Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
@kevinmacdonell.bsky.social
Writer and lifelong diarist. Nova Scotia, Canada. Creative nonfiction, personal essays. Recent/forthcoming: Malahat Review, Queen’s Quarterly, Grain, Dalhousie Review, Camel, Rural Delivery, Riddle Fence, Globe & Mail. A.I.-free since 1969.
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Hi, new followers! I’m Kevin (he/him). Cape Breton, Nova Scotia raised. Diarist, writer of CNF, essays, memoir. Not very clever. Bewildered mostly. Recovering middle-management cog. Formerly lost in dark wood; emerging out the other side. Finally giving power and time to creative work.
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
“Who we were, who we are, and who we will be: these are condemned to remain…strangers to each other.” Philip Weinstein explores philosophical and literary approaches to the end of life.
What Aging Can Teach Us About Creativity and Fulfillment
“Death is the mother of beauty; hence from her, Alone, shall come fulfilment to our dreams And our desires.” –Wallace Stevens, “Sunday Morning” * These haunting lines by Wallace Stevens promise mor…
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
“Who we were, who we are, and who we will be: these are condemned to remain…strangers to each other.” Philip Weinstein explores philosophical and literary approaches to the end of life.
Taking suggestions for a German word for that feeling on exiting a stationery store empty-handed after searching through rack upon rack of pricey greeting cards and failing to find a single one suitable for a loved one.
November 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Taking suggestions for a German word for that feeling on exiting a stationery store empty-handed after searching through rack upon rack of pricey greeting cards and failing to find a single one suitable for a loved one.
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
Pulling all ads from Meta, removing all official government accounts from the site formerly known as Twitter would be an easy place to start
Canadian PM Mark Carney: "Large American online platforms have become seas of racism, misogyny, antisemitism, islamophobia and hate in all its forms... My government will act."
#cdnpoli
#cdnpoli
November 10, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Pulling all ads from Meta, removing all official government accounts from the site formerly known as Twitter would be an easy place to start
I’m nearly done ridding my inbox of all newsletters that display the X/Twitter logo. Sad to see these go: Capilano Review, EVENT, Dartmouth Book Exchange, Ampersand Review, CBC News (two newsletters), Grain, Public Books, and Electric Literature. But it’s long past time to move off that platform.
Elon Musk makes himself far-right fixture after White House departure
The Tesla CEO once hinted he was done with politics – but he’s been leaning further into the international far right
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I’m nearly done ridding my inbox of all newsletters that display the X/Twitter logo. Sad to see these go: Capilano Review, EVENT, Dartmouth Book Exchange, Ampersand Review, CBC News (two newsletters), Grain, Public Books, and Electric Literature. But it’s long past time to move off that platform.
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
One of the most beautiful things about the Irish is their respect for the arts. You find live music at most bars, I went to a literary pub crawl & saw monuments & museums dedicated to writers, poets, musicians, etc.
They understand the value of supporting artists & I wish Canada did, too.
They understand the value of supporting artists & I wish Canada did, too.
Ireland is locking down basic income for artists. Could Canada follow suit? | CBC Radio
Ireland has made permanent its three-year pilot program that gave monthly income payments to thousands of artists. Canadian artists are hoping to use that program's success to build momentum for guara...
www.cbc.ca
November 7, 2025 at 4:05 PM
One of the most beautiful things about the Irish is their respect for the arts. You find live music at most bars, I went to a literary pub crawl & saw monuments & museums dedicated to writers, poets, musicians, etc.
They understand the value of supporting artists & I wish Canada did, too.
They understand the value of supporting artists & I wish Canada did, too.
Well, I know which anthem wins. Good start.
October 31, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Well, I know which anthem wins. Good start.
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
Come celebrate with us at our book launch: November 26 at 7 pm at The Great Hall, Queen's College (210 Prince Philip Drive). Readings. Laughter. Games (yes, games... with prizes!). Snacks. Fun. We'll have a grand time!
Hope you can join us!
@memorialup.bsky.social
Hope you can join us!
@memorialup.bsky.social
October 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Come celebrate with us at our book launch: November 26 at 7 pm at The Great Hall, Queen's College (210 Prince Philip Drive). Readings. Laughter. Games (yes, games... with prizes!). Snacks. Fun. We'll have a grand time!
Hope you can join us!
@memorialup.bsky.social
Hope you can join us!
@memorialup.bsky.social
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
Love when a CEO undermines the work that their company produces www.theguardian.com/business/202...
AI can help authors beat writer’s block, says Bloomsbury chief
Publisher last week reported jump in revenue in academic and professional arm thanks to AI licensing deal
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Love when a CEO undermines the work that their company produces www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
What beats writers block is not treating your body like a factory. What beats writers block is healthcare. What beats writers block is gardening, & rest, & food, & companionship, & reading, & leisure, & anti-capitalism—but of course that’s not a very profitable thing to write, & won’t sell LLMs.
AI can help authors beat writer’s block, says Bloomsbury chief
Publisher last week reported jump in revenue in academic and professional arm thanks to AI licensing deal
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
What beats writers block is not treating your body like a factory. What beats writers block is healthcare. What beats writers block is gardening, & rest, & food, & companionship, & reading, & leisure, & anti-capitalism—but of course that’s not a very profitable thing to write, & won’t sell LLMs.
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
Pottersfeld Press is looking for submissions from writers who can provide a manuscript of 30,000 to 150,000 words in any existing or new category that uses the nonfiction medium to tell a story. DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2026. Early submissions are encouraged. More info at:
www.pottersfieldpress.com
www.pottersfieldpress.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Pottersfeld Press is looking for submissions from writers who can provide a manuscript of 30,000 to 150,000 words in any existing or new category that uses the nonfiction medium to tell a story. DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2026. Early submissions are encouraged. More info at:
www.pottersfieldpress.com
www.pottersfieldpress.com
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
this should be a lot of fun! November 22, from 2-4 pm. Come here Opaat Press poets read their work! Halifax Central Library
October 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM
this should be a lot of fun! November 22, from 2-4 pm. Come here Opaat Press poets read their work! Halifax Central Library
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
‘Come with an open mind, and know that it’s going to be fun’: The AfterWords Literary Festival
Morning File by @philmoscovitch.bsky.social
Morning File by @philmoscovitch.bsky.social
'Come with an open mind, and know that it's going to be fun': The AfterWords Literary Festival - Halifax Examiner
It's not school. You don't have to have read the book to go.
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
October 24, 2025 at 3:08 PM
‘Come with an open mind, and know that it’s going to be fun’: The AfterWords Literary Festival
Morning File by @philmoscovitch.bsky.social
Morning File by @philmoscovitch.bsky.social
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
Get @reshare_app • @thishourhas22minutes When the ICE agent is Canadian… 🇨🇦
October 21, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Get @reshare_app • @thishourhas22minutes When the ICE agent is Canadian… 🇨🇦
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
there is no one on this earth you should respect less than a politician who claims Canadian cities are terrifying war zones. like awwww, are you afraid of Halifax, Nova Scotia? it's okay, little buddy, that cannon they fire downtown is a show for tourists, it isn't real
October 19, 2025 at 1:44 AM
there is no one on this earth you should respect less than a politician who claims Canadian cities are terrifying war zones. like awwww, are you afraid of Halifax, Nova Scotia? it's okay, little buddy, that cannon they fire downtown is a show for tourists, it isn't real
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
#NoKings demonstrators across the US. Canada is behind you all the way!! 🇨🇦 #democracynotautocracy #publicservantsnotkings
October 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
#NoKings demonstrators across the US. Canada is behind you all the way!! 🇨🇦 #democracynotautocracy #publicservantsnotkings
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
ISSUE 2.2 (longconmag.com/issue-2-2/) is Connor Andersen, Yvonne Blomer, Sarah Burgoyne, A. Damon Cutter, Angela Hibbs, Lori Langille, Marilyn Letts, Gil McElroy, Jessica Patterson, Anton Pooles, Emma Rhodes, Natalie Rice, Hugh Thomas, Kieran Valde, & Hannah Zamora
ISSUE 2.2
Andersen | Blomer | Burgoyne | Cutter | Hibbs | Langille | Letts | McElroy | Patterson | Pooles | Rhodes | Rice | Thomas | Valde | Zamora
longconmag.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM
ISSUE 2.2 (longconmag.com/issue-2-2/) is Connor Andersen, Yvonne Blomer, Sarah Burgoyne, A. Damon Cutter, Angela Hibbs, Lori Langille, Marilyn Letts, Gil McElroy, Jessica Patterson, Anton Pooles, Emma Rhodes, Natalie Rice, Hugh Thomas, Kieran Valde, & Hannah Zamora
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
Writers among you, is there a craft book you return to at least once a year?
October 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Writers among you, is there a craft book you return to at least once a year?
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
Today! 11am-3pm. Halifax Central Library
on Spring Garden Road! Free admission. See you there! 👀
on Spring Garden Road! Free admission. See you there! 👀
October 11, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Today! 11am-3pm. Halifax Central Library
on Spring Garden Road! Free admission. See you there! 👀
on Spring Garden Road! Free admission. See you there! 👀
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
We're excited to announce the winner of our 2024 Creative Nonfiction Contest is Shelley Pacholok for her essay "How Not to Say Good-Bye to Your Professor"! Keep an eye out for when our autumn issue goes live to read an excerpt from her essay!
See the full announcement on our website:
bit.ly/4obSKPU
See the full announcement on our website:
bit.ly/4obSKPU
October 10, 2025 at 5:10 PM
We're excited to announce the winner of our 2024 Creative Nonfiction Contest is Shelley Pacholok for her essay "How Not to Say Good-Bye to Your Professor"! Keep an eye out for when our autumn issue goes live to read an excerpt from her essay!
See the full announcement on our website:
bit.ly/4obSKPU
See the full announcement on our website:
bit.ly/4obSKPU
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
Are there best practices for navigating the push-pull of editors, publishers, and media? What about managing the expectations of fans, friends, and family? Join us in discussing how to write a memoir.
Get tickets here: wildwriters.ca/.../troublin...
Get tickets here: wildwriters.ca/.../troublin...
October 10, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Are there best practices for navigating the push-pull of editors, publishers, and media? What about managing the expectations of fans, friends, and family? Join us in discussing how to write a memoir.
Get tickets here: wildwriters.ca/.../troublin...
Get tickets here: wildwriters.ca/.../troublin...
Reposted by Kevin MacDonell (he/him)
📚 🎨
COVER REVEAL! Check out that incredible cover illustration by Adam de Souza!
COVER REVEAL! Check out that incredible cover illustration by Adam de Souza!
October 10, 2025 at 1:16 PM
📚 🎨
COVER REVEAL! Check out that incredible cover illustration by Adam de Souza!
COVER REVEAL! Check out that incredible cover illustration by Adam de Souza!