Ryan T. Pozzi
@ryantpozzi.bsky.social
Former nonprofit executive | Author of The Mess That Made Them (forthcoming from Bloomsbury in 2026) | Interested in creativity, cultural myth, fraud, and forgotten histories | BOTN Nominee | Rep: Anderson Literary Agency | www.ryantpozzi.com
Welcome back to work to basically the entire publishing industry today...no matter how you got there.
![P. 266 illustration--from the novel "The Mystery" (1907) by Stewart edward White and Samuel Hopkins Adams; illustrator Will Crawford [Caption: "It was my duty to follow on and drag him away when he fell"]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4qucvnaiftadglxvv5cvuig5/bafkreieeaov3qjznrh5ngktmnplgfzjcg5uryecm62hp7bi3dyp7wmzgau@jpeg)
January 5, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Welcome back to work to basically the entire publishing industry today...no matter how you got there.
Her: I like that you have hobbies now.
Me: Yeah. I think it's growth or whatever.
Her: *Joking* I hope it's growth and not just an excuse not to work on your next book.
Me:
Her: Honey? *Turns around and sees Ryan-shaped hole in the wall and the room empty*
Me: Yeah. I think it's growth or whatever.
Her: *Joking* I hope it's growth and not just an excuse not to work on your next book.
Me:
Her: Honey? *Turns around and sees Ryan-shaped hole in the wall and the room empty*
January 4, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Her: I like that you have hobbies now.
Me: Yeah. I think it's growth or whatever.
Her: *Joking* I hope it's growth and not just an excuse not to work on your next book.
Me:
Her: Honey? *Turns around and sees Ryan-shaped hole in the wall and the room empty*
Me: Yeah. I think it's growth or whatever.
Her: *Joking* I hope it's growth and not just an excuse not to work on your next book.
Me:
Her: Honey? *Turns around and sees Ryan-shaped hole in the wall and the room empty*
(Necessary context: my wife is waiting to read my debut book until after it's released later this year.)
Me: *Describing the reasons my editor gave back in our first phone call for why she wanted to acquire the manuscript*
Her: Oh, okay. So you wrote "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" but for adults.
Me: *Describing the reasons my editor gave back in our first phone call for why she wanted to acquire the manuscript*
Her: Oh, okay. So you wrote "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" but for adults.
January 4, 2026 at 1:04 AM
(Necessary context: my wife is waiting to read my debut book until after it's released later this year.)
Me: *Describing the reasons my editor gave back in our first phone call for why she wanted to acquire the manuscript*
Her: Oh, okay. So you wrote "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" but for adults.
Me: *Describing the reasons my editor gave back in our first phone call for why she wanted to acquire the manuscript*
Her: Oh, okay. So you wrote "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" but for adults.
I'm having a Biggie Smalls moment. By that I mean I'm tempted to send a copy of my debut book "[t]o all the teachers that told me I'd never amount to nothin'."
I'd do it, too, if they hadn't been mostly right about me from 1991 to 2006.
All's well that ends well, I guess.
I'd do it, too, if they hadn't been mostly right about me from 1991 to 2006.
All's well that ends well, I guess.
January 3, 2026 at 11:25 PM
I'm having a Biggie Smalls moment. By that I mean I'm tempted to send a copy of my debut book "[t]o all the teachers that told me I'd never amount to nothin'."
I'd do it, too, if they hadn't been mostly right about me from 1991 to 2006.
All's well that ends well, I guess.
I'd do it, too, if they hadn't been mostly right about me from 1991 to 2006.
All's well that ends well, I guess.
Pithy inspirational quotes are easier, but life as a creative can be fucking difficult.
After nearly two decades studying creative genius, the truest thing I can say is: don’t ever quit. What every historical great and modern success have in common is a stubborn insistence on making the next thing.
After nearly two decades studying creative genius, the truest thing I can say is: don’t ever quit. What every historical great and modern success have in common is a stubborn insistence on making the next thing.
January 3, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Pithy inspirational quotes are easier, but life as a creative can be fucking difficult.
After nearly two decades studying creative genius, the truest thing I can say is: don’t ever quit. What every historical great and modern success have in common is a stubborn insistence on making the next thing.
After nearly two decades studying creative genius, the truest thing I can say is: don’t ever quit. What every historical great and modern success have in common is a stubborn insistence on making the next thing.
Why aren't YOU reading Life on the Midlist? Are you not a midlist author?
Is it because you think you could do better? Well, you're not, are you? Doing better at a behind-the-scenes email I mean. That's why I'm out here doing it.
We'd all rather hear from you, but NO...
www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
Is it because you think you could do better? Well, you're not, are you? Doing better at a behind-the-scenes email I mean. That's why I'm out here doing it.
We'd all rather hear from you, but NO...
www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
January 3, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Why aren't YOU reading Life on the Midlist? Are you not a midlist author?
Is it because you think you could do better? Well, you're not, are you? Doing better at a behind-the-scenes email I mean. That's why I'm out here doing it.
We'd all rather hear from you, but NO...
www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
Is it because you think you could do better? Well, you're not, are you? Doing better at a behind-the-scenes email I mean. That's why I'm out here doing it.
We'd all rather hear from you, but NO...
www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
I want to start the new year out with positivity and optimism, but I also want my friends and family to recognize me, so...
January 3, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I want to start the new year out with positivity and optimism, but I also want my friends and family to recognize me, so...
Dear People Making Aquarium Content for the Web:
A static web page describing plant and fish species without images is dumb. I'm not saying YOU'RE dumb, but your content strategy is.
Who READS anyway? 😏
But seriously. E. uruguayensis means nothing to me yet. Show me the plant!
Yours visually,
R
A static web page describing plant and fish species without images is dumb. I'm not saying YOU'RE dumb, but your content strategy is.
Who READS anyway? 😏
But seriously. E. uruguayensis means nothing to me yet. Show me the plant!
Yours visually,
R
January 3, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Dear People Making Aquarium Content for the Web:
A static web page describing plant and fish species without images is dumb. I'm not saying YOU'RE dumb, but your content strategy is.
Who READS anyway? 😏
But seriously. E. uruguayensis means nothing to me yet. Show me the plant!
Yours visually,
R
A static web page describing plant and fish species without images is dumb. I'm not saying YOU'RE dumb, but your content strategy is.
Who READS anyway? 😏
But seriously. E. uruguayensis means nothing to me yet. Show me the plant!
Yours visually,
R
This is one of the most disgusting things they've said so far (and that's a high bar.)
The deportation of 100 million would mean the removal of about 80% of all non-white people in the United States. I'm guessing, in their fantasies, that the other 20% form a permanent service underclass or worse.
The deportation of 100 million would mean the removal of about 80% of all non-white people in the United States. I'm guessing, in their fantasies, that the other 20% form a permanent service underclass or worse.
January 2, 2026 at 6:26 AM
This is one of the most disgusting things they've said so far (and that's a high bar.)
The deportation of 100 million would mean the removal of about 80% of all non-white people in the United States. I'm guessing, in their fantasies, that the other 20% form a permanent service underclass or worse.
The deportation of 100 million would mean the removal of about 80% of all non-white people in the United States. I'm guessing, in their fantasies, that the other 20% form a permanent service underclass or worse.
Have I already mentioned how much I want to change my social handles to either start with "thereal" or end with "official"?
No one will probably ever try to impersonate me online, but I see some authors doing this now and I'm like, "Wait, should I know him? ... Oh, no. One KDP title, end of CV. Huh
No one will probably ever try to impersonate me online, but I see some authors doing this now and I'm like, "Wait, should I know him? ... Oh, no. One KDP title, end of CV. Huh
January 1, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Have I already mentioned how much I want to change my social handles to either start with "thereal" or end with "official"?
No one will probably ever try to impersonate me online, but I see some authors doing this now and I'm like, "Wait, should I know him? ... Oh, no. One KDP title, end of CV. Huh
No one will probably ever try to impersonate me online, but I see some authors doing this now and I'm like, "Wait, should I know him? ... Oh, no. One KDP title, end of CV. Huh
In 2026, I will be visiting a Nebraska or Iowa book store every Tuesday. Each week, in addition to my own finds, I will be buying a book to support one of my colleagues and help them keep their shelf space here.
What do you have out that might be in Midwest book stores? Keeping a list starting now.
What do you have out that might be in Midwest book stores? Keeping a list starting now.
January 1, 2026 at 2:35 AM
In 2026, I will be visiting a Nebraska or Iowa book store every Tuesday. Each week, in addition to my own finds, I will be buying a book to support one of my colleagues and help them keep their shelf space here.
What do you have out that might be in Midwest book stores? Keeping a list starting now.
What do you have out that might be in Midwest book stores? Keeping a list starting now.
What do I want out of 2026?
Universal Healthcare
Ranked Choice Voting
Universal Basic Income
Just like I've wanted every year since 2010.
Universal Healthcare
Ranked Choice Voting
Universal Basic Income
Just like I've wanted every year since 2010.
December 31, 2025 at 5:35 PM
What do I want out of 2026?
Universal Healthcare
Ranked Choice Voting
Universal Basic Income
Just like I've wanted every year since 2010.
Universal Healthcare
Ranked Choice Voting
Universal Basic Income
Just like I've wanted every year since 2010.
The year 2026 began in Kiribati five hours ago. That's good enough for me! 🎉🎉🎉
No late night for this old man.
No late night for this old man.
December 31, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The year 2026 began in Kiribati five hours ago. That's good enough for me! 🎉🎉🎉
No late night for this old man.
No late night for this old man.
I'm never going to make it to Midnight. It's 9:45 AM and I'm already tired. 🥱
December 31, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I'm never going to make it to Midnight. It's 9:45 AM and I'm already tired. 🥱
Me: Maybe I should have been a political commentator.
Her: Absolutely not.
Me: Why not?
Her: Remember that guy who said your economic takes were scare tactics so you spent months meticulously building a more complete data set to prove you were right?
Me: Yeah.
Her: We don't have time for that.
Her: Absolutely not.
Me: Why not?
Her: Remember that guy who said your economic takes were scare tactics so you spent months meticulously building a more complete data set to prove you were right?
Me: Yeah.
Her: We don't have time for that.
December 31, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Me: Maybe I should have been a political commentator.
Her: Absolutely not.
Me: Why not?
Her: Remember that guy who said your economic takes were scare tactics so you spent months meticulously building a more complete data set to prove you were right?
Me: Yeah.
Her: We don't have time for that.
Her: Absolutely not.
Me: Why not?
Her: Remember that guy who said your economic takes were scare tactics so you spent months meticulously building a more complete data set to prove you were right?
Me: Yeah.
Her: We don't have time for that.
Nah, my search history wouldn't get me arrested or put on a watch list. It's just evidence that I'm too old to keep up with slang anymore.
-"What does raw dog mean now?"
-"How did it evolve to that from what it used to mean?"
-"What does it mean when a young person calls you a walking beige flag?"
-"What does raw dog mean now?"
-"How did it evolve to that from what it used to mean?"
-"What does it mean when a young person calls you a walking beige flag?"
!['Confusion'. Six nights only. Monday, 14th March. Printed by Clement-Smith & Co[mpan]y, Lithographer, London. Published June 28, 1888, by Clement-Smith & Co[mpan]y, 317 Strand. Artist Joseph Derrick](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4qucvnaiftadglxvv5cvuig5/bafkreid6vj5qcgnmvj3gf47f4c5i2e72miveyzud6elh7fdnwh3txl64he@jpeg)
December 31, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Nah, my search history wouldn't get me arrested or put on a watch list. It's just evidence that I'm too old to keep up with slang anymore.
-"What does raw dog mean now?"
-"How did it evolve to that from what it used to mean?"
-"What does it mean when a young person calls you a walking beige flag?"
-"What does raw dog mean now?"
-"How did it evolve to that from what it used to mean?"
-"What does it mean when a young person calls you a walking beige flag?"
In the last Life on the Midlist of 2025, we get a surprise visit from "I-do-everyting" talent Jenny Slate.
The tiny man inside the computer machine sends it to all the inboxes individually in about an hour, but you can still get on his list. www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
The tiny man inside the computer machine sends it to all the inboxes individually in about an hour, but you can still get on his list. www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
December 30, 2025 at 6:55 PM
In the last Life on the Midlist of 2025, we get a surprise visit from "I-do-everyting" talent Jenny Slate.
The tiny man inside the computer machine sends it to all the inboxes individually in about an hour, but you can still get on his list. www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
The tiny man inside the computer machine sends it to all the inboxes individually in about an hour, but you can still get on his list. www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
Her: Hey, somebody's mad at you on socials just to warn you.
Me: Uh...yeah. Basically every day since I cleared 10k. I think it's just a Pareto Principle meets Law of Large Numbers thing.
Her: You could try being nicer.
Me: I could still be an accountant with a 401(k), too, but here we are.
Me: Uh...yeah. Basically every day since I cleared 10k. I think it's just a Pareto Principle meets Law of Large Numbers thing.
Her: You could try being nicer.
Me: I could still be an accountant with a 401(k), too, but here we are.
December 29, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Her: Hey, somebody's mad at you on socials just to warn you.
Me: Uh...yeah. Basically every day since I cleared 10k. I think it's just a Pareto Principle meets Law of Large Numbers thing.
Her: You could try being nicer.
Me: I could still be an accountant with a 401(k), too, but here we are.
Me: Uh...yeah. Basically every day since I cleared 10k. I think it's just a Pareto Principle meets Law of Large Numbers thing.
Her: You could try being nicer.
Me: I could still be an accountant with a 401(k), too, but here we are.
Crap. I bought an aquarium. That's how it starts.
December 28, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Crap. I bought an aquarium. That's how it starts.
I don't always need to block somebody, but sometimes it would be nice to be able to give them a rating.
December 28, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I don't always need to block somebody, but sometimes it would be nice to be able to give them a rating.
I know I've whinged about mortality before, but there's been another wave of people my age dying and it's getting in my head a little bc of flaws around the ways I think about accomplishment, memory, legacy, and the value of a human life.
Plus many, many folks in my family die violently, so...😨
Plus many, many folks in my family die violently, so...😨
December 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I know I've whinged about mortality before, but there's been another wave of people my age dying and it's getting in my head a little bc of flaws around the ways I think about accomplishment, memory, legacy, and the value of a human life.
Plus many, many folks in my family die violently, so...😨
Plus many, many folks in my family die violently, so...😨
I get the impulse to hold back critique inside our community but if you're reviewing, say what you mean. If it didn't work, say it didn't work as long as you've considered carefully enough to also say why or how.
Not advocating for "let's all be jerks to each other" but literary criticism matters.
Not advocating for "let's all be jerks to each other" but literary criticism matters.
December 28, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I get the impulse to hold back critique inside our community but if you're reviewing, say what you mean. If it didn't work, say it didn't work as long as you've considered carefully enough to also say why or how.
Not advocating for "let's all be jerks to each other" but literary criticism matters.
Not advocating for "let's all be jerks to each other" but literary criticism matters.
There are a few A-words that seem dangerously close to fashionable for self-diagnosis. I’m not running Diagnosis Court. I’m just saying: if you can explain the social norm, clock when it applies, and still steamroll it in ways that hurt or offend unnecessarily, we’re in accountability territory now.
December 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
There are a few A-words that seem dangerously close to fashionable for self-diagnosis. I’m not running Diagnosis Court. I’m just saying: if you can explain the social norm, clock when it applies, and still steamroll it in ways that hurt or offend unnecessarily, we’re in accountability territory now.
I'm still on my flashback Stardew Valley kick.
Did I tell you what I named my place? It's called:
First, Do No Farm
Get it? Get it? You get it.
Did I tell you what I named my place? It's called:
First, Do No Farm
Get it? Get it? You get it.
December 28, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I'm still on my flashback Stardew Valley kick.
Did I tell you what I named my place? It's called:
First, Do No Farm
Get it? Get it? You get it.
Did I tell you what I named my place? It's called:
First, Do No Farm
Get it? Get it? You get it.