Mary Robinette Kowal
@maryrobinettekowal.com
Hugo Award-winning author, narrator, and professional puppeteer. Also has a talking cat. My latest title, Apprehension, is available wherever books are sold.
Pinned
MRK’s 2025 Publishing Review
As the year wraps up, I’m looking back at what I did in publishing this last year. I’m not going to lie, I had a couple of really tough years so the fact that I have this much stuff out…
maryrobinettekowal.com
As 2025 wraps up, I'm looking back at what I did in publishing. I had a couple of really tough years so the fact that I have this much stuff out in the world feels mildly miraculous. For your reading pleasure and consideration for award nominations: maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/mrks...
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Seems like execs are pretty substitutable then.
A study by Dayforce shows 87% of executives use AI for work, compared to 57% of managers and just 27% of employees.
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
Execs are embracing AI more than their employees are, new research suggests
Research from HR software company Dayforce suggests that executives are leaning into AI far more than their employees.
www.businessinsider.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Seems like execs are pretty substitutable then.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
I cannot even begin to express my rage at this lie
reading this through me back into my pandemic EMT life, attempting to resuscitate a child experiencing a cardiac arrest secondary to COVID while a father says “we heard that the vaccine was riskier than COVID for kids” and a mother wails in agony
reading this through me back into my pandemic EMT life, attempting to resuscitate a child experiencing a cardiac arrest secondary to COVID while a father says “we heard that the vaccine was riskier than COVID for kids” and a mother wails in agony
NEW: The F.D.A. announced in an internal memo that 10 children died "because of" the Covid shot. Other experts want to see proof.
“This is a profound revelation,” Dr. Prasad's memo said. “For the first time, the U.S. F.D.A. will acknowledge that Covid-19 vaccines have killed American children.”
“This is a profound revelation,” Dr. Prasad's memo said. “For the first time, the U.S. F.D.A. will acknowledge that Covid-19 vaccines have killed American children.”
F.D.A. Attributes 10 Children’s Deaths to Covid Vaccines
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I cannot even begin to express my rage at this lie
reading this through me back into my pandemic EMT life, attempting to resuscitate a child experiencing a cardiac arrest secondary to COVID while a father says “we heard that the vaccine was riskier than COVID for kids” and a mother wails in agony
reading this through me back into my pandemic EMT life, attempting to resuscitate a child experiencing a cardiac arrest secondary to COVID while a father says “we heard that the vaccine was riskier than COVID for kids” and a mother wails in agony
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Snap up some superb indigenous fantasy series starters in our 0.99 eBook sale!
Dive into @karinlow.bsky.social 's CROWNS OF ISHIA novella series (now complete!) where indigenous dragons riders struggle to protect their community & homeland in the face of a gold rush.
https://geni.us/Solarissale
Dive into @karinlow.bsky.social 's CROWNS OF ISHIA novella series (now complete!) where indigenous dragons riders struggle to protect their community & homeland in the face of a gold rush.
https://geni.us/Solarissale
November 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Snap up some superb indigenous fantasy series starters in our 0.99 eBook sale!
Dive into @karinlow.bsky.social 's CROWNS OF ISHIA novella series (now complete!) where indigenous dragons riders struggle to protect their community & homeland in the face of a gold rush.
https://geni.us/Solarissale
Dive into @karinlow.bsky.social 's CROWNS OF ISHIA novella series (now complete!) where indigenous dragons riders struggle to protect their community & homeland in the face of a gold rush.
https://geni.us/Solarissale
Here's a gift article of a very interesting look at the problems with the mirror-test which has been held as the gatekeeper for which creatures possess theory of mind. Besides working with Elsie, it makes me think about SF creatures & if they would pass the test.
www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
The Mirror Test Is Broken
Either fish are self-aware or scientists need to rethink how they study animal cognition.
www.theatlantic.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Here's a gift article of a very interesting look at the problems with the mirror-test which has been held as the gatekeeper for which creatures possess theory of mind. Besides working with Elsie, it makes me think about SF creatures & if they would pass the test.
www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
www.theatlantic.com/science/arch...
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Three times now I’ve had the pleasure of listening to @maryrobinettekowal.com read first pages of writers’ work at different retreats. Watching her discover the work’s cadence and adjust accordingly, in real time, was a testament to the skill it takes to be a good narrator.
Text can be read an infinite number of ways, and these are acting choices that AI won't make, and simple prompts can't patch over.
Human narrators who understand the work they are reading elevate it into a dramatic performance that is more than just vocalizing text, it's a new work of art.
Human narrators who understand the work they are reading elevate it into a dramatic performance that is more than just vocalizing text, it's a new work of art.
November 29, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Three times now I’ve had the pleasure of listening to @maryrobinettekowal.com read first pages of writers’ work at different retreats. Watching her discover the work’s cadence and adjust accordingly, in real time, was a testament to the skill it takes to be a good narrator.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Just finished @maryrobinettekowal.com's The Martian Contingency, last in the Lady Astronaut series. I really admire MRK's use of the language to evoke a classic SF tone, but more I love how she shows the cultural complications of US history. maryrobinettekowal.com/writing/the-...
#Reading #Sci-Fi
#Reading #Sci-Fi
The Martian Contingency
(Tor Books March 18th, 2025) Mary Robinette Kowal returns to Mars in this latest entry to the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Lady Astronaut series. “Kowal masters both science and historical accurac…
maryrobinettekowal.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Just finished @maryrobinettekowal.com's The Martian Contingency, last in the Lady Astronaut series. I really admire MRK's use of the language to evoke a classic SF tone, but more I love how she shows the cultural complications of US history. maryrobinettekowal.com/writing/the-...
#Reading #Sci-Fi
#Reading #Sci-Fi
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Money well spent! Highly recommended.
Between now and midnight ET on Dec 2, I'm offering a discounted price on my Patreon tiers. Read unpublished stories, ask me questions, attend live-streamed classes, and get weekly accountability to put words on the page. Use code LETSGO to save 30% on your first month: patreon.com/maryrobinette
November 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Money well spent! Highly recommended.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Here's the audio from this month's Fantastic Fiction at KGB, with guests Lara Elena Donnelly & Sam J. Miller. Such a great night with two fabulous guests!
@larazontally.bsky.social @sentencebender.bsky.social @datlow.bsky.social @maryrobinettekowal.com
www.kgbfantasticfiction.org/2025/11/28/a...
@larazontally.bsky.social @sentencebender.bsky.social @datlow.bsky.social @maryrobinettekowal.com
www.kgbfantasticfiction.org/2025/11/28/a...
Audio from Nov 12th, with Lara Elena Donnelly & Sam J. Miller
Here's the audio from the Nov 12th Fantastic Fiction at KGB, with guests Lara Elena Donnelly & Sam. J. Miller, Nov 12th, 7pm ET
(Note: we continue to troubleshoot an audio issue that caused the author...
www.kgbfantasticfiction.org
November 28, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Here's the audio from this month's Fantastic Fiction at KGB, with guests Lara Elena Donnelly & Sam J. Miller. Such a great night with two fabulous guests!
@larazontally.bsky.social @sentencebender.bsky.social @datlow.bsky.social @maryrobinettekowal.com
www.kgbfantasticfiction.org/2025/11/28/a...
@larazontally.bsky.social @sentencebender.bsky.social @datlow.bsky.social @maryrobinettekowal.com
www.kgbfantasticfiction.org/2025/11/28/a...
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
"A host of impressive A-list musicians and celebrities are joining forces for a special concert at Wembley Arena aiming to benefit the trans and gender non-confirming community."
Star-Studded Line-Up For Incredible Trans Benefit Concert Unveiled
Olly Alexander has co-organised the Trans Mission event, which will feature incredible performances and appearances from some amazing guests.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 12:15 AM
"A host of impressive A-list musicians and celebrities are joining forces for a special concert at Wembley Arena aiming to benefit the trans and gender non-confirming community."
Between now and midnight ET on Dec 2, I'm offering a discounted price on my Patreon tiers. Read unpublished stories, ask me questions, attend live-streamed classes, and get weekly accountability to put words on the page. Use code LETSGO to save 30% on your first month: patreon.com/maryrobinette
November 28, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Between now and midnight ET on Dec 2, I'm offering a discounted price on my Patreon tiers. Read unpublished stories, ask me questions, attend live-streamed classes, and get weekly accountability to put words on the page. Use code LETSGO to save 30% on your first month: patreon.com/maryrobinette
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
My cartoon for this week's @newscientist.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
My cartoon for this week's @newscientist.com
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
it's here
it's QUEER
it's the
2025 Queer Adult SFF Books list!!!!
🌈📚🌈📚🌈📚🌈
it's QUEER
it's the
2025 Queer Adult SFF Books list!!!!
🌈📚🌈📚🌈📚🌈
2025 Queer Adult Science Fiction & Fantasy Books
Welcome to the 2025 list of queer adult science-fiction and fantasy books! If you’re new to this dance, this list and the ones before (see: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019) are my answer t…
kadoore.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:45 PM
it's here
it's QUEER
it's the
2025 Queer Adult SFF Books list!!!!
🌈📚🌈📚🌈📚🌈
it's QUEER
it's the
2025 Queer Adult SFF Books list!!!!
🌈📚🌈📚🌈📚🌈
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
What is the best compliment you ever received? Putting aside whether or not you believed it.
October 24, 2025 at 1:06 AM
What is the best compliment you ever received? Putting aside whether or not you believed it.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 11:24 PM
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
I expect nothing less from the brilliant @amalelmohtar.com, but this is gorgeous and heartbreaking in every way. You all should read it.
Free Palestine.
Free Palestine.
Today's Love Letter is a stunning meditation on birdwatching and the loss of a friendship, from the one and only @amalelmohtar.com
stone-soup.ghost.io/love-letter-...
stone-soup.ghost.io/love-letter-...
Why I Need the Birds
A Love Letters Feature by Amal El-Mohtar - November 2025
stone-soup.ghost.io
November 26, 2025 at 1:02 AM
I expect nothing less from the brilliant @amalelmohtar.com, but this is gorgeous and heartbreaking in every way. You all should read it.
Free Palestine.
Free Palestine.
As 2025 wraps up, I'm looking back at what I did in publishing. I had a couple of really tough years so the fact that I have this much stuff out in the world feels mildly miraculous. For your reading pleasure and consideration for award nominations: maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/mrks...
MRK’s 2025 Publishing Review
As the year wraps up, I’m looking back at what I did in publishing this last year. I’m not going to lie, I had a couple of really tough years so the fact that I have this much stuff out…
maryrobinettekowal.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:13 AM
As 2025 wraps up, I'm looking back at what I did in publishing. I had a couple of really tough years so the fact that I have this much stuff out in the world feels mildly miraculous. For your reading pleasure and consideration for award nominations: maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/mrks...
My final Patreon Q&A of the year is on Tuesday, December 2nd at 8 PM ET. Come with any question, and I'll answer it. Puppetry, writing novels, navigating creativity with ADHD and depression, working with agents and editors, audiobook narration, talking cats... you name it. patreon.com/maryrobinette
November 26, 2025 at 1:12 AM
My final Patreon Q&A of the year is on Tuesday, December 2nd at 8 PM ET. Come with any question, and I'll answer it. Puppetry, writing novels, navigating creativity with ADHD and depression, working with agents and editors, audiobook narration, talking cats... you name it. patreon.com/maryrobinette
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Viola Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, has died. She was 111.
"I have lived through the massacre every day. Our country may forget this history, but I cannot," she told Congress in 2021.
Geoff Bennett has more.
"I have lived through the massacre every day. Our country may forget this history, but I cannot," she told Congress in 2021.
Geoff Bennett has more.
November 24, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Viola Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, has died. She was 111.
"I have lived through the massacre every day. Our country may forget this history, but I cannot," she told Congress in 2021.
Geoff Bennett has more.
"I have lived through the massacre every day. Our country may forget this history, but I cannot," she told Congress in 2021.
Geoff Bennett has more.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
The internet is closed thank you this is the final post.
It’s pronounced Christmas jifts
November 25, 2025 at 1:44 AM
The internet is closed thank you this is the final post.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
November 24, 2025 at 11:39 PM
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
In fact, you can always try your usual neurodivergent skills for task initiation on your writing! I learned that one from @maryrobinettekowal.com (much thanks!). This is the first time I’ve applied my neurodivergent writing skills to making lunch!
November 24, 2025 at 5:50 PM
In fact, you can always try your usual neurodivergent skills for task initiation on your writing! I learned that one from @maryrobinettekowal.com (much thanks!). This is the first time I’ve applied my neurodivergent writing skills to making lunch!
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Can you spread the word about weaintbuyingit.com? This is one of the easiest and safest ways possible to fight back against the current administration. If you've been saying there's nothing you can do - you're wrong! All you have to do is not buy from Amazon, Home Depot, or Target for five days.
We Ain’t Buying It! - Economic Pressure on Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday - We Ain’t Buying It!
We Ain’t Buying It is an economic action and solidarity campaign designed to defend democracy and reclaim community power.
weaintbuyingit.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Can you spread the word about weaintbuyingit.com? This is one of the easiest and safest ways possible to fight back against the current administration. If you've been saying there's nothing you can do - you're wrong! All you have to do is not buy from Amazon, Home Depot, or Target for five days.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
ICYMI! Reading 2025 fiction?
Try the short story "To Speak in Silence" by Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com!
You can read it in the eBooks now & on the website in December!
buff.ly/CmvWUOr
Try the short story "To Speak in Silence" by Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com!
You can read it in the eBooks now & on the website in December!
buff.ly/CmvWUOr
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 AM
ICYMI! Reading 2025 fiction?
Try the short story "To Speak in Silence" by Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com!
You can read it in the eBooks now & on the website in December!
buff.ly/CmvWUOr
Try the short story "To Speak in Silence" by Mary Robinette Kowal @maryrobinettekowal.com!
You can read it in the eBooks now & on the website in December!
buff.ly/CmvWUOr
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Reading @maryrobinettekowal.com's #LadyAstronaut novel The Martian Contingency is claustrophobic the same way good generation starship novels are. What does it really take to survive out there? Do you have to be able to make sheet metal? Copper wire? Capacitors? Ceramics? Glass?
November 20, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Reading @maryrobinettekowal.com's #LadyAstronaut novel The Martian Contingency is claustrophobic the same way good generation starship novels are. What does it really take to survive out there? Do you have to be able to make sheet metal? Copper wire? Capacitors? Ceramics? Glass?