Steven D. Brewer 🏳️‍⚧️

Author of #LGBTQIA+ #ScienceFiction and #Fantasy #Books. Teacher of scientific writing. Lover of natural history. SFWA member. Faculty at UMass Amherst. Straw Dog Writers' Guild. #WesternMass #WesternMassachusetts (he/him)

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stevendbrewer_at_wandering.shop@mostr.pub

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relay.noswhere.com

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Last Notes

2024-09-30 21:01:30

As I've said several times, one thing that people don't seem to understand about climate change: the costs we all are having to pay (due to emergency management, infrastructure repair and upgrade, increase insurance rates) have been imposed upon us by the petroleum industry that privatized the profits for themselves. And the costs, in the long run, will vastly exceed the profits they reaped. While they sip champagne in their bunkers, we will be out here struggling for existence.

2024-09-18 14:13:35

#WritersCoffeeClub Do you believe the magic happens in the edit, or do you have a different approach?
Magic happens at every step. I didn't used to like editing, as I initially thought of it merely as correcting mistakes. But, over time, I came to recognize that editing gives you the opportunity to delve into subtle changes of wording & pacing that can enhance the drama, heighten the tension, or pack more emotion into a scene. I love editing as much as outlining and drafting now. I love it all.

2024-09-18 12:48:42

Someone has a chew, and all is right with the world. #DogsOfMastodon
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/113/158/631/602/187/731/original/c33bf3602bb2e412.jpg

2024-09-11 11:14:22

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@npub1d62…tshf Are you sure she's not a teatotaler?

2024-09-10 22:54:45

The streets were full of drunken soldiers celebrating the end of the war. Roughneck put his hand on Curtains' shoulder to steady & steer him.
"It was just a dalliance, sir," he said, as Curtains staggered to the hotel.
"Ah. But, no. She's a woman of quality. A lady. An Aspidelle."
"Are those wedding bells I hear, sir?"
After a pause, Curtains spoke again.
"I hate how when I get drunk, you use this exaggerated politeness with me, Roughneck."
"Maybe you shouldn't drink so much. Sir."
#tipsytales

2024-09-08 16:10:00

Children don't go to school and come home a different sex. What happens is they gain enough confidence to tell others what sex they were all along.

2024-09-08 16:10:00

Children don't go to school and come home a different sex. What happens is they gain enough confidence to tell others what sex they were all along.

2024-09-08 14:14:27

subita silent' inter la arbopintoj… falinta cikad' / a sudden silence among the treetops… fallen cicada #hajko #haiku #esperanto #SilentSunday
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/113/102/341/759/547/165/original/bc19b2b523660f98.jpg

2024-09-05 13:12:36

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@npub1psd…9sr7 "You will catch MAN-FLU!"

2024-09-02 11:42:41

#WritersCoffeeClub | #PennedPossibilities What is your favourite part of the writing process?
All of it. I even wrote a blog post about it: https://stevendbrewer.com/i-love-to-write/

2024-08-28 22:20:33

Come get the ball! I won't suddenly snatch it up! Trust me! #DogsOfMastodon
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/113/041/970/396/581/752/original/f07761512345bad2.jpg

2024-08-16 15:01:11

#PennedPossibilities Do you like the process of world-building?
I just wrote a post about using geomorphology and botany to enhance my ability to describe settings. I love worldbuilding — all of it. https://stevendbrewer.com/using-geomorphology-and-botany-for-settings-in-fiction/

2024-08-16 11:08:07

#WritersCoffeeClub In 500 characters, can you write a short story?
Sherrie fumed as she drove to the convenience store. She'd texted Walter that she needed them while he was still at work, but he'd refused to stop to get "those things." Then, as she was leaving, he'd had the nerve to say, "Pick me up some #beer, honey."
She grabbed the tampons, then walked to the cooler. They had a lot of the craft IPAs he preferred. She grabbed a six pack of cheap lager. "Beer is beer," she thought, savagely.

2024-08-14 22:56:14

I'm out in the tent for Straw Dog Writes with a glass of Drambuie. Now I just need to figure out what I want to write…

2024-08-13 16:42:35

murmuras fontan' sub bunta rubandaro… arbara ripoz' / a fountain murmurs beneath an array of colorful ribbons… forest repose #hajko #haiku #esperanto
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/955/704/831/952/511/original/bf89ae37faf09283.jpg

2024-08-11 11:10:33

#WordWeavers What makes your setting unique?
The Better Angels are set on the Truck Stop at the Center of the Galaxy, which is a shared-world setting created by authors at Water Dragon Publishing. It's been very interesting to read the different works that authors have created using the setting: it's like the intersection of multiverses that are largely incommensurate, but have this single common feature. It's a real pleasure to work with such a talented group of people! https://truckstop.waterdragonpublishing.com/

2024-08-09 11:50:54

Water Dragon Publishing, a small press in California, is holding a virtual Live Pitch Session at #Worldcon at 8pm BST (3pm Eastern). Yes, it's OK to come just to listen and learn!
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/931/902/315/905/907/original/b15b04d9798d02a7.png

2024-08-03 14:28:31

I really hate how the NYT normalizes Trump. Instead of saying, "Trump refuses to debate Harris on ABC News," they say, "Trump Proposes a Fox News Debate With Harris." That's like instead of saying, "Man tries to rob bank," they said, "Man requests withdrawal at bank." You have to read 12 paragraphs down before they even mention the scheduled ABC News debate. Sheesh!

2024-08-03 11:30:25

#WordWeavers Is there a genre you haven’t written yet but would like to try?
I don't really believe in genres. I just write what I want to write. Like "rural fantasy" or "steampunky romantasy" or "fluffy military space opera." Who knows what I'll come up with next?

2024-08-01 22:14:31

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@npub1u9s…4ks3 I'm glad I'm not the only one! I love re-reading my own work and was wondering if that made me weird. Well, maybe it does. But at least I'm not alone in being weird.

2024-07-29 02:51:20

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@npub1cxy…vryr Huh. The only thing I don't like about Amazon Music is Amazon.

2024-07-28 14:47:12

When Elon Musk says, "My son," he is asserting his ownership over them — even over the self-determination of their own identity. The right-wing mindset is that some people (namely, white men) should get to own other people (chiefly women, children, and people of color). We must never compromise on this principle and dedicate ourselves to stopping those who would.

2024-07-25 14:51:41

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@npub10d5…vvxa There's nothing like a powerful storm to make you feel small and human. I'm glad you weathered the storm.

2024-07-22 20:01:36

I have signed the contract with Water Dragon Publishing to publish *A Familiar Problem*! A young man desperately wants a strong magical familiar but, instead, is captured and made the familiar of a powerful demon that intends to train him up for something. But what?

2024-07-16 01:56:04

#PennedPossibilities Be honest. How messy is your writing space at the moment?
I just cleaned it up today. Honest!

2024-07-14 11:32:23

Last morning or #Readercon33 with my usual latte, but also a croissant this morning. We'll open the dealer room to 10am, then pack it all up at 3pm. Come buy all our books so we don't have to pack them up!
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/784/619/401/162/964/original/ab5b660def875c08.jpg

2024-07-08 19:25:06

This sounds like TERFs on parade. 😕 https://www.thebookseller.com/news/publishing-network-launches-for-those-concerned-about-the-impact-of-gender-ideology

2024-07-08 13:41:03

#WordWeavers Is there a person you’d love to show your writing to but are afraid to do it?
Not anymore. When I first started writing LGBTQIA+ stories, I had not yet come out to my mom or children. I published my first stories in Esperanto which they couldn't read. When my first story in English came out & had a bunch of queer characters, I was a little nervous about showing it to them. But, in the end, it was no problem. My father had dementia at that point, so I don't think he ever understood.

2024-07-07 14:44:28

A tiny, yellow, leafhopper nymph on my computer screen. In other news, who knew my computer screen was so dirty!
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/745/737/386/341/892/original/7117ca6eebb7ba82.jpg

2024-07-04 22:29:40

If anyone is at #BayCon2024, you can find my books at the Water Dragon Publishing table in the dealer room!
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/730/579/609/815/509/original/42dcd17315bd91f7.jpg

2024-06-29 15:18:17

Today, I've come to my old office in the Biology Department. Since I'll be teaching remote during my phased retirement, I agreed to vacate my office and am here to pack up. I practically haven't been here in four years. It's both nostalgic and weird. Very weird.
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/700/570/981/900/722/original/3886f47e9942a702.jpg

2024-06-29 14:25:20

#WritersCoffeeClub If Netflix were to make your WIP into a series, what would the soundtrack sound like?
It would sound like whatever the professional music director they hired thought it ought to sound like.

2024-06-29 14:25:20

2024-06-25 10:20:50

"Have you seen 'the Tick'?"
"What? Do you mean like the superhero?"
"Well, I don't know about superhero. Look. There."
"Omigod. It is a tick."
"Isn't he dreamy?"
"No. It's a tick."
"What? Are you prejudiced against ticks?"
"Well, yes."
"Why?"
"Ticks are parasites!"
"Now you're just being pejorative. What has a tick ever done to you?"
"Ticks have literally sucked my blood. Without consent."
"Oh, sure. Some ticks may have done that, but not all ticks."
"I don't care. I hate ticks."
"Tick hater."

2024-06-21 13:46:24

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@npub16uc…k62q Sssindy is the bessst!

2024-06-21 13:39:57

#WordWeavers What’s the most useless or humorous writing feedback you ever received?
My younger son provides commentary on my stories in the form of mockery which is often hysterically funny: "Better Angels: the one where they get a snake. I enjoyed this one very compelling kinda out there with the part with the snake, then the other part with the snake, then the part where David snaps a 13 y/o who claims to be over 200 y/o neck, then the part with the snake but yeah thumbs up from me"

2024-06-15 22:46:11

#WritersCoffeeClub Is your work child or teen-friendly?
Most of my writing is YA or teen friendly. It's probably not appropriate for children as there are several rather dark scenes (ultra violence, near sexual assault, borderline non-consensual sex) that would be too much for children. But I'm not writing for children.
When I put it like that, it sounds like I'm writing outré stuff, but I'm really not: there are just a handful of scenes spread across all my writing to heighten the stakes.

2024-06-15 14:20:45

Nothing like a hot thermos of coffee, a fresh chocolate croissant, and an open manuscript out-of-doors on a beautiful day. #amwriting #WritingLife
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/621/072/372/595/512/original/63c8e040b7e39a8d.jpg

2024-06-10 13:42:40

For the first time, in many, many years, I'm actually free this summer.… https://stevendbrewer.com/summertime/ #amwriting #writinglife

2024-06-07 16:52:32

#WordWeavers What can make your MC cry?
Rory reappeared in his bedroom alone, still full of adrenaline with his heart racing. He clenched & unclenched his fists, panting. The house was silent. Tseluna was no longer connected to him & he felt her absence keenly. He collapsed onto his bed, put his arms over his head, & cried for a long time.
Everything had happened so quickly he had no idea what was going on: One minute he was in the tournament & the next he was just… home. It didn't seem real.

2024-06-07 16:00:20

#WritersCoffeeClub What do you do first when you start a new writing project?
I often begin a project by writing #wss366 story fragments. I get to know the characters this way, and to begin finding the voice for the project. Next, I create an outline — just a sketch of the events in the story. And then I begin to write. I usually write the beginning (though I frequently will rewrite the beginning afterward) and the "candy-bar" scenes. At some point, I write the end. Then I fill in in-between.

2024-06-02 13:12:15

Anybody going to the Bay Area Book Festival today: You can find my books (and more!) at the Water Dragon Publishing table!

2024-06-02 01:15:48

I realized today you just need to add the word "capital" after "to serve and protect" to make it accurate.

2024-05-29 18:11:16

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@npub1psd…9sr7 And grapes.

2024-05-28 13:23:09

"*Saluton, samideano* !" said the volunteer.
"*Saluton*," I replied.
"Pre-registered?"
"I am."
"Name?"
"Bierfaristo. William Robert."
"A… B… Ah. Here you are!" He handed me a name tag on a green lanyard & a folder. "*Bonvenon al la kongreso*! The *Interkona Vespero* starts at seven."
"*Dankon*," I replied. I entered & walked through the *kongresejo*. I saw the familiar mix of elderly faces with a handful of young people. And the undead that always seemed to #haunt Esperanto events.
#wss366

2024-05-16 17:11:28

It's been a long time since I found a four-leaf clover. Rather than picking it, to keep all the luck for myself, I left it there for someone else to find. #mosstodon
https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/112/451/875/326/456/933/original/993327b657f5c14e.jpg

2024-05-10 14:15:01

Join @npub1en2…y8mj on June 15 at 1pm Eastern for a Straw Dog Writers' Guild zoom presentation about promoting your work as an indie author. https://strawdogwriters.org/post/promoting-your-work-as-an-indie-author #books #writing

2024-05-09 14:07:44

#PennedPossibilities How is your MC or SC with animals?
The horses seemed to be able to tell Revin was nervous & one gave him a painful nip. They also evidently had particular places they wanted to be in the team & were quite nasty about Revin getting it wrong. As he brought the next horse to the coach, it tried to kick him. He partially dodged, but a glancing blow still caught him in the solar plexus & knocked the wind out of him. He sat on the ground, gasping. He was coming to despise horses.

2024-05-09 14:05:03

#WritersCoffeeClub What's the minimum time you can work on your writing? Do you need a long, clear period?
I find that it's not productive to work on anything for long blocks of time. I often work for little snatches of time when the mood strikes me. I often have two or three manuscripts open at once and, when I get tired of answering emails or grading papers, I'll flip over and write for a bit. Occasionally, I'll get into a flow state and can write for hours. But that's the exception.

2024-02-03 11:38:37

Why do people even buy clothes that don't have pockers?

2024-01-03 23:34:03

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@npub1jpp…u59l @npub1cvd…d59t As someone who's watched the situation for a long time, I don't think there was actually an intentional strategy to not educate people: It was about trying to destroy public education in order to undermine unions and redirect public spending into private ventures that rich people could make money from. They weren't trying to actively prevent people from educated -- they could care less. They just wanted the money. And now they've got it. https://blog.bierfaristo.com/content/neoliberalism-and-fall-education