Michael Johnstone
@mikejwrites.bsky.social
Dad of twins. Lecturer at UofT (English). Man United (and footy) fan. Boardgames and TTRPGs. Writer/author. He/him. https://www.michael-johnstone.com
My most recently published short story is at https://www.heroicfantasyquarterly.com/?p=3035
My most recently published short story is at https://www.heroicfantasyquarterly.com/?p=3035
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
Following marginalized voices makes you smarter and better informed than a million hours of consuming any Murdoch-owned news media.
January 7, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Following marginalized voices makes you smarter and better informed than a million hours of consuming any Murdoch-owned news media.
My Fantasy & Horror course in the UofT English department starts today! I love this course. Booklist in the image.
We begin with @premeemohamed.com's excellent "By Salt, By Sea, By Light of Stars." And, I can't recommend the @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social anthology highly enough.
#booksky #sff 💙📚🪐
We begin with @premeemohamed.com's excellent "By Salt, By Sea, By Light of Stars." And, I can't recommend the @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social anthology highly enough.
#booksky #sff 💙📚🪐
January 6, 2026 at 3:58 PM
My Fantasy & Horror course in the UofT English department starts today! I love this course. Booklist in the image.
We begin with @premeemohamed.com's excellent "By Salt, By Sea, By Light of Stars." And, I can't recommend the @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social anthology highly enough.
#booksky #sff 💙📚🪐
We begin with @premeemohamed.com's excellent "By Salt, By Sea, By Light of Stars." And, I can't recommend the @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social anthology highly enough.
#booksky #sff 💙📚🪐
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
THERE I refoobled the eligibility graphic (should re-do the post later) because I kept being like "Well a novella plus three novelettes isn't really a collection" IT IS TOO A COLLECTION ffs it's just a LEETLE collection so I'm putting it on there
premeemohamed.com/eligibility-...
premeemohamed.com/eligibility-...
January 5, 2026 at 7:17 PM
THERE I refoobled the eligibility graphic (should re-do the post later) because I kept being like "Well a novella plus three novelettes isn't really a collection" IT IS TOO A COLLECTION ffs it's just a LEETLE collection so I'm putting it on there
premeemohamed.com/eligibility-...
premeemohamed.com/eligibility-...
Here's the reading list for my Contemporary Dystopian Fiction course in the UofT English department, which starts today!
We start off with @naomikritzer.bsky.social's superb story "The Year Without Sunshine" and Le Guin's classic THE DISPOSSESSED. Excited to do this course. 😊
#booksky #sff 💙📚🪐
We start off with @naomikritzer.bsky.social's superb story "The Year Without Sunshine" and Le Guin's classic THE DISPOSSESSED. Excited to do this course. 😊
#booksky #sff 💙📚🪐
January 5, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Here's the reading list for my Contemporary Dystopian Fiction course in the UofT English department, which starts today!
We start off with @naomikritzer.bsky.social's superb story "The Year Without Sunshine" and Le Guin's classic THE DISPOSSESSED. Excited to do this course. 😊
#booksky #sff 💙📚🪐
We start off with @naomikritzer.bsky.social's superb story "The Year Without Sunshine" and Le Guin's classic THE DISPOSSESSED. Excited to do this course. 😊
#booksky #sff 💙📚🪐
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
UGH the unofficial 2025 roundup is live and free on my Patreon (p.s. thank you to my patrons, you do not know how many months of 2025 you literally kept the lights on) (it was not zero) (stupid bills)
This post is basically "GO TO THERAPY" "I KNOW"
www.patreon.com/posts/unoffi...
This post is basically "GO TO THERAPY" "I KNOW"
www.patreon.com/posts/unoffi...
The Unofficial 2025 Roundup* | Premee Mohamed
Get more from Premee Mohamed on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:00 PM
UGH the unofficial 2025 roundup is live and free on my Patreon (p.s. thank you to my patrons, you do not know how many months of 2025 you literally kept the lights on) (it was not zero) (stupid bills)
This post is basically "GO TO THERAPY" "I KNOW"
www.patreon.com/posts/unoffi...
This post is basically "GO TO THERAPY" "I KNOW"
www.patreon.com/posts/unoffi...
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
Also wow I don't think I've ever cracked the Kindle Top 50 in... anything, LOL. (They have some VERY esoteric categories and still no.) UNTIL NOW!
THE BUTCHER OF THE FOREST is still $1.99 at ebook retailers apparently! :)
THE BUTCHER OF THE FOREST is still $1.99 at ebook retailers apparently! :)
January 2, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Also wow I don't think I've ever cracked the Kindle Top 50 in... anything, LOL. (They have some VERY esoteric categories and still no.) UNTIL NOW!
THE BUTCHER OF THE FOREST is still $1.99 at ebook retailers apparently! :)
THE BUTCHER OF THE FOREST is still $1.99 at ebook retailers apparently! :)
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
For the next week, to celebrate an AI-free 2026, I'm offering a 26% discount on annual memberships! Just enter "7DC67" at checkout. So if you pledge at...
Tier $1/mo --> $9/full year
Tier $5/mo --> $44/full year
...and so on. And ALL tiers get ALL things! So why not start with my January postcard?
Tier $1/mo --> $9/full year
Tier $5/mo --> $44/full year
...and so on. And ALL tiers get ALL things! So why not start with my January postcard?
January postcard: My little infant fire. | Monica Byrne
Get more from Monica Byrne on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 1, 2026 at 4:06 PM
For the next week, to celebrate an AI-free 2026, I'm offering a 26% discount on annual memberships! Just enter "7DC67" at checkout. So if you pledge at...
Tier $1/mo --> $9/full year
Tier $5/mo --> $44/full year
...and so on. And ALL tiers get ALL things! So why not start with my January postcard?
Tier $1/mo --> $9/full year
Tier $5/mo --> $44/full year
...and so on. And ALL tiers get ALL things! So why not start with my January postcard?
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
New Year Alert: I have a new giant queer lady story out, and it's free to read! Check it out here, at @kaleidotrope.bsky.social!
“More Than Feathers” by Phoebe Barton
kaleidotrope.net
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
New Year Alert: I have a new giant queer lady story out, and it's free to read! Check it out here, at @kaleidotrope.bsky.social!
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
My latest short fiction review column is in the January issue of Locus Magazine!
locusmag.com/2026/01/issu...
locusmag.com/2026/01/issu...
Issue 780 Table of Contents, January 2026
The January 2026 #780 issue of Locus magazine has interviews with Tom Holt (AKA K.J. Parker) and Kamilah Cole, and a spotlight on Michael Kelly & Best Weird Fiction. Main Stories include an obi…
locusmag.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:26 PM
My latest short fiction review column is in the January issue of Locus Magazine!
locusmag.com/2026/01/issu...
locusmag.com/2026/01/issu...
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
My thoughts on the current discussions in the SF/F genre over writers using generative AI (LLMs). In particular, I love the essays shared by @chuckwendig.bsky.social and @fozmeadows.bsky.social. 1/
www.patreon.com/posts/147102...
www.patreon.com/posts/147102...
Genre Grapevine on Two Secrets about LLM Usage Every Writer Must Remember | Jason Sanford's Genre Grapevine
Get more from Jason Sanford's Genre Grapevine on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:18 PM
My thoughts on the current discussions in the SF/F genre over writers using generative AI (LLMs). In particular, I love the essays shared by @chuckwendig.bsky.social and @fozmeadows.bsky.social. 1/
www.patreon.com/posts/147102...
www.patreon.com/posts/147102...
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
We all read some bad books this year. I didn’t finish some and had to write negative reviews here and there. However, what I really want to hear about is the stuff that blew your mind, that made you think, that stayed with you. Tell me about the cool books you loved this year.
December 30, 2025 at 11:48 PM
We all read some bad books this year. I didn’t finish some and had to write negative reviews here and there. However, what I really want to hear about is the stuff that blew your mind, that made you think, that stayed with you. Tell me about the cool books you loved this year.
This is extremely troubling to know. It only strengthens my feeling that the whole business is an exercise in gaslighting and propaganda. To what end? 🧐
Mike Glyer at File 770 showed poor judgment in posting Underwood's letter--and espec in not performing due diligence on such an important and existential topic. Further, he has pointed out he's deleting opposition to the letter that he deems insufficiently polite. Some of which corrects error. 7/?
December 31, 2025 at 12:17 AM
This is extremely troubling to know. It only strengthens my feeling that the whole business is an exercise in gaslighting and propaganda. To what end? 🧐
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
There's more to say about this open letter, unfortunately, but bear with me, because I think it's important. For example, this response in the File 770 comments by SFWA board member Jonathan Brazee. In essence, Underwood gives cover to SFWA and vice versa. But both their positions are crap. 1/?
December 30, 2025 at 11:16 PM
There's more to say about this open letter, unfortunately, but bear with me, because I think it's important. For example, this response in the File 770 comments by SFWA board member Jonathan Brazee. In essence, Underwood gives cover to SFWA and vice versa. But both their positions are crap. 1/?
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
Canadians (especially cis Canadians), PLEASE take a moment to sign this petition and take action in defence of trans people. It takes less than a minute to sign and verify your signature.
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
Petition e-7027 - Petitions
www.ourcommons.ca
December 29, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Canadians (especially cis Canadians), PLEASE take a moment to sign this petition and take action in defence of trans people. It takes less than a minute to sign and verify your signature.
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
Look, this person doesn't understand what process is and how keeping it writer-based supports style and narrative, period. Thus, several things she suggests harmless if AI-driven are actually harmful. Also, the fallacy that AI is inevitable belies evidence of a bubble 1/2 file770.com/erin-underwo...
Erin Underwood: Open Letter to the Science Fiction Writers Association and Community
Hi Friends, Erin Underwood After writing the letter below, I thought rather than sending it to SFWA only, I’d share it with Mike at File 770 along with a note that read: “Am I crazy? Will this blow…
file770.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Look, this person doesn't understand what process is and how keeping it writer-based supports style and narrative, period. Thus, several things she suggests harmless if AI-driven are actually harmful. Also, the fallacy that AI is inevitable belies evidence of a bubble 1/2 file770.com/erin-underwo...
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
Apparently I'm doing this -- my open letter to that open latter about AI in writing and publishing. I emerged from Hibernation Week to write it, so god only knows how much sense it makes. But at least a human wrote it, so that's nice.
Bonus: picture of my "cat," sweet baby Boomba.
Bonus: picture of my "cat," sweet baby Boomba.
My Open Letter To That Open Letter About AI In Writing And Publishing
The tl;dr before you get into this post is this: the SFWA came out, said that some AI usage was okay enough in books for the authors of those books to not to be disqualified from winning a Nebula a…
terribleminds.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Apparently I'm doing this -- my open letter to that open latter about AI in writing and publishing. I emerged from Hibernation Week to write it, so god only knows how much sense it makes. But at least a human wrote it, so that's nice.
Bonus: picture of my "cat," sweet baby Boomba.
Bonus: picture of my "cat," sweet baby Boomba.
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
A lot of writers have busted their butts all year to publish great fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and journalism.
Consider sharing their work today. Consider what you send people's attention to.
Consider sharing their work today. Consider what you send people's attention to.
December 28, 2025 at 4:58 PM
A lot of writers have busted their butts all year to publish great fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and journalism.
Consider sharing their work today. Consider what you send people's attention to.
Consider sharing their work today. Consider what you send people's attention to.
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
Not only does this have the sing-songy rhetorical stylings of an LLM text itself, nothing about it appears to be true. Contracts are a 4000-year-old social practice; how did they become incomprehensible to the unaided human mind last year?
Erin Underwood: Open Letter to the Science Fiction Writers Association and Community
Hi Friends, Erin Underwood After writing the letter below, I thought rather than sending it to SFWA only, I’d share it with Mike at File 770 along with a note that read: “Am I crazy? Will this blow…
file770.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Not only does this have the sing-songy rhetorical stylings of an LLM text itself, nothing about it appears to be true. Contracts are a 4000-year-old social practice; how did they become incomprehensible to the unaided human mind last year?
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
I don't know how many times it needs to be said that you absolutely should not let fucking "AI" anywhere near your legal contracts, either in creating them or evaluating them, but apparently it needs to be said at least one more time, so allow me to say it again, here, right now
December 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I don't know how many times it needs to be said that you absolutely should not let fucking "AI" anywhere near your legal contracts, either in creating them or evaluating them, but apparently it needs to be said at least one more time, so allow me to say it again, here, right now
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
Under no circumstances whatsoever should anyone ever, ever, EVER trust AI to interpret the contractual obligations between you and your publisher. If you don't understand your contract, ask a lawyer that you hire.
Not only does this have the sing-songy rhetorical stylings of an LLM text itself, nothing about it appears to be true. Contracts are a 4000-year-old social practice; how did they become incomprehensible to the unaided human mind last year?
Erin Underwood: Open Letter to the Science Fiction Writers Association and Community
Hi Friends, Erin Underwood After writing the letter below, I thought rather than sending it to SFWA only, I’d share it with Mike at File 770 along with a note that read: “Am I crazy? Will this blow…
file770.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Under no circumstances whatsoever should anyone ever, ever, EVER trust AI to interpret the contractual obligations between you and your publisher. If you don't understand your contract, ask a lawyer that you hire.
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
If you're wondering whether the "open letter about AI" on file 770 is worth reading and engaging, it is not. The whole thing is rhetorical mush so it was no surprise when I got to the end and she admitted "her" letter was itself written by AI. Useless bait.
December 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
If you're wondering whether the "open letter about AI" on file 770 is worth reading and engaging, it is not. The whole thing is rhetorical mush so it was no surprise when I got to the end and she admitted "her" letter was itself written by AI. Useless bait.
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
This letter pretends it is reasonable and obvious but ultimately is an attempt to excuse a dozen or more ways of letting anti-human, pro-techlord, environment-destroying septic AI into our industry, organizations and processes. But there just isn’t an ethical use of generative AI, full stop.
Erin Underwood: Open Letter to the Science Fiction Writers Association and Community on AI
file770.com/erin-underwo...
Erin's core thesis is "There are responsible ways to use AI that support creators without replacing creative labor."
file770.com/erin-underwo...
Erin's core thesis is "There are responsible ways to use AI that support creators without replacing creative labor."
Erin Underwood: Open Letter to the Science Fiction Writers Association and Community
Hi Friends, Erin Underwood After writing the letter below, I thought rather than sending it to SFWA only, I’d share it with Mike at File 770 along with a note that read: “Am I crazy? Will this blow…
file770.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
This letter pretends it is reasonable and obvious but ultimately is an attempt to excuse a dozen or more ways of letting anti-human, pro-techlord, environment-destroying septic AI into our industry, organizations and processes. But there just isn’t an ethical use of generative AI, full stop.
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
Okay, for one this AI weirdo needs to be banned from all work at future cons. For two File 770 has got to stop acting as her personal op-ed publisher. Let her dump her AI generated slop on her own blog. There is no good reason to publish this junk except for clicks.
In case we've forgotten about the 'Seattle WorldCon got raked over the coals for admitting to using AI for making up programming,' there was a response to that from this same person:
file770.com/op-ed-about-...
file770.com/op-ed-about-...
Op-Ed: About Choosing Convention Program Participants
[Introduction: Erin Underwood originally left this as a comment and has given permission to republish it as a post.] By Erin Underwood: I’m not going to get into the specifics regarding the use of …
file770.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Okay, for one this AI weirdo needs to be banned from all work at future cons. For two File 770 has got to stop acting as her personal op-ed publisher. Let her dump her AI generated slop on her own blog. There is no good reason to publish this junk except for clicks.
Reposted by Michael Johnstone
I don't think you could come up with a list more designed to inflame sentiments than "here is a list of things that publishers MUST use AI to do and remain competitive, but don't worry, this isn't pushing out creative labor"
Erin Underwood: Open Letter to the Science Fiction Writers Association and Community on AI
file770.com/erin-underwo...
Erin's core thesis is "There are responsible ways to use AI that support creators without replacing creative labor."
file770.com/erin-underwo...
Erin's core thesis is "There are responsible ways to use AI that support creators without replacing creative labor."
Erin Underwood: Open Letter to the Science Fiction Writers Association and Community
Hi Friends, Erin Underwood After writing the letter below, I thought rather than sending it to SFWA only, I’d share it with Mike at File 770 along with a note that read: “Am I crazy? Will this blow…
file770.com
December 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I don't think you could come up with a list more designed to inflame sentiments than "here is a list of things that publishers MUST use AI to do and remain competitive, but don't worry, this isn't pushing out creative labor"