James L. Sutter
@jameslsutter.bsky.social
Co-creator of the Pathfinder & Starfinder TTRPGs. Author of the queer romance novels HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINE (2027), DARKHEARTS, and THE GHOST OF US, plus fantasy novels, comics, video games, and more. Musician. ME/CFS husband.
Pinned
James L. Sutter
@jameslsutter.bsky.social
· Nov 23
OBLIGATORY INTRO POST: Hi everybody! You might know me as a co-creator of the Pathfinder and Starfinder roleplaying games, but these days I'm mostly writing queer young adult rom-coms. If you need some grumpy teen kissing in your life, maybe check 'em out? jameslsutter.com/novels.html
Bluesky has been chock-full of book recommendations recently, and I am HERE FOR IT.
September 22, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Bluesky has been chock-full of book recommendations recently, and I am HERE FOR IT.
Anybody got a good craft book recommendation for writing mystery novels?
September 21, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Anybody got a good craft book recommendation for writing mystery novels?
Did not expect the second paragraph in this article to mention the time I got China to write for Pathfinder!
Fun fact: after he turned in the draft of his intelligent-angler fish society, I had to send a note explaining why we shouldn't call their bioluminescent lures "fleshlights"... 😅
Fun fact: after he turned in the draft of his intelligent-angler fish society, I had to send a note explaining why we shouldn't call their bioluminescent lures "fleshlights"... 😅
what’s this? an interview with China Miéville on Defector? that’s right
China Miéville On The “Completely Defining” Book It Took 20 Years To Write | Defector
It takes an open mind to engage with China Miéville’s work. A writer for whom the already cliched phrase “genre-bending” is even more banal, Miéville has never opposed the designation of genre writer....
defector.com
September 21, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Did not expect the second paragraph in this article to mention the time I got China to write for Pathfinder!
Fun fact: after he turned in the draft of his intelligent-angler fish society, I had to send a note explaining why we shouldn't call their bioluminescent lures "fleshlights"... 😅
Fun fact: after he turned in the draft of his intelligent-angler fish society, I had to send a note explaining why we shouldn't call their bioluminescent lures "fleshlights"... 😅
The kids are alright.
my buddy introduced his four-year-old twins to pokemon via Pokopia and Concierge and now when he tries to expose them to more traditional pokemon stuff they get VERY upset by the idea of battling. they were not forged in the cauldron of pokemon violence as we once were
September 18, 2026 at 5:35 PM
The kids are alright.
"This song speaks perfectly to all my grief around aging and illness, and our attempts to carry on regardless."
*loads up music video*
*sees cartoon cat vomiting on a keyboard*
"That... was a choice."
*loads up music video*
*sees cartoon cat vomiting on a keyboard*
"That... was a choice."
September 18, 2026 at 5:30 PM
"This song speaks perfectly to all my grief around aging and illness, and our attempts to carry on regardless."
*loads up music video*
*sees cartoon cat vomiting on a keyboard*
"That... was a choice."
*loads up music video*
*sees cartoon cat vomiting on a keyboard*
"That... was a choice."
This whole thread is worth a read.
If you showed up at Defcon and gave talk about how your autonomous malware did something unexpected and damaged someone else's computers, the first question from the audience would be "Why are you so shit at making secure sandboxes?" It wouldn't be "How are you so awesome at making hacking tools?"
September 14, 2026 at 2:41 PM
This whole thread is worth a read.
Just realized I'm the old man out watering the garden in his bathrobe. How did this happen.
September 12, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Just realized I'm the old man out watering the garden in his bathrobe. How did this happen.
Some authors' careers launch like rockets, but for most of us, publishing is like being a lungfish: heaving ourselves out of the sea and gasping "LOOK AT ME!" until we're on the verge of asphyxiation, then flopping back into the water to recharge for the next attempt.
September 12, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Some authors' careers launch like rockets, but for most of us, publishing is like being a lungfish: heaving ourselves out of the sea and gasping "LOOK AT ME!" until we're on the verge of asphyxiation, then flopping back into the water to recharge for the next attempt.
Some of the best advice my literary agent has given me is to just ask for what I want. He's always happy to be the enforcer if needed, but most of the time, there's no need—editors, art directors, etc. all *want* you to be happy with your book, and will do their best to help!
September 11, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Some of the best advice my literary agent has given me is to just ask for what I want. He's always happy to be the enforcer if needed, but most of the time, there's no need—editors, art directors, etc. all *want* you to be happy with your book, and will do their best to help!
Reposted by James L. Sutter
Alright, friends: I'm trying to remember the name of a current fantasy artist who I believe has a whole series set in a creepy, surrealist gaslamp-style city he made up—the style is kinda Wayne Barlowe-esque.
Ring any bells?
Ring any bells?
September 10, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Alright, friends: I'm trying to remember the name of a current fantasy artist who I believe has a whole series set in a creepy, surrealist gaslamp-style city he made up—the style is kinda Wayne Barlowe-esque.
Ring any bells?
Ring any bells?
Passed a beautiful and devastating graffiti note, tagged on a sign along a bike trail between cities:
To S—,
I DIDN'T RUN!
They told me you OD'd.
Find me at [address].
Still faithfully yours,
D—
To S—,
I DIDN'T RUN!
They told me you OD'd.
Find me at [address].
Still faithfully yours,
D—
September 10, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Passed a beautiful and devastating graffiti note, tagged on a sign along a bike trail between cities:
To S—,
I DIDN'T RUN!
They told me you OD'd.
Find me at [address].
Still faithfully yours,
D—
To S—,
I DIDN'T RUN!
They told me you OD'd.
Find me at [address].
Still faithfully yours,
D—
If you're excited about my new book HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES, please consider preordering it now for 25% off from Barnes & Noble! Preorders determine whether a book thrives or dies before it ever hits shelves, so if you know you want this one—snag it now!
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-aga...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-aga...
September 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM
If you're excited about my new book HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES, please consider preordering it now for 25% off from Barnes & Noble! Preorders determine whether a book thrives or dies before it ever hits shelves, so if you know you want this one—snag it now!
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-aga...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-aga...
Getting impatient and chugging the half-dissolved Nuun tablet is the outdoorsy equivalent of drinking the tequila worm.
September 9, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Getting impatient and chugging the half-dissolved Nuun tablet is the outdoorsy equivalent of drinking the tequila worm.
It's official: I've got a new novel coming in 2027!
HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES is M*A*S*H meets Terminator, but as a gay romance between a young medic and a newly paralyzed soldier in a field hospital for humanity's doomed human resistance after the robot apocalypse.
bookshop.org/p/books/hear...
HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES is M*A*S*H meets Terminator, but as a gay romance between a young medic and a newly paralyzed soldier in a field hospital for humanity's doomed human resistance after the robot apocalypse.
bookshop.org/p/books/hear...
September 8, 2026 at 7:15 PM
It's official: I've got a new novel coming in 2027!
HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES is M*A*S*H meets Terminator, but as a gay romance between a young medic and a newly paralyzed soldier in a field hospital for humanity's doomed human resistance after the robot apocalypse.
bookshop.org/p/books/hear...
HEARTS AGAINST THE MACHINES is M*A*S*H meets Terminator, but as a gay romance between a young medic and a newly paralyzed soldier in a field hospital for humanity's doomed human resistance after the robot apocalypse.
bookshop.org/p/books/hear...
Reposted by James L. Sutter
This all starts with a secret handshake between writers and yard workers, a mutual understanding that if writers don't leave cans behind, and they don't touch the identifying numbers on the cars, then there's largely no harm.
Writers will go to meticulous lengths to respect the latter rule.
Writers will go to meticulous lengths to respect the latter rule.
September 4, 2026 at 6:28 PM
This all starts with a secret handshake between writers and yard workers, a mutual understanding that if writers don't leave cans behind, and they don't touch the identifying numbers on the cars, then there's largely no harm.
Writers will go to meticulous lengths to respect the latter rule.
Writers will go to meticulous lengths to respect the latter rule.
The fact that *every* state fair doesn't have a llama/alpaca costume contest is a national tragedy, and something we need candidates to address.
www.twincities.com/2018/08/30/c...
www.twincities.com/2018/08/30/c...
Check out these llamas and alpacas, all cute in costume, at the Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair’s Lama Costume Contest pitted 4Hers and their llama or alpaca partners from across the state, gussied up in complementary costumes and parading through the Fair’s Compeer Aren...
www.twincities.com
September 4, 2026 at 3:42 PM
The fact that *every* state fair doesn't have a llama/alpaca costume contest is a national tragedy, and something we need candidates to address.
www.twincities.com/2018/08/30/c...
www.twincities.com/2018/08/30/c...
This is amazing, but also, given that Bigolas Dickolas did such good work, I'm not sure we can write off Treasure Dicknatty just yet.
This is it. The best AI spammer name of all time.
I present to you… Treasure Dicknatty.
I present to you… Treasure Dicknatty.
September 3, 2026 at 4:23 PM
This is amazing, but also, given that Bigolas Dickolas did such good work, I'm not sure we can write off Treasure Dicknatty just yet.
The problem with electing political opportunists who follow the polling and try to do whatever their constituents want is that you then have to spend every day trying to convince them of what you want.
September 3, 2026 at 3:37 PM
The problem with electing political opportunists who follow the polling and try to do whatever their constituents want is that you then have to spend every day trying to convince them of what you want.
Reposted by James L. Sutter
I do think “every rich person went insane during covid because it was the first time they’ve been inconvenienced in decades” felt a little reductive at first but damn if isn’t more and more compelling as the years drag on
September 3, 2026 at 4:50 AM
I do think “every rich person went insane during covid because it was the first time they’ve been inconvenienced in decades” felt a little reductive at first but damn if isn’t more and more compelling as the years drag on
Reposted by James L. Sutter
For newer F&SF writers, here's a resource you may not be aware of, the Submission Grinder. It helps you find markets and track your submissions - and even publishes some fiction. Free to use, but if you use it a lot, consider supporting their Patreon. #booksky
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com
The Submission Grinder
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com
September 2, 2026 at 12:17 PM
For newer F&SF writers, here's a resource you may not be aware of, the Submission Grinder. It helps you find markets and track your submissions - and even publishes some fiction. Free to use, but if you use it a lot, consider supporting their Patreon. #booksky
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com
Reposted by James L. Sutter
When I spend twenty minutes looking up evidence to fight a copyeditor over a hyphen, only to realize they're right.
Sylvester Stallone Cheers Toast
Alt: Sylvester Stallone Cheers Toast
static.klipy.com
September 1, 2026 at 9:40 PM
When I spend twenty minutes looking up evidence to fight a copyeditor over a hyphen, only to realize they're right.
Did you know that the *asset* cap for a disabled person to get help paying for longterm care via Medicaid is $2000?
If a single car repair couldn't empty your bank account, you're apparently too rich to deserve help in America.
(For reference, a studio apartment in Seattle is $1500+ a month)
If a single car repair couldn't empty your bank account, you're apparently too rich to deserve help in America.
(For reference, a studio apartment in Seattle is $1500+ a month)
September 1, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Did you know that the *asset* cap for a disabled person to get help paying for longterm care via Medicaid is $2000?
If a single car repair couldn't empty your bank account, you're apparently too rich to deserve help in America.
(For reference, a studio apartment in Seattle is $1500+ a month)
If a single car repair couldn't empty your bank account, you're apparently too rich to deserve help in America.
(For reference, a studio apartment in Seattle is $1500+ a month)
I know I'm an old-man yelling at clouds, but I can't stand that there's a very successful genre of TikTok/Reel "reaction video" that is just people reading aloud the screenshotted replies to someone else's post with their own face superimposed and also FOLLOWING ALONG WITH THEIR FINGER
September 1, 2026 at 3:22 PM
I know I'm an old-man yelling at clouds, but I can't stand that there's a very successful genre of TikTok/Reel "reaction video" that is just people reading aloud the screenshotted replies to someone else's post with their own face superimposed and also FOLLOWING ALONG WITH THEIR FINGER