Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet
@rr4idic.bsky.social
Sci-fi/fantasy writer by night, data scientist by day, astrophysicist by training, Star Trek fan all the time. See the ol' blog at rznicolet.com
Okay, time to put on my self-promo pants.
We're at just under a month until "The Cloak and Its Wizard" comes out! All the details are on the ol' website: rznicolet.com/books/the-cl...
If you're interested in an ARC, ping me here: rznicolet.com/books/
#urbanfantasy
We're at just under a month until "The Cloak and Its Wizard" comes out! All the details are on the ol' website: rznicolet.com/books/the-cl...
If you're interested in an ARC, ping me here: rznicolet.com/books/
#urbanfantasy
January 25, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Okay, time to put on my self-promo pants.
We're at just under a month until "The Cloak and Its Wizard" comes out! All the details are on the ol' website: rznicolet.com/books/the-cl...
If you're interested in an ARC, ping me here: rznicolet.com/books/
#urbanfantasy
We're at just under a month until "The Cloak and Its Wizard" comes out! All the details are on the ol' website: rznicolet.com/books/the-cl...
If you're interested in an ARC, ping me here: rznicolet.com/books/
#urbanfantasy
#WordWeavers Jan 25: If traumatic events happen, do your characters process it on page for longer than a chapter?
Depends on the event and the character. In some cases, the event lurks in the background (or foreground) for the entire book. In others, yup, it's one chapter.
#amwriting
Depends on the event and the character. In some cases, the event lurks in the background (or foreground) for the entire book. In others, yup, it's one chapter.
#amwriting
January 25, 2026 at 2:33 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 25: If traumatic events happen, do your characters process it on page for longer than a chapter?
Depends on the event and the character. In some cases, the event lurks in the background (or foreground) for the entire book. In others, yup, it's one chapter.
#amwriting
Depends on the event and the character. In some cases, the event lurks in the background (or foreground) for the entire book. In others, yup, it's one chapter.
#amwriting
Reposted by Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 PM
A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.
I kind of wish I had "make specific people grow a conscience" as a superpower.
I don't, so since I don't know what else to do, I'm going to make dough for fancy chocolate-filled brioche, to be baked tomorrow.
I don't, so since I don't know what else to do, I'm going to make dough for fancy chocolate-filled brioche, to be baked tomorrow.
January 24, 2026 at 8:25 PM
I kind of wish I had "make specific people grow a conscience" as a superpower.
I don't, so since I don't know what else to do, I'm going to make dough for fancy chocolate-filled brioche, to be baked tomorrow.
I don't, so since I don't know what else to do, I'm going to make dough for fancy chocolate-filled brioche, to be baked tomorrow.
Yesterday was the one-month mark to the release date for my book, but it felt off to promote stuff while the big protests were happening. I figured I'd do it today instead.
...
<postpones again>
...
<postpones again>
January 24, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Yesterday was the one-month mark to the release date for my book, but it felt off to promote stuff while the big protests were happening. I figured I'd do it today instead.
...
<postpones again>
...
<postpones again>
Reposted by Rachel Reddick / RZ Nicolet
Really, really recommend that Minnesotans in particular disable autoplay, I know it's annoying to have to click to see a GIF but it's not worth the mental health costs of seeing the first seconds (before you scroll by) of murders in our city over and over and over.
to turn off autoplaying video on the bluesky mobile app
select the icon in the top left corner
go to settings
go to content and media
make sure "autoplay videos and gifs" is toggled off
select the icon in the top left corner
go to settings
go to content and media
make sure "autoplay videos and gifs" is toggled off
January 24, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Really, really recommend that Minnesotans in particular disable autoplay, I know it's annoying to have to click to see a GIF but it's not worth the mental health costs of seeing the first seconds (before you scroll by) of murders in our city over and over and over.
#WordWeavers Jan 24: Your MC has to start a new business with their current skills. What do they do?
"Start a new business" is just a weird concept in this setting. Most people are farmers. Eokar's a farmer (mostly).
If she had to, she's got the skills to be a mercenary...
#amwriting
"Start a new business" is just a weird concept in this setting. Most people are farmers. Eokar's a farmer (mostly).
If she had to, she's got the skills to be a mercenary...
#amwriting
January 24, 2026 at 3:33 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 24: Your MC has to start a new business with their current skills. What do they do?
"Start a new business" is just a weird concept in this setting. Most people are farmers. Eokar's a farmer (mostly).
If she had to, she's got the skills to be a mercenary...
#amwriting
"Start a new business" is just a weird concept in this setting. Most people are farmers. Eokar's a farmer (mostly).
If she had to, she's got the skills to be a mercenary...
#amwriting
For #Minnesota folks: If you're looking for another way to help the community, Memorial Blood Centers has called a blood emergency (hospitals have less than a 2-day supply).
If you're willing and able to to donate, you can find appointments and sign up here: www.mbc.org
If you're willing and able to to donate, you can find appointments and sign up here: www.mbc.org
Home Page
Donate blood, Help save lives. MBC is your community blood supplier throughout Minnesota and in northwestern Wisconsin. Find a donation center near you.
www.mbc.org
January 23, 2026 at 7:07 PM
For #Minnesota folks: If you're looking for another way to help the community, Memorial Blood Centers has called a blood emergency (hospitals have less than a 2-day supply).
If you're willing and able to to donate, you can find appointments and sign up here: www.mbc.org
If you're willing and able to to donate, you can find appointments and sign up here: www.mbc.org
#WordWeavers Jan 23: How satisfied are you with your current story? Why or why not?
Pretty satisfied. I'm enjoying the snarky tone.
I'm less happy that (a) I've got another manuscript to finish editing first, and (b) I've had a lot less writing/editing time lately, for Reasons.
#amwriting
Pretty satisfied. I'm enjoying the snarky tone.
I'm less happy that (a) I've got another manuscript to finish editing first, and (b) I've had a lot less writing/editing time lately, for Reasons.
#amwriting
January 23, 2026 at 1:44 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 23: How satisfied are you with your current story? Why or why not?
Pretty satisfied. I'm enjoying the snarky tone.
I'm less happy that (a) I've got another manuscript to finish editing first, and (b) I've had a lot less writing/editing time lately, for Reasons.
#amwriting
Pretty satisfied. I'm enjoying the snarky tone.
I'm less happy that (a) I've got another manuscript to finish editing first, and (b) I've had a lot less writing/editing time lately, for Reasons.
#amwriting
Twin Cities folks: It's genuinely cold out there. You know the drill: stay inside if possible, layers, hand warmers, hot drinks, etc.
Goals: No frostbite! No hypothermia! No ICE!
Goals: No frostbite! No hypothermia! No ICE!
January 23, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Twin Cities folks: It's genuinely cold out there. You know the drill: stay inside if possible, layers, hand warmers, hot drinks, etc.
Goals: No frostbite! No hypothermia! No ICE!
Goals: No frostbite! No hypothermia! No ICE!
In happier news, Baking Bad by Kim Watt is a delight. It's very Miss Marple with cute dragons. It took me a couple chapters to really get into it. I love both Beaufort and Alice. The most frustrating aspect...
#amreading #book #fantasy #cozyfantasy 💙📚🪐
#amreading #book #fantasy #cozyfantasy 💙📚🪐
January 23, 2026 at 2:10 AM
In happier news, Baking Bad by Kim Watt is a delight. It's very Miss Marple with cute dragons. It took me a couple chapters to really get into it. I love both Beaufort and Alice. The most frustrating aspect...
#amreading #book #fantasy #cozyfantasy 💙📚🪐
#amreading #book #fantasy #cozyfantasy 💙📚🪐
#WordWeavers Jan 22: Would your MC or antagonist be more successful at school?
Oh, pretty much any of the antagonists would, especially the big ones.
Eokar isn't literate. She can make out her own name and a couple of others', and that's about it.
#amwriting
Oh, pretty much any of the antagonists would, especially the big ones.
Eokar isn't literate. She can make out her own name and a couple of others', and that's about it.
#amwriting
January 22, 2026 at 1:59 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 22: Would your MC or antagonist be more successful at school?
Oh, pretty much any of the antagonists would, especially the big ones.
Eokar isn't literate. She can make out her own name and a couple of others', and that's about it.
#amwriting
Oh, pretty much any of the antagonists would, especially the big ones.
Eokar isn't literate. She can make out her own name and a couple of others', and that's about it.
#amwriting
#WordWeavers Jan 21: If in the middle of the book your MC discovered a foundling, what would they do with it?
She needs to finish with murdering this evil god before harvest time... but she'll go find someone who can take the kid in anyway. (While being snarky and annoyed about it.)
#amwriting
She needs to finish with murdering this evil god before harvest time... but she'll go find someone who can take the kid in anyway. (While being snarky and annoyed about it.)
#amwriting
January 22, 2026 at 1:49 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 21: If in the middle of the book your MC discovered a foundling, what would they do with it?
She needs to finish with murdering this evil god before harvest time... but she'll go find someone who can take the kid in anyway. (While being snarky and annoyed about it.)
#amwriting
She needs to finish with murdering this evil god before harvest time... but she'll go find someone who can take the kid in anyway. (While being snarky and annoyed about it.)
#amwriting
In happier news, I love weird ancient organisms so much. Read the whole thread!
Our paper on the mysterious Devonian organism Prototaxites has now finally been published! See the paper here (www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...) and our explainer thread below!
Prototaxites reconstruction by Matt Humpage
Prototaxites reconstruction by Matt Humpage
January 22, 2026 at 1:28 AM
In happier news, I love weird ancient organisms so much. Read the whole thread!
Okay, today's local news is approximately "more bad stuff being done in Minnesota," so, I present: @naomikritzer.bsky.social 's lovely link for how to help if you're not around here: naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota
I’m going to assume that if you’re reading this, you more or less understand the situation in Minnesota and I don’t have to explain it to you! That said, I do have a section of lo…
naomikritzer.com
January 22, 2026 at 1:24 AM
Okay, today's local news is approximately "more bad stuff being done in Minnesota," so, I present: @naomikritzer.bsky.social 's lovely link for how to help if you're not around here: naomikritzer.com/2026/01/21/h...
If we're going to have a cyberpunk dystopia, I demand dragons and magic.
January 21, 2026 at 3:26 AM
If we're going to have a cyberpunk dystopia, I demand dragons and magic.
This was (and remains) one of my favorites -- it was the first book I can remember reading that was entirely from the aliens' point of view. Absolutely excellent.
"A classic work of science fiction, told from the viewpoint of spacefaring hunters and explorers — who just happen to be lions."
The SFF Bestiary tackles CJ Cherryh's The Pride of Chanur!
The SFF Bestiary tackles CJ Cherryh's The Pride of Chanur!
Space Lions With Cattitude: C.J. Cherryh’s The Pride of Chanur - Reactor
A classic work of science fiction, told from the viewpoint of spacefaring hunters and explorers — who just happen to be lions.
reactormag.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:27 AM
This was (and remains) one of my favorites -- it was the first book I can remember reading that was entirely from the aliens' point of view. Absolutely excellent.
#WordWeavers Jan 20: Do you make use of weather in your story? If so, how?
Yes, of course. The shifting seasons are key; there's a whole thing around whether Eokar will get back in time to help with the harvest...
#amwriting
Yes, of course. The shifting seasons are key; there's a whole thing around whether Eokar will get back in time to help with the harvest...
#amwriting
January 20, 2026 at 2:16 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 20: Do you make use of weather in your story? If so, how?
Yes, of course. The shifting seasons are key; there's a whole thing around whether Eokar will get back in time to help with the harvest...
#amwriting
Yes, of course. The shifting seasons are key; there's a whole thing around whether Eokar will get back in time to help with the harvest...
#amwriting
Prompted by a couple of books where it felt like the characters gave up on their homeworlds a little too easily: I put a few thoughts on the ol' blog about when we decide something is too far gone to fix: rznicolet.com/2026/01/19/r...
Repair or Replace
If something is broken, when do we fix it? When is it so broken that we’re better off giving up and starting over? The book that made me ask these questions.
rznicolet.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Prompted by a couple of books where it felt like the characters gave up on their homeworlds a little too easily: I put a few thoughts on the ol' blog about when we decide something is too far gone to fix: rznicolet.com/2026/01/19/r...
#WordWeavers Jan 19: Who is the most moral character in your story?
Hm... tough call. Probably one of the village elders.
As the protagonist, Eokar isn't the most moral. We know why she does it, but... roaring rampages against the gods tend not to be driven purely by ethics.
#amwriting
Hm... tough call. Probably one of the village elders.
As the protagonist, Eokar isn't the most moral. We know why she does it, but... roaring rampages against the gods tend not to be driven purely by ethics.
#amwriting
January 19, 2026 at 2:10 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 19: Who is the most moral character in your story?
Hm... tough call. Probably one of the village elders.
As the protagonist, Eokar isn't the most moral. We know why she does it, but... roaring rampages against the gods tend not to be driven purely by ethics.
#amwriting
Hm... tough call. Probably one of the village elders.
As the protagonist, Eokar isn't the most moral. We know why she does it, but... roaring rampages against the gods tend not to be driven purely by ethics.
#amwriting
On the theme of posting happy things despite Stuff: #StarfleetAcademy is surprisingly good? Like, enough to dodge the Bad First Season curse? I love the characters so far, and it's delightful to see a very different take with an open future. #startrek
January 18, 2026 at 6:05 PM
On the theme of posting happy things despite Stuff: #StarfleetAcademy is surprisingly good? Like, enough to dodge the Bad First Season curse? I love the characters so far, and it's delightful to see a very different take with an open future. #startrek
#WordWeavers Jan 18: Your antagonist gets a call or message from their mother. How do they respond?
"This must be a hoax. My mother has been dead for centuries." "Or perhaps one of the other gods has discovered something new." "Unlikely."
#amwriting
#amwriting
January 18, 2026 at 2:15 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 18: Your antagonist gets a call or message from their mother. How do they respond?
"This must be a hoax. My mother has been dead for centuries." "Or perhaps one of the other gods has discovered something new." "Unlikely."
#amwriting
#amwriting
#WordWeavers Jan 17: If cost wasn’t an issue, what would your ideal setting be for you to write in?
Wait, if cost isn't an issue, does that mean I can, like, not have a day job?
Otherwise, the only issue I have with my office it's that it's chilly.
#amwriting
Wait, if cost isn't an issue, does that mean I can, like, not have a day job?
Otherwise, the only issue I have with my office it's that it's chilly.
#amwriting
January 17, 2026 at 4:12 PM
#WordWeavers Jan 17: If cost wasn’t an issue, what would your ideal setting be for you to write in?
Wait, if cost isn't an issue, does that mean I can, like, not have a day job?
Otherwise, the only issue I have with my office it's that it's chilly.
#amwriting
Wait, if cost isn't an issue, does that mean I can, like, not have a day job?
Otherwise, the only issue I have with my office it's that it's chilly.
#amwriting
The latest #book for my neighborhood book club was thought-provoking: The Measure, by Nikki Erlick. Very #literary flavored speculative fiction.
If you want an explanation for the strings that measure how long someone's life is going to be, well, that's not the point...
#amreading 💙📚🪐
If you want an explanation for the strings that measure how long someone's life is going to be, well, that's not the point...
#amreading 💙📚🪐
January 17, 2026 at 2:53 AM
The latest #book for my neighborhood book club was thought-provoking: The Measure, by Nikki Erlick. Very #literary flavored speculative fiction.
If you want an explanation for the strings that measure how long someone's life is going to be, well, that's not the point...
#amreading 💙📚🪐
If you want an explanation for the strings that measure how long someone's life is going to be, well, that's not the point...
#amreading 💙📚🪐