M. R. Robinson
@mruthrobinson.bsky.social
MR, she/her. writer, teacher, tired · Clarion West ‘25 · VP2024 · SFWA · Codex · words at BCS, Lightspeed, GigaNotoSaurus, elsewhere · co-founder of @othersidespec.bsky.social 🪐 🗡️ 🌈
https://m-r-robinson.com
https://m-r-robinson.com
Pinned
Academic Neutrality - Lightspeed Magazine
When Amy begins to flay herself during office hours, you aren’t quite sure what to do. You hate office hours. You used to enjoy them, actually, back before the flayings started. Sure, it’s hard sharin...
www.lightspeedmagazine.com
New story out now from @lightspeedmagazine.com! This one is all about how it feels to work in higher education these days. Spoiler: it feels extremely bad, like “what if your university signed a compact with the actual devil and now there’s an unbreakable curse” levels of bad 🫠
Having an extremely agonizing day trying to think about anything other than this.
February 4, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Having an extremely agonizing day trying to think about anything other than this.
LOOK AT THIS TABLE OF CONTENTS AAAAAAAAAA!!!
Honestly, I kept tearing up while I was making these images. We started planning for @othersidespec.bsky.social in the summer of 2024, and… here we are. This is the best thing I’ve ever done. This is the best day. I can’t wait for March.
Honestly, I kept tearing up while I was making these images. We started planning for @othersidespec.bsky.social in the summer of 2024, and… here we are. This is the best thing I’ve ever done. This is the best day. I can’t wait for March.
IT'S HERE! We are SO thrilled to officially reveal our Issue 1 table of contents! Every single piece in this issue is unbelievably good, and we cannot wait for you to read these stories and poems in March. These authors are amazing 🪐🗡️
More details in the thread! 🧵 (1/6)
More details in the thread! 🧵 (1/6)
February 4, 2026 at 9:22 PM
LOOK AT THIS TABLE OF CONTENTS AAAAAAAAAA!!!
Honestly, I kept tearing up while I was making these images. We started planning for @othersidespec.bsky.social in the summer of 2024, and… here we are. This is the best thing I’ve ever done. This is the best day. I can’t wait for March.
Honestly, I kept tearing up while I was making these images. We started planning for @othersidespec.bsky.social in the summer of 2024, and… here we are. This is the best thing I’ve ever done. This is the best day. I can’t wait for March.
I can’t wait for everyone to read this story!
February 3, 2026 at 10:36 PM
I can’t wait for everyone to read this story!
Eyes on the prize.
February 3, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Eyes on the prize.
This story made me actually shriek when I read it. Incredibly unbecoming behavior. Thank you for sending it to us!!!
February 3, 2026 at 5:37 PM
This story made me actually shriek when I read it. Incredibly unbecoming behavior. Thank you for sending it to us!!!
Reposted by M. R. Robinson
"The heron of forgetfulness hovers over the ale-drinking;
he steals men’s wits;
with the feathers of this bird I was fettered
in the court of Gunnlod."
(Sayings of the High One, trans. Carolyne Larrington)
I hope you love this story! It's very dear to my heart.
smallwondersmag.com/piece/drinki...
he steals men’s wits;
with the feathers of this bird I was fettered
in the court of Gunnlod."
(Sayings of the High One, trans. Carolyne Larrington)
I hope you love this story! It's very dear to my heart.
smallwondersmag.com/piece/drinki...
February 2, 2026 at 5:29 PM
"The heron of forgetfulness hovers over the ale-drinking;
he steals men’s wits;
with the feathers of this bird I was fettered
in the court of Gunnlod."
(Sayings of the High One, trans. Carolyne Larrington)
I hope you love this story! It's very dear to my heart.
smallwondersmag.com/piece/drinki...
he steals men’s wits;
with the feathers of this bird I was fettered
in the court of Gunnlod."
(Sayings of the High One, trans. Carolyne Larrington)
I hope you love this story! It's very dear to my heart.
smallwondersmag.com/piece/drinki...
Oh no! No tips, but sending all the good thoughts your way for a smooth recovery!
February 3, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Oh no! No tips, but sending all the good thoughts your way for a smooth recovery!
Happy book birthday!
February 3, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Happy book birthday!
I am very fond of this line and delighted to see it singled out! Thank you for reading!
February 3, 2026 at 4:12 AM
I am very fond of this line and delighted to see it singled out! Thank you for reading!
Reposted by M. R. Robinson
I both loved this and I hated this. Because it rings so true and looks at what's happening now universities (and the world by extension) unflinchingly and with raw intensity. And it does all that in 1500 words. You need to read this.
by @mruthrobinson.bsky.social in @lightspeedmagazine.com
by @mruthrobinson.bsky.social in @lightspeedmagazine.com
Academic Neutrality - Lightspeed Magazine
When Amy begins to flay herself during office hours, you aren’t quite sure what to do. You hate office hours. You used to enjoy them, actually, back before the flayings started. Sure, it’s hard sharin...
www.lightspeedmagazine.com
February 2, 2026 at 11:54 PM
I both loved this and I hated this. Because it rings so true and looks at what's happening now universities (and the world by extension) unflinchingly and with raw intensity. And it does all that in 1500 words. You need to read this.
by @mruthrobinson.bsky.social in @lightspeedmagazine.com
by @mruthrobinson.bsky.social in @lightspeedmagazine.com
Thank you so much, Eugenia! I’m so glad you enjoyed (?) this one. Seeing this has made my night.
February 3, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Thank you so much, Eugenia! I’m so glad you enjoyed (?) this one. Seeing this has made my night.
COVER ART COVER ART COVER ART available to all patrons, including the free tier!!! It is SO GOOD.
It may be a day late but that’s because we’ve packed so much into this behind-the-scenes newsletter! Our full table of contents will be announced SOON.
This BTS newsletter is a free post AND includes our Issue 1 COVER REVEAL 🪐🗡️
This BTS newsletter is a free post AND includes our Issue 1 COVER REVEAL 🪐🗡️
Bonus Newsletter: Cover Reveal AND MORE! | OTHERSIDE
Get more from OTHERSIDE on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:41 AM
COVER ART COVER ART COVER ART available to all patrons, including the free tier!!! It is SO GOOD.
I can't wait for everyone to read this poem!
February 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM
I can't wait for everyone to read this poem!
Reposted by M. R. Robinson
y'all are not ready for how good and amazingly queer and fucked up (complimentary) this table of contents is going to be!!!
I'VE HAD SO MANY EMOTIONS ABOUT IT TODAYYYYYY 😭💜
I'VE HAD SO MANY EMOTIONS ABOUT IT TODAYYYYYY 😭💜
So we said we'd have our newsletter up today, but we in fact got distracted by making final decisions on Issue 1 stories! If you haven't heard from us by now, please query.
Newsletter will be up tomorrow—and we can't wait to announce our full Issue 1 table of contents soon 👀
Newsletter will be up tomorrow—and we can't wait to announce our full Issue 1 table of contents soon 👀
February 1, 2026 at 11:41 PM
y'all are not ready for how good and amazingly queer and fucked up (complimentary) this table of contents is going to be!!!
I'VE HAD SO MANY EMOTIONS ABOUT IT TODAYYYYYY 😭💜
I'VE HAD SO MANY EMOTIONS ABOUT IT TODAYYYYYY 😭💜
Reposted by M. R. Robinson
So we said we'd have our newsletter up today, but we in fact got distracted by making final decisions on Issue 1 stories! If you haven't heard from us by now, please query.
Newsletter will be up tomorrow—and we can't wait to announce our full Issue 1 table of contents soon 👀
Newsletter will be up tomorrow—and we can't wait to announce our full Issue 1 table of contents soon 👀
February 1, 2026 at 11:30 PM
So we said we'd have our newsletter up today, but we in fact got distracted by making final decisions on Issue 1 stories! If you haven't heard from us by now, please query.
Newsletter will be up tomorrow—and we can't wait to announce our full Issue 1 table of contents soon 👀
Newsletter will be up tomorrow—and we can't wait to announce our full Issue 1 table of contents soon 👀
Reposted by M. R. Robinson
this latest from @mruthrobinson.bsky.social is the only piece of fiction that deserves the designation of “dark academia,” i said what i said. brooding white guys are OUT doomed postdocs doing their best in the face of devilish fascism is IN
www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/acad...
www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/acad...
Academic Neutrality - Lightspeed Magazine
When Amy begins to flay herself during office hours, you aren’t quite sure what to do. You hate office hours. You used to enjoy them, actually, back before the flayings started. Sure, it’s hard sharin...
www.lightspeedmagazine.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:02 AM
this latest from @mruthrobinson.bsky.social is the only piece of fiction that deserves the designation of “dark academia,” i said what i said. brooding white guys are OUT doomed postdocs doing their best in the face of devilish fascism is IN
www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/acad...
www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/acad...
Sometimes dark academia is about secret societies and sometimes it’s about peeling off your face! Thank you for reading, Cressida! Really glad you dug this one.
February 1, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Sometimes dark academia is about secret societies and sometimes it’s about peeling off your face! Thank you for reading, Cressida! Really glad you dug this one.
YAY, can’t wait to read this one! Congrats!
January 31, 2026 at 9:04 PM
YAY, can’t wait to read this one! Congrats!
Reposted by M. R. Robinson
The amazing @hvmator.bsky.social has done it again! Please enjoy this teaser of our Issue 1 cover 💙💜
The full cover will be in tomorrow’s bonus newsletter! Normally a paid patron perk, we're sending this one to ALL patrons, so sign up for free + be the first to see! 👀
www.patreon.com/OthersideSpec
The full cover will be in tomorrow’s bonus newsletter! Normally a paid patron perk, we're sending this one to ALL patrons, so sign up for free + be the first to see! 👀
www.patreon.com/OthersideSpec
January 31, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The amazing @hvmator.bsky.social has done it again! Please enjoy this teaser of our Issue 1 cover 💙💜
The full cover will be in tomorrow’s bonus newsletter! Normally a paid patron perk, we're sending this one to ALL patrons, so sign up for free + be the first to see! 👀
www.patreon.com/OthersideSpec
The full cover will be in tomorrow’s bonus newsletter! Normally a paid patron perk, we're sending this one to ALL patrons, so sign up for free + be the first to see! 👀
www.patreon.com/OthersideSpec
Honored to go on the record here.
![A screenshot that reads:
The response was immediate and enthusiastic, but not for any financially sound reasons. Here are a few choice selections of how authors were feeling about being paid in silver:
"yes because that would be hilarious" — Isabel J. Kim
"I'll just throw them in the water [to create sunken treasure]" — Erin Barbeau
"I got paid in beer one time and I’ll always treasure that, would love to add silver to the weird payments list" — Parker M. O'Neill
"if offered paypal or silver, I think I would choose silver" — M.R. Robinson](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kb2a4l5iq5s7h4us7whuumso/bafkreia572h5l4ynqtrsqrrxb5v4t4rnxpvaet2hjbvwifne2lvzptffve@jpeg)
January 31, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Honored to go on the record here.
Reposted by M. R. Robinson
It always feels like all the wrong people die, but I think it’s because there are far more beloved people than there are bastards.
January 31, 2026 at 12:28 AM
It always feels like all the wrong people die, but I think it’s because there are far more beloved people than there are bastards.
Aaaaand that’s 20, which is not 53, but it IS as many stories or drafts as I can find on my phone and it IS a satisfyingly round number! The end.
(I would say “I’ll add more tomorrow” except that I should absolutely use that time to write something other than posts.)
(I would say “I’ll add more tomorrow” except that I should absolutely use that time to write something other than posts.)
January 30, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Aaaaand that’s 20, which is not 53, but it IS as many stories or drafts as I can find on my phone and it IS a satisfyingly round number! The end.
(I would say “I’ll add more tomorrow” except that I should absolutely use that time to write something other than posts.)
(I would say “I’ll add more tomorrow” except that I should absolutely use that time to write something other than posts.)
“You came crawling out of the water already weeping, with your head thrown back and your mouth a mess of diamond-glitter, all teeth and wet and hunger.”
—from my Notes app, because I am running out of content, too many likes, help! I haven’t looked at this one in a year. Maybe I should write it!
—from my Notes app, because I am running out of content, too many likes, help! I haven’t looked at this one in a year. Maybe I should write it!
January 30, 2026 at 2:41 AM
“You came crawling out of the water already weeping, with your head thrown back and your mouth a mess of diamond-glitter, all teeth and wet and hunger.”
—from my Notes app, because I am running out of content, too many likes, help! I haven’t looked at this one in a year. Maybe I should write it!
—from my Notes app, because I am running out of content, too many likes, help! I haven’t looked at this one in a year. Maybe I should write it!
“No more mech-on-mech action. Not that chat seemed to mind girl-on-girl action instead—not when you straddled my hips and wrapped one gloved hand around my throat, gun in the other.”
—from “Ghost in the Tank,” forthcoming from Lightspeed. And now I think I’m… out of published/forthcoming stories??
—from “Ghost in the Tank,” forthcoming from Lightspeed. And now I think I’m… out of published/forthcoming stories??
January 30, 2026 at 2:33 AM
“No more mech-on-mech action. Not that chat seemed to mind girl-on-girl action instead—not when you straddled my hips and wrapped one gloved hand around my throat, gun in the other.”
—from “Ghost in the Tank,” forthcoming from Lightspeed. And now I think I’m… out of published/forthcoming stories??
—from “Ghost in the Tank,” forthcoming from Lightspeed. And now I think I’m… out of published/forthcoming stories??
“Your axe in your hands and blood on your knuckles. Your axe in your hands and blood on your knuckles and bile in your throat and green, green, green everywhere you turn.”
—from another unpublished story with an exceedingly long title that can’t find a home (two nickels!) but I swear it’s good.
—from another unpublished story with an exceedingly long title that can’t find a home (two nickels!) but I swear it’s good.
January 30, 2026 at 2:27 AM
“Your axe in your hands and blood on your knuckles. Your axe in your hands and blood on your knuckles and bile in your throat and green, green, green everywhere you turn.”
—from another unpublished story with an exceedingly long title that can’t find a home (two nickels!) but I swear it’s good.
—from another unpublished story with an exceedingly long title that can’t find a home (two nickels!) but I swear it’s good.