Well the hotel has a nice view of the Clyde

New writers often tell me it’s very scary and isolating going to a conference or a convention without really knowing anyone. I get it. It’s like that first day in a school where you don’t know where to sit in the lunch room. I an in exactly the same position at a new event like this to me :)

Am bouncing aimlessly around British Fantasy Con. Lunch first at the bar and then I’ll haunt the corridors and panels. Nice to be back around books and overhearing bookish conversation. Met the nice people managing the Flame Tree Press table which has an anthology with a story of mine

I'll take a man who goes into battle screaming "Is that my cow???" over this example of parental abnegation any day.

Sam Vimes would NEVER.

🎃👻🧙‍♀️ Vio the VVitch 🧙‍♀️👻🎃@viothevvitch.myatproto.social · 3d ago

this is so fucking sad

This is almost a word salad. people who are shocked that Must Reads has been in publishing business for years and seems out of their depth; the freelance world, historically it used to pay vastly more and work for hire dominated. They are likely unused to rights-savvy artists and are flailing.

Analog Science Fiction and Fact@analogsf.bsky.social · 2d ago

From our publisher:

Awesome humble bundle:

Wole Talabi | Preorder THE FIST OF MEMORY@wtalabi.com · 2d ago

Africanfuturism is an anchor point for science fiction that is not just by Africans, or set in Africa, but about Africa. This is an excellent sampler from my brilliant publisher @dawbooks.bsky.social Its a great deal! www.humblebundle.com/books/africa...

Africanfuturism is an anchor point for science fiction that is not just by Africans, or set in Africa, but about Africa. This is an excellent sampler from my brilliant publisher @dawbooks.bsky.social Its a great deal! www.humblebundle.com/books/africa...

African Futurism: Nnedi Okorafor, Wole Talabi, and Adam Oyebanji by DAW Books

Read daring, imaginative science fiction stories in this African Futurism ebook bundle! Pay what you want and support BINC!

humblebundle.com

Okay, it is working out for me to be at the British Fantasy Con in Glasgow this weekend, so I hope to see some of you all there. I'll be wandering around looking somewhat out of it lol

My big fluffy cat who is normally like “can’t touch” and shows affection by sitting juuuusssttt out of arm’s reach is currently sprawled across my feet on the couch and snoring, so I guess he has had along day?

Of all the indignities these past weeks, I sprained my left pinky hauling 50lb suitcases about and I’m having to hold it out like the most pretentious person ever so I don’t aggravate it. Lots of ice and anti inflammatories. But my tea drinking game is -down-

I’m going to try to make it Fantasycon this weekend. Have some loose ends to tie up today then I’ll sit and look at how to do that.

Trying to teach a virtual undergraduate class when going through all of this has been an exercise in 'what did I say last week, because that feels like two months ago?'

Updated my bios to reflect that I currently live in Scotland. A 'whoa' moment. Because we're still in a temporary place and living out of suitcases it doesn't yet feel like it, so it feels weird to write it down. It'll be challenging rebuilding a social network at 47, but I hope this works.

All that being said, an interesting thing for me is that since landing in the UK my horrific acid reflux has moderated to the point I've cut back in half on my medication for it, and think I may quit it altogether. I don't have an explanation for this.

Tobias S. Buckell@tobiasbuckell.bsky.social · 6d ago

One interesting adjustment to the UK is finding out soft drinks/sodas all have artificial sweeteners in them. I'm one of those who tastes artificial sweetener strongly, it comes off as a *strong* chemical taste, like paint thinner. But it's even in fruit flavored waters instead of just fruit :(

Full thread of Ignyte winners here:

The Ignyte Awards@theignyteawards.bsky.social · last wk.

Hello and happy Fullmetal Alchemist Day! We're about ready to get started with this year's winner announcement A very special thanks to our first-ever sponsors: @bcsmagazine.bsky.social, @edmontonin2030.bsky.social, @laworldcon.bsky.social , and @revmindi.bsky.social ! #2026IgnyteAwards

The #2026IgnyteAwards for Outstanding Anthology/Collected Works goes to WE WILL RISE AGAIN: SPECULATIVE STORIES AND ESSAYS ON PROTEST, RESISTANCE, AND HOPE edited by @drkarenlord.bsky.social @annaleen.bsky.social and @older.bsky.social (Saga Press) See the contributor list in the alt text

One interesting adjustment to the UK is finding out soft drinks/sodas all have artificial sweeteners in them. I'm one of those who tastes artificial sweetener strongly, it comes off as a *strong* chemical taste, like paint thinner. But it's even in fruit flavored waters instead of just fruit :(

I've come to realize most media is just a team re-wording press releases from corporations as 'news.' They 'report' whatever the police, politicians, or corporations send them and put a headline on it. It's depressing to watch. This unquestioning repeating/parroting is responsible for much damage.

Annalee@flowerhorne.com · 6d ago

Begging news media to stop making themselves unwitting NPCs in a weird cult's alternate reality game You do not need to breathlessly repeat claims that LLMs will end the world or create utopia with handwavy details or abstract philosophical arguments Ask follow-up questions or hire people who can

Sitting here, enjoying my breakfast, and spotted a DeLorean passing by the café

It's odd for this anti-establishmentarian non-believer to find himself cheering on the pope, but... here we are.

Tyler King@tyleraking.com · last wk.

Their mission is the pursuit of human rights for their technology designed to deprive you of human rights.

We have been approved for a flat that we have seen with our own eyes is acceptable. Thank goodness. I have filled out so many forms and applications, up until 2 and 3 every morning grinding at this. We can't move in for 2-3 weeks, it's being serviced, so the GFM is saving our asses there.

Today I got to cross something off my bucket list. For years I've been obsessed with the Falkirk Wheel, today on the way back from viewing a potential flat, I rode it!!!

Okay UK, I now have a new obsession. I didn't know you could do this, and I was like 'this will either be amazing for me, or a disaster' and... I have a new favorite soda.

One of things that is most leaping out at me is how many consumer protections and more consumer friendly things. Like 14 day cooling off periods for so many services. It took me a few tries to find the right mobile phone service. I got refunds and easy to cancel services. Mind boggling.

Might have a proper rental lined up. Cross fingers all, toured a nice, sealed place today that ticks all the boxes and is available. One day I won't be spending all day filling out rental applications, talking on the phone, finding out the place is already rented, etc etc. Exhausted lol.

My first rainy dreary Scottish day. Yes, I know there’ll be many. Keep in mind my base expectation is the Caribbean, so NW Ohio vs Scotland is a matter of degree, not surprise. Ohio or Scotland, I have to take Vitamin D and use a sunlamp or I struggle.

Found Smokey curled up taking a nap inside a paper grocery bag. After a first full day in temporary housing I got my first full night’s sleep. It no longer feels like the world is ending on a personal level. Working the phone hard for the permanent solution.

In the middle of all the stress and logistics, I took a moment to go for a stroll. Because that’s one of the reasons to move, more walkability. Kirkcaldy’s Old Kirk was a peaceful moment

After walking a mile to the agency to get a van, then carrying 8 50lb suitcases down stairs, then up stairs, and getting everything moved, I went into a mild tachycardia as my heart defect threw its hands up and said 'that's enough bro' so I took my meds and passed out for 4 hours. Much better now.