The best part of my job has always been discovering a writer whose work makes me stop and think 'I’ve never read anything like this'. That thrill of discovery has always been the best part of being an acquisitions editor.

If you see this, quote the energy you bring to Bluesky.

Meerkat Hide

ALT: Meerkat Hide

static.klipy.com

Simon Spanton@simonguy.bsky.social · 2d ago

If you see this, quote the energy you bring to Bluesky.

Chat at work had me point out how early memes are already slipping into historical/nostalgic cultural spaces, and I mentioned Thumb Man, and now I can't find Thumb Man, he's gone... So at least the ephemeral nature of media is still intact in the digital age, I guess.

Crops grown underneath solar panels produce more, require less water and are more resistant to extreme weather, even during a hot, dry summer. We need agrivoltaics to be rolled out asap, for both the electricity and the better growing conditions. microgridmedia.com/solar-panels...

Solar Panels Are Helping Crops Grow Better, Global Studies Show - Microgrid Media

For farmers worried about losing land to solar energy, new research brings surprising news: many crops actually produce more food when grown beneath solar

microgridmedia.com

London people, I'm going to be doing an in-person Q&A with The London Sci-Fi & Fantasy Authors on Wednesday 9th September in Brixton! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/publishing...

Publishing Q&A w/ George Sandison, Managing Editor at Titan Books

The London Sci-Fi & Fantasy Authors are excited to present the next event in our Publishing Q&A series!

eventbrite.co.uk

In January, I stopped using X as a communication channel because the platform facilitated the creation of illegal and deeply harmful images by its AI tool, Grok. I am renewing my call for all governmental and parliamentary communications to stop using X. The platform continues to facilitate

Nice one, Putignano.

The full "cabinet statement" on devolution is out. It represents a huge change to the way our state is organised. www.gov.uk/government/p...

Sam Freedman@samfr.bsky.social · 6d ago

Today's devolution announcements show that this govt is serious about doing it right. My post from this week on why I'm optimistic and the five big challenges to making it work. samf.substack.com/p/burnhams-d...

Catching up from holiday, but I’m absolutely stoked for M. John Harrison’s long listing for the Booker. Phenomenal writer, slippery, weird and extremely on point re genre as metaphor to understand reality.

Shout out to Emily Wilson for doing an actual review. I had a good time with the film; I super appreciate someone more informed than me criticising it. And if you like writing of this quality, the LRB is packed with, it every issue.

David Demchuk 👻 (he/him) 📚@daviddemchuk.com · last wk.

Emily Wilson should review more films.

I got punched to death and would do it again, a generous handful of shiny gold stars.

Brainmage.itch.io@brainmage.bsky.social · 2w ago

If you like nonsense and dislike AI, do check out my award-winning game! 15,000+ words of carefully crafted, human-made comedy nonsense! Play in a grain silo! Encounter a pervert! Meet your dad! (Free to play, but if you wanted to buy it I sure won't stop you) brainmage.itch.io/i-will-stran...

I really like Ed Miliband. This has been screamingly obvious as a necessity to me for a long time. Nice to see that recognised in Whitehall. Ed Miliband indicates development and climate will be at heart of UK foreign policy www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Ed Miliband indicates development and climate will be at heart of UK foreign policy

Exclusive: Foreign secretary to take up World Bank seat and play active role in shaping changes to global lender

theguardian.com

Hi hello! I've just read This is Where the Future Bleeds by @mikebrooks668.bsky.social — who writes very good books, thank you very much. This one is no different. Filled with adventure, biting humour, utter fucking contempt for the greedy rich, and a cute but also terrifying romance. Pls read it.

Nothing like being sent the Neuromancer trailer by multiple sets of people within an hour of it dropping to remind you you’ve picked your friends well.

Not satisfied with his pro wrestling career, Booker T, of course, invented the book, and latterly pioneered the first minimum guarantees, or MGs, in publishing contracts.

Martin Nutbeem@martinnutbeem.bsky.social · 2w ago

Samantha Fox was a noted 18th Century Philanthropist, who explored and mapped out the furthest reaches of the British Empire with renowned explorer and anthropologist Mick Fleetwood.

Southeast Asia has flipped from mangrove villain to mangrove hero. The region drove nearly 60% of global mangrove losses up to 2010; since then it has swung to a net gain, supplying about 43% of the world’s recovery. Science buff.ly/OJpi6HU #ShareGoodNewsToo

Unexpected expansion and regrowth in Earth’s mangrove forests over the past four decades

Global mangrove forests have disappeared rapidly because of deforestation but have also regrown through natural regeneration and restoration. Yet their long-term trends in extent and canopy cover…

buff.ly

I keep getting flashes of Circe shaping the men into animals. And the cyclops's face. And the death barnacle. There is some immensely effective and weird body horror in The Odyssey.

This is roughly the size of a 2% NI cut Or all of Stamp Duty. Or the entire increase in NHS spending last year.

Sunder Katwala (sundersays)@sundersays.bsky.social · 2w ago

The government will take a £12 billion hit on the public finances if/when it belatedly reduces the current [unrealistically high] OBR projection of net migration averaging 235k for next 3 years to about 130-150k. (But it could double that cost if it wants to stay closer to zero net migration).

Well I just had a great time with The Odyssey.

The Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize 2026-2027 is now open for submissions: www.galleybeggar.co.uk/prize

For a LIMITED TIME, you can get the whole of the acclaimed Broken Veil 2 for a one-off payment. (Or subscribe for as little as £3/month.) “The best thing ever recorded by human beings” - Josh Weinstein, Simpsons showrunner “I was gripped” - Danny Robins www.patreon.com/BrokenVeil?u...

so this is published eight weeks TODAY. if you have a radio show / podcast / book shop / event / popular YouTube channel / unpopular YouTube channel / envelope opening in need of a mildly amusing know-it-all, I'm all about the promo. DMs open

Headline Books@headlinebooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

From sewers to skyscrapers to the streets on which they stand. Introducing 31 Inventions that Built our World by @jonnelledge.bsky.social the Sunday Times #1 Bestselling author of A History of the World in 47 Borders✏️ Coming August 2026 Pre-order now!🔗 linktr.ee/31Inventions...

Ahhh man, this is a sad one. A standing ovation, please, for The Fantasy Hive. Such a depth of reviews and coverage spanning many years, thank you for all the hard work and support guys.

The Fantasy Hive@thefantasyhive.bsky.social · 3w ago

We have a big announcement to make today - unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to close the Fantasy Hive We will be staying open for SPFBO reviews for the remainder of SPFBO 11 Read more here: tinyurl.com/4cz7zcjv

Fuck it. I’m having a whisky and watching as much of Books of Blood as I can before I run out of adrenaline and crash like a mother Hubbard.

Just had a major fire about 200m from my house in E17. Hanging out with evacuated friends in St Mary’s so I got to witness the most majestic, selfless best of human beings tonight. Also @london-fire.bsky.social saving god knows how many lives and houses. Just incredible.

Solar's sharp rise continues. As of April 2026, global solar capacity now exceeds 3 terawatt. 1 gigawatt → 1 terawatt: 20+ years 1 terawatt → 2 terawatt: 33 months 2 terawatt → 3 terawatt: 19 months

Most of all I'm letting myself have a hopeful moment today imagining that Binface does get elected, then turns out to actually give a shit about Clacton and the job, and ends up improving the lives of people in the constituency.

The hero we deserve.

Count Binface@countbinface.bsky.social · 4w ago

On my way, Clacton.

The final showdown is almost here! We're thrilled to reveal our cover of VICTORIOUS today and announce that V.E. Schwab will be touring the UK and Ireland to celebrate the triumphant conclusion of the Villains trilogy 🖤 Will we see you there? 🎟️ https://bit.ly/TitanVictoriousTour