It's LGBTQIA History Month in the UK & I wrote about some books I read recently about parts of that topic. I find reading history is useful to see how much has changed, or not, & what we can learn from what worked, & didn't, in the past, because we need that knowledge now. ko-fi.com/post/LGBTQIA...

I had wonderful time talking to @alisonbaker01.bsky.social about children's fantasy literature, magic and loss this morning. A really interesting conversation. And now I want to reread all the books we discussed.

It would be good if people started to understand AI doesn’t “know” anything. It’s been programmed to show what looks like an answer.

This isn't a very attractive way for any MP to post. What has happened to basic standards of politeness in politics?

And! It happened! And @annasmithspark.bsky.social reminded me about Nina Beachcroft, an author whose books I loved, which were set in Hertfordshire where I grew up.

Anti-vaxers are the actual pits. This needn’t happen, and is caused by them and them alone. No excuse to not vaccinate your children for the sake of a healthier society.

Relevant to @adela42.bsky.social, @liwella.bsky.social, @katepreach.bsky.social and @drfionamoore.bsky.social

Eric Ravilious designs for his garden themed crockery service. In the Aberdeen art gallery.

If you know...😂

My husband sometimes brings me tea in a coffee cup 😐

I thought I was a Welsh rugby vague fan, but it turns out that my loathing of up-turned collars on rugby shirts and Ruperts (cf Terry Pratchett’s Monstrous Regiment) makes me an ABE vague fan.

I went to a wool show 😬 @samdeane.bsky.social

So! Anna Spark Smith & I have been trying to record an episode of Fantasy Book Swap since Oct. We hope that chakras are aligned, the moon is in the seventh house and there will be no cockerels crowing before dawn and we’ll be discussing Welsh mythology in Alan Garner and Lizzie Huxley Jones.

Dancing was very… shoulder-y in the 90s, wasn’t it #totp

I’m very excited to start reading this book. I love Lucy Lapinska (L. D. Lapinski)’s children’s books.

📚 World Book Day is in a few weeks time, but FROM TODAY children can choose their own book FREE with a £1/€1.50 book token - including this exclusive BUNNY VS MONKEY book! Tokens are available through schools, some magazines, McDonalds Happy Meal boxes, or digital tokens from worldbookday.com

Doubles luge? Oh, you mean seated rivalry?

Hey so remember when I said white women are endangering their own freedom when they cozy up to white supremacy? And that the hard right fantasies do not include sharing power with women? Yeah so the not so quiet part is here

Someone told me lately "Bluesky is just like Twitter." I argued that was untrue on the basis that last time I had a Twitter account most times I got a new follower their bio said "single & looking for fun" & here when I get a new follower it tends to say something like "professor of rare moths".

Such is the state of gendered harassment on social media that I am now wary of accepting LinkedIn contact requests from men. Yes, I have been creeped on via DM on LinkedIn.

@stewarthotston.com Would you like to be on my podcast? alibaker68.podbean.com If so, please DM me an email address! I’d be looking to record early next month.

A letter from Mr F arrives today, inviting me to vote Reform on 7 May. In it, he asserts that "immigration is out of control". Might one of our well-known TV journalists or commentators actually challenge him robustly about this lie, preferably before 7 May? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

It me

I've been practically bursting at the seams, sitting on this, but it's finally here: I'm honored to have a piece featured on @smartbitches.bsky.social today, talking about the #romance pulps, my personal journey with them, and my anthology, THE BEST OF ALL-STORY LOVE: 1929! #pulp #romancelandia

My Hugo and Nebula award winning novel Among Others about a science fiction reading girl with fantasy problems is on sale as an ebook for $2.99 www.amazon.com/Among-Others...

This is just to say That you ate the sausages That were for tea And now I have to go out in the rain To buy some more. I will forgive you at some point But not now You dick.

Apparently this is what a proper podcast recording studio looks like @octothorpecast.bsky.social #UEL

For any readers in the UK (and much of mainland Europe): today is your very last chance to scoop up Wooing the Witch Queen in ebook for only 99p! www.panmacmillan.com/authors/step... #romancelandia

King: submitted for the approval of the midnight society, i call this the Elon Musk: [rising from bushes] heeeeeey stephano king! Musk: i gotta greata business proposition for you Musk: how you lika ta maka some real money Musk: i gotta opening atta grok Musk: but you gotta be a real epic to get it

We have been told for nearly 30 years that America needed to tolerate mass shootings because the broad availability of guns would help us defend ourselves from an overreaching federal government. That day has come. The people who said this are supporting the federal agents. Many have joined them.

Come on Barbie* let’s go party** *Me **Finish marking

I fucking live for these They are actually available as BEAUTIFUL designed books with great illustrations and layout www.midnightpals.com/books-merch

SJ is a thoughtful person who articulates their thoughts very carefully. The “manner of racism” is a question that makes me wonder whether that person is asking about “reverse racism”.

Reposting because I got the time wrong. Arghhh Please join us two hours earlier than previously advertised...

Helena still needs our help. She is a creative person, a carer, a conrunner and in all those roles has given to the community. Sharing in hope we can reach the target: gofund.me/c2476df4a

Fabulous write up about a range of speculative sapphic stories. A privilege to see my novel among them. 📚💙

I’m ridiculously pleased to have received a statement from PLR. I’ve earned £33.61 from loans of print and ebooks from UK libraries. I’m nine again and have just found 50p down the back of the sofa. Withdraw Her Name Is Alice from your local library and gift me 12p and some annual childish joy ❤️

Can't resist revisiting this Art Nouveau winding staircase decorated with metal flowers and vines, designed by architect Ede Magyar, at Reök Palace in Szeged, Hungary (1907)

Our podcast returns this Thursday for our first ep of 2026! As this month marks our 75th anniversary, this time we're delving into the story of our founding, and the decisions taken in our earliest history. Catch up on previous episodes: merl.reading.ac.uk/explore/abso...

We have made the decision to formally close our X social media account. Once a vibrant platform to promote the interests of authors, we feel X is no longer a trusted place for balance, community support, and reliable information.

@octothorpecast.bsky.social Regarding René Walling: 1. A statement from the chair explaining what RW has done to learn from the ReaderCon ban and make amends would go a long way 2. Coming back as a *dep head* is like a tax fraudster expecting to be an accountant at PWC. Why not a regular volunteer?

I've got mine pre-ordered, have you?

I've just started a Redbubble shop, for Morag and Seamus merch and for prints of my Game of Thrones x Sylvanian Families (Calico Critters) customisations. You can visit it here: drfionamoore.redbubble.com

GB News regularly runs rings around Ofcom: what do you think Musk will do?

[unicorn fuck club] JRR Tolkien: sorry chaps I can't speak tonight Tolkien: i'm afraid i'm quite busy at my day job Tolkien: being a professor at oxford CS Lewis: wow, a professor AND a writer? must be hard Tolkien: you have no idea

The wonderful Ian McMillan is here! 🎉

My usual post-festivities food cravings: Baked beans on toast Minestrone This year: marmite basted Brussels sprouts or broccoli. My dad, who died just before Christmas, hated sprouts, broccoli and marmite. He’s winding me up. Bloody hell Dad, haven’t you got some Brexiteers to wind up?

Overhearing bilingual conversations when you speak both languages feels super transgressive. However I totally have evidence that some French speakers (who sounded French to me) really like a pub roast dinner.