I cannot fathom any reality where I teach for 30 years. I’m literally counting down the remaining 19 years until I can retire. Doing this for 30 (or more) years seems completely fucking insane to me.

Violent Night was altogether too much fun.

Rose Glass and @a24 using Bronski Beat has more than just the vibe of the movie in mind. The song itself and the accompanying music video have some tonal connective tissue, as well: youtu.be/88sARuFu-tc?...

Ritual comes in all forms, so we've asked some of the best & brightest to tell us about their favourites. Today, @edenroyce.bsky.social espouses the virtues of the 1997 film Eve's Bayou: "It gets so much about hoodoo, southern gothic & the cultural milieu right." Pop it on your watchlist!

I fucking LOATHE having to get loud with my students. But holy fucking shit do these kids have a case of vacation-itis. This whole week is gonna be a nightmare.

The occult writer in your life would like to draw your attention to the fact tix are now on sale for Writing the Occult: RITUAL. A massive line-up is ready to help you get the right ingredients and go forth into the world of writing about occult rituals. Tix at: www.eventbrite.com/e/writing-th...

My mozzarella stick hopes you have a great holiday season

Oh hi. Here’s my latest newsletter. robertpottone.substack.com/p/from-my-re...

Went to the barber this morning and on their sign for what they offer there was a notable entry: “Man facial - $25” I’ve paid way more for a facial from a man so honestly this is a steal.

I think some of my all-time favorite things I’ve learned this year include: 1) It’s supposedly physically impossible to get an erection in space. 2) Michael Jackson was a crip. 3) Rasputin insulated his house with human hair. You’re welcome.

Me and my new follower

Just conferenced with a couple of my non-native speakers who are unfortunately failing. I say “failing” because obviously no one really fails, but these are kids I know can do better. I hate having to be bad cop. I just wanna be the weird, funny teacher all the time.

This is going to be great, especially as it's part of a panel with some fantastic authors!

The Society's upper echelons have a particular taste for folk horror, so it seems fitting that we'll round-off Writing the Occult: Ritual with a panel featuring some of the best and darkest in that realm. One of those writers? It's only @robertottone.bsky.social! Meet him in the replies...

Hey! Can I introduce you to the Sleepy Hollow Gang? www.tiktok.com/@robert_p_ot...

Would love to see some more reviews on these two, whether on Amazon or Goodreads or wherever. If you’ve read them, please leave a review!

Had a great time chatting with @angelayurikosmith.bsky.social! youtu.be/lSwQ09WDHQo?...

Thank you all so much for sharing and celebrating the launch of The Sleepy Hollow Gang yesterday. We are officially orange banner material!

My middle grade debut is now available! This one is very near and dear to my heart, I had the absolute best time writing these kids. Check it out! weirdhousepress.com/products/the... The Sleepy Hollow Gang a.co/d/cyyRPpZ

I think a Robin Williams double feature is in order.

The first DARK WATERS anthology is available for preorder now! Featuring my story “Mouthfeel,” this is one not to miss! www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6K9F3...

Cannot fucking wait. youtu.be/CwD-Y7lErMY?...

One of my students saw snow for the fist time today. These damn kids gettin’ to me.

This Saturday. The gang’s all here.

Cover reveal on Saturday. Tell your friends. Tell your mom. Tell everyone.

UPDATE: With the exception of my one student who has a perfect 100% average, my students bought … NOTHING.

Taking my students to the Scholastic Book Fair today. I’m curious to see what these kids are into.

3 stories left in Wrapped. Tome is still my favorite but I LOVED Aluxes and Tiny Town. Got Cobman in the mail today. It's #34.

Being a teacher in the modern era basically means giving students every opportunity to learn and then watching them play endless runner bullshit videogames in their chromebooks instead of answering 3 questions about A LONG WALK TO WATER.

My favorite ornament is up and we can officially commence the holidays

Wrote a little over a thousand words after sleeping for almost 13 hours. Holy shit, I haven’t slept that long since my early 20’s.

Life poem: return to gratitude over & over again / in times of loss—sadness / for this too shall pass…

I’m gonna make a concerted effort to be here more. Going updates only on Twitter in January.

I’m exhausted and drunk watching two of my favorite queens usher in the holiday season

Happy to report that the royalty issue I’ve been having for a while has been resolved. Huzzah!

I might finally finish up Wrapped in Plastic by the time Curse of the Cobman arrives at my doorstep. It's really weird to think that @robertottone.bsky.social got me back into reading this year with Vile Thing.

HELICOPTER PARENTING IN THE AGE OF DRONE WARFARE is 1-year-old today. Thanks, @robertottone.bsky.social & @spookyhousepress.bsky.social, for giving this grim little dark sci-fi/horror tale a home. But what if one year later there was still more to cover? What if?😉

It occurs to me that I never did my own awards eligibility post on here. In accordance with the Bram Stoker Award® rules & etiquette, I am happy to offer my novel The Vile Thing We Created for award consideration in the Novel category. The book was published by Hydra Publications in April, 2023.

art by dan-ah kim

Cream this corn, motherfu-

happy thanks giving what time do we eat

Happy Thanksgiving from the co-creator of the Cob Man and myself.

A favorite movie without telling

Honored to be part of this anthology, edited by the fabulous Kirstyn Petras and NB Turner. Coming in December! 🍷

Byeeeee

I don’t have many professional or educational regrets, but the sole one that I come back to with regularity is not going to Bennington after getting in back in ‘02 when I graduated high school. I was paralyzed by the idea of leaving home, it terrified me greatly. But I regret it as an adult.

Mood for the week.

emailing publishers asking for royalties that are due feels so much like begging when it really should just be an automatic thing. PayPal. Direct deposit. Cut a check. Whatever it is, just get the payment out, I don’t get why that’s hard.

I've been flying through @robertottone.bsky.social collection, Wrapped in Plastic and Other Sweet Nothings. It's a wonderful variety of dark nightmares to enjoy and if you don't have it on your TBR yet, you may want to grab it...