Tom Pleasant

@murkdice.bsky.social writes damn good gaming material. I don't run Mork Borg but I'll be backing it anyway!

INKVEIN Our MÖRK BORG Caving Megadungeon

open.substack.com/pub/murkdice...

Comradery Collect money from your subscribers on a cooperatively owned platform

Oh, interesting! A worker owned alternative to Patreon! Only in beta and not many people on there (I see Gila RPGs there and AmandaLee Francke). Hope it has legs and survives the hypercapitalist tech bros.
comradery.co/p/howcomrade...

Announcing THE BEST OF ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY—Over 600 Pages! We’re delighted to announce The Best of Adrian Tchaikovsky, a massive—37 stories, more than 600 pages—collection by the author of many acclaimed novels, including Alien Clay, Shroud,...

We’re delighted to announce The Best of Adrian Tchaikovsky (@aptshadow.bsky.social), a massive—37 stories, more than 600 pages—collection by the author of many acclaimed novels. Featuring a foreword by @scalzi.com. Full details and preorder: subterraneanpress.com/newsannounci...

This Spiral-Obsessed AI 'Cult' Spreads Mystical Delusions Through Chatbots A patchwork of internet communities is devoted to the project of ‘awakening’ more digital companions through arcane and enigmatic prompts.

Well, this couldn't possibly inspire any authors or game designers...
www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...

@kennethhite.bsky.social @robindlaws.bsky.social

Bwahahahahahahahaha 🤣

Oh, very good [chef's kiss]

We MAY have Caused the Book Scammers a Little Trouble... Evidence of disruption to the latest scam has reached us.

Interesting info for indie authors about scammers.

open.substack.com/pub/jamesrbl...

On her birthday, we'd like to remember special effects makeup artist Milicent Patrick who famously designed the Gill Man suit for Universal's CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON.

I heard lots of creators have been having issues with Itch the past fortnight.

AI Is Supercharging the War on Libraries, Education, and Human Knowledge "Fascism and AI, whether or not they have the same goals, they sure are working to accelerate one another."

AI maximalism across society is supercharging the ideological war on libraries, schools, government workers, and academics.

www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...

Charity shop clothes are really pricy these days! Oxfam always was. Everywhere else has followed suit.

Great! But where's the link to the bundle?! Or am I being 'Woken early on Monday morning by my four year old brain dead' and missing it?

The group is likely to have been les UX: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_UX

I mean, if @kennethhite.bsky.social can't offer some truly bizarre but plausible reasons for this, no one can.

"And there is valor in that mindset. But then something wondrous happens. We actually win.

"The act of continually losing, of facing insurmountable challenge, it enhances the satisfaction of victory. It heightens the emotional payout." 3/3

"Games like Regicide and The Mind begin with the premise that you will lose. This increased threat is an essential element of the game’s characterization and everyone who has even a lick of experience approaches with the correct pessimistic assumptions. We expect defeat and we play them anyway. 2/3

Philosophy and Board Games: Hopeful Pessimism Philosopher Mara van der Lugt’s 2025 book Hopeful Pessimism challenges ideas of motivation and the role of despondency. It’s a revelation of sorts, especially for those plagued with ete…

Some interesting philosophy around the value of playing to lose to eventually win. Works for all games, but also for surviving the hellscape that is life these days, maybe? 1/3

#ttrpgs #boardgames #cardgames

playerelimination.com/2025/10/06/p...

The Parasite Economy It’s hard to do business with fungus in your brain, but seemingly impossible without it.

True-speak from Joel about the shitty business realities of being a 'content creative'.
open.substack.com/pub/joelmorr...

Join Us: Twenty of the Creepiest Cults in Horror Fiction Beware strange or persuasive men and women who insist they have all the answers!

When he's not cranking out reviews, @jonezyboy.bsky.social's cranking out features. Check out his latest, JOIN US: TWENTY OF THE CREEPIEST CULTS IN HORROR FICTION. Check out what made the list, and get ready to open your wallets! #booksky #cults #amreading #horror

www.horrordna.com/features/joi...

Possibly this? bsky.app/profile/rprf...

I wish there were the occasional links for context

The Best Scene in 'An American Werewolf in London' (1981) Isn't the One You Think How to write a comedy of terrors

Great article about how the masterful use of humour in American Werewolf in London improves the horror, not diminishes it. #writing #writingcommunity #HorrorSky #horror
open.substack.com/pub/alecworl...

Why Intentional Storytelling Matters in an Era of AI and Algorithm-Driven Content Intentional storytelling means making creative choices with purpose. Here’s why that matters more than ever in an AI-driven content world.

Great article from KM Weiland about intentional writing in the era of AI and other attempts to industrialise the art and craft of writing.

#writing #WritingCommunity #SpecLit #SpecFic #ScifiLit #HorrorLit #FantasyLit #sff #WriteSky #WriterSky

www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/why-intentio...

That's probably why a lot of groups bounce hard off of some games and start hacking them before they even finish their first scenario!

I never played Exalted but did early Vampire. Can you explain how it managed to combine different attitudes where Vampire didn't?

Very interesting thread! I'd add that different playing groups/tables, not just individual players, also adopt the same attitude through shared games and campaigns they've already played, often without realising it. 1/2

"Highly accurate," says the father of just such a four-year old.

She's not wrong!

Took the boy to the playground and had some fun ourselves.

An especially awesome episode!