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D.I.Y
When the the elitist institution of Ozymandias Academy and its headmaster, Vamon Kinctuarin, can't find a solution to the city's worsening drought, 2 self-taught magicians, Noah and his partner Manny, take it upon themselves to find a solution to the crisis.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
August 30, 2022
If the Ozymandias Academy accepts you, the image of Vamon Kinctuarin visits you. He projects himself as a transparent green specter. It’s tradition or something. The two of you are supposed to have an intimate conversation about the future of your education.
When he was ten, Noah had the transparent green action figure of Vamon on his person at all times. He asked it things.
“Are you proud of me?”
“Am I as brave as you were?”
A sweet but firey short story that feels all too relevant but allows room for hope.
Free from Tor! https://www.tor.com/2022/08/24/d-i-y-...
When he was ten, Noah had the transparent green action figure of Vamon on his person at all times. He asked it things.
“Are you proud of me?”
“Am I as brave as you were?”
A sweet but firey short story that feels all too relevant but allows room for hope.
Free from Tor! https://www.tor.com/2022/08/24/d-i-y-...
April 21, 2023
It took me 3 days to slog through mere 25 pages. Not imaginative enough, very black-and-white and too preachy.
March 13, 2023
Magical crowdsourcing to solve a water crisis. It's cute. At first I was bored, but it got better right after this quote: "There is no educational resource in the cosmos greater than a nerd who thinks you’re wrong.”
February 12, 2025
Read this with my little queer short story reading group (for the theme Solidarity) and we had lots & lots to talk about. I thought this was very rich thematically and loved the two main characters, their relationship and how the story approached their disabilities, their interaction with a necropolitical system.
It's kind of amazing how much tantalizing worldbuilding John Wiswell put into only 25 pages. The 'entrepreneur' with the magical school you might get an acceptance letter (hologram) for, with shades of evil JKR, Voldemort, and Evol Musk at the same time. The water plot made me think of the Flint water crisis and how Evol Musk promised to help (reader, he did not).
I got teary-eyed at the end and this story really cemented my desire to read whatever Wiswell comes up with next. Even if the Hercules retelling sounds massively different than these two other things I've read by him. I'm in it for the long haul!
It's kind of amazing how much tantalizing worldbuilding John Wiswell put into only 25 pages. The 'entrepreneur' with the magical school you might get an acceptance letter (hologram) for, with shades of evil JKR, Voldemort, and Evol Musk at the same time. The water plot made me think of the Flint water crisis and how Evol Musk promised to help (reader, he did not).
I got teary-eyed at the end and this story really cemented my desire to read whatever Wiswell comes up with next. Even if the Hercules retelling sounds massively different than these two other things I've read by him. I'm in it for the long haul!
July 8, 2023
DIY by John Wiswell, free from Tor.
Eh. Characters were good, but the world is a sketch. What’s Cherub lung? What does it mean that he has it and he’s ten? Why is there a drought? What are the Seraphs? How does the magic system work?
Too many questions, not enough answers. This needs yo be longer so the answers can be given to the reader naturally. It’s well written, just too short for anything but the moral.
2, needs more meat, stars.
Eh. Characters were good, but the world is a sketch. What’s Cherub lung? What does it mean that he has it and he’s ten? Why is there a drought? What are the Seraphs? How does the magic system work?
Too many questions, not enough answers. This needs yo be longer so the answers can be given to the reader naturally. It’s well written, just too short for anything but the moral.
2, needs more meat, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2023
3.5 stars
Nominated for a 2022 Nebula for Short Story award
I enjoyed this one, it's a cute little hopepunk story, set in our climate ravaged future. Read it for free at Tor.com....
https://www.tor.com/2022/08/24/d-i-y-...
Nominated for a 2022 Nebula for Short Story award
I enjoyed this one, it's a cute little hopepunk story, set in our climate ravaged future. Read it for free at Tor.com....
https://www.tor.com/2022/08/24/d-i-y-...
Read
August 25, 2022CW: chronic illness, ableism, misgendering (mention), fire, medical content (brief)
October 20, 2023
Nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards, D.I.Y is a really short story about two friends living in a post-apocalyptic drought-struck world where magicians are trying to find ways to make more water. While the idea was intriguing, two amateurs doing what the evil elitist organization with an unlimited budget could not, there really isn't anything more to the story. I am honestly surprised this made it onto the ballots when it is so damn mediocre. Shocked that this got nominated and Alix E. Harrow's The Six Deaths of the Saint didn't. However, I have noticed that many of the short fiction nominated or winning these awards seem to be about political topics. General fiction seems not to be favoured much.
Read it for free here.
Read it for free here.
October 23, 2022
3 stars
Hay una severa sequía y los magos potentados abusan de la gente; nada nuevo bajo el sol, excepto un par de jovenes magos aficionados que parecen dar tick a todas las minorias posibles para expresar el David vs Goliath.
I snarked, “We could tell the internet it’s impossible and see if they fix the problem for us. Think you can be annoying enough to fool them into altruism?”
Hay una severa sequía y los magos potentados abusan de la gente; nada nuevo bajo el sol, excepto un par de jovenes magos aficionados que parecen dar tick a todas las minorias posibles para expresar el David vs Goliath.
I snarked, “We could tell the internet it’s impossible and see if they fix the problem for us. Think you can be annoying enough to fool them into altruism?”
April 13, 2023
adored this short story! I really liked how the world was built and the glimpses of the magic system!
January 29, 2025
Noah said, "There is no educational resource in the cosmos greater than a nerd who thinks you're wrong."
This is a story about two disabled teens saving the world and also falling in love as a bonus!
I love how this story centres community and cooperation as opposed to individual heroism and chasing after profit. I went through quite a bit of reviews of this one and it just hurts my heart seeing how many people just didn't get it. And I mean, that's fine. Our experiences are different and you do you BUT just let me tell you a secret.
Nevermind, end of the rant, it's just brilliant and yes the story is highly political so I do understand why it rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
I loved the way in which disability was part of the narrative:
"If you have infinity, can't you help me out? People helped you out when you were a kid."
"Me?" Vamon scoffed. "I got where I am by working harder than anyone else."
And I loved the asexual romance:
He gave me a hug and nuzzled into my shoulder for a bit. Most couples would've kissed there and ridden off into the sunset. We weren't into allosexual stuff. I preferred a good hug.
Overall, loved it and as I already said, I kind of want to read in Wiswell's brain. Itching to read more by him already!
Read here: https://reactormag.com/d-i-y-john-wis...
October 6, 2024
You don't know how much I need this short story turned into a novel... Or just a new story with these characters.
I just need to spend more time with them, because for a story this short, it packs SO much heart and humor. Definitely a new top favourite for me!!
I just need to spend more time with them, because for a story this short, it packs SO much heart and humor. Definitely a new top favourite for me!!
August 24, 2022
D.I.Y displays the trademark creative wholesomeness of its author, John Wiswell. Those familiar with some of Wiswell's other works, such as Open House on Haunted Hill and That Story Isn't the Story, will recognize the idiosyncratic characterization in D.I.Y: Noah and Manny radiate personality off the page through clean, genuine prose and a sharp, urgent plot.
September 3, 2023
The opening of this story does not bring us to a happy world. Climate change has had a major impact, most strongly felt in the heat and the shortage of potable water.
The tech that's involved here, though, includes magic. The companies expected to address the problem are the great magic academies, among them Ozymandias Academy, where once upon a time, a young man named Noah hoped to become a student. When he's finally accepted, though, it's without any financial aid, and his mother, struggling just to support the two of them, has no money. Noah, being a bright young man, puts the blame where it belongs, and in some ways, that sets up later events.
Noah meets up with a podcaster, who goes by MX_POTLUCK, or, to friends, simply "Manny." Both shut out of any serious magical training, they do their own research and experimentation, including coax water out of the air into glasses. The amounts are small, but it's a start. They proceed to build on their start, especially as Ozymandia Academy gets more control of the limited water supply, and gets more restrictive, and more elitist, in its distribution of water.
But both Noah and Manny have serious health problems, and when they make a real breakthrough, it coincides with Manny having a major health crisis.
I'll just say that these are two tough, clever, young men with integrity. This is a more hopeful story than "Rabbit Test," and I enjoyed it. Sadly, while I think it deserves its nomination, I think "Rabbit Test," which I will never voluntarily reread, really is the better work.
I received this story as part of the 2023 Hugo Voters Packet.
The tech that's involved here, though, includes magic. The companies expected to address the problem are the great magic academies, among them Ozymandias Academy, where once upon a time, a young man named Noah hoped to become a student. When he's finally accepted, though, it's without any financial aid, and his mother, struggling just to support the two of them, has no money. Noah, being a bright young man, puts the blame where it belongs, and in some ways, that sets up later events.
Noah meets up with a podcaster, who goes by MX_POTLUCK, or, to friends, simply "Manny." Both shut out of any serious magical training, they do their own research and experimentation, including coax water out of the air into glasses. The amounts are small, but it's a start. They proceed to build on their start, especially as Ozymandia Academy gets more control of the limited water supply, and gets more restrictive, and more elitist, in its distribution of water.
But both Noah and Manny have serious health problems, and when they make a real breakthrough, it coincides with Manny having a major health crisis.
I'll just say that these are two tough, clever, young men with integrity. This is a more hopeful story than "Rabbit Test," and I enjoyed it. Sadly, while I think it deserves its nomination, I think "Rabbit Test," which I will never voluntarily reread, really is the better work.
I received this story as part of the 2023 Hugo Voters Packet.
February 22, 2023
4.5. I cannot possibly justify this as part of the reading challenge, but I can't believe so few pages Got Me like they did. These two characters are funny and wonderful and perfect — they remind me of my friends, and their anger feels like ours. such good worldbuilding and plot for so few pages, too. this short story (free on tor dot com) is queer and radical and exactly what I wanted in this moment. outstanding. plus aspec relationship rep!! it's wonderful!!! read this short story if it sounds interesting to you, you will not regret it.
February 1, 2024
This is a tearjerker for sure. this was a mix of queer, disability and hopefulness. I loved it. It's such a challenge to make a short story make people feel something and it did.
July 6, 2023
I thought this short story had a lot of potential. However, instead of focusing on the world, which I'll admit probably isn't easy to do in a short story, the author focused heavily on the characters. We only get to read about what they're doing but outside the context of exactly why it's needed. I understood only that there was a drought and one entity had control over the magic to create water. What I failed to get from such a character focused short story was the wider world, why there was a drought, how magic works in this world, and why people in the world needed magic. It was all very confusing because the world was basically earth with magic that was never explained. It lead to a confusing short story that made me feel like it needed at least a novella length to be fully fleshed out.
August 26, 2022
Fantastic. I've been reading Wiswell's stories for years now. Always there is a core of kindness, sympathy for disabilities of all kinds, inclusivity, all that good stuff. But also always there's some sharp commentary you don't even feel until it hits bone. I love that. I get to be entertained, and fall in love, and bare my teeth at the real bad actors we all have to live with. Fantastic.
August 24, 2022
This short story takes only minutes to read.
What I love about this story is that every scene is simple yet has a lot going on with it. The irony is rich and throughout. The world is scarily similar with a healthy dose of cynicism and yet it leaves you with hope and left me in tears.
What I love about this story is that every scene is simple yet has a lot going on with it. The irony is rich and throughout. The world is scarily similar with a healthy dose of cynicism and yet it leaves you with hope and left me in tears.
August 24, 2022
This is a wonderful and hopeful story with wonderful characters and an ending I didn't see coming.
Read
August 27, 2022I really loved this. In the world that we live in it feels so real.
If only more people would make rain.
If only more people would make rain.
August 27, 2022
A delightful story that will remind you, in a few ways, of technology and coding.
March 9, 2023
“There is no educational resource in the cosmos greater than a nerd who thinks you’re wrong.” - yep ))
Shelved as 'featured'
June 12, 2024https://aspeccharactersoftheday.tumbl...
Manny from D.I.Y is asexual!
Noah from D.I.Y is asexual!
Manny from D.I.Y is asexual!
Noah from D.I.Y is asexual!
December 3, 2024
It has a certain charm but the world building is kind of all over the place
January 4, 2023
i LOVE me some queer anarchy. with magic. 👌
September 6, 2022
A great little short story with a lot of personality. I enjoyed the social commentary on private schools, hacking, and IP copywright.
April 7, 2023
Noah's dream was to attend the Ozymandius Academy to learn wizarding. So why would he turn it down? It turns out that sometimes your dreams turn to ashes when reality intervenes.
John Wiswell's Nebula Award nominated short story is a celebration of self education and of crowdsourcing for solutions.
When the Ozymandius Academy cannot wizard the way out of a drought (well except for the benefit of wealthy donors) Noah and his friend Manny decide to fix it themselves. Working on the premise that “There is no educational resource in the cosmos greater than a nerd who thinks you’re wrong” they do their own research.
You can find the story here https://www.tor.com/2022/08/24/d-i-y-...
John Wiswell's Nebula Award nominated short story is a celebration of self education and of crowdsourcing for solutions.
When the Ozymandius Academy cannot wizard the way out of a drought (well except for the benefit of wealthy donors) Noah and his friend Manny decide to fix it themselves. Working on the premise that “There is no educational resource in the cosmos greater than a nerd who thinks you’re wrong” they do their own research.
You can find the story here https://www.tor.com/2022/08/24/d-i-y-...
August 25, 2022
I saw a retweet about this and read it today. An Utterly, Utterly wonderful short story. I cried several times, I had to take a little break. Went back to it. Fantastic social commentary, lovely queer characters and a wonderful arc. Definitely recommended and look forward to seeing what else the author writes.
August 19, 2023
As a take on urban fantasy D.I.Y makes some missteps I wish it didn't as it, in my opinion, gives attention to quaint aspects and ultimately dates itself for posterity rather than telling an interesting story. Still, it's a short piece of fiction you can read for free online so is it any good?
Story starts as ten year old Noah has aspirations of getting invited to Ozymandias Academy which is the only way for one to officially learn magic. Sadly, Noah also suffers from a condition called Cherub lung which causes him and his mother no small amount of problems, financial or otherwise. Fast forwarding some years state of the world is getting worse as droughts keep happening and no magic seems to be able to help the masses, even as Ozymandias seems to somehow find ways to help their rich donors. In such state of the word Noah is finally visited by the emerald specter one sees upon getting invited to the Academy... only to turn him down in a fit of rage after a back-and-forth regarding privilege and power. This is setup for Noah to eventually meet with a certain channel creator who hooks up with him and they go to fight THE MAN as well as maybe do something for the planet. Enter MX_POTLUCK.
I'll just go back to the opening - I did not care for the story about two teenagers giving the finger to an obviously corrupt organization with blatant stand-ins such as "mods nuking the thread" coming across as incredibly pandering. Our two protagonists are the idea of modern activists who talk big online and rage impotently until they, because this is that kind of world, actually discover a magical solution to the world's problem and have to overcome Big Water. If there are charming bits it's when Noah and Manny have brief human interactions that don't come of as "constructively mean", as if that's supposed to be charming. They both have serious health issues and it factors into WHY they're so determined. Which is a shame because I wanted to know more about exactly what is going on with the defeated Seraphs, how did wandless Vamon Kinctuarin actually defeat them, and how patenting a spell works, rather than what Manny's pronouns are.
Would I recommend D.I.Y? I'd lean on no as simply because I think it's a missed opportunity that could've better spent its word count. Not to mention resorting to a naive and idealized solution to a crisis that no one thought of previously. For some reason.
Story starts as ten year old Noah has aspirations of getting invited to Ozymandias Academy which is the only way for one to officially learn magic. Sadly, Noah also suffers from a condition called Cherub lung which causes him and his mother no small amount of problems, financial or otherwise. Fast forwarding some years state of the world is getting worse as droughts keep happening and no magic seems to be able to help the masses, even as Ozymandias seems to somehow find ways to help their rich donors. In such state of the word Noah is finally visited by the emerald specter one sees upon getting invited to the Academy... only to turn him down in a fit of rage after a back-and-forth regarding privilege and power. This is setup for Noah to eventually meet with a certain channel creator who hooks up with him and they go to fight THE MAN as well as maybe do something for the planet. Enter MX_POTLUCK.
I'll just go back to the opening - I did not care for the story about two teenagers giving the finger to an obviously corrupt organization with blatant stand-ins such as "mods nuking the thread" coming across as incredibly pandering. Our two protagonists are the idea of modern activists who talk big online and rage impotently until they, because this is that kind of world, actually discover a magical solution to the world's problem and have to overcome Big Water. If there are charming bits it's when Noah and Manny have brief human interactions that don't come of as "constructively mean", as if that's supposed to be charming. They both have serious health issues and it factors into WHY they're so determined. Which is a shame because I wanted to know more about exactly what is going on with the defeated Seraphs, how did wandless Vamon Kinctuarin actually defeat them, and how patenting a spell works, rather than what Manny's pronouns are.
Would I recommend D.I.Y? I'd lean on no as simply because I think it's a missed opportunity that could've better spent its word count. Not to mention resorting to a naive and idealized solution to a crisis that no one thought of previously. For some reason.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews