Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
@yarntheory.bsky.social
Math, history, science fiction, string theory, games with string.
yarntheory.net
yarntheory.net
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
If you're trying to keep your heart focused on the work that you're best-placed to do, it is, unfortunately, a great day to use this procedure @kateschapira.bsky.social and I worked on. I'm going to add a few ideas and songs that I find helpful in this process. Thanks to all who contributed ideas!
Procedure for Having to Behold
PROCEDURE FOR HAVING TO BEHOLD This is a procedure to try when you witness fresh evidence of an atrocity or injustice—not a call to action, but a piece of information where your pathway to action is ...
docs.google.com
January 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
If you're trying to keep your heart focused on the work that you're best-placed to do, it is, unfortunately, a great day to use this procedure @kateschapira.bsky.social and I worked on. I'm going to add a few ideas and songs that I find helpful in this process. Thanks to all who contributed ideas!
Apologies to my neighbors, but I want a wizard's turret.
Tiered library in a cupola with a ladder on wheels
if you could have one absolutely ridiculous thing in your house, money is no issue, what would you add?
January 3, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Apologies to my neighbors, but I want a wizard's turret.
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
There's a certain era & type of weird SF that I find incredibly alluring—@yarntheory.bsky.social was good enough to introduce me to Melissa Scott's BURNING BRIGHT, a delightful queer cyberpunk-space-opera that's really about gaming. Or politics. Or the importance of endings.
A Meal of Thorns 34 – BURNING BRIGHT with Ursula Whitcher
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Ursula WhitcherTitle: Burning Bright by Melissa ScottHost: Jake Case…
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
January 1, 2026 at 8:31 PM
There's a certain era & type of weird SF that I find incredibly alluring—@yarntheory.bsky.social was good enough to introduce me to Melissa Scott's BURNING BRIGHT, a delightful queer cyberpunk-space-opera that's really about gaming. Or politics. Or the importance of endings.
This is brilliant!
a thing I proposed on discord which I’m super excited about:
one-chapter-of-nonfiction-you-own book club. so: once a week (or more, I’m not your boss), pick up a nonfiction book you have on hand and read 1 chapter. doesn’t have to be sequential, doesn’t have to be the same book week to week.
one-chapter-of-nonfiction-you-own book club. so: once a week (or more, I’m not your boss), pick up a nonfiction book you have on hand and read 1 chapter. doesn’t have to be sequential, doesn’t have to be the same book week to week.
December 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
This is brilliant!
This is very good, and I do not say this merely for NCR & Pride of Chanur.
I'm 42 today. As is tradition, here's a free zine about the books I read in 2025: erinking.itch.io/notable-book...
Notable Books 2025 by Aaron King
A zine about notable books I read in 2025
erinking.itch.io
December 29, 2025 at 2:06 PM
This is very good, and I do not say this merely for NCR & Pride of Chanur.
Catching up on #12DaysOfPoetry !
Let's start with "To seek her fortune," which was my very first poem published somewhere besides a school lit magazine:
web.archive.org/web/20160806...
Let's start with "To seek her fortune," which was my very first poem published somewhere besides a school lit magazine:
web.archive.org/web/20160806...
December 27, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Catching up on #12DaysOfPoetry !
Let's start with "To seek her fortune," which was my very first poem published somewhere besides a school lit magazine:
web.archive.org/web/20160806...
Let's start with "To seek her fortune," which was my very first poem published somewhere besides a school lit magazine:
web.archive.org/web/20160806...
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
I’d be grateful if folks followed this project on Kickstarter 🖤
Aiming right now to go live in January, depending on when I get all my materials ready.
We have some exciting invited authors and @mspencerdraws.bsky.social is on board for interior illustrations.
Aiming right now to go live in January, depending on when I get all my materials ready.
We have some exciting invited authors and @mspencerdraws.bsky.social is on board for interior illustrations.
December 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
I’d be grateful if folks followed this project on Kickstarter 🖤
Aiming right now to go live in January, depending on when I get all my materials ready.
We have some exciting invited authors and @mspencerdraws.bsky.social is on board for interior illustrations.
Aiming right now to go live in January, depending on when I get all my materials ready.
We have some exciting invited authors and @mspencerdraws.bsky.social is on board for interior illustrations.
This year in gingerbread: Gennoveus, Kosmas, and a six-legged Vraselian salamander.
December 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This year in gingerbread: Gennoveus, Kosmas, and a six-legged Vraselian salamander.
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
David Favero, Daniel Kaplan, Tyler L. Kelly
Kuznetsov Categories for Gauged Linear Sigma Models
https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.18402
Kuznetsov Categories for Gauged Linear Sigma Models
https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.18402
December 23, 2025 at 8:21 AM
David Favero, Daniel Kaplan, Tyler L. Kelly
Kuznetsov Categories for Gauged Linear Sigma Models
https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.18402
Kuznetsov Categories for Gauged Linear Sigma Models
https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.18402
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
We'll be reading stories for ✨ What Elegant Stars: Queer Tales of Impossible Style ✨ from January 15th to April 15th.
Give us stories of satellites and sewists, terminals and tailors, dandies and dying stars.
<6k words. 8¢/word. simsub ☑️. multiple submissions 🚫.
www.neonhemlock.com/submissions
Give us stories of satellites and sewists, terminals and tailors, dandies and dying stars.
<6k words. 8¢/word. simsub ☑️. multiple submissions 🚫.
www.neonhemlock.com/submissions
December 20, 2025 at 2:18 AM
We'll be reading stories for ✨ What Elegant Stars: Queer Tales of Impossible Style ✨ from January 15th to April 15th.
Give us stories of satellites and sewists, terminals and tailors, dandies and dying stars.
<6k words. 8¢/word. simsub ☑️. multiple submissions 🚫.
www.neonhemlock.com/submissions
Give us stories of satellites and sewists, terminals and tailors, dandies and dying stars.
<6k words. 8¢/word. simsub ☑️. multiple submissions 🚫.
www.neonhemlock.com/submissions
This reindeer looks so happy.
As Starbucks workers strike, we're exploring different local coffee shops. Today: the reindeer at Comet Coffee have some creative ideas about coffee bean origins.
December 19, 2025 at 9:14 PM
This reindeer looks so happy.
Stranger in Olondria!
everyone go get A Stranger in Olondria + Tender and also Earth Logic + Air Logic and then go get Fire Logic + Water Logic at full price; I PROMISE they're worth it
and At the Mouth of the River of Bees while you're at it!
and At the Mouth of the River of Bees while you're at it!
[Spelled coupon wrong 4 times writing this (How?!?)]
25% off a bunch of our books from now until year end using code
SBP25
smallbeerpress.com/not-a-journa...
indiepubs.com/collections/...
25% off a bunch of our books from now until year end using code
SBP25
smallbeerpress.com/not-a-journa...
indiepubs.com/collections/...
December 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Stranger in Olondria!
help I'm getting nostalgic about SeaTac
December 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
help I'm getting nostalgic about SeaTac
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
There never seems to be a good time for anything online lately so I'm just going to throw this out here now:
I am looking for more work! I don't mean writing (though that too, sure!), but in the vein of the work I do for the Le Guin Foundation: organizational, practical, assistant-y, bookish work.
I am looking for more work! I don't mean writing (though that too, sure!), but in the vein of the work I do for the Le Guin Foundation: organizational, practical, assistant-y, bookish work.
December 16, 2025 at 11:11 PM
There never seems to be a good time for anything online lately so I'm just going to throw this out here now:
I am looking for more work! I don't mean writing (though that too, sure!), but in the vein of the work I do for the Le Guin Foundation: organizational, practical, assistant-y, bookish work.
I am looking for more work! I don't mean writing (though that too, sure!), but in the vein of the work I do for the Le Guin Foundation: organizational, practical, assistant-y, bookish work.
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
Once again, all the books I loved most this year
www.rkduncan-author.com/blog/2025/12...
containing: @r-emrys.bsky.social Suzan Palumbo, Sofia Samatar, @amalelmohtar.com ....
www.rkduncan-author.com/blog/2025/12...
containing: @r-emrys.bsky.social Suzan Palumbo, Sofia Samatar, @amalelmohtar.com ....
Books I Have Loved Without Reservation This Year (2025) — R. K. Duncan
thought this was going to be one of the shorter lists, but it turns out there are 21 books I want to talk about this year, as well as shouting out some previously mentioned books. I think it’s partly ...
www.rkduncan-author.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Once again, all the books I loved most this year
www.rkduncan-author.com/blog/2025/12...
containing: @r-emrys.bsky.social Suzan Palumbo, Sofia Samatar, @amalelmohtar.com ....
www.rkduncan-author.com/blog/2025/12...
containing: @r-emrys.bsky.social Suzan Palumbo, Sofia Samatar, @amalelmohtar.com ....
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
Coming soon: What Elegant Stars
Queer Tales of Impossible Style
www.kickstarter.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Remedial "what if you actually *analyzed* pacing" thread, Master and Commander re-read edition! (1/n)
December 12, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Remedial "what if you actually *analyzed* pacing" thread, Master and Commander re-read edition! (1/n)
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
a fun, free ttrpg set in the (legally distinct and free for use) warhammer 40K world where, instead of being a hulking space marine, you play as a downtrodden and oppressed space serf:
slowlorispress.com/post/8005714...
slowlorispress.com/post/8005714...
CHAPTER SERF
CHAPTER SERF is a tabletop roleplaying game and adventure, set in Warhammer 40K, where you play those hooded peasant weirdos you sometimes spot in the backgrounds of the art.
Full PDF downloadable...
slowlorispress.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
a fun, free ttrpg set in the (legally distinct and free for use) warhammer 40K world where, instead of being a hulking space marine, you play as a downtrodden and oppressed space serf:
slowlorispress.com/post/8005714...
slowlorispress.com/post/8005714...
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
What's the best book *review* you wrote, read, edited, or published this year? I'm rounding them up again for Lit Hub.
(Must have a 2025 pub date, no exceptions.)
(Must have a 2025 pub date, no exceptions.)
December 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM
What's the best book *review* you wrote, read, edited, or published this year? I'm rounding them up again for Lit Hub.
(Must have a 2025 pub date, no exceptions.)
(Must have a 2025 pub date, no exceptions.)
I published 2 speculative poems in 2025!
If you're nominating for the Hugos, I'd love it if you checked out "Beyond the Standard Model," a theoretical physics poem that was in Analog last January:
web.archive.org/web/20250117...
(1/2)
If you're nominating for the Hugos, I'd love it if you checked out "Beyond the Standard Model," a theoretical physics poem that was in Analog last January:
web.archive.org/web/20250117...
(1/2)
Poetry - Analog Science Fiction and Fact
{!{wpv-view name='issue-current-poetry'}!}
web.archive.org
December 6, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I published 2 speculative poems in 2025!
If you're nominating for the Hugos, I'd love it if you checked out "Beyond the Standard Model," a theoretical physics poem that was in Analog last January:
web.archive.org/web/20250117...
(1/2)
If you're nominating for the Hugos, I'd love it if you checked out "Beyond the Standard Model," a theoretical physics poem that was in Analog last January:
web.archive.org/web/20250117...
(1/2)
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
If you're an artist/crafter/musician/other creator with things that would make great gifts this holiday season, today's the Whatever gift guide day for you to share your work with thousands! Follow the link to tell people how to get what you've got!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/03/t...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/03/t...
The 2025 Whatever Holiday Gift Guide, Day Three: Arts, Crafts, Music and More
The Whatever Holiday Gift Guide 2025 continues, and today we move away from books and focus on other gifts and crafts — which you can take to mean just about any other sort of thing a creative pers…
whatever.scalzi.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:52 PM
If you're an artist/crafter/musician/other creator with things that would make great gifts this holiday season, today's the Whatever gift guide day for you to share your work with thousands! Follow the link to tell people how to get what you've got!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/03/t...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/03/t...
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
Did you publish a speculative poem or book in 2025? There is a crowdsourced award eligibility doc here, please feel free to add your works to the list:
(This is only for speculative poetry, please.)
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
(This is only for speculative poetry, please.)
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Crowdsourced Award Eligible Speculative Poetry 2025
docs.google.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Did you publish a speculative poem or book in 2025? There is a crowdsourced award eligibility doc here, please feel free to add your works to the list:
(This is only for speculative poetry, please.)
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
(This is only for speculative poetry, please.)
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
Indie and non-traditional authors! Today is the day to tell thousands of readers looking for holiday gifts about your books! Follow the link for all the details and leave a post (there, not here)!
Musicians/crafters/artists, etc: Your day is tomorrow!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/02/t...
Musicians/crafters/artists, etc: Your day is tomorrow!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/02/t...
The 2025 Whatever Holiday Gift Guide, Day Two: Non-Traditional Books
Today is Day Two of the Whatever Holiday Gift Guide 2025, and today the focus is on Non-Traditionally Published Books: Self-published works, electronically-exclusive books, books from micro presses…
whatever.scalzi.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Indie and non-traditional authors! Today is the day to tell thousands of readers looking for holiday gifts about your books! Follow the link for all the details and leave a post (there, not here)!
Musicians/crafters/artists, etc: Your day is tomorrow!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/02/t...
Musicians/crafters/artists, etc: Your day is tomorrow!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/02/t...
Reposted by Dr. U. Whitcher (U. is for Bear)
Traditionally-published authors (print/ebook/audio): Promote your books today in the 2025 Whatever Holiday Gift Guide! Thousands of readers to connect to your work! Follow the link below to tell folks about what you have available to them this holiday season!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/01/t...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/01/t...
December 1, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Traditionally-published authors (print/ebook/audio): Promote your books today in the 2025 Whatever Holiday Gift Guide! Thousands of readers to connect to your work! Follow the link below to tell folks about what you have available to them this holiday season!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/01/t...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/01/t...