Katie Bender
@katiebenderbooks.bsky.social
Writes sci-fi and fantasy. Reads everything. She/her. 💖💜💙
www.katiebenderbooks.com
www.katiebenderbooks.com
This Remembrance Day, I remember my great-aunt, Lois Gunden.
In 1941, Lois traveled to France to open a home for refugee children. As the war escalated, she hid Jewish children among her charges.
In 2013, Lois was on of five Americans recognized by Yad Vashem as “Righteous Among the Nations.”
In 1941, Lois traveled to France to open a home for refugee children. As the war escalated, she hid Jewish children among her charges.
In 2013, Lois was on of five Americans recognized by Yad Vashem as “Righteous Among the Nations.”
November 11, 2025 at 10:21 PM
This Remembrance Day, I remember my great-aunt, Lois Gunden.
In 1941, Lois traveled to France to open a home for refugee children. As the war escalated, she hid Jewish children among her charges.
In 2013, Lois was on of five Americans recognized by Yad Vashem as “Righteous Among the Nations.”
In 1941, Lois traveled to France to open a home for refugee children. As the war escalated, she hid Jewish children among her charges.
In 2013, Lois was on of five Americans recognized by Yad Vashem as “Righteous Among the Nations.”
Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving!
I’m celebrating by making many pies and working on three different stories. Later there will be a walk in the sun.
I’m celebrating by making many pies and working on three different stories. Later there will be a walk in the sun.
October 13, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving!
I’m celebrating by making many pies and working on three different stories. Later there will be a walk in the sun.
I’m celebrating by making many pies and working on three different stories. Later there will be a walk in the sun.
October!
I have a packed writing schedule for the next three months - one WIP for October, another WIP for November/December. It's head-down writing time.
I have a packed writing schedule for the next three months - one WIP for October, another WIP for November/December. It's head-down writing time.
October 8, 2025 at 2:22 AM
October!
I have a packed writing schedule for the next three months - one WIP for October, another WIP for November/December. It's head-down writing time.
I have a packed writing schedule for the next three months - one WIP for October, another WIP for November/December. It's head-down writing time.
September!
I’m enjoying the last warm days and looking forward to the coziness of fall. I have a lot of big writing plans for the next four months...
August numbers:
Total words written: 66,910
Projects: 3
Total hours spent writing: 42
Pastries consumed: innumerable
I’m enjoying the last warm days and looking forward to the coziness of fall. I have a lot of big writing plans for the next four months...
August numbers:
Total words written: 66,910
Projects: 3
Total hours spent writing: 42
Pastries consumed: innumerable
September 1, 2025 at 6:47 PM
September!
I’m enjoying the last warm days and looking forward to the coziness of fall. I have a lot of big writing plans for the next four months...
August numbers:
Total words written: 66,910
Projects: 3
Total hours spent writing: 42
Pastries consumed: innumerable
I’m enjoying the last warm days and looking forward to the coziness of fall. I have a lot of big writing plans for the next four months...
August numbers:
Total words written: 66,910
Projects: 3
Total hours spent writing: 42
Pastries consumed: innumerable
Celebrating the completion of another draft!
This project was a novella that I've been writing on and off for awhile. Feels great to have it done!
This project was a novella that I've been writing on and off for awhile. Feels great to have it done!
July 5, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Celebrating the completion of another draft!
This project was a novella that I've been writing on and off for awhile. Feels great to have it done!
This project was a novella that I've been writing on and off for awhile. Feels great to have it done!
So I experimented with my writing process in June.
And I wrote ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND WORDS.
I'm still reeling.
The June Numbers:
Total words: 100,141
Projects: 3 personal, 1 paid, 1 academic
Total writing hours: 53.47
Average words per hour: 1872
Books read: 10
Versions of The Tempest watched: 3
And I wrote ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND WORDS.
I'm still reeling.
The June Numbers:
Total words: 100,141
Projects: 3 personal, 1 paid, 1 academic
Total writing hours: 53.47
Average words per hour: 1872
Books read: 10
Versions of The Tempest watched: 3
July 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
So I experimented with my writing process in June.
And I wrote ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND WORDS.
I'm still reeling.
The June Numbers:
Total words: 100,141
Projects: 3 personal, 1 paid, 1 academic
Total writing hours: 53.47
Average words per hour: 1872
Books read: 10
Versions of The Tempest watched: 3
And I wrote ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND WORDS.
I'm still reeling.
The June Numbers:
Total words: 100,141
Projects: 3 personal, 1 paid, 1 academic
Total writing hours: 53.47
Average words per hour: 1872
Books read: 10
Versions of The Tempest watched: 3
Reposted by Katie Bender
I am very excited today to publish @arobertswrites.com's essay "What Lies and Threats" - looking at nationalist myth-making in Lord of the Rings, especially for Gondor and Rohan.
Read it for free here:
www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/what-...
Read it for free here:
www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/what-...
April 4, 2025 at 8:59 PM
I am very excited today to publish @arobertswrites.com's essay "What Lies and Threats" - looking at nationalist myth-making in Lord of the Rings, especially for Gondor and Rohan.
Read it for free here:
www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/what-...
Read it for free here:
www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/what-...
Found art, artist unknown
I’m trying something new this January - instead of one writing project, I’m working on two, switching between them as needed. My goals for both are flexible; I’m mostly curious if this kind of setup will work for me. We'll see how this goes!
I’m trying something new this January - instead of one writing project, I’m working on two, switching between them as needed. My goals for both are flexible; I’m mostly curious if this kind of setup will work for me. We'll see how this goes!
January 7, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Found art, artist unknown
I’m trying something new this January - instead of one writing project, I’m working on two, switching between them as needed. My goals for both are flexible; I’m mostly curious if this kind of setup will work for me. We'll see how this goes!
I’m trying something new this January - instead of one writing project, I’m working on two, switching between them as needed. My goals for both are flexible; I’m mostly curious if this kind of setup will work for me. We'll see how this goes!
Happy New Year!
Plans have been laid, intentions set, and cheese fondue consumed. Wishing all a safe and happy 2025!
Plans have been laid, intentions set, and cheese fondue consumed. Wishing all a safe and happy 2025!
January 1, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Happy New Year!
Plans have been laid, intentions set, and cheese fondue consumed. Wishing all a safe and happy 2025!
Plans have been laid, intentions set, and cheese fondue consumed. Wishing all a safe and happy 2025!
Reposted by Katie Bender
This fall I was commissioned by the AI Subcommittee of Virginia's JCOTS to write a report on artificial intelligence based on my work as a COVES Fellow this summer. Happy to say that this report was submitted this week and can be found here: studies.virginiageneralassembly.gov/meetings/2009
Interim Studies
studies.virginiageneralassembly.gov
December 6, 2024 at 1:36 PM
This fall I was commissioned by the AI Subcommittee of Virginia's JCOTS to write a report on artificial intelligence based on my work as a COVES Fellow this summer. Happy to say that this report was submitted this week and can be found here: studies.virginiageneralassembly.gov/meetings/2009
Happy December!
My November writing challenge resulted in a revised outline and several chapters, so I’m considering my goal met!
Yesterday I was struck by an overwhelming desire to try my hand at a bûche de Noël. Behold my first efforts.
My November writing challenge resulted in a revised outline and several chapters, so I’m considering my goal met!
Yesterday I was struck by an overwhelming desire to try my hand at a bûche de Noël. Behold my first efforts.
December 2, 2024 at 5:44 AM
Happy December!
My November writing challenge resulted in a revised outline and several chapters, so I’m considering my goal met!
Yesterday I was struck by an overwhelming desire to try my hand at a bûche de Noël. Behold my first efforts.
My November writing challenge resulted in a revised outline and several chapters, so I’m considering my goal met!
Yesterday I was struck by an overwhelming desire to try my hand at a bûche de Noël. Behold my first efforts.
Week two check-in for the November wring challenge! Busy week, and therefore less writing - also, I got several chapters in and realized I needed to do a bit of plotting. Going to finish up my outline, then back to writing.
November 18, 2024 at 9:46 PM
Week two check-in for the November wring challenge! Busy week, and therefore less writing - also, I got several chapters in and realized I needed to do a bit of plotting. Going to finish up my outline, then back to writing.
Week one check-in for the November writing challenge! This year I'm measuring time spent writing rather than word count, and it's going marvelously. And revisiting old music memories has been revelatory...
[Photo by Abby Nafziger]
[Photo by Abby Nafziger]
November 9, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Week one check-in for the November writing challenge! This year I'm measuring time spent writing rather than word count, and it's going marvelously. And revisiting old music memories has been revelatory...
[Photo by Abby Nafziger]
[Photo by Abby Nafziger]
Reposted by Katie Bender
Here's the big Harris-Walz ballot cure phone bank. Ballot curing means you're calling voters who ALREADY VOTED but have something wrong with their ballot. A fantastic, high impact phone bank that helps make every vote count. Slots all day! DO IT!
Harris-Walz Voter Protection Phone Bank · The Democratic National Committee
Call likely Democratic voters in battleground states with potential issues with their registration or ballots to ensure their votes are fairly counted! Every day, we strategize directly with state vot...
events.democrats.org
November 5, 2024 at 12:36 PM
Here's the big Harris-Walz ballot cure phone bank. Ballot curing means you're calling voters who ALREADY VOTED but have something wrong with their ballot. A fantastic, high impact phone bank that helps make every vote count. Slots all day! DO IT!
Reposted by Katie Bender
This is a must-read this morning.
November 6, 2024 at 1:57 PM
This is a must-read this morning.
Oooo
Great news! @canconsffh.bsky.social has extended their pre-registration super bargain price until this Friday!! $95 Cdn gets you the April 12th virtual con PLUS the big Oct 17th-18th in-person extravaganza!!! www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
Can*Con 2025 Virtual + Live Double Feature
Ottawa’s Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Literature Convention, with panels, readings, book launches, pitch sessions, parties, and so much more! Organized by The Rocket Words Society (same people, new non...
www.zeffy.com
November 5, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Oooo
Reposted by Katie Bender
Over on Whatever, I've done what the owners of the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times would not: Endorsed Kamala Harris for President of the United States. Come read why I think she's not only the right choice, but the only choice, for president this year:
whatever.scalzi.com/2024/10/26/t...
whatever.scalzi.com/2024/10/26/t...
October 26, 2024 at 2:49 PM
Over on Whatever, I've done what the owners of the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times would not: Endorsed Kamala Harris for President of the United States. Come read why I think she's not only the right choice, but the only choice, for president this year:
whatever.scalzi.com/2024/10/26/t...
whatever.scalzi.com/2024/10/26/t...
There is something deeply satisfying about going to the library to pick up holds, not seeing them on the usual shelf, and then realizing it’s because you have so many holds that they got their own personal shelf. 📚🔥
October 13, 2024 at 2:45 AM
There is something deeply satisfying about going to the library to pick up holds, not seeing them on the usual shelf, and then realizing it’s because you have so many holds that they got their own personal shelf. 📚🔥
Reposted by Katie Bender
Hey writers/journalists in Seattle! Do you want to come to Iceland for 2-4 weeks to write about Icelandic literature? All expenses paid!
More info here: reykjavik.is/en/city-of-l...
More info here: reykjavik.is/en/city-of-l...
City of Literature - Reykjavík Writes
reykjavik.is
October 2, 2024 at 8:34 PM
Hey writers/journalists in Seattle! Do you want to come to Iceland for 2-4 weeks to write about Icelandic literature? All expenses paid!
More info here: reykjavik.is/en/city-of-l...
More info here: reykjavik.is/en/city-of-l...
Reposted by Katie Bender
HERE SHE IS, the gorgeous cover for my upcoming queer cozy fantasy, THE KEEPER OF LONELY SPIRITS (March 25, Mira Books). the cover art is by Xuan Loc Xuan ❤️
book details threaded! or you can pop over to Netgalley to read a description and request an ARC 👀
#author
www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...
book details threaded! or you can pop over to Netgalley to read a description and request an ARC 👀
#author
www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...
September 27, 2024 at 3:54 PM
HERE SHE IS, the gorgeous cover for my upcoming queer cozy fantasy, THE KEEPER OF LONELY SPIRITS (March 25, Mira Books). the cover art is by Xuan Loc Xuan ❤️
book details threaded! or you can pop over to Netgalley to read a description and request an ARC 👀
#author
www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...
book details threaded! or you can pop over to Netgalley to read a description and request an ARC 👀
#author
www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...
this looks INCREDIBLE
And... we... are live! I am honoured (and extremely nervous!) to be faculty at the Banff Centre's FIRST EVER sci-fi literary arts residency along with the amazing @aijiang.bsky.social and @amalelmohtar.com ! 😍
Applications are open till April 2025!
www.banffcentre.ca/programs/lit...
Applications are open till April 2025!
www.banffcentre.ca/programs/lit...
Science Fiction 2025
This residency supports science fiction writers exploring potential futures, perspectives, and narratives.
www.banffcentre.ca
September 25, 2024 at 4:27 AM
this looks INCREDIBLE
Reposted by Katie Bender
We wrapped up our no plot, all chaos and vibes writing collab today, time to go be sad in a corner
But actually: it's so much fun writing with friends, it refills my creative well and feeds my soul. I will never stop loving & appreciating it @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social @shaynalambert.bsky.social
But actually: it's so much fun writing with friends, it refills my creative well and feeds my soul. I will never stop loving & appreciating it @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social @shaynalambert.bsky.social
September 17, 2024 at 12:48 PM
We wrapped up our no plot, all chaos and vibes writing collab today, time to go be sad in a corner
But actually: it's so much fun writing with friends, it refills my creative well and feeds my soul. I will never stop loving & appreciating it @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social @shaynalambert.bsky.social
But actually: it's so much fun writing with friends, it refills my creative well and feeds my soul. I will never stop loving & appreciating it @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social @shaynalambert.bsky.social
Reposted by Katie Bender
In which I share some reflections on the recent actions of NaNoWriMo, including a brief exchange I had with their executive director.
stone-soup.ghost.io/some-thought...
stone-soup.ghost.io/some-thought...
Some Thoughts on NaNoWriMo
Digest 09.06.2024 - Stone Soup
stone-soup.ghost.io
September 6, 2024 at 6:35 PM
In which I share some reflections on the recent actions of NaNoWriMo, including a brief exchange I had with their executive director.
stone-soup.ghost.io/some-thought...
stone-soup.ghost.io/some-thought...