Al Robertson
@alrobertson.bsky.social
Tomorrow's folklore today! Author of psych cyberpunk novels "Crashing Heaven" and "Waking Hell". Copywriter. Wanderer. Ponderer. www.allumination.co.uk
Reposted by Al Robertson
you better watch out
You better watch out
You Better Watch Out
𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘉𝘌𝘛𝘛𝘌𝘙 𝘞𝘈𝘛𝘊𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘛
𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝘽𝙀𝙏𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝘾𝙃 𝙊𝙐𝙏
𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗨𝗧
𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐔𝐓
《根据中华人民共和国相关法律法规，强烈建议谨慎行事》
You better watch out
You Better Watch Out
𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘉𝘌𝘛𝘛𝘌𝘙 𝘞𝘈𝘛𝘊𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘛
𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝘽𝙀𝙏𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝘾𝙃 𝙊𝙐𝙏
𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗨𝗧
𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐔𝐓
《根据中华人民共和国相关法律法规，强烈建议谨慎行事》
November 27, 2025 at 7:58 PM
you better watch out
You better watch out
You Better Watch Out
𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘉𝘌𝘛𝘛𝘌𝘙 𝘞𝘈𝘛𝘊𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘛
𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝘽𝙀𝙏𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝘾𝙃 𝙊𝙐𝙏
𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗨𝗧
𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐔𝐓
《根据中华人民共和国相关法律法规，强烈建议谨慎行事》
You better watch out
You Better Watch Out
𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘉𝘌𝘛𝘛𝘌𝘙 𝘞𝘈𝘛𝘊𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘛
𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝘽𝙀𝙏𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙒𝘼𝙏𝘾𝙃 𝙊𝙐𝙏
𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗨𝗧
𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐔𝐓
《根据中华人民共和国相关法律法规，强烈建议谨慎行事》
Reposted by Al Robertson
A crogglingly nice review for the Immeasurable Heaven from @locusmag.bsky.social, thank you 🍻
@solarisbooks.bsky.social
@solarisbooks.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 9:19 AM
A crogglingly nice review for the Immeasurable Heaven from @locusmag.bsky.social, thank you 🍻
@solarisbooks.bsky.social
@solarisbooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Al Robertson
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 11:24 PM
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
Reposted by Al Robertson
Review! Twins: A Memoir – Teresa Robertson’s Story about Family Tragedy and Renewal. www.brokenfrontier.com/twins-teresa... Review by @edwardpicot.bsky.social
Twins: A Memoir - Teresa Robertson's Story about Family Tragedy and Renewal – Broken Frontier
Broken Frontier's Edward Picot takes a look at Teresa Robertson's slice-of-life, graphic memoir - the self-published 'Twins'.
www.brokenfrontier.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Review! Twins: A Memoir – Teresa Robertson’s Story about Family Tragedy and Renewal. www.brokenfrontier.com/twins-teresa... Review by @edwardpicot.bsky.social
Reposted by Al Robertson
I wish more reporting on this made the point that novelists won't be displaced by LLMs suddenly producing literature instead of story mulch, but because decision makers focused only on the bottom line, who don't understand what makes a good book, will be persuaded story mulch has got 'good enough'.
New research by @mctd.bsky.social shows the impact of generative AI on authors in the UK. They found over a third of novelists report their income has already been negatively impacted by AI and 85% expect their future income will be negatively impacted.
www.mctd.ac.uk/impact-of-ge...
www.mctd.ac.uk/impact-of-ge...
Impact of Generative AI on the Novel
A report examining how literary creatives being affected by GenAI and what measures they want see implemented by the government to protect the UK’s literary scene.
www.mctd.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:05 PM
I wish more reporting on this made the point that novelists won't be displaced by LLMs suddenly producing literature instead of story mulch, but because decision makers focused only on the bottom line, who don't understand what makes a good book, will be persuaded story mulch has got 'good enough'.
A movie that takes place where you're from.
November 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
A movie that takes place where you're from.
Reposted by Al Robertson
A hugely popular and internationally recognised symbol of Britishness, associated with time travel & outlandish speculative fictions. And the TARDIS.
November 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
A hugely popular and internationally recognised symbol of Britishness, associated with time travel & outlandish speculative fictions. And the TARDIS.
Reposted by Al Robertson
What is going on today, seriously
He said "Amen" straight into the drop
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
Lmao Pope Leo threw a rave for an archbishop's 75th birthday this is kind of incredible
November 21, 2025 at 11:53 PM
What is going on today, seriously
Reposted by Al Robertson
This is SO on point. Every little detail.
November 21, 2025 at 7:50 AM
This is SO on point. Every little detail.
Reposted by Al Robertson
Realised that it’s 10 years to the day since my first book was published - a strange old tale set in the 147th century, featuring a giant (but very awkward) hominid protagonist. There’s a lot I’d do differently if I were writing it now, but I had such a great time coming up with so much weird stuff.
November 19, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Realised that it’s 10 years to the day since my first book was published - a strange old tale set in the 147th century, featuring a giant (but very awkward) hominid protagonist. There’s a lot I’d do differently if I were writing it now, but I had such a great time coming up with so much weird stuff.
Reposted by Al Robertson
Coverage of the refugee proposals demonstrates why we have such a broken political system. Endless focus on left-wing anger and right-wing support. Basically nothing on whether the reforms will work. They will not, which is why we'll still be here having the same debate in three years.
November 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Coverage of the refugee proposals demonstrates why we have such a broken political system. Endless focus on left-wing anger and right-wing support. Basically nothing on whether the reforms will work. They will not, which is why we'll still be here having the same debate in three years.
Reposted by Al Robertson
'Face of the Moon.' (1797) John Russell was the finest British pastel artist of his time. One of his sitters, the astronomer William Herschel encouraged him to buy a telescope, and with this he produced a number of remarkable pastel drawings of the moon.
November 17, 2025 at 10:14 PM
'Face of the Moon.' (1797) John Russell was the finest British pastel artist of his time. One of his sitters, the astronomer William Herschel encouraged him to buy a telescope, and with this he produced a number of remarkable pastel drawings of the moon.
Reposted by Al Robertson
So far today Labour Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been showered with praise by - checks notes - Far Right agitator Tommy Robinson, leader of the Conservatives Kemi Badenoch, the Daily Express and GB News.
November 17, 2025 at 6:43 PM
So far today Labour Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been showered with praise by - checks notes - Far Right agitator Tommy Robinson, leader of the Conservatives Kemi Badenoch, the Daily Express and GB News.
Reposted by Al Robertson
Book Cover of the Day:
November 17, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Book Cover of the Day:
Reposted by Al Robertson
My collection of Norfolk Broads Bird illustrations are now all available to purchase as individual prints. I offer a variety of sizes and paper stock so there's something to suit all budgets :)
juliaallum.co.uk/product-cate...
Up first - the majestic barn owl
juliaallum.co.uk/product-cate...
Up first - the majestic barn owl
November 15, 2025 at 6:05 PM
My collection of Norfolk Broads Bird illustrations are now all available to purchase as individual prints. I offer a variety of sizes and paper stock so there's something to suit all budgets :)
juliaallum.co.uk/product-cate...
Up first - the majestic barn owl
juliaallum.co.uk/product-cate...
Up first - the majestic barn owl
Reposted by Al Robertson
Books like this will not get men reading literary fiction again. If these kinds of novels worked, Jonathan Franzen would have led to some kind of male readership renaissance. (And I am not a Franzen hater. The Corrections was brilliant.) Litfic wasn't scooped by women. It was scooped by video games.
November 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Books like this will not get men reading literary fiction again. If these kinds of novels worked, Jonathan Franzen would have led to some kind of male readership renaissance. (And I am not a Franzen hater. The Corrections was brilliant.) Litfic wasn't scooped by women. It was scooped by video games.
Reposted by Al Robertson
Reposted by Al Robertson
Everything about the current 'debate' around this is dismal, not just morally but because it is so stupid. For example:
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
Asylum system in UK ‘out of control’ and dividing country, home secretary says
Shabana Mahmood to unveil new proposals modelled on Denmark’s controversial system
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Everything about the current 'debate' around this is dismal, not just morally but because it is so stupid. For example:
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
It conflates asylum-seeking and illegal immigration (and sometimes with migration generally)
It shows no understanding of why there is AS
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... 1/3
Reposted by Al Robertson
Every time I hear a politician say that an issue is “dividing” this country they always then come down on the side of the right wing view of it. Just once I’d love to hear someone say “this issue is divisive, which is why I’m making the argument that kindness and compassion is important”
November 16, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Every time I hear a politician say that an issue is “dividing” this country they always then come down on the side of the right wing view of it. Just once I’d love to hear someone say “this issue is divisive, which is why I’m making the argument that kindness and compassion is important”
It is indeed all about the cones.
'Four cones wins, but in order to get a cone you have to build a civilization. Which is where the spirit cards come in'
November 16, 2025 at 8:53 AM
It is indeed all about the cones.
Reposted by Al Robertson
'Daylight Raid from My Studio Window, 7 July 1917' South Kensington by John Lavery
(Ulster Museum)
(Ulster Museum)
November 14, 2025 at 8:17 AM
'Daylight Raid from My Studio Window, 7 July 1917' South Kensington by John Lavery
(Ulster Museum)
(Ulster Museum)
Reposted by Al Robertson
Happy There Is A Circulatory System Walking Through The Kitchen Day to all who celebrate.
November 10, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Happy There Is A Circulatory System Walking Through The Kitchen Day to all who celebrate.
Reposted by Al Robertson
This fantastic essay by @maxgladstone.bsky.social precisely and elegantly captures the feeling that the Internet has moved beyond "eternal September," but as a natural consequence of its attention capitalizing nature.
Visits from the *ahem* Squad
On spare attention, the changing internet, and need.
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:23 AM
This fantastic essay by @maxgladstone.bsky.social precisely and elegantly captures the feeling that the Internet has moved beyond "eternal September," but as a natural consequence of its attention capitalizing nature.
Reposted by Al Robertson
There are ghosts here.
October 30, 2025 at 12:03 PM
There are ghosts here.
Reposted by Al Robertson
Have now discovered who paid the ferryman.
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Have now discovered who paid the ferryman.