Zig Zag Claybourne
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zzclaybourne.bsky.social
Zig Zag Claybourne
@zzclaybourne.bsky.social
Writer. Pie lover. Herald of Galactus but no worries. he/him zzclaybourne.com
Pinned
"Pleasantly disquieting... There's much to savour in this Black speculative world where wealth, trade and magick intersect, witchery and martial arts merge in action, much action..." Eugen Bacon, Aurealis Magazine #172

Starting the year at $10 at Amazon.
Breath, Warmth, and Dream
Breath, Warmth, and Dream [Claybourne, Zig Zag] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Breath, Warmth, and Dream
www.amazon.com
Humans are times travelers. Choose your companions well.
January 6, 2026 at 4:23 AM
I'm seriously thinking about reopening my Patreon. But that's a decision for the clarity of daylight. I've spent the evening watching the night come in and listening to jazz. Brain is primed for dreams only.
January 5, 2026 at 3:33 AM
@mwl.io knows writing, Trek & epics. Amnandi Sails, he says, is "a glorious blend of Sinbad, Star Trek, & epic mythology."

He ain't wrong.

"Michael Moorcock needs another chair... ZZ Claybourne hasn't claimed a spot at his table, he's dragged the whole table into the 21st century."

'Zon review
January 4, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Reposted by Zig Zag Claybourne
What @smartbitches.bsky.social said.

smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2026/01/a-sh...

If you can't be bothered to write it, I can't be bothered to read it--or promote it, endorse it, or care about it.

AI-generated cover? Same.
A Short Comment About Generative AI | Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
smartbitchestrashybooks.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Bobo the Mug. Good tea. Enough quiet to make some words. Comfy couch blanket.

Construction area.
January 4, 2026 at 3:22 PM
"Pleasantly disquieting... There's much to savour in this Black speculative world where wealth, trade and magick intersect, witchery and martial arts merge in action, much action..." Eugen Bacon, Aurealis Magazine #172

Starting the year at $10 at Amazon.
Breath, Warmth, and Dream
Breath, Warmth, and Dream [Claybourne, Zig Zag] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Breath, Warmth, and Dream
www.amazon.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Woke up feeling gunky, then a friend sent me a chapter of something she's working on. A powerful, angry, funny, redemptive chapter. Knocked the gunk right out. Creativity is medicinal af.
January 3, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Zig Zag Claybourne
One of the many things I love about my list is that there were too many trans books to make that its own category. Trans books are everywhere.

Next up: books that served up some much needed hope, in one way or another.

(as always, all book titles and authors are listed in the alt-text)
January 1, 2026 at 6:10 PM
"Wonderful."

AMNANDI SAILS.

Your passage booked?
2025 Book 85. Amanandi Sails – Zig Zag Claybourne – the 2nd in trilogy, focussed on Amanandi, who is on a sailing adventure with her best friends when they stumble on something that may find her out of her depth. But if her mother taught her anything it is to persist. Wonderful. #booksky #reading 💙📚
January 3, 2026 at 3:44 AM
Felt straight thru the deep places.
January 2, 2026 at 1:23 PM
"Live long and prosper" means make good friends along the way.

Sending that salute racing outward!
January 2, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Zig Zag Claybourne
I'm going to make myself a thread of nice bits from things I've read recently. If you feel like it, feel free to add anything that's grabbed you in your recent reading...
June 24, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Beloved, Toni Morrison
Ok, everyone, what book is sacred enough to you to get sworn in on?
Strange takes on Mayor Zamdani swearing his oath on the Qu’ran. It has nothing to do with church & state. The point of the oath is for the person swearing in to do so upon some text that is sacred TO THEM. Some Presidents swore in w/o any book. John Quincy Adams was sworn on a law book. His choice.
January 2, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Sometimes it's cool coming to something late after a hubbub dies down. Like getting that midnight leftover snack alone in the kitchen when food tastes 3x better than when it came hot. Pie all to y'self. Watching SINNERS for the 1st time. *nods*

They'd fit in the Jetstreams Universe nicely.
January 1, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Reposted by Zig Zag Claybourne
I'd absolutely *hate* to cancel Under the Volcano bc i don't have the money for lodging, airport transport, and food. seems silly after paying for an int'l plane ticket and the workshop.

but the potential is quite nerve-wrackingly there. please, please help me make this goal!

gofund.me/d36e404ec
Donate to Support Teri Clarke's Writing Journey, organized by Teri Clarke
hello, all! my name is Teri Clarke and I write horror and dark fantasy under the… Teri Clarke needs your support for Support Teri Clarke's Writing Journey
gofund.me
December 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
First words of 2026:
She resumed writing. 'Lovers, this isn't a final statement so don't think you're owed anything. Daven, I know how many knives I've got and the state they're in. I'm leaving my best hat because when I get back I'll need it. Yes, I will buy hats along the way but I like this one.'
January 1, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Going into a new year knowing that somebody is excited about something I wrote = Priceless 😁
Here's another quote from @zzclaybourne.bsky.social's BREATH, WARMTH, AND DREAM:

"Because [the mountains] were so far away, they looked painted rather than real, but she was acquainted with that illusion. Distant things wanted you to come to them, so they made themselves dreamlike."
January 1, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Reposted by Zig Zag Claybourne
Some words from the novel I'm reading, BREATH, WARMTH, AND DREAM, by @zzclaybourne.bsky.social :

"'There was once'--Orsys stopped to think--'that I taught a child queen to print her name in all the alphabets of her land.'"

Beautiful. The land has many alphabets to learn ... TY, Zig Zag!
December 31, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Since we're ending the year with Idris Elba being knighted to bruvhood, fully behooved right now to remind you you can still read alternate universe Idras Melba's deepest thoughts and tenderest insights here.
Conversations With Idras: A Satire
Conversations With Idras: A Satire [Claybourne, Zig Zag] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Conversations With Idras: A Satire
www.amazon.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Artists:
May your best way of being honest with yourself reflect in your work.
May there be a huge jump in your sales, propelling you into the new year like a rocket.
May your every creative self-challenge increase our supply of cool.
May you rock/jam/fire shit up accordingly.

Peace & be well.
December 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Zig Zag Claybourne
Breath, Warmth, and Dream by @zzclaybourne.bsky.social

"This is a delicate tale where you'll want to take your time and savor the use of language and imagery. I found myself often stopping to re-read sentences just to appreciate their construction and impact."
December 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
"Inevitability" is often what some entity crams down our throats. Doesn't make it inevitable, makes it violent.
December 30, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by Zig Zag Claybourne
The SFF Librarian Reviews: @jbarchivist.bsky.social looks at Sarah Pinsker's HAUNT SWEET HOME (@tordotcom.bsky.social), Heather O'Neill's THE CAPITAL OF DREAMS (@harperperennial.bsky.social), and Zig Zag Claybourne's BREATH WARMTH & DREAM (Obsidian Sky).

ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2025/02/17/t...
The SFF Librarian Reviews, Winter 2025
Jeremy Brett As a voracious reader, and as someone for whom science fiction and fantasy are part of my daily job as a science fiction librarian, I come across a lot of wonderful work in these genre…
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
February 17, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Reposted by Zig Zag Claybourne
Happy Spacefunk! made Joe Compton 's list of top Indie Books of 2025! A true honor indeed!
www.youtube.com/live/5CQP9Vg...
Touch Of Indies Special Edition- Joe's Indie Books Dozen Favorites of 2025
YouTube video by GoIndieNow
www.youtube.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Reposted by Zig Zag Claybourne
get my nebula award-winning book for 50% off on smashwords! it's a spooky queer tween fantasy novel about a girl who can see ghosts on an adventure with her sister, a dragon and a ghost. 🌈📚
#EOYSale25 #ebook #IndieBooks #fantasy #kidlit #booksky
www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...
December 30, 2025 at 2:30 AM