Samantha (Sam) Mills
@samtasticbooks.com
SFF Author | Nebula, Locus, Sturgeon winner | Archivist | Repped by Lisa Rodgers | THE WINGS UPON HER BACK, Compton Crook winner and World Fantasy finalist, out now! (she/her) www.samtasticbooks.com
Newsletter at https://subscribepage.io/samtasticnews
Newsletter at https://subscribepage.io/samtasticnews
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Here it is! My 2025 award eligibility post!
"10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care For the End of Days" is a love letter about life under a doomsday cult, and a quick read! I'd be delighted for anyone to consider it for their short story ballots. ;D
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/10-v...
"10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care For the End of Days" is a love letter about life under a doomsday cult, and a quick read! I'd be delighted for anyone to consider it for their short story ballots. ;D
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/10-v...
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, never danced with the devil in the pale moonlight.
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, is a Dark Lord of the Sith, so powerful and so wise he could use the Force to influence the midichlorians to create...life. He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying.
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, is-- and always shall be-- your friend.
December 25, 2025 at 2:40 AM
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, never danced with the devil in the pale moonlight.
We appreciate what we get!! The dim light, the wind whipping across the roof, the rattling windowpanes, it's putting us all in a festive mood XD
December 24, 2025 at 7:47 PM
We appreciate what we get!! The dim light, the wind whipping across the roof, the rattling windowpanes, it's putting us all in a festive mood XD
Thank you! 😍
catching up a few today to try and celebrate all these stories by the end of the year
Next of my favourites is 10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days by @samtasticbooks.com in @uncannymagazine.bsky.social
#booksky 💙📚
🪐📚🪐📚🤖
Next of my favourites is 10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days by @samtasticbooks.com in @uncannymagazine.bsky.social
#booksky 💙📚
🪐📚🪐📚🤖
10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care for the End of Days - Uncanny Magazine
1. There is a future in which a hellgate opens off the coast of California. It happens at midnight on the first day of the new year, which is sooner than anyone expected. The waters rise and we are fo...
www.uncannymagazine.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Thank you! 😍
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
Hooray! @authorsabb.bsky.social is *OFFICIALLY* a nonprofit, and is now open for donations!
For the last two years we've been doing all this w free tools, or paying out of pocket, & we were STILL able to get SO MUCH DONE.
Imagine what we could do with $$$
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/donate/
For the last two years we've been doing all this w free tools, or paying out of pocket, & we were STILL able to get SO MUCH DONE.
Imagine what we could do with $$$
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/donate/
Donate - Authors Against Book Bans
Thank you for donating to Authors Against Book Bans. Your donation directly supports the freedom to read by powering our work with our partner organizations, bringing the author muscle to the fight to...
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Hooray! @authorsabb.bsky.social is *OFFICIALLY* a nonprofit, and is now open for donations!
For the last two years we've been doing all this w free tools, or paying out of pocket, & we were STILL able to get SO MUCH DONE.
Imagine what we could do with $$$
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/donate/
For the last two years we've been doing all this w free tools, or paying out of pocket, & we were STILL able to get SO MUCH DONE.
Imagine what we could do with $$$
www.authorsagainstbookbans.com/donate/
Popping this up regrettably late, but if you find yourself in possession of some gift cards this week, or simply want moar booooks, here are my faves out of everything I read this year!
samtasticbooks.com/2025/12/22/2...
samtasticbooks.com/2025/12/22/2...
2025 reading recs!
I should have gotten this out earlier as a holiday gift guide, but oops and alas! If you have any extremely last minute gifts to buy, or you get any gift cards this week to spend on yourself, or if…
samtasticbooks.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Popping this up regrettably late, but if you find yourself in possession of some gift cards this week, or simply want moar booooks, here are my faves out of everything I read this year!
samtasticbooks.com/2025/12/22/2...
samtasticbooks.com/2025/12/22/2...
I got the question a lot at a previous historical society job (when will you digitize it all?) And even in that small space we estimated 45 million pieces of paper. Not counting photos!
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
December 22, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I got the question a lot at a previous historical society job (when will you digitize it all?) And even in that small space we estimated 45 million pieces of paper. Not counting photos!
This is my fave thing to facilitate as an archivist. My job is to know my collection well enough to offer related material researchers don't even think to ask for. If they don't know it exists, why/how would they turn it up otherwise?
yes, this is a crucial aspect of research for me - finding useful stuff in the process I wasn’t actually looking for
Not a historian but like to research. The AI might summarize what I'm looking for, but it doesn't find what I'm *not* looking for. The book on the shelf next to the one I wanted. The insight in chapter 6 based on the quote I needed from chapter 4.
December 21, 2025 at 5:59 PM
This is my fave thing to facilitate as an archivist. My job is to know my collection well enough to offer related material researchers don't even think to ask for. If they don't know it exists, why/how would they turn it up otherwise?
A Lord of the Rings cover band called Nine Inch Nazgûl
A Lord of the Rings cover band called Flock of Smeagols
A Lord of the Rings cover band called Chappell Rohan
December 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A Lord of the Rings cover band called Nine Inch Nazgûl
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
and tiny tim, who was NOT in the epstein files,
December 18, 2025 at 7:52 PM
and tiny tim, who was NOT in the epstein files,
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
Okay, I have a stacked list for novel, poetry, and short stories for my nomination ballots. But I am really lacking in the novellette, novella categories. What are some of the best novellettes or novellas you've read this year?
December 18, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Okay, I have a stacked list for novel, poetry, and short stories for my nomination ballots. But I am really lacking in the novellette, novella categories. What are some of the best novellettes or novellas you've read this year?
My kids were making little gifts for family and discussing what kind of candy the adults might want, and they said "snickers😒" and "butterfinger😒" with the same disdain we used to reserve for "werther's." The kids are harsh!!
I was just berated by a group of 24 year olds because they said I had "Old People's candy" in my office. The candy in question...
December 18, 2025 at 6:04 PM
My kids were making little gifts for family and discussing what kind of candy the adults might want, and they said "snickers😒" and "butterfinger😒" with the same disdain we used to reserve for "werther's." The kids are harsh!!
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
Had the three Dems who voted for this held the line and voted no, they could have blocked it.
December 18, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Had the three Dems who voted for this held the line and voted no, they could have blocked it.
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
and Tiny Tim, eternal, unchanging, wanders still ... :D
"And Tiny Tim, who did not die" = heartwarming, Christmassy.
"And Tiny Tim, who would not die" = sinister, alarming.
"And Tiny Tim, who would not die" = sinister, alarming.
December 17, 2025 at 5:28 PM
and Tiny Tim, eternal, unchanging, wanders still ... :D
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
what would you do if your child, who swam in your womb waters, could not swim in your home waters, would never hear the song of the sirens?
Free Fiction Friday is here!
How strong are the bonds of love?
How strong is the call of the sea?
magazine.trollbreath.com/saltwater-mo...
How strong are the bonds of love?
How strong is the call of the sea?
magazine.trollbreath.com/saltwater-mo...
August 24, 2025 at 8:48 PM
what would you do if your child, who swam in your womb waters, could not swim in your home waters, would never hear the song of the sirens?
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
This is incredibly important. If you read one thing this week: marcusolang.substack.com/p/im-kenyan-...
I'm Kenyan. I Don't Write Like ChatGPT. ChatGPT Writes Like Me.
I'm calm. I'm calm. I promise.
marcusolang.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:47 AM
This is incredibly important. If you read one thing this week: marcusolang.substack.com/p/im-kenyan-...
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
There's still plenty o' time to drop your information in here! Each year's eligibility post ends up with a really high clickthrough rate -- it's worth your time to make sure people know where to find your work!
At the end of each year I publish a community roundup of awards-eligible work for folks to check out! Go add your information so I can put you on the list for 2026.
2026 Community Awards Eligibility Roundup
It's the time of year when I ask folks to share their awards eligibility with me! Send us your information using this form. We'll round up all the eligibility information people chose to share and wil...
forms.gle
December 15, 2025 at 12:41 AM
There's still plenty o' time to drop your information in here! Each year's eligibility post ends up with a really high clickthrough rate -- it's worth your time to make sure people know where to find your work!
I just went digging through my high school diaries trying to confirm a memory for an essay and...my god. MY GOD. It was a crime to hand 17yo Sam a journal. What a mortifying mess of teen drama, horniness, and disaster. I barely recognize the person in there. These must never see the light of day.
December 16, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I just went digging through my high school diaries trying to confirm a memory for an essay and...my god. MY GOD. It was a crime to hand 17yo Sam a journal. What a mortifying mess of teen drama, horniness, and disaster. I barely recognize the person in there. These must never see the light of day.
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
Coming April 2026: RABBIT TEST AND OTHER STORIES, 1st collection from Nebula, Locus & Sturgeon award-winner @samtasticbooks.com
buff.ly/9sh2exQ
"Samantha examines the human spirit with a sharp eye and a gentle heart." @foxesandroses.bsky.social
@lisarodgers.bsky.social @awfulagent.bsky.social
buff.ly/9sh2exQ
"Samantha examines the human spirit with a sharp eye and a gentle heart." @foxesandroses.bsky.social
@lisarodgers.bsky.social @awfulagent.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Coming April 2026: RABBIT TEST AND OTHER STORIES, 1st collection from Nebula, Locus & Sturgeon award-winner @samtasticbooks.com
buff.ly/9sh2exQ
"Samantha examines the human spirit with a sharp eye and a gentle heart." @foxesandroses.bsky.social
@lisarodgers.bsky.social @awfulagent.bsky.social
buff.ly/9sh2exQ
"Samantha examines the human spirit with a sharp eye and a gentle heart." @foxesandroses.bsky.social
@lisarodgers.bsky.social @awfulagent.bsky.social
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
December 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
Here it is! My 2025 award eligibility post!
"10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care For the End of Days" is a love letter about life under a doomsday cult, and a quick read! I'd be delighted for anyone to consider it for their short story ballots. ;D
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/10-v...
"10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care For the End of Days" is a love letter about life under a doomsday cult, and a quick read! I'd be delighted for anyone to consider it for their short story ballots. ;D
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/10-v...
December 9, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Here it is! My 2025 award eligibility post!
"10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care For the End of Days" is a love letter about life under a doomsday cult, and a quick read! I'd be delighted for anyone to consider it for their short story ballots. ;D
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/10-v...
"10 Visions of the Future; or, Self-Care For the End of Days" is a love letter about life under a doomsday cult, and a quick read! I'd be delighted for anyone to consider it for their short story ballots. ;D
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/10-v...
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
Even 10 years ago this would have looked like a fun but unbelievable piece of world-building for a cyberpunk dystopia. But here we are.
"Soon, CNN will run live odds on world events where its viewers can gamble on them in real time on their smartphones."
CNN Partners With a Gambling App That Lets You Wager on Starvation in Gaza
The app company’s two biggest investors are also heavily invested in the Israeli military.
truthout.org
December 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Even 10 years ago this would have looked like a fun but unbelievable piece of world-building for a cyberpunk dystopia. But here we are.
Reposted by Samantha (Sam) Mills
BCS Patreon has fallen below the monthly amount we need to pay our authors a pro rate and our First Readers a worthy honorarium ($125/mo). Sometimes folks need to lower or pause their support; we understand. But less than 1% of BCS readership donates or supports. www.patreon.com/beneath_ceas... 1/3
Get more from Beneath Ceaseless Skies on Patreon
creating an online fantasy magazine & podcast
www.patreon.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:08 PM
BCS Patreon has fallen below the monthly amount we need to pay our authors a pro rate and our First Readers a worthy honorarium ($125/mo). Sometimes folks need to lower or pause their support; we understand. But less than 1% of BCS readership donates or supports. www.patreon.com/beneath_ceas... 1/3
This includes my Compton Crook Award winning, World Fantasy nominated debuuut, if you ever had an eye on it. 😁😁 code YEAREND30 for 30% off
tachyonpublications.com/product/the-...
tachyonpublications.com/product/the-...
November 28, 2025 at 5:43 PM
This includes my Compton Crook Award winning, World Fantasy nominated debuuut, if you ever had an eye on it. 😁😁 code YEAREND30 for 30% off
tachyonpublications.com/product/the-...
tachyonpublications.com/product/the-...
FYI if you're getting books for the holidays, and want to bypass the big box/online juggernauts, you can't go wrong with 30% off direct from Tachyon! ;D
November 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
FYI if you're getting books for the holidays, and want to bypass the big box/online juggernauts, you can't go wrong with 30% off direct from Tachyon! ;D
Happy Addams Family Values Day to all who celebrate 🙏
November 27, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Happy Addams Family Values Day to all who celebrate 🙏