Jen Porter

Awkward... (Episode 021) February 2026 In this episode: Lost in Metaversal Translation Truth for February Featured Author The Status of Making Things Up Serial Fiction with Friends Featured Book Deals Free & Bargain Book Sales Rate this Issue In honor of International Networking Week (February 2-8), we bring you awkwardness. According to terrestrial linguists, the root word awkward was first recorded in writing in Middle English somewhere around 1300-1350 AD, having arrived from Old Norse...

'Operating Within Parameters' (Episode 020) January 2026 In this episode: Lost in Metaversal Translation Truth for January True Story Tech (& Science) The Status of Making Things Up Serial Fiction with Friends Featured Book Deals Free & Bargain Book Sales Rate this Issue Every year, someone likely insists you audit your annual goals. Etymologists claim the word audit comes from the Latin audītus “the sense or act of hearing.” But Dr. Daniel Jackson left breadcrumbs that tell us the word...

I Come Bearing [Only] Gifts! (Episode 019) December 2025 In this episode: Christmas Gift from Jen Truth for December Featured Freebies Free & Bargain Book Collections Merry Christmas, Reader! I planned to skip December’s newsletter so I could pour every spare minute into The Erebi — and spare you one more email amid the holiday avalanche... But then the ever-amazing Mike Domeny finished the last edits on The Refuge audiobook, and I realized I did want to pop in — with a Christmas gift! You...

Nothing's For Sale (Episode 018) November 2025 In this episode: Lost in Metaversal Translation Truth for November Poll & Freebie True Story Tech (& Science) The Status of Making Things Up Serial Fiction with Friends Featured Book Deals Free & Bargain Book Sales In honor of Buy Nothing Day this month (a.k.a. Black Friday, November 28), we're exploring the metaversal evolution of the word nothing — a word whose resumé is really...something. According to the terrestrial dictionary, nothing comes...

Galactic Girl Bosses (Episode 017) October 2025 In this episode*: A Word From Our Sponsors Truth for October Grab This Book! True Story Tech (& Science) The Status of Making Things Up Introducing My New Intern Serial Fiction with Friends Featured Book Deals Free & Bargain Book Sales October is a cosmic convergence of administrative paperwork and inspirational youth. With International Day of the Girl Child (Oct. 11) inspiring greatness and International Checklist Day (Oct. 30) demanding...

Love and Red Shirts (Episode 016) September 2025 In this episode*: A Word From Our Sponsors Truth for September True Story Tech (& Science) The Status of Making Things Up Serial Fiction with Friends Featured Book Deals Free & Bargain Book Sales *Note: table of contents links may not work on mobile. We bring you this episode in honor of: September 8 -- Star Trek Day September 17 -- Time's Up Day September 28 -- Ask a Stupid Question Day In case you've lost your love for Star Trek: The Original...

Level Up Your Nerd Game (Episode 015) July/August 2025 In this episode*: A Word From Our Sponsors Truth for July/August True Story Tech (& Science) The Status of Making Things Up Serial Fiction with Friends Featured Book Deals Free & Bargain Book Sales *Note: table of contents links may not work on mobile. 😢 This episode is sponsored by some of my favorite shows, in honor of Anti-Boredom Month (July), National Golf Month (August), and geeks and dorks everywhere -- regardless of planetary...

'Productivity' Terms & Conditions (Episode 014) June 2025 In this episode*: A Word From Our Sponsor Truth for June Quick Question's Answer True Story Tech (& Science) The Status of Making Things Up Serial Fiction with Friends Featured Book Deals Free & Bargain Book Sales *Note: table of contents links may not work on mobile. 😢 This episode is brought to you by Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Star Trek, and Alien, in honor of the three "Take Your Best Friend to Work Days": June 8 -- Best Friends Day...

Pretend It's a Plan (Episode 013) May 2025 In this episode*: A Word From Our Sponsor Truth for May Quick Question True Story Tech The Status of Making Things Up Serial Fiction with Friends Featured Book Deals Free & Bargain Book Sales *Note: links may not work on mobile. 😢 This episode is brought to you by Doctor Who, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week (UK) from May 12-18, and National Creativity Day (USA) on May 30th. In the words of the Eleventh Doctor to Lily Arwell, when her mother...