Wendy Woudstra
@publishersarchive.com
🇨🇦 Writer, coder, and owner of PublishersArchive.com & SmarterWriter.com. Currently writing cozy mysteries and urban speculative fiction (with a cryptid/mythological twist). Web: https://wendywoudstra.com
Why didn't I know about this? www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-p...
CBC Podcast PlayMe adapts Canadian stage plays into full-cast audio podcasts.
Just listened to Kim's Convenience, and it was stellar.
CBC Podcast PlayMe adapts Canadian stage plays into full-cast audio podcasts.
Just listened to Kim's Convenience, and it was stellar.
PlayME | CBC Podcasts | CBC Listen
Welcome to your digital stage, where bold theatre meets cutting-edge audio drama. Each episode draws you into captivating stories brought to life by top actors, acclaimed writers, and cinematic sound ...
www.cbc.ca
September 6, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Why didn't I know about this? www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-p...
CBC Podcast PlayMe adapts Canadian stage plays into full-cast audio podcasts.
Just listened to Kim's Convenience, and it was stellar.
CBC Podcast PlayMe adapts Canadian stage plays into full-cast audio podcasts.
Just listened to Kim's Convenience, and it was stellar.
My fig tree (Ferdinand) finally gave me some ripe figs today.
September 5, 2026 at 8:05 PM
My fig tree (Ferdinand) finally gave me some ripe figs today.
Transferring all my email from Gmail to Proton mail has been an interesting experience in flashback.
Found this buried in the archive of unread email. Is this Steve Miller the Stephen Miller that's currently in charge of the nazification of the US?
Found this buried in the archive of unread email. Is this Steve Miller the Stephen Miller that's currently in charge of the nazification of the US?
September 4, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Transferring all my email from Gmail to Proton mail has been an interesting experience in flashback.
Found this buried in the archive of unread email. Is this Steve Miller the Stephen Miller that's currently in charge of the nazification of the US?
Found this buried in the archive of unread email. Is this Steve Miller the Stephen Miller that's currently in charge of the nazification of the US?
Reposted by Wendy Woudstra
"Today it’s Lake America, but tomorrow the propaganda coming from south of the border could be both more serious and insidious, and the actions of Google, Apple and other companies show plainly that they will not be on our side." — @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social
ANALYSIS: 'Lake America' makes one thing clear: we can’t trust U.S. tech companies | TVO Today
The president’s decree is dumb. Why is anyone going along with it?
www.tvo.org
September 2, 2026 at 7:46 PM
"Today it’s Lake America, but tomorrow the propaganda coming from south of the border could be both more serious and insidious, and the actions of Google, Apple and other companies show plainly that they will not be on our side." — @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social
"...culture shapes storytelling in ways that can subtly but profoundly affect our well-being and sense of self. Family and society are co-authors even in the stories we tell ourselves. "
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Why your brain turns everyday experience into stories
Neuroscience is revealing how our brains are wired for narrative
www.scientificamerican.com
August 20, 2026 at 10:50 PM
"...culture shapes storytelling in ways that can subtly but profoundly affect our well-being and sense of self. Family and society are co-authors even in the stories we tell ourselves. "
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
I have been hacking away at the same scene for two days now. I've been writing and rewriting and moving bits from there to here.
I have increased my wordcount today by.... 4.
Five hours of work. Four words.
But they're damn good words, which is what matters.
#writesky #amwriting
I have increased my wordcount today by.... 4.
Five hours of work. Four words.
But they're damn good words, which is what matters.
#writesky #amwriting
August 4, 2026 at 3:20 PM
I have been hacking away at the same scene for two days now. I've been writing and rewriting and moving bits from there to here.
I have increased my wordcount today by.... 4.
Five hours of work. Four words.
But they're damn good words, which is what matters.
#writesky #amwriting
I have increased my wordcount today by.... 4.
Five hours of work. Four words.
But they're damn good words, which is what matters.
#writesky #amwriting
I have rewritten the climax scene of my WIP three times so far. It's getting better but, damn, action is hard.
#amwriting #writesky
#amwriting #writesky
August 3, 2026 at 11:24 PM
I have rewritten the climax scene of my WIP three times so far. It's getting better but, damn, action is hard.
#amwriting #writesky
#amwriting #writesky
July 24, 2026 at 12:30 PM
One day you’re trying to coax an anxious kitten from under your bed, and then you wake up years later with an unwell 16-year-old companion counting on his humans to make the toughest decision of all.
Farewell old friend.
Farewell old friend.
July 18, 2026 at 4:07 PM
One day you’re trying to coax an anxious kitten from under your bed, and then you wake up years later with an unwell 16-year-old companion counting on his humans to make the toughest decision of all.
Farewell old friend.
Farewell old friend.
Writing a fight scene is a three-pass process for me. First, I map out the sequence of events: this happens, then that. Once the flow is clear, I layer in the sensory details, like the shattering of a mirror or the crunch of crumbling drywall.
July 15, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Writing a fight scene is a three-pass process for me. First, I map out the sequence of events: this happens, then that. Once the flow is clear, I layer in the sensory details, like the shattering of a mirror or the crunch of crumbling drywall.
I've frozen forty 150g bags of Saskatoon berries for muffins, three 600g bags for pie, filled six jars with jam, and donated 5 kilos to the food bank. There are still thousands of berries on the bushes, but the wildlife is welcome to them. I'm tired.
#harvest
#harvest
July 15, 2026 at 11:25 AM
I've frozen forty 150g bags of Saskatoon berries for muffins, three 600g bags for pie, filled six jars with jam, and donated 5 kilos to the food bank. There are still thousands of berries on the bushes, but the wildlife is welcome to them. I'm tired.
#harvest
#harvest
It’s been sweltering lately, but I’ve managed to make some serious progress on my WIP while hiding out in the shade. I just hit the 50K-word milestone. Time to pull all those narrative threads together.
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky
July 14, 2026 at 2:33 PM
It’s been sweltering lately, but I’ve managed to make some serious progress on my WIP while hiding out in the shade. I just hit the 50K-word milestone. Time to pull all those narrative threads together.
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky
I'm not terribly worried about AI-generated creative writing right now because it kind of sucks, and the near future doesn't worry me because there isn't enough money in it to justify the a... https://wendywoudstra.com/index.php/blog/ai-fiction-writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky
July 7, 2026 at 3:08 PM
I'm not terribly worried about AI-generated creative writing right now because it kind of sucks, and the near future doesn't worry me because there isn't enough money in it to justify the a... https://wendywoudstra.com/index.php/blog/ai-fiction-writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky #booksky
My saskatoon berries are ripening. I got about a dozen bags vacuum-sealed and frozen last week. 5 more this am before breakfast. I should be able to get maybe 20 more bags to ensure I can make muffins all winter. Still have jam from last year, so won't make that.
July 6, 2026 at 11:45 AM
My saskatoon berries are ripening. I got about a dozen bags vacuum-sealed and frozen last week. 5 more this am before breakfast. I should be able to get maybe 20 more bags to ensure I can make muffins all winter. Still have jam from last year, so won't make that.
Finally hit 40K in my WIP.
It's been a slog, and I've been deleting almost as many words as I've been adding these past few days, so I'm celebrating the milestone.
I'm inviting my dog and my cat to a party on the sofa. We're going to read a book. 🥳
#writesky #amwriting #writingcommunity
It's been a slog, and I've been deleting almost as many words as I've been adding these past few days, so I'm celebrating the milestone.
I'm inviting my dog and my cat to a party on the sofa. We're going to read a book. 🥳
#writesky #amwriting #writingcommunity
July 5, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Finally hit 40K in my WIP.
It's been a slog, and I've been deleting almost as many words as I've been adding these past few days, so I'm celebrating the milestone.
I'm inviting my dog and my cat to a party on the sofa. We're going to read a book. 🥳
#writesky #amwriting #writingcommunity
It's been a slog, and I've been deleting almost as many words as I've been adding these past few days, so I'm celebrating the milestone.
I'm inviting my dog and my cat to a party on the sofa. We're going to read a book. 🥳
#writesky #amwriting #writingcommunity
My niece belongs to a "book club" that never actually meets. Instead, a group of friends with incompatible schedules started a marginalia book club: one person selects a book, buys a physical copy, and highlights it and jots down notes in the margins about why they love it. (1/2)
#booksky
#booksky
July 3, 2026 at 2:16 PM
My niece belongs to a "book club" that never actually meets. Instead, a group of friends with incompatible schedules started a marginalia book club: one person selects a book, buys a physical copy, and highlights it and jots down notes in the margins about why they love it. (1/2)
#booksky
#booksky
Reposted by Wendy Woudstra
Submissions are open for the September 2026 issue of Trifles through July 31st. We are looking for stories, essays, illustrations, games, puzzles, trivia quizzes, limericks, & more. We will accept reprints!
July 1, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Submissions are open for the September 2026 issue of Trifles through July 31st. We are looking for stories, essays, illustrations, games, puzzles, trivia quizzes, limericks, & more. We will accept reprints!
Reposted by Wendy Woudstra
🧵🧵🧵 ALERT! FF re-opens to submissions on July 1st and so, between now and then, I'll be sharing updates from members of the reading team on the stories they love and what they wish they saw more of in the reading queue.
So, read on to find out what's on the wishlist!
1/
So, read on to find out what's on the wishlist!
1/
May 23, 2026 at 8:12 PM
🧵🧵🧵 ALERT! FF re-opens to submissions on July 1st and so, between now and then, I'll be sharing updates from members of the reading team on the stories they love and what they wish they saw more of in the reading queue.
So, read on to find out what's on the wishlist!
1/
So, read on to find out what's on the wishlist!
1/
2026 Spooky Story Contest from Canadian Stories Magazine is looking for spooky short stories up to 1300 words. Entry fee is C5.99, and all fees go toward the first place prize.
Open to 🇨🇦 residents.
www.thenewcanadianstories.ca/product-page...
#ShortStoryContest #writingcommunity
Open to 🇨🇦 residents.
www.thenewcanadianstories.ca/product-page...
#ShortStoryContest #writingcommunity
2026 Spooky Story Contest Entry | Canadian Stories
Enter our 2026 Spooky Story Contest! Entry fee is $5.99 and fees go toward a prize for the first place winner! Winners will be announced in the Fall. Stories will be published in the Fall issue. Open ...
www.thenewcanadianstories.ca
June 29, 2026 at 1:44 PM
2026 Spooky Story Contest from Canadian Stories Magazine is looking for spooky short stories up to 1300 words. Entry fee is C5.99, and all fees go toward the first place prize.
Open to 🇨🇦 residents.
www.thenewcanadianstories.ca/product-page...
#ShortStoryContest #writingcommunity
Open to 🇨🇦 residents.
www.thenewcanadianstories.ca/product-page...
#ShortStoryContest #writingcommunity
Is it just me, or does everyone have to rewrite their outline at the 50% mark because the story has warped so much that the threads no longer connect? It’s a recurring struggle for me!
Happy Monday, everyone. Enjoy the week!
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky
Happy Monday, everyone. Enjoy the week!
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky
June 29, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Is it just me, or does everyone have to rewrite their outline at the 50% mark because the story has warped so much that the threads no longer connect? It’s a recurring struggle for me!
Happy Monday, everyone. Enjoy the week!
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky
Happy Monday, everyone. Enjoy the week!
#amwriting #writingcommunity #writesky
Reposted by Wendy Woudstra
48 Writing Contests in July, curated by @ericaverrillo.bsky.social - No fees!
"This July there are four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication."
https://loom.ly/PAGe90o
"This July there are four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication."
https://loom.ly/PAGe90o
48 Writing Contests in July 2026 - No entry fees!
This July there are four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees. Some of these...
ericaverrillo.com
June 28, 2026 at 3:01 PM
48 Writing Contests in July, curated by @ericaverrillo.bsky.social - No fees!
"This July there are four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication."
https://loom.ly/PAGe90o
"This July there are four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication."
https://loom.ly/PAGe90o
Reposted by Wendy Woudstra
I'll be in Nebraska for the next week, so there will be a delay on any paperback & zine orders placed through our store.
Speaking of being among endless fields of corn, have you considered writing something for our upcoming food systems horror/Weird fic anthology?
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...
Speaking of being among endless fields of corn, have you considered writing something for our upcoming food systems horror/Weird fic anthology?
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...
Submission Calls
Food systems anthology submission callopen September 1st through 14th OverviewAn anthology of food systems horror and Weird fiction. Food systems include all infrastructure involved in the growth, …
cursedmorsels.com
June 28, 2026 at 1:13 PM
I'll be in Nebraska for the next week, so there will be a delay on any paperback & zine orders placed through our store.
Speaking of being among endless fields of corn, have you considered writing something for our upcoming food systems horror/Weird fic anthology?
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...
Speaking of being among endless fields of corn, have you considered writing something for our upcoming food systems horror/Weird fic anthology?
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...
Open anthology call:
Santa Rage 2: More Tales of Murder and Mayhem
Deadline for Submission: August 31st, 2026
Details: www.mistimedia.com/calls-for-su...
Not something I'd write, but definitely something I'd read.
Santa Rage 2: More Tales of Murder and Mayhem
Deadline for Submission: August 31st, 2026
Details: www.mistimedia.com/calls-for-su...
Not something I'd write, but definitely something I'd read.
Santa Rage 2: More Tales of Murder and Mayhem – Misti Media, LLC
www.mistimedia.com
June 28, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Open anthology call:
Santa Rage 2: More Tales of Murder and Mayhem
Deadline for Submission: August 31st, 2026
Details: www.mistimedia.com/calls-for-su...
Not something I'd write, but definitely something I'd read.
Santa Rage 2: More Tales of Murder and Mayhem
Deadline for Submission: August 31st, 2026
Details: www.mistimedia.com/calls-for-su...
Not something I'd write, but definitely something I'd read.
Happy Wednesday!
I have pay-the-bills work to do before I read or write anything.
But it's supposed to rain, so at least I won't be tempted to start playing with the veggie garden.
I have pay-the-bills work to do before I read or write anything.
But it's supposed to rain, so at least I won't be tempted to start playing with the veggie garden.
June 24, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Happy Wednesday!
I have pay-the-bills work to do before I read or write anything.
But it's supposed to rain, so at least I won't be tempted to start playing with the veggie garden.
I have pay-the-bills work to do before I read or write anything.
But it's supposed to rain, so at least I won't be tempted to start playing with the veggie garden.
Just finished reading Charlotte MacLeod's NB-based novel, A Pint of Murder. (Published 1980) There were some things I loved. The very first scene is one. And some things - like the 'romance' btw the detective and Janet which was basically him eating what she cooked - were not so great.
June 23, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Just finished reading Charlotte MacLeod's NB-based novel, A Pint of Murder. (Published 1980) There were some things I loved. The very first scene is one. And some things - like the 'romance' btw the detective and Janet which was basically him eating what she cooked - were not so great.