Dan Varrette
@metamythomancer.bsky.social
• Book editor (mainly SF&F)
• Board game editor
• Occasional writer
• Hapkido & Muay Thai practitioner
• Hapless romanticist
• www.danvarrette.com
• Board game editor
• Occasional writer
• Hapkido & Muay Thai practitioner
• Hapless romanticist
• www.danvarrette.com
Pinned
Dan Varrette
@metamythomancer.bsky.social
· Nov 15
I'm still new at this Bluesky thing, but I'm happy to be testing it out.
Let's connect! Here are my interests:
• Books
• Board games
• TTRPG games
• Video games
• SF&F
• Houseplants
• Listening to music
• Playing guitar
• Progressive politics
• Martial arts (Muay Thai and Hapkido)
Let's connect! Here are my interests:
• Books
• Board games
• TTRPG games
• Video games
• SF&F
• Houseplants
• Listening to music
• Playing guitar
• Progressive politics
• Martial arts (Muay Thai and Hapkido)
"In the original novels it tended to be people like them responsible for creating the dystopias in the first place, but they’ve somehow projected the blame onto the masses."
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
The big idea: will sci-fi end up destroying the world?
Skewed interpretations of classic works are feeding the dark visions of tech moguls, from Musk to Thiel
www.theguardian.com
April 22, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"In the original novels it tended to be people like them responsible for creating the dystopias in the first place, but they’ve somehow projected the blame onto the masses."
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
Struggling with writer’s block in your science fiction or fantasy story? Here are some tips to revive inspiration and get back to writing! #WriteTip #WritingCommunity #BookSky
www.danvarrette.com/overcoming-w...
www.danvarrette.com/overcoming-w...
Overcoming Writer’s Block: Science Fiction & Fantasy Edition – Dan Varrette, Editor
Struggling with writer’s block? A science fiction & fantasy editor shares genre-specific tips to revive inspiration and get back to writing!
www.danvarrette.com
April 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Struggling with writer’s block in your science fiction or fantasy story? Here are some tips to revive inspiration and get back to writing! #WriteTip #WritingCommunity #BookSky
www.danvarrette.com/overcoming-w...
www.danvarrette.com/overcoming-w...
I bought the Canadian Oxford Dictionary (2005) in 2008, the same year Oxford closed its Canadian dictionary division. There's otherwise a Nelson Gage dictionary of Canadian English from 2013, which will be the basis for a new dictionary by Nelson and Editors Canada. blog.editors.ca/a-new-canadi...
A New Canadian Dictionary - The Editors' Weekly
John Chew provides an update on the development of The Canadian English Dictionary, a new reference resource for users of Canadian English.
blog.editors.ca
April 13, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I bought the Canadian Oxford Dictionary (2005) in 2008, the same year Oxford closed its Canadian dictionary division. There's otherwise a Nelson Gage dictionary of Canadian English from 2013, which will be the basis for a new dictionary by Nelson and Editors Canada. blog.editors.ca/a-new-canadi...
Discover the best plot structures for novels, from the three-act structure to the hero’s journey. Choose the right one for your story. #writetip
www.danvarrette.com/ideal-plot-s...
www.danvarrette.com/ideal-plot-s...
Ideal Plot Structures for Novels – Dan Varrette, Editor
Discover the best plot structures for novels, from the three-act structure to the hero’s journey. Choose the right one for your story.
www.danvarrette.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Discover the best plot structures for novels, from the three-act structure to the hero’s journey. Choose the right one for your story. #writetip
www.danvarrette.com/ideal-plot-s...
www.danvarrette.com/ideal-plot-s...
Ron Vara is the new John Galt.
April 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Ron Vara is the new John Galt.
I'm done with this cold weather. Why is it only 0°C right now?
April 9, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I'm done with this cold weather. Why is it only 0°C right now?
I don't watch a lot of TV, but with new seasons of The Last of Us and Andor coming out soon, I'm at the risk of falling behind on my shows. I still need to catch up on The Wheel of Time and Severance.
April 8, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I don't watch a lot of TV, but with new seasons of The Last of Us and Andor coming out soon, I'm at the risk of falling behind on my shows. I still need to catch up on The Wheel of Time and Severance.
I played Ruination for the first time last night. It’s pretty fun if you like combat/area control. I like the action selection/card draw mechanism. The combat’s dice drafting is better than I thought it would be. Also, the replay value seems high with the card drafting to build your abilities.
April 6, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I played Ruination for the first time last night. It’s pretty fun if you like combat/area control. I like the action selection/card draw mechanism. The combat’s dice drafting is better than I thought it would be. Also, the replay value seems high with the card drafting to build your abilities.
Reposted by Dan Varrette
What does it mean for a book to be fully Canadian-made? LPG publishers are committed to keeping Canadian stories, talent, and production close to home, checking all the boxes.
April 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM
What does it mean for a book to be fully Canadian-made? LPG publishers are committed to keeping Canadian stories, talent, and production close to home, checking all the boxes.
How writing multiple perspectives can contribute to the richness of the worldbuilding, character depth, and tension of your story. #writing #writetip
www.danvarrette.com/writing-mult...
www.danvarrette.com/writing-mult...
Writing Multiple Perspectives in Science Fiction and Fantasy – Dan Varrette, Editor
How writing multiple perspectives can contribute to the richness of the worldbuilding, character depth, and tension of your story.
www.danvarrette.com
April 4, 2025 at 7:20 PM
How writing multiple perspectives can contribute to the richness of the worldbuilding, character depth, and tension of your story. #writing #writetip
www.danvarrette.com/writing-mult...
www.danvarrette.com/writing-mult...
I'm going to eat some tacos, then maybe play some Minecraft.
April 3, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I'm going to eat some tacos, then maybe play some Minecraft.
Reposted by Dan Varrette
Incidentally, since almost all the physical books from major publishers in the US are printed in China, that probably just increased the price by 50%, which massively lowers sales and means publishers will do much smaller print runs.
April 3, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Incidentally, since almost all the physical books from major publishers in the US are printed in China, that probably just increased the price by 50%, which massively lowers sales and means publishers will do much smaller print runs.
Writing Battle has invited me to participate as a professional judge in the upcoming Wonder Battle starting on April 13!
The Wonder #flash #fiction stories will have 4 possible genres that participants will draw from: #Sci-Fi, #Fantasy, #Fairy Tale & #Adventure.
More here: writingbattle.com
The Wonder #flash #fiction stories will have 4 possible genres that participants will draw from: #Sci-Fi, #Fantasy, #Fairy Tale & #Adventure.
More here: writingbattle.com
April 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Writing Battle has invited me to participate as a professional judge in the upcoming Wonder Battle starting on April 13!
The Wonder #flash #fiction stories will have 4 possible genres that participants will draw from: #Sci-Fi, #Fantasy, #Fairy Tale & #Adventure.
More here: writingbattle.com
The Wonder #flash #fiction stories will have 4 possible genres that participants will draw from: #Sci-Fi, #Fantasy, #Fairy Tale & #Adventure.
More here: writingbattle.com
Madmartigan will forever remain the Greatest Swordsman That Ever Lived.
Val Kilmer (1959–2025)
Val Kilmer (1959–2025)
April 2, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Madmartigan will forever remain the Greatest Swordsman That Ever Lived.
Val Kilmer (1959–2025)
Val Kilmer (1959–2025)
Reposted by Dan Varrette
POV HIERARCHY
This post depends on an understanding of the importance of one scene, one POV. If you’re not sure what I mean by that or are laboring under the misapprehension that “omniscient viewpoint” is okay, go here and catch up. I’ll also refer you to a previous post regarding how to determine…
This post depends on an understanding of the importance of one scene, one POV. If you’re not sure what I mean by that or are laboring under the misapprehension that “omniscient viewpoint” is okay, go here and catch up. I’ll also refer you to a previous post regarding how to determine…
POV HIERARCHY
This post depends on an understanding of the importance of one scene, one POV. If you’re not sure what I mean by that or are laboring under the misapprehension that “omniscient viewpoint” is okay, go here and catch up. I’ll also refer you to a previous post regarding how to determine who the POV character should be in a particular scene, and that’s, generally speaking, the character who knows the least.
fantasyhandbook.wordpress.com
April 1, 2025 at 6:18 PM
POV HIERARCHY
This post depends on an understanding of the importance of one scene, one POV. If you’re not sure what I mean by that or are laboring under the misapprehension that “omniscient viewpoint” is okay, go here and catch up. I’ll also refer you to a previous post regarding how to determine…
This post depends on an understanding of the importance of one scene, one POV. If you’re not sure what I mean by that or are laboring under the misapprehension that “omniscient viewpoint” is okay, go here and catch up. I’ll also refer you to a previous post regarding how to determine…
Reposted by Dan Varrette
Query Tip: when authors say this is the first book in a planned trilogy, what agents hear is, “I need you to sell 3 books in order to tell this story.”
And sure multi book deals exist but they aren’t the rule. “Stand alone with series potential”—as long as it really is—is your better bet.
And sure multi book deals exist but they aren’t the rule. “Stand alone with series potential”—as long as it really is—is your better bet.
March 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Query Tip: when authors say this is the first book in a planned trilogy, what agents hear is, “I need you to sell 3 books in order to tell this story.”
And sure multi book deals exist but they aren’t the rule. “Stand alone with series potential”—as long as it really is—is your better bet.
And sure multi book deals exist but they aren’t the rule. “Stand alone with series potential”—as long as it really is—is your better bet.
These are the kinds of books I often recommend because they shouldn't be obscure, and they shouldn't be forgotten.
I have such mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, there's the title. On the other hand, I'm in good company--the list includes a couple of books I admire this side idolatry.
screenrant.com/obscure-fant...
screenrant.com/obscure-fant...
10 Obscure Fantasy Books Hardly Anyone Remembers
The most recent is only from 1993.
screenrant.com
April 1, 2025 at 2:04 PM
These are the kinds of books I often recommend because they shouldn't be obscure, and they shouldn't be forgotten.
Reposted by Dan Varrette
It's April 1, but we're not fooling — free subs are back! We've been hitting our monthly cap in less than a week lately, so if you've been waiting to submit for free, now is the time: okaydonkeymag.com/submissions/
(cont.)
(cont.)
April 1, 2025 at 1:57 PM
It's April 1, but we're not fooling — free subs are back! We've been hitting our monthly cap in less than a week lately, so if you've been waiting to submit for free, now is the time: okaydonkeymag.com/submissions/
(cont.)
(cont.)
Reposted by Dan Varrette
I’m creating several starter packs for indie writers – one for each genre – that I then would regularly post links to. If interested in being in a starter back, please reply with your genre. #Indieauthor #authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #authorsofsky #booksky
April 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I’m creating several starter packs for indie writers – one for each genre – that I then would regularly post links to. If interested in being in a starter back, please reply with your genre. #Indieauthor #authorsky #writersky #writingcommunity #authorsofsky #booksky
I've been reading a lot of short stories. I appreciate the smaller time commitments and the ability to explore a variety of genres and themes over a short period. I'm not sure whether this has made me happier, but it has led to some mindful reading experiences.
Maybe you need a Bibliotherapist? Self medicate with great books, and not just the self help stuff. Fiction can be a "transformational experience."
#Bibliotherapy #GreatReads #BookRecommendations #LiteraryEscape #ReadingTherapy #MindfulReading #LiteratureLovers #Booksky #Books
#Bibliotherapy #GreatReads #BookRecommendations #LiteraryEscape #ReadingTherapy #MindfulReading #LiteratureLovers #Booksky #Books
Can Reading Make You Happier?
After the First World War, traumatized soldiers were often prescribed a course of reading.
www.newyorker.com
March 31, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I've been reading a lot of short stories. I appreciate the smaller time commitments and the ability to explore a variety of genres and themes over a short period. I'm not sure whether this has made me happier, but it has led to some mindful reading experiences.
"[Science fiction] is always about now. It’s always a reflection. It’s a kind of fever dream, and it’s always about its own sociological context. It’s always an expression of the anxieties of the now. So there’s a category error in treating it as if it is 'about the future.'"
Author China Miéville says we shouldn’t blame science fiction for its bad readers
Author China Miéville says we shouldn’t blame science fiction for its bad readers
It’s been 25 years since China Miéville stepped into the literary spotlight with his novel “Perdido Street Station.” Combining elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, the novel introduced readers to the fantastically complex city of New Crobuzon, filled with insect-headed khepri, cactus-shaped cactacae, and terrifying slake moths that feed on their victims’ dreams. It […]
tcrn.ch
March 31, 2025 at 4:04 PM
"[Science fiction] is always about now. It’s always a reflection. It’s a kind of fever dream, and it’s always about its own sociological context. It’s always an expression of the anxieties of the now. So there’s a category error in treating it as if it is 'about the future.'"
I’m happy to report that after quite some time, one of my orchids finally bloomed again!
#orchids #houseplants #plants
#orchids #houseplants #plants
March 31, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I’m happy to report that after quite some time, one of my orchids finally bloomed again!
#orchids #houseplants #plants
#orchids #houseplants #plants
Finished reading: The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
#amreading #books #gothic #horrorbooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
#amreading #books #gothic #horrorbooks
March 29, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Finished reading: The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
#amreading #books #gothic #horrorbooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
#amreading #books #gothic #horrorbooks
Lunch at a New York City automat, from the March 1942 National Geographic (photo by: J. Baylor Roberts)
Last night, I read Shirley Jackson’s “Pillar of Salt” (set in Manhattan), and an automat is mentioned in it. It made me wish they were still a thing.
Last night, I read Shirley Jackson’s “Pillar of Salt” (set in Manhattan), and an automat is mentioned in it. It made me wish they were still a thing.
March 28, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Lunch at a New York City automat, from the March 1942 National Geographic (photo by: J. Baylor Roberts)
Last night, I read Shirley Jackson’s “Pillar of Salt” (set in Manhattan), and an automat is mentioned in it. It made me wish they were still a thing.
Last night, I read Shirley Jackson’s “Pillar of Salt” (set in Manhattan), and an automat is mentioned in it. It made me wish they were still a thing.
“I am utterly disgusted. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel this is an insult to life itself.”
—Hayao Miyazaki, in response to an AI tech demo well before the recent trend of people using the ChatGPT-4o image generator to “Ghiblify” everything
—Hayao Miyazaki, in response to an AI tech demo well before the recent trend of people using the ChatGPT-4o image generator to “Ghiblify” everything
March 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
“I am utterly disgusted. I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel this is an insult to life itself.”
—Hayao Miyazaki, in response to an AI tech demo well before the recent trend of people using the ChatGPT-4o image generator to “Ghiblify” everything
—Hayao Miyazaki, in response to an AI tech demo well before the recent trend of people using the ChatGPT-4o image generator to “Ghiblify” everything