Melanie Marttila (she/her)
@melaniemarttila.bsky.social
#ActuallyAutistic writer of poetry and speculative tales of hope in the face of adversity.
My review of Mona Awad’s We Love You, Bunny was released into the wild by The Seaboard Review of Books today!
It’s hilarious and horrific and weirdly touching by turns and will take you down so many rabbit holes (pun intended).
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-love-yo...
It’s hilarious and horrific and weirdly touching by turns and will take you down so many rabbit holes (pun intended).
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-love-yo...
A Surreal Love Letter to Dark Academia: We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad
Reviewed by Melanie Marttila
www.theseaboardreview.ca
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 AM
My review of Mona Awad’s We Love You, Bunny was released into the wild by The Seaboard Review of Books today!
It’s hilarious and horrific and weirdly touching by turns and will take you down so many rabbit holes (pun intended).
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-love-yo...
It’s hilarious and horrific and weirdly touching by turns and will take you down so many rabbit holes (pun intended).
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-love-yo...
Reposted by Melanie Marttila (she/her)
“Like Water for Weary Souls is both a compulsive mystery and an immersive experience of Sudbury’s history," says reviewer @melaniemarttila.bsky.social.
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/like-water...
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/like-water...
November 16, 2025 at 11:54 AM
“Like Water for Weary Souls is both a compulsive mystery and an immersive experience of Sudbury’s history," says reviewer @melaniemarttila.bsky.social.
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/like-water...
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/like-water...
Reposted by Melanie Marttila (she/her)
The Leading Ladies Fantasy Bundle:
You know how it goes. There's one female character in the book, and she's a love interest. She's given little to do and less to wear. She has no good lines, and nothing to contribute save her helplessness.
These are not those stories. storybundle.com/fantasy
You know how it goes. There's one female character in the book, and she's a love interest. She's given little to do and less to wear. She has no good lines, and nothing to contribute save her helplessness.
These are not those stories. storybundle.com/fantasy
November 13, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The Leading Ladies Fantasy Bundle:
You know how it goes. There's one female character in the book, and she's a love interest. She's given little to do and less to wear. She has no good lines, and nothing to contribute save her helplessness.
These are not those stories. storybundle.com/fantasy
You know how it goes. There's one female character in the book, and she's a love interest. She's given little to do and less to wear. She has no good lines, and nothing to contribute save her helplessness.
These are not those stories. storybundle.com/fantasy
October’s Alchemy Ink was delayed because October was hectic, though mostly awesome, and the time change always discombobulates me for a couple of weeks.
Better late than never?
Also, this post is even longer than my usual epic scrawl. You have been warned.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Better late than never?
Also, this post is even longer than my usual epic scrawl. You have been warned.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Alchemy Ink: October 2025
My continuing adventures in caregiving. And buckle up, folks, this post is a loooong one!
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:21 PM
October’s Alchemy Ink was delayed because October was hectic, though mostly awesome, and the time change always discombobulates me for a couple of weeks.
Better late than never?
Also, this post is even longer than my usual epic scrawl. You have been warned.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Better late than never?
Also, this post is even longer than my usual epic scrawl. You have been warned.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
My review of Liisa Kovala's Like Water for Weary Souls is out in today's The Seaboard Review of Books!
If you enjoy historical fiction, mysteries, or women's fiction, you should really check it out. It's fabulous!
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/like-water...
If you enjoy historical fiction, mysteries, or women's fiction, you should really check it out. It's fabulous!
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/like-water...
Like Water for Weary Souls by Liisa Kovala
Reviewed by Melanie Marttila
www.theseaboardreview.ca
November 12, 2025 at 10:21 PM
My review of Liisa Kovala's Like Water for Weary Souls is out in today's The Seaboard Review of Books!
If you enjoy historical fiction, mysteries, or women's fiction, you should really check it out. It's fabulous!
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/like-water...
If you enjoy historical fiction, mysteries, or women's fiction, you should really check it out. It's fabulous!
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/like-water...
On the last weekend of October, I went to Writing on the Rocks, a Wild Ground Writing retreat. Highly recommend any WGW retreat. I've been to 2 now, and they were both fabulous!
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Writing on the Rocks
A Wild Ground Writing Retreat
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:07 AM
On the last weekend of October, I went to Writing on the Rocks, a Wild Ground Writing retreat. Highly recommend any WGW retreat. I've been to 2 now, and they were both fabulous!
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
The last 2 weeks of October were busy, and then the return to Standard time messed me up. So, this post-con report was delayed. But I had fun, did 2 panels, attended 2 launches, and got some awesome pub news!
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Can-Con, October 17 to 19, 2025
A post-con report
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:31 AM
The last 2 weeks of October were busy, and then the return to Standard time messed me up. So, this post-con report was delayed. But I had fun, did 2 panels, attended 2 launches, and got some awesome pub news!
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Reposted by Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Hey! Apparently it's #IReadCanadian day! If only there was somewhere readers looking for new #Canadian SFF authors to read could find a bunch of them all in one place... 🤔
a.co/d/azXj9pF
a.co/d/azXj9pF
Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction: Volume Three eBook : Kotowych, Stephen: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store
Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction: Volume Three eBook : Kotowych, Stephen: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store
a.co
November 5, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Hey! Apparently it's #IReadCanadian day! If only there was somewhere readers looking for new #Canadian SFF authors to read could find a bunch of them all in one place... 🤔
a.co/d/azXj9pF
a.co/d/azXj9pF
Reposted by Melanie Marttila (she/her)
Super Canucks features stories by @premeemohamed.com, @melaniemarttila.bsky.social, @harkback.bsky.social @myexplodingpen.bsky.social @niallspain.bsky.social
@pbarmby.bsky.social,
Jim Robb, Chris O’Halloran,and Dwain Campbell. Coming March 2026. 2/2
@pbarmby.bsky.social,
Jim Robb, Chris O’Halloran,and Dwain Campbell. Coming March 2026. 2/2
October 18, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Super Canucks features stories by @premeemohamed.com, @melaniemarttila.bsky.social, @harkback.bsky.social @myexplodingpen.bsky.social @niallspain.bsky.social
@pbarmby.bsky.social,
Jim Robb, Chris O’Halloran,and Dwain Campbell. Coming March 2026. 2/2
@pbarmby.bsky.social,
Jim Robb, Chris O’Halloran,and Dwain Campbell. Coming March 2026. 2/2
Can-Con is 1 week away!
I’ll be on two panels at this year's Can-Con!
The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
I’ll be on two panels at this year's Can-Con!
The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
Schedule — Can*Con
www.can-con.org
October 11, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Can-Con is 1 week away!
I’ll be on two panels at this year's Can-Con!
The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
I’ll be on two panels at this year's Can-Con!
The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
Wordstock is in 2 weeks!
Take a gander at this year's line up and while you're at it, subscribe to the Wordstock Substack to keep up to date on what's happening with Sudbury's literary festival.
Don't forget to get your tickets! Streaming available!
wordstocksudbury.substack.com/p/are-you-jo...
Take a gander at this year's line up and while you're at it, subscribe to the Wordstock Substack to keep up to date on what's happening with Sudbury's literary festival.
Don't forget to get your tickets! Streaming available!
wordstocksudbury.substack.com/p/are-you-jo...
Are you joining us in 2 weeks? Browse Wordstock Sudbury's lineup for Oct 24 & 25
Tickets on sale now for Sudbury's annual festival for readers, writers, and lovers of words
wordstocksudbury.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Wordstock is in 2 weeks!
Take a gander at this year's line up and while you're at it, subscribe to the Wordstock Substack to keep up to date on what's happening with Sudbury's literary festival.
Don't forget to get your tickets! Streaming available!
wordstocksudbury.substack.com/p/are-you-jo...
Take a gander at this year's line up and while you're at it, subscribe to the Wordstock Substack to keep up to date on what's happening with Sudbury's literary festival.
Don't forget to get your tickets! Streaming available!
wordstocksudbury.substack.com/p/are-you-jo...
Reposted by Melanie Marttila (she/her)
It's @canconsffh.bsky.social next weekend! I'm excited for: snazzy new venue; time with friends old & new; dope panels & events + fave Toronto bookstore @bakkaphoenix.bsky.social; the thrill of enthusiastic readers; copious beers; etc.
Thankfully, I have a slim schedule this year. See below!
Thankfully, I have a slim schedule this year. See below!
October 11, 2025 at 2:07 PM
It's @canconsffh.bsky.social next weekend! I'm excited for: snazzy new venue; time with friends old & new; dope panels & events + fave Toronto bookstore @bakkaphoenix.bsky.social; the thrill of enthusiastic readers; copious beers; etc.
Thankfully, I have a slim schedule this year. See below!
Thankfully, I have a slim schedule this year. See below!
Getting back out into the world while respecting my energy levels and maintaining healthy boundaries can be tricksy, but it can be done. Some writerly news to share causing much excite, and my usual takes on what I've been watching and reading.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Alchemy Ink: September 2025
Getting back into creative life with an in-person event!
open.substack.com
October 6, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Getting back out into the world while respecting my energy levels and maintaining healthy boundaries can be tricksy, but it can be done. Some writerly news to share causing much excite, and my usual takes on what I've been watching and reading.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
My review of We Bury Nothing by Kate Blair is out in today's The Seaboard Review!
It's a fabulous YA historical mystery that ties the past to the present with an engaging and topical plot.
Reader, I loved it :)
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-bury-no...
It's a fabulous YA historical mystery that ties the past to the present with an engaging and topical plot.
Reader, I loved it :)
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-bury-no...
We Bury Nothing by Kate Blair Ties Past to Present with Engaging Mystery
Reviewed by Melanie Marttila
www.theseaboardreview.ca
October 1, 2025 at 9:48 PM
My review of We Bury Nothing by Kate Blair is out in today's The Seaboard Review!
It's a fabulous YA historical mystery that ties the past to the present with an engaging and topical plot.
Reader, I loved it :)
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-bury-no...
It's a fabulous YA historical mystery that ties the past to the present with an engaging and topical plot.
Reader, I loved it :)
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-bury-no...
I’ll be on two panels at this year's Can-Con!
The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
Schedule — Can*Con
www.can-con.org
September 23, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I’ll be on two panels at this year's Can-Con!
The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
The first will be “The Art of Rest” at 8 pm on Friday, October 17, and the second is “The Taste of Sadness: Writing Emotional Dysregulation” at 2:30 pm on Sunday, October 19.
www.can-con.org/schedule
My review of Birch and Jay by Allister Thompson is in today's The Seaboard Review of Books.
Allister already reached out on IG and said he liked it (he really liked it!).
Such an honour to support a fellow northeastern Ontario and Latitude 46 author.
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/birch-and-...
Allister already reached out on IG and said he liked it (he really liked it!).
Such an honour to support a fellow northeastern Ontario and Latitude 46 author.
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/birch-and-...
Birch and Jay by Allister Thompson
The Knowledge Seekers: Book 1
www.theseaboardreview.ca
September 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM
My review of Birch and Jay by Allister Thompson is in today's The Seaboard Review of Books.
Allister already reached out on IG and said he liked it (he really liked it!).
Such an honour to support a fellow northeastern Ontario and Latitude 46 author.
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/birch-and-...
Allister already reached out on IG and said he liked it (he really liked it!).
Such an honour to support a fellow northeastern Ontario and Latitude 46 author.
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/birch-and-...
Reposted by Melanie Marttila (she/her)
I need a timeline cleanse. How about a table of contents announcement! That’s right—despite the world being on fire, it’s time to reveal the TOC for Year’s Best Canadian F&SF Volume 3! It was VERY hard to narrow the list down but it's all killer, no filler. The book launches October 14. Enjoy! 1/2
September 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I need a timeline cleanse. How about a table of contents announcement! That’s right—despite the world being on fire, it’s time to reveal the TOC for Year’s Best Canadian F&SF Volume 3! It was VERY hard to narrow the list down but it's all killer, no filler. The book launches October 14. Enjoy! 1/2
Reposted by Melanie Marttila (she/her)
“Thyme Travellers is fabulous...the timing of this anthology is perfect.” Review by @melaniemarttila.bsky.social. THYME TRAVELLERS is published by @fernpub.bsky.social. #speculativefiction #palestinianfiction @soniasulaiman.bsky.social theseaboardreview.substack.com/p/thyme-trav...
September 9, 2025 at 2:13 PM
“Thyme Travellers is fabulous...the timing of this anthology is perfect.” Review by @melaniemarttila.bsky.social. THYME TRAVELLERS is published by @fernpub.bsky.social. #speculativefiction #palestinianfiction @soniasulaiman.bsky.social theseaboardreview.substack.com/p/thyme-trav...
My review of Thyme Travellers: An Anthology of Palestinian Speculative Fiction edited by Sonia Sulaiman is now out in The Seaboard Review!
This was such a touching and timely anthology to read. You should all get a copy!
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/thyme-trav...
This was such a touching and timely anthology to read. You should all get a copy!
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/thyme-trav...
Thyme Travellers: An Anthology of Palestinian Speculative Fiction, edited by Sonia Sulaiman
Reviewed by Melanie Marttila
www.theseaboardreview.ca
September 8, 2025 at 7:11 PM
My review of Thyme Travellers: An Anthology of Palestinian Speculative Fiction edited by Sonia Sulaiman is now out in The Seaboard Review!
This was such a touching and timely anthology to read. You should all get a copy!
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/thyme-trav...
This was such a touching and timely anthology to read. You should all get a copy!
www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/thyme-trav...
Keeping a level head as I re-enter the world. Exciting writing-related stuff is happening! Writing and revision progress, and as always, lots of thoughts about stuff I watched and read. Join me for my review of this writer’s life in August.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Alchemy Ink: August 2025
If I don’t accept your “gift,” it’s yours to keep.
open.substack.com
September 7, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Keeping a level head as I re-enter the world. Exciting writing-related stuff is happening! Writing and revision progress, and as always, lots of thoughts about stuff I watched and read. Join me for my review of this writer’s life in August.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
I'm furiously happy about this interview in On Creative Writing!
Let the happy dancing commence!
www.oncreativewriting.com/post/neurodi...
Let the happy dancing commence!
www.oncreativewriting.com/post/neurodi...
Neurodivergent author Melanie Marttila on the power of reclaiming your authentic voice
Neurodivergent SFF author Melanie Marttila says a 2021 autism diagnosis helped her reclaim her authentic voice and take creative risks. She was influenced by a supportive undergraduate community and ...
www.oncreativewriting.com
August 5, 2025 at 1:21 AM
I'm furiously happy about this interview in On Creative Writing!
Let the happy dancing commence!
www.oncreativewriting.com/post/neurodi...
Let the happy dancing commence!
www.oncreativewriting.com/post/neurodi...
Progress is being made! And I guess I'm a book reviewer now? But, as ever, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It's a process. And a journey. And a becoming. Will let you know how it all turns out.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Alchemy Ink: July 2025
A gradual return to work and change of schedule seem to have made all the difference.
open.substack.com
August 4, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Progress is being made! And I guess I'm a book reviewer now? But, as ever, the more things change, the more they stay the same. It's a process. And a journey. And a becoming. Will let you know how it all turns out.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Reposted by Melanie Marttila (she/her)
"....a thought-provoking, and timely novel" @melaniemarttila.bsky.social reviews THE MIDNIGHT PROJECT by Christy Climenhage. #clifi #climatechange www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-midnig...
July 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM
"....a thought-provoking, and timely novel" @melaniemarttila.bsky.social reviews THE MIDNIGHT PROJECT by Christy Climenhage. #clifi #climatechange www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-midnig...
Six weeks off work can make a lot of difference. And also very little difference at all. Except, of course, that I read a lot of books and watched a lot of movies. This post is a looong one, folks.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
Alchemy Ink: June 2025
My ongoing burnout journey and the desire for definitive change.
open.substack.com
July 7, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Six weeks off work can make a lot of difference. And also very little difference at all. Except, of course, that I read a lot of books and watched a lot of movies. This post is a looong one, folks.
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...
open.substack.com/pub/melaniem...