Maryn
@marynblackburn.bsky.social
Trade-published writer of erotica, introvert, academic-adjacent, wine lover. Self promote more than occasionally and I'll mute you. Sorry, that's not marketing.
Reposted by Maryn
New extortion scam email going round (this was received via a writer's website contact form). I've seen a number of these recently but without the money demand; the translation angle is also a new one
December 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
New extortion scam email going round (this was received via a writer's website contact form). I've seen a number of these recently but without the money demand; the translation angle is also a new one
Reposted by Maryn
Re-upping this again:
If you want to give/get signed books by me for the holidays, you can place an online order with Hyperbole Bookstore (a family-owned indie) in College Station, TX hyperbolebookstore.com and ask for signature via their email contact for the Murderbot books, Witch King, Queen Demon, anything in print.
Hyperbole Bookstore
A family-owned independent bookstore in College Station, TX
hyperbolebookstore.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Re-upping this again:
Reposted by Maryn
Apparently Smashwords royalties are changing as of January 1, 2026. Books under $2.99 will get 40% list; books $2.99 or over get 75%.
(Amazon KDP, for context, is generally 35% and 70% respectively)
Draft2Digital owns Smashwords, so if you publish via D2D it's easy to add ebooks there. 💙📚
(Amazon KDP, for context, is generally 35% and 70% respectively)
Draft2Digital owns Smashwords, so if you publish via D2D it's easy to add ebooks there. 💙📚
December 3, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Apparently Smashwords royalties are changing as of January 1, 2026. Books under $2.99 will get 40% list; books $2.99 or over get 75%.
(Amazon KDP, for context, is generally 35% and 70% respectively)
Draft2Digital owns Smashwords, so if you publish via D2D it's easy to add ebooks there. 💙📚
(Amazon KDP, for context, is generally 35% and 70% respectively)
Draft2Digital owns Smashwords, so if you publish via D2D it's easy to add ebooks there. 💙📚
I believe the first, and most important, step is to get the white hat with the black patent leather brim with gold leaves on it, and gold braid across the crown, a little gold insignia front and center. After that, the rest is easy.
How do I become a ship captain?
December 2, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I believe the first, and most important, step is to get the white hat with the black patent leather brim with gold leaves on it, and gold braid across the crown, a little gold insignia front and center. After that, the rest is easy.
Way, way after college, for sure. Mid- to late 20s seems about average.
At what age do young adult kids become helpful when visiting home?
December 2, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Way, way after college, for sure. Mid- to late 20s seems about average.
So your favorite cafe is managed by a dog, then? I am impressed.
Not to brag, but I got to pet TWO dogs yesterday. Yeah, I know, just sayin. One was the manager of my fav cafe, and the other was a beagle puppy. Yup.
December 2, 2025 at 8:52 PM
So your favorite cafe is managed by a dog, then? I am impressed.
Reposted by Maryn
Curious if anyone has any recommendations for essays or research into OwnVoices / "about us but not by us" / etc.?
I have Many Thoughts and would like more perspectives.
I have Many Thoughts and would like more perspectives.
December 2, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Curious if anyone has any recommendations for essays or research into OwnVoices / "about us but not by us" / etc.?
I have Many Thoughts and would like more perspectives.
I have Many Thoughts and would like more perspectives.
There's a shim-shim-cheri pun lurking, but I can't quite find it.
Yep, that’s me going to the hardware store at 8 am to get some shims!
December 2, 2025 at 8:51 PM
There's a shim-shim-cheri pun lurking, but I can't quite find it.
"Try not to use the word 'said' as a dialogue attribute. There are more colorful words to use." And this advice came with a long list including words like titter, vocalize, posit, and utter. I'm a decent writer and actively avoid words like that. Ain't nothin' wrong with good old said.
What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received? The write what you know quip doesn’t work out well when readers don’t like what you know 😂 #writingq #WritingCommunity
December 2, 2025 at 8:50 PM
"Try not to use the word 'said' as a dialogue attribute. There are more colorful words to use." And this advice came with a long list including words like titter, vocalize, posit, and utter. I'm a decent writer and actively avoid words like that. Ain't nothin' wrong with good old said.
Reposted by Maryn
Featured story: After a hate incident, about 100 trans and gender nonbinary people flooded the spillway of Austin's most popular swimming spot to celebrate queer joy and show that they won't back down.
At Barton Springs, Trans Existence Becomes Resistance
Following a transphobic incident earlier this year, community members gathered to "protect trans joy."
www.texasobserver.org
December 1, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Featured story: After a hate incident, about 100 trans and gender nonbinary people flooded the spillway of Austin's most popular swimming spot to celebrate queer joy and show that they won't back down.
Reposted by Maryn
CALLOUT: I am looking to interview individuals who have sought health care at crisis pregnancy centers, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and want to talk about their experience. The center can be located anywhere. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email or send me a DM.
December 1, 2025 at 8:19 PM
CALLOUT: I am looking to interview individuals who have sought health care at crisis pregnancy centers, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and want to talk about their experience. The center can be located anywhere. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email or send me a DM.
Reposted by Maryn
Alert: I've gotten several reports of non-payment by Graveside Press, from authors w/ stories in one or more anthologies. Also failing to provide author copies, & failing to respond to emails & messages. Anyone w/ similar experiences, pls contact me (Writer Beware) in confidence: beware@sfwa.org
November 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Alert: I've gotten several reports of non-payment by Graveside Press, from authors w/ stories in one or more anthologies. Also failing to provide author copies, & failing to respond to emails & messages. Anyone w/ similar experiences, pls contact me (Writer Beware) in confidence: beware@sfwa.org
Reposted by Maryn
Here's another XTwitter scammer account outed by geolocation--this one refers writers to a (real) literary agent with a fake address, then impersonates the agent to recommend "professional editor" services
November 23, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Here's another XTwitter scammer account outed by geolocation--this one refers writers to a (real) literary agent with a fake address, then impersonates the agent to recommend "professional editor" services
Reposted by Maryn
You absolutely have the constitutional right to record ICE, Border Patrol, or any law enforcement officer in public, and with everything happening in Charlotte right now, people need to understand that clearly.
November 22, 2025 at 11:19 PM
You absolutely have the constitutional right to record ICE, Border Patrol, or any law enforcement officer in public, and with everything happening in Charlotte right now, people need to understand that clearly.
Let's talk about this a bit. First, you have to line up events, unless your publisher does it. Make a list of potential venues and who you'd contact. Get those emails or calls to bookstores, organizations, etc. pre-scripted, ready to send.
I suppose I should figure out how to do actual author event stuff next April when my book comes out. I think I missed getting my copy of the Official How To Author For Hopeless Introverts Handbook.
November 21, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Let's talk about this a bit. First, you have to line up events, unless your publisher does it. Make a list of potential venues and who you'd contact. Get those emails or calls to bookstores, organizations, etc. pre-scripted, ready to send.
Whoa. Jerry Jeff Walker is still performing? I saw him many times before our kids came along--they're in their forties now.
In this 2012 clip, Todd Snider is accompanied by Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires as he surprises a crowd with an appearance from hero Jerry Jeff Walker.
Watch Todd Snider Surprise a Crowd by Bringing Jerry Jeff Walker Onstage in 2012
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Whoa. Jerry Jeff Walker is still performing? I saw him many times before our kids came along--they're in their forties now.
Reposted by Maryn
I have a family member with a vast collection of wrestling action figures. Easy to shop for him! Don't think he's on here, though.
I read some profiles and they're ALL about writing. I want to talk about other stuff, too, like my professional wrestling action figures.
Does ANYONE care?
jfrazierwrites.substack.com
#writing #Haiku #Poetry #art #writesky #booksky #books #reading #poetry #amwriting #novel #amreading #amwriting
Does ANYONE care?
jfrazierwrites.substack.com
#writing #Haiku #Poetry #art #writesky #booksky #books #reading #poetry #amwriting #novel #amreading #amwriting
November 14, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I have a family member with a vast collection of wrestling action figures. Easy to shop for him! Don't think he's on here, though.
Wisconsin is by far the hardest-drinking place I've ever lived. We haven't had an adult beverage in four days, which is quite unusual. Can't wait for wine with dinner!
November 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Wisconsin is by far the hardest-drinking place I've ever lived. We haven't had an adult beverage in four days, which is quite unusual. Can't wait for wine with dinner!
There's your new signature line and personal motto!
I will fight God! 😂
November 14, 2025 at 7:44 PM
There's your new signature line and personal motto!
Similarly, when a professional editor tells you what they consider your ms's weaknesses, listen to and seriously consider what they say.
Just some very general advice, apropos of nothing:
If you're smart enough to hire a professional for advice, be smart enough to listen to what they tell you.
e.g., don't hire an attorney to advise you on your divorce (or anything, really) and then ignore what they tell you.
If you're smart enough to hire a professional for advice, be smart enough to listen to what they tell you.
e.g., don't hire an attorney to advise you on your divorce (or anything, really) and then ignore what they tell you.
November 14, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Similarly, when a professional editor tells you what they consider your ms's weaknesses, listen to and seriously consider what they say.
Man makes plans, God laughs.
I had huge ambitions for releasing things in November and... well... hahaha.
Ha.
Ha.
November 14, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Man makes plans, God laughs.
Our "lost" remote slipped between the arm and cushion of the sofa and fell through to the springs under the seat, which has fabric at the bottom so it could not fall through. Worth tipping the sofa to check!
We have lost the tv remote.
We've looked and looked.
Now I'm checking place like "the fridge" and "the pockets of the coats I wore last winter" bcz I'm running out of options and REMOTES DON'T VANISH!
We've looked and looked.
Now I'm checking place like "the fridge" and "the pockets of the coats I wore last winter" bcz I'm running out of options and REMOTES DON'T VANISH!
November 13, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Our "lost" remote slipped between the arm and cushion of the sofa and fell through to the springs under the seat, which has fabric at the bottom so it could not fall through. Worth tipping the sofa to check!
You could frame that print and hang it in my house!
November 13, 2025 at 8:55 PM
You could frame that print and hang it in my house!