Allison Pottern
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apottern.bsky.social
Allison Pottern
@apottern.bsky.social
1K followers 980 following 490 posts
Speculative writer, reader, marketing coach, tea drinker | SFWA | VP '23 | Stories in Strange Horizons, Haven Spec, Trollbreath | Digging: green tea, dragons, puzzles | she/her #specfic #sff

linktr.ee/allisonpottern | pottern.com
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apottern.bsky.social
Ahhhhh you were so eloquent and the book is beautiful and it was an honor to celebrate you!
February 6, 2026 at 2:15 PM
apottern.bsky.social
If you need a little feminist revenge story to fight the misogyny of the headlines right now, have I got the pair of jeans for you:

"Bootcut" @havenspec.bsky.social
havenspec.com/fiction/boot...
(tw: sexual assault)
A collage of spooky things on the left, including a pair of jeans with a bloody skull, sunglasses in front of flames, a lit match, a basket of breadsticks, and some goodwill tags, with the words "Bootcut" by Allison Pottern, Haven Spec, Jan 2026 across the middle. On the right are the opening words of the story (you get bonus sentences I couldn't fit on the graphic): Running your hand along the clothing rack, your finger catches on a Goodwill miracle: a pair of jeans that actually fits. They have no tag—no name brand—just a questionable stain below the left front pocket, no big deal. It’s like maybe these jeans have lived a more exciting life than you have. Maybe if you put them on, a bit of that excitement could rub off on you. The flared, dark-washed jeans look like once upon a time they were very expensive. Now that they’re in your broke hands, they’re merely “vintage.” But in the claustrophobic changing room mirror, they make your ass look like a million bucks. And (can you believe it?) they only cost you $6.66 plus tax. The cashier even offers you a band-aid for your finger, which is welling with ruby droplets of blood. You hadn’t noticed. You hope you didn’t get any stains on the denim. (Don’t worry, with a little ice water, blood washes right out.)
February 3, 2026 at 7:06 PM
apottern.bsky.social
Look I made a graphic!

Wendy Darling, struggling mother in post-WWI England, tries to extract her recalcitrant daughter from a war-torn Neverland.

Novelette now up @strangehorizons.bsky.social 😍
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
A heading that says "Strange Horizons" and an illustration of a woman in victorian garb gazing at a London skyline with the silhouettes of two children flying off towards a distant star. A Zepplin is flying in from the left. A bag is at her feet. Below the heading reads: Mother, Darling By: Allison Pottern She gripped the windowsill, goose bumps on her bare arms, a mixture of relief and bitterness warring within her. She had guarded against this moment, but still it had come. She resisted the fantasy of doing nothing, of letting Jane fly off into her own mistakes. Or doing something rash, like burning the whole house to the ground. Instead, Wendy gave herself one, no, two long moments, to hate Peter Pan. Then she got to work.
February 2, 2026 at 9:39 PM
apottern.bsky.social
I got the proof of my upcoming novelette w/ @strangehorizons.bsky.social and reader, I almost cried. @jolantru.bsky.social has been a huge advocate for this story of the beauty and brutality of motherhood, conformity, and growing up, set against the backdrop of a war-torn Neverland.

**Out Feb. 2!**
The Strange Horizons logo at the top, then below the words: Fiction "Mother, Darling" by: Allison Pottern Issue: 2 February 2026 12570 words "Wendy knew it wouldn't be long now before her daughter was taken."
January 29, 2026 at 1:20 PM
apottern.bsky.social
The world is very cold right now but @anniecardi.bsky.social's WINTER WHITE releases today!

Annie writes such brave, resilient characters with heart & sensitivity. Pia must reject her father's imposed isolation to save her brother and herself in this Winter's Tale reimagining. Also there's a bear!
The stunning cover of Annie Cardi's new YA novel WINTER WHILE. The title looks like someone has written it with their finger on a foggy window. Beyond the text is the blurred image of a person walking away into the snowy distance and in the corner, the silhouette of a bear.
January 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM
apottern.bsky.social
Support indies, support authors, support a woman’s right to cast poetry magic. @dragons.bsky.social
January 22, 2026 at 8:44 PM
apottern.bsky.social
No new pictures.

Where are you at mentally?
January 17, 2026 at 2:32 PM
apottern.bsky.social
Since it's my first post in 248573485 months, I wanted to remind you I have a free newsletter! I write about book marketing, craft, and the life of a creative person + resources, news, & tea recs.

I'm weighing if I should keep it going. What do you think?

pottern.substack.com/p/pushing-pa...
A black and white image consisting of the title of my latest newsletter: "Pushing Past Procrastination + publication, submissions sources & new year, new cover" set against the background of a brick wall, graffiti'd with the words "The magic you're looking for is in the work you're avoiding."
January 9, 2026 at 2:37 PM
apottern.bsky.social
New year, new cover, same cutting-edge speculative fiction. Hot off the presses, the PB edition now also has the new cover!

(Panic shopping right now? Ebook's on supersale at Smashwords! Or tell your reading loved one you'll have them the perfect bokish gift for NYE) books2read.com/newyearnewyo...
Two copies of NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: A SPECULATIVE ANTHOLOGY OF REINVENTION, one with a pink cover and one with the title splayed across a starfield (that's the new cover!) stacked against each other. Same amazing stories, perfect reading for your holiday season, go grab one!
December 23, 2025 at 10:41 PM
apottern.bsky.social
I had a really good writing day yesterday, the kind where you lose yourself in the work. I think my brain was grateful to disconnect from this reality for a bit and work through some stuff on the page.

My creative friends, may you have a moment to dig into your art this week. You deserve it.
December 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
apottern.bsky.social
(I'm serious about review copies. Visit linktr.ee/newyearnewyoustories to request one!)
December 10, 2025 at 3:25 PM
apottern.bsky.social
It's been pointed out to me that I should take more credit: I designed our new cover, drawing on the original tremendous cover art by @sciencegeekmel.bsky.social + inspo from the gripping stories within. Get the ebook on sale today and see if you can connect the dots! books2read.com/newyearnewyo...
The shiny new cover of New Year, New You: A Speculative Anthology of Reinvention, edited by Chris Campbell with stories from Elizabeth Bear, Daryl Gregory, and more! The title is depicted as a cut-out through a navy-blue starfield, with faded images in pink and purple showing through. Images include: a clock, clouds, pomegranate cross-section, mushrooms, an astronaut, a manta ray, a circuit board, smoke, a woman's face lifting away from a robotic skull, and octopus tentacles emerging from the letter "u". There is also an award badge in the upper right corner.
November 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
apottern.bsky.social
It's been just over a year since this enthusiastically crowd-funded anthology was released by the coolest SFF writers I know. Our contributors have won accolades and the book itself has won an IAP award! Check out it's hot, new cover + pick it up this weekend for $5!
books2read.com/newyearnewyo...
"Celebrating sucess with a $4.99 book sale, this weekend only!" across the top in a blue banner. Below is an image of the new cover of New Year, New You on a black tablet: the letter of the title cut away from a starfield to reveal faint images of sea creatures, time pieces, and other tory elements in pink behind, including an octopus tentacle emerging from the final "us". Next to the book is a large, shiny badge that reads "Runner-up in the 2025 Annual Indie Author Project Contest" with "2025 Runner-up Science Fiction" below. Finally, in a rainbow banner across the bottom reads "Plus a swanky new cover!" Across the top: New Cover, Same Cutting-Edge Speculative Fiction. Below is a mock-up of the book New Year, New You: A Speculative Anthology of Reinvention in which the letters of the title cut away from a starfield to reveal faint images of sea creatures, time pieces, and other story elements in pink behind, including an octopus tentacle emerging from the final "u". Next to the book are endorsement quotes: "I read the whole thing twice... meticulously crafts." —Myna Chang, Microverse "Nuanced..." —Locus Magazine "Intense and beguiling..." — Sherwood Smith "Complex and experimental..." — SF Book Reviews "Delightful, thought-provoking, and multi-faceted..." — Naseem Jamnia In the bottom right corner, is a peel-away corner that reveals the words "$4.99 ebook sale! This weekend only!"
November 15, 2025 at 4:03 PM
apottern.bsky.social
A Boston-based initiative, encouraging those who can afford it, to have a box of pantry items available for trick-or-treating families who might need the extra support!

www.facebook.com/share/g/1Yzg...
October 30, 2025 at 3:32 PM
apottern.bsky.social
Happy Book Birthday to my fellow writer-parent @mizdoomcookie.bsky.social out there making the magic happen! So excited to read about romantic, magical, winter witches!
September 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
apottern.bsky.social
Just booked a writing retreat, so, er, I'd love to fit in a couple more clients/workshops for fall to help offset the cost!

I'm a writer, editor, & marketing coach. My sweet spot is helping authors w forthcoming titles navigate the book marketing engine + plan for launch. (pottern.com) 🧵
"Writing and Marketing consults with Allison Pottern Hoch. You've spent years crafting your book to get it out into the world — and I've spent 20+ years helping authors develop and market theirs. Now let me help you! Does publishing or marketing overwhelm you? Are you a debut author with book launch jitters? Does it feel like your publisher isn't giving you the marketing guidance you need? Do you need help getting your speculative fiction novel over the finish line? Are you struggling to figure out what publishing path is right for you? Book a consult today: pottern.com/book-a-session"
September 2, 2025 at 9:40 PM
apottern.bsky.social
In case you are a more visual person, more reasons to read, laugh, and spread the joy. Feel free to share with a friend that needs a pick me up today. Happy Friday folks!

magazine.trollbreath.com/cryptid-car-...
The opening paragraphs of Allison Pottern's short story "Cryptid Car Rental" in a browser window-type box, next to some descriptors: Grumpy+ Sunshine All the kinds of comments you love to hate Demons, werewolves, vampires, oh my! Road trip! May induce spit-takes, cackling, & tears
August 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
apottern.bsky.social
Major FOMO re: #worldcon!! Half of our anthology's contributors will be there, so the ebook is more than half off!

Grab a copy and say hi to @darylwriterguy.bsky.social @chriscampbell.bsky.social @fechoe.bsky.social @brigittewinter.bsky.social @avani.bsky.social
books2read.com/newyearnewyo...
The words $2.99 Worldcon Ebook Sale" above the image of the top half of a tablet displaying the cover for "New Year, New You: A Speculative Anthology of Reinvention" all against a purple background. So wish I could be there but say hi to my friends for me.
August 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
apottern.bsky.social
Our little-anthology-that-could is still randomly on super-sale from Am*zon. Less than $5 for this beautiful paperback: a.co/d/0NE0fgO

It's the perfect time to get your hands on these tremendous SFF stories from Elizabeth Bear, Daryl Gregory, F.E. Choe, Shen Tao and more.

#speclit #booksky
A pink and purple paperback copy of New Year, New You: A speculative Anthology of Reinvention displayed against a backdrop of pink, purple, and silver mardi gras beads, with a $5 sticking out like a bookmark because this awesome anthology is currently on sale for less that $5 on Amazon. WHAT? Go buy it now!
August 5, 2025 at 3:43 PM
apottern.bsky.social
No idea why, but Am*zon put our book on deep discount!

Get our kickass anthology IN PAPERBACK feat. stories by @matociquala.bsky.social @darylwriterguy.bsky.social and up-and-comers from @viableparadise.bsky.social FOR LESS THAN $5!

Go, now, before the algorithm changes its mind! a.co/d/0NE0fgO 📚🚀
August 4, 2025 at 4:46 PM
apottern.bsky.social
Our awesome cover to help entice folks:
May 23, 2025 at 12:42 PM
apottern.bsky.social
Hello Monday, it's the time of year for matzo brei: eggy matzah fried in butter. Tender and savory; crisp edges & a chewy center. I like mine topped with jam, but the options are endless. Ruth Reichl's ratios are easy to make single serving in less than 5 min. ruthreichl.substack.com/p/matzo-brei
From Epicurious's original post of Ruth Reichl's recipe (which is is behind a paywall so I linked to her newsletter instead): A plate with a dark brown rim, full of eggy, broken-up matzo brei, topped with fresh dill and an eager fork.
April 14, 2025 at 12:29 PM
apottern.bsky.social
While I've been waiting for sales data to populate, I've been making graphics and teaching myself about BookBub ads. What do you think? Which one makes you go "Ooooo, must buy!" #booksky

(and if you feel so compelled: books2read.com/newyearnewyo...)
An ad for a $0.99 flash sale for NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: A SPECULATIVE ANTHOLOGY OF REINVENTION. Ad reads: "A New Anthology from Elizabeth Bear, Daryl Gregory, and more!" above a copy of the book cover, a cyan button that says "Flash Sale! Only $0.99, and the quote "I read the whole thing twice... meticulously crafted. — Myna Chang, Microverse". On the right hand side is a dark skinned, cyborg woman in profile with natural hair, all in shades of purple. The background is gradient of cyan to pink. An ad for a $0.99 flash sale for NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: A SPECULATIVE ANTHOLOGY OF REINVENTION. Ad reads: "A New Anthology from Elizabeth Bear, Daryl Gregory, and more!" below a copy of the book cover, a cyan button that says "Flash Sale! Only $0.99, and the words "SFF stories of reinvention, reimagination, and revolution". On the right hand side is a dark skinned, cyborg woman in profile with natural hair, all in shades of purple. The background is galaxy gradient of cyan to pink .
April 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
apottern.bsky.social
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU is eligible for the Best Anthology! Snag it now for only $0.99 and if you love it, consider voting for it as a write-in for the 2025 Locus Awards.

And if you got a kick out of my story "Cryptid Car Rental" that's eligible for write-in too! magazine.trollbreath.com/cryptid-car-...
April 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
apottern.bsky.social
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU is the little anthology that could! Its writers have been winning accolades and the book itself has received so much love from readers and reviewers! See what all the fuss is about: the ebook is on mega sale this week at only $0.99! 🪐📚https://books2read.com/newyearnewyoustories
A promotional graphic for the SFF anthology "New Year, New You: A Speculative Anthology of Reinvention" which is on sale this week for $0.99 (ebook). The graphic also includes endorsements from readers and reviewers with such glowing comments as "Nuanced" "Intense and beguiling" and "Complex and experimental."
April 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM