Russ Black
@russblack.bsky.social
Writer
Video editor
Dive bar drinker
Rhode Island, New York City, Cleveland
Video editor
Dive bar drinker
Rhode Island, New York City, Cleveland
Pinned
Holy hell – finished my first novel. If I couldn't remember the past nine years I wouldn't believe it.
Wrote five practice novels trying to find my style & what worked.
This one worked.
Regardless of whatever else, today is a win.
#firstdraftdone #Writing #Wip #WritingCommunity #finishedmanuscript
Wrote five practice novels trying to find my style & what worked.
This one worked.
Regardless of whatever else, today is a win.
#firstdraftdone #Writing #Wip #WritingCommunity #finishedmanuscript
Started second manuscript.
#Writing #WIP #BookTwo #Plotting #Writer #Horror #LiteraryAgent #Books #Manuscript #Publisher #WritingCommunity
#Writing #WIP #BookTwo #Plotting #Writer #Horror #LiteraryAgent #Books #Manuscript #Publisher #WritingCommunity
December 16, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Started second manuscript.
#Writing #WIP #BookTwo #Plotting #Writer #Horror #LiteraryAgent #Books #Manuscript #Publisher #WritingCommunity
#Writing #WIP #BookTwo #Plotting #Writer #Horror #LiteraryAgent #Books #Manuscript #Publisher #WritingCommunity
Spending time with the nephews. Sometimes crayon holiday drawings get out of control.
#WIP #ART #DRAWING #SKETCHING #WEIRDWEST
#WIP #ART #DRAWING #SKETCHING #WEIRDWEST
December 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Spending time with the nephews. Sometimes crayon holiday drawings get out of control.
#WIP #ART #DRAWING #SKETCHING #WEIRDWEST
#WIP #ART #DRAWING #SKETCHING #WEIRDWEST
Resting for a week or two before starting the second draft.
Plotting next book now.
#Writing #WIP #2ndDraft #Plotting #Writer #WritingCommunity #LiteraryAgent #Manuscript #JasonVoorhees #FridayThe13 #Ain'tNoRestForTheWicked
Plotting next book now.
#Writing #WIP #2ndDraft #Plotting #Writer #WritingCommunity #LiteraryAgent #Manuscript #JasonVoorhees #FridayThe13 #Ain'tNoRestForTheWicked
December 13, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Resting for a week or two before starting the second draft.
Plotting next book now.
#Writing #WIP #2ndDraft #Plotting #Writer #WritingCommunity #LiteraryAgent #Manuscript #JasonVoorhees #FridayThe13 #Ain'tNoRestForTheWicked
Plotting next book now.
#Writing #WIP #2ndDraft #Plotting #Writer #WritingCommunity #LiteraryAgent #Manuscript #JasonVoorhees #FridayThe13 #Ain'tNoRestForTheWicked
There's a lover in my heart
Killer in my hands
Whiskey on my breath
Someone handed me a ladder
And for the longest time
I've been climbing
to the bottom of it.
Three Nights
#BlackFlag, 1984
Killer in my hands
Whiskey on my breath
Someone handed me a ladder
And for the longest time
I've been climbing
to the bottom of it.
Three Nights
#BlackFlag, 1984
December 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
There's a lover in my heart
Killer in my hands
Whiskey on my breath
Someone handed me a ladder
And for the longest time
I've been climbing
to the bottom of it.
Three Nights
#BlackFlag, 1984
Killer in my hands
Whiskey on my breath
Someone handed me a ladder
And for the longest time
I've been climbing
to the bottom of it.
Three Nights
#BlackFlag, 1984
Holy hell – finished my first novel. If I couldn't remember the past nine years I wouldn't believe it.
Wrote five practice novels trying to find my style & what worked.
This one worked.
Regardless of whatever else, today is a win.
#firstdraftdone #Writing #Wip #WritingCommunity #finishedmanuscript
Wrote five practice novels trying to find my style & what worked.
This one worked.
Regardless of whatever else, today is a win.
#firstdraftdone #Writing #Wip #WritingCommunity #finishedmanuscript
December 11, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Holy hell – finished my first novel. If I couldn't remember the past nine years I wouldn't believe it.
Wrote five practice novels trying to find my style & what worked.
This one worked.
Regardless of whatever else, today is a win.
#firstdraftdone #Writing #Wip #WritingCommunity #finishedmanuscript
Wrote five practice novels trying to find my style & what worked.
This one worked.
Regardless of whatever else, today is a win.
#firstdraftdone #Writing #Wip #WritingCommunity #finishedmanuscript
90K
1/4 chapter left.
I don't usually get psyched, but I am. Goddamn it's been a long road. This book is the arrival, not the departure, not the long journey in between,
...just the arrival.
#HWA #HorrorWriter #Author #WIP #90K #Publisher #Writing #LiteraryAgent
1/4 chapter left.
I don't usually get psyched, but I am. Goddamn it's been a long road. This book is the arrival, not the departure, not the long journey in between,
...just the arrival.
#HWA #HorrorWriter #Author #WIP #90K #Publisher #Writing #LiteraryAgent
a drawing of a girl holding up a number 90
Alt: Suicidal but happy writer, reaching 90 K
media.tenor.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:10 PM
90K
1/4 chapter left.
I don't usually get psyched, but I am. Goddamn it's been a long road. This book is the arrival, not the departure, not the long journey in between,
...just the arrival.
#HWA #HorrorWriter #Author #WIP #90K #Publisher #Writing #LiteraryAgent
1/4 chapter left.
I don't usually get psyched, but I am. Goddamn it's been a long road. This book is the arrival, not the departure, not the long journey in between,
...just the arrival.
#HWA #HorrorWriter #Author #WIP #90K #Publisher #Writing #LiteraryAgent
Movie you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Wars or Trek, LOTR, or Marvel.
(Lord of Illusions, 1995)
(Lord of Illusions, 1995)
December 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Movie you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Wars or Trek, LOTR, or Marvel.
(Lord of Illusions, 1995)
(Lord of Illusions, 1995)
This evening's writing space was across the street from the bar.
Banged out 2600+ word chapter. Three more chapters to go and boom goes the first draft :D
#Writing #WIP #80K #WritingCommunity #Author #BookPublisher #Writer #LiteraryAgent #Horror
Banged out 2600+ word chapter. Three more chapters to go and boom goes the first draft :D
#Writing #WIP #80K #WritingCommunity #Author #BookPublisher #Writer #LiteraryAgent #Horror
December 3, 2025 at 6:28 AM
This evening's writing space was across the street from the bar.
Banged out 2600+ word chapter. Three more chapters to go and boom goes the first draft :D
#Writing #WIP #80K #WritingCommunity #Author #BookPublisher #Writer #LiteraryAgent #Horror
Banged out 2600+ word chapter. Three more chapters to go and boom goes the first draft :D
#Writing #WIP #80K #WritingCommunity #Author #BookPublisher #Writer #LiteraryAgent #Horror
Egon Schiele
The Embrace, 1917.
Of course, Schiele and Kokoschka rocked my art student world. Schiele's down and out sexual work influenced my studio paintings and illustrations.
#Art #Artwork #ArtHistory #ArtLivingRentFree #Painting #EgonSchiele #Expressionist
The Embrace, 1917.
Of course, Schiele and Kokoschka rocked my art student world. Schiele's down and out sexual work influenced my studio paintings and illustrations.
#Art #Artwork #ArtHistory #ArtLivingRentFree #Painting #EgonSchiele #Expressionist
November 30, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Egon Schiele
The Embrace, 1917.
Of course, Schiele and Kokoschka rocked my art student world. Schiele's down and out sexual work influenced my studio paintings and illustrations.
#Art #Artwork #ArtHistory #ArtLivingRentFree #Painting #EgonSchiele #Expressionist
The Embrace, 1917.
Of course, Schiele and Kokoschka rocked my art student world. Schiele's down and out sexual work influenced my studio paintings and illustrations.
#Art #Artwork #ArtHistory #ArtLivingRentFree #Painting #EgonSchiele #Expressionist
Wasn't planning on a trip this holiday, but I went and I'm glad I did...
It sucked so much, I have the plotline for my next book!
#writingcommunity #WIP #writing #author #writer #bookcommunity #horror
It sucked so much, I have the plotline for my next book!
#writingcommunity #WIP #writing #author #writer #bookcommunity #horror
November 29, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Wasn't planning on a trip this holiday, but I went and I'm glad I did...
It sucked so much, I have the plotline for my next book!
#writingcommunity #WIP #writing #author #writer #bookcommunity #horror
It sucked so much, I have the plotline for my next book!
#writingcommunity #WIP #writing #author #writer #bookcommunity #horror
"I've been splittin' 8's
'n' hittin' straights
in the cardrooms of the world
Chasin' skirt
and gettin' hurt
but now I got card playin' girl
Man she gets excited
when the deal
don't come out right,
It's time to switch to whiskey we been drinkin' beer all night"
Time To Switch
#CorbLund, 2002
'n' hittin' straights
in the cardrooms of the world
Chasin' skirt
and gettin' hurt
but now I got card playin' girl
Man she gets excited
when the deal
don't come out right,
It's time to switch to whiskey we been drinkin' beer all night"
Time To Switch
#CorbLund, 2002
November 29, 2025 at 8:16 PM
"I've been splittin' 8's
'n' hittin' straights
in the cardrooms of the world
Chasin' skirt
and gettin' hurt
but now I got card playin' girl
Man she gets excited
when the deal
don't come out right,
It's time to switch to whiskey we been drinkin' beer all night"
Time To Switch
#CorbLund, 2002
'n' hittin' straights
in the cardrooms of the world
Chasin' skirt
and gettin' hurt
but now I got card playin' girl
Man she gets excited
when the deal
don't come out right,
It's time to switch to whiskey we been drinkin' beer all night"
Time To Switch
#CorbLund, 2002
Excited and exhausted after writing near 6000 words this morning. I'm now at 75K and have only a couple chapters left before completing the first draft.
Of course, by the time I take out the words "had" and "that" I'll be down to about 50K :-)
#WIP #Writer #WritingCommunity #Horror
Of course, by the time I take out the words "had" and "that" I'll be down to about 50K :-)
#WIP #Writer #WritingCommunity #Horror
a close up of a fire burning in a fireplace
Alt: Fire
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Excited and exhausted after writing near 6000 words this morning. I'm now at 75K and have only a couple chapters left before completing the first draft.
Of course, by the time I take out the words "had" and "that" I'll be down to about 50K :-)
#WIP #Writer #WritingCommunity #Horror
Of course, by the time I take out the words "had" and "that" I'll be down to about 50K :-)
#WIP #Writer #WritingCommunity #Horror
Over 4000k today.
Wrote the most emotionally painful scene of the manuscript so far.
Lots of writing around the scene, but that's the thing –
Get the blood of words on the page.
#Writing #Author #Horror #Psychological #Manuscript #Book #Publisher #LiteraryAgent #Blood
Wrote the most emotionally painful scene of the manuscript so far.
Lots of writing around the scene, but that's the thing –
Get the blood of words on the page.
#Writing #Author #Horror #Psychological #Manuscript #Book #Publisher #LiteraryAgent #Blood
a close up of a bottle of red liquid pouring into a glass
Alt: Dripping blood
media.tenor.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Over 4000k today.
Wrote the most emotionally painful scene of the manuscript so far.
Lots of writing around the scene, but that's the thing –
Get the blood of words on the page.
#Writing #Author #Horror #Psychological #Manuscript #Book #Publisher #LiteraryAgent #Blood
Wrote the most emotionally painful scene of the manuscript so far.
Lots of writing around the scene, but that's the thing –
Get the blood of words on the page.
#Writing #Author #Horror #Psychological #Manuscript #Book #Publisher #LiteraryAgent #Blood
Slept through the morning writing session, but caught it midday and banged out 2200 words.
#Writing #WIP #PsychologicalHorror #Author #SupernaturalWhore #BookPublisher #LiteraryAgents #Editor #Basement
#Writing #WIP #PsychologicalHorror #Author #SupernaturalWhore #BookPublisher #LiteraryAgents #Editor #Basement
a person standing on a set of stairs looking out of a doorway
ALT: a person standing on a set of stairs looking out of a doorway
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Slept through the morning writing session, but caught it midday and banged out 2200 words.
#Writing #WIP #PsychologicalHorror #Author #SupernaturalWhore #BookPublisher #LiteraryAgents #Editor #Basement
#Writing #WIP #PsychologicalHorror #Author #SupernaturalWhore #BookPublisher #LiteraryAgents #Editor #Basement
5000 words today. Took two sessions, but I'm happy with that. At 60k now.
#Writers #Horror #WIP #Manuscript #LiteraryAgent #LiteraryEditor #Books #Twisted
#Writers #Horror #WIP #Manuscript #LiteraryAgent #LiteraryEditor #Books #Twisted
a cartoon illustration of a pretzel with a smiling face
ALT: a cartoon illustration of a pretzel with a smiling face
media.tenor.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:40 PM
5000 words today. Took two sessions, but I'm happy with that. At 60k now.
#Writers #Horror #WIP #Manuscript #LiteraryAgent #LiteraryEditor #Books #Twisted
#Writers #Horror #WIP #Manuscript #LiteraryAgent #LiteraryEditor #Books #Twisted
I wrote another 2000 words this morning… In a parking lot.
Most of my book has been written in parking lots.
I recall this trend for writers, sharing their writing spot with a photo... mine would be a parking lot – any parking lot.
#WritingCommunity #Editor #LiteraryAgent
Most of my book has been written in parking lots.
I recall this trend for writers, sharing their writing spot with a photo... mine would be a parking lot – any parking lot.
#WritingCommunity #Editor #LiteraryAgent
November 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I wrote another 2000 words this morning… In a parking lot.
Most of my book has been written in parking lots.
I recall this trend for writers, sharing their writing spot with a photo... mine would be a parking lot – any parking lot.
#WritingCommunity #Editor #LiteraryAgent
Most of my book has been written in parking lots.
I recall this trend for writers, sharing their writing spot with a photo... mine would be a parking lot – any parking lot.
#WritingCommunity #Editor #LiteraryAgent
A-TEAM sketch.
I was waiting on hold.
I was waiting on hold.
November 13, 2025 at 1:36 AM
A-TEAM sketch.
I was waiting on hold.
I was waiting on hold.
Honestly, I'm kicking ass. Today was an awesome writing session. I'm at 48K of solid story in a month.
I have two big set pieces to write, one chapter with a family member, a chapter with a supporting character, and an epilogue.
After that it's glue.
#Writing #WIP #Author #literaryagent #Editor
I have two big set pieces to write, one chapter with a family member, a chapter with a supporting character, and an epilogue.
After that it's glue.
#Writing #WIP #Author #literaryagent #Editor
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Honestly, I'm kicking ass. Today was an awesome writing session. I'm at 48K of solid story in a month.
I have two big set pieces to write, one chapter with a family member, a chapter with a supporting character, and an epilogue.
After that it's glue.
#Writing #WIP #Author #literaryagent #Editor
I have two big set pieces to write, one chapter with a family member, a chapter with a supporting character, and an epilogue.
After that it's glue.
#Writing #WIP #Author #literaryagent #Editor
After one day of gathering ideas, one day of overtime, and one day of sleeping, me and the words are back!
Got in 2000 words on a scene I didn't know was coming.
"Thank you, Miss Violet."
#Writing #WIP #WritingCommunity#Manuscript #Editor #LiteraryAgent #BookPublisher
Got in 2000 words on a scene I didn't know was coming.
"Thank you, Miss Violet."
#Writing #WIP #WritingCommunity#Manuscript #Editor #LiteraryAgent #BookPublisher
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
After one day of gathering ideas, one day of overtime, and one day of sleeping, me and the words are back!
Got in 2000 words on a scene I didn't know was coming.
"Thank you, Miss Violet."
#Writing #WIP #WritingCommunity#Manuscript #Editor #LiteraryAgent #BookPublisher
Got in 2000 words on a scene I didn't know was coming.
"Thank you, Miss Violet."
#Writing #WIP #WritingCommunity#Manuscript #Editor #LiteraryAgent #BookPublisher
I'm looking to connect with literary agents interested in:
"Supernatural Horror / Psychological Thriller"
Any recommendations (with searchable links / evidence) ?
#writingcommunity #literaryagent #WIP
#SupernaturalHorror #PsychologicalThriller #Publisher #Editor #Writer
"Supernatural Horror / Psychological Thriller"
Any recommendations (with searchable links / evidence) ?
#writingcommunity #literaryagent #WIP
#SupernaturalHorror #PsychologicalThriller #Publisher #Editor #Writer
November 2, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I'm looking to connect with literary agents interested in:
"Supernatural Horror / Psychological Thriller"
Any recommendations (with searchable links / evidence) ?
#writingcommunity #literaryagent #WIP
#SupernaturalHorror #PsychologicalThriller #Publisher #Editor #Writer
"Supernatural Horror / Psychological Thriller"
Any recommendations (with searchable links / evidence) ?
#writingcommunity #literaryagent #WIP
#SupernaturalHorror #PsychologicalThriller #Publisher #Editor #Writer
Yesterday was one of a few rest days in the past month from writing.
I wasn't sure about resting and letting ideas percolate, mainly because of the fear of not continuing - losing momentum.
Turns out it was useful.
I got a lot of new stuff.
#WritingCommunity #Editors #Agents #Publishers
I wasn't sure about resting and letting ideas percolate, mainly because of the fear of not continuing - losing momentum.
Turns out it was useful.
I got a lot of new stuff.
#WritingCommunity #Editors #Agents #Publishers
November 2, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Yesterday was one of a few rest days in the past month from writing.
I wasn't sure about resting and letting ideas percolate, mainly because of the fear of not continuing - losing momentum.
Turns out it was useful.
I got a lot of new stuff.
#WritingCommunity #Editors #Agents #Publishers
I wasn't sure about resting and letting ideas percolate, mainly because of the fear of not continuing - losing momentum.
Turns out it was useful.
I got a lot of new stuff.
#WritingCommunity #Editors #Agents #Publishers
Currently reading Simon R. Green's Deathstalker, 1995.
I wonder how surprised Green was after he wrote this that it became the best seller and well regarded.
It's like Flash Gordon with a 90s tongue in cheek.
#BookCommunity #Reading #Book #SimonRGreen #DeathStalker #ScienceFiction #Writer
I wonder how surprised Green was after he wrote this that it became the best seller and well regarded.
It's like Flash Gordon with a 90s tongue in cheek.
#BookCommunity #Reading #Book #SimonRGreen #DeathStalker #ScienceFiction #Writer
October 31, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Currently reading Simon R. Green's Deathstalker, 1995.
I wonder how surprised Green was after he wrote this that it became the best seller and well regarded.
It's like Flash Gordon with a 90s tongue in cheek.
#BookCommunity #Reading #Book #SimonRGreen #DeathStalker #ScienceFiction #Writer
I wonder how surprised Green was after he wrote this that it became the best seller and well regarded.
It's like Flash Gordon with a 90s tongue in cheek.
#BookCommunity #Reading #Book #SimonRGreen #DeathStalker #ScienceFiction #Writer
Approaching the halfway point on the first draft.
Its exciting.
Consistency is key for me.
#writing #wip #author #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #manuscript #editor #literaryagent #publisher #suspense #thriller #horror
Its exciting.
Consistency is key for me.
#writing #wip #author #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #manuscript #editor #literaryagent #publisher #suspense #thriller #horror
October 30, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Approaching the halfway point on the first draft.
Its exciting.
Consistency is key for me.
#writing #wip #author #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #manuscript #editor #literaryagent #publisher #suspense #thriller #horror
Its exciting.
Consistency is key for me.
#writing #wip #author #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #manuscript #editor #literaryagent #publisher #suspense #thriller #horror
Today was rough going.
It was hard to start and get into the flow, but by the end I had out 2.5K
Someone else said it, but it's true for me: "Every day - good or bad, show up and do the time. Something is bound to happen."
#writingcommunity #writers
#Booksky
It was hard to start and get into the flow, but by the end I had out 2.5K
Someone else said it, but it's true for me: "Every day - good or bad, show up and do the time. Something is bound to happen."
#writingcommunity #writers
#Booksky
October 24, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Today was rough going.
It was hard to start and get into the flow, but by the end I had out 2.5K
Someone else said it, but it's true for me: "Every day - good or bad, show up and do the time. Something is bound to happen."
#writingcommunity #writers
#Booksky
It was hard to start and get into the flow, but by the end I had out 2.5K
Someone else said it, but it's true for me: "Every day - good or bad, show up and do the time. Something is bound to happen."
#writingcommunity #writers
#Booksky