John Bryant

a man in a white shirt and tie is standing in front of a microphone and saying `` everything is garbage '' . Alt: Captain Holt from Brooklyn 99 stands in front of a microphone and says "Everything is garbage."

Me when I edit my work.

My life! 🤣

The #WIPSnips word for November 12th is "shirt." Here's a snippet from my urban fantasy joint, SLAVES OF GOD: He stripped down to his drawers and peeled off his undershirt. His body told a story. One different than the preacher told. A patchwork of healed-over cuts and stab wounds, scars from bullets and old burns told the story of battles fought and lost. Each a reminder of days past.

Reverend Copeland's lies betrayed by his own skin. #WIPSnips #amwriting #writesky

Here's mine! SLAVES OF GOD #openinglines #writesky #amwriting

a woman wearing glasses and a leopard print shirt is holding her hand up in the air . Alt: A woman wearing glasses and a leopard print shirt holds her hand in the air, pointing to it with her other hand.

Yup!

Many years ago, I used to own an ice cream catering company: www.instagram.com/getfrostbite 🍧 #Novmemeber 10

Supermarket Sweep targets a new demographic.

Motivational text that reads: "If you are an ocean, be an ocean. Don't be a pond just because people can't swim."

Not sure where this quote comes from, but be an ocean.

2-8 ⚜️🏈 Who dat?

Doh! Stupid first draft typos.

Today's #WIPSnips word is little. Here's a snippet from my historical fantasy joint, SLAVES OF GOD: “Pfft,” he huff. “Your mama so old she used to breastfeed Methuselah.” “Yo mama so old she remember when the Mississippi was a creek.” Jairus shook his head, grinning wide. The dozens. An game of wit and sting, passed down through generations. It took a sharp tongue and even thicker skin. Wink and Jairus had both. They wore the game like armor; a way to carve out a little control in a world that offered none. Most who played quit a dozen mama jokes in, but neither had mothers to defend. So their games stretched on and on.

Yo mama! #WIPSnips #writesky #amwriting

Been there, fam. Some folks always tryna find a way to push you out.

I'm John and I write about it all the way through my house and then I got the money for the car.

😂🙃🤪

That and I write historical fantasy.

1. Introduce yourself w/predictive text (e.g. “I’m _ and I write about...”) A prompt game for the month of November, titled #Novmemeber (as in meme). Hosted by @sagetgreene.bsky.social . The bottom says "Have fun, interact, and remember alt text!" There is a silly emoji face with wild eyes and tongue sticking out, and some fall-style leaves in the corners.

#Novmemeber 1

Introduce yourself using predictive text. You can try phrasing this in different ways (for example, "I'm ___ and I write about...").

Then tell us what you REALLY write about!

The #WIPSnips word for November 3rd is "nice." Here's a snipped from my work in progress, SLAVES OF GOD: Wink flipped open the trunk. The scent of perfume hit him first. Sweet, floral, subtle. It rose from the fine chemises, petticoats, and pantaloons folded neatly inside. Nothing like the slop shirt and breeches he wore. Cheap, stained with sweat and fear. “You got some real nice things, Miss Adelia. They all wear fancy clothes like this in New York?” “No, not everyone,” she chuckled, curling her hair behind an ear. “Most of it’s for show anyway. My mama used to say, ‘Clothes are a mask. Dress the part and people will assume you belong there.’”

Dress the part. #WIPSnips #writesky #amwriting

Artistic rendering of the St. Louis skyline featuring the Gateway Arch with the words "Books by the Arch." The indie author festival is returning October 17th, 2022 at the Downtown St. Louis Hyatt.

Welp! I'll be at #BooksByTheArch 2026. Guess I need to get my butt in gear and finish SLAVES OF GOD by October. #authorproblems #writesky #amwriting 📚

a man with a beard says words are hard in front of a bunch of guitars Alt: A man with a beard says "Words are hard" in front of a bunch of guitars

I can't trust a literary festival that touts their inaugural event as first annual. 😐

Anthropic Settlement: What Authors Should Know - The Authors Guild Copyright holders recently secured preliminary approval of a $1.5 billion class settlement in the Bartz v. Anthropic case, in which authors Andrea Bartz, Kirk Johnson, and Charles Graeber led a class-...

Authors!! Let’s talk ANTHROPIC SETTLEMENT. We’re holding a virtual meeting this THURSDAY at 6 PM to go over everything you need to know about the Anthropic settlement, determining eligibility and filing claims. It’s free to attend but please register here: authorsguild.org/event/anthro...

The #WIPSnips word of the day is "prize." Here's a snipped from my work in progress, Slaves of God: At eighteen, his father died, and the weight of Brown Estates fell on his shoulders. Davis had a knack for spending, not business. By the time folks finally called him grown, he’d drained the family fortune, buying up superficial things he figured passed for wealth. Exotic goods from far away lands. Elaborate dinner parties. Horses, even a prized Thoroughbred. Eventually, predictably, the money dried up.

A fool and his money are soon parted. #WIPSnips #writesky #amwriting

Censorship by the Numbers Every year, the American Library Association compiles data on censorship attempts in libraries around the United States based on reports from the field and media coverage.

"Censorship by the Numbers" from @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social www.ala.org/bbooks/censo... #BannedBooksWeek #LetFreedomRead

For Oct. 7th, the #WIPSnips word of the day is "safe." Here's a snippet from my WIP, Slaves of God: He felt her eyes on him, waiting for something more, not knowing what to say. “We should get back,” he said, and heaved the bundle onto his shoulder. “Oughta be enough.” She nodded. Adelia cradled the twigs and flowers in her dress, caring for them like delicate things. Like something worth keeping safe. They headed toward camp, the space between them filling with things left unsaid. Camouflaged in the brush, the hare watched.

Words unsaid keep you safe. #WIPSnips #writesky #amwriting

I almost didn't catch the typo in my work in progress: "Davis picked himself up. Brushed pollen and grass from his clothes. His old bones creaked and pooped as he stretched."

Pooped? 😂 #typo #amwriting #writesky

Blue graphic with a bright pink box at the top that says, “Apply Today!” Beneath that, in all caps are the words “Walter Grants” followed by a brief description that says, “WNDB’s Walter Dean Myers Grants provide promising unpublished writers and illustrators $2000 to support their career development” To the left of the text is an illustration of a person with long black hair sitting at a desk and writing in a word doc. At the bottom of the graphic are the dates “October 1st through October 31st,” denoting the application period for Walter Grant applications. In the bottom right hand corner of the graphic is a light green box containing the URL “bit.ly/WalterGrantsApp”, which will direct folks to the application form.

Blue graphic displaying a mock-up internet browser window. At the top of the window is a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/WalterGrantsApp”, which will direct folks to the application form for WNDB’s Walter Grants. Beneath that, the mock-up browser window is titled “About Walter Grants” and contains the following description: “The Walter Dean Myers Grant provides a financial boost to promising writers and illustrators from diverse backgrounds who are currently unpublished. Each grantee receives $2000 to hone their craft and support their career development. The Walter Grant can be used in a variety of ways, from attending conferences to purchasing new writing devices to covering childcare.”

🔔 Apply for a Walter Dean Myers Grant today!

The Walter Dean Myers Grant program was established to provide grants of $2,000 each to promising diverse writers and illustrators who are currently unpublished. Follow the 🔗 below (also in our bio) to apply ⬇️

💻 bit.ly/WalterGrantsApp

Banned & Challenged Books ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed by library professionals in the field and from news stories published throughout the United States.

Banned books speak volumes to those who listen. 📚 #BannedBooksWeek #LetFreedomRead www.ala.org/bbooks

The #WIPSnips word of the day is "miss." Here's a snippet from my historical fantasy joint, Slaves of God: He spotted Birdie. Middle pew, dead center. Hard to miss. He knew what folks thought of her, and how little she cared. Thought of most like tiny bugs beneath her well-manicured feet. She crossed one leg over the other, exposing a flash of thigh under her petticoats. A dare to look. For eyes to linger longer than they ought to.

Birdie knows what she's doing. #WIPSnips #writesky #amwriting

Finally! ⚜️🏈 Who dat!!

Today's #WIPSnips word is "hunt." Here's a snipped from my historical fantasy joint, Slaves of God: "Kuua!” Nanyamka cried out. Dayo’s ears twitched. That word. She hadn’t heard it since she was a cub, hunting game across the wilds with Nanyamka and Uncle. She remembered the impala. Graceful. Terrified. Fast. But not fast enough. She clamped her jaws around its neck and held firm until the body stilled beneath her. Nanyamka screamed. Not with praise, but horror. Dayo never understood. Nature never asked permission. Balance fed on blood. After that, kuua vanished. In its place came mlinzi. Guard. Protect. The word defined her mission. Now, the old word resurfaced, clawing its way out from the dark corners of her mind. “Kuua!” Nanyamka repeated, shouting this time. Something stirred. Ancient. Primal. Dayo complied. No hesitation. No doubt. She knew what it meant. Kill. And so she did."

When a giant hyena is your protector, old memories sometimes stir. #WIPSnips #writesky #amwriting

two children are riding a wooden airplane on top of a snow covered mountain .. Alt: Three children ride a wooden, pedal-powered airplane and pass by a snow covered mountain.

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Hey authors, the official list of Anthropic works is available for searching.

secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup

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