Marshall Ryan Maresca
@mrmaresca.com
Fantasy Author & Podcaster | Co-host of 5x Hugo Finalist
Worldbuilding for Masochists | Maradaine Saga | Velocity of Revolution |
http://mrmaresca.com
https://linktr.ee/marshallryanmaresca
Worldbuilding for Masochists | Maradaine Saga | Velocity of Revolution |
http://mrmaresca.com
https://linktr.ee/marshallryanmaresca
Pinned
Marshall Ryan Maresca
@mrmaresca.com
· Jan 6
New pinned intro thread!
I’m Marshall Ryan Maresca, fantasy author who works on all sorts of things, including:
-a big interwoven fantasy epic - The Maradaine Saga
-a dieselpunk fantasy of motorcycles and mayhem - The Velocity of Revolution
-a 5x Hugo nommed podcast (@worldbuildcast.bsky.social)
I’m Marshall Ryan Maresca, fantasy author who works on all sorts of things, including:
-a big interwoven fantasy epic - The Maradaine Saga
-a dieselpunk fantasy of motorcycles and mayhem - The Velocity of Revolution
-a 5x Hugo nommed podcast (@worldbuildcast.bsky.social)
"Choose the form of the Destructor. The Dow is at 50,000..."
February 13, 2026 at 9:05 PM
"Choose the form of the Destructor. The Dow is at 50,000..."
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Okay, nomination eligible folks. I want to see NUMBERS. I want us to beat the record of the most ever Hugo nominations. I don't actually know what the record is, but I believe we can fly past it!
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Hugo Awards!
Emails are going out to eligible nominators (those who became a member of LAcon V by January 31, 2026, or were a member of the Seattle Worldcon 2025) about how to set up their LAcon V virtual convention account.
Emails are going out to eligible nominators (those who became a member of LAcon V by January 31, 2026, or were a member of the Seattle Worldcon 2025) about how to set up their LAcon V virtual convention account.
February 12, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Okay, nomination eligible folks. I want to see NUMBERS. I want us to beat the record of the most ever Hugo nominations. I don't actually know what the record is, but I believe we can fly past it!
There's an irony that certain-- let's say "dogwhistlers"-- like to act that the number of nominating votes NOW is super low and thus the results aren't as valid as they were Way Back When.
OK. Little more analysis here.
With the exception of 1974, we have nomination totals for every year since 1970. The average number of nominating ballots is essentially unchanged for the first 30 years.
Then it jumps in about 2010.
With the exception of 1974, we have nomination totals for every year since 1970. The average number of nominating ballots is essentially unchanged for the first 30 years.
Then it jumps in about 2010.
February 13, 2026 at 7:44 PM
There's an irony that certain-- let's say "dogwhistlers"-- like to act that the number of nominating votes NOW is super low and thus the results aren't as valid as they were Way Back When.
Oh, my. Folks, if you haven't before, now's the time.
ME AND WHO ME AND WHO ME AND WHOOOOO cordcuttersnews.com/babylon-5-is...
Babylon 5 Is Now Free to Watch On YouTube | Cord Cutters News
In a move that has delighted fans of classic science fiction, Warner Bros. Discovery has begun uploading full episodes of the iconic series Babylon 5 to YouTube, providing free access to the show just...
cordcuttersnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:04 AM
Oh, my. Folks, if you haven't before, now's the time.
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Hugo Nominations are open!!!!!!
Nebula Nominations are open!!!!!
Locus Poll is open!!!!!!
BSFA voting is happening!!!!!
it's all going on right now so i am reposting this again (it likely will happen another time, i am not sorry). here's my eligibility post.
and remember, as always, fuck ICE
Nebula Nominations are open!!!!!
Locus Poll is open!!!!!!
BSFA voting is happening!!!!!
it's all going on right now so i am reposting this again (it likely will happen another time, i am not sorry). here's my eligibility post.
and remember, as always, fuck ICE
eligibility post time!!!!
this year i published two things:
novella: THE DEATH OF MOUNTAINS from @lethepress.bsky.social
short story: "The Messengers of Despair" from @bcsmagazine.bsky.social
🧵
this year i published two things:
novella: THE DEATH OF MOUNTAINS from @lethepress.bsky.social
short story: "The Messengers of Despair" from @bcsmagazine.bsky.social
🧵
February 12, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Hugo Nominations are open!!!!!!
Nebula Nominations are open!!!!!
Locus Poll is open!!!!!!
BSFA voting is happening!!!!!
it's all going on right now so i am reposting this again (it likely will happen another time, i am not sorry). here's my eligibility post.
and remember, as always, fuck ICE
Nebula Nominations are open!!!!!
Locus Poll is open!!!!!!
BSFA voting is happening!!!!!
it's all going on right now so i am reposting this again (it likely will happen another time, i am not sorry). here's my eligibility post.
and remember, as always, fuck ICE
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Worldbuilding for Masochists @worldbuildcast.bsky.social is eligible for Best Fancast!
🧵 Here's why we think we're worthy of your consideration:
-We dig into SFF worldbuilding from a ton of different, exciting angles with an eye toward encouraging writers to make interesting, innovative choices.
🧵 Here's why we think we're worthy of your consideration:
-We dig into SFF worldbuilding from a ton of different, exciting angles with an eye toward encouraging writers to make interesting, innovative choices.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Hugo Awards!
Emails are going out to eligible nominators (those who became a member of LAcon V by January 31, 2026, or were a member of the Seattle Worldcon 2025) about how to set up their LAcon V virtual convention account.
Emails are going out to eligible nominators (those who became a member of LAcon V by January 31, 2026, or were a member of the Seattle Worldcon 2025) about how to set up their LAcon V virtual convention account.
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Worldbuilding for Masochists @worldbuildcast.bsky.social is eligible for Best Fancast!
🧵 Here's why we think we're worthy of your consideration:
-We dig into SFF worldbuilding from a ton of different, exciting angles with an eye toward encouraging writers to make interesting, innovative choices.
🧵 Here's why we think we're worthy of your consideration:
-We dig into SFF worldbuilding from a ton of different, exciting angles with an eye toward encouraging writers to make interesting, innovative choices.
Age verification?
It is pitch dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
It is pitch dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
Age verification?
The first step in tech support is checking to see if the TV is set to channel 3.
The first step in tech support is checking to see if the TV is set to channel 3.
Age verification?
I had to record my favorite songs on cassette by constantly listening to radio stations and smashing the little red circle button at the exact right moment. (A pox on radio jockeys who talk over the end of the song!)
I had to record my favorite songs on cassette by constantly listening to radio stations and smashing the little red circle button at the exact right moment. (A pox on radio jockeys who talk over the end of the song!)
February 10, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Age verification?
It is pitch dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
It is pitch dark. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
Me, stumbling into stupid brilliant writing advice:
"But you put that in that dinner scene, have the politics explained there, that's where you'll get juicy stakes. And juicy steaks."
"But you put that in that dinner scene, have the politics explained there, that's where you'll get juicy stakes. And juicy steaks."
February 10, 2026 at 5:52 AM
Me, stumbling into stupid brilliant writing advice:
"But you put that in that dinner scene, have the politics explained there, that's where you'll get juicy stakes. And juicy steaks."
"But you put that in that dinner scene, have the politics explained there, that's where you'll get juicy stakes. And juicy steaks."
post a banger that isn't in English
February 9, 2026 at 7:52 PM
post a banger that isn't in English
Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun
February 9, 2026 at 4:54 AM
Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Bad Bunny ends his Super Bowl halftime show in front of a sign reading "THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE"
February 9, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Bad Bunny ends his Super Bowl halftime show in front of a sign reading "THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE"
There's a lot of discourse under this, but I went and rewatched the TZ episode in question (which JMS did not write, mind you), and I'm more annoyed. It starts out with the pilot getting sensor warnings, and I'm just-- sensors didn't tell him BEFORE launching?
February 8, 2026 at 9:51 PM
There's a lot of discourse under this, but I went and rewatched the TZ episode in question (which JMS did not write, mind you), and I'm more annoyed. It starts out with the pilot getting sensor warnings, and I'm just-- sensors didn't tell him BEFORE launching?
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
I've never had so much discourse occur downstream of a comment of mine before, let alone one involving a number of greats in the field.
February 8, 2026 at 5:23 AM
I've never had so much discourse occur downstream of a comment of mine before, let alone one involving a number of greats in the field.
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
I don't know what to tell you. You can't sit at a piano for the first time ever and play a sonata. You can't pick up a tennis racket for the first time and serve a 110MPH Ace.
You have to fuck up.
You have to be able to handle failing.
You have to love it enough to not get it right and keep on.
You have to fuck up.
You have to be able to handle failing.
You have to love it enough to not get it right and keep on.
February 7, 2026 at 5:10 AM
I don't know what to tell you. You can't sit at a piano for the first time ever and play a sonata. You can't pick up a tennis racket for the first time and serve a 110MPH Ace.
You have to fuck up.
You have to be able to handle failing.
You have to love it enough to not get it right and keep on.
You have to fuck up.
You have to be able to handle failing.
You have to love it enough to not get it right and keep on.
LOOK AT THIS ABSOLUTE CHILD who was a small part of the Austin theater scene in the 90s. Check the alt text for more info.
February 7, 2026 at 1:52 AM
LOOK AT THIS ABSOLUTE CHILD who was a small part of the Austin theater scene in the 90s. Check the alt text for more info.
I kind of want someone to write a crossover of The Cold Equations and Cabin In The Woods that explains the ships are designed the way SPECIFICALLY so a girl gets thrown into space every once in a while to appease The Old Gods with a sacrifice.
Particularly good if you want to get references to old SF without actually having to read, say, The Cold Equations, which is majorly depressing shit.
February 6, 2026 at 4:44 AM
I kind of want someone to write a crossover of The Cold Equations and Cabin In The Woods that explains the ships are designed the way SPECIFICALLY so a girl gets thrown into space every once in a while to appease The Old Gods with a sacrifice.
There's also a lot of "golden age science fiction was about IDEAS" but let's be real, most of those ideas were 101-level "what if there were robots?" "What if we met aliens and they're weird?" Foundational, but today's authors have built skyscrapers on those foundations.
A lot of "golden age" science fiction has interesting ideas and workman-like-at-best prose, and Asimov was no exception to this. He and many other GA SF writers benefitted from "first-mover" status, and also, editors who preferred neat SF concepts (and men) over exceptional prose (and women).
Luke warm take? His stuff was influential but kinda-mid.
February 6, 2026 at 12:39 AM
There's also a lot of "golden age science fiction was about IDEAS" but let's be real, most of those ideas were 101-level "what if there were robots?" "What if we met aliens and they're weird?" Foundational, but today's authors have built skyscrapers on those foundations.
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
This is only related in a sideways manner, but: the story of any small slice of humanity is the story of humanity, just boiled down and distilled. So:
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
This is only related in a sideways manner, but: the story of any small slice of humanity is the story of humanity, just boiled down and distilled. So:
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
Regardless of the topic, this tends to happen all the time.
Man, a lot of the quote posts of this are just proving my point.
February 5, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Regardless of the topic, this tends to happen all the time.
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
HOW to effectively SELL YOUR BOOK 📖
In Ep. 188, @adrianmgibson.bsky.social @mjkuhnbooks.bsky.social & Greta Kelly and the hosts of @worldbuildcast.bsky.social discuss public speaking and how to pitch people on your books.
Stream/download/watch Ep. 188:
linktr.ee/SFFAddicts
youtu.be/RywutjE_18o?si
In Ep. 188, @adrianmgibson.bsky.social @mjkuhnbooks.bsky.social & Greta Kelly and the hosts of @worldbuildcast.bsky.social discuss public speaking and how to pitch people on your books.
Stream/download/watch Ep. 188:
linktr.ee/SFFAddicts
youtu.be/RywutjE_18o?si
February 5, 2026 at 5:55 PM
HOW to effectively SELL YOUR BOOK 📖
In Ep. 188, @adrianmgibson.bsky.social @mjkuhnbooks.bsky.social & Greta Kelly and the hosts of @worldbuildcast.bsky.social discuss public speaking and how to pitch people on your books.
Stream/download/watch Ep. 188:
linktr.ee/SFFAddicts
youtu.be/RywutjE_18o?si
In Ep. 188, @adrianmgibson.bsky.social @mjkuhnbooks.bsky.social & Greta Kelly and the hosts of @worldbuildcast.bsky.social discuss public speaking and how to pitch people on your books.
Stream/download/watch Ep. 188:
linktr.ee/SFFAddicts
youtu.be/RywutjE_18o?si
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Prescient 400 years ago, equally damning today.
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Prescient 400 years ago, equally damning today.
Reposted by Marshall Ryan Maresca
Coming up fast -- February's BBB reading event on 2/17 @ 7pm at Barrow's! Join us as we welcome authors/readers @victormanibo.com #ShvetaThakrar @fondalee.bsky.social & @leannareneehieber.bsky.social for a night of sips, socializing, and stories!
More: BrooklynBooksBooze.com
More: BrooklynBooksBooze.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Coming up fast -- February's BBB reading event on 2/17 @ 7pm at Barrow's! Join us as we welcome authors/readers @victormanibo.com #ShvetaThakrar @fondalee.bsky.social & @leannareneehieber.bsky.social for a night of sips, socializing, and stories!
More: BrooklynBooksBooze.com
More: BrooklynBooksBooze.com
I remember when JMS was planning a new version of Babylon 5, I saw some right wing grifter asshole go, "Ugh, he'll make this new version woke." And I was just DID YOU ACTUALLY WATCH THE ORIGINAL SHOW? DID YOU UNDERSTAND IT?
Not even 10 episodes into Babylon 5 and we've already had multiple episodes where the plot was:
1. There's a fascist on the station
2. Well, we can't have that
3. The Nazi gets their ass beat/kicked off the station/vaporized
4. "Fuck that guy; sure hope we don't see more of that lot"
1. There's a fascist on the station
2. Well, we can't have that
3. The Nazi gets their ass beat/kicked off the station/vaporized
4. "Fuck that guy; sure hope we don't see more of that lot"
February 5, 2026 at 2:08 AM
I remember when JMS was planning a new version of Babylon 5, I saw some right wing grifter asshole go, "Ugh, he'll make this new version woke." And I was just DID YOU ACTUALLY WATCH THE ORIGINAL SHOW? DID YOU UNDERSTAND IT?
The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzie. Said boys are THE FUCKING WORST, and it would be one thing if the song was a warning-- but the song thinks they're awesome.
Fuck your favourite song. Tell me your least favourite song. The one that makes you die inside the moment you hear the first 3 seconds.
February 4, 2026 at 8:19 PM
The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzie. Said boys are THE FUCKING WORST, and it would be one thing if the song was a warning-- but the song thinks they're awesome.