Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
@laurenwrites.bsky.social
📝Writer, editor, proofreader, coach & mentor
👻Writes the dark stuff
😈TWF EIC at Horror Tree
📣Publicity at British Fantasy Society
🤘Founder, Society of Ink Slingers
🔮Curator, Writing the Occult
👩💻Day job: Content marketing & community management
🇦🇺in🇬🇧
👻Writes the dark stuff
😈TWF EIC at Horror Tree
📣Publicity at British Fantasy Society
🤘Founder, Society of Ink Slingers
🔮Curator, Writing the Occult
👩💻Day job: Content marketing & community management
🇦🇺in🇬🇧
Pinned
a man is holding a boombox above his head in front of a car .
Alt: a man is holding a boombox above his head in front of a car .
media.tenor.com
Songs that Spotify has chucked on that I'd forgotten were awesome tunes: a somewhat regular thread.
Folk horror in Canary Wharf, or just worker drones waiting for the office to reopen tomorrow?
December 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Folk horror in Canary Wharf, or just worker drones waiting for the office to reopen tomorrow?
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
This week's Romancing the Gothic 'Blast from the Past' is this talk introducting the Gothic author Sheridan Le Fanu (most famous, perhaps, as the author of 'Carmilla'!)
Want to know more about the author famous for his sapphic vampires?
Check it out!
youtu.be/HIwgqyuY1nA
Want to know more about the author famous for his sapphic vampires?
Check it out!
youtu.be/HIwgqyuY1nA
An Introduction to Sheridan Le Fanu with Sean O'Rourke
YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic
youtu.be
December 7, 2025 at 11:49 AM
This week's Romancing the Gothic 'Blast from the Past' is this talk introducting the Gothic author Sheridan Le Fanu (most famous, perhaps, as the author of 'Carmilla'!)
Want to know more about the author famous for his sapphic vampires?
Check it out!
youtu.be/HIwgqyuY1nA
Want to know more about the author famous for his sapphic vampires?
Check it out!
youtu.be/HIwgqyuY1nA
I don’t tend to wade into these things, but I gotta say I always thought Tarantino was overrated. Never liked his stuff and didn’t get the reverence 🤷♀️
December 7, 2025 at 11:48 AM
I don’t tend to wade into these things, but I gotta say I always thought Tarantino was overrated. Never liked his stuff and didn’t get the reverence 🤷♀️
3 guesses what I’m off to see at the IMAX 😂
There’ll be a special extended intro with GDT himself, too, plus his very tall monster bloke.
There’ll be a special extended intro with GDT himself, too, plus his very tall monster bloke.
December 6, 2025 at 8:03 PM
3 guesses what I’m off to see at the IMAX 😂
There’ll be a special extended intro with GDT himself, too, plus his very tall monster bloke.
There’ll be a special extended intro with GDT himself, too, plus his very tall monster bloke.
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
Allen Ashley heads to Greenwich, London, to review the in-person exhibition “Pirates” at the National Maritime Museum.
britishfantasysociety.org/exhibition-r...
britishfantasysociety.org/exhibition-r...
December 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Allen Ashley heads to Greenwich, London, to review the in-person exhibition “Pirates” at the National Maritime Museum.
britishfantasysociety.org/exhibition-r...
britishfantasysociety.org/exhibition-r...
Get your applications in!
Applications are now open to take part in the BFS Mentorship Programme in 2026. Find all of the details, including how to apply, here: britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bf...
December 5, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Get your applications in!
World, meet Sophia and her dystopian YA magic!
Every Friday, we meet a BFS member & peer deep into their soul (or, at least, a form they filled out). This week we're in Somerset with Persian British author @sophiavahdati.bsky.social, who says she "writes for people who are still searching for magic".
britishfantasysociety.org/meet-sophia-...
britishfantasysociety.org/meet-sophia-...
December 5, 2025 at 2:04 PM
World, meet Sophia and her dystopian YA magic!
Fascinating discussion happening over at the @britfantasysoc.bsky.social online: crafting fantasy through a Muslim lens. Mr L grew up in the UAE and is enjoying immensely. Nice hosting, @ohmz.bsky.social. With Soraya Bouazzaoui, Tanweer Dar, Nafiza Azad & Noor A Jahangir.
December 4, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Fascinating discussion happening over at the @britfantasysoc.bsky.social online: crafting fantasy through a Muslim lens. Mr L grew up in the UAE and is enjoying immensely. Nice hosting, @ohmz.bsky.social. With Soraya Bouazzaoui, Tanweer Dar, Nafiza Azad & Noor A Jahangir.
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
Good morning! Today is the publication day of the 1927 occult novel POSSESSED by Rosalie and Edward Synton, discovered by me and reprinted by the British Library for their Tales of the Weird line.
There now follows a thread about the authors. If you buy a copy, use the hashtag #SYNTONSPOSSESSED
There now follows a thread about the authors. If you buy a copy, use the hashtag #SYNTONSPOSSESSED
December 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Good morning! Today is the publication day of the 1927 occult novel POSSESSED by Rosalie and Edward Synton, discovered by me and reprinted by the British Library for their Tales of the Weird line.
There now follows a thread about the authors. If you buy a copy, use the hashtag #SYNTONSPOSSESSED
There now follows a thread about the authors. If you buy a copy, use the hashtag #SYNTONSPOSSESSED
Gary's gone back to 1965 for this month's slice of televisual nostalgia
In his semi-regular column on the TV that made us SFFH fans, Gary Couzens revisits Object Z—an early SF serial aimed at children that brought complaints from parents for its bleak nature.
britishfantasysociety.org/the-tv-that-...
britishfantasysociety.org/the-tv-that-...
December 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Gary's gone back to 1965 for this month's slice of televisual nostalgia
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
The final online talk of 2025 is on SUNDAY 7 Dec - tickets at bit.ly/flaevents
Follow the @folklorelibrary.bsky.social #Eventbrite page to keep up with all our events.
I'm currently in the process of lining up speakers for 2026!
#online #WhatsOn #folklore #tradition #heritage #education #learn
Follow the @folklorelibrary.bsky.social #Eventbrite page to keep up with all our events.
I'm currently in the process of lining up speakers for 2026!
#online #WhatsOn #folklore #tradition #heritage #education #learn
This Sunday at 8pm we will be hosting our last online illustrated talk of the year (don’t worry - they will be back in 2026)
James Frost will be discussing YULETIME HOBBY HORSE CUSTOMS
Tickets are £5 from bit.ly/flaevents
Talk us via Zoom with video replay
Please share on, and come and join us
James Frost will be discussing YULETIME HOBBY HORSE CUSTOMS
Tickets are £5 from bit.ly/flaevents
Talk us via Zoom with video replay
Please share on, and come and join us
December 3, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The final online talk of 2025 is on SUNDAY 7 Dec - tickets at bit.ly/flaevents
Follow the @folklorelibrary.bsky.social #Eventbrite page to keep up with all our events.
I'm currently in the process of lining up speakers for 2026!
#online #WhatsOn #folklore #tradition #heritage #education #learn
Follow the @folklorelibrary.bsky.social #Eventbrite page to keep up with all our events.
I'm currently in the process of lining up speakers for 2026!
#online #WhatsOn #folklore #tradition #heritage #education #learn
@drrachelknightley.bsky.social is in the expert hot seat for the BFS this month, ready and waiting to help you get your creative 2026 off to a great start 💪🏻
It's time for this month's questions to come flying in—and we have Dr Rachel Knightley here to help you get your 2026 creative projects off to a great start. What are you hoping to achieve in the coming year? Head over to our member Discord server & get your questions in.
🧵⬇️
🧵⬇️
December 3, 2025 at 12:54 PM
@drrachelknightley.bsky.social is in the expert hot seat for the BFS this month, ready and waiting to help you get your creative 2026 off to a great start 💪🏻
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
I spent a year of my life writing collaborative fiction with eleven incredible writers; each story is followed by a collaborative deep-dive into the craft of our stories/work and the techniques we used, as well as what worked and what didn't.
If you write, this book is a GOLDMINE. Get yours now.
If you write, this book is a GOLDMINE. Get yours now.
Happy publication day, @lindzmcleod.bsky.social & your brilliant collaborators!
An Honour & A Privilege is now available to order from wherever you buy books online, as well as direct from Stanchion in physical & PDF form
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
An Honour & A Privilege is now available to order from wherever you buy books online, as well as direct from Stanchion in physical & PDF form
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
December 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I spent a year of my life writing collaborative fiction with eleven incredible writers; each story is followed by a collaborative deep-dive into the craft of our stories/work and the techniques we used, as well as what worked and what didn't.
If you write, this book is a GOLDMINE. Get yours now.
If you write, this book is a GOLDMINE. Get yours now.
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
THE DREAMWALKER IS ON NETGALLEY!
A dreamwalker preys on folk in the arts, trapping them in the minds of their characters. Together, they form part of a spell that would destroy York.
The other Seer of York. Books will be on there soon if you need to catch up. 💜
www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...
A dreamwalker preys on folk in the arts, trapping them in the minds of their characters. Together, they form part of a spell that would destroy York.
The other Seer of York. Books will be on there soon if you need to catch up. 💜
www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...
December 2, 2025 at 8:46 PM
THE DREAMWALKER IS ON NETGALLEY!
A dreamwalker preys on folk in the arts, trapping them in the minds of their characters. Together, they form part of a spell that would destroy York.
The other Seer of York. Books will be on there soon if you need to catch up. 💜
www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...
A dreamwalker preys on folk in the arts, trapping them in the minds of their characters. Together, they form part of a spell that would destroy York.
The other Seer of York. Books will be on there soon if you need to catch up. 💜
www.netgalley.com/catalog/book...
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
It's been three hours.
I've asked my Discord for help, the local forums, my fb friends.
I'm seeing other things about books get a lot of exposure. Please, who can help get this last amount? $10, $20 here, or a Big Donor or a rally from a group of people who would love to see this happen.
🙏🏻
I've asked my Discord for help, the local forums, my fb friends.
I'm seeing other things about books get a lot of exposure. Please, who can help get this last amount? $10, $20 here, or a Big Donor or a rally from a group of people who would love to see this happen.
🙏🏻
The book community is working together to fund an African small press to translate two novels.
We need to close this today. And we're in reach! Very grateful for your help.
We can do this!
Still needed: $1134 (USD)
Last donation/purchase: 12:54a EST / 17:54 SAST ($10)
#GivingTuesday #BookSky
We need to close this today. And we're in reach! Very grateful for your help.
We can do this!
Still needed: $1134 (USD)
Last donation/purchase: 12:54a EST / 17:54 SAST ($10)
#GivingTuesday #BookSky
Support African Translation Project
African Translation Project / We're overdue - let's rally this. / please see - please share / After nine months - let's complete funding for the translation of Zvinobvinza to: The Crocodile Doesn't Hu...
ko-fi.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
It's been three hours.
I've asked my Discord for help, the local forums, my fb friends.
I'm seeing other things about books get a lot of exposure. Please, who can help get this last amount? $10, $20 here, or a Big Donor or a rally from a group of people who would love to see this happen.
🙏🏻
I've asked my Discord for help, the local forums, my fb friends.
I'm seeing other things about books get a lot of exposure. Please, who can help get this last amount? $10, $20 here, or a Big Donor or a rally from a group of people who would love to see this happen.
🙏🏻
I’m all for getting merch at the show since that’s how bands make their money these days but… £40 for what is essentially a cut-off Bonds vest?!?!
December 2, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I’m all for getting merch at the show since that’s how bands make their money these days but… £40 for what is essentially a cut-off Bonds vest?!?!
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
Calling British short science-fiction writers who have had stories published this year - window closing soon for Best of British Science Fiction 2025. Get your story in under the door!
December 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Calling British short science-fiction writers who have had stories published this year - window closing soon for Best of British Science Fiction 2025. Get your story in under the door!
Anyone fancy some creepy Christmas reading?
With the latest entry in the Twisted Tales series about to be unleashed, @danielwillcocks.bsky.social returns to tell us more about the creepy Christmas novella Slay.
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
December 2, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Anyone fancy some creepy Christmas reading?
The Trembling With Fear drabble cupboard is looking bare, which means we're all in danger!
TWF is the free fiction publication from @horrortree.com, and we publish 3 tiny tales of terror every week to satisfy the hunger of The Drabbler, the beast that lives behind the bins of TWF Towers. 🧵⬇️
TWF is the free fiction publication from @horrortree.com, and we publish 3 tiny tales of terror every week to satisfy the hunger of The Drabbler, the beast that lives behind the bins of TWF Towers. 🧵⬇️
December 2, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The Trembling With Fear drabble cupboard is looking bare, which means we're all in danger!
TWF is the free fiction publication from @horrortree.com, and we publish 3 tiny tales of terror every week to satisfy the hunger of The Drabbler, the beast that lives behind the bins of TWF Towers. 🧵⬇️
TWF is the free fiction publication from @horrortree.com, and we publish 3 tiny tales of terror every week to satisfy the hunger of The Drabbler, the beast that lives behind the bins of TWF Towers. 🧵⬇️
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
A fantastic review of Hiding Under the Leaves from Stephanie Ellis in Horror Tree. I'm very happy with this. 😀
Featuring shout-outs for @kevrooney.bsky.social @laurenwrites.bsky.social @ivorkhillauthor.bsky.social Tom Wren and Matt Thompson!
Featuring shout-outs for @kevrooney.bsky.social @laurenwrites.bsky.social @ivorkhillauthor.bsky.social Tom Wren and Matt Thompson!
Epeolatry Book Review: Hiding Under the Leaves, ed. Donna Scott - The Horror Tree
Book Review: Hiding Under the Leaves, ed. Donna Scott from publisher The Slab Press. Released on November 3rd, 2025
horrortree.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:05 AM
A fantastic review of Hiding Under the Leaves from Stephanie Ellis in Horror Tree. I'm very happy with this. 😀
Featuring shout-outs for @kevrooney.bsky.social @laurenwrites.bsky.social @ivorkhillauthor.bsky.social Tom Wren and Matt Thompson!
Featuring shout-outs for @kevrooney.bsky.social @laurenwrites.bsky.social @ivorkhillauthor.bsky.social Tom Wren and Matt Thompson!
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
After many requests, I finally opened an online store.
ko-fi.com/broci/shop
ko-fi.com/broci/shop
November 28, 2025 at 11:52 AM
After many requests, I finally opened an online store.
ko-fi.com/broci/shop
ko-fi.com/broci/shop
Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
We are now taking novel submissions through the end of the calendar year.
Submissions - Atthis Arts
Atthis Arts is taking submissions for adult / adult (teen) / or all-ages (written for adults) novels only (at least 40,000 words), with preference to BIPOC authors, through 31 December 2025 (all time ...
www.atthisarts.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:05 PM
We are now taking novel submissions through the end of the calendar year.
Inspired after a weekend on Zoom hearing other creators speak, I've booked a couple of things to show 2026 I mean business: a quick solo retreat in the first week of January to get some writing done, before starting @ashleystokes.bsky.social's 12-week workshop course for the Unthank School.
a group of men in military uniforms walking on a runway with the words let 's do this written on the bottom
ALT: a group of men in military uniforms walking on a runway with the words let 's do this written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Inspired after a weekend on Zoom hearing other creators speak, I've booked a couple of things to show 2026 I mean business: a quick solo retreat in the first week of January to get some writing done, before starting @ashleystokes.bsky.social's 12-week workshop course for the Unthank School.
The overarching messages from today's #ImaginariumII event:
🫶🏻Collaborate in community
💖Difference is a positive
💪🏻There *can* be hope in this dystopian vision we call modern life
🫶🏻Collaborate in community
💖Difference is a positive
💪🏻There *can* be hope in this dystopian vision we call modern life
a child is riding on the back of a white stuffed animal
ALT: a child is riding on the back of a white stuffed animal
media.tenor.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The overarching messages from today's #ImaginariumII event:
🫶🏻Collaborate in community
💖Difference is a positive
💪🏻There *can* be hope in this dystopian vision we call modern life
🫶🏻Collaborate in community
💖Difference is a positive
💪🏻There *can* be hope in this dystopian vision we call modern life
This was so much fun! Make sure you check out everything these amazing creators do 🙌
It all goes so fast... it's the penultimate panel for Imaginarium II. @laurenwrites.bsky.social is moderating the panel on Opportunities in Speculative Fiction.
With CW Shern, @waynereewrites.com, Benjamin Chee @witchywonderer.bsky.social
With CW Shern, @waynereewrites.com, Benjamin Chee @witchywonderer.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
This was so much fun! Make sure you check out everything these amazing creators do 🙌