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Alison McKenzie

@amckenziewrites.bsky.social

Alison, writer of kissing books. She/her. οΈβ€πŸŒˆ

66 Followers  |  80 Following  |  174 Posts  |  Joined: 29.12.2024  |  1.8936

Latest posts by amckenziewrites.bsky.social on Bluesky

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.

16.10.2025 03:27 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

"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.

16.10.2025 03:24 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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!

14.10.2025 15:59 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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

14.10.2025 00:29 β€” πŸ‘ 332    πŸ” 31    πŸ’¬ 14    πŸ“Œ 3

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?

14.10.2025 15:45 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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!

14.10.2025 15:44 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

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 -

14.10.2025 01:56 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

stephen king sure writes about love a lot for a guy whose whole thing is horror.

14.10.2025 01:55 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
reflections on romance: the conjuring franchise (2013-2025) on catholic superheroes, the protestants (me) who love them, and the appeal of sincerity

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...

12.10.2025 17:28 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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.

21.09.2025 00:43 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Cover artwork for The Shooting Season by Isobel Starling

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...

15.09.2025 14:31 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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I think Written? Kitten! is struggling a bit

15.09.2025 14:32 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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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

31.08.2025 15:04 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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. β€œI 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. β€œWhy do you say that?” she said softly, and Constance knew she did not expect an answer, not really. β€œIt’s of no use now.”

Constance clasped her hands tight together to stop them shaking. β€œI thought you ought to know,” she said simply. There was nothing else to say.

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. β€œI 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. β€œWhy do you say that?” she said softly, and Constance knew she did not expect an answer, not really. β€œIt’s of no use now.” Constance clasped her hands tight together to stop them shaking. β€œI thought you ought to know,” she said simply. There was nothing else to say.

okay, back in the saddle, that's a good paragraph

25.08.2025 23:31 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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/

15.08.2025 09:58 β€” πŸ‘ 6271    πŸ” 2399    πŸ’¬ 119    πŸ“Œ 173

the actual official paperback is being processed now, it should take the place of the $50 in a few days.

14.08.2025 02:01 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

On the Canadian website? It seems to be funneled through third party sellers ("SuperBookDeals")

14.08.2025 02:00 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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it's a special day :)

14.08.2025 00:59 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Show rec time!! We’re only 2 eps in so far, but Be On Cloud’s newest production β€˜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 β€˜Fellow Travelers’ I definitely think you should check this out

14.08.2025 00:56 β€” πŸ‘ 37    πŸ” 15    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Blacksmith's Bride Check out The Blacksmith's Bride - <p>England, 1383: thirty years ago, the Black Death overturned the social order. Two years ago, a band of rebels tried and failed to oppose their unfair taxation at ...

also Indiebound! bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

13.08.2025 17:11 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Novel with a lesbian romance and mental health themes - Trending Books I'm looking for an urban fantasy OR realistic fiction novel, with a lesbian romance (no explicit scenes), that also explores mental health themes.

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 …

13.08.2025 15:50 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
amckenziewrites | Instagram, TikTok | Linktree alison. writer of kissing books. https://substack.com/@amckenziewrites

All the purchasing links can be found here: linktr.ee/amckenziewri...

13.08.2025 15:07 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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.

13.08.2025 15:06 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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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?

13.08.2025 14:23 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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'twas the night before bookmas, and all through the house . . .

13.08.2025 02:25 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Isabel turned that thought over in her head: that just seeing her like that had pushed Constance over the edge. That her pleasure could bring pleasure to Constance as well, that pleasure was something that could be shared instead of taken.

Isabel turned that thought over in her head: that just seeing her like that had pushed Constance over the edge. That her pleasure could bring pleasure to Constance as well, that pleasure was something that could be shared instead of taken.

I am not deliberately writing this novel as lesbian propaganda, but also. did I lie?

09.08.2025 01:53 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

thank you! ❀️ I really appreciate it

08.08.2025 18:11 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
amckenziewrites | Instagram, TikTok | Linktree alison. writer of kissing books. https://substack.com/@amckenziewrites

It's my birthday! And you know what would be a great present for you AND me? Pre-ordering my book ;)https://linktr.ee/amckenziewrites πŸŽ‚

08.08.2025 16:41 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I don't screenshot well lol

06.08.2025 23:48 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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My episode of the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast is up! I read an excerpt from The Blacksmith's Bride, then chat with Katherine Grant about the end of feudalism, Robin Hood RPGs, and who gets an HEA in historical romance. youtu.be/tAA4TB_7pPE?...

06.08.2025 15:52 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

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