Malcolm Schmitz
@malcolmschmitz.bsky.social
Author, artist, game dev. Querying middle grade trans thieves; writing adult short fic about lacemaking orcs, nebbish unicorns, trans sky captains, and more. Half of VaporwaveGothic Studios; worked with Black Chicken Studios and small indie teams.
Pinned
The Misadventures of Sawbones and Its Menagerie
Visit Amazon's The Misadventures of Sawbones and Its Menagerie Page and shop for all The Misadventures of Sawbones and Its Menagerie books. Check out pictures, author information, and reviews of The Misadventures of Sawbones and Its Menagerie
www.amazon.com
Hello, friends! I write a series of short stories called THE MISADVENTURES OF SAWBONES AND ITS MENAGERIE, about a grumpy plague-masked veterinarian and the magical creatures it helps. One part James Herriot, one part Dungeon Meshi, one part Murderbot.
Get them here:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPX6NHS8
Get them here:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPX6NHS8
So I'm still wrangling with the gender/pronoun systems in Bright Young Things.
One of my love interests can use any of seven different pronouns and four different names. (You can set all of your love interests to be NB; the game randomizes between pronouns.)
My word count is rapidly increasing.
One of my love interests can use any of seven different pronouns and four different names. (You can set all of your love interests to be NB; the game randomizes between pronouns.)
My word count is rapidly increasing.
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
So I'm still wrangling with the gender/pronoun systems in Bright Young Things.
One of my love interests can use any of seven different pronouns and four different names. (You can set all of your love interests to be NB; the game randomizes between pronouns.)
My word count is rapidly increasing.
One of my love interests can use any of seven different pronouns and four different names. (You can set all of your love interests to be NB; the game randomizes between pronouns.)
My word count is rapidly increasing.
Reposted by Malcolm Schmitz
Hey all you gamers claiming to "want shorter games made by fewer people who are paid more to work less" here's your chance to put your $15 where your mouth is: a spooky & elegiac exploration game made by ex-Bethesda & Ubi devs. It's excellent. Buy it & prove there's a market for games like this!
There'll be a new pinned post this week, but for now: Ambrosia Sky: Act One is *out* now!
Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3580160/...
EGS: store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/ambr...
Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3580160/...
EGS: store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/ambr...
Save 15% on Ambrosia Sky on Steam
You left. Now they’re dead. Ambrosia Sky: Act One is an immersive sim about exploring an asteroid colony devastated by a mysterious contamination. Survive and harvest strains of aggressive alien fungi...
store.steampowered.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Hey all you gamers claiming to "want shorter games made by fewer people who are paid more to work less" here's your chance to put your $15 where your mouth is: a spooky & elegiac exploration game made by ex-Bethesda & Ubi devs. It's excellent. Buy it & prove there's a market for games like this!
New selling point* for Bright Young Things, my Wodehouse Meets Watchmen IF game:
You can be a member of the Diogenes Club, the Drones Club, the Bellona Club, or the Egotists Club. (As well as several new gentleperson's clubs.)
*Implementation skills permitting.
You can be a member of the Diogenes Club, the Drones Club, the Bellona Club, or the Egotists Club. (As well as several new gentleperson's clubs.)
*Implementation skills permitting.
November 10, 2025 at 7:47 PM
New selling point* for Bright Young Things, my Wodehouse Meets Watchmen IF game:
You can be a member of the Diogenes Club, the Drones Club, the Bellona Club, or the Egotists Club. (As well as several new gentleperson's clubs.)
*Implementation skills permitting.
You can be a member of the Diogenes Club, the Drones Club, the Bellona Club, or the Egotists Club. (As well as several new gentleperson's clubs.)
*Implementation skills permitting.
Coming up on the end of Chapter 2 of Bright Young Things!
In this chapter, you pick a favourite drink, meet an old friend, and deal with that classic antagonist of 1920s fiction: HORRID RELATIVES.
In this chapter, you pick a favourite drink, meet an old friend, and deal with that classic antagonist of 1920s fiction: HORRID RELATIVES.
November 9, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Coming up on the end of Chapter 2 of Bright Young Things!
In this chapter, you pick a favourite drink, meet an old friend, and deal with that classic antagonist of 1920s fiction: HORRID RELATIVES.
In this chapter, you pick a favourite drink, meet an old friend, and deal with that classic antagonist of 1920s fiction: HORRID RELATIVES.
If you're writing any historical fiction set in the UK in the first half of the 20th century, I can't recommend www.1900s.org.uk enough.
It's run by a retired academic who's trying to archive what life was like then for normal people, and it's got all kinds of little details you'd never make up.
It's run by a retired academic who's trying to archive what life was like then for normal people, and it's got all kinds of little details you'd never make up.
Join me in the 1900s: a social history of everyday life
Explore everyday life, early-mid 20th century UK: what ordinary people experienced and felt, with firsthand inputs and supporting research
www.1900s.org.uk
November 8, 2025 at 9:04 PM
If you're writing any historical fiction set in the UK in the first half of the 20th century, I can't recommend www.1900s.org.uk enough.
It's run by a retired academic who's trying to archive what life was like then for normal people, and it's got all kinds of little details you'd never make up.
It's run by a retired academic who's trying to archive what life was like then for normal people, and it's got all kinds of little details you'd never make up.
I'm going to invent a new neopronoun that doesn't conjugate like 'he/she' JUST so that the coding work I did for Bright Young Things' pronouns feels justified.
There is exactly one gender-neutral singular pronoun that doesn't conjugate like 'he/she' does... and it's the only one I can't leave out.
There is exactly one gender-neutral singular pronoun that doesn't conjugate like 'he/she' does... and it's the only one I can't leave out.
November 8, 2025 at 8:43 PM
I'm going to invent a new neopronoun that doesn't conjugate like 'he/she' JUST so that the coding work I did for Bright Young Things' pronouns feels justified.
There is exactly one gender-neutral singular pronoun that doesn't conjugate like 'he/she' does... and it's the only one I can't leave out.
There is exactly one gender-neutral singular pronoun that doesn't conjugate like 'he/she' does... and it's the only one I can't leave out.
...I wonder if the reason the ADHD rates have, seemingly, gone up is that within about two lifetimes we've gone from "anyone who can afford it has a full-time disability aide" to "only very rich people have an assistant, and only the turbo-rich have an assistant who helps them outside of work."
November 6, 2025 at 11:39 PM
...I wonder if the reason the ADHD rates have, seemingly, gone up is that within about two lifetimes we've gone from "anyone who can afford it has a full-time disability aide" to "only very rich people have an assistant, and only the turbo-rich have an assistant who helps them outside of work."
Hello, friends! I write a series of short stories called THE MISADVENTURES OF SAWBONES AND ITS MENAGERIE, about a grumpy plague-masked veterinarian and the magical creatures it helps. One part James Herriot, one part Dungeon Meshi, one part Murderbot.
Get them here:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPX6NHS8
Get them here:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPX6NHS8
The Misadventures of Sawbones and Its Menagerie
Visit Amazon's The Misadventures of Sawbones and Its Menagerie Page and shop for all The Misadventures of Sawbones and Its Menagerie books. Check out pictures, author information, and reviews of The Misadventures of Sawbones and Its Menagerie
www.amazon.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Hello, friends! I write a series of short stories called THE MISADVENTURES OF SAWBONES AND ITS MENAGERIE, about a grumpy plague-masked veterinarian and the magical creatures it helps. One part James Herriot, one part Dungeon Meshi, one part Murderbot.
Get them here:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPX6NHS8
Get them here:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPX6NHS8
I love medieval fantasy (heck, I'm writing some), but I hate how much medieval fantasy has polluted the Google search results for anything related to the middle ages.
This is what I get when I search for "water mill gate medieval":
This is what I get when I search for "water mill gate medieval":
September 1, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I love medieval fantasy (heck, I'm writing some), but I hate how much medieval fantasy has polluted the Google search results for anything related to the middle ages.
This is what I get when I search for "water mill gate medieval":
This is what I get when I search for "water mill gate medieval":
I finally fixed the cover for The Unicorn's Beard!
I was never satisfied with it- I got a cover off Fiverr and got exactly what I asked for, unfortunately. But I've leveled up my graphic design skills a few times (thanks, Sims) and can make my own covers, now!
I was never satisfied with it- I got a cover off Fiverr and got exactly what I asked for, unfortunately. But I've leveled up my graphic design skills a few times (thanks, Sims) and can make my own covers, now!
August 19, 2025 at 12:45 PM
I finally fixed the cover for The Unicorn's Beard!
I was never satisfied with it- I got a cover off Fiverr and got exactly what I asked for, unfortunately. But I've leveled up my graphic design skills a few times (thanks, Sims) and can make my own covers, now!
I was never satisfied with it- I got a cover off Fiverr and got exactly what I asked for, unfortunately. But I've leveled up my graphic design skills a few times (thanks, Sims) and can make my own covers, now!
Just read Stardust Family by @porochan.bsky.social - it's an incredibly haunting short manga about a world where people have to be vetted before they can raise children, and about the inspectors who vet them. It's really good and I'm keeping an eye on the 'horror one-shot' they're teasing.
August 10, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Just read Stardust Family by @porochan.bsky.social - it's an incredibly haunting short manga about a world where people have to be vetted before they can raise children, and about the inspectors who vet them. It's really good and I'm keeping an eye on the 'horror one-shot' they're teasing.
Went to see Shakespeare in the Park last weekend. Going again tomorrow. If you're in greater CLE, highly recommend this take on the Scottish Play!!
July 31, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Went to see Shakespeare in the Park last weekend. Going again tomorrow. If you're in greater CLE, highly recommend this take on the Scottish Play!!
Reposted by Malcolm Schmitz
really good write-up of this whole situation with payment processors enabling right-wing censorship of adult games www.pcgamer.com/gaming-indus...
Visa and Mastercard pressuring Itch.io and Valve does 'nothing to protect' women, and shock games will just be 'side-stepping the ban entirely', say affected indie devs
"Cutting these women off from income streams and audiences does nothing to 'protect' them."
www.pcgamer.com
July 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
really good write-up of this whole situation with payment processors enabling right-wing censorship of adult games www.pcgamer.com/gaming-indus...
Reposted by Malcolm Schmitz
There are no - absolutely zero - “legitimate” concerns about trans people in any context. THAT is the only correct answer. The entire trans panic is made-up garbage. THAT is the only thing Democrats should be pushing. Anything less is unacceptable.
July 28, 2025 at 6:38 PM
There are no - absolutely zero - “legitimate” concerns about trans people in any context. THAT is the only correct answer. The entire trans panic is made-up garbage. THAT is the only thing Democrats should be pushing. Anything less is unacceptable.
Called Mastercard today.
An injury to one is an injury to all, and all that.
An injury to one is an injury to all, and all that.
July 28, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Called Mastercard today.
An injury to one is an injury to all, and all that.
An injury to one is an injury to all, and all that.
Oh ewwwwwwwww, I added a bunch of jazz standards to my playlist for Bright Young Things, and uh...
Today I learnt that there's a reason of "Let's Fall In Love" that's incredibly, horrifically racist! O_e
Today I learnt that there's a reason of "Let's Fall In Love" that's incredibly, horrifically racist! O_e
July 26, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Oh ewwwwwwwww, I added a bunch of jazz standards to my playlist for Bright Young Things, and uh...
Today I learnt that there's a reason of "Let's Fall In Love" that's incredibly, horrifically racist! O_e
Today I learnt that there's a reason of "Let's Fall In Love" that's incredibly, horrifically racist! O_e
Sometimes when you're writing, you've got an assumption that you've never bothered to check, because why would you. Totally benign assumption- totally wrong.
For me, lately, that's been "animal transformations are one of the, like, default generic superpowers, right?"
For me, lately, that's been "animal transformations are one of the, like, default generic superpowers, right?"
July 25, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Sometimes when you're writing, you've got an assumption that you've never bothered to check, because why would you. Totally benign assumption- totally wrong.
For me, lately, that's been "animal transformations are one of the, like, default generic superpowers, right?"
For me, lately, that's been "animal transformations are one of the, like, default generic superpowers, right?"
Oh boy. I just finished The Dispossessed and I am having Complicated Feelings about it.
.... Mostly because this is a story about a State versus a cult.
.... Mostly because this is a story about a State versus a cult.
July 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Oh boy. I just finished The Dispossessed and I am having Complicated Feelings about it.
.... Mostly because this is a story about a State versus a cult.
.... Mostly because this is a story about a State versus a cult.
Time for the newest meme! One like, one non-political opinion.
July 21, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Time for the newest meme! One like, one non-political opinion.
@amaditalks.bsky.social If you want to chat about mysteries, I'm game!
I'm usually a cozy mystery kind of dude, but I've been reading a lot of Japanese honhaku-ha mysteries lately and they're an absolutely fascinating blend of Golden Age detective fiction and Gothic horror.
I'm usually a cozy mystery kind of dude, but I've been reading a lot of Japanese honhaku-ha mysteries lately and they're an absolutely fascinating blend of Golden Age detective fiction and Gothic horror.
July 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
@amaditalks.bsky.social If you want to chat about mysteries, I'm game!
I'm usually a cozy mystery kind of dude, but I've been reading a lot of Japanese honhaku-ha mysteries lately and they're an absolutely fascinating blend of Golden Age detective fiction and Gothic horror.
I'm usually a cozy mystery kind of dude, but I've been reading a lot of Japanese honhaku-ha mysteries lately and they're an absolutely fascinating blend of Golden Age detective fiction and Gothic horror.
I am neck deep in gender/pronoun options for Bright Young Things today and boy howdy I can see why a lot of games don't even bother with a binary gender selection.
I've got *sixteen* pronoun options, and they're totally disconnected from your character's gender or lack thereof.
I'm in Heck.
I've got *sixteen* pronoun options, and they're totally disconnected from your character's gender or lack thereof.
I'm in Heck.
July 21, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I am neck deep in gender/pronoun options for Bright Young Things today and boy howdy I can see why a lot of games don't even bother with a binary gender selection.
I've got *sixteen* pronoun options, and they're totally disconnected from your character's gender or lack thereof.
I'm in Heck.
I've got *sixteen* pronoun options, and they're totally disconnected from your character's gender or lack thereof.
I'm in Heck.
Reposted by Malcolm Schmitz
Absolutely wonderful -- and well deserved -- news of IWTTO being shortlisted for Best Anthology at the British Fantasy Awards. Well done to everyone involved, and especially to Bona Books's fantastic team.
I Want That Twink… Nominated?! 🤯
We’re over the moon (and beyond) that IWTTO! is a finalist at the BFAs.
We’re over the moon (and beyond) that IWTTO! is a finalist at the BFAs.
July 20, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Absolutely wonderful -- and well deserved -- news of IWTTO being shortlisted for Best Anthology at the British Fantasy Awards. Well done to everyone involved, and especially to Bona Books's fantastic team.
Working on the pronoun selection screen for my Choice of Games game tonight.
@gendercensus.bsky.social has been invaluable in helping me figure out where to focus my energy/what options I need to include most.
If you're planning to write something inclusive and you're not trans, USE THEIR REPORTS.
@gendercensus.bsky.social has been invaluable in helping me figure out where to focus my energy/what options I need to include most.
If you're planning to write something inclusive and you're not trans, USE THEIR REPORTS.
July 21, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Working on the pronoun selection screen for my Choice of Games game tonight.
@gendercensus.bsky.social has been invaluable in helping me figure out where to focus my energy/what options I need to include most.
If you're planning to write something inclusive and you're not trans, USE THEIR REPORTS.
@gendercensus.bsky.social has been invaluable in helping me figure out where to focus my energy/what options I need to include most.
If you're planning to write something inclusive and you're not trans, USE THEIR REPORTS.
Reposted by Malcolm Schmitz
check this out: the practical magic soundtrack
July 21, 2025 at 1:29 AM
check this out: the practical magic soundtrack
When you're doing historical research, you will inevitably come to a moment where you realize that your mental image of a time period is several years too early.
A lot of the time, things you remember as being from "the 1920s" are actually from the 1930s, reflected through nostalgia.
A lot of the time, things you remember as being from "the 1920s" are actually from the 1930s, reflected through nostalgia.
July 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
When you're doing historical research, you will inevitably come to a moment where you realize that your mental image of a time period is several years too early.
A lot of the time, things you remember as being from "the 1920s" are actually from the 1930s, reflected through nostalgia.
A lot of the time, things you remember as being from "the 1920s" are actually from the 1930s, reflected through nostalgia.