writing

<p>Ebook omnibus: <a href="https://books2read.com/AshenBladesOpenWounds" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="books2read.com/AshenBladesOpenWounds"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">books2read.com/AshenBladesOpen</span><span class="invisible">Wounds</span></a></p><p>The arch-demon, Pride, leads demon-kind in an ancient plan to open a gate between worlds, so vast demon armies might march forth and conquer, but opening a portal requires both energy equivalent to a nuclear explosion and the cooperation of a half-demon, to stabilize it. However, the only half-demon available has made it her life mission to kill all demons.</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span><br><a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a></p>

<p>A building blew up directly in front of her.</p><p>That wasn&#x27;t normal, Elle thought. Buildings only do that when they&#x27;re extremely stressed. </p><p><a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a></p>

<p>Chapter 8 of She Consumes Poison is available to read on <a href="/tags/royalroad/" rel="tag">#RoyalRoad</a>: <a href="https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/153820/scarlet-eye" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.royalroad.com/fiction/153820/scarlet-eye"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.royalroad.com/fiction/1538</span><span class="invisible">20/scarlet-eye</span></a></p><p>Masher and Lara test several of Shaw&#x27;s more harmless weapons on themselves, while Lara lectures the recruits on the weaknesses of demons and vampires.</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span><br><a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/witches/" rel="tag">#witches</a> <a href="/tags/demons/" rel="tag">#demons</a> <a href="/tags/vampires/" rel="tag">#vampires</a> <a href="/tags/webseries/" rel="tag">#webseries</a></p>

<p>Cleaning the attic and finding tax returns from the 90s, old credit card bills, all sorts of stuff that goes in the shredder.</p><p>And... a box of my college <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> </p><p>Huh. I wondered what had happened to that box. Opened it. Flipped through a few pages, recoiled from the prose in horror.</p><p>Shredding it. Shredding it all.</p>

<p>Tomorrow night (Feb 13th) I&#x27;ll be joining dozens of writers at the San Francisco Writers Conference Sips &amp; Stories After Dark Event. It&#x27;s free to attend, but you must register. Come say hi! I&#x27;d love to see you.</p><p>&quot;Come mix and mingle with authors and other book lovers in the beautiful San Francisco Hyatt Regency Embarcadero on Friday night, Feb. 13th from 8-10 pm. Shop at the on-site bookstore or buy directly from the authors. Gather and socialize in the magnificent atrium of the Hyatt. A cash bar will be available and a hot chocolate bar for the little ones in the children’s section at this all-ages event. Sip and savor the sounds of live classical music from local symphony musicians and more during this unique experience. No entry fee, but a two-book-minimum is encouraged.&quot;</p><p><a href="https://www.sfwriters.org/events-and-programs/sips-and-stories/#register" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.sfwriters.org/events-and-programs/sips-and-stories/#register"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.sfwriters.org/events-and-p</span><span class="invisible">rograms/sips-and-stories/#register</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/writersofmastodon/" rel="tag">#writersofmastodon</a> <a href="/tags/writingcommunity/" rel="tag">#WritingCommunity</a> <a href="/tags/bookstodon/" rel="tag">#bookstodon</a> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span></p>

<p>Ebook and paperback: <a href="https://books2read.com/FeyFighters" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>books2read.com/FeyFighters</a></p><p>Two soldiers on opposite sides, pixie Commander Stargazer Candleflash and human Sergeant Edwin Harris, find their fates forever entwined, first by revenge, but as they crash together in a dangerous rainforest, they’re forced to work together, just to survive. Will they make it or will their bickering get them killed?</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span><br><a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefiction/" rel="tag">#sciencefiction</a> <a href="/tags/sff/" rel="tag">#sff</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefantasy/" rel="tag">#sciencefantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a></p>

<p>I’ve been logging everything I do in a personal CHANGELOG.md in <span class="h-card"><a href="https://mas.to/@obsidian" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>obsidian</span></a></span> since January, and I absolutely love it.</p><p>Every day I add something to the list, and it makes me feel like I&#x27;m achieving something. This is an important part of recovering from feelings of inadequacy and workaholic tendencies.</p><p><a href="/tags/changelog/" rel="tag">#Changelog</a> <a href="/tags/life/" rel="tag">#Life</a> <a href="/tags/logging/" rel="tag">#Logging</a> <a href="/tags/obsidian/" rel="tag">#Obsidian</a> <a href="/tags/notes/" rel="tag">#Notes</a> <a href="/tags/notetaking/" rel="tag">#NoteTaking</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#Writing</a></p>

<p>Behold a house! 😂 </p><p>I would&#x27;ve made a great ancient greek philosopher!</p><p>Making shit up that sounds plausible enough that you&#x27;re not sure whether I made it up or not, that is what I do best!</p><p>And it&#x27;s the best advice I can give to any aspiring writer 😜</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://lemmy.ml/c/philosophy" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>philosophy</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@stoicism" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>stoicism</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://lemmy.world/c/psychology" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>psychology</span></a></span><br><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@humor" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>humor</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://lemmy.world/c/humor" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>humor@lemmy.world</span></a></span> <span class="h-card"><a href="https://lemmy.world/c/aiop" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>aiop</span></a></span> </p><p><a href="/tags/thinking/" rel="tag">#Thinking</a> <a href="/tags/meme/" rel="tag">#Meme</a> <a href="/tags/memes/" rel="tag">#Memes</a><br><a href="/tags/philosophy/" rel="tag">#Philosophy</a> <a href="/tags/humor/" rel="tag">#Humor</a> <a href="/tags/humour/" rel="tag">#Humour</a> <a href="/tags/funny/" rel="tag">#Funny</a><br><a href="/tags/writingmemes/" rel="tag">#WritingMemes</a> <a href="/tags/meme/" rel="tag">#Meme</a> <a href="/tags/memes/" rel="tag">#Memes</a> <a href="/tags/writers/" rel="tag">#Writers</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#Writing</a> <a href="/tags/writingcommunity/" rel="tag">#WritingCommunity</a> <a href="/tags/writinglife/" rel="tag">#Writinglife</a> <a href="/tags/writersofmastodon/" rel="tag">#WritersOfMastodon</a></p>

<p>Ebook and paperback: <a href="https://books2read.com/TymeStarwitch" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>books2read.com/TymeStarwitch</a><br>Audiobook: <a href="https://owentyme.bandcamp.com/album/the-book-of-newts-starwitch" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="owentyme.bandcamp.com/album/the-book-of-newts-starwitch"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">owentyme.bandcamp.com/album/th</span><span class="invisible">e-book-of-newts-starwitch</span></a></p><p>The undead queen of the space pirates kidnapped Amelia’s sisters and damaged her ship, leaving her with little fuel. Amelia’s a dead woman without her sisters, forced to attack the pirate’s mountain-sized star ship, despite how slim the odds are…</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span><br><a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefiction/" rel="tag">#sciencefiction</a> <a href="/tags/sff/" rel="tag">#sff</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefantasy/" rel="tag">#sciencefantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/audiobook/" rel="tag">#audiobook</a></p>

<p>Buckle your seat belts. Someone just tried to pull one hell of a scam on me.</p><p>It began with an email I received on March 2nd. The email was from RB (name withheld), an editor at Pan MacMillan in the UK. She began by referencing a specific and somewhat obscure story thread from my one year run on writing Birds of Prey for DC Comics.</p><p>She went on to sing my praises, talk about interest in the Jem memoir, and mentioned many other highly specific works and aspects of my career. She talked about how my work might align with Pan MacMillan’s graphic novel and non-fiction catalogues. The final kicker was when she ended the email with a friendly quip about the number of my cats, something I’d just written about on my MoggyBlog FB page.</p><p>I was fairly stunned, not by the praise, but the extreme detail and specificity of the approach. I’ve seen plenty of samples of scams sent to authors that are always a bit vague and might mention one book title at most. This went way beyond that.</p><p>Which is why I failed to do the absolute number one smart thing I would normally have done – I didn’t look closely at her email address. I saw that it said macmillan and left it at that. I did look her up on the Pan MacMillan website and saw that she was a real person.</p><p>We exchanged a couple of emails and she strongly wanted me to have a literary agent. I’ve never needed one in the past and have always operated with only my entertainment agent. She was quite insistent that I needed one and recommended an agent named CD (name withheld) as someone she had worked with closely and had the right sensibility for my background. She gave me a personal email address for him, to “ensure he prioritizes your message”.</p><p>I checked out this agent and saw, once again, that he existed and was with a reputable UK agency. I found that the agency had a couple of co-agent associations with agencies in the US, including one I knew, the Howard Morhaim Agency. He looked legit.</p><p>So I did the thing -- wrote him an introductory email, and we’ve been exchanging a daily email every day for the past week, including on weekends. He was all about my “legacy”. We discussed specific projects, and he relentlessly pushed me to get something called a Dynamic QR code to create a Digital Author’s Bridge. I had never heard of such a thing, was only familiar with regular old static QR codes. We went back and forth on it a lot until I finally understood what he was talking about. It sounded like a good idea, but when I researched them, I found they were rather pricey to obtain and maintain.</p><p>I wanted more info on what his agency contract would include, what his commissions were, how he handled ancillary rights, the usual business items I would naturally want to know. He kept on about the QR code. His relentless push on the QR code is when I began to suspect something was off about this whole situation.</p><p>I pushed back harder and he finally gave a minimal amount of info on commissions, and kept pushing about the QR code. He insisted that we had to put that in place BEFORE signing a contract, or as he called it, a Letter of Engagement.</p><p>By now, the many little red flags grew into a Big Red Flag. Had I paid more attention to the fake email address in the very first message, that would have been a Big Red Flag right there, but I missed it. Mucho stupid on my part.</p><p>The red flags piled up:<br>• RED FLAG: insistence on doing this QR code before signing a contract.<br>• RED FLAG: not providing standard agent information about a contract or even wanting to discuss it.<br>• RED FLAG: the fact that the layout, structure, and phrasing of his emails were extremely similar to the RB emails, right down to the constant use of 3-bullet points as selling points.<br>• RED FLAG: a total lack of feedback to a creative project I proposed and instead simply accepting it without comment. No agent worth his salt is going to accept a quarter-page pitch without having feedback, opinions, wanting to know more, etc.<br>• RED FLAG: the constant push-push-push to get this blasted QR code before anything else. <br>• RED FLAG: ending nearly every email with the promise of a “global roll-out”. Of what? I had yet to write any of the things we were discussing.</p><p>When I began looking over the exchanges from the beginning, it seemed unlikely to me that “RB” would have done such a deep, deep dive into my work and background to include the specifics she did, not to mention reading my MoggyBlog. I mean, sure, it’s flattering, and it massages my ego, but I’m realistic. </p><p>Which left the notion that all or much of this was created using an LLM. If so, it’s the most nuanced one I’ve seen. It would have had to scour the internet for references to my work, such as articles, reviews, interviews, my amazon author page, and so on, then compiled it into a convincing email without including hallucinations or false references. If so, it represents a huge advance in the ability to scam authors and is therefore a significant threat.</p><p>If not, if it done by a person(s), they sure put one hell of a lot of effort into it.</p><p>During this process, I consulted with Victoria Strauss of Writer Beware. She gave me the official email for CD. I sent him an email in which I forwarded one of the last messages from “him” with a query. I received an automated reply that he was at London Book Fair and out of touch for email. The reply included the name of a colleague, so I sent the same email to her. She confirmed that the messages did not come from CD and appreciated that I brought it to their attention.</p><p>I’m trying to get a valid contact for RB, so I can warn her as well.</p><p>Meanwhile, fake CD’s next message went on about how his QR code set-up was so much better than other sites because it was free and permanent. RED FLAG. And it would integrate straight into my Amazon store to my author’s page. RED FLAG. And for the umpteenth time, he ended with a variation of “Once we have this simple link live, we can sign the formal agreement and get the global rollout moving immediately.” RED FLAG.</p><p>I played this out a bit longer, very carefully, because I couldn’t figure out what the ultimate scam was here. However, the mention of amazon store integration made me wonder whether I even had an amazon store.</p><p>I have a page that lists all my books. I don’t know whether that’s actually a store. I certainly don’t make any money off it, but I guess it’s meant to be my “store”.</p><p>Looking at my author’s bio on the amazon store, I suddenly realized that the reference to the number of cats was actually pulled from there, NOT from my MoggyBlog. By a bizarre coincidence, at the time I wrote that bio I mentioned a sixth cat possibly joining the horde. And very recently, I wrote almost exactly the same thing in the present. Different cats, different places, but so alike that it’s no wonder I assumed RB was speaking of my present situation, not the past.</p><p>I wrote that bio in 2018 shortly before the fire. After the fire and losing everything, being homeless and whatnot, I completely forgot this page and bio even existed. I haven’t looked at it since then.</p><p>I see where much of what was referenced came from there, including an off-hand comment about a ridge from RB that had puzzled me. In the bio I mentioned we lived on a volcanic ridge. That clinched that the material in RB’s emails was drawn from this seven-year-old bio on amazon, treating it as current.</p><p>The last email from the hoaxer is again about tying a QR code to my amazon store. All this effort is to gain control of my amazon store? To do what, create a horde of fake AI books with my name on them? To steal digital assets from me? Those are the best guesses I can make.</p><p>I sent an email today that will show the hoaxer I’m aware of the scam. We’ll see whether they bother to respond.</p><p>I’m posting this in detail to alert other authors and to lay out how the scam has proceeded. I would love to hear from anyone that has had a similar scam run on them. Take care out there.</p><p>Please spread this far and wide.</p><p><a href="/tags/marxtoot/" rel="tag">#MarxToot</a> <a href="/tags/writers/" rel="tag">#writers</a> <a href="/tags/writersofmastodon/" rel="tag">#writersofmastodon</a> <a href="/tags/scam/" rel="tag">#scam</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a></p>

<p>Today is the official launch of my new blog: <span class="h-card"><a href="https://blog.stygiantech.dev/" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>buildnotes</span></a></span> </p><p>Build Notes is a more focused blog through my personal business, Stygian Tech designed to highlight how I think about the products I build and the space in which I operate</p><p>The Digital Renaissance will remain my home for my less refined and broader thoughts and opinions, but this will be my home for talking about my apps, why I build them, and the like</p><p>Check it out at <span class="h-card"><a href="https://blog.stygiantech.dev/" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>https://blog.stygiantech.dev/</span></a></span></p><p><a href="/tags/blog/" rel="tag">#Blog</a> <a href="/tags/business/" rel="tag">#Business</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#Writing</a> <a href="/tags/socialmedia/" rel="tag">#SocialMedia</a></p>

<p>Chapter 13 of Princess of Kurg is available to read on <a href="/tags/royalroad/" rel="tag">#RoyalRoad</a>: <a href="https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/108234/jigsaw-city" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.royalroad.com/fiction/108234/jigsaw-city"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.royalroad.com/fiction/1082</span><span class="invisible">34/jigsaw-city</span></a></p><p>Nicole deals with the consequences of having killed Mol&#x27;os. She frees the people of the village and offers them a place in Jigsaw City...</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span><br><a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefiction/" rel="tag">#sciencefiction</a> <a href="/tags/sff/" rel="tag">#sff</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/fairies/" rel="tag">#fairies</a> <a href="/tags/webseries/" rel="tag">#webseries</a></p>

<p><a href="/tags/writephant/" rel="tag">#writephant</a> Q2 What writing goals are you excited to dive into this summer?</p><p><a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/amwriting/" rel="tag">#amwriting</a></p>

<p>Chapter 31 of Princess of Kurg is available to read on <a href="/tags/royalroad/" rel="tag">#RoyalRoad</a>: <a href="https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/108234/jigsaw-city" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.royalroad.com/fiction/108234/jigsaw-city"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.royalroad.com/fiction/1082</span><span class="invisible">34/jigsaw-city</span></a></p><p>Nicole and General Shoda face each other in a duel, using bamboo swords, but after a dirty trick from the General, Nicole really loses her temper...</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span><br><a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefiction/" rel="tag">#sciencefiction</a> <a href="/tags/sff/" rel="tag">#sff</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/fairies/" rel="tag">#fairies</a> <a href="/tags/webseries/" rel="tag">#webseries</a></p>

<p>Ebook and paperback: <a href="https://books2read.com/LegacyOfNewts" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>books2read.com/LegacyOfNewts</a></p><p>The undead witch that rules the space pirates, known as the Dead Queen, has finally been defeated. That only makes it worse for the witches that pulled it off. She’s livid and coming for them, at least once she gets her star ship back under control…</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span> <a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefiction/" rel="tag">#sciencefiction</a> <a href="/tags/sff/" rel="tag">#sff</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefantasy/" rel="tag">#sciencefantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a></p>

<p>Ebook and paperback: <a href="https://books2read.com/TheInvertedGlass" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="books2read.com/TheInvertedGlass"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">books2read.com/TheInvertedGlas</span><span class="invisible">s</span></a></p><p>After encountering the worst life has to offer, including the death of his wife and child, destruction of his home world, an addiction forced on him by the one responsible and a third of the galaxy falling under the heel of that tyrant, Levi Jacobs, a wizard, seeks to unravel the secrets of time and fate.</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span><br><a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefiction/" rel="tag">#sciencefiction</a> <a href="/tags/sff/" rel="tag">#sff</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefantasy/" rel="tag">#sciencefantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a></p>

<p>Emma Newman is angry. Justifiably so. </p><p>“I’m just a girl, standing in front of the British government, asking why they want to give away all my work as part of the UK&#x27;s 126 billion pound creative arts industry, to serve another industry being run by greedy tech bros, just so they can destroy everything else just that little bit faster.”</p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#Books</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#Writing</a> <a href="/tags/ai/" rel="tag">#AI</a> <a href="https://enewman.co.uk/rage-rage-against-the-dying-of-the-mic/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="enewman.co.uk/rage-rage-against-the-dying-of-the-mic/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">enewman.co.uk/rage-rage-agains</span><span class="invisible">t-the-dying-of-the-mic/</span></a></p>

<p>Ebook and paperback: <a href="https://books2read.com/TheNextHorizon" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>books2read.com/TheNextHorizon</a></p><p>Amelia and The Book of Newts are in conflict. She wants to explore her feelings. It wants to explore space, taking back the gift for mathematics and piloting it gave her. She’s left unable to plot a direct course home. She’s desperate to see the man she loves, lest she lose him forever and The Book is in her way…</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span><br><a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefiction/" rel="tag">#sciencefiction</a> <a href="/tags/sff/" rel="tag">#sff</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefantasy/" rel="tag">#sciencefantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a></p>

<p>Memory &amp; Moggies: McIlvanney, Muriel &amp; Making a Novel<br>10 June, free online</p><p>Prof Zoë Strachan explores the inspiration behind her latest novel, the historical fiction Catch The Moments as They Fly (2023) – including the work of William McIlvanney, &amp; Muriel Spark’s advice that writers should acquire a cat…</p><p>@writingcommunity <br>@litstudies </p><p><a href="https://www.scotland.uni-mainz.de/reading-scotland/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.scotland.uni-mainz.de/reading-scotland/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.scotland.uni-mainz.de/read</span><span class="invisible">ing-scotland/</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/scottish/" rel="tag">#Scottish</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/historicalfiction/" rel="tag">#historicalfiction</a> <a href="/tags/novel/" rel="tag">#novel</a> <a href="/tags/iamwriting/" rel="tag">#IAmWriting</a> <a href="/tags/writingcommunity/" rel="tag">#WritingCommunity</a> <a href="/tags/scotland/" rel="tag">#Scotland</a> <a href="/tags/ayrshire/" rel="tag">#Ayrshire</a> <a href="/tags/memory/" rel="tag">#memory</a></p>

<p>Chapter 24 of Princess of Kurg is available to read on <a href="/tags/royalroad/" rel="tag">#RoyalRoad</a>: <a href="https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/108234/jigsaw-city" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.royalroad.com/fiction/108234/jigsaw-city"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.royalroad.com/fiction/1082</span><span class="invisible">34/jigsaw-city</span></a></p><p>Upon seeing Nicole burn, Eden loses her temper and pushes her magic beyond the limits of sanity, using telekinesis to ragdoll Bevna, slamming her into the walls and towers of the city!</p><p>Unfortunately, Eden&#x27;s flesh begins to cook, because it&#x27;s more magic than her body can handle...</p><p><span class="h-card"><a href="https://fedigroups.social/@bookstodon" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>bookstodon</span></a></span><br><a href="/tags/author/" rel="tag">#author</a> <a href="/tags/indieauthor/" rel="tag">#indieauthor</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/fantasy/" rel="tag">#fantasy</a> <a href="/tags/scifi/" rel="tag">#scifi</a> <a href="/tags/sciencefiction/" rel="tag">#sciencefiction</a> <a href="/tags/sff/" rel="tag">#sff</a> <a href="/tags/actionadventure/" rel="tag">#actionadventure</a> <a href="/tags/fiction/" rel="tag">#fiction</a> <a href="/tags/fairies/" rel="tag">#fairies</a> <a href="/tags/webseries/" rel="tag">#webseries</a></p>

<p>I’ve got June’s <a href="/tags/wordweavers/" rel="tag">#WordWeavers</a> questions for you!<br>Written by @AlinaLeonova &amp; I, you’ll find the month’s questions pinned to our profiles on the 1st. All are welcome to join in.<br>Participate with a WIP or an already published book. <br>As always, play the days you want, skip the others. Please use CW as necessary. Looking forward to seeing your answers &amp; meeting new friends. And a big thanks to those contributing the community questions. (below)<br><a href="/tags/amwriting/" rel="tag">#amwriting</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/authors/" rel="tag">#authors</a></p>

<p>Do you like hedgehogs? Artist <span class="h-card"><a href="https://socel.net/@KarenKasparArt" class="u-url mention" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@<span>KarenKasparArt</span></a></span> and I certainly do! We have created two designs of <a href="/tags/haikuart/" rel="tag">#haikuart</a> with them, from T-shirts and throw pillows to cards and prints. Now with a 25% discount at Redbubble!</p><p>For Europe: <br><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Hedgehog-in-Hibernation-Haiku-English-Watercolor-Painting-by-KarenKaspar/170755239.WFLAH" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Hedgehog-in-Hibernation-Haiku-English-Watercolor-Painting-by-KarenKaspar/170755239.WFLAH"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/He</span><span class="invisible">dgehog-in-Hibernation-Haiku-English-Watercolor-Painting-by-KarenKaspar/170755239.WFLAH</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/throw-pillow/The-Scent-of-Spring-Hedgehog-Haiku-English-Watercolor-by-KarenKaspar/170756430.5X2YF" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.redbubble.com/i/throw-pillow/The-Scent-of-Spring-Hedgehog-Haiku-English-Watercolor-by-KarenKaspar/170756430.5X2YF"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.redbubble.com/i/throw-pill</span><span class="invisible">ow/The-Scent-of-Spring-Hedgehog-Haiku-English-Watercolor-by-KarenKaspar/170756430.5X2YF</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.artheroes.de/de/motiv/Igel-im-Winterschlaf-Haiku-Englisch/1732219?mediumId=1&amp;size=45x60&amp;var2=0&amp;var3=2" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.artheroes.de/de/motiv/Igel-im-Winterschlaf-Haiku-Englisch/1732219?mediumId=1&amp;size=45x60&amp;var2=0&amp;var3=2"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.artheroes.de/de/motiv/Igel</span><span class="invisible">-im-Winterschlaf-Haiku-Englisch/1732219?mediumId=1&amp;size=45x60&amp;var2=0&amp;var3=2</span></a></p><p><a href="https://www.artheroes.de/de/motiv/Der-Duft-des-Fruehlings-Igel-Haiku-Englisch/1732230" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.artheroes.de/de/motiv/Der-Duft-des-Fruehlings-Igel-Haiku-Englisch/1732230"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.artheroes.de/de/motiv/Der-</span><span class="invisible">Duft-des-Fruehlings-Igel-Haiku-Englisch/1732230</span></a></p><p>For ao The US :<br><a href="https://karen-kaspar.pixels.com/featured/hibernating-hedgehog-haiku-english-karen-kaspar.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="karen-kaspar.pixels.com/featured/hibernating-hedgehog-haiku-english-karen-kaspar.html"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">karen-kaspar.pixels.com/featur</span><span class="invisible">ed/hibernating-hedgehog-haiku-english-karen-kaspar.html</span></a></p><p><a href="https://karen-kaspar.pixels.com/featured/the-scent-of-spring-karen-kaspar.html" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="karen-kaspar.pixels.com/featured/the-scent-of-spring-karen-kaspar.html"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">karen-kaspar.pixels.com/featur</span><span class="invisible">ed/the-scent-of-spring-karen-kaspar.html</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/haiku/" rel="tag">#haiku</a> <a href="/tags/haikuart/" rel="tag">#haikuart</a> <a href="/tags/poetry/" rel="tag">#poetry</a> <a href="/tags/art/" rel="tag">#art</a> <a href="/tags/buyintoart/" rel="tag">#buyintoart</a> <a href="/tags/ayearforart/" rel="tag">#ayearforart</a> <a href="/tags/faa/" rel="tag">#FAA</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/hedgehog/" rel="tag">#hedgehog</a> <a href="/tags/hedgehogs/" rel="tag">#hedgehogs</a> <a href="/tags/nature/" rel="tag">#nature</a> <a href="/tags/animals/" rel="tag">#animals</a></p>

<p>&quot;We Paid The Debts Of Others&quot; <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/poetry/" rel="tag">#poetry</a> <a href="/tags/debt/" rel="tag">#debt</a> <a href="/tags/florida/" rel="tag">#florida</a></p>

<p>In this month’s Writer Newsletter, Zulie @ <a href="/tags/medium/" rel="tag">#Medium</a> shares alternatives to AI <a href="/tags/images/" rel="tag">#images</a> for <a href="/tags/illustrating/" rel="tag">#illustrating</a> stories, popular story topics, <a href="/tags/draftday2025/" rel="tag">#DraftDay2025</a> stats, a request for editor recognition, and more.</p><p><a href="https://medium.com/@MediumStaff/writer-newsletter-7x-more-readers-are-opting-into-story-notifications-b2819c6218d6" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="medium.com/@MediumStaff/writer-newsletter-7x-more-readers-are-opting-into-story-notifications-b2819c6218d6"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">medium.com/@MediumStaff/writer</span><span class="invisible">-newsletter-7x-more-readers-are-opting-into-story-notifications-b2819c6218d6</span></a> </p><p><a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/writers/" rel="tag">#writers</a></p>

<p>“It didn’t occur to me for about five or six years after leaving school that literature was something I could be involved in. Then I discovered it was possible to write stories myself…”</p><p>—an extract from James Kelman on “Elitism &amp; English Literature”, from a book I’m currently typesetting</p><p><a href="/tags/scottish/" rel="tag">#Scottish</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/workingclass/" rel="tag">#workingclass</a> <a href="/tags/writers/" rel="tag">#writers</a> <a href="/tags/writing/" rel="tag">#writing</a> <a href="/tags/jameskelman/" rel="tag">#JamesKelman</a> <a href="/tags/elitism/" rel="tag">#elitism</a></p>