Dr. Emily Friedman
@friede.bsky.social
Storyteller about storytellers.
18th century to today & beyond.
J.W.Liles Prof of English
Words: Polygon (RIP), LARB, etc
Next book: HOW STORIES ARE PLAYED (#TTRPG Actual Play & digital storytelling performance)
ecfriedman.com
(free) patreon.com/ecfriedman
18th century to today & beyond.
J.W.Liles Prof of English
Words: Polygon (RIP), LARB, etc
Next book: HOW STORIES ARE PLAYED (#TTRPG Actual Play & digital storytelling performance)
ecfriedman.com
(free) patreon.com/ecfriedman
Pinned
Dr. Emily Friedman
@friede.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Howdy, y’all.
I’m a tenured prof who studies storytelling outside the rules of mass media. This has included never-published manuscripts from during the age of print (1750-1900) & of late has made me a leader in the study of #TTRPG Actual Play.
I’ve learned a lot about friendship along the way.
I’m a tenured prof who studies storytelling outside the rules of mass media. This has included never-published manuscripts from during the age of print (1750-1900) & of late has made me a leader in the study of #TTRPG Actual Play.
I’ve learned a lot about friendship along the way.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
I was faculty at The New School for almost 19 years; I worked across several of these departments — many of which are central to the institution’s unique (and truly remarkable) legacy and continued strengths. Such a tragedy.
November 19, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I was faculty at The New School for almost 19 years; I worked across several of these departments — many of which are central to the institution’s unique (and truly remarkable) legacy and continued strengths. Such a tragedy.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
📢 THIS FRIDAY - November 21 @ 2PM ET 📢
⚒️🏠🧑🏿💻 TreaAndrea Russworm talks about what the Black arts tradition can tell us about The Sims, broken systems, and utopian possibilities⚒️🏠🧑🏿💻
🎟️ TIX + Info: buff.ly/DDUsvVm
💸 Our talks are always FREE and PUBLIC. DONATE: buff.ly/3PQ2HDE
⚒️🏠🧑🏿💻 TreaAndrea Russworm talks about what the Black arts tradition can tell us about The Sims, broken systems, and utopian possibilities⚒️🏠🧑🏿💻
🎟️ TIX + Info: buff.ly/DDUsvVm
💸 Our talks are always FREE and PUBLIC. DONATE: buff.ly/3PQ2HDE
November 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
📢 THIS FRIDAY - November 21 @ 2PM ET 📢
⚒️🏠🧑🏿💻 TreaAndrea Russworm talks about what the Black arts tradition can tell us about The Sims, broken systems, and utopian possibilities⚒️🏠🧑🏿💻
🎟️ TIX + Info: buff.ly/DDUsvVm
💸 Our talks are always FREE and PUBLIC. DONATE: buff.ly/3PQ2HDE
⚒️🏠🧑🏿💻 TreaAndrea Russworm talks about what the Black arts tradition can tell us about The Sims, broken systems, and utopian possibilities⚒️🏠🧑🏿💻
🎟️ TIX + Info: buff.ly/DDUsvVm
💸 Our talks are always FREE and PUBLIC. DONATE: buff.ly/3PQ2HDE
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
The amount of time and will that is drained from people institutions should want to keep around — because they are leaders or potential leaders, good colleagues, and excellent at their jobs — is unbelievable.
November 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The amount of time and will that is drained from people institutions should want to keep around — because they are leaders or potential leaders, good colleagues, and excellent at their jobs — is unbelievable.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Few things bug me more than higher ed leaders saying that we lost our mission and lost the trust of the public, when we have actually been the target of a decades-long smear campaign by the right wing that worked. The moment we’re losing our mission is right now, in capitulation.
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Few things bug me more than higher ed leaders saying that we lost our mission and lost the trust of the public, when we have actually been the target of a decades-long smear campaign by the right wing that worked. The moment we’re losing our mission is right now, in capitulation.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
I'm running a Jubensha convention in London on May 8-9th 2026!
Play games, learn how Jubensha is made, and meet designers from Suspense Studios (KMS Games), Chronic Insanity, and the people behind Spy of the Year!
Sign up to keep updated (and so I know how many people will come!)
Play games, learn how Jubensha is made, and meet designers from Suspense Studios (KMS Games), Chronic Insanity, and the people behind Spy of the Year!
Sign up to keep updated (and so I know how many people will come!)
Jubensha Convention 2026
Hello – I'm Adrian Hon, and I'm organising a Jubensha Convention in London at Theatre Deli! It'll run from 6-9pm on Friday 8th May, and from 10am to 9pm on Saturday 9th May 2026.
It's not going to be...
docs.google.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I'm running a Jubensha convention in London on May 8-9th 2026!
Play games, learn how Jubensha is made, and meet designers from Suspense Studios (KMS Games), Chronic Insanity, and the people behind Spy of the Year!
Sign up to keep updated (and so I know how many people will come!)
Play games, learn how Jubensha is made, and meet designers from Suspense Studios (KMS Games), Chronic Insanity, and the people behind Spy of the Year!
Sign up to keep updated (and so I know how many people will come!)
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Jessica Hammer's chapter on Online Freeform from the RPG Handbook (here I've included the 2018 version, which was circulated open-access online 7 years ago) serves as a useful overview of this particular RPG form, distinct from others by its use of platforms.
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sgp7c...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sgp7c...
November 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Jessica Hammer's chapter on Online Freeform from the RPG Handbook (here I've included the 2018 version, which was circulated open-access online 7 years ago) serves as a useful overview of this particular RPG form, distinct from others by its use of platforms.
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sgp7c...
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sgp7c...
As the comments note, it goes by many names across the decades such play practices have existed — and thanks to a conversation with @matthewmercer.bsky.social a few years ago, I added a question about them to my interviews with AP creators, almost all of whom had some experience with some variant.
#over/under was not one of a kind. I have been playing similar games for the last EIGHT YEARS. Today, I give this medium a name - "Live Text Roleplay" - and help you build a community of your own.
www.valerialoves.com/how-to-repli...
www.valerialoves.com/how-to-repli...
How to Replicate Over/Under
A Guide to Live Text Roleplay
www.valerialoves.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
As the comments note, it goes by many names across the decades such play practices have existed — and thanks to a conversation with @matthewmercer.bsky.social a few years ago, I added a question about them to my interviews with AP creators, almost all of whom had some experience with some variant.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
#over/under was not one of a kind. I have been playing similar games for the last EIGHT YEARS. Today, I give this medium a name - "Live Text Roleplay" - and help you build a community of your own.
www.valerialoves.com/how-to-repli...
www.valerialoves.com/how-to-repli...
How to Replicate Over/Under
A Guide to Live Text Roleplay
www.valerialoves.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:00 AM
#over/under was not one of a kind. I have been playing similar games for the last EIGHT YEARS. Today, I give this medium a name - "Live Text Roleplay" - and help you build a community of your own.
www.valerialoves.com/how-to-repli...
www.valerialoves.com/how-to-repli...
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
man we should bring back the pamphlet
Hey historians 🗃️: Do you know of presses that publish short books (around 30K words / 90 pages plus notes)? I have been working on an article project that could easily turn into an great micro-history of that length, but I'm not sure it would make it to the usual full 60-90K words...
November 19, 2025 at 3:48 AM
man we should bring back the pamphlet
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
I’d love it if games journalists and awards stopped using the word game to only mean video game.
November 19, 2025 at 3:36 AM
I’d love it if games journalists and awards stopped using the word game to only mean video game.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
JOB POSTING!
Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Rare Books and Prints at the @folger.edu
amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/FSL_Em...
Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Rare Books and Prints at the @folger.edu
amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/FSL_Em...
Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Rare Books and Prints
The Folger Shakespeare Library knows that an exceptional staff is the backbone of any great organization. We hire exceptionally qualified individuals who are committed to the mission, vision, and valu...
amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:34 AM
JOB POSTING!
Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Rare Books and Prints at the @folger.edu
amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/FSL_Em...
Andrew W. Mellon Curator of Rare Books and Prints at the @folger.edu
amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/FSL_Em...
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Reminder: BARS Biennial International Conference 2026: Romantic Retrospection (University of Birmingham) – Call for Papers Deadline 30 November 2025
Updates on session calls & bursaries, plus details of how to submit at the links:
www.bars.ac.uk/blog/?p=6101
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/arts-...
Updates on session calls & bursaries, plus details of how to submit at the links:
www.bars.ac.uk/blog/?p=6101
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/arts-...
November 18, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Reminder: BARS Biennial International Conference 2026: Romantic Retrospection (University of Birmingham) – Call for Papers Deadline 30 November 2025
Updates on session calls & bursaries, plus details of how to submit at the links:
www.bars.ac.uk/blog/?p=6101
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/arts-...
Updates on session calls & bursaries, plus details of how to submit at the links:
www.bars.ac.uk/blog/?p=6101
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/arts-...
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
If you've written a book or many or are writing one now, what a cool fucking thing you are doing. I hope you bask in how awesome it is that you had ideas and thoughts and worked on them for years to develop them into words others can understand. Like that's some sorcery shit. Fuck AI, THIS is magic.
November 17, 2025 at 1:12 PM
If you've written a book or many or are writing one now, what a cool fucking thing you are doing. I hope you bask in how awesome it is that you had ideas and thoughts and worked on them for years to develop them into words others can understand. Like that's some sorcery shit. Fuck AI, THIS is magic.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
FYI: KTBG/Burnt Island Games is funding (2) game bundles as part of Backerkit's Holiday Market promo.
And FYI: the US edition of Nanatoridori is included in this campaign as an Add-On. (You have to back a game bundle in order to include add-on items).
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/k...
And FYI: the US edition of Nanatoridori is included in this campaign as an Add-On. (You have to back a game bundle in order to include add-on items).
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/k...
November 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
FYI: KTBG/Burnt Island Games is funding (2) game bundles as part of Backerkit's Holiday Market promo.
And FYI: the US edition of Nanatoridori is included in this campaign as an Add-On. (You have to back a game bundle in order to include add-on items).
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/k...
And FYI: the US edition of Nanatoridori is included in this campaign as an Add-On. (You have to back a game bundle in order to include add-on items).
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/k...
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Yesss! The Keywords for Black Louisiana just won the Digital Project Award at the ASA. Proud to have contributed to this amazing team. Some of the best DH students I've trained up in there. Congrats too for @mellymeldubs.bsky.social & @miriamposner.com. Read all about it in the poster. 🥳🥳🥳
November 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Yesss! The Keywords for Black Louisiana just won the Digital Project Award at the ASA. Proud to have contributed to this amazing team. Some of the best DH students I've trained up in there. Congrats too for @mellymeldubs.bsky.social & @miriamposner.com. Read all about it in the poster. 🥳🥳🥳
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Heading out to #PAXU?? Stop by this panel and a party a short walk from the convention center, featuring rockstar talent: @4evergmjustin.bsky.social @bruthaqueon.bsky.social @heycalamityyy.bsky.social and our host @vampirehimbo.bsky.social! Thank you to Dain & @futurefullstories.com for having me!
November 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Heading out to #PAXU?? Stop by this panel and a party a short walk from the convention center, featuring rockstar talent: @4evergmjustin.bsky.social @bruthaqueon.bsky.social @heycalamityyy.bsky.social and our host @vampirehimbo.bsky.social! Thank you to Dain & @futurefullstories.com for having me!
New experiences in my career: comforting a weeping student and accidentally dyeing her face where her tears wet my recently-dyed hair…
(It washed off)
(It washed off)
November 18, 2025 at 7:04 PM
New experiences in my career: comforting a weeping student and accidentally dyeing her face where her tears wet my recently-dyed hair…
(It washed off)
(It washed off)
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Stretch goal met to the dollar!!! The Faceless, The News, and The Show all get updated for #AW3rd! Next up: bonuses for those creators at $150!
November 18, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Stretch goal met to the dollar!!! The Faceless, The News, and The Show all get updated for #AW3rd! Next up: bonuses for those creators at $150!
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Two things can be true: 1.) The Game Awards are meaningless and we shouldn't take them all that seriously. 2.) Award shows of its scale DO rewrite the mainstream history of the art form, whether they deserve to or not, and its okay to care that it's so thoughtless despite having that responsibility.
November 17, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Two things can be true: 1.) The Game Awards are meaningless and we shouldn't take them all that seriously. 2.) Award shows of its scale DO rewrite the mainstream history of the art form, whether they deserve to or not, and its okay to care that it's so thoughtless despite having that responsibility.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Journalists, why not reach out to some of the fine people in my replies to ask them how the British Library cyberattack of 2023 has had an impact on their research, their creative work, and their careers? This could make for a powerful piece revealing the human side to the damage this has done.
I have been WAITING for a journalist to write this story.
I specialize in manuscripts produced in England between 1300 and 1500. If this had occurred in the midst of writing my dissertation or first book, it would have exploded my career.
I specialize in manuscripts produced in England between 1300 and 1500. If this had occurred in the midst of writing my dissertation or first book, it would have exploded my career.
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
November 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Journalists, why not reach out to some of the fine people in my replies to ask them how the British Library cyberattack of 2023 has had an impact on their research, their creative work, and their careers? This could make for a powerful piece revealing the human side to the damage this has done.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
🌟 Deadline to apply to be the next SHARP NEWS Editor in Chief has been extended!
👉 Apply by November 28, 2025!
Details here:
sharpweb.org/sharpnews/20...
#BookHistory #Editor #OnlinePublishing #EditorOpportunity #Academic #SHARP #Bookishness #BookCommunity
👉 Apply by November 28, 2025!
Details here:
sharpweb.org/sharpnews/20...
#BookHistory #Editor #OnlinePublishing #EditorOpportunity #Academic #SHARP #Bookishness #BookCommunity
November 18, 2025 at 2:14 PM
🌟 Deadline to apply to be the next SHARP NEWS Editor in Chief has been extended!
👉 Apply by November 28, 2025!
Details here:
sharpweb.org/sharpnews/20...
#BookHistory #Editor #OnlinePublishing #EditorOpportunity #Academic #SHARP #Bookishness #BookCommunity
👉 Apply by November 28, 2025!
Details here:
sharpweb.org/sharpnews/20...
#BookHistory #Editor #OnlinePublishing #EditorOpportunity #Academic #SHARP #Bookishness #BookCommunity
There are few folks more deserving.
Throughout my career I have sought to promote international dialogue among Victorianists and I have used my DH projects to create a welcoming space for the academy’s most structually-vulnerable scholars. I am deeply honored to have received the President’s Award from @navsa.bsky.social for my work.
November 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
There are few folks more deserving.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Boy, do I have specific opinions about the use of the term advocacy here.
NEH, where I worked for several years, was prohibited by institutional policy from funding projects of political or social advocacy. Staff saw first-hand how this policy plays out when wielded by political actors.
NEH, where I worked for several years, was prohibited by institutional policy from funding projects of political or social advocacy. Staff saw first-hand how this policy plays out when wielded by political actors.
'Courses that “advocate race or gender ideology, sexual orientation, or gender identity” now require presidential approval at Texas A&M system campuses, the system Board of Regents decided Thursday.'
Much will rest on interpretations of 'advocate' and 'ideology'. Or will it? 1/4
Much will rest on interpretations of 'advocate' and 'ideology'. Or will it? 1/4
Texas A&M Requires Approval for Courses That “Advocate” Certain Ideologies
Many faculty members decried the new restrictions on race- and gender-related courses as an assault on academic freedom. Meanwhile, the board also discussed a once-per-semester systemwide course revie...
www.insidehighered.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Boy, do I have specific opinions about the use of the term advocacy here.
NEH, where I worked for several years, was prohibited by institutional policy from funding projects of political or social advocacy. Staff saw first-hand how this policy plays out when wielded by political actors.
NEH, where I worked for several years, was prohibited by institutional policy from funding projects of political or social advocacy. Staff saw first-hand how this policy plays out when wielded by political actors.
The pandemic froze my prior project on never-published manuscript fiction (leading to my side-work on TTRPGs and AP moving to my primary focus) & right now with the state of the BL I couldn’t really pivot back if I wanted to.
I have been WAITING for a journalist to write this story.
I specialize in manuscripts produced in England between 1300 and 1500. If this had occurred in the midst of writing my dissertation or first book, it would have exploded my career.
I specialize in manuscripts produced in England between 1300 and 1500. If this had occurred in the midst of writing my dissertation or first book, it would have exploded my career.
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
November 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The pandemic froze my prior project on never-published manuscript fiction (leading to my side-work on TTRPGs and AP moving to my primary focus) & right now with the state of the BL I couldn’t really pivot back if I wanted to.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
lmao nearly every major tabletop platform or website hosts on Cloudflare, which is currently shitting the metaphorical bed.
Kickstarter, Backerkit, and Gamefound. But also itch, Roll20, DTRPG. Effectively the whole online RPG market is offline.
Kickstarter, Backerkit, and Gamefound. But also itch, Roll20, DTRPG. Effectively the whole online RPG market is offline.
November 18, 2025 at 1:52 PM
lmao nearly every major tabletop platform or website hosts on Cloudflare, which is currently shitting the metaphorical bed.
Kickstarter, Backerkit, and Gamefound. But also itch, Roll20, DTRPG. Effectively the whole online RPG market is offline.
Kickstarter, Backerkit, and Gamefound. But also itch, Roll20, DTRPG. Effectively the whole online RPG market is offline.