@matthewspalmer.bsky.social
Geek, Dad, Gray Ace, He/Him. Enjoys reading words off paper, sometimes puts them there as well.
Pinned
Lost Talent Chapter 1
Someone had swapped the labels on the potion bottles, and of course it was Mina’s job to sort it out. It was lucky Mr Bergamot had recognised that ‘Abington’s Peaceful Slumber’ shouldn’t have been a s...
im-writing-fantasies.ghost.io
So! I have a very barebones website now! Here is the first chapter of my debut novel: Lost Talent, which I will be self publishing in spring 2026.
Please subscribe if you want to know more!
im-writing-fantasies.ghost.io/lost-talent-...
Please subscribe if you want to know more!
im-writing-fantasies.ghost.io/lost-talent-...
Once again, if you are not the customer, you are the product.
How Your Private ChatGPT And Gemini Chats Are ‘Sold For Profit’
How Your Private ChatGPT And Gemini Chats Are ‘Sold For Profit’
These Chrome extensions see everything — and take everything. It may already be too late.
www.forbes.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Once again, if you are not the customer, you are the product.
Reposted
You don't have to go down swingin for Harry Potter. You can simply become obsessed with something else
There are so many cool things to be obsessed about, you may never run out in your lifetime. Ask people for recs, I dunno
A key to happiness is like... loving 3-5 creative works every few years
There are so many cool things to be obsessed about, you may never run out in your lifetime. Ask people for recs, I dunno
A key to happiness is like... loving 3-5 creative works every few years
December 16, 2025 at 4:20 AM
You don't have to go down swingin for Harry Potter. You can simply become obsessed with something else
There are so many cool things to be obsessed about, you may never run out in your lifetime. Ask people for recs, I dunno
A key to happiness is like... loving 3-5 creative works every few years
There are so many cool things to be obsessed about, you may never run out in your lifetime. Ask people for recs, I dunno
A key to happiness is like... loving 3-5 creative works every few years
Reposted
I suspect that the influencers publishing successful books were successful influencers first, a factor now recognized by publishers as a fertile field to graze through (as publishers once kept an eagle eye on successful self pubbed authors to snap them up for trad pub). It's a cart/horse issue.
December 16, 2025 at 4:26 AM
I suspect that the influencers publishing successful books were successful influencers first, a factor now recognized by publishers as a fertile field to graze through (as publishers once kept an eagle eye on successful self pubbed authors to snap them up for trad pub). It's a cart/horse issue.
Just seen something very dissapointing. So much so that I'm not sure how to handle it, or even if it's my place to.
Going to write a email privately to some-one about it, save it as a draft and then think about it overnight.
Going to write a email privately to some-one about it, save it as a draft and then think about it overnight.
December 15, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Just seen something very dissapointing. So much so that I'm not sure how to handle it, or even if it's my place to.
Going to write a email privately to some-one about it, save it as a draft and then think about it overnight.
Going to write a email privately to some-one about it, save it as a draft and then think about it overnight.
This is, once again, typical cult behaviour. If you can convince some-one to hold two conflicting beliefs at the same time, you know that you have a successful convert.
The beliefs actually don't matter, just complete agreement with the rest of your in group.
The beliefs actually don't matter, just complete agreement with the rest of your in group.
it's nuts that this conflict goes completely unremarked on. primal trad self-reliant provider culture that also wants to offload all cognitive work that has defined what it means to be a human being for all of history in favor of a technology that was invented 20 minutes ago
wait a minute how are the "your body has gone soft from not eating the raw meats of your ancestors" guys also the "the computer should summarize the big scary email for your inadequate brain" guys
December 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM
This is, once again, typical cult behaviour. If you can convince some-one to hold two conflicting beliefs at the same time, you know that you have a successful convert.
The beliefs actually don't matter, just complete agreement with the rest of your in group.
The beliefs actually don't matter, just complete agreement with the rest of your in group.
My day at work so far, summed up by a single gif
a man says okay but that 's worse in front of a woman
Alt: Chidi from The good place says okay but that 's worse, you do get how that's worse, right?
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:06 PM
My day at work so far, summed up by a single gif
Reposted
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
December 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
Tracking some-one through magic is a major plot point of 'Lost Talent'
Two characters try it, for one of them it doesn't work when it should. For the other, it works far better than they ever expected...
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Two characters try it, for one of them it doesn't work when it should. For the other, it works far better than they ever expected...
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Tell me more about your #AwesomeCharacters
How is your character's sense of direction?
Are they good with reading a map, a compass, a sextant? Navigating a city, the ocean, space, or the wilderness?
Is this something that comes up on their story?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
How is your character's sense of direction?
Are they good with reading a map, a compass, a sextant? Navigating a city, the ocean, space, or the wilderness?
Is this something that comes up on their story?
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 15, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Tracking some-one through magic is a major plot point of 'Lost Talent'
Two characters try it, for one of them it doesn't work when it should. For the other, it works far better than they ever expected...
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Two characters try it, for one of them it doesn't work when it should. For the other, it works far better than they ever expected...
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Reposted
Imagine actually making Misery, or The Princess Bride.
Imagine the same person making This Is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men.
Imagine in your whole career making a hit as resonant as Ghosts of Mississippi, or When Harry Met Sally, or Stand By Me. You'd weep if you made just one thing that good.
Imagine the same person making This Is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men.
Imagine in your whole career making a hit as resonant as Ghosts of Mississippi, or When Harry Met Sally, or Stand By Me. You'd weep if you made just one thing that good.
December 15, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Imagine actually making Misery, or The Princess Bride.
Imagine the same person making This Is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men.
Imagine in your whole career making a hit as resonant as Ghosts of Mississippi, or When Harry Met Sally, or Stand By Me. You'd weep if you made just one thing that good.
Imagine the same person making This Is Spinal Tap and A Few Good Men.
Imagine in your whole career making a hit as resonant as Ghosts of Mississippi, or When Harry Met Sally, or Stand By Me. You'd weep if you made just one thing that good.
Reposted
Writers who use genAI for illustrations are class traitors. We all have to fight this beast TOGETHER. We are not just trying to save SOME of our livelihoods.
Self-published authors are unfortunately very rapidly becoming my most-blocked demographic on here due entirely to the rampant use of hideous AI generated book covers
Just in case it wasn't clear: If I click on your profile and see that you've used AI to make something, you get blocked.
April 7, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Writers who use genAI for illustrations are class traitors. We all have to fight this beast TOGETHER. We are not just trying to save SOME of our livelihoods.
Reposted
I'm having the shrimp emotions ough 🥹
FLOODED SECRETS and THE SEA SPIRIT FESTIVAL have a nomination for Best Cover and Cover artist, which is *ALL* @isthiseva.bsky.social 's beautiful work.
(The other covers too, but they got their own image!)
(The other covers too, but they got their own image!)
December 14, 2025 at 3:58 AM
I'm having the shrimp emotions ough 🥹
See also convention panels on the publishing industry, which seem to exist only to discourage authors by telling them how difficult trad publishing is and how hard it is to make any money from it.
I get the distinct impression that a lot of college professors who teach creative writing are just trying to sabotage writers who still believe they can do it.
I got writing paralysis from one of my MFA professors who said characters shouldn't laugh, smile, or cry in our pieces. Basically, we should do other things to show emotion.
Yeah, no.
Yeah, no.
December 14, 2025 at 8:25 AM
See also convention panels on the publishing industry, which seem to exist only to discourage authors by telling them how difficult trad publishing is and how hard it is to make any money from it.
Reposted
I think a lot of my psychology is based around refusing to be part of an in-group and detesting being made to feel like I'm in the out-group
December 13, 2025 at 9:29 PM
I think a lot of my psychology is based around refusing to be part of an in-group and detesting being made to feel like I'm in the out-group
Reposted
It's odd posting about awards eligibility & asking please consider me when my book's barely out so not many of you have read it.
But I have one sole eligible thing this year, and I'm proud of it in all its briny strangeness. So hey, please consider THE SALT ORACLE if you're nominating? 🖤🖤🖤
But I have one sole eligible thing this year, and I'm proud of it in all its briny strangeness. So hey, please consider THE SALT ORACLE if you're nominating? 🖤🖤🖤
December 13, 2025 at 11:23 AM
It's odd posting about awards eligibility & asking please consider me when my book's barely out so not many of you have read it.
But I have one sole eligible thing this year, and I'm proud of it in all its briny strangeness. So hey, please consider THE SALT ORACLE if you're nominating? 🖤🖤🖤
But I have one sole eligible thing this year, and I'm proud of it in all its briny strangeness. So hey, please consider THE SALT ORACLE if you're nominating? 🖤🖤🖤
1.7K words on book three, tonight the most that I've done in months.
Most of this year was taken up with editing and polishing books 1 and 2, so it's been hard to transition to pushing forward again. I need to send 2 to B.eta readers to lock myself out of fussing over it for a while.
Most of this year was taken up with editing and polishing books 1 and 2, so it's been hard to transition to pushing forward again. I need to send 2 to B.eta readers to lock myself out of fussing over it for a while.
December 12, 2025 at 10:59 PM
1.7K words on book three, tonight the most that I've done in months.
Most of this year was taken up with editing and polishing books 1 and 2, so it's been hard to transition to pushing forward again. I need to send 2 to B.eta readers to lock myself out of fussing over it for a while.
Most of this year was taken up with editing and polishing books 1 and 2, so it's been hard to transition to pushing forward again. I need to send 2 to B.eta readers to lock myself out of fussing over it for a while.
Reposted
Delighted to see @rainewilson.bsky.social 's THE SALT ORACLE in @theguardian.com 's round up of the best SciFi, Fantasy & Horror!
“A weird, rich and ultimately rewarding journey.”
Buy https://geni.us/saltorac
And grab the other standalone novel in this wider universe https://geni.us/weallghostsPB
“A weird, rich and ultimately rewarding journey.”
Buy https://geni.us/saltorac
And grab the other standalone novel in this wider universe https://geni.us/weallghostsPB
The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup
Halcyon Years by Alastair Reynolds; Paris Fantastique by Nicholas Royle; All Tomorrows by CM Kosemen; The Salt Oracle by Lorraine Wilson; The Witching Hour by various authors
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Delighted to see @rainewilson.bsky.social 's THE SALT ORACLE in @theguardian.com 's round up of the best SciFi, Fantasy & Horror!
“A weird, rich and ultimately rewarding journey.”
Buy https://geni.us/saltorac
And grab the other standalone novel in this wider universe https://geni.us/weallghostsPB
“A weird, rich and ultimately rewarding journey.”
Buy https://geni.us/saltorac
And grab the other standalone novel in this wider universe https://geni.us/weallghostsPB
Reposted
I WAS COMPELLED TO MAKE THIS BY FORCES BEYOND MY CONTROL
December 14, 2024 at 2:01 PM
I WAS COMPELLED TO MAKE THIS BY FORCES BEYOND MY CONTROL
Reposted
Fresh(ish) from a panel at World Fantasycon discussing all things Discworld, @rickandwrite.bsky.social reflects on the legacy of Sir Terry Pratchett’s most famous works, and why fans are still discovering new things in well-worn paperback copies.
britishfantasysociety.org/the-legacy-o...
britishfantasysociety.org/the-legacy-o...
December 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Fresh(ish) from a panel at World Fantasycon discussing all things Discworld, @rickandwrite.bsky.social reflects on the legacy of Sir Terry Pratchett’s most famous works, and why fans are still discovering new things in well-worn paperback copies.
britishfantasysociety.org/the-legacy-o...
britishfantasysociety.org/the-legacy-o...
From Lost Talent coming April 2026
The #WIPSnips word for December 7th is "empty"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The #WIPSnips word for December 7th is "empty"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 7, 2025 at 7:20 PM
From Lost Talent coming April 2026
The #WIPSnips word for December 7th is "empty"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The #WIPSnips word for December 7th is "empty"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
If you see this, repost with your model of positive masculinity
Seven Universe
Seven Universe
December 6, 2025 at 10:22 PM
If you see this, repost with your model of positive masculinity
Seven Universe
Seven Universe
From Lost Talent, available in April 2026
The #WIPSnips word for December 6th is "hook"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The #WIPSnips word for December 6th is "hook"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 6, 2025 at 6:48 PM
From Lost Talent, available in April 2026
The #WIPSnips word for December 6th is "hook"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
The #WIPSnips word for December 6th is "hook"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Reposted
We got Weird Al out here singing Killing In The Name, the time for moderation is over
December 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM
We got Weird Al out here singing Killing In The Name, the time for moderation is over
If you see this, post your favourite Pokémon
December 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
If you see this, post your favourite Pokémon
Reposted
Never forget.
Does anyone know of any other examples of where a video synchs perfectly to other audio, like the This Is America video clip set to Call Me Maybe?
December 4, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Never forget.
Reposted
I hate AI, but I hate JKR way more.
December 3, 2025 at 10:01 AM
I hate AI, but I hate JKR way more.