Robert Charles Wilson
@wilsonspin.bsky.social
Hugo Award-winning author of SPIN, BLIND LAKE and a bunch of other novels, plus short story collection THE PERSEIDS and nonfiction semi-memoir OWNING THE UNKNOWN.
One of the first rules of professional writing I learned was “Never give away anything for free.” But I’m old enough to break the rules if the spirit moves me. This is a tiny little brand-new science fiction story, which I hope might make you laugh…or not, depending on the mood you’re in.
Homage to Pandora
A Tiny Little Short Story
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:42 PM
One of the first rules of professional writing I learned was “Never give away anything for free.” But I’m old enough to break the rules if the spirit moves me. This is a tiny little brand-new science fiction story, which I hope might make you laugh…or not, depending on the mood you’re in.
This might have been more appropriate for Halloween, but, like a pumpkin-spice latte on a hot September day, it arrived before its time.
Why We Don't Ask Why
Close Encounters, The Exorcist, And The Questions We Don't Ask
robertcharleswilson.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:55 PM
This might have been more appropriate for Halloween, but, like a pumpkin-spice latte on a hot September day, it arrived before its time.
I haven’t been active here for a while, and I apologize to anyone who follows me. Part of the reason is that I’ve been busy setting up a Substack newsletter. This is the latest post—witches, beatniks, the Lavender Scare, and a movie I watch every Christmas. (Subscriptions are currently free.)
Zodiac Carousel
Bell, Book and Candle and the Hinges of American Culture
robertcharleswilson.substack.com
August 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I haven’t been active here for a while, and I apologize to anyone who follows me. Part of the reason is that I’ve been busy setting up a Substack newsletter. This is the latest post—witches, beatniks, the Lavender Scare, and a movie I watch every Christmas. (Subscriptions are currently free.)
Extremely interesting, if far from conclusive. K2-18 wouldn’t be a comfortable place for human beings—more than twice as large as Earth and nine times as massive, orbiting a red dwarf star—but it’s fun to imagine a big watery world teeming with sentient seaweed or philosophically-minded jellyfish.
Scientists hail ‘strongest evidence’ so far for life beyond our solar system
Astrophysics team say observation of chemical compounds may be ‘tipping point’ in search for extraterrestrial life
www.theguardian.com
April 17, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Extremely interesting, if far from conclusive. K2-18 wouldn’t be a comfortable place for human beings—more than twice as large as Earth and nine times as massive, orbiting a red dwarf star—but it’s fun to imagine a big watery world teeming with sentient seaweed or philosophically-minded jellyfish.
If you want to support something reliably Canadian instead of products tainted by their connection to the US, choose:
—Laura Secord, not Hershey’s
—Maple Leaf, not Oscar Mayer
—Mark Carney, not Pierre Poilievre
—Laura Secord, not Hershey’s
—Maple Leaf, not Oscar Mayer
—Mark Carney, not Pierre Poilievre
March 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
If you want to support something reliably Canadian instead of products tainted by their connection to the US, choose:
—Laura Secord, not Hershey’s
—Maple Leaf, not Oscar Mayer
—Mark Carney, not Pierre Poilievre
—Laura Secord, not Hershey’s
—Maple Leaf, not Oscar Mayer
—Mark Carney, not Pierre Poilievre
Reposted by Robert Charles Wilson
Real Americans are all-in for our great neighbor Canada.
March 23, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Real Americans are all-in for our great neighbor Canada.
The more I see of Mark Carney, the better I like him. He’s smart, knowledgeable, at ease at the podium, and a perfect foil for the attacks on Canada’s sovereignty emanating from south of the border.
The opposite of Poilievre, whose shallow sloganeering is instantly tiresome.
The opposite of Poilievre, whose shallow sloganeering is instantly tiresome.
March 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
The more I see of Mark Carney, the better I like him. He’s smart, knowledgeable, at ease at the podium, and a perfect foil for the attacks on Canada’s sovereignty emanating from south of the border.
The opposite of Poilievre, whose shallow sloganeering is instantly tiresome.
The opposite of Poilievre, whose shallow sloganeering is instantly tiresome.
Reposted by Robert Charles Wilson
Best analysis I’ve seen yet, at least from a source outside Canada.
Blame Canada
Our warmongering, drugged-out conspiracy theory
snyder.substack.com
March 16, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Best analysis I’ve seen yet, at least from a source outside Canada.
I’d kinda forgotten that this is the book’s 20th anniversary. Without question, the most popular and most commercially successful of all my novels.
My favorite novel Spin by @wilsonspin.bsky.social was published 20 years ago today!
March 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I’d kinda forgotten that this is the book’s 20th anniversary. Without question, the most popular and most commercially successful of all my novels.
Taking a little time for some vintage science fiction, especially the work of John Christopher, whose opus I somehow neglected. (I did read and enjoy his Tripod trilogy many years ago, and I’m looking forward to No Blade of Grass, The Long Winter, and The Ragged Edge.)
March 3, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Taking a little time for some vintage science fiction, especially the work of John Christopher, whose opus I somehow neglected. (I did read and enjoy his Tripod trilogy many years ago, and I’m looking forward to No Blade of Grass, The Long Winter, and The Ragged Edge.)
A Publishers Weekly article about the near-death of the mass market paperback, and you can spot a copy of my novel Spin in the photo that illustrates it. Sort of like coming across your own name on a tombstone.
February 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
A Publishers Weekly article about the near-death of the mass market paperback, and you can spot a copy of my novel Spin in the photo that illustrates it. Sort of like coming across your own name on a tombstone.
Reposted by Robert Charles Wilson
Fellow Canadians! 🇨🇦
Consider signing the petition below asking the Prime Minister to consider revoking Elon Musk’s dual citizen status and revoke his passport immediately.
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
Consider signing the petition below asking the Prime Minister to consider revoking Elon Musk’s dual citizen status and revoke his passport immediately.
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
Petition e-5353 - Petitions
www.ourcommons.ca
February 24, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Fellow Canadians! 🇨🇦
Consider signing the petition below asking the Prime Minister to consider revoking Elon Musk’s dual citizen status and revoke his passport immediately.
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
Consider signing the petition below asking the Prime Minister to consider revoking Elon Musk’s dual citizen status and revoke his passport immediately.
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
Reposted by Robert Charles Wilson
It's Nice To Be Disliked (By One Of Those)
February 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
It's Nice To Be Disliked (By One Of Those)
Celebrating Flag Day today—and reclaiming the flag from the “convoy” quislings, at a time when we face an unprecedented threat from south of the border. (Also bracing for the winter storm heading for southern Ontario!)
February 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Celebrating Flag Day today—and reclaiming the flag from the “convoy” quislings, at a time when we face an unprecedented threat from south of the border. (Also bracing for the winter storm heading for southern Ontario!)
Reposted by Robert Charles Wilson
An American draft resisters crew, Toronto.
4th from left is Mary M from Georgia. She was a spirit guide to my wife and I.
3rd is Phillip from Texas. He taught me to be a carpenter.
During Vietnam many young Americans came here, built lives, changed our politics.
Maybe we need that influx again.
4th from left is Mary M from Georgia. She was a spirit guide to my wife and I.
3rd is Phillip from Texas. He taught me to be a carpenter.
During Vietnam many young Americans came here, built lives, changed our politics.
Maybe we need that influx again.
February 6, 2025 at 1:31 AM
An American draft resisters crew, Toronto.
4th from left is Mary M from Georgia. She was a spirit guide to my wife and I.
3rd is Phillip from Texas. He taught me to be a carpenter.
During Vietnam many young Americans came here, built lives, changed our politics.
Maybe we need that influx again.
4th from left is Mary M from Georgia. She was a spirit guide to my wife and I.
3rd is Phillip from Texas. He taught me to be a carpenter.
During Vietnam many young Americans came here, built lives, changed our politics.
Maybe we need that influx again.
Trump has backed down…for now, in exchange for some fairly trivial gestures from Ottawa. But we still have a gun pointed at us—the US administration is still hostile and shockingly authoritarian—and I’ll be buying Canadian and boycotting US products until that changes.
February 3, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Trump has backed down…for now, in exchange for some fairly trivial gestures from Ottawa. But we still have a gun pointed at us—the US administration is still hostile and shockingly authoritarian—and I’ll be buying Canadian and boycotting US products until that changes.
Pierre Poilievre is currently on the CBC trying to promote himself by lending credence to Trump’s ludicrous rationale for tariffs. “Tariffs are wrong, but…” But nothing. Quisling.
February 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Pierre Poilievre is currently on the CBC trying to promote himself by lending credence to Trump’s ludicrous rationale for tariffs. “Tariffs are wrong, but…” But nothing. Quisling.
Trump’s “reasons” for imposing tariffs on Canada are so implausible that he obviously has a different motive—presumably to crush Canadian independence, economically or politically or both. Buy Canadian, boycott American. True north strong and free.
January 30, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Trump’s “reasons” for imposing tariffs on Canada are so implausible that he obviously has a different motive—presumably to crush Canadian independence, economically or politically or both. Buy Canadian, boycott American. True north strong and free.
We’re shopping more carefully now that Canada is under economic threat—postponing big purchases, planning more plain-&-basic meals, avoiding US products, buying Canadian wherever possible. This country is worth any sacrifice we might have to make. Canadians have done it before & we can do it again.
January 27, 2025 at 8:27 PM
We’re shopping more carefully now that Canada is under economic threat—postponing big purchases, planning more plain-&-basic meals, avoiding US products, buying Canadian wherever possible. This country is worth any sacrifice we might have to make. Canadians have done it before & we can do it again.
Best thing I’ve seen yet about Trump’s threats to Canada.
Why America Can’t Conquer Canada - Macleans.ca
Donald Trump’s nonsensical threats are an attempt to distract from his own country’s self-destruction
macleans.ca
January 13, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Best thing I’ve seen yet about Trump’s threats to Canada.
“Danielle Smith, Kevin O’Leary, and Jordan Peterson walk into Mar-a-Lago—“
“Wait, is this a joke?”
“Yes. But not in the good way.”
“Wait, is this a joke?”
“Yes. But not in the good way.”
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith visits Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago | CBC News
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith visited Mar-a-Lago, the Florida home of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, on Saturday.
www.cbc.ca
January 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
“Danielle Smith, Kevin O’Leary, and Jordan Peterson walk into Mar-a-Lago—“
“Wait, is this a joke?”
“Yes. But not in the good way.”
“Wait, is this a joke?”
“Yes. But not in the good way.”
“Number 24” is a poignant dramatization of the experience of Norwegian WW II resistance fighter Gunnar Sønsteby. Maybe especially poignant for Canadians, at a time when the apparently psychotic leader-in-waiting of the country to the south of us is making mouth noises about annexing our country.
Number 24 movie review & film summary (2025) | Roger Ebert
A sturdy, handsomely mounted period piece depicting the emotional toll required for freedom.
www.rogerebert.com
January 8, 2025 at 1:31 PM
“Number 24” is a poignant dramatization of the experience of Norwegian WW II resistance fighter Gunnar Sønsteby. Maybe especially poignant for Canadians, at a time when the apparently psychotic leader-in-waiting of the country to the south of us is making mouth noises about annexing our country.
Every year after Christmas dinner Aunt Felicia would entertain the family with her reenactment of a scene from Ridley Scott’s Alien.
December 24, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Every year after Christmas dinner Aunt Felicia would entertain the family with her reenactment of a scene from Ridley Scott’s Alien.