C.Z. Tacks
@cztacks.bsky.social
Aussie SF&F author. CW24. Currently hiding in a koi pond.
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
art by Madison Lee Martin and gold detail by Charis Anderson. Congratulations @fionnmacpherson.bsky.social @captainamerico.bsky.social @cztacks.bsky.social and the CSFG committee for making this anthology and book launch happen 🌼 💀 🖤 📚 🤩
NEVER SAY DIE purchase link:
csfg.org.au/product/neve...
NEVER SAY DIE purchase link:
csfg.org.au/product/neve...
November 10, 2025 at 11:06 PM
art by Madison Lee Martin and gold detail by Charis Anderson. Congratulations @fionnmacpherson.bsky.social @captainamerico.bsky.social @cztacks.bsky.social and the CSFG committee for making this anthology and book launch happen 🌼 💀 🖤 📚 🤩
NEVER SAY DIE purchase link:
csfg.org.au/product/neve...
NEVER SAY DIE purchase link:
csfg.org.au/product/neve...
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
Happy book release day to We Who Hunt Alexanders, my quirky novella from @apexmag.bsky.social about a neurodivergent monster dealing with both her mom's wrong expectations for her life and the religious extremists hunting them down. Don't miss it! 1/ www.apexbookcompany.com/products/we-...
July 22, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Happy book release day to We Who Hunt Alexanders, my quirky novella from @apexmag.bsky.social about a neurodivergent monster dealing with both her mom's wrong expectations for her life and the religious extremists hunting them down. Don't miss it! 1/ www.apexbookcompany.com/products/we-...
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
The Incredible Creatures Kickstarter blew the roof of its initial goal for a book of Daggerheart-compatible adversaries.
Now, if the campaign reaches $15,000 (only about $1500 away), they'll bring me on to create some new adversaries and a special encounter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/icv...
Now, if the campaign reaches $15,000 (only about $1500 away), they'll bring me on to create some new adversaries and a special encounter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/icv...
Incredible Creatures: Adversaries for Daggerheart
A collection of art-inspired adversaries for the Daggerheart TTRPG
www.kickstarter.com
July 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The Incredible Creatures Kickstarter blew the roof of its initial goal for a book of Daggerheart-compatible adversaries.
Now, if the campaign reaches $15,000 (only about $1500 away), they'll bring me on to create some new adversaries and a special encounter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/icv...
Now, if the campaign reaches $15,000 (only about $1500 away), they'll bring me on to create some new adversaries and a special encounter!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/icv...
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
I did a thing!
I've started a Patreon/tiered Ko-fi! This is mostly to act as a tip jar for anyone who might want to show me some kindness, but there's more
There are prompts! And stories! And behind-the-scenes on me! And even divination!
ko-fi.com/howsweetthew...
www.patreon.com/c/howsweetth...
I've started a Patreon/tiered Ko-fi! This is mostly to act as a tip jar for anyone who might want to show me some kindness, but there's more
There are prompts! And stories! And behind-the-scenes on me! And even divination!
ko-fi.com/howsweetthew...
www.patreon.com/c/howsweetth...
Buy V. Astor Solomon a Coffee
Become a supporter of V. Astor Solomon today!
ko-fi.com
July 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I did a thing!
I've started a Patreon/tiered Ko-fi! This is mostly to act as a tip jar for anyone who might want to show me some kindness, but there's more
There are prompts! And stories! And behind-the-scenes on me! And even divination!
ko-fi.com/howsweetthew...
www.patreon.com/c/howsweetth...
I've started a Patreon/tiered Ko-fi! This is mostly to act as a tip jar for anyone who might want to show me some kindness, but there's more
There are prompts! And stories! And behind-the-scenes on me! And even divination!
ko-fi.com/howsweetthew...
www.patreon.com/c/howsweetth...
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
For only one week, the ebook of Wooing the Witch Queen is on sale at every US online bookstore - and at least some Canadian ones, too! - for just $2.99.
Snap it up now: us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
#romancelandia
Snap it up now: us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
#romancelandia
July 21, 2025 at 7:57 PM
For only one week, the ebook of Wooing the Witch Queen is on sale at every US online bookstore - and at least some Canadian ones, too! - for just $2.99.
Snap it up now: us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
#romancelandia
Snap it up now: us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
#romancelandia
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
"now is not the time to be writing dark fiction / now is not the time to be writing cozy fiction / now is not the time to be writing depression fiction / now is not the time to be writing hopeful fiction"
eff off. let writers write what they want to write when they want to write it.
eff off. let writers write what they want to write when they want to write it.
July 7, 2025 at 8:59 PM
"now is not the time to be writing dark fiction / now is not the time to be writing cozy fiction / now is not the time to be writing depression fiction / now is not the time to be writing hopeful fiction"
eff off. let writers write what they want to write when they want to write it.
eff off. let writers write what they want to write when they want to write it.
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
My new Genre Grapevine features a deep dive into the contract concerns surrounding Must Read Magazines, the new owner of Asimov's, Analog, and F&SF. I include specific contract details and negotiating info.
Plus as usual, a ton of other genre news and info. www.patreon.com/posts/133579...
Plus as usual, a ton of other genre news and info. www.patreon.com/posts/133579...
Genre Grapevine for June 2025 | Jason Sanford
Get more from Jason Sanford on Patreon
www.patreon.com
July 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
My new Genre Grapevine features a deep dive into the contract concerns surrounding Must Read Magazines, the new owner of Asimov's, Analog, and F&SF. I include specific contract details and negotiating info.
Plus as usual, a ton of other genre news and info. www.patreon.com/posts/133579...
Plus as usual, a ton of other genre news and info. www.patreon.com/posts/133579...
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
Just so you know how this is f*cked up. Using the same tool that he used on issue #283 of his magazine, it says it was 54% likely made with AI. Issue #283 is from 2019, when AI-gen like it is today didn't even exist. So, no, you should not call out writers and you should not trust these tools.
It came to my attention that a very prestigious magazine posted my collection, Different Kinds of Defiance, as an example of having used AI for its cover art. First of all, any tools that point this are not foolproof and have a lot of false positives, as any illustrator can check with their own art.
July 7, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Just so you know how this is f*cked up. Using the same tool that he used on issue #283 of his magazine, it says it was 54% likely made with AI. Issue #283 is from 2019, when AI-gen like it is today didn't even exist. So, no, you should not call out writers and you should not trust these tools.
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
Ok now I understand. Anna Wintour took one look at this and quit.
June 28, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Ok now I understand. Anna Wintour took one look at this and quit.
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
Me to my cowriters when sending them my very rough draft
July 2, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Me to my cowriters when sending them my very rough draft
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
the secret to writing is writing, follow for more tips
June 18, 2025 at 5:13 AM
the secret to writing is writing, follow for more tips
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
Don’t send me an unsolicited picture of your peewee cocktapus unless you want me to…
A: find your mom’s Facebook
B: find a picture she uploaded of you reminiscing about what a nice young man you were
C: badly photoshop that into a locket
D: convince you I’m your daughter.
Happy Father’s Day Daddy.
A: find your mom’s Facebook
B: find a picture she uploaded of you reminiscing about what a nice young man you were
C: badly photoshop that into a locket
D: convince you I’m your daughter.
Happy Father’s Day Daddy.
June 15, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Don’t send me an unsolicited picture of your peewee cocktapus unless you want me to…
A: find your mom’s Facebook
B: find a picture she uploaded of you reminiscing about what a nice young man you were
C: badly photoshop that into a locket
D: convince you I’m your daughter.
Happy Father’s Day Daddy.
A: find your mom’s Facebook
B: find a picture she uploaded of you reminiscing about what a nice young man you were
C: badly photoshop that into a locket
D: convince you I’m your daughter.
Happy Father’s Day Daddy.
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
OK let's do this.
I wanted to do a newsletter that felt fresh and fun to me, and "Undercover in the Apocalypse" is that creature - an epistolary science fiction story addressed to an army of shadow operatives.
I hope you'll join me on this covert mission.
undercover-in-the-apocalypse.ghost.io
I wanted to do a newsletter that felt fresh and fun to me, and "Undercover in the Apocalypse" is that creature - an epistolary science fiction story addressed to an army of shadow operatives.
I hope you'll join me on this covert mission.
undercover-in-the-apocalypse.ghost.io
Undercover in the Apocalypse
Covert dispatches from Sam J. Miller on craft, community, and surviving nightmare times.
undercover-in-the-apocalypse.ghost.io
May 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
OK let's do this.
I wanted to do a newsletter that felt fresh and fun to me, and "Undercover in the Apocalypse" is that creature - an epistolary science fiction story addressed to an army of shadow operatives.
I hope you'll join me on this covert mission.
undercover-in-the-apocalypse.ghost.io
I wanted to do a newsletter that felt fresh and fun to me, and "Undercover in the Apocalypse" is that creature - an epistolary science fiction story addressed to an army of shadow operatives.
I hope you'll join me on this covert mission.
undercover-in-the-apocalypse.ghost.io
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
My newest story TELL ME I’M WONDERFUL is live @morningtransport.bsky.social
www.sundaymorningtransport.com
www.sundaymorningtransport.com
The Sunday Morning Transport | Julian Yap | Substack
An amazing science fiction/fantasy short story each week. Click to read The Sunday Morning Transport, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
www.sundaymorningtransport.com
May 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
My newest story TELL ME I’M WONDERFUL is live @morningtransport.bsky.social
www.sundaymorningtransport.com
www.sundaymorningtransport.com
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
I'm not making arguments anymore. if you use the Plagiarism Machine That Lies to think for you, I think you're a little worm person. A sad little worm person and am uninterested in your "thoughts" on anything else.
May 7, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I'm not making arguments anymore. if you use the Plagiarism Machine That Lies to think for you, I think you're a little worm person. A sad little worm person and am uninterested in your "thoughts" on anything else.
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
I blocked her for the smell of terf, but wanted to talk a little about this post, and the intersection of privileges it indicates and reflects.
Some basic facts: The poster is a white American woman, Republican, wife of a renowned British bigot. Both have well-paid positions.
Let's begin. 🧵
Some basic facts: The poster is a white American woman, Republican, wife of a renowned British bigot. Both have well-paid positions.
Let's begin. 🧵
April 26, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I blocked her for the smell of terf, but wanted to talk a little about this post, and the intersection of privileges it indicates and reflects.
Some basic facts: The poster is a white American woman, Republican, wife of a renowned British bigot. Both have well-paid positions.
Let's begin. 🧵
Some basic facts: The poster is a white American woman, Republican, wife of a renowned British bigot. Both have well-paid positions.
Let's begin. 🧵
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
Honestly worldcon Hugo nominees someone needs this
The late great Shawna Trpcic designed this bather-eaten-by-shark costume for me at my request. I no longer need it (and can barely zip it). A waist under 29 inches should fit comfortably. It's a little brittle, but still holding together! Let me know if you're in LA and would like it.
April 26, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Honestly worldcon Hugo nominees someone needs this
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
Simon Jimenez's THE SPEAR CUTS THROUGH WATER -- honestly, one of the most beautiful books I've ever read; I can't stop rereading it
SFF
SFF
April 26, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Simon Jimenez's THE SPEAR CUTS THROUGH WATER -- honestly, one of the most beautiful books I've ever read; I can't stop rereading it
SFF
SFF
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
This is exactly the kind of reporting I was hoping for when I subscribed to Aftermath aftermath.site/ai-video-gam...
‘An Overwhelmingly Negative And Demoralizing Force’: What It’s Like Working For A Company That’s Forcing AI On Its Developers - Aftermath
'I have had conversations about AI in a professional context that make me want to walk into the sea'
aftermath.site
April 8, 2025 at 1:10 AM
This is exactly the kind of reporting I was hoping for when I subscribed to Aftermath aftermath.site/ai-video-gam...
Movie you’ve watched more than six times using gifs.
(“Hard mode” no Star Wars, Star Trek, or LOTR)
(“Hard mode” no Star Wars, Star Trek, or LOTR)
April 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Movie you’ve watched more than six times using gifs.
(“Hard mode” no Star Wars, Star Trek, or LOTR)
(“Hard mode” no Star Wars, Star Trek, or LOTR)
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
If your newsletter is on Substack, please move it! Put it on Ghost! Or, like, a big CC list, or maybe an 8.5"x11" folded in half sent out through the mail! You are supporting bad people and subjecting your readers to this kind of BS from Substack, whether or not you perceive it.
Official guide: How to migrate from Substack to Ghost
Everything you need to know about working with the Ghost professional publishing platform.
ghost.org
April 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
If your newsletter is on Substack, please move it! Put it on Ghost! Or, like, a big CC list, or maybe an 8.5"x11" folded in half sent out through the mail! You are supporting bad people and subjecting your readers to this kind of BS from Substack, whether or not you perceive it.
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
Treat practice as a discrete part of your day, not as a potential that fills every moment that is unmarked by job or sleep or other hard duties. Make your practice a finite and discrete unit of time and energy.
April 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Treat practice as a discrete part of your day, not as a potential that fills every moment that is unmarked by job or sleep or other hard duties. Make your practice a finite and discrete unit of time and energy.
This is more important than anything else I have to say:
When you give yourself a discrete space and time to work toward your craft, please please
if it is in any way possible
Don’t schedule it right before bedtime. That just leads to (1) depleted energy and (2) running into cast-off time
When you give yourself a discrete space and time to work toward your craft, please please
if it is in any way possible
Don’t schedule it right before bedtime. That just leads to (1) depleted energy and (2) running into cast-off time
April 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reposted by C.Z. Tacks
There are great conferences and science in the US, but with the way things are right now, it’s too risky to attend.
Australian academics refuse to attend US conferences for fear of being detained
‘When academics fear travelling or partnering with US institutions, the impacts ripple through the entire global knowledge ecosystem,’ one says
www.theguardian.com
April 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
There are great conferences and science in the US, but with the way things are right now, it’s too risky to attend.