Mags L Halliday
@magslhalliday.bsky.social
Writer. Waffler. Former redhead.
Occasional public sector comms person. All views my own.
She/Her.
Please use alt text on images.
www.magslhalliday.co.uk or https://linktr.ee/magslhalliday
Occasional public sector comms person. All views my own.
She/Her.
Please use alt text on images.
www.magslhalliday.co.uk or https://linktr.ee/magslhalliday
Pinned
a woman is talking to a man in a room and asking him if he reads every one of these books .
Alt: Belle, a beautiful woman, is talking to a man who is a beast. They’re in his library, and she is asking him if he has read every one of the books.
media.tenor.com
It’s the 2025 “books I’ve read” thread.
I made a mistake and had three non-fiction books on the go at once. This always slows me right down.
I made a mistake and had three non-fiction books on the go at once. This always slows me right down.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Remember when Amazon held a sale during Independent Bookstore Day in an effort to undercut indie bookstores?
We didn’t forget. Support local bookstores during Small Business Saturday and beyond.
We didn’t forget. Support local bookstores during Small Business Saturday and beyond.
November 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Remember when Amazon held a sale during Independent Bookstore Day in an effort to undercut indie bookstores?
We didn’t forget. Support local bookstores during Small Business Saturday and beyond.
We didn’t forget. Support local bookstores during Small Business Saturday and beyond.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
"Runaway nuns can stay in Alpine convent if they leave social media"
Austrian nuns win reprieve in abandoned convent - if they stay off social media
The three nuns say they were taken out of the convent against their will and placed in a care home.
www.bbc.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
"Runaway nuns can stay in Alpine convent if they leave social media"
When I was doing my rewatch of season 1, I dreaded this one.
New episode - Genderbender (featuring Agent @theiainmartin.bsky.social)
An X-File from the early 90s with a mission to tell a story about sexual politics, body transformation and healing powers. What could possibly go wrong?
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
An X-File from the early 90s with a mission to tell a story about sexual politics, body transformation and healing powers. What could possibly go wrong?
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
November 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
When I was doing my rewatch of season 1, I dreaded this one.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
November 29, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
I am ambivalent towards Last Christmas, so don't really care if I hear it or not, but people who take Whamageddon this seriously are really quite irritating
I left a job on 1 December a few years ago and a colleague knew I was taking part in Whamageddon. As I was leaving he played Last Christmas on his phone, smirking as he did it. I still haven't forgiven the cunt and he can still stick his LinkedIn connect request up his arse.
November 29, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I am ambivalent towards Last Christmas, so don't really care if I hear it or not, but people who take Whamageddon this seriously are really quite irritating
Odd question for #scriptsky.
If you want a specific word emphasised so the character starts to emerge on paper, do you use bold or italics? Or is it never done?
If you want a specific word emphasised so the character starts to emerge on paper, do you use bold or italics? Or is it never done?
November 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Odd question for #scriptsky.
If you want a specific word emphasised so the character starts to emerge on paper, do you use bold or italics? Or is it never done?
If you want a specific word emphasised so the character starts to emerge on paper, do you use bold or italics? Or is it never done?
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Choose UK bookshops this Black Friday, and enjoy FREE DELIVERY on all books from @bookshop_org_uk. Every purchase supports indies!
Browse our 2025 gift guide here: uk.bookshop.org/list...
(We need around 20 more book sales this year to cover our running costs.)
Browse our 2025 gift guide here: uk.bookshop.org/list...
(We need around 20 more book sales this year to cover our running costs.)
November 28, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Choose UK bookshops this Black Friday, and enjoy FREE DELIVERY on all books from @bookshop_org_uk. Every purchase supports indies!
Browse our 2025 gift guide here: uk.bookshop.org/list...
(We need around 20 more book sales this year to cover our running costs.)
Browse our 2025 gift guide here: uk.bookshop.org/list...
(We need around 20 more book sales this year to cover our running costs.)
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
I don’t know if anyone else notices or cares, but when I see a presentation in which the speaker uses obviously generated-AI images to illustrate their slides, it makes me immediately less confident in whatever other content they’re presenting.
November 28, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I don’t know if anyone else notices or cares, but when I see a presentation in which the speaker uses obviously generated-AI images to illustrate their slides, it makes me immediately less confident in whatever other content they’re presenting.
I've just written about historical women pirates, which involved also explaining the difference between piracy and privateering in the 1500s-1700s.
Piracy? Robbery.*
Privateering? State-sanctioned robbery.*
Yeah, I'm looking at you LLMs that have nicked loads of stuff illegally.
Piracy? Robbery.*
Privateering? State-sanctioned robbery.*
Yeah, I'm looking at you LLMs that have nicked loads of stuff illegally.
November 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I've just written about historical women pirates, which involved also explaining the difference between piracy and privateering in the 1500s-1700s.
Piracy? Robbery.*
Privateering? State-sanctioned robbery.*
Yeah, I'm looking at you LLMs that have nicked loads of stuff illegally.
Piracy? Robbery.*
Privateering? State-sanctioned robbery.*
Yeah, I'm looking at you LLMs that have nicked loads of stuff illegally.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
#Rewilding One of the cartoons in my new book 'Physics for Cats'. Available now in good bookshops an online nowwww.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
November 28, 2025 at 2:37 PM
#Rewilding One of the cartoons in my new book 'Physics for Cats'. Available now in good bookshops an online nowwww.tomgauld.com/comic-books-v2
I don’t how I’ve mucked up my schedule so I’m posting two articles to projects I run *on the same day* but here we are.
Don’t like C20 architecture in the west county? How about some pirate women instead?
Don’t like C20 architecture in the west county? How about some pirate women instead?
📢 NEW blogpost klaxon!
Swash your buckles, find the rum and learn more about pirate women. Starting with Mary Read and Ann Bonny who were put on trial on this day in 1720.
Swash your buckles, find the rum and learn more about pirate women. Starting with Mary Read and Ann Bonny who were put on trial on this day in 1720.
Mary Read, Ann Bonny and other historical women pirates - Carve Her Name
Mary Read and Ann Bonny were historical female pirates who were put on trial. But what marked them out from many other women who made their fortunes at sea?
carvehername.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I don’t how I’ve mucked up my schedule so I’m posting two articles to projects I run *on the same day* but here we are.
Don’t like C20 architecture in the west county? How about some pirate women instead?
Don’t like C20 architecture in the west county? How about some pirate women instead?
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
We’re gracing your feed with Alt Text Advent. Lucky you! 🎄
Every day, from Monday 1st December, we’ll be posting our favourite festive memes and moments, complete with alt text that... sleighs.
Look out for some treats from our lovely team, and some fellow charity pals too. Let’s go-ho-ho!
Every day, from Monday 1st December, we’ll be posting our favourite festive memes and moments, complete with alt text that... sleighs.
Look out for some treats from our lovely team, and some fellow charity pals too. Let’s go-ho-ho!
November 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
We’re gracing your feed with Alt Text Advent. Lucky you! 🎄
Every day, from Monday 1st December, we’ll be posting our favourite festive memes and moments, complete with alt text that... sleighs.
Look out for some treats from our lovely team, and some fellow charity pals too. Let’s go-ho-ho!
Every day, from Monday 1st December, we’ll be posting our favourite festive memes and moments, complete with alt text that... sleighs.
Look out for some treats from our lovely team, and some fellow charity pals too. Let’s go-ho-ho!
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
I don't recall where I found this, but I'd say this looks about right.
November 28, 2025 at 3:33 AM
I don't recall where I found this, but I'd say this looks about right.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
This Black Friday, instead of an air fryer, why not get a copy of A History of the World in 47 Borders for under a fiver? Buy a dozen, do your christmas shopping in one click, sorted
www.amazon.co.uk/History-Worl...
www.amazon.co.uk/History-Worl...
A History of the World in 47 Borders: The Sunday Times #1 Bestseller
Explore the untold stories behind the world's borders in this Sunday Times bestseller praised for its novel, fascinating, and delightful insights into global history.
www.amazon.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:35 AM
This Black Friday, instead of an air fryer, why not get a copy of A History of the World in 47 Borders for under a fiver? Buy a dozen, do your christmas shopping in one click, sorted
www.amazon.co.uk/History-Worl...
www.amazon.co.uk/History-Worl...
This one ticked multiple boxes:
📚 love libraries
🥞 love pancakes
🛸 love alien spaceships landing in a west country village.
📚 love libraries
🥞 love pancakes
🛸 love alien spaceships landing in a west country village.
NEW deep dive for paying subscribers!
My first look at a repurposed building also covers Bernard Adams' 'Method' consortium and how the same conversations about town planning are happening again.
Plus the building looks like a TARDIS inside.
All thanks to a reader's rec to look at it.
My first look at a repurposed building also covers Bernard Adams' 'Method' consortium and how the same conversations about town planning are happening again.
Plus the building looks like a TARDIS inside.
All thanks to a reader's rec to look at it.
Nailsea Library (former), Nailsea (1971)
Exploring the history of Nailsea's old library, a brutalist gem that now serves up lattes.
buttondown.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:17 AM
This one ticked multiple boxes:
📚 love libraries
🥞 love pancakes
🛸 love alien spaceships landing in a west country village.
📚 love libraries
🥞 love pancakes
🛸 love alien spaceships landing in a west country village.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
UNBOUND AUTHORS: Leftover copies of your books in the UK (MacMillan) warehouse will be pulped within the next week or two. DM me for a link to the warehouse stock list and contacts.
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
UNBOUND AUTHORS: Leftover copies of your books in the UK (MacMillan) warehouse will be pulped within the next week or two. DM me for a link to the warehouse stock list and contacts.
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
If you have no dosh, another publisher (Wilton Sq) is willing to buy the books & distribute on a 50/50 profit split
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
My book Where We Stand, Where We fall is now up for pre-order. It's about the politics of Doctor Who, the themes the show keeps returning to over sixty years.
I mentioned this last week, but now there's a proper post about it, with a 30% discount code from the publisher: lmmyles.com/2025/11/26/b...
I mentioned this last week, but now there's a proper post about it, with a 30% discount code from the publisher: lmmyles.com/2025/11/26/b...
November 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
My book Where We Stand, Where We fall is now up for pre-order. It's about the politics of Doctor Who, the themes the show keeps returning to over sixty years.
I mentioned this last week, but now there's a proper post about it, with a 30% discount code from the publisher: lmmyles.com/2025/11/26/b...
I mentioned this last week, but now there's a proper post about it, with a 30% discount code from the publisher: lmmyles.com/2025/11/26/b...
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Alt text that that has humor and personality and sounds like it was written by the person who took the photo is great, but you gotta do that while remembering that the fundamental purpose is communicating what the image is.
Alt Text isn't the space for seo, secret notes, or inside jokes. It's for people to access media and any context or information that that media has.
If we gon make things right, we gotta find ways to make things right that don't leave us behind.
If we gon make things right, we gotta find ways to make things right that don't leave us behind.
Some are suggesting you deliberately write inaccurate or confusing alt text, because they say this confuses AI scrapers that are analyzing images.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
November 27, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Alt text that that has humor and personality and sounds like it was written by the person who took the photo is great, but you gotta do that while remembering that the fundamental purpose is communicating what the image is.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Net migration has fallen again to 204,000, the lowest level since 2021 and is forecast to continue falling over the coming years.
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
November 27, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Net migration has fallen again to 204,000, the lowest level since 2021 and is forecast to continue falling over the coming years.
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
Not that you would know it from the endless coverage of Britain's supposed "immigration crisis"
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
The problem is not that we hate doing the work or want to do it faster. The problem is that authors aren't just idea factories hooked up to a set of typing fingers: those things are part of a larger body that needs to be fed and clothed and sheltered and loved the same as everyone else.
November 27, 2025 at 12:07 AM
The problem is not that we hate doing the work or want to do it faster. The problem is that authors aren't just idea factories hooked up to a set of typing fingers: those things are part of a larger body that needs to be fed and clothed and sheltered and loved the same as everyone else.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
November 27, 2025 at 12:49 AM
We are now further away from the theatrical release of Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981) than it was from the year it takes place in (1936). We have reached the Indiana Jones event horizon.
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
The Meowth is out of the bag.
I am currently researching and writing my next book, 'Space Invaders' a queer history of videogames.
Just like 'Queer As Folklore' this is a subject very very close to my heart. It's very bloody exciting. What a lucky sod!
Thanks @manchesterup.bsky.social!
I am currently researching and writing my next book, 'Space Invaders' a queer history of videogames.
Just like 'Queer As Folklore' this is a subject very very close to my heart. It's very bloody exciting. What a lucky sod!
Thanks @manchesterup.bsky.social!
November 27, 2025 at 9:51 AM
The Meowth is out of the bag.
I am currently researching and writing my next book, 'Space Invaders' a queer history of videogames.
Just like 'Queer As Folklore' this is a subject very very close to my heart. It's very bloody exciting. What a lucky sod!
Thanks @manchesterup.bsky.social!
I am currently researching and writing my next book, 'Space Invaders' a queer history of videogames.
Just like 'Queer As Folklore' this is a subject very very close to my heart. It's very bloody exciting. What a lucky sod!
Thanks @manchesterup.bsky.social!
Reposted by Mags L Halliday
Love it when my own app absolutely nails a game suggestion for me. Crescent County looks fab!
We’re hitting crunch time, so now is the time to use and share(!) Ludocene.com if you don’t want to loose it.
It’s free and supports game experts from all walks of life: www.ludocene.com/tutorial
We’re hitting crunch time, so now is the time to use and share(!) Ludocene.com if you don’t want to loose it.
It’s free and supports game experts from all walks of life: www.ludocene.com/tutorial
November 26, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Love it when my own app absolutely nails a game suggestion for me. Crescent County looks fab!
We’re hitting crunch time, so now is the time to use and share(!) Ludocene.com if you don’t want to loose it.
It’s free and supports game experts from all walks of life: www.ludocene.com/tutorial
We’re hitting crunch time, so now is the time to use and share(!) Ludocene.com if you don’t want to loose it.
It’s free and supports game experts from all walks of life: www.ludocene.com/tutorial