The winners of the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year awards have been announced! Highlights include a starry aurora over Loinnekumme Country in Tasmania, a paper nautilus riding on a jellyfish, and a striking portfolio of cephalopod portraits. 📷 #Photography #Wildlife #Nature

The first deadline for the year is fast approaching - just five days left to access early entry fee pricing for long form works, including novels, graphic novels, anthologies and collections. #AurealisAwards aurealisawards.org/2025/09/25/e...

Broken Hill is getting a compressed air energy storage facility! I’d only heard about these in theory, so it’s exciting to see one being planned for NSW. It’ll be repurposing an old mining site, providing more energy security and an economic boost to the regional city. #Sustainability #CleanEnergy

Great article about second-hand bookshops finding homes in repurposed water towers, schools, churches and hotels. I love how these bookshops have so much character. The Book Tower in Wodonga is a cool and creative use of the space. 📚 #Books #Bookshops #SecondHand

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year commended images have been announced! Emperor penguins on a precipice, a tiny grove of slime moulds, Pacific sea nettles in cordial-green waters, and a heartaching portrait of a three-toed sloth. 📷 #Photography #Wildlife #Conservation

Enjoyed reading Australia’s Baby Animals by Jess Racklyeft. It’s as adorable as it sounds. Sweet watercolour illustrations and interesting info. Highlights include the Tasmanian pademelon, tawny frogmouth, gang-gang cockatoo, red handfish, and all the frogs. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #Nature

Recently read My Bright Shining Star by Fatima Whitbread and Rhian Wright. A thoughtful, moving book about a girl living in a children’s home and the powerful, lifelong impact a kind and empathetic carer can have. Gentle and uplifting with vivid, joyful illustrations. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit

Researchers are working to design “cardboard houses” that could provide low cost, temporary housing after natural disasters. The homes can be made with plantation waste, and they could be sourced and built locally with minimal tools. #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #Housing

A nice article on digital minimalism. It’s not about disconnecting from the online world, but being more mindful and intentional about how you spend your time. Less doomscrolling, ragescrolling and rabbit holes. Less passive consumption. More time with friends and family. More real-world activities.

Recently read Words That Taste Like Home by Sandhya Parappukkaran. A beautiful picture book about an immigrant boy struggling to stay connected to the world he left behind. Michelle Pereira’s illustrations are enchanting, full of rich colours and soft textures. Heartfelt. 1/2 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit

I remember reading about sodium ion batteries years ago and thinking they sounded cool, but probably wouldn’t ever happen. They’re happening. They’re potentially less environmentally damaging to manufacture than Li-ion batteries and less likely to catch fire. #EV #NetZero #CircularEconomy

Recently read “Beneath”, another beautifully thoughtful picture book by Cori Doerrfeld. Full of tenderness and wonder, it’s a story about looking beyond the surface, understanding the world we can’t see, and having greater empathy for others as a part of our own healing. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit

If you missed it, there's a new Murderbot short story at: reactormag.com/rapport-mart...

So apparently, if I don't keep encouraging people to subscribe to Clarkesworld, they don't. clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/ All new subscriptions go towards increasing staff pay. They deserve it, so I can't be silent.

A fantastic pilot project to have permanent social workers at libraries. I love that this makes these vital services more accessible and friendly, with libraries being a safe space for many people. It’s also great that this program partners with social work students. #Libraries #SocialWork

Recently read “Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles” by Corey Tutt and Ben Williams. It’s packed with info about Australian reptiles, their First Nations names, cultural significance and ecological roles. The conversational style is engaging, the glossary is great. 1/4 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit

Handy feature in the latest update lets you receive notifications when selected accounts have a new post. Great for when you don't want to miss a post from someone.

Conservationists have created a public database of climate solutions that communities can share and implement. AdaptLog describes 400+ projects helping wildlife survive climate change, including sprinkler systems for flying foxes and flood refuges for rhinos. #Conservation #Wildlife #ClimateChange

Sea Country by Aunty Patsy Cameron and Lisa Kennedy is a lovely book about the culture of the Pairrebeenne/Trawlwoolway clan. I loved the naturalist’s scrapbook layout style and the soft watercolour seashells, black cockatoo feathers, and moonlit mutton birds. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #DiverseBooks 📚🌏

I've bought three books today just from 'overhearing' Bluesky conversations. Point being, if you like a thing, help the creator by talking about it.

Recently read I Want To Read ALL The Books by @debbieohi.com. A sweet and very relatable story about how books feed our curiosity and create opportunities for connection with others. I love the view that part of the enjoyment of reading is talking to friends about it. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit

Recently read “Juneteenth Is” by Natasha Tripplett and Daniel J. O’Brien. A gentle introduction to Juneteenth and the historical, cultural and social justice context. A welcoming window into this celebration of freedom, remembrance of suffering, and hope for justice. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit

I love the idea of libraries as “community living rooms”. They’re magical places with books, games, crafts, seed libraries, and – if you’re lucky – storytime dogs. They’re havens that encourage imagination, learning, and empathy. It’s also great to see more libraries with social workers. #Libraries

Since we have so many new friends here (hiiiiii 👋🏽), it feels like a good time to remind you of how Bookshop.org works! We’re a ✨better✨ way to buy books online where every purchase financially supports independent bookstores. Awesome, right? Here’s how:

So after about 32 years as a published writer, I was finally able to buy the original art for one of my book covers. This is the cover art by @donatoarts.bsky.social done in oil and oil mediums, for The Wizard Hunters.

Recently read There’s Only One You by Kathryn Heling, Deborah Hembrook and Rosie Butcher. A sweet and uplifting children’s book about embracing individual differences, whether it’s physical, social, emotional, cultural, academic, familial or something else. 1/2 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit

Interesting article about how a mobile retinal scanner powered by machine learning could help healthcare workers perform eye checks in remote communities. #Health #Vision #TechForGood

My toile with a twist is a delicate floral design featuring some surreal floral faces. For anyone who wants a little bit of mystery and the unusual in their dressmaking, linens, home decor, and walls.

Recently read Walking Together by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler. A poetic invitation to deep listening, understanding and reconciliation. Understated, symbolic portraits take us across Australia in a call to action, a call for togetherness, for a more just future. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #Australia 📚🌏

If you’re looking for ways to participate in Reconciliation Week, this article has some great suggestions. Check out books, podcasts, films, art and music by First Nations artists, and support local First Nations businesses. If you love picture books, @magabalabooks.bsky.social is fantastic.

Word of the Day: Wishcycling Throwing things into the recycling bin that you hope can be recycled but you’re not sure. Putting non-recyclables in the recycling bin can contaminate the whole batch, but there are now more options for things that don’t go in kerbside bins. #Sustainability #Recycling

Cool article about dual-name street signs in Arrernte, Alice Springs. Would love to see more of these in Sydney too. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

Loved this. The Boy Who Tried To Shrink His Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran and Michelle Pereira. A lovely book for anyone who’s ever felt compelled to change their name for the convenience of others. Wonderful imagery and a tender, clever story. 1/2 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit #DiverseBooks 📚🌏

Sir David Attenborough has spent over 70 years trying to persuade us to love and protect the natural world. At 99, he’s still fighting to save it. I hope lots of people watch his new documentary, Ocean, and take meaningful action. #DavidAttenborough #Ocean #Nature #Documentary #ClimateChange

You never know what will come out a broken crayon. Also, to all you momma Kraken out there, Happy #MothersDay! #BrokenCrayonArt #FoundObjectArt

Here’s a timeline boop if you’d like to see photos of some cute mountain pygmy possums. Nice article about conservation efforts around this endangered marsupial, including “Bogong biscuits”. #Wildlife #Conservation #Australia #Possums

Congratulations to all the Aurealis Awards winners, including @trnapper.bsky.social @random-alex.bsky.social @macdibble.bsky.social @midnightmuser1.bsky.social @mktighewrites.bsky.social @gnipahellir.bsky.social @shelleyparkerchan.bsky.social @absenceofgravitas.bsky.social!

I’m stunned and honoured that The Heart of the Labyrinth and Other Stories has won the Aurealis Award for Best Collection! A big thank you to my family and friends for their support in turning this passion project into a reality. Congrats to all the finalists and winners!

Djinang Bonar: Seeing Seasons by Ebony Froome and Leanne Zilm is a lovely guide to the seasons on Noongar country. I liked the sense of deep connection to the natural world: different trees blossoming, the migration of whales, the courtship of swans. Mindful and informative. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit 📚🌏

Happy birthday, Dad. Time to come back now, it’s all gone a bit rubbish without you. ❤️❤️❤️

1/ If you’re looking for some uplifting, practical advice for effective climate action, I highly recommend this episode of @ologies.bsky.social feat. @adambmet.bsky.social. Key takeaways (paraphrased) and additional thoughts in the thread. 🧵 #ClimateAction #ClimateChange #SciComms #Music

Happy platypus

This was cool to see: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

I can't spend all day complaining about Google's AI maligning us, so I'll take this moment to handle some overdue marketing. Subscribe to Clarkesworld here: clarkesworldmagazine.com/subscribe/ Only human art and writing. (No matter what Google tries to claim.)

I hardly ever see sci-fi picture books set in Australia, so it was cool to read The Great Book-Swapping Machine by Emma Allen and Lisa Coutts. There’s a sentient spaceship, a small-town community brought together by their love of books, and lots of cute galahs. Quirky and fun. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit

Pangolin

Recently read The Red Tin Box by @matthewburgessj.bsky.social. A dreamlike story about growing up, growing old, nostalgia and promise. Evan Turk’s lush illustrations convey the intensity of memories and the power of sharing them. This one tugs the heart strings. 💙📚👍🏼 #BookSky #KidLit

Congrats to all the Aurealis Awards finalists, including @tansyrr.bsky.social @julietmarillier.bsky.social @genni.bsky.social @catsparx.bsky.social @kaaronwarren.bsky.social @trnapper.bsky.social @tanaudel.bsky.social @jonathanstrahan.bsky.social @garthnix.bsky.social @nikkythewriter.com!

Thrilled to see The Heart of the Labyrinth and Other Stories on the Aurealis Awards shortlist! This collection was a 10-year labour of love, and it means so much to me to see it resonating with other people. Congrats to all the other finalists! #BookSky #ShortStories

One of my favourite writers, Kirli Saunders, will be speaking at the Sydney Writers’ Festival in May! Her works include the gorgeous, meditative and uplifting children’s books The Incredible Freedom Machines, Our Dreaming, and Bindi. #BookSky #Authors #Poetry #Sydney #Australia