J. Curtis's Blog

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Serial Novel: ISLA

Missed something? Sketchbook | Stories | Dispatches

I read a post about a new wave of agentic capabilities in AI1 — that’s where a system can operate autonomously — and I’ve been thinking about it for the last two days. The article has been viewed about 75MM times so it’s safe to say it struck a nerve.

In it, the author, Matt Shumer (CEO of HyperwriteAI) paints a pretty bleak pict...

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Check out her new book The Shade In The Sands at Tiny Worlds Publishing

Stories in the Tiny Worlds Sketchbook are like a pencil sketch with words; loose, unrefined and not wholly a thing. But I like them and think there’s something here you might like, too.

Tiny Worlds believes every word is a potential plot twist.

Do you still dream?

Dreams about getting the lead in the school play. The vindication of being picked first for a playground game. The nervousness of talking to the pretty girl at school.

All those fears and hopes cast aside when...

Artwork by Butcher Billy
Edited by
Cover & Layout by

Preorders start 1/22 at Tiny Worlds Publishing

Go ahead and become a paid subscriber to Tiny Worlds, you’re worth it.

Serial Novel: ISLA

Missed something? Sketchbook | Stories | Dispatches

It’s a new year everyone! If you’ve made it this far, congrats.1

Some momentous things are afoot for 2026:
• More short fiction, of course. This is Tiny Worlds after all.
• A new novel – I’m daydreaming about it.

But, perhaps, something bigger and far-reaching…

I’ve been thinking a lot about what happens after typing “the end.”

The story might be finished, but th...

Most reporters have a kind of swagger now. The tidal wave of machismo landed after actors like Robert Redford and Warren Beatty donned a sport coat filled with scraps of notes. From then on reporters—field reporters and beat scribes alike—stopped wearing the discount Sears coat and tie and let their hair grow long.

Paul Danner leaned that way, too—swagger and all—but his batting average never matched the look.

From his Cincinnati base, he’d scratch a...

joins for a chat about what makes Lulu special and why they’re the exclusive print partner for The Midnight Vault II.

Thank you , , , , , and many others for tuning into my live video with !

Welcome to Tiny Worlds!

We’re shifting our focus to explore Mexico's eastern coast with twelve-year-old George Perez in the serialized novel: ISLA.

For longer fiction visit Stories, and for flash fiction go to Sketchbook.

Lost? Visit the Chapter Guide
⬅️ Read Previous Chapter

Subscribe now

The wheel needed oil. It always did, because it always squeaked. But she didn’t mind; the Discman on her hip drowned out the sound.

L. – La, Ly. – Two more shoved between, one nearly a pamphlet. Why print something ...

Welcome to Tiny Worlds!

We’re shifting our focus to explore Mexico's eastern coast with twelve-year-old George Perez in the serialized novel: ISLA.

For longer fiction visit Stories, and for flash fiction go to Sketchbook.

Lost? Visit the Chapter Guide
⬅️ Read Previous Chapter
Read Next Chapter ➡️

Subscribe now

A ripple of light fell across the water at their legs.

Kathryn’s boots were soaked and heavy, but that didn’t matter. She’d suffer the ankle-deep slop they’d been trudging through for hours if it...

Welcome to Tiny Worlds!

We’re shifting our focus to explore Mexico's eastern coast with twelve-year-old George Perez in the serialized novel: ISLA.

For longer fiction visit Stories, and for flash fiction go to Sketchbook.

Lost? Visit the Chapter Guide
⬅️ Read Previous Chapter
Read Next Chapter ➡️

Subscribe now

Nicte and George were spat onto a polished granite surface.

George hit the ground so fast his hands didn’t have time to brace himself. Stone debris from the chamber scattered around them.

The spa...