Karen Rivers
@karenrivers.bsky.social
I write books, read books, think about books, teach people how to write books, and talk to my dogs about books. A PRETTY IMPLAUSIBLE PREMISE out now from Algonquin/Hachette. Coming Soon: Birdfish (Little Brown) and more!
THIS. I've never written for a hit TV show, but I've written 28 novels, which by most measures equals "success", and yet I'm still white-knuckling every minute of every day.
I recently did not receive a grant because one juror seemed to believe that I couldn't possibly *need* the money. WRONG.
I recently did not receive a grant because one juror seemed to believe that I couldn't possibly *need* the money. WRONG.
I love writing. I write for a hit TV show, my novel is selling well, and I've sold more books. I'm also terrified that my luck will run out, and what meager savings I have will evaporate. If this were 1995, merely the "write for a hit TV show" thing would have me set for a decade at least.
an idle thought I've had at the back of my head for a while is that a lot of white collar/middle class jobs used to be legitimately fun and/or intellectually stimulating and/or ludicrously well paid and now they're few or none of those things, and we don't talk about that at all
April 4, 2025 at 5:40 PM
THIS. I've never written for a hit TV show, but I've written 28 novels, which by most measures equals "success", and yet I'm still white-knuckling every minute of every day.
I recently did not receive a grant because one juror seemed to believe that I couldn't possibly *need* the money. WRONG.
I recently did not receive a grant because one juror seemed to believe that I couldn't possibly *need* the money. WRONG.
Other old-fashioned terms include, "rent", "mortgage", "electricity bills", and "insurance".
Trump: "An old fashioned term that we use -- groceries. I used it on the campaign. It's such an old fashioned term, but a beautiful term. Groceries. It says a bag with different things in it."
April 2, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Other old-fashioned terms include, "rent", "mortgage", "electricity bills", and "insurance".
Almost 30 books into my career, that "stay of execution" line resonates.
Why do we treat our creatives like this? I'll never understand it. We need and want and love and consume stories, but most people who write them live on the razor's edge, never knowing if the next thing will sell.
Why do we treat our creatives like this? I'll never understand it. We need and want and love and consume stories, but most people who write them live on the razor's edge, never knowing if the next thing will sell.
This is a statistical impossibility for most authors to achieve.
By and large, we love the industry and of course the work itself, but the stats are daunting.
To loosely quote Richard Swan, each new book deal just feels like a stay of execution, not a solid foothold for a career.
By and large, we love the industry and of course the work itself, but the stats are daunting.
To loosely quote Richard Swan, each new book deal just feels like a stay of execution, not a solid foothold for a career.
March 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Almost 30 books into my career, that "stay of execution" line resonates.
Why do we treat our creatives like this? I'll never understand it. We need and want and love and consume stories, but most people who write them live on the razor's edge, never knowing if the next thing will sell.
Why do we treat our creatives like this? I'll never understand it. We need and want and love and consume stories, but most people who write them live on the razor's edge, never knowing if the next thing will sell.
Lately I've been leaning into horror (both writing it and reading it) and I'm learning that I like a subtle horror that creeps up on you like a formerly friendly cat who suddenly starts hissing whenever you walk by. In that vein, may I recommend The Night Guest, which is a quick eerie read.
March 14, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Lately I've been leaning into horror (both writing it and reading it) and I'm learning that I like a subtle horror that creeps up on you like a formerly friendly cat who suddenly starts hissing whenever you walk by. In that vein, may I recommend The Night Guest, which is a quick eerie read.
I got my hands on Emma Pattee's Tilt, my most anticipated book of 2025, and it did not disappoint. 10/10. A+.
Some pro-tips: You are going to want to read this in one sitting. Set aside some time. Buckle in.Have tissues nearby. Remember that you, too, live on the Cascadia subduction zone. Panic.
Some pro-tips: You are going to want to read this in one sitting. Set aside some time. Buckle in.Have tissues nearby. Remember that you, too, live on the Cascadia subduction zone. Panic.
March 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
I got my hands on Emma Pattee's Tilt, my most anticipated book of 2025, and it did not disappoint. 10/10. A+.
Some pro-tips: You are going to want to read this in one sitting. Set aside some time. Buckle in.Have tissues nearby. Remember that you, too, live on the Cascadia subduction zone. Panic.
Some pro-tips: You are going to want to read this in one sitting. Set aside some time. Buckle in.Have tissues nearby. Remember that you, too, live on the Cascadia subduction zone. Panic.
I've tried to stop myself from posting this and outing my inner SuperNerd, but it comes up surprisingly often, and...I...can't...stop...myself this time. @nytgames.bsky.social -
March 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I've tried to stop myself from posting this and outing my inner SuperNerd, but it comes up surprisingly often, and...I...can't...stop...myself this time. @nytgames.bsky.social -
What #book are you most excited about that's coming out this spring? Mine is TILT, by Emma Pattee, coming March 25 from @simonandschuster.bsky.social. "A primal scream of a novel"? Yes, please!
March 5, 2025 at 9:13 PM
What #book are you most excited about that's coming out this spring? Mine is TILT, by Emma Pattee, coming March 25 from @simonandschuster.bsky.social. "A primal scream of a novel"? Yes, please!
Absolutely flattened by the volume of incredibly good books coming out in 2025. Yes, the world is a dumpster fire, but where there are books this good, there is still hope. Currently reading (and loving) this fresh debut (via Netgalley and WWNorton).
February 9, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Absolutely flattened by the volume of incredibly good books coming out in 2025. Yes, the world is a dumpster fire, but where there are books this good, there is still hope. Currently reading (and loving) this fresh debut (via Netgalley and WWNorton).
Important "what am I reading?" update:
I am reading this and it is verrrrrrry good. Make a note! Pre-order! Do something! I love it.
I am reading this and it is verrrrrrry good. Make a note! Pre-order! Do something! I love it.
February 6, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Important "what am I reading?" update:
I am reading this and it is verrrrrrry good. Make a note! Pre-order! Do something! I love it.
I am reading this and it is verrrrrrry good. Make a note! Pre-order! Do something! I love it.
Woke up to this audiobook by Charlotte McConaghy in my Netgalley queue and I would only be more excited if I won the lottery. She is a genius and everything she writes is exquisite and I can't wait to press 'play' on this one. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for making my day!
February 5, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Woke up to this audiobook by Charlotte McConaghy in my Netgalley queue and I would only be more excited if I won the lottery. She is a genius and everything she writes is exquisite and I can't wait to press 'play' on this one. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for making my day!
Fwiw, I'm seeing posts about not buying US goods, which is reasonable here in Canada given what Trump's tariffs will do to us, but I will not stop supporting US authors, some of whom are friends, and most of whom I know do not support this batshit administration and the chaos they are wreaking.
February 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Fwiw, I'm seeing posts about not buying US goods, which is reasonable here in Canada given what Trump's tariffs will do to us, but I will not stop supporting US authors, some of whom are friends, and most of whom I know do not support this batshit administration and the chaos they are wreaking.
The things that are keeping me sane in this insane time are reading & writing. Currently reading this, which I have a feeling will be one of those contagious books (like Tomorrow & Tomorrow & Tomorrow) that gets passed around by word-of-mouth before suddenly being everywhere. It's very good.
February 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The things that are keeping me sane in this insane time are reading & writing. Currently reading this, which I have a feeling will be one of those contagious books (like Tomorrow & Tomorrow & Tomorrow) that gets passed around by word-of-mouth before suddenly being everywhere. It's very good.
Reposted by Karen Rivers
Today's recommendation goes to this absolute gem by Emily Adrian. A funny, clever novel about the marriage between two writers/college faculty, told from the perspective of the wife's grad student. It's a conceit that I didn't like until I did. Magic. Preorder this one so you don't forget!
February 1, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Today's recommendation goes to this absolute gem by Emily Adrian. A funny, clever novel about the marriage between two writers/college faculty, told from the perspective of the wife's grad student. It's a conceit that I didn't like until I did. Magic. Preorder this one so you don't forget!
Asking for a blurb is akin to the middle school experience of passing a note to your crush that says, "Do you like me? Yes ___ No ____". Basically the most difficult thing in the world to do if you're an introverted writer, which we all are. So good news! www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Why Simon & Schuster’s Flagship Imprint Won’t Require Blurbs Anymore
In a decision some might call “stunning” or a “tour-de-force,” new S&S publisher Sean Manning has decided to no longer require authors to obtain blurbs for their books. Here’s why.
www.publishersweekly.com
January 31, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Asking for a blurb is akin to the middle school experience of passing a note to your crush that says, "Do you like me? Yes ___ No ____". Basically the most difficult thing in the world to do if you're an introverted writer, which we all are. So good news! www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
And to round it out at three for now, this absolutely chillingly accurate portrayal of what's probably just around the corner for us kept me listening all day yesterday. Helen Phillips novels are always uniquely surprising and this perfectly polished slice of the future is well worth a read.
January 28, 2025 at 12:02 AM
And to round it out at three for now, this absolutely chillingly accurate portrayal of what's probably just around the corner for us kept me listening all day yesterday. Helen Phillips novels are always uniquely surprising and this perfectly polished slice of the future is well worth a read.
Second very strong rec is for this precious gem of a book. I'm jealous of everyone who hasn't read it yet & gets to read it for the first time! It turned me inside out. I love it so much, I want to gift it to everyone, but I can't afford to, so you should treat yourself!
January 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Second very strong rec is for this precious gem of a book. I'm jealous of everyone who hasn't read it yet & gets to read it for the first time! It turned me inside out. I love it so much, I want to gift it to everyone, but I can't afford to, so you should treat yourself!
What are you reading? I have a string of books to recommend, starting with this one (although I'm only a quarter of the way in!) It's about a psychiatrist who is treating a woman who has hyperthymesia, which is a condition I'm obsessively interested in.
January 27, 2025 at 11:57 PM
What are you reading? I have a string of books to recommend, starting with this one (although I'm only a quarter of the way in!) It's about a psychiatrist who is treating a woman who has hyperthymesia, which is a condition I'm obsessively interested in.
Today I need more moss and more trees and fewer Terrible Things. You?
January 27, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Today I need more moss and more trees and fewer Terrible Things. You?
2 days until A Pretty Implausible Premise launches into the world!
Please consider pre-ordering.
Pre-orders /first-week orders make a huge difference and I promise that this book is full of #love (with a dash of #TaylorSwift and maybe you need that right now?
I know I do.
Please consider pre-ordering.
Pre-orders /first-week orders make a huge difference and I promise that this book is full of #love (with a dash of #TaylorSwift and maybe you need that right now?
I know I do.
September 24, 2023 at 4:37 PM
2 days until A Pretty Implausible Premise launches into the world!
Please consider pre-ordering.
Pre-orders /first-week orders make a huge difference and I promise that this book is full of #love (with a dash of #TaylorSwift and maybe you need that right now?
I know I do.
Please consider pre-ordering.
Pre-orders /first-week orders make a huge difference and I promise that this book is full of #love (with a dash of #TaylorSwift and maybe you need that right now?
I know I do.
My book comes out in 4 days and I've used my excessive panicky energy to clean every millimetre of my fridge (dumping condiments that have been in there for a decade!) while listening to Taylor Swift and trying to channel her magic into willing readers to find it, read it...and hopefully love it.
September 23, 2023 at 5:51 PM
My book comes out in 4 days and I've used my excessive panicky energy to clean every millimetre of my fridge (dumping condiments that have been in there for a decade!) while listening to Taylor Swift and trying to channel her magic into willing readers to find it, read it...and hopefully love it.
Reposted by Karen Rivers
"ai is making it so everyone can make art"
everyone can make art dumbass it came free with your fucking humanity
everyone can make art dumbass it came free with your fucking humanity
September 22, 2023 at 2:10 AM
"ai is making it so everyone can make art"
everyone can make art dumbass it came free with your fucking humanity
everyone can make art dumbass it came free with your fucking humanity
I didn't know this was where everyone had gone! How did I miss it? HELLO OLD FRIENDS. I've missed you all.
September 21, 2023 at 12:21 AM
I didn't know this was where everyone had gone! How did I miss it? HELLO OLD FRIENDS. I've missed you all.
Six days until release day!
September 21, 2023 at 12:20 AM
Six days until release day!