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José Pablo Iriarte

@labyrinthrat.bsky.social

3K followers 710 following 3.1K posts

Spec fic author and middle grade novelist. Cuban-American ceterosexual enby. They/them. Debut MG novel BENNY RAMÍREZ AND THE NEARLY DEPARTED is a Norton, BSFA, Ignyte, and Florida SSYRA finalist!!! https://linktr.ee/labyrinthrat

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

Just a reminder, if you've got young-at-heart readers in your life who love funny ghost stories. 😊

A graphic noting that my books--BENNY RAMÍREZ AND THE NEARLY DEPARTED and AJ TORRES AND THE TREASURE OF CAPTAIN GRAYSHARK--are middle grade reads that are perfect for both Hispanic Heritage Month and Spooky Season.

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Reposted by José Pablo Iriarte

derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 15h

This two-parter below is exactly why it's hard to make clothes in the United States.

Let's look at how much it costs to produce a button-up shirt in the US. 🧵

Someone on Twitter replies to me: "meh. buy american or stfu."

Two hours later, in a separate thread, the write: "$30 for a single button-up is ridiculous unless it is decent quality silk."

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 14h

Congratulations! I'm so happy you won!

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 15h

Congratulations, @jennaleeyun.bsky.social!

The Ignyte Awards @theignyteawards.bsky.social · 18h

The winner of the #2025IgnyteAwards for Outstanding Middle Grade is THE LAST RHEE WITCH by Jenna Lee-Yun

2025 Winner Outstanding Middle Grade: THE LAST RHEE WITCH by Jenna Lee-Yun

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 18h

I'm just mad at myself for buying a book I'm unlikely to read.

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 19h

So given I make 10% of the cover price, less agent fee, I reckon I've lost money being here today.

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 19h

*sigh* I bought a book, just being a good . . . tenant, I guess . . . and didn't realize it was a sequel.

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 19h

I'm taking away the conclusion that the table closest to the cash register is not the one you want a6 a book fair. People fixate on whichever author they met first, not last, and by the register people block access to your table. The impulse buy phenomenon doesn't apply here.

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 19h

lol oh no

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 20h

A mom standing at my table, to her daughter: This book looks fun--you want this one?

Kid: NO

lol kids are so direct

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 20h

My wife has ten books, and registering copyright is in her contract, but her publisher...simply did not.

And my stolen works were short stuff, so I'm screwed too.

🤜🤛 solidarity

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 20h

Also in classic Joe fashion, I made sure my power bank was good and charged for this morning...which it will remain, since I left it at home.

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 21h

Usman: It's crazy to think about all these great authors like Poe and Melville who died in poverty.

Me: Well to be fair, so will we.

^
Why I don't get invited to more parties.

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 21h

In classic Joe fashion, I designed a sign for today's boozy book fair and failed to account for the library's hours. (I do not own a printer, so I designed a lovely thing that I cannot print out.)

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 21h

Gift them a television for Christmas! 😂

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

lol I'm really turning into a grumpy Old

Reposted by José Pablo Iriarte

Paul Rosenberg @paulrosenberg.bsky.social · 1d

Doubling down on the worst of the worst miscarriages of justice.

Lynn Becker @cmgiulini.bsky.social · 1d

After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation

Depraved.

www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

He was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years. Moments after being released, ICE took him

Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam now faces deportation.

www.miamiherald.com

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

I guess getting awakened every weekend day by the new neighbor who takes their kid outside to run and shout at 8 am is just my life now for the next decade or so.

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

That's AI.

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

Funny thing is, you think you're in a total hillbilly bar, and then you break out a song in Spanish and see that 30% of the people there are Latine.

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

What is this compulsion I have, every time I see somebody at the bar in a MAGA or Gadsden Flag t-shirt, to sing "Despacito"?

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

Story prompt!

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

I see on the bar TV that now they have fighting on a circular ring? First a square, then an octagon, now a circle . . . a sphere can't be far behind . . . Where does this geometric escalation end??

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

Reckon we will stick it out

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José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

... Okay, the sound was actually great and the audience appreciative.

José Pablo Iriarte @labyrinthrat.bsky.social · 1d

Corded mics, slips of paper, we've traveled back to 2010.