Because I'm all fancy I've already had a chance to read this, and I can tell you that it's __great__. Click-through and read the description, and if it even vaguely sounds up your alley, get on the bus. You won't regret it.

Kate Heartfield@kateheartfield.com · 20h ago

Hard to believe it's only two weeks until MERCUTIO comes out in Canada. A 13th century novel about the imagined origins of Shakespeare's Mercutio. This is the time to pre-order if you'd like it when it releases (PB, HC or ebook all on the same day in Canada) or request from your library. Thanks 💜

This book is so much fun and also full of the kind of messy, intense platonic intimacy that my aroace self is obsessed with. While also being hella gay and rooted deeply in its setting.

Kate Heartfield@kateheartfield.com · 20h ago

Hard to believe it's only two weeks until MERCUTIO comes out in Canada. A 13th century novel about the imagined origins of Shakespeare's Mercutio. This is the time to pre-order if you'd like it when it releases (PB, HC or ebook all on the same day in Canada) or request from your library. Thanks 💜

Hard to believe it's only two weeks until MERCUTIO comes out in Canada. A 13th century novel about the imagined origins of Shakespeare's Mercutio. This is the time to pre-order if you'd like it when it releases (PB, HC or ebook all on the same day in Canada) or request from your library. Thanks 💜

Mercutio

Coming soon from HarperVoyager UK. May 7, 2026: UK hardcover edition and ebook. Worldwide audiobook. August 18, 2026: Canada paperback, hardcover and ebook. June 2027: US paperback edition (this will ...

kateheartfield.com

I was browsing the website of one of my favourite bookstores (The Spaniel's Tale here in Ottawa) and noticed that they have an AI policy. One more reason among many you should give them your business!

The Spaniel's Tale Bookstore

Hintonburg's independendent bookstore, and Ottawa's proudest indie.

thespanielstale.ca

Congratulations to all the World Fantasy Award finalists! Great ballot this year.

2026 World Fantasy Awards Finalists

The World Fantasy Awards ballot for works published in 2025 has been announced. The awards will be presented during the 2026 World Fantasy Convention, scheduled for October 22-25, 2026 in Oakland C…

locusmag.com

When life unexpectedly hands you a ripe plantain.

Dear Reader: Welcome to August, also known as SEASON OF THE SERPENT month. #booksky

Today for book research I am consulting the practical guide KEEPING ONE COW, 1884. "Exercise is not essential to the well-being of the milch cow; she is an animal of repose, and if she is offered every effort to ruminate, will be perfectly contented" -- same

put me in coach

Stop Calling Me Frank@stopcallingmefrank.bsky.social · 5d ago

You have a month to write a 33 1/3 book about the album of your choice. Which record are you going to write about? (No previously covered albums allowed; new shit must come to light: see below.) (For all books in the series: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/33_1/3) (H/t @monostich.bsky.social

*Muffled honking*

By the way since we're talking about the whys of writing today, the seed that contains this whole book is the final line of the film Lady Jane (1986), which I sobbed at 1 million times as a teen. "The soul takes flight to the world that is invisible..." (a translation of a line in Plato's Phaedrus).

Kate Heartfield@kateheartfield.com · 5d ago

Oh hey, I think this is the first official word about my 2027 novel, THE REALM INVISIBLE. I took John Crowley and John le Carré as my guiding stars for this one. Elizabethan spies in the cold war between England and Spain, with, naturally, weird stuff happening. Edited by Jane Johnson.

Was squarely in my happy place at the Stratford Festival in Ontario this week. Storytelling through live theatre is something I've always loved, but it really struck me to the heart this time. Such a communal art, where the audience is part of the working - one with infinite tellings. /1

I'd rather be in there with Species 8472 than with the weird forced pregnancy ball of light, I'll tell you that much

Sophia_Nyx 🏳️‍⚧️@sophianyx.bsky.social · 5d ago

Name an alien from Star Trek you don't want to be trapped in an elevator with

Oh hey, I think this is the first official word about my 2027 novel, THE REALM INVISIBLE. I took John Crowley and John le Carré as my guiding stars for this one. Elizabethan spies in the cold war between England and Spain, with, naturally, weird stuff happening. Edited by Jane Johnson.

The Realm Invisible

From SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author of The Embroidered Book and The Valkyrie comes a thrilling historical fantasy of secret agents, sorcerers, and the Span...

harpercollins.com

Many lovely responses to my newsletter today -- thank you!

If you ever hear me talk about jello prose, this is what I mean

I started reading The Westing Game, because I’d heard good things and because I’m studying mystery structures these days. I know many people love it, but,...

buttondown.com

Unprecedented number of program closures nationwide.

Alex Usher@alexusherhesa.bsky.social · 6d ago

Canadian higher ed folks! Give me your predictions: what's going to be the biggest story in our sector in this academic year?

I fear people are going to make the same decisions about teaching. Not knowing what work is AI. Or how much is AI. It’s above the pay grade of many teachers (sessional speaking)

Kate Heartfield@kateheartfield.com · 6d ago

Every time I see an author worried about how they'll prove they didn't use AI, I get it, but I think, man, if it gets even more difficult to be an author, I just won't. I'm tapped out. I once knew a kickass old lady who circulated typed copies of her writing to her friends, and I will just do that.

Every time I see an author worried about how they'll prove they didn't use AI, I get it, but I think, man, if it gets even more difficult to be an author, I just won't. I'm tapped out. I once knew a kickass old lady who circulated typed copies of her writing to her friends, and I will just do that.

With MERCUTIO coming to Canada Aug. 18, I have a mini author tour planned (shoutout to HarperCollins Canada). Only Ontario so far, in Sept/Oct. I'll have details in my Aug. 14 newsletter. You can sign up for that here (fair warning tomorrow's edition is a rant about prose.)

Kate Heartfield's Newsletter

I'm Kate Heartfield, a writer of historical fantasy novels and other things. My newsletter is a way to let you know what I'm up to, and to talk about books and ideas. It comes out every second Friday.

buttondown.com

I've been meaning to get around to (probably self-) pubbing a collection and/or posting them all on my website now that DSF is gone. Same for many of my stories published with now defunct mags. I would like for people to be able to read them. But not via the deer flies of the publishing industry.

Kate Heartfield@kateheartfield.com · 6d ago

Assholes. I'll contact my agent. DSF published 7 of my stories.

Assholes. I'll contact my agent. DSF published 7 of my stories.

Beth Cato@bethcato.bsky.social · 6d ago

Hey! If you were published at Daily Science Fiction, be aware that a site called Science Fiction Weekly has stolen the entire story database & posted it on their site. All of my DSF stories are there without my permission. sciencefictionweekly.com

our age of bros is collapsing

The former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers who went on strike for 3+ years, only to have the owners sell the paper and fire most of them, have started their own cooperative news org. Important reporting by @maximillianalvarez.bsky.social

Corporate profiteers destroyed journalism. Worker-owned media can save it.

Former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette workers went on strike for over three years and won. Then, the owners sold the paper and most strikers lost their jobs. Now, they’ve launched “a cooperative news organiz...

therealnews.com

Having a perfect mushroom cheddar chive omelette for lunch, so here are my can't-miss tips for easy omelettes. No rules; do what you want but this is what I do. 1. Preheat pan 2. A little butter 3. Eggs > filling > stir/shape a bit 3. Cover briefly; France is not the boss of me 4. Bask in praise

Played our first game of Baltic Empires. The learning curve is a little steep at first but it's a lovely game, lots of fun and possibility.

If you like interactive fiction (or even if you don't) I commend to you An Odyssey: Echoes of War by @natalia-theodoridou.com

An Odyssey: Echoes of War

Fight the sea god's wrath to reclaim your throne, and free yourself from the ghosts of war. Will you live forever as a hero, a sovereign, or as a god?

choiceofgames.com

Everyone go watch The Green Knight! There have been a few Beowulfs. Ramayana is coming this year. I would love a feature-length Lady of Shalott but not from Nolan.

Daniel Tunnard@danieltunnard.bsky.social · last wk.

Are there any other poems that have been made into films? Could Nolan have a crack at "This is just to say"?

OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. I’m so excited about this!

Scott Leminski@scottleminski.bsky.social · last wk.

Hi @smcarriere.bsky.social Have you heard? "New fantasy bookstore in the works for Ottawa" ottawacitizen.com/life/new-fan...

I actually earnestly love that everyone's talking about The Odyssey & translations & adaptations & cinema, & talking about the ways in which we discuss those things; I love seeing thoughtful people thinking together in public, building on each other's knowledge & perspectives! however,