Olivia Atwater
@oliviaatwater.com
Whimsical historical fantasy author and satirist. Wary of faeries and fond of pineapples. Author of Half a Soul. Wife of Nicholas Atwater. She/her. 🇨🇦
https://oliviaatwater.com
https://patreon.com/atwater_authors
rep: Christabel McKinley @ David Higham
https://oliviaatwater.com
https://patreon.com/atwater_authors
rep: Christabel McKinley @ David Higham
Pinned
Olivia Atwater
@oliviaatwater.com
· Oct 21
Book two of the Victorian Faerie Tales, ROSEMARY & THYME, is in the process of being written... and chapter one is already available to beta-chapter tier patrons on the Patreon! (Everyone else still gets to hear me tell weird D&D stories on Discord.)
www.patreon.com/c/atwater_au...
www.patreon.com/c/atwater_au...
I guarantee you that the average Canadian’s response to that AI survey put out by the @mark-carney.bsky.social administration was sheer, desperate rage and betrayal, and NOT “we want you to put AI in schools”. That was ALL industry lobbyists.
February 5, 2026 at 1:50 AM
I guarantee you that the average Canadian’s response to that AI survey put out by the @mark-carney.bsky.social administration was sheer, desperate rage and betrayal, and NOT “we want you to put AI in schools”. That was ALL industry lobbyists.
I’m not diving into arguments about whether bad people can make good art. That seems to be a given.
But we also need to interrogate the uncomfortable signs we convinced ourselves to overlook in that art, because we were otherwise so enthusiastic about it. That’s how we avoid getting fooled again.
But we also need to interrogate the uncomfortable signs we convinced ourselves to overlook in that art, because we were otherwise so enthusiastic about it. That’s how we avoid getting fooled again.
February 3, 2026 at 12:19 AM
I’m not diving into arguments about whether bad people can make good art. That seems to be a given.
But we also need to interrogate the uncomfortable signs we convinced ourselves to overlook in that art, because we were otherwise so enthusiastic about it. That’s how we avoid getting fooled again.
But we also need to interrogate the uncomfortable signs we convinced ourselves to overlook in that art, because we were otherwise so enthusiastic about it. That’s how we avoid getting fooled again.
Reposted by Olivia Atwater
ROSEMARY & THYME @oliviaatwater.com up and coming gothic fantasy in her Victorian Faerie Tales series.
The first 3 chapters are free to read here: oliviaatwater.com/freebies
Animatic: Molly Flood
Music: Luis_Humanoide
#animatic #oliviaatwater #mfloodart
The first 3 chapters are free to read here: oliviaatwater.com/freebies
Animatic: Molly Flood
Music: Luis_Humanoide
#animatic #oliviaatwater #mfloodart
January 30, 2026 at 1:55 AM
ROSEMARY & THYME @oliviaatwater.com up and coming gothic fantasy in her Victorian Faerie Tales series.
The first 3 chapters are free to read here: oliviaatwater.com/freebies
Animatic: Molly Flood
Music: Luis_Humanoide
#animatic #oliviaatwater #mfloodart
The first 3 chapters are free to read here: oliviaatwater.com/freebies
Animatic: Molly Flood
Music: Luis_Humanoide
#animatic #oliviaatwater #mfloodart
Well, after an awful lot of bureaucratic wrangling, Mr Atwater and I have finally settled into our new home in Brittany.
Looking forward to a lot more French butter and a lot less human interaction in my near future.
Looking forward to a lot more French butter and a lot less human interaction in my near future.
January 14, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Well, after an awful lot of bureaucratic wrangling, Mr Atwater and I have finally settled into our new home in Brittany.
Looking forward to a lot more French butter and a lot less human interaction in my near future.
Looking forward to a lot more French butter and a lot less human interaction in my near future.
Wow, my finger slipped and I ended up searching for Discord alternatives like two seconds after finding out they're surveying people about possible AI integration.
Element is looking pretty good so far. Already have it downloaded.
Element is looking pretty good so far. Already have it downloaded.
January 10, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Wow, my finger slipped and I ended up searching for Discord alternatives like two seconds after finding out they're surveying people about possible AI integration.
Element is looking pretty good so far. Already have it downloaded.
Element is looking pretty good so far. Already have it downloaded.
Having relevant university memories dredged up now, and I can’t help but share.
My bachelor’s was in technical writing. In one of my first classes, the prof (noticeably queer) spent most of the time teaching clarity in writing and instructions. One lesson, he gave us documents from Auschwitz.
My bachelor’s was in technical writing. In one of my first classes, the prof (noticeably queer) spent most of the time teaching clarity in writing and instructions. One lesson, he gave us documents from Auschwitz.
January 9, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Having relevant university memories dredged up now, and I can’t help but share.
My bachelor’s was in technical writing. In one of my first classes, the prof (noticeably queer) spent most of the time teaching clarity in writing and instructions. One lesson, he gave us documents from Auschwitz.
My bachelor’s was in technical writing. In one of my first classes, the prof (noticeably queer) spent most of the time teaching clarity in writing and instructions. One lesson, he gave us documents from Auschwitz.
Look, maybe this is very ND of me, but I’m just saying that we should have punished the lies when they were far more banal. Every company that ever said something like “customer safety is our highest priority” while visibly selling people out should have been mocked and abandoned.
January 9, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Look, maybe this is very ND of me, but I’m just saying that we should have punished the lies when they were far more banal. Every company that ever said something like “customer safety is our highest priority” while visibly selling people out should have been mocked and abandoned.
Reposted by Olivia Atwater
In de-monopolizing my tech, I've seen so many people yelling "I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START," trying to do it all at once. and giving up.
1. Delete apps you don't need.
2. Create a non-gmail email.
3. Change your default search to DuckDuckGo.
Congrats! You've started.
1. Delete apps you don't need.
2. Create a non-gmail email.
3. Change your default search to DuckDuckGo.
Congrats! You've started.
January 6, 2026 at 4:39 PM
In de-monopolizing my tech, I've seen so many people yelling "I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START," trying to do it all at once. and giving up.
1. Delete apps you don't need.
2. Create a non-gmail email.
3. Change your default search to DuckDuckGo.
Congrats! You've started.
1. Delete apps you don't need.
2. Create a non-gmail email.
3. Change your default search to DuckDuckGo.
Congrats! You've started.
Divesting from US everything overnight is impossible—which is why everyone should be starting the process now, in as many small ways as they can manage.
Every sign so far is that this will get worse. By the time the next awful thing happens, you will want to be on the way to being off of US stuff.
Every sign so far is that this will get worse. By the time the next awful thing happens, you will want to be on the way to being off of US stuff.
January 3, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Divesting from US everything overnight is impossible—which is why everyone should be starting the process now, in as many small ways as they can manage.
Every sign so far is that this will get worse. By the time the next awful thing happens, you will want to be on the way to being off of US stuff.
Every sign so far is that this will get worse. By the time the next awful thing happens, you will want to be on the way to being off of US stuff.
I probably need a new computer soon, but I'm trying to wait until after the AI crash. I'm sure I'm far from the only person who'd rather get a computer that hasn't committed useless, expensive hardware to AI stuff I'm never going to use.
January 2, 2026 at 11:40 PM
I probably need a new computer soon, but I'm trying to wait until after the AI crash. I'm sure I'm far from the only person who'd rather get a computer that hasn't committed useless, expensive hardware to AI stuff I'm never going to use.
All of this Gothic writing has really sent me into my Neutral Evil era as a Pathfinder player, I guess. All hail Norgorber?
December 31, 2025 at 3:18 AM
All of this Gothic writing has really sent me into my Neutral Evil era as a Pathfinder player, I guess. All hail Norgorber?
Our household isn’t super religious, but we DO celebrate “A Muppet Christmas Carol Day”.
Today, we discovered that a friend of ours did not know that Leverage: Redemption existed, despite loving the original series.
We figure watching Redemption is still in the spirit of the holiday, so. Popcorn.
Today, we discovered that a friend of ours did not know that Leverage: Redemption existed, despite loving the original series.
We figure watching Redemption is still in the spirit of the holiday, so. Popcorn.
December 25, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Our household isn’t super religious, but we DO celebrate “A Muppet Christmas Carol Day”.
Today, we discovered that a friend of ours did not know that Leverage: Redemption existed, despite loving the original series.
We figure watching Redemption is still in the spirit of the holiday, so. Popcorn.
Today, we discovered that a friend of ours did not know that Leverage: Redemption existed, despite loving the original series.
We figure watching Redemption is still in the spirit of the holiday, so. Popcorn.
Reposted by Olivia Atwater
Sir Terry Pratchett is best understood as one of the most interesting, deeply ethical practical (I would say Pragmatist but I cede to actual experts) philosophers of the late 20th Century who just happened to work in deconstructed fantasy literature as his medium.
Discworld QOTD, from Hogfather
December 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Sir Terry Pratchett is best understood as one of the most interesting, deeply ethical practical (I would say Pragmatist but I cede to actual experts) philosophers of the late 20th Century who just happened to work in deconstructed fantasy literature as his medium.
On a bright note, I’m actually very encouraged seeing so many authors raging for no-tolerance AI rules. After all the orgs that have embarrassed themselves over AI lately, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one feeling alienated and incensed.
December 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
On a bright note, I’m actually very encouraged seeing so many authors raging for no-tolerance AI rules. After all the orgs that have embarrassed themselves over AI lately, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one feeling alienated and incensed.
The cat has been irradiated. She is home and safe and cosy, and also whining that she cannot be allowed outside of the office in order to protect everyone from whatever superpowers she may yet develop.
The door is closed. This is Intolerable.
The door is closed. This is Intolerable.
December 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The cat has been irradiated. She is home and safe and cosy, and also whining that she cannot be allowed outside of the office in order to protect everyone from whatever superpowers she may yet develop.
The door is closed. This is Intolerable.
The door is closed. This is Intolerable.
One of my most important pieces of software is now forcing me to upgrade past iOS 18, and to say I am dreading it is an understatement.
I'm going to have to forcibly extract AI crud from every device. And it will just be turned off, rather than GONE, which imo remains a giant OS security risk.
I'm going to have to forcibly extract AI crud from every device. And it will just be turned off, rather than GONE, which imo remains a giant OS security risk.
December 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
One of my most important pieces of software is now forcing me to upgrade past iOS 18, and to say I am dreading it is an understatement.
I'm going to have to forcibly extract AI crud from every device. And it will just be turned off, rather than GONE, which imo remains a giant OS security risk.
I'm going to have to forcibly extract AI crud from every device. And it will just be turned off, rather than GONE, which imo remains a giant OS security risk.
Good god, Mr Atwater just tried to send something small to the US for the first time in ages. It's a completely unworkable process. We've actually had to give up entirely.
December 18, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Good god, Mr Atwater just tried to send something small to the US for the first time in ages. It's a completely unworkable process. We've actually had to give up entirely.
You can’t effectively investigate scams if you’re scamming your own readers. Shame on management, and good on ProPublica’s employees for standing their ground. I would expect no less from people who really believe in their job, but it’s heartening to see it in action.
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December 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
You can’t effectively investigate scams if you’re scamming your own readers. Shame on management, and good on ProPublica’s employees for standing their ground. I would expect no less from people who really believe in their job, but it’s heartening to see it in action.
I dunno man, watching CEOs get bullied may be turning into my new favourite pastime.
Isn’t it just wild how they all, always, every time end up totally deserving it? Like, I can’t remember a time when I dug in deeper and went “oh man, my bad, that was an overreaction” instead of “oh it gets worse.”
Isn’t it just wild how they all, always, every time end up totally deserving it? Like, I can’t remember a time when I dug in deeper and went “oh man, my bad, that was an overreaction” instead of “oh it gets worse.”
December 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I dunno man, watching CEOs get bullied may be turning into my new favourite pastime.
Isn’t it just wild how they all, always, every time end up totally deserving it? Like, I can’t remember a time when I dug in deeper and went “oh man, my bad, that was an overreaction” instead of “oh it gets worse.”
Isn’t it just wild how they all, always, every time end up totally deserving it? Like, I can’t remember a time when I dug in deeper and went “oh man, my bad, that was an overreaction” instead of “oh it gets worse.”
Also, while every Benoit Blanc movie is totally delightful and in a league of its own, I suspect that Catholics and lapsed Catholics are gonna get the most out of Wake Up Dead Man. I found it the least compelling of the three, but also feel that it was not made for me, so that‘s not a big surprise.
December 14, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Also, while every Benoit Blanc movie is totally delightful and in a league of its own, I suspect that Catholics and lapsed Catholics are gonna get the most out of Wake Up Dead Man. I found it the least compelling of the three, but also feel that it was not made for me, so that‘s not a big surprise.
No spoilers, but while watching Wake Up Dead Man, there was a point where me and my female friend both went “oh, I know exactly where this is going” and Mr Atwater did not, and it turns out we were somehow wrong??
But, um. I know who I expected to be wearing that ring, is all.
But, um. I know who I expected to be wearing that ring, is all.
December 14, 2025 at 3:15 AM
No spoilers, but while watching Wake Up Dead Man, there was a point where me and my female friend both went “oh, I know exactly where this is going” and Mr Atwater did not, and it turns out we were somehow wrong??
But, um. I know who I expected to be wearing that ring, is all.
But, um. I know who I expected to be wearing that ring, is all.
Proton Drive just launched spreadsheets, and I am deliriously happy. I'm finally moving over the last of my stuff from Google Drive.
December 12, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Proton Drive just launched spreadsheets, and I am deliriously happy. I'm finally moving over the last of my stuff from Google Drive.
No matter how many times I see it, the Room 46 cut scene from Blue Prince still gets me. This game is so good.
December 8, 2025 at 12:55 AM
No matter how many times I see it, the Room 46 cut scene from Blue Prince still gets me. This game is so good.
We put on our holiday playlist today. It was time. We’re in Canada, so we’re allowed. (Our Thanksgiving was in October, and there’s snow on the ground.)
November 19, 2025 at 9:12 PM
We put on our holiday playlist today. It was time. We’re in Canada, so we’re allowed. (Our Thanksgiving was in October, and there’s snow on the ground.)
Hyperthyroidism runs in my family. Both of my cats have eventually gone hyperthyroid. Each time, I call my mother and inform her that she gave another grand-cat her bad genes, and now they need medicating.
She always takes it like a good sport. She knows it’ll be my turn someday.
She always takes it like a good sport. She knows it’ll be my turn someday.
November 14, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Hyperthyroidism runs in my family. Both of my cats have eventually gone hyperthyroid. Each time, I call my mother and inform her that she gave another grand-cat her bad genes, and now they need medicating.
She always takes it like a good sport. She knows it’ll be my turn someday.
She always takes it like a good sport. She knows it’ll be my turn someday.