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DK Latta

@dklatta.bsky.social

66 followers 65 following 450 posts

I write sometimes: F/SF/H/Myst &, when I can, superheroes! Tweets a mix of self-promotion, pop cultural musings, whimsy, politics. Older than I used to be. http://www.pulpanddagger.com/dk_latta.html https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=dk+latta&crid=3MO9V7TS40KDB&spr

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 10d

Probably shouldn't say but...God, I needed this; us little writers don't expect fame/fortune, but thrive on the crumbs of kind words :)
"What I particularly love about it is how Latta fits such carefully drawn characters and so much subtle emotion into a very action-packed short story." ~M. Haskins

Maria Haskins @mariahaskins.com · 11d

Strange Horizons turns 25 this year, which is pretty much an eternity in the world of spec fic zines, and I had the privilege of going through the archives for a special short fiction roundup: 2 x 25 Gems from Strange Horizons’ Archives

strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...

A Short Fiction Treasures Special: 2 x 25 Gems from Strange Horizons’ Archives

Going through the archives of Strange Horizons for this special column has been a bit like exploring a treasure chamber. I’ve picked fifty stories. I could have picked hundreds. Meaning: I left a l…

strangehorizons.com

Reposted by DK Latta

Andrew Lawrence @ndrew.bsky.social · 3h

every single tech idea is like “soon our robots will be capable of playing catch with your kid, freeing you up to spend more time working on your employers’ spreadsheets”

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 1h

Do most people play around on social media (Bluesky, twitter, etc) when bored at work or something? 'Cause I've often noticed it gets quieter on the weekend (like strolling down a street Sunday morning). But maybe not, or maybe just a coincidence of who I follow.

DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 3h

The moment is ripe for a left wing populism (to counter RW populism) but in Canada there's this (charismatic) leadership vacuum. In the US they have AOC, Mamdani, etc. But who in Canada? Kinew (maybe)? Singh was a wash. In retrospect Trudeau now looks like Hodor, valiantly holding back the RW tide

DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 3h

Another dilemma w/ fic characters is we all fixate on "our" version. I was ambivalent about Oracle because Babs was *my* Batgirl; but then a gen or 2 grow up to whom she's Oracle and don't like her being Batgirl again. No doubt when a new gen of creators come along she'll become Oracle again lol

DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 4h

I recently saw the clip of Bill - I'm a Liberal! (TM) - Maher speaking of his dinner with Trump which was basically: "He's cool because he was nice to *me* and he really *listened* to my opinions." And...yup.
A lot of these pundits are easily seduced by flattery and civility (to *them*).

DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 1d

I wasn't going to post this because I decided it was frivolous and pointless (and, honestly, I'm guessing some variation has been done a zillion times by others). Then I look at the headlines and get sad, & mad, & disgusted. So why not?

Two contrasting pictures of actor Andy Serkis looking suave and well-kempt with one of him as the decrepit and sinister CGI character, Gollum. Caption: "Weirdly my assumption was modern western fascism would be sly, suave, fooling us with euphemisms and be seductive. Instead it's blatant and obvious and not hiding anything; and people still vote for it" Followed by a disclaimer apologizing to both Serkis and Gollum for their visual appropriation. And a footnote adding: "Fascist supporters don't vote for Dorian Gray, they vote for his portrait in the attic."

DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 2d

A major test of whether the CDN government has principles or wants to be Vichy France. Sadly, long history in CDN of a LOT of voices (not just the Right) who think CDN's primary policy is being BFF with the US (I recall a lot a hysterical editorials - in CDN! - when we didn't join the Gulf War)

Elizabeth Thompson @lizt1.bsky.social · 2d

U.S bill calls for negotiations for more integration between Canadian, American border agents and for U.S. law enforcement to be able to operate in Canada. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

U.S. bill calls for more integration between Canadian, American border agents | CBC News

The U.S. Congress is being asked to adopt legislation that could lead to Canada and the United States further integrating their enforcement of the border — including allowing U.S. officers to more fre...

www.cbc.ca

DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 2d

Is banning always bad? You can make that argument. Equally, like the old shouting fire in a theatre, you can also argue some bans serve a purpose. That's why interrogating the ban is as valuable as simply kneejerk defending a book or treating all banned books as equal victims of tyranny. 6/6

DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 2d

..Blacks worried about literature promoting hatred & degradation toward them that can get them killed with racists mad about books promoting anti-racism. Here's the thing: either Art has no value or impact, so who cares if some is banned?; OR it does have impact so we should ask who, why, what. 5/6

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 2d

..wanting to ban racist stuff and racists wanting to ban anti-racist stuff as if two sides of the same coin. The book was published in the 1950s; Jim Crow was in effect in some States, lynchings so common they kept yearly statistics. And Bradbury, a nominally progressive white, equates...4/6

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 2d

There's a bit in Fahrenheit 451 (the definitive free speech/Dystopia tome) a character describes the beginnings of their society (Note: been yrs since I read the book, but the same speech was in diff adaptations so I'm assuming was from the book lol). And the character talks about Black people...3/6

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 2d

To ask why was the book banned? Who wants it banned? Who doesn't want it banned? Etc. 'Cause with apologies to Free Speech Absolutists (who are looking pretty shaky these days) flattening "bans" into a single issue where, say, The Diary of Anne Frank and Mein Kampf are treated as equal is iffy. 2/6

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 2d

Apparently it's #bannedbookweek so wanna post something controversial that's been on my mind a while. Folks brag they read a book if it was banned, saying the banners don't want you to read it. But in a way that's not fully it. What "they" don't want is for you to think about the book. 1/6

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 2d

Meant to re-post the picture and accidentally re-posted you thanking someone for a re-post lol. Too early in the morning for me, I guess

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Reposted by DK Latta

Samuel Agro @samuelagro.bsky.social · 2d

Inktober Day 8: Inktober wouldn't be Inktober without a few drawings of comic book characters. First up, Red Sonja, brush and ink on Strathmore Bristol. 9x19 inches.

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Reposted by DK Latta

Samuel Agro @samuelagro.bsky.social · 2d

I appreciate the share, @philmcclorey.bsky.social

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Reposted by DK Latta

Steve Chung @freestevechung.bsky.social · 2d

is wishing the happiest of birthdays to Richard Comely.

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Reposted by DK Latta

Stephen Kotowych 🇨🇦 @ourmankoto.bsky.social · 2d

Submissions are OPEN for Year's Best Canadian Fantasy & Science Fiction: Volume Four (the best of 2025). Send me your SFF published in 2025, you crazy Canucks! Details on my site at the link below. DON'T SELF REJECT! You can't win if you don't play ;) Subs close Feb 28, 2026. Pls share WIDELY.

Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction | Stephen Kotowych

kotowych.com

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 3d

Yeah, I actually thought the Congresswoman/politician was an interesting/off-beat secret ID premise

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 3d

I -- unironically -- always enjoy when pop culture entertainment (TV, movies, comics, pulp novels) throw in a little infotainment. Cap. Kirk & Khan bantering about Milton, Dr Who meeting historical figures, or Batman having a rare book hobby :)

A couple of panels from Detective Comics #359 showing librarian Barbara (Batgirl) Gordon putting aside a copy of the Bay Psalms ordered by Bruce (Batman) Wayne with an editor's footnote explaining the book's value.

Reposted by DK Latta

Gail Simone @gailsimone.bsky.social · 3d

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 3d

I should get in the habit of doing more random plugs/shout outs for things I like (or of interest) because, I know myself, we could all use a boost these days! :)
I enjoyed your reading (I'm a fan of audio drama and books) enough that I've made a mental note to try others you did (What He Woke)

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 3d

Guess it's worth adding (in the shameless self-promotion dept.) that it reminded me a bit of my own stab at this kind of Gothic creepiness in a story titled, rather generically, "The Old Manor House" (pub. in a short-lived horror mag, Who Knocks?); it's not on-line so I'm just mentioning it :) 5/5

DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 3d

..host @alasdairstuart.bsky.social talks about how creepy the story is. I'll admit: I often find horror doesn't work as well on me these days, I have trouble fully losing myself in 'em (as you *need* to). Hence why I say it was "fun", like an old Vincent Price movie; horror...but with a twinkle. 4/5

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DK Latta @dklatta.bsky.social · 3d

..the great reading by @chronicleflask.katday.com; a full-on performance investing the story w/ so much personality (which can be the criticism of readings: it imposes a 3rd interpreter, not just author/reader, onto the story). Admittedly I use the term "fun" cautiously because in the afterward..3/5

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