Dei Walker
@dei2dei.bsky.social
Codex Writers | SFWA | fibercrafter, language nerd. Ink runs through my veins.
Reposted by Dei Walker
"Imagine you stole all of the intellectual property in the world. And you're using it to help people write middling emails and make revenge porn about women, and also children. And you're powering this plagiarism and non-consensual porn machine by eating up what's left of humanity's carbon budget."
How to explain AI to your family this holiday season | CNN Business
Politics, football and movies are among the many topics that tend to come up around Thanksgiving. In 2025, a new question may arise at the table: Why the heck is everyone talking about AI, and what sh...
www.cnn.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:04 AM
"Imagine you stole all of the intellectual property in the world. And you're using it to help people write middling emails and make revenge porn about women, and also children. And you're powering this plagiarism and non-consensual porn machine by eating up what's left of humanity's carbon budget."
Reposted by Dei Walker
I'm going to do a little thread on how the money from books works for traditionally published authors because people have questions, and this is always useful info to share IMO. First, a big disclaimer that every contract is different, and there are a million factors that can change things. 1/
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
I'm going to do a little thread on how the money from books works for traditionally published authors because people have questions, and this is always useful info to share IMO. First, a big disclaimer that every contract is different, and there are a million factors that can change things. 1/
Reposted by Dei Walker
This is an excellent summary of how "the author getting paid" works for traditional publishing! To which I'll add: it is super common for books (especially genre fiction) to not "earn out" the advance, so a lot of writers learn to not count on royalty money ever happening.
I'm going to do a little thread on how the money from books works for traditionally published authors because people have questions, and this is always useful info to share IMO. First, a big disclaimer that every contract is different, and there are a million factors that can change things. 1/
November 27, 2025 at 3:24 AM
This is an excellent summary of how "the author getting paid" works for traditional publishing! To which I'll add: it is super common for books (especially genre fiction) to not "earn out" the advance, so a lot of writers learn to not count on royalty money ever happening.
Reposted by Dei Walker
Hey, props to writers who got literally anything done this year.
November 26, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Hey, props to writers who got literally anything done this year.
Reposted by Dei Walker
Some are suggesting you deliberately write inaccurate or confusing alt text, because they say this confuses AI scrapers that are analyzing images.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
November 26, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Some are suggesting you deliberately write inaccurate or confusing alt text, because they say this confuses AI scrapers that are analyzing images.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
and that's also why there are so many "unfinished" trilogies: the author *wants* to write all three, but you waiting for all 3 to end up on the shelves is also why there *isn't a third one*. you're never going to get it if you don't buy book 1. so go actually buy (or borrow from the library!).
Most publishers (there are always exceptions) decide whether or not to buy a second book (or a third etc) based on how the previous book did. So when you pirate a book in most cases it’s less about the money you just stole from both author and publisher it’s about the future book you just killed.
November 26, 2025 at 6:23 AM
and that's also why there are so many "unfinished" trilogies: the author *wants* to write all three, but you waiting for all 3 to end up on the shelves is also why there *isn't a third one*. you're never going to get it if you don't buy book 1. so go actually buy (or borrow from the library!).
As someone who used to work at a bookstore, if at least 2 people special ordered something not on the shelf, we'd get a copy for the store inventory. I buy digitally now (because hi, China) but will often buy physical when we're back West, because every little bit helps, esp. your local indie shop.
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 6:21 AM
As someone who used to work at a bookstore, if at least 2 people special ordered something not on the shelf, we'd get a copy for the store inventory. I buy digitally now (because hi, China) but will often buy physical when we're back West, because every little bit helps, esp. your local indie shop.
Reposted by Dei Walker
Some people are very good at writing sex and some people are good at believing that they are good at writing sex, the first is a tremendously impressive skill and the second is what makes for deeply uncomfortable author presentations at science fiction conventions
There's nothing wrong with literary porn, but some of the crap those guys wrote was "Have you actuallly ever HAD sex?"
November 25, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Some people are very good at writing sex and some people are good at believing that they are good at writing sex, the first is a tremendously impressive skill and the second is what makes for deeply uncomfortable author presentations at science fiction conventions
So close to 10k! We need $10.5k to fund. Even if you're not into monsters gettin' it on, look at it as a way to fund a small queer press anthology and get some fun merch (have you seen the sheer number of Dux we have? and that dragon fan!!).
www.kickstarter.com/projects/duc...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/duc...
Monsterotica: Tales of Unusual Courtship and Coupling
A collection of 16 erotica tales about monsters and the partner(s) of their choice engaging in courtship and then getting together!
www.kickstarter.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
So close to 10k! We need $10.5k to fund. Even if you're not into monsters gettin' it on, look at it as a way to fund a small queer press anthology and get some fun merch (have you seen the sheer number of Dux we have? and that dragon fan!!).
www.kickstarter.com/projects/duc...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/duc...
@duckprintspress.com is a lovely small press not on this list that I can sed, but if you're not familiar with lots of small presses, the Tenebrous list also has lots to get you started. Support your small indie presses this holiday season!
2 ongoing convos are dovetailing rn:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
November 22, 2025 at 11:58 PM
@duckprintspress.com is a lovely small press not on this list that I can sed, but if you're not familiar with lots of small presses, the Tenebrous list also has lots to get you started. Support your small indie presses this holiday season!
So looks like Xi'an and Guilin with the fam in December (I am well aware, foggy/misty AF but we areimited when they come) and Melbourne/Ballarat in Feb. I am cautiously excited.
November 22, 2025 at 11:55 PM
So looks like Xi'an and Guilin with the fam in December (I am well aware, foggy/misty AF but we areimited when they come) and Melbourne/Ballarat in Feb. I am cautiously excited.
Hey, ho! It's me! This issue has one of my Norse-inspired sword & sorcery pieces in it, and the issue (from what I've read so far - ssh, sneaky author early peek!) looks outstanding.
Cover Reveal: Dirty Magick Magazine Issue Sixteen
Stories: Christopher Welch, Meireles de Andre, Marie-Helene Lebeault, Dei Walker. Naked Steel covers Ladyhawke. Book reviews by Jennifer R. Povey @ninjafingers.bsky.social
Available 12/1/2025
Stories: Christopher Welch, Meireles de Andre, Marie-Helene Lebeault, Dei Walker. Naked Steel covers Ladyhawke. Book reviews by Jennifer R. Povey @ninjafingers.bsky.social
Available 12/1/2025
November 22, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Hey, ho! It's me! This issue has one of my Norse-inspired sword & sorcery pieces in it, and the issue (from what I've read so far - ssh, sneaky author early peek!) looks outstanding.
I have a li'l somethin' somethin' in here: nonbinary/gender fluid plasm monsters need love too. And by "love", I mean threesomes that involve shapeshifting.
Crowdfunding to fund our next erotic anthology, Monsterotica: Tales of Unusual Courtship and Coupling, is live on Kickstarter! 16 queer monsterfucking stories, gorgeous merch, and a steaming hot collection you won't want to miss. Check out our campaign today! www.kickstarter.com/projects/duc...
🌈📚
🌈📚
November 12, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I have a li'l somethin' somethin' in here: nonbinary/gender fluid plasm monsters need love too. And by "love", I mean threesomes that involve shapeshifting.
I have a story about a woman and an abandoned dream at a genius loci in this compilation of flash stories! It's free with KU, $1 purchased otherwise, and is full of a number of some wonderful weird westerns!
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSPD4FP4
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSPD4FP4
Twisted Trails: Tales of the Weird Wild West (Shacklebound Books)
Amazon.com: Twisted Trails: Tales of the Weird Wild West (Shacklebound Books) eBook : Fomley, Eric: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 PM
I have a story about a woman and an abandoned dream at a genius loci in this compilation of flash stories! It's free with KU, $1 purchased otherwise, and is full of a number of some wonderful weird westerns!
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSPD4FP4
www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSPD4FP4
Reposted by Dei Walker
Pilot had a massive ad spread in a jp newspaper with "make AI jealous" and "write what AI can't touch" written on it
Anyway I think everyone should own a Pilot kakuno pen
Anyway I think everyone should own a Pilot kakuno pen
November 5, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Pilot had a massive ad spread in a jp newspaper with "make AI jealous" and "write what AI can't touch" written on it
Anyway I think everyone should own a Pilot kakuno pen
Anyway I think everyone should own a Pilot kakuno pen
Reposted by Dei Walker
Fun fact:
Musk's pay package would be equal to the cost of SNAP (i.e., helping 42 million people to buy food) for TEN YEARS.
Musk's pay package would be equal to the cost of SNAP (i.e., helping 42 million people to buy food) for TEN YEARS.
November 9, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Fun fact:
Musk's pay package would be equal to the cost of SNAP (i.e., helping 42 million people to buy food) for TEN YEARS.
Musk's pay package would be equal to the cost of SNAP (i.e., helping 42 million people to buy food) for TEN YEARS.
Reposted by Dei Walker
Naturally the dev team not ONCE thought to consider how this unasked for feature could be weaponized as an attack vector.
October 31, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Naturally the dev team not ONCE thought to consider how this unasked for feature could be weaponized as an attack vector.
This month has been very slow on the short fiction project front, but not bad on picking a novel project back up again. Sitting pretty at finishing the first arc around 40k; hopefully will get to knock the second arc out before December, and do an edit pass on the first 2 parts before moving on.
October 20, 2025 at 10:33 AM
This month has been very slow on the short fiction project front, but not bad on picking a novel project back up again. Sitting pretty at finishing the first arc around 40k; hopefully will get to knock the second arc out before December, and do an edit pass on the first 2 parts before moving on.
Reposted by Dei Walker
#CancelSpotify
They are running ICE ads.
They aren't the only company, but I think we should make an example out of Spotify and do an economic boycott against companies supporting masked, armed agents terrorizing innocent Americans with impunity.
Spread the word.
www.snopes.com/fact-check/s...
They are running ICE ads.
They aren't the only company, but I think we should make an example out of Spotify and do an economic boycott against companies supporting masked, armed agents terrorizing innocent Americans with impunity.
Spread the word.
www.snopes.com/fact-check/s...
October 19, 2025 at 5:58 PM
#CancelSpotify
They are running ICE ads.
They aren't the only company, but I think we should make an example out of Spotify and do an economic boycott against companies supporting masked, armed agents terrorizing innocent Americans with impunity.
Spread the word.
www.snopes.com/fact-check/s...
They are running ICE ads.
They aren't the only company, but I think we should make an example out of Spotify and do an economic boycott against companies supporting masked, armed agents terrorizing innocent Americans with impunity.
Spread the word.
www.snopes.com/fact-check/s...
Reposted by Dei Walker
"But when the team looked at the employees’ actual work output, they found that the developers had completed tasks 20% slower when using AI than when working without it. Researchers were stunned. “No one expected that outcome. We didn’t even really consider a slowdown as a possibility.”
🎁link
🎁link
October 19, 2025 at 10:51 PM
"But when the team looked at the employees’ actual work output, they found that the developers had completed tasks 20% slower when using AI than when working without it. Researchers were stunned. “No one expected that outcome. We didn’t even really consider a slowdown as a possibility.”
🎁link
🎁link
This is really disappointing to see. There's Unsplash, allll the Creative Commons art out there's and you go for AI?
Heads up for any writers considering this market: the fairly new publication Neon and Smoke openly uses & attempts to justify using AI art.
October 18, 2025 at 10:59 PM
This is really disappointing to see. There's Unsplash, allll the Creative Commons art out there's and you go for AI?
Reposted by Dei Walker
Repost if you have more followers than the Official White House BlueSky Account
October 17, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Repost if you have more followers than the Official White House BlueSky Account
Reposted by Dei Walker
ANNOUNCEMENT🎺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Introducing our bona new quarterly literary magazine:
FANTABULOSA!
Pushing the boundaries of bold, authentic, QUEER storytelling. Bringing you stories of the uncanny, the dangerous and the fantastical.
& thanks to our brilliant #WrathMonth backers, we're fully funded for 2026 🤘
Introducing our bona new quarterly literary magazine:
FANTABULOSA!
Pushing the boundaries of bold, authentic, QUEER storytelling. Bringing you stories of the uncanny, the dangerous and the fantastical.
& thanks to our brilliant #WrathMonth backers, we're fully funded for 2026 🤘
October 14, 2025 at 1:35 PM
ANNOUNCEMENT🎺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Introducing our bona new quarterly literary magazine:
FANTABULOSA!
Pushing the boundaries of bold, authentic, QUEER storytelling. Bringing you stories of the uncanny, the dangerous and the fantastical.
& thanks to our brilliant #WrathMonth backers, we're fully funded for 2026 🤘
Introducing our bona new quarterly literary magazine:
FANTABULOSA!
Pushing the boundaries of bold, authentic, QUEER storytelling. Bringing you stories of the uncanny, the dangerous and the fantastical.
& thanks to our brilliant #WrathMonth backers, we're fully funded for 2026 🤘
Reposted by Dei Walker
tonight is the night I became Dale Gribble and blocked the feds
October 17, 2025 at 11:46 PM
tonight is the night I became Dale Gribble and blocked the feds
Reposted by Dei Walker
MAGA folks don’t understand that the culture of Bluesky involves everyone just blocking people they don’t like without any engagement.
They think they’re “shadowbanned” by some unseen force from above.
They think they’re “shadowbanned” by some unseen force from above.
October 18, 2025 at 5:21 AM
MAGA folks don’t understand that the culture of Bluesky involves everyone just blocking people they don’t like without any engagement.
They think they’re “shadowbanned” by some unseen force from above.
They think they’re “shadowbanned” by some unseen force from above.