@thomaswrightson
Writer of fiction, currently with Roan & Weatherford. In life and art: Veritas Vincit ("truth prevails"). Current projects: The Cluster Cycle, The Angry House. Website: https://thomaswrightson.co.uk/
I must stress, this is a campaign which has stopped the Government rushing through what tech lobbyists are asking for. We may or may not win, but sitting on our arses now makes one outcome more likely, doesn't it.
Guess what this sff reader/writer decided to get in paperback format...
#writerslife
This is why I think the House of Lords should be kept around. Even if they can't actually stop stupid Commons decisions, they can loudly object.
The House of Lords Digital & Communications Committee just published their report on AI, copyright & the creative industries, and their conclusions could not be clearer.
🧵 1/5
Half-Life 2.
You know those times. When you're trying a game everyone says is the absolute best. And you just find it frustrating, annoying, confusing, and tedious.
I have to ask. Are you saying it's the best honestly, or through rose-plastered glasses?
#writerslife #videogames
THE WEST PASSAGE knocked me on my arse. So I am excited to read this!
Review: Heart warming historical crime caper. A romp of a Victorian murder mystery. Good characters, pacy plot, all the twists and turns you could ask for, a foul-mouthed parrot, a satisfyingly menacing villain, a mismatched but loyally loving pair of sapphic sleuths and a superbly written street urchin. Loved it, hoping for more adventures from this intrepid crime solving trio. Amazon Reviewer. The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder by Stephen Cox A striking book cover with the title and author name dominating. A rich dark blue background, and a touch of mist. The text appears in gold in a gold rectangular frame, the font is old fashioned implying C19th century. The frame has three rondels or cameos each containing a picture. Top right is a golden bee brooch with the body and one wing streaked with red blood. Middle left is foxgloves, spires of small bell flowers in pink, white and purple. Bottom right is a dark brown medicine bottle, with a pale label. The word LAUDANUM is just visible. There are pink highlights on some of the letters. Taken together it is bold, mysterious, and Victorian.
For World Book Day I dressed up as an aging scruff. I have three books out and two on the way. Buy my books
#reading #writing #SFF #Victorian #murder #mystery #books #booksbooksbooks
Two books lie on a blanket with a wolf face visible between them; the books are Juliet E McKenna's The Green Man's Quarry and Future's Edge by Gareth L. Powell.
Two books lie on a blanket with a wolf face visible between them; the books are Starborn Vendetta and Lost Station Circé by Thomas Wrightson.
It's World Book Day! So many speculative authors, from @julietemckenna.bsky.social to @garethlpowell.bsky.social to @jendiagammon.bsky.social to @tejturner.com. Here's a couple of their works, plus my humble offering.
#worldbookday #scifi #BookSky💙📚
Pardon me while I wither away like the High One in the flame.
Hardly daily. Just a good day (got my head straight after tea shenanigans). And it's a novel. so don't know how long.
Star Trek is a very serious sci-fi show about exploring space and the human condition.
Also Star Trek: “As far as you're concerned, Q, I'm impossible to get."
Wrote over 2000 words today. Very good, I think. Very good.
#writerslife #amwriting
Muting certain words on BlueSky (I tend to do it a month at a time) has done miracles for my mental health. Can recommend.
Threads has a "hidden words" bit in its "Settings" section. Mastadon has Filters in its Settings.
Facebook only has the "Content preferences", which is subpar by comparison and less precise. Instagram sadly doesn't have it, but it also doesn't pop up that much for me, so maybe it's more selective.
The this is fine dog meme only he's saying "So I have a book coming out"
Why you should buy my book even though the world is on fire: a thread (1/12)
Boosting for my trans followers and colleagues.
I referenced JK Fowling so as appropriate pennance :-
If you are a #trans creator of any type (writing, music, art, ceramics, whatevs) drop a link to your work here and I will enthusiastically repost it. Let's boost trans art!
Cover art by Ben Baldwin for The Green Man's Heir shows a carved wooden face made from oak leaves, with a spark of emerald light in the dark eye sockets. Book extract reads: Someone shook me awake. Brutal fingers dug into my biceps, lifting me up from the mattress. I opened my eyes and yelled. The Green Man’s leafy face was inches from my own, and the rich, earthy scent of the woodland filled the room. His emerald eyes bored into mine. I went rigid with shock. I blinked and he was gone, letting me fall back onto the bed. I was gasping for breath as though I’d just run a mile, and my bitten leg was burning. As I reached for the cream on my bedside table, my hand shook so much I knocked it onto the floor. Swearing, I reached down to retrieve it. At least that soothed some of the searing pain. It wasn’t just my leg that was hurting though; my upper arms ached viciously. The half-light of the moon through the sloping skylight showed me bruises already darkening on the pale skin above my tanned forearms. The marks of gripping fingers. This hadn’t been a dream. The door to the living room was open and I knew for certain I’d closed it.
Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'open' #BookQW #BookSky
Dan Mackmain's always been a loner. People say he doesn't let them in. He has a good reason. Dan can see into the supernatural world.
The Green Man's Heir is the first book in this modern fantasy series rooted in British myths and folklore.
Guards Guards.
Forgot this tag. It's been a week and a half, and it's only Wednesday. #BookQW
The docking clamps engaged imperfectly against its uneven exterior, and the docking controls almost refused entry when the doors almost opened prematurely as the walkway extended to meet Cape Cisternaea. There were a few raised eyebrows, but enough people there knew about the Benbow and its typical state of repair to override the alarm and manually ensure it docked correctly. And for the umpteenth time, several wondered why her captain refused to scrap it. Black Engine models were like discarded hen’s teeth, and just as decayed. With the ship docked, it was time for the crew to disembark. And, as Alkmeney often remarked to herself, they were a ragged assortment even by Cape Cisternaea’s relaxed standards. Black-class junks like the Benbow were mostly automated, so it only took a crew of around seven to run it. But what a set they were. At the front, Solet the Feles captain with artificial arms and a foul temper, immediately followed by Syndac whose attitude singled her out as second-in-command. Just behind them Alkmeney herself, then that human-form android Livesey, both looking positively smart and maybe a little superior. Behind them Sudu, an Ekri with grease-stained clothing and a patch over one eye, his voice jovial and casual. At the back Lenore, a Feles female with a strange hairstyle and battle-toned body. By her side Faarax, a human in his late teens with very casual clothes and a face prematurely aged by work and hardship.
Book Quote Wednesday's word is "Open".
Two for the price of one, as the junk ship Benbow docks at Cape Cisternaea and its ragtag crew disembarks.
Lost Station Circé is available now, links on my website.
#scifi #spaceopera #writingcommunity #BookSky💙📚
ELGIBLE FOR THE URSULA K. Le GUIN PRIZE BY JENDIA GAMMON / J. DIANNE DOTSON TO WONDER AND STARSHINE Jendia Gammon By Longlisted FOR A BSFA AWARD The Secret of the Sapphire Sentinel By Jendia Gammon writing is J. Dianne Dotson FINALST FOR A BSFA AWARD
Nominations for the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize are now open until the end of March. I have two eligible books: TO WONDER AND STARSHINE and THE SECRET OF THE SAPPHIRE SENTINEL. Both books feature themes of hope, resilience, beauty, working together to create better futures, and ecological elements.
Clair Obscur writer shares production advice that could improve your game's story
TOMORROW!!! We can’t wait for you all to see what @mjkuhnbooks.bsky.social has in store 🦾
A gothic castle in the transylvanian mountains. A great bear of a man, waring a stovepipe hat and carrying a cane: "Now that you are my bride, you will never leave this castle!" His new bride replies "Wow! Your library is amazing!" He continues "Beyond the castle is a high wall with no gate, and beyond that is a deep. Dark forest with no path." She pulls a volume from a great bookcase, "I suppose it's my library too, now we're married." He goes on "The forest is crawling with ravenous wolves, malignant birds and the spirits of long-dead travellers." Ignoring him, carrying a pile of hardbacks "So many books! I can't believe My luck!" He has sprouted wings, claws and cloven hoofs. "When the sun sets, I transform into a wild beast and soar into the night, seized by a terrible bloodlust!" She sits, examining her books as he flies out the window "Ok. I'll stay here and read. See you in the morning"
'Castle'
One of the limited-edition prints in my shop
www.tomgauld.com/shop
Put something together for this coming Sunday. Something that I feel thoroughly satisfied with (for a change).
#writerslife #update
My novella, THE APOLOGISTS, is a finalist for the BSFA awards.
You can read and/or listen to at. @clarkesworldmagazine.com Link below.
On the one hand, yay!
On the other hand, I've been nominated for the BSFA many times. I never win. So, boo!
But you can still enjoy the story.
New UK government consultation opportunity.
I haven't yet read the whole thing, but on the introductory page it weirdly refers to children being on AI chatbots 🤨
www.gov.uk/government/n...
A true connoisseur.