Karina Steffens
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karinasteffens.bsky.social
Karina Steffens
@karinasteffens.bsky.social
46 followers 48 following 11 posts
Weaver of websites, conrunner, and writer of #SFF. Baba Yaga's biographer (unsanctioned), airship stowaway, and serial immigrant. She/her
https://neo-archaic.ie
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Karina Steffens
csharpwords.bsky.social
Ever wanted to learn how to stream convention panels? @octocon.bsky.social is looking for new online producers for next weekend (Sat 11th/Sun 12th) and there's still time to get you up and running with some training + free online membership! 2025.octocon.com/online-volun...
Online Volunteers Needed - Octocon 2025
This year, Octocon is running a full programme online on both days of the convention (Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October 2025), and we need volunteers
2025.octocon.com
October 4, 2025 at 12:25 PM
karinasteffens.bsky.social
It's almost time for #Octocon2025! This year, we're in-person and online on Saturday 11th and online on Sunday 12th. Here's my programme schedule for both days: prog.octocon.com/people/0068

@octocon.bsky.social #Octocon #Fantasy #Fandom #ReadingCommunity #Scifi #ScifiConvention #BookSky
My Octocon programme schedule. Text version: https://prog.octocon.com/people/0068
October 3, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
pjvphotography.bsky.social
"Pat, why do you carry that ridiculous 600mm lens on long hikes?"

Buddy, I can see mountains reflected in the eyes of a trailside pika.
A pika sits on a mossy rock. Tighter crop of the same pika, focusing on its head. An even tighter crop, focusing more on the pika's eye. An extremely tight crop of the pika's eye, emphasizing their reflection of an early morning mountain scene.
August 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
karinasteffens.bsky.social
Check out the @octocon.bsky.social website to see what happened at #dublincomiccon when I took Octo on a photoshoot for their big #OctosDayOut adventure 🐙
August 28, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
octocon.bsky.social
Did you know #Octocon2025 will also be online this year? Attend from anywhere in the world from the comfort of your one home for exclusive panels and workshops.

2025.octocon.com

#octocon #scifi #fantasy #readingcommunity #Fandom #Cosplay #Cosplayers #Horror
Poster states: Octocon Online. Did you know #Octocon2025 will be online? Here’s why online conventions are the best! Attend from anywhere in the world! Awesome workshops and panels exclusive online. Save money on the cost of travel and accommodation. Attend from the comfort of your own home. www.ocotocon.com. Features Octocon logo.
August 28, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
aliettedebodard.com
Yep yep. Caring means one is invested emotionally, it doesn't have to be that the character is likeable or that the plot has big life threatening stakes.
(I wrote an entire novella where the stakes for the end of act II were "high-pressure banquet poetry", see On a Red Station Drifting)
annleckie.com Ann Leckie @annleckie.com · Aug 25
Also related (or maybe the same): Suspense is not generated by the reader not knowing what happens next. It's generated by the reader CARING what happens next.
annleckie.com Ann Leckie @annleckie.com · Aug 24
Related (or maybe the same) is that "I'm going to trick the reader haha" is not a good path to reader investment, but "I am going to delight the reader, haha!" is. They look the same on the surface but they're not. I always advise being generous to readers, not adversarial.
August 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
octocon.bsky.social
We would like to thank South Dublin County Council for their support in bringing you #Octocon2025.

https://2025.octocon.com/

#Octocon #SciFiConvention #Fantasy #ReadingCommunity #OnlineConvention #Fandom #Cosplay #Cosplayers #writingworkshop #crochet #crocheting
Purple poster stating: "Octocon is proudly supported by SDCC - South Dublin County Council. www.octocon.com" Poster includes the SDCC logo, Octocon logo, and our mascot, Octo the Octopus.
August 24, 2025 at 10:02 AM
karinasteffens.bsky.social
Sent out two poetry submissions to @uncannymagazine.bsky.social. Who knows, right?
August 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
dvpit.bsky.social
📣Announcing #PreDV and #DVParty!📣

Excited to bring back #PreDV & #DVParty leading up to #DVPit!

Practice your pitches during #PreDV on Mon, Sept 29, 2025!

Get to know your fellow participants during #DVParty from Oct 2-Oct 7!

Follow this account or dvpit.carrd.co for all official announcements!
#preDV September 29th, 2025 12PM - 5PM ET Join us for our practice vent, #preDV on Bluesky! Come with your best pitches and receive4 feedback from agented authors. All participants are welcome to also give feedback and make friends during the community event before Oct 8th's #DVpit. More info at dvpit.carrd.co #DVparty October 2nd - October 7th 2025 October 2nd (Day 1): Post a moodboard/art October 3rd (Day 2): Introduce your main character October 4th (Day 3): Opening LInes October 5th (Day 4): Your Story as a meme/gif October 6th (Day 5): Your Story's theme song/playlist October 7th (Day 6): Hype your next project Post on Bluesky with the #DVparty hashtag. Open all day. Please use alt-text if you post images. No AI generated images allowed. Have fun and make friends leading up to #DVpit! More info at dvpit.carrd.co
August 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
karinasteffens.bsky.social
Day one at the @octocon.bsky.social fan table, at #DublinComicCon
octocon.bsky.social Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Aug 9
Our committee would love to talk to you about #Octocon2025 so make sure you pay us a visit at this #DublinComicCon this weekend.

#octocon #SciFi #Fantasy #Cosplay #fandom #SciFiConvention #ScienceFiction #ReadingCommunity #DublinComicCon2025
Members of the Octocon Committee at the Octocon table at Dublin Comic Con.
August 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
dvpit.bsky.social
🚨IMPORTANT DVPIT ALERT!🚨

Unfortunately, the DVpit url has been claimed by an unknown party claiming to be us with services that we do not endorse.
All the official information for DVpit only comes from this account, our discord, or dvpit.carrd.co
We implore you to be safe & protect your information
Important Alert! We are being impersonated Unfortunately, the DVpit url has been claimed by an unknown party which is claiming to be us with services that we do not endorse. We are NOT affiliated with Cecil Butler or his payday loans. At this time, please be advised that all the official information for DVpit only comes from @dvpit.bsky.social, dvpit.carrd.co, or our discord server. We implore you to be safe and protect your information. Thank you! Graphic showing dvpit.com is NOT AFFILIATED WITH #DVPIT at this time!
August 6, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
davidgreenwriter.bsky.social
My creative writing lessons are beginning again on Monday 15th September! And they're still priced at just €50 for a block of six sessions.

Hope to see some of you there, spaces are limited!

www.davidgreenwriter.com/creative-wri...
August 6, 2025 at 6:31 PM
karinasteffens.bsky.social
I'll be helping with @octocon.bsky.social fan table at Dublin Comic Con this weekend! Wirh a few days to go, my new cosplay is *not ready* yet 😨 Husband is working full steam on the gun, and it's not even steampunk 😬
August 6, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
uncannymagazine.bsky.social
PLEASE REPOST! WRITERS! Uncanny Magazine will be open to Short Story Submissions from August 25 to September 8! Uncanny Magazine will be open to Poetry Submissions from August 9 to August 26. WE WANT TO SEE YOUR SHINY WORDS! buff.ly/9AyStcb
Space Unicorn!
August 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
simongerman600.bsky.social
The Orient Express is one of history's most famous train journeys. Different routes were taken. I for one would love the purple route. Source: buff.ly/XrpuWsd
July 20, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
octocon.bsky.social
You can be part of bringing #Octocon2025 to the masses and have an inside track in all the fun. Think you could fulfill these roles? Then get in touch via the link below:

2025.octocon.com/join-the-oct...

#Octocon #SciFiConvention #Fantasy #Fandom #Cosplay #SciFi #Horror #ReadingCommunity #Comics
July 12, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
octocon.bsky.social
Our next #Octocon2025 online guest is @khanwong.bsky.social. Khan has a past as a poet, cellist, arts funder and internationally known hula hooper. His debut novel, The Circus Infinite, was published by @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social.

https://2025.octocon.com/khan-wong-online-guest/

#Octocon
Flyer states: “Guest – Online. Khan Wong. Saturday 11th October 2025 - Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin and Online / Sunday 12th October 2025 – Online. www.octocon.com” Images include Khan Wong, Octocon mascot Octo and Octocon logo and QR code on an bright blue outer-space backdrop. Image of Khan Wong's book: Down in the Sea of Angels.
July 4, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
fifyfofum.bsky.social
A lot of the committee and staff of Octocon are disabled. So, accessibility is a high priority for us. If you feel there is something more that Octocon could be doing please reach out!
octocon.bsky.social Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Jul 3
Octo would like to wish you all a happy #DisabilityPride. #Octocon does its best to make our convention as accessible as possible. Looking forward to seeing you all in October. 

https://2025.octocon.com/

#octocon2025 #fantasy #scifi #fandom #scificonvention #readingcommunity
Image states: "Octo would like to wish you all a Happy Disability Pride! www.octocon.com". Image includes mascot Octo, and the Octocon logo.
July 4, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
davidgreenwriter.bsky.social
Delighted to have been nominated for two British Fantasy Awards this year for Best Fantasy Novel (A Shadow Over Haven) and Best Non-Fiction (Autism and Writing) alongside some amazing writers I deeply admire.

Thanks to everyone who voted for me, I really appreciate it 🙂
June 23, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
octocon.bsky.social
A big congratulations to @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social for being nominated for two @britfantasysoc.bsky.social.

#Octobooks #Fantasy #FantasyLit #Supernatural #IrishLit #Octocon2025 #Octocon
davidgreenwriter.bsky.social David Green @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social · Jun 23
Delighted to have been nominated for two British Fantasy Awards this year for Best Fantasy Novel (A Shadow Over Haven) and Best Non-Fiction (Autism and Writing) alongside some amazing writers I deeply admire.

Thanks to everyone who voted for me, I really appreciate it 🙂
June 27, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
juliettewade.bsky.social
Trans women are women. Pass it on.
feenavan2099.bsky.social Feena van @feenavan2099.bsky.social · Jun 26
Trans women are women. Pass it on.
unapoloanarchy.bsky.social The Unapologetic Anarchist @unapoloanarchy.bsky.social · Jun 25
Trans women are women. Pass it on.
June 28, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
ednewtonrex.bsky.social
Disney has joined the fight against AI’s theft of creative work, suing Midjourney & calling it “a bottomless pit of plagiarism”.

Midjourney engineers once told me their actions were justified because art is ‘ossified’.

End the plagiarism machine.

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/b...
June 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM
karinasteffens.bsky.social
Absolutely loving Murderbot.
juliettewade.bsky.social Juliette Wade @juliettewade.bsky.social · Jun 21
Episode 7 of #Murderbot. I loved it. LOVED it. For so many reasons.

I loved the opener. Red flags for trauma had been going up in several of Gurathin's lines, and we finally got to find out why. Powerful stuff, executed so well.

I really liked the alt-Truth or Dare. Great cultural worldbuilding.
June 21, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Reposted by Karina Steffens
cemurphy.bsky.social
I read this aloud to my husband who began giggling and biting his tongue 🤣
timpratt.org Tim Melody Pratt @timpratt.org · Jun 19
Day 1 of doing edits: download the file from my editor. That counts

Day 2: open file, glance at it, close file and go for a walk, swearing constantly

Day 3: Do a bunch of the easy corrections. This is great!

Day 4: Do the rest of the easy corrections. Hey I’m almost done!

Day 5: oh no. ohgodno
June 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
karinasteffens.bsky.social
"Common spotted" wild orchids in Cabinteely Park's meadows.
June 14, 2025 at 10:47 AM