Michelle Barker
@michellebark.bsky.social
Senior #editor at DarlingAxe.com. Award-winning #author, Ironman #triathlete. michellebarker.ca
#Writers, my post is up on the Writers Helping Writers blog about omniscient narration: writershelpingwriters.net/2026/08/omni... #WritingCommunity #BookSky #amwriting
Omniscient POV: Pitfalls and Best Practices
Omniscient POV should be an intentional choice that makes sense for the novel rather than a fallback because it seems “easier.”
writershelpingwriters.net
#Writers, I have a new post up on Substack that digs into how it feels to let go of your manuscript and if you ever feel ready to do it. michbarker.substack.com/p/let-it-go #WritingCommunity #BookSky #amwriting
Let It Go
Work in Progress
michbarker.substack.com
Hey, #writers, if you ever wondered how long it takes to learn to write fiction.... read on. michbarker.substack.com/p/ten-years-... #WritingCommunity #amwriting
Ten Years of Violin Lessons
Work in Progress
michbarker.substack.com
Hey, #writers, new post is up on my Substack, all about Ann Patchett and tackling big challenges a little at a time. michbarker.substack.com/p/how-to-eat... #WritingCommunity #booksky #amwriting
How to Eat a Whole Elephant
Work in Progress
michbarker.substack.com
Hey, check out my newest post on #Substack all about the "dogs" we get sold these days: things that are overhyped or don't do what they're supposed to or make us spend more money than we should. #amwriting #WritingCommunity open.substack.com/pub/michbark...
Don't Sell Me a Dog
Work in Progress
open.substack.com
Hi #WritingCommunity. I'll be reading this year at #CanadaFictionFest2026 from my novel, My Long List of Impossible Things. Hope you can join us!
Stephen Randle 🍁🍁🍁@davethecamel.bsky.social · 3mo agoI'm honoured to have been included in this year's Canada Fiction Fest, where I'll be doing a reading from Trace Evidence on June 23rd at 1:30 PM Eastern alongside other YA authors! You can register to see me and other Canadian author readings and panels here! fictionfest.ca/events/ #BookSky
Hello #BookSky #ReaderSky! Fiction Fest is coming this summer and we have an AWESOME schedule of author readings and panel discussions that anyone with an Internet connection can attend for FREE! Check out our event page and register for whichever ones you're interested in: fictionfest.ca/events/
Hey #WritingCommunity. Please join us for this panel at #CanadaFictionFest2026. Always cool to hear where ideas come from. #Booksky
Canada Fiction Fest@canadafictionfest.bsky.social · 2mo agoAlso on June 21st, a mixed-genre panel discussion on the inspiration behind the books! And did we mention that all our live sessions are FREE and online so anyone in the world can attend? Register now at: FictionFest.ca/events #ReaderSky #BookSky #CanCon
Ha, let's try that again with a link. Here is a link to my newest substack post: michbarker.substack.com/p/work-in-pr... #WritingCommunity #amwriting #amreading #booksky
Work in Progress
Summers Are for Reading
michbarker.substack.com
Very pleased to have a guest spot on Jane Friedman's blog today with my colleague, @darlingaxe.com David Griffin Brown: janefriedman.com/from-personn... #WritingCommunity #amwriting #booksky
From Personnage to Personne: Creating Character Authenticity | Jane Friedman
When building a character, roles can be efficient shorthand—hard-boiled detective, dutiful nurse—but the best characterizations require going deeper.
janefriedman.com
A great post from an editing client of mine who also happens to be in cyber security: open.substack.com/pub/cherylan...
QWERTY1234
A friendly primer on passwords, passkeys and backups
open.substack.com
Is your reader pleasantly intrigued or annoyed and baffled? When to withhold information, when to tell them - @michellebark.bsky.social at @AngelaAckerman writershelpingwriters.net/2026/05/art-... #writingcommunity #writinglife #authorlife
The Art of Withholding Information
Withholding information can create a satisfying read that allows readers to participate in the fictional dream, or it might frustrate them.
writershelpingwriters.net
New post up on #substack, all about the need to rest after you complete a big project. It might be the last thing you want to do, but for me at least, it's really important to create that buffer. #WritingCommunity #amwriting #booksky
I have a new post up on Substack about reading your work out loud, a great strategy for #writers michbarker.substack.com/p/work-in-pr... #WritingCommunity #amediting #booksky
Work in Progress
Read Your Work Out Loud
michbarker.substack.com
I am SO tired of reading blog posts that have obviously been written either entirely by AI or with considerable help. Whoever needs to hear this, please know: you're not fooling anyone. AI writing all sounds the same. Your own brand of creativity is far more interesting, so use it! #WritingCommunity
a man with glasses says use your creativity
ALT: a man with glasses says use your creativity
media.tenor.com
The most interesting thing I discovered in my research today: Girls and women in Nazi Germany were seen as "emotional" but were also encouraged to react to things emotionally, creating a convenient closed circle of logic. #amwriting #WritingCommunity
Yahoooooo our new book is out :) :) :) And you can get a free copy—instructions below!
Darling Axe Editing@darlingaxe.com · 6mo agoFAKE DEADS IS LIVE!! Want a free e-copy of our new book? Just sign up for our newsletter here: mailchi.mp/f6bb9bab4527... (I'll be sending a code for a free epub in our March newsletter.)
To make your submission package shine brighter, read this post from Resident Writing Coach @michellebark.bsky.social. Enter to win her new book: Fake Query Letters by Dead Authors. Share your query roadblocks in a comment & she'll reply with tips! writershelpingwriters.net/2026/02/subm...
Hierarchy of a Submission Package & Giveaway!
All aspects of a typical submission package are important to make a good first impression, but certain elements rise to the top.
writershelpingwriters.net
My post is up on the Writers Helping Writers blog, and if you leave a comment, you have a chance to win a copy of our newest ebook, Fake Query Letters by Dead Authors! #writingcommunity #booksky #amwriting #writer #amquerying writershelpingwriters.net/2026/02/subm...
Hierarchy of a Submission Package & Giveaway!
All aspects of a typical submission package are important to make a good first impression, but certain elements rise to the top.
writershelpingwriters.net
The German Emigration Center is maybe the most incredible museum I've ever visited. Interactive stations bring the history of emigration to life. Moving, effective, eye-opening. #WritingCommunity #Germany
Bremerhaven! What an unexpectedly wonderful little town in Northern Germany. Highly recommend! Plus, it's amazing to finally see in person a place you've been writing about. #WritingCommunity #Germany
Officially this is Day 2 of my German research adventure, but I was too tired to post yesterday. Insight so far: DO NOT trust ChatGPT for directions in a foreign country. The ones it gave me were stunningly wrong, right down to the "landmarks." #WritingCommunity #Germany
a man in a suit is standing in front of a building with a sign that says guinness
ALT: a man in a suit is standing in front of a building with a sign that says guinness
media.tenor.com
