Steven D. Brewer
@stevendbrewer.com
Author of #LGBTQIA+ #ScienceFiction & #Fantasy #Books. Teacher of scientific writing. Lover of natural history. Faculty at UMass Amherst. Presiding Officer of the Faculty Senate. SFWA Secretary. Straw Dog Writers' Guild. Ekskabeinto. #WesternMass (he/him)
Reposted by Steven D. Brewer
Today's Wandering Shop Stories prompt at Mastodon is #post. Join in and tag it with #wss366. Visit https://wandering.shop/@wss366 for more info.
December 3, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Today's Wandering Shop Stories prompt at Mastodon is #post. Join in and tag it with #wss366. Visit https://wandering.shop/@wss366 for more info.
On the way in, Rory collected the mail and, among the usual bills, found a postcard addressed to him. It was an invitation to a class party down by the river for Tuesday.
"It's too bad we're so busy," he said tossing it in the trash.
"We're not that busy," said Tseluna. "But nice try." (1/3) #wss366
"It's too bad we're so busy," he said tossing it in the trash.
"We're not that busy," said Tseluna. "But nice try." (1/3) #wss366
December 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
On the way in, Rory collected the mail and, among the usual bills, found a postcard addressed to him. It was an invitation to a class party down by the river for Tuesday.
"It's too bad we're so busy," he said tossing it in the trash.
"We're not that busy," said Tseluna. "But nice try." (1/3) #wss366
"It's too bad we're so busy," he said tossing it in the trash.
"We're not that busy," said Tseluna. "But nice try." (1/3) #wss366
I may not write well, but I don't write like an AI — except maybe with respect to em-dashes. But you'll have to pry the em-dashes from my cold, unpowered keyboard. (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/m...
Why Does A.I. Write Like … That?
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I may not write well, but I don't write like an AI — except maybe with respect to em-dashes. But you'll have to pry the em-dashes from my cold, unpowered keyboard. (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/m...
Reposted by Steven D. Brewer
Today's Wandering Shop Stories prompt at Mastodon is #prune. Join in and tag it with #wss366. Visit https://wandering.shop/@wss366 for more info.
December 2, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Today's Wandering Shop Stories prompt at Mastodon is #prune. Join in and tag it with #wss366. Visit https://wandering.shop/@wss366 for more info.
Cecelia smelled it even before she arrived at the vineyard. A strong acrid smell of smoke hung like a pall over the whole region.
The coach drew up by the country house. She jumped down and, when no-one met her, she walked around it toward the vineyard. (1/3) #wss366
The coach drew up by the country house. She jumped down and, when no-one met her, she walked around it toward the vineyard. (1/3) #wss366
December 3, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Cecelia smelled it even before she arrived at the vineyard. A strong acrid smell of smoke hung like a pall over the whole region.
The coach drew up by the country house. She jumped down and, when no-one met her, she walked around it toward the vineyard. (1/3) #wss366
The coach drew up by the country house. She jumped down and, when no-one met her, she walked around it toward the vineyard. (1/3) #wss366
Yesterday, my 92-year-old mom was reading a pre-release copy of A Familiar Problem that I brought home from LOSCon.
I asked, "It is weird?" and she said, "Yes!"
You can pre-order your copy today! waterdragonpublishing.com/product/a-fa...
I asked, "It is weird?" and she said, "Yes!"
You can pre-order your copy today! waterdragonpublishing.com/product/a-fa...
A Familiar Problem by Steven D. Brewer
Becoming a powerful demon's familiar might be the best thing ever. But what's the catch?
waterdragonpublishing.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Yesterday, my 92-year-old mom was reading a pre-release copy of A Familiar Problem that I brought home from LOSCon.
I asked, "It is weird?" and she said, "Yes!"
You can pre-order your copy today! waterdragonpublishing.com/product/a-fa...
I asked, "It is weird?" and she said, "Yes!"
You can pre-order your copy today! waterdragonpublishing.com/product/a-fa...
Reposted by Steven D. Brewer
A few quick reflections about LOSCon dashed off at LAX: stevendbrewer.com/my-loscon-ex...
My LOSCon Experience - Steven D. BREWER
With an hour to kill at LAX on my way home from LOSCon, I thought I'd take a few minutes to reflect on the experience. It was generally good: my travel arrangements went well (at least so far) and the...
stevendbrewer.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:26 AM
A few quick reflections about LOSCon dashed off at LAX: stevendbrewer.com/my-loscon-ex...
A few quick reflections about LOSCon dashed off at LAX: stevendbrewer.com/my-loscon-ex...
My LOSCon Experience - Steven D. BREWER
With an hour to kill at LAX on my way home from LOSCon, I thought I'd take a few minutes to reflect on the experience. It was generally good: my travel arrangements went well (at least so far) and the...
stevendbrewer.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:26 AM
A few quick reflections about LOSCon dashed off at LAX: stevendbrewer.com/my-loscon-ex...
"You, sir, are a weirdo." —M. Todd Gallowglas
November 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
"You, sir, are a weirdo." —M. Todd Gallowglas
Woohoo! I finally have a copy of *A Familiar Problem* I can hold in my hands! It's been a long journey for this one. It will be in the dealer room today at #LOSCon and will soon be available for purchase anywhere books are sold online. waterdragonpublishing.com/product/a-fa...
November 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Woohoo! I finally have a copy of *A Familiar Problem* I can hold in my hands! It's been a long journey for this one. It will be in the dealer room today at #LOSCon and will soon be available for purchase anywhere books are sold online. waterdragonpublishing.com/product/a-fa...
Bob looked over Gail's report and noticed an inconsistency. He turned back a few pages and confirmed. This was it. He finally had her. He leaned back, unzipped his trousers, and began to anticipate what was to come. He pressed the intercom.
"Yes, Mr. Stokes?"
"Please come in, Gail." (1/4) #wss366
"Yes, Mr. Stokes?"
"Please come in, Gail." (1/4) #wss366
November 30, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Bob looked over Gail's report and noticed an inconsistency. He turned back a few pages and confirmed. This was it. He finally had her. He leaned back, unzipped his trousers, and began to anticipate what was to come. He pressed the intercom.
"Yes, Mr. Stokes?"
"Please come in, Gail." (1/4) #wss366
"Yes, Mr. Stokes?"
"Please come in, Gail." (1/4) #wss366
Reposted by Steven D. Brewer
Always love to see great talent using their platform for unabashed good.
'F*** Off And Let People Be': David Tennant Doubles Down On Support For Trans People
"People are trying to create division... and it's so f***ing unnecessary."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Always love to see great talent using their platform for unabashed good.
There are some nice courtyard gardens at the hotel, though they're a bit generic. stevendbrewer.com/generic-gard...
Generic Gardens - Steven D. BREWER
When I checked into the hotel for LOSCon, I noticed that there were four courtyard gardens on the floor where my room was. In fact, the room had a sliding-glass door that opened into the one where the...
stevendbrewer.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
There are some nice courtyard gardens at the hotel, though they're a bit generic. stevendbrewer.com/generic-gard...
Reposted by Steven D. Brewer
I have many thinky thoughts about vendor spaces after setting up 5 vendor tables this month! Starting with: if your vendor tables are less than 5-6 inches apart from each other, you have too many vendors. Visually hard to scan, crowded and increased tension to get customer attention. 😱🤔
November 29, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I have many thinky thoughts about vendor spaces after setting up 5 vendor tables this month! Starting with: if your vendor tables are less than 5-6 inches apart from each other, you have too many vendors. Visually hard to scan, crowded and increased tension to get customer attention. 😱🤔
Heather closed the door after her familiar and inspected her surroundings. The small, stuffy room was sparsely furnished, with a narrow bed and a battered wardrobe. Her recent windfall would have allowed her to #rent something nicer. But she was naturally conservative with her funds. (1/3) #wss366
November 29, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you have seen in the wild:
timber rattlesnake
western diamondback rattlesnake
massasauga
copperhead
cottonmouth
timber rattlesnake
western diamondback rattlesnake
massasauga
copperhead
cottonmouth
November 29, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you have seen in the wild:
timber rattlesnake
western diamondback rattlesnake
massasauga
copperhead
cottonmouth
timber rattlesnake
western diamondback rattlesnake
massasauga
copperhead
cottonmouth
Heather started to walk across the plaza, but was brought up short when she found herself surrounded by three large men wearing dark cloaks. She reached under her cloak and put her hand on her knife. (1/3) #wss366
November 28, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Heather started to walk across the plaza, but was brought up short when she found herself surrounded by three large men wearing dark cloaks. She reached under her cloak and put her hand on her knife. (1/3) #wss366
I'm sitting by the pool with a can of Voodoo Ranger Imperial and marking up my program with a pen AS ONE DOES (when one is very very old). #loscon
November 27, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I'm sitting by the pool with a can of Voodoo Ranger Imperial and marking up my program with a pen AS ONE DOES (when one is very very old). #loscon
Just touched down in LA… www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB3-...
JENNIE - Mantra (Official Video)
YouTube video by JennieRubyJaneVEVO
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Just touched down in LA… www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB3-...
BDL -> DCA -> LAX
November 27, 2025 at 9:15 AM
BDL -> DCA -> LAX
Reposted by Steven D. Brewer
(•_•)
<) )╯ who~
/ \
(•_•)
\( (> has~
/ \
(•_•)
<) )╯ holiday weekend writing goals?! 😱~
/ \
#WritingCommunity, let's get this party started early, if you need a nudge! 🎉
#WinterWorldsPrompt #3 BEGUILING | TOWER
One adjective, one location. The rest is up to you! 👀
<) )╯ who~
/ \
(•_•)
\( (> has~
/ \
(•_•)
<) )╯ holiday weekend writing goals?! 😱~
/ \
#WritingCommunity, let's get this party started early, if you need a nudge! 🎉
#WinterWorldsPrompt #3 BEGUILING | TOWER
One adjective, one location. The rest is up to you! 👀
November 26, 2025 at 4:41 PM
(•_•)
<) )╯ who~
/ \
(•_•)
\( (> has~
/ \
(•_•)
<) )╯ holiday weekend writing goals?! 😱~
/ \
#WritingCommunity, let's get this party started early, if you need a nudge! 🎉
#WinterWorldsPrompt #3 BEGUILING | TOWER
One adjective, one location. The rest is up to you! 👀
<) )╯ who~
/ \
(•_•)
\( (> has~
/ \
(•_•)
<) )╯ holiday weekend writing goals?! 😱~
/ \
#WritingCommunity, let's get this party started early, if you need a nudge! 🎉
#WinterWorldsPrompt #3 BEGUILING | TOWER
One adjective, one location. The rest is up to you! 👀
Soon, I'll be headed to LOSCon: stevendbrewer.com/headed-to-lo...
Headed to LOSCon - Steven D. BREWER
Back in July, I pitched a panel for LOSCon. It turns out that my panel was accepted! On Saturday, I will moderate a group of panelists to discuss Poetry and Songs in Speculative Fiction. I'm really lo...
stevendbrewer.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Soon, I'll be headed to LOSCon: stevendbrewer.com/headed-to-lo...
Reposted by Steven D. Brewer
I've long been interested in Jane McGonigal's idea of "living gamefully": using the structures that make games compelling to convince yourself to do something you think is worth doing.
I'm thinking of a modest variation: Using story structure to do the same.
www.philipbrewer.net/2025/11/25/b...
I'm thinking of a modest variation: Using story structure to do the same.
www.philipbrewer.net/2025/11/25/b...
Better than "gameification" of exercise: "storyfication" of exercise
Just lately I've started thinking about a modest alternative to gameification: storyfication, where you use the structures of fiction to motivate yourself to do whatever it is you want to do.
www.philipbrewer.net
November 26, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I've long been interested in Jane McGonigal's idea of "living gamefully": using the structures that make games compelling to convince yourself to do something you think is worth doing.
I'm thinking of a modest variation: Using story structure to do the same.
www.philipbrewer.net/2025/11/25/b...
I'm thinking of a modest variation: Using story structure to do the same.
www.philipbrewer.net/2025/11/25/b...
"Tell me a story, Daddy!" the little boy said.
"Well, what do you want to hear?"
His eyes lit up, "Tell me the one about the tires?"
"Really? Alright. Close your eyes!"
The father glanced over and continued, "And stop that wriggling." Then he took a deep breath. (1/2) #wss366
"Well, what do you want to hear?"
His eyes lit up, "Tell me the one about the tires?"
"Really? Alright. Close your eyes!"
The father glanced over and continued, "And stop that wriggling." Then he took a deep breath. (1/2) #wss366
November 25, 2025 at 9:55 PM
"Tell me a story, Daddy!" the little boy said.
"Well, what do you want to hear?"
His eyes lit up, "Tell me the one about the tires?"
"Really? Alright. Close your eyes!"
The father glanced over and continued, "And stop that wriggling." Then he took a deep breath. (1/2) #wss366
"Well, what do you want to hear?"
His eyes lit up, "Tell me the one about the tires?"
"Really? Alright. Close your eyes!"
The father glanced over and continued, "And stop that wriggling." Then he took a deep breath. (1/2) #wss366