ZNB PRESENTS: YEAR TWO is officially out in the world today!! 🎉
This SFF anthology contains 24 short stories, each with an accompanying piece of artwork, including my sentient plant sci-fi story "Preserving Phylais."
🔗 thread below for details and where to find the book!
So...I just finished watching
#HouseOfTheDragon
Episode 8, and I am SHOOK. I've been sitting in this same spot for 20 minutes, just staring into the middle-distance. It's been a while since a Game of Thrones episode has done this to me.
This Sunday is going to be nuts.
Episode 4 of
#HouseOfTheDragon
, believed to be titled "A Dance of Dragons," is one of the best episodes of television I've seen in a long time. If you've been considering watching this season, this is the week to get caught up so you don't risk getting spoilers. Absolutely epic.
Like Rook's Rest,
#HouseOfTheDragon
Episode 207 is another singular fantasy TV event that is unlike anything to ever air before. Book readers may need a second watch to adjust to some of the decisions, but the achievement of it is undeniable. It's absolutely breathtaking.
Like the Green Council itself, Episode 9 of
#HouseOfTheDragon
takes a lot of risks, and I loved it. Some choices were great, others I'm torn about, but man was I on the edge of my seat for every minute. The climax rocks.
This may be one of the season's more divisive episodes.
Have a feeling people are going to really enjoy
#HouseOfTheDragon
Episode 206. One of the better episodes of the season, which packs a TON of important developments and cool scenes into its 70 min runtime. I swear if anyone calls this one "slow," we call the banners. My queen 🖤
It feels surreal to say...but I'm not taking part in
#PitMad
because I now have an agent! Who I met during a PitMad! So you can bet I'll still be RTing like mad.
If you need one, drop a comment (or your IG handle, because I'm trying to connect with the
#WritingCommunity
there)!
WHOA. Illumicrate and Cait Corrain's agent dropping her were both solid responses to the situation, but this made my jaw drop. Genuinely surprised (in a good way) to see a publisher step up and do this on a book which is less than six months from release. Kudos you, Del Rey Books
Just got done watching
#Prey
, and WOW. I went in with cautiously high expectations, but it blew them totally out of the water. Easily the best Predator movie since the original, and maybe one of my favorite movies I've seen so far this year. Review coming soon!
#PreyMovie
One week till
#PitMad
! I connected with my agent during a PitMad last year, so I wanted to share some of the things that helped me most.
Drop a comment if you want a RT on the day. I won't be pitching, but I'll be out supporting the
#WritingCommunity
!
I've been notoriously hard on
#TheWitcher
over the years. I've had issues with every season and spinoff, and have discussed them at length.
So when I say season 3 is by far the best the show has ever been, know that I mean it. This is what I always hoped the show would be 🔥
@onceidle
The actors for Aegon and Aemond are great. Tapping Ewan Mitchell for Aemond was genius casting. This is going to be one of the roles of his career, and he seems totally up to the task.
Cannot comment on Syrax. 'twould be spoilers, and HBO would come after me like Larys Strong 😜
#WoTShowSpoilers
#TwitterOfTime
#TheWheelOfTime
I've been thinking about it a lot...and I think the last time a fantasy show hit me in the feels the same way that Mat blowing the Horn did was when Daenerys flew Drogon for the first time in Game of Thrones season 5.
#TheWheelOfTime
#WoTShowSpoilers
#TwitterOfTime
So have we talked about how Moiraine and Lan's final scene of e201 parallels their final scene of e208? They start the season losing a fight due to a lack of trust, and end winning a victory by finally trusting each other again 🧵
Ok so I don't normally post stuff like this...but I got an email saying that George R.R. Martin loved a review I wrote, and I think I'm having a moment?
Ever since realizing that Battlestar Galactica and Black Sails had the same musical mastermind behind them, I've been an enormous fan of
@bearmccreary
's work. My 5 favorite examples of how he elevates TV through music:
(Also,
#GodofWar
! 'nuff said.)
@LordFleaBottom_
Definitely those same kinds of chills! Not as outright shocking as the Red Wedding (what is?) but it's a fantastic episode that really slaps. Hope you enjoy it!!
If you love:
- The Last Kingdom
- Black Sails
- Vikings
- Outlander
- Marco Polo
- Game of Thrones
#ShogunFX
is a show you want on your radar. There are different aspects of it that reminded me of all those series, and the execution of the production is excellent.
Finished the first two episodes of
#SHOGUN
将軍 and *wow*. That might be one of the more perfect series debuts I've seen in a while. The acting, the plotting, the politics, the attention to detail and sets and action scenes... everything about it is top notch. Highly recommend!
Just wrapped up my last interview of the year...with a member of
#TheWheelOfTime
cast! It's always a coin toss with adaptations on how familiar actors are with the books, but this one?? We got into some very cool book talk that I am SO excited to share with
#TwitterOfTime
🔥
So happy for everyone who is about to discover
#BlackSails
now that it's on Netflix! My favorite show of all time. It only gets better and better as it goes, so even if you bounce off the first episode or two make sure to stick with it! S2-4 are Breaking Bad-level masterful.
Happy New Year
#TwitterOfTime
! My final
#TheWheelOfTime
cast interview is out today, so you can kick off 2024 with the Dragon Reborn himself. I asked Josha Stradowski about his future playing Rand al'Thor...and was totally unprepared for his epic answer.
Alright, second pitch just went up for
#PitMad
and is newly pinned at the top of my profile. Anyone want to trade some retweets?! Drop a comment below so I find you!
It's almost 2 a.m. here, the lights are off, and it's a Friday night. I'm about to watch
#HouseOfTheDragon
Episode 207. Hype does not begin to describe what's happening in this room right now.
It is going to be a VERY good weekend, my friends. Valar Dohaeris 🔥
These two are a perfect example of this. Both came into Black Sails in season 3, and they completely upended the show's power dynamics from opposite ends of the conflict. Plus, Ray fucking Stevenson 🏴☠️
Question for anyone who writes or watches TV:
What are some examples of GREAT characters who were introduced BEYOND the first season?
Could be a new love interest, rival, villain, arch nemesis, suspect, family member.
But their arrival CHANGED the entire show for the better.
Haven't talked about Sanderson/
#TheWheelOfTime
much today bc I've been very busy, but a few quick thoughts:
1. The problem is not the criticisms, it is the carelessly disrespectful way he went about it.
2. Half of those criticisms are answered if you actually watch the season.
And like...just gonna say it because whatever it's midnight here and the vibes are shot to hell. But if you didn't even bother to watch the whole season before doing a livestream finale reaction, how can you possibly expect to be able to give insightful commentary on it?
Just need to say that it's been such a joy to cover this season of
#TheWheelOfTime
, and this wonderful
#TwitterOfTime
fandom is a huge part of why. It's been such an honor to nerd out about season 2 with all of you🙏
Can't wait to do it again for season 3!
And like...just gonna say it because whatever it's midnight here and the vibes are shot to hell. But if you didn't even bother to watch the whole season before doing a livestream finale reaction, how can you possibly expect to be able to give insightful commentary on it?
So, is
@PrimeVideo
going to save Westworld? With the show's creators also producing
#ThePeripheral
and Fallout at Amazon, it'd only make sense to pick up
#Westworld
for its final season, right?
A lot of people would be pretty happy, just saying...
#SaveWestworld
Alright,
#WritingCommunity
,
#PitMad
is nearly upon us! Who needs RTs tomorrow? Drop a comment below letting me know (and if you feel so inclined to RT back, I'd be really grateful!)
Ok
#PitMad
peeps, I'm finally caught up on all the excitement of the morning. Who still needs retweets? Drop a comment or GIF below so I can find your amazing pitches!
(If you commented on my thread yesterday, I've gotten you...unless you've posted a second pitch?!)
Your daily reminder that publishing is very subjective, courtesy of my last two rejections...
Editor 1: The characters were great, but there were pacing issues.
Editor 2: There was a lot of good stuff, but I didn't warm up to the characters.
Just keep writing, my friends.
#TheWheelOfTime
#TwitterOfTime
I’ve seen the season multiple times, and each watch reveals a new layer to Moiraine and Lan’s story. Her arc parallels Rand’s. It’s about learning to trust in people again after closing yourself off to carry the weight of the world alone fails. /fin
Good morning
#TwitterOfTime
! Hope everyone's weathering that
#TheWheelOfTime
finale hangover okay 🥲
As promised, here's my massive review of last night's episode. I thought "What Was Meant To Be" was tremendous. So many thoughts.
#WoTShowSpoilers
Today, my wife started a new job she's super excited about (I am so proud!), and I got my first ever payment for a piece of fiction, months earlier than expected.
It...was a damn good day! Monday, you're alright.
Tomorrow's
#SFFpit
! This'll be my second time taking part (fifth pitch event total)...which is enough to know that one of the best parts of these things is meeting so many other writers. If you're pitching, drop a comment below so I can RT and check out your work!
"Damane" was one of my favorite episodes of
#TheWheelOfTime
yet. This *felt* more like the story and tone of the books, and I was giddy watching it. Falme, Aviendha, Lanfear, Perrin, the Seanchan...SO much good stuff!
(Review contains
#WotShowSpoilers
)
Update from today's news: confirmed that the show filmed a Darkfriend reveal for Ingtar, but cut it. I am dying to hear more about how and why this decision was made.
#TheWheelOfTime
@sascott14
@AmpZ_HD
I can't say much, but I thought his characterization is very on point if you enjoyed him in the book. Aemond is one of my faves as well, so I was super excited to see him this week.
Also love The Last Kingdom, and was curious to see Mitchell in the role. He brings his A game.
My wife informed me tonight that if she had the Horn of Valere, she would abuse the shit out of it.
"Need 8 people to play a board game?" *blows horn*
"I need references for a job?" *blows horn*
"Oh we're short a few teammates for wiffleball? *blows horn*
🤣🤣🤣
#TheWheelOfTime
Difficult personal post incoming. CW: death
My father passed away over the weekend. He had been suffering from health issues, but it was still very sudden. I'm dealing, but probably won't be on here much this week. If I don't answer stuff that's why. Still struggling with words.
Ok, so I haven't been on here a whole lot lately, but yes, I've heard about
#TheWheelOfTime
AI stuff. No, I am not worried about the show, and you shouldn't be either (yet). Thoughts below, which hopefully add a bit of clarity:
#TwitterOfTime
The first of
@WiCnet
's
#TheWheelofTime
interviews has dropped! I spoke with Zoë Robins about bringing Nynaeve to life on screen, filming some of her biggest scenes of the season, preferred WoT traveling companions, and more. Enjoy
#TwitterOfTime
!
Best of luck to everyone participating in PitDark today! If you need a boost, drop a comment below so I can find your amazing pitches and RT them! 😁⚔️☠️
#WritingCommunity
Alright
#WritingCommunity
, we're in the home stretch of PitMad! I just pinned my final pitch of the day, and would be super grateful for any love you can spare it. Anyone else with their third pitches up that I can RT? Let me know!
So...I got my first royalty check today 👀
I'm supposed to go and spend this on books, right? It is an appropriately book-sized amount, so that is my unassailable deduction.
@Aemond1Ey
She was fantastic. Olivia Cooke has killed it every time she's been on screen in my opinion, but she had a lot to work with in this one. One of her best performances of the season for sure.
@t_mprt
@HOTDsource
I think at this point, it's safe to go with this equation:
Is Aemond in the episode? (Answer Y/N)
If yes, then Aemond gave a great performance.
Ewan Mitchell has just inhabited that character so incredibly well.
🎉🎉 News time! 🎉🎉
I'm thrilled to announce that I'll soon be stepping into the role of Associate Editor at Winter Is Coming. Writing for
@WiCnet
has been an absolute joy, and I can't believe it's now my JOB. So excited for this next chapter there!
To the work to come! 🥂
Just want to add, for everyone QTing this and saying it means massive changes are afoot, that I used the word "decisions" instead of "changes" very intentionally. I'm speaking more broadly than just deviations from the source book. Make of that what you will.
I loved the
#HouseOfTheDragon
finale. I do wish Aemond made a conscious choice to kill Luke, HOWEVER, I also think both of them losing control of their dragons worked perfectly. It really fits the theme of the season, and the conflict as a whole.
Today
@WiCnet
I interviewed
#theExpanse
coauthor
@AbrahamHanover
about his new book AGE OF ASH (out 2/15
@orbitbooks
)! We discuss creating this vivid tale, how he balances so many projects, what fantasy characters he'd want in his gang of thieves and more.
@SportsGirlSL
I couldn't help it Savannah! I had to say something. I am too much of an emotional wreck to keep it all in! Can't wait to hear what you think!!
I've been strongly considering going to JordanCon for the first time next year, and all these tweets about
#TwitterOfTime
people booking rooms for it is really tempting me to commit to it. Any thoughts about how the con is from people who've been?
#TheWheelOfTime
To put a bit of context on this, Del Rey has already spent money marketing the book. They've already printed ARCs. I imagine it may be difficult (or even impossible) to get back the portion of the advance they've already paid.
So for them to back out at this point? A big deal.
Have now seen a few of the inevitable hot takes that
#TheWitcher
season 3 squandered Henry Cavill's exit by giving other characters more screen time, that the finale needed more action, blah blah blah.
That's garbage, and I will break down why in this 🧵(
#TheWitcherS3Spoilers
)
Happy
#LanfearGaidon
,
#TwitterOfTime
! Here's my
@WiCnet
interview with Natasha O'Keeffe to add to the celebration. We talked about how she prepared for the role, favorite costumes, and aspects of Lanfear she's excited to play in the future.
#TheWheelOfTime
Happy
#TheWitcher
day!
The Witcher has had its ups and downs, but the final three episodes of season 3 are *incredible*. I cried multiple times...in all three episodes. What a fantastic end to the season and Henry Cavill's run as Geralt. Book fans will be very happy.
On Eyorath, the feuds of Gods and Goddesses shape the rise and fall of nations. When an exiled God teaches his people to bolt steel armor to their bones, he ignites a brutal war of progress…one where the bond between humanity and nature itself is at stake.
#PitMad
#A
#F
#TheWheelOfTime
fandom remains, statistically, the best ❤️
Covering the show, interviewing the cast and crew, and getting to know
#TwitterOfTime
better has been a highlight of my time writing about fantasy shows. So grateful for all of you!
Appreciation Post!
We have been blessed with thoughtful interviews with
#TheWheelOfTime
cast, passionate coverage during Season 2, and new active members of our community
Thank you
@carlylane
@RomanWriting
@megsokay
@owendanoff
, for your quality work for S2 & your love of WoT 🫶
Alright, seventh inning stretch time.
My last
#PitMad
pitch just went up and is now pinned. Who's still in these trenches with me? Drop a comment or GIF below if you'd like a RT (and of course, I'd be super grateful for any you feel like throwing my way, as well)!
And that's a wrap!
This
#PitMad
was the craziest and most fun of any that I've taken part in, and a huge part of that was meeting so many other members of the
#WritingCommunity
! Thank you SO much to all the other writers who retweeted in support today. You rock!
There are a lot of things I liked in Episode 4 of
#TheWheelOfTime
, but also one thing that made me nervous about the show's future (Lan+Moiraine). Apparently I had a lot of thoughts, because I wrote 2,000+ words about it today 😅
(Major
#WoTBookSpoilers
)
While the rest of publishing twitter is on fire, this story has consistently been restoring my faith in humanity. So happy for everyone involved in this, and CONGRATULATIONS to
@tithenai
and
@maxgladstone
on hitting the NYT bestseller list!!!
Friends--
@maskofbun
--y'all--
this has never happened to either of us before
just utterly stupefied with joy, thanks to every single person who bought or re-bought or re-re-bought a copy & made this happen, I want to make jokes but I can't this is so much
My interview with
#TheWheelOfTime
's Ayoola Smart went up today
@WiCnet
! We talked about playing Aviendha, her most challenging scenes in season 2, training journey, aspects of the Aiel she's excited to see explored in season 3 and more.
#TwitterOfTime
Finished the first two episodes of
#SHOGUN
将軍 and *wow*. That might be one of the more perfect series debuts I've seen in a while. The acting, the plotting, the politics, the attention to detail and sets and action scenes... everything about it is top notch. Highly recommend!
Good afternoon,
#TwitterOfTime
! I spoke with Kate Fleetwood about what Liandrin was thinking during THAT scene with Lady Suroth, the duality of her performance, favorite scene partners, and the high stakes of
#TheWheelOfTime
season 3.
Honestly, I'm just kind of obsessed with the fact that
#HouseoftheDragon
basically recreated this piece of artwork from Fire & Blood.
(Expand for full image.)
So, my wife surprised me with this book cake, champagne, pizza, and some Exploding Kittens time tonight and I'm just...ridiculously grateful to have such an amazing partner. Valorie has been so immensely supportive through every step of this writing journey.
The best!! ❤️
I love how whenever I write something remotely critical of The Rings of Power, it leads to people calling me biased.
Like, my dude (it is always a dude), this is a picture of the table where I write most of this stuff. You REALLY want to tell me I'm biased against LOTR? 🤣
@Blind_Nycteris
That is an outrageous take. Can I just say, when Robin Sullivan said on the Publishing Rodeo that she reached out to reviewers and said "can we send you a copy IN HOPES of a review, not in exchange" I literally cheered out loud? Because that is 100% the right way to do it.
I sold my first short story yesterday!!! It's still too early for me to shout details from mountaintops...but I am ridiculously excited and can't wait to share it with the
#WritingCommunity
. It's a long and often difficult path, this whole writing thing. Just. Keep. Going.
#TheWheelOfTime
#WoTShowSpoilers
#TwitterOfTime
In a sense, it was her and Lan on the beach that truly won the battle to declare the Dragon in Falme. And they were able to do it because of their restored trust.
#TheWheelOfTime
#WoTShowSpoilers
In the finale, they fight together for the first time of the season. Moiraine completely trusts Lan to have her back. And this victory isn’t just beating a bunch of soldiers; Moiraine frees Rand from his shield, and then raises the Dragon banner.
#WoTShowSpoilers
#TheWheelOfTime
#TwitterOfTime
The scene is bookended by showing Moiraine’s lack of trust at the beginning, and Lan’s at the end. And ICYMI, this was an assassination attempt instigated by Lanfear when they were at their weakest...and it almost broke them. /🧵
@erika1_2
I really liked Helaena, and think Phia Saban does a wonderful job. She's another one I'm looking forward to seeing more of in future episodes.
@BethanyGJacobs
Huzzah! The second season is so damn good, so if you're enjoying the first it's only going to keep getting better.
1. Yes, yes he does.
2. You are going to love episode 6
3. Yes, yes they are.
4. Huzzah!!
Enjoy the ride!
Reviewers won't be watching the
#HouseOfTheDragon
season finale ahead of time, so no early impressions this week. We're all going to Storm's End together, my friends. It's going to be mayhem.