Wildfire risk is real - and it’s already happening. We’ve seen fires break out across London after the heat. Dry grass is a tinderbox. Please do what you can to keep our city safe: take care with barbecues, take litter home and dispose of cigarettes safely. Follow London Fire Brigade's advice:

Definitely getting this - love Juliet’s novella already and look forward to its pair!

meanwhile, main thing preoccupying us atm (apart from, obv, state of the world) is that Sam our cat has moved out and is living outdoors a couple of streets away and Will Not Be Caught. We are getting lots of help looking after him and trying to get him home, but no joy yet. He is a total teenager.

Should post to say that I did eventually get back into members queue & 4 hours later was able to book tickets. Whole thing way more stressful than expected (was prepared to join the queue early & still find tx I wanted had gone; was not prepared for losing my place & having no way to get back in)

very very upset - joined members queue @britishmuseum.bsky.social to book for Bayeux tapestry as it opened at 12.30, waited, timer going down (double checked & def logged in as member), and then wanted re-entry of email and password and bumped me out of the queue. Now have to work, funnily enough.

there’s still time to support this if you haven’t already - so happy it’s going ahead and looking forward to reading.

Following the evidence [No, not THAT evidence]

Loved Market of Dreams and Destiny, and can't wait for this!

Looking forward to this so much!

Display in the Iridescence Art Show. The Art Show at Iridescence is all about celebrating the incredible creativity in our community. It is a space where fans can admire, celebrate, and buy art directly from creators. Full info on the website eastercon2026.org/art-show

We are looking for volunteers. Volunteering is at the heart of Eastercon. It is what makes the convention possible! By giving a little of your time, you help shape the experience for everyone while joining a welcoming, creative community. The form is on our website eastercon2026.org/volunteering

Really interesting thread about how people can and do change their minds - needed to hear this after a conversation last night with someone struggling with getting a person v close to them to see past the far right narratives.

Hello lovely Easterconners - We've been busy in the background getting things in place to bring you an amazing Eastercon next year! If you're a member you should have received an update email today. We're sorry if you got it more than once, we're tech wrangling and grateful for your patience.

Really looking forward to reading about your ideas for programme!

Very excited to be running programme for next year’s Eastercon, now seated, Iridescence 2026. GOHs - RJ Barker - ⁠Dr Karen Lord - ⁠Emma Newman - ⁠John Wilson and Serena Culfeather

WORLD-FIRST: Ground-breaking research published today in the Ornithologist Journal has, for the first time, translated common UK bird vocalisations into equivalent phrases in the human language. The results tell us a lot! Extracts below... 🧵

@teamlabouruk.bsky.social a reminder. Because apparently you need it.

Applications are open for the 2025-27 Past & Present Fellowships @ihr.bsky.social are open Applications close on 31st Jan 2025 Fellows appointed will commence on 1st Oct 2025 and be tenable for 24 months Please share with your network www.history.ac.uk/fellowships/...

For new people, here’s a new #proofofcat. This is Sam

Just discovered this gem and deem it worthy of my first reskeet (re-skeet?) 🙌 It has it all! History, humor, cats!

Fall 2025, Saga Press. Mark your calendars!

It's up on Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/...

Spiky. #BuffyRevamped

Yay Octothorpe!

Brilliant!

The Green Man series are brilliant books - I've reread all at least once and will do again. Love the way McKenna uses specific local folklore & thinks about how swan maidens, dryads, naiads and wyrms might live in the present day. (Also cover art I like so much I made fan pottery of the first one.)

Really looking forward to listening to this - was there for the recording and it was great (and I immediately ordered The Masters of Solitude as recommended by @tadethompson.bsky.social - have been slightly distracted by Hugo reading but it's at the top of the tottering TBR pile).

Let’s boost this again. You will need photo ID to vote in a UK election because the Conservatives have tried to minimise the defeat they robustly deserve. Get it free from the link below.

What’s up has mostly been gardening, that’s what. Weeding and chopping and today is planting things out

'Yesterday we had the single sticks on the quarterdeck and some of us fenced a little….This afternoon just as I was going off to a nice sleep the captain sent for me and asked me if I would like to go ashore with him, so, of course, I had to say yes...' www.navyrecords.org.uk/magazine_pos...

Essential cat photo

Today I am mostly reading The Green Man's Quarry, the new book from Juliet McKenna. And loving it obv. Look at that cover too! wizardstowerpress.com/books-2/book...

Simon Newman's excellent Freedom Seekers, on escapees from slavery in Great Britiain, can be downloaded from: uolpress.co.uk/book/freedom... #OpenAccess #History

Hooray, I have had Covid and flu jabs! Very quiet hurray as I am having a small reaction to them and need to lie down for a bit, but happy that it's done.

Bit deaf and a bit achey this morning after seeing the Blue Aeroplanes last night but they were amazing and worth every ‘what?’ and every twinge. @phildyson.bsky.social

I have booked my Covid booster (eligible for regular contact with person with immune issues). Check here if you can get it: www.nhs.uk/get-vaccinat...

So happy to be back at pottery this evening in Studio1 Ceramics new home which is much nearer me! Started a soap dish for the bath and played with paper porcelain.

Also look at this cover!

I'm so looking forward to the next Green Man book by Juliet McKenna! Highly recommended if you haven't read them yet.

Love fairies, goblins, the Victorian era, gay boys, talking cats, and workers’ revolts? Come to my debut book launch in London this Wednesday evening at the amazing queer bookshop The Common Press! Tix are pay what you can. 🥳 bit.ly/3La2IR1