Basil Estel
@basil-estel.bsky.social
he/him | 🏳️⚧️ | Writer and Blogger Man
Avatar by @jnb.art, licensed under CC by 4.0
https://bazestel.wordpress.com/
Avatar by @jnb.art, licensed under CC by 4.0
https://bazestel.wordpress.com/
I do love that when writing the Murderbot Diaries, Martha Wells presumably had to ask herself "how I prove that Murderbot is essentially a person" and her answer was to give it a mid show that it loves.
Same tbh. I love Murderbot sm.
Same tbh. I love Murderbot sm.
November 29, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I do love that when writing the Murderbot Diaries, Martha Wells presumably had to ask herself "how I prove that Murderbot is essentially a person" and her answer was to give it a mid show that it loves.
Same tbh. I love Murderbot sm.
Same tbh. I love Murderbot sm.
Reposted by Basil Estel
YES YOU SHOULD VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS TOMORROW EVEN IF MAMDANI IS NOT ON THE BALLOT WHERE YOU LIVE
November 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
YES YOU SHOULD VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS TOMORROW EVEN IF MAMDANI IS NOT ON THE BALLOT WHERE YOU LIVE
Reposted by Basil Estel
I heard there was a statue tall
That sneered at folk and commanded all
But you don't really care for symbols do ya
It goes like this the feet the fist
The head that fell the aim that missed
The long lost king whose name was Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymaaaaandias
That sneered at folk and commanded all
But you don't really care for symbols do ya
It goes like this the feet the fist
The head that fell the aim that missed
The long lost king whose name was Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymaaaaandias
Once upon a desert sandy
As through winds the trav'ling man he
Spied the face of Ozymandy
Lying, simply lying there
Suddenly there was some writing
Pon the plinth that he was sighting
That the sand and time were blighting
Quoth the statue, "Now despair"
As through winds the trav'ling man he
Spied the face of Ozymandy
Lying, simply lying there
Suddenly there was some writing
Pon the plinth that he was sighting
That the sand and time were blighting
Quoth the statue, "Now despair"
There was an old man you could gaze
At his works in despair in a daze
If you looked upon them
And were mere mortal men
'Ozymandias mighty', it says
At his works in despair in a daze
If you looked upon them
And were mere mortal men
'Ozymandias mighty', it says
October 30, 2025 at 8:51 AM
I heard there was a statue tall
That sneered at folk and commanded all
But you don't really care for symbols do ya
It goes like this the feet the fist
The head that fell the aim that missed
The long lost king whose name was Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymaaaaandias
That sneered at folk and commanded all
But you don't really care for symbols do ya
It goes like this the feet the fist
The head that fell the aim that missed
The long lost king whose name was Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymandias
Ozymaaaaandias
Reposted by Basil Estel
A holiday I can get behind! Remember, 5,000 total pre-orders is enough to get the first print Magic novel since 2019 onto the bestseller lists and re-establish the print fiction line with a bang.
It's Preorder Strixhaven: Omens of Chaos Tuesday! You know, the day of the week where we all make sure we preordered Strixhaven: Omens of Chaos! If we all do our part, we can confuse and confound the Random House Worlds imprint into greenlighting a sequel! www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747400...
October 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
A holiday I can get behind! Remember, 5,000 total pre-orders is enough to get the first print Magic novel since 2019 onto the bestseller lists and re-establish the print fiction line with a bang.
My ARC review for @mmarsloud.bsky.social 's debut graphic novel, Hollow Magic! I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what they give us next! #booksky
ARC Review: Hollow Magic by Mars Lauderbaugh
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review. Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this…
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review. Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this…
ARC Review: Hollow Magic by Mars Lauderbaugh
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review. Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this is their first publication, Lauderbaugh is probably best known as the artist who illustrated the covers for Aiden Thomas’s…
bazestel.wordpress.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:55 PM
My ARC review for @mmarsloud.bsky.social 's debut graphic novel, Hollow Magic! I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what they give us next! #booksky
ARC Review: Hollow Magic by Mars Lauderbaugh
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review. Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this…
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review. Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this…
ARC Review: Hollow Magic by Mars Lauderbaugh
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review. Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this is their first publication, Lauderbaugh is probably best known as the artist who illustrated the covers for Aiden Thomas’s…
bazestel.wordpress.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
ARC Review: Hollow Magic by Mars Lauderbaugh
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review. Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this…
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review. Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this…
Every time I submit a story fir a writing contest, Im like "Wow! I might actually win with this one!"
One day Im sure it'll be true!
One day Im sure it'll be true!
October 27, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Every time I submit a story fir a writing contest, Im like "Wow! I might actually win with this one!"
One day Im sure it'll be true!
One day Im sure it'll be true!
My review of @geneseedraws.bsky.social 's new historical romance! I cant wait for book two! #Booksky 🌶📚💙
ARC Review: Sympathy for the Blues by S.S. Genesee
Note: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sympathy for the Blues is the first book in a trilogy of historical romance novels that take place in the 1970s. It concerns the rise of the (fictional)…
Note: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sympathy for the Blues is the first book in a trilogy of historical romance novels that take place in the 1970s. It concerns the rise of the (fictional)…
ARC Review: Sympathy for the Blues by S.S. Genesee
Note: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sympathy for the Blues is the first book in a trilogy of historical romance novels that take place in the 1970s. It concerns the rise of the (fictional) Detroit-based blues rock band The Dusty Brooms and the romantic tension between guitarist Gene Hillard and singer Ray Roderick.
bazestel.wordpress.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:23 AM
My review of @geneseedraws.bsky.social 's new historical romance! I cant wait for book two! #Booksky 🌶📚💙
ARC Review: Sympathy for the Blues by S.S. Genesee
Note: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sympathy for the Blues is the first book in a trilogy of historical romance novels that take place in the 1970s. It concerns the rise of the (fictional)…
Note: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sympathy for the Blues is the first book in a trilogy of historical romance novels that take place in the 1970s. It concerns the rise of the (fictional)…
ARC Review: Sympathy for the Blues by S.S. Genesee
Note: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sympathy for the Blues is the first book in a trilogy of historical romance novels that take place in the 1970s. It concerns the rise of the (fictional) Detroit-based blues rock band The Dusty Brooms and the romantic tension between guitarist Gene Hillard and singer Ray Roderick.
bazestel.wordpress.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:43 AM
ARC Review: Sympathy for the Blues by S.S. Genesee
Note: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sympathy for the Blues is the first book in a trilogy of historical romance novels that take place in the 1970s. It concerns the rise of the (fictional)…
Note: I was provided with an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Sympathy for the Blues is the first book in a trilogy of historical romance novels that take place in the 1970s. It concerns the rise of the (fictional)…
The thing that's been the most frustrating for me has been the absolute radio silence I get on socials. Like, I know this platform is comparatively small but none of my skeets that link to my blog seem to actually result in any clickthrough.
September 30, 2025 at 1:21 AM
The thing that's been the most frustrating for me has been the absolute radio silence I get on socials. Like, I know this platform is comparatively small but none of my skeets that link to my blog seem to actually result in any clickthrough.
Reposted by Basil Estel
September 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by Basil Estel
a canceled streaming subscription is easily converted to several spec fic magazine subs on patreon and similar services, some are as low as 1-2 bucks. the more you know.
September 18, 2025 at 5:55 AM
a canceled streaming subscription is easily converted to several spec fic magazine subs on patreon and similar services, some are as low as 1-2 bucks. the more you know.
Reposted by Basil Estel
To be a writer, you only have to do one thing: write.
Not break into a big magazine. Not publish a bestseller. Not get an extravagant book tour.
Struggling with discouragement? Rejection? Bad reviews? These are normal. They don't disqualify us.
If you put words to the page, then we are peers.
Not break into a big magazine. Not publish a bestseller. Not get an extravagant book tour.
Struggling with discouragement? Rejection? Bad reviews? These are normal. They don't disqualify us.
If you put words to the page, then we are peers.
September 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
To be a writer, you only have to do one thing: write.
Not break into a big magazine. Not publish a bestseller. Not get an extravagant book tour.
Struggling with discouragement? Rejection? Bad reviews? These are normal. They don't disqualify us.
If you put words to the page, then we are peers.
Not break into a big magazine. Not publish a bestseller. Not get an extravagant book tour.
Struggling with discouragement? Rejection? Bad reviews? These are normal. They don't disqualify us.
If you put words to the page, then we are peers.
📚💙
An extremely thorough review of @duckprintspress.com 's anthology of queer fanworks inspired by Pride and Prejudice. Thank you so much for the ARC!
An extremely thorough review of @duckprintspress.com 's anthology of queer fanworks inspired by Pride and Prejudice. Thank you so much for the ARC!
ARC Review: A Truth Universally Acknowledged
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Duck Print Press in exchange for an honest review. For those of you who aren’t in the know, Duck Print Press is a small, independent publisher focusing on helping fan creators publish their original work, especially…
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Duck Print Press in exchange for an honest review. For those of you who aren’t in the know, Duck Print Press is a small, independent publisher focusing on helping fan creators publish their original work, especially…
ARC Review: A Truth Universally Acknowledged
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Duck Print Press in exchange for an honest review. For those of you who aren’t in the know, Duck Print Press is a small, independent publisher focusing on helping fan creators publish their original work, especially queer authors writing LGBTQ+ stories! In addition to standalone short stories and full novels, they also edit anthologies inspired by works in the public domain.
bazestel.wordpress.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:43 PM
📚💙
An extremely thorough review of @duckprintspress.com 's anthology of queer fanworks inspired by Pride and Prejudice. Thank you so much for the ARC!
An extremely thorough review of @duckprintspress.com 's anthology of queer fanworks inspired by Pride and Prejudice. Thank you so much for the ARC!
ARC Review: A Truth Universally Acknowledged
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Duck Print Press in exchange for an honest review. For those of you who aren’t in the know, Duck Print Press is a small, independent publisher focusing on helping fan creators publish their original work, especially…
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Duck Print Press in exchange for an honest review. For those of you who aren’t in the know, Duck Print Press is a small, independent publisher focusing on helping fan creators publish their original work, especially…
ARC Review: A Truth Universally Acknowledged
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Duck Print Press in exchange for an honest review. For those of you who aren’t in the know, Duck Print Press is a small, independent publisher focusing on helping fan creators publish their original work, especially queer authors writing LGBTQ+ stories! In addition to standalone short stories and full novels, they also edit anthologies inspired by works in the public domain.
bazestel.wordpress.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:38 PM
ARC Review: A Truth Universally Acknowledged
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Duck Print Press in exchange for an honest review. For those of you who aren’t in the know, Duck Print Press is a small, independent publisher focusing on helping fan creators publish their original work, especially…
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Duck Print Press in exchange for an honest review. For those of you who aren’t in the know, Duck Print Press is a small, independent publisher focusing on helping fan creators publish their original work, especially…
Nearly done with the review for the ARC I got from Duck Prints back in February. And very thankful that they won't smite me for my tardiness.
September 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Nearly done with the review for the ARC I got from Duck Prints back in February. And very thankful that they won't smite me for my tardiness.
You know how sometimes technology will warm up to body temperature when it's working hard? This is evidence that ot has a soul.
July 29, 2025 at 10:38 PM
You know how sometimes technology will warm up to body temperature when it's working hard? This is evidence that ot has a soul.
Reposted by Basil Estel
This is a description of creative writing @theonion.com
July 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
This is a description of creative writing @theonion.com
Watching The Princess Bride for the billionth time and I swear "I want my father back, you son if a bitch" gives me chills every fucking time.
July 13, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Watching The Princess Bride for the billionth time and I swear "I want my father back, you son if a bitch" gives me chills every fucking time.
Twenty Books: The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
Maybe it’s a bit odd to put two indigenous authors next to each other, but it’s my list. Plus these books have literally nothing else in common, so if Stephen Graham Jones wasn’t for you, this one might be. The Truth According to Ember is…
Maybe it’s a bit odd to put two indigenous authors next to each other, but it’s my list. Plus these books have literally nothing else in common, so if Stephen Graham Jones wasn’t for you, this one might be. The Truth According to Ember is…
Twenty Books: The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
Maybe it’s a bit odd to put two indigenous authors next to each other, but it’s my list. Plus these books have literally nothing else in common, so if Stephen Graham Jones wasn’t for you, this one might be. The Truth According to Ember is just a really good, by the numbers romcom. And that’s not an insult. Romance novels are incredibly difficult to get right.
bazestel.wordpress.com
July 4, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Twenty Books: The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
Maybe it’s a bit odd to put two indigenous authors next to each other, but it’s my list. Plus these books have literally nothing else in common, so if Stephen Graham Jones wasn’t for you, this one might be. The Truth According to Ember is…
Maybe it’s a bit odd to put two indigenous authors next to each other, but it’s my list. Plus these books have literally nothing else in common, so if Stephen Graham Jones wasn’t for you, this one might be. The Truth According to Ember is…
Reposted by Basil Estel
I HAVE A NEW SHORT STORY OUT!
I’ve been struggling with whether to spoil the premise by saying the five words that would DEFINITELY get you to click.
So I won’t now, just go read it & be surprised.
At 2pm I’ll post the five words. ;)
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/when...
I’ve been struggling with whether to spoil the premise by saying the five words that would DEFINITELY get you to click.
So I won’t now, just go read it & be surprised.
At 2pm I’ll post the five words. ;)
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/when...
When He Calls Your Name - Uncanny Magazine
There’s nights in the deep end of summer so hot and thick and wet you can feel the dark wrinkling up your fingers like bathwater—and my last night breathing was one of those. 2 a.m. came to ring my be...
www.uncannymagazine.com
July 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
I HAVE A NEW SHORT STORY OUT!
I’ve been struggling with whether to spoil the premise by saying the five words that would DEFINITELY get you to click.
So I won’t now, just go read it & be surprised.
At 2pm I’ll post the five words. ;)
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/when...
I’ve been struggling with whether to spoil the premise by saying the five words that would DEFINITELY get you to click.
So I won’t now, just go read it & be surprised.
At 2pm I’ll post the five words. ;)
www.uncannymagazine.com/article/when...
Twenty Books: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
I wish this entry was coming out in October, since it feels a bit odd to recommend a horror book in the middle of summer reading season. But I post when I post, and it’s always a good time to read Stephen Graham Jones! Aside from his…
I wish this entry was coming out in October, since it feels a bit odd to recommend a horror book in the middle of summer reading season. But I post when I post, and it’s always a good time to read Stephen Graham Jones! Aside from his…
Twenty Books: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
I wish this entry was coming out in October, since it feels a bit odd to recommend a horror book in the middle of summer reading season. But I post when I post, and it’s always a good time to read Stephen Graham Jones! Aside from his entry in The Mythic Dream, this is actually the only of Jones’s work that I’ve read.
bazestel.wordpress.com
July 2, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Twenty Books: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
I wish this entry was coming out in October, since it feels a bit odd to recommend a horror book in the middle of summer reading season. But I post when I post, and it’s always a good time to read Stephen Graham Jones! Aside from his…
I wish this entry was coming out in October, since it feels a bit odd to recommend a horror book in the middle of summer reading season. But I post when I post, and it’s always a good time to read Stephen Graham Jones! Aside from his…
Ive read this and I can 100% confirm that its a great read for pride month or any other time!
Thank you, @samidemonster.bsky.social, for this wonderful recommendation of GALAXY:THE PRETTIEST STAR!
Self-Love and Acceptance Reign in “Galaxy: The Prettiest Star” | DC
It’s nearing the end of Pride Month, so let’s take this opportunity to highlight an excellently crafted tale of queer love and self-acceptance—Galaxy: The Prettiest Star.
www.dc.com
June 28, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Ive read this and I can 100% confirm that its a great read for pride month or any other time!
Twenty Books: Nimona by ND Stevenson
Of course, this list would not be complete without something by ND Stevenson. We were both on tumblr around a similar time, and I’ve been following his career quite closely. Nimona is the comic that put him on the map. It was originally published as a webcomic,…
Of course, this list would not be complete without something by ND Stevenson. We were both on tumblr around a similar time, and I’ve been following his career quite closely. Nimona is the comic that put him on the map. It was originally published as a webcomic,…
Twenty Books: Nimona by ND Stevenson
Of course, this list would not be complete without something by ND Stevenson. We were both on tumblr around a similar time, and I’ve been following his career quite closely. Nimona is the comic that put him on the map. It was originally published as a webcomic, but was later picked up by HarperColins. I really enjoy webcomics, but I didn’t find it until after it was published and only the first chapter was available for free.
bazestel.wordpress.com
June 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Twenty Books: Nimona by ND Stevenson
Of course, this list would not be complete without something by ND Stevenson. We were both on tumblr around a similar time, and I’ve been following his career quite closely. Nimona is the comic that put him on the map. It was originally published as a webcomic,…
Of course, this list would not be complete without something by ND Stevenson. We were both on tumblr around a similar time, and I’ve been following his career quite closely. Nimona is the comic that put him on the map. It was originally published as a webcomic,…