Melissa Burkart
@mwithpen.bsky.social
Possible sea witch living by the Maine coast. Spec fic/fantasy writer of flash fiction, novels, and everything in between. Perpetually Exhausted Parent™. Forever a theater kid. Bi/demi she/her.
melissaburkart.com
melissaburkart.com
Pinned
Melissa Burkart
@mwithpen.bsky.social
· May 7
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
I should probably add: only one chapter of the book is in this form. There are also several narrated by a hill, one by an ex-music journalist, and one by a 1930s gravedigger. But some are not as normal as that.
I've removed the paywall permanently from this piece, which is a chapter from my novel Villager, told entirely in the form of an online village message board. If you like it, you'll probably like the book. If you don't, you won't...
www.tom-cox.com/the-village-...
www.tom-cox.com/the-village-...
The Village Message Board
Its authenticity was discredited because of his reputation, but also because he was quick with gin at the time and wearing an item of knitwear back to front.
www.tom-cox.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:43 AM
I should probably add: only one chapter of the book is in this form. There are also several narrated by a hill, one by an ex-music journalist, and one by a 1930s gravedigger. But some are not as normal as that.
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
Teenagers are old enough to have sex with middle aged men. They are not old enough to be trans.
by Megyn Kelly
by Megyn Kelly
November 16, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Teenagers are old enough to have sex with middle aged men. They are not old enough to be trans.
by Megyn Kelly
by Megyn Kelly
Somewhere at the intersection of #writing and #parenting, getting words on the page is still so damn hard even with the immense privilege of both kids in school and no regular day job, but I have a plan! (and it seems to be working 🤞)
melissaburkart.com/2025/11/12/w...
melissaburkart.com/2025/11/12/w...
writing in the chasm
The best thing about being a (mostly) stay-at-home-parent with both kids in school? The freedom of time. I can just…take the car to get an oil change when I realize it needs one instead of wa…
melissaburkart.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Somewhere at the intersection of #writing and #parenting, getting words on the page is still so damn hard even with the immense privilege of both kids in school and no regular day job, but I have a plan! (and it seems to be working 🤞)
melissaburkart.com/2025/11/12/w...
melissaburkart.com/2025/11/12/w...
Still got it!
4.5 y/o stubbed his toes pretty badly. He didn't want to walk
This kid is getting heavier than I can comfortably carry for long if at all BUT I went from sitting cross-legged on the floor with him in my lap to standing without setting him down or using my hands at all
#ParentSky
4.5 y/o stubbed his toes pretty badly. He didn't want to walk
This kid is getting heavier than I can comfortably carry for long if at all BUT I went from sitting cross-legged on the floor with him in my lap to standing without setting him down or using my hands at all
#ParentSky
November 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Still got it!
4.5 y/o stubbed his toes pretty badly. He didn't want to walk
This kid is getting heavier than I can comfortably carry for long if at all BUT I went from sitting cross-legged on the floor with him in my lap to standing without setting him down or using my hands at all
#ParentSky
4.5 y/o stubbed his toes pretty badly. He didn't want to walk
This kid is getting heavier than I can comfortably carry for long if at all BUT I went from sitting cross-legged on the floor with him in my lap to standing without setting him down or using my hands at all
#ParentSky
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
Fellow writers constantly closing pop-up windows while we work, Emma Thompson feels our pain! ♥️
November 15, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Fellow writers constantly closing pop-up windows while we work, Emma Thompson feels our pain! ♥️
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
I try not to be nostalgic, but damn I miss times that used to be better.
Parcels that would be delivered, not thrown at your doorstep.
An actual bank in your town.
Being able to make a GP appointment on the same day.
Politicians who served the country, not themselves (OK, I made that one up...)
Parcels that would be delivered, not thrown at your doorstep.
An actual bank in your town.
Being able to make a GP appointment on the same day.
Politicians who served the country, not themselves (OK, I made that one up...)
November 16, 2025 at 2:15 PM
I try not to be nostalgic, but damn I miss times that used to be better.
Parcels that would be delivered, not thrown at your doorstep.
An actual bank in your town.
Being able to make a GP appointment on the same day.
Politicians who served the country, not themselves (OK, I made that one up...)
Parcels that would be delivered, not thrown at your doorstep.
An actual bank in your town.
Being able to make a GP appointment on the same day.
Politicians who served the country, not themselves (OK, I made that one up...)
Omg this art is freaking gorgeous 😍
So THE INNER RIVER's sample pages were going to be featured in an anthology, but it got cancelled :(
Does anyone wanna read them? Should be a short and sweet read! #AmQuerying #GN
www.behance.net/gallery/2346...
Does anyone wanna read them? Should be a short and sweet read! #AmQuerying #GN
www.behance.net/gallery/2346...
November 16, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Omg this art is freaking gorgeous 😍
…I think I just figured out the muscles that control the tympanic membrane…
November 16, 2025 at 1:37 AM
…I think I just figured out the muscles that control the tympanic membrane…
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
This is one that makes me want to flip tables.
NEEDING HEALTHCARE IS NOT A MORAL FAILING. HELPING PEOPLE IS WHAT WE SHOULD WANT TO DO.
NEEDING HEALTHCARE IS NOT A MORAL FAILING. HELPING PEOPLE IS WHAT WE SHOULD WANT TO DO.
November 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
This is one that makes me want to flip tables.
NEEDING HEALTHCARE IS NOT A MORAL FAILING. HELPING PEOPLE IS WHAT WE SHOULD WANT TO DO.
NEEDING HEALTHCARE IS NOT A MORAL FAILING. HELPING PEOPLE IS WHAT WE SHOULD WANT TO DO.
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling Stone. As a result, the majority of VIBE employees were laid off. If you have the means to give, this team could use the support! www.gofundme.com/f/support-vi...
Donate to Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs, organized by Mya Abraham
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling S… Mya Abraham needs your support for Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs
www.gofundme.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
I am going to be so pissed if I now have to worry about developing pneumonia every time the kids bring home a cold from school…
November 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I am going to be so pissed if I now have to worry about developing pneumonia every time the kids bring home a cold from school…
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
I did not have AI Jesus on my bingo card, but I suppose it’s a logical result of this fucked up timeline.
November 15, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I did not have AI Jesus on my bingo card, but I suppose it’s a logical result of this fucked up timeline.
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
See you tonight!
November 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
See you tonight!
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
If you’re looking for something to read this weekend, I’ve published 13 short pieces this year with 2 more coming soon. I figured I’d make a thread of just a few of my faves that are free-to-read. (You can still find my complete eligibility post through my link in bio) 🧵
November 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
If you’re looking for something to read this weekend, I’ve published 13 short pieces this year with 2 more coming soon. I figured I’d make a thread of just a few of my faves that are free-to-read. (You can still find my complete eligibility post through my link in bio) 🧵
First time doing these—looks like fun!
22. Neshri is clawing her way back to “normal” after unwise choices landed her in deep trouble. Every little mistake feels like one more way she fails those she loves
23. She grieves her mom. Their complicated relationship is the heart of the story
22. Neshri is clawing her way back to “normal” after unwise choices landed her in deep trouble. Every little mistake feels like one more way she fails those she loves
23. She grieves her mom. Their complicated relationship is the heart of the story
We are 10 days out (with the date change), which means it is time for #WIPPITStickyNoteQuestions to help you deep dive into your wip(s).
Days 22 & 23
Days 22 & 23
November 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
First time doing these—looks like fun!
22. Neshri is clawing her way back to “normal” after unwise choices landed her in deep trouble. Every little mistake feels like one more way she fails those she loves
23. She grieves her mom. Their complicated relationship is the heart of the story
22. Neshri is clawing her way back to “normal” after unwise choices landed her in deep trouble. Every little mistake feels like one more way she fails those she loves
23. She grieves her mom. Their complicated relationship is the heart of the story
Given that store bought raw pie crust is 10x better when given time to warm up, I just pulled them out of the fridge, this house is cold, and I have 2 pumpkin pies to make tonight, you bet I’m running around the house right now with rolled up pie crust sticking out of my pockets bc body heat
November 14, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Given that store bought raw pie crust is 10x better when given time to warm up, I just pulled them out of the fridge, this house is cold, and I have 2 pumpkin pies to make tonight, you bet I’m running around the house right now with rolled up pie crust sticking out of my pockets bc body heat
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
seriously the only good thing billionaires have ever given this country is ex-wives
November 12, 2025 at 9:30 PM
seriously the only good thing billionaires have ever given this country is ex-wives
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
Reminder that anyone who says "a writer must do this," "a writer cannot do that," is WRONG.
November 13, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Reminder that anyone who says "a writer must do this," "a writer cannot do that," is WRONG.
I write stories linearly. I always thought that meant for a dual timeline story I’d write each separately then work them together later and mix the chronology as needed
Now that I’m writing one, that’s not what I’m doing
Now that I’m writing one, that’s not what I’m doing
November 13, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I write stories linearly. I always thought that meant for a dual timeline story I’d write each separately then work them together later and mix the chronology as needed
Now that I’m writing one, that’s not what I’m doing
Now that I’m writing one, that’s not what I’m doing
Current mc is romance-avoidant (not aro) but I’ve so far discovered one current long term lover and one ex who makes sparks fly. Her sister has 4 partners. They live in a world where monogamous pairs aren’t the norm bc how can just one person fill all those social/emotional needs?
Time for romance in #MelsNoWriMo.
Or not. If you don't have any, tell me something else about your project. 🥰
Or not. If you don't have any, tell me something else about your project. 🥰
November 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Current mc is romance-avoidant (not aro) but I’ve so far discovered one current long term lover and one ex who makes sparks fly. Her sister has 4 partners. They live in a world where monogamous pairs aren’t the norm bc how can just one person fill all those social/emotional needs?
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
Keep fighting.
Lot of people are already passing this around with the usual "WHY ISN'T ANYONE DOING ANYTHING" shrieks, while ignoring the fact that the article literally says that this is a *significant* decrease from the warming that we were on track for even a few years ago.
World still on track for catastrophic 2.6C temperature rise, report finds
Fossil fuel emissions have hit a record high while many nations have done too little to avert deadly global heating
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Keep fighting.
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
Reminder: A lot of great books published this year during absolutely bonkers news & world event times. That squashes people talking about them. Keep buying books please, keep borrowing them from libraries, and for the love of all that's good, talk about them. Post about them. 📚
November 13, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reminder: A lot of great books published this year during absolutely bonkers news & world event times. That squashes people talking about them. Keep buying books please, keep borrowing them from libraries, and for the love of all that's good, talk about them. Post about them. 📚
It always amazes me in writing stories how “I need to insert info here” can become “oh shit this is a tangent” and usually ends up at “that actually ties in and makes the flow into the next bit even better”
#AmWriting
#AmWriting
November 13, 2025 at 3:28 PM
It always amazes me in writing stories how “I need to insert info here” can become “oh shit this is a tangent” and usually ends up at “that actually ties in and makes the flow into the next bit even better”
#AmWriting
#AmWriting
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
The official reveal of our December issue!
Winter Cover Reveal!!!! Issue 6 drops on December 1st, 2025
Subscribe now at magazine.trollbreath.com
Subscribe now at magazine.trollbreath.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The official reveal of our December issue!
Reposted by Melissa Burkart
For the record, this is me asking because I have some comps I wanna make sure reach people who would want to read them, and since I've mostly ditched socials and completely ditched Tiktok, I have no idea who's big in the space these days
Aside from friends, booksellers, and librarians, where do you get your book recs from?
Extra credit if you have favorite queer folks you follow that do book recs, extra EXTRA credit if they love erotica
(Are you a queer booktokker, -tuber, or -blogger who might want some review copies? Hit us up!)
Extra credit if you have favorite queer folks you follow that do book recs, extra EXTRA credit if they love erotica
(Are you a queer booktokker, -tuber, or -blogger who might want some review copies? Hit us up!)
November 12, 2025 at 6:19 PM
For the record, this is me asking because I have some comps I wanna make sure reach people who would want to read them, and since I've mostly ditched socials and completely ditched Tiktok, I have no idea who's big in the space these days