Steph Cherrywell
@stephcherrywell.com
They/them. Author, librarian, text game creator. UNBOXING LIBBY and THE INK WITCH are out now! Represented by @marielamba.bsky.social. See my projects at stephcherrywell.com.
I hadn't thought of it like this, but considering everything we learn about the big-picture galaxy in Dungeon Crawler Carl it's exactly right. It's like Hitchhiker's if the POV never left the set of a Vogon game show.
If you want to look to find the bit of science fiction culture of today that is likely most similar to the slot that Hitchhiker's fit into in the 80s, I might suggest Dungeon Crawler Carl to you. It's NOT a 1:1 fit, so settle down, but for humor/absurdity/weird melancholy, it's in the neighborhood.
September 14, 2026 at 2:06 PM
I hadn't thought of it like this, but considering everything we learn about the big-picture galaxy in Dungeon Crawler Carl it's exactly right. It's like Hitchhiker's if the POV never left the set of a Vogon game show.
I'm seeing a bunch of voting fights, my take is:
- ALWAYS vote
- if the only options are "bad" and "worse," not voting for "bad" is a vote for "worse."
- in practice, in the US this means always voting Democratic.
- not voting doesn't say "listen to me," it says "I don't show up, so don't bother."
- ALWAYS vote
- if the only options are "bad" and "worse," not voting for "bad" is a vote for "worse."
- in practice, in the US this means always voting Democratic.
- not voting doesn't say "listen to me," it says "I don't show up, so don't bother."
September 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I'm seeing a bunch of voting fights, my take is:
- ALWAYS vote
- if the only options are "bad" and "worse," not voting for "bad" is a vote for "worse."
- in practice, in the US this means always voting Democratic.
- not voting doesn't say "listen to me," it says "I don't show up, so don't bother."
- ALWAYS vote
- if the only options are "bad" and "worse," not voting for "bad" is a vote for "worse."
- in practice, in the US this means always voting Democratic.
- not voting doesn't say "listen to me," it says "I don't show up, so don't bother."
I always forget to do this, but if you're following me and don't know, I have a couple books out for middle grade readers, Unboxing Libby and The Ink Witch (I think they're fun for adults, too, though.) I'm really proud of both of them, and The Ink Witch got a Stonewall Honor award!
I am not first and will be far from the last to say this:
I have purchased so many books because I saw them recommended or publicized here on bsky. I cannot urge you all enough to KEEP TALKING ABOUT BOOKS.
I know it's easier to talk up someone else's book, but this also means you, the shy author.
I have purchased so many books because I saw them recommended or publicized here on bsky. I cannot urge you all enough to KEEP TALKING ABOUT BOOKS.
I know it's easier to talk up someone else's book, but this also means you, the shy author.
I have mentioned it before, so maybe, but I know others liked it too. Hooray for word of "mouth" (or post) for getting it seen.
September 13, 2026 at 4:25 PM
I always forget to do this, but if you're following me and don't know, I have a couple books out for middle grade readers, Unboxing Libby and The Ink Witch (I think they're fun for adults, too, though.) I'm really proud of both of them, and The Ink Witch got a Stonewall Honor award!
Until the internet I never knew that there were people who took this to just mean Ralph literally dreams about being a Viking. I get what they mean and that it's "simpler," but the fact that the other interpretation intuitively unfolds a whole backstory is what makes it funny!
Oh wow I went looking for the clip so I could explain it and stumbled on a Reddit post about the whole controversy. Basically there’s a “Simpsons” line where Ralph Wiggum says “oh boy! Sleep! That’s when I’m a Viking!” And…
September 12, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Until the internet I never knew that there were people who took this to just mean Ralph literally dreams about being a Viking. I get what they mean and that it's "simpler," but the fact that the other interpretation intuitively unfolds a whole backstory is what makes it funny!
I had to look up what this is and... it's a flip phone, but side-to-side instead of up and down? Which is...desirable, I guess?
It doesn't make the world actively worse, so I guess I gotta count that as a tech win by today's standards!
It doesn't make the world actively worse, so I guess I gotta count that as a tech win by today's standards!
For anyone thinking about buying a $2000 foldy phone, know that we've had those in Korea for years. You can only open it a certain number of times before it breaks forever, and on a new model that number is going to be very low.
September 12, 2026 at 3:01 AM
I had to look up what this is and... it's a flip phone, but side-to-side instead of up and down? Which is...desirable, I guess?
It doesn't make the world actively worse, so I guess I gotta count that as a tech win by today's standards!
It doesn't make the world actively worse, so I guess I gotta count that as a tech win by today's standards!
I'm going to have to go with Lower Decks, because it's the only one tattooed on my arm.
September 9, 2026 at 2:47 AM
I'm going to have to go with Lower Decks, because it's the only one tattooed on my arm.
You can go back to a lot of SNES games and they're still beautiful and playable by today's standards. N64...mostly not so much. The appeal was HEAVILY based on 3D, any 3D, being novel and cool.
The original’s one of those things where it’s like…we need to accept that nothing on n64 “looked good”. Absolutely everything on that system looked and ran like shit. Now, art direction helped! And OoT’s was quite good, which helps! But it looks and runs, and I cannot stress this enough, like shit
September 8, 2026 at 2:55 PM
You can go back to a lot of SNES games and they're still beautiful and playable by today's standards. N64...mostly not so much. The appeal was HEAVILY based on 3D, any 3D, being novel and cool.
Woooo, thanks!
I loved this book SO MUCH, if you aren't reading @stephcherrywell.com you gotta fix that post haste.
September 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Woooo, thanks!
This store makes some amazing stuff and it would be a shame if they closed; if you're looking for some really awesome clothes, check them out!
hi all! this is really difficult for me to talk about, but the store is in danger of closing before the end of the year.
you can read more about what happened here: www.mayakern.com/blog
i'm at a point where i need to ask for help. 👇
you can read more about what happened here: www.mayakern.com/blog
i'm at a point where i need to ask for help. 👇
September 8, 2026 at 1:25 PM
This store makes some amazing stuff and it would be a shame if they closed; if you're looking for some really awesome clothes, check them out!
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
Take a break from being depressed that everything you love is being destroyed by slop for a moment and let me tell you about the beautiful symbiotic relationship between graffiti writers, train yard workers, and model train enthusiasts.
September 4, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Take a break from being depressed that everything you love is being destroyed by slop for a moment and let me tell you about the beautiful symbiotic relationship between graffiti writers, train yard workers, and model train enthusiasts.
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
This Weeks Editorial Cartoon: Home Heeled Advantage https://theonion.com/home-heeled-advantage/
September 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM
This Weeks Editorial Cartoon: Home Heeled Advantage https://theonion.com/home-heeled-advantage/
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
I love the dedication in My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinhem
September 3, 2026 at 10:28 AM
I love the dedication in My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinhem
Awesome! I just got this yesterday and it's the one I'll be using from now on. I've been surprised how often there's a perfectly good alternative to these seeming monopolies (and usually better, because they can't coast on being the default.) I went Linux too and it's SO MUCH BETTER.
NEW: MapQuest is currently the number one navigation app on the Apple App Store, overtaking Google Maps thanks to Google's decision to follow Trump's lead in renaming Lake Ontario as Lake America.
MapQuest finds its way back to prominence thanks to uproar over Google Maps decision
MapQuest is currently the number one navigation app — and among the most popular apps overall — after Google renamed Lake Ontario as Lake America.
www.nationalobserver.com
August 31, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Awesome! I just got this yesterday and it's the one I'll be using from now on. I've been surprised how often there's a perfectly good alternative to these seeming monopolies (and usually better, because they can't coast on being the default.) I went Linux too and it's SO MUCH BETTER.
I just discovered that MapQuest works fine and still has the real names of stuff on it, so nobody milkshake duck MapQuest, please.
August 30, 2026 at 3:03 PM
I just discovered that MapQuest works fine and still has the real names of stuff on it, so nobody milkshake duck MapQuest, please.
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
Mrs Doubtwater. Mrs Doubtearth. Mrs Doubtfire. Mrs Doubtair. Long ago, the four women lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when Mrs Doubtfire attacked.
August 29, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Mrs Doubtwater. Mrs Doubtearth. Mrs Doubtfire. Mrs Doubtair. Long ago, the four women lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when Mrs Doubtfire attacked.
I love that I'm the exact right combination of two different types of nerdiness seperated by like seventy years to enjoy this.
August 29, 2026 at 12:46 AM
I love that I'm the exact right combination of two different types of nerdiness seperated by like seventy years to enjoy this.
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
Hate the petard, but man, do I love the hoist
August 28, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Hate the petard, but man, do I love the hoist
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
Oh god, imagine being one of the like, two people on the Time 100 Most Influential people in AI who are on it for thinking AI sucks.
Like yeah, that stance should be represented but unless someone clicks all the links for context your face is plastered alongside the grossest creeps in history.
Like yeah, that stance should be represented but unless someone clicks all the links for context your face is plastered alongside the grossest creeps in history.
August 28, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Oh god, imagine being one of the like, two people on the Time 100 Most Influential people in AI who are on it for thinking AI sucks.
Like yeah, that stance should be represented but unless someone clicks all the links for context your face is plastered alongside the grossest creeps in history.
Like yeah, that stance should be represented but unless someone clicks all the links for context your face is plastered alongside the grossest creeps in history.
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
dolly parton taught millions of children to read
dolly parton raised millions of dollars for cancer research and disaster relief
dolly parton stood by the lgbtq community her entire life
dolly parton personally helped fund the moderna vaccine
if there was a right side of something she was on it
dolly parton raised millions of dollars for cancer research and disaster relief
dolly parton stood by the lgbtq community her entire life
dolly parton personally helped fund the moderna vaccine
if there was a right side of something she was on it
August 25, 2026 at 6:25 PM
dolly parton taught millions of children to read
dolly parton raised millions of dollars for cancer research and disaster relief
dolly parton stood by the lgbtq community her entire life
dolly parton personally helped fund the moderna vaccine
if there was a right side of something she was on it
dolly parton raised millions of dollars for cancer research and disaster relief
dolly parton stood by the lgbtq community her entire life
dolly parton personally helped fund the moderna vaccine
if there was a right side of something she was on it
This might be an autistic thing but I have never understood what shaking hands is supposed to be. Can't I just talk to you about stuff? Why do you want to touch my hand? Human connection happens through ideas, not doing weird little rituals with your meat waldos.
August 25, 2026 at 2:26 PM
This might be an autistic thing but I have never understood what shaking hands is supposed to be. Can't I just talk to you about stuff? Why do you want to touch my hand? Human connection happens through ideas, not doing weird little rituals with your meat waldos.
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
Fellow narrative nerds: www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
Why your brain turns everyday experience into stories
Neuroscience is revealing how our brains are wired for narrative
www.scientificamerican.com
August 23, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Fellow narrative nerds: www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-...
I've heard one of the most reliable ways to keep people informed of upcoming projects, etc, in these days of the busted internet is just to have an email list for sending out announcements. Let me know if that's something you'd find useful!
August 24, 2026 at 12:35 PM
I've heard one of the most reliable ways to keep people informed of upcoming projects, etc, in these days of the busted internet is just to have an email list for sending out announcements. Let me know if that's something you'd find useful!
So I don't know anything about this except that despite looking like SheZow!, being Australian like SheZow!, and apparently having exactly the same "very hard to parse what this is saying, in a way that pleases nobody" quality as SheZow!, it is not made by the creator of SheZow!
‘Lesbian Space Princess’ has been hit with a massive wave of hate online.
Fandoms across the internet are seemingly joining forces against the film, including fans of ‘Hazbin Hotel,’ ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s,’ ‘Invincible’ and ‘The Amazing Digital Circus.’
Fandoms across the internet are seemingly joining forces against the film, including fans of ‘Hazbin Hotel,’ ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s,’ ‘Invincible’ and ‘The Amazing Digital Circus.’
August 24, 2026 at 11:43 AM
So I don't know anything about this except that despite looking like SheZow!, being Australian like SheZow!, and apparently having exactly the same "very hard to parse what this is saying, in a way that pleases nobody" quality as SheZow!, it is not made by the creator of SheZow!
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
I’ve been seeing examples of people applying “slop” to things they don’t like outside of AI.
Please, do not make that a thing. A trash work of art made by actual people has more value than any “art” produced by AI.
Please, do not make that a thing. A trash work of art made by actual people has more value than any “art” produced by AI.
August 23, 2026 at 7:13 PM
I’ve been seeing examples of people applying “slop” to things they don’t like outside of AI.
Please, do not make that a thing. A trash work of art made by actual people has more value than any “art” produced by AI.
Please, do not make that a thing. A trash work of art made by actual people has more value than any “art” produced by AI.
Reposted by Steph Cherrywell
The official trailer for ‘The Saga of Rex’ has been released.
The indie hand-drawn feature was solo-animated by Michel Gagné over the course of 14 years.
Releasing in 2027.
The indie hand-drawn feature was solo-animated by Michel Gagné over the course of 14 years.
Releasing in 2027.
August 21, 2026 at 8:13 PM
The official trailer for ‘The Saga of Rex’ has been released.
The indie hand-drawn feature was solo-animated by Michel Gagné over the course of 14 years.
Releasing in 2027.
The indie hand-drawn feature was solo-animated by Michel Gagné over the course of 14 years.
Releasing in 2027.