The day started with sleet driven by high winds that turn the tiniest crystals into angry bees, then warmed slightly to a mist, & has now napped back toward full snow, fleet fat flakes that whip but now & again stop time to waft, almost like dancers changing the tempo to catch the viewer off guard.

I probably have to come up with a snazzy graphic soon - But it's awards eligibility season. Wolf's Path - Best Collection. Cold Steel - Best YA novel. The Freedom - Best short story. (self-pub) Forest - Best flash fiction.

“I never considered what would come after creation.” The flaw of most so-called gods. Guillermo’s Frankenstein: every scene offers something for the eye and the brain, which is maybe the highest gift of any art. 1/2

Turns 5 this December.

I highly recommend Zig Zag Claybourne’s work—particularly Afro Puffs Are the Antennae of the Universe. If you haven’t read it yet, you’re missing out on a lot of fun.

Today feels like a Detroit November. No more of that unseasonal warmth, just a snap to the air, clouds low enough to fill a bowl, and the crunch of leaves underfoot if I stepped outside except my hibernation protocol has kicked in. Look for me on the sofa. Dig deep, dig deep. Many blankets.

Bono stares into the abyss for you wondering how anyone could think any of this was normal and acceptable for any point in history.

Indie books that have rocked my world: Short stories from @miltonmvmedia.bsky.social that immediately draw you into the fantastic in ways that leave your eyes bright.

Here's an end-of-the-week ICYMI. Keep your eyes open for the new entries for the month.

Indie books that've rocked my world. When disparate flavors work, they *work*. Instead of sailing to Valinor, Tolkien's elves headed to Detroit. "Generations later," says author @mwl.io, "orcs followed." A prohibition story on one hand. An immigrant song on the other. Tasty as hell reimagining.

if the sub ain't bit you must acquit

If you've read AMNANDI SAILS and are comfortable leaving a review anywhere (up to and including whispering it to a cat), it'd be appreciated.

Nice news to start the day! My book is on this list of six “brain on” books! I am humbled by the other titles 🥹 Thank you, Book Riot 🙏 bookriot.com/brain-on-sci...

Made an offhand remark to an author friend who's thrilled with her new cover that "All good cover artists should get tiaras" and, in reflection, I mean that with my whole chest.

Here's a perfect example of the obsequious Chatgpt bullshit scammers are running. Always from some bogus Gmail address. "Hi Zig Zag. I came across your book Historical Inaccuracies and spent some time reading through its description and your background as an author.

Reposting because the need is great. I service a school with about 600 kids who need ESL services and we have to make a ton of things from scratch. Please consider donating, thank you!

There are people who seriously need to be locked in a Waffle House to let God do his thing.

Every word of this review.

Insomnia brain. I feel it creeping up. Obvs vexed that this isn't the #1 romcom satire dollar eshort in America. Obvs. So obvs.

The content I pray to Internet Jesus for. A brief thread.

Things writers love abt writing, a complete list: cover reveals. excited readers. excited readers that blab. the word "accepted". libraries. hotel pens. giving the appearance of doing nothing but actually working mightily. reading sweet sweet word love from other writers. eating. organizing heists.

Say I've got a spare 10k sitting around. What city, anywhere in the world, should I visit based on its bookstores and peaceful places to walk, maybe have a month's writing retreat? (Narrator: "He does not have a spare 10k.")

Are you a marginalized author (or the editor/agent/publicist of one) who has a trad pub book coming out in 2026 that is science fiction, fantasy, or horror and either adult or young adult? This book critic wants to know about it! Small press strongly encouraged. bookjockeyalex.com/contact/

Writers: Bots are sweeping through Amazon's reviews and emailing authors with gushing scams like "Only 2 reviews for a thrilling work like this?! Jesus wept! I can get your brilliant words in front of yadda yadda yadda..." Please do not fall for the okey doke.

Vote.

Obvious Things Said Cheap: the importance of loving what we do before we set out to do it. Before any thoughts of readers, awards, contracts, or funds enter, when we just want to find something out and using our hands, brains, or mouths seems the best way to do it.

Leslie's done several pieces inspired by bits from my books. Every single time my response is (direct quote) "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Captured: the Raven King's vacant soul, his sense of spew, his inherent downfall. I love it. @csecooney.bsky.social, you will love this!

I fully admit sometimes I watch Hallmark romances just to see how far curling iron technology has taken things.

Whose day is it?

The plugging will continue until Disney makes a Mickey Mouse version of this. Hawt Gawds bless us, everyone.

Indie books that have rocked my world: In the opening scene I got solid Americana, witchcraft, a jail brawl, an epic vendetta, a little terror and some surprising laughs. SOLD. Templeton doesn't write, she skates, seamlessly going from mood to macabre mood. www.readindiefantasy.com/guest-post-w...

Ever felt guilty for escaping into a book when the world gets a bit much? DON'T! Reading isn't just an escape, it's a way to connect, or reconnect, with life, yourself, and the world. Thanks to @zzclaybourne.bsky.social for sharing his thoughts with us: www.readindiefantasy.com/guest-post-w...

Hey, reading is not a spectator sport. It's active rugby. It's capoeira. It's each brain cell doing jeet kune do. It plays in the rain, in the mud, in the snow or on the sunniest day of a flower-filled year, but it does so with a wild smile on its face knowing nothing will stop it. Power forward.

Honored/thrilled to be the kickoff guest for Read Indie Fantasy's "Month of Rain & Reads" (Nov). All month, you'll hear writers' thoughts on reading, on their favs, on what excites them to happily stay indoors during all the rainy days, & why words have so much weight. Book love is good love. Enjoy

Radiator's popping. Your toes huddle under a comfy throw. You've added hard liquor to your cocoa. You've added a little more. Now it's time to shut out the world. As far as beloved holiday classics go, only 1 book contains taquitos as a driving force. In your face, Dickens. Wherever ebooks r sold.

A few nudges will get the needle moving on this.

"All the wit, charm, reverent irreverence, & soulful heart you'll always get from a Zig Zag Claybourne story." As far as beloved holiday classics go, only one book contains taquitos as a driving force. Choose wisely. In your face, Dickens. On all ebook platforms for an entire buck.

Lowkey Halloween vibe this year. Just adding "of the damned" to whatever. Finishing up Doritos of the damned for lunch. Chicken salad of the damned was fair to middling. Likely get a trash pizza of the damned for dinner.

"I need to hate someone besides myself" is a way of life for too many people.

How to announce you don't want to stay in business.

Hey US and Canada folks! My Nebula, World Fantasy & Locus award nominated novel SHIGIDI will (finally!) be out in paperback on Nov 4. If you couldn't get the hardcover when it came out (understandably so!) here's your chance. Its got African gods + a succubus + a heist at the British museum!

I see people promoting their Halloween reads. Haha everything I write is Gothic. Take your pick. It's fun to feel bad.

Awards season post. If you've read anything of mine and think it's worth it, toss a nomination to your witcher.

Gerald has a brilliant eye. Your stories will thank you. And so will readers who would otherwise have dragged you with good cause.

I have a Halloween sale up on Itch. I really like it when you check out my games, & if you're looking for The Moon Wants Me To Leave You or something, it's pretty cheap this week. But since Itch has me waiting 30 days for $25, I remind you that The God of Spite and Violence is on Ko-Fi for $10:

Writers, how's that sincerity level? Almost time for the Great Plot to rise out of the plot patch delivering...

Ahhhhhhh Thank youuu! You are faster than I am at reading, but I am *loving* BREATH WARMTH & DREAM--loving making notes of your beautiful language and relationships. (1/2)

This was one I quoted in my blog: “How many people have come off ships hoping to see your smile, dear one?” said Khumalo. My heart! Just loved it. And so far the story is full of moments like that!

I know a lot of people are already spreading this info, but hoping to spread it a little further: donating to a food bank, food pantry, or food distribution mutual aid group is really important right now, as TFG and the fucking GOP are shutting down snap benefits on November 1. I'll link to a few