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It’s my birthday and I felt like a picture prompt today
On the 16th I edited and posted my
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getyourwordsout Yahtzee story adding about 422 words.Let me know what day you’re reporting in for. If I've missed you on the tally let me know. Feel free to jump in at any time.
Day sixteen -
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ysilme, cornerofmadness, china_shop, badly_knitted, sylvanwitch, goddess47, cmk418, trobadora, luzula, nafs, sanguinity, yasaman, carenejeans, carenejeans, ( other days )
went shoe shopping today, a thankless and fruitless task but I did stop for sushi for lunch (found one of their rolls the Boston Bay roll, a deep fried tempura treat stuffed with crab, shrimp and egg) and on the way to the pharmacy found that the farmer's market at Holy Trinity was on. I got caramelized onion humus and dill pickle humus and ranch dill pickles. I'm happy until I got home.
EVERYTHING I wanted to do for my birthday tomorrow is closed for absolutely random reasons like fire alarm installation, delays in opening for the season and 'no reason given.' So annoyed. Ah well.
It's music monday. We're up to K in the alphabet. Like I said I'm sharing from the last 5 years but feel free to share any K songs you'd like to
( not a lot of Ks )
EVERYTHING I wanted to do for my birthday tomorrow is closed for absolutely random reasons like fire alarm installation, delays in opening for the season and 'no reason given.' So annoyed. Ah well.
It's music monday. We're up to K in the alphabet. Like I said I'm sharing from the last 5 years but feel free to share any K songs you'd like to
( not a lot of Ks )
I'm still seeing continuing Red Bellied and Downy Woodpeckers on my suet feeders.
Over the weekend, I attempted to expand my garden. Much to my surprise, I turned up several intact turtle eggs in the soil. So I immediately reburied them and attempted to fence off the area to protect them. Every year the raccoons seem to get to the eggs so I hope I can save them. We shall see!
I also saw a female deer in the woods, the first I've seen in a while. We have several chipmunks around as well as a stray or dumped house cat who seems to come out every morning.
Over the weekend, I attempted to expand my garden. Much to my surprise, I turned up several intact turtle eggs in the soil. So I immediately reburied them and attempted to fence off the area to protect them. Every year the raccoons seem to get to the eggs so I hope I can save them. We shall see!
I also saw a female deer in the woods, the first I've seen in a while. We have several chipmunks around as well as a stray or dumped house cat who seems to come out every morning.
This is part 3 of maevedarcy's 72 Multifandom questions to ask a fangirl.
Experiences and Memories
1. What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had related to your fandom(s)?
I feel like everything in Smallville fandom has kinda blurred together. Maybe not a specific fandom, but in recent years, the excitement of running (well, co running) my first exchange was such a good feeling, as was the unexpected enthusiasm over Comment Bingo, when I finally got it up and running.
2. Have you ever traveled to a location specifically because it was featured or related to your fandom(s)?
No. When I went to Vancouver though, I was excited when I realized I could recognize the top of the building that they used as Oliver's penthouse/Queen Tower in Smallville. I still remember a LJ friend made a list of places that they film at, and I left it on my laptop and forgot that I wasn't planning on taking it, so I couldn't use it. IDK how much my family would be all for my Smallville related tour of Vancouver but I could've tried to see a couple of spots. Oh well.
3. Can you share about a time when fandom helped you through a difficult period?
I don't know if there's a specific time, but fandom has always felt like an escape. I'm pretty closed off/keep things to myself, for better or for worse, and sometimes, I think I have been able to express myself online in a way that is a little harder to do in person. And people have always been kind and supportive and I have appreciated that a lot. I've left fandom multiple times but it's always easy to find a home here when I return.
4. What’s the longest you’ve ever waited in line for an event or release related to fandom?
Probably a couple of hours. Both when I stood in line at Barnes N Nobles for the 7th Harry Potter book (had to go twice - one to get the ticket with the Letter Group I was in earlier in the day and the second time when they were actually opening the doors) or when I went to the midnight showing of The Dark Knight and had to be there at like, 9PM. Even then, we were further back than I planned so we could've gotten there sooner but the seats we ended up with weren't so bad, iirc.
5. Have you had the chance to meet any of the actors, musicians, authors, or creators from your fandom(s)?
No, the closest I got was when I saw Shah Rukh Khan filming on my college campus and seeing Chris Evans in LA pre-Captain America. I was getting ice cream with a few friends and a premiere for Push had just let out. Dakota Fanning left fairly quickly, but I do remember he was hanging around. We recognized him but I didn't have a smart phone or anything for him to sign, so I didn't bother.
6. What’s the most treasured piece of merchandise you have that’s related to fandom?
Bollywood may not be a fandom I was ever in much, but I was obsessed with Shah Rukh Khan as a teen and I was in London a few days after his Madame Tussaud's statue was revealed, so when we went, they had a SRK doll. I bought it and brought it back with me. I still have it. Also my sister once got me a Superman keychain from Six Flags and I still keep it on my lanyard. It's held up well! :D
7. Do you remember the first item you ever collected or received related to fandom?
Not really. I had a lot of Shah Rukh Khan posters as a teen. I would assume it was something Superman related though since I've been a fan for so long.
8. What’s the most exciting fan event or panel you’ve attended?
I've never attended any fan events/panels.
9. Have you participated in any challenges, collaborations, or competitions within fandom?
Yes, I've been apart of land comms, bingo events (though I'm terrible about completing them!), fests, and exchanges. They're a lot of fun and have helped me get out of my comfort zone.
10. How did you feel the first time you saw your favorite character, band, or actor in person?
I remember OneRepublic was part of this summer fest years ago and I was really excited to watch them live. I don't know how much I actually enjoy live music events/concerts, but that was a blast.
11. Have any of your family or friends become fans because of your influence? What was that like?
My sister has actually ended up getting me into shows for the most part, because I barely watch anything and she gives a lot of things a shot (she was even watching Smallville before me). My dad watched Elementary because of me, since I wanted to, and he really liked it too, so we'd watch together.
12. What’s the most emotional moment you’ve had as a fan within your community?
I remember when one of my LJ friends passed away. We weren't close, but we did work together on a fandom newsletter and I was just shocked. I'm sure many other people can relate unfortunately, but the way it all happened and escalated so quickly was a lot. I think that was the first time someone I knew online had passed away. Just so sad.
maevedarcy's 72 Multifandom questions to ask a fangirl. Experiences and Memories
1. What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had related to your fandom(s)?
I feel like everything in Smallville fandom has kinda blurred together. Maybe not a specific fandom, but in recent years, the excitement of running (well, co running) my first exchange was such a good feeling, as was the unexpected enthusiasm over Comment Bingo, when I finally got it up and running.
#2-12
2. Have you ever traveled to a location specifically because it was featured or related to your fandom(s)?
No. When I went to Vancouver though, I was excited when I realized I could recognize the top of the building that they used as Oliver's penthouse/Queen Tower in Smallville. I still remember a LJ friend made a list of places that they film at, and I left it on my laptop and forgot that I wasn't planning on taking it, so I couldn't use it. IDK how much my family would be all for my Smallville related tour of Vancouver but I could've tried to see a couple of spots. Oh well.
3. Can you share about a time when fandom helped you through a difficult period?
I don't know if there's a specific time, but fandom has always felt like an escape. I'm pretty closed off/keep things to myself, for better or for worse, and sometimes, I think I have been able to express myself online in a way that is a little harder to do in person. And people have always been kind and supportive and I have appreciated that a lot. I've left fandom multiple times but it's always easy to find a home here when I return.
4. What’s the longest you’ve ever waited in line for an event or release related to fandom?
Probably a couple of hours. Both when I stood in line at Barnes N Nobles for the 7th Harry Potter book (had to go twice - one to get the ticket with the Letter Group I was in earlier in the day and the second time when they were actually opening the doors) or when I went to the midnight showing of The Dark Knight and had to be there at like, 9PM. Even then, we were further back than I planned so we could've gotten there sooner but the seats we ended up with weren't so bad, iirc.
5. Have you had the chance to meet any of the actors, musicians, authors, or creators from your fandom(s)?
No, the closest I got was when I saw Shah Rukh Khan filming on my college campus and seeing Chris Evans in LA pre-Captain America. I was getting ice cream with a few friends and a premiere for Push had just let out. Dakota Fanning left fairly quickly, but I do remember he was hanging around. We recognized him but I didn't have a smart phone or anything for him to sign, so I didn't bother.
6. What’s the most treasured piece of merchandise you have that’s related to fandom?
Bollywood may not be a fandom I was ever in much, but I was obsessed with Shah Rukh Khan as a teen and I was in London a few days after his Madame Tussaud's statue was revealed, so when we went, they had a SRK doll. I bought it and brought it back with me. I still have it. Also my sister once got me a Superman keychain from Six Flags and I still keep it on my lanyard. It's held up well! :D
7. Do you remember the first item you ever collected or received related to fandom?
Not really. I had a lot of Shah Rukh Khan posters as a teen. I would assume it was something Superman related though since I've been a fan for so long.
8. What’s the most exciting fan event or panel you’ve attended?
I've never attended any fan events/panels.
9. Have you participated in any challenges, collaborations, or competitions within fandom?
Yes, I've been apart of land comms, bingo events (though I'm terrible about completing them!), fests, and exchanges. They're a lot of fun and have helped me get out of my comfort zone.
10. How did you feel the first time you saw your favorite character, band, or actor in person?
I remember OneRepublic was part of this summer fest years ago and I was really excited to watch them live. I don't know how much I actually enjoy live music events/concerts, but that was a blast.
11. Have any of your family or friends become fans because of your influence? What was that like?
My sister has actually ended up getting me into shows for the most part, because I barely watch anything and she gives a lot of things a shot (she was even watching Smallville before me). My dad watched Elementary because of me, since I wanted to, and he really liked it too, so we'd watch together.
12. What’s the most emotional moment you’ve had as a fan within your community?
I remember when one of my LJ friends passed away. We weren't close, but we did work together on a fandom newsletter and I was just shocked. I'm sure many other people can relate unfortunately, but the way it all happened and escalated so quickly was a lot. I think that was the first time someone I knew online had passed away. Just so sad.
Challenge 394: Fandom: Murderbot (tv): G
Jun. 16th, 2025 08:07 pmlove_jackianto1 posting in anythingdrabbleFreak (200 words) by look_turtles
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Murderbot (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Dr. Gurathin/Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries)
Summary:
Written for the anythingdrabble prompt: row
( murderbot )
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Murderbot (TV)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Dr. Gurathin/Murderbot (Murderbot Diaries)
Summary:
Gurathin thinks that he is a freak
Written for the anythingdrabble prompt: row
( murderbot )
The way my voice now resonates in my body feels better to me than I ever thought it could.
I was thinking of this this morning because I talked with a fellow trans dude about singing over the weekend; him dealing with changes to his range made me ponder how I've been kinda avoiding trying to find what my singing might be like?
I know voice training and documenting changes, in speaking and singing, is a Thing for a lot of trans people but the notion gave me big anxiety so I've stayed away from it.
Today I am carefully singing along with the radio (in the sense that I am doing it with care, rather than just finding myself doing so while I am working or whatever) and I don't really care how I sound but I love how it feels.
I said this on fedi and was charmed to have one of my dadliest friends (who we call Other Erik because he's another Erik) say
I hope you never lose that joy! For my part, I still love the feeling and I’ve had a mature low “adult” voice for over 30 years. I find myself humming low-range tunes to myself rather frequently just for the feeling of it in my chest.
It's nice to know it can stay fun for that long!
This week's prompt is:
Row
Have fun!
P.s. I'll take care of tagging.
Have fun!
P.s. I'll take care of tagging.
So I’m back home now. I left at about 9:30 and got back at 6:45ish. So I’d been out like… 9 hours? Which is crazy long to me.
At first I got to the station and the machine was actually working which was good but then I got on the train and… I’d picked up the wrong book to read on the trip (Seven Dials instead of Cards on the table). The bad luck further compounded when I realised I didn’t have my student id which meant I had no photo ID (cue panic cause the email I had to pick up Jame’ cd said to bring photo Id). It was also an annoyance as it meant I could use my student discount, not that many places have it (though cinema was one of them). I’ll have to figure out where it is.
(Update it’s in the wallet I didn’t take)
Once I got to Birmingham I went straight to the Forbidden Planet by the station. I got the new The Umbrella Academy (thoughts later), the Marvel pride issue (a variant with Daken shirtless which is so hot) and some 95p comics (something called Monday Monday, a Star Trek Mirror universe thing, National Anthem andThe Amory Wars) though damn going through those comics was so annoying. There were about 5+ boxes and they had zero order. I was looking for Star Wars one and only saw one (but it was an issue 4).
I had a wander round a few places and saw some of the new sets in Lego but didn’t get any. The Fortnite Klombo is so big and so adorable and I love the happy plants. I went in Game and got the Final Fantasy starter set though damn it had the same issue as the local one (no prices on anything) which is so irritating).
Then I went to the hmv and, thankfully, I picked up the cd no trouble, yipee! Causa the heat I didn’t stay long, so I went to look in the other Forbidden Planet. I looked at the new Star Wars locations (there’s a few new things from the shows but it feels inevitable there’ll be another update to that) and got Exquisite Corpses (which I was intruiged by cause one cover had a fox masked character) and the three kids from Skeleton Crew. It’s funny Neel was full price and getting the three of them was just £5 more. (But now Neel has all his friends yipee!)
I got a meal deal from sainsburys then returned to hmv, getting James’ vinyl (to the amusement of the lady that served me (and the new MCR three cheers cd. Then I joined the line and it was crazy long already so I stayed in it.
This was when I read The Umbrella Academy issue and… honestly I’d pretty much forgot what happened in the last issues which, fair cause it was about 6 years ago (thanks wiki) but it was mostly establishing the sparrow academy and how they’re all utter insufferable jerks (apart from one who I felt sorry for). I think I’ll have to get a subscription set up for them (and preorders for the others).
James started signing just before 1 and it took until about 2:40ish for me to get to him (and when I looked back the line was where I started and beyond…opp). But ahh he was so nice! He asked my name and how I apwas and I told him I’d seen him at both the Birmingham gigs (which led to him asking if I was coming to the gig) I was too shy to ask for a hug or anything, but damn, the hmv person taking pics popped off. There’s like *counts* damn there’s 46 what?? That’s crazy.
(And yay when I got back apparently his album is in the running for number 1 between Sabrina Carpenter and Oasis which ??)
I had checked train times and to get to the cinema before a Clown In A Crornfield the last train was 3 and that’s the one I got on so it was cutting it a bit more fine than I’d have liked. When I got to the cinema it was very quiet and when I got in there was only like 5 other people (at least according to the seating it seemed). My seat was a little closer to the screen than I’d have liked but it was ok.
First trailers, cause I noted them down so I’d not forget.
*Together - It started off kinda romantic drama vibes and then the vibe shifted completely. Do I know what’s going on? Not really but it looks like body horror, there’s slight found footage recordings and it gives me the vibe of a specific x-file (Field Trip, cause I sense that’s the vibe that’ll happen but who knows?)
*I Know What You Did Last Summer - it looks like it’ll be pretty good but also the return of people from prior films makes me wanna watch them! I’m sure they’ll be on tv beforehand, but I’ll have to watch)
*Megan 2.0 - I’ve not seen the first Megan (it was on tv this weekend at an away ward tome so I might watch on the player) so without context this looked so ridiculous.
*28 Years Later - It looks like it’s gonna be well down, but at the same time I’ve no real interest in seeing it. One I’ve not seen the others in so long and I just feel it’ll be so depressing.
Anyway Clown In A Cornfield thoughts under the cut.
( Read more... )
End film thoughts! Now I’m gonna flop and just chill in general.
At first I got to the station and the machine was actually working which was good but then I got on the train and… I’d picked up the wrong book to read on the trip (Seven Dials instead of Cards on the table). The bad luck further compounded when I realised I didn’t have my student id which meant I had no photo ID (cue panic cause the email I had to pick up Jame’ cd said to bring photo Id). It was also an annoyance as it meant I could use my student discount, not that many places have it (though cinema was one of them). I’ll have to figure out where it is.
(Update it’s in the wallet I didn’t take)
Once I got to Birmingham I went straight to the Forbidden Planet by the station. I got the new The Umbrella Academy (thoughts later), the Marvel pride issue (a variant with Daken shirtless which is so hot) and some 95p comics (something called Monday Monday, a Star Trek Mirror universe thing, National Anthem andThe Amory Wars) though damn going through those comics was so annoying. There were about 5+ boxes and they had zero order. I was looking for Star Wars one and only saw one (but it was an issue 4).
I had a wander round a few places and saw some of the new sets in Lego but didn’t get any. The Fortnite Klombo is so big and so adorable and I love the happy plants. I went in Game and got the Final Fantasy starter set though damn it had the same issue as the local one (no prices on anything) which is so irritating).
Then I went to the hmv and, thankfully, I picked up the cd no trouble, yipee! Causa the heat I didn’t stay long, so I went to look in the other Forbidden Planet. I looked at the new Star Wars locations (there’s a few new things from the shows but it feels inevitable there’ll be another update to that) and got Exquisite Corpses (which I was intruiged by cause one cover had a fox masked character) and the three kids from Skeleton Crew. It’s funny Neel was full price and getting the three of them was just £5 more. (But now Neel has all his friends yipee!)
I got a meal deal from sainsburys then returned to hmv, getting James’ vinyl (to the amusement of the lady that served me (and the new MCR three cheers cd. Then I joined the line and it was crazy long already so I stayed in it.
This was when I read The Umbrella Academy issue and… honestly I’d pretty much forgot what happened in the last issues which, fair cause it was about 6 years ago (thanks wiki) but it was mostly establishing the sparrow academy and how they’re all utter insufferable jerks (apart from one who I felt sorry for). I think I’ll have to get a subscription set up for them (and preorders for the others).
James started signing just before 1 and it took until about 2:40ish for me to get to him (and when I looked back the line was where I started and beyond…opp). But ahh he was so nice! He asked my name and how I apwas and I told him I’d seen him at both the Birmingham gigs (which led to him asking if I was coming to the gig) I was too shy to ask for a hug or anything, but damn, the hmv person taking pics popped off. There’s like *counts* damn there’s 46 what?? That’s crazy.
(And yay when I got back apparently his album is in the running for number 1 between Sabrina Carpenter and Oasis which ??)
I had checked train times and to get to the cinema before a Clown In A Crornfield the last train was 3 and that’s the one I got on so it was cutting it a bit more fine than I’d have liked. When I got to the cinema it was very quiet and when I got in there was only like 5 other people (at least according to the seating it seemed). My seat was a little closer to the screen than I’d have liked but it was ok.
First trailers, cause I noted them down so I’d not forget.
*Together - It started off kinda romantic drama vibes and then the vibe shifted completely. Do I know what’s going on? Not really but it looks like body horror, there’s slight found footage recordings and it gives me the vibe of a specific x-file (Field Trip, cause I sense that’s the vibe that’ll happen but who knows?)
*I Know What You Did Last Summer - it looks like it’ll be pretty good but also the return of people from prior films makes me wanna watch them! I’m sure they’ll be on tv beforehand, but I’ll have to watch)
*Megan 2.0 - I’ve not seen the first Megan (it was on tv this weekend at an away ward tome so I might watch on the player) so without context this looked so ridiculous.
*28 Years Later - It looks like it’s gonna be well down, but at the same time I’ve no real interest in seeing it. One I’ve not seen the others in so long and I just feel it’ll be so depressing.
Anyway Clown In A Cornfield thoughts under the cut.
( Read more... )
End film thoughts! Now I’m gonna flop and just chill in general.
Storyteller: A Tanith Lee Tribute Anthology
Out in ebook and paperback on July 1. My story is "Data Ghost"
https://bookshop.org/p/books/storyteller-a-tanith-lee-tribute-anthology/a74b320486117220?ean=9798992595406&next=t
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/storyteller-a-tanith-lee-tribute-anthology?sId=e0bafab6-32a8-4ffb-9436-2dcda473349c
Edited by Julie C. Day, Carina Bissett, and Craig Laurance Gidney. Stories by Martha Wells, Andy Duncan, C.S.E. Cooney, Nisi Shawl, Mike Allen, Alaya Dawn Johnson, CL Hellisen, Maya Deane, Rocío Rincón Fernández, Theodora Goss, Getty Hesse, Starlene Justice, Amelia Mangan, Michael Yuya Montroy, Marisca Pichette, KT Wagner.
Sixteen new stories from some of today's most renowned authors. All inspired by the master storyteller Tanith Lee.
Drowning cities and unicorns. Burning deserts and forgotten gods. Golems, elf warriors, and inner-Earthers. Alien lifeforms and museum workers. Ancient plagues and the future of humanity. The familiar and the fantastical. Each story in this anthology is both unique and compelling: from fairy-tale retellings to romance-tinged high fantasy, from nihilistic horror to gripping science fiction. Immersive, wide-ranging, and sublime, Storyteller features worlds and characters that are sure to travel with you long after the last page has been read.
***
Short Story: "Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy" by Martha Wells
will be available on Reactor Magazine on July 10
Illustrated by Jaime Jones
Edited by Lee Harris
Perihelion and its crew embark on a dangerous new mission at a corporate-controlled station in the throes of a hostile takeover...
***
Summer of Science Fiction & Fantasy: Martha Wells in conversation with Kate Elliott
https://www.clarionwest.org/event/summer-of-science-fiction-fantasy-martha-wells-in-conversation-with-kate-elliott/
July 30 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm PDT
The Clarion West Summer Reading Series will be held virtually and streamed live over Zoom during the Six-Week Workshop.
Join us for our final event, a conversation between Martha Wells and Kate Elliott!
This event will begin with a conversation between Martha and Kate. There will be time to take questions from the audience. Participants will be able to submit questions in the webinar.
***
The New Yorker announced "Platform Decay" will be the next Murderbot novella. No word on publication date yet.
***
Grimoire: A Grim Oak Press Anthology For Seattle Worldcon 2025
https://grimoakpress.com/products/grimoire-a-grim-oak-press-anthology-for-seattle-worldcon-2025
My story is a fantasy called "Birthright" which is reprint that's not currently available anywhere else.
***
Queen Demon, the sequel to Witch King, second book of the Rising World, is up for preorder and will be released in ebook, audiobook, and hardcover on October 7.
From the breakout SFF superstar author of Murderbot comes the remarkable sequel to the USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling novel, Witch King. A fantasy of epic scope, Queen Demon is a story of power and friendship, of trust and betrayal, and of the families we choose.
Dahin believes he has clues to the location of the Hierarchs' Well, and the Witch King Kai, along with his companions Ziede and Tahren, knowing there's something he isn't telling them, travel with him to the rebuilt university of Ancartre, which may be dangerously close to finding the Well itself.
Can Kai stop the rise of a new Hierarch?
And can he trust his companions to do what's right?
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/p/books/queen-demon-martha-wells/21751501?ean=9781250826916
B&N https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/queen-demon-martha-wells/1146167707?ean=9781250826916
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/queen-demon
Audiobook Libro.fm https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781250291981-queen-demon
Bakka-Phoenix (indie bookstore in Canada): https://bakkaphoenixbooks.com/item/3Czr8TaWU9-_fwJ25ytSCw
Out in ebook and paperback on July 1. My story is "Data Ghost"
https://bookshop.org/p/books/storyteller-a-tanith-lee-tribute-anthology/a74b320486117220?ean=9798992595406&next=t
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/storyteller-a-tanith-lee-tribute-anthology?sId=e0bafab6-32a8-4ffb-9436-2dcda473349c
Edited by Julie C. Day, Carina Bissett, and Craig Laurance Gidney. Stories by Martha Wells, Andy Duncan, C.S.E. Cooney, Nisi Shawl, Mike Allen, Alaya Dawn Johnson, CL Hellisen, Maya Deane, Rocío Rincón Fernández, Theodora Goss, Getty Hesse, Starlene Justice, Amelia Mangan, Michael Yuya Montroy, Marisca Pichette, KT Wagner.
Sixteen new stories from some of today's most renowned authors. All inspired by the master storyteller Tanith Lee.
Drowning cities and unicorns. Burning deserts and forgotten gods. Golems, elf warriors, and inner-Earthers. Alien lifeforms and museum workers. Ancient plagues and the future of humanity. The familiar and the fantastical. Each story in this anthology is both unique and compelling: from fairy-tale retellings to romance-tinged high fantasy, from nihilistic horror to gripping science fiction. Immersive, wide-ranging, and sublime, Storyteller features worlds and characters that are sure to travel with you long after the last page has been read.
***
Short Story: "Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy" by Martha Wells
will be available on Reactor Magazine on July 10
Illustrated by Jaime Jones
Edited by Lee Harris
Perihelion and its crew embark on a dangerous new mission at a corporate-controlled station in the throes of a hostile takeover...
***
Summer of Science Fiction & Fantasy: Martha Wells in conversation with Kate Elliott
https://www.clarionwest.org/event/summer-of-science-fiction-fantasy-martha-wells-in-conversation-with-kate-elliott/
July 30 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm PDT
The Clarion West Summer Reading Series will be held virtually and streamed live over Zoom during the Six-Week Workshop.
Join us for our final event, a conversation between Martha Wells and Kate Elliott!
This event will begin with a conversation between Martha and Kate. There will be time to take questions from the audience. Participants will be able to submit questions in the webinar.
***
The New Yorker announced "Platform Decay" will be the next Murderbot novella. No word on publication date yet.
***
Grimoire: A Grim Oak Press Anthology For Seattle Worldcon 2025
https://grimoakpress.com/products/grimoire-a-grim-oak-press-anthology-for-seattle-worldcon-2025
My story is a fantasy called "Birthright" which is reprint that's not currently available anywhere else.
***
Queen Demon, the sequel to Witch King, second book of the Rising World, is up for preorder and will be released in ebook, audiobook, and hardcover on October 7.
From the breakout SFF superstar author of Murderbot comes the remarkable sequel to the USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling novel, Witch King. A fantasy of epic scope, Queen Demon is a story of power and friendship, of trust and betrayal, and of the families we choose.
Dahin believes he has clues to the location of the Hierarchs' Well, and the Witch King Kai, along with his companions Ziede and Tahren, knowing there's something he isn't telling them, travel with him to the rebuilt university of Ancartre, which may be dangerously close to finding the Well itself.
Can Kai stop the rise of a new Hierarch?
And can he trust his companions to do what's right?
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/p/books/queen-demon-martha-wells/21751501?ean=9781250826916
B&N https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/queen-demon-martha-wells/1146167707?ean=9781250826916
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/queen-demon
Audiobook Libro.fm https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781250291981-queen-demon
Bakka-Phoenix (indie bookstore in Canada): https://bakkaphoenixbooks.com/item/3Czr8TaWU9-_fwJ25ytSCw
We were only in Portland for a day but we had enough time for a few hours in the International Rose Test Garden. In fact we didn't even spend that long because it was smaller than expected and some bushes hadn't even bloomed yet (despite what the website said as mid-May being an ideal viewing time). We took about half the time we were there trying to park. It was also the most overcast morning of the trip -- we had amazing weather the rest of the time.
Nonetheless what was in bloom was lovely. ( Read more... )
oday is partly cloudy and warm.
I haven't fed the birds yet, but I've seen a few sparrows and house finches. Despite not always seeing them in action, they continue to drain the hopper feeder daily.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I fed the birds.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
The 'Ambrosia' melon is blooming. The tomatillo has a tiny green lantern fruit. :D
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of mulberries in the south lot and savanna.
Yellow pear tomato has green fruit. Daylilies are blooming.
.
I haven't fed the birds yet, but I've seen a few sparrows and house finches. Despite not always seeing them in action, they continue to drain the hopper feeder daily.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I fed the birds.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I did some work around the patio.
The 'Ambrosia' melon is blooming. The tomatillo has a tiny green lantern fruit. :D
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of mulberries in the south lot and savanna.
Yellow pear tomato has green fruit. Daylilies are blooming.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of black raspberries, mostly along the south edge of the prairie garden.
Pinks, coreopsis, and black-eyed Susans are blooming in the prairie garden.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I trimmed overhanging brush in the ritual meadow.
EDIT 6/16/25 -- I picked half a baggie of mulberries along the road and in the savanna.
The first of the yucca flowers are open in the white garden. :D
In the wildflower garden, purple and yellow coneflowers are forming. Narrow-leaf mountain mint is blooming.
EDIT 6/16/25 --Out of 4 pots of switchgrass, 3 had several seedlings each. I planted those in the prairie garden. They kind of fell apart though. I have some more started. I may wait to plant those until I see roots at the bottom holes.
EDIT 6/16/25 --Out of 4 pots of switchgrass, 3 had several seedlings each. I planted those in the prairie garden. They kind of fell apart though. I have some more started. I may wait to plant those until I see roots at the bottom holes.
.
Let us begin this entry with a commentary on the changing visibility of women in animation, where women are eventually getting to higher positions and responsibilities in addition to the often stellar and strong work they do as ink and paint animators, cel creators, and much of the day-to-day work that makes studios like Ghibli so well-known and beloved for their productions. And, of course, women in careers is also a following on from academic institutions that finally allowed women to sit their examinations.
And perhaps is even more following on from the work being done to make sure that people know about the contributions of African women to their societies, and that many old societies in Africa had reading, writing, mathematical knowledge, and were otherwise the opposite of the colonial narrative that wanted to paint them as barbarous and uncivilized so they could be enslaved without disturbing the colonizer's conscience.
Brian Wilson, best known as a member of the Beach Boys and a pioneer of a specific style of pop that came from it, has left the world at 82 years of age. The details of his personal life, as well as some of the more experimental turns and albums that Wilson did, are a stark contrast to the sounds and the easy commercial co-option that has happened to the Beach Boys music and sound. We are all more complex than we appear on the surface.
( More governmental entities behaving lawlessly, more kidnapping, and more inside )
Last out for this post, highly-decorated, multi-gold medal winner, multiply-Olympic champion, and first to perform several maneuvers that now bear her name in the Gymastics Code of Points gymnast Simone Biles read undecorated, grievance-profiting, Fox News-supplicating, and all-around mediocre swimmer Riley Gaines for filth when Gaines posted about a softball team with a trans girl on it winning a championship. Gaines attempted to clap back by calling Biles a "male apologist," but I couldn't hear it very well over the sound of all that hardware clanking. Biles did eventually post something clarifying her comments as being about competitive equity and inclusivity and not singling out individual athletes for public scrutiny, but it has the feel of "people concerned about my brand made me do this 'clarification' " rather than a genuine change of position from Biles. Because that clarification makes it sound like Gaines might have had a point, and that's objectively untrue.
A libertarian-leaning, eye-catching eyesore has been bought, along with the land under it, by a local Native tribe, so hopefully the billboard will have a better sense of humor, or a better sense of politics, or both.
The National Hockey League's candidates for the Stanley Pup, thirty-two rescue dogs (one for each team in the NHL) looking for adoption, and all of who have great facts and team material available for them. Think Puppy Bowl, but hockey.
And the deliberate decision to lean into cringe in the Murderbot television series and buck the idea of people who never have human moments as protagonists. Combined with the performance of gender by SecUnit, and how that performance becomes meaningful once it's a choice instead of a requirement.
(Materials viaadrian_turtle, azurelunatic, boxofdelights, cmcmck, conuly, cosmolinguist, elf, finch, firecat, jadelennox, jenett, jjhunter, kaberett, lilysea, oursin, rydra_wong, snowynight, sonia, the_future_modernes, thewayne, umadoshi, vass, the meta_warehouse community, little_details, and anyone else I've neglected to mention or who I suspect would rather not be on the list. If you want to know where I get the neat stuff, my reading list has most of it.)
And perhaps is even more following on from the work being done to make sure that people know about the contributions of African women to their societies, and that many old societies in Africa had reading, writing, mathematical knowledge, and were otherwise the opposite of the colonial narrative that wanted to paint them as barbarous and uncivilized so they could be enslaved without disturbing the colonizer's conscience.
Brian Wilson, best known as a member of the Beach Boys and a pioneer of a specific style of pop that came from it, has left the world at 82 years of age. The details of his personal life, as well as some of the more experimental turns and albums that Wilson did, are a stark contrast to the sounds and the easy commercial co-option that has happened to the Beach Boys music and sound. We are all more complex than we appear on the surface.
( More governmental entities behaving lawlessly, more kidnapping, and more inside )
Last out for this post, highly-decorated, multi-gold medal winner, multiply-Olympic champion, and first to perform several maneuvers that now bear her name in the Gymastics Code of Points gymnast Simone Biles read undecorated, grievance-profiting, Fox News-supplicating, and all-around mediocre swimmer Riley Gaines for filth when Gaines posted about a softball team with a trans girl on it winning a championship. Gaines attempted to clap back by calling Biles a "male apologist," but I couldn't hear it very well over the sound of all that hardware clanking. Biles did eventually post something clarifying her comments as being about competitive equity and inclusivity and not singling out individual athletes for public scrutiny, but it has the feel of "people concerned about my brand made me do this 'clarification' " rather than a genuine change of position from Biles. Because that clarification makes it sound like Gaines might have had a point, and that's objectively untrue.
A libertarian-leaning, eye-catching eyesore has been bought, along with the land under it, by a local Native tribe, so hopefully the billboard will have a better sense of humor, or a better sense of politics, or both.
The National Hockey League's candidates for the Stanley Pup, thirty-two rescue dogs (one for each team in the NHL) looking for adoption, and all of who have great facts and team material available for them. Think Puppy Bowl, but hockey.
And the deliberate decision to lean into cringe in the Murderbot television series and buck the idea of people who never have human moments as protagonists. Combined with the performance of gender by SecUnit, and how that performance becomes meaningful once it's a choice instead of a requirement.
(Materials via
adrian_turtle, azurelunatic, boxofdelights, cmcmck, conuly, cosmolinguist, elf, finch, firecat, jadelennox, jenett, jjhunter, kaberett, lilysea, oursin, rydra_wong, snowynight, sonia, the_future_modernes, thewayne, umadoshi, vass, the meta_warehouse community, little_details, and anyone else I've neglected to mention or who I suspect would rather not be on the list. If you want to know where I get the neat stuff, my reading list has most of it.)
Got the most recent FAPA mailing, #351. It's fewer than 60 pages. While we're up to 21 members I think (I don't have it with me right now) - up from the 14-ish when I joined a few years ago - the page count has dropped recently, possibly in part because the Org Editor can no longer print people's entries for them. (He retired and no longer has access to the work printers.) So the overseas members are no longer sending in quarterly submissions.
( defining terms )
FAPA's contribution requirement is 8 pages a year, which can be 1 double-sided sheet of paper per quarter. This was not particularly onerous even in the days of hectographs. It is, however, apparently enough of a hassle that several current members only technically meet it - sending in that single sheet a quarter, and it's only a page and a half, and it's in 14-pt type and includes a picture covering a quarter of the page. If there were still a waiting list, they'd be bumped for failing to meet the contrib requirements. Since there hasn't been a waiting list this century, this is not an issue.
There are scans of some past mailings (or rather, parts of them) and scans of Fantasy Amateur, the official org zine (aka, the index & list of members), which stops right at the point where membership started dropping below the max of 65.
...Anyone want to join a venerated scifi institution that's been fading since the dawn of the WWW?
Requirements:
* Send 25 copies (currently) to the OE, minimum 8 pgs/year; can be sent quarterly, annually, or anything in between. ( More details inside )
( defining terms )
FAPA's contribution requirement is 8 pages a year, which can be 1 double-sided sheet of paper per quarter. This was not particularly onerous even in the days of hectographs. It is, however, apparently enough of a hassle that several current members only technically meet it - sending in that single sheet a quarter, and it's only a page and a half, and it's in 14-pt type and includes a picture covering a quarter of the page. If there were still a waiting list, they'd be bumped for failing to meet the contrib requirements. Since there hasn't been a waiting list this century, this is not an issue.
There are scans of some past mailings (or rather, parts of them) and scans of Fantasy Amateur, the official org zine (aka, the index & list of members), which stops right at the point where membership started dropping below the max of 65.
...Anyone want to join a venerated scifi institution that's been fading since the dawn of the WWW?
Requirements:
* Send 25 copies (currently) to the OE, minimum 8 pgs/year; can be sent quarterly, annually, or anything in between. ( More details inside )
In ‘Murderbot,’ an anxious scientist and an autonomous robot develop a workplace-trauma bond
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2025-06-13/murderbot-episode-6-alexander-skarsgard-noma-dumezweni
Leading a TV series is a first for Dumezweni, who has previously been cast in smaller roles. She wasn’t convinced by the initial pitch at first because sci-fi hasn’t traditionally had a lot of major roles for actors of color.
“Usually I’d come in and play the receptionist,” she says. “I love to watch sci-fi. But I wondered: Who am I going to be in this sci-fi world?”
However, once she learned more about the world and the character, the actor changed her mind.
“It was an absolute joy to discover that there was nothing that Chris and Paul had to change to make it representational,” Dumezweni says. “It’s lovely not to have to fight for people’s positions in the world based on their skin color.”
ETA: Wanted to add this one real quick from BlueSky:
Vestal Magazine: Noma Dumezweni -- Off Canvas
https://www.vestalmag.com/noma-dumezweni
Set in a near future where the line between machine and human is increasingly blurred, Murderbot explores themes of identity, autonomy, and what it truly means to be alive through the eyes of a self-aware security android. Adapted from Martha Wells’s beloved The Murderbot Diaries novels, the series blends gripping sci-fi action with sharp, witty humor. At the heart of the story is Noma Dumezweni’s portrayal of Dr. Ayda Mensah, the thoughtful leader of a pacifist civilization struggling to uphold her community’s ideals amid a universe dominated by corporate greed and political tensions. Noma brings to the role a grounded strength, embodying the delicate balance between idealism and pragmatism as her character wrestles with the burdens of leadership and moral compromise. The parallels between Noma and Ayda run deep: both choose to lead with heart, courage, and conviction. “Your head will try to talk you out of that feeling of expansion. It will tell you, ‘You can’t do this,’” Noma says. “Trust your body, trust your instinct. Your body knows the truth.” That instinct and bravery have guided her career, from becoming the first Black actress to portray Hermione Granger on stage, a landmark moment for representation in theater, to winning two Laurence Olivier Awards and becoming a beacon of inspiration for a new generation of actors. Like Ayda, Noma has forged a path not only of leadership, but of quiet, transformative power.
Lovely photos in this!
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2025-06-13/murderbot-episode-6-alexander-skarsgard-noma-dumezweni
Leading a TV series is a first for Dumezweni, who has previously been cast in smaller roles. She wasn’t convinced by the initial pitch at first because sci-fi hasn’t traditionally had a lot of major roles for actors of color.
“Usually I’d come in and play the receptionist,” she says. “I love to watch sci-fi. But I wondered: Who am I going to be in this sci-fi world?”
However, once she learned more about the world and the character, the actor changed her mind.
“It was an absolute joy to discover that there was nothing that Chris and Paul had to change to make it representational,” Dumezweni says. “It’s lovely not to have to fight for people’s positions in the world based on their skin color.”
ETA: Wanted to add this one real quick from BlueSky:
Vestal Magazine: Noma Dumezweni -- Off Canvas
https://www.vestalmag.com/noma-dumezweni
Set in a near future where the line between machine and human is increasingly blurred, Murderbot explores themes of identity, autonomy, and what it truly means to be alive through the eyes of a self-aware security android. Adapted from Martha Wells’s beloved The Murderbot Diaries novels, the series blends gripping sci-fi action with sharp, witty humor. At the heart of the story is Noma Dumezweni’s portrayal of Dr. Ayda Mensah, the thoughtful leader of a pacifist civilization struggling to uphold her community’s ideals amid a universe dominated by corporate greed and political tensions. Noma brings to the role a grounded strength, embodying the delicate balance between idealism and pragmatism as her character wrestles with the burdens of leadership and moral compromise. The parallels between Noma and Ayda run deep: both choose to lead with heart, courage, and conviction. “Your head will try to talk you out of that feeling of expansion. It will tell you, ‘You can’t do this,’” Noma says. “Trust your body, trust your instinct. Your body knows the truth.” That instinct and bravery have guided her career, from becoming the first Black actress to portray Hermione Granger on stage, a landmark moment for representation in theater, to winning two Laurence Olivier Awards and becoming a beacon of inspiration for a new generation of actors. Like Ayda, Noma has forged a path not only of leadership, but of quiet, transformative power.
Lovely photos in this!
The past few days have been, again, pretty low energy which is annoying. I blame the weather because it’s both warm and heavy which is a bad combination. We’ve meant to have a storm for the last few days and there has been dark clouds sometimes but they don’t last. I hope we get one sometime, just not today.
Cause the food shop messed up last week we had to go to home bargains on Friday which didn’t help, not least cause mum insisted on getting compost (at least it was by the door so we didn’t carry it around the whole store). But yeah, carrying a load of stuff back in the heat was not it.
I had been debating getting another game for the switch 2 when my money went in and I narrowed it down to Sonic x Shadow Generations and Civilization VII which are vastly different games. While we were down at Home Bargains I did pop in game to take a look at things but it’s so weird cause 80% of the stuff has no pricing and it just felt off. (I went in for the Final Fantasy MTG starter and they didn’t have that either)
I’m still undecided on one of those (and I know there’s another too but it’s gone out my head) but I did get another game instead. Seapeekay played Lost In Random - The Eternal Die and it looked pretty good, plus there was a 15% launch discount so I picked it up. It’s very much a similar style of Hades (you do runs beating enemies in hopes of getting stuff to upgrade and do other runs better) and I am really enjoying it. It does have the thing of ‘one more run’ so I do multiple ones in a row oops. I did manage to beat the first bosses yesterday but only just.
Speaking of gaming I finally started Dredge this weekend. It’s funny I’ve had it for months and only started now it’s on game pass. In a similar vein to Eternal Die it has a ‘one more day’ but it did take a bit of getting used to at the start. I’ve just got to the cliffs so I’m gonna explore round there when I’m next on. But I do love the lil boat and sailing round. The only issue is sometimes it’s tricky to read the text (especially when it’s purple) so I kinda wish I had it on the switch but that feels a small issue.
Yesterday was DND which was really fun and I’m so looking forward to the next sessions (cause there’s a reverse heist and acdemics cluelessly in love). But ugh I got hit by the curse again. Like why does my laptop decide to either mess around or demand an update right before a session? This time it decided that it was going to just stop detecting the internet which I knew was fine cause I was in my pad but ugh. I wish it would behave. (I am fine with joining the sessions on the pad it’s just the webcam in it makes it awkward)
I found out yesterday that Warped tour was doing a stream and I looked at the listings for it and the only band I had any possible interest in was Asking Alexandria. I checked the time and it was around 2am here and since I was still awake I decided to watch.
The thing is though, I had low expectations for it. I’d heard such bad things about the recent tour that my expectation was pretty much on the floor and yet I watched it anyway. It was better than I expected though only slightly. Danny was still wearing his absurd get up. Like I love an aesthetic where you can’t see a person’s face but it really doesn’t suit him at all and you can tell it’s not an aesthetic thing but only there for one reason: To hide him not singing. At times you can’t blatantly hear it’s a backing track (sometimes his mic is no where near his face!) whereas other times he is actually singing so the whole thing is very weird. I’m glad I didn’t pay to see them cause you can tell that they either need to get rid of him outright or just get someone (Paul) back to support him (and you have to wonder why they haven’t already). I mean they played one of my fav songs of theirs and it was just… not great which does suck.
Though it was funny seeing comments badmouthing him (and get deleted) before their set even started.
I also found out yesterday that there’s an adaption of The Seven Dials Mystery that has been filmed which sounds cool but I had to laugh cause I looked it up and who is playing Superintendant Battle? Martin Freeman. I dunno who I’d have pictured in the role but him? I’d not have thought that in a million years.
Today I’m off to Birmingham though I have woke with a funny tummy though I’m hoping that’s just nerves. Fingers crossed it settles some.
Cause the food shop messed up last week we had to go to home bargains on Friday which didn’t help, not least cause mum insisted on getting compost (at least it was by the door so we didn’t carry it around the whole store). But yeah, carrying a load of stuff back in the heat was not it.
I had been debating getting another game for the switch 2 when my money went in and I narrowed it down to Sonic x Shadow Generations and Civilization VII which are vastly different games. While we were down at Home Bargains I did pop in game to take a look at things but it’s so weird cause 80% of the stuff has no pricing and it just felt off. (I went in for the Final Fantasy MTG starter and they didn’t have that either)
I’m still undecided on one of those (and I know there’s another too but it’s gone out my head) but I did get another game instead. Seapeekay played Lost In Random - The Eternal Die and it looked pretty good, plus there was a 15% launch discount so I picked it up. It’s very much a similar style of Hades (you do runs beating enemies in hopes of getting stuff to upgrade and do other runs better) and I am really enjoying it. It does have the thing of ‘one more run’ so I do multiple ones in a row oops. I did manage to beat the first bosses yesterday but only just.
Speaking of gaming I finally started Dredge this weekend. It’s funny I’ve had it for months and only started now it’s on game pass. In a similar vein to Eternal Die it has a ‘one more day’ but it did take a bit of getting used to at the start. I’ve just got to the cliffs so I’m gonna explore round there when I’m next on. But I do love the lil boat and sailing round. The only issue is sometimes it’s tricky to read the text (especially when it’s purple) so I kinda wish I had it on the switch but that feels a small issue.
Yesterday was DND which was really fun and I’m so looking forward to the next sessions (cause there’s a reverse heist and acdemics cluelessly in love). But ugh I got hit by the curse again. Like why does my laptop decide to either mess around or demand an update right before a session? This time it decided that it was going to just stop detecting the internet which I knew was fine cause I was in my pad but ugh. I wish it would behave. (I am fine with joining the sessions on the pad it’s just the webcam in it makes it awkward)
I found out yesterday that Warped tour was doing a stream and I looked at the listings for it and the only band I had any possible interest in was Asking Alexandria. I checked the time and it was around 2am here and since I was still awake I decided to watch.
The thing is though, I had low expectations for it. I’d heard such bad things about the recent tour that my expectation was pretty much on the floor and yet I watched it anyway. It was better than I expected though only slightly. Danny was still wearing his absurd get up. Like I love an aesthetic where you can’t see a person’s face but it really doesn’t suit him at all and you can tell it’s not an aesthetic thing but only there for one reason: To hide him not singing. At times you can’t blatantly hear it’s a backing track (sometimes his mic is no where near his face!) whereas other times he is actually singing so the whole thing is very weird. I’m glad I didn’t pay to see them cause you can tell that they either need to get rid of him outright or just get someone (Paul) back to support him (and you have to wonder why they haven’t already). I mean they played one of my fav songs of theirs and it was just… not great which does suck.
Though it was funny seeing comments badmouthing him (and get deleted) before their set even started.
I also found out yesterday that there’s an adaption of The Seven Dials Mystery that has been filmed which sounds cool but I had to laugh cause I looked it up and who is playing Superintendant Battle? Martin Freeman. I dunno who I’d have pictured in the role but him? I’d not have thought that in a million years.
Today I’m off to Birmingham though I have woke with a funny tummy though I’m hoping that’s just nerves. Fingers crossed it settles some.
