This reminds me I should really get back to regular posting so you can hear my side of the adventures with @clhellisen.bsky.social

Now having possibly the most disgusting but perfectly Scottish slushy with tequila margarita with @bibliofi.bsky.social

In September, The Shape of Monsters will be out in hardcover! I love that Tor went with "Will magic bind them or set them free?" as a longline. If you know my writing, you know that magic is definitely gonna fuck them up, either way....

Watch me struggle to pronounce the word horror.... Too many Rs!

We asked some of our authors what their goals were for the Edinburgh SFF April Write-In... www.instagram.com/reel/DXErgpt...

Curious what one of our write-ins consists of…? Here’s a sneak peek reel from yesterday’s excellent session — 8 writing sprints to focus on projects (with plenty of coffee and chat between) www.instagram.com/reel/DXBp1GK... #writingcommunity

Five outstanding authors we’re also honoured are part of the ESFF community 🎉

We are planning a brand new Cymera Masterclass, which will take place in-person in the days leading up to our 2026 Festival (Wed 3-Fri 5 June). As this would be a new addition to the Festival, we're keen to gauge interest. Find out more & to express your interest here: forms.gle/TXwtqbSq8Hrz...

Huge congratulations to E.M. Faulds and Neil Williamson on last night's BSFA Awards! E.M. won Best Short Fiction for 'Godzilla as a Young Man...', while Neil won Best Collection for editing Blood In The Bricks. A GSFWC double-header! What a night! @neilwilliamson.bsky.social @bethkesh.bsky.social

If you are at @easterconuk.bsky.social this weekend, keep an eye out for some of our members who have been let loose in Birmingham! 🚀🐉 www.instagram.com/p/DWoOURbDOk...

Grab your early bird weekend pass for this year's @cymerafestival.co.uk before time runs out. One of my favourite genre literary events in the writing year, and all the better for being nearly on my doorstep www.cymerafestival.co.uk

Calling Glasgow horror fans 🪓 @neilwilliamson.bsky.social and I will be at @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social on July 14th to chat about HOME SICK and THE PACKET. It's still a way off, but tickets are available now for all you early birds -> www.waterstones.com/events/chill...

It's been a weekend of writer filled madness without a single word written. Tomorrow there will be words!

New podcast! This week... Pokopia, Marathon, The Séance at Blake Manor... and more!

A reminder that our Greene Door Project is open until the end of this month! Guidelines to apply can be found via our website: greeneheaton.co.uk/the-greene-d...

A note on the use of AI in submissions to Greene & Heaton:

Atomic Coffin by @benedictanning.bsky.social www.thebookseller.com/rights/trans... If Philip K Dick and Stephen King had a lovechild at the height of Cold War tensions, it would look something like this book. GET THIS ONE ON YOUR TBRs Trust me

Edinburgh pals! You can now pick up a copy of the Cat's Eyes zine, a tale of a lonely cat in space written by me, illustrated by @ceciliabennett.bsky.social from our friends at @typewronger.bsky.social! ✨️🐈🚀

The Cymera Prize for Speculative Short Fiction is open to any writer living in Scotland or Scottish by birth or inclination, aged at least 14 years. Submissions are open from Monday 12th January 2026 until 8pm BST on Sunday 22nd March 2026. www.cymerafestival.co.uk/2026-prize

The Greene Door Project is back! We are delighted to be reopening our Greene Door mentoring scheme for writers from underrepresented backgrounds. Closing 27th March 2026 📗🚪 More details on how to apply can be found on our website: greeneheaton.co.uk/the-greene-d...

Part 4 of my Librarian's Apprentice Lets play is now live... www.patreon.com/posts/148673...

After a short break for Christmas I am back with my let's play of The Librarian's Apprentice We left Emily as she was entering the Hall of the Watchers. Will they be helpful in her journey or pose more questions than answers. Read for free on my Patreon. www.patreon.com/posts/147483...

I have written a little post about my 2025 and hopes for 2026 ... You can read it here.... www.patreon.com/posts/147159...

My audiobook kickstarter has reached 24 sign-ups, just 6 short of my holiday target! If you're a fan of folklore and mythology, Scotland and its languages, and dark fantasy tales of haunted swords and old gods - "Notify me on launch" www.kickstarter.com/projects/tri...

Festive @bloodontheclocktower.com so I dressed the part of course. Full homebrew festive script from chill on the Clocktower! The storyteller was dead: to begin with. It has been a pleasure storytelling for @ancientrobotgames.bsky.social Can't wait for the new year's chaos!

Tis the season for festive clocktower, fa-la-la-la-la. I am storytelling 3 sessions of @bloodontheclocktower.com (2 online, 1 in person) in 4 days and I am excited for the chaos of the festive season to come to Ravenswood Bluff! Ideas for festive puns for various the announcements are welcome.

www.instagram.com/edinburghsff... #sffadvent 🚀🎄

@bibliofi.bsky.social's playthrough of The Librarian's Apprentice continues with epic poems of history and folklore carved into frosty scrolls and spiced gingerbread! You can vote on where she goes next: The Hall of Watchers or the Making Your Own Luck section. www.patreon.com/posts/ttt-pa...

Somehow we've recorded 250 episodes - a milestone we never thought we'd reach! We've spoken to some amazing writers on the podcast, and today is no exception as we chat with the brilliant @joe-hill.bsky.social & hear all about King Sorrow! Watch now: youtu.be/-sSuhfB2Dzc Listen: linktr.ee/ukpageone

Tonight in Edinburgh at Waterstones, featuring writers from the ESFF community, among others... (plus mulled wine and mince pies...) www.waterstones.com/events/festi... 🎄

Part 1 of my interactive storytelling game of the Librarian's Apprentice from @almostbedtime.bsky.social is now live. You decide where the story goes next, join in for free... www.patreon.com/posts/145425...

The birds sound like they are having battles with laser weapons this morning (sound). Pew pew pew.

www.instagram.com/reels/DRwcbB... #sffadvent 🚀🎄

Meet the Main character of my interactive let's play of The Librarian's Apprentice from @almostbedtime.bsky.social You can follow along and choose the next steps in Emily's adventure for free on my Patreon(www.patreon.com/FionaLeslie) or on my Instagram www.instagram.com/biblio_fi)

www.instagram.com/p/DRt3oUXjCh_/ #sffadvent 🚀🎄

Today I was brave and launched my author newsletter. Hoping to keep everyone informed of (hopefully good) news, WIPs and bookish events. Keeping it on the free tier, as well as my interactive RPG project that is starting on Tuesday. www.patreon.com/FionaLeslie

For the past few weeks I have been working on a new WIP, a horror rom com. Think what if a Christmas rom com went horribly wrong! It hasn't been working. I have written and re-written the same chapters from different perspectives, tenses, directions. I even shook it upside down for a bit.

It's the most wonderful time of the year: Scotland's gritter tracker is back! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❄️🧊 www.traffic.gov.scot/gritter-trac...

If I could appear like Marley's Ghost to writers & give one piece of advice, it'd be: don't forget why you're doing this. Using recognition or sales or agent interest or even daily word count to gauge how you're doing is fatal if your actual dream was 'I want to lose myself in creating stories'.

Remember, Remember the 5th of November - one of the happiest days of my life. Nine years ago today I married my best friend. Every day, through his love and support I am reminded just how lucky I am. I will be forever grateful for him. Love you @xenobytezero.bsky.social

Last night I had the pleasure of storytelling the Halloween games of Blood on the clocktower for Ancient Robot games here in Edinburgh. When choosing my costume I of course had to embody @bloodontheclocktower.com Live, storyteller supreme, John Gracey.

First day as a "full time writer" and I spent the morning perfecting my costume for tonight's Halloween game of Blood on the clocktower. That seems like a very productive start!

An absolute delight of an evening at My neighbour Totoro stage performance this evening. Moving and magical puppetry at it's finest.

This week @bloodyscotland.bsky.social just keeps getting better - after @tariqashkanani.bsky.social's amazing McIlvanney Prize win on Friday, @marcorinaldi.bsky.social has one gone and won the Pitch Perfect prize!

I have the supreme honour of joining @misterkristoff.bsky.social to chat about Empire of the Dawn on the tour's finale stop in Edinburgh! Come join us to learn the curious link between a train to Newcastle, potatoes and The Empire of the Vampire.

A few thoughts on last night's win. But not that many because I haven't had coffee yet. www.davidgoodman.net/a-reluctant-...

New Author Interview - today on the blog we welcome @clhellisen.bsky.social to talk about their new audiobook The Shape of Monsters www.runalongtheshelves.net/interviews/2...

I am excited to announce that I am now represented by Judith Murray of @greeneandheaton.bsky.social I am hard at work getting my manuscript ready for submission for editors. Hopefully we will have more good news in the near future! Exciting times ahead! greeneheaton.co.uk/clients/fion...

My book The Shape of Monsters is up on Audible for a credit, or free for premium accounts. It's modern secondary world fantasy with gothic sensibilities, monstrous Princes from the Long Dark, scheming mages, and much queerity. www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0FGDJ5X1...