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Virginia Preston

@coughingbear.bsky.social

Likes: social history of the Royal Navy, children's lit, SFF, cats. I also make pots. She/her.

54 Posts159 Follower229 Folgt
Virginia Preston@coughingbear.bsky.social · 2mo ago

meanwhile, main thing preoccupying us atm (apart from, obv, state of the world) is that Sam our cat has moved out and is living outdoors a couple of streets away and Will Not Be Caught. We are getting lots of help looking after him and trying to get him home, but no joy yet. He is a total teenager.

Virginia Preston@coughingbear.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Should post to say that I did eventually get back into members queue & 4 hours later was able to book tickets. Whole thing way more stressful than expected (was prepared to join the queue early & still find tx I wanted had gone; was not prepared for losing my place & having no way to get back in)

Virginia Preston@coughingbear.bsky.social · 4mo ago

there’s still time to support this if you haven’t already - so happy it’s going ahead and looking forward to reading.

Trip Galey@trip.bsky.social · 4mo ago

It’s happening! VALENZIAGA will fall. Category is: Science-Fantasy EXTRAVAGANZA! Think Drag Race + a gay Game of Thrones + Chronicles of Amber. High drama and high CAMP! Quick! Spread the word! RT, tell your friends! KICKSTARTER ENDING SOON!! #booksky www.kickstarter.com/projects/tri...

Virginia Preston@coughingbear.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Really interesting thread about how people can and do change their minds - needed to hear this after a conversation last night with someone struggling with getting a person v close to them to see past the far right narratives.

Jennie Kermode@jenniekermode.bsky.social · 11mo ago

I've recently been engaged with some important work on the far right and what many people see as the social decline of the UK - the tide of hatred against vulnerable minoritised groups that has arisen in the wake of economic decline. it's not inevitable, and we can do something about it.

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon@easterconuk.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Hello lovely Easterconners - We've been busy in the background getting things in place to bring you an amazing Eastercon next year! If you're a member you should have received an update email today. We're sorry if you got it more than once, we're tech wrangling and grateful for your patience.

RSPB@rspb.bsky.social · last yr.

WORLD-FIRST: Ground-breaking research published today in the Ornithologist Journal has, for the first time, translated common UK bird vocalisations into equivalent phrases in the human language. The results tell us a lot! Extracts below... 🧵

The front cover of a scientific journal titled Ornithologist, dated 1 April 2025. The main headline reads: “BIRDS: DECODED - Groundbreaking New Science.” Below that, a subheading says: “What are the UK’s birds really saying? Pioneering new research provides the answers.”
Virginia Preston@coughingbear.bsky.social · 2y ago

The Green Man series are brilliant books - I've reread all at least once and will do again. Love the way McKenna uses specific local folklore & thinks about how swan maidens, dryads, naiads and wyrms might live in the present day. (Also cover art I like so much I made fan pottery of the first one.)

Juliet E McKenna@julietemckenna.bsky.social · 2y ago

A bit of promo as reaching readers becomes increasingly difficult. My current contemporary fantasy series is inspired by British myth and folklore. Dan Mackmain is mostly human, but he is a dryad's son, so the Green Man sends him to solve problems when the mundane and the uncanny collide. #booksky

Cover art shows a wooden carving of a face made from oak leaves, with an emerald glint deep in its hollow eyes. The mysterious Green Man of legend. Cover copy reads: A hundred years ago, a man with a secret could travel a few hundred miles and give himself a new name and life story. No one would be any the wiser, as long as he didn’t give anyone a reason to start asking questions. These days, that’s not so easy, with everyone on social media, and CCTV on every street corner. So Daniel Mackmain keeps his head down and keeps himself to himself. But now a girl has been murdered and the Derbyshire police are taking a closer look at a loner who travels from place to place, picking up work as he goes. Worse, Dan realises the murder involves the hidden world he was born into. When no one else can see the truth, who will see justice done?
Virginia Preston@coughingbear.bsky.social · 2y ago

Really looking forward to listening to this - was there for the recording and it was great (and I immediately ordered The Masters of Solitude as recommended by @tadethompson.bsky.social - have been slightly distracted by Hugo reading but it's at the top of the tottering TBR pile).

Ali Baker@alisonbaker01.bsky.social · 2y ago

About ruddy time, eh? Unfortunately life has got in the way of podcasting recently, but I’m back with an episode with the brilliant @tadethompson.bsky.social alibaker68.podbean.com/e/ep-38-is-t...

Alex von Tunzelmann@alexvont.bsky.social · 2y ago

Let’s boost this again. You will need photo ID to vote in a UK election because the Conservatives have tried to minimise the defeat they robustly deserve. Get it free from the link below.

Dr Joanne Williams@jowilliams.bsky.social · 2y ago

Poll card arrived for local elections in May. Seems like a good time to remind folks in the UK that you'll need photo ID to vote this year. If you don't have the passport or photo driving licence you can get it free via local council or here: www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-e...