Michael Strode
@michaelstrode.bsky.social
Writer, horror filmmaker, croquet vendetta initiator.
Avid cook, gamer, teller of dad jokes.
#AuthorsGuild
Avid cook, gamer, teller of dad jokes.
#AuthorsGuild
Pinned
Reposted by Michael Strode
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
AI fakery embeds itself into journalism. Depressing, inevitable result of LLMs.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 25, 2025 at 6:37 PM
AI fakery embeds itself into journalism. Depressing, inevitable result of LLMs.
thelocal.to/investigatin...
thelocal.to/investigatin...
These novellas sound great - dark, speculative fiction woven into historical settings? My jam.
In a late-1800s mining town, the Molly Maguires arrive to help workers fight for better working conditions—but even they can't save the ones sent to work in....
@horrortom.bsky.social's Tunnel 17 will keep you up at night.
SINISTER SOCIETIES out 12.09—pre-order:
⛏️ links.ruadanbooks.com/buyS6
#TBR
@horrortom.bsky.social's Tunnel 17 will keep you up at night.
SINISTER SOCIETIES out 12.09—pre-order:
⛏️ links.ruadanbooks.com/buyS6
#TBR
November 21, 2025 at 5:41 AM
These novellas sound great - dark, speculative fiction woven into historical settings? My jam.
Reposted by Michael Strode
Don't miss the latest updates from Ruadán Books—from book news to calls for manuscripts—sign up for our newsletter! 📢🦊
Register now:
links.ruadanbooks.com/newsletter
#BookSky #HorrorSky #darkfantasy #writingcommunity
Register now:
links.ruadanbooks.com/newsletter
#BookSky #HorrorSky #darkfantasy #writingcommunity
November 19, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Don't miss the latest updates from Ruadán Books—from book news to calls for manuscripts—sign up for our newsletter! 📢🦊
Register now:
links.ruadanbooks.com/newsletter
#BookSky #HorrorSky #darkfantasy #writingcommunity
Register now:
links.ruadanbooks.com/newsletter
#BookSky #HorrorSky #darkfantasy #writingcommunity
Reposted by Michael Strode
In light of the astronomical increases for my health insurance next year, I thought it would be a good time to encourage people to subscribe. (A few hundred should cover it. Sigh.)
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
November 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
In light of the astronomical increases for my health insurance next year, I thought it would be a good time to encourage people to subscribe. (A few hundred should cover it. Sigh.)
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/
Very cool premise.
We're excited to announce a book deal with @naomieselojor.bsky.social for her novella THE CITY OF FACTORIES, which explores the effects of colonialism on Nigeria through a steampunk setting and fractured father/son relationship.
Read more:
links.ruadanbooks.com/eselojor
#BookSky
Read more:
links.ruadanbooks.com/eselojor
#BookSky
November 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Very cool premise.
Reposted by Michael Strode
If you enjoyed a book(s), here are 10 things you can do to exercise your enormous power as a reader and radically help the author. And every action here is free:
1. Post about the book on your socials, even if you think your following is small. Every single voice matters.
2. Review on... (cont.)
1. Post about the book on your socials, even if you think your following is small. Every single voice matters.
2. Review on... (cont.)
November 12, 2025 at 9:33 PM
If you enjoyed a book(s), here are 10 things you can do to exercise your enormous power as a reader and radically help the author. And every action here is free:
1. Post about the book on your socials, even if you think your following is small. Every single voice matters.
2. Review on... (cont.)
1. Post about the book on your socials, even if you think your following is small. Every single voice matters.
2. Review on... (cont.)
Reposted by Michael Strode
The PW announcement is up for A Dozen Dystopias and How to Dodge Them!!
November 11, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The PW announcement is up for A Dozen Dystopias and How to Dodge Them!!
Reposted by Michael Strode
An author with no significant platform lands a book deal for a nonfiction book, then fears that it will be taken away when publishing professionals realize they've made a huge mistake.
But there's much more to the story than that, from Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd.
But there's much more to the story than that, from Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd.
How I Secured a Big Five Publishing Deal with Almost No Social Media Platform | Jane Friedman
Learn how one author’s publishing “fairy tale” hides years of struggle, with practical lessons to unlock your own resilience.
janefriedman.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:26 PM
An author with no significant platform lands a book deal for a nonfiction book, then fears that it will be taken away when publishing professionals realize they've made a huge mistake.
But there's much more to the story than that, from Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd.
But there's much more to the story than that, from Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd.
Reposted by Michael Strode
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Wondering why no one likes your posts anymore, even among your friends? It's because @jay.bsky.team and team have decided to hide a huge amount of content from all of our feeds by default.
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Here's how to turn it off.
First go to the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
Reposted by Michael Strode
So grateful to be part of this initiative 💛
My story is included in one of these books (Winter in the City). If you’re able to support, please do.
50% of profits are going to support SNAP-reliant, and our publisher is matching the donation.
Books + helping people eat? That’s my kind of magic. ✨📚🍽️
My story is included in one of these books (Winter in the City). If you’re able to support, please do.
50% of profits are going to support SNAP-reliant, and our publisher is matching the donation.
Books + helping people eat? That’s my kind of magic. ✨📚🍽️
READERS AGAINST HUNGER: with SNAP only partly funded, millions of Americans face not having their nutritional needs met.
Ruadán Books will donate 50% of all profits on our books sold between 11/1-12/23 to the Greater Boston Food Bank. Our CEO will also personally match this donation.
#BookSky
Ruadán Books will donate 50% of all profits on our books sold between 11/1-12/23 to the Greater Boston Food Bank. Our CEO will also personally match this donation.
#BookSky
November 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
So grateful to be part of this initiative 💛
My story is included in one of these books (Winter in the City). If you’re able to support, please do.
50% of profits are going to support SNAP-reliant, and our publisher is matching the donation.
Books + helping people eat? That’s my kind of magic. ✨📚🍽️
My story is included in one of these books (Winter in the City). If you’re able to support, please do.
50% of profits are going to support SNAP-reliant, and our publisher is matching the donation.
Books + helping people eat? That’s my kind of magic. ✨📚🍽️
Reposted by Michael Strode
I knew it would take less than a day for a tiktok dj to make something.
November 5, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I knew it would take less than a day for a tiktok dj to make something.
Reposted by Michael Strode
Baton Rouge residents and anyone else nearby! Don't forget to visit the Louisiana Book Festival TODAY going on until 4 PM CT.
Swing by and see our author @jrblanes.bsky.social and snag a copy of his debut horror novel Portraits of Decay—you can even get it signed.
#BookSky #HorrorSky
Swing by and see our author @jrblanes.bsky.social and snag a copy of his debut horror novel Portraits of Decay—you can even get it signed.
#BookSky #HorrorSky
November 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Baton Rouge residents and anyone else nearby! Don't forget to visit the Louisiana Book Festival TODAY going on until 4 PM CT.
Swing by and see our author @jrblanes.bsky.social and snag a copy of his debut horror novel Portraits of Decay—you can even get it signed.
#BookSky #HorrorSky
Swing by and see our author @jrblanes.bsky.social and snag a copy of his debut horror novel Portraits of Decay—you can even get it signed.
#BookSky #HorrorSky
Happy Halloween!
November 1, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Happy Halloween!
Reposted by Michael Strode
Happy spooky season! Here's your Halloween reminder that I have scary stuff of mine to watch and read for those that are interested
October 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Happy spooky season! Here's your Halloween reminder that I have scary stuff of mine to watch and read for those that are interested
Queen.
"I DON'T NEED YOU TO FUCKING REWRITE WHAT I'VE JUST WRITTEN!"
October 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Queen.
Reposted by Michael Strode
friend shared this, immediately updated my settings
October 27, 2025 at 4:28 PM
friend shared this, immediately updated my settings
Reposted by Michael Strode
That's no ballroom
A very offline cousin sent this to fam group chat. This story is breaking containment.
October 25, 2025 at 1:10 AM
That's no ballroom
Reposted by Michael Strode
For the past two weeks or so, my Google Drive has been super sloggy. Docs, spreadsheets, etc. not fully loading; errors popping up suggesting clearing browser cache and cookies, etc.
Tonight, I finally found in Settings > Manage Apps that Gemini was checked "use as default" so unchecked it.
1/con't
Tonight, I finally found in Settings > Manage Apps that Gemini was checked "use as default" so unchecked it.
1/con't
October 21, 2025 at 3:19 AM
For the past two weeks or so, my Google Drive has been super sloggy. Docs, spreadsheets, etc. not fully loading; errors popping up suggesting clearing browser cache and cookies, etc.
Tonight, I finally found in Settings > Manage Apps that Gemini was checked "use as default" so unchecked it.
1/con't
Tonight, I finally found in Settings > Manage Apps that Gemini was checked "use as default" so unchecked it.
1/con't
Reposted by Michael Strode
Hey California, we need your help! Talk to your neighbors about passing Prop 50 to unrig the midterm maps. As Trump and his GOP allies try to grab permanent control of the House, California has a key role to play in leveling the playing field — and our tool makes it easy to talk to your neighbors. 👇
California 2025: Yes on Prop 50 - Neighbor2Neighbor Form
neighbor2neighbor.io
October 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Hey California, we need your help! Talk to your neighbors about passing Prop 50 to unrig the midterm maps. As Trump and his GOP allies try to grab permanent control of the House, California has a key role to play in leveling the playing field — and our tool makes it easy to talk to your neighbors. 👇
Friend's post-climate disaster novella, from a wolf's POV as he navigates the ruins of Yellowstone and finds a possible ally. Brisk read, fascinating perspective. bookshop.org/p/books/new-...
New Animal
Check out New Animal - <p>The story begins long after the Earth loses its battle with a humanity that both depends on yet ultimately destroys it, leaving the planet an inhospitable furnace. Pope and h...
bookshop.org
October 21, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Friend's post-climate disaster novella, from a wolf's POV as he navigates the ruins of Yellowstone and finds a possible ally. Brisk read, fascinating perspective. bookshop.org/p/books/new-...
Perfection.
October 19, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Perfection.
Reposted by Michael Strode
Over the past few months I've heard from several writers who received email threats like the one below. None reported back that anything actually happened. Seems like just nasty trolling (unlike Goodreads extortion emails from a couple of years ago that did result in review-bombing)--but be aware.
![From: ANONYMOUS <no-reply@mail.goodreads.com>
Subject: [redacted], WARNING:STOP YOUR PROMOTIONS ON GOODREADS AND SOCIAL MEDIA IMMEDIATELY!
Message Body:
WE HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR BOOK [redacted]. WE GIVE 24 HOURS TO VANISH. IF YOU DON'T STOP, WE WILL RE-PUBLISH IT USING AI TECHNOLOGY. INSTEAD OF YOUR NAME, YOUR BOOK WILL BE 'AUTHORED' BY ONE OF US. AN EXACT REPLICA OF YOUR BOOK WILL BE SELLING ON AMAZON UNDER OUR NAMES AND YOU WON'T LIKE IT! AMAZON CANNOT DETECT THIS TECHNOLOGY YET AND YOUR LAWS CAN'T HARM US! NOT ONLY IT WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF YOUR POTENTIAL INCOME, IT WILL ALSO GET YOU BANNED FROM AMAZON. AMAZON IMPOSES DIGITAL EXCLUSIVITY ON AUTHORS. THAT MEANS IF THE DIGITAL VERSIONS OF YOUR BOOKS SHOW UP ANYWHERE ELSE BUT AMAZON, EVEN ON PIRATE SITES, YOU RUN THE RISK OF HAVING YOUR BOOK(S), OR EVEN YOUR ENTIRE ACCOUNT, SHUT DOWN WITH LITTLE TO NO HOPE OF APPEAL. IN ADDITION, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S INFORMATION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO CRIMINALS (THUGS AND RAPISTS) AND SCAMMERS IN YOUR AREA WHO WOULD DEFINITELY SEND YOU ALL TO SAME PLACE AS [redacted] - HELL THAT IS! OH BTW JUST SO YOU KNOW [redacted] TOLD US ABOUT YOU!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:uy6mloyr37qtcdml3bq6a6o4/bafkreif5p65olcggzbvnwbtamz2eumjcrqaweymo7ovwqtivzro7tk5miu@jpeg)
October 19, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Over the past few months I've heard from several writers who received email threats like the one below. None reported back that anything actually happened. Seems like just nasty trolling (unlike Goodreads extortion emails from a couple of years ago that did result in review-bombing)--but be aware.