Steven Miller was inspired by an anti-immigrant French novel. Tech bros use Atlas Shrugged as gospel. The Birth of a Nation revived an infamous hate group. If we don't use our writing to call for justice, we're ceding public consciousness to cruel ideas. www.matthewarnoldstern.com/current-affa...

I got a golden ticket! I interviewed @drinksinthelibrary.bsky.social at Green Cheek Beer. Listen to my interview on YouTube as we discuss Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, changing books over time, media literacy, and more! www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MeO...

I'm coming back to the San Fernando Valley! Join me at The Open Book Northridge on Sunday 2/22 12–3 pm.

Take a break from doomscrolling and hear about the song that inspired me the most and how I fit it into my novel. Here's the story about "Keep The Fire" by @thekennyloggins.

My upcoming newsletter has an interview with @authorbaileyjohnson, author of Don't Leave Me Behind, updates on my beta review, and upcoming events. Subscribe now so you don't miss out, and look for my January newsletter on Wednesday. www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h...

When this is all over, what will it be like?

I used to be a big Dilbert fan. I even referenced it in my first novel, Offline. That was until Scott Adams fell so far down the far right rabbit hole that I couldn't support him anymore. Now, that he's dead, I'm looking back and reflecting. www.matthewarnoldstern.com/current-affa...

This is a frightening time, but such times are character tests, as I wrote at Halloween. Fear should drive us to action. www.matthewarnoldstern.com/insights/fea...

How can we sit and write when the world is going to hell? The answer comes from an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

They will not stop with Renee Nicole Good. They will not stop with Venezuela. They will not stop until somebody stops them.

Venezuela? If there's a country that has a corrupt, criminal tyrant that needs to be removed, it is ours.

As writers, we're often asked, "How long does it take you to write a novel?" In the case of Christina's Portrait, it was nearly 50 years because that was how long it took me to find the right way to talk about a tragedy.

I ended 2025 by posting a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review for an ARC I read. Check out DON'T LEAVE ME BEHIND by Bailey Johnson when it comes out in February. Preorders are available now. #booksky www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

As 2025 ends, I’m grateful for: 1. I didn’t let fear take away my dreams. 2. The evil people in the world are incredibly stupid, and they’ll be done in by their own incompetence, greed, and selfishness. 3. I have the power to help shape a better world. Bring it on, 2026. Happy New Year.

It doesn't matter how many books you've published. There's something wonderful about the words, "May I kindly request the full manuscript." #booksky

A lesson I've learned in 35 years of marriage is there is power in keeping your promise.

My upcoming newsletter has an interview with author Joseph Lewis, the latest on my work in progress, and how writing is built on community. Make sure you don't miss it when it comes out Thursday by subscribing. Sign up and view past issues here: www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h...

I can't predict what will happen in 2026. But I know from past experience that we should prepare ourselves for change.

As I look back at 2025, its most important lessons come from a poem Matthew Arnold published 170 years ago.

It has become a holiday meme, an earworm, and the bane of retail workers. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is not that deep, but it has a lot to say.

For my Thanksgiving post this year, I show why gratitude prevents us from becoming the worst kind of people. You know who I'm talking about.

My November newsletter comes out tomorrow has Part 2 of my interview with Reseda Charter High School librarian Amanda Prosin, Indie Author Day highlights, updates on my work in progress, and a holiday sale! Don't miss out. Subscribe today! www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h...

At Indie Author Day in Anaheim, we discussed AI and writing. What we concluded was AI-generate art is no substitute for the connection human-created art provides.

Black Yé'ii (The Evil One) is a brilliant crime thriller, a Maxy Award finalist, and it's on sale for Kindle for 99¢ today (11/17) through Wednesday (11/19). Get your copy now, and look for my interview with author Joseph Lewis in my December newsletter. #Booksky amzn.to/4r5dT0w

With the start of girls' basketball season coming, here are the reasons why I appreciate female athletes and have them appear in my fiction.

Although this line is uttered by the villain of my work in progress, I couldn't let those two years I spent at UCLA go to waste: “Yes, we know, Mr. Mortensen. USC. USC. USC. Like we’re supposed to be impressed? All USC is a football team that happens to sell degrees.” #amwriting #booksy

Here are my latest lines from my #WIP. They include what I think may be the most romantic thing I've ever had a male character say to a FMC. #amwriting

We already know he doesn't care about us. The thing about this picture is the person who fainted is a businessman. Rich people, he doesn't care about you either. He doesn't care about anyone except himself. He will screw you over too.

One of the things I despaired about last year was that I'd never find a publishing home for my novel, Christina's Portrait. It touches on themes that would enrage the regime. But I've been sending submissions anyway. I decided not to be afraid to write what I believe. #amquerying #WeeknightWriters

A year ago, I thought it was all over—not just for my country, but for myself. Last night showed us progress is still possible if we stand together for what is right and refuse to give up hope.

My current work in progress has callbacks to the first novel I self-published, Offline. I make a direct reference in the paragraph shown in the center, but many of the themes, grounded on my observations about corporate life, are repeated. #amwriting #booksky #WeeknightWriters

The current word count of my #WIP. I have some devilishly horrible things in store for my characters. “Bwah, ha, ha, ha!” #booksky

This Halloween, we have more to be afraid of than ghosts and ghouls. How we react to fear determines whether or not we survive scary times—and who we'll be aftewards.

My newsletter comes out tomorrow with an interview with the Reseda Charter HS librarian. In the meantime, enjoy this scene from my novel in submission, Christina's Portrait, and subscribe to my newsletter here: www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h... #booksky

My next newsletter has an update on my work in progress, information about my AI panel at Indie Author Day, and the first part of my interview with school librarian Amanda Prosin. Don't miss an issue by subscribing here and look for my newsletter on Friday: www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h...

Don't know why this post is trending. Perhaps it's because we as a country feel like we're being held hostage. Or we need to de-stress by acting like we're in distress. So come up with a safe word while enjoying some food for thought. www.matthewarnoldstern.com/creative-wri...

One week later with We Are Made of Scars & Starlight. Thanks for all the support, #Booksky❤️

What is really ruining baseball? It's the same thing that's ruining lots of other businesses—sacrificing quality and service for the bottom line. Here's why the Dodgers aren't the villains, but an example that should be followed.

Indie Author Day is coming to Anaheim Public Library on Saturday, November 15. We have a great group of authors and small presses lined up. I will be there, and I'll moderate a panel about generative AI. Mark your calendars, and I hope to see you there! www.anaheim.net/6272/Indie-A...

Happy Book Birthday to We Are Made of Scars and Starlight by @nicolezelniker! This powerful novella is one of the best things I've read this year. Get your copy wherever you get your books. bookshop.org/a/116415/978...

Tomorrow❤️ @flyleafbooks.bsky.social is still doing signed preorders until the end of the day! Feel free to make me write whatever you want. Or attempt to draw a silly lil doodle. I’m just vibing here. I can’t wait for y’all to meet Kai.

The Life of a Showgirl has gotten flak from the left and right. There are several key points Taylor Swift's critics—and supporters—are missing.

The best way to teach young people media literacy and how to identify bias is to teach them journalism. The skills I learned working on a school paper in the 1970s are just as important today.

Thanks to all of you who signed up for the Amiga Goodreads giveaway. If you're a winner, you'll be notified soon. Please remember to give Amiga a review. Don't forget to check out Amiga and my other books at your favorite bookstore. #booksky

What happens when the premier organization for a profession vanishes? And how do writers build community today? #STC

Love vintage computers? Enjoy reading about a strong woman proving herself as a programmer? Then don't miss out on the Amiga Goodreads giveaway! Win one of 100 eBook copies. The giveaway ends September 30. Time is running out. Sign up now! www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

Only one week to go in the Amiga Goodreads giveaway! Don't miss out on your chance to win one of 100 eBook copies of my acclaimed novel Amiga. Sign up today! #Booksky www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

I know about wildfires. Our nation is in one.

In the next issue of my newsletter, I'll give updates on the Amiga Goodreads giveaway, work in progress, and celebrate my alma mater on its 70th anniversary. So you don't miss out, subscribe to my newsletter. It's free. Look for my newsletter 9/19. www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h...

Have you signed up for the Amiga Goodreads giveaway? Win one of 100 ebook copies of "a great novel of technically oriented women and their grit." Time is running out. Sign up today! #booksky www.matthewarnoldstern.com/amiga/win-a-...