Melanie Kyer
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fraudrk.bsky.social
Melanie Kyer
@fraudrk.bsky.social
740 followers 560 following 82 posts
German teacher. Writer. Poet.Speech/Debate coach. Musician. Gamer/Geek. Cook. Traveler. Progressive Christian. Mom. Sustainable Crafter #PB available now! Seeking an Agent!
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fraudrk.bsky.social
I just got a similar letter (same publisher) today with the deadline of the 16th which is way too short a turnaround if you ask me. (Fortunately the opt-out page took me all of 10 seconds to fill out). My book (in my profile pic) is definitely for sale, but not to AI. #royalty #picturebooks #AI
craigcalcaterra.bsky.social Craig Calcaterra @craigcalcaterra.bsky.social · 25d
I received this mail from Arcadia Publishing, the company which now owns Belt Publishing, who originally published my book in 2022.

Belt's authors are not the sort of people who are gonna be cool with this. I feel really bad for whoever is answering the emails at Arcadia next week.
Arcadia has been presented with an opportunity to provide content to a major technology company involved in AI development. The request is to use the content in your title(s) for AI training purposes. You would receive a total royalty of $355 for this one-time use. To develop a responsible AI model, companies use vast amounts of content to tune answers to prompts in an attempt to increase the quality of the answers and to decrease the number of false responses. Arcadia has had lengthy discussions with the technology company involved, and after serious deliberation has determined there is good cause for moving forward. This firm is acting responsibly by offering compensation for the content, but these kinds of opportunities could be very limited in the future. Recently, courts have ruled that AI training is “fair use” of copyrighted content, for which tech firms need not compensate authors. If future cases result in similar rulings, it will be increasingly difficult to secure payment for content. Please see the FAQs for answers to common questions. Arcadia values its relationship with its authors, and we are therefore offering you the opportunity to opt out in this specific instance. Should other similar opportunities arise where Arcadia has done the same serious vetting on the company and its contemplated usage, Arcadia will contact you again. No action is needed to be included and receive payment. To view your included titles and have the opportunity to opt out, please click here and follow the instructions on the page by November 7. Please note that if you opt out you will receive no payment. ​​​​ Arcadia’s position is that in this instance we are dealing with a trusted partner, that the use of the content is responsible and has some aspects of improving the use of AI in general, and that the monetary amounts are a reasonable price for the use. Regards, Arcadia Publishing
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 AM
fraudrk.bsky.social
It's #FallWritingFrenzy time! Big thanks to @kaitlynleann17.bsky.social, @lydialukidis.bsky.social & @professoraixa.bsky.social for their hard work putting on this contest! Here's my entry-- go to their blog to read others or search the hashtag! #amwriting lydialukidis.wordpress.com/2025/10/01/f...
October 2, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Reposted by Melanie Kyer
cafeolait.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 8:06 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
I am 99% sure this is the Underwood typewriter on which my mom typed my father's PhD dissertation! Sound up for that click-clack-DING which wins any writer's heart! Cleaning out my childhood home, you sometimes find gems. #writerlife #family #forsale #tomhanks #underwood #amwriting #vintage
August 16, 2025 at 1:25 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
This year I won the Maine language teacher of the year award, took kids to Germany, and directed a week long seminar for teachers for which I crocheted 18 fidget pretzels. But the accomplishment I'm most proud of is catching a mid-stream urine sample from Chewie for his vet check. #dogs #dogmom
July 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Saw "Come From Away" at the Ogunquit Playhouse last night and it was just the celebration I needed for the end of the school year AND a wonderful affirmation of human kindness in adversity. Thank you, Gander! #comefromaway #ogunquitplayhouse #livetheater #musicals #teacherlife
June 13, 2025 at 12:13 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Well this was a nice surprise! The business cards for my little sustainability side-gig came in! Aren't they sweet!? #tannenbaumhandwerk #crafting #sustainability #reducereuserecycle
Business cards with logo for "Tannenbaum Handwerk"
May 20, 2025 at 1:02 AM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Could not mash "like" on this more!!!
May 14, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Reposted by Melanie Kyer
cwebbonline.com
We found the government “waste, fraud, and abuse”.
April 9, 2025 at 3:38 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
It probably is a symptom of ADHD that in addition to full time #teaching and part-time #writing, I have a zillion hobbies: I sing, play #piano, play #ukulele, bake, #crochet, craft and make #sustainable crafts like these teacup pincushions...it's all about learning new things and making beauty!
April 9, 2025 at 1:24 AM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Pari was one of my German students and truly is as sweet as she is on tv. She's as wholesome as they come and totally deserves all the love she's getting. #loveonthespectrum #pari #autismacceptance #mbta
April 8, 2025 at 11:55 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Protests in York, Maine! #HandsOff #protests #protecttheconstitution #50501
April 5, 2025 at 10:52 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Ever since Covid started, a circle at my church called "Reflections" has been sharing meditations and photography. Another one of my pieces/photos went up today - enjoy! #Lent #photography #spring #Easter #amwriting #Christianliving #Episcopal stgeorgesyorkharbor.org/april-03-2025/
April 3, 2025 at 11:01 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Thrilled to be in the winner's circle for @viviankirkfield.bsky.social 's #50PreciousWords this year! I wrote 3 poems and my critique partners recommended this one which was obviously the right choice! Thank you to all the judges for another great year!
March 31, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Reposted by Melanie Kyer
josephfasano.bsky.social
🕯️
For the Committee That Cut the Arts Budget   You can waste your life on the dark arts. But the soul in you knows what matters. Like the boy who broke into the Louvre and was found alone in the morning, asleep beside the Mona Lisa. He said she looked like his mother.   They led him back to the orphanage— to his century, to his little cot, his life.   Listen. A heart is what you do with it. The world will give us sieges, and great plagues, and prophets of doom and ruin, but who will be there for that child who hacks for days at the window-lock and only wants comfort and immensity and the smile that cannot die? —Joseph Fasano
March 29, 2025 at 12:09 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
So, the world is a lot, but this was pretty nice: named World Languages Teacher of the Year today at the Maine language conference. (Technically this means I have an EMME!) Grateful to all my colleagues who have helped me be a better teacher! #teacherlife #german #french #worldlanguages #EMME
EMME Teacher of the Year Award-- large crystal trophy
March 28, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Reposted by Melanie Kyer
brennanml.bsky.social
Okay, this is my newest very very favorite meme.
March 21, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Melanie Kyer
1hime.bsky.social
NON COMPOS MENTIS

“It's fantastic, fantastic. He was a smart guy. You know Tesla. First the light bulb and now this. Seems like a modern day Isaac Neutron."

www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-...
Trump's Alleged 'Isaac Neutron' Moment From White House Tesla Showcase Goes Viral
President Donald Trump kept his promise to his billionaire-backer Elon Musk and bought a shiny red Tesla on Tuesday. Before actually making the purchase, the Republican had dozens of cars lined up in ...
www.timesnownews.com
March 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
I kept forgetting, but FINALLY went in and ordered TWO books for Vivian's literacy initiative. Because the world needs these messages, I've chosen two frequently banned titles: "Tango makes Three" and "Baseball saved us" (about baseball in the Japanese-American internment camps) #50PreciousWords
viviankirkfield.bsky.social Vivian Kirkfield @viviankirkfield.bsky.social · Mar 6
#50PreciousWords UPDATE! Toadstool Bookshop in Keene NH says there are only 25 books in the pile for the literacy nonprofit we are supporting this year, but we had 585 contest entries. Books are the best vehicle to spread the message of #kindness & #equality. toadbooks.com/store/2 (603) 352-8815.
March 12, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Reposted by Melanie Kyer
stephenking.bsky.social
Alina Habbard posted: NOTHING CAN STOP THIS MAN FROM FIGHTING FOR HIS COUNTRY.
David Simon had a succinct 2-word response: “Bone spurs.”
March 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
As ever, vociferous thanks to @viviankirkfield.bsky.social for inviting us to the wonderful #50PreciousWords contest yet again. (And thanks to all who judge, comment and participate!) It's such a great exercise and so fun to see everyone's illustrated versions-- keep them coming!! Here's mine:
Illustrated version (watercolor and clipart) for my 50 Precious Words entry, "My Mama's But" - comment if you are sight-impaired and I can send the full version.
March 3, 2025 at 9:18 PM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Cleaning out my childhood home and unlocked a strong 70s/80s kid memory: wee wonderful waterfuls! This was my video game for much of my childhood!
February 22, 2025 at 3:29 AM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Such a great prompt-- love everyone's lines and it let me revisit some of my favorite unpublished ms like this poem about the Monarch life-cycle:
"Beautiful butterflies, fresh from cocoons,
Dance in the light of a warm summer moon."
#amwriting #PBparty
mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social Mindy Alyse Weiss @mindyalyseweiss.bsky.social · Feb 20
Share a line you love from a picture book you wrote (or one of your favorite PBs), #PBParty.

This line from my PB, CUPCAKES SHOULDN'T RIDE ROLLER COASTERS always makes me chuckle. I'd love to see it illustrated!

“Don’t look,” Cupcake cried. “I’m…UNFROSTED!”
February 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by Melanie Kyer
stephenking.bsky.social
Don’t buy stuff on February 28. Money’s the only thing these dicks understand.
#resist
February 16, 2025 at 12:52 AM
fraudrk.bsky.social
Wow, first day of winter break, and I did a #PictureBook critique for a friend and wrote THREE entries for #50PreciousWords. Now I need to decide which to submit! #amwriting #poetry #teacherlife #writerlife
February 16, 2025 at 2:23 AM