iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I created and shared a "Why AI is harmful" video last week for my school, and have been encouraged to post it more broadly. So... If you like puppets & doodle-animation & telling students not to let robot butlers to do their thinking for them... enjoy! youtu.be/p4jvWJtEvKM

youtu.be

Mr. Ritter: AI in Schools

YouTube video by R William Ritter

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

In the waiting room at the dentist, and just overheard a kid ask his parent “What does ‘grande’ mean?” “It means medium,” she answered. And to be clear—her answer was probably RIGHT in the context of the question, which only makes my brain hurt more. Thanks, Starbucks. You did this to us.

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seven🎨⊬ @sevey7.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

the eyes of the seer fanart for @willritter.bsky.social’s wonderful jackaby series

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

An interaction with my mother today.

Text from Mom reads: “I am re-reading The Count of Monte Cristo. Marvelous 19th century panoramic story telling.”

Reply from user reads: “Ooh, cool. I watched the Wishbone episode of Count of Monte Cristo when I was a kid, so I’m pretty much up to speed.” Accompanied by a picture of Jack Russel Terrier in a fancy costume.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Sometimes I use “raccoon” as a verb. To raccoon is to dive in with reckless, enthusiasm. (“WHY did you raccoon into the SIDE of this loaf of bread!?”) It sounds negative—but replacing self doubt with occasional reckless enthusiasm… actually super healthy. Raccoon your art, peeps! PS: new tattoo!

Tattoo of two raccoons, one at a typewriter, the other playing with art supplies.

Close up of a tattoo of a raccoon at a typewriter.

Close up of a tattoo of a raccoon playing with art supplies.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

A LOT of heaviness this year, so I am trying not to miss appreciating the positives along the way. Teaching a FILM AS LIT 🎥 class for the first time, and I am loving it. Yesterday was Buster Keaton… and students are actually engaging & having FUN. (Also, made my classroom a blockbuster. 📼)

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Trudy Ludwig @trudyludwig.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

You can find powerful #truths in literature—like this one in Book 4 of @willritter.bsky.social ‘s wonderful Jackaby series. #empathy #emotionalresilience #kindness #leadershipskills #compassion

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

If you have not discovered these books, they are AMAZING.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Oregon readers! I am so excited to be joining @rosieethor.bsky.social for the launch of FIREFLY: AIM TO MISBEHAVE tomorrow! Don't miss it if you will be in the area of Beaverton on Friday!

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 26/07/2024

Okay… so my feed is full of couch jokes right now. Tell me why—today of all days—this is the DAD JOKE of the day. The universe is in on it.

Joke calendar reads: July 25th. I told my son I’d go a whole day without making any furniture jokes. Sofa, so good.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 16/07/2024

News is out: Algonquin Young Readers (home to all of my original books for ten years) is shuttering. Little Brown YA will absorb existing projects, so thankfully books won’t be orphaned—but good people are losing their roles and an era is coming to an end. Proud and grateful to have been part of it.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 15/07/2024

Me: (Prepping a pitch a bit outside my norm.) I can do this. I've spent the past decade building connections & supports. Agent: I'm no longer representing your category of books. Editor: I'm retired from editing. Publishing House: We no longer exist moving forward. Random passing stranger: 🖕

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 08/07/2024

OMFG. For the third time, Scrivener, there is no “Desmond.” I promise. This book is about actual, literal hell-monsters. Please. Just let me type “demons.”

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 17/05/2024

So excited to be on my way to the Gaithersburg Book Festival! (LESS excited to have gotten up at 3AM, and to have sat on the tarmac in a middle-seat for an hour while my 2nd plane turned into a sauna because they couldn’t get the engine started and eventually just deplaned.) … But YAY BOOKS!

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 24/02/2024

Audiobook sale alert! My follow-up to the Jackaby series, ROOK, is going for $4.99 until the 29th. /end shameless self promotion.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 22/01/2024

Happy Update: POWER IS BACK AT MY HOUSE!!! Eight days dark, but it’s finally up and running! Woohoo! 🎉 Utility crews have replaced more than EIGHTY downed poles, and they’re still working. It’s wild. Super grateful!

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 21/01/2024

Ice storm update: Day 8. Ice is mostly gone, lots of down trees. STILL no power at my house OR my school, but they’re making progress. (The district has not YET declared school cancelled Monday, so just hoping they don’t make me go back to my ice house to work in the morning.)

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 15/01/2024

We are day three into a blackout here. Everything is coated in multiple inches of ice. Trees up and down the street have come crashing down. (Everyone in the house is safe, albeit very chilly.)

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 21/11/2023

Hey, bookfolk! Hachette is offering 25% off through the 28th—and free shipping for orders over $25—so if you were thinking about gifting ROOK (or any of the other JACKABY or ODDMIRE books), now’s the time! www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/willi...

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 03/11/2023

Hey, I just met you And your dad’s Zeus, huh? His daughter cursed me. Call me Medusa.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 31/10/2023

I host the student-run DnD club in my classroom. Today they’re doing their “Halloween One Shot.” They were aiming to invite new players… and were successful—but that means one DM is running an ELEVEN person game with a bunch of squirrelly newbies. 😅 They only have an hour to play. It’s chaos.

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Mike Jung @mikejungwroteabook.bsky.social · 20/10/2023

Today, authors and illustrators are voicing our opposition to Scholastic Book Fairs' "Share Every Story, Celebrate Every Voice" program, which proactively supports the work of right-wing book banners. Please read, sign, and share. tinyurl.com/3vu9tsyj

tinyurl.com

Statement from Authors and Illustrators on Scholastic Book Fairs' Policy of Separating and Excluding...

STATEMENT FROM AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS ON SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR’S POLICY OF SEPARATING AND EXCLUDING DIVERSE BOOKS October 20, 2023 (Please use this form to add your name to the statement) We, the ...

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 08/10/2023

Holy hell. I made the heinous mistake of A) going on the bird app and B) expressing my personal experience and thoughts on my area of expertise. So if anybody is wondering, I’m *checks notes* an ignorant baby man and the work I’ve spent the past decade doing is bad and laughably easy.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 16/09/2023

ROSE CITY COMIC CON is NEXT WEEKEND! I am so excited to be joining the Powells Books "BOOK FAIR" at RCCC in Portland. If you'll be at the con, be sure to visit E145-146—I'll be taking part in panels with other awesome authors from Sept 22-24 & doing signings directly after each!

Image of William Ritter and the cover of Rook. It lists events happening in room E145 on FRIDAY: 5:15-6:00, SATURDAY, 4:30-5:15, and SUNDAY, 11:00-11:45.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 18/08/2023

ROOK is coming out on Aug 22, and my publisher is giving away THIRTY free copies through Goodreads. The deadline's TONIGHT at midnight... so I though maybe I should actually promote it just a tiny bit before time runs out: www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/364…

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Preeti Chhibber @runwithskizzers.bsky.social · 15/08/2023

Just a little two weeks away from SPIDER-MAN'S BAD CONNECTION being out in the world! If you're in the Atlanta area, I hope you'll join for the launch at BRAVE + KIND BOOKS (who are also handling the preorder campaign if you want a signed copy!) 🕷️🕸️❤️

eventbrite.com

SPIDERMAN'S BAD CONNECTION with Preeti Chhibber

Preeti Chhibber is in THE HOT SEAT for the launch of SPIDERMAN'S BAD CONNECTION: Giveaways, trivia, and fun!

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 11/08/2023

The newest Covid variant is “Eris.” As in—goddess of discord & strife who caused a decade long war that cost countless lives because she was slighted. That Eris. The Iliad? Just saying… if something’s really bad, is it a good idea to name it after a deity? Are we TRYING to invoke wrath?

A Greek depiction of Eris, a dark-haired woman with black wings. The label says “Ἔρις” (Greek spelling of Eris).

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 08/08/2023

The last time my kids dressed up together for Halloween (probably the last time they ever will 🥺) was years ago—Pokémon costumes with paper maché heads. They were so cute. Anyway—found the old heads & spent some quality time together mounting them like grim trophies! So happy with the results! 😄

Mounted heads of Charizard and Cubone hang above an alcove window.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 03/08/2023

Repost two pics 10 years apart Me & the fam at Nago Pineapple Park (living in Okinawa, had just sold my FIRST book, the kid was going on 3.) Me & most of the fam at the County fair. (Living in Oregon, working on book TEN, the same kid just turned 13.)

Picture of young parents Will & Kat, and 2-year-old son on a ride.

Picture of older Will & Kat and 12 year old son at a fair.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 03/08/2023

I just opened a box with the fished editions of ROOK (Aug 22!) AND a full set of the JACKABY series with their new @coreybrickley.bsky.social covers. THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!! 🥺😭😍

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 02/08/2023

Just a normal guy, drinking a Red Bull to give myself the energy to make a coffee so I can start my day.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 27/07/2023

I wrote that synopsis I’ve been putting off. @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social would be so proud of me.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 27/07/2023

This week has been a DOOZY. Too many things in my world are red alert priorities all at once. Mental health is for other people. Sleep is a myth. BUT… Today—for at least a few hours—I’m writing. Nothing under contract, just a story I very much want to exist. And I’m not going to feel bad about it.

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Will Ritter @willritter.bsky.social · 26/07/2023

Self portrait. It's me.* *But also it might be you. **But probably it's all of us. 😰 #DumpsterFiresAllTheWayDown

5 panels depict man jumping out of a flaming dumpster labeled "one facet of my life," only to find himself in another flaming dumpster labeled "another facet of my life." There are a long line of dumpsters, all on fire.

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