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In the last few weeks, I have been recovering from unexpected gallbladder surgery.

It hit suddenly on a Thursday night, surgery was on Friday, and I was scheduled to be on a plan to GenCon in Indianapolis on Saturday.

If this had hit a little later, I would have been on a plane or in a new city to me.

As it was, it hit during the part of my trip to Tennessee where I was visiting with my dad, which meant I got to recover in a familiar bed in a familiar room with my tiny cat.

Even as I rested, I was thinking about how to explain surgery to Elsie. I decided to call it SICK OUCH and then later called it BELLY OUCH to invite her to not walk on my stomach (which she reluctantly complied with).

My main goal was to focus on the fact that medicine and going to the doctor can help with an ouch. She was a perfect nurse, staying very close to me and being very snuggly in extremely respectful ways.

Here’s a quick snapshot of what I’m…

• Crafting: Vernalis Top
• Reading: The Dragon Has Some Complaints by John Wiswell*
• Writing: Her grandmother crouched in the woods, showing them a small turtle. “Now…people think of the shell as being like a stone. But the truth is, the turtle can feel anything that touches it.”
• Watching: Ted Lasso season 4
• Enjoying: My Click & Grow garden (If you want cyclosporiasis-free and homegrown greens, the code ELSIEWANTS will give you 21% off)*

On September 1, my Write Your Novel workshop begins the “Endings” module.

Would you like to join? 

While this was designed for writers who are heading toward the final chapters, it’s useful for writers at any stage in the novel writing process, because you can use these tools to think about where the story is heading.

This workshop gives you the structure, accountability, and community to move your project forward. Through weekly meetings that combine craft instruction and dedicated writing time, you’ll work alongside fellow novelists tackling the same challenges you are. You don’t need to have attended prior modules to jump right in.

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 demo 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%.

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

THIS MONTH:

• Every Sunday, 11 AM ET: Make Me Write session for Patreon subscribers at that tier
• August 21 in Pittsburgh, PA: I’ll give a reading TONIGHT at Riverstone Books‘ Squirrel Hill location. RSVP required (free).
• August 27-31 in Anaheim, CA: I’m on a number of panels and other activities at LAcon V.
• August 31: Unlocking session class for Patreon members at the Live-streaming Classes tier and above

FUTURE:

• September 1: Q&A session for Patreon members at the Q&A tier and above
• September 3-11 in Seattle, WA: 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.
• September 12 in Seattle, WA: I’m delighted to be discussing Post-Dystopia Space Exploration: A Deep Dives Conversation with Dr. Sian Proctor, moderated by K. Wilson (The Astro Stud), hosted by Clarion West.
• October 15 in Aspen, CO: I’m joining the Aspen Writers Network meeting to discuss sci-fi and fantasy.
• October 21-24 in Surrey, BC: Find me at the Surrey International Writers Conference, where I’ll be a panelist and instructor.
• February 4-6, 2027 in Colorado Springs, CO: I’m an instructor at the Superstars Conference. Register before September 30 to save $100
• April 30 – May 3, 2027 in Albuquerque, NM: I’m an instructor (along with Sarah Gailey and Premee Mohamed) at Sandia Starforgers Workshop and Retreat for sci-fi, fantasy, horror, alt history, and other speculative fiction writers.

Live-streaming Class: “Unlocking Session”

Monday, August 31 at 8 PM ET

I teach a monthly live writing class for the members of my Patreon at the Live-streaming Classes tier and above.

Quarterly, I host an Unlocking Session, in which we’ll pick four volunteers at random to help unlock a thing that the writer is stuck on. 

It might be plot, character, voice… The idea is to give you a chance to talk it out in a safe setting with guidance from me to help you get past the barrier and back to writing.

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

When I gave her the OOPS button, my intention was that Elsie would be able to use it like a backspace key. 

She does not. It’s usually to correct something I did wrong.

But every now and then, she does correct herself.

Watch an example video here.

Want to start your own communication journey with your animal?

Click this link and use the code “elsiewant” for 12% off FluentPet buttons.*

Elsie recently turned 8! Here is your party favor.

We used the occasion to raise awareness for rescues and research organizations that have been important in Elsie’s life.

First up is Critical Animal Relief Foundation. They are based in Chicago and specialize in animals that are at medical risk. They place them with fosters and supply medical aid to help them get healthy. They found Elsie in a shelter as a tiny kitten with a “naked leg.” That’s as much as we know about the origin of her fancy leg. They do amazing work.

Multiple times Elsie has advocated for foster cats or kittens that we’ve had in our care. Several such cats came to us through the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga, and they have a ton of kittens and cats who need homes.

North Georgia Animal Alliance was the first place that we fostered for. They don’t have a building of their own. They can only take in animals based on the number of fosters that they have. There are a lot of little small rescues like this all over the country and there’s probably one near you.

If you can donate to (or volunteer to foster with) any of these organizations, that would be the best birthday present for Elsie.

Finally, I recorded a livestream with Elsie here, so feel free to watch!

Finally… one last announcement!

Elsie has a merch store, did you see?

Here is the link, and new merch will be released periodically.

I’m always grateful for your support. If you’d like to receive my newsletter (and other goodies) in your inbox, click here.

* This indicates an affiliate link. If you purchase from the link or use the code, Mary Robinette will make a commission. This does not increase your cost; it simply helps support her work.