Audiobooks have pushed me to purchasing more print books than Netgalley this year. First it was Dungeon Crawler Carl, now it's Legends & Lattes - so different in tone but both creating worlds I want to spend more time in. Or, perhaps, people/cats I want to spend more time with...

My daughter was reading last night and asked: "Mum, why does all the dialogue here end in 'he said' or 'she said', but my teachers say we're not allowed to do that?" Had to explain teachers want to extend her vocab, but that in published work 'said' is used so often because it's kinda invisible.

So pleased to land third place here. Now the hard work begins! (Because I still have some writing and editing to do...)

Saros #4, edited by @hannahgreer.bsky.social, is currently in production! Featuring stories by @ctbideas.bsky.social @ericfomley.bsky.social @helenfrench.bsky.social @jlgeorge.bsky.social and Lex Chamberlin, with gorgeous cover art by @warls.bsky.social! Stay tuned for more info!

Very happy to have made the shortlist for one of the @iaminprint.bsky.social novel categories this year! Some days/weeks/years you just need a little boost to your confidence to keep on going, and this news has worked wonders for mine.

So it finally happened. I finished listening to the last (currently available) Dungeon Crawler Carl book (sob!). What do I do now? Do I move on to reading them all instead? They are very lovely in hardback form…

I feel like I only really talk about audiobooks online nowadays, but I've been on a really satisfying listening spree for months. Currently I'm on book 7 (of 7 so far) of Dungeon Crawler Carl and I'm going to be bereft when it's over. What on earth can I read next?!

Really pleased to have a flash story in the latest issue of Mythaxis. You can find it here: mythaxis.co.uk/issue-41/saf... Or use the link in the quoted post to see the whole issue.

Last chance to read for free! The thrilling story "The Race For His Heart" by Helen French (@helenfrench.bsky.social) is free to read until midnight! dailytomorrow.substack.com/p/the-race-f...

The final part of my serialised story (about a catfishing robot) is now out at @thedailytomorrow.bsky.social! You can use the same link to read from the beginning, and there's an afterword for paid subscribers. dailytomorrow.substack.com/p/the-race-f...

Part six of my serialised story on @thedailytomorrow.bsky.social is up now - final part tomorrow! You can also use the link to start reading from the beginning: dailytomorrow.substack.com/p/the-race-f...

Writersky is talking about writers and ages again, so it bears repeating: there is no expiration date on writers except for death. Up until your last day, you can be writing, you can be published, you can be produced, you can sell. There's no "Too late." Only you can decide when your done.

Thrilled to have a story serialised in The Daily Tomorrow this week - parts one and two already available!

I've recently really got into my walking treadmill - it actually helps me stay focused. But it means, for the first time in my (very dorky) life, I've started buying trainers... Now, can someone explain to me - how on earth do you get brave enough to wear white ones outside?

I have a 100-word drabble available to read today over at @blackharepress.bsky.social. The prompt was 'Evil Editors'! Revising Evil www.blackharepress.com?p=14387

After a couple of weeks with a walking pad and a standing desk, I can now walk and type without too much wobble or slowdown. It's time to attempt creative writing while walking next. Any tips? #amwriting #writingcommunity

I finally read (ok, listened to) Octavia E Butler's Parable of the Sower and it's incredibly powerful and prescient. Wonderful. 5 stars. But I don't think I can bear the next one as Butler never got to finish the series. And I'm scared of it not being as good. Sensible or weird?

I have a ridiculous amount of short stories out on sub and I'd normally be expecting a rejection or two per day by this point. Where are they? Yes, I'm aware that mentioning this will cause a rejectolanche! Or maybe a whole bunch of sales? Sure!

I've got two novelly projects I can't decide between, so I've decided to work on both (2 windows open side by side whenever I'm at my desk writing). That's totally reasonable and going to help me make progress, right? #amwriting #writingcommunity

The more I listen to audiobooks, the more I realise the ability to listen well is a skill. I still have a lot to learn! I find it easiest to listen to series, where knowing the characters a bit helps keep me on track. What tips do you have? #audiobooks

That brief period of sweet relief when you're up to date with all your reviews for NetGalley for the month... (nb I've just signed up to StoryGraph, alongside Goodreads for now -would you recommend?)

Dearest writers, Updated submissions info! We plan to open Jan 22-29 22-25 to works by BIPOC authors 26-29 open to all Short fic! Flash fic! Poetry! Please check guidelines; apologies for any confusion. We are eager to see your words! psychopomp.com/fantasy-maga... - A

When I was a teen at school in the UK in the 90s, one of the worst things you could say about someone was that they were ‘sad’/a saddo (alongside all the usual homophobic stuff). For story-writing purposes, what was the equivalent sort of insult in the early 2010s? #writing #amwriting

I’ve decided to do something bold and different (for me). I’m going to try *not* encouraging myself to write a crap first draft. Instead I’m going to allow myself to write slow and see where it gets me. (Nb. May change mind). #writing #amwriting

I feel like I ask this a lot, but can anyone recommend a good audiobook series? I need something to alternate with my listens of the Dresden Files, and I've just caught up with the Bobiverse. Doesn't have to be SF, must have a good narrator. #audiobooks #amreading

I didn't expect to spend all of December with the Vorkosigans but I think I'm in it til the end now. Just done Komarr so off to A Civil Campaign next!

Realised I have 50 tabs open today. There's got to be a way to need less stuff open for my mind (yes, I do bookmark, but this is all sites I don't want to dig for). Nevertheless, I also can't imagine a world where I just open one tab at a time. Who does this? Lovely organised people?

I'm up to Mirror Dance in the Vorkosigan Saga now (reading in tweaked chronological order, see: bookriot.com/vorkosigan-s...), and it is SO good. I'm thinking, why did I stop a few books in all those years ago? Why has no one I know read them? Why isn't there a TV series in the works?

Just discovered this old daily schedule for the first COVID lockdown in the UK. I can almost (almost) look back on this fondly. The weather was glorious first time around and schools left us to it, so the pressure wasn’t too bad. Workplaces were understanding. Second time was a different story…

I’ve really got to unsubscribe to retailer newsletters…

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 8: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 7: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 6: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

This week I've been trying to just do the thing, instead of thinking about how I'm going to do the thing, and honestly it has really helped. But I also feel like I might crash and burn at some point in the next four days. So wait for my next report!

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 5: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

[is it wrong to realise this might get a bit tedious just four days in?] Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 4: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 3: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

How do you cope with knowing there will never be enough time to read all the books? I read a healthy amount but when I look at this year’s Goodreads awards options, there’s so many I’m not even aware of! Mind you, it doesn’t help that I’ve just got back into a series that I first started 20 yrs ago.

I gave in and bought an air fryer - any recs for cookbooks (UK ones ideally)? Or do I just cook everything for a little less than I would in the oven?

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 2: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 1: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

I've got a few hours off work today and planning to outline a new novel project. But it's harder than it used to be. This used to be my favourite part of writing. Now I'm a bit procrastinatory. What's changed? Maybe I'm just tired and mentally time-poor. #amwriting #writingcommunity

I've got a watery new short story out in The Pelagic Zone: Uncharted Waters, available from @jayhengepub.bsky.social Amazon UK link here: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DNJYQQMJ

Please repost. And another group of Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors to find! 💙📚 go.bsky.app/NT2AqKq

Do you enjoy books with juicy plots and nasty characters? I think I should - but I’m just not built that way. I like nice people. Give me nice and competent people striving to do good - even better.

Netgalley peeps - do you try to review close to pub deadline or ASAP? I have a bit of a gap for once and wondering whether to read 'other things' (the freedom!) or read a Jan-March title...

Time for our first Bluesky giveaway! We ars giving away a T2 set of the Green Bone Saga by @fondalee.bsky.social Follow us and repost this post in order to enter 🦋

Ahh that feeling when you get a lovely rejection, with comments that praise your writing and the story... but it's still a rejection. Never mind. More coffee. Fire up @diabolicalplots.com (the Submission Grinder) and off it goes into the world once more!

I did something pretty brave today. Ate red pepper soup while wearing a cream t-shirt. Pleased to report there were no casualties. But seriously, while I might be a grown up, I never trust myself with white/cream clothes - too much potential for disaster!