Meg
@megsteadman.bsky.social
Writer, artist, ukulele enthusiast.
Revisions stage: zoomin' to the end
Revisions stage: zoomin' to the end
Reposted by Meg
You know, every single instance of someone telling me NOT to read something has only ever made me want to read it even more.
Read far. Read wide. Read everything you can get your hands on. Do not obey in advance, especially when it comes to your own education of the world and the folks in it.
Read far. Read wide. Read everything you can get your hands on. Do not obey in advance, especially when it comes to your own education of the world and the folks in it.
Harley Quinn's Sassy Tea Time
Alt: Harley Quinn's drinking tea while reading
static.klipy.com
October 5, 2026 at 3:18 PM
You know, every single instance of someone telling me NOT to read something has only ever made me want to read it even more.
Read far. Read wide. Read everything you can get your hands on. Do not obey in advance, especially when it comes to your own education of the world and the folks in it.
Read far. Read wide. Read everything you can get your hands on. Do not obey in advance, especially when it comes to your own education of the world and the folks in it.
Reposted by Meg
Some things I wish I had known when I was a new writer:
Being accepted by traditional publishers has less to do with skill than whether they think they can sell it.
Just because publishers aren’t ready for a story doesn’t mean readers aren’t.
Writing the book is the easy part. 🧵
Being accepted by traditional publishers has less to do with skill than whether they think they can sell it.
Just because publishers aren’t ready for a story doesn’t mean readers aren’t.
Writing the book is the easy part. 🧵
October 1, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Some things I wish I had known when I was a new writer:
Being accepted by traditional publishers has less to do with skill than whether they think they can sell it.
Just because publishers aren’t ready for a story doesn’t mean readers aren’t.
Writing the book is the easy part. 🧵
Being accepted by traditional publishers has less to do with skill than whether they think they can sell it.
Just because publishers aren’t ready for a story doesn’t mean readers aren’t.
Writing the book is the easy part. 🧵
Reposted by Meg
In good dialogue, subtext is everything.
The best dialogue scenes aren't about what's actually being said. They're about what's running BENEATH the conversation. The things we know the characters are feeling, but can't bear to say aloud.
Here's what subtext looks like on the page:
The best dialogue scenes aren't about what's actually being said. They're about what's running BENEATH the conversation. The things we know the characters are feeling, but can't bear to say aloud.
Here's what subtext looks like on the page:
September 30, 2026 at 4:39 PM
In good dialogue, subtext is everything.
The best dialogue scenes aren't about what's actually being said. They're about what's running BENEATH the conversation. The things we know the characters are feeling, but can't bear to say aloud.
Here's what subtext looks like on the page:
The best dialogue scenes aren't about what's actually being said. They're about what's running BENEATH the conversation. The things we know the characters are feeling, but can't bear to say aloud.
Here's what subtext looks like on the page:
Reposted by Meg
It feels genuinely ridiculous having to say this, but the point of art is to connect with another human. Someone thought of that painting or melodic line or scene or paragraph that is suddenly making you weep, and that means that they saw you and understood you without even meeting you.
They quoted me in this New Yorker piece about AI today.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
September 30, 2026 at 3:57 PM
It feels genuinely ridiculous having to say this, but the point of art is to connect with another human. Someone thought of that painting or melodic line or scene or paragraph that is suddenly making you weep, and that means that they saw you and understood you without even meeting you.
Reposted by Meg
Two years ago I wrote a stupidly long reddit post about writing a climactic battle scene for your novels, and I still get notifications every now and then from someone stumbling onto it and finding it useful. Figure I'll reshare again!
www.reddit.com/r/writing/s/...
www.reddit.com/r/writing/s/...
From the writing community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the writing community
www.reddit.com
September 23, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Two years ago I wrote a stupidly long reddit post about writing a climactic battle scene for your novels, and I still get notifications every now and then from someone stumbling onto it and finding it useful. Figure I'll reshare again!
www.reddit.com/r/writing/s/...
www.reddit.com/r/writing/s/...
Reposted by Meg
Bad dialogue is one of the most obvious signs of amateur writing.
And it's one of the things that will make a reader set down your story prematurely.
Here are the 5 most common dialogue mistakes I see in manuscripts and how to fix them.
And it's one of the things that will make a reader set down your story prematurely.
Here are the 5 most common dialogue mistakes I see in manuscripts and how to fix them.
September 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Bad dialogue is one of the most obvious signs of amateur writing.
And it's one of the things that will make a reader set down your story prematurely.
Here are the 5 most common dialogue mistakes I see in manuscripts and how to fix them.
And it's one of the things that will make a reader set down your story prematurely.
Here are the 5 most common dialogue mistakes I see in manuscripts and how to fix them.
Reposted by Meg
Your first page is arguably the most important in your entire novel.
It's where your reader — or a literary agent — decides: do I want to keep reading this?
After spending years evaluating queries and editing hundreds of books, I've noticed that the best first pages contain these 4 elements.
It's where your reader — or a literary agent — decides: do I want to keep reading this?
After spending years evaluating queries and editing hundreds of books, I've noticed that the best first pages contain these 4 elements.
September 9, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Your first page is arguably the most important in your entire novel.
It's where your reader — or a literary agent — decides: do I want to keep reading this?
After spending years evaluating queries and editing hundreds of books, I've noticed that the best first pages contain these 4 elements.
It's where your reader — or a literary agent — decides: do I want to keep reading this?
After spending years evaluating queries and editing hundreds of books, I've noticed that the best first pages contain these 4 elements.
Really grateful to Marty for this post bc it's turned my entire timeline into non mainstream book recommendations :D
What's a book you love with all your goddamn heart that you believe did NOT get the love and attention it's due?
I'll go first, and it's abso-LUT-ely THE CITY IN GLASS by Nghi Vo. There are moments from that book that live in my blood and wake me from the dark.
I'll go first, and it's abso-LUT-ely THE CITY IN GLASS by Nghi Vo. There are moments from that book that live in my blood and wake me from the dark.
September 19, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Really grateful to Marty for this post bc it's turned my entire timeline into non mainstream book recommendations :D
Reposted by Meg
AI critics: This is a theft machine for lazy turds with no imagination
AI Stans: This is the greatest, most powerful tech in history. It is not a theft machine. There are no original thoughts anymore
People Who Created AI: This is a theft machine for lazy turds with no imagination
AI Stans: This is the greatest, most powerful tech in history. It is not a theft machine. There are no original thoughts anymore
People Who Created AI: This is a theft machine for lazy turds with no imagination
OpenAI and Microsoft admitted LLMs are predatory tech built on “an astonishing theft of unprecedented proportions,” and the “largest theft of labor in human history.” An internal Microsoft document said AI has created a “doom loop” that is killing “the entire web.” www.404media.co/doom-loop-op...
‘Doom Loop’: OpenAI and Microsoft Admits LLMs Are Destroying the Web and Built on Theft
"Millions of people around the world will soon consider large models ‘hoovering up’ all their work to be an astonishing theft of unprecedented proportions."
www.404media.co
September 18, 2026 at 1:59 PM
AI critics: This is a theft machine for lazy turds with no imagination
AI Stans: This is the greatest, most powerful tech in history. It is not a theft machine. There are no original thoughts anymore
People Who Created AI: This is a theft machine for lazy turds with no imagination
AI Stans: This is the greatest, most powerful tech in history. It is not a theft machine. There are no original thoughts anymore
People Who Created AI: This is a theft machine for lazy turds with no imagination
Reposted by Meg
⬆️Look for the FREE resources in my bio!⬆️
My favorite revision tools involve making a plan (yes, PANTSERS, this will work for you, too!)
My Writing Reverse Outlines Like a Pro workshop is on sale for $27! Grab it while you can! Link in bio.
#writingcommunity
My favorite revision tools involve making a plan (yes, PANTSERS, this will work for you, too!)
My Writing Reverse Outlines Like a Pro workshop is on sale for $27! Grab it while you can! Link in bio.
#writingcommunity
September 18, 2026 at 2:17 PM
⬆️Look for the FREE resources in my bio!⬆️
My favorite revision tools involve making a plan (yes, PANTSERS, this will work for you, too!)
My Writing Reverse Outlines Like a Pro workshop is on sale for $27! Grab it while you can! Link in bio.
#writingcommunity
My favorite revision tools involve making a plan (yes, PANTSERS, this will work for you, too!)
My Writing Reverse Outlines Like a Pro workshop is on sale for $27! Grab it while you can! Link in bio.
#writingcommunity
One really fun thing about writing in a completely fictional setting that is based heavily on a real life historical period is that sometimes the easiest word you want to use to describe something wouldn't exist in said fictional setting, so you have to reinvent the hansom cab. #writing
September 18, 2026 at 2:20 AM
One really fun thing about writing in a completely fictional setting that is based heavily on a real life historical period is that sometimes the easiest word you want to use to describe something wouldn't exist in said fictional setting, so you have to reinvent the hansom cab. #writing
Reposted by Meg
Once again this isn't like gay marriage. We're not asking for something new. We're asking not to lose rights we've had for decades. When Dems say they agree with enacting new restrictions on trans people, that's a betrayal. They are actively going out of their way to harm trans people.
September 12, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Once again this isn't like gay marriage. We're not asking for something new. We're asking not to lose rights we've had for decades. When Dems say they agree with enacting new restrictions on trans people, that's a betrayal. They are actively going out of their way to harm trans people.
Tiberius the day she came home (2017).
September 11, 2026 at 4:44 AM
Tiberius the day she came home (2017).
Reposted by Meg
Pre-orders are a huge deal and, very selfishly, I'm hoping that The Killing of a Chestnut Tree will sell enough copies that I can continue writing Havelock Harper mysteries! I love the characters.
Right now, there's a pre-order sale on at Barnes & Noble, with a whole 25% off, if it'd tempt you!
Right now, there's a pre-order sale on at Barnes & Noble, with a whole 25% off, if it'd tempt you!
September 10, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Pre-orders are a huge deal and, very selfishly, I'm hoping that The Killing of a Chestnut Tree will sell enough copies that I can continue writing Havelock Harper mysteries! I love the characters.
Right now, there's a pre-order sale on at Barnes & Noble, with a whole 25% off, if it'd tempt you!
Right now, there's a pre-order sale on at Barnes & Noble, with a whole 25% off, if it'd tempt you!
Reposted by Meg
A query letter issue I've repeatedly seen lately is the plot summary reading like this: "X happened. Then Y happened. Then Z happened." Instead, it should read: "BECAUSE X happened, Y happened. BECAUSE Y happened, Z happened." Show how the events in your novel are connected. #Querying #WritingTip
September 9, 2026 at 2:45 PM
A query letter issue I've repeatedly seen lately is the plot summary reading like this: "X happened. Then Y happened. Then Z happened." Instead, it should read: "BECAUSE X happened, Y happened. BECAUSE Y happened, Z happened." Show how the events in your novel are connected. #Querying #WritingTip
LibreOffice will always have my heart
"LibreOffice 26.8 contains no generative AI features. Documents are not transmitted to remote services for processing, and no component of the suite requires network access to function. This is a deliberate position."
LibreOffice 26.8 is now available with a new Paragraph Composer in Writer, native OpenType variable font support, Calc improvements, and better document compatibility.
linuxiac.com/libreoffice-...
#OpenSource #OfficeSuite
linuxiac.com/libreoffice-...
#OpenSource #OfficeSuite
August 27, 2026 at 5:18 AM
LibreOffice will always have my heart
Reposted by Meg
Just to remember it's not personal and that every writer gets rejected. Queries and submissions are shots on goal. Lots don't make it into the net, but every once in a while, one will. Keep lining up shots.
I've always struggled a lot with being dejected by rejections for stories. Any tips on better navigating that part of the process?
August 26, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Just to remember it's not personal and that every writer gets rejected. Queries and submissions are shots on goal. Lots don't make it into the net, but every once in a while, one will. Keep lining up shots.
Reposted by Meg
It’s officially Day 2 of QUERY PREP WEEK, so let’s get to work on what’s arguably the most important part of your query letter:
The description.
The description.
August 25, 2026 at 3:58 PM
It’s officially Day 2 of QUERY PREP WEEK, so let’s get to work on what’s arguably the most important part of your query letter:
The description.
The description.
Wow wow wow wow just. Wow. I'm so glad I stumbled across this book. When I realized what the first big twist was gonna be only a quarter of the way in there was no doubt that this story was going to be incredible and insane and it was and I loved it so unbelievably much #reading
August 21, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Wow wow wow wow just. Wow. I'm so glad I stumbled across this book. When I realized what the first big twist was gonna be only a quarter of the way in there was no doubt that this story was going to be incredible and insane and it was and I loved it so unbelievably much #reading
Reposted by Meg
Tasseltails are up on the Tattercat store! Book ponies, not just for pony books!
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
Discworld Attendees were the first to see these and the pony people (of every age) were not difficult to spot.
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
Discworld Attendees were the first to see these and the pony people (of every age) were not difficult to spot.
August 20, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Tasseltails are up on the Tattercat store! Book ponies, not just for pony books!
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
Discworld Attendees were the first to see these and the pony people (of every age) were not difficult to spot.
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
Discworld Attendees were the first to see these and the pony people (of every age) were not difficult to spot.
I love them so much 😭
We had SUCH FUN making the Tasseltails.
My inner pony-mad 12-year-old made lists of COLOURS and pony NAMES and it made me very happy.
Each colour has a different name, they all have a rhyme on the back.
They want to look after your place in the book!
My inner pony-mad 12-year-old made lists of COLOURS and pony NAMES and it made me very happy.
Each colour has a different name, they all have a rhyme on the back.
They want to look after your place in the book!
Tasseltails are up on the Tattercat store! Book ponies, not just for pony books!
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
Discworld Attendees were the first to see these and the pony people (of every age) were not difficult to spot.
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
thomas-brown-1.sumupstore.com/product/tass...
Discworld Attendees were the first to see these and the pony people (of every age) were not difficult to spot.
August 20, 2026 at 8:14 PM
I love them so much 😭
I used to do this all the time and it really does WORK
I doubt anyone following me on here needs to see this, but: if you use LLMs for brainstorming / ideation / rubberducking, may I introduce you to one of my honest-to-god most productive thinking / writing tools: talking to myself
no, i mean, in text
no, i mean, in text
August 17, 2026 at 8:46 PM
I used to do this all the time and it really does WORK
Reposted by Meg
SCOOP: 404 Media placed a tracking device in a shipment of rare books to see which AI company was buying it. What did we find? It ended up at an Amazon facility where Amazon scans and destroys books.
Yes. This is literally the logo outside the Amazon warehouse door. Read now:
Yes. This is literally the logo outside the Amazon warehouse door. Read now:
We Tracked a Shipment of Rare Books. It Ended at an Amazon AI Training Facility
We placed a tracking device in a shipment of rare books to see which AI company was buying it, and found an Amazon facility where Amazon scans and destroys books.
www.404media.co
August 17, 2026 at 1:23 PM
SCOOP: 404 Media placed a tracking device in a shipment of rare books to see which AI company was buying it. What did we find? It ended up at an Amazon facility where Amazon scans and destroys books.
Yes. This is literally the logo outside the Amazon warehouse door. Read now:
Yes. This is literally the logo outside the Amazon warehouse door. Read now:
Reposted by Meg
Some perfectionist misconceptions:
Queries must be perfect to send to an agent. FALSE. Polished? Yes.
Comps should be exactly like your book. NOPE! Show where your book fits.
An agent gave a form response on your last book, so they’re not going to want this one. INCORRECT.
#writing
Queries must be perfect to send to an agent. FALSE. Polished? Yes.
Comps should be exactly like your book. NOPE! Show where your book fits.
An agent gave a form response on your last book, so they’re not going to want this one. INCORRECT.
#writing
August 13, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Some perfectionist misconceptions:
Queries must be perfect to send to an agent. FALSE. Polished? Yes.
Comps should be exactly like your book. NOPE! Show where your book fits.
An agent gave a form response on your last book, so they’re not going to want this one. INCORRECT.
#writing
Queries must be perfect to send to an agent. FALSE. Polished? Yes.
Comps should be exactly like your book. NOPE! Show where your book fits.
An agent gave a form response on your last book, so they’re not going to want this one. INCORRECT.
#writing
Rain for the next 3 days ouo
Wait for me, Outside. I'm coming.
Wait for me, Outside. I'm coming.
I like to go for long evening walks to work out particularly hairy problems in my WIP. Unfortunately it is currently One Billion Degrees With Smoke outside and Does Not Cool Down At Night; I just can't bring myself to suffer these conditions. #writing
August 12, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Rain for the next 3 days ouo
Wait for me, Outside. I'm coming.
Wait for me, Outside. I'm coming.