Ian Randal Strock
@ianrandalstrock.bsky.social
Writer of science fiction and non-fiction. Editor and Publisher of Gray Rabbit Publications and Fantastic Books. See also IanRandalStrock.com and FantasticBooks.biz.
Digging through some old papers, I just came across this polaroid photo of the first time I met Buzz Aldrin, at the Explorers’ Club in Manhattan.
December 9, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Digging through some old papers, I just came across this polaroid photo of the first time I met Buzz Aldrin, at the Explorers’ Club in Manhattan.
No platform photo tonight, because the Q train isn’t running this weekend. Instead, I’m off for some absurdly long round-about trip that will hopefully wind up at GNYM’s holiday party.
December 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
No platform photo tonight, because the Q train isn’t running this weekend. Instead, I’m off for some absurdly long round-about trip that will hopefully wind up at GNYM’s holiday party.
I'm still thinking about the show I saw Tuesday night, for good reasons:
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/06/s...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/06/s...
Saul Rubinek playing Saul Rubinek playing Shylock
I had an odd theatrical experience this past Tuesday. I went to a show, and while I’m still not sure if I liked it, I am still thinking about it, so in that respect, it was good. The show is Playin…
ianrandalstrock.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I'm still thinking about the show I saw Tuesday night, for good reasons:
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/06/s...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/06/s...
“DC pipe bomb suspect says he thought the 2020 election was stolen.” (From a story on CNN just now.) True or not, isn’t that precisely what he should be saying if he wants to get a presidential pardon?
December 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
“DC pipe bomb suspect says he thought the 2020 election was stolen.” (From a story on CNN just now.) True or not, isn’t that precisely what he should be saying if he wants to get a presidential pardon?
First Wednesday of the month: that must mean tonight is trivia night!
December 3, 2025 at 11:41 PM
First Wednesday of the month: that must mean tonight is trivia night!
The rain has stopped (no snow here in Brooklyn), and thanks to an invitation yesterday, I’m off to see Saul Rubinek in “Playing Shylock.” (No red hat, but I am wearing a red shirt.)
December 2, 2025 at 11:10 PM
The rain has stopped (no snow here in Brooklyn), and thanks to an invitation yesterday, I’m off to see Saul Rubinek in “Playing Shylock.” (No red hat, but I am wearing a red shirt.)
First batch of chili of the season: dinner time!
December 1, 2025 at 12:38 AM
First batch of chili of the season: dinner time!
Sunset view of Manhattan from Weehawken, New Jersey, after Thanksgiving dinner and before dessert. A very good day.
November 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Sunset view of Manhattan from Weehawken, New Jersey, after Thanksgiving dinner and before dessert. A very good day.
The president couldn’t have planned a better incident to ramp up his policies and reinforce his rhetoric: stocks.apple.com/A14GkNe66QxC...
Charges against suspect upgraded as Trump vows immigration policy changes — The Washington Post
The National Guard shooting suspect now faces a charge of murder in the first degree, following the death of Spec. Sarah Beckstrom.
stocks.apple.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The president couldn’t have planned a better incident to ramp up his policies and reinforce his rhetoric: stocks.apple.com/A14GkNe66QxC...
Off to the Thanksgiving-ing!
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Off to the Thanksgiving-ing!
Some last-minute baking for tomorrow: mondel bread and meringue cookies (picture of the just-mixed meringue as well as fresh from the oven).
November 27, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Some last-minute baking for tomorrow: mondel bread and meringue cookies (picture of the just-mixed meringue as well as fresh from the oven).
If you missed us at Philcon, today is publication day for Daniel M. Kimmel's "A Talent to Amuse". ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/25/a...
A Talent to Amuse publication day
If you weren’t with us at Philcon this weekend, today is your first chance to get a copy of Daniel M. Kimmel’s fantastic new novel, A Talent to Amuse. It’s a funny, fantastical, romantic look at th…
ianrandalstrock.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:34 PM
If you missed us at Philcon, today is publication day for Daniel M. Kimmel's "A Talent to Amuse". ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/25/a...
Author Daniel Kimmel and his new novel, “A Talent to Amuse.” Join us for the launch party at 6pm in the con suite (8th floor) at Philcon.
November 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Author Daniel Kimmel and his new novel, “A Talent to Amuse.” Join us for the launch party at 6pm in the con suite (8th floor) at Philcon.
I was stunned by how little traffic there was, so I got to Philcon way early. And then the inertia which usually rules was strangely absent. Thus, I am all set up in the dealers’ room… even though we don’t open for another two hours.
November 21, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I was stunned by how little traffic there was, so I got to Philcon way early. And then the inertia which usually rules was strangely absent. Thus, I am all set up in the dealers’ room… even though we don’t open for another two hours.
What brings you joy?
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/20/w...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/20/w...
What brings you joy?
I’m planning to go to a Mensa gathering this evening, just some people getting together in a restaurant/bar for conversation. The last time this particular gathering gathered, it was fascinating. I…
ianrandalstrock.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:29 PM
What brings you joy?
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/20/w...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/20/w...
Reposted by Ian Randal Strock
Take note, publishers who don’t think using AI matters. (Authors in this case appear to have been unaware and I feel for them.)
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
New Zealand’s top book award disqualifies two prominent authors over AI artwork
Publisher says rule against AI use came after books were submitted for consideration
www.independent.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Take note, publishers who don’t think using AI matters. (Authors in this case appear to have been unaware and I feel for them.)
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
Road tripping to Massachusetts! Anyone want to join us in Wilmington for trivia this evening? Then this weekend, it’s Boston Mensa’s Pilgrimage RG.
November 13, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Road tripping to Massachusetts! Anyone want to join us in Wilmington for trivia this evening? Then this weekend, it’s Boston Mensa’s Pilgrimage RG.
Leaf from today’s walk in Brooklyn.
November 7, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Leaf from today’s walk in Brooklyn.
Did Donald Trump just say he was in charge of Israel’s attack on Iran?!
November 6, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Did Donald Trump just say he was in charge of Israel’s attack on Iran?!
Someone recently commented that my “going into Manhattan” photos always look the same; maybe it’s because my face doesn’t change much. Anyway, headed in to trivia at the Cornerstone Tavern with GNYM.
November 5, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Someone recently commented that my “going into Manhattan” photos always look the same; maybe it’s because my face doesn’t change much. Anyway, headed in to trivia at the Cornerstone Tavern with GNYM.
November 3, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Dextrous (or dexterous) means skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body. (Thus, “manual dexterity” is somewhat redundant.) I know the definition includes “or body.” But shouldn’t there be a specific equivalent word for skillful use of the feet? ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/03/w...
What went on this weekend
Dextrous (or dexterous) means skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body. (Thus, “manual dexterity” is somewhat redundant.) I know, that definition includes “or body.” But shouldn’t there b…
ianrandalstrock.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Dextrous (or dexterous) means skillful or adroit in the use of the hands or body. (Thus, “manual dexterity” is somewhat redundant.) I know the definition includes “or body.” But shouldn’t there be a specific equivalent word for skillful use of the feet? ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/03/w...
After my morning stupidity (left my phone in the car), I’m on my way to Chicago Area Mensa’s #HalloWeeM . #JFK to #ORD
October 30, 2025 at 2:38 PM
After my morning stupidity (left my phone in the car), I’m on my way to Chicago Area Mensa’s #HalloWeeM . #JFK to #ORD
Once again, I hope it's just conspiracy-theory-fiction theorizing, because my brain does that, but I think I know...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/10/29/h...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/10/29/h...
How Donald Trump intends to stay in office beyond January 20, 2029
Is this all far-fetched, doom-and-gloom, dystopian theorizing? Probably. I hope certainly. Nevertheless, it is a topic of conversation which keeps cropping up, so… I know how Donald Trump is going …
ianrandalstrock.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Once again, I hope it's just conspiracy-theory-fiction theorizing, because my brain does that, but I think I know...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/10/29/h...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/10/29/h...
Dinner at the Olive Garden: little blinking screens on every table make me think the Screen Slaver has won (see The Incredibles 2). We turned ours face down to be less distracting, but the next time the waiter visited, he flipped it back up, seemingly without conscious thought.
October 27, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Dinner at the Olive Garden: little blinking screens on every table make me think the Screen Slaver has won (see The Incredibles 2). We turned ours face down to be less distracting, but the next time the waiter visited, he flipped it back up, seemingly without conscious thought.