Bennett McKenna
@bennettmckenna.bsky.social
Writer of short stories, games, scripts and eulogies. Has a higher than average number of teeth and a lower than average number of functioning organs. Cyborg.
My personal geography of Berlin is a map of places I saw @jessglanz.bsky.social looking beautiful. (Hers is obviously more normal, and full of things like good bagel places, because she lives there and so needs a more practical geography.)
January 15, 2026 at 12:29 AM
My personal geography of Berlin is a map of places I saw @jessglanz.bsky.social looking beautiful. (Hers is obviously more normal, and full of things like good bagel places, because she lives there and so needs a more practical geography.)
Amy is great to work with. If you're a nerd looking for a graphic design gig, shoot her a message.
I'm looking to revamp the Siren Events logo and branding. If anyone does this as a job / side hustle and is looking for some paid extra work and is interested, please DM me to discuss rates etc. My aim is to always support artists and designers in fandom, wherever possible.
January 13, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Amy is great to work with. If you're a nerd looking for a graphic design gig, shoot her a message.
Proposal: people who aren't disabled stop appearing on panels about cyborgs, implants, and transhumanism.
January 9, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Proposal: people who aren't disabled stop appearing on panels about cyborgs, implants, and transhumanism.
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
My Zeide took one look at 2026 and decided it wasn’t for him, so this week has been a lot of travelling, funeral prep and attendance, and starting to sort through his things. I really appreciate this lovely tribute written by his friend Kate Thompson: katethompsonauthor.substack.com/p/farewell-h...
Farewell Henry. The last boy to board the Kindertransport.
It is with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of my friend Henry Glanz.
katethompsonauthor.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:25 PM
My Zeide took one look at 2026 and decided it wasn’t for him, so this week has been a lot of travelling, funeral prep and attendance, and starting to sort through his things. I really appreciate this lovely tribute written by his friend Kate Thompson: katethompsonauthor.substack.com/p/farewell-h...
So @othersidespec.bsky.social have done something fantastic and published copies of all of their contracts online. Seeing how many writers are surprised by unfair clauses, it would be great if other outlets did the same (but not surprising that they don't).
othersidespec.com/sample-contr...
othersidespec.com/sample-contr...
Sample Contracts - OTHERSIDE
Sample contracts for OTHERSIDE, including the language for nonfiction, reprints, original fiction and poetry.
othersidespec.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:17 PM
So @othersidespec.bsky.social have done something fantastic and published copies of all of their contracts online. Seeing how many writers are surprised by unfair clauses, it would be great if other outlets did the same (but not surprising that they don't).
othersidespec.com/sample-contr...
othersidespec.com/sample-contr...
Greggs have done more for veganism in the UK than any campaign group.
This place needs some Innocuous Discourse pronto. Quote this with a take that’s not political or aggressive
January 6, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Greggs have done more for veganism in the UK than any campaign group.
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
Many full time creatives have “invisible safety nets” like bread-winning partners, trust funds, external support, etc. No shame on anyone, but it creates a false vision of success. The cost of going to cons alone on top of hoping to eat as a freelancer are untenable, IMO.
When people hear that I'm returning to part time work they often ask "are things not going well with your art?"
The problem really is things are going well, but the world is so unstable that I long for some consistency and income that I don't have to pay quarterly taxes on
The problem really is things are going well, but the world is so unstable that I long for some consistency and income that I don't have to pay quarterly taxes on
November 1, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Many full time creatives have “invisible safety nets” like bread-winning partners, trust funds, external support, etc. No shame on anyone, but it creates a false vision of success. The cost of going to cons alone on top of hoping to eat as a freelancer are untenable, IMO.
Domestic water supply is my Roman Empire. At least once a day I'll think about how lucky I am I didn't drown in a well at aged five because I was too fucking clumsy to fetch water properly.
December 29, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Domestic water supply is my Roman Empire. At least once a day I'll think about how lucky I am I didn't drown in a well at aged five because I was too fucking clumsy to fetch water properly.
Networking is the art of making friends. You don't make friends by approaching people with the goal of getting something out of them.
December 27, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Networking is the art of making friends. You don't make friends by approaching people with the goal of getting something out of them.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Roxy Chambers is unrelated to the movie which came out in 2024. The movie? Tragically lacking in lesbians. The novel? You'll never guess.
As its awards eligibility season, here's what I've published this year:
Novels:
* Sword of Avalon (Inheritance book 11)
* The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (as Roxy Chambers)
Please consider adding either to your Hugo / Nebulas / World Fantasy / BFS / other nominations 😙
Novels:
* Sword of Avalon (Inheritance book 11)
* The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (as Roxy Chambers)
Please consider adding either to your Hugo / Nebulas / World Fantasy / BFS / other nominations 😙
December 15, 2025 at 10:48 PM
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Roxy Chambers is unrelated to the movie which came out in 2024. The movie? Tragically lacking in lesbians. The novel? You'll never guess.
History teachers have a contemporary example of how a small group of rich influencers can persuade media and the government to put a target on the back of a persecuted minority.
Or at least they would if UK teachers were allowed to talk about the current situation for trans people.
Or at least they would if UK teachers were allowed to talk about the current situation for trans people.
December 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
History teachers have a contemporary example of how a small group of rich influencers can persuade media and the government to put a target on the back of a persecuted minority.
Or at least they would if UK teachers were allowed to talk about the current situation for trans people.
Or at least they would if UK teachers were allowed to talk about the current situation for trans people.
I've been enjoying The Bear because hey, I know those guys (chefs). My friend has been enjoying The Bear because hey, she knows those guys (Chicagoans).
I guess everyone else has been enjoying it for the incredible writing and award-winning acting or whatever
I guess everyone else has been enjoying it for the incredible writing and award-winning acting or whatever
December 8, 2025 at 1:00 AM
I've been enjoying The Bear because hey, I know those guys (chefs). My friend has been enjoying The Bear because hey, she knows those guys (Chicagoans).
I guess everyone else has been enjoying it for the incredible writing and award-winning acting or whatever
I guess everyone else has been enjoying it for the incredible writing and award-winning acting or whatever
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
Why is every journalist a suck-up now. Bring back weasel-faced little bastards who hate everyone
November 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Why is every journalist a suck-up now. Bring back weasel-faced little bastards who hate everyone
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
An extraordinary thing, this.
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
Trans Mission - Wednesday 11th March
Mighty Hoopla and Olly Alexander team up for a Trans Mission: an all-star solidarity concert for the trans community at OVO Arena Wembley
www.transmissionlive.uk
November 28, 2025 at 12:10 PM
An extraordinary thing, this.
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
The thing about transphobia becoming horrifically, boringly mainstream is... Well, it's horrifically, boringly mainstream. Congrats, transphobes. You've made opposing your bullshit cool, sexy and countercultural.
December 3, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The thing about transphobia becoming horrifically, boringly mainstream is... Well, it's horrifically, boringly mainstream. Congrats, transphobes. You've made opposing your bullshit cool, sexy and countercultural.
Horribly unfair that authors, a group of people who looked at their career options and decided hallucinating in front of a keyboard was for them, are forced to socialise as part of the job.
November 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Horribly unfair that authors, a group of people who looked at their career options and decided hallucinating in front of a keyboard was for them, are forced to socialise as part of the job.
If you've got a bit of spare cash and you're feeling generous, please consider donating to Girlguiding and writing in the comment box after you click submit that it's to protect their trans members. They're currently being sued (again) for welcoming trans girls.
November 14, 2025 at 9:47 PM
If you've got a bit of spare cash and you're feeling generous, please consider donating to Girlguiding and writing in the comment box after you click submit that it's to protect their trans members. They're currently being sued (again) for welcoming trans girls.
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
As we approach the end of the year, it's a great time to record things you love! Not just for the Hugo Awards, but in general. The rec sheet is a handy resource for nomination, but also at its heart a rec resource in a loud, busy media environment.
The Hugo Awards (2026)
docs.google.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:54 PM
As we approach the end of the year, it's a great time to record things you love! Not just for the Hugo Awards, but in general. The rec sheet is a handy resource for nomination, but also at its heart a rec resource in a loud, busy media environment.
Recently, I've been getting really into chess. I have found that nerding out about chess is treated differently to nerding out about other board games.
I'm not good at chess! I'm still figuring out where the little horsies can move! But people sure do assume some things when I mention liking it.
I'm not good at chess! I'm still figuring out where the little horsies can move! But people sure do assume some things when I mention liking it.
November 8, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Recently, I've been getting really into chess. I have found that nerding out about chess is treated differently to nerding out about other board games.
I'm not good at chess! I'm still figuring out where the little horsies can move! But people sure do assume some things when I mention liking it.
I'm not good at chess! I'm still figuring out where the little horsies can move! But people sure do assume some things when I mention liking it.
Some words of hope from the US House Speaker.
November 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Some words of hope from the US House Speaker.
Where's the cool for young people these days? Where's the weird? This might be old man yells at cloud, but what the hell happened to youth fashion culture?
October 22, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Where's the cool for young people these days? Where's the weird? This might be old man yells at cloud, but what the hell happened to youth fashion culture?
Christ on a bike, it's two weeks away and I've already heard Zombie on a Halloween playlist.
October 17, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Christ on a bike, it's two weeks away and I've already heard Zombie on a Halloween playlist.
This brave little guy ran up to check me out as soon as I got to their enclosure this morning. Immediately made me think of Dave Fane's escaping meerkat story (IYKYK).
October 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
This brave little guy ran up to check me out as soon as I got to their enclosure this morning. Immediately made me think of Dave Fane's escaping meerkat story (IYKYK).
This year, the NHS has severely limited its list of who is eligible for a covid vaccine. The press release says it's because it's "now a relatively mild disease", meaning those with long term conditions like cystic fibrosis no longer need to be vaccinated.
September 24, 2025 at 12:23 PM
This year, the NHS has severely limited its list of who is eligible for a covid vaccine. The press release says it's because it's "now a relatively mild disease", meaning those with long term conditions like cystic fibrosis no longer need to be vaccinated.
Covid is our generation's lead - people ignore the scientists yelling louder and louder about how it causes brain damage, because the alternative is making inconvenient changes.
September 5, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Covid is our generation's lead - people ignore the scientists yelling louder and louder about how it causes brain damage, because the alternative is making inconvenient changes.