Kerry C. Byrne
@kercoby.bsky.social
SFF writer—Year’s Best Canadian SFF, Fantasy Mag, THIS Mag. @SFWA. Banff Sci-fi ‘25. 6X Aurora Finalist. Loves fairy tales, comics, video games, D&D.
Publisher @augursociety — Augur Mag, Tales & Feathers Mag, Augur Books.
Contact me @ www.kerrycbyrne.com
Publisher @augursociety — Augur Mag, Tales & Feathers Mag, Augur Books.
Contact me @ www.kerrycbyrne.com
Pinned
Kerry C. Byrne
@kercoby.bsky.social
· Nov 17
✨ I have started a broad #CanSpec starter pack!
This isn’t JUST writers, authors, editors…
It’s also stores, booksellers, community organizers.
ANYONE in CanSpec (Canlit + Specfic) !
Reply for an add ✨ It’s very much only a rough beginning right now !
go.bsky.app/Q7MUTiT
This isn’t JUST writers, authors, editors…
It’s also stores, booksellers, community organizers.
ANYONE in CanSpec (Canlit + Specfic) !
Reply for an add ✨ It’s very much only a rough beginning right now !
go.bsky.app/Q7MUTiT
At what point do you DNF a book?
DNF’ing is a practice I’ve been developing in my thirties. I give the first 50 pages a chance to win me—the first 100 if I wanted to love it.
But I still have guilt when I put it down! I didn’t DNF until I was in my late 20s! Ever! 🙀🫨
Curious about others’ ways 👀
DNF’ing is a practice I’ve been developing in my thirties. I give the first 50 pages a chance to win me—the first 100 if I wanted to love it.
But I still have guilt when I put it down! I didn’t DNF until I was in my late 20s! Ever! 🙀🫨
Curious about others’ ways 👀
January 12, 2026 at 11:28 PM
At what point do you DNF a book?
DNF’ing is a practice I’ve been developing in my thirties. I give the first 50 pages a chance to win me—the first 100 if I wanted to love it.
But I still have guilt when I put it down! I didn’t DNF until I was in my late 20s! Ever! 🙀🫨
Curious about others’ ways 👀
DNF’ing is a practice I’ve been developing in my thirties. I give the first 50 pages a chance to win me—the first 100 if I wanted to love it.
But I still have guilt when I put it down! I didn’t DNF until I was in my late 20s! Ever! 🙀🫨
Curious about others’ ways 👀
I have put my cat on a diet
She would like to inform you she hates it
She would like to inform you she hates it
January 10, 2026 at 1:03 AM
I have put my cat on a diet
She would like to inform you she hates it
She would like to inform you she hates it
Reposted by Kerry C. Byrne
Advance sizes are not indicators of quality or skill. They indicate an anticipated audience size, or total available market (marketing speak).
If you tie your value to dollars, you will lose your mind. The dollars are not measuring worthiness.
The industry is not a meritocracy. It is capitalism.
If you tie your value to dollars, you will lose your mind. The dollars are not measuring worthiness.
The industry is not a meritocracy. It is capitalism.
January 7, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Advance sizes are not indicators of quality or skill. They indicate an anticipated audience size, or total available market (marketing speak).
If you tie your value to dollars, you will lose your mind. The dollars are not measuring worthiness.
The industry is not a meritocracy. It is capitalism.
If you tie your value to dollars, you will lose your mind. The dollars are not measuring worthiness.
The industry is not a meritocracy. It is capitalism.
Advance sizes are not indicators of quality or skill. They indicate an anticipated audience size, or total available market (marketing speak).
If you tie your value to dollars, you will lose your mind. The dollars are not measuring worthiness.
The industry is not a meritocracy. It is capitalism.
If you tie your value to dollars, you will lose your mind. The dollars are not measuring worthiness.
The industry is not a meritocracy. It is capitalism.
January 7, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Advance sizes are not indicators of quality or skill. They indicate an anticipated audience size, or total available market (marketing speak).
If you tie your value to dollars, you will lose your mind. The dollars are not measuring worthiness.
The industry is not a meritocracy. It is capitalism.
If you tie your value to dollars, you will lose your mind. The dollars are not measuring worthiness.
The industry is not a meritocracy. It is capitalism.
I want someone to study when a lack of plot continuity and retconning is acceptable to audiences and when it isn’t.
How do you develop mystery & enjoyment despite it, versus lose the trust of your viewers? What are the steps and traits?
(Yes, I am comparing Kingdom Hearts and Stranger Things)
How do you develop mystery & enjoyment despite it, versus lose the trust of your viewers? What are the steps and traits?
(Yes, I am comparing Kingdom Hearts and Stranger Things)
January 7, 2026 at 3:17 PM
I want someone to study when a lack of plot continuity and retconning is acceptable to audiences and when it isn’t.
How do you develop mystery & enjoyment despite it, versus lose the trust of your viewers? What are the steps and traits?
(Yes, I am comparing Kingdom Hearts and Stranger Things)
How do you develop mystery & enjoyment despite it, versus lose the trust of your viewers? What are the steps and traits?
(Yes, I am comparing Kingdom Hearts and Stranger Things)
Time to dig back into reading Augur novella & novelette manuscript submissions 👀✨
January 6, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Time to dig back into reading Augur novella & novelette manuscript submissions 👀✨
I didn’t publish anything in 2025, but it was 100% my most successful writer year yet 🥰
33k words of novel written
Award finalist
Year’s Best inclusion
Banff Residency
New writing discords
& rediscovering the feeling that I GET to write, instead of “should” ✨
It’s been a joy & a delight.
33k words of novel written
Award finalist
Year’s Best inclusion
Banff Residency
New writing discords
& rediscovering the feeling that I GET to write, instead of “should” ✨
It’s been a joy & a delight.
January 6, 2026 at 9:32 PM
I didn’t publish anything in 2025, but it was 100% my most successful writer year yet 🥰
33k words of novel written
Award finalist
Year’s Best inclusion
Banff Residency
New writing discords
& rediscovering the feeling that I GET to write, instead of “should” ✨
It’s been a joy & a delight.
33k words of novel written
Award finalist
Year’s Best inclusion
Banff Residency
New writing discords
& rediscovering the feeling that I GET to write, instead of “should” ✨
It’s been a joy & a delight.
I am so fascinated by the Stranger Things discourse—
By any scenario where something creative is so incredibly successful, and then money and timelines and pressure and ego completely destroy what made it successful to start.
Aka. What also happens with high-budget trilogies pushed out too fast.
By any scenario where something creative is so incredibly successful, and then money and timelines and pressure and ego completely destroy what made it successful to start.
Aka. What also happens with high-budget trilogies pushed out too fast.
January 5, 2026 at 5:47 PM
I am so fascinated by the Stranger Things discourse—
By any scenario where something creative is so incredibly successful, and then money and timelines and pressure and ego completely destroy what made it successful to start.
Aka. What also happens with high-budget trilogies pushed out too fast.
By any scenario where something creative is so incredibly successful, and then money and timelines and pressure and ego completely destroy what made it successful to start.
Aka. What also happens with high-budget trilogies pushed out too fast.
I wish I could go back to university Kerry and whisper in their ear that it wasn’t actually physically possible to read 35+ books in 3.5 months for their English degree, and everyone who wasn’t autistic already knew that
January 5, 2026 at 12:00 AM
I wish I could go back to university Kerry and whisper in their ear that it wasn’t actually physically possible to read 35+ books in 3.5 months for their English degree, and everyone who wasn’t autistic already knew that
Reposted by Kerry C. Byrne
This post is going around again! So, let me take this chance to say… we are having the best time! It’s looking like we will be able to accept <1% of total subs, so please don’t be discouraged by a quick response (we hope that’s better than a long wait!) and please do send more in the future! 🌈 🪐 🗡️
OTHERSIDE has been open for 20 minutes and we’re already reading submissions! Thank you to everyone who decided to ring in the new year by sending us your work—we can’t wait to read it all!
othersidespec.com/guidelines/
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 4, 2026 at 3:54 PM
This post is going around again! So, let me take this chance to say… we are having the best time! It’s looking like we will be able to accept <1% of total subs, so please don’t be discouraged by a quick response (we hope that’s better than a long wait!) and please do send more in the future! 🌈 🪐 🗡️
Is Stranger Things the Gen Z Lost
January 3, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Is Stranger Things the Gen Z Lost
Reposted by Kerry C. Byrne
I love this from @kercoby.bsky.social -- going to try it for my short fiction this year!
Happy NY, writer folk! 🎊
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
January 3, 2026 at 2:48 PM
I love this from @kercoby.bsky.social -- going to try it for my short fiction this year!
Reposted by Kerry C. Byrne
This is a really fun idea.
Happy NY, writer folk! 🎊
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
January 2, 2026 at 6:50 PM
This is a really fun idea.
Reposted by Kerry C. Byrne
love this!! happy new year 🩷🎉
Happy NY, writer folk! 🎊
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
January 2, 2026 at 6:27 PM
love this!! happy new year 🩷🎉
Happy NY, writer folk! 🎊
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
January 2, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Happy NY, writer folk! 🎊
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
Each year, to stay sane in an industry where I control little, I kick off writing with a bingo card of actions I do control.
Words written
% edited
Applications completed
Things submitted
& this year, I’m sharing! 💜 One for shorts, one for novels—I hope they’re helpful :)
the best NYE party is one with a structured activity
(Playing wavelength @teresempierre.bsky.social’s until midnight)
(Playing wavelength @teresempierre.bsky.social’s until midnight)
January 1, 2026 at 4:47 AM
the best NYE party is one with a structured activity
(Playing wavelength @teresempierre.bsky.social’s until midnight)
(Playing wavelength @teresempierre.bsky.social’s until midnight)
Reposted by Kerry C. Byrne
This year has been unrelentingly miserable. But the best thing—the thing that has sustained me—has been @othersidespec.bsky.social. After almost a year and a half of work, we officially launch in 2026… and we open to submissions at midnight! Make OTHERSIDE your first sub of the new year? 🌈 🪐 🗡️
Submission Guidelines - OTHERSIDE
Submission guidelines for fiction and poetry submissions to OTHERSIDE, including opening dates and how to submit.
othersidespec.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:04 PM
This year has been unrelentingly miserable. But the best thing—the thing that has sustained me—has been @othersidespec.bsky.social. After almost a year and a half of work, we officially launch in 2026… and we open to submissions at midnight! Make OTHERSIDE your first sub of the new year? 🌈 🪐 🗡️
So do I pretend I’m 15 years younger and make maraschino Jell-O shots for the NYE party I’m going to
December 31, 2025 at 1:04 AM
So do I pretend I’m 15 years younger and make maraschino Jell-O shots for the NYE party I’m going to
Reposted by Kerry C. Byrne
Can't sleep, surprised to see that THE BUTCHER OF THE FOREST ebook is on sale for two dollars (in Canada at least) though!
Even after thirteen books I always get a little jumpscare when I see my name
www.amazon.ca/Butcher-Fore...
Even after thirteen books I always get a little jumpscare when I see my name
www.amazon.ca/Butcher-Fore...
The Butcher of the Forest
The Butcher of the Forest eBook : Mohamed, Premee: Amazon.ca: Books
www.amazon.ca
December 30, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Can't sleep, surprised to see that THE BUTCHER OF THE FOREST ebook is on sale for two dollars (in Canada at least) though!
Even after thirteen books I always get a little jumpscare when I see my name
www.amazon.ca/Butcher-Fore...
Even after thirteen books I always get a little jumpscare when I see my name
www.amazon.ca/Butcher-Fore...
Reposted by Kerry C. Byrne
we're open for fiction
for just a little bit longer!!
get those stories in
and please, read the guidelines 🖤 💀
psychopomp.com/the-deadland...
for just a little bit longer!!
get those stories in
and please, read the guidelines 🖤 💀
psychopomp.com/the-deadland...
The Deadlands Guidelines - PSYCHOPOMP.COM
Fiction
psychopomp.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:55 AM
we're open for fiction
for just a little bit longer!!
get those stories in
and please, read the guidelines 🖤 💀
psychopomp.com/the-deadland...
for just a little bit longer!!
get those stories in
and please, read the guidelines 🖤 💀
psychopomp.com/the-deadland...
What doesn’t kill you makes you:
a) stronger
b) deal with chronic and inexplicable fatigue and pain through the rest of your life, forcing you to make critical decisions around where and how you spend your energy forevermore
a) stronger
b) deal with chronic and inexplicable fatigue and pain through the rest of your life, forcing you to make critical decisions around where and how you spend your energy forevermore
December 30, 2025 at 5:49 AM
What doesn’t kill you makes you:
a) stronger
b) deal with chronic and inexplicable fatigue and pain through the rest of your life, forcing you to make critical decisions around where and how you spend your energy forevermore
a) stronger
b) deal with chronic and inexplicable fatigue and pain through the rest of your life, forcing you to make critical decisions around where and how you spend your energy forevermore
Reposted by Kerry C. Byrne
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
December 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Just watched the new Knives Out and I think it's really important you know that the scene in the Seminary's Gym is filmed in the same place Rick Astley filmed the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I saw the window tracery and immediately made my friends pause the film so I could tell them.
I cannot describe the pain of being an extroverted reader
(Choosing between reading time or socialization time at any given moment)
(Choosing between reading time or socialization time at any given moment)
December 28, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I cannot describe the pain of being an extroverted reader
(Choosing between reading time or socialization time at any given moment)
(Choosing between reading time or socialization time at any given moment)
As someone who is scent sensitive I truly thought I would hate incense with a burning (ha) passion
But it turns out it’s like a weighted blanket for my nose
I am obsessed
I have four kinds !!!
But it turns out it’s like a weighted blanket for my nose
I am obsessed
I have four kinds !!!
December 27, 2025 at 3:47 AM
As someone who is scent sensitive I truly thought I would hate incense with a burning (ha) passion
But it turns out it’s like a weighted blanket for my nose
I am obsessed
I have four kinds !!!
But it turns out it’s like a weighted blanket for my nose
I am obsessed
I have four kinds !!!
In a writer networking workshop I run, I ask attendees to think about the coolest person they want to meet.
Then I ask what they’d offer them as a peer (this could be anything!).
If there’s no answer, it isn’t time to network in that room.
…a specific type of attendee rarely has an answer.
Then I ask what they’d offer them as a peer (this could be anything!).
If there’s no answer, it isn’t time to network in that room.
…a specific type of attendee rarely has an answer.
This shit is made up, actually
December 27, 2025 at 2:20 AM
In a writer networking workshop I run, I ask attendees to think about the coolest person they want to meet.
Then I ask what they’d offer them as a peer (this could be anything!).
If there’s no answer, it isn’t time to network in that room.
…a specific type of attendee rarely has an answer.
Then I ask what they’d offer them as a peer (this could be anything!).
If there’s no answer, it isn’t time to network in that room.
…a specific type of attendee rarely has an answer.