Notices by LJ (lj@zirk.us)

Incoming rant.

Stop using AI/LLM tools. Just stop. Especially if you're using them as a lark.

I'm going to be my most judgemental self here. If you post something that's generated by a LLM, (you know, ChatGPT, Gemini, etc) I will assume:

You don't give a shit about stealing from artists/writers.

You don't give a shit about the earth burning up.

You don't give a shit about clean, drinkable water.

You don't give a shit about people & their creative work.

#NoAI

@inthehands Yup. No matter that cold rain is expected. I'm a hearty New Englander. And a 60-something silver haired post menopausal woman with absolutely no fucks left to give.

I know that creating in a time of chaos is part of resistance. So is joy. And it's really hard to believe either of those things right now.

I feel terrible if I read the news. Guilty if I don't.

I feel guilty for wanting people to read the book I just released. I beat myself up for scrolling on my phone instead of writing.

So, if you are making anything beautiful or interesting or weird, please talk about it.

The bad shit isn't going away & I need your art to encourage me.

A blogpost: the struggle getting across the finish line with my latest novel - that was 6 years in the making.

https://blog.ljcohen.net/2025/01/litany-for-broken-world.html

"And isn't leveling up critical to the creative process? I'm not in competition with any other author or book out there in the world. I'm here to work harder and write better than my past self. To grow as a creator. To fail better in the immortal words of Samuel Beckett. "

#amwriting #LitanyForABrokenWorld

I don't know if anyone will be able to access this article, but it is enraging. Ralph DeLatore is the embodiment of evil. He has destroyed communities by closing hospitals while pillaging them for profit.

Venture capital destroys everything it touches.

This man should be in jail and ALL his personal and corporate assets confiscated to build new hospitals to provide health care to underserved communities.

Turning patients into profit
https://mobileapp.bostonglobe.com/01052025_563fb4c2-ca46-11ef-abe6-dc00fc1f370f/content.html

Now that I've sent this out to my Newsletter subscribers, I can share the cover for my upcoming release!

LITANY FOR A BROKEN WORLD
Entangled Realities, book 1
Pub date: February 10, 2025

http://ljcohen.net/litany.html
Pre-orders coming soon!

The cover artist is Chris Howard. He is also a wonderful writer of spec fic. http://saltwaterwitch.com

#LitanyForABrokenWorld
#NoAi

@tim was 1° F when I woke up this morning. Brrrr. Neither dog was interested in leaving the nest of the blankets.

Email tech question/help

I'd like to keep a copy of my emails on my local (windows) machine as a backup for my Gmail.

Years ago, I used Thunderbird.

Is that still what folks recommend? Other options?

Thanks!
(#boostsWelcome)

Regarding Bezos & not supporting him. It wouldn't be a hardship to cancel prime. But as an indie author - even with wide distribution - half of my book sales come from Amazon. If I pulled my books from the platform, I wouldn't be able to afford to fund production of future books.

I moved away from KU years ago because I don't like having all my eggs in one basket, but Amazon is still the 2 ton Gorilla in indie book sales.

What are other authors thinking?

#amwriting

I'm quite pleased with these plates. Because I make them from a prepared slab of clay that is then shaped on the wheel & the rim turned up, they do not require the addition of water with the resultant problems with uneven drying that can cause cracking.

I also don't make a foot ring because I prefer the simple & grounded look of these.

I've had a lot better outcomes (no cracking or warping) using this method than with throwing/trimming plates.

#DragonBellyCeramics
#MakersLife

A quick trip to check in with the in laws. Spouse & I got away to the beach for a bit. Our 36th anniversary is right around the corner. #StillCrazyAfterAllTheseYears