Author: M. L. Rio

Writer, reader, melomaniac // author of IF WE WERE VILLAINS

New Work: HOT WAX

~ M. L. Rio

It’s been a busy few months for Team Rio. As is always the case with publishing, there’s a strange lag between when big things happen and when they can actually be big news. I’m thrilled to finally share this with you.

I wrote the first version of this book seven years ago. It’s been on a long, strange journey since then, and I’m so glad it’s found such a good home with Tim at Simon & Schuster. The next few years promise to be very busy, in a very good way. Without a great agent this never would have happened–I’m grateful for mine every day. But it also wouldn’t have happened without my readers, who have loved my first book so fiercely and made it possible for me to write more.

I can’t wait to bring you along on this fresh adventure. Because most of my online writing has migrated to my Substack newsletter, this is a great time to subscribe. You’ll still see all the big news here, but if you’re interested in the publishing process and want a peek behind the scenes as Hot Wax and Graveyard Shift go to press, Substack is the place to be. I hope you’ll join me. You can subscribe right here.

Thank you, as always, for reading.

M

New Work Coming Soon

~ M. L. Rio

Yesterday we got to share some great news on Publisher’s Marketplace. Now that the ink is dry, I’m excited to say that we have another book coming. In fall 2024, my first novella, Graveyard Shift, will hit the shelves.

We’ve been working on this for about six months, and I turned the first draft in to my editor last week. It’s been a delightful adventure in a new form, but I think–I hope–it will feel pleasantly familiar and refreshingly different from Villains. I’ll be sure to share cover and pre-order links as soon as we have them, and if you want to keep up with where we are in the publication process or you’re just curious what goes on behind the scenes in the book business, now’s a great time to subscribe to my newsletter on Substack. That’s where all the gory details will be.

Stay tuned. More news in the new year.

M

End-of-year updates

~ M. L. Rio

Hard to believe 2023 is almost over, but here we are. Before we go gentle into that silent night of the holiday break, a few updates from Team Rio to close out the year:

  • Events: I’ll be in conversation with Olivie Blake to discuss The Atlas Complex, hosted by A Novel Idea here in Philadelphia on January 11. It’s a ticketed event (we’ll both be signing books), so if you want to be sure to get a seat, snag one soon. Details here and on the Events page.
  • Interviews: I had a long, in-depth conversation with the On the Write Track podcast a few months back, and it’s one of the most thorough “behind-the-scenes of publishing” interviews I’ve done recently. If you’re an aspiring author, just curious about how the business works, or interested in IWWV’s long, strange journey, it’s worth an hour of your time. Listen here or find it on the Links page.
  • Newsletter: If you’ve been seeing fewer posts here, it’s because I’m migrating most of my longer-form writing to Substack. That’s where you’ll find my thoughts on craft and the industry, plus travel updates, content recs and roundups, and opportunities to post comments and ask questions. I recently started a series on one of my favorite (and every other writer’s least favorite) subjects: revision. If you’re curious, you can read the first post here. Subscription is free, for now, and it’s the best way to stay up-to-date. Now’s a good time to subscribe, because we have some big things coming in 2024. I can’t talk about it yet, but I’m really excited to do that when the time comes.

Finally, don’t forget that supply chain issues are still a thing. If you want to gift books to friends and family this year, here’s your nudge to order them now, and your reminder to be patient with booksellers. They’re under a lot of pressure. Give them the benefit of the doubt. And support small businesses and indie bookstores whenever you can.

More soon.

M

New York, New Events, and New Releases

~ M. L. Rio

A few quick updates as we approach the end of September. Firstly, the In These Hallowed Halls anthology is finally out in the world. You can buy it from many bookstores, or find your preferred online retailer here. To help celebrate the release, I signed stock of both Villains and the anthology at eight different bookstores in New York City this past week. You can find a list of them on this thread on the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Finally, I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be helping kick off Spooky Season at one of my favorite indie bookstores. I hope you’ll join us at the Book & Cover (Chattanooga, TN) on October 2 at 7pm. Please note this is a ticketed event and tickets are going fast, so grab yours before they’re gone.

Hope to see you soon.

M

Sundry Updates

~ M. L. Rio

A few quick updates from the Rioverse:

  • B&N Exclusive: This baby is almost sold out. You can’t order them online, but check your local store if you want to snag one for your shelves.
  • In These Hallowed Halls: This anthology hits shelves next month. My contribution is called “Weekend at Bertie’s” and it’s probably ever weirder than you’re thinking. I hope you enjoy it. You can pre-order the book here.
  • Shepherdstown Book Festival: I’m a featured author at the inaugural Shepherdstown Book Festival in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, from 15-17 September. Hope to see you there for some talk and probably some signing. More info here.
  • Turning Points Writing Retreat: Very excited to be returning to New Mexico this fall to talk about the professionalization part of writing. Stay tuned for more about that.
  • Substack: This has taken a turn because–as you may already know if you follow me on socials–last week I broke my ankle and shattered my heel and I won’t be able to walk for another 6-8 weeks. Because that obviously puts a damper on my travel plans, I’m pivoting to more craft posts with the newsletter, so if you’re interested in my thoughts about the nuts and bolts of writing, make sure you subscribe (it’s free). Next post on Sunday, probably.

That’s all for now. More soon, hopefully.

M

Introducing Discursions

~ M. L. Rio

Hello, lovely readers. This is a short post to introduce you to a new writing venture of mine. If you’re at all “online” you’ve probably heard other writers talk about Substack, and I am officially jumping on the bandwagon. You can read a little more about why in my first post, and I hope you’ll consider subscribing.

What’s the difference between Discursions and this old-fashioned website? Basically, it’s two different kinds of content. If you’re already on the mailing list here, you’ll get updates and announcements about events, interviews, new writing, etc. Substack is a little more casual; it’s where you’ll see longer posts on craft and industry, and more regular on-the-ground updates about where I am in the world and what I’m up to. It won’t be too overwhelming, probably a post a week, maybe two. I hope you’ll consider joining me on this little adventure.

Thanks, as always, for reading.

M

Reddit AMA

~ M. L. Rio

Missed my last AMA? Never fear, because we’ve got a new one on the books for Friday, May 5 at 12 pm ET on the r/books thread. (You can find me under the username M-L-Rio.) Mark your calendars and bring your questions!

M

Upcoming Events

~ M. L. Rio

Mark your calendars for May. I’ll be making two appearances on the East Coast to launch the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition of If We Were Villains. You can catch me in Rockville, MD on May 5, or at Union Square in New York City on May 8. I’ll be in conversation with two fabulous authors, Elyse Martin and Elisabeth Thomas, and signing books after the chat. Please note that the Union Square event is ticketed, so be sure to snag a stub before they’re gone. You can find more event details here for Rockville, here for Union Square, and on my events page.

See you soon.

M

Fresh Ink

~ M. L. Rio

You might have seen it on socials yesterday, but in case you missed it: new writing from me for the first time in a long time coming 2023.

In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology

I don’t normally do short stories, but I thought I’d make an exception as a thank you for all your support over the last few years. You can pre-order the anthology from any of the retailers listed here, or here if you’re in the UK.

More to come.

M