I am attending, along with other fine folk, to talk a bit about this excellent anthology... 14th July. SRFC, I've been away too long.

This is the round up on the insanity that you need for your sanity.

The Iron Code - an anthology edited by Ian Whates, is a tribute to the late, great and much missed David Gemmell. The list of contributing authors is stellar and the kick starter has gone live today! Please back it, it's going to be very special... www.kickstarter.com/projects/igw...

I feel this is a very important article. The vulnerability of our food chain is shocking. I've always been a bit of a prepper but I do think that if you can afford to keep a week (at least) of shelf-stable food in your house, you should. And maybe some more for those that can't...

[email protected] I think it's probably time to have another listen to The Fall... Guardian reporting this morning on our vulnerability to a food crisis in the even of conflict. Those wise words of yours and JPs to keep a week of shelf-stable food in the house ring truer every day.

A typically incisive analysis laying bare the moral vacuum and wilful ignorance at the heart of the discourse on Iran. More and more we need people like @iandunt.bsky.social and @mrjamesob.bsky.social to provide some balance to counter the unending insane drumbeat of right wing voices. @lbc.co.uk

Obviously listening to Simon Marks live on James O'Brien's show is the correct way to go but if you haven't come across him before, Simon's analysis is brilliant every single time. Should be compulsory to hear it.

I’m really happy for ex-Tory aid James Price that he has such a nice relationship with his American mother-in-law… but frankly I don’t think that’s enough for us to be unquestioningly following Donald Trump’s America into another illegal war🤷‍♀️

Astounding, definitely. Deranged and deluded, certainly. Dangerous and divisive, without a shadow of a doubt.

JFC, the state of these headlines.

Rob Grant's death has hit hard. He was a lovely man, an incredible writing talent, a good friend and the purveyor of sound advice. When I first met him, I asked him advice on how to cope with going full time as an author. 'Get dressed in the morning,' he said. Very wise words. RIP mate.

Listened to this fascinating piece on the dog walk this morning. Another great policy subverted by right wing nutjobs. What fascinates me is how the nutters manage to persuade anyone that if you live in, say, Kingston, you won't be allowed to drive to Richmond. The logical fallacies are endless.

These people are poison. They will unleash racist thugs on the streets of this country and call it security. They will subjugate us to the US and call it patriotism. They must be stopped. There is no more important task in politics.

When I'm imagining a fight for a novel, you need to know these are EXACTLY the images rattling around in my head.

Yes, tragically, it's me, jawing on for ages. On the other hand, Nasrullah is a lovely human being. This was such fun to do. Watch. You know you want to.

I listened to this on my dog walk this morning and it is horrifying. Brilliant but horrifying.

I was there last night (my far more talented wife's plus-one). I was delighted to hear him speak like this. We have to have more of it. We have to face what has been done to the UK by the Brexit calamity and the liars who brought it about.

Just one more reason to sign this petition petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

I've been neck deep in a first person present manuscript for so long that writing my current short story commission in the third person is a fucking nightmare.

If you haven't come across @originstorypodcast.bsky.social yet, please look it up and get listening. You have the joy of seven seasons to catch up on and a brilliant eighth season on the story of socialism happening now. It is thoughtful, intelligent, funny, jaw-dropping, engaging... a proper treat.

This is a superb piece of research journalism by @skynewsrss.bsky.social. It confirms pretty much everything we feared about the malign influence of Musk and 'X' on UK political discourse. The UK Government should be calling the platform and its owner out for what they are and leave it immediately.

Everything Carole does is worth your time and your attention.

We Live Here Now by @sarahpinborough.bskyb.social is out in the UK today and it is superb. Pace, turmoil, fear, character, plot… I could go on. Everything about it works to perfection. Buy it and love it, and be prepared…it’s a read-in-one-sitting book.

It is now the law that when anyone uses the phrase 'When push comes to shove' you must interrupt them with 'I will send a fully armed battalion to remind you of my love.' If they are confused by this, show them where to buy tickets. Message ends. #Hamilton

@mrjamesob.bsky.social @lbc.co.uk Reflux, James, Reflux. The ideal name for a party that is bilious, corrosive and fundamentally unpleasant.

Boosting this for all authors who have had their work stolen by Meta. That's pretty much everyone, by the way.

Happy Birthday, The Matrix.

Yep, all of mine are on here. All stolen by Meta. And the other week, an article about Sam fucking Altman glorying in an AI written story that uses stolen quotes from other books. Still wonder why creatives find AI terrifying?

Perfection.

I am here to tell you that @sturdyalex.bsky.social’s description of JD Vance as Trump’s ‘chinless Nazi care bear’ will never be beaten. Message ends.

This is utterly lovely. Thank you, Paul, I appreciate it more than you know. We all have low days as authors, when the words won’t come, and this right here is why it’s worth carrying on.

Repost with your apocalypse skill. I am less annoying than Rick Grimes.

Something possessed me to watch Civil War last night and I just can't put my finer on what it was...

The Grapes of Wrath is an incredible book. But it's one I have ended up enduring rather than enjoying. It is an examination of desperation, the inexorable slide into poverty and exploitation, driven by the monster of capitalism And yet with the strength to go on even as the way out recedes.

Firstly, Heather is brilliant and if you aren’t following her, please do. Second, this letter is a depressing but necessary read, digging into Trump’s dismantling of so much that is good. Sadly, there are going to be plenty such letters…

Deactivated my Twitter account today. I am not showing even the merest molecule of support for a power drunk, ketamine-fuelled fascist. Or any fascist, obviously, but today, Musk in particular.

UM, I had NO idea facebook was tracking everything I did on the internet. EVERYTHING. I have diligently blocked and followed all ways to try to stop this messed up social media from taking from me, but this is the final straw… THESE JERKS! AGH! [screenshots on how to do it in the comments]

I met Denis Law at a dinner one night. He was on our table and he was utterly charming. Interested in everyone around him, didn’t want attention. A lovely man. RIP #denislaw

I'm using this episode becuase I'm listening to it now but honestly, you could take any episode. Origin Story is an outstanding podcast. The breadth of research is stunning and the presentation style, typical of Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey, is so engaging. I have learned so much. Sign up now!

And praying everyone else in the house was silent for the duration…

Can confirm Kate is 100% correct. My wife earns heaps more than me. This is because she is fucking amazing at her job. I am in awe of how she does what she does.

This is a typically insightful piece and I would urge you to subscribe to Ian's substack if you can. It allows him to continue writing this excellent column and keep it free for those who can't afford it.

At every step, when he could actually be a leader, Trump is going to fail because deep down, he is petty. He is a child staring at another's bag of sweets, drooling with envy. First example of this will be him ordering all US flags raised to full mast the moment he is inaugurated. #trump

We all have an emotional support dead famous guy and who he is says a lot about you

If Cristin Milioti does not sweep up everything for her performance in 'The Penguin', there is no justice. The lad Farrell wasn't too shabby either.

After careful consideration, giving the statement the respect it undoubtedly deserves, and weighing all the pros and cons, my full response is as follows: I do not agree with Roy Wood. #christmas

#joepickett on Amazon is brilliant. It unfolds beautifully amidst a beautifull landscape. Tight script, excellent performances across the board. Well worth your time...

I've watched the first three episodes of season ! of 'Arcane' and can confirm that, as my elder son said, 'It's the best animation series I've ever seen.' It is brilliant. #Arcane

I mean, universal proton decay is a tight timeline, but I'll give it my best shot.

So I was doing some WIP research today and the result is that if anyone wants to know about the multitude of jacket types for electrical wiring, I'm yer man. Until I forget.