In a recent Grammar Girl podcast, award-winning fiction writer Mary Robinette Kowal talks about the evolution of her career, her collaborative relationship with her agent, and her top three book recommendations.
How Mary Robinette Kowal’s writing has evolved
Mary Robinette’s career began with her Regency fantasy novel “Shades of Milk and Honey,” but she knew early on she didn’t want to be boxed into one genre. To prepare her readers for change, she kept the tone of her books consistent while experimenting with different story types — moving from romance, to spy novel, to courtroom drama, to a heist story.
“People want the same but different … so my heroine was the same; my structure was different.”
Over time, she started writing science fiction, including “The Calculating Stars” in the “Lady Astronaut” series. Her recent book “The Spare Man” blends a historical vibe with a futuristic setting.
“Now I think I’m at a point where I can just go all over the map.”
Inside Mary Robinette Kowal’s relationship with her agent
Mary Robinette works closely with her agent, Seth Fishman, in a highly collaborative process that focuses not just on the next project but on long-term career planning.
“We think about not just the next book, but five books out.”
Together, they assess new ideas, determine the best timing for releases, and sometimes hold onto completed manuscripts if the market isn’t right. A fun tidbit: for her forthcoming book “The Dragon Question,” Seth encouraged her to “add more sex scenes” to match new market trends, particularly after the success “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros.
He said, “I have literally never given this note before, but more sex.”
How Mary Robinette Kowal writes
Mary Robinette usually focuses on one novel at a time during the initial phase of writing but often juggles multiple projects at later different stages. She typically drafts about three-quarters of a novel in a month, and then she revises for a few months.
“My preferred mode is to hyperfocus on a book.”
Her writing style and ability to work quickly were influenced by her background in theater and her experience with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which suited her ADHD brain because the experience was interesting, novel, challenging, and urgent.
Mary Robinette Kowal’s book recommendations
At the end of the podcast, Mary Robinette recommended three recent reads:
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“O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Elizabeth Boyle
A warm portal fantasy about second chances set between Thanksgiving and Christmas.“It’s like having a cup of cocoa while you sit by the window, and it’s snowing, and there’s a fire, and you’ve got warm socks.”
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“The Champagne Letters” by Kate Macintosh
A twisty novel about a woman starting over in Paris after betrayal.“It’s a love letter to Paris and … to any postmenopausal woman who is trying to find herself.“
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“Someone You Can Build a Nest In” by John Wiswell
A cozy horror novel that explores identity, acceptance, and humanity through the story of a literal monster.“It’s something that I think everyone should read, especially people who are neurodivergent. You will feel so seen when you read this book.“
Mignon also shared that she read “Someone You Can Build a Nest In” after the interview and loved it, even before she knew it had been nominated for a Hugo Award.
What’s next for Mary Robinette Kowal?
Mary Robinette’s new book “The Martian Contingency” came out in March, and fans can stay updated on her work by visiting her website at maryrobinettekowal.com or signing up for her newsletter. And if you missed it, be sure to check out the full February episode (#1058) of the Grammar Girl podcast, where Mary Robinette shared practical advice for overcoming writing barriers.