Drew Melbourne
@drewmelbourne.com
Neurodivergent geek author of A DARK HOLE DARKLY, the Percival Gynt space-fantasy series, and the graphic novel ARCHENEMIES.
www.drewmelbourne.com
(he/him)
www.drewmelbourne.com
(he/him)
Pinned
Drew Melbourne
@drewmelbourne.com
· Sep 18
A Dark Hole Darkly
Sometimes neurodivergence makes you a much SHITTIER detective.
www.drewmelbourne.com
His girlfriend says he doesn't have the temperament to solve his mom's murder.
She's probably right.
Don't believe the lies your TV tells you: Sometimes neurodivergence makes you a much SHITTIER detective.
A DARK HOLE DARKLY
A Detective's Story
Out now in ebook and paperback.
#ADHDetective
💙📚⚡️
She's probably right.
Don't believe the lies your TV tells you: Sometimes neurodivergence makes you a much SHITTIER detective.
A DARK HOLE DARKLY
A Detective's Story
Out now in ebook and paperback.
#ADHDetective
💙📚⚡️
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
Extrapolating in another direction: I also often think of just how much human potential has been lost because of systemic racism, classism and imperialism. All the joy, innovation, art and more that we didn’t get - the opportunity cost of systems where one or a few men (its usually men) benefit.
This is only related in a sideways manner, but: the story of any small slice of humanity is the story of humanity, just boiled down and distilled. So:
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
February 5, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Extrapolating in another direction: I also often think of just how much human potential has been lost because of systemic racism, classism and imperialism. All the joy, innovation, art and more that we didn’t get - the opportunity cost of systems where one or a few men (its usually men) benefit.
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
This is only related in a sideways manner, but: the story of any small slice of humanity is the story of humanity, just boiled down and distilled. So:
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
This is only related in a sideways manner, but: the story of any small slice of humanity is the story of humanity, just boiled down and distilled. So:
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
Here is a thing:
There were several years when I was one of VERY few journalists seriously covering harassment and abuse issues in comics (and by extension sometimes video games). During that time, I became the Person People Told Things To.
(cont'd)
There were several years when I was one of VERY few journalists seriously covering harassment and abuse issues in comics (and by extension sometimes video games). During that time, I became the Person People Told Things To.
(cont'd)
February 6, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Here is a thing:
There were several years when I was one of VERY few journalists seriously covering harassment and abuse issues in comics (and by extension sometimes video games). During that time, I became the Person People Told Things To.
(cont'd)
There were several years when I was one of VERY few journalists seriously covering harassment and abuse issues in comics (and by extension sometimes video games). During that time, I became the Person People Told Things To.
(cont'd)
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
All the confusion growing up and being told I was saying things wrong, but never being told how, had its effect later in life; I was never sure what I would say or do that would set people off. 1/2
#ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #Anxiety
#ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #Anxiety
February 5, 2026 at 3:45 PM
All the confusion growing up and being told I was saying things wrong, but never being told how, had its effect later in life; I was never sure what I would say or do that would set people off. 1/2
#ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #Anxiety
#ActuallyAutistic #AuDHD #Anxiety
A couple days ago, I announced that I'm (in the process of) pulling my books off Amazon.
Thrilled that readers will (soon) be able to find ebook editions of my books alongside the print editions at Bookshop.org:
Thrilled that readers will (soon) be able to find ebook editions of my books alongside the print editions at Bookshop.org:
The word is out! Draft2Digital has officially partnered with Bookshop.org to get indie ebooks into indie bookstores!
For more details on this new partnership, check out our latest blog post! #authorsky
www.draft2digital.com/blog/booksho...
For more details on this new partnership, check out our latest blog post! #authorsky
www.draft2digital.com/blog/booksho...
Bookshop.org and Draft2Digital Partner, Enabling Independent Bookstores to Profit from Self-Published Ebooks - Draft2Digital | Blog
Bookshop.org, the online platform championing independent bookstores, announced a new partnership with Draft2Digital!
www.draft2digital.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:20 PM
A couple days ago, I announced that I'm (in the process of) pulling my books off Amazon.
Thrilled that readers will (soon) be able to find ebook editions of my books alongside the print editions at Bookshop.org:
Thrilled that readers will (soon) be able to find ebook editions of my books alongside the print editions at Bookshop.org:
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
The Audacity Omnibus audiobook is now up everywhere you can buy audiobooks (I think) so you don't have to use Audible! Here it is on Everand! www.everand.com/audiobook/97...
January 28, 2026 at 12:52 AM
The Audacity Omnibus audiobook is now up everywhere you can buy audiobooks (I think) so you don't have to use Audible! Here it is on Everand! www.everand.com/audiobook/97...
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
February usually means drowning in hearts and roses blah blah blah.
BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WAY.
This 37-book SFF itch bundle centers friendship/friend groups (including Bonkpocalypse!)
Available until Feb 15!
(Titles/authors/blurbs in link)
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3486/frien...
BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WAY.
This 37-book SFF itch bundle centers friendship/friend groups (including Bonkpocalypse!)
Available until Feb 15!
(Titles/authors/blurbs in link)
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3486/frien...
February 1, 2026 at 1:27 PM
February usually means drowning in hearts and roses blah blah blah.
BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WAY.
This 37-book SFF itch bundle centers friendship/friend groups (including Bonkpocalypse!)
Available until Feb 15!
(Titles/authors/blurbs in link)
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3486/frien...
BUT THERE IS ANOTHER WAY.
This 37-book SFF itch bundle centers friendship/friend groups (including Bonkpocalypse!)
Available until Feb 15!
(Titles/authors/blurbs in link)
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3486/frien...
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
DUCKETT & DYER: DICKS FOR HIRE in an itch bundle about sci-fi/fantasy friendships? It's more likely than you think!
For $35, you can get it and 36 other books that are actually good!
For $35, you can get it and 36 other books that are actually good!
SFF Readers, do you like stories which centre friendship, or where friendship groups tackle plot problems?
To help you find them, I've organised this 37 book bundle. It's an even split of Fantasy, SciFi & SciFi-Fantasy, available till Feb 15! (Book blurbs in link 😉.)
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3486/frien...
To help you find them, I've organised this 37 book bundle. It's an even split of Fantasy, SciFi & SciFi-Fantasy, available till Feb 15! (Book blurbs in link 😉.)
🌈📚🪐📚💙 itch.io/b/3486/frien...
February 1, 2026 at 4:14 PM
DUCKETT & DYER: DICKS FOR HIRE in an itch bundle about sci-fi/fantasy friendships? It's more likely than you think!
For $35, you can get it and 36 other books that are actually good!
For $35, you can get it and 36 other books that are actually good!
First newsletter of the new year (weird that January 2026 definitely didn't happen, right?) includes two big announcements:
1. I've started work on the next Percival Gynt novel.
2. And I'm leaving Amazon and Facebook.
Details within:
1. I've started work on the next Percival Gynt novel.
2. And I'm leaving Amazon and Facebook.
Details within:
Happy New(sletter) Year***!
Happy New(sletter) Year***! ***I agree that this joke would’ve worked better if I’d sent this out on January 1st. SO IT’S A SHAME THAT JANUARY 2026 NEVER...
buttondown.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:33 PM
First newsletter of the new year (weird that January 2026 definitely didn't happen, right?) includes two big announcements:
1. I've started work on the next Percival Gynt novel.
2. And I'm leaving Amazon and Facebook.
Details within:
1. I've started work on the next Percival Gynt novel.
2. And I'm leaving Amazon and Facebook.
Details within:
I gave my cat a hard time for peeing on my kiddo's car seat, but on closer inspection I see that she got most of it in the cup holder.
February 1, 2026 at 2:46 PM
I gave my cat a hard time for peeing on my kiddo's car seat, but on closer inspection I see that she got most of it in the cup holder.
If I know one thing, it's that potatoes and onions are enemies.
I don't know if it's *true* thing.
To be honest, I don't even really know what it means.
But I know that it's a *thing*.
Probably.
I don't know if it's *true* thing.
To be honest, I don't even really know what it means.
But I know that it's a *thing*.
Probably.
January 23, 2026 at 8:10 PM
If I know one thing, it's that potatoes and onions are enemies.
I don't know if it's *true* thing.
To be honest, I don't even really know what it means.
But I know that it's a *thing*.
Probably.
I don't know if it's *true* thing.
To be honest, I don't even really know what it means.
But I know that it's a *thing*.
Probably.
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
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…
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…
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 the most difficult part of being an author. Non-authors simply do not understand this. I remember when my first traditionally published book came out, a supervisor told me, "I could've written a book too." To which I responded, "But you didn't though." (I really was built for self-employment.) Everybody thinks they have a book in them until it's time to put pen to paper.
resiliencymentalhealth.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM
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…
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…
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
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.
Starting off, S3E9 Terrarium, with a thumbnail of Ortegas pulling a dorky face.
January 21, 2026 at 5:43 PM
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.
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.
The "put evil baby in charge" approach doesn't work.
January 21, 2026 at 3:07 PM
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.
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.
7.
Also it feels like 7.
January 21, 2026 at 12:39 PM
In Springfield today, the high is 37, the low is 33, and the current temperature is 7.
7.
Also it feels like 7.
7.
Also it feels like 7.
When I first read this, I was worried Musicology Duck was the bus driver.
I just woke up from a nap and somehow while I was asleep, everyone on the bus has figured out we are not going to the right place
January 20, 2026 at 1:11 PM
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...???)
(And I gather that this was the episode that a lot of reviewers who've seen the first six liked least, so...???)
January 18, 2026 at 9:37 PM
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...???)
(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.
January 17, 2026 at 2:43 PM
AI constantly offering to help me with basic tasks has real "my dog wants to help me put up a shelf" energy.
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
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
Funny, fast, weird, & poignant at times. I loved the unconventional structure. Pick it up for a fast but impactful read
#booksky
Review by aikoa - A Dark Hole Darkly
This book is funny. Really funny. I picked it up because the title made me laugh, and the tagl...
app.thestorygraph.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:46 AM
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
Funny, fast, weird, & poignant at times. I loved the unconventional structure. Pick it up for a fast but impactful read
#booksky
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
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
Neurodivergent & Chronically Ill Writing Tips
I think THE most important advice for writers is 'do what works for you.' This is ESPECIALLY true for neurodivergent and or chronically ill writers. Standard writing advice is oblivious to the impact ...
elisecarlson.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:09 PM
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.
January 14, 2026 at 12:57 PM
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 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
January 11, 2026 at 1:32 AM
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 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?
Do I take my Christmas decorations down on Twelfth Night or do I wait till Candlemas?
January 6, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Once again mulling that age-old question:
Do I take my Christmas decorations down on Twelfth Night or do I wait till Candlemas?
Do I take my Christmas decorations down on Twelfth Night or do I wait till Candlemas?
Reposted by Drew Melbourne
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/
Once upon a time, Europe was at war.
Food was scarce, and the government of the quote-unquote United Kingdom looked for alternatives. 1/
January 6, 2026 at 3:07 AM
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/
Once upon a time, Europe was at war.
Food was scarce, and the government of the quote-unquote United Kingdom looked for alternatives. 1/