Shell

Hah! I’m trying to make up for yesterday’s bacon & hash browns 😅

(Although ngl, I would very much like that for breakfast today)

Office photo, laptop on wooden desk, writing notes, Edinburgh castle in background.

Extra early start at the office before work so I can get some words written. 6 weeks to hammer out this draft, 12 weeks to polish. Then sleep?

Rainbow over city rooftop

Gorgeous rainbow over Edinburgh right now

I suppose there is a non-zero chance of getting punched at that point, but it’s worth it.

To be used on anyone who says they used AI for something ‘creative’, “Oh, so you’re a Slopper! Well, that’s nice,” and edge out of the conversation.

Front page of The National, a newspaper in Scotland. Picture of Trump's gurning face above a headline: CONVICTED FELON TO ARRIVE IN SCOTLAND.

Headline in a Scottish newspaper today: CONVICTED US FELON TO ARRIVE IN SCOTLAND

I could get behind this. Sloppers beware.

🪩 Edinburgh Culture Minute: 23 - 30 July 2025 Days Festival headliners, Punchline On Leith, The Gilded Saloon + one week until festivals begin

🪩 Edinburgh Culture Minute: 23 - 30 July 2025
edinburghminute.substack.com/p/edinburgh-...

Are you a writer overwhelmed by what you need to do to get a website up and running?

Then this is the webinar you need.

We’re so, so chuffed for Dave on this win! He’s part of the ESFF mod team and staff, and now we get to call him “award-winning author David Goodman” — how cool is that? Massive congrats from everyone at ESFF!

#writingcommunity #edinburgh

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(It's a software program that hallucinates. It doesn't "think" and part of the issue there is reproducing puff pieces without thinking about the consequences. And no way in hell do I let that program book stuff for me)

The conductor checked all passenger tickets, then got off. The very next stop, another conductor got on and checked all the tickets…

I’m not the only one who needs coffee this morning. Have a better day, Edinburgh Trams 😂

This @edinburghtrams.bsky.social tram needed a sleep in. Driver stopped too far along platform so had to lock front doors. The tannoy is announcing the wrong stops, and there is a physical out of service sign on the front, despite being full of passengers. Good morning!

Dear companies. If you excitedly tell me you’ve added AI to your product, this is not the must-have incentive you think it is. More of a complete turn-off, tbh.

Denmark to tackle deepfakes by giving people copyright to their own features Amendment to law will strengthen protection against digital imitations of people’s identities, government says

YES! I wrote about this in The Blue, Beautiful World!

‘If we do not control the use of our own faces and bodies, can we call ourselves free?’

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Close up of printed manuscript with handwritten & highlighted scribbles. Laptop screen in background.

Went to bed early to write up editing notes. Immediately got a headache. But. Must. Words. Now. Then sleep?

A morning spent blending two chapters and being told what to write by opinionated characters who did not agree with my outline. Also: ghost cats with unhelpful comments, and necromancy. So, y’know. Writers life.

Why the violence, Tristan? WHY.

Nooooooo! Hope it turns up :(

I refuse!

(But also counting days to November…)

A reminder that all our job opportunities, internships, submissions and news are (and have always been) on our website. If in doubt use our contact form, on the website. Be wary of people pretending to be us, contacting you through social media DMs. 💙

* sail… See, it is an editing day, so of course, everything is typo-filled.

This happens WAY too often as I sell through my 50s, trying not to be upset.

UK cover for THE FOLDED SKY by Elizabeth Bear

Guess what everybody it's UK release day for THE FOLDED SKY!

www.waterstones.com/book/the-fol...

store.gollancz.co.uk/products/the...

You had me at space cats.

@edinburghtrams.bsky.social Hey lovely tram people. I saw one of your conductors demanding to see someone’s “banking app” as proof they had a ticket this morning. Is this policy now when your toto machines fail to register? How does this stand with privacy concerns etc.

Laptop on a desk, notes beside it and a red envelope.

Back in actual drafting after #cymera2025. Feels (temporarily) good…

Yes please. Bury them. Unmarked grave.