This is a kind yet cogent and analytical rebuttal. Something isn't just weird fiction because it is surreal or has something weird in it. I kinda side eyed that original essay for its category errors.

I have now been a full-time writer for 19 years, which seems like an accomplishment in this business.

Never ever thought as a beginning writer back in my teens that I would have 12 years of books out from as prestigious a publisher as Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Was looking back on it all as we're on the cusp of officially announcing my novel out next year, plus a forthcoming story collection.

the man is a complete wacko who has worms for brains.

Country & Western? Naah. CREEPY & WESTERN thehandsomefamily.bandcamp.com/track/the-bo...

Yes, it was pretty great! Even if overall, I think my sensibilities are beginning to be wooed by new takes on craftsman styles and one-off eccentrics. This house was gorgeously modern, though, with brilliant vague nods to river-themed biomorphism, incl the hues, rounded corners, and textures.

Our garden at @sallyfisherprice.bsky.social's place is looking good.

Participatory budgeting... good idea? Someone approached me on the street about signing a petition for an amendment to start this in Portland.

On our hike this morning, a shadow pattern fell over me. I shouted to Husband (≈100 m ahead), “LOOK UP!!”

Head's up Portland - looks like the far-right Christian Nationalist group, "King's Army" might be visiting Portland.

your moment of calm

your moment of calm voiced by @sallyfisherprice.bsky.social

Wildly inconsistent cleaning and sanitation practices in the same structure = spooky. Janiterroir. Mixed commercial/industrial real estate is also unnerving. The SR has the most haunted retention basin in office park history. What’s the parking lot like? Who handles the HVAC?

your moment of calm voiced by @sallyfisherprice.bsky.social

I fucking hate the term “content” because it presupposes my intellectual work exists to feed into some machine.

This vapid piece is rage-bait, but perhaps deserves some response because it's trying to locate a feeling I'm sure is present in some movie-goers these days, a feeling of alienation from the dominant genres in cinemas of recent years. A few thoughts... 🧵

yes, that was quite a day 🙄

As yellow jackets begin to show up, it's worth noting they have great facial recognition software and if you are calm and slow around them, you soon fade into the backdrop. I love them, but if you must remove a groundnest, place peanut butter at entrance at dusk and critters will find, eat the nest.

This is going to be such a great @powells.bsky.social's event, with @cariluna.bsky.social and Kimberly King Parsons! Talking about Aira and his new book of five novels. www.powells.com/events/five-...

Authority as haunted house story... discuss.

ooohh

I've seen him too!

A few pen names I never used that you can feel free to take. Crakeland Jabberjaw Binomial Charter III Spanky McLean Nuggy Ops Constable Stablecon Wrenacula Summerslob Spandex Machine

I have seen this cat here in Portland and he's a chill sweetie. CVS should be proud to have their own bodega cat!! Maybe tell corporate how you feel! www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...

Sour cherry jam this weekend.

dead astronauts by @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social i’m speechless. a perfect piece of nonhuman literature. astounding. brews up so many complex needs. the need to nurture. the need to maintain a pack. the need to do something. the need to survive.

your moment of calm

Re chance in publishing: I once had a novel rejected by every NY publisher. We were figuring out what to do next when an offer came from a publisher that had rejected it. A 2nd editor there had seen the manuscript in the trashbin, fished it out, read it, and liked it much better than the 1st. LOL.

sorry?

If you live in Rose City Park you know we need more coffee shops. For reals. The universe has heard our cries! Mayger Coffee near where the Asian Market used to be has stepped in to fill the void. Its really good, see you there! M-F 0700, Sat/Sun 0800.

“…here, on the far south edge of Texas, you can glimpse what our overlords actually have in mind for us by way of a future—namely, to keep feeding the world into the furnace while pointing shiny rockets at the promise of a way out, the promise of other worlds.”

Oh sure! Just glad I don't seem perceived as an interloper!

I will be a Guest of Honor at Necronomicon in August. necronomicon-providence.com/guests-of-ho...

this is how I felt when I moved down from rural alaska. people are just palpably freer to be themselves in pdx. it really felt like a weight was lifted off my heart, just seeing so many people free to be themselves

I will be a Guest of Honor at Necronomicon in August. necronomicon-providence.com/guests-of-ho...

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Parallel Worlds event for Portland book week. It was jampacked and I enjoyed meeting all of you. One person in line asked what I liked about Portland beyond the nature & culture. I said the evenly distributed creative impulse, with art everywhere. But also 1/2

I read Foreclosure Gothic in two hours last night. Terrific writing, so sharp and clear. About a guy who winds up buying and selling houses after a semi-successful short career as an actor. Great characterization, creepy and also moving moments. Excellent detail about houses. Highly recommend. 1/2

Great post by Tamir Anshtein on IG www.instagram.com/tamirtamirs/

The Blue Origin rocket explosion had to have an environmental impact and is an absolute failure on many levels. The question becomes whether such companies should be allowed to keep fucking up or be shut down.

i think i'll just get it from the corner store instead, thanks

tonight!

yep

who knew there were so many people it took so little to fool

Around Portland, with @sallyfisherprice.bsky.social 1/2

your moment of calm

love portland verges

I've Been Told - an animated music video from our Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer inspired and inspiring album - screens at Animaze at Cannes - Music International Cannes - tomorrow! micannes.com/screenings/ Wish we could be there! Thank you Animaze, MiCannes and @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social

I've seen this cat too, and he's chill af. Everyone loves him

Every time data centers are brought up, I'm reminded of a recent meeting I had with a person working in that sector who mentioned how important power demand modeling was, because they projected if the grid were to go down in Phoenix during peak summer, 30,000 people would die in the first 24 hours