Nantucket Lit

Profile for NantucketLit.com, making the best ebooks on the planet and collectible limited-edition chapbooks. https://nantucketlit.com #pivotfromvideo

I co-maintain the Harlan Ellison Directory with @atgonzalez: https://NDHFilms.com/ellison

Public Key

npub1dsfsn3nzyjahcxncvh2znhynrch56ghhptc9fcrp2xu53a5rsj4qsvmjar

NIP-05 Address

nantucketlit@mastodon-social.mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsxcycfce3zfwmurfuxt4pfmjf3ut6dytms4uz5ups4rw2g76pcf2spz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsxdm7dx

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1dsfsn3nzyjahcxncvh2znhynrch56ghhptc9fcrp2xu53a5rsj4qsvmjar

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Last Notes

2026-07-15 19:36:38 UTC

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@nprofile…f83y @nprofile…ng8x @nprofile…hpkh @nprofile…hy4k @nprofile…7t4r @nprofile…2zfv @nprofile…qnx8 @nprofile…clkd @nprofile…vd7p @nprofile…xd8n @nprofile…gfsf @nprofile…z289 @nprofile…lp8t @nprofile…vaq2 @nprofile…ze5h Tangerine Dream scored the 70s movie Sorcerer, which is a top-notch thriller. Four desperate men have to transport trucks full of unstable dynamite through the jungle.

2026-07-14 00:20:39 UTC

I am looking to follow #art accounts in the following areas: pixel art, retro computer graphics (Apple II, Commodore 64), pointillism, mosaic, and ASCII art. Also anyone who works with MS Paint.
Some artists I very much enjoy in these areas are @nprofile…4yx5, @nprofile…zcqc, and @nprofile…atnr.
Please, please, send them my way.

2026-07-13 05:28:28 UTC

I have improved the epub-buying experience on my site. Rather than redirecting directly to the EPUB file after payment via Stripe, it will redirect to a page with a download link.
I'll share a new book tomorrow as an example!

2026-07-13 01:45:38 UTC

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@nprofile…rtl5 I had never thought about the origins of that word until now. I guess it's the sailor's version of "water cooler talk". https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scuttlebutt

2026-06-25 04:58:14 UTC

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@nprofile…awd8 Thanks for sharing this blog post, Robert.
I was thinking of some romantic movies I enjoy, and none of them are quite HEA.
But then I remembered the ending of The Shawshank Redemption. More of a friendship movie, but the bond between Red and Andy is as vital as any romantic relationship. Damn, I get emotional even thinking about that ending. That's an HEA ending if there ever was one.

2026-06-22 03:10:09 UTC

Here's a nice article about how to access a ProtonMail account from mutt. I would imagine it could be applied to TutaMail as well.
https://kaythomas.dev/posts/mutt-protonmail-bridge.html
My question is: what if I already have a .muttrc file for a different email account? How could I get one working for my ProtonMail account?

2026-06-13 05:48:32 UTC

Bicycle update: I think I've restored this 1982 Schwinn Traveler to rideable condition. New tires and tubes, new crankset, new chain, new pedals. I cleaned and re-lubricated the freewheel assembly, the wheel bearings, and the bottom bracket. I also added a little bell.
The big challenge with this one has been finding a new rear wheel. Today, I gave up and put on the rear wheel from my Raleigh.
What's funny is that after all that work, I think the bike might be a little too big for me.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/741/198/615/019/777/original/a69af8088e9bb712.jpg

2026-06-11 04:00:29 UTC

Whew!
This is a 36-inch CRT TV from the year 2000. It weighs over 230 pounds (104 kilos). I drove down from north Denver to Castle Rock to buy it from a guy who was quite eager to get rid of it.
Tonight, I got it unloaded from my car and into the house. It took me, my friend, and my friend's wife to get it done. I bought a lifting dolly to help with any future moving.
It is too big for my current TV stand/cabinet. I will need to find one of those vintage stands that were designed for CRTs.
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2026-06-08 20:06:49 UTC

Today, I will be publishing the next postcard for #FirstClassFiction. This card features the science-fiction short story Toponymy by @nprofile…ltjv
The front of the postcard features NASA concept art by Rick Guidice.
If you'd like to receive this postcard, you can sign up for a *free* card or subscribe at https://NantucketLit.com/postcards #physicalMedia
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2026-06-08 04:27:26 UTC

I am currently reading Bikepunk by @nprofile…m0rx. Hopefully by the end of this I'll understand some French.

2026-06-07 05:18:10 UTC

Do you do French-to-English translation, or know someone who does? If so, I would like to talk with you. You may DM me or email njb@nantucketlit.com

2026-06-03 21:07:40 UTC

This website is a pretty good ISBN barcode generator. https://simplebarcode.com/isbn/ The output image is high-quality enough for a book cover.
That said, any CLI tools that generate a PNG or SVG from an ISBN would be welcomed. I would imagine it's not a terribly difficult program.

2026-06-03 19:22:01 UTC

Fiction writers would do well to read up on the ongoing Bricks and Minifigs scandal. If you are ever discouraged with a WIP, or think "no one would ever believe this", look at BaM and the YouTube channel Reckless Ben trying to expose them. Who knew a Lego reseller would contain such a tale of greed and corruption?

2026-05-29 04:18:06 UTC

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@nprofile…awd8 Keep up the good work!

2026-05-29 04:17:10 UTC

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@nprofile…eqsh I will note that the villain in the Jack Reacher novel Night School also plans to decamp to a ranch in Argentina.

2026-05-22 04:28:15 UTC

Yes, Nantucket Lit is still about ebooks, zines, and postcards. This is not the Nantucket Bicycle Account.
In an indirect way, this bicycle work is part of the ebook work. It's teaching me problem-solving, and ironing out a few personality quirks. It's getting out and living, which is vital for anyone's well-being, including writers.

2026-05-17 00:08:21 UTC

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@nprofile…atnr @nprofile…rhdf We're all working on bikes, isn't that interesting...

2026-05-09 21:45:21 UTC

My Xteink X4 arrived today. It's my understand that I need to flash some new firmware now.
Any suggestions, web pages, git repos, would be appreciated.

2026-05-09 20:47:59 UTC

I have mailed out the next postcard for #FirstClassFiction. This postcard has the poem A Friend Finds Love by Jessica Kristine. The art is an illustration by E.H. Shepard for Winnie-the-Pooh (1926).
If you'd like to receive postcards with original stories and poems on them, subscribe or sign up at https://nantucketlit.com/postcards
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2026-04-30 06:05:38 UTC

The author of this article should be commended. It is not easy to admit this, but it's important.
AI Psychosis is what gets me really angry about LLMs. I know someone who's been affected by this. It's why, beyond weighing pros and cons, on a visceral, gut level, I oppose this technology. When people I care about get hurt, it makes arguments about 'use cases' or 'that's just how things are now' very unpersuasive.
#nevent1q…rn9h

2026-04-29 03:50:19 UTC

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@nprofile…8xww @nprofile…9pr4 Okay, Hollie, let's do it! I ordered mine tonight.

2026-04-22 20:14:59 UTC

Tomorrow, I am mailing out the next postcard for #FirstClassFiciton. This postcard has the story Pursuit of Perfection by Javier Baltar, with original art by Oponok.
Baltar's story is a fun diversion for our warm spring, and Oponok's art adds so much.
If you're interested in receiving postcards with little stories and poems on them, made with love and typewriters, visit https://NantucketLit.com/postcards
Also, I'll be at the Adams County Fairgrounds this weekend, Saturday 04/25, Brighton, Colorado.
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2026-04-21 15:38:41 UTC

In two days, I'll be mailing out the next postcard for First-Class Fiction.
Subscribe, or sign up for a free card, at https://nantucketlit.com/postcards
This postcard's story is Pursuit of Perfection by Javier Baltar, with art by Oponok. Oponok did the cover illustration for my book Through the Lens of Gratitude.
This is the first postcard with original art since the trial postcard Troll Bridge by @nprofile…tscz
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/443/422/795/086/181/original/eefa7a70801eeed6.jpeg
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2026-04-17 02:37:57 UTC

I was looking up the origins of a particular phrase. Let's look at the search results.
Here's someone using it on Reddit.
Wait... that's me.

2026-04-14 03:23:24 UTC

Here's a blog post from a Catholic priest, about why they avoid "AI". https://thelampmagazine.com/blog/a-disembodied-gospel
Now here's what I would add: imagine you were religious (or perhaps you are religious). You get up early on Sunday (or Saturday), put on your good clothes, get the kids dressed and fed, get everyone into the car, drive to your place of worship... and then the person up at the pulpit couldn't even be bothered to write their own words! How would you feel about that?

2026-04-10 21:07:59 UTC

Working on a postcard that will be published this summer. This one was typed out on an Olympia SM9. I do some light touch-ups in GIMP, but the imperfections are the point, for the most part.
#FirstClassFiction
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2026-04-09 20:58:04 UTC

I mailed out the most-recent postcard for #FirstClassFiction this morning. The story is Passive Transport by @nprofile…4uxh. The art is Learning by Heart by Edward Thompson Davis.
If you are interested in receiving postcards in the mail, with original stories and poems on them, subscribe at https://NantucketLit.com/postcards
These postcards are individually numbered and hand-canceled.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/376/725/162/763/002/original/971125fe834a0d52.jpeg

2026-04-06 22:28:40 UTC

I'd like to thank all the people who are signing up for a free postcard from my #FirstClassFiction series. I'll be sending out a postcard on Thursday, April 9th, with a story by @nprofile…4uxh.
If you'd like to sign up for a free postcard, or want to subscribe for more, visit https://nantucketlit.com/postcards
Some important points: 1) These are all stories and poems by real people. 2) I pay every writer for their work. 3) I do not, and will not, use "AI" to make these postcards, or any of my work.

2026-04-02 16:30:03 UTC

#coffee and #gardening people!
I've got a good solid pint of used coffee grounds at this point. I thought I'd try to get them to a community garden as composting. What else could I do with the grounds?

2026-03-31 04:58:51 UTC

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@nprofile…f83y It's my little rebellion against the system.

2026-03-30 18:46:53 UTC

Scammer: Now you do have Medicare Parts A and B active?
Me: Yes.
Scammer: Perfect, and how old are you? Like, what's your age?
Me: Yeee-es.
Scammer: What 'yes'?
Me: Yes!
Scammer: I'm asking about your age.
Me: Yes.
Scammer: ... **** yourself. Say 'yes'.
Me: Yeeeesss--
[Scammer hands up]
#YesMan

2026-03-25 20:31:22 UTC

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@nprofile…nekg "Not in here, this is a Mercedes!"

2026-03-25 19:45:09 UTC

The latest postcard for #FirstClassFiciton has been mailed out. The poem is Blessing of the Weeds by @nprofile…u5f7. It's a beautiful postcard for spring.
If you'd like to receive this postcard for free, or subscribe for more, visit https://nantucketlit.com/postcards The post office is just a bike trip away for me, I really don't mind!
The next postcard will feature Passive Transport by @nprofile…4uxh
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2026-03-25 04:29:39 UTC

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@nprofile…atnr Is that an SP or one of those third-party devices that can handle cartridges?

2026-03-23 16:33:00 UTC

Getting the word out on my writing workshop! Here's a radio promo that's running in central Colorado.
Defy AI: A Free Writing Workshop
Don't let "AI" think for you, learn to think for yourself.
Thursday, March 26, 5 PM - 7 PM
Hub City Senior Center
220 E Ave
Limon, Colorado
Featuring writer Nicholas Bernhard
Presented by the Limon Memorial Library
https://nantucketlit.com/defyai
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/116/279/427/016/994/717/original/81a09f7142e91649.mp3

2026-03-09 01:56:16 UTC

I wanted to take a moment today (as I try to from time to time) to recognize Christine Lemmer-Webber.
We all owe her many thanks for her work on ActivityPub, which is, in part, why we're all here on Mastodon.
More specific to me, it was this short essay that encouraged me to make my e-book work a free-software project: https://neo.dustycloud.org/blog/why-i-am-pro-gpl/ (Why I Am Pro-GPL)
So, thank you, @nprofile…7yuj

2026-03-08 18:30:00 UTC

I am dipping my toes into "skewing" graphics on the Apple II. It will be fun to see if it works.

2026-03-08 18:23:14 UTC

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@nprofile…5876 I always put "AI" in quotes when referring to LLMs. I think the term "AI" was used to make the technology seem more momentous than it is.

2026-03-07 21:52:55 UTC

A question for Mastodon: Would you read a book via RSS?
I've tried to work syndication into my site. You may read my blog via syndication, and I have feeds for the various authors on my site. I support RSS, Atom, and JSON Feed.
I've generally thought a feed reader might not be the best for a whole book, but maybe I'm underestimating #RSS.
I could imagine it working for a serialized novel, perhaps, or a short story collection.

2026-03-03 21:56:46 UTC

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@nprofile…m0rx I will probably bring it to the workshop as a display piece, but I'll do my writing portion longhand. No need to distract everyone with my hunt-and-peck typing for an hour.
I will say, now that I own a Lettera 22, I see what the hype is all about. It is a real pleasure to use. I've written one short story on it so far.

2026-03-03 20:01:40 UTC

On March 26, I'll be hosting a #DefyAI writing workshop in Limon, Colorado.
Attendees will pick out a painting in gallery, and have one hour to write a story inspired by the painting. The only rule: you cannot use any "AI" or other LLMs.
This is a free event. I will talk about how my experiences and values inform my own writing, and I'll be joining the challenge as well.
I'm excited to be working with the Limon Memorial Library on this. https://nantucketlit.com/workshops.html
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2026-02-27 19:02:12 UTC

I am immensely excited to announce my next book: Galapagos Larvae by @nprofile…ltjv.
https://nantucketlit.com/galapagos
This macabre monster story was originally published in my Overscan anthology. This new chapbook edition was illustrated by Ty Blyth, and is signed by AT. There will also be an EPUB edition.
I love AT's imagination and twisted humor. He brought a particular flavor to Overscan that really completed the book.
Use the discount code FEDIVERSE for 15% off. Shipping starts on Monday March 2.
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2026-02-21 23:10:47 UTC

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@nprofile…atnr The GameBoy SP, a classic!

2026-01-17 08:09:42 UTC

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@nprofile…qfea Pixelfed is an eminently chill network.

2026-01-04 23:17:42 UTC

For any #GeminiProtocol and #Gopher masters out there: is there a good way to specify bold or italicized text? Is *bold* and _italic_ the way to go?

2025-12-03 23:28:53 UTC

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@nprofile…dfpj I had this experience with the show Daria. The DVD version is almost a different show, because all the licensed songs were replaced. Some of the jokes don't make sense without the original songs.

2025-12-01 06:28:29 UTC

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@nprofile…lx0q That story meant a lot to me. I still have an answering machine box with a message from a late friend.

2025-12-01 01:30:00 UTC

Thank heaven for old web forum threads. On some topics it's the only way I can research anything. Before AI content flooded search results, before StackExchange, you had forums where people... talked.

2025-11-27 20:41:01 UTC

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I'm very thankful for this community on Mastodon.

2025-11-13 15:50:16 UTC

I will be passing on Vivaldi as a browser, on account of it being non-free software.

2025-11-07 02:29:16 UTC

@nprofile…3tsv is streaming some #pinball tonight. https://www.youtube.com/live/iQD7nbhF0Uo?si=P22x75xypuqr9tgn He's the boots-on-the-ground reporter for my pinball magazine Quarter Up, and will be at the Houston Arcade Expo next week.

2025-10-20 20:54:43 UTC

There has to be a quicker way to merge PDFs than dragging and dropping between LibreOffice Draw files.