Khristeena Lute
@khristeena.bsky.social
Novelist, English professor, Writing Center Director, and Animal Lover
Appalachia-to-Adirondacks Transplant
Author of Finding Grace & Grit (2021)
Website: Khristeenalute.com
Appalachia-to-Adirondacks Transplant
Author of Finding Grace & Grit (2021)
Website: Khristeenalute.com
Loved loved loved this read. I took my time with it to not let it go by so fast. And this line, “Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard”, is an important one to remember right now.
August 24, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Loved loved loved this read. I took my time with it to not let it go by so fast. And this line, “Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard”, is an important one to remember right now.
Writers have so many pieces of themselves, but these aspects don’t always fit in neat and tidy Instagram boxes. Link: www.khristeenalute.com/blog/chairin...
August 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Writers have so many pieces of themselves, but these aspects don’t always fit in neat and tidy Instagram boxes. Link: www.khristeenalute.com/blog/chairin...
This is a freebie table on campus. I’m not sure which is my favorite item: the bag of cat food or the Shania Twain cassette tape, but it’s probably the combo.
August 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
This is a freebie table on campus. I’m not sure which is my favorite item: the bag of cat food or the Shania Twain cassette tape, but it’s probably the combo.
Each passing week means a little more book prep. Extended covers, ARC prep, copyedits, the works. In a weird way, I’m already starting to miss these characters—Atlas and Celia, especially—as they leave being mine alone and begin belonging to everyone else.
August 18, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Each passing week means a little more book prep. Extended covers, ARC prep, copyedits, the works. In a weird way, I’m already starting to miss these characters—Atlas and Celia, especially—as they leave being mine alone and begin belonging to everyone else.
I’ve had folks ask me what software or programs I use to write, and it’s hands down Scrivener. This time, I’m even using the available icons to help organize my fantasy novel WIP. If you’re starting out as a writer or trying to feel more organized, give this program a shot. It’s worth it.
August 13, 2025 at 1:33 PM
I’ve had folks ask me what software or programs I use to write, and it’s hands down Scrivener. This time, I’m even using the available icons to help organize my fantasy novel WIP. If you’re starting out as a writer or trying to feel more organized, give this program a shot. It’s worth it.
Had a great meeting with the organizing committee for this year’s SUNY Council on Writing’s October conference! Registration will open September 1, so be ready!
August 13, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Had a great meeting with the organizing committee for this year’s SUNY Council on Writing’s October conference! Registration will open September 1, so be ready!
Thank you, Nancy White and Word Works Books, for this wonderful collection of poetry book mail! I'm looking forward to reading these collections written or edited by Tara Betts, Doug Ramspeak, Barbara Hagerty, Jennifer Bartell, M.A. Nicholson, and Brad Richard!
August 12, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Thank you, Nancy White and Word Works Books, for this wonderful collection of poetry book mail! I'm looking forward to reading these collections written or edited by Tara Betts, Doug Ramspeak, Barbara Hagerty, Jennifer Bartell, M.A. Nicholson, and Brad Richard!
I'm writing fantasy, where many characters have mismatched eyes--but also, I try to avoid the, "Oh, this character is a self-insert" accusations. I have one blue and one blue/gray/brown eye. If I include characters with "different" eyes, will this add to the "self-insert" BS?
August 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I'm writing fantasy, where many characters have mismatched eyes--but also, I try to avoid the, "Oh, this character is a self-insert" accusations. I have one blue and one blue/gray/brown eye. If I include characters with "different" eyes, will this add to the "self-insert" BS?
The next phases of conference prep are underway for the 2025 SUNY Council on Writing Conference! This will be the FIRST face-to-face CoW conference since 2019, and I'm so excited to share the ADK with our presenters and guests!
August 6, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The next phases of conference prep are underway for the 2025 SUNY Council on Writing Conference! This will be the FIRST face-to-face CoW conference since 2019, and I'm so excited to share the ADK with our presenters and guests!
Appalachian Gothic is a bit different from other types of Gothic. There is a sense of, “Well, this is the hand we’ve been dealt. Best get on with it.”
August 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Appalachian Gothic is a bit different from other types of Gothic. There is a sense of, “Well, this is the hand we’ve been dealt. Best get on with it.”
Homestead critters offer their assistance on various projects—Tiff on the mower, Fred peeking through a chicken door being repaired, and Tilda overseeing said repair.
August 3, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Homestead critters offer their assistance on various projects—Tiff on the mower, Fred peeking through a chicken door being repaired, and Tilda overseeing said repair.
Ah—the cover reveal for my upcoming novel! June 2026 from Thorncraft!
July 8, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Ah—the cover reveal for my upcoming novel! June 2026 from Thorncraft!
Have been debating with myself with weeks about a POV question concerning my WIP and finally realized—in a beautifully quiet living room snuggled with my canine writing assistant and staring at my fantasy bookshelf—that it doesn’t matter.
Just write the damn thing.
She’s good, this assistant.
Just write the damn thing.
She’s good, this assistant.
July 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Have been debating with myself with weeks about a POV question concerning my WIP and finally realized—in a beautifully quiet living room snuggled with my canine writing assistant and staring at my fantasy bookshelf—that it doesn’t matter.
Just write the damn thing.
She’s good, this assistant.
Just write the damn thing.
She’s good, this assistant.
Ah—hot cup of coffee on a cool but sunny Saturday morning, a bowl of white sage burning nearby, the birds singing, the windows open, and a beautifully soft breeze slowly removing the skunk stank from my dog and living room.
June 21, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Ah—hot cup of coffee on a cool but sunny Saturday morning, a bowl of white sage burning nearby, the birds singing, the windows open, and a beautifully soft breeze slowly removing the skunk stank from my dog and living room.
This morning, I have been attempting to write an essay about my mother’s addiction—a tough topic that is stressful and upsetting.
To uplift after this morning’s effort, I will share here a convoluted story about our grouchy goat, Fred.
open.substack.com/pub/khristee...
To uplift after this morning’s effort, I will share here a convoluted story about our grouchy goat, Fred.
open.substack.com/pub/khristee...
Writing Hurts:
So Here's a Story about Our Grouchy Goat, Fred
open.substack.com
May 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
This morning, I have been attempting to write an essay about my mother’s addiction—a tough topic that is stressful and upsetting.
To uplift after this morning’s effort, I will share here a convoluted story about our grouchy goat, Fred.
open.substack.com/pub/khristee...
To uplift after this morning’s effort, I will share here a convoluted story about our grouchy goat, Fred.
open.substack.com/pub/khristee...
Reposted by Khristeena Lute
Ban fake pockets, not books!
December 11, 2024 at 10:25 PM
Ban fake pockets, not books!
What even IS a writing center? Check out my latest blog: www.khristeenalute.com/writing-cent...
What even IS a Writing Center? — Khristeena Lute
In short, writing centers provide tutoring or writing consultations (or in our case, reading, as well). They are often situated in colleges and universities, though some high schools and even local co...
www.khristeenalute.com
December 8, 2024 at 1:34 PM
What even IS a writing center? Check out my latest blog: www.khristeenalute.com/writing-cent...
Between high stress of late and the snowy weather, time to into some cozy fantasy. Looking for an entry into this genre, try Heather Fawcett or Charlie Holmberg.
#cozyfantasy #amreading #fantasy #cozyfantasybooks #bookstagram #emilywilde #keeperofenchantedrooms
#cozyfantasy #amreading #fantasy #cozyfantasybooks #bookstagram #emilywilde #keeperofenchantedrooms
December 6, 2024 at 1:19 PM
Between high stress of late and the snowy weather, time to into some cozy fantasy. Looking for an entry into this genre, try Heather Fawcett or Charlie Holmberg.
#cozyfantasy #amreading #fantasy #cozyfantasybooks #bookstagram #emilywilde #keeperofenchantedrooms
#cozyfantasy #amreading #fantasy #cozyfantasybooks #bookstagram #emilywilde #keeperofenchantedrooms
Today, we welcomed Chewy the Therapy Dog to our writing center! I’m not usually a big fan of little dogs, but this guy? 8 lbs of cute! It was like having L’il Sebastian visiting!
#ChewytheTherapyDog #TherapyDog #TherapyDogsInternational #LiteracyDogs #WritingCenters
#ChewytheTherapyDog #TherapyDog #TherapyDogsInternational #LiteracyDogs #WritingCenters
December 4, 2024 at 8:35 PM
Today, we welcomed Chewy the Therapy Dog to our writing center! I’m not usually a big fan of little dogs, but this guy? 8 lbs of cute! It was like having L’il Sebastian visiting!
#ChewytheTherapyDog #TherapyDog #TherapyDogsInternational #LiteracyDogs #WritingCenters
#ChewytheTherapyDog #TherapyDog #TherapyDogsInternational #LiteracyDogs #WritingCenters
Reposted by Khristeena Lute
If you've been wanting to join a book club, here's your chance. Follow me for updates and information. Discussions begin January 2025.
ATTN: #BookSky Banned Book Club!
The January 2025 book is The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The February 2025 book is The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Discussion logistics forthcoming. (I'll also get with coordinators before January)
Please share.
#ReadBannedBooks.
The January 2025 book is The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The February 2025 book is The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Discussion logistics forthcoming. (I'll also get with coordinators before January)
Please share.
#ReadBannedBooks.
December 4, 2024 at 4:12 AM
If you've been wanting to join a book club, here's your chance. Follow me for updates and information. Discussions begin January 2025.
Just found out my book from 2021 was a staff pick for our local bookstore! Thank you, Northshire! #booksky #indiebookstores #saratogaspringsny
December 3, 2024 at 11:31 AM
Just found out my book from 2021 was a staff pick for our local bookstore! Thank you, Northshire! #booksky #indiebookstores #saratogaspringsny