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Will Wiles

@willwiles.bsky.social

1.6K followers 680 following 1.4K posts

"The Anechoic Chamber & other weird tales" (Salt) is out now! Author of several novels, most recently "The Last Blade Priest" (Angry Robot), which won best novel at the 2023 Kitschies. Its sequel, "The Dead Man's Empire", coming 2026. He/him

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 6h

On 13 November, join me, @justmarvewrites.bsky.social , @stewarthotston.com and @abeaumontbooks.bsky.social at Waterstones Covent Garden for a discussion of religion in epic fantasy! Tickets now on sale! www.waterstones.com/events/kill-...

A promotional graphic for the event with author photos, book thumbnails etc. The only info here that isn't in the main post is the event start time, which is six PM.

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 1h

😬

Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 2h

han solo from star wars is making a funny face with his hand on his head .

ALT: han solo from star wars is making a funny face with his hand on his head .

media.tenor.com

Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 3h

Well, someone has to do it

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 4h

I've received this as well, with a follow-up email a few days later - unusually tailored and attentive

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 4h

(discovering that things from my childhood have been spoiled by suburban sprawl) "well this is Orwellian"

Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 5h

Planning to answer those on another t-shirt

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 5h

That's how I roll

Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 6h

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 6h

I think that covers it. It's so hard to keep up!

Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 7h

Performatively reading in the cafe, but wearing white gloves so I'm still venerating the Book As Object, with a t-shirt saying "I know archivists don't wear gloves" so people know the gloves are performative.

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Reposted by Will Wiles

Rowan Hooper @rowhoop.bsky.social · 9h

Amazing from the CEO of Aviva insurance: “We are not talking about this because we are waving a flag about climate or sustainability – it’s nothing to do with that, our business is totally correlated with what happens in the environment” www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Towns may have to be abandoned due to floods with millions more homes in Great Britain at risk

Every constituency projected to be at greater risk, with many areas likely to be uninsurable, Guardian investigation finds

www.theguardian.com

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 11h

Ha... Yes, it doesn't really *feel* like a compliment

Reposted by Will Wiles

Dr Sam Hirst @romgothsam.bsky.social · 2d

Today I'm doing a talk about Women and the (early) Gothic and it might be time for a list!

So here are ten early women writers of the Gothic to give an idea of the range of things that women were creating in the period!

a cartoon of a wizard holding a wand and a purple pot

Alt: a cartoon of a wizard holding a wand and conjuring books into a purple bag

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Will Wiles

Ian Green @ianthegreen.bsky.social · 1d

I've decided that whilst critical success is lovely, I'd like to sell some books.

If you liked EXTREMOPHILE, recommend it to a pal! (If your pal is fucking COOL and not a narc)

Eco-terrorism biohacking body horror, smart shit with dumb characters. Your new favourite book

Ian Green @ianthegreen.bsky.social · Oct 30

'A visceral, doesn't-give-a-damn biopunk thriller that treats the "punk" part of that subgenre not as mere window-dressing but as an antifascist shriek... vital and urgent SF that reaches places realist writing never could' ― @interzone.press

If you like cool shit get this 🕶️

geni.us/extremophile

Extremophile

Pre-order now:

geni.us

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Reposted by Will Wiles

Nat Cassidy @natcassidy.bsky.social · 2d

This photo of Robert Bloch is the most writer photo to have ever writer photo’d. It is Pure Writer Photo.

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 1d

a man sitting in a chair with the words " you have my attention " on the bottom

ALT: a man sitting in a chair with the words " you have my attention " on the bottom

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Will Wiles

The Society of Authors @societyofauthors.bsky.social · 3d

Today is Bookshop Day, a day to celebrate ALL bookshops on our high streets.

Bookshops are an integral part of an author's livelihood, and we celebrate all the talented booksellers who share their guidance and expertise.

Visit your local bookshop today and show them your support.

#bookshopday

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 3d

Oooh look, a Custodian!

HolBolDoArt🏳️‍🌈 @holboldoart.bsky.social · 3d

🎂 It's my special cake and candles day you all have to be nice to me because it's been QUITE the year 🎂

So share some of my paintings??

In the pew-lined interior of a dim medieval church lit by rows of candles on tall staffs and pale sunlight coming through a window, a tall humanoid crow figure with flowing black robes and a glowing yellow eye stands beneath an ornately carved semicircular arch in Norman Romanesque style. On the wall surrounding the arch are many colourful murals depicting more humanoid crow figures with halos, carrying various items including swords, spears, harps, and chalices.

A painting set in a cosy shady woodland clearing on a sunny summer's day. In the centre of the frame, two figures sit on a fallen log mostly hidden by vegetation. The figure on the right has wavy blonde hair down past her shoulders, and wears a flowing white floor-length dress with long sleeves, with delicate lacework around the cuffs and neckline. She looks into the distance with a contemplative, sad expression. On her lap rests a small green book, covered by both of her hands.
The figure on the left sits leaning with her head against shoulder of the other figure. She wears a similar dress but simpler, and in a dark slate grey. Her hair is dark and straight, and flows down her tilted face, and she looks off towards a nightingale bird perched on a nearby branch. She raises a hand towards the other figure as if to get her attention.

Both figures are surrounded by various flowers. On the left of the frame are many spires of foxglove flowers in vivid pink and white, interspersed among green stinging nettles. On the right are the purple flowers of monkshood/wolfsbane.

Wrapping around the figures is a clear stream flowing from a distant pond that descends in a series of steps. Around the stream are many small mossy rocks, and shoots of dark green dog's mercury.

Above and behind the figures and flowers are two trees; on the left is a weeping willow with dangling dark green leaves. On the right are the branches of an old ash tree.

A snowy scene in which a humanoid figure in long black robes with the head of a rook stands in a churchyard holding a long spear. By its feet is a red fox. Both are flecked with fallen snow. Around them are many weathered snow-covered graves. In the background is a medieval church of warm coloured stone with large rectangular windows and a battlemented parapet topped with pinnacles. Behind the main body of the church is the tower with clock face and belfry. Behind the church are tall but bare trees dusted with snow. More snow falls in the air.

Reposted by Will Wiles

Apollo @apollo-magazine.com · 4d

‘The plan of the Bank of England as Soane left it shows how architecture can derive life and power from fixes, compromises and even portions of fudge’ – Will Wiles finds the Bank’s own museum feeling apologetic about the 1925 demolition and rebuilding of the architect’s masterpiece

The man who broke the Bank of England – and built it back up again

It is a century since most of Sir John Soane’s structure was demolished to make way for Herbert Baker’s bigger but more boring vision, writes Will Wiles

buff.ly

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 3d

Enough with the scientific mumbo jumbo, professor!

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 3d

Imagine a world where a different drug had been taken up as the morning eye-opener.... Mushrooms or MDMA ....

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Reposted by Will Wiles

Adam Roberts @adamroberts.bsky.social · 4d

"I say I say I say, my dog's got no gnosis."

"No nose? How does it smell?"

[*angrily*] "He lacks any and all immanent knowledge or transcendent insight, such as was sought by Clement of Alexandria, Marcion or Simon Magus. What has smell to do with it?"

"I'm sorry, I misheard."

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 4d

Coincidentally, advance reading copies of "The Dead Man's Empire" have just arrived in my inbox, and this is the highly appropriate epigraph. So, join us for some festivals of atonement and sacred games!

Part of the famous "God is dead" quote from philosopher Friedrich Nietszche: "How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? What was holiest and mightiest of all that the world has yet owned has bled to death under our knives: who will wipe this blood off us? What water is there for us to clean ourselves? What festivals of atonement, what sacred games shall we have to invent? Is not the greatness of this deed too great for us? Must we ourselves not become gods simply to appear worthy of it?"

Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 4d

Lock up your deities, it's an old fashioned pray-and-slay

Stew Hotston (he/him) @stewarthotston.com · 4d

On 13th November I'll be joining @justmarvewrites.bsky.social , @abeaumontbooks.bsky.social and @willwiles.bsky.social to discuss religion and epic fantasy.

Ticket bookings are due to go live soon on the Waterstones Covent Garden website, don’t miss out on this great event!
#SFF #projecthanuman

Announcing the Kill the Gods: Epic Fantasy Religion session at Waterstones Covent Garden, 13th November featuring Alex Beaumont in conversation with Marvelous Michael Anson, Stewart Hotston and Will Wiles.

Tickets on sale soon

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Will Wiles @willwiles.bsky.social · 4d

Thank you! And thank you for supporting Salt.