Brian Peter Falk

WKND READ REC 19
Still in a renewed Philip K. Dick phase. While this is another example of a book title missing the mark (not always his strong suit) this is a Martian colony unlike any other — and an early use of his “precogs” concept. So much fun to read. #writersky #booksky #amquerying #scifi

WKND READ REC 18
In my last rec, I featured a Sanderson door stopper. This book is, in important ways, the exact opposite. Quick, light, a pamphlet by comparison. But a study in immersive world building and relatable characters. Funny how more isn’t always more. #booksky #writersky #amquerying

WKND READ REC 17
This is an engaging read. As a #sff writer trying to sell a book it also raises a conundrum about world building and complexity. It’s wonderfully detailed, but at 1K pages, probably only Sanderson and GRRM get to still write a door stopper. Agree or disagree? #amquerying #writersky

#WIPSnips word of the day: force

#WIPSnips: talk

WKND READ REC 16
This book captures Upstate New York coming-of-age in a way that few others have, speaking as someone who came of age in Upstate New York. Distilled, raw, and revelatory. If you haven't read Banks, get this on your list. #writersky #booksky #amquerying

#WIPSnips The word of the day: "dear"

#wipsnips "lip"

WKND READ REC 15
I cracked this open recently for the first time in years (first American edition, 1977). This is the backstory from whence all the rest of it came. It’s thick and abstruse, but agents often ask for “intricate world building” and it doesn’t get more intricate than this. #tolkien #sff

Another character study for "Orphans of Rift," which I'm currently querying. This is "The Colonel," a failed rebel who is driven to try again after the murder of his son. If saving the city of Rift from authoritarianism wasn't enough motivation, maybe revenge will be. #writersky #booksky #amquerying

Biking around town, running errands, with my absolutely cracking backpack. #writersky #booksky #dnd #amquerying #dungeonsanddragons.

WKND READ REC 14
I’ve been on a bit of a Philip K. Dick kick (got a box set for Xmas). This book is a fun read, wonderfully layered, and happily bonkers. Is it me, or did he sometimes struggle with book titles? #writersky #booksky #amquerying #sff

A character study for "Orphans of Rift" -- Vess Rutoka, a light weaver and scientist. Or at least she's trying to be a scientist, which is a job normally reserved for men. But Vess hates things that are "normally" something. Nobody became great at anything by being normal. #booksky #sff #amquerying

WKND READ REC 13
I’m trying so hard to keep my #bluesky account focused solely on books and reading and querying my own #fantasy book, Orphans of Rift. But if you don’t own a copy of this one, the #ACLU will hook you up. A must read. #booksky #writersky #amquerying #democracy

WKND READ REC 12
There’s dystopia and then there’s Philip K. Dick dystopia. Getting closer to non-fiction with each passing day. Worth a re-read if it’s been awhile. #booksky #writersky #sff

SFF. Or just fantasy if you’re bifurcating those. Thanks.

Character study for Orphans of Rift: High Councilor Rudd Lorrik - a former stage actor and mutinous rebel. He controls the city of Rift, but a malevolent force is controlling his mind. My prompt for AI was sorta like this, but not that close. Still, it's pretty cool. #booksky #writersky #amquerying

Another character study for my book, Orphans of Rift. This is a version of Wren Harlo, pictured with 3 things she absolutely loathes: her restrictive nurse's uniform, the forbidding city of Rift, and the discovery that she is a fire witch, just like her mother. #booksky #writersky #amquerying

WKND READ REC 11
one of the greatest set ups in sci-fi: what happens after aliens have come and gone. It’s also a prescient peek at the perils of a gig economy, long before that was a thing. #booksky #writersky #alliteration

Character study for my manuscript, Orphans of Rift: the half-giant Adander Ginn. But everyone calls him "Dandy." #booksky #writerskky #amquerying

I see people making AI mood boards for their books, so I thought I would take a minute to make an image for mine. Nearly an hour later, after lots of 7-fingered hands, random things inexplicably on fire, and many "I ran into issues..." oopsies from ChatGPT, it spat out this. #booksky #writersky

WKND READ REC 10
The minutely detailed world building and intricately drawn characters are what elevate this high fantasy whodunnit into a must read for #sff lovers. I also love it when an author doesn’t spoon feed everything up front, and instead allows the reader some mystery. #booksky #writersky

Flying out of LAX this morning. Every time I walk past the airport book store I think of this famous Simpsons episode. Makes me smile every time. #booksky #writersky #amquerying.

WKND READ REC 9
A collection of short stories. The title story “Tenth of December” is my fave. Mostly because the protagonist sounds so much like childhood me. Saunders is a national treasure.
#booksky #writersky #amquerying

WKND READ REC 8
Before Avatar, there was this. And this is soooo much better. Also, you can take it down in one cozy weekend. #booksky #writersky #amquerying

Editorial Services — Mindy McGinnis

After a lot of swearing, I finally had to admit to myself that my query letter wasn’t working. Via a thread on #bluesky I found #mindymcginnis, an author and editor who helped me rewrite my letter. Can’t recommend her enough. #booksky #writersky #amquerying

www.mindymcginnis.com/editorial-se...

WKND READ REC 7
This is an amazing book, and a must read before you ever visit New Orleans. Now that I’m trying to get a book published I am also struck by the pub. story of this one: the writer’s mother got it published after her brilliant son was already dead. So get those queries out!

WKND READ REC 6
This will take more than a weekend but if you want to understand total dictatorial power — and are a fan of the author of #ontyranny — this gripping account of the 20th Century’s largest genocide will have you shaking your head and turning the pages. #booksky #writersky #amquerying

Sheltering in place here in Santa Monica. My son took this amazing photo at the high school. Stay safe, everyone. #booksky #writersky #amquerying

“Put it in the drawer” is possibly the best advice I ever got about writing. Take a break. Come back to it with a fresh mind. A new perspective. Backpacked some of the Trans-Catalina Trail with my son over the break. Best drawer ever. #booksky #writersky #amquerying