iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The folks at Union Square just informed me that according to Bookscan, HARLAN ELLISON'S GREATEST HITS is the #5 top-selling SF Anthology of all time, and #1 for the period from 2021-present. Over 170,000 copies in print, available here in three versions. www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/harla...

hachettebookgroup.com

Greatest Hits

A deluxe collector's edition of award-winning short stories by the eight-time Hugo Award-winner, five-time Bram Stoker Award-winner, four-time Nebula Award-w...

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Annnnd parts one and two of the discussion between me and Bruce Boxleitner have just gone up at YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KnT...

youtube.com

Bruce Boxleitner on Capt. John Sheridan’s Origin | Behind Babylon 5 with JMS

YouTube video by Babylon 5

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I go with Mark Twain who, noting that he was having a harder time remembering the things he did versus the things he wanted to do but didn't, or just random things: "I'm coming to a point of my life where the only things I can remember are the things that never actually happened."

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

My every relationship disproves your thesis.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Here's comedy: at first I was going to write "no," because I couldn't remember having done so, then paused. I haven't had any contact with Eric Lewald since the invention of the steam engine, but he's a reliable guy who was on the show for some time (along with Mark and Michael Edens who --

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Yep. I think there are one or two other references in there as well.

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Reposted by J. Michael Straczynski

Gerry Anderson @gerryanderson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

10 authors 🚀 5 Thunderbird craft 🚀 1 FAB book With illustrations by Lee Sullivan, foreword by Jamie Anderson, and an afterword by J. Michael Straczynski... it's in stock and shipping NOW! gerryanderson.com/products/thu...

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Way too early. At this point they're only looking to hear from production companies to determine which can bring the most resources, money and other elements to the table. They won't even be talking about writers for a while yet.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A while ago I mentioned that Bruce Boxleitner and I were helping Warners with the launch of their Babylon 5 YouTube channel. As part of that, the first of three brand new half-hour-plus interviews/discussions between me and Bruce will go online on Monday. www.youtube.com/@Babylon5

youtube.com

Babylon 5

You’ve arrived at Babylon 5, the last, best hope for peace. A neutral station standing at the crossroads of galactic powers, where ambassadors, soldiers, traders, and dreamers all have a stake in the ...

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Good news! The standalone version of Harlan's story I HAVE NO MOUTH AND I MUST SCREAM, with additional essays by Harlan and other pieces, and currently a USA TODAY national bestseller, is now available to read for free for those using Kindle Unlimited. www.amazon.com/Have-Mouth-M...

amazon.com

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream (Singularity)

Amazon.com: I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream (Singularity) eBook : Ellison, Harlan: Kindle Store

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Huzzah! We knew the new standalone edition of I HAVE NO MOUTH AND I MUST SCREAM was doing well but we didn't realize just how well until today when it cracked THE USA TODAY INSTANT BEST-SELLER LIST in a very competitive month. www.usatoday.com/booklist/boo...

usatoday.com

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

The brilliant and scarily relevant short story by Harlan Ellison, an eight-time Hugo Award winner, five-time Bram Stoker Award winner, and four-time Nebula Award winner In a postapocalyptic world, fou...

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

I find I lack the will to flee, I think I’ll stay, just me and thee The plume is there, a roaring cloud I’ll greet it with a comely shroud The fire comes My neighbor runs The rest have fled I’ll stay in bed And close my eyes and turn my head A final note, from we the dead.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

This year the agreed-upon menu includes pizza and profiteroles. Just saying.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Tomorrow, August 24th, is the 1,947th anniversary of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius which took out the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD. Check local and online listings for a commemorative dinner in your area.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I wasn't behind it, didn't create it, but I was one of the primary writers. If I included everything it would be a very very long video.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

From time to time folks will see a discussion of my work and say "I didn't know you worked on (fill in the gap)", or don't know I worked on *anything* after the 90s. Hence, this video, updated for 2026, but which doesn't have the upcoming new movies. youtu.be/w_aP30AI7ts

youtu.be

J. Michael Straczynski career reel 2026

YouTube video by Synthetic Worlds

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

What, milk chocolate Easter bunnies with caramel tears wasn't good enough for you?

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Lastly: you're trying to make it look like "oh JMS is attacking TADC," which I'm not, it's a fine show. I'm pointing to those folks who critique AI for denying credit and payment to the writer (which it does), but watch TADC sans critique even though it does the same thing.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Because we're not talking about themes, we're talking about *story*...there's a crucial difference in terms of echoing specific storylines, literary devices and the like. Stories have themes but themes are not stories and only stories can have protection.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I didn't say that I thought they should have, because if I did, then I would have forced the issue. I didn't. I'm only pointing to the contradiction in perspectives. (The other difference is that in interviews the creator made explicitly clear that the show was directly inspired/derived from IHNM.)

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Mainly, it's just not very dramatic in a TV show. And it has the potential to become a constant deus ex machina to get your characters out of a tight place, and it shouldn't be that easy.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

That there may not be good AI critics doesn't diminish the fact that there are concerns that need to be addressed. Yeah, there have been some screed and yelley-heads here but others offered reasoned arguments. It's a tough cultural and ethical issue whichever side you're on.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I became aware of TADC relatively early and had to decide whether to take legal action over this. Honestly I think he would have liked it so I let it pass. People liked it, Harlan often said be kind to small things, and I didn't want to piss in their punchbowl.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Every discussion reaches a point where the discussion becomes *about* the discussion, the same AI-related points repeated with the same replies, which has become the case here. Further inquiries should go to the article I posted since it seems to cover most of them, it’s free --

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

If you can provide citations, now and between the second print run, I give you my word they will be included. Not being flippant.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Just common decency, and let's be honest, there's a huge amount of rightful heated debate going on about this...we're in the midst of a huge tech-wave that needs to sort itself out in non-destructive ways. I think we'll get there, we generally do, but it's going to be messy for a while.

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Reposted by J. Michael Straczynski

J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Subsequent to my note about having a brief AI essay in I Have No Mouth and I Must scream, there have been a number of fair, sincere and reasonable questions that deserve a respectful and appropriate response. You will find it here. jmichaelstraczynski.substack.com/p/fair-repli...

jmichaelstraczynski.substack.com

Fair Replies to Fair Questions

Regarding The AI Essay Discussion for I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

As noted in the reply on Substack, none of us were sure about it, for all the obvious reasons, but were drawn to the piece's questions about the ethics of AI, so we took it to the best AI/IP attorneys around who said it was okay *as long as* we stipulated it was AI and not pretending otherwise.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Which is exactly the point I raise in the reply.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I've heard that now from several people but haven't had a window to do due diligence. Will definitely do so and act accordingly.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Yes, that the story coming at a time of AI makes it remiss not to mention it. But the piece is in no way a creative work, it's an analytical essay that had some points which many who are concerned about AI have been trying to get across for some time. Which was ultimately why it was included.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Yep, and the post I just entered agrees with that point 100%, even taking it farther than that. Scope it out for yourself.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

jmichaelstraczynski.substack.com

Fair Replies to Fair Questions

Regarding The AI Essay Discussion for I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The brief (just a few pages) addendum didn't do anyone's writing for them, is clearly labeled as what it is, and MOUTH was digitized into the void long ago (as shown by the Anthropic suit). That being said: these are valid concerns, and I'm working on a fair reply to fair questions.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

It was rereleased for Playstation, Xbox and others last March.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Just for clarity's sake, the book coming out in September isn't the same as the complete MOUTH anthology, which has many more stories. This is dedicated to celebrating this one story with a deep dive, via two essays about the story from Harlan, an intro from me, an essay about writing by Harlan, etc

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

The standalone book of Harlan Ellison's I HAVE NO MOUTH AND I MUST SCREAM is taking preorders, with writing essays by Harlan, and since MOUTH was the first AI story, for fun we fed it into an AI system and asked for its opinion. The reply is fascinating. www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/harla...

hachettebookgroup.com

I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream

The brilliant and scarily relevant short story by Harlan Ellison, an eight-time Hugo Award winner, five-time Bram Stoker Award winner, and four-time Nebula A...

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Taking these in reverse order: no, and I suppose she was as devout as any religious person on any given day, with the usual fluctuations of convenience, necessity, angst and anger.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Alas I didn't pull anything off for this to happen. The page is owned by Warners. I'm just the cheerleader.

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J. Michael Straczynski @straczynski.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Debate 101 snare question. Obviously few if any were out there searching for a MacGuffinless movie. They reacted to what was clearly a character story that didn't seem to be the same kind of thing they had seen before and thus felt fresh.

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