I’m a huge fan of The Lovecraft Investigations - here’s hoping this new series meets its funding goal.

On Thursday 1st May I’ll be talking to Dr Christina Neuwirth about their fascinating research into gender inequality in the Scottish literary sector - do join us! On zoom and free for SoA @societyofauthors.bsky.social members: societyofauthors.org/event/indust...

I just realized that webinar is an anagram of winebar. Suddenly, a way forward appears.

Dear March - Come in - 🪻

Perhaps we *do* need to start anthropomorphising LLMs - not as reliable researchers or trusty assistants, but as familiar spirits or demons. They WILL lie and deceive, and twist your words, and seek to get you into trouble, while following the letter of their instructions.

A fox looks up at Ayr Baths in the early 1980’s before the flume was put in and the urban myth about someone sticking razor blades in it

This is brilliant - and, well, mea culpa, I suspect.

@slnieckar.bsky.social @teacherkika.bsky.social

Yes this

🎶 when you go, will you send back a lettuce from America? 🎶

Esq Tom Phillips, Canto XV: [no title], 1981 https://botfrens.com/collections/14375/contents/1119171

Excellent review of a fascinating short story collection. I loved Schrödinger’s Wife - strong recommend.

You can’t store your dog up there, mate

Without downloading any new pics, what’s your energy going into 2025?

Wonderful interview with Alan Garner. Such a powerful, rich-&-strange maker-teller. Your favourite Garner novel? Mine: The Owl Service. “She wants to be flowers, but you make her owls. You must not complain, then, if she goes hunting.” *Shivers* Those commas. www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...

Interview with Louise Bourgeois

We don't have an elf on the shelf but we do have a

My childhood copies — a bit less pristine, and the print is almost too small for me to read these days, but they’re no less loved for all that. Almost time for the Christmas re-read…

Day 1 of the #HooklandChristmasTree. We retrieve the Bloody Boy ornament from the box of china Mummers. Some say it's not blood that makes his skin red, but crabapple bark dye. I say best not spoil the seasonal magic. Besides, we all know where the skin of his drum comes from.

I see it's moving further to the left.

Imagine The Void is haunted by the ghosts of 18th century hangovers

Respect.

Writing tip: Kill your darlings. Bake them in a pie and serve it to your editor at a grand dinner. When she compliments the chef, say, "Oh, do you like it? Aren't you curious about what meat it is?" and empty a sack onto the table. It is your darlings' decapitated heads!

💪 www.theguardian.com/music/2024/n...

I STARE AT A PASSING TRAIN AND THE AGGREGATE OF THE FACES RUSHING PAST IN THE WINDOWS FORMS A PERFECT IMAGE OF JOHN NETTLES. AND YES, HE IS SMOKING A BLUNT

Ooh, I like this. Britpopple 80s 80s 80s #874 🔊🟩⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ @Britpopple #80s80s80s #Heardle britpopple.glitch.me

Are you a #writer or #reader just getting started on Bluesky? I put together a list of many of the top literary magazines that have made the switch. Show them some love by following them and giving them the ability to leave Twitter for good. Feel free to share and repost. go.bsky.app/7cWNC2j

We are out here promoting diversity of all kinds in horror; combining the body and nature in horror, allowing the erotic and the terrifying, and creating a space for BIPOC authors in horror! *SUBMISSIONS OPEN*

MILF = Manuscript I’d Like to Finish

Celebrating Nova Scotia 2! 7pm – 8.30pm Wed 4th December, Old College, South Bridge, #Edinburgh EH8 9YL! Get your FREE ticket here! Hosted by Gavin Inglis. @shoreinf.bsky.social @neilwilliamson.bsky.social www.shorelineofinfinity.com/product/shor...

52. Pretty close!

The Box of Delights is being repeated on BBC4 from Saturday 7th December, kicking off at 7pm with a Renny Rye Remembers... intro.

@liambellwrites.bsky.social, any ideas?

Still feeling this

The Scottish Universities’ International Summer School is currently accepting applications for: Modernism, Contemporary Literature, Scottish Literature; Creative Writing; Contemporary British & Irish Theatre & Performance. Scholarship opportunities available. www.suiss.ed.ac.uk

Super proud to be in this starter pack of introvert piscean lurkers.

Feels hard to get excited about the Booker what with everything going on in the world, ie me not being nominated.

My writing process is that I don't write, then for a while I write, then frustratingly I don't write again, then I'm old.

You’re probably all bored with this but we (the tech workers of The NY Times) are still on strike because management refuses to come to the table. Thanks for your support and continuing to boycott Cooking and Games. #BreakYourStreak

A book must be an axe for the frozen sea within us - Kafka. (My cartoon for today’s Guardian books.)

Hans Printz, Die Muskete, 1919

The shortlist for The Kavya Prize 2024 has been announced! Many congratulations to: Lorraine Wilson: The Last to Drown Arun Sood: New Skin for the Old Ceremony Tim Tim Cheng: Tapping at Glass Amanda Thomson: Belonging Andrés N. Ordorica: At least this I know www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...

mood

Without downloading any new pics, what’s your energy going into 2024?

For anyone following/horrified by the news of the decimation of Modern Languages at the University of Aberdeen, we now have a petition (with lots of links and information!) that anyone can sign. We'd really appreciate your support. www.change.org/p/save-langu...

All the congratulations to @lunapress.bsky.social and @rhiannonagrist.bsky.social who aced the British Fantasy Awards last night! So well deserved.

PAID WRITING OPPORTUNITY: @unbounders are looking for essays for #OneinFive - an anthology about the realities of living in poverty. They are particularly keen to hear from writers of colour. £200 per essay. E-mail [email protected] for more information. unbound.com/books/one-in...