Brent van Staalduinen | Writer, Resister, Human.

I would like to apologize to everyone I encountered when I was away from my home from 1992-1998. It was, I now see, too much cologne, all the time. I would also like to apologize for wearing cowboy boots in 1993. That was wrong of me.

How can anyone even think about putting on any kind of event in Saudi right now? Because money. I thought that perhaps the prospect of a likely attack on precious pro athletes might give pro/international leagues pause (bc to them athletes are way more important than oppressed humans), but nope.

Hull City AFC has the best home kit in the #EPL this season, and it’s not even close. #hcafc

Oh, just to follow up: there is not a single thing you can say in defence of public executions that doesn't instantly & automatically make you a horrible person.

History shows us where this is heading. Hegseth even talking publicly about streaming an execution is perhaps the darkest thing I've yet heard from our southern adversaries (and we've seen some evil s*** from them). The #USA has become that which it hates. #fuckchristiannationalism

Wow. "I know I’m American because when I walk into a room something dies. Metaphors about death are for poets who think ghosts care about sound." #perfection

Today’s milestone for a dude in his 50s: cray-cray eyebrow hair.

Drunk Fiction isn't what you think... but maybe it also is? Come out to The Caledonian in #toronto TOMORROW (TUES) NIGHT to hear some fabulous writing! @emilyweedon.bsky.social @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction

I'm launching The Peace Thieves in #Ottawa at @thespanielstale.bsky.social tomorrow night! I'll be joined by my very special guest @conyerclayton.bsky.social, who'll read from their newest book of poetry. It's free, so I hope you can join us! RSVP here: bit.ly/4AkXmu0 @thistledownpress.bsky.social

Hey, #Ottawa people! I'm so excited to Launch TPT at The @thespanielstale.bsky.social on Saturday, September 19 at 7:30pm. If you're planning to come (it's free), would you take a moment to RSVP here: thespanielstale.ca/events/58855.... See you soon! @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction

What's Drunk Fiction, you ask? Well, it's quite simply one of the most awesome and unique reading series around, and on September 29 I GET TO BE A PART OF IT and read from The Peace Thieves. (Yes, there'll be bevies.) #canlit #fiction #toronto @emilyweedon.bsky.social @thistledownpress.bsky.social

The Peace Thieves by @brentvans.com, published by @thistledownpress.bsky.social, is about the search for peace during a civil war and through its long, complicated aftermath. youtu.be/xS-z_IF4FSI?... #GillerPrize #CravingCanLit #Canlit #canadianliterature #fiction #canadianfiction

This is going to be awesome!

Hey, #Ottawa friends! In a month or so (Sept 19), I'll be launching my newest novel The Peace Thieves, with my special guest @conyerclayton.bsky.social, at the @thespanielstale.bsky.social. Books! Readings! Prizes! Refreshments! Hope to see you there! @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction

I would like to apologize to my TDCH students from 2002-2004: no one deserves to be assaulted by the miasmic breath of a teacher who willingly drinks staff room coffee, much less curdled with the abomination that is CoffeeMate. I am truly sorry. You needed me to be better, and I simply wasn't.

It's now been confirmed that this summer will be the hottest on record. For those opposing bold action on the climate crisis - you're not just putting lives and the planet at risk today, but dooming future generations.

GenAI products aren't merely online tools: they're built from the stolen art of human creatives. I'll be deleting/blocking AI users, and I'm boycotting businesses that use it, too. Human art and creativity are under attack, but we can do a few small things to fight back. #fuckai #supporthumans

Another sermon on John 14:15 with no mention of service as the manifestation of keeping the commands of Jesus. Every. Freaking. Time.

What I want to say to songwriters of almost every new P&W song we have to endure in church: “At no point in your rambling, incoherent lyrics were you even close to anything that could be considered a unique or rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it.” #church

It’s a 5-Monarch emergence and release day! #butterfly #monarch

If your website doesn't have a simple, "Reject All" option for cookies and you force people into multiple clicks to unselect certain options, you're being an online a-hole.

Grateful to @deborahkalb.bsky.social for the chance to dig into the backrooms of my inspiration for my new novel! #canlit #fction

Q&A with Brent van Staalduinen about his new novel, THE PEACE THIEVES. deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2026/07/q-wi... @brentvans.com

Read this book, y’all. It’ll change you. @danilabotha.bsky.social @atbaypress.bsky.social #canlit

Actual view of the sun from my porch. I. Do. Not. Love. This. #aqhi #hamont #climateemergency

The July 16 Drunk Fiction Extravaganza at Toronto's Caledonian is a #CanLit celebration with an emerging writers reading contest, author performances, book promo/pr panels, publishing industry speed dates & more! 4pm-9pm. Tickets @ door or EventBrite.❤️📚 www.eventbrite.ca/e/drunk-fict...

Many, many good potatoes died so I could enjoy this #WorldCup2026. #damnyoulays

Just spoke with Mitch for 20 minutes in his hospital room. The entire #USMNT was there, too, battered by the trauma of their R16 game and on life support. We talked about whether it was possible to resuscitate their #worldcup dreams, but compassionate Mitch had the staff turn off all their machines.

How do you say “schadenfreude” in American? #usabel #worldvip2026 #schadenfreude

😬

This. 🔥 #USABEL #worldcup2026 #schadenfreude

Also, just remember that the Americans and Mexicans were already down 2-1 at their R16 halftimes, while our R16 halftime score was still 0-0. By this measure, we went further than either of them. Good news in the little things. #CanMNT #worldcup2026 #worldcup @canadasocceren.bsky.social

The very definition of not playing to win but playing not to lose. If I’d bought tickets $$$$$ to this match, I’d be seriously grumpy. #PORESP

Snoozefest. #poresp #worldcup

Yes. And no. Depends on whether said f&f actually read books.

From the socialist, communist hellhole that is Canada, I’d like to wish those who celebrate a happy #CanadaDay! #jk

Fox “news” reporting

Spent some time rewatching Eustaquio's sublime winner after setting my VPN to various English-speaking countries and watching their commentaries. Made me emotional all over again. #canmnt @canadasocceren.bsky.social #worldcup #worldcup2026 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8eL...

An incredibly thoughtful review of TPT has been published by The Ammonite Review! www.theammonitereview.com/edseaward

Phew! After the launch, I'll be quieting my self-promotion a bit. Would you take a moment to leave a review where you purchased TPT? Even brief reviews help push the algorithm and increase the #novel's visibility. Thanks! www.brentvans.com/media @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction

Or, ending up in some interesting places when I try to answer the question: "How can a novel be anti-war and pro-military?" www.riverstreetwriting.com/blog/2026/6/... @riverstreetwriting.bsky.social @thistledownpress.bsky.social #canlit #fiction #novel