J. L. Barnes
@fishwithatophat.com
I draw gentlemen animals. I write sci-fi and fantasy. And when I'm not preparing for the zombie apocalypse, I run DragonCrest Studios, 'cause it pays for kibble.
www.fishwithatophat.com
https://www.instagram.com/fishwithatophat/
www.fishwithatophat.com
https://www.instagram.com/fishwithatophat/
Pinned
I got interviewed by Canvas Rebel! If you've ever wanted to know a little more about how I got into art as a disabled creator and my (extremely negative) feelings toward generative AI, this is the interview for you! Check it out here:
canvasrebel.com/meet-jessica...
#noAI #fantasyart #cosplay
canvasrebel.com/meet-jessica...
#noAI #fantasyart #cosplay
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
Happy Peter Falk Day
September 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Happy Peter Falk Day
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
Many friends are rightfully pointing out how great they are at stuff, but also... have y'all tried effing around with art forms you haven't mastered and making bad nonsense? It is fun as hell and also a worthy endeavor.
September 15, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Many friends are rightfully pointing out how great they are at stuff, but also... have y'all tried effing around with art forms you haven't mastered and making bad nonsense? It is fun as hell and also a worthy endeavor.
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
thinking about this tweet again, and the fact that it's got such a hold on me that I genuinely think about it whenever I write a feature because I don't want to do "the hot dog thing"
September 14, 2026 at 6:53 PM
thinking about this tweet again, and the fact that it's got such a hold on me that I genuinely think about it whenever I write a feature because I don't want to do "the hot dog thing"
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
5 spots are left!
Wanting some more practice, so portrait comms are open again!
September 14, 2026 at 3:24 AM
5 spots are left!
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
Between the PRs of (largely likely stolen) math breakthroughs, claims of "rogue AI" (actually cybercrimes by companies, but whatevs), and doomerist "whistleblowers", it feels like we've been subjected to a gish gallop of hype recently.
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September 13, 2026 at 4:38 AM
Between the PRs of (largely likely stolen) math breakthroughs, claims of "rogue AI" (actually cybercrimes by companies, but whatevs), and doomerist "whistleblowers", it feels like we've been subjected to a gish gallop of hype recently.
>>
>>
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
September 13, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
You asked for magpies, so you're getting magpies.
September 12, 2026 at 3:53 PM
You asked for magpies, so you're getting magpies.
Get you a sister-in-law who expects texts like these.
September 13, 2026 at 1:24 AM
Get you a sister-in-law who expects texts like these.
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
The way indie music is seen as 'cool' and indie films are seen as 'embracing the craft without selling out' while indie books are seen as 'didn't get trad published' gives me feelings.
Really crunchy feelings.
The snobbery makes zero sense and instantly tells me someone isn't worth listening to.
Really crunchy feelings.
The snobbery makes zero sense and instantly tells me someone isn't worth listening to.
What's especially crazy to me in this sentiment (which I also had pre bluesky) is how much every other artistic field lauds indies. Indie filmmaking? Good. Indie music? Good. Indie books? Suddenly people draw a line, even though all the reasons Indie is good everywhere else *still apply*.
September 9, 2026 at 4:12 AM
The way indie music is seen as 'cool' and indie films are seen as 'embracing the craft without selling out' while indie books are seen as 'didn't get trad published' gives me feelings.
Really crunchy feelings.
The snobbery makes zero sense and instantly tells me someone isn't worth listening to.
Really crunchy feelings.
The snobbery makes zero sense and instantly tells me someone isn't worth listening to.
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
Status report, "Still On #Sale!" dep't: Young #wizards! In a universe that's diverse. Inclusive. And free of, uh, deeply toxic personality issues and magacorporate entanglements. 😏Buy the 9-volume box set direct from the author and save! ebooks.direct/products/you... #ebooks (& feel free to repost!)
YW New Millennium 9-Volume Box Set
Our New Millennium Editions box sets are optimized for each of the devices appearing under the price listing. Please click on one to choose the format you prefer.The New Millennium Editions of So You ...
ebooks.direct
September 8, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Status report, "Still On #Sale!" dep't: Young #wizards! In a universe that's diverse. Inclusive. And free of, uh, deeply toxic personality issues and magacorporate entanglements. 😏Buy the 9-volume box set direct from the author and save! ebooks.direct/products/you... #ebooks (& feel free to repost!)
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
Never. *Ever.* I refuse to handle stolen goods.
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open, period.
RT if you've never had a tab of ChatGPT open, period.
September 8, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Never. *Ever.* I refuse to handle stolen goods.
What's an example of perfect casting?
September 7, 2026 at 10:57 PM
What's an example of perfect casting?
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
Nearly all stores that sell new books can order a book for you even if they don't have it on their shelves. Here's a quick thread about how that works, and how it's ESPECIALLY helpful for writers who self-publish or have work with small presses.
If you check out @ninocipri.bsky.social on insta, you can see why it's so helpful to authors to request/pre-order books in stores and how it works in real time!
www.instagram.com/reel/DakqVmu...
www.instagram.com/reel/DakqVmu...
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
www.instagram.com
September 7, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Nearly all stores that sell new books can order a book for you even if they don't have it on their shelves. Here's a quick thread about how that works, and how it's ESPECIALLY helpful for writers who self-publish or have work with small presses.
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
FYI: Indie & self-publishers. IngramSpark is making your print books available for AI use. You can opt out here:
www.ingramcontent.com/page/ai-opt-...
PW info here: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.ingramcontent.com/page/ai-opt-...
PW info here: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Ingram Lets Publishers Opt Out of Book Sales to Tech Firms
In a note sent last week to client publishers, Ingram Content Group warned of the “growing trend” of AI companies purchasing and scanning print books to train their large language models, and said pub...
www.publishersweekly.com
August 30, 2026 at 4:32 PM
FYI: Indie & self-publishers. IngramSpark is making your print books available for AI use. You can opt out here:
www.ingramcontent.com/page/ai-opt-...
PW info here: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.ingramcontent.com/page/ai-opt-...
PW info here: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
I'm slowly illustrating my book's character lineup. 😁 This is Altair... he's a bit stuffy and overly proper, but his heart's in the right place. Usually.
#OCart #characterart #noAI
#OCart #characterart #noAI
September 5, 2026 at 6:45 PM
I'm slowly illustrating my book's character lineup. 😁 This is Altair... he's a bit stuffy and overly proper, but his heart's in the right place. Usually.
#OCart #characterart #noAI
#OCart #characterart #noAI
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
I'm slowly illustrating my book's character lineup. 😁 This is Altair... he's a bit stuffy and overly proper, but his heart's in the right place. Usually.
#OCart #characterart #noAI
#OCart #characterart #noAI
September 5, 2026 at 6:45 PM
I'm slowly illustrating my book's character lineup. 😁 This is Altair... he's a bit stuffy and overly proper, but his heart's in the right place. Usually.
#OCart #characterart #noAI
#OCart #characterart #noAI
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
Whoever decided to promote Coyote vs Acme by letting Wile E do an AMA using only signs deserves all the praise.
September 2, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Whoever decided to promote Coyote vs Acme by letting Wile E do an AMA using only signs deserves all the praise.
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
If you’re a recent murderer talking to Columbo and he’s casually curious about how a crime could’ve happened in a certain way, there’s no need to wildly speculate! Just nod and say “Yeah that’s weird. I have no idea.”
July 13, 2026 at 6:25 PM
If you’re a recent murderer talking to Columbo and he’s casually curious about how a crime could’ve happened in a certain way, there’s no need to wildly speculate! Just nod and say “Yeah that’s weird. I have no idea.”
Reposted by J. L. Barnes
