John Chrostek
@johnchrostek.com
FEAST OF THE PALE LEVIATHAN, novel: https://shorturl.at/7A4bA
BOXCUTTERS, short stories: https://malarkeybooks.com/store/boxcutters
(IBR's "TOP BOOKS WE READ IN 2025")
Co-owner @eveninghouse.bsky.social
EIC @cold-signal.com
Buffalo, NY
johnchrostek.com
BOXCUTTERS, short stories: https://malarkeybooks.com/store/boxcutters
(IBR's "TOP BOOKS WE READ IN 2025")
Co-owner @eveninghouse.bsky.social
EIC @cold-signal.com
Buffalo, NY
johnchrostek.com
Pinned
It's almost the final Friday of 2025. Wild year, bad and good.
One personal good: becoming an author.
Boxcutters is a collection spanning genres, styles, eras. Oddball lit, weird horror, sci-fi + more.
Feast is a novel, a deep sea body horror kaiju adventure in the belly of Hobbes' Leviathan.
One personal good: becoming an author.
Boxcutters is a collection spanning genres, styles, eras. Oddball lit, weird horror, sci-fi + more.
Feast is a novel, a deep sea body horror kaiju adventure in the belly of Hobbes' Leviathan.
Reposted by John Chrostek
Hey Bluebies! (that's what we call Bluesky Newbies 'round these parts🤠) We do things a lil different then Elmos Hecksite. Each post creates a "shard". 50 shards makes a Sky Gem 💎. Gems can be spent on swag like custom hats for ur PFP...but you mustnt wear hats in the Cloud Level or a Bird may attack
December 25, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Hey Bluebies! (that's what we call Bluesky Newbies 'round these parts🤠) We do things a lil different then Elmos Hecksite. Each post creates a "shard". 50 shards makes a Sky Gem 💎. Gems can be spent on swag like custom hats for ur PFP...but you mustnt wear hats in the Cloud Level or a Bird may attack
Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, was somewhere in Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold.
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.
December 25, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.
I’m not the biggest DFW fan but the dude wrote a mean essay. His essay on Kafka really just laid out what I love about the dude and his writing and try to do with my own
harpers.org/wp-content/u...
harpers.org/wp-content/u...
harpers.org
December 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I’m not the biggest DFW fan but the dude wrote a mean essay. His essay on Kafka really just laid out what I love about the dude and his writing and try to do with my own
harpers.org/wp-content/u...
harpers.org/wp-content/u...
People who travel are happier than those who aren’t. People who deepen their empathy are happier than those who don’t. What’s a better life: sitting in a small, well-worn cabin, or exploring a large and colorful world?
Love the cabin or not, but all the same, go walking
Love the cabin or not, but all the same, go walking
Like, yeah. You should read what you wanna read! Reading is a pleasure! But one of the pleasures of reading is that it makes our inner worlds bigger. Challenges us to think about things we haven’t thought about. Expands our horizons, as the phrase goes
December 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
People who travel are happier than those who aren’t. People who deepen their empathy are happier than those who don’t. What’s a better life: sitting in a small, well-worn cabin, or exploring a large and colorful world?
Love the cabin or not, but all the same, go walking
Love the cabin or not, but all the same, go walking
Reposted by John Chrostek
hey guys: captain america IS alive, but in the past, like all people who are dead. he went there because he craved lead poisoning and hated fanfiction
December 24, 2025 at 5:25 AM
hey guys: captain america IS alive, but in the past, like all people who are dead. he went there because he craved lead poisoning and hated fanfiction
I just want to live long enough into the coming cyberpunk future to see cities become Neo versions of themselves. Neo Buffalo. Neo Philadelphia. Neo New York City
December 24, 2025 at 5:30 AM
I just want to live long enough into the coming cyberpunk future to see cities become Neo versions of themselves. Neo Buffalo. Neo Philadelphia. Neo New York City
hey guys: captain america IS alive, but in the past, like all people who are dead. he went there because he craved lead poisoning and hated fanfiction
December 24, 2025 at 5:25 AM
hey guys: captain america IS alive, but in the past, like all people who are dead. he went there because he craved lead poisoning and hated fanfiction
Reposted by John Chrostek
I reviewed Boxcutters earlier this year for @necessaryfiction.com and these stories delighted me to no end. Stories that ridicule the status quo are always necessary, but they are especially needed now. Go buy good books, including this one! #booksky #writersky
Two copies of @johnchrostek.com’s collection, Boxcutters, going out today, leaving only 16 of the first print run in stock. Love this book but would love even more to have just my personal copy of Boxcutters in my house. Order a copy and get a free zine too!
malarkeybooks.com/store/boxcut...
malarkeybooks.com/store/boxcut...
Boxcutters, stories by John Chrostek — Malarkey
One Amazon delivery stolen from a neighbor’s porch leads to plenty more. To keep the show going, a balding sitcom actress tries out a new wig and discovers a hunger for life. Jesus Christ claims the o...
malarkeybooks.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I reviewed Boxcutters earlier this year for @necessaryfiction.com and these stories delighted me to no end. Stories that ridicule the status quo are always necessary, but they are especially needed now. Go buy good books, including this one! #booksky #writersky
Reposted by John Chrostek
Two copies of @johnchrostek.com’s collection, Boxcutters, going out today, leaving only 16 of the first print run in stock. Love this book but would love even more to have just my personal copy of Boxcutters in my house. Order a copy and get a free zine too!
malarkeybooks.com/store/boxcut...
malarkeybooks.com/store/boxcut...
Boxcutters, stories by John Chrostek — Malarkey
One Amazon delivery stolen from a neighbor’s porch leads to plenty more. To keep the show going, a balding sitcom actress tries out a new wig and discovers a hunger for life. Jesus Christ claims the o...
malarkeybooks.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Two copies of @johnchrostek.com’s collection, Boxcutters, going out today, leaving only 16 of the first print run in stock. Love this book but would love even more to have just my personal copy of Boxcutters in my house. Order a copy and get a free zine too!
malarkeybooks.com/store/boxcut...
malarkeybooks.com/store/boxcut...
Reposted by John Chrostek
Today, @farewelltransmiss.bsky.social published my Springsteen essay on death, manhood, and wondering what your grandparents would think of your queerness.
farewelltransmission.net/2025/12/fast...
farewelltransmission.net/2025/12/fast...
December 23, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Today, @farewelltransmiss.bsky.social published my Springsteen essay on death, manhood, and wondering what your grandparents would think of your queerness.
farewelltransmission.net/2025/12/fast...
farewelltransmission.net/2025/12/fast...
Reposted by John Chrostek
There are many people who simply do not understand the stakes and either understate or overstate them. The issue is not that AI will replace writers or w/e: it can't. The issue is that AI will make our working conditions significantly worse and harm the development of new artists in our fields.
December 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
There are many people who simply do not understand the stakes and either understate or overstate them. The issue is not that AI will replace writers or w/e: it can't. The issue is that AI will make our working conditions significantly worse and harm the development of new artists in our fields.
I liked the movie okay at first, then the giant shoe floated down river and I knew that the god of Tubi had blessed me once again
Special shout out to young Viggo playing a mute dude who just whistles, bangs his gf + does annoying magic tricks.
Southern surrealism, weird Fraser, Grace Zabriskie!!
Special shout out to young Viggo playing a mute dude who just whistles, bangs his gf + does annoying magic tricks.
Southern surrealism, weird Fraser, Grace Zabriskie!!
December 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I liked the movie okay at first, then the giant shoe floated down river and I knew that the god of Tubi had blessed me once again
Special shout out to young Viggo playing a mute dude who just whistles, bangs his gf + does annoying magic tricks.
Southern surrealism, weird Fraser, Grace Zabriskie!!
Special shout out to young Viggo playing a mute dude who just whistles, bangs his gf + does annoying magic tricks.
Southern surrealism, weird Fraser, Grace Zabriskie!!
Reposted by John Chrostek
I don’t mean to sound extreme, but I don’t think we should have torture camps for people with criminal records either.
December 23, 2025 at 1:51 AM
I don’t mean to sound extreme, but I don’t think we should have torture camps for people with criminal records either.
Reposted by John Chrostek
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
Well, I don’t think I’ll ever forget this movie
December 23, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Well, I don’t think I’ll ever forget this movie
Reposted by John Chrostek
King Ludd’s Rag will be open for submissions (fiction 4,000 words and up) the first two weeks of January for our 2026 zines! You’ll be able to submit on the @malarkeybooks.bsky.social Oleada page: oleada.io/publication/...
Oleada - A Submission Platform
A submission platform for small presses and magazines.
oleada.io
December 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
King Ludd’s Rag will be open for submissions (fiction 4,000 words and up) the first two weeks of January for our 2026 zines! You’ll be able to submit on the @malarkeybooks.bsky.social Oleada page: oleada.io/publication/...
If you’re looking for a good read this holiday season, why not read the novel about people devoured at sea by a kaiju whale-man titan who survive inside its guts until they can escape to the astral sea and wage war on the cultists using the beast for their own nefarious ends?
Real Christmas vibes!
Real Christmas vibes!
December 22, 2025 at 5:26 PM
If you’re looking for a good read this holiday season, why not read the novel about people devoured at sea by a kaiju whale-man titan who survive inside its guts until they can escape to the astral sea and wage war on the cultists using the beast for their own nefarious ends?
Real Christmas vibes!
Real Christmas vibes!
Reposted by John Chrostek
you wanna see a dead body
FFC review: AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH (2025), by Walter Chaw (@mangiotto.bsky.social). filmfreakcentral.net/2025/12/avat...
Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) - FILM FREAK CENTRAL
ZERO STARS/****starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winsletscreenplay by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silverdirected by James Cameron by Walter Chaw I think, for white ...
filmfreakcentral.net
December 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
you wanna see a dead body
Reposted by John Chrostek
Thanks again to @mitchnobis.bsky.social for the great chat earlier this year about writing 🍻
Hey, we have a new Inbox Wisdom, and it's with @johnchrostek.com! He has TWO new books this year, so check out this interview and then go get one or both of them!
Exploring Creativity: Insights from John Chrostek's Interviews
Explore Inbox Wisdom, an insightful interview series highlighting creativity and the literary world through candid discussions with writers.
kickstartfarmington.org
December 22, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Thanks again to @mitchnobis.bsky.social for the great chat earlier this year about writing 🍻
Thanks again to @mitchnobis.bsky.social for the great chat earlier this year about writing 🍻
Hey, we have a new Inbox Wisdom, and it's with @johnchrostek.com! He has TWO new books this year, so check out this interview and then go get one or both of them!
Exploring Creativity: Insights from John Chrostek's Interviews
Explore Inbox Wisdom, an insightful interview series highlighting creativity and the literary world through candid discussions with writers.
kickstartfarmington.org
December 22, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Thanks again to @mitchnobis.bsky.social for the great chat earlier this year about writing 🍻
Reposted by John Chrostek
Translators deserve respect. They deserve to be listed alongside authors when a work is published/acknowledged/nominated. They deserve not to be enslopified just like artists, musicians, and writers as they’re essentially all three in one.
Respecting the arts means respecting your fellow artists.
Respecting the arts means respecting your fellow artists.
Deep breath
Ok I'm going to try and stay calm
But I'll point out that AI translation is literally causing translators to be fired (see the whole Harlequin line in France)
(1/?)
Ok I'm going to try and stay calm
But I'll point out that AI translation is literally causing translators to be fired (see the whole Harlequin line in France)
(1/?)
December 21, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Translators deserve respect. They deserve to be listed alongside authors when a work is published/acknowledged/nominated. They deserve not to be enslopified just like artists, musicians, and writers as they’re essentially all three in one.
Respecting the arts means respecting your fellow artists.
Respecting the arts means respecting your fellow artists.
Reposted by John Chrostek
A real angel
The actor Michael Sheen used all his money to start a fake debt collecting business, buy 900 people in Wales's debt, and excused it. If Musk bought ALL $194 billion in medical debt in the U.S. and excused it in the same way, he'd still be the world's riches man by hundreds of billions of dollars.
Michael Sheen spent his own money to write off $1.3 million of neighbors’ debts | CNN
Actor Michael Sheen has bought $1.3 million of his neighbors’ debts and written them off using $129,000 of his own money.
www.cnn.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
A real angel
Reposted by John Chrostek
Really lovely to see Tell Me Yours, I'll Tell You Mine on A.C. Wise's list of favorite story collections of 2025. I'm here with friends @coreyfarrenkopf.bsky.social, @thomasha.bsky.social, @vanessafogg.bsky.social, and more. It's been a killer year for short fiction.
Yesterday I posted about my favorite novellas of the year, and today I'm posting about my favorite short fiction collections of 2025.
acwise.net/favorite-col...
acwise.net/favorite-col...
Favorite Collections of 2025 – acwise.net
acwise.net
December 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Really lovely to see Tell Me Yours, I'll Tell You Mine on A.C. Wise's list of favorite story collections of 2025. I'm here with friends @coreyfarrenkopf.bsky.social, @thomasha.bsky.social, @vanessafogg.bsky.social, and more. It's been a killer year for short fiction.
Reposted by John Chrostek
Winter Solstice reading for you! It's my very favorite Clark Ashton Smith story, "The Abominations of Yondo!" Neat monsters...and NEAT GEOLOGY!?
geoliminal.com/2025/12/21/t...
geoliminal.com/2025/12/21/t...
The Pulp of Yondo #43: “The Abominations of Yondo” by Clark Ashton Smith (Overland Monthly, v. 84, n. 4, April 1926)
A very merry Solstice to you and yours! On this, the darkest day of the year, let us enjoy some deep, indulgent fiction, the work of an author who was an important antecedent to Sword-and-Sorcery, …
geoliminal.com
December 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Winter Solstice reading for you! It's my very favorite Clark Ashton Smith story, "The Abominations of Yondo!" Neat monsters...and NEAT GEOLOGY!?
geoliminal.com/2025/12/21/t...
geoliminal.com/2025/12/21/t...