Bennett McKenna
@bennettmckenna.bsky.social
Writer of short stories, games, scripts and eulogies. Has a higher than average number of teeth and a lower than average number of functioning organs. Cyborg.
Even though it's a silly name, kudos to the guys celebrating their platonic love for each other on Ladentine's Day. Have a nice meal! Affirm your community! Stop each other dying young!
February 15, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Even though it's a silly name, kudos to the guys celebrating their platonic love for each other on Ladentine's Day. Have a nice meal! Affirm your community! Stop each other dying young!
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
we need to talk about that Ring Super Bowl ad
February 10, 2026 at 8:18 PM
we need to talk about that Ring Super Bowl ad
I thought that there would be an after; some sort of change, a series of trials, and I'd get to visit my American friends again.
The cancelled vaccination schedule means that after will take generations. The travel advisories will continue for decades.
The cancelled vaccination schedule means that after will take generations. The travel advisories will continue for decades.
February 4, 2026 at 11:34 PM
I thought that there would be an after; some sort of change, a series of trials, and I'd get to visit my American friends again.
The cancelled vaccination schedule means that after will take generations. The travel advisories will continue for decades.
The cancelled vaccination schedule means that after will take generations. The travel advisories will continue for decades.
Most milky coffees are watery smoothies. Vietnamese coffee is the only one to get it right (delicious juice slowly transitioning into thick smoothie).
February 1, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Most milky coffees are watery smoothies. Vietnamese coffee is the only one to get it right (delicious juice slowly transitioning into thick smoothie).
I haven't had a cough, cold or respiratory infection since 2019. I used to spend every winter sick.
It’s hard to believe in 2026 people are still asking “did you mask before covid?” As some kind of gotcha.
When things change, you adapt.
When you learn, you change your behaviour.
If I had known an N95 could prevent illness this effectively, I would have worn one sooner!
When things change, you adapt.
When you learn, you change your behaviour.
If I had known an N95 could prevent illness this effectively, I would have worn one sooner!
February 1, 2026 at 1:31 AM
I haven't had a cough, cold or respiratory infection since 2019. I used to spend every winter sick.
Tesco, why are you selling a day's supply of gochujang for £1.80 when I can get five times that much for 40p more?
January 27, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Tesco, why are you selling a day's supply of gochujang for £1.80 when I can get five times that much for 40p more?
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
Another friend put it to me like this: "ICE has made the classic Nazi mistake. They've invaded a winter people in the winter."
January 22, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Another friend put it to me like this: "ICE has made the classic Nazi mistake. They've invaded a winter people in the winter."
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
IT'S THE FINAL DAY OF OUR EXTENDED WINDOW! If you're a BIPOC, trans, and/or disabled author, you have until 11:59pm Eastern Time tonight to submit original fiction or poetry 👀
othersidespec.com/guidelines/
othersidespec.com/guidelines/
Reminder: our extended window for BIPOC, trans, and/or disabled authors ends Jan 21! If you're part of one or more of these communities and haven't submitted yet, send us your original fiction and/or poetry!
Next general window opens April 1 🪐🗡️
Full guidelines here: othersidespec.com/guidelines/
Next general window opens April 1 🪐🗡️
Full guidelines here: othersidespec.com/guidelines/
Submission Guidelines - OTHERSIDE
Submission guidelines for fiction and poetry submissions to OTHERSIDE, including opening dates and how to submit.
othersidespec.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM
IT'S THE FINAL DAY OF OUR EXTENDED WINDOW! If you're a BIPOC, trans, and/or disabled author, you have until 11:59pm Eastern Time tonight to submit original fiction or poetry 👀
othersidespec.com/guidelines/
othersidespec.com/guidelines/
When I was a teenager, it was widely acknowledged that any man using "females" as a noun was a raging misogynist. Now I'm seeing journalists using "females" to talk about women as if it doesn't make them sound like serial killers.
January 18, 2026 at 7:02 PM
When I was a teenager, it was widely acknowledged that any man using "females" as a noun was a raging misogynist. Now I'm seeing journalists using "females" to talk about women as if it doesn't make them sound like serial killers.
In a fun twist on "I remember my mother being this age", this year I'm as old as my grandparents were when they became grandparents.
January 15, 2026 at 8:31 AM
In a fun twist on "I remember my mother being this age", this year I'm as old as my grandparents were when they became grandparents.
My personal geography of Berlin is a map of places I saw @jessglanz.bsky.social looking beautiful. (Hers is obviously more normal, and full of things like good bagel places, because she lives there and so needs a more practical geography.)
January 15, 2026 at 12:29 AM
My personal geography of Berlin is a map of places I saw @jessglanz.bsky.social looking beautiful. (Hers is obviously more normal, and full of things like good bagel places, because she lives there and so needs a more practical geography.)
Amy is great to work with. If you're a nerd looking for a graphic design gig, shoot her a message.
I'm looking to revamp the Siren Events logo and branding. If anyone does this as a job / side hustle and is looking for some paid extra work and is interested, please DM me to discuss rates etc. My aim is to always support artists and designers in fandom, wherever possible.
January 13, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Amy is great to work with. If you're a nerd looking for a graphic design gig, shoot her a message.
Proposal: people who aren't disabled stop appearing on panels about cyborgs, implants, and transhumanism.
January 9, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Proposal: people who aren't disabled stop appearing on panels about cyborgs, implants, and transhumanism.
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
My Zeide took one look at 2026 and decided it wasn’t for him, so this week has been a lot of travelling, funeral prep and attendance, and starting to sort through his things. I really appreciate this lovely tribute written by his friend Kate Thompson: katethompsonauthor.substack.com/p/farewell-h...
Farewell Henry. The last boy to board the Kindertransport.
It is with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of my friend Henry Glanz.
katethompsonauthor.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:25 PM
My Zeide took one look at 2026 and decided it wasn’t for him, so this week has been a lot of travelling, funeral prep and attendance, and starting to sort through his things. I really appreciate this lovely tribute written by his friend Kate Thompson: katethompsonauthor.substack.com/p/farewell-h...
So @othersidespec.bsky.social have done something fantastic and published copies of all of their contracts online. Seeing how many writers are surprised by unfair clauses, it would be great if other outlets did the same (but not surprising that they don't).
othersidespec.com/sample-contr...
othersidespec.com/sample-contr...
Sample Contracts - OTHERSIDE
Sample contracts for OTHERSIDE, including the language for nonfiction, reprints, original fiction and poetry.
othersidespec.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:17 PM
So @othersidespec.bsky.social have done something fantastic and published copies of all of their contracts online. Seeing how many writers are surprised by unfair clauses, it would be great if other outlets did the same (but not surprising that they don't).
othersidespec.com/sample-contr...
othersidespec.com/sample-contr...
Greggs have done more for veganism in the UK than any campaign group.
This place needs some Innocuous Discourse pronto. Quote this with a take that’s not political or aggressive
January 6, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Greggs have done more for veganism in the UK than any campaign group.
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
Many full time creatives have “invisible safety nets” like bread-winning partners, trust funds, external support, etc. No shame on anyone, but it creates a false vision of success. The cost of going to cons alone on top of hoping to eat as a freelancer are untenable, IMO.
When people hear that I'm returning to part time work they often ask "are things not going well with your art?"
The problem really is things are going well, but the world is so unstable that I long for some consistency and income that I don't have to pay quarterly taxes on
The problem really is things are going well, but the world is so unstable that I long for some consistency and income that I don't have to pay quarterly taxes on
November 1, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Many full time creatives have “invisible safety nets” like bread-winning partners, trust funds, external support, etc. No shame on anyone, but it creates a false vision of success. The cost of going to cons alone on top of hoping to eat as a freelancer are untenable, IMO.
Domestic water supply is my Roman Empire. At least once a day I'll think about how lucky I am I didn't drown in a well at aged five because I was too fucking clumsy to fetch water properly.
December 29, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Domestic water supply is my Roman Empire. At least once a day I'll think about how lucky I am I didn't drown in a well at aged five because I was too fucking clumsy to fetch water properly.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Roxy Chambers is unrelated to the movie which came out in 2024. The movie? Tragically lacking in lesbians. The novel? You'll never guess.
As its awards eligibility season, here's what I've published this year:
Novels:
* Sword of Avalon (Inheritance book 11)
* The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (as Roxy Chambers)
Please consider adding either to your Hugo / Nebulas / World Fantasy / BFS / other nominations 😙
Novels:
* Sword of Avalon (Inheritance book 11)
* The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (as Roxy Chambers)
Please consider adding either to your Hugo / Nebulas / World Fantasy / BFS / other nominations 😙
December 15, 2025 at 10:48 PM
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Roxy Chambers is unrelated to the movie which came out in 2024. The movie? Tragically lacking in lesbians. The novel? You'll never guess.
History teachers have a contemporary example of how a small group of rich influencers can persuade media and the government to put a target on the back of a persecuted minority.
Or at least they would if UK teachers were allowed to talk about the current situation for trans people.
Or at least they would if UK teachers were allowed to talk about the current situation for trans people.
December 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
History teachers have a contemporary example of how a small group of rich influencers can persuade media and the government to put a target on the back of a persecuted minority.
Or at least they would if UK teachers were allowed to talk about the current situation for trans people.
Or at least they would if UK teachers were allowed to talk about the current situation for trans people.
I've been enjoying The Bear because hey, I know those guys (chefs). My friend has been enjoying The Bear because hey, she knows those guys (Chicagoans).
I guess everyone else has been enjoying it for the incredible writing and award-winning acting or whatever
I guess everyone else has been enjoying it for the incredible writing and award-winning acting or whatever
December 8, 2025 at 1:00 AM
I've been enjoying The Bear because hey, I know those guys (chefs). My friend has been enjoying The Bear because hey, she knows those guys (Chicagoans).
I guess everyone else has been enjoying it for the incredible writing and award-winning acting or whatever
I guess everyone else has been enjoying it for the incredible writing and award-winning acting or whatever
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
Why is every journalist a suck-up now. Bring back weasel-faced little bastards who hate everyone
November 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Why is every journalist a suck-up now. Bring back weasel-faced little bastards who hate everyone
Reposted by Bennett McKenna
An extraordinary thing, this.
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
Trans Mission - Wednesday 11th March
Mighty Hoopla and Olly Alexander team up for a Trans Mission: an all-star solidarity concert for the trans community at OVO Arena Wembley
www.transmissionlive.uk
November 28, 2025 at 12:10 PM
An extraordinary thing, this.
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
A line up of stars performing at Wembley Arena to show their love and solidarity with the trans community and in aid of Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Register now for tickets.
www.transmissionlive.uk
The thing about transphobia becoming horrifically, boringly mainstream is... Well, it's horrifically, boringly mainstream. Congrats, transphobes. You've made opposing your bullshit cool, sexy and countercultural.
December 3, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The thing about transphobia becoming horrifically, boringly mainstream is... Well, it's horrifically, boringly mainstream. Congrats, transphobes. You've made opposing your bullshit cool, sexy and countercultural.
Horribly unfair that authors, a group of people who looked at their career options and decided hallucinating in front of a keyboard was for them, are forced to socialise as part of the job.
November 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Horribly unfair that authors, a group of people who looked at their career options and decided hallucinating in front of a keyboard was for them, are forced to socialise as part of the job.