Good literary translation requires understanding (language, culture, genre--on both sides of the translation) and an ability to write well. "AI" can't do that. There are no shortcuts. Treat your work and foreign language readers with the respect they deserve. You won't fool anyone with this.

Had a brilliant weekend at World FantasyCon! What a wonderful group of people and it was so lovely to meet up with friends old and new.

On my way to Brighton for WFC! Say hi if you see me. I have partially purple hair so I’m fairly distinctive.

Since the article itself is paywalled... my new novel is called THIS IS WHERE THE FUTURE BLEEDS, which @losbennett.bsky.social sold to @titanbooks.bsky.social earlier this year. It's a fantasy adventure in a queer-normative world featuring fractured futures, sapphic romance, and giant wasps.

Proud to be the 4,231st backer 😎 on @BackerKit Crowdfunding for The Dungeon Crawler Carl: CROCODILE graphic novel! www.backerkit.com/c/projects/v...

My #StarterPack of the day is #querying - the folks in the trenches . If you are querying and want to be included please reply to this post. go.bsky.app/DgvXt8z

Calling book lovers! Sat 27 Sep | Mcr Central Library Meet indie northern publishers & discover unique titles! Get publication Qs answered at our 'chatty table' with agents Plus! The Fly on the Wall Press Publishing Training Academy launches here! fly-on-the-wall-press.eventcube.io/events/87204...

🚨 Still time to book an #Agent121 with @losbennett.bsky.social on 23 Sept. Laura loves adult & YA SFF inc. steampunk, post-apocalyptic, urban fantasy, #supernatural , dystopian & more. Bring on the bold worlds & complicated relationships! www.iaminprint.co.uk #MSWL #scifi #scifibooks #writing

It’s finally here! Publication day! And not, as my phone keeps autocorrecting it, ‘pub location’ day. 😂 ‘Chaos Theory’ has been nurtured for 4.5 years, and now it’s finally out in the world, going on its own adventures. You can get it as paperback, e-book and audiobook. Linktr.ee/SylviaLeatham

I loved doing this interview with @cbcreative.bsky.social. My book #ChaosTheory is out Friday! @losbennett.bsky.social @stormbooksco.bsky.social

My book #ChaosTheory will be out very soon! If you’re in Dublin on Sept 14, I’d love to see you at the launch, hosted by the mighty @chaptersbookstore.bsky.social . It’s been nerve wracking seeing early reviews, but I’ve been blown away by the response! Get tix for the launch via link in my bio.

Are you a #fantasywriter ready to take your storytelling to new realms? If you're creating tales of mythical creatures or weaving magical adventures book an #Agent121 with a #litagent at www.iaminprint.co.uk #WritingTips 23 Sep - @losbennett.bsky.social 2 Oct - Liza DeBlock 17 Oct - Ciara Finan

New substack! Ever wondered what a commissioning editor does day to day? kesialupo.substack.com/p/a-day-in-t...

My latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books

I wrote about the decision myself and other authors took to withdraw from the longlist of the Polari Book Prizes for LGBTQ+ writers www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

This is how it’s done! Got tickets for the singalong! And me and the kiddo will have matching shirts. 🤣🤣 #kpopdemonhunters

It’s not only that trans people are not an issue or debate. It’s that the Polari Prize is meant to be for LGBTQ+ people. If the Jhalak Prize, for writers of colour, longlisted someone who was Islamophobic then that too would be inappropriate for the prize specifically as well as for being ethical

Signal boosting— support authors with integrity.

It might sound crazy, but if people bought my books and made me a billionaire author I would simply protect my legacy by not putting any of my money into persecuting minority groups who just want to be left alone to live their lives and not harm anyone. Not a single penny.

So happy to be finally able to share the cover - and title - of my debut novel! ‘Chaos Theory’ is a romantic comedy set in the world of Irish tourism, following the story of Maeve McGettigan as she navigates the chaos of love, work and robots! Will be published by Storm on 5th September.

Gomez and Morticia continue to be total relationship goals. #wednesday

I feel ashamed of myself for even posting this and asking, but I need the help to take some of the stress and pressure away - me and my husband, and our three beautiful dogs, are hoping that you can help raise emergency funds to try and find a new house. gofund.me/061cd1b4

“I have to go, I need to walk my cat,” has become an actual thing I have to say. Because otherwise he gets cross - and that involves yelling at me and attacking my legs.

Merry wishes me to tell you all that he has a heart on his head. #cats

Agent @losbennett.bsky.social really enjoyed opening the portal to the I Am Writing Science Fiction/Fantasy entries this year and said the standard was really high. Our thanks go to Laura for her dedication. And congratulations to all of these intelligent offerings - very well done. #SFF #SciFi

One is the snow leopard at Chester Zoo and the other is my cat, Pippin. Can we see the similarities?

Besties on adventure.

I’m closed to submissions at the moment but I’m on the look out for a progression fantasy/LitRPG/isekai book. Especially set in non-western locations. I’d rather something that’s not been published as audio rights tend to be unavailable and they are huge.

Have you always wanted to read The Audacity, but fear the written word? Then I've got WONDERFUL news for you. The Audacity audiobook is coming!! I have 10 Audible credits for review-copies. If you like fast-paced, warm-hearted, funny sci-fi AND listening to things, let me know! Reskeet for luck.

#Pridemonth may be coming to an end. But here are a selection of our LGBTQIA+ books for you to read during pride and to help you diversify your reading and #ReadQueerAllYear! From sapphic SciFi to trans Cyberpunk, genderqueer spec fic to gay epic fantasy. There's something for everyone!

Loki wishes you a happy and relaxing Friday.

just to be clear, being from a working class background does not actually make it okay to use the environment-destroying plagiarism machine. All use of AI in writing fiction is morally bankrupt, because it steals and it destroys - and that's not even getting into the betrayal of craft.

I was immediately obsessed with these two when I watched this film! Had to get the Funko Pops. They’re voiced by Nathan Lane and Tituss Burgess and nobody can tell me they aren’t a married couple.

Seriously though - KPop Demon Hunters is sooooo goood!

quote with a gif from the latest show you watched

Got a sweaty vulva from the heatwave? That's normal! You're not some frightful little moist goblin. Vulvas get sweaty, too. Here's some things you can do (and some things you absolutely shouldn't do) to make it feel less swampy down there.

I’m about halfway through Legendborn by @tracydeonn.bsky.social and I AM HOOKED. Already know I’ll be reading the rest. Highly recommend. ⚔️😈😘 (If anyone is using this as a comp for their own fantasy novel - I’d love to see it!)

Looking for advice on how to perfect your sci fi, horror, romance, action & adventure, or thriller query package? Then book an #Agent121 with Helen Lane on 3 July from Ki Agency. Bookings close soon! www.iaminprint.co.uk

I have to thank @katiebruce.bsky.social for introducing me to this supreme nonsense of a film. Totally enjoyed it. If you like fun 80s fantasy (especially the Princess Bride), make sure you check it out. Man and Witch, the Dance of a Thousand Steps. #manandwitch

Some inventive entries kept @losbennett.bsky.social moving from portal to portal with these otherworldly reads. Thank you, Laura - and what an achievement for the titles who made this list - well done to all concerned! #SFF #ScienceFiction #iamwritingcomp #amwritingscifi #writingcommunity #SciFi

Please don’t send queries directly to my email unless I’ve asked for them. They will be deleted. I’m currently closed to submissions but when I’m open, the info is on our website. Thanks!

“Not for me.” “Didn’t connect.” It’s easy to take rejection personally. But every agent is just one reader. Your job? Find the right one. #AmQuerying #QueryTips

I’m currently reading How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by @djangowexler.bsky.social . Absolutely bonkers fun. Feels to me like LitRPG without the overt stats. If you like this you’ll probably like Dungeon Crawler Carl and vice versa. The genre is slowly sneaking into trad pub.

We're excited to reveal the theme for our first anthology: FOLKLORE. In a month's time, we'll be open for short story submissions of 2,000-10,000 words from writers living in the North of England. Spread the word, and get your keyboards/pens/typewriters at the ready...

Any fans of Loungefly? I treated myself to this gorgeous set (the bag was on sale!) and I’m totally going to use them at conventions. The pictures don’t do them justice. Keeping them safe in my office! #hocuspocus #loungefly

Just saw #Hamilton live for the first time in Liverpool. Absolutely phenomenal! The UK & Ireland cast is so frickin’ talented!!

Little Island Books has signed two three-book deals with Kel Menton and Jen Wallace. The deal marks the first multi-book contract the publisher has ever signed 👇 #BookSky