thefox1982

[thefox1982]

The Beast that Bothers

[thefox1982]

Like short stories? Want to support independent publishers? Then you should back Shapers of Worlds Volume V, via @Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edwardwillett/shapers-of-worlds-volume-v?ref=android_project_share

#scifi #fantasy #speculative fiction #independent publishing #kickstarter

[thefox1982]

https://www.sparklemalarkey.co.uk/blog---sparkle-malarkey-spritzer/roses-at-alexander-mcqueen-part-2-tell-it-to-the-bees

I'm going to post this because every time I good looking for it, it seems harder to find. Was just discussing this work, his tragically short but wonderful life. This always stands put to me as so singular and beautiful.

#alexander mcqueen #tell it to the bees

[thefox1982]

I thought of you when I read this quote from "The Salt Grows Heavy" by Cassandra Khaw -

"When you do not have the option for conversation, there arises a wealth of time for personal instruction."

Start reading this book for free: https://amzn.eu/7XOWfnt

#cassandra khaw #mermaid #the little mermaid #plague doctor #horror

[thefox1982]

GUMROAD IS BANNING NSFW CONTENT IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS

I haven't seen anyone talk about this yet, so I might as well.

They've updated their content policy to comply with payment processor Stripe and Paypal's censorhip. They gave 24 hours. On March 16th 2024, Gumroad TOS will no longer allows sales of any written or drawn nsfw content.

This is going to hurt for so many creators. Giving that little time leaves people's source of income wildly unstable, especially with such a huge overhaul of what content is allowed.

I hate this. I hate what censorship is turning the internet into. I hate that nsfw content creators keeo getting pushed to the fringes, that they need to digitally migrate so often, because nowhere can be trusted to allow their art for long.

I don't know what to do next, there isn't some sort of "here's what you can do to help!" People just deserve to know.

[thefox1982]

Cranford by Mrs. Gaskell

Comparative to my recent reading of Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which I would describe as "awful people who fortunately inflict themselves on one another rather than on the rest of us", Mrs Gaskell uses empathy and wit to create a delightful village of recognisable and relatable characters. A real joy to experience.

#cranford #mrs gaskell #book review #classics #novel

[thefox1982]

keith ward's reynard the fox illustrations (via splog)

[thefox1982]

Reviewing last year's reading challenge on Goodreads. Realised I read a disproportionate amount of male authors. 50 odd books all told, but of those, 27 male authors against 3 female authors.

Roughly 49.75% of the population of the world is female, so seeking out works by female authors should be representative, getting a 50/50 balance. My thoughts being, if I only digest the opinions of one type of person my perspective of the world would likely be very narrow. Reading the works of more types of people will open my eyes to different ways of seeing the world.

Further subdivisions of demographics might also be prudent. With the exception of Marcus Aurelious and James Joyce most authors listed either qualify as English, British, or American. And I'm relatively certain none are POCs. Still at this moment, with a lack of disposable income, I'm wading through the backlog of books I have to read. And next year I can seek to field a more proportionate roster.

I recall an article about a bookshop that stock literature from around the world and collected them by country. Not books by colonial authors, but instead authors and poets local to those nations.

I can't recall where it was, and possibly it closed its doors during the pandemic and never re-opened. But it was a good idea.

I asked the copilot and it had this response:

Certainly! 📚 Let's embark on a literary journey around the world, guided by the words of writers and poets. Here are some remarkable independent bookshops that celebrate diverse voices and offer a passport to different cultures:

1. **The Second Shelf** (London, England) 🇬🇧

- Owned and curated by American writer A.N. Devers, The Second Shelf is a powerful advocate for gender equality in literature. Nestled in a romantic Soho courtyard, this bookshop specializes in rare and antiquarian books, modern first editions, manuscripts, and works by women. It's a treasure trove for bibliophiles who appreciate women authors across history¹.

2. **Gay’s The Word** (London, England) 🏳️‍🌈

- A legendary bookshop, Gay’s The Word has been proudly out and proud since 1979. Beyond its shelves, it carries the spirit of liberal progress and LGBTQ rights. It played a significant role in supporting miners during the Thatcher era. Explore transformative books by LGBTQ writers from around the world in this welcoming space¹.

3. **The Poetry Bookshop** (Hay-on-Wye, Wales) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

- Dedicated to poetry since 1979, this bookshop in Hay-on-Wye offers an extensive selection of secondhand and antiquarian poetry. Collectors and poetry lovers from all over the world make pilgrimages to this Welsh gem. Browsing its shelves feels like stepping into a roomful of poetic inspiration³.

4. **Authors Abroad** (UK and overseas) 🌍

- Authors Abroad organizes memorable experiences for schools, bringing authors, poets, illustrators, and storytellers to inspire children's love for reading and writing. Their reach extends beyond the UK, fostering literary connections across borders⁴.

So, whether you're seeking forgotten classics, contemporary voices, or poetic musings, these bookshops offer a literary passport to explore the world through words. Happy reading! 📖✨

Source: Conversation with Bing, 08/02/2024

(1) 21 Best Independent Bookshops in the UK | Books and Bao. https://booksandbao.com/best-independent-bookshops-in-the-uk/.

(2) Home - The Poetry Bookshop. https://poetrybookshop.co.uk/.

(3) Authors Abroad. https://www.authorsabroad.com/.

(4) 26 Books set in another country you’ll absolutely want to read. https://www.abookloversadventures.com/books-set-in-another-country/.

#reading #authors #diversity

[thefox1982]

leaf sheep sea slug (Costasiella kuroshimae)

[thefox1982]

Listen to me, boy. You will hear about sea slugs. You will enjoy sea slugs

Costasiella kuroshimae / leaf sheep. Discovered off the coast of Japanese island Kuroshima in 1993, they can indirectly perform photosynthesis by absorbing chloroplasts from algae

Cyerce nigricans. The cerata can be easily cast when disturbed. They can also swim by powerfully flapping said cerata when strongly stimulated. I think they look like butterfly wings!

Jorunna parva / sea bunny. They are covered in papillae, which are fleshy protuberances used for sensory functions. It looks like fur!

Glaucus atlanticus / blue glaucus. They are rarely seen, except during periods of on-shore winds which brings them and their prey into coastal waters. They are the most dangerous sea slug to handle, able to give humans a very painful and potentially dangerous sting

Chromodoris lochi / loch's chromodoris. They are spongivores, and prefer being on the underside of overhangs on rocky reefs. Their distribution is widespread in the Indo-Pacific. Everyone I show sea slugs to seems to love this little guy

Dirona albolineata / white-lined dirona. A translucent predator that often eats bryozoans and small snails. They generally reside on rocks and sometimes mud in the intertidal. Pretty little things, they remind me of shards of glass

Phidiana hiltoni / Hilton's Aeolid. They are known for being quite aggressive, often biting and fighting other aeolids, which is so real of them. They always reminded me of lit matches

Acanthodoris lutea / orange-peel doris. Its bright aposamatic colouration is a warning to predators of its distasteful toxicity. They also notably smell of sandalwood! You don't understand. I NEED to hold one

Nembrotha kubaryana / dusky nembrotha. They use the toxins in their prey ascidians to defend themselves against predators. The toxins are stored in their tissues then released in a slimy defensive mucus when alarmed. Nembrotha kubaryana are well-known for their neon appearance

Phyllodesmium poindimiei / Spun Of Light. It's primarily nocturnal and can cast its cerata for protection. Anyway, can we all agree that Spun Of Light is the most awesome name for a sea slug ever? I mean, look at it. That's a sea slug spun of light if I've ever seen one

Conclusion: sea slugs are the creatures ever

[thefox1982]

I was receiving the pop ups from Wikipedia asking for support, which I did, offering £2, and kind of figured making it monthly would be fine, because I use this service a fair bit.

Then I realised that you can download mobi files of public domain books from wikisource... so that was nice. I immediately downloaded copies of Le Fanu's In a Glass Darkly and Polidori's The Vampyre.

... and banish Bezos back to his crypt.

Next I'll start hitting up the public domain pulps.

#wikipedia #wikisource #public domain #in a glass darkly #the vampyre #john william polidori #joseph sheridan le fanu

[thefox1982]

How to Think When You Write

Wanted to start writing again. Short story. I've got the plot worked out in outline. And I managed to smash out the first act as a vomit draft before I lost momentum and got irritated by the form.

Fortunately I had to hand this:

Probably going to be a bit slow progress. I read the first tutorial before bed and contemplated it the rest of the day before sitting before the computer and jotting down some observations in OneNote. I think the next lesson may need to be re-read a couple of times.

These are to do with character; I know what's going to happen... but why are these characters doing these things? I couldn't justify it myself. I don't want characters doing a thing just to advance a plot. Anyway.

I wanted to do something creative.

#Robin Etherington #The Etherington Brothers #How To Think When You Write With Robin

[thefox1982]

5000 likes!

#5000 likes #tumblr milestone

[thefox1982]

What if all my relationships are doomed? Trust me - I’m a toy demonstrator

Anna Chancellor in Staggered Part Four

[thefox1982]

I’m still in training. I’m not allowed to do autopsies on dead people.

Anna Chancellor in Staggered (Part Three)

[thefox1982]

Nothing lasts. Life is decay.

Anna Chancellor in Staggered Part Two

[thefox1982]

Working in the morgue is fun, but it’s not what I really want. My ultimate goal is to qualify in psychopathology and delve in to the minds of people like you…deviants, murderers, sociopaths.

Anna Chancellor in Staggered Part 1