Mo Ryan
@moryan.bsky.social
writer. gardener. cailleach na luatha 🦋
moryan.com 💚
linktr.ee/maureenryan 🚀
I’m writing a book about Battlestar Galactica. I wrote a book about Hollywood titled Burn It Down. I’ve been a critic & journalist for 100 years. More at links above 🌸 Abolish ICE
moryan.com 💚
linktr.ee/maureenryan 🚀
I’m writing a book about Battlestar Galactica. I wrote a book about Hollywood titled Burn It Down. I’ve been a critic & journalist for 100 years. More at links above 🌸 Abolish ICE
Pinned
Mo Ryan
@moryan.bsky.social
· Oct 10
Timeline cleanse: one of our two new rescue cats, Chappell Ryan. This faaaace! 😻
Reposted by Mo Ryan
idiot guy: i'm like the wolf i'm stalking my prey alone through the forest and being raw as fuck even if i'm in a group i'm the alpha
actual wolf: i love my friends so much!!! i love to romp and kiss my bros and work together as a family <3 awooo etc etc have you seen the puppies oh my god come see
actual wolf: i love my friends so much!!! i love to romp and kiss my bros and work together as a family <3 awooo etc etc have you seen the puppies oh my god come see
November 26, 2025 at 2:17 AM
idiot guy: i'm like the wolf i'm stalking my prey alone through the forest and being raw as fuck even if i'm in a group i'm the alpha
actual wolf: i love my friends so much!!! i love to romp and kiss my bros and work together as a family <3 awooo etc etc have you seen the puppies oh my god come see
actual wolf: i love my friends so much!!! i love to romp and kiss my bros and work together as a family <3 awooo etc etc have you seen the puppies oh my god come see
Reposted by Mo Ryan
those of you who are afraid of aging, please understand that one of the huge blessings of middle age is arriving at this exact station
We gotta normalize responding to bullshit with "dude who fucking cares"
October 30, 2025 at 12:44 AM
those of you who are afraid of aging, please understand that one of the huge blessings of middle age is arriving at this exact station
Reposted by Mo Ryan
When your cat takes the family photo.
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
When your cat takes the family photo.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
The Persian Prince Humay meeting the Chinese Princess Humayun in a Garden, gouache on paper, Iran, 15th century C.E.
November 26, 2025 at 1:52 AM
The Persian Prince Humay meeting the Chinese Princess Humayun in a Garden, gouache on paper, Iran, 15th century C.E.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
Yes, and also recognize that with creative fields, survivorship bias is real: You hear about full-time creatives with envious career arcs precisely because they've survived in the field where others (for whatever reason and independent of quality of work) have not. This is an important fact.
Would-be/struggling writers can feel like losers or wannabes when they read about other writers writing "full time" or promo'ing their book in various exotic cities. And it's good to recognize that, yeah, sometimes there's another income (or a spouse is helping to pay the bills).
November 26, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Yes, and also recognize that with creative fields, survivorship bias is real: You hear about full-time creatives with envious career arcs precisely because they've survived in the field where others (for whatever reason and independent of quality of work) have not. This is an important fact.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
Hi, I'm a NY times bestseller and a multiple National Magazine Award-winning journalist.
I've had FT jobs or multiple gigs going ever since I moved to New York a decade ago.
I've had FT jobs or multiple gigs going ever since I moved to New York a decade ago.
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.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 26, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Hi, I'm a NY times bestseller and a multiple National Magazine Award-winning journalist.
I've had FT jobs or multiple gigs going ever since I moved to New York a decade ago.
I've had FT jobs or multiple gigs going ever since I moved to New York a decade ago.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
Honestly, people calling creators the "petite bourgeoisie" makes me want to snap.
We're working folk. And we work really hard. For next to nothing.
We're not lounging around eating bonbons. We're trying to figure out how we're going to be able to pay rent next month.
We're working folk. And we work really hard. For next to nothing.
We're not lounging around eating bonbons. We're trying to figure out how we're going to be able to pay rent next month.
November 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Honestly, people calling creators the "petite bourgeoisie" makes me want to snap.
We're working folk. And we work really hard. For next to nothing.
We're not lounging around eating bonbons. We're trying to figure out how we're going to be able to pay rent next month.
We're working folk. And we work really hard. For next to nothing.
We're not lounging around eating bonbons. We're trying to figure out how we're going to be able to pay rent next month.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
Butterfly Season 2025
As I review this past butterfly season on BlueSky, I am sifting through my favorites and finding new ones to post among the 15,000 photos in 2025.
I hadn’t posted this one of Spicebush Swallowtail mates in flight. Male chasing the female. 💙
#Photography99 📷🌱 #Butterflies 🦋
As I review this past butterfly season on BlueSky, I am sifting through my favorites and finding new ones to post among the 15,000 photos in 2025.
I hadn’t posted this one of Spicebush Swallowtail mates in flight. Male chasing the female. 💙
#Photography99 📷🌱 #Butterflies 🦋
November 25, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Butterfly Season 2025
As I review this past butterfly season on BlueSky, I am sifting through my favorites and finding new ones to post among the 15,000 photos in 2025.
I hadn’t posted this one of Spicebush Swallowtail mates in flight. Male chasing the female. 💙
#Photography99 📷🌱 #Butterflies 🦋
As I review this past butterfly season on BlueSky, I am sifting through my favorites and finding new ones to post among the 15,000 photos in 2025.
I hadn’t posted this one of Spicebush Swallowtail mates in flight. Male chasing the female. 💙
#Photography99 📷🌱 #Butterflies 🦋
Reposted by Mo Ryan
The Wonder Mike verse of Rapper's Delight where he just suddenly starts going off about how much the food at his friend's house just completely fucking sucks is a Thanksgiving song.
November 26, 2025 at 1:34 AM
The Wonder Mike verse of Rapper's Delight where he just suddenly starts going off about how much the food at his friend's house just completely fucking sucks is a Thanksgiving song.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
I got a Twitter DM from the publisher of a book by Jeffrey Haas (Fred Hampton's lawyer) that I'd recommended in a thread that went viral, thanking me for the unexpected spike in sales. I'm sure we're talking dozens, not hundreds, but they were like doing highkey internet sleuthing to figure it out!
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 26, 2025 at 2:30 AM
I got a Twitter DM from the publisher of a book by Jeffrey Haas (Fred Hampton's lawyer) that I'd recommended in a thread that went viral, thanking me for the unexpected spike in sales. I'm sure we're talking dozens, not hundreds, but they were like doing highkey internet sleuthing to figure it out!
Reposted by Mo Ryan
She’s talking about writing and journalism specifically here, but it’s sadly applicable to a *lot* of other professions as well. 🧵
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.
November 26, 2025 at 2:31 AM
She’s talking about writing and journalism specifically here, but it’s sadly applicable to a *lot* of other professions as well. 🧵
Reposted by Mo Ryan
I cannot link to it b/c it was on the other site and I don’t use it anymore but I absolutely remember Nicole Cliffe and Danny Lavery saying that the reason they were able to make “The Toast” was “trust fund money from a man” (paraphrased)
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.
November 26, 2025 at 1:44 AM
I cannot link to it b/c it was on the other site and I don’t use it anymore but I absolutely remember Nicole Cliffe and Danny Lavery saying that the reason they were able to make “The Toast” was “trust fund money from a man” (paraphrased)
Reposted by Mo Ryan
If people want to understand why American politics went bananas in 2012, the reason is that the moderate black President took a modest but consequential step toward decoupling healthcare from employment and every billionaire immediately poured their entire portfolio into race-hate media
November 26, 2025 at 1:37 AM
If people want to understand why American politics went bananas in 2012, the reason is that the moderate black President took a modest but consequential step toward decoupling healthcare from employment and every billionaire immediately poured their entire portfolio into race-hate media
Reposted by Mo Ryan
👇🏻, by the bye
Hey, Los Angeles (and Los Angeles–adjacent) folk:
Come see Annabeth Gish, @kerryomalley.bsky.social, and me in In the Night. In the Dark. A Shirley Jackson Evening on Monday, December 15. (Further details and ticket info in the link below.)
Shiversome thrills guaranteed.
Come see Annabeth Gish, @kerryomalley.bsky.social, and me in In the Night. In the Dark. A Shirley Jackson Evening on Monday, December 15. (Further details and ticket info in the link below.)
Shiversome thrills guaranteed.
November 25, 2025 at 9:23 PM
👇🏻, by the bye
Reposted by Mo Ryan
I see that the footnotes vs. endnotes discourse has reemerged.
And that's my cue.
And that's my cue.
Too many notes?
[notes on notes]
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:37 PM
I see that the footnotes vs. endnotes discourse has reemerged.
And that's my cue.
And that's my cue.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
thank you for the amazing review!! 🩷🖖
“simply brilliant storytelling… easily one of IDW Publishing’s strongest Star Trek titles… one of those comics I’m impatiently waiting for as each month crawls toward its end. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do when this run finally concludes.”
“simply brilliant storytelling… easily one of IDW Publishing’s strongest Star Trek titles… one of those comics I’m impatiently waiting for as each month crawls toward its end. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do when this run finally concludes.”
Another excellent chapter of #StarTrek: Voyager – Homecoming. Heavy atmosphere, big stakes, and some brilliant storytelling.
@tillybridges.bsky.social @susanlbridges.bsky.social @idwpublishing.com @charliekirchoff.com
My review @flickeringmyth.bsky.social - www.flickeringmyth.com/comic-book-r...
@tillybridges.bsky.social @susanlbridges.bsky.social @idwpublishing.com @charliekirchoff.com
My review @flickeringmyth.bsky.social - www.flickeringmyth.com/comic-book-r...
Comic Book Review – Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #3
Villordsutch reviews Star Trek: Voyager – Homecoming #3… If you’ve ever had one of those days where everything goes wrong at once, spare a thought for Captain Janeway. The latest Star Trek: Voya…
www.flickeringmyth.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:13 AM
thank you for the amazing review!! 🩷🖖
“simply brilliant storytelling… easily one of IDW Publishing’s strongest Star Trek titles… one of those comics I’m impatiently waiting for as each month crawls toward its end. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do when this run finally concludes.”
“simply brilliant storytelling… easily one of IDW Publishing’s strongest Star Trek titles… one of those comics I’m impatiently waiting for as each month crawls toward its end. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do when this run finally concludes.”
Reposted by Mo Ryan
2. It's rare for any creative, including writers, to be able to live solely off their creative income. Moreover, there is no correlation between the creative value of art and the income status of its creator. It's okay to have another gig to eat and pay bills and survive our capitalist hellscape.
November 26, 2025 at 12:35 AM
2. It's rare for any creative, including writers, to be able to live solely off their creative income. Moreover, there is no correlation between the creative value of art and the income status of its creator. It's okay to have another gig to eat and pay bills and survive our capitalist hellscape.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
Gender-affirming care saves lives
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Gender-affirming care saves lives
Hey journalism & media folks, please share this around: The AP is hiring for a senior position careers.ap.org/job/New-York...
Senior Director for APNews, editorial
Senior Director for APNews, editorial
careers.ap.org
November 26, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Hey journalism & media folks, please share this around: The AP is hiring for a senior position careers.ap.org/job/New-York...
Reposted by Mo Ryan
I think it shocks some of my students but I emphasize that having a job outside journalism is fine and common. I also toss in practical industry talk that’s not strictly in the curriculum. On Monday we discussed contracts: “for-hire,” indemnity, kill fees, scope of work. Freelancers need to know!
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.
November 26, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I think it shocks some of my students but I emphasize that having a job outside journalism is fine and common. I also toss in practical industry talk that’s not strictly in the curriculum. On Monday we discussed contracts: “for-hire,” indemnity, kill fees, scope of work. Freelancers need to know!
Reposted by Mo Ryan
BEWARE
FOR I AM ALSO A GUEST ON THIS CRUISE
THEY INVITED ME
I AM NOT JUST STOWING AWAY AS A GIANT BUG
FOR I AM ALSO A GUEST ON THIS CRUISE
THEY INVITED ME
I AM NOT JUST STOWING AWAY AS A GIANT BUG
The wait is over! Booking for JoCo Cruise 2027 is now live. Our mailing list got first crack at it - and cabins are already selling almost as fast as JoCo Cruise 2026... which sold out! Find out why 3k people love our "Summer Camp at Sea." Visit jococruise.com to get started!
November 24, 2025 at 8:56 PM
BEWARE
FOR I AM ALSO A GUEST ON THIS CRUISE
THEY INVITED ME
I AM NOT JUST STOWING AWAY AS A GIANT BUG
FOR I AM ALSO A GUEST ON THIS CRUISE
THEY INVITED ME
I AM NOT JUST STOWING AWAY AS A GIANT BUG
Reposted by Mo Ryan
Don’t pirate books! And if you do, stfu about it and stop pretending it’s some kind of moral or Marxist or revolutionary stance. Just be brave and own the fact that you don’t care that you are a thief who doesn’t care about artists.
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 26, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Don’t pirate books! And if you do, stfu about it and stop pretending it’s some kind of moral or Marxist or revolutionary stance. Just be brave and own the fact that you don’t care that you are a thief who doesn’t care about artists.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
Over the weekend, hundreds of curious Chicagoans ventured to Lake Michigan beachfronts to witness a birding marvel: the early arrival of snowy owls.
Snowy owls’ unusually early visit to Chicago lakefront could signal migratory boom
Two snowy owls have been spotted at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and a third briefly at Rainbow Beach.
trib.al
November 26, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Over the weekend, hundreds of curious Chicagoans ventured to Lake Michigan beachfronts to witness a birding marvel: the early arrival of snowy owls.
Reposted by Mo Ryan
I actually once went through Harold Bloom's American Literary Canon. 40 authors included. Only 10 could be said to have 'made it' through hard work and hustle. The rest came from wealth or had influential friends.
November 26, 2025 at 12:16 AM
I actually once went through Harold Bloom's American Literary Canon. 40 authors included. Only 10 could be said to have 'made it' through hard work and hustle. The rest came from wealth or had influential friends.
Bonus: excellent use of the word “poltroon”
This second AOL interaction is Ron Moore responding to a fan upset with Kirk’s death in GENERATIONS.
In responding Ron gets to have his say about how killing off a character doesn’t mean a writer doesn’t respect a character. (This is a frequent charge against writers in these situations)
In responding Ron gets to have his say about how killing off a character doesn’t mean a writer doesn’t respect a character. (This is a frequent charge against writers in these situations)
November 26, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Bonus: excellent use of the word “poltroon”