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tfg.bsky.social
TF Grognon
@tfg.bsky.social
290 followers 280 following 1.2K posts
writer (fiction & ttrpgs), enthuser | she/her | formerly a fist that was tiny | Toronto
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tfg.bsky.social
For #WoShoStoReMo : "Ernst in Civilian Clothes" by Mavis Gallant (on a rec from the great Bill Richardson). This story slips around in its tenses, just as the protag slithers through history; he's barely human, just a knot of selfishness & subsistence:
"It is a way of living, not quite a life.”
Ernst turns on the radio and, finding nothing but solemn music, turns it off. From the court he hears a romantic tune sung by Charles Aznavour and is moved by it. On an uncrowded screen a line of ghosts shuffles in snow, limps through the triumphant city, and a water cart cleans the pavement their feet have touched. Ernst, the eternally defeated, could know the difference between victory and failure, if he would apply his mind to it; but he has met young girls in Paris who think Dien Bien Phu was a French victory, and he has let them go on thinking it, because it is of no importance. Ernst was in Indo-China and knows it was a defeat. There is no fear in the memo-ry. Sometimes another, younger Ernst is in a place where he must save someone who calls "Mutti!" He advances; he wades in a flooded cellar. There is more fear in dreams than in life. What about the dream where someone known - sometimes a man, sometimes a woman - wears a mask and wig? The horror of the wig! He wakes dry-throated. Willi has always been ready to die. If the judge he is waiting for says "This is true, and you were not innocent," he says he will be ready to die. He could die tomorrow. But Ernst, who has been in uniform since he was seven, and defeated in every war, has never been prepared.
November 11, 2025 at 12:25 AM
tfg.bsky.social
I pulled on some red wool socks, dug out a toque, and went for a walk in this unexpected, very persistent snowstorm.

Some truly clichéd shots:
photo of a laneway park & side street; trees with autumn foliage are covered in snow. The sky is snow-blank between ugly condo towers. orange and green oak leaves sport snow layers a snowy sidewalk with lots of fallen leaves; some leaves are visible & autumn-tinted while other leaves are completely whitened by snow, like ghosts against the dark wet pavement
November 9, 2025 at 7:34 PM
tfg.bsky.social
For #WoShoStoReMo today I read Le Guin's "Old Music and the Slave Women". What she does in this story with spatiality and self, silence and speech, is incredible.
The next day he was able to get up and hobble to the broken-armed chair. He sat for a while looking out the window. The room looked out from the second floor over the gardens of Yaramera, terraced slopes and flowerbeds, walks, lawns, and a series of ornamental lakes and pools that descended gradually to the river: a vast pattern of curves and planes, plants and paths, earth and still water, embraced by the broad living curve of the river. All the plots and walks and terraces formed a soft geometry centered very subtly on an enormous tree down at the river-side. It must have been a great tree when the garden was laid out four hundred years ago. It stood above and well back from the bank, but its branches reached far out over the water and a village could have been built in its shade. The grass of the terraces had dried to soft gold. The river and the lakes and pools were all the misty blue of the summer sky. The flowerbeds and shrubberies were untended, overgrown, but not yet gone wild. The gardens of Yaramera were utterly beautiful in their desolation. Desolate, forlorn, forsaken, all such romantic words befitted them, yet they were also rational and noble, full of peace. They had been built by the labor of slaves. Their dignity and peace were founded on cruelty, misery, pain. Esdan was Hainish, from a very old people, people who had built and destroyed Yaramera a thousand times. His mind contained the beauty and the terrible grief of the place, assured that the existence of one cannot justify the other, the destruction of one cannot destroy the other He was aware of both, only aware.
November 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
tfg.bsky.social
Today's short story for #WoShoStoReMo:
"Day Ten Thousand", Isabel J. Kim. I am still making my mind up about this one, but the first line is perfect & some passages are wonderful.

clarkesworldmagazine.com/kim_06_23/
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest stories. There are twelve standard tablets and various fragments. In tablet seven, the gods mark Enkidu for death, and he dies. This is written in stone. In the twelfth tablet, Enkidu is still alive. The story is one of the oldest pieces of human technology. It does not ordinarily appear in nature.
November 5, 2025 at 10:33 PM
tfg.bsky.social
Today's short story for #WoShoStoReMo:
"The Thin Queen of Elfhame", James Branch Cabell: a cynical & ironic quest through a magic wood populated by deeply weird, unsettling allegorical figures that are grounded by great, evocative description. I loved this.
“No,” the dragon was saying comfortably; “no, for I have just had dinner, and exercise upon a full stomach is unwholesome. So I shall not fight you, and you are welcome, for all of me, to go your ways into the Woods of Elfhame.” “Yet what,” says Anavalt, “if I were to be more observant than you of your duty and of your hellish origin? And what if I were to insist upon a fight to the death?” When dragons shrug in sunlight, their bodies are one long, green, glittering ripple.
November 4, 2025 at 11:12 PM
tfg.bsky.social
Today's short story for #WoShoStoReMo:
Joan Aiken, "Sonata for Harp and Bicycle". I love Aiken's novels, but her short fiction is new to me; this has some beautiful writing & a truly intriguing premise, but the execution was too expository for my taste
Now they were in the street, chilly with the winter dusk smells of celery on carts, of swept-up leaves heaped in faraway parks, and cold layers of dew sinking among the withered evening primroses in the bombed areas. London lay about them wreathed in twilit mystery and fading against the barred and smoky sky. Like a ninth wave the sound of traffic overtook and swallowed them.
November 3, 2025 at 11:34 PM
tfg.bsky.social
today's #WoShoStoReMo is a reread: "A Necessary Being" by @indrapramitdas.bsky.social

A story about rebirth and community-service mechs in a transforming Kolkata, it weaves commentary about infection & adaptation into a moving bio of a father and daughter. I love it so much
WHEN THEY HAD WANDERED LONG ENOUGH IN SERVICE, THE GIANTS OF KOLKATA returned to the mekha depots scattered throughout the city. There, the mekhas would periodically gather inside cavernous warehouse garages. Workers in gas masks and HEV suits would examine the giants and provide surgery on them if needed, sparks flying like glowing blood, lubricant oil seeping across the floor like bodily fluids, filling the air with an acrid scent. Their disinfectant tanks would be refilled, their backup batteries charged, their bodies trailing cables like hair. They would usually spend the night at the depots, when all the mekhar hridaya, all the hearts of the giants, would talk to each other over their radios while lounging in the open chests of their mekhas, smoking weed beedis that twinkled in the shadows. Brishti thought it a beautiful sight, all the giants kneeling and quiet, praying in peace while their hearts chattered. Glowing earrings of worklights hung from their sides, illuminating their freshly polished and stencil-tattooed arms in the gloom of the warehouses. During these visits, Daitya would tense up, always holding Brishti's hand, telling her not to wander off.
November 3, 2025 at 12:22 AM
tfg.bsky.social
The anecdote about Claude denying the East Wing demolition sure is something, but I am stuck on this. What an unbelievable waste when there's, you know, regular spell check and ordinary human common sense.
Screencap of Bluesky post reads: "Philip Bump0@pbump.com •2h I use Claude (an Al) to scan my posts for spelling and grammar errors."
October 30, 2025 at 6:05 PM
tfg.bsky.social
straight guy on Reddit learned a couple in-community terms & now he's Mr Queer Lit Expert
Achilles and Patroclus are portrayed as an almost stereotypical monogamous gay couple, with a 'bear' provider in Achilles and a 'twink' house-husband in Patroclus. While in the Iliad, both are 'bears'
October 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
tfg.bsky.social
if you see this, post 4 female characters you love
Anne Baxter as Nora Chandler in Columbo "To Catch A Falling Star" Anna Lambe as Siaja in North of North Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson in Fargo Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer in Heathers
October 29, 2025 at 2:43 AM
tfg.bsky.social
excellent day, no notes
On the right, tree with autumn foliage against a perfect blue sky; on the left, an ugly condo tower leans in
October 26, 2025 at 7:42 PM
tfg.bsky.social
Does the opening of this review sound really off to anyone else? (I've tried to anonymize it, not sure why.)

"Another cherished season"; repetition of "rise"; weird use of "the dark academia"; claims that no one has written lyrically about witches: none of this sounds all that human (or edited).
As we enter into what will surely be another cherished fall season, the rise of readers in the genres of the gothic, the horror, and the dark academia are-as they should be-on the rise. Vampires, ghouls, and of course, witches fly freely through the pages of readers across the States. There are levels of literary talent that span these novels, but at the very top of them is [X's novel XXX], featuring the telling of a town in 1600s Denmark from a very unique narrator that has been infiltrated by so-called witches. Everyone loves a story of witches, but to write one in a poetically lyrical fashion isn't something that has been done in the fashion or caliber of [X] that l've yet seen.
October 22, 2025 at 8:18 PM
tfg.bsky.social
legitimately hurt by this rejection on netgalley from a mid-tier academic press. A literary novel with speculative elements isn't for someone whose reviews include 100 Shadows, The Practice, the Horizon, & the Chain, and The Employees?

(My fulfill rate is 80%, btw.)
After reviewing your NetGalley profile- including review ratio, preferred subjects, and linked platforms-we've decided not to approve your request for this title. We work carefully to match each book with readers whose focus and reviewing history best align with the subject matter.
October 21, 2025 at 1:32 PM
tfg.bsky.social
maybe history is different for those over 100K followers idk
screencap of a paragraph: "Literally, she's incorrect: Cuba has had free trans healthcare since 2008 and the Soviet Union allowed it occasionally, including in East Germany. There are sometimes designer vaginas under communism." The phrase "including in East Germany" is highlighted because THE GDR WAS A SEPARATE COUNTRY FROM THE SOVIET UNION FFS.
October 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
tfg.bsky.social
a day late just means yet grodier marcrescence

Day 18 - wither

#mörktober
Large monochrome image of dry teasel pod on an olive background. Text reads: "Wither "Difficult to distinguish from the rest of the leaf-litter, these odd little things resemble burst seed pods. They appear unpredictably, however, at any season; no plant claims them. They drift against thresholds and clutter forest trails, exhibiting a rough sort of group intelligence. They have been known to swarm lone travellers. Their tracks are easy to spot: grass dies and leaves dry and curl in their wake. "They may be gathered for use with a slingshot as remarkably unerring projectiles. On hitting, they release a noxious puff of spores, desiccated humus, possibly foul grave dirt. The target is temporarily blinded and runs the risk (D2) of permanent with-ering, outward from the site of contact. "Use of these requires frequent checks of Strength, lest the wither take you, too." #morktober - Day 18 - TF Grognon
October 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM
tfg.bsky.social
sign from portland that I can't stop thinking about
Green handwritten sign reads "frogs together strong". At the bottom is a drawing of two frogs holding hands.
October 18, 2025 at 7:32 PM
tfg.bsky.social
she's very good at what she does, whatever that is

Day 17 - warden

#mörktober
Image of three old keys on a ring. Image and text are burgundy on a warm cream background. The text reads: "Warden "She guards the western gate to a city that fell centuries ago. The gate itself is a decrepit arch, the sole survivor of a once-formidable fortified wall. Its masonry is weak, its door warped; as it juts up out of the broken roadway, it casts a shadow she will not leave. "Her keys hang at her waist. Her robe is hung with more keys, covering every inch of fabric. She jangles and clicks when she moves. "Although she has riddles to pose, she can easily be shouldered aside. "Ignore her, refuse the grace of her keys to nowhere, and you will, however, need to roll D6 consequences. 1-2. nothing, save a nagging sense of guilt 3. she will follow you, bequeathing her keys to you 4. in three days, you fall, legs gone senseless, & cannot rise 5. nothing, save a euphoric sense of baseless hope 6. the city rises again; you are made her prisoner"
October 18, 2025 at 12:52 AM
tfg.bsky.social
Bustin' moves on monsters and he fights for good
He's gotta be about the biggest turtle in the hood
I said Gamera, he's really neat!
Talkin' Gamera, he's, uh, really neat
And he's full of meat
Scene from Mystery Science Theater 3000: Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo show off their oversized interactive model of Gamera to Joel. It is a big green turtle with a hinged shell that opens to a spiral staircase and four levels of different rooms.
October 17, 2025 at 11:13 PM
tfg.bsky.social
There is something so energizing & inspiring & *fun* in everything I've read by Howitt, game or essay, and this is no exception.
Screencap from linked essay with this passage highlighted: "The important thing was to _make_ something, not make the _right_ thing"
October 17, 2025 at 6:06 PM
tfg.bsky.social
In response to CSharpe's post about ignoring black thinkers, (I reposted eatlier). This hits so many helpless white person bingo squares: there aren't any (because Europe, famously uninvolved with the African diaspora??); I'm not "allowed"; do my homework w/a starter pack.
Screencap of Bluesky post reads: "Emily @banrion6.bsky.social Follow I am willing to try. Depending on the subject, there can really be a paucity of literary resources by black thinkers esp. if you are like me and oriented toward Europe. Also it feels I'm not "allowed" to dare to write the black experience. How to remedy this? October 16, 2025 at 8:53 PM"
October 17, 2025 at 1:27 AM
tfg.bsky.social
poor creature can't catch a break

Day 16 - obelisk

#mörktober
Lavender background with burnt-orange text and image. Image is an engraving of an armoured rhino in profile, boars and lions at its feet. A carved obelisk many times its height is strapped to its back. Text reads: "Obelisk "An escapee from the pleasure gardens of the high priests of XXXXX when they were torched by the fanatical followers of Anthelia, this weary beast trudges the wastes. The last of its kind, it is accompanied by devoted servant-beasts, but they are poor company. The obelisk on its back is pitted and flaking; it tilts at an alarming angle. Should it fall, three Miseries will ensue in quick succession. "Will you feed it a shrieking sacrifice, the only sustenance it understands, the only thing for which it longs? Will you attempt to put it out of its misery? Will you fall in step with its retinue, loyal only to loneliness and ceaseless hungers?"
October 16, 2025 at 9:14 PM
tfg.bsky.social
the dying Earth could use a little more glam instruments of violence

Day 15 - nails

#mörktober
Red background with magenta highlights. Poorly-collaged anatomical engraving if hand with twisted metal nails. Text reads: "Nails "Rusted nails scavenged from the razed heretic temples of the southern merchant families. "When glued to the tips of one's fingers, these gruesome implements grant their wielder -2 on DR in melee (and +1 on Presence whenever, because they truly do look fabulous). Rake across an opponent's skin and deal D4 damage: 1. lingering dread accompanied by weeping wounds 2. slow-onset giddiness that reduces both judgment and balance 3. sudden nosebleeds and insight into what exactly their parents' issues were 4. limb tremors that resemble very poor dancing"
October 15, 2025 at 7:24 PM
tfg.bsky.social
get yrself a big old rusty relic; it could come in handy

#mörktober
Yellow on orange background: distorted engraving of a classic anchor wreathed in rope. Text reads: "Anchor "The anchors of long-sunken boats are exposed as the waters of Lake Onda continue to shrink and congeal. They erupt from the muck coated with a phosphorescent rust which attracts both the honey moth and. where the waters are still deep enough, the griefglitter, that small darting fish that spawns up the far rapids of Tuonela. "Should you need to visit an afterlife, hauling one of these on your back is not the worst idea. "Intact: 125s Flakes of rust: 10s per handful
October 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
tfg.bsky.social
"not the bad kind of [X]" is a huge reason liberalism cannot address, let alone challenge and defeat, fascism. That eager willingness to share the oppressor's POV abandons all pretense of solidarity.
Bluesky post reads: "Nicole Adrienne @nicoleintrovert.bsky.social You are correct that cops will fight anyone, however, optics are a thing whether we like that or not. Black blocs are great, but they also feed into the "radical leftist" imagery this administration is foaming at the mouth for. Not giving it to them is somewhat satisfying. October 14, 2025 at 9:19 AM 1 quote 2 likes
October 14, 2025 at 1:37 PM
tfg.bsky.social
I know this dude excels at trolling but jfc, he got me here. Third novel from a major press & a tour he arranged according to his new hobby, but oh woe he is just so ~cynical about the industry & above any excitement.

Screw all those well-wishers, too; his dare they be positive in his direction.
Over the last couple of weeks, I've gotten to be in conversation with some wonderful writers for their book events. And as my own publication date approached, they asked me if I was excited. "Excited about what?" I asked. "I don't know! Pub day? Tour?" My students asked me this too, _Are you excited?_ What I ended up saying in response was something like, "I don't know that I am capable of feeling excitement about publishing anymore."
October 13, 2025 at 5:25 PM