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.
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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...
Teaching my cat to talk was my own choice.
She definitely did not just look at the window and say HUMAN STRANGER STRANGER at midnight.
I'm definitely not in a novel right now.
Right?
She definitely did not just look at the window and say HUMAN STRANGER STRANGER at midnight.
I'm definitely not in a novel right now.
Right?
December 28, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Teaching my cat to talk was my own choice.
She definitely did not just look at the window and say HUMAN STRANGER STRANGER at midnight.
I'm definitely not in a novel right now.
Right?
She definitely did not just look at the window and say HUMAN STRANGER STRANGER at midnight.
I'm definitely not in a novel right now.
Right?
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
It's been a tremendous 2025 awards season for Solaris! Here's a compilation of all our winners! Which ones have you read?
Our award-winners include @rebeccaroanhorse.bsky.social @premeemohamed.com @vajra.me @aptshadow.bsky.social @maryrobinettekowal.com @deuceofgearsmusic.bsky.social & many more!
Our award-winners include @rebeccaroanhorse.bsky.social @premeemohamed.com @vajra.me @aptshadow.bsky.social @maryrobinettekowal.com @deuceofgearsmusic.bsky.social & many more!
December 27, 2025 at 7:39 PM
It's been a tremendous 2025 awards season for Solaris! Here's a compilation of all our winners! Which ones have you read?
Our award-winners include @rebeccaroanhorse.bsky.social @premeemohamed.com @vajra.me @aptshadow.bsky.social @maryrobinettekowal.com @deuceofgearsmusic.bsky.social & many more!
Our award-winners include @rebeccaroanhorse.bsky.social @premeemohamed.com @vajra.me @aptshadow.bsky.social @maryrobinettekowal.com @deuceofgearsmusic.bsky.social & many more!
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Bizarre Ecosystem Discovered More Than Two Miles beneath Arctic Ocean
Bizarre Ecosystem Discovered More Than Two Miles beneath Arctic Ocean
Dynamic mounds made of methane at a depth of some 3,640 meters act like “frozen reefs” for a bizarre array of deep-sea creatures, new observations reveal
www.scientificamerican.com
December 27, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Bizarre Ecosystem Discovered More Than Two Miles beneath Arctic Ocean
This! I was once at an event right after leaving office at SFWA and someone came up, greeting me in a cheerful, friendly manner.
Then he asked me a question about SFWA and I said "I'm not in office anymore, I don't know."
Without another word, he just walked away from me.
Then he asked me a question about SFWA and I said "I'm not in office anymore, I don't know."
Without another word, he just walked away from me.
Looking at lots of the “how do I break in” discourse going on and let me just say that the making friends part is (and remains) key.
The difference between colleagues and friends becomes exceedingly visible once one leaves/steps back/is no longer actively working at the creative thing. 1/
The difference between colleagues and friends becomes exceedingly visible once one leaves/steps back/is no longer actively working at the creative thing. 1/
December 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
This! I was once at an event right after leaving office at SFWA and someone came up, greeting me in a cheerful, friendly manner.
Then he asked me a question about SFWA and I said "I'm not in office anymore, I don't know."
Without another word, he just walked away from me.
Then he asked me a question about SFWA and I said "I'm not in office anymore, I don't know."
Without another word, he just walked away from me.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
We tell the attendees at @writingexcuses.bsky.social events that the most valuable thing they'll take away from the event is the relationships they're building with other writers. Not because those other writers are famous or powerful, but because your best future has long friendships in it.
December 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
We tell the attendees at @writingexcuses.bsky.social events that the most valuable thing they'll take away from the event is the relationships they're building with other writers. Not because those other writers are famous or powerful, but because your best future has long friendships in it.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
This whole, forked-but-wonderful thread.
In many industries, including (probably) all the artsy ones, and lots of the "lettered" high-rise ones, it's not what you know, it's who you know, but you know them because you knew them BEFORE any of you broke in.
In many industries, including (probably) all the artsy ones, and lots of the "lettered" high-rise ones, it's not what you know, it's who you know, but you know them because you knew them BEFORE any of you broke in.
Talking to one of these types at a con who asked how I 'got in' with so many 'famous writers' who I'd been talking to and I said "we made friends before anyone knew who we were decades ago by striking up interesting conversations and enjoying each other's company" and he kept re-asking the question.
They have come to the convention hoping to "break in" and then find themselves -- shocker! -- a "nobody in the book world." Yeah no shit! We all are! I have gently told guys like this a million times that it takes most of us *years* of hard work but they do not believe that could be true for them. +
December 27, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This whole, forked-but-wonderful thread.
In many industries, including (probably) all the artsy ones, and lots of the "lettered" high-rise ones, it's not what you know, it's who you know, but you know them because you knew them BEFORE any of you broke in.
In many industries, including (probably) all the artsy ones, and lots of the "lettered" high-rise ones, it's not what you know, it's who you know, but you know them because you knew them BEFORE any of you broke in.
Earlier this year, I was on @dragoncon.org TV to talk about The Martian Contingency, the origin of the Lady Astronaut books, and the choose-your-own-adventure approach to their reading order. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE6R... I was honored to win the Dragon Award for Best Alternate History Novel.
December 27, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Earlier this year, I was on @dragoncon.org TV to talk about The Martian Contingency, the origin of the Lady Astronaut books, and the choose-your-own-adventure approach to their reading order. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE6R... I was honored to win the Dragon Award for Best Alternate History Novel.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
I'd believe this anecdote because I've met guys like this at conventions. People do ask (politely) about their work and they can't pitch it because what makes it special is that they are the specialest boy. They go to panels and hear queer and BIPOC writers talk about their work and think "ah ha". +
This shit is made up, actually
December 26, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I'd believe this anecdote because I've met guys like this at conventions. People do ask (politely) about their work and they can't pitch it because what makes it special is that they are the specialest boy. They go to panels and hear queer and BIPOC writers talk about their work and think "ah ha". +
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
I wrote a Your Guide to Farscape story a few years ago and I'm always so happy to see folks get into the show, which I love a lot. Talked to Brian Henson of Jim Henson Company for this as well. This was such a labor of love: www.ign.com/articles/201...
April 12, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I wrote a Your Guide to Farscape story a few years ago and I'm always so happy to see folks get into the show, which I love a lot. Talked to Brian Henson of Jim Henson Company for this as well. This was such a labor of love: www.ign.com/articles/201...
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
@maryrobinettekowal.com Any chance you know someone in the Portland metro area who would want/could use this poor guy?
Saturday is the final sale of 2025 at the Community Warehouse Estate Store with everything discounted 75% . Still available is this puppet/marionette with tangled strings, who needs TLC & a good home--now only $10.50 on Saturday. #Portland
www.communitywarehouse.org/estate-store/
www.communitywarehouse.org/estate-store/
December 27, 2025 at 12:33 AM
@maryrobinettekowal.com Any chance you know someone in the Portland metro area who would want/could use this poor guy?
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Today Julia Quinn announced JQ Editions, a historical romance special edition subscription service launching on Kickstarter in January.
This announcement set my whole brain on fire: it's an intersection of several trends happening within romance.
smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/12/juli...
This announcement set my whole brain on fire: it's an intersection of several trends happening within romance.
smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/12/juli...
December 26, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Today Julia Quinn announced JQ Editions, a historical romance special edition subscription service launching on Kickstarter in January.
This announcement set my whole brain on fire: it's an intersection of several trends happening within romance.
smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/12/juli...
This announcement set my whole brain on fire: it's an intersection of several trends happening within romance.
smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2025/12/juli...
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Holy moly. That is not where you want half of your dome shutter to be. Glad no one was hurt.
Wow, xmas morning wind gusts up to 114 mph on Mount Hamilton, east of San Jose. Damaged the Lick Observatory. 🔭 🧪 bsky.app/profile/look...
December 26, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Holy moly. That is not where you want half of your dome shutter to be. Glad no one was hurt.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
We are closing in on $3,000 for our worker-run trans newsroom. Every donation helps get us closer to that and our final goal — and funds hard-hitting journalism.
Our winter fund drive is on. Consider a tax-deductible donation to support TNN (and get a gift).
Our reporting is in-depth, hard-hitting and unrepentantly radical.
Your donations go to keeping trans journalists out of poverty and informing our communities, which is now more important than ever.
Our reporting is in-depth, hard-hitting and unrepentantly radical.
Your donations go to keeping trans journalists out of poverty and informing our communities, which is now more important than ever.
This winter, please consider a tax-deductible donation in support of Trans News Network!
TNN’s reporting is in-depth, hard-hitting and unrepentantly radical. Every dollar goes towards keeping trans journalists out of poverty and informing the public about what our communities are facing. ...
transnewsnetwork.networkforgood.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
We are closing in on $3,000 for our worker-run trans newsroom. Every donation helps get us closer to that and our final goal — and funds hard-hitting journalism.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Looking at a late 70’s Porsche 911 Targa sitting in between a “small” chevrolet Bolt and a mid-sized Toyota Corolla makes you realize how big automobiles have gotten over the years. The Porsche looks absolutely tiny between them.
May 16, 2024 at 2:51 AM
Looking at a late 70’s Porsche 911 Targa sitting in between a “small” chevrolet Bolt and a mid-sized Toyota Corolla makes you realize how big automobiles have gotten over the years. The Porsche looks absolutely tiny between them.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
This experiment ends tonight at midnight Minneapolis time, about five hours from now, though you probably better figure four and a half or four and three quarters to leave time for me to see your offer, roll the dice, and reply, and you to buy it.
So far, big fun!
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
So far, big fun!
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
December 26, 2025 at 12:59 AM
This experiment ends tonight at midnight Minneapolis time, about five hours from now, though you probably better figure four and a half or four and three quarters to leave time for me to see your offer, roll the dice, and reply, and you to buy it.
So far, big fun!
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
So far, big fun!
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
Hooray! @writingexcuses.bsky.social has been named one of the 12 best writing podcasts by Podcast Review. See the full list at podcastreview.org/list/best-wr...
December 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Hooray! @writingexcuses.bsky.social has been named one of the 12 best writing podcasts by Podcast Review. See the full list at podcastreview.org/list/best-wr...
Here is Elsie doing a holiday photo shoot.
December 24, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Here is Elsie doing a holiday photo shoot.
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
From 12/8-1/1, several of my ebooks are 25-50% off in ebook at Smashwords for the 2025 End of Year Sale. (These ebooks can be side-loaded to Kindle, by the way...) www.smashwords.com/profile/view...
December 24, 2025 at 6:05 AM
From 12/8-1/1, several of my ebooks are 25-50% off in ebook at Smashwords for the 2025 End of Year Sale. (These ebooks can be side-loaded to Kindle, by the way...) www.smashwords.com/profile/view...
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Last Christmas Ich gave thee myne hearte
The verye next daye ther came a wolf
Wyth sinews of whispers - quiet as frost -
And the wolf stole myne hearte, fled
To a tower out of tyme biyonde all the stars.
Seek now myne hearte,
Return it within a yeare and a daye:
Thys ys thy queste
Fayle not
The verye next daye ther came a wolf
Wyth sinews of whispers - quiet as frost -
And the wolf stole myne hearte, fled
To a tower out of tyme biyonde all the stars.
Seek now myne hearte,
Return it within a yeare and a daye:
Thys ys thy queste
Fayle not
December 24, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Last Christmas Ich gave thee myne hearte
The verye next daye ther came a wolf
Wyth sinews of whispers - quiet as frost -
And the wolf stole myne hearte, fled
To a tower out of tyme biyonde all the stars.
Seek now myne hearte,
Return it within a yeare and a daye:
Thys ys thy queste
Fayle not
The verye next daye ther came a wolf
Wyth sinews of whispers - quiet as frost -
And the wolf stole myne hearte, fled
To a tower out of tyme biyonde all the stars.
Seek now myne hearte,
Return it within a yeare and a daye:
Thys ys thy queste
Fayle not
In other news, my cat Elsie now has over 100k followers on Instagram.
She is officially more famous than I am.
I'm good with this. I would ALSO rather talk about my cat, than me.
www.instagram.com/elsiewants?i...
She is officially more famous than I am.
I'm good with this. I would ALSO rather talk about my cat, than me.
www.instagram.com/elsiewants?i...
December 24, 2025 at 3:32 AM
In other news, my cat Elsie now has over 100k followers on Instagram.
She is officially more famous than I am.
I'm good with this. I would ALSO rather talk about my cat, than me.
www.instagram.com/elsiewants?i...
She is officially more famous than I am.
I'm good with this. I would ALSO rather talk about my cat, than me.
www.instagram.com/elsiewants?i...
Reposted by Mary Robinette Kowal
Etsy made a new mode: "make me an offer." I have dice, random number generators, calculations on what leeway I have, and a wicked grin. Make a wish and see if you get lucky?
(This experiment ends Christmas Day night, when the usual Year End Sale will begin.)
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
(This experiment ends Christmas Day night, when the usual Year End Sale will begin.)
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
December 23, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Etsy made a new mode: "make me an offer." I have dice, random number generators, calculations on what leeway I have, and a wicked grin. Make a wish and see if you get lucky?
(This experiment ends Christmas Day night, when the usual Year End Sale will begin.)
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
(This experiment ends Christmas Day night, when the usual Year End Sale will begin.)
www.etsy.com/shop/Lioness...
I find that I need to clarify. There are probably 50 non-sequential words I can't guarantee I wrote.
I'm not trying to get SFWA's ruling overturned. I understood the first iteration and I understand the new iteration.
If I wanted the novel on the ballot, I could have lied & not said anything.
I'm not trying to get SFWA's ruling overturned. I understood the first iteration and I understand the new iteration.
If I wanted the novel on the ballot, I could have lied & not said anything.
But the reason the conversation is happening this way is because Mary Robinette Kowal disclosed that in 2022-23she used AI to write around 50 words of a novel as an epigraph.
December 24, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I find that I need to clarify. There are probably 50 non-sequential words I can't guarantee I wrote.
I'm not trying to get SFWA's ruling overturned. I understood the first iteration and I understand the new iteration.
If I wanted the novel on the ballot, I could have lied & not said anything.
I'm not trying to get SFWA's ruling overturned. I understood the first iteration and I understand the new iteration.
If I wanted the novel on the ballot, I could have lied & not said anything.
There's a troll replying as me. Please block and report.
@maryrobinettekowal.com hey MRK, apparently there’s a troll impersonating you.
Honestly, the quality of the insults should have been a dead giveaway immediately, but it’s before 7am here, lol.
I’ve reported the account, but just a heads up.
Hope all is well!
Honestly, the quality of the insults should have been a dead giveaway immediately, but it’s before 7am here, lol.
I’ve reported the account, but just a heads up.
Hope all is well!
December 23, 2025 at 3:55 PM
There's a troll replying as me. Please block and report.
If you missed my reading from Apprehension at Worldcon, it has been captured in video for posterity. The reading begins at 3:58: vimeo.com/1110662356/b... Thanks to everyone who was there live! You were a lovely audience.
SWC25-DAY4 Reading: Mary Robinette Kowal
The Martian Contingency. Years after a meteorite strike obliterated Washington, D.C.—triggering an extinction-level global warming event—Earth’s…
vimeo.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:06 PM
If you missed my reading from Apprehension at Worldcon, it has been captured in video for posterity. The reading begins at 3:58: vimeo.com/1110662356/b... Thanks to everyone who was there live! You were a lovely audience.