iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Reflecting that I wrote this a year and a half ago and only just sent the final version of the book out for sub. You forget how long this stuff takes. Buckle up! BTW. Evidently it is okay to kill a few penguins, couldn't be helped. :)

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

I'm so glad that biscotti are considered part of the Mediterranean diet.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Can I please submit everything in Calibri rather than Times New Roman?

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

What's the recommended ratio between cookies baked and cookies eaten? I went with 10%, but I made twelve dozen ginger cookies ... and on a Wednesday night, which I feel should count for something.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

What I love about all the book club scam emails targeting authors as of late is that someone must have trolled the scammers into believing authors have enough money to be worth scamming in the first place.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Umm ... @whalerockworkshops.bsky.social is having a huge fundraiser and there are critiques from absolute powerhouses on there. Go get out bid me! givebutter.com/c/writing-sc... #share #kidlit

givebutter.com

Whale Rock Workshops Writing Scholarship Fundraiser

By Whale Rock Workshops

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Can I mention 'Christmas' yet? Here's some fresh #kidlit book ideas—perfect reads to spark imagination and cozy up with this season! 📚✨ @parentclub.bsky.social @suecurrie24.bsky.social @reganmacaulay.bsky.social @carolmatas.bsky.social @jtorrescomics.bsky.social @heathermoconnor.bsky.social

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

🍂 Discover these fresh fall #kidlit books—perfect reads to spark imagination and cozy up with this season! 📚✨ @parentclub.bsky.social‬ @suecurrie24.bsky.social @reganmacaulay.bsky.social @carolmatas.bsky.social @jtorrescomics.bsky.social @heathermoconnor.bsky.social

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Pretty sure Google thinks we're having another baby. Really I'm starting a new book ... #worldbuilding #babynames

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

"Oh, it is wonderful to have a giant’s strength. But it is tyrannous to use it like a giant." Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

What do you think, peeps? Picture book about a canoe over it's lifetime? Nonfiction reader about inanimate heroes? Maybe it can be themed to counter disposable culture? Just spit balling here. Proud of our big yellow banana canoe! www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...

ctvnews.ca

Firefighters rescue kayaker using bystander’s canoe near Billings Bridge

Ottawa Fire Services says crews rescued a man after his kayak flipped over on the Rideau River using a bystander’s canoe in the area of Bank Street and Riverside Drive, north of Billings Bridge Thursd...

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Presented to a group of grade fivers at the Chelsea Library today and, I gotta say, we're gonna be fine. These kids are great. #FundLibraries #FundEducation #KidsAreOurFuture

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Reposted by Michael F. Stewart

The Tobias Literary Agency @thetobiasagency.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

We LOVE when our clients get collaborative. Check out this interview between children's book authors Dionna L. Mann and Michael F. Stewart, with included illustrations from Caroline McPherson all of whom are part of the @kellydhouse.bsky.social crew! www.dionnalmann.com/interviews-b...

dionnalmann.com

Interviews, Blog Parties & More

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

"Most dominant civilization" Here is what was transcribed on one broken pillar: "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.” Shelley

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Thank you, Ginger, yes, reading a good book is precisely what I need today. :)

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

I’ve been sidetrumped today, my mind trumbled and perplumped as to why. Ideas to cope?

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

I am stunned that US National Park Service removed transgender and queer representation from its Stonewall monument site. A monument that stands for hard fought acceptance has now become one of intolerance, from pride to shame. Don't stand for it. Resist.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

I've paddled the Myakka and never have I ever had so many monsters directly under my kayak ...

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Luckily I have 25% more love for y'all America. And I am here to consume all of our surplus maple syrup.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Editing verse feels a little like taking stones and dipping them in water so that I can discover how they truly look. I'm also working on back cover copy for a YA urban fantasy and I think that less is more. As if, the longer the copy, the more reasons the reader has not to open the cover?

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

I subsist on the praise of editors. Thank you editors. 💚

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

What do you do when you're waiting on not one but TWO sets of edits? Well, I don't know what you do, but I CLEAN!

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

I'll be editing a book about conspiracies, twisted minds, and revolution today. No reason.

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Reposted by Michael F. Stewart

Kelly Dyksterhouse @kellydhouse.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Hello 2025~I’m back in the office and open to queries this week! #amquerying #kidlit #writers #illustrators, I’d love to see your #YA, #MG, narrative NF proposals, and #PBs. I’ve updated my #MSWL, but some particular things I’d love to see in my inbox:

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Reposted by Michael F. Stewart

Ann Rose @annmrose.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Leaving this open a few more days #querytip #writingcommunity

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Hey, Katie, congrats! You've won a critique! Query letter or first 5 pages. :) Use it whenever optimal.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Hi, Shuba, thanks for your interest. You've won a critique! Query letter or first 5 pages, your call. :) Use it whenever you please.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Hey, Dani, thanks for the interest. You've won a critique! Query letter or first 5 pages, your call. :) Use it whenever you please.

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Reposted by Michael F. Stewart

Ann Rose @annmrose.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Join #RosebudAuthors & @thetobiasagency.bsky.social w/ our annual #SpreadTheJoy campaign. To win a query letter critique by @kellydhouse.bsky.social Follow go.bsky.app/Kvshpxt, comment below, and repost. Winners chosen at random. (Day 12)

Mostly text - SPREAD THE JOY
Rosebud Authors & The Tobias Literary Agency
"How do you spell love," Piglet asked.
"You don't spell it, you feel it," answered Pooh

Day 12 - Critique from Kelly Dyksterhouse with a photo of her

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Hey freedom fighters, here's a campaign that looks worthy of our support. www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-ded...

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

I'm going on tour! Woot! Thanks for the opportunity, CCBC!

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Congrats! Fingers crossed for you, Dan!

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

I'm on rewrites and am at the 'oh crap, I broke it' stage. And there's still a lot more to break ...

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

But we were having such a great conversation!

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Writing with generative AI and putting your name on it feels like going to the store, choosing a greeting card you like, and telling everyone you wrote the poem inside.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

So that worked, thanks. Now she really gets me...

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Hey, I just wanted to say you’ve got a really cool way of looking at things. Talking to you always leaves me thinking or smiling—sometimes both. No pressure, just thought you should know.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Hey ChatGPT, she said I sounded creepy and clingy. Can you write me a text that doesn't do this and gets her to like me more?

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

You’re like the first light of dawn after the longest night—something I never expected to need, but now can’t imagine being without. Every little thing about you feels like it has its own gravity, pulling me in—it’s all like watching a masterpiece unfold in real time.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Hey ChatGPT, can you write me a text that shows I really love this girl without saying so?

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Duncton Wood by William Horwood left an indelible impression on me. But I was deep down the rabbit hole of doorstop fantasy otherwise.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

I'm doing that read. You know the one? Where you've done everything you can and you get the chance to see if it all hangs together. That breathless, hopeful read where you hope you bark laughter and break into tears at your very own words and that somehow the book isn't really yours anymore.

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Mike's Plan: Edit YA Romcom for scene blocking. Write terrible poetry with two classes of grade sixers as my alter ego: The Terrible Poet--Let's do it! Day's Plan: Car won't start. Won't jump. Suck it, loser!

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Reposted by Michael F. Stewart

Chelsea Moyer @chelseamoyer.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

If you're part of the VCFA WCYA community and you're on this platform, I made us a starter pack! Spread the word so we can find our people. 💚 go.bsky.app/xKUhiC

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 12/11/2024

Starter packs are the best. Thank you!

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 11/11/2024

My current WIP is a YA romcom. Although my YAs often include a little romance, this is the first where it's central, and I gotta say: IT'S SO MUCH FUN. This is what I need right this moment. I think maybe it's because romance can be deep while also feeling light? Does that make sense?

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Michael F. Stewart @openmike.bsky.social · 07/11/2024

I have notes! I received notes back on a really fun book, so I'm flipping over to work on it. Editorial feedback is SUCH a gift and always improves my stories, can't wait to share this one with everyone. Think, Everything Everywhere All at Once, written as a YA Romcom.

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