Matthew Cushing Author

Nearly Done with a Novel, so Time to Plan the Next Adventure I’m nearly ready to tie the bow on a creative project. A novel in this case.

“Nearly Done with a Novel, so Time to Plan the Next Adventure“ by Oliver “Shiny” Blakemore on Medium: olivershiny.medium.com/nearly-done-...

#writerslife

Censorship vs Cultural Sensitivity A recent debate sprang up in my online critique group over whether or not to publish a particular story on the website. The story had won an award and publishing was part of the prize. But the story c...

A debate in my critique group led to this blog/opinion post about censorship vs cultural sensitivity. It's a tough subject and I don't claim to know all the answers, but censorship is a slippery slope.

www.matthewcushing.com/post/censors...

Well done, Mike!

If you didn't get signed up in time but still want to read my latest newsletter, go to www.matthewcushing.com/newsletters for the latest edition.

And while you're there, don't forget to sign up for next quarter's mailing list. You won't be disappointed--it's worth twice the price! (It's free.)

If you enjoy stories that make you chuckle, then this is the anthology for you.

In paperback and Kindle.
#writers #newbooks #fantasybooks #shillingforsales

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Every writer. Period.

I think they are a great tool as well, particularly in fiction writing.

Fewer, Marie. It's fewer.

#SpecFic #QueerBookSky #QueerAdultSFF #QueerAuthors #TransAuthors

Breaking is Fixing: Editing the Ship of Theseus I collect stories about stories. One of my favorite ones is the story that none of the successful Die Hard movies began life as Die Hard movies. The first Die Hard movie’s script started as a sequel t...

New blog.

#writing

rmfw.org/breaking-is-...

Madam, Don't Forget Your Sword: Tales of the Companions, Sidekicks, and Minions Madam, Don't Forget Your Sword: Tales of the Companions, Sidekicks, and Minions [Davis, Helen E, Davis, Elizabeth M] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Madam, Don't Forget Your Sword: Tales of the Companions, Sidekicks, and Minions

The anthology Madam, Don't Forget Your Sword - about sidekicks, companions, and minions - is now available for sale on Amazon with 28 funny and clever tales about those who make sure their superhero (or villain) have clean clothes and gas in the car.

Give it a read.

www.amazon.com/Madam-Dont-F...

My next quarterly newsletter is about to go out, so if you're interested in speculative fiction and want to learn more about my writing, please visit matthewcushing.com and sign up.

Beta Reading Readiness You’ve finished your novel and think you’re ready for a beta read. Are you sure? Like all steps along the planning-writing-editing path of novel creation, beta reading has a specific purpose. And the ...

Lots of ideas of what a Beta Read is and isn't and in what state the manuscript should be. Here's my take:
www.matthewcushing.com/post/beta-re...

#amwriting #amediting

My new book is officially available: Solve It! The Only Speedsolving Guide for Blind Cubers. It's $1.99 from reasonable booksellers and a buck more from the gorilla in the room. Your purchase supports creating content for the blind and feeds my latte addiction. books2read.com/u/3JY87Q

Horror isn't oversaturated with message films; great horror films have ALWAYS had solid themes. The current horror renaissance means the genre's audience is larger, and many viewers simply don't seem to "get" the films that convey a nuanced message through a dark, twisted, and often fucked-up lens.

My May blog is live! This month's post includes my summer writing plans, project word counts and percentages, the month's watch and read lists with star rankings, and more.

Monthly word count: 32,741
2025 word count to date: 97,895

#writingcommunity #monthlywrapup #booksky #writinggoals

If you have to hide your face to do your job, you're guilty, ashamed, or embarrassed (or just a coward). It should be an indication something's wrong with what you're doing.

Love it when you can find "the zone"! Enjoy it!

20-day TBR book challenge. Choose 20 books from your precariously teetering emotional support stacks! One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no expectations, just covers. 20/20
#BookSky #bookchallenge #20TBRbookchallenge
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More Than Electric Sheep - Uncharted Overhead lighting is disabled. It is late at the Home for Aging A.I.s, and my internal clock counts the passing of each solitary electron. By the dim glow of our power indicators, my stereopticon disc...

Was just re-reading a poignant story about aging and memory--and A.I.s! A fantastic short story from my good friend @paulmartz.bsky.social

www.unchartedmag.com/stories/more...

Overgrowth by Mira Grant

Overgrowth by Mira Grant is a sci-fi horror novel about what it means to be human narrated by Stasia, an alien plant wearing a human skin suit. Think War of the Worlds meets Little Shop of Horrors.

My 4.5-star review is linked below.

#tornightfire #overgrowth #scifihorror

Call to Adventure – Colorado Gold Writers Conference 2025 I decided a few years ago that I needed to take my career more seriously. I knew how to write sentences, and sort of knew how to write stories. What I was missing, I decided, was open mic nights. I kn...

Wrote a blog. How's your writing career?
#writing
rmfw.org/call-to-adve...

Where ever you're finding a new Caddy for $20k - Buy it!

You mean actually getting permission from the artist instead of stealing their work would shut down the vast criminal enterprise?

And... what's the problem here?

Sadly I do not believe in reincarnation, but I allow it might be possible that when I die, the entity playing me may go back to an earlier save point and see if they can get a different outcome.

Great take on giving writing advice, or should I say NOT giving writing advice.

specficwriters.com/do-not-take-...

#amwriting

When a Government is scientifically illiterate, but doesn’t know it, then its actions (or inactions) can be a recipe for the dismantling of an informed and enlightened Democracy.
#ScienceMatters

I stand with Rep. LaMonica McIver.

This is a political stunt—point blank.

Submissions open soon.