Brandon Ketchum
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brandonketchum.bsky.social
Brandon Ketchum
@brandonketchum.bsky.social
150 followers 260 following 520 posts
Speculative fiction writer (fantasy, horror, and sci-fi, in that order) and LCSW working for the Pittsburgh VA, trying to understand life, the universe, and everything.
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brandonketchum.bsky.social
From Conan to you all, Happy Thanksgiving!
November 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
tomgauld.bsky.social
Now for some sports news...
(this week's cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages)
Panel One: A sportscaster speaks to a television camera "You join us just in time for the annual booksellers versus librarians tug of war." Panel Two: We see the participants warming up as he continues... "Two very strong teams this year, they’ve both been in training since February. As always, the real skill in this match is not to start chatting about boo-" Panel Three: "Too late!! A pair of librarians are discussing the new Margaret Atwood! A crowd is forming! The booksellers are joining in! It's all over!!" We see all the participants chatting. Panel Four: The sportscaster finishes up to the camera: "The rope lies untouched! The discussions continue! We have a draw for 325th year in a row! Join us again next year!" End. Bonus alt-text Content: Fun fact! The first tug of war was between the staff of Cranston Library and those of Daniel Midwinter Booksellers www.cranstonlibraryreigate.com/ www.blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscripts/2017/11/10/booksellers/
November 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
charliejane.bsky.social
"Who Moved My Cheese" is a book about people who tell their saddest stories to a wheel of cheddar, to find out who can provoke the most overwhelming emotional reaction
November 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
aanpress.bsky.social
Enticing you this week with a look at our AaN Press covers over the years. Orders for the holiday season are appreciated - aanpress.com/aanorder.html
8 years of AaN Press covers aligned in 6 rows.
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
I have an important public service announcement: It is now 30 days until Hans Gruber falls off Nakatomi Tower. Mark your calendars.
November 25, 2025 at 11:18 AM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
I found this in the danger zone shelf at the library:
November 23, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
daviddlevine.com
Cartoon by Tom Tomorrow. Now available as a t-shirt! tomtomorrow.threadless.com/designs/quiet-…
Cartoon of Trump as a pig, with text "quiet, piggy!"
November 22, 2025 at 3:22 PM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
@susankayequinn.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 12:21 PM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
Jesus fucking Christ.
November 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
tomgauld.bsky.social
1/3 I have made three of my cartoons into new, limited edition prints. You can get them now at www.tomgauld.com/shop
Title: How to focus on writing your book There follow eleven tiny images telling a story. The captions read: Turn your devices off (a writer with a phone and laptop. The screens are dark). Put them in a drawer. Lock the drawer. Throw away the key. Leave the house. Do not look back. Keep to backroads and hedgerows. Feel your old life slip away. (the writer has shed his clothes) Sleep by day. Forage in the evening. Write by the light of the moon When you have a passable first draft, commit a minor crime and use your phone call to contact your agent. (the naked writer is in a prison holding a phone while an unamused police officer looks on).
November 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
joedator.bsky.social
In the @newyorker.com this week, no one can hear you squawk.

#cartoon #humor #humptydumpty #egg #chicken #nurseryrhymes #alien #chestburster #ridleyscott #johnhurt #newyorkercartoons
November 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
tomgauld.bsky.social
My latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages.
Two pigeons on a London street, pecking at crumbs. Pigeon 1: "I'm sorry you missed out on the Booker prize. I thought your novel was wonderful." Pigeon 2: "It’s a stitch up! They always give it to a human!" Pigeon 1: "It’s nice they considered it." Pigeon 2: "Nobody cares about the longlist, Janet!" Pigeon 2 again: "Zadie Smith had a bestselling novel and an armload of literary prizes before she was 25*." Pigeon 1: "You’ve got to stop comparing yourself to Zadie Smith" Pigeon 2: "Why?" Pigeon 1: "We’ve all got to find our own path through the world. Plus, it’s much harder to type with claws." pigeon 2: "That’s true." They both go back to pecking. Pigeon 2: "I’m glad you liked my book." *Pigeon 2 is 3 years, 11 months and 22 days old, the equivalent of 42 in human years. https://pigeonpedia.com/pigeon-years-to-human-years-calculator/
November 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
Rather let's try to convince the aliens that MAGA is the best of the humanity so they take them instead. By the time they return to their home world it will be too late to realize their mistake.
November 16, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
wicnet.bsky.social
The Apple TV space opera For All Mankind has a history of killing off beloved characters, and we'll be surprised if this fan-favorite makes it through season 5.
I'll be surprised if For All Mankind season 5 allows this fan-favorite character to survive
For All Mankind season 5 will be set in the 2010s after the latest time jump at the end of season 4. Although this doesn't necessarily mean the end of the line
winteriscoming.net
November 13, 2025 at 2:03 PM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
scottedelman.bsky.social
On August 12, 1971, 16-year-old me mailed the first story I ever wrote off on its first submission to my dream market, F&SF. My tale was quickly rejected. On July 17th, 2025, I finally sold a story to that magazine. Here's why I felt I had to withdraw that story. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...
The cover letter to my first submission: August 12, 1971 1381 East 72nd Street Brooklyn NY 11234 Edward L. Ferman The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fistion 347 East 53rd Street New York, NY 10022 Dear Mr. Ferman, I am submitting for possible publication the enclosed story, "Gem of the Gods". Too long has Sword and sorcery been dead. I hope this may help revive it. A stamped self-addressed envelope is enclosed in case of rejection. Sincerely yours, Scott Edelman
November 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
A hearty thank you to all my fellow vets on this day.
November 11, 2025 at 4:14 PM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
C'mon, you gotta post a gross politician warning first.
chuckwendig.bsky.social Chuck Wendig @chuckwendig.bsky.social · 17d
gotta go taste that boot in person, I guess
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 17d
fresh off caving, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is going on Fox & Friends
November 11, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
tomgauld.bsky.social
My latest @newscientist.com cartoon.

p.s. my new book of science cartoons 'Physics for Cats' is out now! Order from your local bookshop or online: www.tomgauld.com
Panel 1. Two scientists walking along. The first one says: I have opened a portal into an alternate universe that is an exact reflection of our own! Panel 2. The second scientist looks into a technical portal and says WOW Panel 3. A reflection of panel two. The reflected scientist's speech bubble still reads: WOW Panel 4. A reflection of panel one. The text is all back to front.
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
🤣🤣🤣
guygavrielkay.bsky.social Guy Gavriel Kay @guygavrielkay.bsky.social · 17d
This takes a common ‘not knowing with whom you speak’ social media failure to a truly splendid level. This has become very amusing.
wariotush.bsky.social DAVID FROZEN ARNOLD @wariotush.bsky.social · 17d
this was the most hilariously bad defense of Elon I saw in her responses
November 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
joedator.bsky.social
I'm of two minds when it comes to people sharing AI videos. On the one hand go fuck yourself, but on the other hand drop dead and burn in Hell.
November 10, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
joedator.bsky.social
OK, I made this dopey cartoon real. You're welcome.
November 11, 2025 at 3:47 AM
brandonketchum.bsky.social
I cannot agree enough. Going through social work school then working the various associated jobs, really opens the eyes to, you know, reality, versus the Republican narrative.
richardkadrey.bsky.social Richard Kadrey @richardkadrey.bsky.social · 17d
This is exactly why I hate the Republican party, So much of their ethos is based on the idea that anyone who needs help is lazy or a crook. The "Welfare Queen" lie is the classic example. It will never change. They will never change. They are loathsome in their superiority and faux piety.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 17d
Trump claims that food stamps "puts the country in jeopardy. People that are able-bodied can do a job, they leave their job because they figure they can pick this up, it's easier."
November 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by Brandon Ketchum
tomgauld.bsky.social
My books cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com
Panel 1 An author in their agent's office says: "This book will be my magnum opus, the book that I was put on the planet too write, and the pinnacle my writing and your publishing careers." Panel two The agent looks over a manuscript with a neutral expression. The author continues: "Unless you don’t like it. In which case it’s just one of a number of ideas I’m playing around with."
November 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM