M. L. McCortney
@mlmat.bsky.social
Author and hobbyist digital artist. Science Fiction, Science Fantasy, and Space Opera. New short fiction forthcoming in 2026, with novella- and novel-length works currently in the works.
Website: https://mlmccortneyauthor.carrd.co/
Website: https://mlmccortneyauthor.carrd.co/
Pinned
M. L. McCortney
@mlmat.bsky.social
· Dec 20
M. L. McCortney - Author
Author Website
mlmccortneyauthor.carrd.co
I now have an author website! You can find it linked to my profile or through the link below:
mlmccortneyauthor.carrd.co
#authorwebsite
mlmccortneyauthor.carrd.co
#authorwebsite
I'm glad to announce that my #scifi flash fiction has just been published online by Altered Reality Magazine: www.alteredrealitymag.com/worlds-of-pa...
Worlds of Paper by M. L. McCortney - Altered Reality Magazine
Even as her ship nears the target planet, Veksana ignores the view through the thin glass that separates her from the vacuum of space. For anyone else — for a normal person, especially — the inside of...
www.alteredrealitymag.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:08 AM
I'm glad to announce that my #scifi flash fiction has just been published online by Altered Reality Magazine: www.alteredrealitymag.com/worlds-of-pa...
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
3 ways to immediately level up your dialogue!
Have you thought about these yet?
Writing dialogue and not making it sound monotonous can be a struggle.
What’s the most difficult part of writing fiction for you?
#amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #writercommunity #authors #writers
Have you thought about these yet?
Writing dialogue and not making it sound monotonous can be a struggle.
What’s the most difficult part of writing fiction for you?
#amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #writercommunity #authors #writers
December 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
3 ways to immediately level up your dialogue!
Have you thought about these yet?
Writing dialogue and not making it sound monotonous can be a struggle.
What’s the most difficult part of writing fiction for you?
#amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #writercommunity #authors #writers
Have you thought about these yet?
Writing dialogue and not making it sound monotonous can be a struggle.
What’s the most difficult part of writing fiction for you?
#amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity #writercommunity #authors #writers
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
A second world setting is a BIG undertaking, BUT you can get started with just the essentials...
1/3
1/3
December 3, 2025 at 10:36 PM
A second world setting is a BIG undertaking, BUT you can get started with just the essentials...
1/3
1/3
A little organization goes a long way in terms of writing and world-building. Great update!
Big quality-of-life improvements! This update is focused on ORGANIZATION:
1. Folders for ALL content types (+nesting!)
2. Better image management (mobile-friendly, accessible from article edit)
3. Improved Notebooks (mobile-friendly, accessible while editing)
➡️ blog.worldanvil.com/worldanvil/d...
1. Folders for ALL content types (+nesting!)
2. Better image management (mobile-friendly, accessible from article edit)
3. Improved Notebooks (mobile-friendly, accessible while editing)
➡️ blog.worldanvil.com/worldanvil/d...
World Anvil New Features! | World Anvil Blog
World Anvil new features are always a time for celebration! This time we have three key updates: new folders, images and notebook!
blog.worldanvil.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:10 PM
A little organization goes a long way in terms of writing and world-building. Great update!
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
For this, I've found it useful to write down whatever ideas you come up with. I've done this with world-building information, short story ideas, and plot lines for longer works: in every case, doing so has helped both to flesh out an idea and to choose between competing ones.
Here's 5 tried & tested techniques for creative #brainstorming, helping you solve problems and come up with fresh ideas in a hurry!
September 6, 2025 at 1:38 PM
For this, I've found it useful to write down whatever ideas you come up with. I've done this with world-building information, short story ideas, and plot lines for longer works: in every case, doing so has helped both to flesh out an idea and to choose between competing ones.
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
We are currently open to submissions September 1–15 via the Moksha system. Send the story that scares you, changes you, beguiles you. We are hungry and waiting.
September 1, 2025 at 7:23 AM
We are currently open to submissions September 1–15 via the Moksha system. Send the story that scares you, changes you, beguiles you. We are hungry and waiting.
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
Advice direct from Literary Agents, on what to avoid and what they see a lot of in opening pages!
You can find this article with the rest of the agents and their tips for your opening pages here:
www.writingdayworkshops.com/blog/what-no...
You’ve got this and happy writing!
#amwriting #amquerying
You can find this article with the rest of the agents and their tips for your opening pages here:
www.writingdayworkshops.com/blog/what-no...
You’ve got this and happy writing!
#amwriting #amquerying
August 23, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Advice direct from Literary Agents, on what to avoid and what they see a lot of in opening pages!
You can find this article with the rest of the agents and their tips for your opening pages here:
www.writingdayworkshops.com/blog/what-no...
You’ve got this and happy writing!
#amwriting #amquerying
You can find this article with the rest of the agents and their tips for your opening pages here:
www.writingdayworkshops.com/blog/what-no...
You’ve got this and happy writing!
#amwriting #amquerying
Glad to announce that my #scifi short story, previously awarded a Silver Honorable Mention from Writers of the Future, will be published in an upcoming issue of @penumbricmag.bsky.social. Future updates to come!
August 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Glad to announce that my #scifi short story, previously awarded a Silver Honorable Mention from Writers of the Future, will be published in an upcoming issue of @penumbricmag.bsky.social. Future updates to come!
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
Finding your love of writing can be so difficult in a business centered around finances instead of inspiration.
The best advice? Write for you. Write what you want to write. And start doing it today. Not tomorrow.
#writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writinginspiration
The best advice? Write for you. Write what you want to write. And start doing it today. Not tomorrow.
#writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writinginspiration
August 1, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Finding your love of writing can be so difficult in a business centered around finances instead of inspiration.
The best advice? Write for you. Write what you want to write. And start doing it today. Not tomorrow.
#writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writinginspiration
The best advice? Write for you. Write what you want to write. And start doing it today. Not tomorrow.
#writing #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writinginspiration
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
Please repost! 💖 We're creeping up to £5,000 funded with 14 days to go — we want to keep publishing optimistic sci-fi and fantasy!
We have both print issues of our new magazine available together in one pledge:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/sam...
#scifi #fantasy #scififantasy #solarpunk
We have both print issues of our new magazine available together in one pledge:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/sam...
#scifi #fantasy #scififantasy #solarpunk
Habitats Volume 2 (Optimistic Science Fiction & Fantasy)
The second issue of a brand-new optimistic science-fiction and fantasy magazine. Published by Habitats Press.
www.kickstarter.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Please repost! 💖 We're creeping up to £5,000 funded with 14 days to go — we want to keep publishing optimistic sci-fi and fantasy!
We have both print issues of our new magazine available together in one pledge:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/sam...
#scifi #fantasy #scififantasy #solarpunk
We have both print issues of our new magazine available together in one pledge:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/sam...
#scifi #fantasy #scififantasy #solarpunk
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
Publishing terminology can be a little difficult to untangle - but don't worry, we're here to help. Here are a few key editor roles and types of editing for your publishing dictionaries. 🧵
July 4, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Publishing terminology can be a little difficult to untangle - but don't worry, we're here to help. Here are a few key editor roles and types of editing for your publishing dictionaries. 🧵
Crucially important for all aspiring authors to know:
Publishing terminology can be a little difficult to untangle - but don't worry, we're here to help. Here are a few key editor roles and types of editing for your publishing dictionaries. 🧵
July 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Crucially important for all aspiring authors to know:
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
So glad I woke up to see this. Signed. Immediately and without hesitation.
‘Against AI: An Open Letter From Writers to Publishers’
To add your name, please read and sign here: lithub.com/against-ai-a...
‘Against AI: An Open Letter From Writers to Publishers’
To add your name, please read and sign here: lithub.com/against-ai-a...
June 27, 2025 at 3:58 PM
So glad I woke up to see this. Signed. Immediately and without hesitation.
‘Against AI: An Open Letter From Writers to Publishers’
To add your name, please read and sign here: lithub.com/against-ai-a...
‘Against AI: An Open Letter From Writers to Publishers’
To add your name, please read and sign here: lithub.com/against-ai-a...
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
PSA: How to spot AI writing www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ch4...
I Can Spot AI Writing Instantly — Here’s How You Can Too
How can you tell if something is written by AI? Sign up to NordVPN and get a big discount + a bonus! https://nordvpn.com/evanVlog channel https://youtube.com...
www.youtube.com
June 21, 2025 at 12:04 PM
PSA: How to spot AI writing www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ch4...
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
The novelette window is now OPEN!
Send us your fiction between 10,000 and 18,000 words. The cap will be 300 stories.
Happy submitting!
NOTE: In order to allow more writers to submit to us and widen our pool of submissions, writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.
Send us your fiction between 10,000 and 18,000 words. The cap will be 300 stories.
Happy submitting!
NOTE: In order to allow more writers to submit to us and widen our pool of submissions, writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.
Novelette Submission Guidelines
On June 4th, we will be opening for speculative fiction novelette submissions between the word count of 10,000 and 18,000 words. We will cap submissions at 300.
strangehorizons.com
June 4, 2025 at 10:09 AM
The novelette window is now OPEN!
Send us your fiction between 10,000 and 18,000 words. The cap will be 300 stories.
Happy submitting!
NOTE: In order to allow more writers to submit to us and widen our pool of submissions, writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.
Send us your fiction between 10,000 and 18,000 words. The cap will be 300 stories.
Happy submitting!
NOTE: In order to allow more writers to submit to us and widen our pool of submissions, writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.
Most colorful nebulae images don't reflect what the human eye would see looking at them, but this doesn't seem to stop many sci-fi films. Since those Hubble pictures and sci-fi films helped get me into space-related creativity, it doesn't stop my writing or art, either:
May 29, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Most colorful nebulae images don't reflect what the human eye would see looking at them, but this doesn't seem to stop many sci-fi films. Since those Hubble pictures and sci-fi films helped get me into space-related creativity, it doesn't stop my writing or art, either:
As both a fan and a writer of science fiction, I find the concept of "city-worlds" to be extremely interesting. The ones I use in my Two Armed-Galaxy, like the planet I've rendered here, aren't insanely populated like Coruscant from Star Wars, though.
May 13, 2025 at 5:06 PM
As both a fan and a writer of science fiction, I find the concept of "city-worlds" to be extremely interesting. The ones I use in my Two Armed-Galaxy, like the planet I've rendered here, aren't insanely populated like Coruscant from Star Wars, though.
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
Struggling to name people, places, and things in your fantasy or sci-fi world? 💡 Janet from World Anvil shares 6 EASY tips to create realistic names! #worldbuildingtips
WATCH NOW➡️: www.youtube.com/watc...
WATCH NOW➡️: www.youtube.com/watc...
May 9, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Struggling to name people, places, and things in your fantasy or sci-fi world? 💡 Janet from World Anvil shares 6 EASY tips to create realistic names! #worldbuildingtips
WATCH NOW➡️: www.youtube.com/watc...
WATCH NOW➡️: www.youtube.com/watc...
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
There will be two more fiction submission windows in 2025:
Novelettes (300 story cap):
June 4th
Indigenous Authors (500 story cap):
November 3rd
More information at the links in our bio!
Writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.
Novelettes (300 story cap):
June 4th
Indigenous Authors (500 story cap):
November 3rd
More information at the links in our bio!
Writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.
April 21, 2025 at 10:35 AM
There will be two more fiction submission windows in 2025:
Novelettes (300 story cap):
June 4th
Indigenous Authors (500 story cap):
November 3rd
More information at the links in our bio!
Writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.
Novelettes (300 story cap):
June 4th
Indigenous Authors (500 story cap):
November 3rd
More information at the links in our bio!
Writers may only send one story across all three 2025 submission windows.
Writing sci-fi, it's easy to get lost in the setting's details. I've found that art helps organize and inspire your thoughts - especially if you can make it yourself.
I learned to make digital art in Blender for this reason, and it has been indispensable to my writing.
#writinginspiration #art
I learned to make digital art in Blender for this reason, and it has been indispensable to my writing.
#writinginspiration #art
April 18, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Writing sci-fi, it's easy to get lost in the setting's details. I've found that art helps organize and inspire your thoughts - especially if you can make it yourself.
I learned to make digital art in Blender for this reason, and it has been indispensable to my writing.
#writinginspiration #art
I learned to make digital art in Blender for this reason, and it has been indispensable to my writing.
#writinginspiration #art
Almost all of my writing, from short stories to my debut novel, takes place in the same distant galaxy. See concept art from it on my #deviantart profile here: www.deviantart.com/bovcreations...
#conceptart #writinginspiration
#conceptart #writinginspiration
Space 23: Two-Armed Galaxy by BoVCreations on DeviantArt
www.deviantart.com
April 8, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Almost all of my writing, from short stories to my debut novel, takes place in the same distant galaxy. See concept art from it on my #deviantart profile here: www.deviantart.com/bovcreations...
#conceptart #writinginspiration
#conceptart #writinginspiration
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
Did you know we collect our new agent alerts into genre categories? Check out the thread below to see if you can find a few new agents in your genre! 🧵
March 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Did you know we collect our new agent alerts into genre categories? Check out the thread below to see if you can find a few new agents in your genre! 🧵
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
Imagine a better world... Join us for #WorldbuildingCon 25. Our expert speakers will help you craft more engaging settings for your tabletop RPG campaigns or fantasy/scifi novels! wanvil.com/WBC25Day2
March 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Imagine a better world... Join us for #WorldbuildingCon 25. Our expert speakers will help you craft more engaging settings for your tabletop RPG campaigns or fantasy/scifi novels! wanvil.com/WBC25Day2
Reposted by M. L. McCortney
Imagine better worlds! Are you ready for #WorldbuildingCon25 ? Join us at wanvil.com/WBC25Day1 on MARCH 15-16 for expert advice on how to build a better setting for your fantasy/sf novel or tabletop RPG campaign.
March 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Imagine better worlds! Are you ready for #WorldbuildingCon25 ? Join us at wanvil.com/WBC25Day1 on MARCH 15-16 for expert advice on how to build a better setting for your fantasy/sf novel or tabletop RPG campaign.