New blog post! Are the dreaded Not Like Other Girls coming for your romance novels? No. Obviously not. That's dumb. amckenziewrites.substack.com/p/no-like-th...
15.02.2026 18:58
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New blog post! Are the dreaded Not Like Other Girls coming for your romance novels? No. Obviously not. That's dumb. amckenziewrites.substack.com/p/no-like-th...
I'm finally sitting down to watch Heated Rivalry, and I think the simplest explanation for its popularity is that it's an adaptation that clearly respects romance as a genre.
A golden retriever holding an octopus in its mouth, so it looks like tentacles
The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)
My book "The Blacksmith's Bride" is part of the Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale! Check out all the cool indie books for sale at 50% off at smashwords.com/sale #EOYsale25 #ebook #sale #books2read #indiebooks
a bit of a pivot for the newsletter this week! we're talking the real-life relationship between Hannah Cullwick and Arthur Munby, and what their play says about the society they lived in. amckenziewrites.substack.com/p/real-life-...
it is, however, much more man vs. man/man vs. self than my previous man vs. society efforts, which is probably why it feels so weird to write.
"this book is going to be a lot fluffier than normal" I say about a story in which everyone's moms are dying and their dads all hate them.
same reason I always pick the copy that's a bit scuffed up when I'm buying a book. it's not the book's fault! it must be so sad to be overlooked for its shinier neighbours!
this is only literary opinion adjacent but it is definitely unhinged
when I am stocking copies of a face-out book at the bookstore, I will put the fresh copies behind any copies already on the shelf, because they’ve been waiting their turn to be picked and I don’t want their feelings to get hurt
if, however, you want an actual historical romance f/f novel with lots of angst and pining, may I interest you in my next book?
The discrepancy between the content of the Bridgerton books and their Netflix tie-in covers has been discussed already, but man oh man is it going to be awkward when they get to Francesca's book!
perhaps he understands that without love, the horror loses its power; likewise without horror, the love becomes mundane, almost rote. in this essay I will -
stephen king sure writes about love a lot for a guy whose whole thing is horror.
This week's newsletter is a postmortem on the Conjuring series, a franchise which managed to be a horror story, a romance, and tradcath propaganda all rolled into one open.substack.com/pub/amckenzi...
the sex scenes in this new book might be some of the best I've ever written. they might also be some of the most unintentionally revealing I've ever written.
Cover artwork for The Shooting Season by Isobel Starling
I am so bad at book promo...
but #booksky, THE SHOOTING SEASON is a cracker, suitable for #mmromance #historicalromance readers.
Available in ebook, paperback and audiobook, narrated by @garyfurlongvo.bsky.social
Cover art by @noahdeaart.bsky.social
www.amazon.com/Shooting-Sea...
I think Written? Kitten! is struggling a bit
me: still has three books and a novella to write in my current series
the devil on my shoulder: you should start writing a lesbian romance set at the Moulin Rouge
Isabel took it, her face still blank. Constance couldn’t bear it. Something inside her was cracking, like glass shattering in the frigid depths of winter. She stepped closer, leaning in as if she meant to hand something else to Isabel - just close enough that she could whisper in her ear. “I love you,” she said, as wisps of Isabel’s hair tickled her temple and the brush of her cheek against Isabel’s reminded her that she would never feel this again, never lean against Isabel and feel warmth settling between their bodies, never kiss a smile onto her face or hear her provoked to unexpected laughter. She did not dare touch Isabel as she did it, and stepped back as soon as the words left her mouth. If she lingered, she knew she would not be able to let go. Isabel’s mouth twitched. “Why do you say that?” she said softly, and Constance knew she did not expect an answer, not really. “It’s of no use now.” Constance clasped her hands tight together to stop them shaking. “I thought you ought to know,” she said simply. There was nothing else to say.
okay, back in the saddle, that's a good paragraph
I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/
the actual official paperback is being processed now, it should take the place of the $50 in a few days.
On the Canadian website? It seems to be funneled through third party sellers ("SuperBookDeals")
it's a special day :)
Show rec time!! We’re only 2 eps in so far, but Be On Cloud’s newest production ‘Shine’ is blowing me away. It’s a gay historical drama set in 1969, dealing with protest, politics, and (proscribed, complex) queer desire
If you enjoyed ‘Fellow Travelers’ I definitely think you should check this out
Novel with a lesbian romance and mental health themes
https://www.booksns.com/155620/
I'm looking for an urban fantasy OR realistic fiction novel, with a lesbian romance (no explicit scenes), that also explores mental health themes. I'd really appreciate some help, as I've been struggling to …
All the purchasing links can be found here: linktr.ee/amckenziewri...
yeah, Barnes and Noble has physical copies! Amazon currently has a hardcover (paperback is being processed) and since it's distributed through Ingram Spark, your local independent can order it in.
Today's the day! THE BLACKSMITH'S BRIDE is now available from all major retailers (and minor ones - ask your local indie bookstore!) Click purchase and immediately have 98k of friends-to-lovers class war yearning in your hands! Who doesn't love that kind of instant gratification?
'twas the night before bookmas, and all through the house . . .
