Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Finn McLellan

Johannes T. Evans @johannestevans.bsky.social · 9h

Pet dog from a herding breed on a space ship who comes and Demands Assistance before leading a crew member to The Problem, and The Problem in question is that one of the automated repair bots has gotten stuck halfway through a broken vent

"Hello yes. One of my Animals is in Distress. Fix it."

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Reposted by Finn McLellan

WOLFSKULLJACK @wolfskulljack.bsky.social · 9h

Embrace Change- 2022

My art, digital. A comic page of a women shapeshifting into a werewolf

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Marguerite @marguerites.bsky.social · 9h

How exciting on so many fronts, but @cemurphy.bsky.social and @aptshadow.bsky.social as guests?! How wonderful!

See you all in Cork next October, I hope.

2025.octocon.com/announcing-o...

Announcing - Octocon 2026 - Octocon 2025

Octocon is delighted to announce our 2026 venue and guests of honour! Clayton Hotel Cork City and Online Saturday 3rd October - Sunday 4th October, 2026

2025.octocon.com

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Mx. D. D. Ward (they/them) @ddwardiswriting.bsky.social · 9h

Do like sword fights? How about battles with giants? Prison breaks?

It's all there in The Husband Poisoning Society. Part lesbian love story. Part fantasy Bond adventure!

It's free on my patreon with no sign up required (but all sign ups deeply appreciated).

www.patreon.com/ddwardiswrit...

Various salacious fiction

www.patreon.com

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · Sep 28

Things I am:
- autistic
- dealing with chronic pain (hypermobility and migraines)
- a transmasc butch
- a UK larper whose primary game isn't Empire
- a writer
- a lapsed sport fencer (foil, sabre) and fire-juggler (contact staff, staff-spinning)
- an FX prosthetics maker (latex appliances)

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · Sep 28

Welcome, new folk!

Things I post:
- stuff about my ongoing queer Gothic gaslamp fantasy serial, Argentum in Aqua ( saranadosfiction.com/2023/12/11/a... )
- random musings about writing, larp, video games, disability, being transmasc, or all of the above
- occasionally, unfortunately, UK politics

Argentum in Aqua: An Introduction

ARGENTUM IN AQUA (Blood on the Snow, Silver in the Ashes, Fire in the Sky) All student magician Jonathan Fest wants is to keep his head down and finish out his first year of university without fail…

saranadosfiction.com

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Tessa Hastjarjanto @tessahastjarjanto.com · 11h

Doing another call to #booksky for participation in an event we're doing in November!

If you're a book blogger, reviewer, book lover, I'd love for you to join us with a review of an indie book or guest post about any book-ish topic.

More info ⬇️⬇️⬇️

www.readindiefantasy.com/announcing-a...

Announcing a Month of Rain and Reads… Coming this November! – Read Indie Fantasy

www.readindiefantasy.com

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Gareth Kavanagh @omegar24.bsky.social · 10h

In a big change for Octocon, in 2026 the event will be in cork.

I am looking forward to this, I think it is a nice venue.

2025.octocon.com/announcing-o...

Announcing - Octocon 2026 - Octocon 2025

Octocon is delighted to announce our 2026 venue and guests of honour! Clayton Hotel Cork City and Online Saturday 3rd October - Sunday 4th October, 2026

2025.octocon.com

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 12h

(And, because he's a contemporary journalist rather than a historian, we get people in [his transcription of] their own words, which is incredible for voice/character inspiration even outside the historical value)

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 13h

(Seriously, Mayhew's an amazing resource inspiration-wise if you're writing a fantasy city, especially anything with a Victorian and/or low-fantasy slant to it, if nothing else just for the sheer variety and breadth of street life he talks about)

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 13h

On the one hand, probably should've done something a wee bit less intellectually taxing than reading a whole chunk of Mayhew's 'London Labour and the London Poor' after being on two back-to-back panels, given how tired I am xD

On the other side, special interest engaging again is a good thing, so.

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Wizard's Tower Press @wtpress.bsky.social · 15h

It being a Sunday, there's no update today. Things are quiet as usual. But we do want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has got us over the £3000 mark. Everyone else, why not click the link and find out more. www.kickstarter.com/...

The cover of They Are Still Here (Mae Nhw Yma O Hyd).

The image is of the sorceror, Gwydion, surrounded by wild animals (wolf, boar, deer) in a Celtic knotwork frame. Gwydion's hat is crowned with antlers. He carries an axe in his right hand and an oak twig in his left.

Art by Josh Arklin.

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Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 1d

I'm so proud of everyone from my old neighborhood of Rogers Park in Chicago. I see what you have been and are doing. I am so proud of how organized the community is and how much more so everyone is becoming. It is inspiring. Just one example... And this is something EVERYONE can do. Everyone.

Informational flyer about Rogers Park Whistle Protocols, explaining how to use whistles to alert neighbors of emergencies, with color-coded alerts, steps for use, and encouragement to form a crowd and stay loud for safety.

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Thomas S Brown @tomsbrown.bsky.social · 15h

Thread-
Buttons
12th of the #Emberlings of Oct.
Originals £35 (plus post) each, in UK because people should be able to afford human art.
Message or reply to claim. First come, First served. She is A5. All will be collected in a book with words by @taliskimberley.bsky.social. #witchsky

A witch with only one eye showing under hat, between scarf and coat. There are buttons. Many, many buttons.

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Reposted by Finn McLellan

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · 20h

It's time to get ready for #Octocon again. This time, we're all online. Get your cupa whatever ready and favourite slippers on, and let's get cosy!

#Octocon2025 #OnlineConvention #Fandom #SciFi #Fantasy #Comics #ReadingCommunity #Booksky

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · 1d

Wakey wakey, everybody. It's #Octocon time!

#Octocon2025 #Fantasy #Scifi #Fandom #Cosplay #ScifFiConvention #ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity #comics

a penguin in a snowflake sweater is holding a mirror and spoon

Alt: a penguin in a snowflake sweater is holding a mirror and spoon

media.tenor.com

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 21h

(As a bit of additional context here, 'accidentally' exposing werewolf students to silver is an unfortunately common prank among some sets at the university, and Viola's more than a wee bit twitchy about it as a result)

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 21h

Re-upping for the morning crowd and the folks who spend Shabbat offline

Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 1d

Fire in the Sky (Argentum in Aqua 3): Chapter 14

In which Viola makes a choice, Sabbat makes a confession, and Fest helps Anneke unmake a mess
saranadosfiction.com/2025/10/11/f...

New to the serial? Start here: saranadosfiction.com/2018/05/19/a...

#ArgentumInAqua
#GaslampFantasy

🌈📚🪐📚😱
♿♾📚

*And wasn’t as though he wasn’t just as willing. Hells, more.*

He was fairly certain Archer’d been kissing him hard enough to bruise, by the end of it. He was also fairly fucking certain he’d not mind if he wanted to do it again.

“So,” Archer said, once the others’d got far enough away that Sabbat couldn’t hear their footsteps any more. “I believe you were going to explain why you decided to punch me in the face.” He poked at his nose again, though it looked to be healing just fine from what Sabbat could tell. “I don’t doubt I’ve done something to deserve it at some point or another, I’ll admit, but you said it was about the sixdamn box, and I categorically deny having anything to do with *that.*”

“Aye, I know. You ain’t that good a liar.”

“Then enlighten me.”

He didn’t want to. If he told Archer what he’d learned from Cass, he was as good as admitting yet another fucking weakness, and this one worse than all the rest combined. And, more, Archer’d blame himself for not knowing, and if he started thinking that Sabbat’d only said yes to him because of it, then…

*Then we deal with that when it fucking happens. And besides, would you rather tell him now or have him find out when you collapse out on a rooftop somewhere because your legs stopped fucking working again?*

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 21h

#WIPSnips | hope

In which ritual preparations go a wee bit sideways thanks to Mortimer being somewhat preoccupied and forgetting that the other magician in the room is a werewolf

( saranadosfiction.com/2023/02/11/s... )

At least, until he turned to her with the satchel he was holding full to the brim with dried herbs and preparation bowls and said, as though it was the most reasonable request in the world, “Could you grab me the silver?”

Her first instinct was to punch him in the nose for the suggestion. Her second, which was thankfully the one she chose to listen to, was to close her eyes, take a deep breath, and say, as calmly as she could, “No.”

“What?”

“I said no. I don’t have gloves with me, and I can’t fight if my hands are covered in blisters.” *Not to mention the fact that if I have to somehow build up enough energy to heal from sodding silver burns then you can kiss goodbye to the rest of the contents of your pantry.*

There was a long, awkward silence. Then she heard the satchel hit the floor, shortly followed by a noise which could only be Mortimer’s palm making contact with his forehead.

“Gods, I’m an idiot. I’m sorry.”

“No harm done. I know you didn’t mean anything by it.” *At least, I bloody hope you didn’t, else you and I are going to have to have a conversation you’re not going to enjoy very much.* “Do you want me to sort out the herbs while you deal with the silver?”

“That sounds like an excellent plan.”

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 1d

#Saturdark | blood

In which Archer wakes up, after having been shot in the head

( saranadosfiction.com/2021/07/23/s... )

*Though I feel distinctly less awful than the last time this happened. And I seem to have significantly less of a hole in my skull, which is a welcome relief.*

Given how vampiric healing worked, however, he was fairly certain he knew the reason for both of those. Which meant there was a very important question he needed an answer to.

“Who did I drink?” The words came out in a croaking rasp, barely louder than a whisper, and he coughed, spitting blood and phlegm onto the already-bloodied snow. *Ugh. I’ve not missed this part of the experience, I’ll admit.*

“Not one o’ them, if that’s what you’re worryin’ about.”

He looked up.

Sabbat was sitting cross-legged in the snow a little way away, his unlit cigarette still dangling from the corner of his mouth. He’d stripped down to his shirtsleeves and waistcoat, and the sleeve on his left arm was rolled up above the elbow – as Archer watched, he lifted his forearm slightly and a trickle of dark blood ran down to join the spreading red stain that’d already swallowed half the white linen of his shirt.

“Tell me that’s not all yours.”

The assassin grinned crookedly. “Most of it ain’t. Din’t bleed any of ’em for you, though. I know that ain’t what you want.”

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 1d

Fire in the Sky (Argentum in Aqua 3): Chapter 14

In which Viola makes a choice, Sabbat makes a confession, and Fest helps Anneke unmake a mess
saranadosfiction.com/2025/10/11/f...

New to the serial? Start here: saranadosfiction.com/2018/05/19/a...

#ArgentumInAqua
#GaslampFantasy

🌈📚🪐📚😱
♿♾📚

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Reposted by Finn McLellan

Dream Foundry @dreamfoundry.bsky.social · 5d

📈 Dream Foundry is seeking fundraising volunteers! Help us connect with donors and find the money to keep our awesome programs running.
Give us a shout in ⁠our Discord under #volunteering or send an email to [email protected]

Dream Foundry is looking for Fundraising Volunteers

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Cheryl Morgan @cherylmorgan.bsky.social · 1d

Only £7 short of £3000. Surely we can get there today: www.kickstarter.com/projects/191...

They Are Still Here (Maen Nhw Yma O Hyd)

An anthology of contemporary fantasy stories featuring creatures and characters from Welsh mythology and folklore

www.kickstarter.com

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 1d

(To be clear, the folks who raised Sabbat and who he considers his *actual* family - which is why he's not told anyone about them, because that's nobody's business but his - were also sex workers. His opinion of his ma is more to do with the fact she up and abandoned him when he got sick as a kid)

Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 1d

(And Sabbat's fairly certain he has half-siblings given his birth mother a) liked having babies [liked the messy bits of *looking after them* a damn sight less] and b) slept with folk for money, and his father was [probably] a sailor who provably spent a fair bit of time in at least one brothel)

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 1d

(And Sabbat's fairly certain he has half-siblings given his birth mother a) liked having babies [liked the messy bits of *looking after them* a damn sight less] and b) slept with folk for money, and his father was [probably] a sailor who provably spent a fair bit of time in at least one brothel)

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Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · 1d

(Archer has an older brother and a younger brother, both of whom he's not spoken to in years for reasons less to do with them and more to do with his parents, and Fest has a whole passel of older siblings back home who he misses a good deal more than he'd ever admit to them)

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