iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 12h

The Descent looks really interesting. Thanks for the rec!

aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 21h

Planning on seeing at least one more horror movie this weekend. I might do the 2004 Dawn of the Dead--been wanting to see that for a while--or Carrie, which I've heard great things about. If anyone else has recommendations, I'm all ears.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

1. Do you allow simultaneous submissions? 2. Do you allow reprints, or are you looking solely for unpublished works? Thank you for your time.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Got a short story acceptance today that I'm excited about. Hopefully I'll be able to share more with you all soon.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Saw Event Horizon. Now that was an excellent horror movie--unsettling and entertaining from start to finish. I definitely recommend it.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Anyway, the story is drafted. It'll get some edits-- I particularly want to check a few facts against a book I ordered which isn't here yet (and also isn't available online) but should show up by the middle of October--and then I'll send it out. Hopefully I can show it to you all soon.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

E.g., people in the Song Dynasty invented both paper money (or at least promissory notes called jiaozi) and movable type. Learning stuff like that, and being able to incorporate it into my story, was awesome.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The other fun thing about this story was that it draws on some of the lore of Kaifeng Jews, a Jewish community which settled in Song Dynasty China about 900 years ago. So to write the story I had to do some research about what the Song Dynasty was like.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Fortunately, I did find a workaround that I'm quite happy with.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

So there I am, wanting to do a story about a Jew fighting a dragon, when the most famous story of a Jew fighting a dragon--the one my readers are likely familiar with--isn't one that my Jewish protagonist would actually believe in or be able to draw upon. Pretty tricky situation.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

(To briefly summarize: the original Hebrew scriptures have the first twelve chapters of Daniel. When a Greek translation of those scriptures called the Septuagint was made, Daniel was expanded with the story of him slaying a dragon as well as other material. But that's not in the Jewish canon.)

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Just drafted a challenging but immensely fun story. I'd wanted to write a story drawing on Jewish conceptions of dragons for a while. The most prominent source of Jews vs. dragons is the one in Daniel 14--but, crucially, that isn't actually part of the canonical Hebrew Bible.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Learned about the book "Sacred Monsters," which describes mythological creatures from Jewish lore, earlier today and immediately ordered a copy. The book looks fantastic and I'm sure it will be a useful resource as I continue to draw upon Jewish themes in my fiction.

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Reposted by @aaroncanton.bsky.social

Jenny Rae Rappaport @jennyrae.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Good morning, it's story day! This is my first appearance in @kaleidotrope.bsky.social, and I'm delighted for you all to read "Monsters in the World". ❤️ kaleidotrope.net/autumn-2026/...

kaleidotrope.net

'Monsters in the World' by Jenny Rae Rappaport

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's October, so I think I'll watch a few horror movies this month. I'm not hugely familiar with the genre, though, so: anyone have some good recommendations?

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Just finished a draft of a story that was really tough to write. It still needs some editing, but I'm happy that the draft at least is finished and that I'll be able to submit it soon to an anthology I've been targeting.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

As of today I've read 72 books this year. Not quite on track to hit 100 books by the new year, but I'll certainly make a good run at it. :-)

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

--only to discover that, between her own mount and those of her competitors (including a pegasus, a horse golem, a goat that eats magic, and more), it'll take everything she has to survive the race, let alone win it. I'm incredibly proud of this story, and I really hope you enjoy it!

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

"Hooves and Horns," an anthology with the theme of 'magical equines', just dropped, and it includes my story "The Nature of the Beast." "Nature" is about an impoverished noblewoman who captures and cuts a deal with a kelpie to ride him during a magical horse race ... www.amazon.com/dp/1952415284

amazon.com

Hooves and Horns (ExtraOrdinary Beasts)

Hooves and Horns (ExtraOrdinary Beasts) [Evans, J.T., Hightshoe, Carol, Mayo, Samuel, Canton, Aaron, Ashmead, H.T., Rolli, Melissa, Alix-Gaudreau, Roger, Pryde, Medron, Proffitt, Melissa, DeMott, C. M.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Hooves and Horns (ExtraOrdinary Beasts)

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I'm finally at the point of having enough short stories in various anthologies that--as I regain publication rights--I can put together a collection. Have some really cool ideas of how to set that up and what kind of themes I could give it.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Been unsure of how to start working on the next book, and I'm wondering if that's because I was thinking of it as a YA and it might be more of a MG. Will need to give this some more thought.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

With all my panels done, tomorrow I'm just going to relax, check out more art and cosplay, and have a good time. FanX is always an excellent experience and this year is no exception.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Plus, of course, I took some time to check out the vendor hall and purchase some excellent artwork from vendors like Witty Critters and Loft 817.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

And for my final panel of the con, I talked Animorphs with Grant Baugh, Brandon Ushio, and Victoria Lisowski. We discussed the morphing, the brutality, the tough moral choices, and the upcoming Disney+ reboot.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The panel after that was about choices in video games, with myself, Dylan Memmott, Shandra Munchie, and Abi Phillips. We discussed a bunch of our favorite games, and how the narrative and gameplay choices enhance their experiences.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

@fanxconventions.bsky.social was awesome today. First I had a panel with @tracydeonn.bsky.social, Peter Orullian, and Lyssa Holm about magic and fantasy fiction. Everyone on the panel had both writing and musical experience, and it was awesome getting to compare our perspectives.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Had a great time at @fanxconventions.bsky.social today! Enjoyed seeing friends, including @janasbrownwrites.bsky.social, @swankmotron.com John Olsen, Mike Strickland, and Julie Frost. Also got reading recommendations from @naomikritzer.bsky.social that I'm looking forward to starting.

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Reposted by @aaroncanton.bsky.social

Bryan Young @swankmotron.com · 25/09/2026

Some photos of FanX Salt Lake Day One. I got to run into all kinds of great folks like @kierstenwhite.bsky.social, @aaroncanton.bsky.social, and a bunch of other folks not on Blusky. Somehow I missed @ig-801.bsky.social, though.

Bryan signing books at the Printed Garden

The line to get into the convention under the shadow of the Salt Lake Mormon Temple

Bryan teaches a class on Star Wars and Kurosawa to a packed crowd

A 3D printed statue of Boba Fett as Bender from Futurama

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Got my panelist credentials for @fanxconventions.bsky.social. (As a reminder, I'm on the 'music in fantasy fiction,' 'choices in games,' and #Animorphs panels). I'm ready for this convention and looking forward to the next three days!

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Back when I lived in Singapore, I picked up a couple of the Kobold Press Guides to [X] (Worldbuilding, Magic Systems, etc.) Found them in my library recently and realized I hadn't looked at them in a long time. Maybe I'll sit down and read through one this week.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Was thinking of doing a story about a cryptid, and was also wanting to do a story set in the Tannaitic period. Thinking I might combine the two and do a story about the legendary lion known as the Tigris of Bei Ilai, whose roar was said to be so loud it could topple walls.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Got a query rejection, but in the rejection, the agent said that a different agent at her agency would be a better fit and recommended I submit to the other person. It's good to think that, even if my book wasn't right for her, she thinks it's right for someone else.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The plan this weekend was to draft a superhero story for an upcoming anthology. But I got a bad cold. So the new plan became resting at home, watching some Youtube, and getting dumplings and wonton soup from a great local restaurant. Pleased to say this new plan worked well.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

All in all, if you're interested in the history of Judaism specifically or folk religion more generally, Trachtenberg's "Jewish Magic and Superstition" is an excellent resource.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The book was a bit denser and dryer than I usually prefer, but it was eminently readable, except for a few bits that were in untranslated German or other languages. And I learned several new words, like 'jocosely,' 'sedulous,' and 'parturient,' which is always great.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

It also felt good to finally read the book after 12 years of letting it sit around on my shelf. That's a sizable chunk of the average human lifespan, after all.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Learning the origins and historic reasons behind certain rituals and habits that we still practice today, like throwing down a glass during a wedding, was especially interesting.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

It's not the kind of thing I usually read--I mostly read fiction, and when I read nonfiction, it's generally about current events--but I'm glad I read this book. The topic was fascinating, and it was neat to see the various magical systems and symbolic practices of the time.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I got this book over 12 years ago as a reference for some stories which drew on Jewish lore like dybbuks, but this is the first time I've actually sat down and read it all the way through.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

This week I read "Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion," by the late Rabbit Joshua Trachtenberg. It's essentially an expansion of Trachtenberg's PhD thesis and dug into how Judaism was practiced in 1000-1600 southern Europe.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Watched the #CowboyBebop movie! I'd seen the series over a decade ago, so I figured it was about time I saw the movie too. It was excellent, both in terms of action and the character moments. And honestly, it was nice getting to see Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed go on one last adventure.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

@fanxconventions.bsky.social schedules are out! I'm on the 'Music in Fantasy Fiction' panel, the 'Choices in Video Games'. panel, and the Animorphs panel. If you attend FanX, please feel free to stop by and check them out!

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

In fact, Alexander Anderson was the most interesting take on a paladin I've seen since #TheDresdenFiles's Michael Carpenter. I'll be thinking about Anderson's character for a while.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Just finished watching Hellsing Ultimate, as part of my project to get more familiar with classic anime. I enjoyed it! The action was awesome, the villains' cruelty was detailed well enough that it was cathartic when they lost, and I appreciated the depth of Alucard's and Anderson's characters.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

And I'll definitely keep @writingdaywksp.bsky.social in mind for the future; I could definitely see myself doing another one.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

@writingdaywksp.bsky.social was super fun, but now it's over, so it's time to pause pitching for a bit and start writing new stuff. Next on my list is a superhero story due in a few weeks, a dragon story due a couple weeks after that, and of course my next YA novel.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I've had my apples and honey, and I'm ready for the new year. I have a feeling it's going to be good. Happy Rosh Hashanah, everyone!

My apples and honey this morning, as per Rosh Hashanah custom.

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aaroncanton.bsky.social @aaroncanton.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Did a bunch of virtual pitch sessions today, and was asked to submit materials by just over 70% of the agents. Feeling pleased about how things went. And I've got one more pitch tomorrow! After that, I'm going to have fun at the state fair, which is always a great time.

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