iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Take 30 seconds and read this. It's a lot in few words. Great stuff.

Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

My quarterly newsletter is about to go out, so if you enjoy reading about the misery of writing, getting some book reviews, silently judging writing excerpts, and even being mildly amused (potentially - no guarantees), then check it out. Sign up at: www.matthewcushing.com

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Need a book suggestion? (Yeah, me either as my TBR has hundreds of titles patiently awaiting their turn.) But still, here are a few speculative books from the past few years that have really stood out to me. www.matthewcushing.com/post/top-ten...

matthewcushing.com

Top Ten Best Recent Speculative Books

I get asked a lot what I’m currently reading or whether I’ve read any good speculative books lately. As a speculative author, I try to keep up with what is being published. I like to read what other a...

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

I'm attending this event. I attended last year, and it was OUTSTANDING! And FREE! If you're a speculative fiction writer, check it out! 🙌 worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com Please RT as other writers might find it helpful.

worldshift2026.manyworldswriting.com

Worldshift 2026: The Speculative Fiction Writers' Conference

Speculative Fiction Writers' Summit

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

How can human writers fight back against the plague of AI-generated stories? The linked story is a cautionary tale for sure, but I now want to learn more about what Books by People is doing.

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Thank you for sharing this! A looming problem that is only going to get worse. I'm so curious now to understand what Books by People is doing. Sounds like a fantastic effort.

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Holy cow. I think I reached the end of Facebook. Time to turn around and head back.

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

If you missed the latest edition of my quarterly newsletter, DON'T PANIC! It's available on my website. If you enjoy it, please sign up to receive future editions - you won't be disappointed! www.matthewcushing.com/newsletters

matthewcushing.com

NEWSLETTERS | Matthew Cushing

Archive of quarterly newsletters, which include news, notes, reviews, writing excerpts, and humor.

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Kathryn Thornwood @kathrynthornwood.com · 14/06/2026

One thing they don’t tell you about writing your own book. You have to make so many decisions! At least after a while the characters do all the work, but right now? Girl, I don’t know if the vendor is a good guy or a scammer either 🫠 #writing

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Mike Strickland @stricklandia.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Come try some wine 🍷 and buy some books 📚 at Deep Roots Winery in Golden, CO! I'll be here till 4 PM!

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Kathryn Thornwood @kathrynthornwood.com · 16/06/2026

Fanfiction writers are writers. A ton of people got started writing fanfic, and found a deep love for writing. Some transitioned that to writing originals, some did not. ALL of them are writers. Except the ones who use LLMs. Those sloppers can get lost. #writing #fanfiction

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

No better validation than when others like your work. I was thrilled to be invited to submit a story for the Earth(ish) anthology, and even more thrilled that people are enjoying it! specficwriters.com/earthish-ant...

specficwriters.com

Earth(ish) Anthology highlights Matthew Cushing and Paul Martz

Two members of the Speculative Fiction Writers Association, Matthew Cushing and Paul Martz, have work published in a new anthology called Earth(ish), Tales from the Splinterverse…

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

It's nearly summer and time for that most wonderful of moments: my quarterly newsletter! It should be coming out in the next week or two, so please (for the love of dog) if you enjoy speculative fiction, books, and mild humor, please sign up at matthewcushing.com.

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

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Kathryn Thornwood @kathrynthornwood.com · 05/06/2026

Are you looking for #specfic writers? Well here's an excellent place to start! Meet the writers of the Specfic Writers Association! We talk science and magic and things that go bump in the night! #writingcommunity #writesky go.bsky.app/MQboEGR

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Very cool! The America's Slide Toward Authoritarianism anthology, which includes my short story The Rite to Vote, has been named a Indie Book Awards Finalist for Social Justice.

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

May 15!!! Just 3 days away, the Splinterverse anthology Earth(ish) releases to the world! Contains my short story "Commercial Break" where a tough-as-nails nonagenarian sticks up for elder rights in a society focused only on turning a profit. Pre-orders at splinterpress.com/products/spl...

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Mike Strickland @stricklandia.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

99¢ ebook sale! 📕 WRITERS OF THE FUTURE VOL. 42, containing my cyberpunk love story "As Long as You Both Shall Live," is currently on sale for 99¢ (ebook) on Amazon! 15 stories and full-color illustrations: what a deal!

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Why do so many people lump mysteries and thrillers into the same category? Yes, they are both whodunnits, but I argue that they are very different beasts. Check out my thoughts at: www.matthewcushing.com/post/mysteri...

matthewcushing.com

Mysteries vs. Thrillers

Most readers love a whodunnit story. A trail of clues to follow and reasoning to understand. These types of stories fall into two major categories: mysteries and thrillers. In both types, something dr...

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Instead of calling all these LLMs "artificial intelligence" - which has an established connotation through decades of science fiction - why not call them "heuristic intelligence" or H.I.?

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

If you missed this quarter's newsletter, no worries! You can view it on my Newsletter Archive. And, be sure to sign up so that next quarter's edition lands in your Inbox. www.matthewcushing.com/newsletters

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Release is imminent! Don't miss out! Sign up today!

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Indie Aut. Stuart Miller📖✍️🤓 Believe in yourself & your potential @stuartmiller1.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

2 days ago, Credit @progressivepower.bsky.social "progressivepower: It’s a fact and there’s no precedent"

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Good friend and author Cheryl Fallin has her second book in the McLeod and Masters series -- FRACTAL -- now available. A fantastic medical thriller full of action and a few laughs. A great read! www.amazon.com/FRACTAL-McLe...

amazon.com

FRACTAL: A McLeod and Masters Thriller (The McLeod and Masters Thriller Series Book 2)

Amazon.com: FRACTAL: A McLeod and Masters Thriller (The McLeod and Masters Thriller Series Book 2) eBook : Fallin, Cheryl P.: Books

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

The months are flying by, and the next edition of my quarterly newsletter is fast approaching! If you like book reviews, odd bits of news, or other things that make you snooze, please sign up! Just drop your email address on my home page to not miss out! www.matthewcushing.com

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

What a great word

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

When dreaming up a book, most tend to focus on the plot. But I argue that is only one of the dramatic elements that needs to be considered and woven together for a truly engaging story. www.matthewcushing.com/post/importa...

matthewcushing.com

Importance of Dramatic Elements

When writing a novel, the first aspect that comes to mind for most people is the plot. The events that happen. Usually, there is an idea and maybe a twist at the end. And as important a plot is to the...

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Don't miss out on the next issue! Sign up today. It's quick and painless and FREE! What else could you ask for?

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

It's that time again - well, a bit past my regular schedule - but the next edition of my quarterly newsletter is soon to release. If you like writing news, book reviews, and humorous views, then please consider signing up. www.matthewcushing.com

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Been a while since I posted. I have new blog posts on my website covering Deep POV vs. Head Hopping, the ethics of spurious awards, my experience with November's novel writing month, and a recap of 2025. Whew! And please consider signing up for my quarterly newsletter. www.matthewcushing.com

matthewcushing.com

Author | Matthew Cushing

Discover the latest books, blog posts and tweets from the mind of author Matthew Cushing. Read book reviews, critique and editing advice, and top ten lists about sci-fi and fantasy books.

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Friend and author Mike Strickland posted an interesting (and humorous) take on A.I. with which I fully agree. stricklandia.substack.com/p/play-fizzy...

stricklandia.substack.com

Play fizzy off by six

AI is the enshittification of civilization

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Worried about the rise of fascism? Troubled by the current authoritarian administration? So are authors and artists! Today is the last day to get "America's Slide Toward Authoritarianism" (an anthology from the International Human Rights Art Movement) at a discount. donorbox.org/america-s-sl...

donorbox.org

America's Slide pre-sale | International Human Rights Art Movement (Powered by Donorbox)

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Another three months have passed and it is once again time for my quarterly newsletter to come out. If you like speculative fiction and want some book recs, humor, and articles, please consider signing up on my website. www.matthewcushing.com

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

IHRAM Press' America’s Slide Toward Authoritarianism is available for pre-sale. A folio of American and international writers and artists responding to this dire political moment in the United States, this anthology fosters hope for a society that continues to speak up. donorbox.org/america-s-sl...

donorbox.org

America's Slide pre-sale | International Human Rights Art Movement (Powered by Donorbox)

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

A friend and author needs help. Please consider if you're in a position to do so. kidney4naomi.info

kidney4naomi.info

Kidney4Naomi

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

donorbox.org

America's Slide pre-sale | International Human Rights Art Movement (Powered by Donorbox)

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Matthew Cushing Author @mcushing.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Which would you prefer to read, a good book or a good story. For me, it's a no-brainer. Check out my thoughts on the ongoing debate between literary and genre fiction. www.matthewcushing.com/post/good-bo...

matthewcushing.com

Good Book or Good Story

Which would you rather read, a good book or a good story? The difference between the two has arisen a few times over the past couple of years as I’ve learned more about writing and publishing novels—a...

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