Brian Watson
@iambrianwatson.bsky.social
Writer, memoir-in-progress. A little he, a little they, but definitely more queer than gay.
Check out my newsletter at https://iambrianwatson.substack.com and find more at https://linktr.ee/iambrianwatson
Check out my newsletter at https://iambrianwatson.substack.com and find more at https://linktr.ee/iambrianwatson
I’m working on a new essay and, of course, need another creative project or two to let me think w/o writing, too. The first photo is a rock crystal daruma bead with rose quartz and red Japanese glass beads. The second is aventurine and silver.
November 14, 2025 at 4:20 AM
I’m working on a new essay and, of course, need another creative project or two to let me think w/o writing, too. The first photo is a rock crystal daruma bead with rose quartz and red Japanese glass beads. The second is aventurine and silver.
I looked across the table at my husband the other night and fell in love with him all over again. Hit send.
November 9, 2025 at 4:15 AM
I looked across the table at my husband the other night and fell in love with him all over again. Hit send.
My inbox betrayed me, hiding an invitation for several weeks. Long story short, if technicalities can be resolved, I'll be reading an excerpt from my manuscript on Thursday, 16 October, at 7PM EDT, 4PM PDT, to mark the launch of Stone Canoe's 2025 issue. DM me for the link!
October 15, 2025 at 9:12 PM
My inbox betrayed me, hiding an invitation for several weeks. Long story short, if technicalities can be resolved, I'll be reading an excerpt from my manuscript on Thursday, 16 October, at 7PM EDT, 4PM PDT, to mark the launch of Stone Canoe's 2025 issue. DM me for the link!
Attending the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights didn't destroy my closet. And in retrospect, I was glad to be in that closet for many years after. Can't come out yet? Your queer elders and siblings love you no matter what.
open.substack.com/pu...
open.substack.com/pu...
October 12, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Attending the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights didn't destroy my closet. And in retrospect, I was glad to be in that closet for many years after. Can't come out yet? Your queer elders and siblings love you no matter what.
open.substack.com/pu...
open.substack.com/pu...
Today’s issue of Out of Japan discusses two steps forward and a kilometer of steps backward. Japan has just embraced its far-right demons and welcomed corruption back into its government.
iambrianwatson.subst...
iambrianwatson.subst...
October 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Today’s issue of Out of Japan discusses two steps forward and a kilometer of steps backward. Japan has just embraced its far-right demons and welcomed corruption back into its government.
iambrianwatson.subst...
iambrianwatson.subst...
Tuesday morning, one of my dream literary agents requested my full manuscript. (She knew it was in revision and asked for as much as was ready.) in between a cancer screening (I’m fine!) and recovery, and all weekend long, I finished everything. The complete MS is on her desk!
September 29, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Tuesday morning, one of my dream literary agents requested my full manuscript. (She knew it was in revision and asked for as much as was ready.) in between a cancer screening (I’m fine!) and recovery, and all weekend long, I finished everything. The complete MS is on her desk!
I drew a tarot card, the World, at the start of the year. And although the 2025 has yet to finish, I’ve been astounded by that card’s power. Deeper friendships, many celebrations, lots of writing, successes at work, and love, love, love. Gratitude doesn’t begin to describe it.
September 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I drew a tarot card, the World, at the start of the year. And although the 2025 has yet to finish, I’ve been astounded by that card’s power. Deeper friendships, many celebrations, lots of writing, successes at work, and love, love, love. Gratitude doesn’t begin to describe it.
Winning gave me a unique opportunity. I attended an after party and had the chance to pitch my memoir to a few agents. Both of them asked me to send my proposal. And I’ve done so. I am an award-winning author!
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September 15, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Winning gave me a unique opportunity. I attended an after party and had the chance to pitch my memoir to a few agents. Both of them asked me to send my proposal. And I’ve done so. I am an award-winning author!
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When they called my name as the third place winner, I briefly panicked. My body started shaking, something unintelligible escaped my throat, and I tried, in vain, to take a photograph of the display. But as I passed it on my way to the dais, I proclaimed, “I’m that bitch!“
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September 15, 2025 at 2:20 AM
When they called my name as the third place winner, I briefly panicked. My body started shaking, something unintelligible escaped my throat, and I tried, in vain, to take a photograph of the display. But as I passed it on my way to the dais, I proclaimed, “I’m that bitch!“
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Last night, I attended an awards dinner. It’s the annual Pacific Northwest writers Association conference this weekend, and I submitted the first 12 pages of my memoir’s manuscript back in April for their annual unpublished book contest. Last month, I was named a finalist.
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September 15, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Last night, I attended an awards dinner. It’s the annual Pacific Northwest writers Association conference this weekend, and I submitted the first 12 pages of my memoir’s manuscript back in April for their annual unpublished book contest. Last month, I was named a finalist.
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1/3
My Alaskan cousin and her mom, my godmother from Indianapolis, were in Seattle last night before embarking on a cruise this morning. The four of us had a blast, sharing memories. Hours of nonstop love.
September 13, 2025 at 3:56 PM
My Alaskan cousin and her mom, my godmother from Indianapolis, were in Seattle last night before embarking on a cruise this morning. The four of us had a blast, sharing memories. Hours of nonstop love.
The red pen edits are complete. Most pages were lightly touched, some got more attention (and yes, Oscar Wilde was Victorian at his peak, not Edwardian), but I get to work on the computer version now. Is the manuscript going to be better as a result? Certainly.
September 6, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The red pen edits are complete. Most pages were lightly touched, some got more attention (and yes, Oscar Wilde was Victorian at his peak, not Edwardian), but I get to work on the computer version now. Is the manuscript going to be better as a result? Certainly.
The official anniversary won’t be until September 14th, but I’ve (gratefully) already taken delivery of the award that recognizes my first decade of full-time employment (after nearly another decade of contract employment) at Nintendo. I’ve met so many amazing people here.
September 6, 2025 at 5:29 PM
The official anniversary won’t be until September 14th, but I’ve (gratefully) already taken delivery of the award that recognizes my first decade of full-time employment (after nearly another decade of contract employment) at Nintendo. I’ve met so many amazing people here.
I started off using a soft pink called Yozakura, nighttime cherry blossoms, but when I needed to refill the pen, I chose a more vivid red from my Pilot Centennial collection, named for Bishamonten, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune.
August 31, 2025 at 12:48 PM
I started off using a soft pink called Yozakura, nighttime cherry blossoms, but when I needed to refill the pen, I chose a more vivid red from my Pilot Centennial collection, named for Bishamonten, one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune.
Taking advantage of the holiday to review my memoir’s manuscript again. Looking at:
Verb tense consistency.
Places where end notes are needed.
Visual cues for other characters.
Potential plot holes after earlier revisions.
Errant spelling errors
300 pages. I’ve got this.
Verb tense consistency.
Places where end notes are needed.
Visual cues for other characters.
Potential plot holes after earlier revisions.
Errant spelling errors
300 pages. I’ve got this.
August 30, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Taking advantage of the holiday to review my memoir’s manuscript again. Looking at:
Verb tense consistency.
Places where end notes are needed.
Visual cues for other characters.
Potential plot holes after earlier revisions.
Errant spelling errors
300 pages. I’ve got this.
Verb tense consistency.
Places where end notes are needed.
Visual cues for other characters.
Potential plot holes after earlier revisions.
Errant spelling errors
300 pages. I’ve got this.
James Dobson has gone to his damnation, but his legacy affects all Americans. Queer couples can arm themselves for the next wave of judicial prejudice, though. Learn more at open.substack.com/pu...
August 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
James Dobson has gone to his damnation, but his legacy affects all Americans. Queer couples can arm themselves for the next wave of judicial prejudice, though. Learn more at open.substack.com/pu...
My many thanks to the memoir category judges at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. My manuscript, Crying in a Foreign Language was named one of five finalists for the 2025 Unpublished Book Contest. Winners will be announced on September 13th.
August 20, 2025 at 11:40 PM
My many thanks to the memoir category judges at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. My manuscript, Crying in a Foreign Language was named one of five finalists for the 2025 Unpublished Book Contest. Winners will be announced on September 13th.
A film that Hiro and I worked on the translation for (together with my friend Manako and her daughter Hana) is coming to Apple TV on September 1st. It’s an amazing story about a Japanese automotive family, and I’m honored that Hiro and I were involved.
August 13, 2025 at 2:44 AM
A film that Hiro and I worked on the translation for (together with my friend Manako and her daughter Hana) is coming to Apple TV on September 1st. It’s an amazing story about a Japanese automotive family, and I’m honored that Hiro and I were involved.
Configure the top three options to maximize your privacy. Set Location to never. Set Contacts to none. And set Photos to limited access. I also disable Apple Intelligence, and the background app refresh option, to save battery power. Repeat for all social media apps.
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August 9, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Configure the top three options to maximize your privacy. Set Location to never. Set Contacts to none. And set Photos to limited access. I also disable Apple Intelligence, and the background app refresh option, to save battery power. Repeat for all social media apps.
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Within the Settings app, scroll all the way down to the bottom, to the Apps option. Tap on that and then locate the Instagram app icon and tap on it.
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August 9, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Within the Settings app, scroll all the way down to the bottom, to the Apps option. Tap on that and then locate the Instagram app icon and tap on it.
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Meta’s rollout of location sharing within Instagram is criminal. And attempts to deactivate that within Instagram’s settings are being reported as ineffective. Your location is still visible. Stop it at the source. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
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August 9, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Meta’s rollout of location sharing within Instagram is criminal. And attempts to deactivate that within Instagram’s settings are being reported as ineffective. Your location is still visible. Stop it at the source. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
1/3
1/3
Hiro and I have been friends with Tom and Dennis for a long time. When they visited us in British Columbia back in the day, people mistook us for each other. So we had a lot to laugh about when we reconnected last night after 5 years apart. I love our friendships.
August 1, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Hiro and I have been friends with Tom and Dennis for a long time. When they visited us in British Columbia back in the day, people mistook us for each other. So we had a lot to laugh about when we reconnected last night after 5 years apart. I love our friendships.
Washington place names continue to make me laugh. Driving to Fife this morning and passed a sign for Surprise Lake. “Oh! There’s a lake here! Surprise!”
ワシントン州の地名は時に馬鹿すぎる。100年前の白人開拓者がその場所に湖の存在でびっくりした？看板を見た瞬間で車でクスクス笑った。
ワシントン州の地名は時に馬鹿すぎる。100年前の白人開拓者がその場所に湖の存在でびっくりした？看板を見た瞬間で車でクスクス笑った。
July 26, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Washington place names continue to make me laugh. Driving to Fife this morning and passed a sign for Surprise Lake. “Oh! There’s a lake here! Surprise!”
ワシントン州の地名は時に馬鹿すぎる。100年前の白人開拓者がその場所に湖の存在でびっくりした？看板を見た瞬間で車でクスクス笑った。
ワシントン州の地名は時に馬鹿すぎる。100年前の白人開拓者がその場所に湖の存在でびっくりした？看板を見た瞬間で車でクスクス笑った。
Washington place names continue to make me laugh. Driving to Fife this morning and passed a sign for Surprise Lake. “Oh! There’s a lake here! Surprise!”
ワシントン州の地名は時に馬鹿すぎる。100年前の白人開拓者がその場所に湖の存在でびっくりした？看板を見た瞬間で車でクスクス笑った。
ワシントン州の地名は時に馬鹿すぎる。100年前の白人開拓者がその場所に湖の存在でびっくりした？看板を見た瞬間で車でクスクス笑った。
July 26, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Washington place names continue to make me laugh. Driving to Fife this morning and passed a sign for Surprise Lake. “Oh! There’s a lake here! Surprise!”
ワシントン州の地名は時に馬鹿すぎる。100年前の白人開拓者がその場所に湖の存在でびっくりした？看板を見た瞬間で車でクスクス笑った。
ワシントン州の地名は時に馬鹿すぎる。100年前の白人開拓者がその場所に湖の存在でびっくりした？看板を見た瞬間で車でクスクス笑った。