Philip Athans
@philathans.bsky.social
Liberal author, editor, and SF, fantasy, horror, and TTRPG fan who has some links at https://linktr.ee/philathans and is happy to have rebuilt a #writingcommunity here. NO to AI.
AUTHORS AGAINST BOOK BANS: https://www.authorsagainstbookbans.com
AUTHORS AGAINST BOOK BANS: https://www.authorsagainstbookbans.com
What is it about things that go bump in the night that we find so attractive that they’ve infiltrated every culture on Earth, every mythology, every art form?
Writing Monsters
amzn.to/3Q5l9r8
Writing Monsters
amzn.to/3Q5l9r8
November 21, 2025 at 12:00 AM
What is it about things that go bump in the night that we find so attractive that they’ve infiltrated every culture on Earth, every mythology, every art form?
Writing Monsters
amzn.to/3Q5l9r8
Writing Monsters
amzn.to/3Q5l9r8
Honestly, maybe 90% of writers have no idea how to properly use the semicolon.
The remaining 10% know not to use it at all.
#WritingCommunity
The remaining 10% know not to use it at all.
#WritingCommunity
November 20, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Honestly, maybe 90% of writers have no idea how to properly use the semicolon.
The remaining 10% know not to use it at all.
#WritingCommunity
The remaining 10% know not to use it at all.
#WritingCommunity
Strange that the data cited within seems to contradict the headline…
Publishers say 'mindset around short stories shifting’ as readers embrace slim fiction
…but I'd be delighted to learn this is true!
www.thebookseller.com/news/publish...
Publishers say 'mindset around short stories shifting’ as readers embrace slim fiction
…but I'd be delighted to learn this is true!
www.thebookseller.com/news/publish...
Publishers say 'mindset around short stories shifting’ as readers embrace slim fiction
Publishers are noting a shift in industry mindset around short stories as readers embrace shorter works, with a number feeling like “something is slowly shifting” and that “there’s a real excitement a...
www.thebookseller.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Strange that the data cited within seems to contradict the headline…
Publishers say 'mindset around short stories shifting’ as readers embrace slim fiction
…but I'd be delighted to learn this is true!
www.thebookseller.com/news/publish...
Publishers say 'mindset around short stories shifting’ as readers embrace slim fiction
…but I'd be delighted to learn this is true!
www.thebookseller.com/news/publish...
I can make any book stronger and any author more confident.
www.athansassociates.com
Athans & Associates Creative Consulting
Where Story Meets World
www.athansassociates.com
Athans & Associates Creative Consulting
Where Story Meets World
Athans & Associates
Creative Consulting
www.athansassociates.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I can make any book stronger and any author more confident.
www.athansassociates.com
Athans & Associates Creative Consulting
Where Story Meets World
www.athansassociates.com
Athans & Associates Creative Consulting
Where Story Meets World
And yeah, I will be spending the remainder of 2025 in the Big Deadline Energy Zone.
November 19, 2025 at 8:27 PM
And yeah, I will be spending the remainder of 2025 in the Big Deadline Energy Zone.
Starting work earlier in the morning and editing first, admin and other tasks later, is a godsend.
November 19, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Starting work earlier in the morning and editing first, admin and other tasks later, is a godsend.
BOOKS FOR FANTASY AUTHORS XLIX: STEERING THE CRAFT, PART 9
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will…
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will…
BOOKS FOR FANTASY AUTHORS XLIX: STEERING THE CRAFT, PART 9
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will be, at least in my humble opinion, essential texts for any author, so worth looking for. We read
fantasyhandbook.wordpress.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
BOOKS FOR FANTASY AUTHORS XLIX: STEERING THE CRAFT, PART 9
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will…
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will…
Reposted by Philip Athans
A case for chapter titles:
➡️ We want the reader to keep reading.
➡️ The most common place to stop reading is between chapters.
➡️ With an intriguing chapter name, we entice the reader to read on.
➡️ So why not use this free engagement tool?
Name your chapters!
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #WriteSky
➡️ We want the reader to keep reading.
➡️ The most common place to stop reading is between chapters.
➡️ With an intriguing chapter name, we entice the reader to read on.
➡️ So why not use this free engagement tool?
Name your chapters!
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #WriteSky
November 16, 2025 at 9:58 PM
A case for chapter titles:
➡️ We want the reader to keep reading.
➡️ The most common place to stop reading is between chapters.
➡️ With an intriguing chapter name, we entice the reader to read on.
➡️ So why not use this free engagement tool?
Name your chapters!
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #WriteSky
➡️ We want the reader to keep reading.
➡️ The most common place to stop reading is between chapters.
➡️ With an intriguing chapter name, we entice the reader to read on.
➡️ So why not use this free engagement tool?
Name your chapters!
#WritingCommunity #BookSky #WriteSky
“The first thing editors have to remember is it’s a service job. It’s not your book.”
—Robert Gottlieb, Turn Every Page
—Robert Gottlieb, Turn Every Page
Philip Athans - Editor | Reedsy
Seattle, WA, USA Editor: Former managing editor at Wizards of the Coast, working extensively in fantasy, SF, horror, thriller, literary, and narrative non-fiction.
reedsy.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
“The first thing editors have to remember is it’s a service job. It’s not your book.”
—Robert Gottlieb, Turn Every Page
—Robert Gottlieb, Turn Every Page
Reposted by Philip Athans
My latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages.
November 16, 2025 at 4:15 PM
My latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books pages.
Gilroy jumped, startled, which startled Dave. The car swerved and Gilroy looked in the back seat. Dave’s skin crawled and went even colder—if that was possible.
Completely Broken
amzn.to/44FLDHc
Completely Broken
amzn.to/44FLDHc
November 15, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Gilroy jumped, startled, which startled Dave. The car swerved and Gilroy looked in the back seat. Dave’s skin crawled and went even colder—if that was possible.
Completely Broken
amzn.to/44FLDHc
Completely Broken
amzn.to/44FLDHc
Reposted by Philip Athans
In regards to the Epstein files and who might be named there, all I have to say is:
Fīat iūstitia ruat cælum
“Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
Fīat iūstitia ruat cælum
“Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
November 14, 2025 at 6:44 PM
In regards to the Epstein files and who might be named there, all I have to say is:
Fīat iūstitia ruat cælum
“Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
Fīat iūstitia ruat cælum
“Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
It's World Diabetes Day today, and I sent some extra money to the American Diabetes Association. Can you join me in that…?
diabetes.org
diabetes.org
Diabetes Research, Education, Advocacy | ADA
Leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes for those affected by it through research funding, community services, education and advocacy.
diabetes.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:56 PM
It's World Diabetes Day today, and I sent some extra money to the American Diabetes Association. Can you join me in that…?
diabetes.org
diabetes.org
Friends Don't Let Friends Prompt
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
Friends Don't Let Friends Prompt
By Emily Alex and I were at WorldCon (the World Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention) last week, talking about The AI Con with people whose livelihood...
buttondown.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Friends Don't Let Friends Prompt
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
buttondown.com/maiht3k/arch...
It’s not just my job to find what’s wrong with a book, but to preserve and encourage what’s right about it.
Philip Athans - Editor | Reedsy
Seattle, WA, USA Editor: Former managing editor at Wizards of the Coast, working extensively in fantasy, SF, horror, thriller, literary, and narrative non-fiction.
reedsy.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
It’s not just my job to find what’s wrong with a book, but to preserve and encourage what’s right about it.
BOOKS FOR FANTASY AUTHORS XLIX: STEERING THE CRAFT, PART 8
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will…
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will…
BOOKS FOR FANTASY AUTHORS XLIX: STEERING THE CRAFT, PART 8
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will be, at least in my humble opinion, essential texts for any author, so worth looking for. We finished reading…
fantasyhandbook.wordpress.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
BOOKS FOR FANTASY AUTHORS XLIX: STEERING THE CRAFT, PART 8
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will…
From time to time I’ll recommend—not review, mind you, but recommend, and yes, there is a difference—books that I think authors should have on their shelves. Some may be new and still in print, some may be difficult to find, but all will…
Reposted by Philip Athans
In this week’s newsletter, we delve into legendary territory.
The year was 1977…with STORMBRINGER, I completed work on the Elric Saga and received my first World Fantasy Award nomination.
theartofmichaelwhelan.substack.com/p/1977-year-...
The year was 1977…with STORMBRINGER, I completed work on the Elric Saga and received my first World Fantasy Award nomination.
theartofmichaelwhelan.substack.com/p/1977-year-...
November 9, 2025 at 2:24 PM
In this week’s newsletter, we delve into legendary territory.
The year was 1977…with STORMBRINGER, I completed work on the Elric Saga and received my first World Fantasy Award nomination.
theartofmichaelwhelan.substack.com/p/1977-year-...
The year was 1977…with STORMBRINGER, I completed work on the Elric Saga and received my first World Fantasy Award nomination.
theartofmichaelwhelan.substack.com/p/1977-year-...
Reposted by Philip Athans
Your random reminder that I’ve got a starter pack for #ScienceFiction creators, reviewers, and fans. If you make #SciFi, if you’re a reviewer devoted to sci-fi, or if you’re an uber sci-fi fan and you want to be in on the fun, leave me a comment.
#WritingCommunity
#BookSky 📚🪐
go.bsky.app/5BL1giA
#WritingCommunity
#BookSky 📚🪐
go.bsky.app/5BL1giA
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Your random reminder that I’ve got a starter pack for #ScienceFiction creators, reviewers, and fans. If you make #SciFi, if you’re a reviewer devoted to sci-fi, or if you’re an uber sci-fi fan and you want to be in on the fun, leave me a comment.
#WritingCommunity
#BookSky 📚🪐
go.bsky.app/5BL1giA
#WritingCommunity
#BookSky 📚🪐
go.bsky.app/5BL1giA
Reposted by Philip Athans
40 years ago we’d have congressional hearings falsely accusing metal bands of putting backwards messages in their songs that told kids to kill themselves & now we have a planet-killing chatbot that’s all like “bet you won’t commit suicide chickenshit bitch” & the government is like here’s $5 billion
November 8, 2025 at 4:23 AM
40 years ago we’d have congressional hearings falsely accusing metal bands of putting backwards messages in their songs that told kids to kill themselves & now we have a planet-killing chatbot that’s all like “bet you won’t commit suicide chickenshit bitch” & the government is like here’s $5 billion
Reposted by Philip Athans
I regret to inform you that the only way to finish your novel is to keep writing.
November 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I regret to inform you that the only way to finish your novel is to keep writing.
Taking the day (mostly) off.
Is there ever a full day completely “off” anymore?
Is there ever a full day completely “off” anymore?
November 7, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Taking the day (mostly) off.
Is there ever a full day completely “off” anymore?
Is there ever a full day completely “off” anymore?
BATMAN: THE WAR YEARS—The 100-Book Challenge, Episode 29
A collection of Batman comics from 1939-1945 in which Batman fights the Second World war on the streets of Gotham City.
youtu.be/1TkhM9KNIm4?...
A collection of Batman comics from 1939-1945 in which Batman fights the Second World war on the streets of Gotham City.
youtu.be/1TkhM9KNIm4?...
BATMAN: THE WAR YEARS—The 100-Book Challenge, Episode 29
YouTube video by Fantasy Author's Handbook
youtu.be
November 7, 2025 at 2:04 AM
BATMAN: THE WAR YEARS—The 100-Book Challenge, Episode 29
A collection of Batman comics from 1939-1945 in which Batman fights the Second World war on the streets of Gotham City.
youtu.be/1TkhM9KNIm4?...
A collection of Batman comics from 1939-1945 in which Batman fights the Second World war on the streets of Gotham City.
youtu.be/1TkhM9KNIm4?...
A lot of world building comes from your occasional offhand remark: Someone refers to the winged elves, but we never meet one.
The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction
amzn.to/3jFg2lq
The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction
amzn.to/3jFg2lq
November 6, 2025 at 7:02 PM
A lot of world building comes from your occasional offhand remark: Someone refers to the winged elves, but we never meet one.
The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction
amzn.to/3jFg2lq
The Guide to Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction
amzn.to/3jFg2lq