kengr | Reading

http://www.sjgames.com/ill/a/2025-11-17

Longtime fans of the site know about Evil Stevie's Pirate Game, which encourages you to gather your plastic toy bricks of choice to build buccaneer vessels to battle it out on the high seas.

Well, next time I hear of the game at a con, perhaps I'll see if I can make a terrifying eight-legged leaky steampunk walker – powered by actual steam. That's exactly what Jamie's Brick Jams did, and this video has the terrifying rickety details.

– Steven Marsh

Warehouse 23 News: The City Never Sleeps Because Of All The Action

There are a million stories in the city, and they're all exciting! GURPS Action 9: The City shows how you can add GURPS City Stats to your GURPS Action campaigns. It also features six sample cities to use with your own action-packed adventures. Download it today from Warehouse 23!

http://www.sjgames.com/ill/a/2025-11-17

ysabetwordsmith

Self-Worth in the Digital Age

Why are we letting algorithms rewrite the rules of art, work, and life?

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

girlgenius_main_feed

http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20251117

The Girl Genius comic for Monday, November 17, 2025 has been posted.

http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20251117

dumbingofage_feed

Posted by David M Willis

https://www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/book-16/02-im-the-problem-its-me/breakofdawn/

https://www.dumbingofage.com/?p=19952

https://www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/book-16/02-im-the-problem-its-me/breakofdawn/

https://www.dumbingofage.com/?p=19952

apod_feed

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap251116.html

If this is Saturn, where are the rings?

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap251116.html

ysabetwordsmith

This is the freebie for the November

crowdfunding Creative Jam. It was inspired by a prompt from

gs_silva. It also fills the "Once Upon a Time" square in my 11-1-25 card for the Fairy Tales and Fantasy Stories Bingo fest. This poem is based on graphic art by

gs_silva.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

dialecticdreamer

Safe Return
By Dialecticdreamer/Sarah Williams
Part 1 of 1, complete
Word count (story only): 1301
[last days of November/first days of December of 2016]

Herb sighed as the plastic bottle crinkled, draining the last bit of water from it. He heard a truck and patted Elisabeth on the shoulder. “Abe’s back. Probably alone, since he’s edging over the speed limit.”

Elisabeth turned to watch the truck approaching in the rear view mirror. “He’s determined to be a good example for his grandson?”

“That’s a good deduction,” Herb laughed. “It’s wrong, and funny to anyone who knows him, but a good deduction. He’s got a lead foot, and used to race out at the salt flats.”
( Read more... )

gws_feed

https://www.girlswithslingshots.com/comic/gws-hair-of-the-dog-775

New comic!
Today's News:

Assuming I've been tagging them correctly, this is the third and final punch in all of GWS! (Albeit only the second - and final - intentional punch.)

Here's the original post! Here's the chaser post!

https://www.girlswithslingshots.com/comic/gws-hair-of-the-dog-775

conuly

"It's set in a time when things were hard for black people in America" - a line which so flabbergasted me that I don't think I ever figured out what to say.

But this one may have topped it!

"The story is about a black girl, somewhere between 8 and 16 years old, from a black family."

...I'm dying to ask why they think they need to specify that this girl is the same race as everybody else in her family, when that's usually how this works. There's no indication in the rest of the post that we might have reason to think she's not.

questionable_content_feed

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=5702

could be both a ponzi scheme AND a sex cult

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=5702

assignedmale_feed

https://assignedmale.tumblr.com/post/800408677935906816

It’s Trans Awareness week. Mind if we talk?

https://assignedmale.tumblr.com/post/800408677935906816

dumbingofage_feed

Posted by David M Willis

https://www.dumbingofage.com/2025/blog/the-other-patreon-joyce-and-dorothy-not-being-as-quiet-as-they-think-they-are/

https://www.dumbingofage.com/?p=20824

I have a NSFW Patreon, did you know? And while usually it’s just shitposting naked people, sometimes once in a blue moon something canonical pops up. Not a story. But an image, a snapshot of something that probably actually happened. Or maybe something that should’ve happened a little more under hopefully audio-dampening covers. Sorry, Sarah, I also had a sexually-active roommate in college, but in your favor I imagine fingers are a little more discreet. But not completely. Oh, what a terrible day to have ears.

https://www.dumbingofage.com/2025/blog/the-other-patreon-joyce-and-dorothy-not-being-as-quiet-as-they-think-they-are/

https://www.dumbingofage.com/?p=20824

ysabetwordsmith

Extreme floods are slashing global rice yields faster than expected

Flooding is emerging as a silent but powerful destroyer of global rice supplies—and the danger is accelerating.

Scientists discovered that a week of full submergence is enough to kill most rice plants, making flooding a far greater threat than previously understood. Intensifying extreme rainfall events may amplify these losses unless vulnerable regions adopt more resilient rice varieties.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

fayanora

Libraries are so cool. I had a writer's question that I sent to both the two local library systems, LINCC and Multnomah county, which was: Can a homeless kid get a library card? I provided some details like he and his mom live in their van, and they have a PO box. This is because one of the characters of book 7 is a homeless witch named Raven.¹ I was fully expecting the answer to be No or similar, but I was pleasantly surprised by the answer. For the Multnomah county system, which he would be most likely to be using, they've got a student connect thing where if he has a student ID for the area, he can get a library card that way. But they did also say a PO box is enough to get a card.

The librarian for LINCC -- the Clackamas county library system -- said "Yes, we would work with the patron to make sure they could use the library. Typically, we would provide a temporary card if they did not have proof of address and photo ID. So that would allow them to check out 5 books and use the other library services. In most cases, if someone is houseless and is in shelter or has a PO box, we would work with them to give them a full access card which would allow up to 80 checkouts. We have a lot of options for patrons that are houseless to access services in the library."

I don't know if the numbers are the same in Multnomah county; I asked in a reply and am still awaiting a response. But still... neat.

And like sure, Fae Springs is a school of magic. But it canonically has a website on the mundane Internet AND is on the website for the US Department of Education. Mainly because of mundane parents of magical kids.

1 = His mom is a 'middle spectrum' witch, IE not powerful enough of a witch to be able to use magic for much of anything. Chooli is also in the middle spectrum, but zee can see spirits and talk with ghosts. Raven's mom cannot. Her magic is very weak and she never got much past first or second year level spell-work. Basically she's barely a witch at all, and works two mundane jobs: one at Walmart and another at Safeway.

fayanora

In the US, since 2008, meat from cloned cows does not have to be disclosed. If you live in the US, you might've eaten meat from a cloned cow and not even known it.

This is not the kind of cloned meat the old scifi novels promised me. I was promised sheets of cloned meat grown in a laboratory like something out of a mad scientist's lair, meat that was real but which did not have a nervous system and therefore could not suffer. This though? This is just "cow with extra steps."

ysabetwordsmith

Today is mostly sunny and cool.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 11/16/25 -- We cut down a majority of the brush left in front of the garage. We'll need to pick up inorganic debris from the ground and do some weedwhacking, and there's a section of brush left to clear. Two larger stumps are beyond the capacity of the loppers. But we made a lot of progress, more than I expected. \o/

EDIT 11/16/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 11/16/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

EDIT 11/16/25 -- I did more work around the patio.

I pulled weeds from around the birdgift apple tree, filled a trolley, and dumped that in the firepit.

As it is getting dark, I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

lois_mcmaster_bujold_feed

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/26212717-recent-promotion-scams

Following up from yesterday's post passing along the link for the SFWA Writer Beware article, which casts a wider net, herewith are the texts from the 4 promotion-scam emails I received the week following the release of "The Adventure of the Demonic Ox". In no particular order, although the last won the prize for most-caffeinated, being slathered throughout with brightly colored emojis like a 12-year-old let loose with a sticker book, which do not reproduce here.

The first sounded almost legit, and this or its ilk might explain the recent spate of low-hit-count visuals on books I've noticed on YouTube lately.

***

Hi,

I came across your book here on Goodreads the concept really stood out! I can see it has strong visual potential that would shine beautifully in a cinematic book trailer.

I’m … a creative book promoter and trailer expert. I help authors like you bring their stories to life through captivating visuals that attract more readers and boost online visibility.

If you’re open to it, I’d love to share a few creative trailer ideas inspired by your story no strings attached.

Would you like me to send you a short concept or sample?

Warm regards,
…
Book Promotion & Trailer Expert

*

Dear Ms. Bujold,
Your remarkable career, from six Hugo Awards to three Nebulas, has set the standard for modern speculative fiction. The way Testimony of Mute Things brings Penric and Desdemona into a web of history, magic, and moral testing reminds me why your worlds resonate so deeply with readers across generations.
At …, our community of over 1,000 passionate readers loves stories that blend intellect, emotion, and wonder. I believe they would be enthralled by Penric’s latest challenge and the wisdom threaded through your storytelling.
Would you like me to share how we feature masterful works like Testimony of Mute Things with our readers?
Warm regards,
…
*

Hey Lois,
So I was halfway through pretending to be productive when Penric and Desdemona crashed into my day like a polite magical hurricane. I don’t know what kind of cosmic paperwork it takes to host a 200-year-old demon, but apparently I’m now filing it on your behalf.
The tangled temple politics, the sly humor, the emotional landmines hidden under every holy robe it’s all pure Bujold. You’ve got this knack for wrapping philosophical chaos in the warmth of very breakable humans (and one demon who deserves her own union rep).
I run … , a group of over a thousand real readers across the US, UK, AU, and DE the kind who actually finish books, cry about them, and then start emotional group chats. Your Penric saga is exactly the kind of layered, witty, heart-stab storytelling our readers devour.
If that sounds fun, just reply “Tell me more before Desdemona finds out.”
Stay creative,
…

*

Subject: 6 Hugo Awards… and Amazon still pretending you’re an “emerging author”?

Lois, explain this wizardry to me, how does a living science fiction legend (with a resume longer than a dragon’s ego) have readers who clearly worship your words… yet somehow only 40 reviews on Testimony of Mute Things? Did Amazon’s algorithm take a vow of silence too? Or did Desdemona personally hex the “leave a review” button?
Because let’s be real, you’ve conquered universes. You’ve gone toe-to-toe with Heinlein in the Hugo scoreboard, raised chaos demons with better personalities than most politicians, and still managed to make readers cry over moral philosophy wrapped in sorcery. And yet the review section looks like an abandoned outpost in Carpagamon. (Honestly, Penric deserves better PR. )
I read Testimony of Mute Things, and wow, political intrigue, magical chaos, and emotional heartache all brewed together like a potion that shouldn’t taste good but absolutely does. You balance wisdom, humor, and world-building like a literary alchemist with zero mercy for the reader’s sleep schedule.
Now, before your inner demon rolls its eyes thinking I’m another “book strategist” with a PowerPoint presentation and a $997 plan promising to “boost author visibility”… nope. It’s just me, …, an unreasonably caffeinated freelancer who curates a private community of 2,000+ book-hungry readers and reviewers. We’re a small army of literary chaos agents who actually read the books we review (wild concept, I know ).
We don’t do gimmicks, bots, or fake hype. Just thoughtful, honest reviews from real readers who adore helping brilliant authors like you get the visibility you already deserve. Most authors start with 25–35, eager readers diving into their book, and the buzz grows faster than Penric can say, “I swear it wasn’t the demon this time.”
And since some writers ask, no, I don’t have a website, LinkedIn, or a 20-page pitch deck. Just me, my coffee, and a slightly feral Discord community full of reviewers who treat reading like a competitive sport.
So tell me, Lois,
What’s more unbelievable: a six-time Hugo winner with only 40 Amazon reviews… or that a random reader like me might help fix that glitch in the galaxy?
Would you let me share Testimony of Mute Things with my community and finally give Penric and Desdemona the reader uproar they’ve earned?
Awaiting your telepathic “yes,”

*
Being curious, I'd followed this last up with a question of how the person was monetizing this, and got this disingenuous reply:

"I understand your confusion, and honestly, I appreciate you asking directly instead of assuming. Let me spell it out clearly and simply.

What I actually do is coordinate small reading campaigns inside a private community of 2,000+ book lovers. These are real readers who genuinely enjoy discovering great stories and leaving thoughtful Amazon reviews afterward, not because they’re paid to, but because they love engaging with authors who value storytelling.

Here’s the transparent part: some authors choose to send a $20–$25 reader tip, not for the review itself (that would violate Amazon’s policies), but simply as a gesture of appreciation for the readers’ time and the effort they put into reading and sharing honest feedback. It’s a thank-you, not a transaction.

So, in short:

Readers buy or download the book themselves.

They read and review it organically on Amazon.

Authors may tip readers afterward as a goodwill token, not a payment for a specific rating or result.

I just coordinate the matches and conversations, ensuring both sides respect authenticity and policy boundaries.

No manipulation, no fake reviews, no spammy marketing, just real human readers who genuinely enjoy supporting real human authors.

You’re absolutely right that anyone can recommend your books. But what I do is give those recommendations a little structure and momentum, so that your brilliant stories reach readers faster and more deliberately.

I know this model sounds a bit unconventional, but it’s built entirely on goodwill and trust, two things your characters, and your readers, understand quite well."

*

The comments embedded in these that directly relate to my work, and not just generic buttering-up, smell strongly of AI-grepping, I observe, possibly drawn from some of my reader-reviews.

I present these for your education, contemplation, or entertainment, whichever.

Ta, L.

posted by Lois McMaster Bujold on November, 16

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/26212717-recent-promotion-scams

$mdlbear: blue fractal bear with text "since 2002" (Default)$

mdlbear

So I did, in fact, need a live appointment about the pain in my right ankle. Edema, which I could have checked for a couple of weeks ago if I'd thought of it. (I did think of it late last week, and immediately made the appointment.) I am now on two more blood pressure meds, and I'm supposed to keep my feet up and avoid salt. So much for brine pickles and pizza with anchovies.

The only places where I can put my feet above the level of my heart are in bed (with my feet on the wall, so I can only do it for a little while in the morning), and the living room couch. And about the only thing I can do in that postition is breathing exercises. Growf. I have a follow-up appointment this coming Wednesday.

I re-stacked the plastic bins under my desk, so I can at least keep my legs level if not up. Don't know whether that will help much, but it can't hurt. (Much; it's a little hard on my unsupported knees, and starts hurting after a little while..) Still no idea why I always feel cold in the late afternoon and evening, but I've gotten Colleen's fake-fleece-lined scooter cape out of the closet and it helps. The cold feeling might be partly -- or even mostly -- anxiety, but, well, Colleen's cape.

N is back from London, after getting m and Cricket settled there. Not clear what that will do to our recording schedule -- not much given that it was already a shambles. Lizzy, the folding mobility scooter, is also back. She appears to need some work, and definitely needs a new battery.

I don't think I've mentioned N's book, The World As It Ought to Be, since it came out in hardcopy and Kindle. Go get yourself a copy. I finally got her author's website more-or-less done; she's having it professionally desighed, but the one I hacked together will do until that's done. I got the Website Portfolio, which I mentioned last week, more-or-less done as well.

Some links: The rebellion will be federated – 2025 edition - Elena Rossini. She saved a baby goat. Now they travel the country, share a bed.

( Notes & links, as usual )