Mary Robinette Kowal

There's still a week-ish to submit your application for my January-March Short Story Cohort. To learn more and apply before applications are due, visit maryrobinettekowal.com/short-story-...

From the outside, it can be hard to know what it's like inside my Patreon community. So, here's what some folks have said. I also offer a 7-day free trial for all new members. members.maryrobinettekowal.com

Everyone talks about how great Scrivener is, but learning your way around it is challenging. On Oct 26, I'll show you how I use Scrivener for projects in various stages. Join via my Patreon's Live-streaming Classes tier or above. I offer a 7-day free trial. members.maryrobinettekowal.com/membership

See you this week, @siwc.bsky.social! I am delighted to be returning to this special event. If you can't make it this year, join their email list so you can learn about future conferences: www.siwc.ca/newsletter/

Join us in January for a cozy reading retreat on the Oregon coast. We sold out in mere days, and unfortunately, one guest had to back out. That means there's one ticket ticket back up for sale. I hope you'll join us!

In a heist, you have elements of thrillers, ensemble casts, and deliver satisfying twists. How do you balance all of those things and keep the story moving forward? Get started right away with my on-demand writing class: members.maryrobinettekowal.com/shop/structu...

Many people like to laugh at medieval illuminations of stag-snails, oh those funny medieval artists making up anim...

Go for this, especially my Native fam. Tell our stories!

Thrilled to be sharing “My Favorite Bit” of my collection this morning on @maryrobinettekowal.com’s website. Thanks for having me Mary Robinette! I talk a little bit about disability, feminine strength, and post-apocalyptic worlds. Give it a read. maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-f...

I'm over at the ever-delightful @maryrobinettekowal.com's blog today, talking about writing The Heresy of Thieves! maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-f...

Wanting a spooky MG portal fantasy by a Nebula nominated author? Check out London and the King of Bones by K.A. Mielke on @kickstarter.com www.kickstarter.com/projects/kam...

For another opportunity to spend time together in 2027, I invite you to join the @writingexcuses.bsky.social Retreat hosted in partnership with @mauricebroaddus.bsky.social and the @raybradburycenter.bsky.social in Indianapolis. For more information, visit writingexcuses.com/retreats/.

I finished this. A quick read and a wild ride! Thank you @hildur.bsky.social And I was surprised to see one of my favorite authors was the translator @maryrobinettekowal.com

If you live in the Aspen, Colorado area, I hope you'll join me on Thursday, October 15 at 6:30 PM for the Aspen Writers Network Third Thursday Meeting, where I'll be talking about writing sci-fi and fantasy. Learn more at www.aspenwords.org/events/aspen...

There is a weekend Elsie merch sale afoot. elsiewants.dashery.com

If you are fiction-curious, please apply to this cohort. MRK took a chance on me, and I came away with tools, inspiration, connection to other Native writers, and a cohort that are still pals and writing colleagues to this day. Go for it, you'll be glad you did.

Applications are open between now and October 31 for my next Short Story Cohort (3 months, a small group, personalized feedback). Learn more here: maryrobinettekowal.com/short-story-.... This is different than the Short Story Intensive I'm hosting this weekend for any paid Patreon users.

In this deep dive 80-minute class on character arcs, you'll learn how you can have your character change in a believable way throughout your story. Gain on-demand access here: members.maryrobinettekowal.com/shop/progres... No subscription required.

Pre-conference registration for @siwc.bsky.social closes on October 16 at 5:00 PM PT. Head to www.siwc.ca/registration/, and I will see you there! Virtual and in-person tickets are available.

This Friday-Sunday, I am teaching my Short Story Intensive, a 5-workshop series. Each session will be ~2 hours, plus there will be a Q&A after each, and a spot in my Discord for cheer-reading. Anyone who is a paying member of my Patreon may attend for free. members.maryrobinettekowal.com/membership

Make consistent writing progress, every week. On Sundays at 12:00 PM ET, I host Make Me Write on Patreon for a dedicated group of writers. I provide story prompts, instructional insights into my process, and an encouraging Zoom community. 7-day trial: members.maryrobinettekowal.com/membership

I am currently accepting applications for my January-March 2027 Short Story Cohort. Learn the craft of writing short stories while also generating new work; I will provide critique to everyone in the six-person cohort. Apply by October 31: maryrobinettekowal.com/short-story-...

While at the Lighthouse Writers Workshop in Denver this summer, I had a chance to be on The Poets podcast. Find me at 14:20: thepoets.co/2026/06/19/1...

I am an instructor for the fourth annual 2027 Sandia Starforgers retreat and workshop for speculative fiction writers. The event is 70% sold out, and the application for the scholarship is open. I hope you will apply. www.tickettailor.com/events/sandi...

I generally bounce off of straight romance books... men just do not do anything for me in a romantic sense But I just reread @maryrobinettekowal.com's Shades of Milk and Honey in audiobook and it's so good Added bonus is that in addition to being a great writer, she is also a sublime narrator

We had a cancellation that has made a ticket available for this event! Be the first to grab it or to sign up for the wait list to be first in line for any future cancellations.

Writing is never more challenging than when life gets hard. I had an honest conversation—full of encouragement and tips from my own experiences—with Micah McGuire on the EmberWrite podcast. Listen here: link.emberwrite.com/mrkwritinglife

This is happening today (Tuesday, September 29 at 8:00 PM Eastern)! I hope you can join.

Who wants a free short story! Only 3 days left to back the Lesbians in Space Audiobook campaign, with narration by @maryrobinettekowal.com! We've already unlocked a new short story, so let's see if we can get to the stretch goal and a new tea flavor! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/s...

בזכות הפרוטקציה והשכנות, קיבלתי את *העותק הראשון* של ״חישובי הכוכבים״ מאת @maryrobinettekowal.com בעברית. בתרגומה של חמוטל בן דב, הוצאת דב לדעת. אפשר יהיה להשיג באייקון החל מעוד שעה בערך!

Highly recommend the Lady Astronaut series by @maryrobinettekowal.com

During October 9-11, I am doing something new: a live recording of my Short Story Intensive workshop for all paying members of my Patreon. Attend sessions live, cheer-read for each other, and gain access to these sessions for no additional cost. Info: members.maryrobinettekowal.com/posts/short-...

As a quick reminder, this class is taking place on Monday, September 28 at 8 PM Eastern. I hope to see you there. members.maryrobinettekowal.com/membership

Coming in at number five... screenrant.com/best-fantasy...

Ask me anything at my upcoming Q&A for Patreon supporters on Tuesday, September 29 at 8:00 PM Eastern. I also offer a free 7-day trial for new members. members.maryrobinettekowal.com/membership

I was sitting in my hotel room, working on some USAF Advanced Instrument School homework, with NASA's Unexplained Files on for background noise, when I heard an unmistakable voice... @maryrobinettekowal.com

A month from now, my favorite conference of the year begins: @siwc.bsky.social. Please say hello when you see me there!

My latest newsletter is out, in which you can learn how to attend a live recording of my Short Story Intensive workshop. Also, you will discover Elsie's opinions on opera. maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/the-...

If you register for @superstarswriting.bsky.social by September 30, your ticket price will be $100 off. Somehow (I am really not sure how), September 30 is nearly upon us. Didn't we just start this year?

Recently, I had a chance to speak with Micah McGuire during an EmberWrite Expert Craft Chat episode about playing with story tension. Tension takes many forms, and it is one of the principles of story structure that helps drive a story forward. Listen to our conversation at link.emberwrite.com/kowal

Often we have a nugget of an idea we want to play with but can't find the story. On Sept. 28, I am teaching a class to my Patreon supporters that will walk you through a toolbox to go from idea to outline. This also works for pantsers; I'll show you how. members.maryrobinettekowal.com/membership

Tomorrow, September 22, I am hosting a Q&A for Patreon supporters of @writingexcuses.bsky.social. Let's hang out: patreon.com/writingexcuses