BA Primary lecturer at UEL. Children's fantasy literature researcher. Podcast host at Fantasy Book Swap. Trans rights are human rights. No DMs without asking first. I am a prolific blocker.
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Clive Robert Lawrance is Reform UK’s candidate for Yateley West, North East #Hampshire. He’s posted a bio about his career, but there’s a lot he’s bigging up, and some significant things he’s omitting. His LinkedIn adds to this: uk.linkedin.com/in/clive-law...
There has needed to be a pivot last minute due to GoH availability.
Blimey. This time next week I’ll officially be in my late 50s.
I’m not saying UK trains are expensive… … but in Spain and I accidentally booked business class which comes with a full meal and several glasses of wine it was still cheaper than an Avanti off peak single standard fare.
Same. My viciously racist grandmother bought the Telegraph, which is now just The Sun with an antimacassar
And me. Gen X is the real problem.
Shot, chaser Young men more likely to vote Green than Reform. Young men second most progressive group of any demographic. Combined right-wing vote barely bigger than Green vote alone for young men
Want a bit of a tease for what we have in store for you with our upcoming anthology? Listen to our copy editorial director @robwillb.bsky.social chatting Wrath Month, Oz, queerness in fantasy, and more on the fabulous @alisonbaker01.bsky.social's Fantasy Book Swap podcast!
⏰️ Just two more days! THE SUMMER WAR is out Tuesday, Sept 16🚀 Ask your local bookstore, or find your favorite retailer at: lnk.bio/naominovik You may already know it's a story about a young witch who unintentionally cursed her brother to a life without love...so here's another little teaser 🤫
Reminder that 100,000 people marched for Trans Pride in London earlier this year, but because they weren't violent fascists, there was minimal press coverage, unlike the Nazis today. https://www.them.us/story/london-trans-pride-march-turnout-record-uk-transphobia
Arse. I forgot cake. Chocolate sponge with apricot jam.
Best pie: Lemon meringue (though I haven’t eaten one for years) Best ice cream: strawberry Best donut: custard Best bar: not sure I understand the question but I like a good broken biscuit cake Best other: rhubarb and apple crumble.
Dear Lord. Part of my job is to teach critical reading and thinking skills alongside knowledge and theory. Students being encouraged to outsource criticality is absolutely terrifying.
Just finished reading this, written with engaging enthusiasm and admirable clarity by @alomshaha.bsky.social. I took 3 sciences and maths at A level, so was familiar with much of the content, but it made me realise how much I'd forgotten and how much more has been discovered in the 30 years since.
Map of Tingham, UK
I came off Twitter years ago when it was bought by a transphobe. That transphobe is now calling for a racist mob to oust a democratically elected government in a country he has no connection with. Hatred where his heart should be.
I wish Keely Smith got more credit for this era of Louis Prima. Her vocals and stage performance was such a big part of the success of the band.
New Fantasy Book Swap episode with @robwillb.bsky.social from the amazing @bonabooks.bsky.social! We discuss Oz, queer fandom and when magic isn't a metaphor for queerness! alibaker68.podbean.com/e/ep-49-when...
COME ON DOWN! (Loki's exploding head portrait would be a bunch of crisps bursting out of his head along with some existential dread)
I need you to understand what this country feels like right now for those of us who look different. I'm sitting here, trying to plan for Saturday, make sure I don't even need to go to the corner shop for milk, like it's Christmas Day or lockdown. Why? Because I live near where Yaxley-Lennon will 1/
Come and meet the Fab Four who make up @bonabooks.bsky.social at @worldfantasy2025.bsky.social in Brighton! Check out more about Wrath Month in Bona Books’ bio.
I had such a blast chatting about Oz, its queer connections, L Frank Baum, theatricality, possibly giving a bit of a tease for @bonabooks.bsky.social's WRATH MONTH, and much more! Listen wherever you get your podcasts! 😁
New Fantasy Book Swap episode with @robwillb.bsky.social from the amazing @bonabooks.bsky.social! We discuss Oz, queer fandom and when magic isn't a metaphor for queerness! alibaker68.podbean.com/e/ep-49-when...
Looking good
The man is actually called Jay Kay. Jamiroquai is the monster
This was fun, and the judges came to a unanimous agreement without too much trouble!
Theodore from What Katy Did Hazel from the Billy Bunter books
I can’t begin to imagine the thought process behind it.
“We luv are country so much we’re going to damage a 400 year old monument” www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Hello. I am adopting a cat with extra needs and I'm trying to raise money to get him to me and for some tests and possible medication that he needs before and after. Should anyone feel like throwing a quid or two into the kitty (so to speak). ko-fi.com/cyninbxl
I wrote about the pro natalist movement here www.bookforum.com/print/3102/b... And here www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... And talked about it on podcasts here open.spotify.com/episode/6oMP... And here podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
Yes. An arrest on suspicion of incitement to violence is not “just a joke”.
Yes. He seems to be obsessed with trans women. At least JKR took off enough time to write a book.
He’s now Britain’s Least Employable Man as well as the Most Divorced.
Incitement to violence. Given the other hateful shit he’s done, I’m glad he’s been arrested. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Yes. Margaret Cavendish’s The Blazing World, 1666.
Remember, kids: A real big goal of "AI" is to entirely sever capital from labor, and no, there will be no universal basic income, you can all just starve and die, thanks www.axios.com/2025/08/26/a...
The desperation by those on the Right to smear Angela Rayner is wearing thin🙄 And no - don’t bother replying UNTIL you’ve read the thread! I’ve trawled through multiple versions of this “story” in the Telegraph and Daily Mail to try and piece together what’s going on! 🧵1/17
A researcher is looking for participants to take part in research about improving access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ people living with chronic illness. Please see the poster for more information. If you would like to participate, please email him directly 17002702@hope.ac.uk #LGBTQResearch
This is a UK organisation, and the petition currently stands at over 40,000. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the majority are supportive. The noise comes from a tiny minority.
Women from all walks of life are joining together to say: Not in Our Name. We are a diverse group — women of faith and none, women of colour, disabled women, queer women, working-class and professional women standing up in support of the trans+ community. ✍️ Sign our letter at change.org/nion_women
We won’t let politicians and media pit women against trans people. Instead, we’re building solidarity across our differences. ✍️ Join us and sign our letter at change.org/nion_women #WhyWeSigned #NIONWomen #NotInOurName #Feminism #WomensRights #TransRights #TransAlly #WithTheT
“I’m thinking dictator chic crossed with oligarch-core, but with more gold”
“Oh, so you like Edgar Degas? Then name three of his maquettes.” #Primark
Fascinating, on birds in Australia: Researchers found "sex-reversed individuals in all 5 species, at rates of 3% to 6%. Nearly all these discordant birds were genetically female but had male reproductive organs. The researchers also found a few genetic males with ovaries." #birds #birding #sex 🧪
FYI, Carina/Harlequin authors, they didn't register my copyrights. Make sure they registered yours.
Seems a bit unfair on Levellers fans
Reform councillor suspended over 'racist' posts at Epping hotel protests
The Teen’s record was the sole coming away from the upper of shoes from Asda within a month. It’s easier now he’s 16 and not playing on climbing frames or scooters!
D goes back to school on Wednesday. Good luck! Clark’s was chaos today.
Marking myself safe from Back to School shoe shopping. Send gin.
LFG
Hooray (as a lowly researcher whose work was used to train AI)
It's makes more sense when you find out the prize is run by an LGB Alliance supporter
I am one of the 14 authors who chose to leave the Polari Prize, and I find myself frustrated and saddened at the way this entire story has been represented. 1/
This is utterly delightful. I’m so pleased that I’m not alone in linking The Hearing Trumpet with Lolly Willowes. Also, Carrington was so funny.
It's now just three months until the convention! So some quick links. Our wonderful Guests of Honour are introduced here: worldfantasy2025.co.uk/guests/
What do you mean, you can’t turn the turnstile as there is a hairy derrière blocking it I’m staying put until I’m paid in copious amounts of leftover roast potatoes, chicken and gravy
Ah, ok, acknowledgment that something needs to be said anyway
OK so is @ktempestbradford.com ever going to personally apologise for her part in that disrespectful shitshow of a Hugo ceremony or You butchered names and laughed about it. You skipped finalists and made people cry on what should have been a career highlight. And you have nothing to say?
New podcast episode with wonderful Sandra Bond alibaker68.podbean.com/e/the-anti-a...
Thank you!
You know what’s quite cool about getting old? I do quite like moving my right arm in a particular way and knowing that my shoulder will click in the right way.
One of my favourite words
To be fair, her work is fairly niche
“Why would you listen to Brian Clough’s assessment of Brighton? He’s been dead for 21 years” Alison Ruth Baker.
Oh, definitely. I feel very comfortable here in most places.
@worldfantasy2025.bsky.social
Brighton frequently frustrates me: a place that revels in its inclusion of queer and trans identities while also ignoring its ingrained classism and racism. However, I have been inside 2 pubs this afternoon and both have signs indicating that clients can use the loo they feel most comfortable with
Yes!
They’d be dissenting ghouls, for sure.
Football fans will see Nigel Farage’s branded kit for the cynical move it is
The wait is over! We can finally announce that the registration for the 54 year Jubilee of the Swedish Tolkien Society is open! You can find the registration here: forodrim.org/54/anmalan-e...
After all, the Royal pavilion is built on a Quaker graveyard. So they would be quiet ghouls.
I had a nice sit down in the Pavilion Gardens. A small boy was trying to feed the pigeons (please don’t do this, tourists. Where there are pigeons, there are rats) and shouting “go away, SEA-GHOULS”. One for @worldfantasy2025.bsky.social attendees to write, maybe.
“Oi! Tom Bombadill! YOUR MUM!”
New podcast episode with wonderful Sandra Bond alibaker68.podbean.com/e/the-anti-a...
Despite the stereotypes, Bristol Uni is not just for the well-off. The English Dept does great outreach work and, this part-time, evening class, whole-ass degree, should be treated as the jewel in their crown (to upend a metaphorical hierarchy!) Please sign the letter.
Dear cat, I need to work to buy you Dreamies. Sitting on my lap makes it quite hard for me to work.
Concerned locals. Ordinary mums and dads. Just members of.. checks notes... Combat 18. standuptoracism.org.uk/robert-jenri...
30 reasons to come to Oxonmoot 2025! Reason no. 14: Dimitra Fimi! @dimitrafimi.bsky.social will be speaking on "Tolkien an the Miniature", and how although Tolkien criticises fairy diminutiveness, Tolkien himself plays with scale as part of his stories. Not to be missed! #BlueSky
I will watch the Netflix adaptation this week.
I’ve almost finished re-reading The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chaiani. I enjoyed it the first time I read it, but hadn’t revisited it. It is such a clever book, with its critique of judging by stereotypes, reinterpretations of gender roles and a queer sensibility.
Jeez, remember when the internet was slightly (justifiably) mean to him and every white guy in the MCU had to make an official post or release a statement defending him as a good guy?
LORD
My anxious and hyper-aware brain goes feral on more than 3. I do know people with ADHD who find coffee calming though!
Everything Nora said here!
Me: how come everyone in this coffee shop is SO ANNOYING? Also me: maybe 4 cups of coffee wasn’t wise?
Hello PodPals! Fantasy Book Swap went on holiday and then came back to All The Work alongside a teenager who doesn’t cope well with change, but a new episode with Sandra Bond will be released into the wild tomorrow evening.
I've also written the Planetfall sequence (which was shortlisted for the Best Series Hugo Award 2020) is four interconnected standalone novels and a short story collection, available wherever you buy books. I self-pubbed the collection ebook: enewman.co.uk/before-after... (Ko-Fi shop is best for me)
Word of mouth, either in person or wherever you hang out online, is priceless. The most recent novel is THE VENGEANCE, the lightest adventure story I've ever written, with sapphic romance, swashbuckling, pirates, vampires, and werewolves. geni.us/thevengeance It's perfect for summer read escapism.
I am so excited that World FantasyCon is in my city this year. I also love that the directions are “go to the sea, then turn right”.
If you are planning your travel to the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton this Step-By-Step Travel Guide is here to assist, but don't hesistate to ask other questions. worldfantasy2025.co.uk/step-by-step...
TLDR: because they’ve got a fuckton of money and some very expensive lawyers. Who will win.
Would you prefer not to support the new adaptation of the racist, queerphobic, anti-semitic and transphobic wizard books? I've got some alternatives for you. alisonrbaker.wordpress.com/2025/08/12/a...
Ooh, let me take a wild guess here: people are scared of the subway because poor people and minorities use it. Rich people take taxis or drive.
I see Led by Donkeys are on tour
Every time I hear the song 'Wuthering Heights', I always think of a fella on my university course who didn't know the song was about a novel, and on me revealing its background, came out with this pearl. 'You know, they should do more songs about books, because some books are quite long.'
We’re playing #LittleRebelsAwardBingo where we find our Shortlistees standing proud on other award lists. @sarahhaggerholt.bsky.social ‘s The Fights That Make Us won the 2024 biannual Polari Prize Children’s & YA Prize and was shortlisted for the 2025 Young Quills Award.. #KidLitUK #UKKidLit
As an infertile woman, I found JK Rowling’s comment about “faulty equipment” absolutely disgusting JK Moulding does not give a sh*t about women and is clearly no ‘feminist’. It’s blatantly obvious her only interest is brain-rotting transphobia! 😣 www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...