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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.

@brentvans.com
2.3K followers 4.9K following 906 posts

Canadian. Award-winning novelist. Husband. Dad. Son. Resister of GenAI and fascism. Deconstructed/Reconstructing Christian. Forge FC supporter. Human. He/Him.

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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 15h
Today’s milestone for a dude in his 50s: cray-cray eyebrow hair.
static.klipy.com
Eyebrow Raise Eyebrows
ALT: Eyebrow Raise Eyebrows
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 28/09/2026
Drunk Fiction isn't what you think... but maybe it also is? Come out to The Caledonian in #toronto TOMORROW (TUES) NIGHT to hear some fabulous writing! @emilyweedon.bsky.social @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 18/09/2026
I'm launching The Peace Thieves in #Ottawa at @thespanielstale.bsky.social tomorrow night! I'll be joined by my very special guest @conyerclayton.bsky.social, who'll read from their newest book of poetry. It's free, so I hope you can join us! RSVP here: bit.ly/4AkXmu0 @thistledownpress.bsky.social
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 11/09/2026
Hey, #Ottawa people! I'm so excited to Launch TPT at The @thespanielstale.bsky.social on Saturday, September 19 at 7:30pm. If you're planning to come (it's free), would you take a moment to RSVP here: thespanielstale.ca/events/58855.... See you soon! @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction
thespanielstale.ca
Book Launch - The Peace Thieves by Brent van Staalduinen | The Spaniel's Tale Bookstore
Hintonburg's independendent bookstore, and Ottawa's proudest indie.
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 04/09/2026
What's Drunk Fiction, you ask? Well, it's quite simply one of the most awesome and unique reading series around, and on September 29 I GET TO BE A PART OF IT and read from The Peace Thieves. (Yes, there'll be bevies.) #canlit #fiction #toronto @emilyweedon.bsky.social @thistledownpress.bsky.social
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Reposted by Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.
Rae Radford @raeradford.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Yep, leave me behind….. #BookSky
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Reposted by Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.
Giller Prize @gillerprize.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
The Peace Thieves by @brentvans.com, published by @thistledownpress.bsky.social, is about the search for peace during a civil war and through its long, complicated aftermath. youtu.be/xS-z_IF4FSI?... #GillerPrize #CravingCanLit #Canlit #canadianliterature #fiction #canadianfiction
youtu.be
Reading: The Peace Thieves by Brent van Staalduinen
YouTube video by Giller Prize
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 20/08/2026
This is going to be awesome!
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Reposted by Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.
tomwellborn3rd @wellborn.net · 18/08/2026
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 18/08/2026
Hey, #Ottawa friends! In a month or so (Sept 19), I'll be launching my newest novel The Peace Thieves, with my special guest @conyerclayton.bsky.social, at the @thespanielstale.bsky.social. Books! Readings! Prizes! Refreshments! Hope to see you there! @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 17/08/2026
I would like to apologize to my TDCH students from 2002-2004: no one deserves to be assaulted by the miasmic breath of a teacher who willingly drinks staff room coffee, much less curdled with the abomination that is CoffeeMate. I am truly sorry. You needed me to be better, and I simply wasn't.
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Vadivelu & Logesh: Bus Yawn Reaction
ALT: Vadivelu & Logesh: Bus Yawn Reaction
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 13/08/2026
🤣 And all the nips 'n' tucks and chemically swollen bits. No bigger fan in the ancient world than Homer when it came to botox and glute implants...
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 13/08/2026
Yesssssss
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Reposted by Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @london.gov.uk · 11/08/2026
It's now been confirmed that this summer will be the hottest on record. For those opposing bold action on the climate crisis - you're not just putting lives and the planet at risk today, but dooming future generations.
theguardian.com
This burning summer is the proof: the voices of climate denial aren’t just delusional, they’re deadly | Sadiq Khan
Look at our blazing forests and parched cities. Green policies aren’t a ‘luxury’, and we can’t burn more oil and gas. People need the truth, says London mayor Sadiq Khan
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 11/08/2026
GenAI products aren't merely online tools: they're built from the stolen art of human creatives. I'll be deleting/blocking AI users, and I'm boycotting businesses that use it, too. Human art and creativity are under attack, but we can do a few small things to fight back. #fuckai #supporthumans
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 09/08/2026
Another sermon on John 14:15 with no mention of service as the manifestation of keeping the commands of Jesus. Every. Freaking. Time.
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 09/08/2026
What I want to say to songwriters of almost every new P&W song we have to endure in church: “At no point in your rambling, incoherent lyrics were you even close to anything that could be considered a unique or rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it.” #church
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Baby Facepalm Reaction
ALT: Baby Facepalm Reaction
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 08/08/2026
It’s a 5-Monarch emergence and release day! #butterfly #monarch
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 08/08/2026
See also: smooth, peeled skin and supplement/gym-sculpted physiques.
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Man Showing Abs Muscle in Gym Selfie
ALT: Man Showing Abs Muscle in Gym Selfie
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 08/08/2026
It’s getting harder and harder to watch period television and movies because of all the plastic surgery on display: just switched off a show where a certain middle-aged someone was walking Victorian London sporting breast implants, duck lips, and an utterly wrinkle-absent forehead.
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Cookie Monster Facepalm
ALT: Cookie Monster Facepalm
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 02/08/2026
If your website doesn't have a simple, "Reject All" option for cookies and you force people into multiple clicks to unselect certain options, you're being an online a-hole.
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Decline Denied
ALT: Decline Denied
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 29/07/2026
Me too! 🙏🙏🙏
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 26/07/2026
Grateful to @deborahkalb.bsky.social for the chance to dig into the backrooms of my inspiration for my new novel! #canlit #fction
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Reposted by Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.
Deborah Kalb @deborahkalb.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Q&A with Brent van Staalduinen about his new novel, THE PEACE THIEVES. deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2026/07/q-wi... @brentvans.com
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 16/07/2026
Read this book, y’all. It’ll change you. @danilabotha.bsky.social @atbaypress.bsky.social #canlit
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 15/07/2026
Actual view of the sun from my porch. I. Do. Not. Love. This. #aqhi #hamont #climateemergency
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Reposted by Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.
Heather J. “Lives in a city on Lake Ontario” Wood @rollwithheather.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
The July 16 Drunk Fiction Extravaganza at Toronto's Caledonian is a #CanLit celebration with an emerging writers reading contest, author performances, book promo/pr panels, publishing industry speed dates & more! 4pm-9pm. Tickets @ door or EventBrite.❤️📚 www.eventbrite.ca/e/drunk-fict...
Drunk fiction Extravaganza July 16 Doors 3:30 The Caledonian,
 856 College St, Toronto Hosted by Emily Weedon
Schedule
4pm MIC CONTROL
Judges Russell Smith and Rod Carley coach emerging writers for readings
Winner gets a Photo Sesh with David Leyes! 
4pm INDUSTRY SPEED DATES
Marc Cote PUBLISHER
HEATHER PUBLICITY
HOLLAY Publicity
Randall Perry EDITOR/OCTOBER EDITIONS 
Chris Houston PUBLICITY
5pm SOCIAL MEDIA SHIT AUTHORS HAVE TO DO: PANEL
Rod Carley
Heather Wood
Hollay Ghadery
Emily Weedon
5pm INDUSTRY SPEED DATES 
Rebbeca Eckler 
Chris Houston 
Kathryn Willms AGENT
Randall Perry 
Marc Cote PUBLISHER
THANKS to ANOTHER STORY BOOKSHOP, DAVID LEYES, Heather Wood BOOK PUBLICITY, The
IDEA SHOP, Coach House Books, October Park Editions, River Street Writing, The Right Factory, Cormorant Books

6pm ANOTHER ROUND FOR MY FRIENDS
Saad Farooqi
Tyson Stewart
Catherine Black
Christine Fisher Guy
Hollay Ghadery

7pm The Gentle Art of Getting Anyone to Give a F &K About Your Book: 
PANEL Russell Smith, Chris Houston, Chris Reed, Heather Moderator
8pm LAST CALL
Kirti Bhadresa
Antonio Michael Downing
Kate Cayley
Michael Redhill
Anuja Vargese

[IMAGES OF MULTIPLE BOOK COVERS]
[3 book covers from Cormorant Books]
In Crow's Field by Judith Thompson
The Breakwater by Leslie Shimotakahara

The Return of the Nish by Tyson Stewart
CORMORANT BOOKS cormorantbooks.com
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Reposted by Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.
Budd @n7eoj.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
It has been criminally underreported but Kelsey Pfendler has just rowed solo across the Pacific Ocean from the US coast to Hawaii in record time. A 2,400-mile unsupported journey in 43 days, 17 hours, and 55 minutes. Notably beating the Men’s record by 9 whole days.
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 08/07/2026
Oh, and that expensive bikes don't make better riders for the vast majority of us, and don't spend so much on the damn thing that you can't immediately replace it when it gets nicked.
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 08/07/2026
I learned 1) try never to lock to anything for any amount of time, esp overnight, 2) that if I did, it might get stolen no matter what I did, 3) there was no sense in pretending otherwise or grieving too hard when/if it happened, and that even so, 4) bikes are always worth owning and enjoying.
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 08/07/2026
Many, many good potatoes died so I could enjoy this #WorldCup2026. #damnyoulays
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 08/07/2026
Just spoke with Mitch for 20 minutes in his hospital room. The entire #USMNT was there, too, battered by the trauma of their R16 game and on life support. We talked about whether it was possible to resuscitate their #worldcup dreams, but compassionate Mitch had the staff turn off all their machines.
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 07/07/2026
How do you say “schadenfreude” in American? #usabel #worldvip2026 #schadenfreude
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Reposted by Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.
The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
😬
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 07/07/2026
This. 🔥 #USABEL #worldcup2026 #schadenfreude
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 07/07/2026
Also, just remember that the Americans and Mexicans were already down 2-1 at their R16 halftimes, while our R16 halftime score was still 0-0. By this measure, we went further than either of them. Good news in the little things. #CanMNT #worldcup2026 #worldcup @canadasocceren.bsky.social
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 06/07/2026
The very definition of not playing to win but playing not to lose. If I’d bought tickets $$$$$ to this match, I’d be seriously grumpy. #PORESP
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 06/07/2026
Snoozefest. #poresp #worldcup
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 05/07/2026
Yes. And no. Depends on whether said f&f actually read books.
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 02/07/2026
Yessssssssss. #clean
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 02/07/2026
Squirt, then simply pat dry and enjoy the cleanest heinie you've ever had. Or take your time and air dry. The rest of the world gets it: toilet paper is a smearing, filthy abomination.
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Lazy Dog Relaxing on Carpet
ALT: Lazy Dog Relaxing on Carpet
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 01/07/2026
From the socialist, communist hellhole that is Canada, I’d like to wish those who celebrate a happy #CanadaDay! #jk
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Incredibox Dystopia
ALT: Incredibox Dystopia
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Reposted by Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.
Luca @lucagalletti.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Fox “news” reporting
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 29/06/2026
Spent some time rewatching Eustaquio's sublime winner after setting my VPN to various English-speaking countries and watching their commentaries. Made me emotional all over again. #canmnt @canadasocceren.bsky.social #worldcup #worldcup2026 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8eL...
youtube.com
Stephen Eustáquio’s stoppage time strike sends Canada to Round of 16
YouTube video by TSN
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 28/06/2026
An incredibly thoughtful review of TPT has been published by The Ammonite Review! www.theammonitereview.com/edseaward
theammonitereview.com
Ed Seaward — The Ammonite Review
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 27/06/2026
Right?! Me, too. 🤣
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 27/06/2026
Phew! After the launch, I'll be quieting my self-promotion a bit. Would you take a moment to leave a review where you purchased TPT? Even brief reviews help push the algorithm and increase the #novel's visibility. Thanks! www.brentvans.com/media @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction
brentvans.com
Media | Brent vanStaalduinen
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 25/06/2026
Or, ending up in some interesting places when I try to answer the question: "How can a novel be anti-war and pro-military?" www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2026/6/... @riverstreetwriting.bsky.social @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction #novel
riverstreetwriting.com
Power Q & A with Brent van Staalduinen — River Street Writing
I think it’s really important to acknowledge first that many things can be true all at once, even contradictory things. Of late, with the flame-fest that the internet has become, I’ve particularly bee...
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 24/06/2026
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Mickey Mouse Happy Dance
ALT: Mickey Mouse Happy Dance
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Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human. @brentvans.com · 24/06/2026
Folks, that was epic: packed house, smiles, book sales, and best of all connecting with the coolest book people. I couldn't have imagined a better novel launch party! #hamont #canlit #booklover @thistledownpress.bsky.social If you couldn't make it, np! You can still order TPT: www.brentvans.com
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