Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
@therisingtithes.bsky.social
🇹🇹 Poet, SFF writer, TTRPG designer. Worldcon 2025 Poet Laureate.
@rascal.news columnist. Podcaster @speculate.bsky.social & @skiffyandfanty.com.
Author of CAN YOU SIGN MY TENTACLE? and other things.
Thank God for words.
https://www.brandonobrien.xyz/
@rascal.news columnist. Podcaster @speculate.bsky.social & @skiffyandfanty.com.
Author of CAN YOU SIGN MY TENTACLE? and other things.
Thank God for words.
https://www.brandonobrien.xyz/
Pinned
Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
@therisingtithes.bsky.social
· Oct 29
Brandon O'Brien's Afternoon Tea
Thoughts on media, the curiosities of our world, and things that may make us smile. I made this cup just for you.
brandonobrien.xyz
If you're new here:
Hey folks. I'm Brandon. I'm a poet, science fiction writer, and TTRPG designer from Trinidad. I have a lot of feelings about elegies, lagahoos, and Kamen Rider.
Find out about my writing and game design, and sign up for my very infrequent newsletter, here: brandonobrien.xyz
Hey folks. I'm Brandon. I'm a poet, science fiction writer, and TTRPG designer from Trinidad. I have a lot of feelings about elegies, lagahoos, and Kamen Rider.
Find out about my writing and game design, and sign up for my very infrequent newsletter, here: brandonobrien.xyz
I am about to watch an American family cut down a tree and take it back home with them.
I am experiencing the platonic ideal of Christmas. I feel like I’m in a cartoon. I am having a lot of feelings.
White Christmas is so weird, allyuh.
I am experiencing the platonic ideal of Christmas. I feel like I’m in a cartoon. I am having a lot of feelings.
White Christmas is so weird, allyuh.
December 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
I am about to watch an American family cut down a tree and take it back home with them.
I am experiencing the platonic ideal of Christmas. I feel like I’m in a cartoon. I am having a lot of feelings.
White Christmas is so weird, allyuh.
I am experiencing the platonic ideal of Christmas. I feel like I’m in a cartoon. I am having a lot of feelings.
White Christmas is so weird, allyuh.
I reckon the easiest way to befuddle AI and embrace more earnest fiction would also benefit many writers of colour:
write more books entirely in creoles!
No AI coulda ever decipher me!
Plus, more readers will discover they in fact can intuit the language rules of many creoles with facility.
write more books entirely in creoles!
No AI coulda ever decipher me!
Plus, more readers will discover they in fact can intuit the language rules of many creoles with facility.
December 7, 2025 at 1:19 AM
I reckon the easiest way to befuddle AI and embrace more earnest fiction would also benefit many writers of colour:
write more books entirely in creoles!
No AI coulda ever decipher me!
Plus, more readers will discover they in fact can intuit the language rules of many creoles with facility.
write more books entirely in creoles!
No AI coulda ever decipher me!
Plus, more readers will discover they in fact can intuit the language rules of many creoles with facility.
more people leaning into more curious language would be a wild time for AI. more archaic word choices! more wildly indulgent prose! carve for yourself a style so esoteric that AI develops the ability to become exhausted and surrender
I think it would be fun if writers who love language started intentionally writing more strangely as AI flattens written "content" into a mono-voice. it would cool I think if writers responded by focusing their individual efforts on cultivating a really unique voice that's hard to copy
December 7, 2025 at 1:18 AM
more people leaning into more curious language would be a wild time for AI. more archaic word choices! more wildly indulgent prose! carve for yourself a style so esoteric that AI develops the ability to become exhausted and surrender
Reposted by Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
This week, @santaragione.com released their game HORSES.
This week, two major PC storefronts banned (or maintained their ban) upon that same game.
My thoughts re: what this says about other media, about games, and the kind of industry we find ourselves in: gregbuchanan.substack.com/p/games-mora...
This week, two major PC storefronts banned (or maintained their ban) upon that same game.
My thoughts re: what this says about other media, about games, and the kind of industry we find ourselves in: gregbuchanan.substack.com/p/games-mora...
Games, Moral Panic, and the Banning of HORSES
Some thoughts in the aftermath of Santa Ragione's HORSES and its banning on Steam
gregbuchanan.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:04 PM
This week, @santaragione.com released their game HORSES.
This week, two major PC storefronts banned (or maintained their ban) upon that same game.
My thoughts re: what this says about other media, about games, and the kind of industry we find ourselves in: gregbuchanan.substack.com/p/games-mora...
This week, two major PC storefronts banned (or maintained their ban) upon that same game.
My thoughts re: what this says about other media, about games, and the kind of industry we find ourselves in: gregbuchanan.substack.com/p/games-mora...
I'm only now learning more about the Horses situation and, while it is in a lot of ways dissimilar to the earlier game censorship situation, it is particularly telling how a lot of censorship overall is based on people with curatorial power being too squeamish about non-titillating content.
December 6, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I'm only now learning more about the Horses situation and, while it is in a lot of ways dissimilar to the earlier game censorship situation, it is particularly telling how a lot of censorship overall is based on people with curatorial power being too squeamish about non-titillating content.
I've been pleasantly surprised by how diverse this part of Connecticut is. Twice this week I have had roti--both times prepared by Trinis, even! When we talk about the value of diversity, this is what we mean: everyone has something substantial, comforting, & warm to share from somewhere.
I want everyone to know that @therisingtithes.bsky.social took us on a quest through the frozen expanse of southern Connecticut yesterday, and successfully found a place with actual roti. Even at sub twenty degrees, warm food can be found! :D
December 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I've been pleasantly surprised by how diverse this part of Connecticut is. Twice this week I have had roti--both times prepared by Trinis, even! When we talk about the value of diversity, this is what we mean: everyone has something substantial, comforting, & warm to share from somewhere.
I was today years old when I learned there’s a 2014 National Theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire starring Gillian Anderson as Blanche DuBois.
👀
👀
December 6, 2025 at 1:42 AM
I was today years old when I learned there’s a 2014 National Theatre production of A Streetcar Named Desire starring Gillian Anderson as Blanche DuBois.
👀
👀
"dear mister powerful-bronze-baby, how about you give us some money and then we give you a heavy gilded half-scale soccer ball that doesn't mean anything so you can not feel bad about blowing up fishing boats and having unidentified black-bag-men beat up single parents for not speaking English?"
December 5, 2025 at 6:30 PM
"dear mister powerful-bronze-baby, how about you give us some money and then we give you a heavy gilded half-scale soccer ball that doesn't mean anything so you can not feel bad about blowing up fishing boats and having unidentified black-bag-men beat up single parents for not speaking English?"
Any of the drinking parties Nick and Nora host in The Thin Man--mostly because they seem to have a magical alcohol budget, and mostly because I only ever have to go to just one.
What's a fictional holiday party you would love to attend?
My answers:
--the Christmas party from Fanny and Alexander
--the Yule feast in Nicola Griffith's Hild
--the Baileys' "welcome home" party for Harry in It's a Wonderful Life
--the office party in Die Hard; I'm sure nothing will go wrong
My answers:
--the Christmas party from Fanny and Alexander
--the Yule feast in Nicola Griffith's Hild
--the Baileys' "welcome home" party for Harry in It's a Wonderful Life
--the office party in Die Hard; I'm sure nothing will go wrong
December 5, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Any of the drinking parties Nick and Nora host in The Thin Man--mostly because they seem to have a magical alcohol budget, and mostly because I only ever have to go to just one.
I saw a post from a guy today that says ‘the world needs bad men’ because without them ‘there would be no heroes’, and I want to be sure.
The world needs less bad men. Whether we may hit net zero bad men is another story, but we need less.
We need more people lowering the bar for heroism.
The world needs less bad men. Whether we may hit net zero bad men is another story, but we need less.
We need more people lowering the bar for heroism.
December 5, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I saw a post from a guy today that says ‘the world needs bad men’ because without them ‘there would be no heroes’, and I want to be sure.
The world needs less bad men. Whether we may hit net zero bad men is another story, but we need less.
We need more people lowering the bar for heroism.
The world needs less bad men. Whether we may hit net zero bad men is another story, but we need less.
We need more people lowering the bar for heroism.
This is exactly as neat as I thought it'd be. Not only does its rules give effortless room for unlocking Doskvol's tone, but it is written so encouragingly to those who are daunted by writing poetry, which is my single marker of a good poetry game. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND!
🔪 LAUNCHED on ITCH 🔪
Gentleman Scoundrel, a Blades in the Dark solo+ poetry RPG! Become a Doskvol rogue who wields a pen as well as they handle a blade.
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
Gentleman Scoundrel, a Blades in the Dark solo+ poetry RPG! Become a Doskvol rogue who wields a pen as well as they handle a blade.
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
Gentleman Scoundrel | A Blades in the Dark Solo RPG by allison arth
A Doskvol poetry RPG for 1+
allisonarth.itch.io
December 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
This is exactly as neat as I thought it'd be. Not only does its rules give effortless room for unlocking Doskvol's tone, but it is written so encouragingly to those who are daunted by writing poetry, which is my single marker of a good poetry game. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND!
Reposted by Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
🔪 LAUNCHED on ITCH 🔪
Gentleman Scoundrel, a Blades in the Dark solo+ poetry RPG! Become a Doskvol rogue who wields a pen as well as they handle a blade.
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
Gentleman Scoundrel, a Blades in the Dark solo+ poetry RPG! Become a Doskvol rogue who wields a pen as well as they handle a blade.
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
Gentleman Scoundrel | A Blades in the Dark Solo RPG by allison arth
A Doskvol poetry RPG for 1+
allisonarth.itch.io
December 3, 2025 at 6:56 PM
🔪 LAUNCHED on ITCH 🔪
Gentleman Scoundrel, a Blades in the Dark solo+ poetry RPG! Become a Doskvol rogue who wields a pen as well as they handle a blade.
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
Gentleman Scoundrel, a Blades in the Dark solo+ poetry RPG! Become a Doskvol rogue who wields a pen as well as they handle a blade.
allisonarth.itch.io/gentleman-sc...
Nothing gives me more joy every Spotify Wrapped than the discovery that I’m in the top fraction of a percentage of Everything Everything listeners.
December 3, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Nothing gives me more joy every Spotify Wrapped than the discovery that I’m in the top fraction of a percentage of Everything Everything listeners.
every combination of these words seem so tailored specifically for me that if you told me they were actually my sleeper agent activation phrase I would excitedly believe you
🔪TOMORROW on ITCH 🔪
BLADES MEETS BANDIT 🔥 SCORE MEETS SEVERED SONNET ⚡ A solo+ poetry RPG set in the back alleys of Doskvol
BLADES MEETS BANDIT 🔥 SCORE MEETS SEVERED SONNET ⚡ A solo+ poetry RPG set in the back alleys of Doskvol
December 3, 2025 at 2:00 AM
every combination of these words seem so tailored specifically for me that if you told me they were actually my sleeper agent activation phrase I would excitedly believe you
Reposted by Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
Everyone else is doing their awards nomination posts, so I guess I should do mine before I forget what I even wrote this year... 😅
Poetry has been a big deal for me, so considering any of my @seattlein2025.org poems for a Rhysling, or Con-Verse for a Best Related Work Hugo, would rock my world!
Poetry has been a big deal for me, so considering any of my @seattlein2025.org poems for a Rhysling, or Con-Verse for a Best Related Work Hugo, would rock my world!
November 15, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Everyone else is doing their awards nomination posts, so I guess I should do mine before I forget what I even wrote this year... 😅
Poetry has been a big deal for me, so considering any of my @seattlein2025.org poems for a Rhysling, or Con-Verse for a Best Related Work Hugo, would rock my world!
Poetry has been a big deal for me, so considering any of my @seattlein2025.org poems for a Rhysling, or Con-Verse for a Best Related Work Hugo, would rock my world!
Reposted by Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
I am extremely excited to announce that I'll be talking with the legendary @edzitron.com at St. John's University in Queens, NYC on Monday, March 9th. The event, which is open to the public, is called Generative AI--Ethics, Economy, and Education in the Age of Big Promises. More details coming soon!
December 2, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I am extremely excited to announce that I'll be talking with the legendary @edzitron.com at St. John's University in Queens, NYC on Monday, March 9th. The event, which is open to the public, is called Generative AI--Ethics, Economy, and Education in the Age of Big Promises. More details coming soon!
If you can't tell, yesterday's announcements have made me incredibly hype for @laworldcon.bsky.social!
Yesterday, @laworldcon.bsky.social announced that there would be a Poetry Hugo Award in 2026.
The 2025 Poet Laureate (and friend of the blog) @therisingtithes.bsky.social was kind enough to offer us a guest post celebrating this decision.
Guest Blog Post: hugoclub.blogspot.com/2025/12/gues...
The 2025 Poet Laureate (and friend of the blog) @therisingtithes.bsky.social was kind enough to offer us a guest post celebrating this decision.
Guest Blog Post: hugoclub.blogspot.com/2025/12/gues...
December 2, 2025 at 8:07 PM
If you can't tell, yesterday's announcements have made me incredibly hype for @laworldcon.bsky.social!
Reposted by Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
Honored to be a Special Guest at @laworldcon.bsky.social next year! 🚀💫💜
I hope to use the space to champion the amazing work of speculative poets and Canadian BIPOC SFF writers!
I hope to use the space to champion the amazing work of speculative poets and Canadian BIPOC SFF writers!
LAcon V is pleased to announce @teresempierre.bsky.social as a Special Guest.
She is an award-winning Canadian writer and editor whose work has appeared in Uncanny, Fantasy Magazine, & Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Her work has been shortlisted for the Ignite, the Elgin, & the Aurora.
She is an award-winning Canadian writer and editor whose work has appeared in Uncanny, Fantasy Magazine, & Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Her work has been shortlisted for the Ignite, the Elgin, & the Aurora.
December 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Honored to be a Special Guest at @laworldcon.bsky.social next year! 🚀💫💜
I hope to use the space to champion the amazing work of speculative poets and Canadian BIPOC SFF writers!
I hope to use the space to champion the amazing work of speculative poets and Canadian BIPOC SFF writers!
Reposted by Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
Now that LA has announced their special category, the Hugo rec sheet has been updated (poem is after short story). If you've been vibrating with excitement to rec some poetry, your moment has arrived! #HugoAwards
December 1, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Now that LA has announced their special category, the Hugo rec sheet has been updated (poem is after short story). If you've been vibrating with excitement to rec some poetry, your moment has arrived! #HugoAwards
Reposted by Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
This is such amazing news! Now I'm the annoying gremlin coming in to remind folks that if they are attending WorldCon 2026 to PLEASE PLEASE vote for making this Hugo a permanent one (it'll be the last vote if it's successful!)
In Anaheim did Worldcon
a special Hugo Award decree
where sci-fi verse
with rhymes diverse
were celebrated as best poetry
(With apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
Yes, there will be a Hugo for Best Poem in 2026. The press release is out. The LAcon V will be updated later today.
a special Hugo Award decree
where sci-fi verse
with rhymes diverse
were celebrated as best poetry
(With apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
Yes, there will be a Hugo for Best Poem in 2026. The press release is out. The LAcon V will be updated later today.
December 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
This is such amazing news! Now I'm the annoying gremlin coming in to remind folks that if they are attending WorldCon 2026 to PLEASE PLEASE vote for making this Hugo a permanent one (it'll be the last vote if it's successful!)
I know it says 'Special Guest' but if you think you can stop me from calling @teresempierre.bsky.social the Poet Laureate of LACon then I would love to see you try
December 1, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I know it says 'Special Guest' but if you think you can stop me from calling @teresempierre.bsky.social the Poet Laureate of LACon then I would love to see you try
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LAcon V is pleased to announce @teresempierre.bsky.social as a Special Guest.
She is an award-winning Canadian writer and editor whose work has appeared in Uncanny, Fantasy Magazine, & Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Her work has been shortlisted for the Ignite, the Elgin, & the Aurora.
She is an award-winning Canadian writer and editor whose work has appeared in Uncanny, Fantasy Magazine, & Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction.
Her work has been shortlisted for the Ignite, the Elgin, & the Aurora.
December 1, 2025 at 8:09 PM
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O, frabjous day!
I am so very excited that 2026 will have a Best Poem Hugo!
I am so very excited that 2026 will have a Best Poem Hugo!
In Anaheim did Worldcon
a special Hugo Award decree
where sci-fi verse
with rhymes diverse
were celebrated as best poetry
(With apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
Yes, there will be a Hugo for Best Poem in 2026. The press release is out. The LAcon V will be updated later today.
a special Hugo Award decree
where sci-fi verse
with rhymes diverse
were celebrated as best poetry
(With apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
Yes, there will be a Hugo for Best Poem in 2026. The press release is out. The LAcon V will be updated later today.
December 1, 2025 at 5:49 PM
O, frabjous day!
I am so very excited that 2026 will have a Best Poem Hugo!
I am so very excited that 2026 will have a Best Poem Hugo!
Reposted by Brandon O’Brien | National Pray For A Bredren Month (extended)
THE BEACONS ARE LIT! GONDOR WILL ANSWER!
This seems to be a good time to note that I'm still hoping that we will have a Special Hugo Award for Best Poem in 2026!
I love that the special award happened and that you were nominated for it!
December 1, 2025 at 5:15 PM
THE BEACONS ARE LIT! GONDOR WILL ANSWER!
Zeztz really laying the mysteries on thick now huh
this potential play on “the Rider’s powers are in some fashion derived from the antagonists’ powers” is kinda intriguing so I’m down to see where it goes
although, you know, there are a half dozen meteors plummeting to earth
also: THE ROOM 👀
this potential play on “the Rider’s powers are in some fashion derived from the antagonists’ powers” is kinda intriguing so I’m down to see where it goes
although, you know, there are a half dozen meteors plummeting to earth
also: THE ROOM 👀
November 30, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Zeztz really laying the mysteries on thick now huh
this potential play on “the Rider’s powers are in some fashion derived from the antagonists’ powers” is kinda intriguing so I’m down to see where it goes
although, you know, there are a half dozen meteors plummeting to earth
also: THE ROOM 👀
this potential play on “the Rider’s powers are in some fashion derived from the antagonists’ powers” is kinda intriguing so I’m down to see where it goes
although, you know, there are a half dozen meteors plummeting to earth
also: THE ROOM 👀