Velvet Sparrow
@velvetsparrow.bsky.social
Smart-ass So. CA gal. No. NV Sierras Writer/Origami artist with LOTS of chickens. Unrepentant Romantic/Rogue Snarker/Chaotic Good. AI = Block!
Eastern Sierras, Nevada
jackshenhouse.blogspot.com
Eastern Sierras, Nevada
jackshenhouse.blogspot.com
Pinned
Enzyme, the Prairie Blue hen we raised from a chick this year, has come into lay!
Eggs so aggressively BLUE that they nearly glow.
Dang, chicken as advertised!
Dunno who laid the dark green egg bottom right, looks like they're still getting their act together--it's got a heavy coat of bloom. 🐓
Eggs so aggressively BLUE that they nearly glow.
Dang, chicken as advertised!
Dunno who laid the dark green egg bottom right, looks like they're still getting their act together--it's got a heavy coat of bloom. 🐓
December 22, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Enzyme, the Prairie Blue hen we raised from a chick this year, has come into lay!
Eggs so aggressively BLUE that they nearly glow.
Dang, chicken as advertised!
Dunno who laid the dark green egg bottom right, looks like they're still getting their act together--it's got a heavy coat of bloom. 🐓
Eggs so aggressively BLUE that they nearly glow.
Dang, chicken as advertised!
Dunno who laid the dark green egg bottom right, looks like they're still getting their act together--it's got a heavy coat of bloom. 🐓
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
If you’re committing to a sparkly, theatrical getup like this you can’t shuffle and slouch onstage looking xanned out. If you wanna show “grief” consider going less Liberace or better, don’t do big goofy shows for a while.
But if you INSIST, dammit, lose the hunchback and do a cartwheel or two.
But if you INSIST, dammit, lose the hunchback and do a cartwheel or two.
December 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
If you’re committing to a sparkly, theatrical getup like this you can’t shuffle and slouch onstage looking xanned out. If you wanna show “grief” consider going less Liberace or better, don’t do big goofy shows for a while.
But if you INSIST, dammit, lose the hunchback and do a cartwheel or two.
But if you INSIST, dammit, lose the hunchback and do a cartwheel or two.
Great article!
I can't tell you how many book signings I've been to where I've raised my hand and asked the author this question--a lot of people never realize that the big shopping sites take a cut of the sale.
For lesser-known/first novel authors, getting the most money to THEM is important!
I can't tell you how many book signings I've been to where I've raised my hand and asked the author this question--a lot of people never realize that the big shopping sites take a cut of the sale.
For lesser-known/first novel authors, getting the most money to THEM is important!
As it's related to previous posts this morning, a primer on acquiring my work: What's the best way (for me!) to do it, how libraries fit into my career (spoiler: positively!), and also the (few) instances where I think pirating my work is acceptable:
whatever.scalzi.com/2024/12/30/a...
whatever.scalzi.com/2024/12/30/a...
Acquiring My Work: A Primer
Several times a month I get an email or social media message from someone who wants to know what the “best” way to buy my work is so that I, the writer, get as much of their money as po…
whatever.scalzi.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Great article!
I can't tell you how many book signings I've been to where I've raised my hand and asked the author this question--a lot of people never realize that the big shopping sites take a cut of the sale.
For lesser-known/first novel authors, getting the most money to THEM is important!
I can't tell you how many book signings I've been to where I've raised my hand and asked the author this question--a lot of people never realize that the big shopping sites take a cut of the sale.
For lesser-known/first novel authors, getting the most money to THEM is important!
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
To achieve near-equal book quality in publishing the self-publisher must go beyond the easy-print boilerplate templates. Their learning curve time becomes an investment. They need to raise their standards to compete fairly in this market. Time is the currency.
#writingcommunity #booksky #novels
#writingcommunity #booksky #novels
December 22, 2025 at 3:45 PM
To achieve near-equal book quality in publishing the self-publisher must go beyond the easy-print boilerplate templates. Their learning curve time becomes an investment. They need to raise their standards to compete fairly in this market. Time is the currency.
#writingcommunity #booksky #novels
#writingcommunity #booksky #novels
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
When u know there's 40 lbs of sugar nearby
December 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
When u know there's 40 lbs of sugar nearby
With a side of comeuppance and chickens coming home to roost.
All I want 4 Christmas is divine retribution
December 22, 2025 at 4:34 PM
With a side of comeuppance and chickens coming home to roost.
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
Today we remember Betty Reid Soskin, lovingly known as the National Park Service's oldest ranger. We proudly honored her in 2018 for her work ensuring sites like Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front NHP represent all our nation’s stories. RIP, Ranger Betty. www.npca.org/articles/480...
Living History
Learning about the last century from the oldest ranger in the National Park System.
www.npca.org
December 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Today we remember Betty Reid Soskin, lovingly known as the National Park Service's oldest ranger. We proudly honored her in 2018 for her work ensuring sites like Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front NHP represent all our nation’s stories. RIP, Ranger Betty. www.npca.org/articles/480...
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
You are collecting book data.
A well-designed traditionally published novel will have more data than a rushed published template novel.
You, as a reader, have been GROOMED to what proper novels look and feel like even if you didn't notice it.
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublishing #data
A well-designed traditionally published novel will have more data than a rushed published template novel.
You, as a reader, have been GROOMED to what proper novels look and feel like even if you didn't notice it.
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublishing #data
December 22, 2025 at 3:57 PM
You are collecting book data.
A well-designed traditionally published novel will have more data than a rushed published template novel.
You, as a reader, have been GROOMED to what proper novels look and feel like even if you didn't notice it.
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublishing #data
A well-designed traditionally published novel will have more data than a rushed published template novel.
You, as a reader, have been GROOMED to what proper novels look and feel like even if you didn't notice it.
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublishing #data
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
Susan Monarez was fired after less than a month as Director of the CDC for holding the line on scientific integrity
She is part of Nature's 10 - our list of people who shaped science in 2025
go.nature.com/4pJXoGh
She is part of Nature's 10 - our list of people who shaped science in 2025
go.nature.com/4pJXoGh
The top US health director who stood up for science — and was fired
Nature - Susan Monarez is part of Nature’s 10, a list of people who shaped science in 2025.
go.nature.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Susan Monarez was fired after less than a month as Director of the CDC for holding the line on scientific integrity
She is part of Nature's 10 - our list of people who shaped science in 2025
go.nature.com/4pJXoGh
She is part of Nature's 10 - our list of people who shaped science in 2025
go.nature.com/4pJXoGh
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
Sadness arrives uninvited. Joy demands more—it requires us to search, to kindle, to protect the flame against every wind. When we choose joy despite everything that argues against it, we don't just save ourselves—we illuminate the way for everyone around us.
December 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Sadness arrives uninvited. Joy demands more—it requires us to search, to kindle, to protect the flame against every wind. When we choose joy despite everything that argues against it, we don't just save ourselves—we illuminate the way for everyone around us.
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
Seven of our books are 99¢. Each are Book One of either an ongoing or a completed series.
Please help support our writing and publishing future. Thank you. 🫶 👋☀️
carsonhume.com/2025/...
#writingcommunity
Please help support our writing and publishing future. Thank you. 🫶 👋☀️
carsonhume.com/2025/...
#writingcommunity
December 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Seven of our books are 99¢. Each are Book One of either an ongoing or a completed series.
Please help support our writing and publishing future. Thank you. 🫶 👋☀️
carsonhume.com/2025/...
#writingcommunity
Please help support our writing and publishing future. Thank you. 🫶 👋☀️
carsonhume.com/2025/...
#writingcommunity
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
Fay is posting some very good tips on this subject!
Publishing is a business. Self-publishing is a business. One of the first steps in any business is doing necessary due diligence or 'learning' about it.
Yes, you can put your novel in the hands of a boilerplate formatting template and POD system. Should you?
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublish
Yes, you can put your novel in the hands of a boilerplate formatting template and POD system. Should you?
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublish
December 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Fay is posting some very good tips on this subject!
Yup...that's how we look, some days...
December 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Yup...that's how we look, some days...
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
One of the issues with self-published novels is that readers can 'tell' the book hasn't been done well. All readers are groomed by traditionally published books. They expect a certain feel, appearance, quality of the novel. Let's take a beginners look at formatting.
#writingcommunity #booksky
#writingcommunity #booksky
December 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
One of the issues with self-published novels is that readers can 'tell' the book hasn't been done well. All readers are groomed by traditionally published books. They expect a certain feel, appearance, quality of the novel. Let's take a beginners look at formatting.
#writingcommunity #booksky
#writingcommunity #booksky
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
Most traditional published novels favor a specific overall size that allows them to line up on your bookshelf. This is particularly true within genre. Different genre may favor different overall book sizes and styles. What does your bookcase favor?
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublishing #novels
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublishing #novels
December 22, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Most traditional published novels favor a specific overall size that allows them to line up on your bookshelf. This is particularly true within genre. Different genre may favor different overall book sizes and styles. What does your bookcase favor?
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublishing #novels
#writingcommunity #booksky #selfpublishing #novels
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
*singing* l'm a writer and l'm ok
I dream all night
And I scheme all day
Non-writers: So when does the writing happen?
*singing louder*
I'M A WRITER AND I'M OK
I dream all night
And I scheme all day
Non-writers: So when does the writing happen?
*singing louder*
I'M A WRITER AND I'M OK
December 19, 2025 at 4:31 PM
*singing* l'm a writer and l'm ok
I dream all night
And I scheme all day
Non-writers: So when does the writing happen?
*singing louder*
I'M A WRITER AND I'M OK
I dream all night
And I scheme all day
Non-writers: So when does the writing happen?
*singing louder*
I'M A WRITER AND I'M OK
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
Any work made ineligible for the Nebula Awards by them disallowing slop and slop-assisted work was never eligible in the first place.
"There are legitimate uses in translation, research"
If you consider 30-70% incorrect results that poison neighborhoods with new cancers "legitimate"
"There are legitimate uses in translation, research"
If you consider 30-70% incorrect results that poison neighborhoods with new cancers "legitimate"
I really don't know what anyone in the SFWA was thinking allowing gen slop into the Nebula Awards in the first place, but I'm glad that decision has been reversed.
Dear SFWA and surrounding industry:
It's a two-mailout kind of day!
Thank you to everyone who wrote in.
The Board wishes to share the results of two votes held this afternoon, with further amendments to our Nebula Awards Rules.
It's a two-mailout kind of day!
Thank you to everyone who wrote in.
The Board wishes to share the results of two votes held this afternoon, with further amendments to our Nebula Awards Rules.
December 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Any work made ineligible for the Nebula Awards by them disallowing slop and slop-assisted work was never eligible in the first place.
"There are legitimate uses in translation, research"
If you consider 30-70% incorrect results that poison neighborhoods with new cancers "legitimate"
"There are legitimate uses in translation, research"
If you consider 30-70% incorrect results that poison neighborhoods with new cancers "legitimate"
YEEHAH, HERE WE GOOOOO...
My chickens are *not* going to be pleased. ❄️🐓😑
My chickens are *not* going to be pleased. ❄️🐓😑
🚨 Winter Storm Watch issued December 22 at 1:24AM PST until December 26 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Reno NV 🚨
Additional Details Here.(1/2)
Additional Details Here.(1/2)
December 22, 2025 at 9:59 AM
YEEHAH, HERE WE GOOOOO...
My chickens are *not* going to be pleased. ❄️🐓😑
My chickens are *not* going to be pleased. ❄️🐓😑
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
And please also, AGAIN, never forget that they are inherently unethical to use because no one gave permission for their research or writing to be used in it. It is all stolen, and if you're using the plagiarism machine, please keep that in mind.
My friends, I say this with all the love in my heart: Right now might not be the moment for “But we should be TOLERANT and NUANCED about the plagiarism machines!”
Your tolerance and “nuance” will be weaponised by the grifters and their apologists. Please respect yourselves more.
Your tolerance and “nuance” will be weaponised by the grifters and their apologists. Please respect yourselves more.
December 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
And please also, AGAIN, never forget that they are inherently unethical to use because no one gave permission for their research or writing to be used in it. It is all stolen, and if you're using the plagiarism machine, please keep that in mind.
That damned Christmas tree is leaning AGAIN. 😠
The girl mutters curses.
December 22, 2025 at 9:20 AM
That damned Christmas tree is leaning AGAIN. 😠
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
Deck the halls with boughs of holly! Fa-la-la-la-laa!
Everybody up! It's Christmas week! 🎄
#MondayMotivation
Everybody up! It's Christmas week! 🎄
#MondayMotivation
December 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Deck the halls with boughs of holly! Fa-la-la-la-laa!
Everybody up! It's Christmas week! 🎄
#MondayMotivation
Everybody up! It's Christmas week! 🎄
#MondayMotivation
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
Garcia: If you are a whistleblower at the FBI, at the DOJ, if you worked hard to put the files together and are seeing your work now being hidden by your own DOJ, contact the oversight committee. We have whistleblower protections.
December 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Garcia: If you are a whistleblower at the FBI, at the DOJ, if you worked hard to put the files together and are seeing your work now being hidden by your own DOJ, contact the oversight committee. We have whistleblower protections.
Reposted by Velvet Sparrow
It looks like it's been scrubbed from every official 60 Minutes page now.
It's only a 30-second promo but here it is if you didn't get a chance to see it.
It's only a 30-second promo but here it is if you didn't get a chance to see it.
December 22, 2025 at 1:33 AM
It looks like it's been scrubbed from every official 60 Minutes page now.
It's only a 30-second promo but here it is if you didn't get a chance to see it.
It's only a 30-second promo but here it is if you didn't get a chance to see it.
With wild weather comes weird headaches for the CHP, let's check in with them, shall we? 😁
Someone's started a craft project...
Someone's started a craft project...
December 22, 2025 at 6:15 AM
With wild weather comes weird headaches for the CHP, let's check in with them, shall we? 😁
Someone's started a craft project...
Someone's started a craft project...