Misha Grifka Wander
@mishagw.bsky.social
he/they | academic and game designer | mishagw.carrd.co
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
The Ancillary Review of Books anti-billionaire promise:
February 4, 2026 at 3:45 PM
The Ancillary Review of Books anti-billionaire promise:
this shows to me that when there are actual material stakes that people can feel, they act. there's stakes to voting, but they are hard to feel. many political issues don't engage people because they are made to feel distant. there's still some good in people but they need things to feel close, real
Minneapolis and Saint Paul have basically mobilized into a war economy of mutual aid and non-violent defense. I’ve never seen anything like it, even during Covid. People who barely vote are guarding their schools from ICE and doing the shopping for neighbors in hiding.
This is so smart. I’m so impressed with all the different ways you’re helping your neighbors.
January 20, 2026 at 12:10 AM
this shows to me that when there are actual material stakes that people can feel, they act. there's stakes to voting, but they are hard to feel. many political issues don't engage people because they are made to feel distant. there's still some good in people but they need things to feel close, real
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
The Other Perspective: @mishagw.bsky.social reviews Theodora Goss's collection LETTERS FROM AN IMAGINARY COUNTRY (@tachyonpub.bsky.social)
Exploring Theodora Goss’s Letters from an Imaginary Country
Discover Theodora Goss's _Letters from an Imaginary Country_, a compelling short story collection exploring themes of identity and female empowerment.
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
January 16, 2026 at 3:09 PM
The Other Perspective: @mishagw.bsky.social reviews Theodora Goss's collection LETTERS FROM AN IMAGINARY COUNTRY (@tachyonpub.bsky.social)
Finished reading "your behavior will be monitored" which comes out this year - it was a lot more fun than any novel about current-style AI has a right to be. definitely recommend for an engaging read, though I doubt the real world will follow the path it depicts
January 10, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Finished reading "your behavior will be monitored" which comes out this year - it was a lot more fun than any novel about current-style AI has a right to be. definitely recommend for an engaging read, though I doubt the real world will follow the path it depicts
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
Hey, I know a lot of you use Discord.
You need to get on this survey and make it damn clear to them that this would be the absolute wrong direction. The last thing we need is the slop-spewing environment-chewing plagiarism bots invading there, too.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...?
You need to get on this survey and make it damn clear to them that this would be the absolute wrong direction. The last thing we need is the slop-spewing environment-chewing plagiarism bots invading there, too.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...?
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:17 AM
Hey, I know a lot of you use Discord.
You need to get on this survey and make it damn clear to them that this would be the absolute wrong direction. The last thing we need is the slop-spewing environment-chewing plagiarism bots invading there, too.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...?
You need to get on this survey and make it damn clear to them that this would be the absolute wrong direction. The last thing we need is the slop-spewing environment-chewing plagiarism bots invading there, too.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...?
For fun I thought I'd post the art corner next to my desk. There's a lot of art throughout the apartment, but these are my particular selection that stay right next to me - and a rare feature of my own art (the embroidery)
December 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
For fun I thought I'd post the art corner next to my desk. There's a lot of art throughout the apartment, but these are my particular selection that stay right next to me - and a rare feature of my own art (the embroidery)
I'm doing art on this, and I'm super excited! Really amazing for my childhood obsession with pod racing
Realizing we have not really pumped out much about this project.
@carrion-comfort.com @andrewbeauman.com @tonytranrpg.bsky.social @quinnblackwell.bsky.social @adira.bsky.social @bookrealmrevisions.bsky.social & other folks who's @ I can't remember right now are super excited to get sad, fast.
@carrion-comfort.com @andrewbeauman.com @tonytranrpg.bsky.social @quinnblackwell.bsky.social @adira.bsky.social @bookrealmrevisions.bsky.social & other folks who's @ I can't remember right now are super excited to get sad, fast.
It's not everyday you get to add @lincodega.com to a design team...
But it's always a good day when you do.
ttrpg.link/speedofsad
But it's always a good day when you do.
ttrpg.link/speedofsad
December 3, 2025 at 11:25 PM
I'm doing art on this, and I'm super excited! Really amazing for my childhood obsession with pod racing
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
BCS Patreon has fallen below the monthly amount we need to pay our authors a pro rate and our First Readers a worthy honorarium ($125/mo). Sometimes folks need to lower or pause their support; we understand. But less than 1% of BCS readership donates or supports. www.patreon.com/beneath_ceas... 1/3
Get more from Beneath Ceaseless Skies on Patreon
creating an online fantasy magazine & podcast
www.patreon.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
BCS Patreon has fallen below the monthly amount we need to pay our authors a pro rate and our First Readers a worthy honorarium ($125/mo). Sometimes folks need to lower or pause their support; we understand. But less than 1% of BCS readership donates or supports. www.patreon.com/beneath_ceas... 1/3
From Hell, Olondria, and City in Glass absolutely on my list. I'd add Invisible Cities (Italo Calvino), Swordspoint (Ellen Kushner), Perdido Street Station (China Mieville), and probably there's many others I can't recall at the moment.
Some that pop to mind: Sofia Samatar's A STRANGER IN OLONDRIA, William Gibson's NEUROMANCER, Vikram Chandra's SACRED GAMES, Samuel R. Delany's TRITON and DHALGREN, Vajra Chandrasekera's THE SAINT OF BRIGHT DOORS, Alan Moore's FROM HELL, Nghi Vo's THE CITY IN GLASS
December 1, 2025 at 4:46 PM
From Hell, Olondria, and City in Glass absolutely on my list. I'd add Invisible Cities (Italo Calvino), Swordspoint (Ellen Kushner), Perdido Street Station (China Mieville), and probably there's many others I can't recall at the moment.
I'm sure most thoughtful people have turned to the question of "how did we get here" recently, but I think I've finally arrived at my take: complete lack of media skills.
We live in a highly mediated world. That's neutral, not a bad or good thing, just true. But it does mean (cont)
We live in a highly mediated world. That's neutral, not a bad or good thing, just true. But it does mean (cont)
November 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I'm sure most thoughtful people have turned to the question of "how did we get here" recently, but I think I've finally arrived at my take: complete lack of media skills.
We live in a highly mediated world. That's neutral, not a bad or good thing, just true. But it does mean (cont)
We live in a highly mediated world. That's neutral, not a bad or good thing, just true. But it does mean (cont)
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
Post a bird to support @sbworkersunited.org and warn your followers not to buy Starbucks for the duration of the ULP strike. 🪶
November 16, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Post a bird to support @sbworkersunited.org and warn your followers not to buy Starbucks for the duration of the ULP strike. 🪶
Imo the faster you learn this the happier you are
I tell younger folks all the time: Do not worry about losing the respect or presence of people who can't or won't accept you doing things that bring you joy. The only relationship you are guaranteed will last until you die is the one you have with yourself. Don't let yourself down.
One thing people kind of tell you, but not really, about middle age:
One day you'll be like "oh [thing] looks fun but people will think I'm a loser" about a thing
And then you'll say. Wait a second.
Fuck 'em
One day you'll be like "oh [thing] looks fun but people will think I'm a loser" about a thing
And then you'll say. Wait a second.
Fuck 'em
November 11, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Imo the faster you learn this the happier you are
Found out by chance that there are plans to build an AI data center right next to my home town. As if that wasn't bad enough, it's for nuclear weapons research. Do people ever get tired of being evil?
November 11, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Found out by chance that there are plans to build an AI data center right next to my home town. As if that wasn't bad enough, it's for nuclear weapons research. Do people ever get tired of being evil?
I've been pretty open about the fact that The Between doesn't work for me perfectly as a game. But I really liked this positive review of it - it gave me a perspective on how it *could* have worked for me, with different play styles at the table. oldmenrunningtheworld.com/threedom-the...
Threedom: The Between - Old Men Running The World
This is Threedom, our review series in which forever-GMs Jim Rossignol, Kieron Gillen, and The Mysterious Third (Chris) get to spend a bit of time as players
oldmenrunningtheworld.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I've been pretty open about the fact that The Between doesn't work for me perfectly as a game. But I really liked this positive review of it - it gave me a perspective on how it *could* have worked for me, with different play styles at the table. oldmenrunningtheworld.com/threedom-the...
I would rather 6000000 people get things they don't "deserve" than one child goes hungry.
November 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I would rather 6000000 people get things they don't "deserve" than one child goes hungry.
The US is a much more fragile governmental system and society than many of its residents assume. There is nothing keeping us from becoming a failed state, like so many other countries have throughout modern history.
Gift article
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Donald Trump has wielded power as no previous president has, often in open defiance of the law. His actions have raised a chilling question.
OPINION | THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Are We Losing Our Democracy?
By The Editorial Board
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Donald Trump has wielded power as no previous president has, often in open defiance of the law. His actions have raised a chilling question.
OPINION | THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Are We Losing Our Democracy?
By The Editorial Board
November 1, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The US is a much more fragile governmental system and society than many of its residents assume. There is nothing keeping us from becoming a failed state, like so many other countries have throughout modern history.
Nebraska Public Media collaborated with PBS and the Wisconsin Menominee to make a full, free, video game. What a cool thing for public media to work on! They're always finding ways to meet audiences in new formats
nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/nebraska-...
nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/nebraska-...
Powwow Bound
nebraskapublicmedia.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Nebraska Public Media collaborated with PBS and the Wisconsin Menominee to make a full, free, video game. What a cool thing for public media to work on! They're always finding ways to meet audiences in new formats
nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/nebraska-...
nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/nebraska-...
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
Big congrats to Vajra Chandrasekera for RAKESFALL's win; well deserved!
(The entire UKLG Prize list is stellar, by the way: a snapshot of diverse literary excellence.)
ARB editor @mishagw.bsky.social interviewed @vajra.me about the novel last year:
(The entire UKLG Prize list is stellar, by the way: a snapshot of diverse literary excellence.)
ARB editor @mishagw.bsky.social interviewed @vajra.me about the novel last year:
October 21, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Big congrats to Vajra Chandrasekera for RAKESFALL's win; well deserved!
(The entire UKLG Prize list is stellar, by the way: a snapshot of diverse literary excellence.)
ARB editor @mishagw.bsky.social interviewed @vajra.me about the novel last year:
(The entire UKLG Prize list is stellar, by the way: a snapshot of diverse literary excellence.)
ARB editor @mishagw.bsky.social interviewed @vajra.me about the novel last year:
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
Support the 2026 @apexmag.bsky.social Kickstarter! Apex publishes amazing SF, dark fantasy, and horror and we need their stories now more than ever.
I'll give an Apex gift subscription and dedication to one random person who promotes this Kickstarter! 1/
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
I'll give an Apex gift subscription and dedication to one random person who promotes this Kickstarter! 1/
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
Apex Magazine 2026
An award-winning digital literary magazine of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror.
www.kickstarter.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Support the 2026 @apexmag.bsky.social Kickstarter! Apex publishes amazing SF, dark fantasy, and horror and we need their stories now more than ever.
I'll give an Apex gift subscription and dedication to one random person who promotes this Kickstarter! 1/
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
I'll give an Apex gift subscription and dedication to one random person who promotes this Kickstarter! 1/
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
i know a lot of ttrpg folks got started in a major way during lockdown, but i can't remember specific names. can anyone think of names? or maybe you are that person? i might have an interview opp
October 1, 2025 at 4:40 PM
i know a lot of ttrpg folks got started in a major way during lockdown, but i can't remember specific names. can anyone think of names? or maybe you are that person? i might have an interview opp
On vacation and finally got to see the northern lights irl for the first time!! They were visible to the naked eye, and I felt so lucky. Nature's beauty is the antidote to despair, for me.
September 17, 2025 at 2:06 PM
On vacation and finally got to see the northern lights irl for the first time!! They were visible to the naked eye, and I felt so lucky. Nature's beauty is the antidote to despair, for me.
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
September 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Pet parrots which typically live alone (whilst those in the wild live in large flocks) were given the technology to call each other. They would use it for up to three hours a day, and developed favourite friends 💔
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
on.ft.com/3K05vhS
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
the murder that’s not on every front page nationwide
An antisemite shot two kids in Colorado, at least one of whom is Jewish.
The White House “fighting antisemitism” doesn’t care, because the shooter was a student radicalized online into far right beliefs, which the regime is cool with, rather than a student verbally criticizing Israeli govt policy.
The White House “fighting antisemitism” doesn’t care, because the shooter was a student radicalized online into far right beliefs, which the regime is cool with, rather than a student verbally criticizing Israeli govt policy.
‘Radicalized’ Evergreen High School shooter appeared to hold antisemitic, violent views in online accounts
Social media accounts that appear to be connected to the 16-year-old shooter are littered with references to mass shootings and antisemitic views, The Denver Post found.
www.denverpost.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:58 PM
the murder that’s not on every front page nationwide
Reposted by Misha Grifka Wander
Absolutely adore this — it really speaks to me both as a player and a designer, and it is clear and comprehensive in a way I didn’t personally find the Expressionist Games Manifesto to be
The Relationship Games Manifesto
An approach to analog roleplaying game design that centers our relationship to one another over any other priority. A call to action for games with empathy as a foundational principal. Free to everyone on my Patreon.
www.patreon.com/posts/relati...
An approach to analog roleplaying game design that centers our relationship to one another over any other priority. A call to action for games with empathy as a foundational principal. Free to everyone on my Patreon.
www.patreon.com/posts/relati...
The Relationship Games Manifesto | Luck of the Harbor
Get more from Luck of the Harbor on Patreon
www.patreon.com
September 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Absolutely adore this — it really speaks to me both as a player and a designer, and it is clear and comprehensive in a way I didn’t personally find the Expressionist Games Manifesto to be
i think this is a really interesting glimpse into what jay dragon is thinking about as a designer: possumcreek.medium.com/the-expressi...
unfortunately i think it shouldn't be a manifesto, because it's not very clear, and it's not very generous to other designers.
unfortunately i think it shouldn't be a manifesto, because it's not very clear, and it's not very generous to other designers.
The Expressionist Games Manifesto
“Work! Intoxication! Brain-racking! Chewing, eating, gorging, rooting up! Rapturous birth pangs! Jabbing of the brush, preferably right…
possumcreek.medium.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:04 PM
i think this is a really interesting glimpse into what jay dragon is thinking about as a designer: possumcreek.medium.com/the-expressi...
unfortunately i think it shouldn't be a manifesto, because it's not very clear, and it's not very generous to other designers.
unfortunately i think it shouldn't be a manifesto, because it's not very clear, and it's not very generous to other designers.