John Scalzi
Bestselling science fiction author (Old Man’s War; The Kaiju Preservation Society) who frequently posts about the writing life, publishing, and culture—with engaged discussions in replies.
Entertainment Contracts Drag on, Leaving Writers Financially Vulnerable
I have experienced this with options/development and it is aggravating AF (although to be fair to Hollywood, it's not just them who do this, I've had publishing deals that have taken the better part of a year to get fully papered). The one "advantage" I have here is that my primary income is elsewhere, so I don't starve while the deal drags on, which is a luxury other some other writers dealing with film/TV don't have. But that doesn't mean it's not still a problem.
Spirit's Dismal Service Leaves Travelers Vowing Never to Return
I flew it once, while on book tour, because it was the only way to get out of Oakland for my next destination. It was cheap, uncomfortable and dispiriting, no pun initially intended, and I was glad not to have...
Turning a Dirt Plot Into Ohio’s Pollinator Oasis
This plot of dirt doesn't look like much, but we've seeded it with pollinating plants native to Ohio. If everything goes well (knock on dirt) this summer we'll have a locally-themed buffet for bees and butterflies, and over the years...
Promote Your Books in Crises: Offer Readers Joy
Never feel bad about promoting your books, even and especially in moments of crisis. One, the people creating the crisis want you demoralized and on your back foot. Deny them. Two, people caugh in crisis need their moments of joy...
A Decade to Financial Freedom Through Consistent Novels
2010 was the year I could live entirely off income from books, that income being advances and royalties. That was 10 years after my first book came out and 5 years after my first novel. Prior to that freelancing and...
He Loved Them so Much He Blurbed Multiple Times
And they are good (he said, having blurbed at least a couple because he enjoyed them that much)!
Curate Your Feed, Enjoy Social Media Beyond Algorithms
As a counterpoint, I've been having a grand time on social media since I left the former Twitter, still meet new and interesting people, and think you get out of the medium what you put into it - and have...
Second‑person Rabbit Narrator Proves Bold Storytelling Works
You know what, my upcoming book starts off in the second-person, from the point of view of a fucking rabbit, and it absolutely kills. I'm not in the slightest bit worried that readers won't read it. Write your stories how they...
Market Drops 10% After Bondi’s 50k Hype
The market has lost 10% of its value since Bondi yelled about it being at 50k, can we impeach all of them yet
NATO Reluctant to Join Iran Operation, Trump Claims
Dude, they weren't the ones who fucked around, why should they have to be the ones to find out https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/nato-countries-dont-want-get-involved-iran-operation-trump-says-2026-03-17/
Choose POV for Story, Not Sales Advantage
I'm genuinely flummoxed why 1st person vs 3rd person POV is suddenly a big issue. I've had books in both for my whole career, and there's no real sales advantage or disadvantage I can tell. The upcoming book starts off...
AI Ends My Participation in Book Clubs Forever
I get asked to show up to book clubs, online and offline. Here is why from now on the answer is always "no." If you think this might have something to do with "AI" ruining yet another thing for everyone,...