Nick Hubble
@thehubble101.bsky.social
Aberystwyth-based writer, researcher, critic, academic. Nonbinary (they/them)🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️. Columnist, Vector: #SFFResistance. Blogs on SFF at Prospective Cultures - current topics: #ScottishSFF #CriticismForInterestingTimes. https://linktr.ee/nick_hubble
Pinned
Nick Hubble
@thehubble101.bsky.social
· Apr 21
Tricia Sullivan’s Occupy Me (2016)
This review first appeared in Foundation 125 (2016): 112-115 [I’ve added additional links to this blog version] Tricia Sullivan, Occupy Me (Gollancz, 2016, 266pp, £16.99) Reviewed by Nick Hubble (B…
prospectiveculture.wordpress.com
I'm sitting in 'Who Runs the World? Feminism in SFF' at #Eastercon. Long discussion of how women SFF writers disappear. I'm starting a daily thread of reviews of books from a few years ago which still deserve to be read and discussed. First up, Tricia Sullivan's Occupy Me (2016). (1/-)
Reposted by Nick Hubble
I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while: here’s @davidheb.bsky.social on the incomparable Nina Allan’s latest, A Granite Silence:
“In her latest novel, Allan turns her attention to a historical murder case: The many worlds that spiral out from one tragic event.”
“In her latest novel, Allan turns her attention to a historical murder case: The many worlds that spiral out from one tragic event.”
A Granite Silence by Nina Allan
In her latest novel, Allan steps in a different direction again.
strangehorizons.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:47 PM
I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while: here’s @davidheb.bsky.social on the incomparable Nina Allan’s latest, A Granite Silence:
“In her latest novel, Allan turns her attention to a historical murder case: The many worlds that spiral out from one tragic event.”
“In her latest novel, Allan turns her attention to a historical murder case: The many worlds that spiral out from one tragic event.”
Looking forward to this. Nicely coming out in close proximity to my birthday! I'm currently rereading the Ancillary trilogy for a thing I'm writing and noticing all sorts of stuff I missed first time round.
November 25, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Looking forward to this. Nicely coming out in close proximity to my birthday! I'm currently rereading the Ancillary trilogy for a thing I'm writing and noticing all sorts of stuff I missed first time round.
Reposted by Nick Hubble
"Death of the SF category but not SF content" latest: I count, I think, six science fiction novels in the NYT notable books list; none of them are categorised in the list as SF and none of them were published as SF. One was even marketed as Romantasy, it seems! www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...
November 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
"Death of the SF category but not SF content" latest: I count, I think, six science fiction novels in the NYT notable books list; none of them are categorised in the list as SF and none of them were published as SF. One was even marketed as Romantasy, it seems! www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...
Reposted by Nick Hubble
Good news: First review of the week!
Even better news: It’s @thehubble101.bsky.social on Alix E. Harrow!
“The dismissal of fantasy is compounded by the strategy of rhetorical containment in which novels in the genre by women are singled out.”
Even better news: It’s @thehubble101.bsky.social on Alix E. Harrow!
“The dismissal of fantasy is compounded by the strategy of rhetorical containment in which novels in the genre by women are singled out.”
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
A critical discomfort with fantasy still remains a feature of public life.
strangehorizons.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Good news: First review of the week!
Even better news: It’s @thehubble101.bsky.social on Alix E. Harrow!
“The dismissal of fantasy is compounded by the strategy of rhetorical containment in which novels in the genre by women are singled out.”
Even better news: It’s @thehubble101.bsky.social on Alix E. Harrow!
“The dismissal of fantasy is compounded by the strategy of rhetorical containment in which novels in the genre by women are singled out.”
Good day for sitting in the warm watching chilly cyclocross. I predict Sara Casasola will win a world cup before end of season. Have both her and Brand in my fantasy cyclocross team so good weekend so far.
The Women's Elite Cyclo-Cross World Cup round in Tábor was won by Lucinda Brand.
firstcycling.com/race.php?r=1...
firstcycling.com/race.php?r=1...
November 23, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Good day for sitting in the warm watching chilly cyclocross. I predict Sara Casasola will win a world cup before end of season. Have both her and Brand in my fantasy cyclocross team so good weekend so far.
Watched The Witcher season 4 and .., well, all sorts of things could be said about the dialogue - 'follow that bat' - but it's refusal to take itself entirely seriously (which was at its best in season 1) does work nicely to troll the other big epic fantasy series: WoT, RoP, HoD. Also, despite . 1/-
November 20, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Watched The Witcher season 4 and .., well, all sorts of things could be said about the dialogue - 'follow that bat' - but it's refusal to take itself entirely seriously (which was at its best in season 1) does work nicely to troll the other big epic fantasy series: WoT, RoP, HoD. Also, despite . 1/-
Just (belatedly) listened to this and having read it twice now and discussed it at my book group, want to say that When There Are Wolves Again is not so central liberalist as portrayed. The central political action is a protest camp and the dominant values are countercultural rather than liberal 1/2
Paul March-Russell on When There Are Wolves Again, in the latest episode of Critical Friends: “From a kind of Marxist revolutionary position, this book will really annoy you. But actually it is reaffirming a faith in legal, constitutional, democratic institutions.”
Radical reformism? Discuss.
Radical reformism? Discuss.
Critical Friends Episode 17: On Imagining Hopefully
Dan Hartland is joined by Paul March-Russell and Jacqueline Nyathi to discuss speculative fiction’s approach to hope and optimism. Where has it gone? How do writers express it? And what are its pit…
www.strangehorizons.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Just (belatedly) listened to this and having read it twice now and discussed it at my book group, want to say that When There Are Wolves Again is not so central liberalist as portrayed. The central political action is a protest camp and the dominant values are countercultural rather than liberal 1/2
Reposted by Nick Hubble
My first stories, and novels When the Sea is Rising Red, and Beastkeeper came out under Cat Hellisen.
My latest novel The Shape of Monsters is under CL Hellisen, and narrated by the fabulous Omari Douglas.
Also more stuff between those ends of the timeline
My latest novel The Shape of Monsters is under CL Hellisen, and narrated by the fabulous Omari Douglas.
Also more stuff between those ends of the timeline
November 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
My first stories, and novels When the Sea is Rising Red, and Beastkeeper came out under Cat Hellisen.
My latest novel The Shape of Monsters is under CL Hellisen, and narrated by the fabulous Omari Douglas.
Also more stuff between those ends of the timeline
My latest novel The Shape of Monsters is under CL Hellisen, and narrated by the fabulous Omari Douglas.
Also more stuff between those ends of the timeline
Reposted by Nick Hubble
Self promo is my bane; it makes me feel like an immense tit when I post stuff about my writing (thanks to upbringing - never blow your own horn), but it is increasingly apparent that all it means is that I'm utterly invisible as a writer...
So, anyway.
I have books and stories out there.
So, anyway.
I have books and stories out there.
November 19, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Self promo is my bane; it makes me feel like an immense tit when I post stuff about my writing (thanks to upbringing - never blow your own horn), but it is increasingly apparent that all it means is that I'm utterly invisible as a writer...
So, anyway.
I have books and stories out there.
So, anyway.
I have books and stories out there.
Reposted by Nick Hubble
Yay to Claire Sharpe 🤗
(Note the BBC's subhead. Trans women are also "biological". I fucking hate the way language is weaponised by bigots)
(Note the BBC's subhead. Trans women are also "biological". I fucking hate the way language is weaponised by bigots)
Cyclist turns down trans exclusionary honour for woman cyclists (and you can feel the BBC’s teeth grinding about it).
"If they don't want to ride with all women, then it's not the kind of ride I want to be part of".
"If they don't want to ride with all women, then it's not the kind of ride I want to be part of".
Woman refuses Cycling UK award over trans women being left out
Claire Sharpe says she disagrees with Cycling UK only naming biological women in their top 100 list.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Yay to Claire Sharpe 🤗
(Note the BBC's subhead. Trans women are also "biological". I fucking hate the way language is weaponised by bigots)
(Note the BBC's subhead. Trans women are also "biological". I fucking hate the way language is weaponised by bigots)
Reposted by Nick Hubble
These are the 10 Steps that have led Britain to Fascism | Facing the Unthinkable open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
Facing the Unthinkable
How Did We Get Here?
open.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:28 PM
These are the 10 Steps that have led Britain to Fascism | Facing the Unthinkable open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
I'm not surprised by but still processing the racist asylum and refugee policy announced by the UK's Labour Government & the way this was reported on BBC News at 10 yesterday. Meanwhile, the Spectator is keeping a list of Labour politicians, including Dubs, who speak out against. Open intimidation.
Asylum changes seek to use children as a weapon, says Labour peer Alf Dubs
Dubs, who was a child refugee, says Shabana Mahmood’s ‘shabby’ plans will increase community tensions
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I'm not surprised by but still processing the racist asylum and refugee policy announced by the UK's Labour Government & the way this was reported on BBC News at 10 yesterday. Meanwhile, the Spectator is keeping a list of Labour politicians, including Dubs, who speak out against. Open intimidation.
Reposted by Nick Hubble
Another thing today!
My story "Love, Scotland" gets a new life in ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction from Apex Books / Violet Lichen, out TODAY 🎉
The anthology received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly! 🥂 More here, including the lush ToC:
www.apexbookcompany.com/products/eco...
My story "Love, Scotland" gets a new life in ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction from Apex Books / Violet Lichen, out TODAY 🎉
The anthology received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly! 🥂 More here, including the lush ToC:
www.apexbookcompany.com/products/eco...
ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction
Preorder and save 30%! Release Date 11/18/25 "A triumph. 23 stellar tales offering creative and varied takes on the book's themes. Every entry is equal parts thought-provoking, insightful, and impactf...
www.apexbookcompany.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Another thing today!
My story "Love, Scotland" gets a new life in ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction from Apex Books / Violet Lichen, out TODAY 🎉
The anthology received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly! 🥂 More here, including the lush ToC:
www.apexbookcompany.com/products/eco...
My story "Love, Scotland" gets a new life in ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction from Apex Books / Violet Lichen, out TODAY 🎉
The anthology received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly! 🥂 More here, including the lush ToC:
www.apexbookcompany.com/products/eco...
Reposted by Nick Hubble
The deadline for proposals for BAMS/ MSA in Loughborough is just TWO weeks away. It's going to be a great conference with lots of opportunities to socialize and the usual MSA panels, roundtables, workshops, seminars. If you can't join us in person, submit a proposal for an online panel/ roundtable.
Believe it or not, it's already time to think about MSA 2026 in Loughborough, UK. The conference will meet July 1-4, and proposals for panels, papers, roundtables, workshops, and seminars is December 1. Please note this MUCH earlier deadline. The CFP is here: www.moderniststudies.org/conference/M...
November 15, 2025 at 9:46 PM
The deadline for proposals for BAMS/ MSA in Loughborough is just TWO weeks away. It's going to be a great conference with lots of opportunities to socialize and the usual MSA panels, roundtables, workshops, seminars. If you can't join us in person, submit a proposal for an online panel/ roundtable.
Reposted by Nick Hubble
Subscribe now to read this new essay from Priya Sridhar, going deep into the weeds on two fabulous Kelly Link short stories.
AUD30/year (~GBP15 or USD19) gets you an extra essay /month, plus 6-month compilations & exclusive content!
www.speculativeinsight.com/subs
Tag @priyajsridhar.bsky.social
AUD30/year (~GBP15 or USD19) gets you an extra essay /month, plus 6-month compilations & exclusive content!
www.speculativeinsight.com/subs
Tag @priyajsridhar.bsky.social
November 15, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Subscribe now to read this new essay from Priya Sridhar, going deep into the weeds on two fabulous Kelly Link short stories.
AUD30/year (~GBP15 or USD19) gets you an extra essay /month, plus 6-month compilations & exclusive content!
www.speculativeinsight.com/subs
Tag @priyajsridhar.bsky.social
AUD30/year (~GBP15 or USD19) gets you an extra essay /month, plus 6-month compilations & exclusive content!
www.speculativeinsight.com/subs
Tag @priyajsridhar.bsky.social
Excellent review of excellent novella, which I've just read. Now trying to think my way out.
Making History by K. J. Parker
Making History is a meta-narrative revolving around the story of history itself, and how historians shape the boundaries of discourses on the past.
strangehorizons.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Excellent review of excellent novella, which I've just read. Now trying to think my way out.
Reposted by Nick Hubble
Maybe the Birds, by @ajashworth.bsky.social featured on MIT Reader from @mitpress.bsky.social
@goldsmithspress.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @sffoundation.bsky.social #newwriting #newreleases #newbooks #SF #FeministSF #IntersectionalSF
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
@goldsmithspress.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @sffoundation.bsky.social #newwriting #newreleases #newbooks #SF #FeministSF #IntersectionalSF
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
A.J. Ashworth: ‘The Guide’
Across millennia, a cave painter and a son confront the shadows of creation and loss. A story from A.J. Ashworth’s new collection “Maybe the Birds.”
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
October 23, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Maybe the Birds, by @ajashworth.bsky.social featured on MIT Reader from @mitpress.bsky.social
@goldsmithspress.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @sffoundation.bsky.social #newwriting #newreleases #newbooks #SF #FeministSF #IntersectionalSF
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
@goldsmithspress.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @sffoundation.bsky.social #newwriting #newreleases #newbooks #SF #FeministSF #IntersectionalSF
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
Reposted by Nick Hubble
I bought airplane wifi so I could tell you that @alixeharrow.bsky.social’s THE EVERLASTING is a perfect goddamn book, also if you can see her on tour you absolutely should
November 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I bought airplane wifi so I could tell you that @alixeharrow.bsky.social’s THE EVERLASTING is a perfect goddamn book, also if you can see her on tour you absolutely should
LRT: Not that I was a fan of current BBC management anyway. This just further pushes mainstream media into solely being a political tool. I can't see anyway 'back' to an objective national media in UK.
November 9, 2025 at 6:25 PM
LRT: Not that I was a fan of current BBC management anyway. This just further pushes mainstream media into solely being a political tool. I can't see anyway 'back' to an objective national media in UK.
Reposted by Nick Hubble
This is absolutely nuts
Trump did incite the January 6 riot. Splicing a video to make that point is shoddy editorial but hardly a resignation event
When BBC is needed more than ever, Telegraph/Boris Johnson running the show
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Trump did incite the January 6 riot. Splicing a video to make that point is shoddy editorial but hardly a resignation event
When BBC is needed more than ever, Telegraph/Boris Johnson running the show
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
BBC director general Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resign over Trump documentary edit
Davie says
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
This is absolutely nuts
Trump did incite the January 6 riot. Splicing a video to make that point is shoddy editorial but hardly a resignation event
When BBC is needed more than ever, Telegraph/Boris Johnson running the show
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Trump did incite the January 6 riot. Splicing a video to make that point is shoddy editorial but hardly a resignation event
When BBC is needed more than ever, Telegraph/Boris Johnson running the show
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
I just meant 'modern' not 'modern modern' ... but maybe 'modern modern' has possibilities.
Definitely contemplating this. Anyone interested in doing a panel on Scottish SFF. I'm thinking modern modern or contemporary but always open to ideas. #fantasy #sciencefiction #ScottishSFF
If you’re working on any area of fantasy and the fantastic, come and join us at Glasgow in June 2026 and do consider presenting or running a workshop! All the info you need and the full CFP is here:
fantasy.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/20...
@uofgfantasy.bsky.social @uofgartshums.bsky.social
fantasy.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/20...
@uofgfantasy.bsky.social @uofgartshums.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I just meant 'modern' not 'modern modern' ... but maybe 'modern modern' has possibilities.
Definitely contemplating this. Anyone interested in doing a panel on Scottish SFF. I'm thinking modern modern or contemporary but always open to ideas. #fantasy #sciencefiction #ScottishSFF
If you’re working on any area of fantasy and the fantastic, come and join us at Glasgow in June 2026 and do consider presenting or running a workshop! All the info you need and the full CFP is here:
fantasy.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/20...
@uofgfantasy.bsky.social @uofgartshums.bsky.social
fantasy.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/20...
@uofgfantasy.bsky.social @uofgartshums.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Definitely contemplating this. Anyone interested in doing a panel on Scottish SFF. I'm thinking modern modern or contemporary but always open to ideas. #fantasy #sciencefiction #ScottishSFF
Reposted by Nick Hubble
"The moment you allow AI to write a sentence for you, you lose your voice."
Francesca Barbini @lunapress.bsky.social nailing it in her guest of honour interview with @megintransition.bsky.social.
#pictcon
Francesca Barbini @lunapress.bsky.social nailing it in her guest of honour interview with @megintransition.bsky.social.
#pictcon
November 8, 2025 at 1:05 PM
"The moment you allow AI to write a sentence for you, you lose your voice."
Francesca Barbini @lunapress.bsky.social nailing it in her guest of honour interview with @megintransition.bsky.social.
#pictcon
Francesca Barbini @lunapress.bsky.social nailing it in her guest of honour interview with @megintransition.bsky.social.
#pictcon
Reposted by Nick Hubble
At #PictCon on Scottish science-fiction- someone FINALLY mentioned Margaret Elphinstone. #TheIncomer #ASparrowsFlight
November 8, 2025 at 10:45 AM
At #PictCon on Scottish science-fiction- someone FINALLY mentioned Margaret Elphinstone. #TheIncomer #ASparrowsFlight