Thanks 😁
Scottish fantasy and horror author. Chair of the British Fantasy Society. Avid Reader. Vaguely gothic. She/her www.shonakinsella.com
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Thanks 😁
The new book passed 20k today, which is a pleasing number
Good morning! I am reading Gorse by Sam K Horton. Really enjoying the story, very atmospheric
The British Fantasy Society is excited to announce our next event day, taking place on Saturday 4th October 2025, 10am to 6:30pm (BST). Ticket: tinyurl.com/bfsmonster #BritishFantasySociety #FantasyBooks #HorrorBooks #SFFBooks #AuthorTalk #WritingCommunity #Monsters
The World Fantasy Awards will be presented on Sunday 2nd November, in the afternoon following the banquet, at the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton. Happy `reading!
Pre-order That Very Witch: Fear, Feminism, and the American Witch Film by Payton McCarty-Simas! Explore 7 decades of the cyclical rise and fall of the cinematic witch in American culture and her relationship to feminist movements over time. #AcademicSky www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page...
Want to know more about sff writing & publishing? Join me, @keithwdickinson.bsky.social, @emmasternerradley.bsky.social & @northodoxpress.bsky.social at Urmston Books on 22 October for an evening discussing paths to publication, courtesy of @alethearlyons.bsky.social & @britfantasysoc.bsky.social
After many false starts, I finally kicked the habit for good about a decade ago. I still miss cigarettes some days
Must remember to plug my books during the apocalypse. HEY, WANNA READ A FANTASY SERIES ABOUT POLITICS, MANIPULATION AND TRUTH WITH SOME COOL MAGIC AND DEMONS AND BROKEN PEOPLE IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH MYSTERIES AND TWISTS AND STUFF?
Good morning, everyone! Did you know that I've got a queer urban fantasy series heavily steeped in Welsh and British folklore and mythology? Book 11 was released yesterday, and book 1 is only 99p if you need a new obsession / binge read! shop.ravenswordpress.com/products/swo...
Whatever you do, please don’t stop reading. Read for joy. Read for education. Read for resistance. Read banned books. Read books by marginalized authors. Read about experiences that differ from your own. Just. Keep. Reading.
It wasn’t an accident…
8yo said this is too beautiful to be real
David & Robin meet publisher, editor, & author William C. Tracy of Space Wizard Science Fantasy to chat WorldCon, indie small press publishing, book selling, cats, bees, and commas. #bfslss #swsf #spacewizardsciencefantasy #podcastepisode #indiepublisher britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-pod...
Opportunity here for a writer on a low income to get access to a nine week novel writing course taught by the great @silvanhistorian.bsky.social www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/break...
The Edinburgh Horror Festival (@edhorrorfest.bsky.social) are looking for volunteers to help with their 10th year! The festival runs 23-31 October 2025 and is packed full of spooky delights. Find out more and sign up: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉
She’s in a position of authority over the man who is insulting her, and she is well-respected in their community.
Shrew doesn’t quite have the connotations I’m looking for. Probably because of Shakespeare, shrew carries implication for me of a nagging wife. A relatively powerless woman who can only achieve her aim through nagging and scolding. In this instance, the character being insulted is powerful.
Anna has been helping me rework an old manuscript this year and it’s been awesome. She revitalised my enthusiasm for the book with her insightful feedback and suggestions. It’s not just improved the ms - it’s improved my writing overall. Stop swithering! Get yourself in TWA’s diary for 2026.
Amazing! Congratulations!!!
Yay! The Shape of Monsters has been shortlisted for a Speakie (audio book award) 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Definitely helps that voice actor Omari Douglas is fantastic www.thebookseller.com/british-audi...
Oooh, I like that! That would fit really well
Help me out Bluesky. My current WIP is set in neolithic Scotland. I’m looking for an insult with the same connotations as bitch - that gendered dismissiveness - but something that feels more in keeping with the time period. Any thoughts?
Mr K taught me a nemonic he learned at school for that - Rhythm Has Your Two Hips Moving. I always say that in my head as I’m typing it now 😂
My new small museums for mental health w'shop is on Sat 4 Oct Recent compelling research shows that collecting & arranging collections neatly alleviates anxiety & lifts mood. Includes: 🌿2 hr zoom-we'll make & photograph small museums 🗝️30% off my Etsy shop: workshops.emmamitchell.uk/courses/smal...
I really loved this book
The BFS would love to connect with more queer authors and create events that celebrate them. At the moment, our location in Queer Lit in Manchester, so please get in touch if you're interested. onlineevents@britishfantasysociety.org #QueerBooks #LGBTQIA #SFFH
Ah, thank you so much!
It's #BookQW and the word is 'idea'. In Daughters of Nicnevin, Mairead and Constance use magic to subtly influence men from the Black Watch. Out 11th November, pre-order now: www.flametreepublishing.com/daughters-of...
It's #BookQW and the word is 'idea'. In the Heart of Winter, Brigit is given the honour of seeing the Cailleach's most treasured possession. Out now: www.flametreepublishing.com/the-heart-of...
It's Book Quote Wednesday, and the word is 'idea'. What's this? Authors find the word of the week in their work and post an entertaining or intriguing result. Readers can browse the #BookQW hashtag to find new books to check out. Anyone can join in! #writers #writing #Booksky 💙 📚
Good to know, thank you 😁
*adds to the TBR*
There is a plan to have at least some of the programme streamed. I don’t know the details though. @worldfantasy2025.bsky.social might be able to help
With The Vampires of Park Circus out next month, our Luke Belcourt's Witches of Merchant City has had a glow up! Check out the new cover by Jenni Coutts and get your copy at the link below: amzn.eu/d/2bh5XHD @jennicoutts.bsky.social
Book 28 - House of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky uk.bookshop.org/p/books/hous... I loved this even more than the first in the series. Somehow full of humour despite the horror of the surroundings and the events. Fantastic
A little late this month, because I've been ill. www.shonakinsella.com/shona-kinsella-blog/heroines-of-history-anne-mckay
If you see this, quote post with the energy you bring to bluesky
This is one of the best weekends of the year!
HUMAN artists, use only one piece to convince people to follow you
Book your tickets before prices go up on 1st October! britishfantasysociety.org/events-calen...
My next GW novel, VOIDSCARRED, is up for pre-order this coming Saturday! Get your pirate space elves here! And yes, for those of you with keen eyes and good memories, the Princess Tishria mentioned here is the same one Lelith "met" in her novel... www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articl...
I was on the BFS blog at the weekend, talking about my influences, my books, my writing, & all that good stuff. Sharing properly now because it went live while I was away in fantasy land, fittingly 😄
BFS Online: Something Monstrous is excited to announce our author interview. BFS Chair Shona Kinsella interviews Scarlett St Clair on Saturday 4thOctober 2025, 5:30pm to 6:30pm (BST). Ticket: tinyurl.com/bfsmonster @shonak.bsky.social
I am on tour right now with a book about two gay working class artists who died long before I was born. I’ve visited bookshops and libraries and galleries. And at every event I’ve been welcomed and there has been warmth and community. Books build empathy. The arts connect us. They just do.
The scenes on our streets are shameful consequences of decades of austerity - government after government fanning the flames of anti migration instead of tackling inequality. We can & must make different choices. Solidarity to all communities under attack. We stand together.
Thank you
Halloween is coming! Two award winning writers at SRFC: IAN MCDONALD @ianmcdonald.bsky.social - renowned science fiction writer with folk horror novel The Wilding NUZO ONOH @nuzo.bsky.social - Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement winner launching new novel Futility 7pm, 14 Oct, Star of Kings Free!
French toast, although preferably a savoury version rather than sweet
The BFS celebrates the launch of The Daughters of Nicnevin, Saturday 4th October 2025, 12:15pm to 1pm (BST). Ticket: tinyurl.com/bfsmonster @shonak.bsky.social @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social #BritishFantasySociety #FantasyBooks #SFFBooks #AuthorTalk #WritingCommunity #BookParty
www.shonakinsella.com/shona-kinsella-blog/this-week-at-the-loch-12092025
Every Friday, we meet a BFS member & peer deep into their soul (aka a form they filled out). This week we head to Yorkshire to visit the space between high fantasy & grimdark, where the characters are flawed & the cynicism bites, with @aknighton.bsky.social britishfantasysociety.org/meet-andrew-...
I’ve been unwell for the last couple of weeks, and struggling to get anything done. Think I might make today a housework day, so at least I’ll be able to see some progress with something
I am sitting here now, writing this, with a to-do list as long as my arm, and a book I’m really excited about writing, all waiting for me. But actually getting to work on any of it feels like an impossible mountain to climb
My relatively healthy son bounced back after 5 days. Two weeks on, and I’m still struggling. When I get a virus, it causes my other conditions to flare and it takes me much longer to recover than a healthy person.
On top of fibromyalgia, I’m currently going through medical tests for what looks an awful lot like POTS (www.potsuk.org if you’re interested in what that is). This week, my heart rate has been elevated a lot of the time, leading to lightheadedness, nausea, cold sweats and trembling.
Pain and fatigue remain high and the brain fog is awful. I can’t concentrate at all. I can’t write. I’ve stumbled through some admin, which I’ve really struggled with. If it takes more than 5 minutes to do, I’m losing track if what I’m doing.
Started to feel okay on Thursday, other than a persistent sore throat (which I assumed was from retching). But then I took the kids bowling and it absolutely wiped me out. Massive pain for the next few days. This week, sore throat persists and has moved into my ear (probable infection)
He had a small relapse Monday/Tuesday in terms of energy, took it easy for a couple of days and was back to normal by the end of last week. I caught this bug too. I became unwell overnight Friday. I was miserable, throwing up, not able to do much except lie around until Tuesday of last week.
I want to talk for a minute about one of the less-recognised facets of living with a chronic illness. Two weeks ago, the 8yo had a stomach bug. He became unwell overnight Thursday into Friday, was really poorly all day Friday, improving but tired and subdued Saturday, bouncing around by Sunday.
An early medieval fibula (a decorative pin for fastening garments/a brooch) in the form of an eagle, made of gold and silver inlaid with garnets and lapis lazuli. It's part of the so-called Domagnano Hoard consisting of 21 pieces. They belonged to an Ostrogothic...🧵1/3 🏺 #archaeology
Is it #FindsFriday already? 😮 Spectacular La Tene bi-metal plaques unearthed by picnickers in 1963 from under a boulder on the slopes of Cader Idris mountain in north Wales. Pretty lucky! Part of the spectacular Late Iron Age Talyllyn hoard 🤩. Now on display in National Museum St Fagans 📷 My own
We have a cover for next year's Children of Strife!
I will get that arranged with Dave then 😁
I am so confident that you’ll get value out of this course, that I will sponsor one place. So if you want to give it a try, but don’t have the funds, get in touch with me
It's two months until publication and events are starting to open for tickets! I'm so very excited to be talking with Sam K Horton @samkhorton.bsky.social and Meg Macdonald @megintransition.bsky.social in November www.waterstones.com/events/sam-k...
You should get 2. You deserve them
Daughter of the Otherworld, by @shaunalawless.bsky.social (pub by @headofzeus.bsky.social) marks the start of a new Gael Song era, a new trilogy that continues blending together magic and history in an equally emotional story. Full thoughts: jamreads.com/reviews/daug... 💙📚
I heard some pretty cool people might be in Brighton around then, so maybe I’ll jump on the train, check it out 😂
I mean, I might go. See how I feel on the day…
You are mighty indeed
😂
This one's maybe a little on the ling side, but trust me, it's worth it. I've cried reading it multiple times. (1/3)
Ahhh my final author copies of A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence are here, with gorgeous cover design by Artscandare! Aren't they lovely? Of course I'm including a spine-shot to show just how chunky it is compared to the first novella in this series! 😍 books2read.com/honeymoonGrave #romancelandia
Thread to pause and read.
A review in 4 words: read The Crimson Road
This gorgeous book is out today!
Happy book birthday!
And he’s now singing, to the tune of Lean on Me: Get off me, You’re crushing my arm It’s gone to sleep Now it’s all tingly
Top entertainment from the 8yo this morning. He just told me this joke: Two wind turbines are standing in a field. One says to the other, “what’s your favourite type of music?” The other answered, “I’m a big heavy metal fan.”
Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'pour' #BookQW Every wedding's at the mercy of the weather. Will Dan Mackmain face something equally unpredictable and impossible to control? The Green Man's Holiday - 30th October 2025 - from @wtpress.bsky.social For preorders wizardstowerpress.com/books-2/book...
It is Book Quote Wednesday and the word is 'pour'. In The Jicker Man by Ben Mears, Ebadiah and his friends are taking the fight to their enemies. #BookQW wizardstowerpress.co...
Everything in this thread is so important. Criminal defence lawyers stand for each and every one of us in holding the state accountable, ensuring no one is convicted of or punished for a crime without due process. Is the system perfect? Absolutely not. But defence lawyers are essential
Latinx writers come to the front! I know lots of you but not all I also have mom/perimeno brain so if you have a book I’m doing a Hispanic Heritage Month post! Gimme your dark stuff!!
We have officially entered the half (more like two thirds) of the year when I need slippers and fingerless gloves to work in my little cupboard office
It's #BookQW and the word is pour. In The Heart of Winter, Brigit finds herself in the home of Aengus, god of summer, and person she is being forced to marry.
It's #BookQW and this week the word is pour. In Daughters of Nicnevin, Mairead is using her skills to ease the passing of a friend and to help their loved ones.
I hope it eases soon
Thanks
That’s weird, the form is still appearing open to me. Try this link forms.gle/pn8i34oszeqh...
I’m having on of those (rare) days where I have no motivation to do anything. Really struggling to get started on anything
I’ll be emailing all of our existing mentors to check if they want to continue, but you don’t need to fill in the form again
Excellent! If you could fill in the form here: forms.gle/pn8i34oszeqh... so that I’ve got your contact details, I’ll be in touch over the next week or two 😁
Thanks! I’ll be in touch with everyone who’s interested over the next week or two 😁
You don’t! It might be a bit trickier to manage zoom calls etc in different time zones, but we could figure out ways to make it work
The @britfantasysoc.bsky.social has a diverse mentor program for writers at all levels. But we need mentors. This first year of the program has been excellent so if you are in publishing please consider it (especially if you’re a marketer, an editor and/or a leader).
