Melanie Bell

On Substack today, I wrote about my recent experience at the British Fantasy Society writing retreat in Chester, and shared a bunch of cute zoo animal pictures. Notes From a British Fantasy Society Writing Retreat open.substack.com/pub/melaniebel…

So glad to share that FIRSTBORN OF THE SUN paperback, out June 4, is available for preorder and part of the @waterstones 25% discounts this season! Use the code FEB26 at checkout! Offer ends at 23:59 20th February.

@MarijaSmits Thanks - it was!

@InspireEnvision That is gorgeous. 😍 And it looks like so much fun to do! xx

My first stained glass project! Thanks to Ruth of Blue Skies Glass Studio for a wonderful workshop.

Thanks to UNB's School of Leadership Studies for inviting me to facilitate an Enneagram workshop! I look forward to seeing everyone in two weeks for small group follow-up sessions. Teaching remotely was fun, and I feel more emotional than I expected after being "back at school"!

@MarijaSmits Thanks so much!

@InspireEnvision Oh, Melanie, this piece (as well as your post about your dad) made me cry. Sending you much love. xx

Losing a parent last year has made me reflect on my earliest experience with family grief, for a sister I never knew. Below is a personal essay I wrote about her for xoJane, originally published in 2015: The Shadow of My Dead Sister open.substack.com/pub/melaniebel…

This Friday, I'm facilitating an Enneagram personality dynamics workshop for UNB's School of Leadership Studies, formerly known as Renaissance College, where I did my undergraduate degree. I'll be leading small-group sessions a couple weeks later. Very excited!

As AI becomes more prevalent, it's important to use it wisely. My latest Mindtools article is on AI bias and the steps we can take to mitigate it. members.mindtools.com/a376iaw/ai-bias

That's another manuscript done! I sent it to my publisher early. Time to celebrate!

Blue skies, big waves.

Sunset and starlings by the old pier.

I wrote a New Year story, set in the world of the cozy fantasy novel I'm working on! New Year, New Ewe open.substack.com/pub/melaniebel…

@TheFOLD_ posted a reading challenge for this year that looks interesting. I'm not committing to it but will use the list for ideas, especially since the book I'm currently reading (Magic, Maps and Mischief) fits the January theme! thefoldcanada.org/webinars-activ…

Happy 2026! Is anyone else doing a word of the year? Mine is "forward." I want to move forward in areas where I'm stuck and projects I have underway.

Merry Twixmas in the vortex where time loses its meaning! We probably all need to eat a vegetable. @yeahitschill

I had a holiday story published today. I shared it previously at a Kinky Storytelling event, so take that as you will when it comes to readership. "Join us for a Christmas walk through the forest in this enchanting sapphic winter tale by Melanie Bell." patreon.com/posts/forest-c…

Yesterday I walked around the park with Blackjack here and a lovely group of horses and humans. Thanks to Switchboard for a wonderful Christmas activity!

Happy holidays!

Donkeys at the Christmas market!