Tom Jolly
@tomjolly.bsky.social
Writer, game designer, puzzle designer, quaffer of ales.
Good news; I had a story make it to a magazine’s second reading round.
Bad news; they won’t make a final decision for over a year from now.
It’s a writer’s life for me!
Bad news; they won’t make a final decision for over a year from now.
It’s a writer’s life for me!
September 14, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Good news; I had a story make it to a magazine’s second reading round.
Bad news; they won’t make a final decision for over a year from now.
It’s a writer’s life for me!
Bad news; they won’t make a final decision for over a year from now.
It’s a writer’s life for me!
Is Army of the Dead’s plot basically the same as Kelly’s Heroes? But substituting zombies for nazis? Going behind enemy lines to steal an unprotected pile of money?
August 30, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Is Army of the Dead’s plot basically the same as Kelly’s Heroes? But substituting zombies for nazis? Going behind enemy lines to steal an unprotected pile of money?
My short story “The Hanged Man” was selected for Amazing Stories Best-Of collection for 2024. Find out what happens when gravity reverses! books2read.com/u/bax1rx
Available now at your favorite digital store!
Amazing Stories Best of 2024 by Amazing Stories
books2read.com
May 12, 2025 at 7:06 PM
My short story “The Hanged Man” was selected for Amazing Stories Best-Of collection for 2024. Find out what happens when gravity reverses! books2read.com/u/bax1rx
I find it irritating when the cops ask a suspect on TV, “where were you two weeks ago at 12pm?” And they always know. Who remembers crap like that? I’m lucky if I know what day of the week it is the day they ask me the question.
April 1, 2025 at 2:06 AM
I find it irritating when the cops ask a suspect on TV, “where were you two weeks ago at 12pm?” And they always know. Who remembers crap like that? I’m lucky if I know what day of the week it is the day they ask me the question.
I’ve been reading Scalzi’s latest, “When the Moon Hits Your Eye,” in which the Moon actually turns into cheese. It’s fun. But I was slightly disappointed with the line “To cheese or not to cheese,” which, IMHO, should have been “To brie or not to brie.”
March 28, 2025 at 4:51 AM
I’ve been reading Scalzi’s latest, “When the Moon Hits Your Eye,” in which the Moon actually turns into cheese. It’s fun. But I was slightly disappointed with the line “To cheese or not to cheese,” which, IMHO, should have been “To brie or not to brie.”
Taxes are just another excuse to not write. I hate taxes.
Eating and sleeping are also excuses to not write.
So many excuses.
Eating and sleeping are also excuses to not write.
So many excuses.
January 21, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Taxes are just another excuse to not write. I hate taxes.
Eating and sleeping are also excuses to not write.
So many excuses.
Eating and sleeping are also excuses to not write.
So many excuses.
If you’re not done Christmas shopping, might I suggest some SF or fantasy to entertain your friends? For example, “An Unusual Practice,” or “Ayo” or “Dam the Asteroids, Full Speed Ahead.” (from Amazon); www.amazon.com/Unusual-Prac...
An Unusual Practice
Amazon.com: An Unusual Practice eBook : Jolly, Tom: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
December 17, 2024 at 5:15 AM
If you’re not done Christmas shopping, might I suggest some SF or fantasy to entertain your friends? For example, “An Unusual Practice,” or “Ayo” or “Dam the Asteroids, Full Speed Ahead.” (from Amazon); www.amazon.com/Unusual-Prac...
I’m sending out Christmas cards. Is it weird that I use Star Wars droid stamps for some friends, D&D stamps for certain others, and Christmas stamps for my friends who think the other two groups are going to hell?
December 17, 2024 at 5:04 AM
I’m sending out Christmas cards. Is it weird that I use Star Wars droid stamps for some friends, D&D stamps for certain others, and Christmas stamps for my friends who think the other two groups are going to hell?
Tree is up. Time to hit the Christmas and Holiday card mill. Oh, and the dreaded Christmas Letter. “Not dead yet, but if you don’t get a card next year, you might check our house in case the dog is feasting on our bodies.”
December 4, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Tree is up. Time to hit the Christmas and Holiday card mill. Oh, and the dreaded Christmas Letter. “Not dead yet, but if you don’t get a card next year, you might check our house in case the dog is feasting on our bodies.”
When I was young (1970’s), my wife and I were writing love letters. Back when writing letters was a thing. When cursive was an option. I came across a bundle of old letters a few days ago and took awhile to refresh some fond memories.
Now, letters are ephemeral, lost with each phone upgrade.
Now, letters are ephemeral, lost with each phone upgrade.
December 2, 2024 at 3:47 AM
When I was young (1970’s), my wife and I were writing love letters. Back when writing letters was a thing. When cursive was an option. I came across a bundle of old letters a few days ago and took awhile to refresh some fond memories.
Now, letters are ephemeral, lost with each phone upgrade.
Now, letters are ephemeral, lost with each phone upgrade.
It’s a nice night for light rain, a hot chocolate, and writing game rules.
November 26, 2024 at 3:53 AM
It’s a nice night for light rain, a hot chocolate, and writing game rules.
Pulp Literature posted a preview of my short story, “A Fair Exchange,” which you can sample here: pulpliterature.com/a-fair-excha...
It’s fairly light fantasy. If you like the style, you might try out “The High Witch of Westham,” a collection of short fantasy stories available on Amazon.
It’s fairly light fantasy. If you like the style, you might try out “The High Witch of Westham,” a collection of short fantasy stories available on Amazon.
‘A Fair Exchange’ by Tom Jolly - PULP Literature
Omens and Ravens In 'A Fair Exchange' by Tom Jolly, unforeseen riches pose the usual problems. Glimpse the first of fair exchanges with this excerpt from Issue 44, Autumn 2024. A Fair Exchange by Tom ...
pulpliterature.com
November 23, 2024 at 7:52 PM
Pulp Literature posted a preview of my short story, “A Fair Exchange,” which you can sample here: pulpliterature.com/a-fair-excha...
It’s fairly light fantasy. If you like the style, you might try out “The High Witch of Westham,” a collection of short fantasy stories available on Amazon.
It’s fairly light fantasy. If you like the style, you might try out “The High Witch of Westham,” a collection of short fantasy stories available on Amazon.
I haven’t figured out yet how to filter out “follows”. If a person has zero posts, what’s the likelihood that they are real?
November 20, 2024 at 11:41 PM
I haven’t figured out yet how to filter out “follows”. If a person has zero posts, what’s the likelihood that they are real?
I finished reading Salmon of Doubt yesterday, which contains a partial novel in the Dirk Gently series. I kind of wish there was some fanfic out there that finished the novel.
November 20, 2024 at 12:17 AM
I finished reading Salmon of Doubt yesterday, which contains a partial novel in the Dirk Gently series. I kind of wish there was some fanfic out there that finished the novel.
Spent the last couple of days inside, listening to the rain, reading and wasting time on the 3n+1 number theory problem. I don’t know why I enjoy nigh-impossible unsolved number theory problems so much. I don’t really expect to solve any of them.
November 19, 2024 at 4:15 AM
Spent the last couple of days inside, listening to the rain, reading and wasting time on the 3n+1 number theory problem. I don’t know why I enjoy nigh-impossible unsolved number theory problems so much. I don’t really expect to solve any of them.
My latest story, “A Fair Exchange,” is out in Pulp Literature! Why would a raven trade gold nuggets for peanuts?
Many other great stories here: pulpliterature.com/back-issues-...
Many other great stories here: pulpliterature.com/back-issues-...
Issue 44, Autumn 2024 - PULP Literature
ORDER YOUR COPY HERE In This Issue ... Ceren of the Surf, one of cover artist Bronwyn Schuster’s Knights of the Drowned Table, guards the watery portal to our autumn offerings. But more than water flo...
pulpliterature.com
October 31, 2024 at 8:05 PM
My latest story, “A Fair Exchange,” is out in Pulp Literature! Why would a raven trade gold nuggets for peanuts?
Many other great stories here: pulpliterature.com/back-issues-...
Many other great stories here: pulpliterature.com/back-issues-...
"The Tree and the Wind," my fantasy story originally printed in MYTHIC magazine, got an audio treatment in The Wandering Tavern podcast, narrated by William Walker. Nicely done! Find it here: www.thewanderingtavern.com
The Wandering Tavern Podcast
The Wandering Tavern is an immersive high fantasty themed storytelling podcast. Bi-Weekly release schedule featuring stories from authors around the world.
www.thewanderingtavern.com
July 25, 2024 at 1:46 AM
"The Tree and the Wind," my fantasy story originally printed in MYTHIC magazine, got an audio treatment in The Wandering Tavern podcast, narrated by William Walker. Nicely done! Find it here: www.thewanderingtavern.com
More news for today; Stupefying Stories #23 is now available for free for Kindle Unlimited users. My horror-lite story, "The Worm's Eye," is available there for your reading pleasure. Worms, you gotta hate 'em.
www.amazon.com/Stupefying-S...
www.amazon.com/Stupefying-S...
Amazon.com: Stupefying Stories 23 (Stupefying Stories Magazine) eBook : Bethke, Bruce, Stadt, Kevin, Frost, Julie, Lackey, Jamie, Faust, Terry, French, Helen, Dandenell, Karl, Pattinson, Gary, Jolly, ...
Amazon.com: Stupefying Stories 23 (Stupefying Stories Magazine) eBook : Bethke, Bruce, Stadt, Kevin, Frost, Julie, Lackey, Jamie, Faust, Terry, French, Helen, Dandenell, Karl, Pattinson, Gary, Jolly, ...
www.amazon.com
June 18, 2024 at 10:00 PM
More news for today; Stupefying Stories #23 is now available for free for Kindle Unlimited users. My horror-lite story, "The Worm's Eye," is available there for your reading pleasure. Worms, you gotta hate 'em.
www.amazon.com/Stupefying-S...
www.amazon.com/Stupefying-S...
After five years of development, my book "Ayo" is finally out (in ebook and paper). Follow the adventures of the first Kenyan teleporter, Ayo, as he combats drug dealers, murderous relatives, and troublesome police. And somehow, he still manages to fall in love. www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6M83C8B
Amazon.com: Ayo eBook : Jolly, Tom: Kindle Store
Ayo - Kindle edition by Jolly, Tom. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Ayo.
www.amazon.com
June 18, 2024 at 9:53 PM
After five years of development, my book "Ayo" is finally out (in ebook and paper). Follow the adventures of the first Kenyan teleporter, Ayo, as he combats drug dealers, murderous relatives, and troublesome police. And somehow, he still manages to fall in love. www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6M83C8B
The paper version finally came out! Tales of Mystery: The Gravity of Death, on Amazon.
May 16, 2024 at 2:15 AM
The paper version finally came out! Tales of Mystery: The Gravity of Death, on Amazon.
Christmas shopping? www.amazon.com/High-Witch-W...
December 9, 2023 at 9:18 PM
Christmas shopping? www.amazon.com/High-Witch-W...
An unconventional Thanksgiving;
Ham steak,
Sauteed onions and Brussel sprouts,
Mashed sweet potatoes,
Biscuits,
Cooked cranberries,
Pumpkin pie,
Pinot noir,
More pinot noir,
Egg nog,
More pinot noir.
I don’t remember what the food tasted like. But it was good. Time for a nap.
Ham steak,
Sauteed onions and Brussel sprouts,
Mashed sweet potatoes,
Biscuits,
Cooked cranberries,
Pumpkin pie,
Pinot noir,
More pinot noir,
Egg nog,
More pinot noir.
I don’t remember what the food tasted like. But it was good. Time for a nap.
November 24, 2023 at 12:07 AM
An unconventional Thanksgiving;
Ham steak,
Sauteed onions and Brussel sprouts,
Mashed sweet potatoes,
Biscuits,
Cooked cranberries,
Pumpkin pie,
Pinot noir,
More pinot noir,
Egg nog,
More pinot noir.
I don’t remember what the food tasted like. But it was good. Time for a nap.
Ham steak,
Sauteed onions and Brussel sprouts,
Mashed sweet potatoes,
Biscuits,
Cooked cranberries,
Pumpkin pie,
Pinot noir,
More pinot noir,
Egg nog,
More pinot noir.
I don’t remember what the food tasted like. But it was good. Time for a nap.
My short story "The Disease Collector" came out this month (Nov/Dec 2023) in Analog SF (@Analogsf.bsky.social). I don't normally write time-travel stories, but if I did, they might look like this one.
October 21, 2023 at 6:55 PM
My short story "The Disease Collector" came out this month (Nov/Dec 2023) in Analog SF (@Analogsf.bsky.social). I don't normally write time-travel stories, but if I did, they might look like this one.
Orange peel fungus, I think.
October 21, 2023 at 12:15 AM
Orange peel fungus, I think.
This is the season to photograph mushrooms in the PNW.
October 18, 2023 at 12:32 AM
This is the season to photograph mushrooms in the PNW.