Ian Randal Strock
@ianrandalstrock.bsky.social
Writer of science fiction and non-fiction. Editor and Publisher of Gray Rabbit Publications and Fantastic Books. See also IanRandalStrock.com and FantasticBooks.biz.
December 19, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Looking for something to do noon (EST) Saturday? Tune in to Ryan Permison's "And I Quote" (streaming live on YouTube). I'll be the guest, and apparently you'll be able to ask live questions. Let's see how this goes....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbG-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbG-...
Why You Should Read Wandering Through Time
YouTube video by And I Quote
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Looking for something to do noon (EST) Saturday? Tune in to Ryan Permison's "And I Quote" (streaming live on YouTube). I'll be the guest, and apparently you'll be able to ask live questions. Let's see how this goes....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbG-...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbG-...
The current debate about "health care" is just a distraction, and will ultimately fail, because it actually has nothing to do with "health care," and everything to do with "health insurance". Today on the blog: ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/18/i...
It’s not a “health care” debate
One of the big topics related to the government right now is the ongoing debate over “health care.” Specifically, allowing the Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire, finding a better way to pay f…
ianrandalstrock.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The current debate about "health care" is just a distraction, and will ultimately fail, because it actually has nothing to do with "health care," and everything to do with "health insurance". Today on the blog: ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/18/i...
Just received a wonderful letter from Samuel R. Delany about my latest book. I'm thrilled!
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/17/c...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/17/c...
Compliment and addition from Samuel Delany
I just got some very nice praise, and more information, from Samuel Delany about my latest book. He writes: I recently enjoyed your book, Punctilious Punctuation, very much. One of the things you d…
ianrandalstrock.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Just received a wonderful letter from Samuel R. Delany about my latest book. I'm thrilled!
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/17/c...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/17/c...
I'm the guest on the latest episode of the Writers & Illustrators of the Future podcast (#358). We talk mostly about my newest book, Punctilious Punctuation, as well as punctuation and communication in general, writing, and some history. Check it out! writersofthefuture.com/podcast/epis...
Writers of the Future Podcast Episode 358
Discover the wild history of punctuation: no spaces, no marks—until orators saved us! Ian Randal Strock talks Punctilious Punctuation, why bad commas kill manuscripts, social media’s language crisis, ...
writersofthefuture.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:04 AM
I'm the guest on the latest episode of the Writers & Illustrators of the Future podcast (#358). We talk mostly about my newest book, Punctilious Punctuation, as well as punctuation and communication in general, writing, and some history. Check it out! writersofthefuture.com/podcast/epis...
Why are they always talking to the actors who give vision to the ideas, rather than the writers who actually created the ideas?
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/16/t...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/16/t...
The person behind the curtain?
MSNOW’s Morning Joe just wrapped up—as it frequently does—interviewing an actor. Today, it was Simu Liu talking about the science fictional ideas behind his new series, The Copenhagen Test. He did …
ianrandalstrock.com
December 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Why are they always talking to the actors who give vision to the ideas, rather than the writers who actually created the ideas?
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/16/t...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/16/t...
I just emailed the US Mint ([email protected]):
Please tell us the obverse design of the 2026 Half Dollar is NOT final, and that it will be improved. The point on the Statue of Liberty’s crown that comes out from behind her nose makes her look like Pinnochio telling a lie. Please fix it.
Please tell us the obverse design of the 2026 Half Dollar is NOT final, and that it will be improved. The point on the Statue of Liberty’s crown that comes out from behind her nose makes her look like Pinnochio telling a lie. Please fix it.
December 11, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I just emailed the US Mint ([email protected]):
Please tell us the obverse design of the 2026 Half Dollar is NOT final, and that it will be improved. The point on the Statue of Liberty’s crown that comes out from behind her nose makes her look like Pinnochio telling a lie. Please fix it.
Please tell us the obverse design of the 2026 Half Dollar is NOT final, and that it will be improved. The point on the Statue of Liberty’s crown that comes out from behind her nose makes her look like Pinnochio telling a lie. Please fix it.
Brooklyn Borough Hall, from the street, and from above.
December 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Brooklyn Borough Hall, from the street, and from above.
Digging through some old papers, I just came across this polaroid photo of the first time I met Buzz Aldrin, at the Explorers’ Club in Manhattan.
December 9, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Digging through some old papers, I just came across this polaroid photo of the first time I met Buzz Aldrin, at the Explorers’ Club in Manhattan.
No platform photo tonight, because the Q train isn’t running this weekend. Instead, I’m off for some absurdly long round-about trip that will hopefully wind up at GNYM’s holiday party.
December 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
No platform photo tonight, because the Q train isn’t running this weekend. Instead, I’m off for some absurdly long round-about trip that will hopefully wind up at GNYM’s holiday party.
I'm still thinking about the show I saw Tuesday night, for good reasons:
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/06/s...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/06/s...
Saul Rubinek playing Saul Rubinek playing Shylock
I had an odd theatrical experience this past Tuesday. I went to a show, and while I’m still not sure if I liked it, I am still thinking about it, so in that respect, it was good. The show is Playin…
ianrandalstrock.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:14 PM
I'm still thinking about the show I saw Tuesday night, for good reasons:
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/06/s...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/12/06/s...
“DC pipe bomb suspect says he thought the 2020 election was stolen.” (From a story on CNN just now.) True or not, isn’t that precisely what he should be saying if he wants to get a presidential pardon?
December 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
“DC pipe bomb suspect says he thought the 2020 election was stolen.” (From a story on CNN just now.) True or not, isn’t that precisely what he should be saying if he wants to get a presidential pardon?
First Wednesday of the month: that must mean tonight is trivia night!
December 3, 2025 at 11:41 PM
First Wednesday of the month: that must mean tonight is trivia night!
The rain has stopped (no snow here in Brooklyn), and thanks to an invitation yesterday, I’m off to see Saul Rubinek in “Playing Shylock.” (No red hat, but I am wearing a red shirt.)
December 2, 2025 at 11:10 PM
The rain has stopped (no snow here in Brooklyn), and thanks to an invitation yesterday, I’m off to see Saul Rubinek in “Playing Shylock.” (No red hat, but I am wearing a red shirt.)
First batch of chili of the season: dinner time!
December 1, 2025 at 12:38 AM
First batch of chili of the season: dinner time!
Sunset view of Manhattan from Weehawken, New Jersey, after Thanksgiving dinner and before dessert. A very good day.
November 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Sunset view of Manhattan from Weehawken, New Jersey, after Thanksgiving dinner and before dessert. A very good day.
The president couldn’t have planned a better incident to ramp up his policies and reinforce his rhetoric: stocks.apple.com/A14GkNe66QxC...
Charges against suspect upgraded as Trump vows immigration policy changes — The Washington Post
The National Guard shooting suspect now faces a charge of murder in the first degree, following the death of Spec. Sarah Beckstrom.
stocks.apple.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:57 PM
The president couldn’t have planned a better incident to ramp up his policies and reinforce his rhetoric: stocks.apple.com/A14GkNe66QxC...
Off to the Thanksgiving-ing!
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Off to the Thanksgiving-ing!
Some last-minute baking for tomorrow: mondel bread and meringue cookies (picture of the just-mixed meringue as well as fresh from the oven).
November 27, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Some last-minute baking for tomorrow: mondel bread and meringue cookies (picture of the just-mixed meringue as well as fresh from the oven).
If you missed us at Philcon, today is publication day for Daniel M. Kimmel's "A Talent to Amuse". ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/25/a...
A Talent to Amuse publication day
If you weren’t with us at Philcon this weekend, today is your first chance to get a copy of Daniel M. Kimmel’s fantastic new novel, A Talent to Amuse. It’s a funny, fantastical, romantic look at th…
ianrandalstrock.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:34 PM
If you missed us at Philcon, today is publication day for Daniel M. Kimmel's "A Talent to Amuse". ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/25/a...
Author Daniel Kimmel and his new novel, “A Talent to Amuse.” Join us for the launch party at 6pm in the con suite (8th floor) at Philcon.
November 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Author Daniel Kimmel and his new novel, “A Talent to Amuse.” Join us for the launch party at 6pm in the con suite (8th floor) at Philcon.
I was stunned by how little traffic there was, so I got to Philcon way early. And then the inertia which usually rules was strangely absent. Thus, I am all set up in the dealers’ room… even though we don’t open for another two hours.
November 21, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I was stunned by how little traffic there was, so I got to Philcon way early. And then the inertia which usually rules was strangely absent. Thus, I am all set up in the dealers’ room… even though we don’t open for another two hours.
What brings you joy?
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/20/w...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/20/w...
What brings you joy?
I’m planning to go to a Mensa gathering this evening, just some people getting together in a restaurant/bar for conversation. The last time this particular gathering gathered, it was fascinating. I…
ianrandalstrock.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:29 PM
What brings you joy?
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/20/w...
ianrandalstrock.com/2025/11/20/w...
Reposted by Ian Randal Strock
Take note, publishers who don’t think using AI matters. (Authors in this case appear to have been unaware and I feel for them.)
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
New Zealand’s top book award disqualifies two prominent authors over AI artwork
Publisher says rule against AI use came after books were submitted for consideration
www.independent.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Take note, publishers who don’t think using AI matters. (Authors in this case appear to have been unaware and I feel for them.)
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...