Tove Black
@toveblack.bsky.social
Writer and sometimes musician based in Vancouver (Canada). Pen name. https://toveblack.ca/about/
It's still a very long journey from an idea to finished product, and there are thousands of ways to approach an idea.
(And to be clear, I'm not a fan of "writing" using LLMs, and I still believe in the value of doing the actual writing, and reading work written by fellow humans too.)
(And to be clear, I'm not a fan of "writing" using LLMs, and I still believe in the value of doing the actual writing, and reading work written by fellow humans too.)
they sure could, but when it comes to the topic at hand of protecting our own ideas, we have to start considering how easily someone can take them and “produce” something out of them before us
December 14, 2025 at 8:20 PM
It's still a very long journey from an idea to finished product, and there are thousands of ways to approach an idea.
(And to be clear, I'm not a fan of "writing" using LLMs, and I still believe in the value of doing the actual writing, and reading work written by fellow humans too.)
(And to be clear, I'm not a fan of "writing" using LLMs, and I still believe in the value of doing the actual writing, and reading work written by fellow humans too.)
The fabulous @anncavlovic.bsky.social !
Six Questions interview (via @chaudierebooks.bsky.social) #233 : Ann Cavlovic / @anncavlovic.bsky.social @guernicaeditions.bsky.social ;
chaudierebooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/six-...
chaudierebooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/six-...
Six Questions interview #233 : Ann Cavlovic
Ann Cavlovic ’s debut novel is Count on Me (Guernica Editions, 2025). Her fiction and creative non-fiction have appeared in CBC First Pers...
chaudierebooks.blogspot.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The fabulous @anncavlovic.bsky.social !
Reposted by Tove Black
What a world to go to bed thinking about one mass shooting and wake up to news of another, a targeted hate crime, at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney. And also in the video where an actual hero, Ahmed al Ahmed chooses not to kill one of the terrorists.
December 14, 2025 at 6:45 PM
What a world to go to bed thinking about one mass shooting and wake up to news of another, a targeted hate crime, at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney. And also in the video where an actual hero, Ahmed al Ahmed chooses not to kill one of the terrorists.
Reposted by Tove Black
No more endless waiting. Just, you know, regular waiting. Plus, if you submit today, you can get a response before the next episode of Pluribus!
Submit here: www.chillsubs.com/lists/fastes...
#writing #writers #writingcommunity
Submit here: www.chillsubs.com/lists/fastes...
#writing #writers #writingcommunity
December 12, 2025 at 5:01 PM
No more endless waiting. Just, you know, regular waiting. Plus, if you submit today, you can get a response before the next episode of Pluribus!
Submit here: www.chillsubs.com/lists/fastes...
#writing #writers #writingcommunity
Submit here: www.chillsubs.com/lists/fastes...
#writing #writers #writingcommunity
Reposted by Tove Black
#Scrivener 3 on Windows & macOS Tip of the Day: Can’t think of character names? Use the name generator, available from ‘Edit > Writing Tools > Name Generator…’.
December 5, 2025 at 6:15 AM
#Scrivener 3 on Windows & macOS Tip of the Day: Can’t think of character names? Use the name generator, available from ‘Edit > Writing Tools > Name Generator…’.
Reposted by Tove Black
Making sure y'all saw this upcoming workshop with NK Jemisin...learn from one of the greats 🔥🔥🔥 www.bluestoop.org/classes/p/nk...
Finding the Heart of Your Story, a masterclass with N.K. Jemisin — Blue Stoop
Building a character is building a world of one; defining them, shaping them, and changing them is what a story is for. In this craft-first virtual masterclass, award winning author N. K. Jemisin will...
www.bluestoop.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Making sure y'all saw this upcoming workshop with NK Jemisin...learn from one of the greats 🔥🔥🔥 www.bluestoop.org/classes/p/nk...
Reposted by Tove Black
I'm doing the annual update of the FISH List of lively independent literary magazines. Manually visiting 1,000+ websites to collect data points. The list ranks thousands of lit mags against 14 criteria to help you find your new favourite indie lit mag. www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/p/fish-list....
FISH List
Short stories hand-picked from authors around the world. Submissions accepted. Humour, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and everyday life.
www.fictionontheweb.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I'm doing the annual update of the FISH List of lively independent literary magazines. Manually visiting 1,000+ websites to collect data points. The list ranks thousands of lit mags against 14 criteria to help you find your new favourite indie lit mag. www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/p/fish-list....
Reposted by Tove Black
#Scrivener 3 on Windows & macOS Tip (penultimate day): 25% discount coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2025 is available for Scrivener literatureandlatte.com/store/scrive... and Scapple literatureandlatte.com/store/scapple. Select 'BUY NOW' for the Standard Licence and press the red 'Add discount' option. :-)
Buy Scrivener - Literature & Latte
literatureandlatte.com
November 30, 2025 at 1:36 PM
#Scrivener 3 on Windows & macOS Tip (penultimate day): 25% discount coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2025 is available for Scrivener literatureandlatte.com/store/scrive... and Scapple literatureandlatte.com/store/scapple. Select 'BUY NOW' for the Standard Licence and press the red 'Add discount' option. :-)
Very disappointed to hear that people who use the phrase "class traitors" have forgotten that libraries exist.
Just saw someone claim that authors who want to be paid for their work are "class traitors" because we "only let the wealthy" read our books, and I think I need to go into the woods to scream into the night for a bit.
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
November 26, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Very disappointed to hear that people who use the phrase "class traitors" have forgotten that libraries exist.
Reposted by Tove Black
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 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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.
Wow, this looks incredible!
(*Someday* I hope to be able to visit the US again and apply to amazing programs like this.)
(*Someday* I hope to be able to visit the US again and apply to amazing programs like this.)
We are absolutely thrilled to announce the 2026 Clarion Workshop instructor line-up!! Applications open on Dec. 1st, so spread the word and mark your calendars. It's going to be another stellar summer here in San Diego.
November 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Wow, this looks incredible!
(*Someday* I hope to be able to visit the US again and apply to amazing programs like this.)
(*Someday* I hope to be able to visit the US again and apply to amazing programs like this.)
Now I need to find a Vancouver shop that carries these!
(I think I saw some at Upstart & Crow last year so it might be worth a trip to Granville Island.)
(I think I saw some at Upstart & Crow last year so it might be worth a trip to Granville Island.)
35. Lady Ferry by Sarah Orne Jewett via @biblioasis.bsky.social
A young girl sent to live with her aunt and uncle while her parents travel abroad comes face-to-face with a family legend —- a woman who may be immortal, or who may be mad. A sweet, melancholy story about the power of myth and death.
A young girl sent to live with her aunt and uncle while her parents travel abroad comes face-to-face with a family legend —- a woman who may be immortal, or who may be mad. A sweet, melancholy story about the power of myth and death.
November 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Now I need to find a Vancouver shop that carries these!
(I think I saw some at Upstart & Crow last year so it might be worth a trip to Granville Island.)
(I think I saw some at Upstart & Crow last year so it might be worth a trip to Granville Island.)
Reposted by Tove Black
Excellent speech by @charliejane.bsky.social about imagination in service to society. Great stuff.
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Excellent speech by @charliejane.bsky.social about imagination in service to society. Great stuff.
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
buttondown.com/charliejane/...
Reposted by Tove Black
Must we call it “skepticism?” If I say the sun revolves around the Earth, would you call me “skeptical” about heliocentrism?
A CDC website that previously said vaccines do not cause autism has walked back that statement. It now repeats the skepticism that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has voiced about the safety of vaccines.
C.D.C. Website No Longer Rejects Possible Link Between Autism and Vaccines
A previous version denied a link between vaccines and autism. It now echoes the doubts about that conclusion voiced by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
nyti.ms
November 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Must we call it “skepticism?” If I say the sun revolves around the Earth, would you call me “skeptical” about heliocentrism?
I did the same thing at work, where I’m forced to use Word. (Fortunately no one makes me use it for my own writing so I don’t have it at home.)
Writers don’t want a huge annoying sloppy Clippy tripping us up at every step. It’s gross and infuriating.
Writers don’t want a huge annoying sloppy Clippy tripping us up at every step. It’s gross and infuriating.
Why yes, @microsoft.com, I will HAPPILY provide you feedback on how exactly I feel about Word right now.
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I did the same thing at work, where I’m forced to use Word. (Fortunately no one makes me use it for my own writing so I don’t have it at home.)
Writers don’t want a huge annoying sloppy Clippy tripping us up at every step. It’s gross and infuriating.
Writers don’t want a huge annoying sloppy Clippy tripping us up at every step. It’s gross and infuriating.
I don't remember all of these hot trends but I sure do miss literary twitter.
Plum poem memes are still in the running in the "What was Literary Twitter?" bracket. Vote early and often!!!
lithub.com/what-was-lit...
lithub.com/what-was-lit...
What Was Literary Twitter? The Bracket *Day 3*
Welcome to the third day of voting! We’re down to just 16, and it’s getting harder for me to discern how this thing will shake out, to be honest. Unsurprisingly, a few top seeds remain—bad art frie…
lithub.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:34 AM
I don't remember all of these hot trends but I sure do miss literary twitter.
Reposted by Tove Black
N.K. Jemisin Named SFWA Grand Master locusmag.com/2025/11...
November 17, 2025 at 3:00 AM
N.K. Jemisin Named SFWA Grand Master locusmag.com/2025/11...
Well, this is quite lovely.
One of the most transformative moments I had as a writer was listening to a podcast years ago in which the editor in chief of Smokelong, Christopher Allen, talked about the day the guy who'd submitted 152 times to Smokelong had his piece accepted and how the whole staff celebrated. Suddenly (1/??)
We're rooting for you!
November 15, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Well, this is quite lovely.
Reposted by Tove Black
B.C. Ferries workers tie knot aboard Northern Expedition
B.C. Ferries workers tie knot aboard Northern Expedition
The couple, Jordyn and Leslie Fox, exchanged wedding vows on the ship where they met and still work.
dlvr.it
November 14, 2025 at 10:56 PM
B.C. Ferries workers tie knot aboard Northern Expedition
omg yes, Zit Remedy!
Repost with an iconic fictional band
November 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
omg yes, Zit Remedy!
Reposted by Tove Black
I would rather listen to a cat walking across a piano than any song made by generative AI
November 11, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I would rather listen to a cat walking across a piano than any song made by generative AI
Reposted by Tove Black
“Life without art is not life.”
I want a Netflix series on this whole family - how they live and how they walk around in the world. They sound like people we would all get great value from knowing.
I want a Netflix series on this whole family - how they live and how they walk around in the world. They sound like people we would all get great value from knowing.
November 9, 2025 at 3:09 PM
“Life without art is not life.”
I want a Netflix series on this whole family - how they live and how they walk around in the world. They sound like people we would all get great value from knowing.
I want a Netflix series on this whole family - how they live and how they walk around in the world. They sound like people we would all get great value from knowing.
#TWSOchat A4.
Not a group, but it really helps to have writer friends for meetups and online conversations.
So much of writing is rejection -- so a lot of what we do is cheer each other on. (And we are all writing different kinds of things so it doesn't make sense to be competitive anyhow.)
Not a group, but it really helps to have writer friends for meetups and online conversations.
So much of writing is rejection -- so a lot of what we do is cheer each other on. (And we are all writing different kinds of things so it doesn't make sense to be competitive anyhow.)
Q4. Writing at times can seem competitve or it can seem like there are limited opportunities to some people. Do you have a group of writer friends or a crit group where you share call outs, residencies and other opportunities with your writer colleagues? #TWSOchat
November 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
#TWSOchat A4.
Not a group, but it really helps to have writer friends for meetups and online conversations.
So much of writing is rejection -- so a lot of what we do is cheer each other on. (And we are all writing different kinds of things so it doesn't make sense to be competitive anyhow.)
Not a group, but it really helps to have writer friends for meetups and online conversations.
So much of writing is rejection -- so a lot of what we do is cheer each other on. (And we are all writing different kinds of things so it doesn't make sense to be competitive anyhow.)
Reposted by Tove Black
Advent is a mere 3 weeks away!
Consider this. Who in your life...
needs to know more about eels?
feels joy in learning?
likes the ocean?
needs a little treat?
You should send them an Eel Facts Advent Calendar!
Sales support @skypeascientist.bsky.social and it's just plain fun!
EelFacts.net
Consider this. Who in your life...
needs to know more about eels?
feels joy in learning?
likes the ocean?
needs a little treat?
You should send them an Eel Facts Advent Calendar!
Sales support @skypeascientist.bsky.social and it's just plain fun!
EelFacts.net
November 6, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Advent is a mere 3 weeks away!
Consider this. Who in your life...
needs to know more about eels?
feels joy in learning?
likes the ocean?
needs a little treat?
You should send them an Eel Facts Advent Calendar!
Sales support @skypeascientist.bsky.social and it's just plain fun!
EelFacts.net
Consider this. Who in your life...
needs to know more about eels?
feels joy in learning?
likes the ocean?
needs a little treat?
You should send them an Eel Facts Advent Calendar!
Sales support @skypeascientist.bsky.social and it's just plain fun!
EelFacts.net
Reposted by Tove Black
Both of my collections are in this sale! And a bunch of my favorite books by my favorite authors.
[Spelled coupon wrong 4 times writing this (How?!?)]
25% off a bunch of our books from now until year end using code
SBP25
smallbeerpress.com/not-a-journa...
indiepubs.com/collections/...
25% off a bunch of our books from now until year end using code
SBP25
smallbeerpress.com/not-a-journa...
indiepubs.com/collections/...
November 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Both of my collections are in this sale! And a bunch of my favorite books by my favorite authors.