My weekly roundup of #publishing news #writing craft tips and #bookmarketing links is now up on substack. Sharing our ideas.
https://open.substack.com/pub/maureencrisp/p/sharing-our-ideas?r=8opd8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
#writingcommunity
writing
I Must Come Clean: I Have #Trump Derangement Syndrome—And Here’s Why https://www.blueamp.co/p/i-must-come-clean-i-have-trump-derangement
"You may get TDS if you have a strong dislike for adjudicated rapists, #Jan6 insurrectionists, #Putin -suckling seditionists, and golden-showering onanists. TDS is inflamed just by encountering un-sweater’d, White Bill Cosby the Convicted Felon, or seeing him make the Oval Office look like it was decorated by Pizarro.
It must be TDS to despise the worst “human” shuffling his cankles in #America. A vile, venal, fragile, flabby, narcissistic, lazy-ass, selfish, sociopathic, soul-holed, gauche, gaudy, perpetually dumbf*ked man, woman, person, camera old coot, who looks like someone piled a burnt-ochre-colored watermelon on top of a jello-gelatin factory spill"
#news #politics #usa #donaldtrump #russia #ukraine #eu #nato #tech #ai #culture #economy #mentalhealth #health #unitedstates #media #press #tv #BAM #canada #europe #writing
Finally!
We've completed our little Haikuart-Series "Hedgehog in the four seasons"!
Haiku: @MarjoleinRotsteeg
Watercolor paintings: @KarenKasparArt
All proceeds from the sale of prints and products of this hedgehog haiku artwork will be donated to the Avolare Wildlife Hospital in the Netherlands (avolare.nl).
More infos in comments 👇
#art #haiku #haikuart #poem #poetry #writing #hedgehog #animals #cute #autumn #gifts #giftideas #christmas #support #watercolor #painting #artwork #seasons
Well, this is where it begins. A prologue, of sorts, although I know those aren't popular these days.
But if you'd like to spend 10 minutes or so in a magical library with a very odd garden, a fire-breathing dragon and flying books...
"We started with participants sharing personal technology stories—EVs as climate-guilt-free mobility, pirate radio stations as creation rather than consumption, bikes as intergenerational freedom. Then we unpacked the narratives underneath: what myths, what power structures, what economic forces shaped these experiences?"
https://m-otherboard.ghost.io/beyond-protagonists-imagining-stories-of-collective-good/
My weekly roundup of #publishing news #writing craft tips and #bookmarketing links is now up on Substack.
How to Find A New Book
https://open.substack.com/pub/maureencrisp/p/how-to-find-a-new-book?r=8opd8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
My first roundup of #publishing news #writing craft tips and #bookmarketing links for 2026 is now up free on Substack.
https://open.substack.com/pub/maureencrisp/p/trying-to-stay-sane-for-2026?r=8opd8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Does anybody have any work that needs doing that a reasonably intelligent person might be able to do while he recuperates at home?
I don’t have too many skills that aren’t music / teaching related, but I can write, proofread, and copy edit fairly capably.
I hate to ask, but I could use the occupation / part-time income.
Thanks.
"Is there a way to fix a broken heart?" asked the robot.
The human was a little stunned but then shrugged, "Eat ice cream and cry a lot."
"I am not capable of those things."
"Hm... a fling? Or a new hobby?"
"Those do not seem logical solutions."
"Can you simply not delete the memories?"
"I... find myself unable to."
"Sounds like logic isn't the answer."
"So what can I do?"
"Have you ever tried painting?"
"No."
"We can start there."
ICYMI: my annual "where my #writing money comes from" post.
Wrote and published a blog post last night on why I finally decided to delete my TikTok account 👀😃
#blog #tiktok #socialMedia #tech #writing
https://bookswithnoelle.wordpress.com/2026/02/17/first-step-to-freedom-deleting-tiktok/
I have been poking at writing a paper since late last year and am stuck in a "I know it won't achieve what I want it to achieve" doom loop about it, which is an effective motivation sap. This has happened to me every single time I've written something for publication and I find it very frustrating.
This is not really a call for advice--I have a thousand and one strategies, both my own and ones suggested to me by mentors and colleagues past--though I love to collect hot tips about how to write more effectively so I'm not opposed either. Mostly just venting because the other window is a blank page.
#motivation #writing #AcademicPublishing #AcademicWriting #TechnicalWriting
This is not really a call for advice--I have a thousand and one strategies, both my own and ones suggested to me by mentors and colleagues past--though I love to collect hot tips about how to write more effectively so I'm not opposed either. Mostly just venting because the other window is a blank page.
#motivation #writing #AcademicPublishing #AcademicWriting #TechnicalWriting
"Welcome home! How was it?"
"It was desperately needed! Thanks for house-sitting on short notice. Any trouble? Had enough food?"
"No trubs - and yes, you spoiled me with the money you left for snacks!"
"Least I could do for my favorite house-sitter!"
"I did have to buy more cat-food and litter; I couldn't find any. She was so hungry when I got here!"
"I don't have a cat?"
The cat in question didn't even look guilty about breaking in.
Let me explain:
I have two accounts on the #fediverse
1. This one: @shojiwax On which I post links to my website articles PLUS a general stream of consciousness remarks links, boosts and comments.
2. https://mastodon.au/@shojiwax.com@shojiwax.com this is a direct feed from my website and includes full text of my writings. Sorta like subscribing to my #blog’s RSS feed.
#blogging #writing #photography #consciousness #zen #creativity #poetry #blackAndWhite
My storage-bladder clutched the loot tighter as I sprinted for the airlock and my stochastic parrot started posting dire survival probabilities on the body-bus.
The recent mods I'd made for the job had pros and cons. On the one hand the ablative scales on my back did a wonderful job dealing with incoming energy and ballistic fire, on the other hand all that shit was weighing me down and I couldn't get into my usual groove. I was way too slow and I would die.
"Fuck it, fire at will."
As soon as the free-for-all message was on the bus all hell broke loose. My third arm took control of the cam, overrode its own power and projectile budget and went to town on anything that moved and was not me. Nutrient-transport fluids and excrement splashed on the walls behind me.
The locomotion subsystem erased all wear protection on joints and connected tissues. With a jolt (and a lot of cracks and creaks) my body was launched towards the door.
Eris, my delightfully named security subsystem, unlocked all of our precious zero days and started burning out any system stupid enough to still accept any incoming comms.
"Not the DOOR, Eris!"
"I'm having fun, I'm not stupid 
."
I flew through the door and broke some carapace as I slammed into the back wall of the airlock. The door closed with a lot more force than allowed by regulation and instead of a soft disengagement I had to hold on for dear life as the emergency detach bolts exploded.
I dropped on the floor. Smiling. Nothing like a good near-death experience to make you feel alive.
I could hear faint sobbing from Excel, the new accountant AI as it tallied the cost for burnt exploits.
Edited 34d ago
My weekly roundup of #publishing news #writing craft tips and #bookmarketing links is now up on my free sub stack. Caution: Look Carefully At The Message
https://open.substack.com/pub/maureencrisp/p/caution-look-carefully-at-the-message?r=8opd8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
#writingcommunity
#BookIndustryNews
I guess I'm going to have to get myself some pyjamas, prefferably purple 😂
@writers @writingcommunity @writing @humour @indieauthors @authorindiespeak
#WritingMemes #Memes
#Author #Authors #IndieAuthor #IndieBooks #AmWriting #Writerdons #Writers #Writer #Writing #WritingCommunity #Writinglife #WritersOfMastodon
#BoostingIsSharing
#Repost #From #Old #Account
Solifan the wizard had done great things in his lifetime but was currently facing the greatest struggle of his life.
"I can't find her!" he shouted, all the while tossing books, clothes and reagents from one corner of his room into another. His long, grey hair was in disarray, his glasses sat crooked and his usually pristine robe was crinkled and stained.
Albor stood in the door feeling uncomfortable. He had never seen his old friend in such a state. It had been some time since they had last met, but in his mind Solifan was still the mage-general of the south. Always in control, of himself, any situation, and powers beyond the imagination of most living beings. He coughed politely.
Solifan froze, turned and, when he recognized his old friend, sighed with relief. "Thank the spirits you're here, you have to help me find her." he gestured towards a rather tidy corner of the room.
Albor eyed the corner with a raised brow and put a heavy hand on his friends shoulder. "Calm down Solí. Who is 'her' and how could she be in a corner of your room?"
"Ah..." Solifan straightened, combed a hand through his hair and adjusted his glasses. "See, after I retired, after a while, I grew a little lonely." he explained. "So I got a cat. Píp."
Albor's eyebrow got quite the workout that day.
"Sooo, YOU can't find a... cat?" there was an undertone of accusation. "Your cat?"
With a disarming shrug and a smile Solifan continued. "I didn't want to lock her in, and the city is dangerous, so Iiii..."
"Yoooou?" the eyebrow curled suspiciously downward.
"I gave her some... protection." Solifan shrugged.
"So she is invisible? Immortal? Tiny? All at once?" Albor's eyes started canvassing the room, their subtle, teal glow indicating that he saw more than just this realm.
"You remember that spirit we saved in Dimkarat? The one that promised eternal gratitude for us and our ancestors?" Solifan had apparently found a very interesting dust bunny between his feet which required intense study.
"Ah yes, they were very thankful for..." Albor's eyes went dim as his mouth fell open. "Noooooo..."
"Well, since Píp is my fur baby..." Solifan's studies continued.
"You made a thousand year old tree spirit from the forests of Dimkarat your cat sitter?"
Solifan slumped into a chair. "Píp and them got along so well, I didn't think they meant it, when they said Píp should visit their homelands, but I've searched the city and my room twice now. In all realms."
Albor felt a familiar tingle behind his ears, the lure of adventure and danger. He took the gnarled staff from the mantle of the fireplace and held it out.
"Looks like we're going to Dimkarat, again."
Some #PeerTube video accounts you might want to follow about #Books #Writing & #Authors :
➡️ @kerry_ferrand - In-depth video reviews and book hauls
➡️ @faereviews - Brief reviews & shorts about romantic fantasy books
➡️ @weirdwriter - Blind author posting videos on writing, accessibility, gaming etc
➡️ @mcoorlim - Steampunk novelist, retro game fan
➡️ @athenaproductions - Irreverent sweary videos about history, philosophy, literature
➡️ @audiobooks - Well-performed public domain audiobooks
Me: I'm gonna write #openzfsmastery in order. No bouncing around in the manuscript, just clean text from beginning to end!
Also me: My test host needs the new compatibility flag for the root pool. I guess I better jump ahead four chapters and write that. 
#sysadmin #writing
Píp the cat and Solifan the wizard had developed a routine. Cats are very good at routines.
During the day, Píp would lounge around the room, preferably on a blanket in front of the fireplace or on Solifan's lap. At noon and for teatime, they would trade scritches and food for purrs and play, which seemed like a good deal to everyone involved. Then, at sunset, Píp would leave into the night until the early morning hours. Just before sunrise, she would make herself known by the agreed-upon signal. Loud meowing and scratches on the door. Sometimes she brought snacks.
Solifan had locked the door for the night an hour ago and blotted his last page for the day before storing it with the others. The writing had become much easier with company around.
A small thump hit the door, followed by weak, wheezy mewling.
Reflexes from a time he was hoping to forget took over. The surge of fear and worry was pushed aside by absolute clarity. He ripped open the door, eyes glowing like fire, drawing power from everything in reach. The flowers on the mantle withered, the fireplace went dim, and his limbs grew numb and cold as waves of dread pulsed through the street, warning everything, alive or not, of terrible danger.
The little ball of fur and blood on the doorstep let out a whimper, and the spell broke.
Solifan's eyes grew dim and wide with fear. Lines of worry creased his brow as he carefully picked Píp up, cradling her against his body. He set her on the blanket in front of the hearth and stoked the fire, listening to her ragged breathing.
After a couple of helpless minutes, he stood up, put on his winter coat, and went to look for help.
Píp the cat was patrolling the rooftops of the city, stopping occasionally when something caught her eye. With her was, as always, Ból, the forest spirit.
You should tell him. Ból's words manifested in Píp's mind and carried a feeling of urgency.
"But he loves me as he knows me." Píp's tail twitched. "I don't want anything to change right now." She was now perched on the edge of a roof, watching the busy street below.
Ból filled the air around her and Píp arched her back, her hair standing up.
"I won't fall." she hissed. "Not again."
Sometimes it's not in your hand. Ból gave her space.
"I've thought about it, you know?" Píp's gaze returned to the street. "Could you take it back? Make me as I was?"
Yes, I can. Do you want me to? It would be like nothing ever happened. The words were tinged with an anticipation of sadness.
"No. Never. I'm perfect."
That's such a cat thing to say.
Solifan the wizard yawned in the darkness and uttered an unwilling grumble.
"Mrp." said the weight on his chest.
"No. Psh." Solifan gently pushed the weight off the bed, and tried to fall asleep gain, which worked for about thirty seconds, then the weight returned and started purring.
"I liked it better when you went out at night." Solifan sighed. A subtle glow filled his eyes and the candle on the nightstand began to burn. Píp the cat was sitting on his chest, intently staring at his face. Now that she had his attention, she repeatedly bumped her head onto his nose.
"Fiiiine, I am getting up." Solifan pushed her off his face and sat up. Píp was already sitting by the door, waiting patiently, and purring.
Solifan shuffled to the door in a drowsy stupor and opened it just wide enough for the cat to fit.
Píp sat in the gap, relishing the fresh air streaming into the room, and looked out onto the street.
"In or out." Solifan grumbled, waited five seconds, then gently pushed the cat through the cracked door out on the street.
"There you gooouow." he yawned as he turned to go to sleep again.
"Thanks." a tiny voice whispered through the door.
Just a reminder that if you like my writing on Substack, it’s very likely that you will also like my book ‘Drystone - A Life Rebuilt’
If you buy it on bookshop.org you support me and indy bookshops.
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/15919/9781846976469
#Books #Book #Writing #WritingCommunity #Reading #Scotland #UK
Edited 17d ago