Before this all goes down, I want to remind everyone I’m Cinna the poet.

A big thanks to the @nytimes.com games crew for putting my four favorite literary characters into today’s Connections.

Today’s the day! FEAST OF THE PALE LEVIATHAN, my first novel, is officially out! Pre-orders are signed and getting shipped, you can request this at your local shop or library, you can get it off @bookshop.org, you can buy copies at Evening House (sites down atm for maintenance, but soon!)

A weekend a month, two weeks a year.

Had a day that was like eight days in one with a ton of good and bad but hosting our first event @eveninghouse.bsky.social hosting @alexlivy.bsky.social’s one act group reading of Cato (the cyclical rise and fall of empire) was a really lovely way to end it

Great. You want enter a public space? Better have your papers. I’m sure this isn’t setting a precedent.

This weekend I thought I made a literary discovery, but Dr. Johnson beat me to it in 1779.

The future the theocrats want.

The future the theocrats want. No kings.

I feel this. Also, no kings.

How many times am I going to think “wow, this is the Rubicon”?

I’m working on something using the 1700’s play “Cato: A Tragedy” and dang does time spiral. “Who is a Roman who is not a friend to Caesar?”

If I can say anything, I've got a story collection coming out next week you might enjoy! It's weird, wiry, adventurous and just a good literary time. If you're interested, you can order Boxcutters from @asterismbooks.bsky.social, @eveninghouse.bsky.social or @malarkeybooks.bsky.social!

I wanna see big publishers go harder for short story collections ASAP, but small presses like @malarkeybooks.bsky.social are willing to take the risks to put out works by unproven freaks like me and they deserve support and love for that bravery

You can’t make this up

This @wsj.com article is a lovely piece of narrative. It’s got foreshadowing, use of image to tell story, increasing tension, a powerful hook, and a charming final line. Someone tell Meichtry, Stancati, and Lovett to get on Bluesky so I can follow them, like @drewhinshaw.bsky.social

We have confirmation. The Weiner Circle in Lincoln Park has responded to the Chicago Pope 😂

Public disclosure: today’s WSJ crossword includes a Byron poem I’d never even heard of. I can only hope that with time the world may find it in their hearts to forgive me.

I think I’ve broken up with Balatro. My love burned hot for so long, but all things end.

Ask an agent! Tomorrow I will interview @beckylejeune.bsky.social of the Bond Literary Agency for my podcast, Dog-eared Nightmares. Have a question you'd like to ask? Add a comment or DM me. She benches 225, so don't waste your question on that. Please share!

Oh for the love of www.wsj.com/opinion/why-...

Dear Wolf Hall 2: how many consecutive seconds of Mark Rylance crying do you think I can handle?

Volunteered at the Roycroft print shop today, and inadvertently letterpressed the word ‘bold’ on my hand.

It keeps happening. #whatdostthou #mundussinecaesaribus

"Were our legislature vested in the person of our Prince, he might doubtless wind and turn our constitution at his pleasure; he might shape our government to his fancy. In a word, he might oppress, persecute, or destroy, and no man say to him, what dost thou?" Addison. tinyurl.com/5cx5x594

Are you seriously telling me that the rare element we need for EVs is called “hard to get”?

Buffalo library rare books room nails it again.

Official Trump 2028 hats for sale. I’m not sharing the link. Please stop saying it’s going to be a tough four years. We are never having another election.

Big news! IBD will be one of our last days in our little suite, because we’re preparing for a move to the front of the building facing out onto Main Street!!

Jess’s show!

At last, it may be time for me to get a tattoo.

Game designers: how deep can you dig into digital history? In the DiscMaster Game Jam, you'll be assigned a bundle of vintage CD-ROM content & challenged to build something unforgettable. 💿️ 💰 $1,750 in prizes, judged by industry pros. Sign up ➡️ itch.io/jam/discmast...

Go to this bookstore! It’s downtown Buffalo near the library and it’s brilliant.

Ah, would I were the person ChatGPT thinks I am.

New favorite section opening

I feel like my coworkers don’t have the same intensity of opinion on the relative merits of Sherlock portrayers that I do.

Jumping into copywork to hone the ol’ skills. My handwriting is atrocious.

The day-job/art-job battle is on my mind every day.

Talk to @beckylejeune.bsky.social! She is great!

From Wikipedia on the Commonwealth Charter: A total of sixteen core beliefs are drawn up in the charter, namely, democracy… separation of powers, rule of law…. I doubt they’ll let us in.

Oh what to read. Weird Tudor play or Spy vs Spy?

Next hot literary genre: Balotromantasy. Get typing!

I see the natl weather svc has decided to wage psychological warfare against the Ravens by send a blaring alert to every phone an hour before the game

If you need me I’ll be nerding out over the history of library checkout processes on display in this book.

Has anyone checked in on Chuck Mangione?

A Christmas giveaway of writing mentoring calls!

The song “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is Richard the Lionhearted singing to Pope Gregory about the Crusades. I will also accept Richard to St. George.