Shona Kinsella
@shonak.bsky.social
Scottish fantasy and horror author. Chair of the British Fantasy Society. Avid Reader. Vaguely gothic. She/her www.shonakinsella.com
Pinned
Shona Kinsella
@shonak.bsky.social
· Jan 3
The Doors of Eden: An exhilarating voyage into extraordinary realities from a master of science fiction a book by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
They thought we were safe. They were wrong.Lee and Mal went looking for monsters on Bodmin Moor four years ago, and only Lee came back. She thought she’d lost Mal forever, now miraculously returned. B...
uk.bookshop.org
Books Read in 2025
I used to try and do a thread like this in the other place, although I didn’t always remember to keep up with them. Let’s see if I can keep it going here.
Book 1 - Doors of Eden by @aptshadow.bsky.social uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Excellent, smart SF with a lot of heart
I used to try and do a thread like this in the other place, although I didn’t always remember to keep up with them. Let’s see if I can keep it going here.
Book 1 - Doors of Eden by @aptshadow.bsky.social uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Excellent, smart SF with a lot of heart
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
#FindsFriday bone comb from the #Pictish site of Buckquoy on the island of Orkney 🏴
Typical of later Iron Age settlements in Orkney, researchers radiocarbon dated the bone, shedding light on Pictish-Viking interaction in the Northern Isles.
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
Typical of later Iron Age settlements in Orkney, researchers radiocarbon dated the bone, shedding light on Pictish-Viking interaction in the Northern Isles.
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
November 14, 2025 at 8:13 AM
#FindsFriday bone comb from the #Pictish site of Buckquoy on the island of Orkney 🏴
Typical of later Iron Age settlements in Orkney, researchers radiocarbon dated the bone, shedding light on Pictish-Viking interaction in the Northern Isles.
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
Typical of later Iron Age settlements in Orkney, researchers radiocarbon dated the bone, shedding light on Pictish-Viking interaction in the Northern Isles.
🆓 doi.org/10.15184/aqy...
🏺 #Archaeology
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
New Review - an excellent tale of digital ghosts, seers, scientists and ethics await in the brilliant The Salt Oracle by Lorraine Wilson out now - very strongly recommended! www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/11...
The Salt Oracle by Lorraine Wilson — Runalong The Shelves
I would like to thank Solaris for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review Publisher – Solaris Published – Out Now Price – £18.99 hardback £7.99 Kindle ebook ...
www.runalongtheshelves.net
November 14, 2025 at 8:27 AM
New Review - an excellent tale of digital ghosts, seers, scientists and ethics await in the brilliant The Salt Oracle by Lorraine Wilson out now - very strongly recommended! www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
If you’ve not already gotten it, The Outcast Mage by @annabelcwrites.bsky.social is £3.99 on Audible right now! That’s a steal! The narration is amazingly done. www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Outca...
Audible
Try Audible free for 30 days! Start listening to best-selling audiobooks, exclusive Originals, and free podcasts with the Audible app.
www.audible.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
If you’ve not already gotten it, The Outcast Mage by @annabelcwrites.bsky.social is £3.99 on Audible right now! That’s a steal! The narration is amazingly done. www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Outca...
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
(2/2)
Fort William - 22/11
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/daughters-...
Edinburgh (with Rafael Torrubia) - 25/11
www.waterstones.com/events/an-ev...
@shonak.bsky.social @samkhorton.bsky.social #FlameTreePress @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social
Fort William - 22/11
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/daughters-...
Edinburgh (with Rafael Torrubia) - 25/11
www.waterstones.com/events/an-ev...
@shonak.bsky.social @samkhorton.bsky.social #FlameTreePress @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social
Daughters of Nicnevin: A Scottish Fantasy Book Event with Shona Kinsella
Get ready to dive into a world of Scottish fantasy with Shona Kinsella and the Daughters of Nicnevin - a book event you won't want to miss!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 7:02 PM
(2/2)
Fort William - 22/11
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/daughters-...
Edinburgh (with Rafael Torrubia) - 25/11
www.waterstones.com/events/an-ev...
@shonak.bsky.social @samkhorton.bsky.social #FlameTreePress @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social
Fort William - 22/11
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/daughters-...
Edinburgh (with Rafael Torrubia) - 25/11
www.waterstones.com/events/an-ev...
@shonak.bsky.social @samkhorton.bsky.social #FlameTreePress @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
Happy Book Birthday Week to Shona Kinsella's Daughters of Nicnevin (Flame Tree Press)!
Learn about these Jacobite witches from the woman herself in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fort William at these special events:
Glasgow (with Sam K. Horton) - 20/11
www.waterstones.com/events/sam-k... (1/2)
Learn about these Jacobite witches from the woman herself in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fort William at these special events:
Glasgow (with Sam K. Horton) - 20/11
www.waterstones.com/events/sam-k... (1/2)
Sam K. Horton and Shona Kinsella In Conversation | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Sam K. Horton and Shona Kinsella In Conversation today.
www.waterstones.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Happy Book Birthday Week to Shona Kinsella's Daughters of Nicnevin (Flame Tree Press)!
Learn about these Jacobite witches from the woman herself in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fort William at these special events:
Glasgow (with Sam K. Horton) - 20/11
www.waterstones.com/events/sam-k... (1/2)
Learn about these Jacobite witches from the woman herself in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fort William at these special events:
Glasgow (with Sam K. Horton) - 20/11
www.waterstones.com/events/sam-k... (1/2)
It’s only the very start of winter, and I’m already freezing 🥶
November 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
It’s only the very start of winter, and I’m already freezing 🥶
Excellent thread here from Kit
Time for GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S FRANKENSTEIN DISCOURSE!
I keep seeing people worry about whether del Toro properly did justice to Mary Shelley. And I have to ask: why is that del Toro's job more than anyone else's?
And also, didn't he?
And also, how could he? He's not a mother. 1/
I keep seeing people worry about whether del Toro properly did justice to Mary Shelley. And I have to ask: why is that del Toro's job more than anyone else's?
And also, didn't he?
And also, how could he? He's not a mother. 1/
November 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Excellent thread here from Kit
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
Celebrating the release of his latest SF opus, the space opera Project Hanuman - out now through @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social - author (and BFS treasurer!) @stewarthotston.com walks us through the genesis of the book.
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
November 12, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Celebrating the release of his latest SF opus, the space opera Project Hanuman - out now through @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social - author (and BFS treasurer!) @stewarthotston.com walks us through the genesis of the book.
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
New Review -today I am on the blog tour for #ProjectHanuman an excellent space opera by @stewarthotston.com with wonder, spectacle and an emotional punch that really worked for me - out now very strongly recommended! Thanks to @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/11...
Project Hanuman by Stewart Hotston — Runalong The Shelves
I would like to thank Angry Robot for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review Publisher – Angry Robot Published – Out Now Price – £9.99 paperback £6.85 ebook ...
www.runalongtheshelves.net
November 12, 2025 at 7:29 AM
New Review -today I am on the blog tour for #ProjectHanuman an excellent space opera by @stewarthotston.com with wonder, spectacle and an emotional punch that really worked for me - out now very strongly recommended! Thanks to @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/11...
The bannocks went down really well with the family. The 12yo wants me to make them weekly 😂
November 11, 2025 at 9:25 PM
The bannocks went down really well with the family. The 12yo wants me to make them weekly 😂
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
It’s today! 13 months after I started writing it, Daughters of Nicnevin is out in the world! uk.bookshop.org/p/books/daug...
Daughters of Nicnevin
Check out Daughters of Nicnevin - <p>Mairead and Constance, two powerful witches, meet in the early days of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. While the men of the village are away fighting, the villagers fa...
uk.bookshop.org
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 AM
It’s today! 13 months after I started writing it, Daughters of Nicnevin is out in the world! uk.bookshop.org/p/books/daug...
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
Absolutely thrilled to be on @maryrobinettekowal.com’s blog today to talk about My Favourite Bit of Daughters of Nicnevin! maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-f...
My Favorite Bit: Shona Kinsella talks about DAUGHTERS OF NICNEVIN
Shona Kinsella is joining us today to talk about her novel, Daughters of Nicnevin. Here’s the publisher’s description: Mairead and Constance, two powerful witches, meet in the early days of the 174…
maryrobinettekowal.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Absolutely thrilled to be on @maryrobinettekowal.com’s blog today to talk about My Favourite Bit of Daughters of Nicnevin! maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-f...
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
My book series the Children of Inauron is a dark fantasy dealing with mental health and trauma. In the series, the characters' mental health conditions inform the magical powers they develop. If this was the real world, what would your magical powers be?
November 11, 2025 at 5:02 PM
My book series the Children of Inauron is a dark fantasy dealing with mental health and trauma. In the series, the characters' mental health conditions inform the magical powers they develop. If this was the real world, what would your magical powers be?
As should I… 😂
Convincing you to read my novel with the first sentence. Share yours if you want
Convincing you to read my novel with the first sentence. Share yours if you want
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
As should I… 😂
Convincing you to read my novel with the first sentence. Share yours if you want
Convincing you to read my novel with the first sentence. Share yours if you want
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
I was reminded about book trailers earlier today and remembered I did a book trailer for Trollgrave! I don't think I ever cut it to size for social media (just YouTube) so I thought why not do it now??
#norsemythology #fantasy #booktrailer #indiewritersofinstagram #bookstagram #darkfantasy
#norsemythology #fantasy #booktrailer #indiewritersofinstagram #bookstagram #darkfantasy
November 11, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I was reminded about book trailers earlier today and remembered I did a book trailer for Trollgrave! I don't think I ever cut it to size for social media (just YouTube) so I thought why not do it now??
#norsemythology #fantasy #booktrailer #indiewritersofinstagram #bookstagram #darkfantasy
#norsemythology #fantasy #booktrailer #indiewritersofinstagram #bookstagram #darkfantasy
Absolutely thrilled to be on @maryrobinettekowal.com’s blog today to talk about My Favourite Bit of Daughters of Nicnevin! maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-f...
My Favorite Bit: Shona Kinsella talks about DAUGHTERS OF NICNEVIN
Shona Kinsella is joining us today to talk about her novel, Daughters of Nicnevin. Here’s the publisher’s description: Mairead and Constance, two powerful witches, meet in the early days of the 174…
maryrobinettekowal.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Absolutely thrilled to be on @maryrobinettekowal.com’s blog today to talk about My Favourite Bit of Daughters of Nicnevin! maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/my-f...
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
Celebrating the release of her latest historical fantasy witchlit novel, Daughters of Nicnevin – out today through Flame Tree Publishing – BFS Chair @shonak.bsky.social walks us through the genesis of the book.
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
November 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Celebrating the release of her latest historical fantasy witchlit novel, Daughters of Nicnevin – out today through Flame Tree Publishing – BFS Chair @shonak.bsky.social walks us through the genesis of the book.
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
britishfantasysociety.org/from-pen-to-...
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
Congratulations to historical fantasy writer @shonak.bsky.social - who also happens to be BFS Chair! - on the release of her latest witchy novel, Daughters of Nicnevin. It's out today through Flame Tree Publishing.
Here's the blurb ⬇️
Here's the blurb ⬇️
November 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Congratulations to historical fantasy writer @shonak.bsky.social - who also happens to be BFS Chair! - on the release of her latest witchy novel, Daughters of Nicnevin. It's out today through Flame Tree Publishing.
Here's the blurb ⬇️
Here's the blurb ⬇️
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
Project Hanuman is here. I hope you'll take a look as I think it's a pretty good space opera - no hero's journey here - this is about community, how we build back better and, of course, mind bending space battles in sentient ships.
#spaceopera #scifi #projecthanuman #writing #SFF #sciencefiction
#spaceopera #scifi #projecthanuman #writing #SFF #sciencefiction
Discover Project Hanuman: A Unique Sci-Fi Adventure
Discover 'Project Hanuman', a thrilling adventure of galactic civilizations, survival, and community. Get your copy now!
stewarthotston.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Project Hanuman is here. I hope you'll take a look as I think it's a pretty good space opera - no hero's journey here - this is about community, how we build back better and, of course, mind bending space battles in sentient ships.
#spaceopera #scifi #projecthanuman #writing #SFF #sciencefiction
#spaceopera #scifi #projecthanuman #writing #SFF #sciencefiction
To celebrate publication day, I’m having a go at making bannocks. Wish me luck!
November 11, 2025 at 9:31 AM
To celebrate publication day, I’m having a go at making bannocks. Wish me luck!
It’s today! 13 months after I started writing it, Daughters of Nicnevin is out in the world! uk.bookshop.org/p/books/daug...
Daughters of Nicnevin
Check out Daughters of Nicnevin - <p>Mairead and Constance, two powerful witches, meet in the early days of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. While the men of the village are away fighting, the villagers fa...
uk.bookshop.org
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 AM
It’s today! 13 months after I started writing it, Daughters of Nicnevin is out in the world! uk.bookshop.org/p/books/daug...
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
The biggest lessons I learned about tabling at cons:
* bring more books than you think you need (I brought 68 and sold out in 2 days; wish I'd brought 100!)
* have signage that starts conversations
* have freebies to get people closer
* have pitches ready
* make friends with your booth neighbors
* bring more books than you think you need (I brought 68 and sold out in 2 days; wish I'd brought 100!)
* have signage that starts conversations
* have freebies to get people closer
* have pitches ready
* make friends with your booth neighbors
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The biggest lessons I learned about tabling at cons:
* bring more books than you think you need (I brought 68 and sold out in 2 days; wish I'd brought 100!)
* have signage that starts conversations
* have freebies to get people closer
* have pitches ready
* make friends with your booth neighbors
* bring more books than you think you need (I brought 68 and sold out in 2 days; wish I'd brought 100!)
* have signage that starts conversations
* have freebies to get people closer
* have pitches ready
* make friends with your booth neighbors
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
Fantasycon has set a high bar for encouraging people to the next con. I’ll watch other cons with interest how they respond! *earwormed*
Hey, folks. We hope you're all recovered from WFC & had the best time.
If you're already suffering con withdrawals, be comforted that Glasgow 2026 is now the official seated Fantasycon. Only 11 months to go!
And here's a little something to whet your appetite!
youtu.be/J8Q8uB0brq4
If you're already suffering con withdrawals, be comforted that Glasgow 2026 is now the official seated Fantasycon. Only 11 months to go!
And here's a little something to whet your appetite!
youtu.be/J8Q8uB0brq4
Toss A Groat To Your Redcloak
YouTube video by British Fantasy Society
youtu.be
November 10, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Fantasycon has set a high bar for encouraging people to the next con. I’ll watch other cons with interest how they respond! *earwormed*