Notices by Scalzi (scalzi@mastodon.social)

The best iteration of this in my opinion is "Restrict" on Threads (and, I think, Instagram), which does the same thing as "ignore" here but also universally mutes the restricted person's comments in the comments of any post you make. They don't know they're totally muted and no one else has to be bothered by them. Perfect.

https://www.theverge.com/news/609310/discord-ignore-mute-users-feature-block

Oh no the Chinese are doing the useless thing that gives wrong answers cheaper

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/27/tech/deepseek-stocks-ai-china/index.html

I am frequently asked what is the "best" way for people to buy my work so that the most money gets to me, enough so that I've finally written a primer about it to point people toward, and it also covers my opinions re: libraries, used bookstores and pirating:

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2024/12/30/acquiring-my-work-a-primer/

One of my books is on this list, and reasonably high up, too

https://www.greghickeywrites.com/best-sci-fi-crime-novels/

We ran this Humble Bundle last year and it was so popular it's been brought back for a three-day encore. If you want to grab a bunch of my novels AND support a nifty charity (First Book, which gives books to kids), come get it!

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/john-scalzis-interdependency-old-mans-war-and-more-tor-books-encore

(Traditional authors, your day was yesterday, and you can still post in yesterday's thread. Just follow the link above, there will be another link to yesterday's thread. Artist/crafters/musicians/others: Your day is tomorrow!)

(Also, post at the link, NOT here, thank you!)

NON-TRAD/INDIE AUTHORS: Today is your day at the 2024 Whatever Holiday Gift Guide! Tell folks about the fantastic work of yours they can give as gifts! Post at the link; all the details on what and how to post are there.

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2024/12/03/the-2024-whatever-holiday-gift-guide-day-two-non-traditional-books/

(Today is for traditionally published authors; indie and non-trad authors, your day is tomorrow, and artists, musicians, crafters, etc, you're up on Wednesday. There's a day for everyone!

ALSO, post for this gift guide on my site, not here, thank you!)

TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED AUTHORS: Today is your day at the 2024 Whatever Holiday Gift Guide! Tell the site's readers about what books you have available that will make great gifts this holiday season! Click through the link for instructions and to post your book!

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2024/12/02/the-2024-whatever-holiday-gift-guide-day-one-traditionally-published-books

Every year on my site I do a week-long event where authors/other creators can promote the work they have to sell to my site's readers for the holidays. That starts Monday; today I have a post on which things to promote on which days, so all y'all can prepare:

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2024/11/29/the-2024-whatever-holiday-gift-guide-starts-monday/

In a spot of nice news for me, the first trade review of "When the Moon Hits Your Eye" is in from Kirkus, and it's a starred review (which, for those of you not in publishing, means that it's especially recommended). Note the review has some mild spoilers.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/john-scalzi/when-the-moon-hits-your-eye/

I stopped using Twitter a year ago, but kept the account active for reasons. Today, I decided I didn't care about those reasons any more.

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2024/11/11/twitter-the-final-exit/

One thing I did enjoy about my time in France that I don't get much here in the US, and certainly not in Bradford, Ohio, is turning a random street corner and then suddenly, CATHEDRAL.

I have returned home, and despite the... recent unpleasantness involving my homeland, I am delighted to be home and not having to go anywhere further than I can drive for the next two months. Time to finish a novel, catch up on sleep and eat my weight in cheese, not necessarily in that order.

Over on Whatever today I write on how I think the next four years will go for me economically (fine but could be better), whether my experience will be applicable to other creators (probably not) and what you should do to help your favorite creators survive what's coming:

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2024/11/09/making-money-in-the-next-four-years-and-why-you-need-to-plan-now-to-support-your-favorite-creators/

Hello, my lovely Mastodon pals. If you are in the US and age 18 or above, I hope you

A) are voting today, if you have not voted already

B) are voting for the folks who have NOT explicitly planning to crash the economy, hug dictators, and go after their domestic “enemies” with the army

C) (Which is to say, vote Harris/Walz, please and thank you)

For the rest of y’all, sorry it’s gonna be all about us for a bit. You know how we are. Here’s a flower picture to make up for it.

#uspol

Over on Whatever, I've done what the owners of the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times would not: Endorsed Kamala Harris for President of the United States. Come read why I think she's not only the right choice, but the only choice, for president this year:

https://whatever.scalzi.com/2024/10/26/the-scalzi-endorsement-kamala-harris-for-president/

#uspol

Oh, hello! Say, if you're a US voter, do you know when early voting begins in your state? It's possible you may already be able to vote! Have you made a voting plan for yourself? Have you encouraged eligible voters around you to vote? This year above all others, it matters. Have a plan! Vote!

https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/early-in-person-voting

Please enjoy this kitten who was visiting us today (no, actually visiting, this one has a human already).

Just passed 1,000 posts here on Mastodon. Hey, thank you all for being here and putting up with me occasionally. I have fun here, and appreciate that this service exists in the world.