Alex Harford
@alexharford.bsky.social
#ShortStory & flash writer of spec fic, fantasy, weird, horror, literary. Poet. Making Bluesky my social network writing home. Travel photographer of outdoors & places that don't seem real. Loves live music, film, running, and more.
https://AlexHarford.uk
https://AlexHarford.uk
Pinned
Alex Harford
@alexharford.bsky.social
· Sep 23
My books arrived for my first #ShortStory sale!
The setting in "Will Oceans Converge in Our Village Park?" is like weather in the UK now. I had to divert due to floods.
For a Friend is a lovely anthology on the theme of friendship published by Lucent Dreaming, available from all the usual places.
The setting in "Will Oceans Converge in Our Village Park?" is like weather in the UK now. I had to divert due to floods.
For a Friend is a lovely anthology on the theme of friendship published by Lucent Dreaming, available from all the usual places.
Google AI Overviews hallucinating as usual. I won't let it poo-poo my sci-fi short story ideas. 🙃
![Screenshot of Google search for [Bacon grease lubricate black hole] with AI Overview: The concept of 'lubricating' a black hole with bacon grease is a nonsensical idea based on a fundamental misunderstanding of black holes.'](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:relqcjqqz5stdzdr24rnv7k5/bafkreiga6qdmhjthcmr3ifzzsmp4eay6qelcs2f2xsayjqacgbw5xizc5e@jpeg)
November 7, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Google AI Overviews hallucinating as usual. I won't let it poo-poo my sci-fi short story ideas. 🙃
Reposted by Alex Harford
Strange Horizons turns 25 this year, which is pretty much an eternity in the world of spec fic zines, and I had the privilege of going through the archives for a special short fiction roundup: 2 x 25 Gems from Strange Horizons’ Archives
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
A Short Fiction Treasures Special: 2 x 25 Gems from Strange Horizons’ Archives
Going through the archives of Strange Horizons for this special column has been a bit like exploring a treasure chamber. I’ve picked fifty stories. I could have picked hundreds. Meaning: I left a l…
strangehorizons.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Strange Horizons turns 25 this year, which is pretty much an eternity in the world of spec fic zines, and I had the privilege of going through the archives for a special short fiction roundup: 2 x 25 Gems from Strange Horizons’ Archives
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
Reposted by Alex Harford
We need funny stories, more than ever. Help me pay a bunch of authors to write them!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ufo...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ufo...
Unidentified Funny Objects 10
After a three-year hiatus, a new volume of this iconic anthology series of humorous science fiction & fantasy is finally in the works!
www.kickstarter.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:09 PM
We need funny stories, more than ever. Help me pay a bunch of authors to write them!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ufo...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ufo...
Reposted by Alex Harford
The Apex Magazine 2026 Kickstarter is LIVE!
Our initial goal is $20K to fund four issues for next year, with the opportunity to unlock issues five and six through stretch goals. I really, really want to go back to six issues a year! www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
Our initial goal is $20K to fund four issues for next year, with the opportunity to unlock issues five and six through stretch goals. I really, really want to go back to six issues a year! www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
October 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The Apex Magazine 2026 Kickstarter is LIVE!
Our initial goal is $20K to fund four issues for next year, with the opportunity to unlock issues five and six through stretch goals. I really, really want to go back to six issues a year! www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
Our initial goal is $20K to fund four issues for next year, with the opportunity to unlock issues five and six through stretch goals. I really, really want to go back to six issues a year! www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
I knew about the moral rights contract issues with Analog magazine et al, and this newsletter is a very insightful read on contracts for a budding pro author like me.
All that and more! I agree on the "AI" aspects too.
All that and more! I agree on the "AI" aspects too.
September newsletter just dropped! In which I discuss some contract woes and take a deep dive into an AI nightmare. (Aside from the usual updates).
open.substack.com/pub/pacornel...
open.substack.com/pub/pacornel...
I'm back with some September updates!
Plus a deep dive into an AI cautionary tale.
open.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 12:29 PM
I knew about the moral rights contract issues with Analog magazine et al, and this newsletter is a very insightful read on contracts for a budding pro author like me.
All that and more! I agree on the "AI" aspects too.
All that and more! I agree on the "AI" aspects too.
Reposted by Alex Harford
Hello, yes please!
"Love, Scotland" is getting a beauty of a home. 🤩
"Love, Scotland" is getting a beauty of a home. 🤩
THE SUPERBLOOM HAS ARRIVED 🏵️🌹🪷🌻🌷🌼💮
@marissavu.bsky.social and the Violet Lichen team are thrilled to present the cover for ECO24: THE YEAR'S BEST SPECULATIVE FICTION! 🌿
Cover Art: @tropicalgloom.bsky.social
Cover Design: Mikio Murakami @ Silent Q Design
@marissavu.bsky.social and the Violet Lichen team are thrilled to present the cover for ECO24: THE YEAR'S BEST SPECULATIVE FICTION! 🌿
Cover Art: @tropicalgloom.bsky.social
Cover Design: Mikio Murakami @ Silent Q Design
August 28, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Hello, yes please!
"Love, Scotland" is getting a beauty of a home. 🤩
"Love, Scotland" is getting a beauty of a home. 🤩
Reposted by Alex Harford
Reposted by Alex Harford
Today’s poem is called ‘How Much I Dislike the Daily Mail’.
August 20, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Today’s poem is called ‘How Much I Dislike the Daily Mail’.
Reposted by Alex Harford
My Writers of the Future winning story "A Word That Means Everything" is out in @penumbricmag.bsky.social. New achievement for me because it's the first time my work has been first in a ToC!
Thank you to all the contributors in August's #Penumbric! @andydibble.bsky.social, @spires.bsky.social, EJ Kavounas, Ritiksha Sharma, Richard Magahiz, Carl Scharwath, @tamikathompson.bsky.social, Camellia Paul ...
www.penumbric.com/currentissue...
#fiction #poetry #art #scifi #fantasy #horror
www.penumbric.com/currentissue...
#fiction #poetry #art #scifi #fantasy #horror
August 12, 2025 at 12:08 PM
My Writers of the Future winning story "A Word That Means Everything" is out in @penumbricmag.bsky.social. New achievement for me because it's the first time my work has been first in a ToC!
Habitats looks lovely, with artwork from Mateusz Urbanowicz, an illustrator from some of my favourite anime (like Your Name).
I missed it first time around, so it's Volumes 1 & 2 for me.
#ShortStory #FantasyArt
I missed it first time around, so it's Volumes 1 & 2 for me.
#ShortStory #FantasyArt
We're pushing up on 50% funded with only five days to go, and Kickstarter is all or nothing so we need your help!
Every single share could be the difference between this project happening or failing to fund — please share with your friends! 🌱
www.kickstarter.com/projects/sam...
Every single share could be the difference between this project happening or failing to fund — please share with your friends! 🌱
www.kickstarter.com/projects/sam...
Habitats Volume 2 (Optimistic Science Fiction & Fantasy)
The second issue of a brand-new optimistic science-fiction and fantasy magazine. Published by Habitats Press.
www.kickstarter.com
August 9, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Habitats looks lovely, with artwork from Mateusz Urbanowicz, an illustrator from some of my favourite anime (like Your Name).
I missed it first time around, so it's Volumes 1 & 2 for me.
#ShortStory #FantasyArt
I missed it first time around, so it's Volumes 1 & 2 for me.
#ShortStory #FantasyArt
A wonderful story and summation of the ableism that exists from the top down in our society and the impact that has.
It's out and I'm 😭
Awesome job, @elizachanwrites.bsky.social, you did it proud. And thank you once again to @podcastle.org for this special. It's my privilege to have taken part.
podcastle.org/2025/07/29/p...
Awesome job, @elizachanwrites.bsky.social, you did it proud. And thank you once again to @podcastle.org for this special. It's my privilege to have taken part.
podcastle.org/2025/07/29/p...
PodCastle 902: Godzilla as a Young Man Named Mike - PodCastle
Godzilla as a Young Man Named Mike E.M. Faulds I remember your mum telling me, after it all went down, that during the lockdowns you washed your hands so often your skin cracked and turned scaly and...
podcastle.org
August 6, 2025 at 1:21 PM
A wonderful story and summation of the ableism that exists from the top down in our society and the impact that has.
Reposted by Alex Harford
This is something I’ve had lots of big feelings and thoughts about, so it’s only appropriate that I constrain myself to 100 words for this story.
Happy pub day to Gig Economy 🎙️
Happy pub day to Gig Economy 🎙️
NEW STORY: "Gig Economy" by @lizjbradley.bsky.social. 100footcrow.com/gig-economy/
Gig Economy - 100-Foot Crow
By: Liz J. Bradley. “I’m a doctor. I’m here to help.” I’m not a doctor. My screen displays the message: Repeat input, reassuring tone. “I’m a doctor. I’m here to help.” My father was a mechanic. He al...
100footcrow.com
July 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM
This is something I’ve had lots of big feelings and thoughts about, so it’s only appropriate that I constrain myself to 100 words for this story.
Happy pub day to Gig Economy 🎙️
Happy pub day to Gig Economy 🎙️
Reposted by Alex Harford
In Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 Episode 49, @ginasue.bsky.social joins @alexhanna.bsky.social & I to take apart the UK government’s “AI Opportunities Action Plan” and discover it’s made up of so much AI magic dust:
www.buzzsprout.com/2126417/epis...
Thx to @whatulysses.bsky.social for production!
www.buzzsprout.com/2126417/epis...
Thx to @whatulysses.bsky.social for production!
February 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
In Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000 Episode 49, @ginasue.bsky.social joins @alexhanna.bsky.social & I to take apart the UK government’s “AI Opportunities Action Plan” and discover it’s made up of so much AI magic dust:
www.buzzsprout.com/2126417/epis...
Thx to @whatulysses.bsky.social for production!
www.buzzsprout.com/2126417/epis...
Thx to @whatulysses.bsky.social for production!
I love this article by @emmanewman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"Science-fiction writers have the ability to look at big systems and how changing one variable can affect the people who live within them. We bring them to life and help readers to understand..."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"Science-fiction writers have the ability to look at big systems and how changing one variable can affect the people who live within them. We bring them to life and help readers to understand..."
Scientists can help governments plan for the future. But don’t forget sci-fi writers: we can do it too | Emma Newman
Our job is to imagine scenarios from the impact of the climate crisis to the rise of AI – and decision-makers need our help, says Emma Newman
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I love this article by @emmanewman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"Science-fiction writers have the ability to look at big systems and how changing one variable can affect the people who live within them. We bring them to life and help readers to understand..."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"Science-fiction writers have the ability to look at big systems and how changing one variable can affect the people who live within them. We bring them to life and help readers to understand..."
Reposted by Alex Harford
This is one of the most important texts about agency in fiction. I'm always pointing people to it. I think almost every writer and reader in Latin America, and probably anywhere in the "Global South", will frown upon being told to write more active protagonists.
On its 4th anniv, I'm reposting for bsky my most popular Twitter thread: a defense of the "inactive protagonist," which birthed the essay below, in exactly the way it was written.
But first I need to contextualize how and why it was written.
psychopomp.com/fantasy/augu...
+
But first I need to contextualize how and why it was written.
psychopomp.com/fantasy/augu...
+
We Are the Mountain: A Look at the Inactive Protagonist - PSYCHOPOMP.COM
Let me take you through the anatomy of an active protagonist, one that everyone can relate to. We’ll make our protagonist—we’ll call him John—young and healthy, male, of humble origins (perhaps he’s f...
psychopomp.com
January 19, 2025 at 10:32 PM
This is one of the most important texts about agency in fiction. I'm always pointing people to it. I think almost every writer and reader in Latin America, and probably anywhere in the "Global South", will frown upon being told to write more active protagonists.
What's a funny/intriguing anachronism you read in sci-fi?
In The Man in Asbestos, a #ShortStory by Stephen Leacock, everyone wears asbestos suits:
"They last hundreds of years. We have one suit each, and there are billions piled up, if anybody wants a new one."
#ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity
In The Man in Asbestos, a #ShortStory by Stephen Leacock, everyone wears asbestos suits:
"They last hundreds of years. We have one suit each, and there are billions piled up, if anybody wants a new one."
#ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity
The Asbestos Story: a tale of public health and politics
An eye-opening account by Professor Sir Tony Newman Taylor on how asbestos has gone from 'magic mineral' to deadly dust that can cause mesothelioma.
blogs.imperial.ac.uk
January 11, 2025 at 12:51 PM
What's a funny/intriguing anachronism you read in sci-fi?
In The Man in Asbestos, a #ShortStory by Stephen Leacock, everyone wears asbestos suits:
"They last hundreds of years. We have one suit each, and there are billions piled up, if anybody wants a new one."
#ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity
In The Man in Asbestos, a #ShortStory by Stephen Leacock, everyone wears asbestos suits:
"They last hundreds of years. We have one suit each, and there are billions piled up, if anybody wants a new one."
#ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity
Set in a snowy Irish National Park (with a castle), @jozebwrites.bsky.social's The Wildest Hunt is a great seasonal read. Scary and thrilling for bedtime reading but what the hey.
I average less than one novel a year and loved Jo's Waters and the Wild so much that I picked another of her books.
I average less than one novel a year and loved Jo's Waters and the Wild so much that I picked another of her books.
January 7, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Set in a snowy Irish National Park (with a castle), @jozebwrites.bsky.social's The Wildest Hunt is a great seasonal read. Scary and thrilling for bedtime reading but what the hey.
I average less than one novel a year and loved Jo's Waters and the Wild so much that I picked another of her books.
I average less than one novel a year and loved Jo's Waters and the Wild so much that I picked another of her books.
Reposted by Alex Harford
New speculative flash roundup!
Featuring stories in:
@naturefutures.bsky.social
@uncannymagazine.bsky.social
@flashpointsf.bsky.social
@xraylitmag.bsky.social
@wildhuntbooks.bsky.social
Atlas and Alice
@smallwondersmag.com
@necessaryfiction.bsky.social
@factorfourmagazine.com
Featuring stories in:
@naturefutures.bsky.social
@uncannymagazine.bsky.social
@flashpointsf.bsky.social
@xraylitmag.bsky.social
@wildhuntbooks.bsky.social
Atlas and Alice
@smallwondersmag.com
@necessaryfiction.bsky.social
@factorfourmagazine.com
Flash Roundup * November 2024
A gathering of recent speculative flash & micro fiction, each presenting a tiny-yet-powerful universe. How tiny? About one-thousand words for flash; four-hundred words for micro. The word count…
mynachang.com
November 22, 2024 at 6:14 PM
New speculative flash roundup!
Featuring stories in:
@naturefutures.bsky.social
@uncannymagazine.bsky.social
@flashpointsf.bsky.social
@xraylitmag.bsky.social
@wildhuntbooks.bsky.social
Atlas and Alice
@smallwondersmag.com
@necessaryfiction.bsky.social
@factorfourmagazine.com
Featuring stories in:
@naturefutures.bsky.social
@uncannymagazine.bsky.social
@flashpointsf.bsky.social
@xraylitmag.bsky.social
@wildhuntbooks.bsky.social
Atlas and Alice
@smallwondersmag.com
@necessaryfiction.bsky.social
@factorfourmagazine.com
My "SpecFic Short Story Writers" Starter Pack is almost at the 150 account maximum if anyone else would like adding?
From Nebula/Hugo winners to beginners, you're all welcome.
bsky.app/starter-pack...
#ShortStory #SpecFic #SFF #WeirdFiction #Fantasy #SciFi #WritingCommunity #StarterPack
From Nebula/Hugo winners to beginners, you're all welcome.
bsky.app/starter-pack...
#ShortStory #SpecFic #SFF #WeirdFiction #Fantasy #SciFi #WritingCommunity #StarterPack
November 27, 2024 at 8:20 PM
My "SpecFic Short Story Writers" Starter Pack is almost at the 150 account maximum if anyone else would like adding?
From Nebula/Hugo winners to beginners, you're all welcome.
bsky.app/starter-pack...
#ShortStory #SpecFic #SFF #WeirdFiction #Fantasy #SciFi #WritingCommunity #StarterPack
From Nebula/Hugo winners to beginners, you're all welcome.
bsky.app/starter-pack...
#ShortStory #SpecFic #SFF #WeirdFiction #Fantasy #SciFi #WritingCommunity #StarterPack
I won a physical subscription to @onspecmag.bsky.social
I love the artwork by James Beveridge and the first story by @julieczerneda.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to reading the rest. 😊
#ShortStory #SpecFic
I love the artwork by James Beveridge and the first story by @julieczerneda.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to reading the rest. 😊
#ShortStory #SpecFic
November 25, 2024 at 11:24 AM
I won a physical subscription to @onspecmag.bsky.social
I love the artwork by James Beveridge and the first story by @julieczerneda.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to reading the rest. 😊
#ShortStory #SpecFic
I love the artwork by James Beveridge and the first story by @julieczerneda.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to reading the rest. 😊
#ShortStory #SpecFic
Reposted by Alex Harford
We have a properly warped perception of how much various sectors contribute to the UK economy. The fishing industry, which is constantly in the news and to whom politicians of all rosettes regularly play, adds less to GDP than Games Workshop
November 23, 2024 at 10:33 AM
We have a properly warped perception of how much various sectors contribute to the UK economy. The fishing industry, which is constantly in the news and to whom politicians of all rosettes regularly play, adds less to GDP than Games Workshop
Reposted by Alex Harford
Another giveaway!!! 🙌🙌🙌
Win a free coaching session focused on flash fiction. If I get at least 10 participants I'll throw in a flash critique for a second winner.
To participate in the giveaway: like, comment, and repost.
Winners announced on Wednesday.
www.kaidelmas.com/editing-serv...
Win a free coaching session focused on flash fiction. If I get at least 10 participants I'll throw in a flash critique for a second winner.
To participate in the giveaway: like, comment, and repost.
Winners announced on Wednesday.
www.kaidelmas.com/editing-serv...
November 23, 2024 at 10:57 PM
Another giveaway!!! 🙌🙌🙌
Win a free coaching session focused on flash fiction. If I get at least 10 participants I'll throw in a flash critique for a second winner.
To participate in the giveaway: like, comment, and repost.
Winners announced on Wednesday.
www.kaidelmas.com/editing-serv...
Win a free coaching session focused on flash fiction. If I get at least 10 participants I'll throw in a flash critique for a second winner.
To participate in the giveaway: like, comment, and repost.
Winners announced on Wednesday.
www.kaidelmas.com/editing-serv...
Introduce yourself with:
One book (fiction) — Writers of the Future Volume 38
One book (non-fiction) — Life Lessons From the Amazon by Pip Stewart
One film — Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
One album — The Decline of British Sea Power by Sea Power
One TV show — Father Ted
#NewToBlueSky
One book (fiction) — Writers of the Future Volume 38
One book (non-fiction) — Life Lessons From the Amazon by Pip Stewart
One film — Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
One album — The Decline of British Sea Power by Sea Power
One TV show — Father Ted
#NewToBlueSky
Introduce yourself with:
One book 📚 — The Silmarillion
One movie 🎥 — Ever After
One album 💿 — The Killers - Hot Fuss
One TV show 📺 — Buffy the Vampire Slayer
One book 📚 — The Silmarillion
One movie 🎥 — Ever After
One album 💿 — The Killers - Hot Fuss
One TV show 📺 — Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Introduce yourself with:
One book 📚 — More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
One movie 🎥 — Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
One album 💿 — Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots
One tv show 📺 — Doctor Who
One book 📚 — More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
One movie 🎥 — Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
One album 💿 — Blurryface by Twenty One Pilots
One tv show 📺 — Doctor Who
November 18, 2024 at 8:51 PM
Introduce yourself with:
One book (fiction) — Writers of the Future Volume 38
One book (non-fiction) — Life Lessons From the Amazon by Pip Stewart
One film — Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
One album — The Decline of British Sea Power by Sea Power
One TV show — Father Ted
#NewToBlueSky
One book (fiction) — Writers of the Future Volume 38
One book (non-fiction) — Life Lessons From the Amazon by Pip Stewart
One film — Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
One album — The Decline of British Sea Power by Sea Power
One TV show — Father Ted
#NewToBlueSky
Reposted by Alex Harford
Found this "quiet poster" feed for those of you who want me off their TL from time to time:
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
November 18, 2024 at 5:02 PM
Found this "quiet poster" feed for those of you who want me off their TL from time to time:
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Alex Harford
In honour of the fact that the end of the year is fast approaching, I'm thinking of doing a special 12 Days of Christmas giveaway in December (some books, some query critiques etc). Would anyone else be interested in donating something—a book, their time, their expertise in a particular field for a
November 16, 2024 at 7:33 PM
In honour of the fact that the end of the year is fast approaching, I'm thinking of doing a special 12 Days of Christmas giveaway in December (some books, some query critiques etc). Would anyone else be interested in donating something—a book, their time, their expertise in a particular field for a