Morgan Richter
@morganrichter.bsky.social
Author of THE DIVIDE and THE UNDERSTUDY, both from Knopf. Gen-X pop culture maven, Duran Duran aficionado, Miami Vice expert. Failed screenwriter, retired YouTuber. https://morganrichter.net/
Pinned
Morgan Richter
@morganrichter.bsky.social
· Aug 13
This month’s Crime & Mystery column reviews new books by Victor Suthammanont, Morgan Richter, Joe Lansdale, and Randy Wayne White.
The Art of Murder
www.nytimes.com
Awfully nice to see THE UNDERSTUDY in the New York Times, and in some very good company, too.
What are your top 5 movie genres? Mine are:
- Punks crash the party at the country club
- My dangerous yet glamorous job is destroying my soul
- Score by Tangerine Dream
- I’m stuck in an apocalyptic wasteland, but my hair looks great
- Body horror, but also sexy
- Punks crash the party at the country club
- My dangerous yet glamorous job is destroying my soul
- Score by Tangerine Dream
- I’m stuck in an apocalyptic wasteland, but my hair looks great
- Body horror, but also sexy
Top 5 movie genres:
- Does this robot / monster have a soul? (Yes it does)
- Sassy New York newspaper gal does not need love but finds it anyway
- I travelled in time or space. It was a mistake.
- You’re supposed to be the victim of my crime but I love you
- Being a detective is miserable but hot
- Does this robot / monster have a soul? (Yes it does)
- Sassy New York newspaper gal does not need love but finds it anyway
- I travelled in time or space. It was a mistake.
- You’re supposed to be the victim of my crime but I love you
- Being a detective is miserable but hot
What are your top 5 movie genres? Mine are:
- mystery on a train
- I've committed the perfect murder, "oh for fucks sake"
- European road movie
- ennui in Hong Kong
- I've tried nothing to improve my life and crime is the only thing left
- mystery on a train
- I've committed the perfect murder, "oh for fucks sake"
- European road movie
- ennui in Hong Kong
- I've tried nothing to improve my life and crime is the only thing left
November 16, 2025 at 11:37 PM
What are your top 5 movie genres? Mine are:
- Punks crash the party at the country club
- My dangerous yet glamorous job is destroying my soul
- Score by Tangerine Dream
- I’m stuck in an apocalyptic wasteland, but my hair looks great
- Body horror, but also sexy
- Punks crash the party at the country club
- My dangerous yet glamorous job is destroying my soul
- Score by Tangerine Dream
- I’m stuck in an apocalyptic wasteland, but my hair looks great
- Body horror, but also sexy
Every once in a while, the Industry Relations office of my alma mater sends me job postings. Many years ago, a bright-eyed and energetic young version of me would have jumped at the chance to be Lorne Michael's Second Assistant. The current version of me felt exhausted just reading this.
November 16, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Every once in a while, the Industry Relations office of my alma mater sends me job postings. Many years ago, a bright-eyed and energetic young version of me would have jumped at the chance to be Lorne Michael's Second Assistant. The current version of me felt exhausted just reading this.
I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm much too busy this morning. You've caught me right in the middle of an important Ninja Quest™ (i.e. doing my nails).
November 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I'm sorry, I'm afraid I'm much too busy this morning. You've caught me right in the middle of an important Ninja Quest™ (i.e. doing my nails).
Reposted by Morgan Richter
I genuinely think that a depressing portion of readers don’t know how to engage with a first-person narrator as anything other than an uncomplicated hero to whom we’re meant to relate
November 14, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I genuinely think that a depressing portion of readers don’t know how to engage with a first-person narrator as anything other than an uncomplicated hero to whom we’re meant to relate
Reposted by Morgan Richter
Wilson took a 1,976-vote lead over Bruce Harrell. With a maximum of 1,320 ballots remaining, it is mathematically impossible for Harrell to catch up.
Katie Wilson elected Seattle’s next mayor
www.seattletimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Wilson took a 1,976-vote lead over Bruce Harrell. With a maximum of 1,320 ballots remaining, it is mathematically impossible for Harrell to catch up.
Reposted by Morgan Richter
how did i go so long not knowing we were literally teaching people to read wrong. i knew something wasn't right but jesus christ www.apmreports.org/episode/2019...
How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers
For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't kno...
www.apmreports.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:18 PM
how did i go so long not knowing we were literally teaching people to read wrong. i knew something wasn't right but jesus christ www.apmreports.org/episode/2019...
Reposted by Morgan Richter
Last night's fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank was awesome! Tons of local writers came out to read, contribute books & goodies for our raffle prizes, and to donate to the food bank. We raised $1495 for the food bank while having a lot of fun and exchanging a LOT of hugs.
People are so very good.
People are so very good.
November 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Last night's fundraiser for the Oregon Food Bank was awesome! Tons of local writers came out to read, contribute books & goodies for our raffle prizes, and to donate to the food bank. We raised $1495 for the food bank while having a lot of fun and exchanging a LOT of hugs.
People are so very good.
People are so very good.
Reposted by Morgan Richter
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
November 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Hi writers! I’m looking to assign a couple of features for Slate before the end of the year. If you have anything in mind that you think would be a fit please send me a pitch! Jenée.Desmond- harris@slate.com or dm me.
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
RTs are appreciated so this can reach more people. Thanks!
This is excellent writing advice from @jordanharper.bsky.social. Sometimes just doing that one single thing will be enough to open the floodgates. Not always! But sometimes. And even if that single thing is all you do in a day, it's still a big step up from doing nothing.
A genuine piece of writing advice: if you have writer's block, set the goal of doing a single thing today - just creating the document file is enough. Save that sucker. There, you did something today. The boulder has started to move. Tomorrow, do something else. A word or two. Momentum will come.
November 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
This is excellent writing advice from @jordanharper.bsky.social. Sometimes just doing that one single thing will be enough to open the floodgates. Not always! But sometimes. And even if that single thing is all you do in a day, it's still a big step up from doing nothing.
Took out the trash and accidentally dropped my mailbox key in the dumpster. Went diving for it (gross), and today's mail brought me my notice of my 2026 health insurance premium, which will be, ahem, ELEVEN TIMES what I'm currently paying. I should've left that key in the dumpster.
November 8, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Took out the trash and accidentally dropped my mailbox key in the dumpster. Went diving for it (gross), and today's mail brought me my notice of my 2026 health insurance premium, which will be, ahem, ELEVEN TIMES what I'm currently paying. I should've left that key in the dumpster.
You can tell the holidays are approaching, because I just got an email from the Vermont Country Store titled "Fa-la-la-lannel for everyone!"
November 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
You can tell the holidays are approaching, because I just got an email from the Vermont Country Store titled "Fa-la-la-lannel for everyone!"
This is a good heads up for writers. I've been approached recently by scammers claiming to represent legitimate book clubs, who say they've chosen one of my books for discussion and follow up with ways I can pay for promotion. It's gross. Just a reminder: legit book clubs *never* charge authors.
Heads up #WritingCommunity: There's a scammer claiming to be from The Paris Anglophone Book Club (a real thing, though I'd never heard of it).
The email said they're considering my book for their #bookclub. And I was even up for an award!
Very exciting for an #indieauthor!
The email said they're considering my book for their #bookclub. And I was even up for an award!
Very exciting for an #indieauthor!
November 7, 2025 at 7:13 PM
This is a good heads up for writers. I've been approached recently by scammers claiming to represent legitimate book clubs, who say they've chosen one of my books for discussion and follow up with ways I can pay for promotion. It's gross. Just a reminder: legit book clubs *never* charge authors.
I *am*, in fact, an expert on all things manly and avuncular, and this podcast was a blast. Loved being able to gab on at great length about my love of Napoleon and Illya.
OUT NOW! @morganrichter.bsky.social joins to discuss a tertiary tome, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. #2: The Doomsday Affair. In addition to being a novelist, Morgan is an expert on all things manly and avuncular, so she's full of valuable insights. Listen: shorturl.at/lDZ45
November 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I *am*, in fact, an expert on all things manly and avuncular, and this podcast was a blast. Loved being able to gab on at great length about my love of Napoleon and Illya.
Reposted by Morgan Richter
mmmm my favorite mcdonald’s food, Dore, Caprer, and a side of Cchinges
November 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
mmmm my favorite mcdonald’s food, Dore, Caprer, and a side of Cchinges
Reposted by Morgan Richter
"The failure of Democratic Party politics to stop Trump’s election … it’s like, OK, now we see that the government can move fast. It can do some really bad things really fast. So why can’t it be some good things?" Terrific piece from @monicapotts.bsky.social. newrepublic.com/article/2024...
She’s Never Run for Office Before. She Could Be Seattle’s Next Mayor.
Katie Wilson is drawing comparisons to Zohran Mamdani. Though she has a thinner political record than the New York sensation, she’s on the doorstep of City Hall.
newrepublic.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:47 PM
"The failure of Democratic Party politics to stop Trump’s election … it’s like, OK, now we see that the government can move fast. It can do some really bad things really fast. So why can’t it be some good things?" Terrific piece from @monicapotts.bsky.social. newrepublic.com/article/2024...
Reposted by Morgan Richter
Another ‘up way too late reading’ page turner from @morganrichter.bsky.social
Love her gutsy female protagonists and pop culture references.
Love her gutsy female protagonists and pop culture references.
October 28, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Another ‘up way too late reading’ page turner from @morganrichter.bsky.social
Love her gutsy female protagonists and pop culture references.
Love her gutsy female protagonists and pop culture references.
Reposted by Morgan Richter
THE UNDERSTUDY, by @morganrichter.bsky.social: gobbled up this entire book in one sitting last night. A sharp thriller set in the New York opera world (a new production of Barbarella) modeled on ALL ABOUT EVE, but with more murder. Great stuff. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/731133...
The Understudy by Morgan Richter: 9780593685709 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
An opera singer uncovers the dark secrets of her cruel and alluring understudy when a murder disrupts her disciplined world. "The first time my understudy tried to kill me was on the day we met. We g...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:20 PM
THE UNDERSTUDY, by @morganrichter.bsky.social: gobbled up this entire book in one sitting last night. A sharp thriller set in the New York opera world (a new production of Barbarella) modeled on ALL ABOUT EVE, but with more murder. Great stuff. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/731133...
Reposted by Morgan Richter
It’s rare for me to say this about a NYTimes article, but I love everything about this story. And that photo. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/s...
Is This Dapper Man Going to Crack the Louvre Heist Case?
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:47 PM
It’s rare for me to say this about a NYTimes article, but I love everything about this story. And that photo. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/s...
Reposted by Morgan Richter
in place of a king, you would have a queen! dark, but also beautiful and terrible as the dawn! treacherous as the sea! short of legs and close to the foundations of the earth! all shall love her, and despair!
October 19, 2025 at 7:31 PM
in place of a king, you would have a queen! dark, but also beautiful and terrible as the dawn! treacherous as the sea! short of legs and close to the foundations of the earth! all shall love her, and despair!
Reposted by Morgan Richter
The very imperfect ACA is how I got to stay being a writer, one not reliant on somebody else's health insurance.
The ACA is not perfect but it’s much much much much much better than what came before it (more or less *nothing*, for all intents and purposes), and people saying anything different are either 1) too young to know any better, 2) dumb, or 3) Republicans. Combinations of 1-3 are also valid.
October 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The very imperfect ACA is how I got to stay being a writer, one not reliant on somebody else's health insurance.
Reposted by Morgan Richter
Reposted by Morgan Richter
Here are some tips for protesting tomorrow. I'm adding that if you are out there tomorrow, when you get there, make sure to study your surroundings and make a plan to exit quickly if necessary. Scroll down the article to see the tips:
www.wired.com/story/how-to...
www.wired.com/story/how-to...
How to Protest Safely: What to Bring, What to Do, and What to Avoid
If you’re planning to hit the streets, here’s what you need to know.
www.wired.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Here are some tips for protesting tomorrow. I'm adding that if you are out there tomorrow, when you get there, make sure to study your surroundings and make a plan to exit quickly if necessary. Scroll down the article to see the tips:
www.wired.com/story/how-to...
www.wired.com/story/how-to...
Reposted by Morgan Richter
Finally got around to reading The Understudy, and it is so much fun. I needed an opera-world pulp thriller in my life.
My thriller THE UNDERSTUDY (August 5th, Knopf) is available for pre-order (hardcover, ebook, audio). Dark, pulpy, deadly All About Eve-style (or perhaps Showgirls-style) shenanigans during rehearsals for an opera based on Barbarella. Malevolent good fun. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/731133...
October 15, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Finally got around to reading The Understudy, and it is so much fun. I needed an opera-world pulp thriller in my life.
Absolutely love this piece by @4nikkolas.bsky.social; great to know that prints are available on his site.
The artwork is by @4nikkolas.bsky.social and is available for purchase via his website, in case anyone is interested 🫶
www.nikkolas.art/prints/portl...
www.nikkolas.art/prints/portl...
Portland Frog — T H E . A R T . O F . N I K K O L A S
Autographed Print - 14"x16" High quality, Lasal Photo Matte Paper Please note that Due to the impact of COVID-19, fulfillment may take up to 4 weeks for US, 6-8 weeks for international shippi...
www.nikkolas.art
October 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Absolutely love this piece by @4nikkolas.bsky.social; great to know that prints are available on his site.
I once chatted with a friend who mispronounced "Spokane," i.e. he pronounced it as it's spelled. I told him the correct pronunciation, and he said, "When I visited there, I heard it both ways." No. No! No, sir, you did not, unless you were talking with someone who was messing with you (possible).
What’s the word where you’re from that, when pronounced exactly as it looks, identifies a tourist immediately?
October 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I once chatted with a friend who mispronounced "Spokane," i.e. he pronounced it as it's spelled. I told him the correct pronunciation, and he said, "When I visited there, I heard it both ways." No. No! No, sir, you did not, unless you were talking with someone who was messing with you (possible).