Benjamin C. Kinney
@benjaminckinney.com
SFF writer, neuroscientist, Hugo finalist. Escape Pod 2017-2023. Codex, VP, SFWA. Short stories in Analog, Lightspeed, Sunday Morning Transport, etc.
Neuroscience (not under pen name): rehabilitation, neuroimaging, movement control, handedness
Neuroscience (not under pen name): rehabilitation, neuroimaging, movement control, handedness
Pinned
Benjamin C. Kinney
@benjaminckinney.com
· Apr 24
Introduction & Selected Fiction » Benjamin C. Kinney - still pruning...
An introduction post for new readers: six selected stories from my archive of 30+ publications.
benjaminckinney.com
Hello new followers! I'm not super social-media-active, but I sometimes talk neuroscience and/or speculative fiction. I've got 30+ short stories out in the world (most free to read), here's an intro sampler: benjaminckinney.com/introduction/
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
(I mean also a good day to educate yourself about both histories of the holiday, and Lincoln's actual views and actions as regard to slavery and racial equality—but Lincoln can neither vote nor call the cops because he's super dead. We've gotta fix the hearts that are still beating)
November 27, 2025 at 12:24 AM
(I mean also a good day to educate yourself about both histories of the holiday, and Lincoln's actual views and actions as regard to slavery and racial equality—but Lincoln can neither vote nor call the cops because he's super dead. We've gotta fix the hearts that are still beating)
Thankfully, later history gives Thanksgiving a second origin story, more worth celebrating than its sordid start: As a day of unity in the battle against white supremacist separatism, exactly as Abraham Lincoln intended when he made it a national holiday.
On the topic of Thansgiving, my parents moved to Plymouth when I was a teenager. The one thing that cured my ra-ra pilgrim bullshit real quick were the Indigenous Wampanoag protests proclaiming Thanksgiving a day of mourning.
This holiday has good carbs.
And that's about it.
This holiday has good carbs.
And that's about it.
November 26, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Thankfully, later history gives Thanksgiving a second origin story, more worth celebrating than its sordid start: As a day of unity in the battle against white supremacist separatism, exactly as Abraham Lincoln intended when he made it a national holiday.
As a neuroscientist I agree with this 100% - but *also*, there's evidence that language contributes to some specific mental functions: regulation and executive function. Telling yourself a story is one way you shape & organize your brain's operations.
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
November 25, 2025 at 6:31 PM
As a neuroscientist I agree with this 100% - but *also*, there's evidence that language contributes to some specific mental functions: regulation and executive function. Telling yourself a story is one way you shape & organize your brain's operations.
There are situations where SF can communicate science - but to be effective that science must be part of the underlayer. You can improve the audience's understanding at an implicit level.
My favorite example: Lab B-15 by Nick Wolven. escapepod.org/2019/08/01/e...
My favorite example: Lab B-15 by Nick Wolven. escapepod.org/2019/08/01/e...
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
There are situations where SF can communicate science - but to be effective that science must be part of the underlayer. You can improve the audience's understanding at an implicit level.
My favorite example: Lab B-15 by Nick Wolven. escapepod.org/2019/08/01/e...
My favorite example: Lab B-15 by Nick Wolven. escapepod.org/2019/08/01/e...
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
Yooo! Someone You Can Build A Nest In was picked as a Kindle Gold Box Deal! For today only, get it for just $4.99.
A shapeshifting monster *accidentally* falls in love with the woman who's hunting her. We've all been there, right?
A shapeshifting monster *accidentally* falls in love with the woman who's hunting her. We've all been there, right?
Someone You Can Build a Nest In
Amazon.com: Someone You Can Build a Nest In eBook : Wiswell, John: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Yooo! Someone You Can Build A Nest In was picked as a Kindle Gold Box Deal! For today only, get it for just $4.99.
A shapeshifting monster *accidentally* falls in love with the woman who's hunting her. We've all been there, right?
A shapeshifting monster *accidentally* falls in love with the woman who's hunting her. We've all been there, right?
It's been a long time since I sent out my Callosal Bridge newsletter, but I have enough writing news to be worth sharing! Out tonight with 1 new publication, 2 sales, & instructions for how to get a free best-of-the-year anthology. eepurl.com/bTeJIv
Benjamin C. Kinney
Benjamin C. Kinney Email Forms
eepurl.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:50 PM
It's been a long time since I sent out my Callosal Bridge newsletter, but I have enough writing news to be worth sharing! Out tonight with 1 new publication, 2 sales, & instructions for how to get a free best-of-the-year anthology. eepurl.com/bTeJIv
Eeee somehow I missed this, you too can join me in belated excitement over this shiny cover and awesome anthology - and a way to get it free when it comes out this month!
ANNOUNCEMENT
1. Afterlives 2024 curated by @shereereneethomas.bsky.social has been COVER REVEALED
2. the collection will be available FOR FREE to paid patrons of @thedeadlands.com
3. join now, read The Deadlands, and receive the book magically when it is released beginning of November
go see! 👇
1. Afterlives 2024 curated by @shereereneethomas.bsky.social has been COVER REVEALED
2. the collection will be available FOR FREE to paid patrons of @thedeadlands.com
3. join now, read The Deadlands, and receive the book magically when it is released beginning of November
go see! 👇
Afterlives 2024: Cover Reveal - PSYCHOPOMP.COM
One cool thing about being a psychopomp is the ability to lead people to places they haven't been before. Sure sure, the main place we lead people is the Realm of the Dead, yeah yeah, but we can take ...
psychopomp.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Eeee somehow I missed this, you too can join me in belated excitement over this shiny cover and awesome anthology - and a way to get it free when it comes out this month!
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
The Sunday Morning Transport treks through the cold today with a story from Benjamin C. Kinney (@benjaminckinney.com) about hard situations and harder choices, making its internet debut! As the first story of the month, it's free for everyone to read! www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/here-at-th...
Here at the Freezing End
In this month’s first, free, story, we welcome Benjamin C Kinney back with a story about survival in the midst of the impossible…
www.sundaymorningtransport.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The Sunday Morning Transport treks through the cold today with a story from Benjamin C. Kinney (@benjaminckinney.com) about hard situations and harder choices, making its internet debut! As the first story of the month, it's free for everyone to read! www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/here-at-th...
Do you like science fiction with search-and-rescue teams doing triage in cold alien woods full of metal wolves? You should! @morningtransport.bsky.social is giving "Here at the Freezing End" its first online publication (originally at @analogsf.bsky.social), free to read!
The Sunday Morning Transport treks through the cold today with a story from Benjamin C. Kinney (@benjaminckinney.com) about hard situations and harder choices, making its internet debut! As the first story of the month, it's free for everyone to read! www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/here-at-th...
Here at the Freezing End
In this month’s first, free, story, we welcome Benjamin C Kinney back with a story about survival in the midst of the impossible…
www.sundaymorningtransport.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Do you like science fiction with search-and-rescue teams doing triage in cold alien woods full of metal wolves? You should! @morningtransport.bsky.social is giving "Here at the Freezing End" its first online publication (originally at @analogsf.bsky.social), free to read!
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
If you missed it in @analogsf.bsky.social, @benjaminckinney.com's enjoyably grim "Here at the Freezing End" reappears this month in @morningtransport.bsky.social www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/here-at-th... #playlist
Here at the Freezing End
In this month’s first, free, story, we welcome Benjamin C Kinney back with a story about survival in the midst of the impossible…
www.sundaymorningtransport.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM
If you missed it in @analogsf.bsky.social, @benjaminckinney.com's enjoyably grim "Here at the Freezing End" reappears this month in @morningtransport.bsky.social www.sundaymorningtransport.com/p/here-at-th... #playlist
Change one(ish) letter, ruin a candy
Nepo Wafers
Nepo Wafers
Change one letter, ruin a candy
Almond Goy
(I originally thought of Zounds but I'd eat that in a hot minute)
Almond Goy
(I originally thought of Zounds but I'd eat that in a hot minute)
Change one letter, ruin a candy
A&M
A&M
October 30, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Change one(ish) letter, ruin a candy
Nepo Wafers
Nepo Wafers
Writers, help me track down a classic (to me) example of character voice? A hardboiled/noir novel with a line like "He drew a gun. I took it." Showing a POV so inured to violence that an entire fight contains nothing worth remembering.
Anyone know the source? If there even is one?
Anyone know the source? If there even is one?
October 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Writers, help me track down a classic (to me) example of character voice? A hardboiled/noir novel with a line like "He drew a gun. I took it." Showing a POV so inured to violence that an entire fight contains nothing worth remembering.
Anyone know the source? If there even is one?
Anyone know the source? If there even is one?
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
Our website is up and running: roguestarmag.com
Frontpage - Rogue Star Magazine
Rogue Star is an volunteer-run online magazine of science fiction and fantasy news, reviews, interviews, and commentaries.
roguestarmag.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Our website is up and running: roguestarmag.com
Loam, iron, and a blue-green algae smoothie.
What would *your* book smell like if you engaged in a mega weirdo scented pages promotional campaign?
October 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Loam, iron, and a blue-green algae smoothie.
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
New neuroscience short story forthcoming in @analogsf.bsky.social! Which also means a story of - ultimately successful - negotiations with their new publisher.
Includes full final text of my contract for all to use while they finish rewriting their boilerplate.
benjaminckinney.com/analog-negot...
Includes full final text of my contract for all to use while they finish rewriting their boilerplate.
benjaminckinney.com/analog-negot...
Analog Negotiations & Short Story Sale: Recognition, Memory » Benjamin C. Kinney - still pruning...
Successful negotiations with Must Read Magazines & Analog SF, who will publish my science fiction short story "Recognition, Memory."
benjaminckinney.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:56 PM
New neuroscience short story forthcoming in @analogsf.bsky.social! Which also means a story of - ultimately successful - negotiations with their new publisher.
Includes full final text of my contract for all to use while they finish rewriting their boilerplate.
benjaminckinney.com/analog-negot...
Includes full final text of my contract for all to use while they finish rewriting their boilerplate.
benjaminckinney.com/analog-negot...
New neuroscience short story forthcoming in @analogsf.bsky.social! Which also means a story of - ultimately successful - negotiations with their new publisher.
Includes full final text of my contract for all to use while they finish rewriting their boilerplate.
benjaminckinney.com/analog-negot...
Includes full final text of my contract for all to use while they finish rewriting their boilerplate.
benjaminckinney.com/analog-negot...
Analog Negotiations & Short Story Sale: Recognition, Memory » Benjamin C. Kinney - still pruning...
Successful negotiations with Must Read Magazines & Analog SF, who will publish my science fiction short story "Recognition, Memory."
benjaminckinney.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:56 PM
New neuroscience short story forthcoming in @analogsf.bsky.social! Which also means a story of - ultimately successful - negotiations with their new publisher.
Includes full final text of my contract for all to use while they finish rewriting their boilerplate.
benjaminckinney.com/analog-negot...
Includes full final text of my contract for all to use while they finish rewriting their boilerplate.
benjaminckinney.com/analog-negot...
p = 0.051
In honor of spooky month, share a 4 word horror story that only someone in your profession would understand
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
I'll go first: Six page commercial lease.
October 12, 2025 at 3:24 PM
p = 0.051
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
I see pieces like this a lot, often w/ a spin of lamenting cultural degeneration, but reading is a LABOR issue, it’s declined because so many people are working overtime or two jobs & employers expect after hours work. France has Earth’s highest reading rate b/c long lunch breaks & labor protections
October 7, 2025 at 12:25 AM
I see pieces like this a lot, often w/ a spin of lamenting cultural degeneration, but reading is a LABOR issue, it’s declined because so many people are working overtime or two jobs & employers expect after hours work. France has Earth’s highest reading rate b/c long lunch breaks & labor protections
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
Very excited to offer the internet this novelette about dirtbags, privatization, heavy weather, and a beagle named Henry.
Sure, we all know Buckaroo Banzai's wisdom: "no matter where you go, there you are." In case you'd rather be somewhere else, this week we bring you part 1 of "Here Instead of There" by @matociquala.bsky.social, complete with grade-A cursing! Great for wherever in spacetime you find yourself.
Escape Pod 1013: Here Instead of There (Part 1 of 2)
Waking up sick in a punk house shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody so I don’t know why it always came as a surprise to me. My head throbbed so bad I couldn’t tell the difference between the hangover…
escapepod.org
October 3, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Very excited to offer the internet this novelette about dirtbags, privatization, heavy weather, and a beagle named Henry.
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
To cite a really simple example — I think I first heard this one from @lydy.bsky.social — it’s obviously useful to any band of humans to have a few members who can’t sleep at night or stay awake during the day.
The benefits of neurodiversity are obvious if people would stop to think about it. Different ways of thinking means that different skills are easier for different people. A mentally diverse population can therefore do much more, learn much more and create much more than a mental monoculture. /1
October 1, 2025 at 3:39 PM
To cite a really simple example — I think I first heard this one from @lydy.bsky.social — it’s obviously useful to any band of humans to have a few members who can’t sleep at night or stay awake during the day.
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
If you're not a supporter of Escape Pod and you're looking to be, lock in your subscription before October 1st, lest you hear the ads crackling against the cosmic microwave background. More details here! www.patreon.com/posts/lock-i...
September 29, 2025 at 11:49 AM
If you're not a supporter of Escape Pod and you're looking to be, lock in your subscription before October 1st, lest you hear the ads crackling against the cosmic microwave background. More details here! www.patreon.com/posts/lock-i...
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
i challenge you to find cooler news today than “despite all odds against American scientific research rn, a CO researcher developed a temperature-stable, single dose rabies vaccine that works bc of particles coated in CANDY & SAPPHIRE, & it could help reduce rabies deaths in places w/o electricity”
Happy (rainy) Tuesday, #Boulder. I've got a new story for you all about a new temperature-stable, single-injection rabies vaccine developed by @colorado.edu researcher Ted Randolph.
www.colorado.edu/today/2025/0...
www.colorado.edu/today/2025/0...
New single-dose, temperature-stable rabies vaccines could expand global access
CU Boulder engineers have developed a new method for making vaccines that combines multiple, timed-release doses into a single injection that doesn't require
www.colorado.edu
September 23, 2025 at 4:33 PM
i challenge you to find cooler news today than “despite all odds against American scientific research rn, a CO researcher developed a temperature-stable, single dose rabies vaccine that works bc of particles coated in CANDY & SAPPHIRE, & it could help reduce rabies deaths in places w/o electricity”
Subtly downgrade a band:
A 1975.
A 1975.
Subtly downgrade a band:
Stream-enterer.
Stream-enterer.
subtly downgrade a band:
Some Doubt
Some Doubt
September 22, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Subtly downgrade a band:
A 1975.
A 1975.
Reposted by Benjamin C. Kinney
IT IS A NATIONAL DAY OF POKEY!!!
September 18, 2025 at 7:25 PM
IT IS A NATIONAL DAY OF POKEY!!!