Marie Brennan
@swantower.bsky.social
Author of the Memoirs of Lady Trent. Also one half of M.A. Carrick. She/her.
Pinned
Marie Brennan
@swantower.bsky.social
· Jan 7
Okay, this is a thread for U.S. folks, but also anybody facing political woes at home. I'm pinning this to my profile as an irregularly updated thread for advice and links on how to take action/take care of yourself. Scroll through it any time you need reminders (that's what I'll be doing myself).
Reposted by Marie Brennan
1st, you've probably heard this before, but pay in cash when you can. Every time you swipe or tap it costs the store, eh, 2-4% of the total of the transaction. That may not sound like much but for small businesses 2-5% can be the difference between being nervous & comfortable, even open or closed...
November 26, 2025 at 10:26 PM
1st, you've probably heard this before, but pay in cash when you can. Every time you swipe or tap it costs the store, eh, 2-4% of the total of the transaction. That may not sound like much but for small businesses 2-5% can be the difference between being nervous & comfortable, even open or closed...
Reposted by Marie Brennan
Double issue of MicroVerse Spec Flash Roundup with Oct-Nov recs!
Flash Roundup * October-November 2025
A gathering of recent speculative flash & micro fiction, each presenting a tiny-yet-powerful universe. How tiny? About one-thousand words for flash; four-hundred words for micro. The word count…
mynachang.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Double issue of MicroVerse Spec Flash Roundup with Oct-Nov recs!
Reposted by Marie Brennan
What are the odds that these ICE folks who can’t risk unmasking now were complaining endlessly about having to wear a mask during the peak of COVID?
November 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
What are the odds that these ICE folks who can’t risk unmasking now were complaining endlessly about having to wear a mask during the peak of COVID?
Reposted by Marie Brennan
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.
Reposted by Marie Brennan
Since I have a BackerKit store for the Rook & Rose pattern deck *anyway*, I might as well add more things to it! So if you want signed bookplates for the Memoirs of Lady Trent or foreign language editions of both my books and M.A. Carrick's, check it out!
pattern-deck.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
pattern-deck.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Pre-order Rook and Rose Pattern Deck on BackerKit
Oracle cards for divination and games -- shipping now!
pattern-deck.backerkit.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Since I have a BackerKit store for the Rook & Rose pattern deck *anyway*, I might as well add more things to it! So if you want signed bookplates for the Memoirs of Lady Trent or foreign language editions of both my books and M.A. Carrick's, check it out!
pattern-deck.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
pattern-deck.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Reposted by Marie Brennan
You know, I'm not sure I ever really read the Pond Rules at our local nature preserve all that closely before
November 25, 2025 at 1:24 AM
You know, I'm not sure I ever really read the Pond Rules at our local nature preserve all that closely before
Reposted by Marie Brennan
The first #altHallelujah I ever saw, I think on tumblr. Cant find the original anymore to credit it. Does anyone know who wrote this?
December 24, 2024 at 2:45 AM
The first #altHallelujah I ever saw, I think on tumblr. Cant find the original anymore to credit it. Does anyone know who wrote this?
Reposted by Marie Brennan
🎶 Two vast and trunkless legs do stand
Out in the desert, where the sand
Extends around them, measureless and bare-oh.
And stamped upon these lifeless things:
“I’m Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair-oh!" 🎶
#altHallelujah
Out in the desert, where the sand
Extends around them, measureless and bare-oh.
And stamped upon these lifeless things:
“I’m Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair-oh!" 🎶
#altHallelujah
November 1, 2025 at 9:13 PM
🎶 Two vast and trunkless legs do stand
Out in the desert, where the sand
Extends around them, measureless and bare-oh.
And stamped upon these lifeless things:
“I’m Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair-oh!" 🎶
#altHallelujah
Out in the desert, where the sand
Extends around them, measureless and bare-oh.
And stamped upon these lifeless things:
“I’m Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair-oh!" 🎶
#altHallelujah
Since I have a BackerKit store for the Rook & Rose pattern deck *anyway*, I might as well add more things to it! So if you want signed bookplates for the Memoirs of Lady Trent or foreign language editions of both my books and M.A. Carrick's, check it out!
pattern-deck.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
pattern-deck.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Pre-order Rook and Rose Pattern Deck on BackerKit
Oracle cards for divination and games -- shipping now!
pattern-deck.backerkit.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Since I have a BackerKit store for the Rook & Rose pattern deck *anyway*, I might as well add more things to it! So if you want signed bookplates for the Memoirs of Lady Trent or foreign language editions of both my books and M.A. Carrick's, check it out!
pattern-deck.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
pattern-deck.backerkit.com/hosted_preor...
Reposted by Marie Brennan
*STRONGLY* Agee. Worked hard not to do this in class this year. "Content" elides the work and focuses on the box that it's filling. It's an unironic "say we make widgets" for corpos.
Inspired by someone elsewhere, I hereby vow to try to avoid the terms "content" and "content creator," unless I *must* talk about work across so many fields that a generic term is the only one that will suffice. Let's not reduce art, criticism, journalism, etc. to an undifferentiated smear of Stuff.
November 24, 2025 at 1:24 AM
*STRONGLY* Agee. Worked hard not to do this in class this year. "Content" elides the work and focuses on the box that it's filling. It's an unironic "say we make widgets" for corpos.
Reposted by Marie Brennan
Yes, please. The word "content" reduces complex art and discourse to a status that justifies their use as fodder for the "AI" maw.
And we should consider the phrase "content creator" offensive for that reason.
And we should consider the phrase "content creator" offensive for that reason.
Inspired by someone elsewhere, I hereby vow to try to avoid the terms "content" and "content creator," unless I *must* talk about work across so many fields that a generic term is the only one that will suffice. Let's not reduce art, criticism, journalism, etc. to an undifferentiated smear of Stuff.
November 23, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Yes, please. The word "content" reduces complex art and discourse to a status that justifies their use as fodder for the "AI" maw.
And we should consider the phrase "content creator" offensive for that reason.
And we should consider the phrase "content creator" offensive for that reason.
Reposted by Marie Brennan
1000x This. This term has demeaned the work of so many artists and reduced their labor to some kind of commodity 'content' whose value they can race to the bottom
Inspired by someone elsewhere, I hereby vow to try to avoid the terms "content" and "content creator," unless I *must* talk about work across so many fields that a generic term is the only one that will suffice. Let's not reduce art, criticism, journalism, etc. to an undifferentiated smear of Stuff.
November 23, 2025 at 9:58 PM
1000x This. This term has demeaned the work of so many artists and reduced their labor to some kind of commodity 'content' whose value they can race to the bottom
Reposted by Marie Brennan
In the same vein, calling employees “human capital”, “human resources”, “resources”, or “capitalized labor”. It objectifies people and simplifies their contributions to the employer.
November 23, 2025 at 11:38 PM
In the same vein, calling employees “human capital”, “human resources”, “resources”, or “capitalized labor”. It objectifies people and simplifies their contributions to the employer.
Reposted by Marie Brennan
A million percent this. I remember when the BBC first started using the terms "talent" and "content creators". People used to get really ratty when one fought back.
November 23, 2025 at 10:51 PM
A million percent this. I remember when the BBC first started using the terms "talent" and "content creators". People used to get really ratty when one fought back.
Reposted by Marie Brennan
My similar practice is avoiding "consume" to describe engaging with media. I read, I watch, I listen. None of that uses up anything the way consumption does.
November 23, 2025 at 10:52 PM
My similar practice is avoiding "consume" to describe engaging with media. I read, I watch, I listen. None of that uses up anything the way consumption does.
Reposted by Marie Brennan
My personal version of this is training myself to stop saying "talent" when I really mean "skill". I want to stop erasing the effort that goes into creative work.
November 23, 2025 at 9:28 PM
My personal version of this is training myself to stop saying "talent" when I really mean "skill". I want to stop erasing the effort that goes into creative work.
Reposted by Marie Brennan
Issue 100 has been cancelled... BUT!!! Issue 98 has wonderful works for you to read! AND issue 99 will be out soon, with more stunning offerings by amazing writers!
🐉Read something *Fantastic*!🧜🏽
psychopomp.com/fantasy/issu...
🐉Read something *Fantastic*!🧜🏽
psychopomp.com/fantasy/issu...
Fantasy Magazine - issue 98 | Psychopomp
Fantasy Magazine Issue 98 features work by: Eleanor Ball, Christian Emecheta, Sunwoo Jeong, Mateo Perez Lara, Tracie McBride, Eleanna Castroianni
psychopomp.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Issue 100 has been cancelled... BUT!!! Issue 98 has wonderful works for you to read! AND issue 99 will be out soon, with more stunning offerings by amazing writers!
🐉Read something *Fantastic*!🧜🏽
psychopomp.com/fantasy/issu...
🐉Read something *Fantastic*!🧜🏽
psychopomp.com/fantasy/issu...
Inspired by someone elsewhere, I hereby vow to try to avoid the terms "content" and "content creator," unless I *must* talk about work across so many fields that a generic term is the only one that will suffice. Let's not reduce art, criticism, journalism, etc. to an undifferentiated smear of Stuff.
November 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Inspired by someone elsewhere, I hereby vow to try to avoid the terms "content" and "content creator," unless I *must* talk about work across so many fields that a generic term is the only one that will suffice. Let's not reduce art, criticism, journalism, etc. to an undifferentiated smear of Stuff.
Evidence suggests that I am pretty decent at one catchy cover phrase or 2-3 paragraphs of jacket copy for my books . . . but ask me to come up with an elevator pitch or a full synopsis and I faceplant. I only work well at very specific and intermittent lengths, apparently!
November 21, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Evidence suggests that I am pretty decent at one catchy cover phrase or 2-3 paragraphs of jacket copy for my books . . . but ask me to come up with an elevator pitch or a full synopsis and I faceplant. I only work well at very specific and intermittent lengths, apparently!
Reposted by Marie Brennan
MYTHIC DELIRIUM returns w/ new books in 2026‼️
The 1st step toward that goal’s underway, w/ the forthcoming publication of Haralambi Markov’s debut collection of horror & Weird fiction THE LANGUAGE OF KNIVES. (Introduction by @annvandermeer.bsky.social!)
Sale link here! bit.ly/BoneSwans10th
[1/3]
The 1st step toward that goal’s underway, w/ the forthcoming publication of Haralambi Markov’s debut collection of horror & Weird fiction THE LANGUAGE OF KNIVES. (Introduction by @annvandermeer.bsky.social!)
Sale link here! bit.ly/BoneSwans10th
[1/3]
![MYTHIC DELIRIUM returns in 2026
At least that’s the goal! And the first phase is underway, with the forthcoming publication of Haralambi Markov’s debut collection of horror & Weird fiction, THE LANGUAGE OF KNIVES. (Introduction by Ann VanderMeer!)
In a celebration of Mythic Delirium-enabled debuts, we’ve made C.S.E. Cooney’s BONE SWANS—which turned 10 years old this year—Barbara Krasnoff’s THE HISTORY OF SOUL 2065, and Yukimi Ogawa’s LIKE SMOKE, LIKE LIGHT available at HUGE discounts [US Only] in e-book AND paperback editions, WITH pre-orders of LANGUAGE OF KNIVES + shipping costs included in the prices!
Please check it out & spread the word—all found here: https://bit.ly/BoneSwans10th](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:34kxslvwt3munerk3wppza6w/bafkreiftcu2krcb6ustnsonv7ez7x56udhhashfp6xtq7ol4qdtdzuumiy@jpeg)
November 17, 2025 at 11:16 PM
MYTHIC DELIRIUM returns w/ new books in 2026‼️
The 1st step toward that goal’s underway, w/ the forthcoming publication of Haralambi Markov’s debut collection of horror & Weird fiction THE LANGUAGE OF KNIVES. (Introduction by @annvandermeer.bsky.social!)
Sale link here! bit.ly/BoneSwans10th
[1/3]
The 1st step toward that goal’s underway, w/ the forthcoming publication of Haralambi Markov’s debut collection of horror & Weird fiction THE LANGUAGE OF KNIVES. (Introduction by @annvandermeer.bsky.social!)
Sale link here! bit.ly/BoneSwans10th
[1/3]
Reposted by Marie Brennan
Morning Kittens
November 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Morning Kittens
I put to you all:
What type of game would "Shenanigrams" be?
What type of game would "Shenanigrams" be?
November 15, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I put to you all:
What type of game would "Shenanigrams" be?
What type of game would "Shenanigrams" be?
Reposted by Marie Brennan
Love to see community action against this AI nonsense! neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d...
November 14, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Love to see community action against this AI nonsense! neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d...
Reposted by Marie Brennan
My mom’s working on her Ph.D, and her dissertation is on Super Heroes as modern mythology. If you could take a few minutes to answer questions about your experiences with super hero media, it would help her a lot!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Linda Mae Superhero Questionnaire
Linda Mae is writing her thesis about superhero archetypes as modern mythology, and she would like your help! Please fill out the questionnaire below to assist with her research.
docs.google.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:21 PM
My mom’s working on her Ph.D, and her dissertation is on Super Heroes as modern mythology. If you could take a few minutes to answer questions about your experiences with super hero media, it would help her a lot!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Marie Brennan
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 9:10 AM
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.