Michael Pryor
@michaeljpryor.bsky.social
YA fantasy writer based in Melbourne, Australia. Co-publisher of Aurealis, Australia's longest running spec fic magazine. Podcast host. Gadabout.
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Michael Pryor
@michaeljpryor.bsky.social
· Nov 13
What’s true? What’s not? Michael Pryor and George Ivanoff present three remarkable stories to each other. Two stories are true, but one is totally made up. Subscribe and listen to Michael and George as they try to fool each other into believing absolute nonsense.
itstrueorisit.podbean.com
itstrueorisit.podbean.com
Hotel front desk: And would you like your bed made up?
Dad: No thanks, I'd like a real bed.
Dad: No thanks, I'd like a real bed.
January 31, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Hotel front desk: And would you like your bed made up?
Dad: No thanks, I'd like a real bed.
Dad: No thanks, I'd like a real bed.
Writers, Plotter Vs Panster? I propose another option: Backpacker.
A Backpacker might know their ultimate destination and the major points they want to hit along the way, how they get from point to point is up in the air, open to whatever opportunities arise.
A Backpacker might know their ultimate destination and the major points they want to hit along the way, how they get from point to point is up in the air, open to whatever opportunities arise.
January 31, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Writers, Plotter Vs Panster? I propose another option: Backpacker.
A Backpacker might know their ultimate destination and the major points they want to hit along the way, how they get from point to point is up in the air, open to whatever opportunities arise.
A Backpacker might know their ultimate destination and the major points they want to hit along the way, how they get from point to point is up in the air, open to whatever opportunities arise.
'This book transcends genre' = 'I don't read much much of this genre stuff and I'm amazed at how good this book is.'
January 30, 2026 at 7:32 AM
'This book transcends genre' = 'I don't read much much of this genre stuff and I'm amazed at how good this book is.'
The biggest difference between an ebook and a paper book? The sound they make when they hit the floor after you fall asleep reading.
January 29, 2026 at 11:42 PM
The biggest difference between an ebook and a paper book? The sound they make when they hit the floor after you fall asleep reading.
In Australia, a bed quilt that throws outrageous artistic tantrums is a prima doona.
January 27, 2026 at 9:54 AM
In Australia, a bed quilt that throws outrageous artistic tantrums is a prima doona.
Here's Peter O'Toole reading a book and wearing a jacket that could probably hypnotise small animals.
January 27, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Here's Peter O'Toole reading a book and wearing a jacket that could probably hypnotise small animals.
I love it when the imprint page of a book tells me what font the book is set in.
January 26, 2026 at 4:03 AM
I love it when the imprint page of a book tells me what font the book is set in.
Cocktail time in Bangkok.
January 25, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Cocktail time in Bangkok.
Reposted by Michael Pryor
What happened to the alcoholic monk? Drank himself into a stupa.
January 25, 2026 at 6:06 AM
What happened to the alcoholic monk? Drank himself into a stupa.
Reposted by Michael Pryor
open.spotify.com/track/0wIEE3... @michaeljpryor.bsky.social suggested I record an album inspired by the writing of Philip K Dick and this is a track from it. #music
High Castle
open.spotify.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:46 AM
open.spotify.com/track/0wIEE3... @michaeljpryor.bsky.social suggested I record an album inspired by the writing of Philip K Dick and this is a track from it. #music
I apologise if I don't remember your name. I’m writing a book and I’m holding A WHOLE WORLD IN MY HEAD, WITH ALL THESE CHARACTERS AND THEIR HOPES, DESIRES, MOTIVATIONS, BACK STORIES, FAMILIES AND EVERYTHING. I’m having trouble remembering who I am let alone who you are.
Sorry.
Sorry.
January 24, 2026 at 5:59 AM
I apologise if I don't remember your name. I’m writing a book and I’m holding A WHOLE WORLD IN MY HEAD, WITH ALL THESE CHARACTERS AND THEIR HOPES, DESIRES, MOTIVATIONS, BACK STORIES, FAMILIES AND EVERYTHING. I’m having trouble remembering who I am let alone who you are.
Sorry.
Sorry.
In a crowded lift the other day. A guy got on, punched for the 22nd floor, and started telling a joke.
It was funny on so many levels.
It was funny on so many levels.
January 23, 2026 at 8:50 AM
In a crowded lift the other day. A guy got on, punched for the 22nd floor, and started telling a joke.
It was funny on so many levels.
It was funny on so many levels.
The Talk Like a Horse Society is really tough on who they let join. They rejected my application, doubting my credentials.
I think that they're just a bunch of naysayers.
I think that they're just a bunch of naysayers.
January 22, 2026 at 1:17 AM
The Talk Like a Horse Society is really tough on who they let join. They rejected my application, doubting my credentials.
I think that they're just a bunch of naysayers.
I think that they're just a bunch of naysayers.
The Inciting Incident is an important part of narrative structure.
January 20, 2026 at 5:06 AM
The Inciting Incident is an important part of narrative structure.
True: Elizabeth I had a pet guinea pig. She had a menagerie of exotic animals and a gp was a favourite.
Faked up pic obviously 😉
Faked up pic obviously 😉
January 19, 2026 at 7:53 AM
True: Elizabeth I had a pet guinea pig. She had a menagerie of exotic animals and a gp was a favourite.
Faked up pic obviously 😉
Faked up pic obviously 😉
Having trouble giving up a bad habit? Change your verbs! Instead of giving up something forswear it!
E.g. 'Henceforth I shall forswear beer' or similar. Such gravitas is bound to help.
And yes, I've been reading a lot of historical fiction lately
E.g. 'Henceforth I shall forswear beer' or similar. Such gravitas is bound to help.
And yes, I've been reading a lot of historical fiction lately
January 18, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Having trouble giving up a bad habit? Change your verbs! Instead of giving up something forswear it!
E.g. 'Henceforth I shall forswear beer' or similar. Such gravitas is bound to help.
And yes, I've been reading a lot of historical fiction lately
E.g. 'Henceforth I shall forswear beer' or similar. Such gravitas is bound to help.
And yes, I've been reading a lot of historical fiction lately
New writers: don't burn that novel everyone has rejected. It will be much in demand as the follow-up to your hugely successful debut novel (the one you write after you save the book from the burning).
January 17, 2026 at 7:38 AM
New writers: don't burn that novel everyone has rejected. It will be much in demand as the follow-up to your hugely successful debut novel (the one you write after you save the book from the burning).
Diacope is a figure of speech where a word (or a phrase) is repeated, but with a single word (or a tiny phrase) in between. Down, down, prices are down. Bond, James Bond. O Captain! My Captain! Burn, baby, burn! Game over, man, game over!
It's easy, diacope, it's easy.
It's easy, diacope, it's easy.
January 15, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Diacope is a figure of speech where a word (or a phrase) is repeated, but with a single word (or a tiny phrase) in between. Down, down, prices are down. Bond, James Bond. O Captain! My Captain! Burn, baby, burn! Game over, man, game over!
It's easy, diacope, it's easy.
It's easy, diacope, it's easy.
60s teenagers in Buffalo Bill jackets. Fringe dwellers, so cool.
January 15, 2026 at 7:42 AM
60s teenagers in Buffalo Bill jackets. Fringe dwellers, so cool.
Reposted by Michael Pryor
My dad was an editor. Above his desk was a poster that said, “The strongest drive a man can feel is not food or sex but one man’s need to edit another man’s copy.”
The word copy is crossed out and replaced with “change. That’s crossed out and replaced by “fix.” Then, emend, alter, improve, all
The word copy is crossed out and replaced with “change. That’s crossed out and replaced by “fix.” Then, emend, alter, improve, all
January 14, 2026 at 6:41 AM
My dad was an editor. Above his desk was a poster that said, “The strongest drive a man can feel is not food or sex but one man’s need to edit another man’s copy.”
The word copy is crossed out and replaced with “change. That’s crossed out and replaced by “fix.” Then, emend, alter, improve, all
The word copy is crossed out and replaced with “change. That’s crossed out and replaced by “fix.” Then, emend, alter, improve, all
From the 1967 comic book adaptation of 'The Fantastic Voyage'.
January 14, 2026 at 5:08 AM
From the 1967 comic book adaptation of 'The Fantastic Voyage'.
New episode of the podcast I host with George Ivanoff! 'Perfidious politicians, confounding campaigns and vexing voting are top of the ballot paper in this episode!'
www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yse55-...
www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yse55-...
Episode 18 A Long Time in Politics
Perfidious politicians, confounding campaigns and vexing voting are top of the ballot paper in this episode!
www.podbean.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:30 AM
New episode of the podcast I host with George Ivanoff! 'Perfidious politicians, confounding campaigns and vexing voting are top of the ballot paper in this episode!'
www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yse55-...
www.podbean.com/ew/pb-yse55-...
I've said it before and I'll say it again, mostly because it is a very useful word.
January 12, 2026 at 8:59 AM
I've said it before and I'll say it again, mostly because it is a very useful word.
A good Australian holiday feeling is looking at your hand and seeing that you hold a potential right and left bower as well as the joker because it's good start toward a cheeky eight bid right out of the gate.
January 9, 2026 at 8:30 AM
A good Australian holiday feeling is looking at your hand and seeing that you hold a potential right and left bower as well as the joker because it's good start toward a cheeky eight bid right out of the gate.
The problem with Ship of Theseus jokes is that they're not one thing or the other.
January 5, 2026 at 9:19 PM
The problem with Ship of Theseus jokes is that they're not one thing or the other.