Attn: Indie authors! @justinleeanderson.com may be your new best friend...

Your semi-weekly reminder that when we say nominations are open, we mean to everyone! Anyone can nominate a book for the Le Guin Prize, and you have until the end of the month to do so.

I promise I did not influence Gary's decision to go Aussie for the column this time around!

The truth might be out there, but do *we* have to be? SPEC FIC FOR NEWBIES 3 examines the phenomenon of Alien Abduction and how the tales have evolved & provides 2 activities to get you started writing your own chilling version! Pre-order now for 24 March: linktr.ee/specficforne... #writing

Random bit of trivia which has nothing to do with this film: this date means it’s also about 14 years since Mr L proposed while I did the dishes in our tiny flat. We had been to see John Carter (it was ok 🤷‍♀️) & when we got home I was sad because I’d lost my Pacman ring. He gave me a replacement…

More than two decades since Mortal Engines was published, @philipreeve.bsky.social revisits that world with his new release, Bridge of Storms. But how did he get here? And why does he keep going back to that world? britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...

OMG I BLED THE RADIATOR I am so handy

Oh, joy. Just saw my UK passport expires this month. What a not-at-all-busy time to try to renew it. And while the Aussie one still has a year's validity, new rules mean I, as a dual citizen, need to have both be valid to travel in/out of the UK. So, thanks for that, government.

This week's member spotlight is one for the fans of the near-future weird stuff...

How’s my day? Oh, just accidentally took my morning meds instead of evening ones and fuck can you overdose on fluoxetine?! 😬🫣😩

Get your questions ready for a comedy legend!

Steph tries the impossible: Defining what is folk horror by working out what definitely is NOT. (Hint: just because it's got folklore in it and it's dark does not make it folk horror)

Hello, book people! I am the book content editor for Reactor Mag and I'm looking for 2026 sci-fi, fantasy, horror, romantasy, and speculative books coming out in the second half of the year! If you have an adult or YA SFF/H book out July-Dec (or publicist), share the link/info here!

Out of curiosity, how do readers feel about epistolary-style novels these days? Y’know, where the story unfolds through found documents. I personally am not a fan but have come to the realisation it might be the only way to write the book I’m working on… 🫣

The Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction is open to nominations. Is there a 2025 title that you loved that reflected the concepts and ideas that were central to Le Guin's work? Nominate it. www.ursulakleguin.com/prize-nomina...

Off to the library much later than intended because what is time when you’re an AuDHD creative, right? 😩

Happy book birthday to Thea!

Big! Exciting! CAMP! Get in and support @trip.bsky.social’s new crowdfunded project.

Hello! I am a trans journalist looking to speak with trans kids and parents of trans kids across the US who have been impacted by the clinic closures---please get in touch or share!

Totally 100% deleted of energy after a long weekend full of creativity, information & socialising with an awesomely spooky bunch of talented people. Send help (and caffeine).

CALL FOR PAPERS Friendly reminder that the abstract deadline for this year's York Magic and Witchcraft conference is 14th March 📜 the theme is NATURE AND THE SUPERNATURAL, broadly defined 🌦️🌛🌍 Please send your abstracts to [email protected] ! @drdebsmoretti.bsky.social

Home safe. Mr L is catching me up on 4 days’ worth of gossip. Had to tell him the weekend’s Doctor Who chat has already been provided by @accordingtojond.bsky.social & @willmac23.bsky.social

Sun’s out to chase the ghosties from Derby today. Last day of it; 1 workshop & 2 talks to go before I hit the road headed south.

Congrats to all the shortlisted writers for the @bsfa.bsky.social awards!! But seriously… @rickandwrite.bsky.social could you let a few other people have a go? How many nominations do you need?! 😂 www.bsfa.co.uk/bsfa-awards-...

Who wants a ghost story these days? These people totally have the answer… @dancarpenter.bsky.social @unheimlichmanvr.bsky.social @willmclean21.bsky.social

Back at it for day 2 of 👻 fest

Day one of the UK Ghost Story Festival is well underway - so much that I’ve come back to the hotel for a wee break 👻 Here’s the action (from me) so far…

It’s @matthewspalmer.bsky.social turn in the spotlight - his debut novel is coming sooooon!

Greetings from Derby. Ghost Fest, I’ll see you tomorrow (feel like crap right now so going to hide in my room until morning).

Ben'll have these wares on sale at the Ghost Story Festival in Derby this weekend!

From one of the team behind the much-lauded I Want That Twink Obliterated comes another Kickstarter campaign aiming for fantasy glory: Trip Galey shares his top tips for crowdfunding. britishfantasysociety.org/5-tips-for-k...

New from the icons that are Marie O'Regan and Paul Kane

Unpopular (?) opinion: Friends wasn’t that great. I don’t understand why it’s so idolised. WTF with Maccas doing Friends happy meals for adults - in 2026?! Ditto How I Met Your Mother & Big Bang Theory. Overrated. Barely watched ‘em. Or maybe I just have a more *sophisticated* taste in comedy? 😎

Massive congrats to all those talented humans who’ve made the final Stoker Awards ballot!! Horror is surely in great shape 🖤

New Yorker @ameliewenzhao.bsky.social tells us about the sequel to The Scorpion and the Night Blossom—something for those who loves fantasy, romance, and magic—which is out this week through HarperCollins! britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...

Authors and reviewers, if you fancy an ARC of my next book then give me a bell. It is fun, someone gets beaten to death with a pair of boots, there is a mouse with cobalt fur and gem eyes, naked swordfights, iguana-men assaulting pirate castles. As you can see I need quotes for marketing...

Saw this yesterday. It was bonkers fun.

Allen Ashley is training his eye on classic genre films, looking at not just the film but the context in which they were released. For the latest instalment in his series, he's looking back at Roger Corman's The Masque of the Red Death from 1964. britishfantasysociety.org/classic-genr...

Sub-fact of the day: Mr L’s great uncle was part of the policy committee who drafted this.

2.4 days left for the Aro Bundle! 🌈📚 💜🖤💚

Thanks Gabino! My sapphic grifter-thriller omnibus, The Long Con, is now available direct from the Nefarious Bat webstore It's 3 novels in 1 - perfect for fans of Widows, Ocean's 11, Leverage... and lesbians doing crime in 90s London payhip.com/b/zWiZv

OK, tomorrow's @thisishorror.bsky.social news is all lined up but, #ICYMI - here are last week's new/forthcoming horrors: www.thisishorror.co.uk/news-round-u... Deal by R. P. Howley and @danielwillcocks.bsky.social - coming 25 February @devilsrockbooks.bsky.social ... 1/2

ICYMI - we are open for Pride in Horror submissions until 30th April. Check out our page for more details on what we're looking for and how to submit

OK, I'm on the hunt for experts/knowledgeable people once again. If this sounds like you / someone you know, please get in touch! 👽X-Files obsessive who can talk to its cultural impact ⚱️Someone who can do a 101 talk on mystical/philosophical/John-Dee style alchemy More requests soon: stay tuned!

This week's member profile, in which I learn of a genre named "stealth help" 👀

Neurodivergent writer in the South West? Want a free ticket to Beyond the Spectrum's online festival? Come along to a creative writing taster session on Monday 9th March! Free, online, all abilities welcome, no diagnosis needed, no obligation to be on camera. Come as you are and get to know BtS!

TEN DAYS! until Agita Magazine opens for its very first open submission period. The theme is "Bad Science." The length is flash. The genre is horror or dark sci-fi. The co-editor is Eric Williams (@geoliminal.bsky.social). The guidelines is at agitamag.com/submissions

The Love Doctor is in!