As the World Stearns
@mikalroy.bsky.social
Former editorial director and editor; current agency head, book packager, and writer. USC film, Hollins U, Clarion West alum. Dad. Books & cats & f&sf & film & games & music & Brooklyn. He/him/foul unspeakable one.
The world is too often unbearably heartbreaking. In lieu of all that, here is my cat, Maeby. I love her.
September 21, 2025 at 1:07 AM
The world is too often unbearably heartbreaking. In lieu of all that, here is my cat, Maeby. I love her.
Two days later and I am still giddy about how absolutely terrific Weapons is. Gruesome? Of course. But also full of surprising turns, a clever structure, and more laugh out loud funny than The Naked Gun. Just gd marvelous.
I need to see it again.
I need to see it again.
August 10, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Two days later and I am still giddy about how absolutely terrific Weapons is. Gruesome? Of course. But also full of surprising turns, a clever structure, and more laugh out loud funny than The Naked Gun. Just gd marvelous.
I need to see it again.
I need to see it again.
Risked appearing pervy to snap this over-the-shoulder shot of Frog and Toad in the wild, being read by a little girl on the G train. Because few things bring as much uncomplicated joy as knowing Lobel’s books are still doing their work, delighting kids and minting readers.
July 29, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Risked appearing pervy to snap this over-the-shoulder shot of Frog and Toad in the wild, being read by a little girl on the G train. Because few things bring as much uncomplicated joy as knowing Lobel’s books are still doing their work, delighting kids and minting readers.
Sorry to hear it and hope spirits improve soon.
Here is Maeby, typically hard at work.
Here is Maeby, typically hard at work.
July 28, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Sorry to hear it and hope spirits improve soon.
Here is Maeby, typically hard at work.
Here is Maeby, typically hard at work.
Because my daughter adores the first 4 books on this panel of graphic novel memoirs in @scottmccloud.bsky.social and @goraina.bsky.social ‘s CARTOONISTS CLUB, she’s made it a goal to read the rest. (Minus THE TRYOUT & THE NEW GIRL, which she already loves.) ❤️ when good books boost other good books.
July 12, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Because my daughter adores the first 4 books on this panel of graphic novel memoirs in @scottmccloud.bsky.social and @goraina.bsky.social ‘s CARTOONISTS CLUB, she’s made it a goal to read the rest. (Minus THE TRYOUT & THE NEW GIRL, which she already loves.) ❤️ when good books boost other good books.
This plastic bunk bed was given to my daughter for her American Girl doll some while back, but everyone in the family is happy that our cat, Maeby, has taken the bottom bunk for her own.
July 11, 2025 at 1:08 AM
This plastic bunk bed was given to my daughter for her American Girl doll some while back, but everyone in the family is happy that our cat, Maeby, has taken the bottom bunk for her own.
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, or Marvel
But also…
But also…
June 29, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, or Marvel
But also…
But also…
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, or Marvel
June 29, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, or Marvel
Don’t. Rank. CUOMO.
June 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Don’t. Rank. CUOMO.
Love guerilla activists. Whoever did this piece taped it up *inside* the bus stop advert display. Bravo!
June 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Love guerilla activists. Whoever did this piece taped it up *inside* the bus stop advert display. Bravo!
June 4, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Alarmed, pleased, and resigned to this batch of kinship characters. That is to say, feels more or less accurate.
Take the fictional characters quiz and post the first four you know:
openpsychometrics.org/tests/charac...
Take the fictional characters quiz and post the first four you know:
openpsychometrics.org/tests/charac...
May 19, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Alarmed, pleased, and resigned to this batch of kinship characters. That is to say, feels more or less accurate.
Take the fictional characters quiz and post the first four you know:
openpsychometrics.org/tests/charac...
Take the fictional characters quiz and post the first four you know:
openpsychometrics.org/tests/charac...
This useless old hack just boasted to Dana Bash that he’d sent a strongly worded letter to the Trump team over [fill in the blank].
He needs to be replaced.
He needs to be replaced.
April 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
This useless old hack just boasted to Dana Bash that he’d sent a strongly worded letter to the Trump team over [fill in the blank].
He needs to be replaced.
He needs to be replaced.
Today’s reading conveniently includes Rowling in its scope—specifically the feeling of having part of one’s identity stripped away when a beloved creator from childhood reveals her true, harmful, intolerant self. Am only 60 pages in but this book is invaluable. (& frequently witty! About awfulness!)
April 18, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Today’s reading conveniently includes Rowling in its scope—specifically the feeling of having part of one’s identity stripped away when a beloved creator from childhood reveals her true, harmful, intolerant self. Am only 60 pages in but this book is invaluable. (& frequently witty! About awfulness!)
QUARK! Wish it were streaming.
November 20, 2024 at 12:51 AM
QUARK! Wish it were streaming.
That canceled TV show you'll never stop thinking about?
November 16, 2024 at 3:10 AM
That canceled TV show you'll never stop thinking about?
Holy hell but this new issue of McSweeney’s is beautiful!
June 17, 2024 at 5:07 PM
Holy hell but this new issue of McSweeney’s is beautiful!
If you see this, post the best portrait of yourself drawn by someone else.
March 26, 2024 at 2:09 AM
If you see this, post the best portrait of yourself drawn by someone else.
Coworker Maeby with an opinion.
February 7, 2024 at 10:52 AM
Coworker Maeby with an opinion.
Reading an absolutely swell Leonard S. Marcus collection of convos with children’s fantasists from 2006. They’re all good, but the Diana Wynne Jones interview is a particular delight—maybe because I’m in the midst of a Chrestomanci reread. Difficult to believe she’s been gone so long—since 2011.
January 31, 2024 at 6:46 PM
Reading an absolutely swell Leonard S. Marcus collection of convos with children’s fantasists from 2006. They’re all good, but the Diana Wynne Jones interview is a particular delight—maybe because I’m in the midst of a Chrestomanci reread. Difficult to believe she’s been gone so long—since 2011.
It is utterly maddening. Which, come to think of it, tracks with the company that gave us this:
January 31, 2024 at 6:15 PM
It is utterly maddening. Which, come to think of it, tracks with the company that gave us this:
The JustWatch app is invaluable for this purpose. Searched it for ya:
January 30, 2024 at 2:28 AM
The JustWatch app is invaluable for this purpose. Searched it for ya:
My eight-year-old opened up her Mini-Brands Books ball, and lo and behold, @gwenda.bsky.social‘s STRANGER THINGS book was hiding inside!
January 16, 2024 at 11:28 PM
My eight-year-old opened up her Mini-Brands Books ball, and lo and behold, @gwenda.bsky.social‘s STRANGER THINGS book was hiding inside!
I know I’m woefully late to the party, but this memoir is just devastatingly good. And written with real skill, economy, and lightness of touch. Deserves all the praise.
January 13, 2024 at 5:35 PM
I know I’m woefully late to the party, but this memoir is just devastatingly good. And written with real skill, economy, and lightness of touch. Deserves all the praise.