Melina Kissick
@melinakissick.bsky.social
💀 Upmarket gothic fiction as sacred reclamation
💬 A voice of whispered truth and ceremonial fire
🧬 Stories that carry emotional justice
💬 A voice of whispered truth and ceremonial fire
🧬 Stories that carry emotional justice
Reposted by Melina Kissick
I want going to dress up for Halloween this year until I stumbled across...
October 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I want going to dress up for Halloween this year until I stumbled across...
When you wake up to find out your picture is gracing the inside cover of some of the new Candy Snatchers 7"!
All versions on sale September 2 at noon EST I-94Recordings.com
#punkrock #punkrockforever #candysnatchers
All versions on sale September 2 at noon EST I-94Recordings.com
#punkrock #punkrockforever #candysnatchers
August 28, 2025 at 10:34 PM
When you wake up to find out your picture is gracing the inside cover of some of the new Candy Snatchers 7"!
All versions on sale September 2 at noon EST I-94Recordings.com
#punkrock #punkrockforever #candysnatchers
All versions on sale September 2 at noon EST I-94Recordings.com
#punkrock #punkrockforever #candysnatchers
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Strong writing doesn't mean more words. Often, less is more. See how less can make a bigger impact.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/tight-writ...
reneefountain.substack.com/p/tight-writ...
Tight Writing: The Art of Word Choice
Fewer words. Bigger Impact
reneefountain.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Strong writing doesn't mean more words. Often, less is more. See how less can make a bigger impact.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/tight-writ...
reneefountain.substack.com/p/tight-writ...
Reposted by Melina Kissick
⏳ Ticking clocks aren’t just for hidden explosives—they’re how you make a story feel like time is of the essence.
Whether it’s a breakup ultimatum, a big game, or the last summer before everything changes, urgency drives momentum in almost every genre.
open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
Whether it’s a breakup ultimatum, a big game, or the last summer before everything changes, urgency drives momentum in almost every genre.
open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
The Ticking Clock: Going Beyond Thrillers
A Sense of Urgency for Any Genre
open.substack.com
July 21, 2025 at 4:13 PM
⏳ Ticking clocks aren’t just for hidden explosives—they’re how you make a story feel like time is of the essence.
Whether it’s a breakup ultimatum, a big game, or the last summer before everything changes, urgency drives momentum in almost every genre.
open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
Whether it’s a breakup ultimatum, a big game, or the last summer before everything changes, urgency drives momentum in almost every genre.
open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Setting the scene doesn't mean naming every single thing in the room.
It also doesn't require describing what every person in that room is wearing... unless they're furries. Then it's always helpful to get a visual.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/scene-sett...
It also doesn't require describing what every person in that room is wearing... unless they're furries. Then it's always helpful to get a visual.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/scene-sett...
Scene-Setting or Inventory List? An Agent's Take on Excessive Description
A Quick Lesson on Chekhov's Gun
reneefountain.substack.com
July 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Setting the scene doesn't mean naming every single thing in the room.
It also doesn't require describing what every person in that room is wearing... unless they're furries. Then it's always helpful to get a visual.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/scene-sett...
It also doesn't require describing what every person in that room is wearing... unless they're furries. Then it's always helpful to get a visual.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/scene-sett...
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Do fiction authors need a platform? Yes and No -- but mostly YES. Read on to find out why.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-platfo...
reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-platfo...
The Platform Paradox: What Authors Need to Know to Sell Books
Fiction authors don’t need a platform—until they do.
reneefountain.substack.com
June 13, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Do fiction authors need a platform? Yes and No -- but mostly YES. Read on to find out why.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-platfo...
reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-platfo...
Reposted by Melina Kissick
DVpit is officially coming back on October 8th, 2025 and we have over 50 agents and editors excited to participate. Follow this account for all announcements and check out dvpit.carrd.co for more details and information!
#dvpit #writersky #booksky #weneeddiversebooks
#dvpit #writersky #booksky #weneeddiversebooks
June 2, 2025 at 6:32 PM
DVpit is officially coming back on October 8th, 2025 and we have over 50 agents and editors excited to participate. Follow this account for all announcements and check out dvpit.carrd.co for more details and information!
#dvpit #writersky #booksky #weneeddiversebooks
#dvpit #writersky #booksky #weneeddiversebooks
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Are you dealing with a mid-book slump? It's important to know--and fix--BEFORE you query.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-midboo...
reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-midboo...
The Midbook Slump: Why Great Writing Can’t Save Your Novel
(And How to Fix It)
reneefountain.substack.com
April 25, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Are you dealing with a mid-book slump? It's important to know--and fix--BEFORE you query.
reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-midboo...
reneefountain.substack.com/p/the-midboo...
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Your writing can be brilliant, but that's not all that's required to carry your story. A strong premise is about more than just a cool idea.
open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
Building A House of Cards: Story Without Structure
Why Every Story Needs A Plan (Even for Pantsers)
open.substack.com
April 21, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Your writing can be brilliant, but that's not all that's required to carry your story. A strong premise is about more than just a cool idea.
open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
open.substack.com/pub/reneefou...
Reposted by Melina Kissick
How to know if your ms is query ready.
Join me for APRIL's FREE LIVE WEBINAR+Q&A. April 18th 1:30EST
✅ The Submission Ready Myth
✅ The Four Traps of Endless Revising
✅ The Three Layers of Revision
✅ And MORE
✅ Plus your questions answered
👉 Info & Sign up: reneefountain.kit.com/f4b448b6de
Join me for APRIL's FREE LIVE WEBINAR+Q&A. April 18th 1:30EST
✅ The Submission Ready Myth
✅ The Four Traps of Endless Revising
✅ The Three Layers of Revision
✅ And MORE
✅ Plus your questions answered
👉 Info & Sign up: reneefountain.kit.com/f4b448b6de
March 29, 2025 at 7:51 PM
How to know if your ms is query ready.
Join me for APRIL's FREE LIVE WEBINAR+Q&A. April 18th 1:30EST
✅ The Submission Ready Myth
✅ The Four Traps of Endless Revising
✅ The Three Layers of Revision
✅ And MORE
✅ Plus your questions answered
👉 Info & Sign up: reneefountain.kit.com/f4b448b6de
Join me for APRIL's FREE LIVE WEBINAR+Q&A. April 18th 1:30EST
✅ The Submission Ready Myth
✅ The Four Traps of Endless Revising
✅ The Three Layers of Revision
✅ And MORE
✅ Plus your questions answered
👉 Info & Sign up: reneefountain.kit.com/f4b448b6de
Reposted by Melina Kissick
always write your ideas down. it's easy to write them off as not having depth or not being enough for a full blown story, HOWEVER it might turn into that someday. the novel I'm about to finish was a vague ass idea I had 5 years ago. sometimes it just takes time for all the pieces to fall into place
March 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
always write your ideas down. it's easy to write them off as not having depth or not being enough for a full blown story, HOWEVER it might turn into that someday. the novel I'm about to finish was a vague ass idea I had 5 years ago. sometimes it just takes time for all the pieces to fall into place
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Please, gamedevs, writers, and creatives of all kinds
If you're going to have "punk" in the name/description of your art/media/game/whatever, please actually have it *be* punk in some way
If it's not challenging the status quo in some way it's just sparkling speculative fiction
If you're going to have "punk" in the name/description of your art/media/game/whatever, please actually have it *be* punk in some way
If it's not challenging the status quo in some way it's just sparkling speculative fiction
February 25, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Please, gamedevs, writers, and creatives of all kinds
If you're going to have "punk" in the name/description of your art/media/game/whatever, please actually have it *be* punk in some way
If it's not challenging the status quo in some way it's just sparkling speculative fiction
If you're going to have "punk" in the name/description of your art/media/game/whatever, please actually have it *be* punk in some way
If it's not challenging the status quo in some way it's just sparkling speculative fiction
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Happy Birthday to Sheila Hynde aka Fay Fife, singer and founding member of punk rock band The Rezillos and post-punk band The Revillos, born on this day in 1954, Dunfermline, Scotland
📸 Steve Rapport
#punk #punks #punkrock #womenofpunk #fayfife #Rezillos #punkrockhistory #otd
📸 Steve Rapport
#punk #punks #punkrock #womenofpunk #fayfife #Rezillos #punkrockhistory #otd
February 26, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Happy Birthday to Sheila Hynde aka Fay Fife, singer and founding member of punk rock band The Rezillos and post-punk band The Revillos, born on this day in 1954, Dunfermline, Scotland
📸 Steve Rapport
#punk #punks #punkrock #womenofpunk #fayfife #Rezillos #punkrockhistory #otd
📸 Steve Rapport
#punk #punks #punkrock #womenofpunk #fayfife #Rezillos #punkrockhistory #otd
Reposted by Melina Kissick
RADIO SILENCE is a queer coming-of-age drama about a British rock band’s rise to fame.
Forbidden romance between band members, rival rock bands, terrible people coming back from their pasts - so much drama for one tour bus! radiosilencecomic.com
#WSPit #WSPitA #GN #YA #LGBT #R #Dis
Forbidden romance between band members, rival rock bands, terrible people coming back from their pasts - so much drama for one tour bus! radiosilencecomic.com
#WSPit #WSPitA #GN #YA #LGBT #R #Dis
February 26, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Reposted by Melina Kissick
If you're a fan of my Lifewriting Podcast, you're a writer, or you just want to craft a better life, join the Joy-scrolling on Lifewriting on Circle!
Troll-free positivity with me and @kundalinisteve.bsky.social - and a growing community!
Always free at www.lifewrite.com 😍
Troll-free positivity with me and @kundalinisteve.bsky.social - and a growing community!
Always free at www.lifewrite.com 😍
February 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
If you're a fan of my Lifewriting Podcast, you're a writer, or you just want to craft a better life, join the Joy-scrolling on Lifewriting on Circle!
Troll-free positivity with me and @kundalinisteve.bsky.social - and a growing community!
Always free at www.lifewrite.com 😍
Troll-free positivity with me and @kundalinisteve.bsky.social - and a growing community!
Always free at www.lifewrite.com 😍
Reposted by Melina Kissick
‼️WARNING TO ARTISTS AND PEOPLE WHO COMMISSION THEM!!!‼️
If you are discussing commissions on blsky and get random discord friend requests from someone claiming to be the artist, ALWAYS CONFIRM VIA DM it’s the same person!! This DM is from a scam artist who tried to get me to send them payment.
If you are discussing commissions on blsky and get random discord friend requests from someone claiming to be the artist, ALWAYS CONFIRM VIA DM it’s the same person!! This DM is from a scam artist who tried to get me to send them payment.
February 25, 2025 at 12:07 AM
‼️WARNING TO ARTISTS AND PEOPLE WHO COMMISSION THEM!!!‼️
If you are discussing commissions on blsky and get random discord friend requests from someone claiming to be the artist, ALWAYS CONFIRM VIA DM it’s the same person!! This DM is from a scam artist who tried to get me to send them payment.
If you are discussing commissions on blsky and get random discord friend requests from someone claiming to be the artist, ALWAYS CONFIRM VIA DM it’s the same person!! This DM is from a scam artist who tried to get me to send them payment.
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Four wrap around comic covers. The last one is my favorite. These are all poster size.
February 22, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Four wrap around comic covers. The last one is my favorite. These are all poster size.
Reposted by Melina Kissick
The Free March Webinar will be on Building Author Platform. Details coming soon.
Meanwhile it's that time again for the Submission Workshop - Choice of Query Review - Query & Synopsis Review - or Query, Synopsis and First 5 Pages. Info and sign up reneefountainqueryconfident.my.canva.site
Meanwhile it's that time again for the Submission Workshop - Choice of Query Review - Query & Synopsis Review - or Query, Synopsis and First 5 Pages. Info and sign up reneefountainqueryconfident.my.canva.site
February 12, 2025 at 12:25 PM
The Free March Webinar will be on Building Author Platform. Details coming soon.
Meanwhile it's that time again for the Submission Workshop - Choice of Query Review - Query & Synopsis Review - or Query, Synopsis and First 5 Pages. Info and sign up reneefountainqueryconfident.my.canva.site
Meanwhile it's that time again for the Submission Workshop - Choice of Query Review - Query & Synopsis Review - or Query, Synopsis and First 5 Pages. Info and sign up reneefountainqueryconfident.my.canva.site
It's been 32 days since my Mom died and I can finally write again. Revisions here I come!
February 19, 2025 at 1:12 PM
It's been 32 days since my Mom died and I can finally write again. Revisions here I come!
I used to say my Mom and sisters were bougie but me and my Dad weren't, lol. I know some of you are going to want to debate that but...
But this... this was an announcement in the paper... in 1959. For my Mom's 16th birthday.
In 19 frelling 59 😆.
And yes I love it! ❤️
But this... this was an announcement in the paper... in 1959. For my Mom's 16th birthday.
In 19 frelling 59 😆.
And yes I love it! ❤️
February 1, 2025 at 2:15 AM
I used to say my Mom and sisters were bougie but me and my Dad weren't, lol. I know some of you are going to want to debate that but...
But this... this was an announcement in the paper... in 1959. For my Mom's 16th birthday.
In 19 frelling 59 😆.
And yes I love it! ❤️
But this... this was an announcement in the paper... in 1959. For my Mom's 16th birthday.
In 19 frelling 59 😆.
And yes I love it! ❤️
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Definitions vary, but here is a rundown on alpha vs beta readers, critique partners, and editors. Also: recruitment tips, a beta reader feedback template, and a discussion around the safety of handing your precious manuscript over to a stranger.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/a...
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/a...
What's the Difference Between an Alpha Reader and a Beta Reader?
A great novel is honed, not hatched. And to hone your novel, you need feedback.
darlingaxe.com
January 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Definitions vary, but here is a rundown on alpha vs beta readers, critique partners, and editors. Also: recruitment tips, a beta reader feedback template, and a discussion around the safety of handing your precious manuscript over to a stranger.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/a...
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/a...
Reposted by Melina Kissick
Can a Black woman who’s drowning in student debt join up with her mall coworkers to defeat the Debt Police and destroy their student loan company by pulling off the heist of a lifetime? Find out in The Payback, out July 15, 2025, preorder now: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Pa...
October 16, 2024 at 2:03 PM
Can a Black woman who’s drowning in student debt join up with her mall coworkers to defeat the Debt Police and destroy their student loan company by pulling off the heist of a lifetime? Find out in The Payback, out July 15, 2025, preorder now: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Pa...
Reposted by Melina Kissick
I made a list of all the pitch events we know about in the BlueSky #WritingCommunity so far.
I've included links to all the hashtags, whether they're an agent pitch or a hype event, what kinds of manuscripts are included, and the accounts associated with the events!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
I've included links to all the hashtags, whether they're an agent pitch or a hype event, what kinds of manuscripts are included, and the accounts associated with the events!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Pitch Events on BlueSky
Pitch Events on BlueSky Rules of Thumb All pitch events have their own rules, but here are a few rules of thumb for best results on BlueSky. No AI – all work should be your own (commissioned art shoul...
docs.google.com
December 13, 2024 at 7:14 PM
I made a list of all the pitch events we know about in the BlueSky #WritingCommunity so far.
I've included links to all the hashtags, whether they're an agent pitch or a hype event, what kinds of manuscripts are included, and the accounts associated with the events!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
I've included links to all the hashtags, whether they're an agent pitch or a hype event, what kinds of manuscripts are included, and the accounts associated with the events!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...