Aodh Alexander

In honor of the cyclical nature of time (especially on Groundhog Day), here’s some excellent advice from one of my favorite out-of-print calendars: Dreyer’s English (2022), from @bcdreyer.social

“Passive Voice Is to Be Avoided”

#writesky #writersofbluesky @writingcommunity.bsky.social

It’s excellent, top-to-bottom. One of the wonderful booksellers at The Strand in NY suggested it as a follow-up to Buffalo Hunter Hunter (by Stephen Graham Jones) and I’ve been raving about “Never Whistle…” ever since!

I just saw that on your page! I’ve been really taking my time with ‘Never Whistle…’, so it’s exciting to hear that there’s another whole collection coming down the pipeline!

The entire Never Whistle at Night anthology absolutely rocks, but ‘Behind Colin’s Eyes’ by @shanehawk.com sat me straight down. A killer, close-perspective trip into the woods in a subtly desperate search for dinner gone way wrong.

#booksky #horror @booksky.bsky.social

Killer spot! What’s the drink of choice? I have a local spot with a lot of plants and sunlight that does an excellent cortado—no better way to get writing than a shot of pure caffeine!

Seconded!

The Phoenix airport really knows what’s up. @stephenking.bsky.social and @sgj.bsky.social? Someone’s got killer taste in here.

#booksky #horrorlit #horrorwriters

Wow, Seattle’s gorgeous! Between the sunrise on Mt. Rainier and the fog boiling up out of the Sound to spill over downtown, I’m seeing nothing but killer views on this work trip!

#betweenrainandsnow #travel #cascadia

Dr Kareem Carr man: i wish to publish @kareem_carr Jan 21 reviewer 2: your paper is no good man: i'll do anything to improve reviewer 2: it's simple. you must read the work of the great scientist Pagliarini man: *bursts into tears* but i am Pagliarini Andre Pagliarini @apagliar Jan 21 a first: in rejecting an article I submitted to a journal, reviewer 2 noted I failed to engage the work of one Andre Pagliarini Jan 21, 2026 • 3:47 PM UTC

I just thought everyone should see this

2026 Fiction Submissions Strange Horizons January 19 to 21

Strange Horizons fiction submissions open next Monday!

The window will be open for 48 hours from 3 p.m. UTC on January 19th 2026 to 3 p.m. UTC on January 21st 2026.

There will be no cap.

More information on submitting, including the link to our Moksha portal ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/submit/ficti...

I’ve always enjoyed Poirots as great road trip companions; nothing to do but listen and keep track of the odd suspicious side-character. Which three did you end up saving for last?

That’s the one! I really dig the theme of this contest, so I think the winning stories will be right up my alley whether I’m included or not!

Interesting! Is this a semester reading list in the works?

Wow, that’s got to be striking…like it’s all dipped in blood. Seems like a Dracula special edition sort of bonus!

Hey, I was shortlisted in this one, too! Glad to have found a kindred spirit for this contest—best of luck to you and your Big Moose!

I have no doubts about that! This is the kind of cover I’d see in a rental store whose movie would end up scarring me for years. Great horror novel energy!

WOW, I love the cover on this one. Looks like an 80’s horror VHS!

I always thought the hate was overblown. They ended up right where they belonged! The trial may have been a little much and all, but I think the end result is overall satisfying for me—they’re still complaining about the same inane stuff as always, even behind bars.

Was it controversial? I guess I haven’t really dug into discussion feeds about it very deeply, but I’ve only heard overall satisfaction from those I know who finished it!

Cool concept! How did you find the publishing process? Was this self-pubbed?

Killer excerpt! I love the name “Treetop Hollow”, too. It immediately evokes the same resolute/solitary forest vibes that the excerpt highlights!

And what does Bessica think of the first draft? Was her attention ra(p)t?

Radical imagery! Such a romantic way to describe a war-torn landscape.

Looks like the judge is feeling the spooky vibes! 🩸🐦‍⬛🩸

Blood of Crow has been selected for the shortlist of the @unchartedmag.bsky.social‘s What the Wild Carries contest! Totally honored to have made it this far with my short, bloody story. 💙📚✍️

#writing #horrorwriters @writingcommunity.bsky.social

I love the idea of Kevin going into dentistry!

I always wished they’d gotten the gang back together to flip the script, with Kevin being a spy or international criminal and needing to break into a fortified museum so he calls on Harry and Marv for help. Does “Rome Alone” play? “Home Together”?

Finally catching up on Stranger Things and WOW, the first season is strong. From the three classic horror storylines (kids find an oddball, teens find a monster, adults find a shadowy org) to some legitimately terrifying moments (the alphabet wall light sequence), it rocks!

#strangerthings #writing

Stranger Things seasons 1 and 2 feel like “book 1”, and 4/5 feels like “book 2”, with 3 as the connecting tissue.

Just finished season 2 again and the show could end right here. All the stories are tied off, including a classic teen romance ending of wistful acceptance.

#strangerthings #writing

“Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo” is a work of homonymous art. What other words work as city names, verbs, and plural nouns? Trout? Pants?

“Pants pants Pants pants pants pants Pants pants”

I think I just found the subtitle for my memoir.

#writingcommunity #writing

Killer quote pairing for the subject matter!

Absolutely floored to have not one but two of my novel excerpts selected for the longlist of the @unchartedmag.bsky.social What the Wild Carries contest last week! Here’s hoping the judge is looking for either spooky or beach bum vibes this winter! 💙📚📝
@writingcommunity.bsky.social #writing