Brian Watson

Attending the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights didn't destroy my closet. And in retrospect, I was glad to be in that closet for many years after. Can't come out yet? Your queer elders and siblings love you no matter what.
open.substack.com/pu...

Today’s issue of Out of Japan discusses two steps forward and a kilometer of steps backward. Japan has just embraced its far-right demons and welcomed corruption back into its government.

iambrianwatson.subst...

Thank you!

Tuesday morning, one of my dream literary agents requested my full manuscript. (She knew it was in revision and asked for as much as was ready.) in between a cancer screening (I’m fine!) and recovery, and all weekend long, I finished everything. The complete MS is on her desk!

I drew a tarot card, the World, at the start of the year. And although the 2025 has yet to finish, I’ve been astounded by that card’s power. Deeper friendships, many celebrations, lots of writing, successes at work, and love, love, love. Gratitude doesn’t begin to describe it.

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Winning gave me a unique opportunity. I attended an after party and had the chance to pitch my memoir to a few agents. Both of them asked me to send my proposal. And I’ve done so. I am an award-winning author!
3/3

When they called my name as the third place winner, I briefly panicked. My body started shaking, something unintelligible escaped my throat, and I tried, in vain, to take a photograph of the display. But as I passed it on my way to the dais, I proclaimed, “I’m that bitch!“
2/3

Last night, I attended an awards dinner. It’s the annual Pacific Northwest writers Association conference this weekend, and I submitted the first 12 pages of my memoir’s manuscript back in April for their annual unpublished book contest. Last month, I was named a finalist.
1/3

My Alaskan cousin and her mom, my godmother from Indianapolis, were in Seattle last night before embarking on a cruise this morning. The four of us had a blast, sharing memories. Hours of nonstop love.

Of identity, certainly. I think the perception of memory is harder to pin down. Age itself, however, makes me reconsider the accuracy and steadfastness of memory.

Thank you!

The red pen edits are complete. Most pages were lightly touched, some got more attention (and yes, Oscar Wilde was Victorian at his peak, not Edwardian), but I get to work on the computer version now. Is the manuscript going to be better as a result? Certainly.

I love our hugs!

The official anniversary won’t be until September 14th, but I’ve (gratefully) already taken delivery of the award that recognizes my first decade of full-time employment (after nearly another decade of contract employment) at Nintendo. I’ve met so many amazing people here.

I started off using a soft pink called Yozakura, nighttime cherry blossoms, but when I needed to refill the pen, I chose a more vivid red from my Pilot Centennial collection, named for Bishamonten, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune.

A clear cased fountain pen atop a coil-bound manuscript, sitting on a pile of books.

Taking advantage of the holiday to review my memoir’s manuscript again. Looking at:
Verb tense consistency.
Places where end notes are needed.
Visual cues for other characters.
Potential plot holes after earlier revisions.
Errant spelling errors
300 pages. I’ve got this.

James Dobson has gone to his damnation, but his legacy affects all Americans. Queer couples can arm themselves for the next wave of judicial prejudice, though. Learn more at open.substack.com/pu...

Thank you, Jennifer, for this boost.

It’d be 喉寂しい. Nodosabishii. 😉

🙏🏻

My many thanks to the memoir category judges at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. My manuscript, Crying in a Foreign Language was named one of five finalists for the 2025 Unpublished Book Contest. Winners will be announced on September 13th.

REVIEW: No Offense: A Memoir in Essays by Jackie Domenus | Hippocampus Magazine No Offense is a coming-out memoir that details the many twists and turns Jackie Domenus experiences as they grapple with their own authentic identities

Endless gratitude to @iambrianwatson.bsky.social for this lovely review of NO OFFENSE in @hippocampusmag.bsky.social! hippocampusmagazine.com/2025/08/revi...

The author during his first year in Japan, visiting a historical recreation village.

The author during his fourth year in Japan, meeting former prime minister Takeshita.

The author during his fifth year in Japan with the man he fell in love with.

The author and his husband returning in 2023 to the Kobe shrine that first united them in 1993.

Is it AIDS I run from when I move to Japan in 1988? Or is it anxiety, grief, and even joy? Crying in a Foreign Language reunites all of me, weaving narrative and flashbacks with historical research on AIDS, queerness, and Japan.
#QueerPit #A #MEM

Thank you!

A film that Hiro and I worked on the translation for (together with my friend Manako and her daughter Hana) is coming to Apple TV on September 1st. It’s an amazing story about a Japanese automotive family, and I’m honored that Hiro and I were involved.

Configure the top three options to maximize your privacy. Set Location to never. Set Contacts to none. And set Photos to limited access. I also disable Apple Intelligence, and the background app refresh option, to save battery power. Repeat for all social media apps.
3/3