C.M. Black
@foucaultu.bsky.social
Writer of things great and small. B.A., Philosophy; M.A., Technical & Professional Writing Blog writer for The Philosopher's Shirt Always goth. https://linktr.ee/cmblackwriter
On this most auspicious of days, seven months after I submitted, I received my first rejection in a long time, for a short story. I'd be upset if I hadn't already assumed they'd rejected me by June. Writing pieces to submit is exhausting enough. On to the next. #writer
Inviting you to read one of my more controversial Substack articles, on the recent trend to chastise women who take on the trappings of girlhood in their fashion choices or hobbies. Buckle up for an uncomfortable feminist ride. #philsky #writer #feminism cmblack.substack.com/p/girlhood-w...
Girlhood, Womanhood, Feminism
No, don’t take everything.
cmblack.substack.com
For my content writing job, when I stop procrastinating, I churn out a good philosophy article in around 3 hours (research and all). For my Substack, I take 6-8 hours. The process is so exhausting that I rarely post there. The stakes get higher when you're writing memoir and your life. #writer
Spooky books must be shared! These are just so, so gorgeous! I loved all of them as a kid! R. L. Stine, you are a hero to many! #booksky
Jess@jreadsnightmares.bsky.social · 3d ago‘tis the season 📚🩸💙
I often think, "I could have done that better." Maybe. I think, then, "Why don't I do that?" But right now, what haunts me is, "What if I am not as good as I think I am?" Oddly, I've rarely had this come to mind. So many fears, but this not one. What if I am not as good..? #writer
I read Fair as a Star as I was waiting to be admitted to a psych hospital for the second time. It was a comforting book, depicting the kindest romance between a Victorian woman with chronic depression and the man who didn't completely understand, but chose to love her anyway. A healing book.
Disability Bookshelf@disabilitybooks.bsky.social · 3d agoWe've added new titles to our Bookshelf that deal with Depression. For more information see www.disabilitybookshelf.com/mental-illness #booksondisability #disabilitywriters #DisabilityBookshelf #depressionbooks #booksondepression #disability #booksky
I recounted the good memories of watching "Ghost Hunters" with my mother, even though I remain a skeptic. In short, they were kind. I hope to get around to cooking one of Bruni's recipes. Food to Die For is a gorgeous cookbook with snapshots of history.
C.M. Black@foucaultu.bsky.social · 4d agoHere are my first two spooky books, written and signed by folks of "Ghost Hunters" fame. This show was, when it came out, unique. My late mother and I spent many hours watching it together. A Life with Ghosts and Food to Die For were signed by their respective authors (and Dave Tango). #booksky
I met Gonsalves and Tango at Dragon Con last year (hi to those going this year!) and had a nice chat. I had encountered them before at a previous Dragon Con, where I frankly didn't know who they were when I opened doors for them and followed them into their own panel.
C.M. Black@foucaultu.bsky.social · 4d agoHere are my first two spooky books, written and signed by folks of "Ghost Hunters" fame. This show was, when it came out, unique. My late mother and I spent many hours watching it together. A Life with Ghosts and Food to Die For were signed by their respective authors (and Dave Tango). #booksky
Here are my first two spooky books, written and signed by folks of "Ghost Hunters" fame. This show was, when it came out, unique. My late mother and I spent many hours watching it together. A Life with Ghosts and Food to Die For were signed by their respective authors (and Dave Tango). #booksky
I have a little phrase I like to use when I share creepy books or ghost stories. I've used it since I arrived at Bluesky a year and some change ago. "Spooky Books Must Be Shared." It's true. Tonight, I am going to spend a little time sharing some spooky books from my personal collection. #booksky
The artwork looks gorgeous! I learned a lot from children's books when I worked in a library. This one will be no exception!
Alyssa S.@drsepinwall.bsky.social · 4d agoNew from Henry Holt - a kids' book on Toussaint Louverture, by Jay Leslie with illustrations from Rocky Cotard! #HaitianSky #BookSky 🗃️ bookshop.org/p/books/tous...
Learning guitar is hard enough. Learning left handed guitar is even worse. I am determined, though. My stubbornness is not going to let me quit.
I dropped Rowling like a stone a long time ago. You funnel money to hateful projects when you purchase her books. I had good nostalgia from the culture around her books, but trans lives and my own existence as an asexual person are more important to me. I don't fund professional level jerks.
William Reid (Author) 🇦🇺@williamreid-author.bsky.social · 4d agoThe difference with Harry Potter is that J. K. Rowling is very much alive and well. Every scrap of money she earns is actively funneled into persecuting people who just want to be left alone. #booksky #bskybookclub #fantasybooksky #booktok #indieauthor #writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting
Horror anthologies are the best out there. Few things are scarier than a succinct story, and pacing is great for anthologies. Give this one a read, should you desire.
Mary Wyrd (she/her)@marywyrd.bsky.social · 5d ago#HorrorWritersChat Please continue to shout out about and share our first horror charity anthology, THE SHADOWS THAT WE CARRY #TheShadowsThatWeCarry 🔥🖤
Writing hasn't been a viable profession for anyone not middle class and stable for a while. I'm surprised that I ever published, given just two years ago I was homeless in an extended stay after getting my MA. I'm not homeless now, but I am still barely subsisting, with content writing. I am lucky.
Tiernan Blanchard@gaycannibalism.bsky.social · 5d ago#HorrorWritersChat that the pay rate for works of fiction - in horror, but in any genre honestly - hasn't meaningfully changes in about 50 years. It keeps the working class and marginalised out of the scene.
A reminder that I will be selling plus sized goth clothing, books, jewelry, and some housewares, as well as my own work, at The Goth Flea Market in Atlanta, GA. on Sunday, September 13. Would be thrilled to meet new people! #HorrorWritersChat
Mary Wyrd (she/her)@marywyrd.bsky.social · 5d agoThanks for the scare and care time, folks! After you’ve answered the questions and interacted, it’s time to self-promote! Share your promo with the hashtag #HorrorWritersChat IN THE COMMENTS on this post. Like and quote post your fellow frighteners' promo posts to show you care.
I see horror as more than a way to scare. As someone with PTSD, I honestly scare myself daily. I don't need a cheap scare; what happened to me was enough. I adore things both twisted and beautiful, so finishing The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker honestly gave me aspirations. #HorrorWritersChat
Mary Wyrd (she/her)@marywyrd.bsky.social · 5d agoShout out your favourites. Q4: #HorrorWritersChat - Who do you read for a guaranteed scare? Share the name of the horror writer you read for a scary time OR share a scary story that has stayed with you. @ the writer if they’re here. --- OUTRO in 10 mins.
I am still starting out in horror, so I am going to deflect by saying the scariest things I've written were done in my youth. I look at them now and want to scream from how embarrassing they are. Nonfiction isn't usually very scary, which is what I write in main. For money. #HorrorWritersChat
Mary Wyrd (she/her)@marywyrd.bsky.social · 5d agoIt’s your time to scare. Q3: #HorrorWritersChat - What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever written? Share a pull quote OR let us know which of your works you consider the scariest and why. No covers or links! Not until the outro 😊
The submissions process. A prof in a grad class on trad publishing told us we should expect failure, and was cruel with pitches, etc. It hit me hard, because he is a big name and everyone said I was going to love him (horror writer). So I've been frozen since, terrified to try. #HorrorWritersChat
Mary Wyrd (she/her)@marywyrd.bsky.social · 5d agoLet’s get personal. Q2: #HorrorWritersChat - What scares you about your career in horror writing? Examples: In-person events. Marketing. Having work stolen. Or something else? Fellow Horror Writers - show you care and comment with your helpful suggestions on tackling these scares. #HorrorSky
It's me. I write gothic horror that questions our assumptions of what is truly scary. When super anxious (like lately), I misinterpret things out of the corners of my eyes. It's scary to think I've seen something terrifying, but it's a chair or pillow. PTSD really sucks. #HorrorWriterChat
Mary Wyrd (she/her)@marywyrd.bsky.social · 5d agoWelcome to the Chat, Horror Writers! This week, we're talking about what scares YOU. Q1: #HorrorWritersChat - Introduce yourself and the horror you write. Then, share something scary that you recently saw/read that wasn’t a fictional horror story. Why did it scare you?
I'd really like to write a definitive article about the creepiest music videos to watch for Halloween. I've been attempting it for several years now. I even have subcategories. I am going to do it this year, I swear, even if I have to break it up into sections. #music #horror #musicvideos
Halp! Does anyone have any good resources for creating and curating a Bluesky feed? I tried figuring it out ages ago, but don't have a big background in coding.
A gorgeous rendering! I love this so much.
Abigail Larson@abigaillarson.com · last wk.Happy Birthday, Mary Shelley! Born on this day in 1797 🫀
Did you know I sell books? Hop on Pango to see The Raven's Quill, with books from my own collection. New additions to the store include some (very) spicy manga, a few vampy tales, and a LotR cookbook. First time on Pango? Get $5 off with the code SPOOKYCUTE #booksky pangobooks.com/bookstore/go...
The Raven's Quill's Bookstore | PangoBooks
Browse used books from The Raven's Quill's bookstore on PangoBooks — 337 titles listed by a fellow reader. Save on paperbacks, hardcovers, and secondhand
pangobooks.com
As a final celebration of Mary Shelley, watch this literally best video about the creation of Frankenstein, thanks to Drunk History. You will never, ever need another. And the end...!!!! I never need an excuse to rewatch this. #booksky #horror #goth www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNTW...
How “Frankenstein” was Created (feat. Seth Rogen & Evan Rachel Wood) - Drunk History
YouTube video by Comedy Central
youtube.com
I am definitely going to repost everything I see relating to Mary Shelley. She is the Gothmother. #booksky #goth #horror
Schlockluster Video@schlocklustervideo.bsky.social · last wk.Remembering gothic horror icon Mary Shelley on the anniversary of her birth! Here's a handful of my drawings of her iconic creature adapted to film over the decades to celebrate! #MaryShelley #Frankenstein #Horror #GothicHorror #BookSky #ArtSky #FilmSky #HorrorSky #Art
This sounds like an incredibly cool series. I don't read YA or fantasy anymore, but if you do, you should give this one a go!
LaDarrion Williams @itsladarrion.bsky.social · last wk.Would you believe me i had folks in the publishing industry tell me a Young Adult book series with a Black boy lead wasn’t marketable? We sure showed them. Aha! #Booksky
