Ollie
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olliefern.bsky.social
Ollie
@olliefern.bsky.social
27 followers 26 following 130 posts
Fiction writer, literary translator and traveling pet sitter. 💫
https://picosgemeos.substack.com/
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olliefern.bsky.social
"I look at most men and now even the attractive ones make me think what is he for?"

New letters in the epistolary series “Between the Pines”:

open.substack.com/pub/picosgem...
To Burn the Candle at Both Ends
Introducing Jane, plus a new letter from Stefan
open.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Reposted by Ollie
cjltjournal.bsky.social
The Cambridge Journal of Literary Translation (CJLT) has launched and is now open for submissions. An open-access, peer-reviewed journal hosted at the University of Cambridge, CJLT publishes literary translations, research articles, and book reviews. Learn more: cjltjournal.wixsite.com/cjlt/issues
January 16, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Reposted by Ollie
dempster2000.bsky.social
They’re going to Weekend-at-Bernie’s Trump, aren’t they. Hegseth ruffling his hair from behind; Vance smushing his cheeks to make it look like he’s saying “sausages”.
January 21, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Reposted by Ollie
literaryexchanges.bsky.social
Submission Call! Looking for translations for our Spring issue: Resonance. Link in bio to submit
January 23, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Ollie
mrseileen.bsky.social
Being a european today basically means having a pretty excellent day until around 5 pm when the white house starts posting the dumbest shit you've ever had the misfortune to read. Every. Damn. Day.
January 18, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Reposted by Ollie
alanjstedman.bsky.social
This photo was taken in 1911 using glass plate technology by Herbert Ponting who was part of Scott's Antarctic expedition,

The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance

Iconic imo
Photograph from 1911 taken by Herbert Ponting whilst with Scott's Antarctic Expedition The monochrome photo is taken from within a cave. The walls of the cave are made of ice. The cave entrance is in the mid distance with two figures standing looking out towards a distant ship. Between them and the ship there is first a 'beach' of ice before the sea itself. The ship could be up to 800 metres away What makes the photo so special is that where the figures are at the cave entrance there is a band of very white snow and ice (contrasting with the comparatively dark inside of the cave) that creates a stark framework in which the men and the ship are captured. It is made even more dramatic by the fact that the cave entrance is at least 30 metres high and is in the shape of a distorted elipse with the tail sloping off to the right at the top of the elipse The photo being in monochrome in a largely white environment makes the photographers skill all the more laudable
January 17, 2026 at 7:12 AM
Reposted by Ollie
zenithedtom.bsky.social
How your email finds me
A very sleepy black and white cat on a blanket on a wicker rocking chair
January 14, 2026 at 10:59 AM
olliefern.bsky.social
Camberwell, South London, 18th January 2026.
#SilentSunday
A low-angle shot of the upper facade of a red brick building set against a bright blue sky with wispy, vertical cloud streaks. Across the top roofline, large white graffiti text in block letters reads "FREE LUIGI MANGIONE," flanked by a symbol on the left and a heart shape on the right. Below the text, two rows of rectangular windows are visible.
January 18, 2026 at 4:31 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
12 years ago, I met Mary L. Tabor online and we bonded over Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels and E.M. Forster's 'Only connect.' Last month, she wrote to share the good news of a book deal she secured after serialising her novel Who by Fire on #Substack.

open.substack.com/pub/picosgem...
A Fire Between the Pines
Introducing Mary L. Tabor, plus a postcard to a 4-year-old
open.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:35 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
As a committed Jenny Uglow fan after having read, and loved, her biography of William Hogarth, I'm excited for "A Year with Gilbert White". As each chapter is dedicated to a month, starting in January, that's the pace I'll keep with the book as the year unfolds.
#SlowLivingVibes
Hand holding a cream-colored book titled "A Year with Gilbert White: The First Great Nature Writer" by Jenny Uglow, published by Faber. The cover features an ornate 18th-century natural history illustration of a blue and coral-colored exotic bird perched among green leaves and pink-orange flowers. In the background, Messalina the cat is lying on the reader's lap. A white cat with black markings (Messalina) lies curled up on a bed with black and white geometric patterned bedding, next to a copy of "A Year with Gilbert White" by Jenny Uglow. The reader's hand rests on the bed beside the cat. On the wall behind the bed hang several paintings by Alberto Pavan, including a large central piece featuring figures in Renaissance-style clothing with a wolf, and other artworks showing stylized human figures. A mirror and radiator are visible on the left side of the room.
January 8, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Ollie
rahaeli.bsky.social
Okay, I will preface this with the GIGANTIC disclaimer that I promise I know how this looks, and I *swear* this is not personally motivated: If you have an old #LiveJournal account, and it has things you still care about in it, download it or import it to Dreamwidth SOON. Details:
January 1, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by Ollie
fiyahlitmag.bsky.social
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Authors and poets, submissions for our second themed issue are OPEN 🎉🎉🎉

Details here: fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/
January 1, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Ollie
seizethepress.bsky.social
We're open for fiction submissions!

We publish unsettling bad time stories that straddle the horror, fantasy, and science fiction spectrum. But genre is made up so if you have a dark weird horrible story that could be a fit, send it in and let us worry about it.

No closing date, open indefinitely.
Submissions - Seize The Press
Submissions Guidelines Submissions are open for fiction. We publish dark, unsettling, dislocating stories that straddle the horror, fantasy, and science fiction spectrum, but genre is made up. If you ...
www.seizethepress.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Reposted by Ollie
innerworlds.bsky.social
Submissions are open now for our final issue! The theme for this issue is 'endings'

inner-worlds.ghost.io/submission-g...
Submission guidelines
Our next issue will be our last one, so we are looking for stories on the theme of endings. We'd like to read about loss, change, grief, relief, hope, and possibility. What to submit * Sci...
inner-worlds.ghost.io
January 1, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Reposted by Ollie
slack2thefuture.bsky.social
Wanna see real-life miracles? Fund scientific research.

A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
Alzheimer's Fully Reversed in Mice, Scientists Say
A new compound has been shown to reverse late stage Alzheimer's disease in lab mice, which gives millions of sufferers new cause for hope.
futurism.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Reposted by Ollie
thevivllainous.bsky.social
More. Gay hockey. Now.
December 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
Coffee pause in Covent Garden to write a letter to one of my “Between the Pines” pen pals.
#LetterWriting
A letter-writing workspace at Fabrique Bakery in Covent Garden, featuring a small round marble table with decorative patterned tile flooring visible below. Rivoli letter writing paper with its distinctive bold typography sits ready with a blue pen beside it. A cappuccino in a teal cup and saucer displays beautiful latte art, accompanied by a kraft paper takeaway cup. A delicate glass vase holds two pale peach carnations, adding a touch of elegance to the workspace. A backpack rests against the white subway-tiled wall behind the table, creating a cozy spot for correspondence. A charming workspace at Fabrique Bakery in Covent Garden, at a small round marble table with decorative patterned tile flooring visible below. The scene includes a teal cup and saucer with the last sip of coffee, a kraft paper takeaway cup, and a delicate glass vase holding two pale peach carnations. On white paper lies a decorative greeting card or stationery featuring an ornate floral pattern in orange, green, and cream tones with a label space in the centre. A backpack rests against the white subway-tiled wall behind the table, creating an intimate letter-writing setup.
December 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
I'm kinda tempted??
December 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
Found at the London Review of Books bookshop what I was looking for (the latest Paris Review) and what I didn't know I was looking for (Ursula K. le Guin’s “Book of Cats”.)
**Left image:** The interior of the London Review Bookshop featuring floor-to-ceiling wooden shelving filled with books lining both walls. A central wooden display table on wheels showcases stacks of colorful books and publications. Industrial-style pendant lights hang from the ceiling alongside recessed lighting and a vintage air conditioning unit. The warm wood floors and pink-toned walls create an inviting literary atmosphere, with more display tables and browsing customers visible in the background. **Top right image:** A hand holding a book titled 'Book of Cats' with golden script lettering and a black cat silhouette on a yellow cover, by author Ursula K. Le Guin. The book is photographed among colorful display tables at the London Review Bookshop, stacked with various other titles including works about Orson Welles and other literary publications, showcasing the diverse range of books available. **Bottom right image:** Two copies of The Paris Review literary journal resting on a speckled granite or terrazzo surface at the London Review Bookshop. The minimalist white covers display the magazine's distinctive typography, representing one of the most prestigious literary publications in contemporary letters.
December 29, 2025 at 1:07 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
Thanks Tom for recommending this unique documentary - a mixture of "cute" & "trainwreck". Think Netflix's "Fyre Festival" meets teen cosplayers. I'm left wondering what would have happened if Livejournal users had decided to run a convention back in its heyday! (Maybe Whitby fulfilled that role?!)
zenithedtom.bsky.social Tom @zenithedtom.bsky.social · Dec 27
No worries! Well worth watching the complete history of the original 2014 Dashcon for context if you have time
DashCon: An Extensive Oral History
YouTube video by STRANGE ÆONS
youtu.be
December 28, 2025 at 5:35 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
I've spotted these around Camberwell, South London. I actually did try to WhatsApp them last night but the number is not listed. (Intentionally difficult to reach?) Today, I'm pondering if I should send them a text or even call...
#artproject?
A four-panel collage showing weathered and torn street posters that read 'HAVE YOU SPOTTED SOMETHING STRANGE?' with a large question mark below. Each poster has tear-off tabs at the bottom with contact details. The posters appear in various states of decay across different urban surfaces: stuck to a concrete wall, wrapped around a black metal pole, affixed to a beige surface with green graffiti, and deteriorating on a red brick wall. The mysterious posters create an intriguing piece of guerrilla art or community engagement project, their progressive deterioration documented across different London locations.
December 28, 2025 at 9:21 AM
olliefern.bsky.social
Thanks for sharing Tom, this is exactly the kind of content I want to watch on this holiday break!
zenithedtom.bsky.social Tom @zenithedtom.bsky.social · Dec 27
Watched this video about Tumblr nerds reviving a legendarily disastrous convention and it might be the most wholesome thing I’ve ever seen
Dashcon Is Resurrected: The Entire Story Of Dashcon 2
YouTube video by STRANGE ÆONS
youtu.be
December 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
2025 was the year I turned 50, became a nomadic petsitter, paid off debt, reconnected with old crushes, fell in love with "Just Kids," and spent Christmas alone with a cat named after a Roman empress.

"Magnanimity" was my Word of the Year… what was yours?

picosgemeos.substack.com/p/the-fifty-...
The Fifty-Year-Old Nomad
2025 in review
picosgemeos.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
Boxing Day @ Mona's Cafe, Camberwell.
Cappuccino-fueled letters for pen pals.
#letterwriting
A cozy workspace at Mona's Cafe in Camberwell, photographed from a wooden table with an active letter-writing setup. In the foreground, handwritten correspondence on lined paper sits alongside a decorative notebook with an ornate green and cream pattern, a blue pen, a poetry collection titled 'The Toothmakers' Daughters' by Katherine Fallon with a turquoise cover, and a cappuccino in a teal ceramic cup with saucer. Salt and pepper shakers and a bowl of soup complete the table setting. The café features exposed brick walls with trailing plants, high ceilings with skylights, modern wooden tables and chairs, colorful artwork, and a 'COFFEE TIME' sign. A backpack rests on a nearby chair, and the warm, industrial-chic space with natural wood floors creates an inviting atmosphere for writing and creative work.
December 26, 2025 at 1:24 PM
olliefern.bsky.social
2026 New Year resolution: to always have three books on the go. A work of fiction, a work of non-fiction, and a poetry collection.
December 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM