Mark Engleson
@markengleson.bsky.social
I fianlly got here, and I'm going to figure out how to put up a photo...soon.
Everything and nothing is autobiographical.
January 1, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Everything and nothing is autobiographical.
My personal conspiracy theory is that Ray Benson and T Bone Burnett are hill giants.
January 1, 2026 at 12:32 PM
My personal conspiracy theory is that Ray Benson and T Bone Burnett are hill giants.
One of my favorites is John Crowley. Trying to explain Little, Big by plot would miss the point entirely! I love a lot of books like this - Samatar's Stranger in Olondria, for instance. This does seem to be a minority opinion--I was the only one in my book club who enjoyed them.
January 1, 2026 at 12:20 PM
One of my favorites is John Crowley. Trying to explain Little, Big by plot would miss the point entirely! I love a lot of books like this - Samatar's Stranger in Olondria, for instance. This does seem to be a minority opinion--I was the only one in my book club who enjoyed them.
I've published short fiction, too. What happens, the plot, isn't the same as the story. Telling you that isn't going to be all that useful in understanding the story. It's the conveyor belt that keeps it moving, but the stuff on the belt is just as important.
January 1, 2026 at 12:13 PM
I've published short fiction, too. What happens, the plot, isn't the same as the story. Telling you that isn't going to be all that useful in understanding the story. It's the conveyor belt that keeps it moving, but the stuff on the belt is just as important.
I'm really proud of the interview with James McMurtry I did this summer. I didn't ask about lyrics, but I got some real insight into process and trchnique. We also connected nicely in sharing a love of humorous wordplay.
January 1, 2026 at 12:11 PM
I'm really proud of the interview with James McMurtry I did this summer. I didn't ask about lyrics, but I got some real insight into process and trchnique. We also connected nicely in sharing a love of humorous wordplay.
As someone who writes about music, the easiest thing to write about is lyrics. Words to words, right? Discussing the musical concepts is harder, and many of us don't have the training.
January 1, 2026 at 11:16 AM
As someone who writes about music, the easiest thing to write about is lyrics. Words to words, right? Discussing the musical concepts is harder, and many of us don't have the training.
The Who? What? Where?
December 31, 2025 at 12:50 AM
The Who? What? Where?
I sobbed at that one. Didn't have any friends when I was 12. Now I know what I missed.
December 31, 2025 at 12:09 AM
I sobbed at that one. Didn't have any friends when I was 12. Now I know what I missed.
How many ice cream cones could Stone Cold Steve Austin eat if Stone Cold Steve Austin ate ice cream cones at a Cold Stone in Austin, Texas?
December 31, 2025 at 12:01 AM
How many ice cream cones could Stone Cold Steve Austin eat if Stone Cold Steve Austin ate ice cream cones at a Cold Stone in Austin, Texas?
My 8th grade English teacher read The Pearl and The Red Pony to us while we had to follow in our books. Torture.
December 27, 2025 at 8:03 PM
My 8th grade English teacher read The Pearl and The Red Pony to us while we had to follow in our books. Torture.
We didn't have to read that one
December 27, 2025 at 8:02 PM
We didn't have to read that one
Do you think that, when Joseph tried to discipline Jesus, Jesus said, "you're not my real dad!"?
December 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Do you think that, when Joseph tried to discipline Jesus, Jesus said, "you're not my real dad!"?
I feel like there was an almost deliberate effort to beat us down with the stodgiest, most boring crap, like A Separate Peace. I wonder how much more engaged students would be if American lit classes directly engaged with the Old, Weird America.
December 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I feel like there was an almost deliberate effort to beat us down with the stodgiest, most boring crap, like A Separate Peace. I wonder how much more engaged students would be if American lit classes directly engaged with the Old, Weird America.
I didn't publish anything this year, but I have secured a union job at Metro Transit as a tech writer that provides me with newfound security and doubled my income. The downstream effects of that on my creative work -- decreased stress, ability to afford workshops, etc -- make it absolutey worth it.
November 26, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I didn't publish anything this year, but I have secured a union job at Metro Transit as a tech writer that provides me with newfound security and doubled my income. The downstream effects of that on my creative work -- decreased stress, ability to afford workshops, etc -- make it absolutey worth it.
This could make up the skeleton of a horror story...
November 1, 2025 at 12:28 PM
This could make up the skeleton of a horror story...
I caught pneumonia on a grad school visit spring break, sr yr college. After 3 weeks, a couple rounds of weak antibiotics, & trying to finish my thesis, I ended up in the ER w/ a fever of 103, tripping balls on codeine cough syrup. That's how I spent a weekend in the psych ward.
November 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I caught pneumonia on a grad school visit spring break, sr yr college. After 3 weeks, a couple rounds of weak antibiotics, & trying to finish my thesis, I ended up in the ER w/ a fever of 103, tripping balls on codeine cough syrup. That's how I spent a weekend in the psych ward.
It's really violent
September 28, 2025 at 11:35 AM
It's really violent
Breakable Things by Cassandra Khaw
September 28, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Breakable Things by Cassandra Khaw
I just thought about it now.
September 28, 2025 at 10:24 AM
I just thought about it now.
I've been fighting this damn sinus infection all week. Might have to sell my ticket to see the Wallflowers tonight. Priority is getting better for my friend's wedding Sunday.
September 26, 2025 at 11:33 AM
I've been fighting this damn sinus infection all week. Might have to sell my ticket to see the Wallflowers tonight. Priority is getting better for my friend's wedding Sunday.