Stephen, kin to Icarus
@stephensnotepad.bsky.social
🐉 SFF Writer ✍🏾 FutureScapes Alum 🏆 Goblin
Connoisseur of historical facts and a purveyor of silly opinions 📜
Husband, Dad, Friend
www.thesecrettalesofsabraden.blog
Connoisseur of historical facts and a purveyor of silly opinions 📜
Husband, Dad, Friend
www.thesecrettalesofsabraden.blog
Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus
Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
December 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
New contest alert!!! The inaugural contest is on January 30, 2026 (happens to be my birthday).
Consider signing up!
www.oddembers.com
Consider signing up!
www.oddembers.com
Odd Embers Writing Contest | Ignite Creativity, Enter Now
Join the Odd Embers Flash Fiction Contest to spark creativity with strange prompts. Submit stories, receive feedback, and compete for prizes and publication.
www.oddembers.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:27 PM
New contest alert!!! The inaugural contest is on January 30, 2026 (happens to be my birthday).
Consider signing up!
www.oddembers.com
Consider signing up!
www.oddembers.com
Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus
I am happy to announce that my Alternative History story won the 2025 Autumn Writing Battle competition.
December 7, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I am happy to announce that my Alternative History story won the 2025 Autumn Writing Battle competition.
I'll take a HM. Great competition and fine outcome, albeit unexpected.
December 5, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I'll take a HM. Great competition and fine outcome, albeit unexpected.
Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus
I have a story out in the wild. Take a peek at "Arrangement in Gray and Yellow" in Stygian Lepus #29
www.stygianlepus.com/r/1cc5c468?m...
www.stygianlepus.com/r/1cc5c468?m...
Edition 29 - OUT NOW
This issue is dedicated in part to the memory of Dennis McFadden—whose final story appears within—celebrating a voice that shaped the magazine’s dark heart.
www.stygianlepus.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:23 PM
I have a story out in the wild. Take a peek at "Arrangement in Gray and Yellow" in Stygian Lepus #29
www.stygianlepus.com/r/1cc5c468?m...
www.stygianlepus.com/r/1cc5c468?m...
Here's the final result of my story! While this is my best performance, I'll say that the best is yet to come!
November 24, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Here's the final result of my story! While this is my best performance, I'll say that the best is yet to come!
This was a nice surprise. My second time ever going to the final showdown!
November 22, 2025 at 1:18 AM
This was a nice surprise. My second time ever going to the final showdown!
www.writingbattle.com/join-battle I joined the upcoming Autumn Short Story Battle with writers from around the world. Get Ready to Battle on Oct 26, 2025! @writingbattle.bsky.social
#flashfiction #writingprompts #writerslife #WritingCommunity #writersofbluesky
Join the Battle and Learn More
#flashfiction #writingprompts #writerslife #WritingCommunity #writersofbluesky
Join the Battle and Learn More
Writing Battle — Write. Read. Win.
Write. Read. Win. A competitive writing platform for storytellers around the world.
Receive oodles of feedback.
Join the most supportive writing community on the web. You up for the chal...
www.writingbattle.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:35 PM
www.writingbattle.com/join-battle I joined the upcoming Autumn Short Story Battle with writers from around the world. Get Ready to Battle on Oct 26, 2025! @writingbattle.bsky.social
#flashfiction #writingprompts #writerslife #WritingCommunity #writersofbluesky
Join the Battle and Learn More
#flashfiction #writingprompts #writerslife #WritingCommunity #writersofbluesky
Join the Battle and Learn More
Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus
Another story day for me! "Bad Advice" is available at @crepuscularmag.bsky.social today, and in 30 days if you don't subscribe (but you should it's cool over there).
September 29th: Bad Advice | Crepuscular Magazine
Get more from Crepuscular Magazine on Patreon
www.patreon.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Another story day for me! "Bad Advice" is available at @crepuscularmag.bsky.social today, and in 30 days if you don't subscribe (but you should it's cool over there).
I'll never understand other writers crapping on peers (after contest results) in online forums.
September 10, 2025 at 3:13 AM
I'll never understand other writers crapping on peers (after contest results) in online forums.
Excited to start this book!
August 11, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Excited to start this book!
In other news, for my first Twisted Tournament writing comp, I received the following trophies:
1x Most Tension ⚡
4x Most Surprising 😲
My story was ranked a 7.87 and with so much amazing talent around that site, I'll take what I can get and work toward greater.
1x Most Tension ⚡
4x Most Surprising 😲
My story was ranked a 7.87 and with so much amazing talent around that site, I'll take what I can get and work toward greater.
June 10, 2025 at 6:57 AM
In other news, for my first Twisted Tournament writing comp, I received the following trophies:
1x Most Tension ⚡
4x Most Surprising 😲
My story was ranked a 7.87 and with so much amazing talent around that site, I'll take what I can get and work toward greater.
1x Most Tension ⚡
4x Most Surprising 😲
My story was ranked a 7.87 and with so much amazing talent around that site, I'll take what I can get and work toward greater.
The swing from "I'm a capable writer." to "What is a word?" is honestly debilitating.
June 10, 2025 at 12:24 AM
The swing from "I'm a capable writer." to "What is a word?" is honestly debilitating.
A bummer of a result since this was my favorite story I've written in a while, but I'm excited to see feedback!
June 6, 2025 at 11:06 PM
A bummer of a result since this was my favorite story I've written in a while, but I'm excited to see feedback!
June 5, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Marketing and lobbying are two (of a few) industries that need to vanish. Tonight.
May 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Marketing and lobbying are two (of a few) industries that need to vanish. Tonight.
About to hop on an Airbus and get shot through the sky!
May 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
About to hop on an Airbus and get shot through the sky!
NYC Midnight
100 Word Mircofiction
Round 1 results?
Ya boy is heading to round 2!
100 Word Mircofiction
Round 1 results?
Ya boy is heading to round 2!
May 15, 2025 at 5:16 AM
NYC Midnight
100 Word Mircofiction
Round 1 results?
Ya boy is heading to round 2!
100 Word Mircofiction
Round 1 results?
Ya boy is heading to round 2!
Coming back from my first kettlebell wo.
If you didn't know, the kettle is not to be trifled with.
If you didn't know, the kettle is not to be trifled with.
May 11, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Coming back from my first kettlebell wo.
If you didn't know, the kettle is not to be trifled with.
If you didn't know, the kettle is not to be trifled with.
Life has the sickest sense of humor.
May 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Life has the sickest sense of humor.
Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus
It's new story day! Available for Crepuscular patrons today, my story "June 6, 1944" is the first queer thing I've sold, and the first (and probably only ever?) non-spec story.
Crepuscular welcomes Christopher Doty! "June 6, 1944" is available to Patrons today! Watch for it May 29th or join the Patreon to read it and all our early releases, plus exclusives from our authors.
April 29, 2025 at 11:05 AM
It's new story day! Available for Crepuscular patrons today, my story "June 6, 1944" is the first queer thing I've sold, and the first (and probably only ever?) non-spec story.
Round 1 of @writingbattle.bsky.social results:
My story, Where the Bleeding Heart Grows, received a "bumblebee" trophy for being Confidently Creative! And on a point for an early win, and I'm a happy camper.
My story, Where the Bleeding Heart Grows, received a "bumblebee" trophy for being Confidently Creative! And on a point for an early win, and I'm a happy camper.
April 30, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Round 1 of @writingbattle.bsky.social results:
My story, Where the Bleeding Heart Grows, received a "bumblebee" trophy for being Confidently Creative! And on a point for an early win, and I'm a happy camper.
My story, Where the Bleeding Heart Grows, received a "bumblebee" trophy for being Confidently Creative! And on a point for an early win, and I'm a happy camper.
Check it out!
Ed and Amanda have me on the chopping block!
Ed and Amanda have me on the chopping block!
It's Daredevil time!
This week, we run S. A. Braden's #NotQuiteWritePrize entry, 'Say the Words', through the wringer 😈
If you write flash and love speculative fiction in particular, you're not going to want to miss this, as we reveal the secret to delivering satisfying spec-fic in just 500 words.
This week, we run S. A. Braden's #NotQuiteWritePrize entry, 'Say the Words', through the wringer 😈
If you write flash and love speculative fiction in particular, you're not going to want to miss this, as we reveal the secret to delivering satisfying spec-fic in just 500 words.
April 4, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Check it out!
Ed and Amanda have me on the chopping block!
Ed and Amanda have me on the chopping block!
Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus
🚨Attention Not-Quite-Writers!🚨
We've released a new members-only article, with tips on delivering more compelling character descriptions.
Comp entrants, there's now no excuse for lacklustre characters who are little more than their emerald eyes and chestnut locks!
Link ⬇️
We've released a new members-only article, with tips on delivering more compelling character descriptions.
Comp entrants, there's now no excuse for lacklustre characters who are little more than their emerald eyes and chestnut locks!
Link ⬇️
March 22, 2025 at 9:48 PM
🚨Attention Not-Quite-Writers!🚨
We've released a new members-only article, with tips on delivering more compelling character descriptions.
Comp entrants, there's now no excuse for lacklustre characters who are little more than their emerald eyes and chestnut locks!
Link ⬇️
We've released a new members-only article, with tips on delivering more compelling character descriptions.
Comp entrants, there's now no excuse for lacklustre characters who are little more than their emerald eyes and chestnut locks!
Link ⬇️