a. pearl ✍️🏻
@apearlwrites.bsky.social
Freelance Japan news & culture writer (on hiatus) • Existentialist SFF, horror, & speculative fiction déraciné quietly rotting in the PNW • she/her
Published fiction & poetry: catandmothwritings.wordpress.com/published-works
Published fiction & poetry: catandmothwritings.wordpress.com/published-works
Pinned
a. pearl ✍️🏻
@apearlwrites.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Pinned tweet time:
Hello, I'm Alyssa! 👋 I write in-depth news and articles for @unseenjapan.com and occasionally dabble in copywriting and mobile game writing.
Because writing is my lifeblood, I also write short fiction and am working on a horror novella and an SF duology.
よろしくね!
Hello, I'm Alyssa! 👋 I write in-depth news and articles for @unseenjapan.com and occasionally dabble in copywriting and mobile game writing.
Because writing is my lifeblood, I also write short fiction and am working on a horror novella and an SF duology.
よろしくね!
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
I am SO EXCITED to share this Fifth Saturday extra: @annleckie.com and @byzantienne.bsky.social in conversation about questions of empire and imperialism in their respective novels.
Read it now: www.speculativeinsight.com/extras/leckie-and-martine
Read it now: www.speculativeinsight.com/extras/leckie-and-martine
Ann Leckie and Arkady Martine: in conversation — Speculative Insight
Ann Leckie and Arkady Martine have both written novels that focus on empires, imperialism, and colonialism, and how people react to and work within those structures. I asked them to chat with me, a...
www.speculativeinsight.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I am SO EXCITED to share this Fifth Saturday extra: @annleckie.com and @byzantienne.bsky.social in conversation about questions of empire and imperialism in their respective novels.
Read it now: www.speculativeinsight.com/extras/leckie-and-martine
Read it now: www.speculativeinsight.com/extras/leckie-and-martine
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
It’s infuriating to me that I need to evaluate media to determine whether it’s AI generated now. The great “time saver” technology wastes incalculable time and energy for people who want to retain their grasp on reality
November 28, 2025 at 8:48 PM
It’s infuriating to me that I need to evaluate media to determine whether it’s AI generated now. The great “time saver” technology wastes incalculable time and energy for people who want to retain their grasp on reality
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
The new Ursula K. Le Guin exhibition at Oregon Contemporary is a sprawling love note to Portland's most far-out visionary.
The exhibition compiles her hand-drawn maps, and features a reproduction of her NW Thurman writing room... plus doodles of cats!!
The exhibition compiles her hand-drawn maps, and features a reproduction of her NW Thurman writing room... plus doodles of cats!!
Oregon Contemporary’s Le Guin Exhibition: Earthsea Maps, Cat Drawings, and a Full-Scale Reproduction of Her Writing Room
A Larger Reality: Ursula K. Le Guin isn’t a typical exhibition. Ursula Kroeber Le Guin wasn’t a typical artist. Curated by her son, Theo Downes-Le Guin, the new show installed at Oregon Contemporary i...
www.portlandmercury.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The new Ursula K. Le Guin exhibition at Oregon Contemporary is a sprawling love note to Portland's most far-out visionary.
The exhibition compiles her hand-drawn maps, and features a reproduction of her NW Thurman writing room... plus doodles of cats!!
The exhibition compiles her hand-drawn maps, and features a reproduction of her NW Thurman writing room... plus doodles of cats!!
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
Good news Frankenfans - Guillermo del Toro has confirmed that FRANKENSTEIN will have a physical media release, complete with deleted scenes.
Guillermo Del Toro Confirms FRANKENSTEIN Physical Media Release With Deleted Scenes
Good news Frankenfans - Guillermo del Toro has confirmed that FRANKENSTEIN will have a physical media release, complete with deleted scenes.
dlvr.it
November 26, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Good news Frankenfans - Guillermo del Toro has confirmed that FRANKENSTEIN will have a physical media release, complete with deleted scenes.
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
For the [ast few years I've been editing the short fiction for Star Ship Sofa, a venerable SF (not F/H) podcast. It's a small joint, and I've turned it primarily into a reprint market as we can afford only $50 per story.
I've also turned it into a reprint market because writers need money fast. 🧵
I've also turned it into a reprint market because writers need money fast. 🧵
November 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
For the [ast few years I've been editing the short fiction for Star Ship Sofa, a venerable SF (not F/H) podcast. It's a small joint, and I've turned it primarily into a reprint market as we can afford only $50 per story.
I've also turned it into a reprint market because writers need money fast. 🧵
I've also turned it into a reprint market because writers need money fast. 🧵
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
In addition to being a fascinating (if horrific) insight into a mostly-unknown period of European prehistory, this includes a BANGER of a quote: "I can see why all these people without heads wouldn’t be good for a community, and might be a cause for abandonment."
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Headless bodies hint at why Europe’s first farmers vanished
Wave of mass brutality accompanied the collapse of the first pan-European culture
www.science.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
In addition to being a fascinating (if horrific) insight into a mostly-unknown period of European prehistory, this includes a BANGER of a quote: "I can see why all these people without heads wouldn’t be good for a community, and might be a cause for abandonment."
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
The Medusa’s Tale~ concept designs for @realgdt.bsky.social amazing FRANKENSTEIN and the Medusa crest / entryway to Victors lab! The Guillermo approved final design was rendered by great digital sculptor Maria Panfilova & built full size by incredible sculptors of production designer Tamara Deverell
November 21, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The Medusa’s Tale~ concept designs for @realgdt.bsky.social amazing FRANKENSTEIN and the Medusa crest / entryway to Victors lab! The Guillermo approved final design was rendered by great digital sculptor Maria Panfilova & built full size by incredible sculptors of production designer Tamara Deverell
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
"More than a hundred years from now, an arborist fighting to save the last remaining forest on Earth discovers a secret about the trees."
Let's revisit @pengshepherd.bsky.social's "The Future Library," edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
Let's revisit @pengshepherd.bsky.social's "The Future Library," edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
The Future Library - Reactor
More than a hundred years from now, an arborist fighting to save the last remaining forest on Earth discovers a secret about the trees—one that changes not only her life, but also the fate of our worl...
reactormag.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:22 PM
"More than a hundred years from now, an arborist fighting to save the last remaining forest on Earth discovers a secret about the trees."
Let's revisit @pengshepherd.bsky.social's "The Future Library," edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
Let's revisit @pengshepherd.bsky.social's "The Future Library," edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
Overcame extreme anxiety and went to a gym for the first time ever. 💪🏻 Here's to getting in decent shape to run a marathon next year!
November 21, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Overcame extreme anxiety and went to a gym for the first time ever. 💪🏻 Here's to getting in decent shape to run a marathon next year!
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
I’ve been a FreeTaxUSA proselytizer for years and years and I strongly encourage everyone to make the switch. same kind of step by step “for dummies” interface, even for my complicated freelancer taxes, and you don’t have to give your money to one of our most evil lobbyists
TurboTax is about to be integrated into ChatGPT, where customers will be guided through tasks tied to their tax filings or financial profile by the AI chatbot.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
November 19, 2025 at 3:41 AM
I’ve been a FreeTaxUSA proselytizer for years and years and I strongly encourage everyone to make the switch. same kind of step by step “for dummies” interface, even for my complicated freelancer taxes, and you don’t have to give your money to one of our most evil lobbyists
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
J-E false friends: 足が長い, "long legs"
This is a casual JP phrase used to describe tall or lanky proportions.
In EN, describing someone as having long legs takes on very different connotations. So a literal translation would be adding subtext that the source didn't have.
This is a casual JP phrase used to describe tall or lanky proportions.
In EN, describing someone as having long legs takes on very different connotations. So a literal translation would be adding subtext that the source didn't have.
November 18, 2025 at 3:40 AM
J-E false friends: 足が長い, "long legs"
This is a casual JP phrase used to describe tall or lanky proportions.
In EN, describing someone as having long legs takes on very different connotations. So a literal translation would be adding subtext that the source didn't have.
This is a casual JP phrase used to describe tall or lanky proportions.
In EN, describing someone as having long legs takes on very different connotations. So a literal translation would be adding subtext that the source didn't have.
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
don't cross the picket line.
(and don't shop at target anyway.)
in a mug, combine:
1 spoonful cocoa powder
1 spoonful sugar
a splash boiling water
fill mug the rest of the way with milk of your choice.
microwave on medium-low for 5 minutes, stirring every minute until hot.
add peppermint extract.
(and don't shop at target anyway.)
in a mug, combine:
1 spoonful cocoa powder
1 spoonful sugar
a splash boiling water
fill mug the rest of the way with milk of your choice.
microwave on medium-low for 5 minutes, stirring every minute until hot.
add peppermint extract.
Beginning Monday, a Frozen Peppermint Hot Chocolate drink will be available exclusively at Starbucks cafés inside Target stores.
The chains are hoping the drink can drum up excitement from customers this holiday season.
🔗https://tinyurl.com/yrshv45s
The chains are hoping the drink can drum up excitement from customers this holiday season.
🔗https://tinyurl.com/yrshv45s
November 17, 2025 at 11:30 PM
don't cross the picket line.
(and don't shop at target anyway.)
in a mug, combine:
1 spoonful cocoa powder
1 spoonful sugar
a splash boiling water
fill mug the rest of the way with milk of your choice.
microwave on medium-low for 5 minutes, stirring every minute until hot.
add peppermint extract.
(and don't shop at target anyway.)
in a mug, combine:
1 spoonful cocoa powder
1 spoonful sugar
a splash boiling water
fill mug the rest of the way with milk of your choice.
microwave on medium-low for 5 minutes, stirring every minute until hot.
add peppermint extract.
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
"If there is one thing you can do in observance of Transgender Awareness Week this year, it is this: Take a moment to learn about transgender people—not the political talking points, not the legislation, but the real, live humans behind the headlines." www.newsweek.com/the-trevor-p...
The Trevor Project: It’s Time for Americans To Get Familiar With Transgender People, Not Transgender Politics | Opinion
Transgender people are people; and we are all just trying to get through our day—today, and every day—just like anyone else.
www.newsweek.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
"If there is one thing you can do in observance of Transgender Awareness Week this year, it is this: Take a moment to learn about transgender people—not the political talking points, not the legislation, but the real, live humans behind the headlines." www.newsweek.com/the-trevor-p...
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
Why the fate of the Amur Tiger is directly tied to the whims of humans.
Caught Between Empires: On the Fate of the Amur Tiger
For centuries, as Cossacks and fur traders tentatively planted Russian flags along the Amur River, Amur tigers and their habitat were protected to the south from human encroachment by a dense barri…
buff.ly
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Why the fate of the Amur Tiger is directly tied to the whims of humans.
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
TIL about the Japanese band "Bialystocks," named after Zero Mostel's Max Bialystock in "The Producers" (1967), one of the bandmember's favorite movie that he can apparently quote from memory. Incidentally, Max's surname comes from Białystok, the 10th largest city in Poland.
youtu.be/VQqt0DELpUg
youtu.be/VQqt0DELpUg
Bialystocks - 近頃【Music Video】
YouTube video by Bialystocks - ビアリストックス
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 5:35 AM
TIL about the Japanese band "Bialystocks," named after Zero Mostel's Max Bialystock in "The Producers" (1967), one of the bandmember's favorite movie that he can apparently quote from memory. Incidentally, Max's surname comes from Białystok, the 10th largest city in Poland.
youtu.be/VQqt0DELpUg
youtu.be/VQqt0DELpUg
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
#DragonAscendant is the first English biography in over 130 years, on Japanese 17th century disaster bisexual warlord Date Masamune. From courage in battle to fame in the arts to emissaries sent to Rome, this story is now available end to end in one handy playlist!
buff.ly/pBnXesk #Skystorian
buff.ly/pBnXesk #Skystorian
Dragon Ascendant: The Life of Date Masamune
Playlist · Nyri Ani · 32 items
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 PM
#DragonAscendant is the first English biography in over 130 years, on Japanese 17th century disaster bisexual warlord Date Masamune. From courage in battle to fame in the arts to emissaries sent to Rome, this story is now available end to end in one handy playlist!
buff.ly/pBnXesk #Skystorian
buff.ly/pBnXesk #Skystorian
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
[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/...
November 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
[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/...
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
if you are food insecure for both the humans and pets in your household there is a tool called Pet Help Finder that can help locate pet food banks nearby and other free or reduced price assistance and supplies for pets.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
November 8, 2025 at 6:35 PM
if you are food insecure for both the humans and pets in your household there is a tool called Pet Help Finder that can help locate pet food banks nearby and other free or reduced price assistance and supplies for pets.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
no one, ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, should have to give up their pet bc of this.
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
In Japan, tourism to Portland, Oregon, is promoted by a grinning blue monster named Odnarodude. He’s at a Portland artisan event in Jiyugaoka De Aone this weekend.
November 8, 2025 at 2:34 AM
In Japan, tourism to Portland, Oregon, is promoted by a grinning blue monster named Odnarodude. He’s at a Portland artisan event in Jiyugaoka De Aone this weekend.
Reposted by a. pearl ✍️🏻
Good literary translation requires understanding (language, culture, genre--on both sides of the translation) and an ability to write well. "AI" can't do that. There are no shortcuts. Treat your work and foreign language readers with the respect they deserve. You won't fool anyone with this.
Amazon has launched a new AI-driven translation service, Kindle Translate, for Kindle Direct Publishing authors 👇 #BookSky
Amazon launches AI translation service for indie authors
ebx.sh
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Good literary translation requires understanding (language, culture, genre--on both sides of the translation) and an ability to write well. "AI" can't do that. There are no shortcuts. Treat your work and foreign language readers with the respect they deserve. You won't fool anyone with this.