More Unsolicited Advice for First-Time Authors: Actually Writing Thank you for letting me provide unsolicited advice around working with traditional publishers. I thought I would close out this unintended series with some tips for actually writing the manuscript, which in my experience seems to be…

Ok today's the day, I'm gonna finish S3 of Strange New Worlds. I will be caught up on at least SOME new Trek. Starting off, S3E9 Terrarium, with a thumbnail of Ortegas pulling a dorky face.

I feel like we have enough data points now that I can say this pretty definitively: The "put evil baby in charge" approach doesn't work.

In Springfield today, the high is 37, the low is 33, and the current temperature is 7. 7. Also it feels like 7.

When I first read this, I was worried Musicology Duck was the bus driver.

I can say unreservedly: I liked the pilot of STARFLEET ACADEMY all right. I liked the second episode VERY VERY much. (And I gather that this was the episode that a lot of reviewers who've seen the first six liked least, so...???)

AI constantly offering to help me with basic tasks has real "my dog wants to help me put up a shelf" energy.

I picked up A Dark Hole Darkly by @drewmelbourne.com because it was on sale and the title made me laugh, which will get me to buy a book like 75% of the time. Funny, fast, weird, & poignant at times. I loved the unconventional structure. Pick it up for a fast but impactful read #booksky

To prepare for my first author panel next month, I've drafted all the advice I could think of for neurodivergent and chronically ill writers. It includes factors to consider to meet sensory, cognitive and stamina needs, to avoid cognitive overload/burn out drafting & editing & realistic goal setting

Teach a man to fish and he'll fish for a lifetime. Turn a fisherman into a vampire and he'll fish forever.

Netflix is pulling the #SheRa reboot in mid-February. Once it's gone, the only way to legally watch the series will be the DVDs that only cover seasons 1-3. Of 5. Bluesky, my family just got to the season 3 finale in our rewatch AND. IT. DESTROYS. 1/3

Once again mulling that age-old question: Do I take my Christmas decorations down on Twelfth Night or do I wait till Candlemas?

Let's talk about generative AI, contaminated information, and rhubarb. Once upon a time, Europe was at war. Food was scarce, and the government of the quote-unquote United Kingdom looked for alternatives. 1/

It’s official: RFK Jr has officially reduced recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11, removing universal vaccine recommendations for RSV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, dengue and two types of bacterial meningitis. This reckless contravention of science is going to kill people.

CAT-AT.

What's the unnecessarily long German word for that sudden flash of anxiety that you feel when you realize that you might have accidentally sang the *Full House* theme a capella with the cast of Family Matters in a dream last week instead of the Family Matters theme...

This is a great discord that I don't participate in as much as I should because [checks notes] ADHD. (Hmm. Probably I didn't need to check my notes for that one.) (Also, obviously I have no actual notes.)

Kiddo was not ready for the awesome Netflix #SheRa series the last time we tried, but this time ABSOLUTELY. IS. So we're binging (before Netflix pulls the show*) in February!!!

Conan O'Brien once glared at me while he was walking his dog.

The Midnight Folk by John Masefield, in preparation for reading The Box of Delights. I'd completely forgotten the story which is quite odd and unexpected. I have a bone to pick with HarperCollins who have allowed The Midnight Folk to be in reprint limbo for a couple of years. I bought mine 2nd hand.

another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls

Last night I dreamed there was a new Batman animated series coming, and for some reason it was up to me to seek out Matthew Lillard, explain to him who Two-Face is, and convince him to audition for the part. (I'm pretty sure ML already knows who TF, but otherwise I stand by this dream's logic.)

Just want to leave this here: bsky.app/profile/huey...

And Tiny Tim Who Did Not Diet Coke (for a limited time, while supplies last)

Is there any Christmas lyric more heartwarming than "Next year we may all be living in the past"?

People think of ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE as a really family-friendly movie, but really the plot is: - Everything is terrible - But it could be even worse - So, whatever, I guess it's fine?

In hotel room without an iPad, so our kiddo has the remote and is discovering: - Judge Judy - The Price is Right - Bob Ross

Mommies Dearest: No Wire Hangers! Sideways: No f***ing Merlot. Me [packing games for holiday trip]: No. Uno.

Over 12 days of Christmas, my true love gave to me: 12 drummers drumming, 22 pipers piping, 30 lords a-leaping, 36 ladies dancing, 40 maids a-milking, 42 swans a-swimming, 42 geese a-laying, 40 golden rings! 36 calling birds, 30 French hens, 22 turtle doves, + 12 partridges in 12 pear trees!

As a disabled guy, I don't care that much about a few abled people faking disabilities. My concern lies with the myriad disabled people who have talked themselves into thinking they aren't disabled and hurt themselves over and over trying to stay invisible.

Also just going to say this loudly until everyone gets it: MOST WHEELCHAIR USERS ARE AMBULATORY. Just because someone can physically walk doesn't mean they "don't need" a wheelchair.

I think how I feel about this must be how othet people felt about Snakes on a Plane...

Exchange that actually happened last night: Drunk Woman: Do you know that song where it's snowing and a man keeps pestering a woman but she needs to work? I think Sinatra sang it? Musician: I'm not su-- Drunk Woman: [leaves abruptly] Me: I think she means Baby It's Cold Outside. 1/2

I'll be at Bellefonte Cafe in Wilmington, Delaware from 6pm to 8pm tonight, talking up my latest novel A DARK HOLE DARKLY. It's a great location and they will probably sell you alcohol?!? #writingcommunity #indieauthor 💙📚⚡️ Details on Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/r/1CBZ...

Learned today that “Galápagos” comes from a Spanish word for tortoise, meaning that “Galápagos Tortoise” is, in fact, a tortology

Holiday Shopping Idea #42: Is your friend/family member/significant other/self bummed out that there's no new #doctorwho this Christmas? Get them/them/them/yourself the complete Percival Gynt duology for that year-end blast of maximalist space-fantasy adventure comedy and existential escapism!

I'll be at the Bellefonte Cafe in Wilmington this Tuesday alongside a couple other great authors to talk about my latest novel A DARK HOLE DARKLY (probably they'll talk about different novels) and hopefully sign some books! Should be a fun time. www.facebook.com/share/p/1FS6...

Wife thinks the holiday cards are going to go put late this year, but notably we never specified WHICH of your holidays should be happy. New Years? MLK Day? Arbor Day???

Disney: We're Disney! You can't just steal our IP and get away with it. OpenAI: Sorry sorry sorry. How much should we pay you for your IP? Disney: Disney: Um. Disney: Disney: Negative one billion dollars?

I think there's a cat in there...

My second read-through had me just shout-laughing and zooming in on details! Get your preorders in for DUNGEON CRAWL AT THE HAUNTED MALL! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/804064...

My main issue with microphones is that they're one millionth the size of regular phones.

Santa: And do you know the most famous reindeer of a--? Our Kid: Dancer. Santa: No. No, it's... Santa: It's *Rudolph* Our Kid: Our Kid: Our Kid: It's *Dancer*. 1/2

That's a nice routine you got there. It'd be a shame if somebody came along, followed it for a little while, it worked real good for them, they got really excited, but then it gradually stopped working for them.

Honest Titles: A DARK HOLE DARKLY >> Surprise! (You're Also Neurodivergent) PERCIVAL GYNT AND THE CONSPIRACY OF DAYS >> If Percival Ate Anyone, It Probably Wasn't His Fault

CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTION #312: Instead of getting your partner with ADHD another self-help book, get them this ADHD detective novel that's all about embracing the parts of ourselves that can't be helped. At Bookshop.org, Itch.io, and Amazon-I-guess. Links in the link:

I have an idea for a musical: The first act is short and depressing and the second act is long, fun, and has all the best songs.

OMG! Netflix owns ANIMANIACS?!? You know what that means, right? "We're the Netflix brothers and the Netflix sister Dot! / Just for fun we run around the Netflix movie lot! / They lock us in the tower, whenever we get caught! / And then they insert ads and raise the subscription price a lot!"

In order to finish drafting this novel in under a month, how many times per day should I open Bluesky and check notifications?

Oh, cool! The new trailer for KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS just dropped. I love those novellas! Finally a GAME OF THRONES spinoff that isn't hip deep in inces-- youtu.be/P3MckKNEO4I?... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?