Scott Michael Powers
@scottfist.bsky.social
Indie author; Retired journalist; Lucky husband; Proud father; Reds & Spurs fan; Rocker; Florida man. Latest books: THE SPACE COAST TATLER, DISPOSABLE GIRL AND OTHER TALES.
Hey #writingcommunity! Hey #indieauthors! Tired of spam pitches spewing AI crap—(drawn from your own book descriptions!)—designed to seduce you and lure you into a scam? Consider making spam-onade. My latest blog entry:
Turning Spam into Spam-onade - Scott Michael Powers
Some of my best reviews are AI spam spew.
scottmichaelpowers.com
It's not about the failures. It's about the not-giving-a-shit-about-the-failures, because you believe in yourself, and you believe in what you are doing, and you believe in your book, and sometimes that'll have to be enough.
Erik Grove@erikgrove.com · 7d agoMore than one friend has shared with me the heartbreak of a disappointing book launch, dropped option, unfinished series or tales of losing editors or agents. The horror stories are so varied and sad-making. I support and understand and I am listening. Also y’all are scaring the shit out of me. 😂
Absolutely thrilled that my debut book, a flash fiction collection, @cowboyjamboree.bsky.social is out Oct. 13. Kindle preorders now on Amazon. Printed text available 10/13. Remote launch SAT 11/14, 10:00 am PT. Details soon. Heartfelt thanks @vanwinkle.bsky.social. #flashfiction
Saddened by the death of former AP political reporter Brendan Farrington, 60. His tough reporting drew shocking online attacks in 2021 by #Gov.RonDeSantis’ press sec & her army of flying monkeys. He endured with courage & grace. He was a great journalist, a good, friendly man & a credit to Florida.
Longtime AP Florida politics reporter Brendan Farrington dies at 60
Brendan Farrington has died at 60. The veteran news reporter was known for covering Florida politics and hurricanes for The Associated Press.
apnews.com
Here we go: Journalists doing yeoman Fourth Estate work (their jobs): @orlandosentinel.com & @sunsentinel.bsky.social report Fla #GovRonDeSantis’ admin hid a report on how insurance companies deny hurricane claims, transfer profits to out-of-state sibling co.s, then claim to lose money in Florida.
How Florida fights to hide insurers’ finances
A secret report shows which Florida insurers claimed losses as affiliates made billions. The state Senate demanded the Orlando Sentinel and Sun Sentinel destroy the report or face legal action.
orlandosentinel.com
WHCA leaders, after eye-witnessing Trump shredding the First Amendment and also the check-and-balance tradition of democracy’s Fourth Estate, of which they are supposed to be the spearhead: ”We intend to write a strongly worded letter to the White House about all of this.”
HuffPost@huffpost.com · last wk.White House Correspondents’ Association President Jacqui Heinrich said the president himself described the move as a "ban on the free press."
PILGRIM AT TINKER CREEK was a seminal book for me. From her, I think I learned as much about the power of efficient writing as I did about the power of observation of the natural world. RIP, #AnnieDillard
Annie Dillard, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, dies at 81
Dillard's work was characterized by spare prose and a deep connection to nature. She is best known for Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, An American Childhood, The Maytrees and The Writing Life.
npr.org
UK has the Beatles; Ireland, U2; Canada, Rush; Australia, AC/DC… What’s the greatest US band? Allman Bros? Aerosmith? Beach Boys? Byrd’s? Eagles? Grateful Dead? Guns n Roses? Nirvana? Ramones? Red Hot Chili Peppers? Other?
The Browns are paying Watson a gazillion dollars; so, unless they have moral scruples or competency standards, they have to play him.
Todd Monken: Browns' big loss not just about Deshaun Watson
Todd Monken sidestepped a question about whether he will stick with Deshaun Watson as the Browns' starter, but he said it was unfair to blame Sunday's 34-10 loss on the veteran QB.
espn.com
"I'd never advocate the use of drugs and alcohol—but they've always worked for me." —Hunter S. Thompson. "Scott Michael Powers' THE SPACE COAST TATLER is gonzo." —Hunter S. Thompson, if he were still alive & had read it himself. Be gonzo. Read THE SPACE COAST TATLER. #writingcommunity #indieauthors
The Space Coast Tatler
Amazon.com: The Space Coast Tatler eBook : Powers, Scott Michael: Kindle Store
amazon.com
If you are in the Orlando area in November—or can get here—you’re not going to want to miss this!
Angie Nixon is a Democrat who punches hard, and without fear. I haven’t seen one of those in a U.S. Senate race in a long time. Ashley Moody, meanwhile, has never before been hit, as far as I can remember. The U.S. Senate race in Florida is going to be interesting.
For many years, Ohio State has been the college football team that everyone else loves to hate. Even as a Buckeyes fan, I get it. But for the foreseeable future, wouldn’t it be better if everyone hated LSU more? I mean, is there anyone with fewer scruples than Lane Kiffin?
LSU's Lane Kiffin says his players endorse pursing ex-NFLers
LSU coach Lane Kiffin said his players have endorsed the decision to pursue former NFL rookies, making him feel better about the whole thing.
espn.com
One of the greatest Sporting photos ever taken. MUHAMMAD ALI reacts to his first round knockout of Sonny Liston during the 1965 World Heavyweight Title fight. 📷 by Neil Leifer
Sigh. I keep seeing Dems chew their own legs off in this very sharp culture war trap that GOPers set. The answer to "boys playing girls' sports" question should be: "The NCAA and nearly every governing body for pro, HS & childrens' sports already have policies on this. We should leave it to them."
Acyn@acyn.bsky.social · last mo.Watters: Do you think men should play in women’s sports? El-Sayed: I'm running for U.S. Senate. I'm out here trying to take on the health care crisis and big pharma, and you're asking me about who gets to play what sports
Tomorrow’s the day I’ve been waiting for for nearly two years: The Modern Guide to Querying Literary Agents is officially out on the shelves! To celebrate, my co-author Patrick McDonald (of QueryTracker) and I are officially declaring this QUERY PREP WEEK.
My latest short story, flash-fiction "Red Luckys, Please",about a man who believes he's been left behind in the Rapture.
Red Luckys, Please: A flash-fiction story - Scott Michael Powers
What if only 144,000 people are holding lucky Golden Tickets?
scottmichaelpowers.com
Scam alert for #writingcommunity #indieauthors... Got an email claiming to be Elvis Duran, the guy w/ a syndicated NYC radio show who hypes authors. He asked to interview me. I bit. Then he sought $100 for a "production fee." No one legit asks for $ for an interview. If anyone ever does, run.
A Kushner buying the Lakers only continues a long tradition of horrible, rich people owning pro sports teams. Racists, antisemites, neo-facists, employee abusers, egomaniacs, when people like this—Schott, Wilpon, Dolan, Stepien, Snyder, Sterling, etc.—have tons of money, they buy sports teams.
Or it’s a just fairy tree, and cutting it down would bode poorly for the farmer’s fortune.
The English Oak Project@thekentacorn.bsky.social · 2mo agoHave you seen a lone tree in the middle of a field before. Ever wondered why Likely a ghost from a long gone hedgerow that the farmer left for shelter from the sun for livestock. Also for flood management, which is one of the reasons you see them in hedgerows in the first place
I would never advocate violence. But as an alumnus of Beavercreek HS and patron of Beaver's Mini Mart, I gotta post this. #Buc-ees vs. #Beavercreek
On the moon they're laughing hard On the moon they're falling off their seats From the moon we're comedy From the moon we're really quite a treat
Nuclear Apathy
YouTube video by Crack the Sky - Topic
youtube.com
For #FridayReads, #indieauthors, I'm humbled by the high praise I'm getting for my new THE SPACE COAST TATLER. What I'm not getting yet is a lot of readers. Give it a try. www.amazon.com/Space-Coast-...
It’s #FridayReads time! Let’s share books and boost all signals. I’m finishing my edits for the next one with no contract and my editor gone from Mulholland, so every copy counts! Let this slice of Caribbean chaos slither into your soul. Only $12! www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...
The brilliant Paul Krugman @pkrugman.bsky.social lays down a terrifying take on how badly Trump and Pete screwed up our military and the war. “Hegseth himself may not know what’s happening, because his policy of purging officers he doesn’t like has created a ‘culture of silence‘.”
The Putinization of the American Military
When poseurs and yes-men run a war
paulkrugman.substack.com
When Ron DeSantis leaves office at the end of this year he will not be leaving any friends behind.
Ron DeSantis closes door on gubernatorial endorsement before GOP Primary
Candidates wanted his endorsement but ultimately didn't prove themselves viable.
floridapolitics.com
