James Ryan
@jamesryan.bsky.social
Writer, critic, occasional toruble-maker; interested in-writes SF/F/H, history in general, entertainment/mass media issues and history
Pinned
James Ryan
@jamesryan.bsky.social
· Nov 18
Statues to Silence
Most writers like to think they do pretty well it comes to writing, but nothing reinforces that belief like getting a book sold… Horror doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Yes, if you’re a fan, yo…
raginggail.wordpress.com
Just got the main page on the website for the novel set up, which is where info on how to buy the book when it comes out:
raginggail.wordpress.com/statues-to-s...
raginggail.wordpress.com/statues-to-s...
I’m happy that my piece, “Being Nice to Jesse,” is among this collection:
open.substack.com/pub/themidni...
open.substack.com/pub/themidni...
The Midnight Vault II | The Entire Vault
Every piece of magic, all in one place
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I’m happy that my piece, “Being Nice to Jesse,” is among this collection:
open.substack.com/pub/themidni...
open.substack.com/pub/themidni...
Reposted by James Ryan
you'd think the forced displacement of 10 million people from one of the oldest centres of civilisation in human history would get a little more news attention than beltway journalists writing essays on how Olivia Nuzzi is a genius because they want to bone her and you'd be wrong
'Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has made Tehran impossible to sustain'
#Iran 🇮🇷
#Iran 🇮🇷
Iran president says capital move now a necessity as water crisis deepens
Iran’s capital must be moved because the country “no longer has a choice,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday in remarks carried by state media, warning that severe ecological strain has mad...
www.iranintl.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:59 PM
you'd think the forced displacement of 10 million people from one of the oldest centres of civilisation in human history would get a little more news attention than beltway journalists writing essays on how Olivia Nuzzi is a genius because they want to bone her and you'd be wrong
Reposted by James Ryan
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
Reposted by James Ryan
When we say "Release the Epstein files," we mean the unredacted version.
November 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
When we say "Release the Epstein files," we mean the unredacted version.
Reposted by James Ryan
Q4: #HorrorWritersChat
Loss and loneliness drive a lot of my characters, but trying to fill voids is where I’ve experienced bubbling toxicity in myself. Accepting and growing from loss are hard to reach for and achieve (and then earning forgiveness in that wake…); it’s there some horror can happen.
Loss and loneliness drive a lot of my characters, but trying to fill voids is where I’ve experienced bubbling toxicity in myself. Accepting and growing from loss are hard to reach for and achieve (and then earning forgiveness in that wake…); it’s there some horror can happen.
Q4 is up. Ten minutes to outro and the promo: I am still working my way through. You're all wonderful busy bees today and I adore you!
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Q4: #HorrorWritersChat
Loss and loneliness drive a lot of my characters, but trying to fill voids is where I’ve experienced bubbling toxicity in myself. Accepting and growing from loss are hard to reach for and achieve (and then earning forgiveness in that wake…); it’s there some horror can happen.
Loss and loneliness drive a lot of my characters, but trying to fill voids is where I’ve experienced bubbling toxicity in myself. Accepting and growing from loss are hard to reach for and achieve (and then earning forgiveness in that wake…); it’s there some horror can happen.
Reposted by James Ryan
Hey #HorrorWritersChat. I’m late to the game, still at work but the answers will dribble in. I’m Diane. My MC’s are often men—don’t know why but they are. And my men are often a bit neurotic. For good reason—some form of PTSD probably, but neurotic. The bolder ones are sometimes bullies.
Here we go, #HorrorWritersChat!
Q1 has arrived. It's international men's day today, and I thought actually that's a good topic. Not the easiest one to build questions around, either. So if I do not hit the mark I am sure you will forgive me.
As usual, no links, no pitches, not till the end.
Q1 has arrived. It's international men's day today, and I thought actually that's a good topic. Not the easiest one to build questions around, either. So if I do not hit the mark I am sure you will forgive me.
As usual, no links, no pitches, not till the end.
November 19, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Hey #HorrorWritersChat. I’m late to the game, still at work but the answers will dribble in. I’m Diane. My MC’s are often men—don’t know why but they are. And my men are often a bit neurotic. For good reason—some form of PTSD probably, but neurotic. The bolder ones are sometimes bullies.
Reposted by James Ryan
#HorrorWritersChat!
Mark Woods,uk horror writer, and the one quality that defines all my male characters is determination. Determination to do what they think is the right thing, even if that determination is often misguided.
Ultimately it’s what damns us all - no-one ever thinks they’re the bad guy
Mark Woods,uk horror writer, and the one quality that defines all my male characters is determination. Determination to do what they think is the right thing, even if that determination is often misguided.
Ultimately it’s what damns us all - no-one ever thinks they’re the bad guy
Here we go, #HorrorWritersChat!
Q1 has arrived. It's international men's day today, and I thought actually that's a good topic. Not the easiest one to build questions around, either. So if I do not hit the mark I am sure you will forgive me.
As usual, no links, no pitches, not till the end.
Q1 has arrived. It's international men's day today, and I thought actually that's a good topic. Not the easiest one to build questions around, either. So if I do not hit the mark I am sure you will forgive me.
As usual, no links, no pitches, not till the end.
November 19, 2025 at 10:09 PM
#HorrorWritersChat!
Mark Woods,uk horror writer, and the one quality that defines all my male characters is determination. Determination to do what they think is the right thing, even if that determination is often misguided.
Ultimately it’s what damns us all - no-one ever thinks they’re the bad guy
Mark Woods,uk horror writer, and the one quality that defines all my male characters is determination. Determination to do what they think is the right thing, even if that determination is often misguided.
Ultimately it’s what damns us all - no-one ever thinks they’re the bad guy
Reposted by James Ryan
#HorrorWritersChat!
My male characters often mistakenly think they’re the superior gender, when a lot of times it turns out the women are the mentally stronger. Because of all the extra shit they have to deal with that men take for granted. Like being able to walk safely alone at night without fear
My male characters often mistakenly think they’re the superior gender, when a lot of times it turns out the women are the mentally stronger. Because of all the extra shit they have to deal with that men take for granted. Like being able to walk safely alone at night without fear
Q3. I'm doing what I can to answer everyone, and repost, so bear with me. So I don't keep you waiting, I'll throw out 3. Interpret this one how you like. I know many queer folks like me do not align masculinity with man shaped. And with horror, we love to subvert our tales.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 PM
#HorrorWritersChat!
My male characters often mistakenly think they’re the superior gender, when a lot of times it turns out the women are the mentally stronger. Because of all the extra shit they have to deal with that men take for granted. Like being able to walk safely alone at night without fear
My male characters often mistakenly think they’re the superior gender, when a lot of times it turns out the women are the mentally stronger. Because of all the extra shit they have to deal with that men take for granted. Like being able to walk safely alone at night without fear
#HorrorWritersChat
My story "Ivy, Lichens, and Wallflowers" is out in TOIL AND TROUBLE, and I have an interview with Fitz of Writing coming out tonight.
Links to all through linktr.ee/jdanryan
My story "Ivy, Lichens, and Wallflowers" is out in TOIL AND TROUBLE, and I have an interview with Fitz of Writing coming out tonight.
Links to all through linktr.ee/jdanryan
November 19, 2025 at 9:09 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
My story "Ivy, Lichens, and Wallflowers" is out in TOIL AND TROUBLE, and I have an interview with Fitz of Writing coming out tonight.
Links to all through linktr.ee/jdanryan
My story "Ivy, Lichens, and Wallflowers" is out in TOIL AND TROUBLE, and I have an interview with Fitz of Writing coming out tonight.
Links to all through linktr.ee/jdanryan
Reposted by James Ryan
Unless it's a Deer Lady story, I do my best not to weaponize. We get enough of that in life. Masculinity is an important part of gender identities & I don't see it the same as the inherent toxicity of the patriarchy. I can't think of one specific instance but I do explore it a lot
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Q3. I'm doing what I can to answer everyone, and repost, so bear with me. So I don't keep you waiting, I'll throw out 3. Interpret this one how you like. I know many queer folks like me do not align masculinity with man shaped. And with horror, we love to subvert our tales.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Unless it's a Deer Lady story, I do my best not to weaponize. We get enough of that in life. Masculinity is an important part of gender identities & I don't see it the same as the inherent toxicity of the patriarchy. I can't think of one specific instance but I do explore it a lot
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by James Ryan
#HorrorWritersChat Something I did in Shreckland that I enjoyed was making sex something that frightened Will when confronted by the seductive skeleton and The Hachishakusama. Both scared him and the fear became worse when they became seductive. I didn't explain why that frightened him more...
Q3. I'm doing what I can to answer everyone, and repost, so bear with me. So I don't keep you waiting, I'll throw out 3. Interpret this one how you like. I know many queer folks like me do not align masculinity with man shaped. And with horror, we love to subvert our tales.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 7:46 PM
#HorrorWritersChat Something I did in Shreckland that I enjoyed was making sex something that frightened Will when confronted by the seductive skeleton and The Hachishakusama. Both scared him and the fear became worse when they became seductive. I didn't explain why that frightened him more...
Reposted by James Ryan
#HorrorWritersChat
Often, the men I write fear losing control. They are usually people who want power and control, and once things get a little shaky or outright becomes an avalanche, they quickly crumble to show their real selves, which is often uglier and sadder than the mask.
Often, the men I write fear losing control. They are usually people who want power and control, and once things get a little shaky or outright becomes an avalanche, they quickly crumble to show their real selves, which is often uglier and sadder than the mask.
Q4 is up. Ten minutes to outro and the promo: I am still working my way through. You're all wonderful busy bees today and I adore you!
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
Often, the men I write fear losing control. They are usually people who want power and control, and once things get a little shaky or outright becomes an avalanche, they quickly crumble to show their real selves, which is often uglier and sadder than the mask.
Often, the men I write fear losing control. They are usually people who want power and control, and once things get a little shaky or outright becomes an avalanche, they quickly crumble to show their real selves, which is often uglier and sadder than the mask.
Reposted by James Ryan
The ones who have a heavy dose of hubris.
Hubris can bring down anyone. Couple that with horror and what they're experiencing internally can be amplified externally in many, many ways.
#HorrorWritersChat
Hubris can bring down anyone. Couple that with horror and what they're experiencing internally can be amplified externally in many, many ways.
#HorrorWritersChat
Well then, #HorrorWritersChat. What's an archetype anyway? I jest. We're all writers here... after alllllllll....
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The ones who have a heavy dose of hubris.
Hubris can bring down anyone. Couple that with horror and what they're experiencing internally can be amplified externally in many, many ways.
#HorrorWritersChat
Hubris can bring down anyone. Couple that with horror and what they're experiencing internally can be amplified externally in many, many ways.
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by James Ryan
#HorrorWritersChat I typically like to corrupt the protector until it become possessive and self-destructive or the healer who think they're helping but really they're harming or enabling until it's too late to turn back.
Well then, #HorrorWritersChat. What's an archetype anyway? I jest. We're all writers here... after alllllllll....
November 19, 2025 at 8:05 PM
#HorrorWritersChat I typically like to corrupt the protector until it become possessive and self-destructive or the healer who think they're helping but really they're harming or enabling until it's too late to turn back.
Reposted by James Ryan
People see “horror girl,” they expect revenge on men. I’ve written one (12 dancing princesses cult story!) but even then it subverted bio-essentialist feminism. Among the princesses there were trans princes forced to stifle their masculinity for the greater cause of sisterhood. #HorrorWritersChat
Q3. I'm doing what I can to answer everyone, and repost, so bear with me. So I don't keep you waiting, I'll throw out 3. Interpret this one how you like. I know many queer folks like me do not align masculinity with man shaped. And with horror, we love to subvert our tales.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 8:08 PM
People see “horror girl,” they expect revenge on men. I’ve written one (12 dancing princesses cult story!) but even then it subverted bio-essentialist feminism. Among the princesses there were trans princes forced to stifle their masculinity for the greater cause of sisterhood. #HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by James Ryan
I'm Amber, a horror and dark fiction writer from central Maine. I write all kinds of horror, most with cults or ghosts. The men I write aren't immune to gender stereotypes, but they often wrestle with or buck expectations in some way.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Here we go, #HorrorWritersChat!
Q1 has arrived. It's international men's day today, and I thought actually that's a good topic. Not the easiest one to build questions around, either. So if I do not hit the mark I am sure you will forgive me.
As usual, no links, no pitches, not till the end.
Q1 has arrived. It's international men's day today, and I thought actually that's a good topic. Not the easiest one to build questions around, either. So if I do not hit the mark I am sure you will forgive me.
As usual, no links, no pitches, not till the end.
November 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I'm Amber, a horror and dark fiction writer from central Maine. I write all kinds of horror, most with cults or ghosts. The men I write aren't immune to gender stereotypes, but they often wrestle with or buck expectations in some way.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by James Ryan
#HorroWritersChat
Loss of power especially when that power is lost to someone they viewed as beneath them. When the victim wields the weapon of their destruction, all hell breaks loose. Love it.
Loss of power especially when that power is lost to someone they viewed as beneath them. When the victim wields the weapon of their destruction, all hell breaks loose. Love it.
Q4 is up. Ten minutes to outro and the promo: I am still working my way through. You're all wonderful busy bees today and I adore you!
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 7:59 PM
#HorroWritersChat
Loss of power especially when that power is lost to someone they viewed as beneath them. When the victim wields the weapon of their destruction, all hell breaks loose. Love it.
Loss of power especially when that power is lost to someone they viewed as beneath them. When the victim wields the weapon of their destruction, all hell breaks loose. Love it.
Reposted by James Ryan
In my more cosmic stories, it is typically the realization of their powerlessness and meaninglessness in the eyes of the cosmos. Ultimately, they do not matter and there is nothing they can do about it, which is terrifying pretty much regardless of gender, I suspect.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Q4 is up. Ten minutes to outro and the promo: I am still working my way through. You're all wonderful busy bees today and I adore you!
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 7:57 PM
In my more cosmic stories, it is typically the realization of their powerlessness and meaninglessness in the eyes of the cosmos. Ultimately, they do not matter and there is nothing they can do about it, which is terrifying pretty much regardless of gender, I suspect.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
Reposted by James Ryan
#HorrorWritersChat, for some of my male characters, it's losing those they love the most, others it's not being remembered as a good person, for others, it's the terror of knowing they caused horrible things to happen.
They all wear many masks. Some are more transparent than others.
They all wear many masks. Some are more transparent than others.
Q4 is up. Ten minutes to outro and the promo: I am still working my way through. You're all wonderful busy bees today and I adore you!
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 7:57 PM
#HorrorWritersChat, for some of my male characters, it's losing those they love the most, others it's not being remembered as a good person, for others, it's the terror of knowing they caused horrible things to happen.
They all wear many masks. Some are more transparent than others.
They all wear many masks. Some are more transparent than others.
#HorrorWritersChat
If any of the guys in my work had any uniquely male fear, it'd probably be loss of authority. As that's usually second behind being killed (or worse), it may not count for much.
Gives me an idea, though; next project of mine, I should try to give a guy character a male fear...
If any of the guys in my work had any uniquely male fear, it'd probably be loss of authority. As that's usually second behind being killed (or worse), it may not count for much.
Gives me an idea, though; next project of mine, I should try to give a guy character a male fear...
Q4 is up. Ten minutes to outro and the promo: I am still working my way through. You're all wonderful busy bees today and I adore you!
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
This one is a little easier. No archetypes!
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 8:01 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
If any of the guys in my work had any uniquely male fear, it'd probably be loss of authority. As that's usually second behind being killed (or worse), it may not count for much.
Gives me an idea, though; next project of mine, I should try to give a guy character a male fear...
If any of the guys in my work had any uniquely male fear, it'd probably be loss of authority. As that's usually second behind being killed (or worse), it may not count for much.
Gives me an idea, though; next project of mine, I should try to give a guy character a male fear...
#HorrorWritersChat
I had one lean into his masculinity, a-hole that he was...
In "(Meet) the Baffles," there's a supporting character, George, who in being mas macho is two-timing his girlfriend; as he does, she meets a horrible death at the jaws of the Seneca Lake Monster...
I had one lean into his masculinity, a-hole that he was...
In "(Meet) the Baffles," there's a supporting character, George, who in being mas macho is two-timing his girlfriend; as he does, she meets a horrible death at the jaws of the Seneca Lake Monster...
Q3. I'm doing what I can to answer everyone, and repost, so bear with me. So I don't keep you waiting, I'll throw out 3. Interpret this one how you like. I know many queer folks like me do not align masculinity with man shaped. And with horror, we love to subvert our tales.
#HorrorWritersChat
#HorrorWritersChat
November 19, 2025 at 7:51 PM
#HorrorWritersChat
I had one lean into his masculinity, a-hole that he was...
In "(Meet) the Baffles," there's a supporting character, George, who in being mas macho is two-timing his girlfriend; as he does, she meets a horrible death at the jaws of the Seneca Lake Monster...
I had one lean into his masculinity, a-hole that he was...
In "(Meet) the Baffles," there's a supporting character, George, who in being mas macho is two-timing his girlfriend; as he does, she meets a horrible death at the jaws of the Seneca Lake Monster...