I’m reading Nnedi Okorafor’s Death of the Author, which among many other things deals with the loss of a parent. So that’s probably why this is on my mind. Wider family tell me I’m like my mum. My father, who dislikes me, insists I’m not.

Perhaps it’s a way of holding her close.

I wonder sometimes how it is I can channel my mother’s warmth and positivity when talking to friends but never when talking to myself. Oh, intellectually I know why. And yet…

I clearly spend far too much time with occultists. Watching #Supernatural (s3 e10) my first thought was to sigh heavily at the lack of correct protocols when attempting dream-walking. I don’t think that’s the response the writers intended!

Aside from watching Supernatural, I’m also rewatching Riptide. For a show from the mid 80s, there’s a lot of female — or possibly gay male — gaze. Which is interesting.

The office manager has arrived. Miss Telzey is a very thorough supervisor.

#KeirStarmer your anti-immigrant policies are heartless, cruel and a disgrace to the #LabourParty. I’m ashamed of you as prime minister. I’m a hereditary Labour activist. I cleave to true Labour values. Why are you betraying us?

If the government really intends to seize jewellery and other valuables from refugees, either - it is staggeringly ignorant of the historical precedents or - it's aware of the precedents, and thinks, yeah, we'll have some of that. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

First Tricia Helfer, now Don Davis. I feel Agent Cooper would be an asset to the Winchesters.

El Camino de Santiago más emocionante del año - Sportlife https://www.sportlife.es/noticias/camino-santiago-mas-emocionante-ano_318997_102.html El Camino de Santiago más emocionante del año · Erik Domingo y su madre Silvia, desde Vigo a Santiago. · Cómo …#caminodesantiago #camino #buencamino

In other news, it’s Friday. Here’s your reminder: Don’t Be A Fuckwit. #dontbeafuckwitfriday

It’s raining heavily. The cat is blaming me.

It's a book on necromancy. Fascinating, so far. (I promise not to evoke any demons or evil spirits.) NB I consider Cassius to be the hero of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, so I do not promise to have the same definitions of bad.

I'm indexing. Entries so far include Aeschylus, the Books of Samuel, Abraham Lincoln and Cornelius Agrippa.

You may now mock me.

In other news, I am definitely Team Sam. It’s the hair and the vulnerability.

Tricia Helfer guest-starring on Supernatural. She doesn’t seem to be either a Cylon or a demon. I am so confused right now!

Miss Telzey wishes to know what I’m doing.

The dire situation of TfL workers expecting to transition from graduate visas to skilled worker visas but facing deportation due to cruel and abrupt government visa changes is picked up in the Sunday Times. I raised this with the Mayor last month so am glad to see he has ⏱️ now written to Mike Tapp.

Phil has just been offered tomato sauce to go with his kippers. We are baffled.

Just published, the new Green Man book: wizardstowerpress.co...

Phrase of the day: Qué raro es el corte de pelo del presidente. The green owl is trolling.

Please share and send a message if you can. It takes two minutes. actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

A quick reminder that i have a weirdish dark fantasy novel available on Audible. And, despite the shocked Pikachu reviews about being woke cannibal erotica, it is a) queer and b) not a YA ;) Listen to The Shape of Monsters by C L Hellisen on Audible. www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0FGDJ5X1...

This poster appeared at a bus stop near Tesla's flagship London store overnight 👏

In other news, a truly unexpected and amazing thing happened to me this week. A Really Famous Writer whose work I love emailed me to tell me they loved The Book of Gaheris. Colour me awed and honoured.

I feel like we have the opportunity to turn David Lynch's quote into this moment's "Keep Calm and Carry On" and it's a far better rallying cry too.

Rumours that I mostly go to Novacon for beer and conversation may be true…

Achievement unlocked: pint of Titanic Plum Porter at The Cheshire Cheese.

Saturday morning #Novacon First stop, TWP meeting. Phil however is in search of the beer shop, because this is Buxton, after all.

I spent much of yesterday looking for a particular piece of legal paperwork. I didn’t find it. I did, however, find my cat ears…

Not all mothers love their children. Not all rulers deserve their crowns. THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF VALENZIAGA Launching Q1 2026! Imagine THE CHRONICLES OF AMBER meets POSE by way of SIGIL (PLANESCAPE) Please Like/Share/Click ‘Notify Me On Launch’! bit.ly/42H61Ic

In other news, it’s clearly getting colder.

The intimidation included threats that family members would lose visas, which is both in character and *friggin insane*

#JustSaying Trans women are women. Trans women belong in our communities. They are our family, our sisters and our friends. Accept that or fuck off.

I had fun at World Fantasy. Lovely to catch up with various friends.

I loved listening to this discussion about monarchies in fantasy fiction - including why we write them and how they relate to the chosen one trope. Featuring @hollyrace.bsky.social @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social @karisperring.bsky.social Karen Joy Fowler and Aliya Whiteley

Me: Everyone should honour you. @lauraannegilman.bsky.social : everyone should fear me, if not honour.

Ozzy going out after raising $190 million for sick kids and a Parkinson’s cure is metal AF.

RIP Ozzy, you complicated, difficult, talented, inspiring working class hero. I’m going to miss you.

SO many signed books! bit.ly/genrefortrans Tagging ppl I know @joe-hill.bsky.social, @starkholborn.bsky.social @older.bsky.social @drkatedevlin.bsky.social @kashinggiwa.bsky.social @nnedi.bsky.social @rebeccafraimow.bsky.social @karisperring.bsky.social @ianthegreen.bsky.social @cjtudor.bsky.social

@stevegreen.bsky.social so good to see you here! I worry.

They’re baaaack…

Miss Telzey is settling in for the night.

The most unpatriotic members of any society are the far right. They will always align with foreign interests against the interests of their own nations. They will always undermine national institutions and national values in pursuit of their own interests. When they pose as patriots, they lie.

Sprocker Assist & Rescue, a nonprofit organisation that rehomes Sprocker Spaniels, is holding a fundraising auction right now. In honour of our Sprocker, Lottie, I've donated a copy of my novel The Wood Wife -- which I'll sign and mail to the winning bidder anywhere in the world. More info below...

Here’s where to find me on Dreamwidth la-marquise.dreamwidth.org/381714.html