Matthew Arnold Stern
@maswriter.bsky.social
I write to inspire, inform, and connect. My novels include Amiga and The Remainders, and I wrote a guide to impromptu speaking, Mastering Table Topics. No DMs. https://linktr.ee/maswriter
For my Thanksgiving post this year, I show why gratitude prevents us from becoming the worst kind of people. You know who I'm talking about.
Gratitude prevents us from becoming like them
Trigger warning: child rape. I saw a couple of videos on TikTok that left people speechless. The first was from a podcast where a Trump supporter said that he didn't care if he was in the Epstein Files or did any of the horrible things he's alleged to have done. He then had the audacity to ask the interviewer, "What's so bad about child rape?" The interviewer was left speechless.
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:03 AM
For my Thanksgiving post this year, I show why gratitude prevents us from becoming the worst kind of people. You know who I'm talking about.
My November newsletter comes out tomorrow has Part 2 of my interview with Reseda Charter High School librarian Amanda Prosin, Indie Author Day highlights, updates on my work in progress, and a holiday sale! Don't miss out. Subscribe today! www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h...
Matthew Arnold Stern page: Newsletter
The Matthew Arnold Stern newsletter is free and published monthly. It consists of news, featured books and posts, upcoming events, and interviews with authors and others in the book community. You …
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
My November newsletter comes out tomorrow has Part 2 of my interview with Reseda Charter High School librarian Amanda Prosin, Indie Author Day highlights, updates on my work in progress, and a holiday sale! Don't miss out. Subscribe today! www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h...
At Indie Author Day in Anaheim, we discussed AI and writing. What we concluded was AI-generate art is no substitute for the connection human-created art provides.
AI and human connection
What's rewarding about moderating a panel discussion is that you can encourage brilliant discussions. What's disappointing is that you're so focused on what the panelists are saying that you can't write any of them down. Our panel discussion at Indie Author Day in Anaheim, "AI—Does It Have a Place in the Writers' World?" was filled with that type of brilliant, thoughtful discussion.
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:04 AM
At Indie Author Day in Anaheim, we discussed AI and writing. What we concluded was AI-generate art is no substitute for the connection human-created art provides.
Black Yé'ii (The Evil One) is a brilliant crime thriller, a Maxy Award finalist, and it's on sale for Kindle for 99¢ today (11/17) through Wednesday (11/19). Get your copy now, and look for my interview with author Joseph Lewis in my December newsletter. #Booksky amzn.to/4r5dT0w
Black Yé'ii: (the Evil One)
Black Yé'ii: (the Evil One) - Kindle edition by Lewis, Joseph. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Black Yé'ii: (the Evil One).
amzn.to
November 17, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Black Yé'ii (The Evil One) is a brilliant crime thriller, a Maxy Award finalist, and it's on sale for Kindle for 99¢ today (11/17) through Wednesday (11/19). Get your copy now, and look for my interview with author Joseph Lewis in my December newsletter. #Booksky amzn.to/4r5dT0w
With the start of girls' basketball season coming, here are the reasons why I appreciate female athletes and have them appear in my fiction.
In praise of female athletes
I've talked about trends and tropes I've used in my fiction. Here's another one. Let's start with Offline: played basketball in high school. She was a dependable bench player who was strong on defense and had a good outside jump shot. She had no qualms about taking on a man, so she challenged Terry to a game one day after work.
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:34 AM
With the start of girls' basketball season coming, here are the reasons why I appreciate female athletes and have them appear in my fiction.
Although this line is uttered by the villain of my work in progress, I couldn't let those two years I spent at UCLA go to waste: “Yes, we know, Mr. Mortensen. USC. USC. USC. Like we’re supposed to be impressed? All USC is a football team that happens to sell degrees.” #amwriting #booksy
November 8, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Although this line is uttered by the villain of my work in progress, I couldn't let those two years I spent at UCLA go to waste: “Yes, we know, Mr. Mortensen. USC. USC. USC. Like we’re supposed to be impressed? All USC is a football team that happens to sell degrees.” #amwriting #booksy
Here are my latest lines from my #WIP. They include what I think may be the most romantic thing I've ever had a male character say to a FMC. #amwriting
November 8, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Here are my latest lines from my #WIP. They include what I think may be the most romantic thing I've ever had a male character say to a FMC. #amwriting
We already know he doesn't care about us. The thing about this picture is the person who fainted is a businessman. Rich people, he doesn't care about you either. He doesn't care about anyone except himself. He will screw you over too.
November 7, 2025 at 1:03 PM
We already know he doesn't care about us. The thing about this picture is the person who fainted is a businessman. Rich people, he doesn't care about you either. He doesn't care about anyone except himself. He will screw you over too.
One of the things I despaired about last year was that I'd never find a publishing home for my novel, Christina's Portrait. It touches on themes that would enrage the regime. But I've been sending submissions anyway. I decided not to be afraid to write what I believe. #amquerying #WeeknightWriters
November 7, 2025 at 5:02 AM
One of the things I despaired about last year was that I'd never find a publishing home for my novel, Christina's Portrait. It touches on themes that would enrage the regime. But I've been sending submissions anyway. I decided not to be afraid to write what I believe. #amquerying #WeeknightWriters
A year ago, I thought it was all over—not just for my country, but for myself. Last night showed us progress is still possible if we stand together for what is right and refuse to give up hope.
Goodbye, revisited
A year ago, I thought it was all over. Not just with politics, but in the future I wanted for my family and my dreams as an author. In the months that followed, I regained hope, looked for ways to fight back, got off the doomscrolling habit, became willing to stand up for my beliefs in spite of fear…
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
A year ago, I thought it was all over—not just for my country, but for myself. Last night showed us progress is still possible if we stand together for what is right and refuse to give up hope.
My current work in progress has callbacks to the first novel I self-published, Offline. I make a direct reference in the paragraph shown in the center, but many of the themes, grounded on my observations about corporate life, are repeated. #amwriting #booksky #WeeknightWriters
October 31, 2025 at 12:40 PM
My current work in progress has callbacks to the first novel I self-published, Offline. I make a direct reference in the paragraph shown in the center, but many of the themes, grounded on my observations about corporate life, are repeated. #amwriting #booksky #WeeknightWriters
This Halloween, we have more to be afraid of than ghosts and ghouls. How we react to fear determines whether or not we survive scary times—and who we'll be aftewards.
Fear itself
Halloween is this week, but we have more to be afraid of than ghosts and ghouls. We see real monsters on our screens every day. So we need to talk about fear and what we should do about it. President Franklin Roosevelt said in response to another period of national crisis, "[T]he only thing we have to fear is fear itself." The…
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:50 AM
This Halloween, we have more to be afraid of than ghosts and ghouls. How we react to fear determines whether or not we survive scary times—and who we'll be aftewards.
My newsletter comes out tomorrow with an interview with the Reseda Charter HS librarian. In the meantime, enjoy this scene from my novel in submission, Christina's Portrait, and subscribe to my newsletter here: www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h... #booksky
October 23, 2025 at 1:43 PM
My newsletter comes out tomorrow with an interview with the Reseda Charter HS librarian. In the meantime, enjoy this scene from my novel in submission, Christina's Portrait, and subscribe to my newsletter here: www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h... #booksky
My next newsletter has an update on my work in progress, information about my AI panel at Indie Author Day, and the first part of my interview with school librarian Amanda Prosin. Don't miss an issue by subscribing here and look for my newsletter on Friday: www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h...
Matthew Arnold Stern page: Newsletter
The Matthew Arnold Stern newsletter is free and published monthly. It consists of news, featured books and posts, upcoming events, and interviews with authors and others in the book community. You …
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:10 PM
My next newsletter has an update on my work in progress, information about my AI panel at Indie Author Day, and the first part of my interview with school librarian Amanda Prosin. Don't miss an issue by subscribing here and look for my newsletter on Friday: www.matthewarnoldstern.com/newsletter.h...
Don't know why this post is trending. Perhaps it's because we as a country feel like we're being held hostage. Or we need to de-stress by acting like we're in distress. So come up with a safe word while enjoying some food for thought. www.matthewarnoldstern.com/creative-wri...
Matthew Arnold Stern post: Of human bondage
My novel The Remainders will be published by Black Rose Writing on September 2, 2021. I will describe my book in this series of posts. You can read other posts in The Remainders category on my webs…
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Don't know why this post is trending. Perhaps it's because we as a country feel like we're being held hostage. Or we need to de-stress by acting like we're in distress. So come up with a safe word while enjoying some food for thought. www.matthewarnoldstern.com/creative-wri...
Reposted by Matthew Arnold Stern
One week later with We Are Made of Scars & Starlight. Thanks for all the support, #Booksky❤️
October 21, 2025 at 1:33 PM
One week later with We Are Made of Scars & Starlight. Thanks for all the support, #Booksky❤️
What is really ruining baseball? It's the same thing that's ruining lots of other businesses—sacrificing quality and service for the bottom line. Here's why the Dodgers aren't the villains, but an example that should be followed.
What’s really ruining baseball (among other things)
I'm relieved the Blue Jays are going to the World Series. If my favorite team, the Dodgers, played the Mariners and beat them, it would be like throwing puppies and kittens into a wood chipper. That's because the Dodgers are The Team that is Ruining Baseball. Thanks to their venture capital owners, they can afford to buy up all the best players, put them on deferred contracts, and crush the competition.
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:37 PM
What is really ruining baseball? It's the same thing that's ruining lots of other businesses—sacrificing quality and service for the bottom line. Here's why the Dodgers aren't the villains, but an example that should be followed.
Indie Author Day is coming to Anaheim Public Library on Saturday, November 15. We have a great group of authors and small presses lined up. I will be there, and I'll moderate a panel about generative AI. Mark your calendars, and I hope to see you there! www.anaheim.net/6272/Indie-A...
Indie Author Day | Anaheim, CA - Official Website
Local indie authors share and connect through independent publishing.
www.anaheim.net
October 15, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Indie Author Day is coming to Anaheim Public Library on Saturday, November 15. We have a great group of authors and small presses lined up. I will be there, and I'll moderate a panel about generative AI. Mark your calendars, and I hope to see you there! www.anaheim.net/6272/Indie-A...
Happy Book Birthday to We Are Made of Scars and Starlight by @nicolezelniker! This powerful novella is one of the best things I've read this year. Get your copy wherever you get your books. bookshop.org/a/116415/978...
We Are Made of Scars and Starlight
Check out We Are Made of Scars and Starlight - <p>"<strong>A powerful story about the fierce love of friendship, and finding the courage to love and accept yourself</strong>." Elissa Grossell Dickey, ...
bookshop.org
October 14, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Happy Book Birthday to We Are Made of Scars and Starlight by @nicolezelniker! This powerful novella is one of the best things I've read this year. Get your copy wherever you get your books. bookshop.org/a/116415/978...
Reposted by Matthew Arnold Stern
Tomorrow❤️
@flyleafbooks.bsky.social is still doing signed preorders until the end of the day! Feel free to make me write whatever you want. Or attempt to draw a silly lil doodle. I’m just vibing here.
I can’t wait for y’all to meet Kai.
@flyleafbooks.bsky.social is still doing signed preorders until the end of the day! Feel free to make me write whatever you want. Or attempt to draw a silly lil doodle. I’m just vibing here.
I can’t wait for y’all to meet Kai.
October 13, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Tomorrow❤️
@flyleafbooks.bsky.social is still doing signed preorders until the end of the day! Feel free to make me write whatever you want. Or attempt to draw a silly lil doodle. I’m just vibing here.
I can’t wait for y’all to meet Kai.
@flyleafbooks.bsky.social is still doing signed preorders until the end of the day! Feel free to make me write whatever you want. Or attempt to draw a silly lil doodle. I’m just vibing here.
I can’t wait for y’all to meet Kai.
The Life of a Showgirl has gotten flak from the left and right. There are several key points Taylor Swift's critics—and supporters—are missing.
The life of a showgirl at a crossroads
Oh, no! Taylor Swift is happily in love and enjoys having sex with her well endowed fiancé! The horror! The horror! Her latest album The Life of a Showgirl got the predictable pearl-clutching. Gasps were especially loud from those offended by her highly suggestive "Wood," forgetting the music they listened to as kids. (That goes for your rock idols…
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
October 6, 2025 at 3:52 AM
The Life of a Showgirl has gotten flak from the left and right. There are several key points Taylor Swift's critics—and supporters—are missing.
The best way to teach young people media literacy and how to identify bias is to teach them journalism. The skills I learned working on a school paper in the 1970s are just as important today.
Fight media bias by teaching journalism
When I go to Reseda Charter High School this month for the 70th anniversary, I'll interview the school's librarian. (The interview will be in a future issue of my newsletter. You can subscribe here.) One of the things we'll discuss is media literacy and the importance of identifying bias. When I was at Reseda in the 1970s, there were only three commercial television networks and PBS, along with several daily newspapers, and AM news radio stations.
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:09 PM
The best way to teach young people media literacy and how to identify bias is to teach them journalism. The skills I learned working on a school paper in the 1970s are just as important today.
Thanks to all of you who signed up for the Amiga Goodreads giveaway. If you're a winner, you'll be notified soon. Please remember to give Amiga a review. Don't forget to check out Amiga and my other books at your favorite bookstore. #booksky
October 1, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Thanks to all of you who signed up for the Amiga Goodreads giveaway. If you're a winner, you'll be notified soon. Please remember to give Amiga a review. Don't forget to check out Amiga and my other books at your favorite bookstore. #booksky
What happens when the premier organization for a profession vanishes? And how do writers build community today? #STC
RIP STC
A proud papa moment: My daughter told me that she wants to follow in my footsteps and become a technical writer! She discussed the possibility with her manager at work and asked me for advice on how to get started. The first thing I wanted to do was direct her to the premier organization for technical writers, the Society for Technical Communication (STC).
www.matthewarnoldstern.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:17 AM
What happens when the premier organization for a profession vanishes? And how do writers build community today? #STC