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MRK’s Mundane Moments

Here’s a quick snapshot of what I’m…

• Crafting: Alma sweater (still)
• Reading: Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
• Writing: “Raelynn’s ass hurt from sitting on a conference room chair too long.”
• Watching: The Forsyte Saga on PBS
• Enjoying: Hadestown soundtrack

Noteworthy News

Apprehension was mentioned in the New York Times!

In the article titled, “In These Books, You Don’t Have to Be Young to Save the World,” Fonda Lee recommends fantasy and science-fiction novels with older, wiser heroes.

Bonnyjean fits the bill. Here’s a gift link to the article so you can read it, regardless of whether you have a NYT subscription:

Bookish News

Upcoming Events

I have several signings, conferences, and other opportunities for connection coming up. I’d love to see you at one (or more!)

• Every Sunday, 11 AM ET: Make Me Write session for Patreon subscribers at that tier
• May 25 at 8 PM ET: I’m teaching an Unlocking Session class on the Live-streaming Classes tier of my Patreon. Come with a writing problem that needs unlocking.
• June 1: Working on a novel? Stuck in the messy middle? A new 90-day middles-focued module begins in my Write Your Novel Patreon tier.
• June 3-7 in Chicago, IL: Panel discussions at more at the Nebulas
• June 9 at 8 PM ET: Join me via my Q&A tier on Patreon for an ask me anything-style conversation.
• July 11-12 in Warsaw, Poland: Featured author at the Bazyliszek Fantasy Festival
• July 30-August 2 in Indianapolis, IN: Author panelist and instructor at the Gen Con Writers Symposium *
• September 3-11 in Seattle, OR: I’m an instructor on the final (for now) Writing Excuses Cruise. Join the other hosts of the podcast and me as we sail to Alaska.

* Gen Con registration opens on May 17th at 12:00 PM ET. I’m teaching a workshop called “The Fashion of Worldbuilding,” and you can learn more about it and register here.

Featured Patreon Event

The workshop runs in four three-month modules, each focused on a different stage of the novel:

• Module 1: Beginning (March–May) — Getting started, establishing character and world, hooking readers
• Module 2: Middles (June–August) — Sustaining momentum, deepening conflict, avoiding the sag
• Module 3: Ending (September–November) — Completing character arcs, delivering satisfying resolution
• Module 4: Revision (December–February) — Diagnosing problems, strengthening prose, polishing for submission

As you may notice, June is right around the corner, and that’s when we’re starting the Middles module.

Each module stands alone, so you can join at the stage that matches where you are right now. Have a draft gathering dust? Jump in at Revision. Stuck in the middle? Start there. You can also jump out whenever you want to!

Each month includes:

• Weekly live video sessions combining craft instruction and writing time
• Weekly two-hour Make Me Write session (Sundays, typically 11am Eastern) — 90 minutes of writing, then 30 minutes of show-your-work with MRK or a guest writer
• Office hours with MRK
• Monthly large-group Q&A
• Monthly live-streamed craft and career class (typically the last Monday of the month at 8pm Eastern)
• Access to 70+ hours of pre-recorded Patreon craft and career classes
• Access to the Lady Astronaut Club community on Discord — the kindest corner of the internet — with your own private channel

This isn’t a guarantee you’ll finish your novel. Everyone writes at a different pace, and that’s fine. What this workshop provides is a proven framework to help you make real, sustainable progress — whether that means completing a full draft and revision, or finally pushing through the beginning that’s had you stuck for months.

Sessions meet Mondays from 3–5pm MT. Sign up for a full year and save 10%. Designed for writers with some storytelling experience who are ready to commit to regular writing practice. All genres welcome.

I offer a 7-day free trial for new Patreon members.

Elsie’s Corner

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