Ben Shahon
@beansbaker5.bsky.social
Author of SHORT RELIEF, @406press.bsky.social
Fiction editor @publishedbyJAKE.bsky.social
Magic: the Gathering Substack @ajohnnyspridemate.bsky.social
All other writing @ benshahon.com
Occasional (Frequent) posts about other nerdy shit.
(He/Him/His)
Fiction editor @publishedbyJAKE.bsky.social
Magic: the Gathering Substack @ajohnnyspridemate.bsky.social
All other writing @ benshahon.com
Occasional (Frequent) posts about other nerdy shit.
(He/Him/His)
Pinned
As the year's winding down, and my 29th birthday comes and goes, I feel like now might be an apt time for a yearly thread of all the stuff I published, since it's more than any other year for me (maybe combined? I haven't exactly counted). 🧵
Reposted by Ben Shahon
Hey guys ☺️ - I have held my book!!! In my own two hands!!!
Want an ARC? It would be cool if you’d write / record a review and post it literally anywhere. Let me know.
(ignore the printing error that is currently being fixed)
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social
Want an ARC? It would be cool if you’d write / record a review and post it literally anywhere. Let me know.
(ignore the printing error that is currently being fixed)
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social
December 28, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Hey guys ☺️ - I have held my book!!! In my own two hands!!!
Want an ARC? It would be cool if you’d write / record a review and post it literally anywhere. Let me know.
(ignore the printing error that is currently being fixed)
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social
Want an ARC? It would be cool if you’d write / record a review and post it literally anywhere. Let me know.
(ignore the printing error that is currently being fixed)
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social
The correct answer is when Viggo actually breaks his toe kicking the decapitated orc head.
The Lord of The Rings movies were rated PG-13. By current rules that means that each film could contain one use of the word "Fuck". Which line are you altering to insert the most useful swear word?
"I can't carry it for you, but I can Fucking carry you"
"I can't carry it for you, but I can Fucking carry you"
December 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The correct answer is when Viggo actually breaks his toe kicking the decapitated orc head.
Just finished the new Knives Out movie. Man, if I was a Catholic, this would be my new Christmas tradition because oh my god the Catholicism on display.
December 26, 2025 at 5:35 AM
Just finished the new Knives Out movie. Man, if I was a Catholic, this would be my new Christmas tradition because oh my god the Catholicism on display.
Reposted by Ben Shahon
It's a good day to read this thing I wrote about Cube
December 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
It's a good day to read this thing I wrote about Cube
Happy Brick Michaels day, if you celebrate:
Next were a pair of flash stories in May in @mrbullbull.bsky.social, another fave of mine
mrbullbull.com/newbull/flas...
mrbullbull.com/newbull/flas...
Two Stories | MrBullBull
mrbullbull.com
December 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Happy Brick Michaels day, if you celebrate:
Reposted by Ben Shahon
It’s the week before Christmas, all your bosses are on PTO, everything has been pushed back to January…
…what’s to stop you from reading Flight 2 at your desk?
flight-literary.ghost.io/flight-2/
…what’s to stop you from reading Flight 2 at your desk?
flight-literary.ghost.io/flight-2/
Flight 2
flight-literary.ghost.io
December 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
It’s the week before Christmas, all your bosses are on PTO, everything has been pushed back to January…
…what’s to stop you from reading Flight 2 at your desk?
flight-literary.ghost.io/flight-2/
…what’s to stop you from reading Flight 2 at your desk?
flight-literary.ghost.io/flight-2/
Reposted by Ben Shahon
The creative nonfiction selection for Flight 2 comes from @beansbaker5.bsky.social teaching us how to love a team that always lets you down
flight-literary.ghost.io/ben-shahon-c...
flight-literary.ghost.io/ben-shahon-c...
December 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The creative nonfiction selection for Flight 2 comes from @beansbaker5.bsky.social teaching us how to love a team that always lets you down
flight-literary.ghost.io/ben-shahon-c...
flight-literary.ghost.io/ben-shahon-c...
Reposted by Ben Shahon
🪿ISSUE SIX - CNF🪿
THE FLAMINGO by @beansbaker5.bsky.social
Read here: sillygoosepress.com/issue-six/th...
THE FLAMINGO by @beansbaker5.bsky.social
Read here: sillygoosepress.com/issue-six/th...
December 19, 2025 at 9:47 PM
🪿ISSUE SIX - CNF🪿
THE FLAMINGO by @beansbaker5.bsky.social
Read here: sillygoosepress.com/issue-six/th...
THE FLAMINGO by @beansbaker5.bsky.social
Read here: sillygoosepress.com/issue-six/th...
Reposted by Ben Shahon
A fellow of infinite jest btw
December 16, 2025 at 2:39 PM
A fellow of infinite jest btw
I've posted this before, but it feels pertinent again to say this run of movies is so deeply influential on me and how I view storytelling as a whole. My parents had been big fans since they were released, and all but one were constant fixtures on our TV rotation. RIP Rob Reiner. All time great!
December 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
I've posted this before, but it feels pertinent again to say this run of movies is so deeply influential on me and how I view storytelling as a whole. My parents had been big fans since they were released, and all but one were constant fixtures on our TV rotation. RIP Rob Reiner. All time great!
Feeling like the kids shouting "Going to the Cubs game!" Over and over again at the beginning of Rookie of the Year, but it's for tonight's Mountain Goats concert
December 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Feeling like the kids shouting "Going to the Cubs game!" Over and over again at the beginning of Rookie of the Year, but it's for tonight's Mountain Goats concert
Reposted by Ben Shahon
Reposted by Ben Shahon
for your Saturday reading pleasure: I went off on those scam emails all authors are getting, and how they’re part of a larger scam atmosphere that all writers are just expected to live in now
That Personalized Email About Loving and Marketing Your Book Is a Scam - Electric Literature
Taking advantage of aspiring authors is a rich tradition, and now published authors are being scammed too
electricliterature.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:28 PM
for your Saturday reading pleasure: I went off on those scam emails all authors are getting, and how they’re part of a larger scam atmosphere that all writers are just expected to live in now
I just saw on Twitter that there's a trailer for an adaptation of Animal Farm. It's a PG-rated 3D animated movie. Full of slapstick, DreamWorks "Did that really just happen?" jokes, and Seth Goddamn Rogen.
I wish I was kidding haha.
I wish I was kidding haha.
December 13, 2025 at 6:24 AM
I just saw on Twitter that there's a trailer for an adaptation of Animal Farm. It's a PG-rated 3D animated movie. Full of slapstick, DreamWorks "Did that really just happen?" jokes, and Seth Goddamn Rogen.
I wish I was kidding haha.
I wish I was kidding haha.
Corpo jobs are so weird. Just processed an order for paper worth 5x what I make in a month. And it's just one of many stocking orders I have to place today.
December 11, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Corpo jobs are so weird. Just processed an order for paper worth 5x what I make in a month. And it's just one of many stocking orders I have to place today.
Reposted by Ben Shahon
Just barely avoiding our bottom, this month.
1 . We don’t believe in Giving Tuesday.
2 . Gone Lawn will always be free to submit to.
3 . These are killing times for us in the USA.
4 . Donate only if you can afford it, though we hate asking.
gonelawn.net/journal/glj_...
1 . We don’t believe in Giving Tuesday.
2 . Gone Lawn will always be free to submit to.
3 . These are killing times for us in the USA.
4 . Donate only if you can afford it, though we hate asking.
gonelawn.net/journal/glj_...
Gone Lawn : About
gonelawn.net
December 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Just barely avoiding our bottom, this month.
1 . We don’t believe in Giving Tuesday.
2 . Gone Lawn will always be free to submit to.
3 . These are killing times for us in the USA.
4 . Donate only if you can afford it, though we hate asking.
gonelawn.net/journal/glj_...
1 . We don’t believe in Giving Tuesday.
2 . Gone Lawn will always be free to submit to.
3 . These are killing times for us in the USA.
4 . Donate only if you can afford it, though we hate asking.
gonelawn.net/journal/glj_...
Just scored a $9.46 royalty payment on one of my chapbooks (and I didn't even have to fight the publisher this time to get it). Indie lit is alive and well!
December 9, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Just scored a $9.46 royalty payment on one of my chapbooks (and I didn't even have to fight the publisher this time to get it). Indie lit is alive and well!
If I had a CFP vote this year:
1. Indiana*
2. Tech*
3. Georgia
4. Ohio State
5. Oregon
6. Texas A&M
7. BYU
8. Oklahoma
9. Utah
10. Alabama
11. Tulane* (auto bid)
12. JMU* (auto bid)
1. Indiana*
2. Tech*
3. Georgia
4. Ohio State
5. Oregon
6. Texas A&M
7. BYU
8. Oklahoma
9. Utah
10. Alabama
11. Tulane* (auto bid)
12. JMU* (auto bid)
December 8, 2025 at 11:16 PM
If I had a CFP vote this year:
1. Indiana*
2. Tech*
3. Georgia
4. Ohio State
5. Oregon
6. Texas A&M
7. BYU
8. Oklahoma
9. Utah
10. Alabama
11. Tulane* (auto bid)
12. JMU* (auto bid)
1. Indiana*
2. Tech*
3. Georgia
4. Ohio State
5. Oregon
6. Texas A&M
7. BYU
8. Oklahoma
9. Utah
10. Alabama
11. Tulane* (auto bid)
12. JMU* (auto bid)
NGL, at this point, I find myself more drawn as an editor to fiction in 3rd person than 1st. Tense dosen't matter so much, neither does limited vs omni perspective, but I think there's a part of me that yearns for author voice separate from character. Maybe just because I see fewer people trying.
December 8, 2025 at 3:50 AM
NGL, at this point, I find myself more drawn as an editor to fiction in 3rd person than 1st. Tense dosen't matter so much, neither does limited vs omni perspective, but I think there's a part of me that yearns for author voice separate from character. Maybe just because I see fewer people trying.
Dude. Just got into an argument with my brother (who's prone to getting animated over this sort of thing), because I said Tom Brady is the most overrated football player ever. What can I say, I've always hated that guy.
December 7, 2025 at 3:44 AM
Dude. Just got into an argument with my brother (who's prone to getting animated over this sort of thing), because I said Tom Brady is the most overrated football player ever. What can I say, I've always hated that guy.
Reposted by Ben Shahon
We also nominated three poems:
December 2, 2025 at 3:25 PM
We also nominated three poems:
I started this show Monday night and am more than halfway through the first season. Enjoying it an unreasonable amount 😂
It's almost 10:45 and I'm turning on mad men as God and Matthew Weiner intended
December 4, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I started this show Monday night and am more than halfway through the first season. Enjoying it an unreasonable amount 😂
Reposted by Ben Shahon
I don't know if this thread is of any value to anyone, but I hope it is
give avocados a chance. give literature a chance. dig a hole somewhere
give avocados a chance. give literature a chance. dig a hole somewhere
December 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I don't know if this thread is of any value to anyone, but I hope it is
give avocados a chance. give literature a chance. dig a hole somewhere
give avocados a chance. give literature a chance. dig a hole somewhere
Reposted by Ben Shahon
Here's the full ARC cover of my novel!
If you're interested in getting a copy - digital or physical - let me know.
credit, once again, to the unbelievable @johnchrostek.com
If you're interested in getting a copy - digital or physical - let me know.
credit, once again, to the unbelievable @johnchrostek.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Here's the full ARC cover of my novel!
If you're interested in getting a copy - digital or physical - let me know.
credit, once again, to the unbelievable @johnchrostek.com
If you're interested in getting a copy - digital or physical - let me know.
credit, once again, to the unbelievable @johnchrostek.com
It's almost 10:45 and I'm turning on mad men as God and Matthew Weiner intended
December 3, 2025 at 6:40 AM
It's almost 10:45 and I'm turning on mad men as God and Matthew Weiner intended