Gary Ballard, Author
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haemishm.bsky.social
Gary Ballard, Author
@haemishm.bsky.social
570 followers 750 following 290 posts
Indie author of science-fiction cyberpunk series The Bridge Chronicles & Cthulhu Mythos series The Stepping Stone Cycle. https://bridgechronicles.com/ New novel Hiss Whistle Dead coming in December! I also write music, film videos, and photograph things.
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haemishm.bsky.social
Gary Ballard, Author @haemishm.bsky.social · Dec 8
It's here! My new Bridge Chronicles #cyberpunk novel, Hiss Whistle Dead has been released! You can grab it on Amazon right now - www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1MLHN7
#scifi #BookSky #books #author #writer #booktrailer #noir #mystery #tech #nearfuture

youtu.be/oQjvqJNlMGo
The New Bridge Chronicles Novel - Hiss Whistle Dead Book Trailer
YouTube video by Gary Ballard
youtu.be
haemishm.bsky.social
The final stages of production are complete. I'll be releasing the audiobook version of my novel "Hiss, Whistle, Dead" on Audible and the iTunes store before Christmas. It's a great reading by the voiceover artist Frances Leah King. #cyberpunk #audiobook #audible #scifi #mystery
The cover of "Hiss, Whistle, Dead, A Bridge Chronicles Mystery" by Gary Ballard, soon to be released on audiobook.
December 7, 2025 at 10:04 PM
haemishm.bsky.social
I wrote some more on the historical novel I've been working on since 2022. The first draft is already up to 63,000 words. I do think this will end up being the longest book I've ever written, hopefully it will be the best as well (and best seller). #amwriting #authorlife #author
December 7, 2025 at 10:00 PM
haemishm.bsky.social
Back in September, i took a work trip to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Here's a couple of shots that stood out from the ones I took that day. #ncrm #nationalcivilrightsmuseum #memphis #nationalcivilrightsmuseummemphis
Exterior of the Lorraine Motel, site of Martin Luther King's Assassination and the National Civil Rights Museum. A striking statue of the police brutality on the Selma march at the National Civil Rights Museum.
December 7, 2025 at 7:19 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
Happy Thanksgiving all my US friends!

I recently submitted an interview with Atmosphere Press. You can read it here, in which I talk a lot about my latest novel, Hiss Whistle Dead.

atmospherepress.com/interview-wi...
An Interview with Gary Ballard | Atmosphere Press
Born long ago in Meridian, Mississippi, Gary Ballard has always been too curious about the world. Beginning at the age of eleven, his writing journey has spanned decades, from those initial imitations...
atmospherepress.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:57 PM
haemishm.bsky.social
The difference between our fantasy versions of cybernetics and robotics and the reality is likely very vast, and built on typical class warfare lines. I examine the idea in my latest video.

youtu.be/G8cywZ6gQxw
The Author Has Thoughts - Various & Sundry: Cybernetics & Robotics - The Real Talk About Future Tech
YouTube video by Gary Ballard
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 2:56 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
I've taken a lot of this year off from writing, dealing with some personal shit, and resetting my mind. Today was my first day writing, got down over 1000 words in the historical novel I've been writing since 2021. I don't know when I'll finish. It's maybe 40% of the first draft done. #amwriting
November 16, 2025 at 10:15 PM
haemishm.bsky.social
Back in August, I had a few hours to take photos at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. It was hot as hell, but I ended up getting a real high percentage of good shots out of the session. This is the group of "non-flower" shots. #mississippiphotographer #photographs #photographer #photography
A bird sculpture set against the blue sky at the Memphis Botanic Garden. A trio of ducks walking up the sidewalk away from me. A sculpture in the Memphis Botanic Garden. Ducks enjoying the pond at the Memphis Botanic Garden.
November 16, 2025 at 7:17 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
Two versions of one of my favorite pictures taken at The Old Capitol Museum back in June. I couldn't decide which I liked better, so I posted both. #mississippiphotography #mississippiphotographer #photography #blackandwhitephoto #photographer
I sit on the stairs of the Old Capitol Museum in black and white. I sit on the stairs of the Old Capitol Museum in red.
October 24, 2025 at 2:20 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
Sunset looking out over Capitol Street from the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson, Mississippi from back in June. #mississippiphotographs #mississippi #oldcapitolmuseum #photography #photographer #mississippiphotography
Sunset looking out over Capitol Street from the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson, Mississippi from back in June. Sunset looking out over Capitol Street from the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson, Mississippi from back in June. Sunset looking out over Capitol Street from the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson, Mississippi from back in June.
October 17, 2025 at 2:03 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
Here are some more shots of my wandering around downtown Memphis back in June. #mississippiphotographer #photography #prettypictures #photographer #memphis
The sunlight dapples the buildings in downtown An abandoned bottle of rum - where has all the rum gone? Buildings in Downtown Memphis, TN The Malco Theater in Downtown Memphis, TN
October 9, 2025 at 2:19 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
A few architectural shots from wandering around downtown Memphis back at the end of June. #mississippiphotographer #photography #photos #memphis #photographer
The Hotel Chisca in Downtown Memphis Nature in Memphis is reclaiming its own. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Reflection Park sculpture
October 7, 2025 at 3:15 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
My evening was spent wandering the Mississippi State Fair taking pictures. Just a few that stood out on first review. #mississippistatefair2025 #mississippiphotography #photography #mississippiphotographer
The sun sets in a ring of fire at the Mississippi State Fair. A long view down the strip at the Mississippi State Fair around sunset
October 5, 2025 at 4:52 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
A random band playing at BB King's club on Beale Street, late on a Friday afternoon. Thanks to Chris, the sound guy, for giving me tips about taking pictures around Memphis! #mississippiphotographer #photography #memphis #bealestreet #photographer
The bass player in the groove at B.B. King's Blues Club Memphis A couple cuts a rug to the music at B.B. King's Blues Club Memphis The band plays on at B.B. King's Blues Club Memphis
October 4, 2025 at 4:55 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
"A rising tide lifts all ships" or boats or whatever. I've heard that phrase most of my life as a justification for cutting taxes for wealthy people and businesses to spur economic growth. But it's a horseshit phrase. See the full video on my Youtube channel- youtu.be/KchZAm5MT68
The Author Has Thoughts - Various & Sundry: The Rising Tide
YouTube video by Gary Ballard
youtu.be
September 30, 2025 at 1:19 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
An utterly strange place called The Crystal Shrine Grotto in a Memphis cemetery. To me, it's a very odd set of Christian iconography in a bizarre setting. I'm sure it means something to someone. #mississippiphotographer #photography #iconography #landscape #photos #photographer #crystalshinegrotto
The Fountain outside the Crystal Shrine Grotto in Memphis, Tennessee Bizarre lighting, murals and sculptures at the Crystal Shrine Grotto in Memphis, Tennessee Bizarre lighting and sculptures at the Crystal Shrine Grotto in Memphis, Tennessee Bizarre lighting, murals and sculptures at the Crystal Shrine Grotto in Memphis, Tennessee
September 28, 2025 at 11:15 PM
haemishm.bsky.social
I recently contracted with a voice actor to record the #audiobook version of my latest #cyberpunk #novel, Hiss Whistle Dead! You can find out more about the book at bridgechronicles.com/novels/hiss-... Hope to have it out before the end of the year. #scifi #mystery #author
The Bridge Chronicles Novels - A Series of Near-Future Cyberpunk Books
Hiss Whistle Dead A Bridge Chronicles Mystery Hiss Whistle Dead is a new experimental novel set in the Bridge Chronicles universe by acclaimed independent author Gary Ballard. It was originally releas...
bridgechronicles.com
September 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM
haemishm.bsky.social
For my followers on Bluesky who either have or have not read my books, I have two questions:

1) Why haven't you read my books? (Genuine question, not fishing for compliments)

2) Should my next Bridge Chronicles book be in the main storyline, or write another Shel the Excavator book?
September 1, 2025 at 5:38 PM
haemishm.bsky.social
Looking down Capitol Street towards a gorgeous sunset, taken on Juneteenth at the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson, MS. #mississippiphotographer #mississippiphotography #photographer #photography
Entering the balcony at the Old Capitol Museum Sunset down Capitol Street from the Old Capitol Museum
August 20, 2025 at 2:24 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
What happens when the plagiarism machines of the GenAI crowd stop hallucinating, and just start embracing random lies that they defend with absolute confidence? I examine four incidents/articles and tell you why that should frighten you. youtu.be/Jt5C9VQczOk

#GenAI #artificialintelligence #LLM
The Author Has Thoughts - Various & Sundry: GenAI Stops Hallucinating, Embraces Lies Instead
YouTube video by Gary Ballard
youtu.be
August 7, 2025 at 2:00 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
Some more photos from my June trip following the Vicksburg campaign. We took a trek up the Hill of Death, the man made cave, and finally the Battlefield Park. #vicksburg #mississippiphotos #mississipiphotographer #photographer #photos
The Illinois Monument at Vicksburg Battlefield Park in Vicksburg, MS. Man made cave life. A trek through the woods to the Hill of Death near Edwards, MS.
August 6, 2025 at 2:49 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
These pictures were taken at the Coker House and Champion Hill near Edwards, MS back in mid-June. #mississippiphotographer #mississippiphotographs #cokerhouse #photography #photographer #blackandwhitephotography
Looking through the front door to the outside world at the Coker House in Edwards, MS A sun dappled grove outside the Coker House in Edwards, MS
July 25, 2025 at 1:39 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
I processed a few more pictures from my April trip to Windsor Ruins. #mississippiphotographer #mississippiphotography #photography #photos #photographer #art
The cap of a column at Windsor Ruins set against a blue sky. The caps of multiple columns at Windsor Ruins set against a blue sky.
May 28, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Reposted by Gary Ballard, Author
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May 12, 2025 at 11:37 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
An image from Butts Park in Hinds County, MS, from the ruins of the pump house at the Mississippi River Basin Model. #mississippiphotographer #mississippiphotography #photography #photographer #blackandwhitephoto
The ruins of the pump house at the Mississippi River Basin Model
May 3, 2025 at 3:55 AM
haemishm.bsky.social
Hard to believe I took these pictures back in November, 2024. A lot of things have happened since then, but I think I got a few good pics out of Downtown Jackson that night. #mississippiphotographer #mississippiphotography #jackson #downtownjacksonms #photography #urbanphotography
Door to the Red Room at Hal and Mal's in Downtown Jackson, MS Capitol Police patrol Downtown Jackson, MS The Depot facing the William F. Winter Building in Downtown Jackson, MS Under the Bridge in Downtown Jackson, MS
May 2, 2025 at 1:02 AM