tax:returned. *dies*

My book chapter is out! Autism as an Example of a Disability Presenting Very Varied Support Needs url: books.rsc.org/books/edited...

This is what soft power looks like!

One of the reasons I participate in #Yuletide each year is early sight of gems like this. Not at all surprised that this one is gaining traction in namespace

Join us on twitch 11am to 11am and raise money for charity. www.justgiving.com/page/bake-ba...

I'm making an appearance at this wonderful event tomorrow! Check us out on Twitch from 11am for 24 hours! It's for a good cause, any spare pennies and cents will be very welcome 💜 @chesneycat.bsky.social @jswpeng.bsky.social will be there, too! @bloodontheclocktower.com twitch.tv/bakebattleroll

This poem is by astrophysicist, friend & colleague Katherine Inskip &, like my blog, written in the immediate aftermath of hearing of Bowie's death. It's beautiful & conveys v powerfully the impact of his loss on so many of us. cathannabel.blog/2016/01/11/a...

Highly pertinent thread

For people that feel helpless, this period is so tough but there's ways to help for anyone. Go out there support Venezuelan ppl and artists living in it as they prepare for unpredictable times Here is a starter pack of artists with commissions or donations open as well: go.bsky.app/8daQmpX

Want some Monday morning narrative poetry? The Vigil is my companion/prequel to Browning's Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came, written for the 2025 Yuletide exchange archiveofourown.org/works/75588666

Back at work, sipping a coffee in #JessopWest and catching up on email. This is my transition habit, getting me focused and grounded for the day. Fielded all the first years, on to the next batch!

Israel bans Doctors Without Borders and writes itself into history. www.thecanary.co/skwawkbox/20...

Watching Caravan of Courage (1984) because we've never seen it and yes it will be awful 1/?

Finally, in the two hours before the deadline: There Is No Bargain (Watership Down) for cher. Didn't quite finish in time, so it went in the yuletide madness collection. archiveofourown.org/works/76354086

So, three #yuletide fics so far, and it's Christmas Eve. One interactive fiction, one TV transcript, one poem. Time for something more traditional? For this, I return to my writing roots and that means Dragonriders of Pern.

The first yuletide treat I posted this year was The Vigil - a verse companion to Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came. No fandom knowledge required. I find it very relaxing to work within strict style constraints, and this one was full ABBAAB blank verse archiveofourown.org/works/75588666

The first treat I planned (but the third story I finished) was for Cunk on Earth. Again, there are many meta elements here that will make most sense if you've ever participated in a fic exchange - it's basically my love letter to the community. archiveofourown.org/works/74847116

My assignment this year was Robbotron's The Dark Room, and my recipient mentioned they were keen on interactive fiction, so... this happened archiveofourown.org/works/75935196 There's a lot of fiction-exchange meta but also plenty of death, Czech pockets, and Virginia Woolf at a Lighthouse.

Yuletide stories are revealed!

THIS. Did you know sickle cell is curable, now? FULLY curable. If you're feeling down or despairing about what FEELS like technology/advancement/science "standing still" or being fully malicious, I have great news: You're not paying attention to actual science. Just tech industry marketing.

this remains the greatest synopsis of incel culture one could ever ask for

Obi-Wan Kenobi voice: she is more cheese, now, than woman

Love this build!

Oh my goodness, thank you so much! What a beautiful compliment to get--and perfect timing too because I just finished her today! 🥰

there is a genre of person who hates AI in *their* field but sees how it could be useful in *other,* less prestigious, fields; ignore them. they are not trying to save the ship. they are just racing you to the lifeboats

Poor puss, but 🤣😂

The Lord of The Rings movies were rated PG-13. By current rules that means that each film could contain one use of the word "Fuck". Which line are you altering to insert the most useful swear word? "I can't carry it for you, but I can Fucking carry you"

Started reading Stewart Hotson's Project Hanuman and it's so bloody good

It's yuletide! Three wonderful gift fics and my recips seem delighted.

If you only listen to one very fun, slightly silly, and utterly cat-centric space story this year, MAKE IT THIS ONE.

This one was tough for Jeremy to produce. Beautiful story, but hard going if the content warning has resonance.

A poem for Winter Solstice: "The Shortest Day" by Susan Cooper, author The Dark is Rising and numerous other luminous books. The image is from www.thelostland.com. The poem is © Susan Cooper.

Having a cat is so cool. There is a little creature in my bed who loves me and vibrates like a tiny motorcycle and is so fuzzy and wants to snuggle. How could I want anything else

Just so I'm clear on this, computer memory has tripled in price because a bunch of it that hasn't been produced yet has been ordered to populate GPUs that aren't installed in data centers that aren't built yet in order to service a demand that doesn't exist to make profits that don't happen.

If you see this, we IMPLORE YOU to post a picture from whatever device you're using without explanation.

Jesse Hamm had the take to end all takes on children's media. "People who disdain writing ‘just for children’ fail to realize that those children will remember what they read, maybe for the rest of their lives. You’re not writing for permanent children; you’re getting an early start on adults.”

VOICE ACTORS AND PERFORMERS OF BLUESKY I am casting for 2026 and have some V/O work that needs doing at the start of January. Very quick & easy, but it is PAID, so that is at least something. Interested? Fill out this form, where you will find all the details: forms.gle/EwMTLfjsozrF...

Fly me to the moon Oh no I'm stuck on the moon Get me off this moon This was a terrible idea

ICYMI:

This whole thing is racist, but take particular note of the threat of denaturalization. That's stripping people of their citizenship, and that's the road to mass murder and atrocity.

Post strike recovery?

This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.

The 25th of November is St Catherine's feast day. "This isn't about God, the stained-glass legends of broken wheels, the barrowload of miracles, or the dinner-plate halo they will nail to your head. Under the gospel, the truth of it: woman answers back, ends up dead." - Rosie Garland

#apod 2025-11-23 The Observable Universe Web page: https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap251123.html#apod

1) Neurodivergence is not a bad thing 2) Studies have also not ruled out that autism is caused by daffodils, bed-time stories, or prenatal exposure to ABBA.

Cast of Wonders 665: A Siren Stranded in a Sea of Grass by Courtney Farr narrated by @mrhalofo.bsky.social produced by @jeremycarter42.bsky.social hosted by @chesneycat.bsky.social Content note: transphobia and queerphobia, family intolerance www.castofwonders.org/2025/11/cast...

Cast of Wonders 664: Blood and Talent by @jamieboyd.bsky.social narrated by Boocho McFly produced by @jeremycarter42.bsky.social hosted by @chesneycat.bsky.social www.castofwonders.org/2025/11/cast... content notes: injury, violence, historical racism, domestic violence, death

Theo reviews Adrian Tchaikovsky's upcoming dark but whimsical fantasy MADE THINGS, coming 4th December from Tor: "an entertaining novella shot through with Tchaikovskian eye-catching writing and sharp observations" Read more: tinyurl.com/ymhbymdk @torbooks.bsky.social @aptshadow.bsky.social