Dr. Emily Friedman
@friede.bsky.social
Storyteller about storytellers.
18th century to today & beyond.
J.W.Liles Prof of English
Words: Polygon (RIP), LARB, etc
Next book: HOW STORIES ARE PLAYED (#TTRPG Actual Play & digital storytelling performance)
ecfriedman.com
(free) patreon.com/ecfriedman
18th century to today & beyond.
J.W.Liles Prof of English
Words: Polygon (RIP), LARB, etc
Next book: HOW STORIES ARE PLAYED (#TTRPG Actual Play & digital storytelling performance)
ecfriedman.com
(free) patreon.com/ecfriedman
Pinned
Dr. Emily Friedman
@friede.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Howdy, y’all.
I’m a tenured prof who studies storytelling outside the rules of mass media. This has included never-published manuscripts from during the age of print (1750-1900) & of late has made me a leader in the study of #TTRPG Actual Play.
I’ve learned a lot about friendship along the way.
I’m a tenured prof who studies storytelling outside the rules of mass media. This has included never-published manuscripts from during the age of print (1750-1900) & of late has made me a leader in the study of #TTRPG Actual Play.
I’ve learned a lot about friendship along the way.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
TODAY: Carrie Frye has some VERY good news about the archives of The Hairpin after a "horrifying zombie afterlife"!!!! flaminghydra.com/women-laughi...
Women Laughing Again On The Internet
Sometime last year the online archives of The Awl—the influential blog that ran from 2009-2018, and former home of many a Flaming Hydra contributor—went out, like a light switching off. Meanwhile, the...
flaminghydra.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:26 AM
TODAY: Carrie Frye has some VERY good news about the archives of The Hairpin after a "horrifying zombie afterlife"!!!! flaminghydra.com/women-laughi...
See also: academia for most of my life.
Some close friends to be get a little frustrated in my tendency to priortise luck in my own career, as they know how I work. I try to explain that work just is buying a lottery ticket. It's necessary, but certainly not sufficient. I know many folks who've worked as hard but the dice have been cruel.
November 26, 2025 at 1:08 PM
See also: academia for most of my life.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
I'm not the only person who makes board games full-time but I am probably the only one who does it full-time making weird, abrasive, experimental zine-like board games w/ POD production values. That should not work; feels like I am getting away with something. And I do chalk it up primarily to luck.
Some close friends to be get a little frustrated in my tendency to priortise luck in my own career, as they know how I work. I try to explain that work just is buying a lottery ticket. It's necessary, but certainly not sufficient. I know many folks who've worked as hard but the dice have been cruel.
November 26, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I'm not the only person who makes board games full-time but I am probably the only one who does it full-time making weird, abrasive, experimental zine-like board games w/ POD production values. That should not work; feels like I am getting away with something. And I do chalk it up primarily to luck.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Many folks' final assessment of Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser---the closest thing to a multi-million-dollar larp experience we've ever gotten and one of Disney's highest-ever-rated attractions---came from a 4-hour complaint video about its game app, instantly accepted as sacred dogma.
Whenever I say this, people get Really Mad, but it's true. Same of any other art, too. You have to read the book, watch the film, see the painting, listen to the song, whatever.
I'm sorry, but watching a video about it on YouTube is not enough. You have not experience the art.
I'm sorry, but watching a video about it on YouTube is not enough. You have not experience the art.
"you have not played the game unless you've played the game" is one of my more annoying but unshakable opinions
November 26, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Many folks' final assessment of Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser---the closest thing to a multi-million-dollar larp experience we've ever gotten and one of Disney's highest-ever-rated attractions---came from a 4-hour complaint video about its game app, instantly accepted as sacred dogma.
Tomorrow I’m going to sit quietly and process the last week+ before seeing my family & friend-family & remembering who I am.
November 26, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Tomorrow I’m going to sit quietly and process the last week+ before seeing my family & friend-family & remembering who I am.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
oh now we are talking about writing salaries? My contribution: No one* has ever made money from it. Don't romanticize the past. There are zillions of examples of destitution in the archives of your faves!
*except a couple, here and there, randomly
*except a couple, here and there, randomly
November 26, 2025 at 12:09 AM
oh now we are talking about writing salaries? My contribution: No one* has ever made money from it. Don't romanticize the past. There are zillions of examples of destitution in the archives of your faves!
*except a couple, here and there, randomly
*except a couple, here and there, randomly
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Can't talk $$$ amounts yet, but here's a few numbers from the @plusoneexp.bsky.social @ Pax U. This is our hometown con, and we love it.
We know it's been a rough year, and I can't/won't generalize from this, but here's what we saw in our own sales.
We know it's been a rough year, and I can't/won't generalize from this, but here's what we saw in our own sales.
November 25, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Can't talk $$$ amounts yet, but here's a few numbers from the @plusoneexp.bsky.social @ Pax U. This is our hometown con, and we love it.
We know it's been a rough year, and I can't/won't generalize from this, but here's what we saw in our own sales.
We know it's been a rough year, and I can't/won't generalize from this, but here's what we saw in our own sales.
To be fair, it’s in no small part because the adaptation is being made by the exact same people who made the (emergent, improvised) campaign, who in turn repeatedly refer to the AP as a “writer’s room.”
It’s a pretty stunning & singular circumstance, as @mariakalberto.bsky.social has studied.
It’s a pretty stunning & singular circumstance, as @mariakalberto.bsky.social has studied.
One of the fantastic things about Critters (the Critical Role fandom, for the unfamiliar) is how chill they are about the animated adaptations taking liberties with the campaign. They understand it's all in service of telling a better story, unlike comic book fans who lose their minds over changes.
November 25, 2025 at 11:49 PM
To be fair, it’s in no small part because the adaptation is being made by the exact same people who made the (emergent, improvised) campaign, who in turn repeatedly refer to the AP as a “writer’s room.”
It’s a pretty stunning & singular circumstance, as @mariakalberto.bsky.social has studied.
It’s a pretty stunning & singular circumstance, as @mariakalberto.bsky.social has studied.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
If you have ever thought that my journalism or my first book were net positives for the world, understand that they probably would not exist if I did not have a spouse who paid the mortgage. If I'd been a solo earner/parent, I likely would have left criticism, journalism or book writing long ago.
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
November 25, 2025 at 11:40 PM
If you have ever thought that my journalism or my first book were net positives for the world, understand that they probably would not exist if I did not have a spouse who paid the mortgage. If I'd been a solo earner/parent, I likely would have left criticism, journalism or book writing long ago.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Reading Games, Playing Stories: A Book Talk with Edmond Y. Chang & Timothy J. Welsh, Tuesday, 12/2, 4:00-5:15 PM, UW OSC Presentation Space: lib.uw.edu/openscholars... #videogamestudies #gamestudies #closeplaying #newbook #booktalk
November 25, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Reading Games, Playing Stories: A Book Talk with Edmond Y. Chang & Timothy J. Welsh, Tuesday, 12/2, 4:00-5:15 PM, UW OSC Presentation Space: lib.uw.edu/openscholars... #videogamestudies #gamestudies #closeplaying #newbook #booktalk
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
I think there's an interesting study of media to be done looking at who gets labeled an "expert" and who gets labeled a "skeptic". Certainly for coverage of "AI", but I wonder if there are other topics that would make interesting comparisons.
November 25, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I think there's an interesting study of media to be done looking at who gets labeled an "expert" and who gets labeled a "skeptic". Certainly for coverage of "AI", but I wonder if there are other topics that would make interesting comparisons.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
You can forward your #PaxUnplugged2025 #Booth3071 Square receipt to [email protected] and we'll send you download links for the games you bought that come with PDFs. We've cleared most of the queue so now is a fine time.
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
You can forward your #PaxUnplugged2025 #Booth3071 Square receipt to [email protected] and we'll send you download links for the games you bought that come with PDFs. We've cleared most of the queue so now is a fine time.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
to ask a complex question simply:
why do public universities have comp/rhet programs for freshmen and private universities have first year writing programs?
I'm asking mostly about the history of this (is there a book about it?) but also the philosophy behind the difference in curricula
why do public universities have comp/rhet programs for freshmen and private universities have first year writing programs?
I'm asking mostly about the history of this (is there a book about it?) but also the philosophy behind the difference in curricula
November 25, 2025 at 4:36 PM
to ask a complex question simply:
why do public universities have comp/rhet programs for freshmen and private universities have first year writing programs?
I'm asking mostly about the history of this (is there a book about it?) but also the philosophy behind the difference in curricula
why do public universities have comp/rhet programs for freshmen and private universities have first year writing programs?
I'm asking mostly about the history of this (is there a book about it?) but also the philosophy behind the difference in curricula
If cool is the game about who cares less, everyone loses.
I don’t play it in academia and I don’t play it in life.
I’m very glad I have friends, colleagues, & other folks who don’t, can’t, or won’t play. Together we find other joys.
I don’t play it in academia and I don’t play it in life.
I’m very glad I have friends, colleagues, & other folks who don’t, can’t, or won’t play. Together we find other joys.
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
If cool is the game about who cares less, everyone loses.
I don’t play it in academia and I don’t play it in life.
I’m very glad I have friends, colleagues, & other folks who don’t, can’t, or won’t play. Together we find other joys.
I don’t play it in academia and I don’t play it in life.
I’m very glad I have friends, colleagues, & other folks who don’t, can’t, or won’t play. Together we find other joys.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
🚨 @jenguiliano.bsky.social & I are happy to share the November edition of Reviews in Digital Humanities, Part III of Hilary Havens’ Reviews in the Classroom issue, from topic editors R.C. Messier, Kalani Craig, and Lu Wang. reviewsindh.pubpub.org/v6-n11 #ReviewsInDH
Vol. 6, No. 11: November 2025 - Reviews in the Classroom, Part III · Reviews in Digital Humanities
Vol. 6, No. 11 of Reviews in Digital Humanities, a peer-reviewed journal that facilitates scholarly evaluation of digital humanities work and its outputs, edited by Jennifer Guiliano (Indiana Universi...
reviewsindh.pubpub.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM
🚨 @jenguiliano.bsky.social & I are happy to share the November edition of Reviews in Digital Humanities, Part III of Hilary Havens’ Reviews in the Classroom issue, from topic editors R.C. Messier, Kalani Craig, and Lu Wang. reviewsindh.pubpub.org/v6-n11 #ReviewsInDH
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
This is what pisses me off about the current higher ed crisis. The humanities always take the fall for structural failures of admin or low enrollment.
We already have to justify our own existences bc STEMy depts and admin refuse to learn what we do!!
We already have to justify our own existences bc STEMy depts and admin refuse to learn what we do!!
Where I work, grad student enrollment in Engineering and Business is down 70% and 40%, respectively.
Now, to cover the loss in revenue from these Departments, the rest of the colleges have to take MASSIVE hits. History Dept alone has cut/closed 6 TT lines. Forget about raises or salary equity. 🫠
Now, to cover the loss in revenue from these Departments, the rest of the colleges have to take MASSIVE hits. History Dept alone has cut/closed 6 TT lines. Forget about raises or salary equity. 🫠
Enrollment by international students from China dropped by 3 percent, from India by 4 percent, and enrollment from students from Mexico has flatlined. Here are the likely consequences for Texas' education and economy:
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
This is what pisses me off about the current higher ed crisis. The humanities always take the fall for structural failures of admin or low enrollment.
We already have to justify our own existences bc STEMy depts and admin refuse to learn what we do!!
We already have to justify our own existences bc STEMy depts and admin refuse to learn what we do!!
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Writing great books is one of the coolest things a human being can possibly do, but it’s important to recognize that the vast majority of authors throughout history earned roughly the equivalent of Uber driver wages to create the works we study today.
November 25, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Writing great books is one of the coolest things a human being can possibly do, but it’s important to recognize that the vast majority of authors throughout history earned roughly the equivalent of Uber driver wages to create the works we study today.
I heard from a fair number of folks similar sentiments: finding your people, keeping kin, quality time over quantity.
Hard to tell if I’m noticing because of my own season or because it’s something in the wind more broadly.
Hard to tell if I’m noticing because of my own season or because it’s something in the wind more broadly.
I’m less concerned with building a big network of contacts and more concerned with locking in with the peeps who’ve had my back for the past few years and figuring out how we can make our own shit and pop off in our own way without joining a race none of us want to be part of.
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 AM
I heard from a fair number of folks similar sentiments: finding your people, keeping kin, quality time over quantity.
Hard to tell if I’m noticing because of my own season or because it’s something in the wind more broadly.
Hard to tell if I’m noticing because of my own season or because it’s something in the wind more broadly.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
Dracula is a book about cleaning up all the folders on your desktop so that you can do a project with docs, pdfs, and sound files.
November 25, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Dracula is a book about cleaning up all the folders on your desktop so that you can do a project with docs, pdfs, and sound files.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
yo nerds
take a online class with me
read books ’n’ stuff
take a online class with me
read books ’n’ stuff
Course | Reading Johnson and Boswell with Jack Lynch | Virtual — The Rosenbach Museum & Library
Over the course of four biweekly meetings we’ll read some of Johnson’s most important works—essays, poems, fiction, travel narratives, biography—and selections from Boswell’s Life . The focus will al...
www.rosenbach.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:41 AM
yo nerds
take a online class with me
read books ’n’ stuff
take a online class with me
read books ’n’ stuff
So my favorite thing (happened a lot in recent days) is when I am only textually known (or as is the case right now, don’t really resemble my profile pic) so when I introduce myself by name I jumpscare someone.
One time I was at a con and I made eye contact with James from One Shot and I was trying to figure it was really James from One Shot because I'd only seen him in a video call before this.
Turns out he was doing the same thing toward me.
That's what it's like to meet people that you only online.
Turns out he was doing the same thing toward me.
That's what it's like to meet people that you only online.
November 25, 2025 at 4:08 AM
So my favorite thing (happened a lot in recent days) is when I am only textually known (or as is the case right now, don’t really resemble my profile pic) so when I introduce myself by name I jumpscare someone.
A wild 24 hours I can’t even explain.
November 25, 2025 at 3:25 AM
A wild 24 hours I can’t even explain.
Reposted by Dr. Emily Friedman
If you are a #TTRPG creator/designer/publisher with interest in working with or contributing to libraries, the Games & Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association would love to hear from you!
If you are a games publisher, developer or designer, please fill out this survey. We’d like to know more about what you are looking for in a partnership. bit.ly/GameRT2025Pu...
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bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 3:09 AM
If you are a #TTRPG creator/designer/publisher with interest in working with or contributing to libraries, the Games & Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association would love to hear from you!