R. A. Coates
@raincoates.bsky.social
Reader, writer, and editor. Looking forward to turning into a mushroom one day.
Reposted by R. A. Coates
I felt like making some art last night/today and could have made something beautiful and/or meaningful but I made this instead.
It's a Barbie Yaga Malibu Dream Hut.
No regrets. Can't defeat fascism without joy.
It's a Barbie Yaga Malibu Dream Hut.
No regrets. Can't defeat fascism without joy.
January 9, 2026 at 4:20 AM
I felt like making some art last night/today and could have made something beautiful and/or meaningful but I made this instead.
It's a Barbie Yaga Malibu Dream Hut.
No regrets. Can't defeat fascism without joy.
It's a Barbie Yaga Malibu Dream Hut.
No regrets. Can't defeat fascism without joy.
Reposted by R. A. Coates
One of the most popular and crowd-pleasing arias in classical opera, "Perché non c'è cibo nella mia ciotola, donna?" tells an emotional tale of a desperately malnourished waif and translates into English as "Why Is There No Food In My Bowl, Woman?"
January 17, 2026 at 3:28 PM
One of the most popular and crowd-pleasing arias in classical opera, "Perché non c'è cibo nella mia ciotola, donna?" tells an emotional tale of a desperately malnourished waif and translates into English as "Why Is There No Food In My Bowl, Woman?"
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Saw a lot of headlines saying "wikipedia is embracing ai" being tossed around tabloids, and I'm pretty sure they were maliciously written to make you feel a certain way about Wikipedia. What's actually happening is that wikipedia is demanding payment for data scraping and the corpos don't like that.
Sure. AI companies have ALWAYS been training their models on Wikipedia content, which under the free and open access model is available to anyone — including AI companies. Agreements like these require AI companies to limit and offset the strain they place on Wikimedia infrastructure.
Hoping that @molly.wiki can help explain.
January 15, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Saw a lot of headlines saying "wikipedia is embracing ai" being tossed around tabloids, and I'm pretty sure they were maliciously written to make you feel a certain way about Wikipedia. What's actually happening is that wikipedia is demanding payment for data scraping and the corpos don't like that.
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Just over three weeks left to submit your SFF short story or poem to our second unthemed issue of 2026!
Don't overthink it, smash that send button 👇🏿
fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/
Don't overthink it, smash that send button 👇🏿
fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Authors and poets, submissions for our second themed issue are OPEN 🎉🎉🎉
Details here: fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/
Details here: fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/
January 9, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Just over three weeks left to submit your SFF short story or poem to our second unthemed issue of 2026!
Don't overthink it, smash that send button 👇🏿
fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/
Don't overthink it, smash that send button 👇🏿
fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Ubisoft closed its Halifax, NS studio a few weeks after the employees unionized. I have a couple of good friends who worked there, one had been a part of the studio for nearly 20 years. Miserable. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Video game giant Ubisoft closes Halifax studio, cutting 71 jobs | CBC News
Staff formed company's first North American union in late December but Ubisoft says unionization did not influence closure.
www.cbc.ca
January 8, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Ubisoft closed its Halifax, NS studio a few weeks after the employees unionized. I have a couple of good friends who worked there, one had been a part of the studio for nearly 20 years. Miserable. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Here's the email that goes with the Amazon impersonation scam that's going around (note the fake email address--Amazon is not going to be emailing you from a Gmail address)
![From: Amazon Business <amazon.business.complianceteam@gmail.com>
Subject: Action Required – Review Engagement Policy 2026
Date: December 29, 2025 at 7:27:26 AM PST
To: [redacted]
Dear Author,
Amazon has identified titles with limited customer feedback activity.
Effective 2026, titles with fewer than 10 customer reviews and inactive rating activity will face reduced visibility or listing restrictions.
Required Action:
Please reply with SUPPORT to receive guidance on compliant review engagement practices and improve customer interaction metrics.
Early action is recommended to maintain uninterrupted marketplace access.
Amazon Marketplace Support
© 2025 Amazon.com, Inc.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:uy6mloyr37qtcdml3bq6a6o4/bafkreiaq5ujoknmbc3juwr57nczju4ukxafbzguoyuvwgingvxntwh4aj4@jpeg)
January 8, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Here's the email that goes with the Amazon impersonation scam that's going around (note the fake email address--Amazon is not going to be emailing you from a Gmail address)
Reposted by R. A. Coates
I need a mood booster, let's talk about capybaras.
Here's a capy demonstrating one of MANY ways they can move through the water: running along the bottom.
They're 'semi-aquatic' mammals, just like hippos, seals & beavers. They LOVE water.
(📷: Fernando Maidana)
Here's a capy demonstrating one of MANY ways they can move through the water: running along the bottom.
They're 'semi-aquatic' mammals, just like hippos, seals & beavers. They LOVE water.
(📷: Fernando Maidana)
January 6, 2026 at 1:49 PM
I need a mood booster, let's talk about capybaras.
Here's a capy demonstrating one of MANY ways they can move through the water: running along the bottom.
They're 'semi-aquatic' mammals, just like hippos, seals & beavers. They LOVE water.
(📷: Fernando Maidana)
Here's a capy demonstrating one of MANY ways they can move through the water: running along the bottom.
They're 'semi-aquatic' mammals, just like hippos, seals & beavers. They LOVE water.
(📷: Fernando Maidana)
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Last post of the year! We present ARB's Notable Criticism of 2025—ten articles that highlight the vitality and possibilities of speculative criticism:
ARB’s 2025 Notable Criticism
In the field of speculative criticism, many of the challenges and positive developments we noted last year are still in full effect. 2025 has brought even more precarity for culture writers and aca…
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
December 31, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Last post of the year! We present ARB's Notable Criticism of 2025—ten articles that highlight the vitality and possibilities of speculative criticism:
Reposted by R. A. Coates
The wisdom of Mr. Rogers is eternal:
January 4, 2026 at 11:57 AM
The wisdom of Mr. Rogers is eternal:
Reposted by R. A. Coates
A rare, but much needed TL cleanse of levity that speaks to and for many of us belonging to the WDNC club. Enjoy:
December 30, 2025 at 4:52 PM
A rare, but much needed TL cleanse of levity that speaks to and for many of us belonging to the WDNC club. Enjoy:
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Canadians (especially cis Canadians), PLEASE take a moment to sign this petition and take action in defence of trans people. It takes less than a minute to sign and verify your signature.
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
Petition e-7027 - Petitions
www.ourcommons.ca
December 29, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Canadians (especially cis Canadians), PLEASE take a moment to sign this petition and take action in defence of trans people. It takes less than a minute to sign and verify your signature.
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
Reposted by R. A. Coates
He ys ridinge a horse
He ys emerald and svelte
He will get reallye weirde
If you lie about beltes
The Greene Knighte
Ys Cominge
To Toun
He ys emerald and svelte
He will get reallye weirde
If you lie about beltes
The Greene Knighte
Ys Cominge
To Toun
December 25, 2025 at 9:08 PM
He ys ridinge a horse
He ys emerald and svelte
He will get reallye weirde
If you lie about beltes
The Greene Knighte
Ys Cominge
To Toun
He ys emerald and svelte
He will get reallye weirde
If you lie about beltes
The Greene Knighte
Ys Cominge
To Toun
Reposted by R. A. Coates
As ever @tressiemcphd.bsky.social is brilliant.
"My most daring idea is to refuse."
Yes. Absolutely this.
And I feel like reading BARTLEBY prepared me for this moment.
"My most daring idea is to refuse."
Yes. Absolutely this.
And I feel like reading BARTLEBY prepared me for this moment.
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 2:32 PM
As ever @tressiemcphd.bsky.social is brilliant.
"My most daring idea is to refuse."
Yes. Absolutely this.
And I feel like reading BARTLEBY prepared me for this moment.
"My most daring idea is to refuse."
Yes. Absolutely this.
And I feel like reading BARTLEBY prepared me for this moment.
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Oh. My. Fucking. God.
You must listen to this.
You must listen to this.
I love the fucking internet, part 972964386: "One Night In Bangkok" arranged and performed as a 16th century chanson. youtu.be/i3jHv0GZB9U?...
One Night in Bangkok but it's a 16th century chanson
YouTube video by Jonasquin
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Oh. My. Fucking. God.
You must listen to this.
You must listen to this.
Reposted by R. A. Coates
A colloquial Russian equivalent to “mind your own business” is тебя не ебут, ты не подмахивай. It means “you’re not getting fucked, so don’t wiggle your ass.”
December 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A colloquial Russian equivalent to “mind your own business” is тебя не ебут, ты не подмахивай. It means “you’re not getting fucked, so don’t wiggle your ass.”
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Idk who needs to hear this, but talking to blorbo on the plagerism machine is crossing the picket line.
December 14, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Idk who needs to hear this, but talking to blorbo on the plagerism machine is crossing the picket line.
Reposted by R. A. Coates
“I don’t treat fat people any differently”
(Photos by the inimitable Haley Morris Cafiero: www.haleymorriscafiero.com)
(Photos by the inimitable Haley Morris Cafiero: www.haleymorriscafiero.com)
December 6, 2025 at 6:25 PM
“I don’t treat fat people any differently”
(Photos by the inimitable Haley Morris Cafiero: www.haleymorriscafiero.com)
(Photos by the inimitable Haley Morris Cafiero: www.haleymorriscafiero.com)
Reposted by R. A. Coates
A reminder that Iron Circus is gonna get WALLOPED with Baker & Taylor bankruptcy backdraft for the next several months, turning our usual distro payout into bills.
If you'd like to help a small business making weird-ass comics weather the storm, a 💥30% OFF💥 sale is on now!
store.ironcircus.com
If you'd like to help a small business making weird-ass comics weather the storm, a 💥30% OFF💥 sale is on now!
store.ironcircus.com
Iron Circus Comics
Iron Circus Comics is the premiere publisher of award-winning, critically-acclaimed graphic novels in the American Midwest, a small-mid house built from the ground up by founder C. Spike Trotman.
store.ironcircus.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:39 PM
A reminder that Iron Circus is gonna get WALLOPED with Baker & Taylor bankruptcy backdraft for the next several months, turning our usual distro payout into bills.
If you'd like to help a small business making weird-ass comics weather the storm, a 💥30% OFF💥 sale is on now!
store.ironcircus.com
If you'd like to help a small business making weird-ass comics weather the storm, a 💥30% OFF💥 sale is on now!
store.ironcircus.com
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Reposted by R. A. Coates
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
December 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Reposted by R. A. Coates
It’s #InternationalDisabilitiesDay • I'm a disabled #embroidery artist. My work combines anatomy & symptomatology into #SciArt. Here is body map (2016) in which I stitched my #MECFS symptoms as I felt them.
To learn more about my work, Here’s a recent interview: substack.com/home/post/p-...
To learn more about my work, Here’s a recent interview: substack.com/home/post/p-...
December 3, 2025 at 4:02 PM
It’s #InternationalDisabilitiesDay • I'm a disabled #embroidery artist. My work combines anatomy & symptomatology into #SciArt. Here is body map (2016) in which I stitched my #MECFS symptoms as I felt them.
To learn more about my work, Here’s a recent interview: substack.com/home/post/p-...
To learn more about my work, Here’s a recent interview: substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by R. A. Coates
This is an excellent piece on PEM by @darthfoo.bsky.social. Seriously considering sending to literally everyone I know.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Why I Can’t Just Meet You for Dinner
The Reality of Post-Exertional Malaise
substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This is an excellent piece on PEM by @darthfoo.bsky.social. Seriously considering sending to literally everyone I know.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by R. A. Coates
I found a flowchart which helps you navigate the IT landscape
October 1, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I found a flowchart which helps you navigate the IT landscape
Reposted by R. A. Coates
Interested in reading some queer romance to relax after buying all the things (or staunchly resisting the call to buy all the things)? I have some ebooks on sale:
sextonscottage.com/discount/SOM...
Discount SOMEFRIDAY2025 applies only on ebooks and is good through Sunday night Eastern Time.
sextonscottage.com/discount/SOM...
Discount SOMEFRIDAY2025 applies only on ebooks and is good through Sunday night Eastern Time.
November 28, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Interested in reading some queer romance to relax after buying all the things (or staunchly resisting the call to buy all the things)? I have some ebooks on sale:
sextonscottage.com/discount/SOM...
Discount SOMEFRIDAY2025 applies only on ebooks and is good through Sunday night Eastern Time.
sextonscottage.com/discount/SOM...
Discount SOMEFRIDAY2025 applies only on ebooks and is good through Sunday night Eastern Time.
Reposted by R. A. Coates
One of my favourite books of the last few years, Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh, is on sale for only $2.99 CAD on the Kobo ebook site: www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/...
Some Desperate Glory ebook by Emily Tesh - Rakuten Kobo
Read "Some Desperate Glory" by Emily Tesh available from Rakuten Kobo. Instant National Bestseller and International Bestseller!
Hugo Award Winner for Best Novel!
Arthur C. Clarke Award Final...
www.kobo.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
One of my favourite books of the last few years, Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh, is on sale for only $2.99 CAD on the Kobo ebook site: www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/...