iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY

Chantal James @chantalalive.blacksky.app · 28/09/2026

Fuck yeah Imma let y'all know I wrote a couple books you can spend money on our ask your library to. And I ain't got an ounce of shame for it! I'll promote my art I'm proud of & stand by whenever & however I feel freely. Why? It's my livelihood. I'm trying to make it full time as a writer.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

so now I have a new pro-AI follower that looks itself like an AI agent. But I can't dissociate from it because we don't have a 'delete this follower' button.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#WritingCommunity I got a thing from Draft2Digital where they've set up a deal with Spotify so we can make up to 5 audiobooks of our print stuff for free. But I wonder how they get their digital voices. Is it old-fashioned hard work text-to-speech, or did they steal and remix voice artist voices?

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting There really are good excuses for not writing. Like, right now, my right arm is almost useless from pain and limited movement after getting my covid and flu shots yesterday. (He says while typing this thing here.)

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

My top 5 albums when I turned 18: Chicago V - Chicago Last Days and Time - Earth Wind and Fire Tower of Power - Tower of Power Urban renewal - Tower of Power Rare Earth Live

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Got my Covid and Flu shots today, set up a flushing for the water heaters, fixed that towel rod in the bathroom. One of these is not like the others. Oh! And I clean out the garage tomorrow. That's still one.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Tell us about your book or WIP! Title: A Light in the Black Genre: Space Fantasy Season: There are no seasons in space! Word count: 104k Fluids you expect it will make readers excrete: Whatever they're drinking, in multiple spit takes Where to find it: smloy.net/a-light-in-the-black

Cover art for A Light in the Black. A dark-skinned fist gripping the haft of a hunga munga (a multi-bladed African weapon akin to an ax, but with blades going out in all directions. It looks as dangerous for the wielder as for their intended target). In the background, a starfield torn by an orange light, like a rip in space-time. A spherical spaceship approaches the celestial curiosity.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#WIPSnips I want to apologize if I've seemed less than engaged the last several days. I'm right now sitting watch over my sister, who may pass on today or the next few days. Don't worry about either of us; this has been coming for a while. But my attention is understandably, I hope, divided.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Hey, @bsky.app, I'd be eternally happy if we could get one thing: a remove this follower button (for all the bots). I honestly have no idea what proportion of my followers are soulless machines and which proportion are people.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I say let the K. Center go bankrupt rather than let the Giant Baby put his name on it. Then start it up again when we kick him and his toadies out.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I guess I should point out I have novels you can read. That way, you won't have regrets on your deathbeds. www.smloy.net/the-books-in... Also, I have short stories and novellas.

smloy.net

The Books in Brief — Stephan Michael Loy

The Books In Brief

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Rats. I wheeled my telescope out just yesterday afternoon. Now, since it's supposed to rain tonight, I need to wheel it back in. That means re-collimating the next time I wheel it out. No, I won't build an observatory. My wife would kill me.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Just 50? My wife averages over 450 books a year according to her library stats. 'Course, I manage maybe 3. But still, yes. No such thing as reading too much!

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Why on Earth did I get followed by 5 film festival accounts in one day. I don't go to film festivals. I have no interest in doing so. Can we please have a 'Delete this follower' button? Oh, well, at least they weren't sexbots. I've been followed by a bunch of them, too.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Well. National Read A Book Day is coming along just fine.

That darned cat -- Oz the Great and Powerful, First Kitty Deluxe -- decided she needed in on the book action, so she just climbs up onto my lap desk, onto my open book, and makes herself comfortable. Though I think she's more invested in my reading light.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Today, Sunday, is National Read A Book Day. To facilitate this asspicious (sic) time in national reading history, I've discounted my ebooks at Smashwords! As many as you'd like, only $.99 each! www.smloy.net/read-a-book-.... Today only. Go. Get some. #BookSky #AmReading #Books

smloy.net

Read a Book Day — Stephan Michael Loy

Are you tired of cookie-cutter, predictable novels? You won’t find them here!

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Attention #BookSky #AmReading #Books! Sunday is National Read A Book Day. Read a book, any book. If you'd like to read mine, I've deep discounted them thru Sunday at Smashwords! Only $.99 each, as many as you'd like! www.smloy.net/read-a-book-... Go. Get some.

smloy.net

Read a Book Day — Stephan Michael Loy

Are you tired of cookie-cutter, predictable novels? You won’t find them here!

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky While prepping this week's blog post for my critique group, I ran across these two bangers from Grace Metalious, author of Peyton Place. I think some of you will enjoy (and possibly learn from!) them:

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

My main WIP has an ensemble cast, so no one main character. But the heart of it all has got to be Fiona Street, the broken casualty who simply cannot surrender to the fate she's been dealt. Broken Pieces Shine by Evanescence captures her completely. www.youtube.com/watch?v=trbn...

youtube.com

Evanescence - Broken Pieces Shine (Official Audio)

YouTube video by Evanescence

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

While I eat a cheese sandwich, I need to point out that cheese sandwiches are really good. Also that cheese sandwiches are in no way good for you. You make your choices, you take your chances.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

#BookSky #AmReading I know this is gonna piss off a whole lot of people and, believe me, that is not my intent. But... I'm reading Pride and Prejudice and, though I'm liking it, I think Sense and Sensibility was better. Pride and Prejudice seems to try too hard.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Gimme a few days, and I'll post to my website the horror novella I wrote for last year's Dark Tales from the Mid-World collection. With the additional nudge that there are a bunch of other fun Halloween stories in there, including another by yours truly. Here' the art for my story:

Art for B-29, by Stephan Michael Loy. A B-29 Superfortress bomber from WWII flies through a weirdly foggy night sky. The plane is highlighted by a full moon and is watched by a scary-looking spirit personified by an emaciated skull wearing a strange, disconcerting battle helmet. The bloodshot orbs of its eyes, suspended in the cavities of the skull face, watch the plane with hunger.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Dear #WritingCommunity, As we all surely know, in conversation, people do not use the other person's name nearly as much as we often see in fiction dialogue. Addressing Evan by name is usually kind of odd. Evan knows his name. We don't need to remind him of it.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

#AmWriting #AmReading #WriteSky I think 1st person/present tense is distracting. The writer should have a really good reason for it (beyond the often claimed but untrue 'it's more immediate'). But far more distracting is past tense where the narrator says something is 'now, or 'here.'

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

A head's up for what looks like a great short story collection coming out soon. I have nothing to do with it (so not an ad), but I've read some of the authors and I even know one (a Hugo Award nominee). Pre-order here: shop.wyrmpublishing.com/b/bsfoty2025 #WritingCommunity #BookSky #AmReading

shop.wyrmpublishing.com

The Best Science Fiction of the Year – 2025 (PREORDER)

The latest volume in Neil Clarke's year’s best series. This book features science fiction short stories/novelettes/novellas originally published in 2025. PREORDER - THIS BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED IN NOVE...

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

This is the vehicle we're planning to get this next spring or summer, if we save enough duckies. In either blue or green, haven't decided: www.youtube.com/watch?v=govC...

youtube.com

R2 is here | Rivian

YouTube video by Rivian

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Nothing junks up an otherwise normal-looking middle class home than four cars in the driveway and two on the curb.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The U-Pick-'em apple orchard is open now. I snagged me some Cortlands and some Honey Crisps. And a couple of jars of no-sugar-added apple butter. It's a mystery to me why apple butter or apple sauce should need sugar. Just pick the right apple, for Pete's sake.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Buffy the Cat Toy Slayer and I are sitting back and listening to the orchestra of summer nights: the crickets, katydids, frogs, the occasional dog, and the juvenile hairless apes of the wild, wild world.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

#WriteSky narration clue: there's no such word as 'anyways.' Just like there's no such word as 'alright.'

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Dear #WritingCommunity, It doesn't matter how much you prefer it, 'grey' is British English and 'gray' is American English.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I want to hear an audio podcast episode where the host clarifies the differences between 'there,' 'their,' and 'they're' without ever spelling out the words. Because chaos drives the universe.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

#BookSky #Reading #Books You know what else you can do to help writers and other artists? Something that won't cost you a dime? Share links to their websites. Talk about their art, share links to their art, and review their art, but share their website, too.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

"And then."🧐 Guys, yes, "and then" is an accepted literary usage, but try having them do something 'and' do something, or do something 'then' do something. Both together is redundant. "Omit needless words." From Stephen King, who has written "and then" many times in his novels. #WritingCommunity

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Dear #WritingCommunity: You get two 'was' allowances per paragraph. But they'd better be really long paragraphs.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Why is the #WritingCommunity (meant in the broad, not just hashtag sense) so mired in inspirational vibes? If you want to write and be a writer, you will. No memes are going to manifest a damned thing. Leaning over that keyboard and punching out words, that'll manifest a whole lot.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Since I'm in charge of finding the next retreat space for my writers' group, I've been on Vrbo and AirB&B a lot. Why do so many hosts ruin a house by making rooms less bedrooms and more rooms full of beds? Highly unattractive. We're not in the navy.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Okay, rain has passed. Back to work. My trans, teenaged teleporter, Deor, is desperately trying to save St. Denis Cathedral (in Paris) from the ill attentions of shadow men. Mustn't keep her waiting.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Yes, I tend to get expansive when I'm sitting around with a wandering mind.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Then there're all those people out west fighting tooth and nail for every drop of water they can muster. We need to get serious; we need to start thinking in megaproject terms to move power and water to where its needed, on a continental scale.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Due to the continuing rain, the grass hasn't been mowed in over a week, which means it'll have to be bagged when I finally get the chance. Again, my friend over in Connersville is under a standing evacuation watch, so what do I have to gripe about.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Taking a break from writing to sit in the garage and watch the rain come down. It's a downpour, and I'm glad I don't live in a flood zone. Also feel bad for those who do. Just fifty miles from here, houses are under water.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

#WIPSnips The word is 'carrier.' In Stormbreak, Mac and Jarhead are carrying water to the wildfires. This is their third trip of the day. #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #WritingPrompts #AmWriting

"So," Jarhead said. He kept his eyes forward or to his flank. "Here we are. Third inbound."
"For as long as this girl can handle it."
"You think we dropped the first two loads anywhere near the zone? Because I couldn't see a thing. The smoke, they may as well have taped butcher paper over our windscreens."
"Like the old days, night flying off a carrier."
"Really?"
"No. You can see stuff off a carrier. Stars, shit like that."
"Then why–"
"Wanted to make you feel better."
"Thanks. You failed miserably." Jarhead peered at his tablet. "Watch your six. Got a fast mover coming up on our port side."
"One of the guys out of formation?"
"No. Looks like an Osprey. I thought their job was standby."
"Unless Bugs changed the plan, that airplane spells things going from bad to worse. Maybe to worser."
"Well, they're definitely putting the spurs to it. Transponder's squawking… It's Peekaboo."
"Are we plenty clear? I don't want to get caught in her wash. Those things are little hurricanes."
"She's a couple miles out. There! I got a visual." He pointed out his door plexi, as if Mac could see over there. "Bye-bye, Peekaboo…" He waved the fingers of one hand after her.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Just 3 1/2 more hours until my Writers' Critique Group meeting.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I went to the doctor. I found out what makes the car rattle (the aero wheel covers). I trimmed the trumpet vine away from the solar panels. So. I don't want to do anything else today. Except I have to do stuff.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

For those who need to hear it, and even those who don't: You don't have to reason out a point to making art. You make art to MAKE a point.

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STEPHAN MICHAEL LOY @stephanloy.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

The only thing better than sitting out in the garage in an office chair and watching the rain is sitting out on a covered porch in a rocking chair and watching the rain. I wish I had the covered porch though I'm not complaining about the garage.

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