E.M. Anderson | author &amp; schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

Spooky Pickle 🤜Fistfuls of Poetry🤛

27 July

new pinned post 🧵 hellooooooo I'm E (they/she) the #author of THE LORD OF THE WOOD (2026) and THE KEEPER OF LONELY SPIRITS (2025), as well as various short stories more links are threaded, but here's a link to more info about about my two current novels: www.harpercollins.com/blogs/author...

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

@spookyxpickle.bsky.social

16h

Oh, so The Lord of the Wood by @elizmanderson.com Or the books in The Machines series by @aimeecozza.com right? Because yeah in both. Been making that face a lot. Oh! And the disability rep, beyond, too?!

This post is unavailable.

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

correction to my context, who knows why I thought Katie lived across the country 😂

Katie Bender@katiebenderbooks.bsky.social

DATA TIME DATA TIME DATA TIME Behold the glory of the graphs! I am humbled to find I am in the distinct minority 😂 Also major props to @elizmanderson.com for taking this beyond North America. [Minor correction: I am West Coast, not East Coast]

DATA TIME DATA TIME get ready for a long-ass thread, but here are some results to get you started meaning by total responses | meaning by country (be nice about my graphs)(I am a humanities person) 🧵

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

no context poll: the phrase "it's all downhill from here" means... - it's harder/worse from here - it's easier/better from here and what region are you from? (just for @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Obviously, a poll with an either/both option, a neither option, and regions tied to responses. I will not be doing this.

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

and since I know you're all wondering: yes, I will be changing my use of "it all has to be uphill from here" in my short story based on the results of this study, since it's possible I may confuse at least 20% of readers with this phrase

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

no context poll: the phrase "it's all downhill from here" means... - it's harder/worse from here - it's easier/better from here and what region are you from? (just for @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

funnily enough, despite the way this poll started, a couple of people were unfamiliar with "it's all downhill from here" but inferred a meaning from a phrase they WERE familiar with... that phrase being "it's all uphill from here," which Katie and I didn't even think was a real phrase!

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

FOR MY OWN AMUSEMENT multiple respondents decided that since "uphill battle" and "downhill from here" can both be used to denote struggle, the obvious conclusion is that hills themselves are simply evil (although of course we cannot actually conclude hills are evil from the results of this study)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

no context poll: the phrase "it's all downhill from here" means... - it's harder/worse from here - it's easier/better from here and what region are you from? (just for @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

several negative respondents mentioned that the phrase is positive only when used literally of cycling downhill after a hard uphill climb several people mentioned only ever hearing this phrase online, never in real life

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

respondents in Brazil, Italy, and Poland mentioned an equivalent phrase in their first languages interestingly, the equivalent phrase is often considered positive, while the English phrase is viewed as negative or at least having negative variants

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

no context poll: the phrase "it's all downhill from here" means... - it's harder/worse from here - it's easier/better from here and what region are you from? (just for @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

a couple people also thought the categories should not have been listed as they were, explaining that easier does not necessarily mean better and harder does not necessarily mean worse (these were generally either/both responses)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

positive/negative or either/both often depends on the metaphorical lens through which the respondent views "downhill" - cycling (positive) - freefall/lack of control (negative) - rockfalls (negative) - nonfunctioning brakes (negative) - Sisyphus (negative)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

no context poll: the phrase "it's all downhill from here" means... - it's harder/worse from here - it's easier/better from here and what region are you from? (just for @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

DISCUSSION the either/both crowd consistently mentions context, tone, and/or phrasing as important to interpretation - "It's all downhill from here" generally positive - "It all went downhill from there" generally negative - "It's all going downhill" generally negative

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

some either/both folks also (or alternatively) say that the phrase means "things are accelerating or increasing at their current trajectory, whether good or bad," suggesting the phrase itself is neutral and only becomes positive or negative based on the situation to which it's attached

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

no context poll: the phrase "it's all downhill from here" means... - it's harder/worse from here - it's easier/better from here and what region are you from? (just for @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

--which leads me to suspect that either/both would've been second to harder/worse overall had I included it as an option in the Tumblr poll. however, since I didn't, this is only speculation

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

Canada, the UK, and the Midwestern and West Coast U.S. most consistently responded harder/worse the Southern U.S. most consistently responded either/both easier/better led only in countries/regions with singular responses; otherwise, it trailed behind the other responses in all regions

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

no context poll: the phrase "it's all downhill from here" means... - it's harder/worse from here - it's easier/better from here and what region are you from? (just for @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

LIMITATIONS - didn't consider that some people might answer either/both until they started responding, at which point it was too late to add that poll option - didn't think to tie regional data to poll items thus, either/both responses and regional data are based on participants who mentioned them

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

RESULTS - 3,038 total responses before the poll closed - 64 responses including location data - harder/worse: 79.3% - easier/better: 18.2% - either/both: 2.5% either/both was a strong second on Bluesky and first in the notes on the Tumblr poll--

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

no context poll: the phrase "it's all downhill from here" means... - it's harder/worse from here - it's easier/better from here and what region are you from? (just for @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

CONTEXT: @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social's confusion over my use of the phrase "it's all UPHILL from here" in a short story, which I had intended as a riff on "it's all downhill from here" I (Midwest) thought downhill was negative. Katie (East Coast) thought it was positive. thus the poll was born

May Barros 🇧🇷🏳️‍⚧️ 📚💙 @ Commissions open!

METHODOLOGY Tandem polls on Tumblr & Bluesky - poll on Tumblr was a true poll that ran for one week - on Bluesky, which lacks native polling, it was a post posing a question, considered active until the Tumblr poll closed

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

@maybarros.com.br

I really need to point out that the last point is essential. They want you miserable. Being happy is THE ONLY WAY you'll be able to do the rest. Also, being happy does not mean to not be angry. Be happy AND angry

Carlos Senna/Boris@carlossennaboris.bsky.social

If Americans need our little southern recipe for how to defeat fascism it goes like this: - Put people in the streets by standing for popular demands (wages, healthcare, public services) - Do not engage with fascists online - Do not succumb to doomsayers or media-driven narratives - Be happy

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

Gabriel Hargrave (he/him)

@ghargravewrites.bsky.social

I’m gonna scream. Not only does my appointment next week NOT help with housing, it ALSO doesn’t declare me disabled, which means ANOTHER step in the process. I’ll be homeless in less than a month, and I’ll die from my heart condition. Please consider donating. I need $2k. gofund.me/a192a7989

gofund.meDonate to Help Gabriel Stay Housed and Healthy, organized by Gabriel HargraveMy name is Gabriel Hargrave. I’m a trans man living in Minneapolis, and I’ll be … Gabriel Hargrave needs your support for Help Gabriel Stay Housed and Healthy

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

Rosiee Thor

@rosieethor.bsky.social

Happy asexual awareness week! It’s once again time for you to become aware of me and my books. Next week you can go back to forgetting, but this week you legally have to pay attention to me sorry I don’t make the rules 💜🤍🩶🖤

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

ebay.comDell Inspiron 16 Laptop, 13th gen Intel Core i7- processor 16 gb RAM | eBayWeighing 5 lbs, this Dell Inspiron model is portable yet capable for on-the-go productivity.

🥺

Jennifer Laughran@literaticat.bsky.social

Presenting…. (Drumroll please)… Poppy as LOWLY WORM! Happy Halloweek! To answer questions in advance: I made the Apple Car, it took 10-ish hours over the course of a few weekends. Poppy HATED IT and would only go near it because we gave her babybel cheese. Yes we had to photoshop her into it 😂

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

Jill Corddry

@jillcorddry.bsky.social

#booksky I can't even believe it, but my first book came out FIVE YEARS ago, on October 29th. To celebrate, I've put the ebook of Bad Company on sale for only 99$ through Halloween! Which is perfect since the story takes place in October 🎃 (1/2) #booksale #Halloween #urbanfantasy

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

Tonya R. Moore

@tonyarmoore.com

Anyone in the market for good used laptop? I'm selling one here: www.ebay.com/itm/37759879... - shipping within the USA only.

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

Tanya Gold | Editor & Translator 💕📚 (they/iel)

get hype, folks, there's only 18 minutes left on the Tumblr poll which means tomorrow I will have Data for you

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

no context poll: the phrase "it's all downhill from here" means... - it's harder/worse from here - it's easier/better from here and what region are you from? (just for @katiebenderbooks.bsky.social)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

@tanyagold.bsky.social

Does anyone around Boston want/need a transport wheelchair? I got a powerchair so I don't use it anymore. It might as well help someone instead of just sitting in the basement.

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

Lynne M. Meyer | coffee-fueled and available for hire

@lynnemeyer.bsky.social

I'm freelancing as I job search; 4k is coming for a contract, but it won't arrive until late November. This has me $900 short of making rent (my priority; there's no grace period). COBRA's another $1600. I'm down to my last option—early withdrawal on an insurance policy—and 🙏 it processes in time.

This post is unavailable.

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

Tylor E Kunkle

@tylorkunkle.bsky.social

I definitely need to draw more of my own artwork of these characters. ☺️

💀🫜 Count Charlie (Chelizabeth) Deltula 🦊🧛‍♂️@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social

Tell me about your #AwesomeCharacters It's International Artist Day! 🎉🎉 And we haven't done an art share day in a bit! So, please share with me any art you have of your characters! A doodle or picrew works too! Help me picture them! (Please no AI) #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

May Barros 🇧🇷🏳️‍⚧️ 📚💙 @ Commissions open!

@maybarros.com.br

AND VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS TOO! Today, several mayors broke federal law to try to rig the election (it didn't work), but that shows that local power MATTERS TOO

May Barros 🇧🇷🏳️‍⚧️ 📚💙 @ Commissions open!@maybarros.com.br

GO VOTE! Turnout matters! Also, disrupt the algorithm by liking, commenting and sharing leftists posts but COMPLETELY IGNORING right wing posts NO MATTER WHAT. Let them come complain on posts with leftists talking points AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. The more people doing it together the better

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

The Associated Press

@apnews.com

The long-serving strongman leader of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, has conceded defeat in an election that pitted him and his right-wing party against a diverse student-led opposition movement that spent two years protesting his government.

bit.lySerbia’s strongman leader Vucic concedes defeat to student-led movement in seismic political shiftThe long-serving strongman leader of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, has conceded defeat in an election that pitted him and his right-wing party against a diverse student-led opposition movement that spent two years protesting his government.

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

...........and I forgot the alt on all the KEEPER art in this first post, which is what I get for leaving the alt for after I'd done everything else >.< so here those are again, but with alt

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky@elizmanderson.com

THE KEEPER OF LONELY SPIRITS: - Peter by @shaynalambert.bsky.social - comic by @shaynalambert.bsky.social - Peter and David by @/sunlightsaints back on Twitter - Peter and David by @ulzaorith.bsky.social - David and Peter by @victoriacbooks.bsky.social - Jack and Peter by @soundofmind.bsky.social

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

and now I'm off to check my settings, because why tf didn't Bluesky remind me to add my alt text??

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

sure enough, that setting had turned itself off. again.

💀🫜 Count Charlie (Chelizabeth) Deltula 🦊🧛‍♂️@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

miscellaney - Nettie from a cozy mystery WIP by @lumiscuro.bsky.social - Annie and Hester from SecretNecromancerWIP, which started as an expansion of my short story "The Raising of Hester Macrae," by @perseruna.bsky.social (btw you can read the short on Itch: elizmanderson.itch.io/the-raising-...)

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

as an aside, that illustration of Annie and Hester is my favorite art I've ever gotten BECAUSE. it's like maja reached into my head and plucked the characters right out of it. like it's truly astonishing how much they're like what *I* was picturing. 10/10 incredible

💀🫜 Count Charlie (Chelizabeth) Deltula 🦊🧛‍♂️@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

THE LORD OF THE WOOD: ...all the art is by me so far, but I *finally* commissioned a piece and I've seen the initial sketch and I cannot WAIT to have the final version in my inbox - Arthur - Ira - a comic - Charlotte and Calyx

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

let it be known by all that I redrew that mini-comic THREE TIMES before I was happy with it, and I am not habitually a redrawer on account of the ADHD, which is why I will never be a great artist

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky

💀🫜 Count Charlie (Chelizabeth) Deltula 🦊🧛‍♂️@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social

polenth.itch.ioWerecockroach by Polenth BlakeA gentle tale of first contact.

bonus KEEPER OF LONELY SPIRITS: cat!Peter by me, based on a post by a Tumblr mutual who refers to Peter as a sopping wet cat scratching and yowling as the neighbors' kids take him in against his will

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

Brittany M. Willows 🐝🌻

@bmwillows.bsky.social

Art share day!! Please witness my disaster werewolves from The Howling Dark! #AwesomeCharacters #WritingCommunity

💀🫜 Count Charlie (Chelizabeth) Deltula 🦊🧛‍♂️@charliedeltawrites.bsky.social

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

Polenth Blake

@polenth.bsky.social

It's both #AceWeek and the itchio Halloween Sale 2026, so Werecockroach is $0.74 on itchio for a limited time. This is a gentle novella of alien first contact and cockroach shapeshifters with an aroace lead. polenth.itch.io/werecockroach

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky reposted

Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️‍⚧️

@eliseswords.eurosky.social

If you like adventure, quests, exploration above & below sea level, among the stars, on alternate worlds, in dreams and with or without magic/ tech; this bundle is available for 6 more days!

itch.ioAsexuals on Adventures by Elise Carlson and 25 othersAsexuals on Adventures: 25 items for $25.00

Elise (they/them)🇦🇺 🏳️‍⚧️@eliseswords.eurosky.social

Happy Ace Week! 🖤🩶🤍💜 For this week & beyond we give you Asexuals on Adventures; by sea, land, spaceship, magic portal & more! Some of our aspec main characters are on world-saving quests. Others are exploring life, love, neurodivergence, mysteries or solving problems. 🌈📚 itch.io/b/3946/asexu...

E.M. Anderson | author & schism enthusiast too hot for Bluesky