Eight days in the woods! Here I am with Bridey (not a particularly medieval dog) atop the Elephant on Lake Chiniguchi in Temagami (in mostly medieval kit).

I’m off later today for a week in the woods and waters of Temagami. No cell service, and the worst anxiety is ‘will it rain?’ And ‘do we have enough firewood?’

I’ve deleted fb for a while

Writing today was all about exploring 17th century Padova and the Brenta River and all those magnificent Palladian villas. Digitally. Does anyone in #Venice or #Padova have a writers residency so I can see all this for real? Page 230 of ‘The French Ambassador.’ We’re in Padova😊

I spent a lovely afternoon @bakkaphoenix.bsky.social with my friend and brilliant fantasy author @decastell.bsky.social and we mocked each other, told lies and made up stories. By which I mean we acted out a scene from Sebastien’s latest and I read from ‘French Ambassador’

I can’t wait

Back from vacation and had a 4400 word day on ‘The French Ambassador’ and this book continues to write itself!

Apparently the whole Republican party suffers from chronic venomous insufficiency, a disease common to petty tyrants, bullies and wannabe dictators. It’s caused by an imbalance of the humours and overproduction of yellow bile, at least according to RFK jr.

Leaving the cottage on a beautiful day after a week of cold and rain. Read some great books by CJ Cherryh and @richardswanauthor.bsky.social and painted miniature ships. Fun!

The Shogunate frigate Kaitan and the smaller but much more dangerous Imperial ironclad Kotetsu in 1/1200 with ‘gaming’ paint and rigging. Ships are by Spithead Miniatures for the Boshin War (Meiji Restoration 1868-69). Only 31 more to go😊

That’s most of the Shogun’s navy in 1868 (in 1/1200 scale) and some campaign dress Janissaries for my 1650s Ottoman Army (to fight my 1650 Venetians, obviously) Yes, the Shogun’s navy. With steamships. History is never what you expect.

Please, stop calling yourselves Christians. Make up a new name, like ‘Greedy Authoritarian Grifters’ or ‘Leaders of Patriarchal Repression’

I’m having another good writing day. ‘The French Ambassador’ is almost writing itself. 30k words in 5 writing days!

It’s almost as if GOP men don’t see 14 year old girls as children. At least, that’s the message I’m getting.

The incompetence of Trump’s administration was never more clearly shown than having a summit without clearing all the items on the agenda first. They’re ignorant children playing with fire. They’re not even good at imperialism.

I need help in this "big name authors" vs "ChatGPT 5" contest! On my blog are 8 pieces of flash fiction. All you need to do is rate them & vote which are AI. In a follow up post I will reveal which well-known authors are involved and how you did! mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2025/08/so-i...

I’m diving deep into gaming the Boshin War in 1868 Japan. Also, I’m pretty sure that I know what inspired CJ Cherryh’s brilliant’Foreigner’ series. But why has no one written an RPG called ‘Steamships and Samurai?’

A blast from the past— teaching a little sabre before fighting on horseback at a revwar event circa 2010

Today I’m starting’The French Ambassador’ 😊 sequel to ‘Venetian Heretic’

For five days I didn’t give the so-called ‘real world’ a second thought. 25-30 km a day in Temagami. Saw eagles, wolves, and beaver. Incredible!

Cover reveal! And lots of other fun!

Writing science fiction is all about ‘at what rate does carbon fibre decay?’

Whalesong Cover Reveal! And a fun interview with the folks at Friends Talking Fantasy, about the #arcanaimperii series and all kinds of fun! See it all at youtu.be/yKC_ASIvmiU?...

While the country of my birth spirals into a self-absorbed dumpster-fire, what is happening in: Sudan India Western China Pakistan Iran The UAE Israel/Palestine/Gaza And all the other parts of the world? Why are we so focused on one emotional con-man and the slinky trail of his crawl to fascism?

The Halifax Public Gardens are, just possibly, the most Victorian thing I’ve seen in Canada. Incredible. NB they need to be open longer, but I guess the high fence and strict riles ate part of the Victorian ‘charm?’ 😊

Polly’s Cove Nova Scotia on a beautiful day

I’m on page 2 of this ARC and I’m absolutely hooked. @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social

I have finished ‘Captain of Venice’ at 160k words. You’ll see it next spring. I guarantee that this is NOT the last William Gold novel. #chivalry

Which of course means there *are* Epstein records mentioning Trump.

Venice in 1490; but squint and it’s 1380. I’m at the end of #captainofvenice just a few more days!

As of today, I will have a dog. She’s lovely, bouncy, and vastly affectionate. I’m not sure what the cat will think 😊

Happiness is a good helmet

Workers loading people on trains for camps “feel crappy about their jobs.” Quit. #RadioFreeAmerica newrepublic.com/post/197814/...

In case you struggle to envision a galley fight in 1380. I’m almost at the end of #captainofvenice and there’s not enough pastry in the world to fuel this fight scene

I’m on page 480 of ‘Captain of Venice’ and we’re fighting in the Lagoon. Another 5k word day. This will be a long book, but something tells me that’s okay!

So far, AI only seems to know history if it’s available online in English. So far, it seems to me, Google AI’s main source is Wikipedia with some contributions from reddit. Just imagine what history will be like in fifty years.

40 degrees C.(104 F) probably the best single blow that I’ve ever delivered in an armoured combat. It was a great day, with dozens of fighters, no injuries, and we raised almost 4k$. Despite the heat!

It’s time (again!) for Deed of Alms! It’s not whether you win or loose (I lost this one 😉) but fundraising for Ukrainian refugees! Please donate at www.boarstooth.net/new-events/2...

From Toronto, Canada, Zohran Mamdani apprears to be a normal, if young, politician. What’s the fuss?

This

I’m looking for swordy folks who are attending World Fantasy in Brighton, UK. Please drop a message if you are interested in sparring (off site)

Captain of Venice is past 100k words! We’re in the War of Chioggia, Venice is under attack, and we’re in the chase to the finish 😊

A fun interview with two expert swordspeople and researchers! Swordyness, books, research, and teaching. Also #venetianheretic

This made me very happy!

Iran will not change regimes while being bombed by Israel or the US. That’s not how bombing works. It will merely strengthen the awful Iranian government and destroy any chance of a moderate government.

It’s time for Deed of Alms! Every year we fight and raise money for various communities. This year, Ukrainian Refugees! Visit www.boarstooth.net/new-events/2... 15$ donation, I’ll fight a round for you; 100$ and I’ll fight a whole bout; $500 and you will get a signed ARC of ‘captain of Venice’ (1)

New footwork drills yesterday at class. We’re looking at arming sword as it might have been taught by Fiore

4400 words on #captainofvenice and past page 300. We’re finally on the outskirts of the War of Chioggia. For those that care, there will almost certainly be a book 8 set in the mid 1380s

Re-writing our school’s curriculum with improved rubrics and a glossary of required terms that I’ve meant to have since…2012