Sign in

Julian Barr

@julianbarr.bsky.social
114 followers 128 following 119 posts

Storyteller, editor, Classics nerd, itinerant bard. Author of the ASHES OF OLYMPUS Trilogy and TOOTH AND BLADE, preceptor at Signum University.

PostsRepliesMedia
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
From the original Star Wars trilogy, I learned about the power of myth and heroic storytelling. From the sequel trilogy, I learned never to use the word "somehow" in my writing.
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
It feels like the sort of thing that makes perfect sense to an AI but means something completely different to a human?
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Is it on everything? I don't understand.
110 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
@paramountpictures.bsky.social This is, um, quite the unorthodox way to promote your stuff...
110 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Greta Gerwig's take on Narnia looks... Well, it's nothing if not interesting? It's going to veer away from the books, but do so in a personal and unique way. If it succeeds, the final product will be upheld as a piece of pop art. If it doesn't, it'll be forgotten pretty fast.
020 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Eek! Hope you are on the mend soon.
110 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I thought it was a great episode until about the 54 minute mark, when it fell apart completely. The resolution doesn't make a bit of sense.
110 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
But yeah, a sci-fi version of The Pitt is very much what I have in mind.
110 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Heh, took me a minute!
011 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The tone is grounded, serious, dramatic and intense. A lot of the humor is character driven rather than wacky plots. I.e. the characters use quips to deal with the crushing stress of the job, and they need down time to prevent burnout, but the show's main focus is on procedure.
120 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Could work in The Lost (post movie era) just as well, but you'd probably have to recast and I wouldn't want to lose Babs Olusanmokun or Jess Bush, who are probably my favourites on SNW and I'd love to see them as leads.
110 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The crew is a mix of Starfleet vs civilians, researchers vs practitioners, doctors vs paramedics vs nurses vs support staff. Through the interspecies medical exchange, we get the diplomatic tensions of non-Federation doctors working with Federation and differing concepts of ethics.
120 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
My Star Trek pitch: set between the end of TOS and The Motion Picture, it's set on a hospital ship with M'Benga as captain and Chapel as Chief Medical Officer. They render aid in warzones, cure plagues, carry out evacuations, medical rescue, and solve crimes using forensic pathology...
170 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I didn't *hate* this week's SNW episode? I guess that's damning with faint praise. There were some nice character moments. I just wish they weren't embedded in a parody of another unrelated genre.
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Gosh. That episode of Strange New Worlds was excellent. Truly. No notes. Want more like that!
020 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Yeah, my takeaway from the SNW puppet episode is that it was the longest Youtube short I ever saw.
131 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
If only Star Trek: SNW respected its roots in serious science fiction...
youtu.be
How can you let this go on...?
YouTube video by OPM Random
120 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I will admit I quite enjoyed episode 4. It was basically an episode of TOS, but it was a pretty good one. Had hoped the season had turned a corner, but I guess not?
110 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
I'm glad Hollywood figured out there's more to Anne Hathaway than being the wife of William Shakespeare. *nods seriously*
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Heh. Reminds me there' a whole series of Enterprise tie-in novels built upon the premise the last episode just didn't happen. Which is, you know, fair.
130 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Which is absolutely fair!
000 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
"Community meets Andromeda" kind of sums up Strange New Worlds.
150 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
I suddenly figured out what Star Trek: Strange New Worlds reminds me of... It's Community. Every week it's a different high concept gimmicky parody of a popular genre. Except Community was making fun of itself? And it was genuinely funny? And had awesome characters and developed canon?
4255 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Where is Pelia? She would have fit this episode so well. Is she still chief engineer?
150 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Ah well. The Early Voyages comics remain my favourite take on Pike.
110 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
All power to everyone who loves the show! I love a lot of things about it, especially the look and the ensemble cast. I just find it wildly uneven and don't always love the gimmick episodes. The horror ones especially.
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Just watched the latest Star Trek: Strange New Worlds to celebrate a writing milestone. Wow. That was unpleasant. I don't want to become one of those boorish Trek fans who never shut up about how much they hate new Trek, I want to like it, but SNW has worn very thin.
250 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
The crowdfunding campaign for Ashes of Olympus has reached its triumphant end! It reached 345% of its total funding goal, and I am so very grateful to all who supported it. I couldn't have done it without you.
040 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Thanks so much, Gavin!
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
We are entering the last hours of the Kickstarter campaign for Ashes of Olympus, 304% funded!
kickstarter.com
Ashes of Olympus: Fantasy Saga from the World of the Odyssey
A mythic saga of rebellion against the gods! Based on the epic Trojan War, this is the survivors' legendary quest for a new homeland.
020 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Ooh, sorry, I think we're talking about different things! I quite liked The Odyssey too.
000 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Some great character stuff though.
000 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Spoiler warning... I didn't much like the end where Pike stands back and enables the genocide of an intelligent species. The answer: "Don't overthink it." From my point of view, that feels antithetical to Star Trek.
100 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
When look at complex issues and say, "Don't overthink it," that's a way of invalidating independent thought. Ugh.
020 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Just caught the first Strange New Worlds episode of the season. And... what?! Is this Star Trek or Starship Troopers?
310 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Finally made it to Nolan's Odyssey film! I admired it a great deal. A beautifully crafted and clever adaptation. More than one person has said it reminded them of The Way Home, which is a real honour. The Kickstarter is 221% funded with a week to go. www.kickstarter.com/projects/951...
030 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
It's awesome to hear folks talking about Nolan's Odyssey! The classics remain as timely and timeless as ever. But Odysseus' journey is only half the story! My Ashes of Olympus books take up the epic quest of the Trojans for a new homeland, plus the prequel Fury tells the tale of Achilles...
kickstarter.com
Ashes of Olympus: Complete Fantasy Trilogy & Prequel Novella
A mythic saga of rebellion against the gods! Based on the epic Trojan War, this is the survivors' legendary quest for a new homeland.
020 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Thank you so much, Diane! Really grateful for your support and hope you enjoy the books.
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Thank you so much, Phoenix! I'm really grateful especially as so many in the Signum community have rallied around.
010 0
Reposted by Julian Barr
Phoenix @druidsfire.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
I love this for you, Julian! :)
111 0
Reposted by Julian Barr
Diane Youngblood @dmyoungblood.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
So exciting!
111 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
... And it's funded within an hour! I'm stunned, if I'm being completely honest!
kickstarter.com
Ashes of Olympus: Complete Fantasy Trilogy & Prequel Novella
A mythic saga of rebellion against the gods! Based on the epic Trojan War, this is the survivors' legendary quest for a new homeland.
261 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Blimey! I hit the big red button to launch my campaign 15 mins ago, and it's already 40% funded. So grateful to all the early supporters!
kickstarter.com
Ashes of Olympus: Complete Fantasy Trilogy & Prequel Novella
A mythic saga of rebellion against the gods! Based on the epic Trojan War, this is the survivors' legendary quest for a new homeland.
011 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I agree with much of this thread. I'd also add that the fragmentation of the audience isn't great for stuff that was niche to begin with. Also, there does come a point when a massive back catalogue actually makes it hard to attract new fans, as getting into it feels like homework.
110 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
I enjoyed it as a pleasant afternoon out with the kids. They got a lot more out of the movie than I did, and that's okay.
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
The Mandalorian and Grogu... Well, it played in a darkened cinema for two hours, so I guess it counts as a movie? I guess?
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
If anyone from the BBC is reading this, Jack Thorne would be an amazing showrunner for Doctor Who.
010 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
I'm so very grateful for Mike's incredible work on the new covers, which look amazing. They're the kind of covers I dreamed of when I first set out to be a writer!
021 0
Reposted by Julian Barr
Mike Shackle @mikeshackle.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
I was lucky to illustrate the covers for the relaunch of @julianbarr.bsky.social's amazing Ashes of Olympus series. It's launching on Kickstarter soon
2163 0
Julian Barr @julianbarr.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Here's some awesome news! I have my rights back on my Ashes of Olympus books, and I'm relaunching them with beautiful new covers, audiobooks and a new prequel novella! I'd be really grateful if you followed the project, which will launch in July! www.kickstarter.com/projects/951...
062 0