Books, Opinions,
and a Short Fuse
I’m Scott, and I’ve been reading books and arguing about them on the internet since 2019. Gunpowder, Fiction & Plot started as an excuse to talk about the fiction I was devouring — literary novels, prize-listed titles, translated fiction, books that refuse to be put neatly in a box — and it’s grown into something I genuinely didn’t expect: a community of readers who care as much about this stuff as I do.
The channel is based in Australia, which means I’m often watching the Women’s Prize longlist drop at 3am and pretending that’s normal behaviour. I cover the major English-language literary prizes — Women’s Prize, Booker, International Booker — as well as Recent Reads round-ups, deep dives into single titles, and the occasional rant that gets a little out of hand.
What you’ll find here
The blog is an extension of the YouTube channel — every post here is drawn from a video I’ve made, broken out so you can read at your own pace, search for a specific title, or share a review with a friend who doesn’t watch bookish video essays at 11pm. If a book appears on this site, there’s a video to go with it. I’ll always link you through.
What I won’t do is pretend every book is good. The name isn’t an accident — I have opinions, I express them, and I’d rather be honest about a book that disappointed me than write another five-star review because the cover is pretty. If you’re looking for relentlessly positive content, you might find me a bit much. If you’ve ever wanted to throw a Man Booker winner across the room, you’ll probably feel at home.
What I’m interested in
Literary fiction with something to say. Translated fiction — especially from languages that don’t get enough English-language attention. Books by women. Prize culture — celebrating it, interrogating it, sometimes arguing loudly with it. Fiction that takes structural risks. Debut novels that punch above their weight.
The community
The audience that’s gathered around this channel is one of the best things about doing it. The comments section is full of people who’ve actually read the books, disagree thoughtfully, and recommend titles I’ve never heard of.
If you want to go deeper, Patreon is where the real community lives. Members join a fortnightly book club via Zoom — actual discussion, actual people, actual books. It’s the part of this I look forward to most. There’s also early access to videos and the occasional bonus content. Come and join us.
Otherwise — subscribe on YouTube, sign up for the email list below, and let’s blow up your TBR together.
— Scott