Zabé Ellor
@zrellor.bsky.social
SFF author / lit agent / latest: NO BETTER THAN BEASTS / opinions mine
Okay, so the Mystery Box technique (coined by J. J. Abrams, I believe) is one where you catch the interest of an audience by introducing a mystery that promises a compelling twist to come. The mystery hints at a larger, more high-stakes story beyond the one presented to the audience at face value.
This whole thing has given me a lot of thoughts on Mystery Box Storytelling and how it succeeds or fails…
November 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Okay, so the Mystery Box technique (coined by J. J. Abrams, I believe) is one where you catch the interest of an audience by introducing a mystery that promises a compelling twist to come. The mystery hints at a larger, more high-stakes story beyond the one presented to the audience at face value.
This is a very good episode about the depressing shortness of most authors’ careers. I might talk a bit more about how this feels if people are interested
good GOD it's been a long time 🫠
No promises on the quality of this episode! We're rusty as anything. Huge thanks to "Drake Scottford" for being our special guest this episode!
S2 e45 is live!
publishingrodeo.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/s...
No promises on the quality of this episode! We're rusty as anything. Huge thanks to "Drake Scottford" for being our special guest this episode!
S2 e45 is live!
publishingrodeo.wordpress.com/2025/10/26/s...
November 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
This is a very good episode about the depressing shortness of most authors’ careers. I might talk a bit more about how this feels if people are interested
I was at Cornell in 2014 and absolutely none of this fucking happened.
This is an absolutely incredible thing to say. As someone in Ivy-ish (Duke) classrooms from 2016-2022… I call bull.
Or she was saying offensive shit.
Or she was saying offensive shit.
October 31, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I was at Cornell in 2014 and absolutely none of this fucking happened.
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
hey so for once there's an actual happy update to something
our local ice cream guy came home and he's getting a green card
our local ice cream guy came home and he's getting a green card
October 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
hey so for once there's an actual happy update to something
our local ice cream guy came home and he's getting a green card
our local ice cream guy came home and he's getting a green card
Paperbacks of BEASTS!
One day, I hope I’ll be able to speak more openly about my experiences publishing this book about queer teens in unaccepting communities, the ravages of capitalism, and the cycles of abuse and trauma. For now, I’ll say this is a good and important book that I’m very proud of.
One day, I hope I’ll be able to speak more openly about my experiences publishing this book about queer teens in unaccepting communities, the ravages of capitalism, and the cycles of abuse and trauma. For now, I’ll say this is a good and important book that I’m very proud of.
October 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Paperbacks of BEASTS!
One day, I hope I’ll be able to speak more openly about my experiences publishing this book about queer teens in unaccepting communities, the ravages of capitalism, and the cycles of abuse and trauma. For now, I’ll say this is a good and important book that I’m very proud of.
One day, I hope I’ll be able to speak more openly about my experiences publishing this book about queer teens in unaccepting communities, the ravages of capitalism, and the cycles of abuse and trauma. For now, I’ll say this is a good and important book that I’m very proud of.
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
I saw a tragically AI-generated version of this poster, so I have recreated a 100% human-made version for all your protest sign needs.
October 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I saw a tragically AI-generated version of this poster, so I have recreated a 100% human-made version for all your protest sign needs.
It really does bother me that my most well-known book is in this style. It’s not something I would have written (at least, not in the same way) if it had not been for this pressure.
As a young writer in that era, I recall the pressure to publish DARK shit about your life as the price to recognition - ESPECIALLY if you were anything other than a straight white guy - was just overwhelming.
I never quite went there thank God, but I know so many who did. I feel awful for them.
I never quite went there thank God, but I know so many who did. I feel awful for them.
October 16, 2025 at 4:06 PM
It really does bother me that my most well-known book is in this style. It’s not something I would have written (at least, not in the same way) if it had not been for this pressure.
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
Nation’s Indigenous People Confirm They Don’t Need Special Holiday, Just Large Swaths Of Land Returned Immediately https://theonion.com/nation-s-indigenous-people-confirm-they-don-t-need-spec-1839033177/
October 13, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Nation’s Indigenous People Confirm They Don’t Need Special Holiday, Just Large Swaths Of Land Returned Immediately https://theonion.com/nation-s-indigenous-people-confirm-they-don-t-need-spec-1839033177/
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
ALSO. ALSO. Needing us to find Europeans who condemned him for his actions at the time--and there are many! So many! My God so many!--is also some white supremacist bullshit, because the TAINO PEOPLE HE WAS MURDERING CERTAINLY CONDEMNED HIM FOR IT AND THEY WERE HUMAN BEINGS OF HIS TIME TOO.
Christopher Columbus was dragged back to Spain in chains by a crusading knight, convicted of tyranny and immeasurable cruelty, pardoned by Isabella but banned from returning to Hispaniola.
Fuck Columbus.
Fuck Columbus.
October 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
ALSO. ALSO. Needing us to find Europeans who condemned him for his actions at the time--and there are many! So many! My God so many!--is also some white supremacist bullshit, because the TAINO PEOPLE HE WAS MURDERING CERTAINLY CONDEMNED HIM FOR IT AND THEY WERE HUMAN BEINGS OF HIS TIME TOO.
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!
October 13, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!
Trans literature has value because trans authors are human beings telling stories in their unique ways. It is profoundly frustrating to see trans authors are only valued when we write about transphobia or when we write hopeful trans stories intended to serve as an antidote to transphobia
October 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Trans literature has value because trans authors are human beings telling stories in their unique ways. It is profoundly frustrating to see trans authors are only valued when we write about transphobia or when we write hopeful trans stories intended to serve as an antidote to transphobia
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
We’re protesting outside the Broadview ICE facility and an agent came out to tell us to go away.
We said we’re exercising our First Amendment rights so he shot the ground with pepper balls and said, “Your First Amendment rights are on the sidewalk.”
We said we’re exercising our First Amendment rights so he shot the ground with pepper balls and said, “Your First Amendment rights are on the sidewalk.”
September 19, 2025 at 10:57 AM
We’re protesting outside the Broadview ICE facility and an agent came out to tell us to go away.
We said we’re exercising our First Amendment rights so he shot the ground with pepper balls and said, “Your First Amendment rights are on the sidewalk.”
We said we’re exercising our First Amendment rights so he shot the ground with pepper balls and said, “Your First Amendment rights are on the sidewalk.”
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
Becoming increasingly clear we’re gonna have to build a parallel infrastructure for all the media we really love. The reason all of this is happening under the color of law is hyperconsolidation, dissent being traded straight up for merger approval, or fear of harassment.
September 18, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Becoming increasingly clear we’re gonna have to build a parallel infrastructure for all the media we really love. The reason all of this is happening under the color of law is hyperconsolidation, dissent being traded straight up for merger approval, or fear of harassment.
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
It feels so fucking insane to be scolded about how leftists need to tone down our rhetoric while the world's richest man endorses this shit
Elon, fresh off attempting to incite race riots in England is now trying to incite pogroms against trans people.
September 14, 2025 at 2:20 PM
It feels so fucking insane to be scolded about how leftists need to tone down our rhetoric while the world's richest man endorses this shit
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
As trans people are under assault in this country — e.g., being falsely blamed for the Kirk murder — California is strengthening protections for them.
Two bills I’m authoring (SB 59 & 497) to protect trans people’s health & court record privacy passed the Legislature & are heading to the Governor.
Two bills I’m authoring (SB 59 & 497) to protect trans people’s health & court record privacy passed the Legislature & are heading to the Governor.
September 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
As trans people are under assault in this country — e.g., being falsely blamed for the Kirk murder — California is strengthening protections for them.
Two bills I’m authoring (SB 59 & 497) to protect trans people’s health & court record privacy passed the Legislature & are heading to the Governor.
Two bills I’m authoring (SB 59 & 497) to protect trans people’s health & court record privacy passed the Legislature & are heading to the Governor.
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
BREAKING: Federal judge in Los Angeles issues preliminary injunction against Department of Homeland Security to restrict use of force against press, legal observers and protesters.
Judge in LA Press Club v. Noem calls out "surprising savagery" of DHS officers:
"The First Amendment demands better."
Judge in LA Press Club v. Noem calls out "surprising savagery" of DHS officers:
"The First Amendment demands better."
September 11, 2025 at 12:27 AM
BREAKING: Federal judge in Los Angeles issues preliminary injunction against Department of Homeland Security to restrict use of force against press, legal observers and protesters.
Judge in LA Press Club v. Noem calls out "surprising savagery" of DHS officers:
"The First Amendment demands better."
Judge in LA Press Club v. Noem calls out "surprising savagery" of DHS officers:
"The First Amendment demands better."
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
Kirk didn't "engage" with others in "discourse" in any meaningful sense, and certainly not in a sense any of us should emulate. His every interaction was in bad faith. He viewed none of his interlocutors as moral equals in an exchange of ideas, but as mere means to advance is propagandistic ends.
The best way to honor Charlie's memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse. In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate — never through violence.
September 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Kirk didn't "engage" with others in "discourse" in any meaningful sense, and certainly not in a sense any of us should emulate. His every interaction was in bad faith. He viewed none of his interlocutors as moral equals in an exchange of ideas, but as mere means to advance is propagandistic ends.
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
Mini marsupial bounces back from the brink!
Once listed as Endangered, the crest-tailed mulgara expanded its range by more than 48,000 km² between 2015 and 2021, lifting its status to Least Concern. Biocontrol contributed to the heartwarming bounce-back.
https://f.mtr.cool/afllseseeb
Once listed as Endangered, the crest-tailed mulgara expanded its range by more than 48,000 km² between 2015 and 2021, lifting its status to Least Concern. Biocontrol contributed to the heartwarming bounce-back.
https://f.mtr.cool/afllseseeb
September 10, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Mini marsupial bounces back from the brink!
Once listed as Endangered, the crest-tailed mulgara expanded its range by more than 48,000 km² between 2015 and 2021, lifting its status to Least Concern. Biocontrol contributed to the heartwarming bounce-back.
https://f.mtr.cool/afllseseeb
Once listed as Endangered, the crest-tailed mulgara expanded its range by more than 48,000 km² between 2015 and 2021, lifting its status to Least Concern. Biocontrol contributed to the heartwarming bounce-back.
https://f.mtr.cool/afllseseeb
And they wonder why fewer people are going to the movies:
What we're seeing is further evidence of the modern trend of paying lip service to diversity and inclusion because it looks good while personal actions reveal that it's actually all just about self-interest.
variety.com/2025/digital...
variety.com/2025/digital...
Audible’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series Expands Cast With Keira Knightley, Kit Harington, James McAvoy, Simon Pegg and More
Audible announced additional casting for its 'Harry Potter' audiobook series, including Keira Knightley, Kit Harington, James McAvoy and Simon Pegg.
variety.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
And they wonder why fewer people are going to the movies:
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
All these people are rich beyond imagining. There's no reason to take this gig beyond making it clear they don't give a fuck about trans people.
The buried lede here is Matt Berry
Audible’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series Expands Cast With Keira Knightley, Kit Harington, James McAvoy, Simon Pegg and More
Audible announced additional casting for its 'Harry Potter' audiobook series, including Keira Knightley, Kit Harington, James McAvoy and Simon Pegg.
variety.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:35 PM
All these people are rich beyond imagining. There's no reason to take this gig beyond making it clear they don't give a fuck about trans people.
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
What we're seeing is further evidence of the modern trend of paying lip service to diversity and inclusion because it looks good while personal actions reveal that it's actually all just about self-interest.
variety.com/2025/digital...
variety.com/2025/digital...
Audible’s ‘Harry Potter’ Series Expands Cast With Keira Knightley, Kit Harington, James McAvoy, Simon Pegg and More
Audible announced additional casting for its 'Harry Potter' audiobook series, including Keira Knightley, Kit Harington, James McAvoy and Simon Pegg.
variety.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
What we're seeing is further evidence of the modern trend of paying lip service to diversity and inclusion because it looks good while personal actions reveal that it's actually all just about self-interest.
variety.com/2025/digital...
variety.com/2025/digital...
Reposted by Zabé Ellor
SCOTUS: considering race as one factor in a college applicant's file is blatantly unconstitutional
ALSO SCOTUS: considering race as one factor in targeting whom to detain and deport is cool cool cool
ALSO SCOTUS: considering race as one factor in targeting whom to detain and deport is cool cool cool
September 8, 2025 at 4:43 PM
SCOTUS: considering race as one factor in a college applicant's file is blatantly unconstitutional
ALSO SCOTUS: considering race as one factor in targeting whom to detain and deport is cool cool cool
ALSO SCOTUS: considering race as one factor in targeting whom to detain and deport is cool cool cool