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swantower.bsky.social
Marie Brennan
@swantower.bsky.social
4.9K followers 160 following 1.1K posts
Author of the Memoirs of Lady Trent. Also one half of M.A. Carrick. She/her.
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swantower.bsky.social
Marie Brennan @swantower.bsky.social · Jan 7
Okay, this is a thread for U.S. folks, but also anybody facing political woes at home. I'm pinning this to my profile as an irregularly updated thread for advice and links on how to take action/take care of yourself. Scroll through it any time you need reminders (that's what I'll be doing myself).
swantower.bsky.social
I put to you all:

What type of game would "Shenanigrams" be?
November 15, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
olivia.science
Love to see community action against this AI nonsense! neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d...
As one Massachusetts school administrator recently said; this moment with AI is remarkably like the moment when we were introduced to asbestos. Yes, it had some remarkably promising characteristics – fireproofing! – and had some real utility in science, research, and industrial applications. But a profit-driven industry bullied us into inserting it everywhere; into our homes and schools and public spaces, before we really understood the risks. This resulted in decades, if not centuries, of illness, injuries, deaths, and the astronomical financial burden of trying to remove the stuff. As you, the leaders and policymakers in our schools, craft an AI policy for our district, we the undersigned call on you to: 1. Ban AI tools into the classroom, protect our students and teachers from de-skilling and allow them the space and time to engage in assignments themselves. 2. Resist any direct financial relationship or contracts with AI providers, as well as the “training” they might offer. 3. Provide a digital literacy curriculum to help students navigate the current digital landscape, and promote critical engagement with technology. 4. Guarantee that anywhere generative AI has already entered our classrooms or curriculum, an opt-out will allow students and teachers to refuse the use of these products at no risk to their grades, progress or employment.
November 14, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
retroandyart.bsky.social
My mom’s working on her Ph.D, and her dissertation is on Super Heroes as modern mythology. If you could take a few minutes to answer questions about your experiences with super hero media, it would help her a lot!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Linda Mae Superhero Questionnaire
Linda Mae is writing her thesis about superhero archetypes as modern mythology, and she would like your help! Please fill out the questionnaire below to assist with her research.
docs.google.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
taliabhatt.itch.io
"my least woke opinion is---"

That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.

Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
blueludebar.com
continuing the fantasy oracle deck thread, here's the blue/water and lavender-grey/air cards i drew 🃏🌊 #illustration #oraclecards #tarotcards [3/4]
eleven cards from the official oracle card deck based on the world of fantasy novel trilogy ROOK AND ROSE by M.A. Carrick. this batch is mostly blue, grey, pink and purple cards. some of the imagery includes: a noose-like knot made of bright red rope against a background of crashing and foaming ocean waves, a tortoiseshell cat leaping down at a passing dragonfly heedless of the large pitcher of water directly under its prey, golden reeds waving unharmed in a stormy gale while a gnarled black tree behind it splinters, a woman draped in lavender cloth and a man dressed in coppery red each holding a bright moon against a starry night sky.
November 12, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
blueludebar.com
more of my illustration work on the ROOK & ROSE fantasy oracle deck 🃏🌿 these are the green/earth-themed cards #illustration #oraclecards #tarotcards [2/4]
twelve cards from the official oracle card deck based on the world of fantasy novel trilogy ROOK AND ROSE by M.A. Carrick. this batch is mostly cream, greens and brown cards. some of the imagery includes: a person leaping from a harsh rocky cliff-edge towards a bright red sun, a mossy labyrinth spiraling towards a calm blue pool in its center, a very cute turtle hiding from a downpour in its shell on a rock in a stream, a hand pierced by a bright red poppy, a hand holding a small brass key in front of a heavy carved chest in a darkened room, a woman in a shroud reaching up towards an illusion of shifting iridescent peacock-like colors.
November 10, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
blueludebar.com
here's the 45 cards i illustrated for @macarrick.bsky.social's official ROOK & ROSE fantasy oracle deck 🃏✨ first, the fire/red cards [1/4]
twelve cards from the official oracle card deck based on the world of fantasy novel trilogy ROOK AND ROSE by M.A. Carrick. this batch is mostly red, orange and gold cards. some of the imagery includes: floating lanterns in a night sky, intertwined hands with a lavishly embroidered cloth ribbon wound between their fingers, two sisters with dark hair holding swords, a woman with braided hair standing in a reed-edged river pushing a sleeve of her dress down her shoulder to reveal a fire burning from her heart, a traveler's wagon crossing a golden field towards a sunset.
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
wiswell.bsky.social
The greatest trick rich and horrible people ever pulled is convincing us they were interesting.
chrislhayes.bsky.social Chris Hayes @chrislhayes.bsky.social · 4d
Something that’s so striking in these emails is how…unimpressive Epstein is. He comes off as a pompous, sub-literate lech. Yes everyone is so mortifyingly solicitous of him! All fawning and flattery! Why?????
November 13, 2025 at 5:24 AM
swantower.bsky.social
Starting in about 15 minutes -- you can still register to join us!
electricsheepsf.bsky.social Electric Sheep @electricsheepsf.bsky.social · 14d
Electric Sheep Reading Series – SpecPo Hugo Edition!

November 12
8 pm (US Eastern)

Guest Host: Holly Lyn Walrath
Guest of Honor: Marie Brennan, 2025 Hugo Winner for Best Poem

Readers:
Brian U. Garrison
Ai Jiang
Oliver K. Langmead
Angela Liu
Mari Ness
Brandon O’Brien, Poet Laureate 2025 WorldCon
November 13, 2025 at 12:42 AM
swantower.bsky.social
The vehicle arms race:

xkcd.com/3167

(I'm lucky to live in an area that is fairly bike-friendly, with drivers who understand how to behave around cyclists.)
Car Size
xkcd.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
tachyonpub.bsky.social
20% off sale on all Patricia A. McKillip titles. Runs through November 25.

buff.ly/Xk4npmr

"I have read everything Patricia McKillip has written. You should too.” @garthnix.bsky.social

Use the code MCKILLIP20 at checkout to get 20% off
Promotion for McKillip sale. Shows 5 books, date of sale (November 12-25), "Get 20% off" and coupon code MCKILLIP20
November 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
mynachang.bsky.social
Thrilled to have Marie Brennan as our guest of honor! I hope everyone will join us for an hour of fantastic speculative poetry!

@swantower.bsky.social @electricsheepsf.bsky.social
electricsheepsf.bsky.social Electric Sheep @electricsheepsf.bsky.social · 12d
Our Guest of Honor is Hugo-Winner Marie Brennan!

Marie’s poem, “A War of Words” won the 2025 Hugo Award for Best Poem.

Originally published in @strangehorizons.bsky.social!

Hope to see you at the reading!

@swantower.bsky.social
electricsheepsf.bsky.social Electric Sheep @electricsheepsf.bsky.social · 14d
The event is free to all but space is limited!
November 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
swantower.bsky.social
Details in thread -- come hear me read "A War of Words," and a bunch of other great work from my fellow guests!
electricsheepsf.bsky.social Electric Sheep @electricsheepsf.bsky.social · 14d
Electric Sheep Reading Series – SpecPo Hugo Edition!

November 12
8 pm (US Eastern)

Guest Host: Holly Lyn Walrath
Guest of Honor: Marie Brennan, 2025 Hugo Winner for Best Poem

Readers:
Brian U. Garrison
Ai Jiang
Oliver K. Langmead
Angela Liu
Mari Ness
Brandon O’Brien, Poet Laureate 2025 WorldCon
November 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
swantower.bsky.social
"Datloween" 😂
tachyonpub.bsky.social Tachyon Publications @tachyonpub.bsky.social · 18d
Tis the season for Datloween!

buff.ly/lYBHBNj

All @datlow.bsky.social titles 20% off! through Nov 3

Use code DATLOWEEN20

Print! Digital! Preorders!

Everything Datlow 20% off!

#sale
Flyer promoting Datloween sale with same info as post plus covers several Datlow titles
October 30, 2025 at 10:08 PM
swantower.bsky.social
What are y'all's favorite *non-horror* Halloween movies? Think "Nightmare Before Christmas" more than *The Conjuring*.
October 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
marissalingen.bsky.social
Exciting news! I've been working all year on a vertigo arts project in collaboration with others in academia, physical therapy, puppetry, and dance. Now the first part is out: I'm running a creative writing workshop for people who are directly or indirectly affected by vertigo. >
October 29, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
apexmag.bsky.social
There's just 69 (yes really) HOURS LEFT to donate to the Apex Magazine Kickstarter! ⏰

We're thrilled to bring you more Apex in 2026, but there's still time to unlock our stretch goals! At $22,500, we unlock drabble submissions with editor @kaidelmas.bsky.social!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
The cow is now piloting the UFO! "$20,526! Kickstarter Countdown: T-MINUS: 69 HOURS Next Stretch Goal: $1,974" Only 9% to go until... Editor Kai Delmas will return to Apex Magazine to hold another themed Drabble submission period in 2026! Kai will select three submissions to be published in Apex Magazine."
October 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
swantower.bsky.social
<types "ping me via" into a text message>

<phone suggests:

"Whatsapp"

"email"

"telegram">

🤔
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
angryrobotbooks.bsky.social
If you're a bookseller/librarian/reviewer and would like the chance to read this early our review request form is here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Review Request: The Worst Monk in Omnu | Marie Brennan | 4th May 2027
A smart fantasy novel with high stakes but a cosy feel as the opening to a new series from multi-bestseller author Marie Brennan. ARC ACCESS: To register your interest in an advanced readers copy of...
docs.google.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
apexmag.bsky.social
WE DID IT!!! 🎉🎉🎉

over $20,000 raised with 3 days still left to go! Thank you all so much to everyone who shared and supported our Kickstarter; we truly, TRULY couldn't have done it without you! 💜👽

Bask in the warm glow of a fully funded Kickstarter with us 🌟
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
Screenshot of Kickstarter page showing $20,121 of $20,000!
October 27, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
apexmag.bsky.social
There's only 5 DAYS LEFT to fund Apex Magazine for 2026, and we just unlocked our 80% goal! 🎉

@lesleyconner.bsky.social will host a LIVE READING of "The Monster Fucker Club" by @avgreenewrites.bsky.social!

Keep weird, wonderful fiction alive and donate TODAY 👽
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
80% UNLOCKED! Lesley will be reading “The Monster Fucker Club” by A.V. Greene live on the Apex YouTube channel. “The Monster Fucker Club” was published in Apex Magazine issue 139 and was a finalist for the Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Short Fiction in 2023. Cow getting sucked into UFO tractor beam. "Kickstarter Countdown: T-Minus 5 DAYS Needed for Liftoff: $3,085 $16,915/$20,000 Click the link in our bio to help us fund the next year of Alex Magazine!"
October 25, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
apexmag.bsky.social
There's only ONE WEEK LEFT to fund Apex Magazine in 2026, and we JUST unlocked our 70% reward!!

The Apex editors will host a live affirmation critique of the Internet's most beloved amateur horror stories! 📸🌲🥩

🎃 Help us reach our funding goal and donate TODAY! www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
Cow getting sucked into UFO tractor beam. "Kickstarter Countdown: T-Minus 7 DAYS Needed for Liftoff: $5,669 $14,331/$20,000 Click the link in our bio to help us fund the next year of Alex Magazine!" 70% UNLOCKED! Lesley and Rebecca will be reading CreepyPasta stories selected by our followers and doing a small affirmation critique of the story. This live event is sure to be hysterical!
October 23, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
prospertipaldi.bsky.social
Me whenever the AI topic comes up:
October 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Marie Brennan
angryrobotbooks.bsky.social
We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of the charming new fantasy The Worst Monk in Omnu from author Marie Brennan.
A new smart fantasy novel with high stakes but with a cosy feel, to open a new trilogy.

Publishing 4th May 2027.

Scroll down for the chance to snag an early copy for review!
A panel featuring an author photo and the words "Marie Brennan Acquisition Announcement.
October 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
swantower.bsky.social
I feel bad for whoever bought Amtrak tickets and accidentally sent them to my email. They look completely legit, but I have no way of contacting that person about their mistake . . .
October 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM