HMH Murray
@nillcord.bsky.social
Writer of space opera and fanfiction
NYC Midnight Finalist SS 2024
Futurescapes 2022
Codexian SFWA
http://hmhmurray.substack.com
https://books2read.com/u/47LkkR
NYC Midnight Finalist SS 2024
Futurescapes 2022
Codexian SFWA
http://hmhmurray.substack.com
https://books2read.com/u/47LkkR
Pinned
books2read.com/u/4DpyXr
Preorder for Navvies' Flight is live, and beta reviews are in.
"MAGNIFICENT."
"The stakes are about as high as they could be for Polla... she might be causing destruction and death... And she might be disappearing into Ledas, losing her very self..."
"DUNE"
Preorder for Navvies' Flight is live, and beta reviews are in.
"MAGNIFICENT."
"The stakes are about as high as they could be for Polla... she might be causing destruction and death... And she might be disappearing into Ledas, losing her very self..."
"DUNE"
Reposted by HMH Murray
HI I'M AN INDIE AUTHOR, want to buy my books?
Bridgerton closed-door historical with Game of Thrones & Ever After vibes: books2read.com/u/4jxVAD
A Greek mythology horror mystery - as if Percy Jackson was written by Quentin Tarantino: books2read.com/u/4Er9P0
#booksky
Bridgerton closed-door historical with Game of Thrones & Ever After vibes: books2read.com/u/4jxVAD
A Greek mythology horror mystery - as if Percy Jackson was written by Quentin Tarantino: books2read.com/u/4Er9P0
#booksky
November 18, 2025 at 9:54 PM
HI I'M AN INDIE AUTHOR, want to buy my books?
Bridgerton closed-door historical with Game of Thrones & Ever After vibes: books2read.com/u/4jxVAD
A Greek mythology horror mystery - as if Percy Jackson was written by Quentin Tarantino: books2read.com/u/4Er9P0
#booksky
Bridgerton closed-door historical with Game of Thrones & Ever After vibes: books2read.com/u/4jxVAD
A Greek mythology horror mystery - as if Percy Jackson was written by Quentin Tarantino: books2read.com/u/4Er9P0
#booksky
The kinds of edits in a final pass:
1. Grammar
2. Typos
3. Streamlining dialogue tags, adverbs, repetitions not yet caught.
3. Correcting new typos made doing those corrections.
4. Eliminating dialogue loops and plot holes not before cut.
5. Correcting more new typos.
1. Grammar
2. Typos
3. Streamlining dialogue tags, adverbs, repetitions not yet caught.
3. Correcting new typos made doing those corrections.
4. Eliminating dialogue loops and plot holes not before cut.
5. Correcting more new typos.
November 18, 2025 at 6:46 AM
The kinds of edits in a final pass:
1. Grammar
2. Typos
3. Streamlining dialogue tags, adverbs, repetitions not yet caught.
3. Correcting new typos made doing those corrections.
4. Eliminating dialogue loops and plot holes not before cut.
5. Correcting more new typos.
1. Grammar
2. Typos
3. Streamlining dialogue tags, adverbs, repetitions not yet caught.
3. Correcting new typos made doing those corrections.
4. Eliminating dialogue loops and plot holes not before cut.
5. Correcting more new typos.
Working through my edits, courtesy of the @darlingaxe.com team )
Kara and Davy, my comma lodestars in a sea of doubt.
Kara and Davy, my comma lodestars in a sea of doubt.
November 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Working through my edits, courtesy of the @darlingaxe.com team )
Kara and Davy, my comma lodestars in a sea of doubt.
Kara and Davy, my comma lodestars in a sea of doubt.
Today's editing tale is about tightening narrative lines. Cutting extraneous detail.
It does make sense that Mureen and Rathe would have some way of tracking each other. There was a point in drafting when this was major...
But it's not now.
I think the detail about Polla's tracker is cool, but
It does make sense that Mureen and Rathe would have some way of tracking each other. There was a point in drafting when this was major...
But it's not now.
I think the detail about Polla's tracker is cool, but
November 16, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Today's editing tale is about tightening narrative lines. Cutting extraneous detail.
It does make sense that Mureen and Rathe would have some way of tracking each other. There was a point in drafting when this was major...
But it's not now.
I think the detail about Polla's tracker is cool, but
It does make sense that Mureen and Rathe would have some way of tracking each other. There was a point in drafting when this was major...
But it's not now.
I think the detail about Polla's tracker is cool, but
Today's pass at the opener. Today I don't hate it.
And I really like the space font I found.
And I really like the space font I found.
November 16, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Today's pass at the opener. Today I don't hate it.
And I really like the space font I found.
And I really like the space font I found.
Bane of editorial existence. Those times you introduce something, cut the line later, and then don't see that you refer to it more in the pages.
Copyeditors can catch some of those, but sometimes they're too subtle, or just hard to see. *I* just found one that I'd read like fifteen times...
Copyeditors can catch some of those, but sometimes they're too subtle, or just hard to see. *I* just found one that I'd read like fifteen times...
November 15, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Bane of editorial existence. Those times you introduce something, cut the line later, and then don't see that you refer to it more in the pages.
Copyeditors can catch some of those, but sometimes they're too subtle, or just hard to see. *I* just found one that I'd read like fifteen times...
Copyeditors can catch some of those, but sometimes they're too subtle, or just hard to see. *I* just found one that I'd read like fifteen times...
substack.com/@hmhmurray/n...
I put chapter 4 of Navvies' Flight up in substack... It's more of a standalone chapter than many...
I put chapter 4 of Navvies' Flight up in substack... It's more of a standalone chapter than many...
Chapter 4, NAVVIES' FLIGHT
Listen now | By HMH MURRAY In which a registered smuggler and her invisible android take a tour of Moonbase Celestean, a wretched hive of inbred affluence, human trafficking, and terrible fashion choi...
substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:52 PM
substack.com/@hmhmurray/n...
I put chapter 4 of Navvies' Flight up in substack... It's more of a standalone chapter than many...
I put chapter 4 of Navvies' Flight up in substack... It's more of a standalone chapter than many...
On plot holes: notes from today's editing sesh, it's 9am and I've been at this for four hours...
1.) identify them, or listen to your beta readers who question events.
2.) usually all you need to do is account for them. Make them not a hole, but a reason.
Example to follow...
1.) identify them, or listen to your beta readers who question events.
2.) usually all you need to do is account for them. Make them not a hole, but a reason.
Example to follow...
November 14, 2025 at 2:28 PM
On plot holes: notes from today's editing sesh, it's 9am and I've been at this for four hours...
1.) identify them, or listen to your beta readers who question events.
2.) usually all you need to do is account for them. Make them not a hole, but a reason.
Example to follow...
1.) identify them, or listen to your beta readers who question events.
2.) usually all you need to do is account for them. Make them not a hole, but a reason.
Example to follow...
Reposted by HMH Murray
Be sure to like and comment on the original post for a chance at a signed copy! Winner announced on Sunday!
THIS BRUTAL MOON comes out in less than a month! Like and comment for a chance to win one of two signed copies. Extra points if you mention your favorite character. Due to shipping costs, this is U.S. only. I love my international readers so much! @orbitbooks.bsky.social @awfulagent.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Be sure to like and comment on the original post for a chance at a signed copy! Winner announced on Sunday!
Reposted by HMH Murray
#SFFChat Q4
A bit of scenery worldbuilding about the Good Thyme Inn and its walls full of secrets... plus the Lightning God who singlehandedly keeps them in a pre-Industrial society
A bit of scenery worldbuilding about the Good Thyme Inn and its walls full of secrets... plus the Lightning God who singlehandedly keeps them in a pre-Industrial society
November 14, 2025 at 12:37 AM
#SFFChat Q4
A bit of scenery worldbuilding about the Good Thyme Inn and its walls full of secrets... plus the Lightning God who singlehandedly keeps them in a pre-Industrial society
A bit of scenery worldbuilding about the Good Thyme Inn and its walls full of secrets... plus the Lightning God who singlehandedly keeps them in a pre-Industrial society
This is what happens when you try to rewrite your opener with more detail. This is not the final version. This is a mess of very long sentences.
But I will argue that sometimes you need to write all the points out to figure out what needs to be said and when.
But I will argue that sometimes you need to write all the points out to figure out what needs to be said and when.
November 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This is what happens when you try to rewrite your opener with more detail. This is not the final version. This is a mess of very long sentences.
But I will argue that sometimes you need to write all the points out to figure out what needs to be said and when.
But I will argue that sometimes you need to write all the points out to figure out what needs to be said and when.
Do I dare split the infinitive? Searching for opinions...
(In this dark place increasingly you swallow me...
--That is the original, or:
(In this dark place you increasingly swallow me...
I kind of like the ambiguity of the first, as if increasingly could be describing both place and you?
(In this dark place increasingly you swallow me...
--That is the original, or:
(In this dark place you increasingly swallow me...
I kind of like the ambiguity of the first, as if increasingly could be describing both place and you?
November 13, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Do I dare split the infinitive? Searching for opinions...
(In this dark place increasingly you swallow me...
--That is the original, or:
(In this dark place you increasingly swallow me...
I kind of like the ambiguity of the first, as if increasingly could be describing both place and you?
(In this dark place increasingly you swallow me...
--That is the original, or:
(In this dark place you increasingly swallow me...
I kind of like the ambiguity of the first, as if increasingly could be describing both place and you?
I do not know why I cant spell "dreadnought."
But I keep defaulting to "dreadnaught."
But I keep defaulting to "dreadnaught."
November 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I do not know why I cant spell "dreadnought."
But I keep defaulting to "dreadnaught."
But I keep defaulting to "dreadnaught."
Reposted by HMH Murray
Progress through November's planned TBR pile. Four down, six to go. 🪐📚💙 #scifibooks #sciencefiction #tbr
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Progress through November's planned TBR pile. Four down, six to go. 🪐📚💙 #scifibooks #sciencefiction #tbr
Reposted by HMH Murray
My first book, Sci-Fi epic "Veritas" now on a week long 66% discount on Amazon in the USA.
If you haven't got a copy, get yours today for less than $1.00
💙📚🪐
#scifi #scifibooks #sciencefiction #veritas #bookpromo #BookSky
Link - amazon.com/dp/B0DYLQ16MF
If you haven't got a copy, get yours today for less than $1.00
💙📚🪐
#scifi #scifibooks #sciencefiction #veritas #bookpromo #BookSky
Link - amazon.com/dp/B0DYLQ16MF
November 11, 2025 at 9:59 AM
My first book, Sci-Fi epic "Veritas" now on a week long 66% discount on Amazon in the USA.
If you haven't got a copy, get yours today for less than $1.00
💙📚🪐
#scifi #scifibooks #sciencefiction #veritas #bookpromo #BookSky
Link - amazon.com/dp/B0DYLQ16MF
If you haven't got a copy, get yours today for less than $1.00
💙📚🪐
#scifi #scifibooks #sciencefiction #veritas #bookpromo #BookSky
Link - amazon.com/dp/B0DYLQ16MF
Reposted by HMH Murray
Only 10 days left in the Kickstarter, and we still need $498! If you can chip to help an indie publisher, we'd appreciate it.
I'd love to see these two anthologies published.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bro...
#books #booksky #horror #sff #specfic #speculativefiction #reading #scifi #fantasy
I'd love to see these two anthologies published.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bro...
#books #booksky #horror #sff #specfic #speculativefiction #reading #scifi #fantasy
Horror Anthologies: Waterborne & Once Upon a Moonless Night
Featuring stories by Z Brewer, Heather Graham, Nancy Holder, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jonathan Maberry, Seanan McGuire, and many more
www.kickstarter.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Only 10 days left in the Kickstarter, and we still need $498! If you can chip to help an indie publisher, we'd appreciate it.
I'd love to see these two anthologies published.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bro...
#books #booksky #horror #sff #specfic #speculativefiction #reading #scifi #fantasy
I'd love to see these two anthologies published.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/bro...
#books #booksky #horror #sff #specfic #speculativefiction #reading #scifi #fantasy
Reposted by HMH Murray
A #book is the perfect escape! Want a portal to other worlds? BLACK RIVER can transport you. Like nobledark #fantasy trilogies full of political intrigue, desperate battles and epic journeys? Check out The Enchanter's Web! oaklandhillsfarm.com/novel (Alt txt for deets) #writingcommunity #sff 📚🪐 📚💙
August 17, 2025 at 7:56 PM
A #book is the perfect escape! Want a portal to other worlds? BLACK RIVER can transport you. Like nobledark #fantasy trilogies full of political intrigue, desperate battles and epic journeys? Check out The Enchanter's Web! oaklandhillsfarm.com/novel (Alt txt for deets) #writingcommunity #sff 📚🪐 📚💙
Editing. Editing. Editing. Whee.
November 11, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Editing. Editing. Editing. Whee.
books2read.com/u/4DpyXr
Preorder for Navvies' Flight is live, and beta reviews are in.
"MAGNIFICENT."
"The stakes are about as high as they could be for Polla... she might be causing destruction and death... And she might be disappearing into Ledas, losing her very self..."
"DUNE"
Preorder for Navvies' Flight is live, and beta reviews are in.
"MAGNIFICENT."
"The stakes are about as high as they could be for Polla... she might be causing destruction and death... And she might be disappearing into Ledas, losing her very self..."
"DUNE"
November 9, 2025 at 12:18 PM
books2read.com/u/4DpyXr
Preorder for Navvies' Flight is live, and beta reviews are in.
"MAGNIFICENT."
"The stakes are about as high as they could be for Polla... she might be causing destruction and death... And she might be disappearing into Ledas, losing her very self..."
"DUNE"
Preorder for Navvies' Flight is live, and beta reviews are in.
"MAGNIFICENT."
"The stakes are about as high as they could be for Polla... she might be causing destruction and death... And she might be disappearing into Ledas, losing her very self..."
"DUNE"
Showdown... Also working on page layouts.
November 6, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Showdown... Also working on page layouts.
I think what's killing me about this season of the Witcher is, every damn scene--practically every other sentence--someome is like, "We have to summarize the stakes again here now, because with them, our audience will be confused."
It doesn't feel at all like it was written by the same team.
It doesn't feel at all like it was written by the same team.
November 6, 2025 at 2:22 AM
I think what's killing me about this season of the Witcher is, every damn scene--practically every other sentence--someome is like, "We have to summarize the stakes again here now, because with them, our audience will be confused."
It doesn't feel at all like it was written by the same team.
It doesn't feel at all like it was written by the same team.
Season 4 of the Witcher, oh, I want to love thee, but you sound like a boring RPG. If you get Lawrence Fishburne for your show, don't have him say a line like, "I would like to join you as a companion."
And Geralt would never say "you confound me." He would say, "Huh." Or nothing.
And Geralt would never say "you confound me." He would say, "Huh." Or nothing.
November 3, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Season 4 of the Witcher, oh, I want to love thee, but you sound like a boring RPG. If you get Lawrence Fishburne for your show, don't have him say a line like, "I would like to join you as a companion."
And Geralt would never say "you confound me." He would say, "Huh." Or nothing.
And Geralt would never say "you confound me." He would say, "Huh." Or nothing.
Reposted by HMH Murray
JD Vance grew up on nutrition assistance provided by the federal government.
Now, he’s ripping SNAP away from millions of hungry kids growing up in poverty.
Pulling the ladder up when you reach the top is not the American way. He should be ashamed.
Now, he’s ripping SNAP away from millions of hungry kids growing up in poverty.
Pulling the ladder up when you reach the top is not the American way. He should be ashamed.
October 30, 2025 at 7:10 PM
JD Vance grew up on nutrition assistance provided by the federal government.
Now, he’s ripping SNAP away from millions of hungry kids growing up in poverty.
Pulling the ladder up when you reach the top is not the American way. He should be ashamed.
Now, he’s ripping SNAP away from millions of hungry kids growing up in poverty.
Pulling the ladder up when you reach the top is not the American way. He should be ashamed.
You know I'm not the biggest fan of CW, or maybe you didn't, but I'm not. So the fact that I am including one here should tell you something.
There's no blood, or gore. No one is permanently physically injured (I hope.) Just the sound of this. As Americans we have to hear this. Bear witness.
There's no blood, or gore. No one is permanently physically injured (I hope.) Just the sound of this. As Americans we have to hear this. Bear witness.
October 29, 2025 at 8:53 PM
You know I'm not the biggest fan of CW, or maybe you didn't, but I'm not. So the fact that I am including one here should tell you something.
There's no blood, or gore. No one is permanently physically injured (I hope.) Just the sound of this. As Americans we have to hear this. Bear witness.
There's no blood, or gore. No one is permanently physically injured (I hope.) Just the sound of this. As Americans we have to hear this. Bear witness.
Best post of the day
I should’ve learned this by now but DO NOT use FedEx. The diseased monkeys I ordered haven’t arrived and I can’t get a straight answer on what happened to them
October 29, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Best post of the day