The Strange Horizons Kickstarter to fund 2027 will begin on Sunday, 7 June, 2026! This is a critical time for SFF publications when the existence of venues publishing short speculative fiction, poetry and non-fiction is sometimes uncertain. We hope that you will keep us publishing for another year!

Join us as we read the Clarke Award shortlist! Alison and Liz judge John’s own judging, and then they ask him questions about his judging and judge his answers. We hope you judge that this is a good episode. The word “judge” looks weird now. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/161-you-pa...

Alien Clay is a 99p kindle deal this month.

I love this, it is so true.

My (irregular) fanzine is Dante’s Cardigan, which I got off a paint swatch so this is very relatable! Thanks ‘Olly!

I feel seen, and maybe need to stop crawling my feed?

What I've put on eBay today – a universal remote control from the actual Middle Ages. Possibly should just go to tech waste. Thank you for your good and faithful service, and the three remote controls, mouse and keyboard in the living room remind me that this problem still isn't solved.

I have followed many people back! If I forgot to follow you (there were a lot), please comment and I'll sort it. Unless you're a bot or scammer of course.

Vintage mechanical chess clocks for that soft ticking and retro vibe… #comingsoontoebay #digitalonesarewaybetter

I am endeavouring to use this more. Meanwhile what should I watch on @mubi.bsky.social? (I already know about The Substance which caused me to get a membership)

Hey everyone, @octothorpecast.bsky.social is now on Bluesky! Go follow us for all your SF and fandom nonsense. Coming up on Thursday this week, 'we talk about the Hugos a whole lot'.

Pizza Hut's entire customer service is "phone the restaurant", who are not taking calls. Our pizza went into an online ordering black hole about an hour ago. Have despatched husband into rain with lantern and pitchfork. Why yes, I'm quite hungry now.

For anyone who doesn't know, GUFF – the Going Under/Get Up-and-Over Fan Fund, is part of a fan fund tradition dating back 75 years to foster community building by shipping science fiction fans around the planet. If you're in Australia or New Zealand, I'd love to meet up over the next five weeks. 1/2

So, it looks reasonably sane here. Tell people I'm here please! Also, tips on Australia, cos my GUFF trip starts next week.