Back on the #BookPromotion again. It's been great to see reviews appearing for my wife's book "The Players Act 1" - our first venture into self/indie publishing. Particularly pleased with the view from Adam Rowan at @bookshelfie who (aside from a time-period slip - 1715 is not Elizabethan even if they are performing Shakespeare!) totally got the book and characters.
The review is here: https://book-shelfie.com/review/the-players-act-1-by-amy-sparkes-book-review/
Available DRM-FREE on Amazon and Kobo.
@bookstodon @books #IndieAuthor #Writing
writing
The Next Generation of Scottish Writers
To celebrate their first 20 years THE SKINNY magazine presents their Next Generation of Scottish Writers: 12 poets, novelists & essayists who are shaping the future of Scotland's literary landscape
@writingcommunity
https://www.theskinny.co.uk/books/features/the-next-generation-of-scottish-writers
The relentless brilliance of Muriel Spark
“I am not here to say that all a career in letters requires is tenacity and a can-do attitude, but rather that knowing the challenges Spark overcame makes me doubly grateful for her.’
Lauren J. Joseph reflects on a quality many writers have to develop – the “sheer bloody-mindedness” Spark had in spades.
https://www.rlf.org.uk/posts/the-relentless-brilliance-of-muriel-spark/
#Scottish #literature #20thcentury #womenwriters #MurielSpark #writing
"The steering committee elected to remove eight [of the 20] books from the list, not only narrowing the breadth of titles being discussed by teens across the state, but also narrowing the number of books they will be reading in anticipation of voting for the Georgia Peach Book Awards... All of these books are published for the young adult audience, meaning that the Bowl’s steering committee elected to remove books that are appropriate for the teens involved in this competition.
Seven of the eight banned books are written by female-identifying writers, while at least five are written by writers from demographically marginalized backgrounds."
#books #writing #writersofmastodon #WritingCommunity #bookstodon @bookstodon
https://bookriot.com/helen-ruffin-reading-bowl-book-ban-2025/
I'm ever so proud that for the third consecutive year my work is featured in The Auroras & Blossoms PoArtMo Anthology. This year it's Volume 6. Out now,
Other artists, writers and poets whose work is featured are:
@haikushack , David Ellis, Azelle Eric, Sherri J Moye-Dombrovsky, Uswa Majeed and D.R. James.
All info:
https://mastodon.world/@haikushack/115214820088311067
@abpositiveart @bookstodon @bookstodon.com
#writing #writingcommunity #poetry #poetrycommunity #haiku #art #artist #writer #writers
Hola amigos -
What is a #Mastodon instance which allows longer posts (think: 5 paragraph how-to / explainers)? Seeking an instance which is focused on #creativity, #makerSpaces, #openSource, #drawing, #music, #writing, #programming & tech (#python, #agile, #pairing, #Debian #Linux) plenty of #cute animal pics & videos, local & global #entrepreneurship & #investing
Languages: #english, #spanish (#medellin #colombia), #mandarin.
Help point me in the right direction! Gracias ✨
// JRO
Edited 53d ago
Hey Leanpub authors! There's still time to enter our 💸 GlobalAuthor Max Grand Prize Giveaway!
Enter Before September 17, 2025 For Your Chance To Win (A $4,999 Value)
Learn more here: https://leanpub.com/blog/globalauthor-max-grand-prize-giveaway-september-17-2025-2
"According to two district sources, AI was used to measure instructional texts against a rubric that took into account “DEI content.” The books must be removed from all classrooms, and cannot be used as instructional resources—either as texts read in class or as choice books in classroom libraries. Though the books have received no formal challenge, they are currently awaiting further review."
"Book banners have told us over and over again that they’re just trying to take books with extreme sexual content out of public schools. Classics are safe, they’ve said. We’re not removing books based on the ideas they contain, they’ve said. We knew none of that was true; Senate Bill 12 proves it."
#books #writing #writersofmastodon #WritingCommunity #bookstodon @bookstodon
https://franklinstrong.substack.com/p/to-kill-a-mockingbird-pulled-from
"In what intellectual freedom advocates have seen coming for months, a Texas school district has just shut down access to all secondary school libraries for students due to the regulations of the state’s Senate Bill 13... The district also offers no timeline for when students will have access to their own school libraries–facilities that their family tax dollars go to operate. NBISD’s decision to shut down the libraries in order to complete a review of materials based on vague language showcases how quickly and easily public schools are and will continue to cower to far right politics infiltrating communities throughout Texas."
#books #writing #writersofmastodon #WritingCommunity #bookstodon @bookstodon
https://bookriot.com/new-braunfels-isd-library-closures-sb-13/
So today, to my great fascination, I realise that Chinese fiction has a four part structure:
- Qi (起) – Setup: Introduces characters, setting, and emotional tone. Often includes poetic visuals or symbolic moments.
- Cheng (承) – Development: Builds relationships and stakes. This phase may feel leisurely, but it’s rich with emotional layering.
- Zhuan (转) – Twist: A sudden shift — betrayal, revelation, or a change in perspective. It’s not always a plot twist; sometimes it’s a thematic or emotional pivot.
- Jie (结) – Conclusion: Ties everything together, often with a sense of moral or emotional resolution rather than just plot closure.
So, what happens if you've been trained in the Western story structure narrative all your life and want to write Chinese fiction - not just fiction set in China, but Chinese in every way?
This is what I'm doing now, and you know, I'm avoiding the Western narrative styles in terms of dialogue and structure instinctively, literally throwing out the playbook and just going by gut feel. This is probably due to a life time consuming Chinese fiction - both modern and classical. My brain understands what needs to be done. Fascinating.
#Fiction #Writing #WritingCommunity
What if the robot that asks you
“are you a robot?” is only trying
to find its family.
My wife has just sent out a newsletter aimed at her #kidlit writing colleagues referencing the fact that it's #ADHD Awareness Month in a couple of days. There's advice on writing as an ADHD author, an invite for subscribers to a free webinar on writing neurodiverse characters (that she's hosting) and a free draw for 30 minutes of coaching.
You can read the thing itself here:
https://buttondown.com/storygodmother/archive/storygodmother-newsletter-34-getting-it-done/
and subscribe for access to the webinar here:
https://buttondown.com/storygodmother
@bookstodon #writing
Great piece by Ilana Masad on making art and marketing it:
#books #booksky #writing #writersofmastodon #WritingCommunity #bookstodon @bookstodon
https://electricliterature.com/artists-shouldnt-need-to-become-content-creators-to-get-fair-pay/
Full of Journaling Prompts and Self-Care Exercises along w/illustrated affirmations awaiting your talented flourish, this coloring book is designed to help you lower your stress, focus your intentions and expand your well-being!
Please email info@mollycantrellkraig.co for bulk orders over 50 copies for special rates.
https://mollycantrellkraig.co/product/self-care-scribbles-coloring-book/
#stressRelief #HR #coloringBooks #books #art #journaling #happiness #affirmations #LifeCoach #focus #FediGiftShop #writing #MentalHealth #manifestation
Tomorrow, September 30: International Black Writers Festival 2025 at Howard University
FREE
Learn more:
https://events.howard.edu/event/international-black-writers-festival-2025
I'm finally #writing again, and does it ever feel GOOD!
Book Review: Fate's Bane by C. L. Clark
A forbidden romance and an exploration of the complexities of duty.
@chloroform_tea has the review at the NOAF blog
#review #fantasy #writing #bookstodon @bookstodon
http://www.nerds-feather.com/2025/09/book-review-fates-bane-by-c-l-clark.html
I have three new writing workshops coming up in June and July! Building on the success of Design-A-Ghost, I'd like to invite you to join me to explore some more familiar characters from #SFF and #horror by reading extracts from classic and contemporary authors together, and then using writing prompts and exercises to create your own unique monsters, aliens, and robots! 👹👽🤖
#Writing #WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #AmWriting #WritingWorkshop
New report from PEN America: The Normalization of Book Banning (published Oct 1, 2025)
"In 2025, book censorship in the United States is rampant and common. Never before in the life of any living American have so many books been systematically removed from school libraries across the country. Never before have so many states passed laws or regulations to facilitate the banning of books, including bans on specific titles statewide. Never before have so many politicians sought to bully school leaders into censoring according to their ideological preferences, even threatening public funding to exact compliance. Never before has access to so many stories been stolen from so many children."
#books #writing #writersofmastodon #WritingCommunity #bookstodon @bookstodon
Yay! A non-fiction anthology to which I contributed an essay detailing the world building process for my #solarpunk stories in the Yat Madit (Big Tree) world, has won The Ignyte Awards.
There are some good books here if you are looking for something to read!
https://ignyteawards.fiyahlitmag.com/2025-results/
https://jaylit.com/african-writers-among-2025-ignyte-award-winners/
Anthropic Settlement: What Authors Should Know
A free webinar hosted by the Authors Guild
Thursday, October 16, 2025 - 6:00 pm Eastern
#books #writing #writersofmastodon #WritingCommunity #bookstodon @bookstodon
https://authorsguild.org/event/anthropic-settlement-what-authors-should-know/
Now for something completely different: a novel
Sometimes I take a break from writing programs to make art to write English to make art. Out Oct 1st: Atraxian Blue. Space opera. Our hero is an artist (usually).
Buy it, get it from the library, or just drop me a line. Ebook/print (link). It's about freedom & friendship & forging your own path. Perhaps not your cup of tea, and it has flaws, but I am frightfully proud of myself for making it.
Edited 45d ago
Finally!
We've completed our little Haikuart-Series "Hedgehog in the four seasons"!
Haiku: @MarjoleinRotsteeg
Watercolor paintings: @KarenKasparArt
All proceeds from the sale of prints and products of this hedgehog haiku artwork will be donated to the Avolare Wildlife Hospital in the Netherlands (avolare.nl).
More infos in comments 👇
#art #haiku #haikuart #poem #poetry #writing #hedgehog #animals #cute #autumn #gifts #giftideas #christmas #support #watercolor #painting #artwork #seasons
Time for October’s #WordWeavers questions!
Written by @AlinaLeonova & I, you’ll find the month’s questions pinned to our profiles on the 1st. All are welcome to join in.
Participate with a WIP or an already published book.
As always, play the days you want, skip the others. Please use CW as necessary. Looking forward to seeing your answers & meeting new friends. And a big thanks to those contributing the community questions. (below)
#amwriting #writing #authors
Last year, our Sisi Film Lab in Kampala got an honorable mention at the Humanitarian Communication Awards 2024. We didn’t take home the win, but it still felt special; like a small nod that we’re on the right track. If you haven’t read about it yet, here’s the story;
https://sisifilmcollective.org/sisi-film-lab-nurturing-filmmaking-talent-in-uganda/