# MacKenzie Scott novel release on Substack

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mackenzie-scott-novel-release-on-substack
> Updated: 2026-08-22T15:00:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has begun the serial release of her third novel, titled ‘Last Days in Two Nations (A History in Eighteen Minds)’, via a Substack newsletter.

The 80,000-word work depicts a speculative future United States split into two territories—the ‘Still United’ and the ‘Dakota Membership’—following a series of pandemics. The narrative explores themes of genetic editing and government control.

This release marks a return to fiction for Scott, who previously published ‘The Testing of Luther Albright’ in 2005 and ‘Traps’ in 2013. Her literary background includes studying creative writing at Princeton University under Toni Morrison.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-22: MacKenzie Scott returns to fiction with new novel on Substack

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is returning to fiction with a new 80,000-word novel, ‘Last Days in Two Nations (A History in Eighteen Minds),’ being released serially on Substack.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mackenzie-scott-returns-to-fiction-with-new-novel-on-substack

### 2026-08-08: MacKenzie Scott to release third novel on Substack

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott will self-publish her third novel, “Last Days in Two Nations (A History in Eighteen Minds),” serially on Substack throughout August.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mackenzie-scott-to-release-third-novel-on-substack

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Cite as: MacKenzie Scott novel release on Substack. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mackenzie-scott-novel-release-on-substack