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maxgladstone.bsky.social
Max Gladstone
@maxgladstone.bsky.social
6.9K followers 190 following 1.9K posts
NYT bestselling writer. Newsletter and updates at maxgladstone.com. More or less updates-only on here.
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maxgladstone.bsky.social
Max Gladstone @maxgladstone.bsky.social · Oct 21
We're coming up on the release for DEAD HAND RULE! Come see me and @matociquala.bsky.social on launch day, Oct 28, at @portersqbooks.bsky.social - or on Nov 12 at Pandemonium! us.macmillan.com/tours/max-gl...
Max Gladstone: Dead Hand Rule - Macmillan Publishers
Join award-winning author Max Gladstone for a discussion of his latest novel, Dead Hand Rule, book three of the Craft Wars series.
us.macmillan.com
Reposted by Max Gladstone
devinsinger.bsky.social
This is an interesting convo between @maxgladstone.bsky.social and @djangowexler.bsky.social about, among other things, the publishing industry, and it brings up an angle - the bestseller being a market correction - that is my personal explanation for the romantasy phenomenon. (1/2)
Django Wexler on The Thirteenth God
As prophesied, or, well, mentioned anyway
buttondown.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
matociquala.bsky.social
The mighty @maxgladstone.bsky.social is very smart about making things and you should read his newsletter.

buttondown.com/MaxGladstone...
Writing Doesn't Always Look the Way You Think
A couple days ago Penny Arcade posted a great scathing comic about an ad for an LLM; the ad promised that new users could “start writing for free!” Of course...
buttondown.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:07 AM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
lollardfish.bsky.social
Historical analogies are arguments. So when someone makes an analogy between today and the Holocaust, or today and anything, think about they are really arguing for. What is the analogy trying to get you to do?

New at @startribune.com
Perry: When is it OK to compare aspects of what’s happening in Minnesota to Nazi Germany?
Gov. Tim Walz has made some such analogies in relation to ICE and has been criticized for it, David M. Perry writes.
www.startribune.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
chrislhayes.bsky.social
I think it's best for everyone to understand that the unified class project of billionaires right now is to do to white collar workers what globalization and neoliberalism did to blue collar workers.
February 4, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
lindseyadler.bsky.social
sports coverage is not about box scores anymore. it's about power and politics and corruption and sovereign wealth and real estate and the use of taxpayer money and the most publicized labor disputes in the country and yes, sometimes about ball go in hoop
nataliekorach.bsky.social Natalie Korach @nataliekorach.bsky.social · 13d
WaPo's Matt Murray told staff the paper is shuttering sports, moving remaining staff to features, shrinking foreign coverage, restructuring metro, closing books coverage, suspending Post Reports podcast

“Whole company now waiting for a live or die email” one staffer said

More in tonight’s Status
February 4, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
drewharwell.com
We at the @postguild.bsky.social are raising money for the hundreds of journalists the Post just laid off. This goes to the people who are hurting, not the Post. Or if you'd rather, go subscribe to an independent journalist. Support is hugely appreciated.

www.gofundme.com/f/standing-t...
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
www.gofundme.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
maxgladstone.bsky.social
Today's Penny Arcade gets it
penny-arcade.com Penny Arcade @penny-arcade.com · 13d
Take control of your mind. Start thinking for free!

See and read the full comic on penny-arcade.com !
#AISlop #WriteForFree #ThinkForYourself #AIisAGrift #comedy #foryou
February 4, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
evilgalprods.bsky.social
ahahaha make ‘em fucken miserable then don’t let ‘em drink about it 👏🏼 masterful
February 4, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
samhalpert.bsky.social
This is brilliant. I'm so grateful for this testimony. I've transcribed it to use in letters I'm writing. Sharing the full transcription here (see alt text to copy/paste it):
"I'd like to share a story from a local paper in Coldwater, Michigan dated to the 9th of April, 1945. It tells how the US Army, under General Patton--the US 3rd Army--came onto what you might call a detention center just outside the village of Ohrdruf, Germany. The US Army brought the leading citizens of Ohrdruf to tour the facility, which turned out to be part of the Buchenwald network of concentration camps. A US Army colonel told the German civilians who viewed the scenes, without muttering a word, that they were to blame. One of the Germans replied that what happened in the camp was (quote) 'done by a few people, and you cannot blame us all.' And the American, who could have been any one of our grandfathers, said, 'this was done by those that the German people chose to lead them, and all are responsible.' The morning after the tour, the Mayor of Ohrdruf killed himself. And maybe he did not know the full extent of the outrages that were committed in his community, but he knew enough. And we don't know exactly how ICE will use this warehouse. But we know enough. I ask you to consider what the Mayor of Ohrdruf might have thought before he died. Maybe he felt like a victim. He might have thought, 'how is this my fault? I have no jurisdiction over this.' Maybe he would have said, 'this site was not subject to local zoning, what could I do?' But I think, when he reflected on the suffering that occurred at this camp, just outside of town, that those words would have sounded hollow even to him. Because in his heart he knew--as we do--that we are all responsible for what happens in our community. I urge the council to take action to stop, or stall, or at the barest minimum to think creatively about how to exercise oversight over this proposed ICE facility. Thank you."
February 4, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
somershade.bsky.social
Bearing witness against ice with @bearingwitnessice.bsky.social, at the field headquarters behind the Burlington mall.

1/?
February 4, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
arula-ratnakar.bsky.social
This took me 3 years, drew it as a teen, it’s 10 ft long drawn freehand (no rulers, I draw straight lines by looking at edge of the paper & pretending to trace it while my pencil is at a different coordinate— how I get symmetry too). Even if not eligible Im glad someone thought it was worth awarding
arula-ratnakar.bsky.social Arula Ratnakar @arula-ratnakar.bsky.social · 14d
Wow, I just found out my drawing "Destruction of Troy" is nominated for an artwork award by BSFA.

But @bsfa.bsky.social I hope you know, I finished that drawing in I think 2016, 10 years ago! Are you sure it's eligible?

Anyway, if it is eligible (but I doubt it is?), this is the artwork, thanks!
February 3, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
brada.bsky.social
The Iskari Rectification Authority approves of this message. @maxgladstone.bsky.social
werd.io Ben Werdmuller @werd.io · 15d
Secure your own squid first before helping others.

(I'm disproportionately proud of this drawing.)
An airline security card but instead of oxygen masks, it's squid. Just roll with it.
February 3, 2026 at 3:31 AM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
letsgomathias.bsky.social
3 yrs ago I started writing a book that is in stores TODAY. It's narrative nonfiction, anti-fascist spy thriller set in Trump era. It's timely as hell & I'm proud of it.

A thread of what people are saying abt it & why I hope you'll help make it a bestseller www.simonandschuster.com/books/To-Cat...
February 3, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
gorangligovic.bsky.social
Love to take an invigorating nap by leaning back in my chair with my feet up on the desk, secure in the knowledge that none of the king’s prisoners (especially not the one with the oddly charming rodent confederate) will notice or attempt to misappropriate the ring of keys hanging from my belt
February 3, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
lollardfish.bsky.social
also my lede for tomorrow's essay
westurnkansas.bsky.social Proud Radical Left Scum @westurnkansas.bsky.social · 14d
@billybragg.bsky.social
Billy Bragg

"The ghost of Martin Niemöller
Haunts the halls of history
When they came for the communists
He said ‘It’s nothing to do with me,'
What excuses would you tell yourself
If this ever happened to you?
Well I live in a city of heroes
I know what I would do."
February 3, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
timothynoah.bsky.social
This is now without question the biggest politico-financial scandal in United States history. Teapot Dome was trivial in comparison.
timothynoah.bsky.social Timothy Noah @timothynoah.bsky.social · 15d
I was a little late to catch up with this WSJ kleptocracy story. We already knew Sheikh Tahnoon dropped $2b on World Liberty Financial to get Trump to let UAE import advanced chips. Now we learn Tahnoon also purchased 49 percent of World Liberty Financial.

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company
$500 million investment for 49% of World Liberty came months before U.A.E. won access to tightly guarded American AI chips.
www.wsj.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
apottern.bsky.social
Did I mention that I have not one, but TWO stories releasing today on 2/2? Yeah, it's weird. And wonderful.

My novelette "Mother, Darling" is now live @strangehorizons.bsky.social

“Oh, Wendybird... you’ve finally come back to see what a little shit Pan is.”

strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
Mother, Darling
Wendy knew it wouldn’t be long now before her daughter was taken. She had put the idea from her mind as long as she could, but now Jane was days away from turning thirteen.
strangehorizons.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
timcarvell.bsky.social
Chotiner: Tell me what you found interesting about these vampires.

Documentarian: Well, it's just -- the group dynamics, I guess.

Chotiner: I can see that. I can see finding Nandor, Laszlo and Nadia entertaining.

Documentarian: Exactly.

Chotiner: So. How many people did you watch them murder?
February 2, 2026 at 1:05 AM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
sorayanadiamcdonald.com
The person to watch is David Rubenstein, who has poured millions in philanthropy into the Kennedy Center, is not going to be pleased about this, and has money, ego, and patriotism long enough to sustain a long-ass legal battle.

Particularly since his cash isn't crypto.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 16d
Trump: "I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything."
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump After a one year review of The Trump Kennedy Center, that has taken place with Contractors, Musical Experts, Art Institutions, and other Advisors and Consultants, deciding between either Construction with Closure and Re-Opening or, Partial Construction while continuing Entertainment Operations through a much longer period of time, working in and around the Performances, I have determined that The Trump Kennedy Center, if temporarily closed for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding, can be, without question, the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World. In other words, if we don’t close, the quality of Construction will not be nearly as good, and the time to completion, because of interruptions with Audiences from the many Events using the Facility, will be much longer. The temporary closure will produce a much faster and higher quality result! Based on these findings, and totally subject to Board approval, I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before. Therefore, The Trump Kennedy Center will close on July 4th, 2026, in honor of the 250th Anniversary of our Country, whereupon we will simultaneously begin Construction of the new and spectacular Entertainment Complex. Financing is completed, and fully in place! This important decision, based on input from many Highly Respected Experts, will take a tired, broken, and dilapidated Center, one that has been in bad condition, both financially and structurally for many years, and turn it into a World Class Bastion of Arts, Music, and Entertainment, far better than it has ever been before. America will be very proud of its new and beautiful Landmark
February 1, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
matociquala.bsky.social
Hey folks!

Due to a series of unforeseen expenses, I need to raise some cash before royalty season rolls around at the beginning of April. Because of that, I am going to do something I don't usually do and offer paid mentoring sessions for aspiring writers.
February 1, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
princejvstin.com
The @locusmag.bsky.social 2025 Recommended Reading
locusmag.com/2026/02/2025...
Works by
@marthawells.com
@matociquala.bsky.social
@nnedi.bsky.social
@franwilde.bsky.social
@pennyvixen.bsky.social
@charliejane.bsky.social
@alixeharrow.bsky.social
@tkingfisher.com
@rfkuang.bsky.social
2025 Recommended Reading List
Welcome to the Locus Recommended Reading List… We saw some fabulous books come out last year and are so pleased to let you know about them! Our recommendations are compiled annually by the Locus re…
locusmag.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
ascottkoala.bsky.social
Temps in the low 20's-30's in the South and renewables holding it down again today:

Texas (ERCOT) - ~50% solar! v. ~30% gas, with batteries dispatching earlier at ~ 6GWs

#energysky
January 31, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
bepis.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
markagee.bsky.social
The Epstein emails should really end the debate over whether society should have billionaires. "Do you want there to be a class of people so powerful they can fuck your kids and no one will even try to do anything" seems like an easy sell if everyone in politics wasn't trying to get on their payroll
January 30, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by Max Gladstone
hikikomorphism.bsky.social
If you can substitute "hungry ghost trapped in a jar" for "AI" in a sentence it's probably a valid use case for LLMs. Take "I have a bunch of hungry ghosts in jars, they mainly write SQL queries for me". Sure. Reasonable use case.

"My girlfriend is a hungry ghost I trapped in a jar"? No. Deranged.
August 13, 2025 at 12:56 AM