Great update!

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World Anvil Worldbuilding @worldanvil.com · 03/10/2025

“The AM/FM problem” is when a #scifi world’s tech works TOO perfectly. It breaks suspension of disbelief & drains the story of drama.

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

For this, I've found it useful to write down whatever ideas you come up with. I've done this with world-building information, short story ideas, and plot lines for longer works: in every case, doing so has helped both to flesh out an idea and to choose between competing ones.

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Three-Lobed Burning Eye magazine @3lobedmag.com · 01/09/2025

We are currently open to submissions September 1–15 via the Moksha system. Send the story that scares you, changes you, beguiles you. We are hungry and waiting.

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Writing Day Workshops @writingdaywksp.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

Advice direct from Literary Agents, on what to avoid and what they see a lot of in opening pages! You can find this article with the rest of the agents and their tips for your opening pages here: www.writingdayworkshops.com/blog/what-no... You’ve got this and happy writing! #amwriting #amquerying

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Glad to announce that my #scifi short story, previously awarded a Silver Honorable Mention from Writers of the Future, will be published in an upcoming issue of @penumbricmag.bsky.social. Future updates to come!

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Writing Day Workshops @writingdaywksp.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

Finding your love of writing can be so difficult in a business centered around finances instead of inspiration. The best advice? Write for you. Write what you want to write. And start doing it today. Not tomorrow. #writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writinginspiration

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Habitats Press @handle.invalid · 30/07/2025

Please repost! 💖 We're creeping up to £5,000 funded with 14 days to go — we want to keep publishing optimistic sci-fi and fantasy! We have both print issues of our new magazine available together in one pledge: www.kickstarter.com/projects/sam... #scifi #fantasy #scififantasy #solarpunk

kickstarter.com

Habitats Volume 2 (Optimistic Science Fiction & Fantasy)

The second issue of a brand-new optimistic science-fiction and fantasy magazine. Published by Habitats Press.

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Writing Day Workshops @writingdaywksp.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Publishing terminology can be a little difficult to untangle - but don't worry, we're here to help. Here are a few key editor roles and types of editing for your publishing dictionaries. 🧵

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Crucially important for all aspiring authors to know:

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Indie Book Spotlight @bookspotlight.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

So glad I woke up to see this. Signed. Immediately and without hesitation. ‘Against AI: An Open Letter From Writers to Publishers’ To add your name, please read and sign here: lithub.com/against-ai-a...

AI may give the appearance of understanding our humanity, but the truth is, only a human being can speak to and understand another human being. Every time a prompt is entered into AI, the language that bot uses to respond was created in part through the synthesis of art that we, the undersigned, have spent our careers crafting. Taken without our consent, without payment, without even the courtesy of acknowledgment.

The purveyors of AI have stolen our work from us and from our publishers, too. The hard-working editors and copy-editors and publicists and publishers that cared for and developed and launched the books we’ve written? Their jobs are also in jeopardy, which means that book publishing as an art form—a collaborative art form, nurtured at every stage by the personal touch of a human being—is in jeopardy, too. The audiobook narrators who have breathed life into our stories have already been sidelined by cheaper, simpler AI imitators. To add insult to injury, use of AI has devastating environmental effects, using great amounts of energy and potable water. What happens next?

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Strange Horizons @strangehorizons.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

The novelette window is now OPEN! Send us your fiction between 10,000 and 18,000 words. The cap will be 300 stories. Happy submitting! NOTE: In order to allow more writers to submit to us and widen our pool of submissions, writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.

strangehorizons.com

Novelette Submission Guidelines

On June 4th, we will be opening for speculative fiction novelette submissions between the word count of 10,000 and 18,000 words. We will cap submissions at 300.

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Most colorful nebulae images don't reflect what the human eye would see looking at them, but this doesn't seem to stop many sci-fi films. Since those Hubble pictures and sci-fi films helped get me into space-related creativity, it doesn't stop my writing or art, either:

$A fractal-rendered artwork of a colorful nebula, in hues of blue, orange, yellow, and red.$

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

As both a fan and a writer of science fiction, I find the concept of "city-worlds" to be extremely interesting. The ones I use in my Two Armed-Galaxy, like the planet I've rendered here, aren't insanely populated like Coruscant from Star Wars, though.

A planet with rings and a white-red atmosphere sits in space. Its nighttime side glitters with red and orange city lights, densely organized into concentric circles: a city world.

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World Anvil Worldbuilding @worldanvil.com · 09/05/2025

Struggling to name people, places, and things in your fantasy or sci-fi world? 💡 Janet from World Anvil shares 6 EASY tips to create realistic names! #worldbuildingtips WATCH NOW➡️: www.youtube.com/watc...

Naming Things is Hard with Janet from World Anvil

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Strange Horizons @strangehorizons.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

There will be two more fiction submission windows in 2025: Novelettes (300 story cap): June 4th Indigenous Authors (500 story cap): November 3rd More information at the links in our bio! Writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.

Fiction submissions
Opening
2 more submission windows for 2025

Strange Horizons

Novelettes:
(10,000 to 18,000 words)
June 4th

Indigenous authors:
November 3rd

Strange Horizons

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Writing sci-fi, it's easy to get lost in the setting's details. I've found that art helps organize and inspire your thoughts - especially if you can make it yourself. I learned to make digital art in Blender for this reason, and it has been indispensable to my writing. #writinginspiration #art

A desert planet with sparse, white clouds and a rough, beige surface hangs in space. From the camera's perspective, its moon passes in front of it, standing out with a noxious green atmosphere.

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Almost all of my writing, from short stories to my debut novel, takes place in the same distant galaxy. See concept art from it on my #deviantart profile here: www.deviantart.com/bovcreations... #conceptart #writinginspiration

deviantart.com

Space 23: Two-Armed Galaxy by BoVCreations on DeviantArt

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Writing Day Workshops @writingdaywksp.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Did you know we collect our new agent alerts into genre categories? Check out the thread below to see if you can find a few new agents in your genre! 🧵

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World Anvil Worldbuilding @worldanvil.com · 13/03/2025

Imagine a better world... Join us for #WorldbuildingCon 25. Our expert speakers will help you craft more engaging settings for your tabletop RPG campaigns or fantasy/scifi novels! wanvil.com/WBC25Day2

Become the ultimate worldbuilder
March 15-16, 2025
Worldbuilding Con 2025

Cozy Fantasy Worldbuilding
Sunday, March 16 | 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM ET
Guests: Sarah Beth Durst, Caitlin Rozakis, Travis Baldree, Yilin Wang
worldbuildingcon.com

Naming Things in Worldbuilding
Sunday, March 16, 11:30 - 5PM ET
Guests: Ginny Di, Wolfgang Baur, Laura Anne Gilman, Stephanie Berchiolly
worldbuildingcon.com

Gods of Your World
Sunday March 16 | 11:30 AM - 5 PM ET
Guests: Meg MacDonald, Juliet McKenna, Brian McClellan

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World Anvil Worldbuilding @worldanvil.com · 11/03/2025

Imagine better worlds! Are you ready for #WorldbuildingCon25 ? Join us at wanvil.com/WBC25Day1 on MARCH 15-16 for expert advice on how to build a better setting for your fantasy/sf novel or tabletop RPG campaign.

Become the ultimate worldbuilder!
March 15-16, 2025
Join keynote speaker Mary Robinette Kowal for Worldbuilding Con 2025

Characters Who Change the World(building)
Saturday, March 15 | 11:30 AM - 5 PM ET
Guests: Cody Pondsmith, Tracy Hickman, Ed Greenwood, Celeste Conowitch, Gail Carriger

Worldbuilding an Unforgettable City
Saturday, March 15 | 11:30 AM - 5 PM ET
Guests: Mur Lafferty, Scott Lynch, Dominique Dickey

WORLDBUILDING WHILE NEURODIVERGENT
Saturday March 15 | 11:30 AM - 5 PM ET
Guests: Peter Chiykowski, Andy Law, Kat Bradbury, Dave Green
worldbuildingcon.com

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World Anvil Worldbuilding @worldanvil.com · 10/02/2025

Sure, a sympathetic villain (with or without redemption arc) can be fun. But have you considered... EEEEEEVIL?! Janet explains when a true "Big Bad Evil Guy" is the RIGHT choice - and how to make a villain whose moral compass points "DO EVIL" compelling! youtu.be/XdcOL88cpWw

youtu.be

Simply evil villains *can* work. Here's how.

Sure, a sympathetic villain (with or without redemption arc) can be fun. But have you considered... EEEEEEVIL?! Mwahahaha! 😈 Janet makes the case for why *sometimes* a true "Big Bad Evil Guy" is the RIGHT choice for your story - and how to make a villain whose moral compass points "DO EVIL" into an

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Writing Day Workshops @writingdaywksp.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Our three first pages contests are closing TOMORROW, Tuesday February 11th, at midnight Pacific Coast Time! All details here: writingdayworkshops.com/blog/agent-c...

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Charlie Fish & Fiction on the Web @charliefish.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

Any artists/graphic designers out there? I need a 300x250 pixel ad for Fiction on the Web and the FISH list. I can pay. Can you help?

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Check out this opportunity: submit your novel's first page for a chance at agent feedback on the first 5! New FREE contest for writers of Science Fiction & Fantasy — tinyurl.com/2025wdwcon3 — Judged by agent Kesia Lupo, via @writingdaywksp.bsky.social. Winners get an agent critique of their work.

tinyurl.com

First Pages Contest #3, Adult Science Fiction & Fantasy -- Judged by Agent Kesia Lupo of Donald Maass Literary

Submit your work to our free First Pages Contest #3, Adult Science Fiction & Fantasy -- judged by Agent Kesia Lupo of Donald Maass Literary.

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Charlie Fish & Fiction on the Web @charliefish.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

I resolved to dedicate 2024 to making Fiction on the Web bigger & better. Since then I've: · Recruited staff (after 27 years of being just me). · Started giving feedback on all subs. · Started publishing audiobooks. · Published the FISH list of lively indie lit mags. · Nearly tripled readership.

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Charlie Fish & Fiction on the Web @charliefish.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Variety has always been a watchword at Fiction on the Web. I publish all flavours of authors, across six different genres, and often emphasise stories that are transportive to a place or culture I'm not familiar with. You can travel the world with short stories at Fiction on the Web.

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Most of the art I post there currently depicts the planets and starships of the unified science fantasy setting I use in most of my writing. I post new concept art regularly, with more various concepts (characters, scenes, and more) soon to come.

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M. L. McCortney @mlmat.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Beyond my literary work, I am also a hobbyist digital artist. Below is the link to my #DeviantArt page, which I use to post #conceptart I have made for my writing. www.deviantart.com/bovcreations

deviantart.com

BoVCreations - Hobbyist, Digital Artist | DeviantArt

Check out BoVCreations's art on DeviantArt. Browse the user profile and get inspired.

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