Graham (Gray) Scott
@graythebruce.bsky.social
PhD. Professor of English. Pushcart nom. BSF noms (x2). Stories in Pithead Chapel, Maudlin House, HAD, Barrelhouse, Necessary Fiction, JMWW, others. Large Language Human.
For now at https://hemicyon.wordpress.com/
For now at https://hemicyon.wordpress.com/
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
Learn to tell the diff between Art tutorials/advice that actually improve your skills vs ones that declaratively say you're "doing this wrong" & kill your style
Your weird quirk that's not "technically correct" may be what gives your art its unique style.
How boring if everyone made "perfect" art
Your weird quirk that's not "technically correct" may be what gives your art its unique style.
How boring if everyone made "perfect" art
January 14, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Learn to tell the diff between Art tutorials/advice that actually improve your skills vs ones that declaratively say you're "doing this wrong" & kill your style
Your weird quirk that's not "technically correct" may be what gives your art its unique style.
How boring if everyone made "perfect" art
Your weird quirk that's not "technically correct" may be what gives your art its unique style.
How boring if everyone made "perfect" art
Fascinating review of recent scholarship on King James VI and I.
‘James loved language and rhetoric. He could swear like a sailor, but coined new words – Anglican, anorexia, Highlander – and is quoted more than 650 times in the 𝘖𝘌𝘋.’
@alicehunt.bsky.social on James VI and I.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
@alicehunt.bsky.social on James VI and I.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Alice Hunt · Out of Rehab: Two Kings or One?
Above all, Jackson presents James as a ‘king of words’. No king before or since has written so thoughtfully about...
www.lrb.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Fascinating review of recent scholarship on King James VI and I.
LOL. Okay then. <cracks knuckles>
You know how people hang marketing materials, like laminated cardstock, from front door knobs? On rubber bands?
After a long, bad day I got home to one and yanked on it to pull it off. Instead, I created a whip.
It shot under my glasses and lacerated my eyeball.
You know how people hang marketing materials, like laminated cardstock, from front door knobs? On rubber bands?
After a long, bad day I got home to one and yanked on it to pull it off. Instead, I created a whip.
It shot under my glasses and lacerated my eyeball.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 5, 2026 at 10:27 PM
LOL. Okay then. <cracks knuckles>
You know how people hang marketing materials, like laminated cardstock, from front door knobs? On rubber bands?
After a long, bad day I got home to one and yanked on it to pull it off. Instead, I created a whip.
It shot under my glasses and lacerated my eyeball.
You know how people hang marketing materials, like laminated cardstock, from front door knobs? On rubber bands?
After a long, bad day I got home to one and yanked on it to pull it off. Instead, I created a whip.
It shot under my glasses and lacerated my eyeball.
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
F) For the love of all that is good and holy stop wondering if your idea is any good! That way lies madness. Your idea, whatever it is, will live or die by its execution. Commit to your idea. Eat and drink your idea. Play with it, have fun with it.
December 31, 2025 at 4:47 PM
F) For the love of all that is good and holy stop wondering if your idea is any good! That way lies madness. Your idea, whatever it is, will live or die by its execution. Commit to your idea. Eat and drink your idea. Play with it, have fun with it.
Excellent story -- and an excellent storyteller.
I have my coffee
December 30, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Excellent story -- and an excellent storyteller.
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
December 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Seeing a lot of hot takes about that open letter on AI that make it clear the person either is so worked up about the issue that they cannot read clearly, they didn't read it at all, or they used AI to badly summarize the argument. There are points worth debating in there, but if you don't read it
December 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Seeing a lot of hot takes about that open letter on AI that make it clear the person either is so worked up about the issue that they cannot read clearly, they didn't read it at all, or they used AI to badly summarize the argument. There are points worth debating in there, but if you don't read it
A message always worth reposting. Scam ops are endemic because con artists know would-be authors are an easy source of income.
If you look at the folks who say what Ness says here, they're always experienced, published authors who make no money off of you by saying it. Listen to them.
If you look at the folks who say what Ness says here, they're always experienced, published authors who make no money off of you by saying it. Listen to them.
"But this agent says this is how it works these days -"
NO.
NO.
Ok, since this has come up four times in the last three days:
REPUTABLE LITERARY AGENTS WILL NOT CHARGE YOU MONEY.
IF A LITERARY AGENT WANTS TO CHARGE YOU FOR AN "EXPEDITED ACCESS PACKAGE" THIS IS A SCAM.
REPUTABLE LITERARY AGENTS WILL NOT CHARGE YOU MONEY.
IF A LITERARY AGENT WANTS TO CHARGE YOU FOR AN "EXPEDITED ACCESS PACKAGE" THIS IS A SCAM.
December 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A message always worth reposting. Scam ops are endemic because con artists know would-be authors are an easy source of income.
If you look at the folks who say what Ness says here, they're always experienced, published authors who make no money off of you by saying it. Listen to them.
If you look at the folks who say what Ness says here, they're always experienced, published authors who make no money off of you by saying it. Listen to them.
DMs #1-#111 on YouTube: "I've been DMing for over 20 years, and--"
Me, who started in 1978:
Me, who started in 1978:
a close up of a man 's face with a gray shirt on
Alt: Matt Damon rapidly ages in a GIF from Saving Private Ryan
media.tenor.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:47 AM
DMs #1-#111 on YouTube: "I've been DMing for over 20 years, and--"
Me, who started in 1978:
Me, who started in 1978:
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
SFWA members and general SFF community:
In this press release, our Board of Directors apologizes for recent events.
Feedback from writers is strongly welcomed in the survey.
SFWA Members: Write to office@sfwa.org to support our Emerging Tech Committee.
www.sfwa.org/2025/12/22/p...
In this press release, our Board of Directors apologizes for recent events.
Feedback from writers is strongly welcomed in the survey.
SFWA Members: Write to office@sfwa.org to support our Emerging Tech Committee.
www.sfwa.org/2025/12/22/p...
December 22, 2025 at 6:49 PM
SFWA members and general SFF community:
In this press release, our Board of Directors apologizes for recent events.
Feedback from writers is strongly welcomed in the survey.
SFWA Members: Write to office@sfwa.org to support our Emerging Tech Committee.
www.sfwa.org/2025/12/22/p...
In this press release, our Board of Directors apologizes for recent events.
Feedback from writers is strongly welcomed in the survey.
SFWA Members: Write to office@sfwa.org to support our Emerging Tech Committee.
www.sfwa.org/2025/12/22/p...
Nearly anything involving grammar.
Context: I'm a writing professor. People don't realize how destructive over-emphasis on grammar can be. We have meta-analytic studies on this. If you hold too many rules in your head consciously, you have almost no cognitive load left to process your ideas.
Context: I'm a writing professor. People don't realize how destructive over-emphasis on grammar can be. We have meta-analytic studies on this. If you hold too many rules in your head consciously, you have almost no cognitive load left to process your ideas.
what is your least favorite piece of writing advice and why? 👀
December 24, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Nearly anything involving grammar.
Context: I'm a writing professor. People don't realize how destructive over-emphasis on grammar can be. We have meta-analytic studies on this. If you hold too many rules in your head consciously, you have almost no cognitive load left to process your ideas.
Context: I'm a writing professor. People don't realize how destructive over-emphasis on grammar can be. We have meta-analytic studies on this. If you hold too many rules in your head consciously, you have almost no cognitive load left to process your ideas.
Ah. "Aura farming" is youngspeak for sprezzatura. Got it.
December 14, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Ah. "Aura farming" is youngspeak for sprezzatura. Got it.
Saw the "violence" viewer-discretion tag at the start of yesterday's installment of PLURIBUS and wondered what the heck that could be about, given the show's whole premise. Now that I understand it, I'm not sure I was sufficiently warned. First "violence" in a long time that got me to flinch.
December 13, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Saw the "violence" viewer-discretion tag at the start of yesterday's installment of PLURIBUS and wondered what the heck that could be about, given the show's whole premise. Now that I understand it, I'm not sure I was sufficiently warned. First "violence" in a long time that got me to flinch.
I saw "Terminator 2" during leave from Army training. We cadets comprised at least a third of the audience. We'd just finished nuclear, biological, chemical defense training, and we all started shouting instructions to Linda Hamilton during her nuclear dream sequence as civilians gaped.
Raising the always fun question: What are your most memorable theater-going experiences?
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
It was hands-down one of the most memorable theater-going experiences I can remember, a collective 30-minute butt-clench/armrest-grab for the final climb. And we knew he lived! Wild.
December 13, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I saw "Terminator 2" during leave from Army training. We cadets comprised at least a third of the audience. We'd just finished nuclear, biological, chemical defense training, and we all started shouting instructions to Linda Hamilton during her nuclear dream sequence as civilians gaped.
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
Very honoured to have my flash fiction piece, “Bleeding Seamonster”, in @vestalreview.bsky.social.
Read it here: www.vestalreview.net/bleeding-sea...
Massive thanks to David Galef and his team for believing in this piece!
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #FlashFiction #AmWriting #LitMagLove
Read it here: www.vestalreview.net/bleeding-sea...
Massive thanks to David Galef and his team for believing in this piece!
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #FlashFiction #AmWriting #LitMagLove
December 9, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Very honoured to have my flash fiction piece, “Bleeding Seamonster”, in @vestalreview.bsky.social.
Read it here: www.vestalreview.net/bleeding-sea...
Massive thanks to David Galef and his team for believing in this piece!
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #FlashFiction #AmWriting #LitMagLove
Read it here: www.vestalreview.net/bleeding-sea...
Massive thanks to David Galef and his team for believing in this piece!
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #FlashFiction #AmWriting #LitMagLove
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
Q: Why did you decide that only good children deserve gifts?
A: I wouldn’t say that I made the decision. I’d say that I’m following the traditions set forth by Christianity and other religions.
Q: And so-called bad children deserve nothing.
A: That’s not what I’m saying, Isaac.
A: I wouldn’t say that I made the decision. I’d say that I’m following the traditions set forth by Christianity and other religions.
Q: And so-called bad children deserve nothing.
A: That’s not what I’m saying, Isaac.
The New Yorker’s Isaac Chotiner Interviews Santa Claus
For several centuries, Santa Claus has been one of the most prolific mythical gift-givers in the world. Formerly known as Saint Nicholas of Myra, a...
buff.ly
December 7, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Q: Why did you decide that only good children deserve gifts?
A: I wouldn’t say that I made the decision. I’d say that I’m following the traditions set forth by Christianity and other religions.
Q: And so-called bad children deserve nothing.
A: That’s not what I’m saying, Isaac.
A: I wouldn’t say that I made the decision. I’d say that I’m following the traditions set forth by Christianity and other religions.
Q: And so-called bad children deserve nothing.
A: That’s not what I’m saying, Isaac.
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
Our "Pay What You Can" offer for print subscriptions is live for today only! Subscribe to NER at a price that works for you—starting as low as $7.
No matter your budget, we'd love for you to spend time with our pages.
Subscribe here: middlebury-college-store.shoplightspeed.com/ner-pay-what...
No matter your budget, we'd love for you to spend time with our pages.
Subscribe here: middlebury-college-store.shoplightspeed.com/ner-pay-what...
December 4, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Our "Pay What You Can" offer for print subscriptions is live for today only! Subscribe to NER at a price that works for you—starting as low as $7.
No matter your budget, we'd love for you to spend time with our pages.
Subscribe here: middlebury-college-store.shoplightspeed.com/ner-pay-what...
No matter your budget, we'd love for you to spend time with our pages.
Subscribe here: middlebury-college-store.shoplightspeed.com/ner-pay-what...
Hell yeah
I’ve sometimes fallen into the trap of thinking that complementing a creative person for their work is less sophisticated or desired than discussion or debate about it but very often the best thing you can say to them is hell yeah and that doesn’t make you dumb it just makes you nice
December 4, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Hell yeah
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
Today's the last day An Honour & A Privilege will not be in the world. Also, last day to save $2 on it direct from Stanchion. Buy the most unique & essential craft writing book you'll ever read & be forever changed as a writer & reader.
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
@lindzmcleod.bsky.social
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
@lindzmcleod.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Today's the last day An Honour & A Privilege will not be in the world. Also, last day to save $2 on it direct from Stanchion. Buy the most unique & essential craft writing book you'll ever read & be forever changed as a writer & reader.
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
@lindzmcleod.bsky.social
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
@lindzmcleod.bsky.social
This may be at the top of my list, too. Just saw this in a film a couple of nights ago. Can easily deflate an otherwise enjoyable story.
Least favourite film tropes.
2ndary character: I shall stay and hold them off so you can escape.
Hero: thanks. I shall stay and breathlessly watch your heroic demise so your sacrifice can buy me as little time as possible.
2ndary character: I shall stay and hold them off so you can escape.
Hero: thanks. I shall stay and breathlessly watch your heroic demise so your sacrifice can buy me as little time as possible.
November 29, 2025 at 6:29 PM
This may be at the top of my list, too. Just saw this in a film a couple of nights ago. Can easily deflate an otherwise enjoyable story.
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
The entire purpose of building research on a citational structure is that the inevitable flaws are traceable and stable enough in their location that the overall field structure can take those mistakes/debates into account as part of the field discourse.
November 28, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The entire purpose of building research on a citational structure is that the inevitable flaws are traceable and stable enough in their location that the overall field structure can take those mistakes/debates into account as part of the field discourse.
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
I have a brand new limited chapbook out from Rapture Publishing called THE SERVITOR.
The chapbook is only available as part of a BUNDLE with horror writer, Tyler Jones.
What makes the bundle extra cool is I wrote a 2k-word "post credit scene" for Tyler's story and he did the same for mine.
The chapbook is only available as part of a BUNDLE with horror writer, Tyler Jones.
What makes the bundle extra cool is I wrote a 2k-word "post credit scene" for Tyler's story and he did the same for mine.
November 28, 2025 at 9:13 PM
I have a brand new limited chapbook out from Rapture Publishing called THE SERVITOR.
The chapbook is only available as part of a BUNDLE with horror writer, Tyler Jones.
What makes the bundle extra cool is I wrote a 2k-word "post credit scene" for Tyler's story and he did the same for mine.
The chapbook is only available as part of a BUNDLE with horror writer, Tyler Jones.
What makes the bundle extra cool is I wrote a 2k-word "post credit scene" for Tyler's story and he did the same for mine.
Reposted by Graham (Gray) Scott
My favorite reads of the last few years have all been from indies like Tenebrous and Shortwave. Heck, if you're into novellas (and you should be) that's where most of the action is.
2 ongoing convos are dovetailing rn:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
November 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
My favorite reads of the last few years have all been from indies like Tenebrous and Shortwave. Heck, if you're into novellas (and you should be) that's where most of the action is.
I read THE EXTRA on Halloween and still mean to post my reader review in the usual places, but for now, in this space, here it is in a nutshell: It rocks. Absolutely gripping delivery on a five-star high concept. Quite eager to read its sequels when they drop.
Between Ingram and bookstore orders (thanks @littleghostsbooks.bsky.social!) we've sold nearly another 100 paperback copies of THE EXTRA today alone. 👀
You'll be hearing about this book for a while. And the next in the series, THE OTHER, is coming June 2026!
shortwavepublishing.com/catalog/the-...
You'll be hearing about this book for a while. And the next in the series, THE OTHER, is coming June 2026!
shortwavepublishing.com/catalog/the-...
November 17, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I read THE EXTRA on Halloween and still mean to post my reader review in the usual places, but for now, in this space, here it is in a nutshell: It rocks. Absolutely gripping delivery on a five-star high concept. Quite eager to read its sequels when they drop.