iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

My sci fi short story, "Thin Skin," is published today in Wyldblood magazine! Though I'd love for you to buy the issue, you can also read it for free here: wyldblood.com/thin-skin-2/

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

PG&E replaced a power pole near us and the power was out today. Me, at the kitchen table having a granola bar and glass of water (so as not to open the fridge.) R locking up the whole house. Me: "What are you doing?" Him: "You aren't staying here are you? There's no internet!" Hah!

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

A friend discovered that Six is available from the San Francisco Public Library via the Libby app. When I was a kid I spent my time in libraries, not bookstores. To have my book on the virtual shelves feels like a huge honor and I'm really happy and excited. It's got holds on it already!

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

I'd like to thank Terry Godier for including Soma FM as an example in the thoughtfully-written post, The Boring Internet. You put into words what I feel. The internet we knew and loved 20 years ago is kind of gone but also kind of isn't, if you know where to look. www.terrygodier.com/the-boring-i...

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

I met sci fi author Andri Snær Magnason 13 years ago at Iceland Airwaves at an off-venue book reading. Happy to see him today at the premiere of his documentary film "Time and Water." It's about glaciers, family, and how history is lost and preserved.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Oh AI. You'd be adorable if you weren't being used for anything in the real world.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

December newsletter from me (as the sci fi author.) Includes a book giveaway! mailchi.mp/2ad79e63e900...

mailchi.mp

Relax in a fictional world

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

I keep hearing about the HUGE demand for AI and how bazillions of data centers will have to be built to keep up with the demand. I never demanded any of this, especially not the stupid ass AI overviews on the top of my searches, such as this helpful info that the pride parade is today, Nov. 30.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Bay Area locals: I'm doing a book launch, reading, and signing for my new sci fi novel tonight in San Francisco at Adobe Books at 7p.m. Come on by and make an indie author very happy.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

I got back from Defcon a few weeks ago. SomaFM has been providing chill music for the conference since 2013 and attending has inspired some short stories and gotten me more comfortable being on stage. Here's my take on this year. mlukemcdonell.wordpress.com/2025/08/17/b...

mlukemcdonell.wordpress.com

Been there. Done that. Will do it again.

Defcon 33, Las Vegas Attending Defcon (hacker/software security conference) is like stepping into a living science fiction novel. My first time, in 2013, it was more like a “golden age” science fic…

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Friends of mine from out of town were excited to ride in a Waymo, so we did. They loved it. When they got out, both of them happily thanked the car for the ride. It gave me a shiver that we anthropomorphize objects so quickly and naturally.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

I went to a "dazzling" book marketing conference recently, and detailed my takeaways here: mlukemcdonell.wordpress.com/thoughts-and...

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

A great night at SF in SF, with Kimberly Ungar moderating, Daryl Gregory and Nghi Vo reading from, and discussing, their work. I'll let you know when the recording is up on Soma FM.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

First time someone ever said this: I strolled over to Dulles airport for dinner. On purpose. 😂 I’m trapped at a Marriott after my conference ended.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

OMG. Can Apple intelligence just shut the F up with trying to predict what I'm going to say? Guessing the next few words when I type is like every day living my normal life as a woman with dudes finishing my sentences for me. Not helpful, back off, stop talking. I'm talking.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Cat with mustache in a widow disapproves of me.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

So happy to be back at SXSW and get to hear Bruce Sterling tell us what's on his mind. This year it's "How to Rebuild an Imaginary Future." He's doing a cool project to rebuild tech from fiction, make it actually work, and add to our cultural heritage. I'm a huge fan of his writing. : )

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Just attended a packed SXSW panel on Severance. Turned into a pathetic Apple TV infomercial with Ben Stiller asking the Apple exec “What other shows are you watching on Apple TV?” Not what anyone came for!

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Paul Rudd, Jenna Ortega, and Will Poulter at the premiere of Death of a Unicorn at SXSW. This is first movie where I ever hoped a Paul Rudd character would die. : )

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

I'm happy to be at SXSW and be reminded that creativity is alive and thriving. Here is some of the cast+writers+director (James Griffiths) of the upcoming movie The Ballad of Wallis Island...17 years in development, made in 18 days on a small budget. Stars Carrie Mulligan.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

“How fictional futures can help us strengthen truth” - Sewell Chan says “novelists help us perceive worlds that are only dimly imagined right now.” With authors Stephen Harrison and Laila Lalami.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Director Paul Feig talks about loving genre, and that the story needs to come from the characters. Fast company grill at SXSW.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Cool tree/sky/ocean at Timber Cove, north of Jenner.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

I paid too much for this ballpoint pen, but it's named Helvetica, made in Japan, and writes like butter–if that's a thing.

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

"For some readers, such accolades read as insincere or overwrought. It doesn’t help that blurbs frequently repeat bromides like “spellbinding,” “riveting” and “a tour de force” until they’ve lost meaning." www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a....

smithsonianmag.com

Are 'Gripping,' 'Brilliant' Book Blurbs on Their Way Out?

In a provocative essay, a major publisher announced that its authors will no longer be required to solicit glowing reviews for their book jackets, arguing that blurbs don't reflect a title's true meri...

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M Luke McDonell @mlukemc.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

My short story, "The Obscurists," is in issue 16 of Wyldblood magazine. Stakes are high in this game of finding and tagging obscure places. Instantaneous travel, evil twins, and extreme allergies. What's not to like? Thanks @wyldblood.bsky.social - get the issue here: wyldblood.com/product/wyld...

wyldblood.com

Wyldblood 16 | Wyldblood Press

Seven brand new fantasy and science fiction tales in our latest Wyldblood collection, from Jacey Bedford, Liam Hogan, Mark Rigney, Steve Burford, Holley Cornetto. JL George and M. Luke McDonell.

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