Anna ZenKen Stephens
@annasmithwrites.bsky.social
Godblind, Songs of the Drowned trilogies, also Black Library, Marvel.
Runs Magic & Mayhem Author Academy.
1/3 of The Write Advice.
Rep @harryillingworth.bsky.social
Zen, Shotokan, DnD, antifa, anti-AI, #WorkingClass.
She/They
https://linktr.ee/AnnaStephens
Runs Magic & Mayhem Author Academy.
1/3 of The Write Advice.
Rep @harryillingworth.bsky.social
Zen, Shotokan, DnD, antifa, anti-AI, #WorkingClass.
She/They
https://linktr.ee/AnnaStephens
Pinned
Seeing as a lot of #editors and #publishers have made it over here now - hello! - and I have a new fantasy book on submission, here's a thread of memes for the main characters to give you a flavour of what to expect.
Character The First: The Diamond Prince.
Character The First: The Diamond Prince.
Enjoying Last Samurai Standing on Netflix.
The machinations are more interesting than the fighting, and it feels like they've sped up the action, which is a shame considering the technical elements are great - trying to make it more exciting? - but overall a good watch. 2 episodes to go.
The machinations are more interesting than the fighting, and it feels like they've sped up the action, which is a shame considering the technical elements are great - trying to make it more exciting? - but overall a good watch. 2 episodes to go.
November 23, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Enjoying Last Samurai Standing on Netflix.
The machinations are more interesting than the fighting, and it feels like they've sped up the action, which is a shame considering the technical elements are great - trying to make it more exciting? - but overall a good watch. 2 episodes to go.
The machinations are more interesting than the fighting, and it feels like they've sped up the action, which is a shame considering the technical elements are great - trying to make it more exciting? - but overall a good watch. 2 episodes to go.
It's a mentoring day. I have an hour free and I could write, but brain has noped. So I'm gonna watch some DS9 instead.
a picture of a man with the words i believe that 's where
Alt: a picture of a man with the words i believe that 's where i step in
media.tenor.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
It's a mentoring day. I have an hour free and I could write, but brain has noped. So I'm gonna watch some DS9 instead.
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
Yay! Go, pine martens!
"The first sighting of a pine marten in Studland, Dorset, in more than a century!" swanage.news/rare-and-end...
November 23, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Yay! Go, pine martens!
Thanks to all who came to see me, @mikebrooks668.bsky.social and @garethlpowell.bsky.social at Redditch library! It was a great session, and sorry I had to sprint for the train.
Also, how dare Martin from @britfantasysoc.bsky.social encourage me to take the route that led past the gaming shop...
Also, how dare Martin from @britfantasysoc.bsky.social encourage me to take the route that led past the gaming shop...
November 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Thanks to all who came to see me, @mikebrooks668.bsky.social and @garethlpowell.bsky.social at Redditch library! It was a great session, and sorry I had to sprint for the train.
Also, how dare Martin from @britfantasysoc.bsky.social encourage me to take the route that led past the gaming shop...
Also, how dare Martin from @britfantasysoc.bsky.social encourage me to take the route that led past the gaming shop...
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
ANNA'S EDITORIAL CAPACITY:
I am currently fully-booked for editorial clients for 2026.
That said, my FTC employment runs out on 17 January, so if they decide not to renew my contract, I will have extra capacity early next year.
I'll update as soon as I know. Thanks.
I am currently fully-booked for editorial clients for 2026.
That said, my FTC employment runs out on 17 January, so if they decide not to renew my contract, I will have extra capacity early next year.
I'll update as soon as I know. Thanks.
November 21, 2025 at 11:59 AM
ANNA'S EDITORIAL CAPACITY:
I am currently fully-booked for editorial clients for 2026.
That said, my FTC employment runs out on 17 January, so if they decide not to renew my contract, I will have extra capacity early next year.
I'll update as soon as I know. Thanks.
I am currently fully-booked for editorial clients for 2026.
That said, my FTC employment runs out on 17 January, so if they decide not to renew my contract, I will have extra capacity early next year.
I'll update as soon as I know. Thanks.
I'm on my way, Redditch! Hide from the rain in a cosy library and hear us talk about other worlds!
November 22, 2025 at 11:10 AM
I'm on my way, Redditch! Hide from the rain in a cosy library and hear us talk about other worlds!
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
Join the BFS at Redditch Library for a special ‘Worlds of Science Fiction & Fantasy’ panel with Gareth L Powell, Anna Stephens, & Mike Brooks.
Saturday 22nd November, 12pm. Redditch Library, Redditch.
Ticket: tinyurl.com/worldsofsff
Saturday 22nd November, 12pm. Redditch Library, Redditch.
Ticket: tinyurl.com/worldsofsff
November 21, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Join the BFS at Redditch Library for a special ‘Worlds of Science Fiction & Fantasy’ panel with Gareth L Powell, Anna Stephens, & Mike Brooks.
Saturday 22nd November, 12pm. Redditch Library, Redditch.
Ticket: tinyurl.com/worldsofsff
Saturday 22nd November, 12pm. Redditch Library, Redditch.
Ticket: tinyurl.com/worldsofsff
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
This is the version of the post that everyone needs to see. And all you readers/authors despairing of non-comprehension, etc, we are gaining new fans of fantasy and SF. It might not be the fantasy or SF you personally read, but they're reading and buying where they weren't before.
November 20, 2025 at 10:40 AM
This is the version of the post that everyone needs to see. And all you readers/authors despairing of non-comprehension, etc, we are gaining new fans of fantasy and SF. It might not be the fantasy or SF you personally read, but they're reading and buying where they weren't before.
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
It's that time of year again!
Nominations for the 2025 BSFA awards are open for BSFA Members. Nominations then form the Longlist. Nominations will close at the end of the year.
Project Hanuman is only just out but if you enjoyed it please consider nominating it in the best novel category 😍
Nominations for the 2025 BSFA awards are open for BSFA Members. Nominations then form the Longlist. Nominations will close at the end of the year.
Project Hanuman is only just out but if you enjoyed it please consider nominating it in the best novel category 😍
November 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
It's that time of year again!
Nominations for the 2025 BSFA awards are open for BSFA Members. Nominations then form the Longlist. Nominations will close at the end of the year.
Project Hanuman is only just out but if you enjoyed it please consider nominating it in the best novel category 😍
Nominations for the 2025 BSFA awards are open for BSFA Members. Nominations then form the Longlist. Nominations will close at the end of the year.
Project Hanuman is only just out but if you enjoyed it please consider nominating it in the best novel category 😍
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
Do you write genre fiction? Want the inside scoop on the UK's newest queer small press? Keen to ask us awkward questions?
Come to the Cymera Writer's Conference, and hear two bona omi-palones cackle about zhushing books.
Come to the Cymera Writer's Conference, and hear two bona omi-palones cackle about zhushing books.
We'll be chatting with indie publisher Bona Books about their journey from reader/writer to setting up a publishing house.
@bonabooks.bsky.social was founded by 3 book-obsessed friends to produce high-quality, subversive & unapologetically queer SFFH books.
www.cymerafestival.co.uk/2025-confere...
@bonabooks.bsky.social was founded by 3 book-obsessed friends to produce high-quality, subversive & unapologetically queer SFFH books.
www.cymerafestival.co.uk/2025-confere...
November 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Do you write genre fiction? Want the inside scoop on the UK's newest queer small press? Keen to ask us awkward questions?
Come to the Cymera Writer's Conference, and hear two bona omi-palones cackle about zhushing books.
Come to the Cymera Writer's Conference, and hear two bona omi-palones cackle about zhushing books.
My current listen is the incredible Lord of Ruin by K M Enright I am astonished by the number of DNFs on goodreads due to explicit sexual content.
My dudes (gender-neutral), he literally provides a list of content warnings at the start, plus this is bk2 and the 1st also contained sex. 1/
My dudes (gender-neutral), he literally provides a list of content warnings at the start, plus this is bk2 and the 1st also contained sex. 1/
November 19, 2025 at 8:56 AM
My current listen is the incredible Lord of Ruin by K M Enright I am astonished by the number of DNFs on goodreads due to explicit sexual content.
My dudes (gender-neutral), he literally provides a list of content warnings at the start, plus this is bk2 and the 1st also contained sex. 1/
My dudes (gender-neutral), he literally provides a list of content warnings at the start, plus this is bk2 and the 1st also contained sex. 1/
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
I've had a few 'what do you do' convs recently, and everyone on hearing I'm an author comes out with "so how do you come up with ideas?", just like every book or movie about a writer has them staring numbly into space because they don't have an idea for the next book. And look, that is Not It.
November 19, 2025 at 7:43 AM
I've had a few 'what do you do' convs recently, and everyone on hearing I'm an author comes out with "so how do you come up with ideas?", just like every book or movie about a writer has them staring numbly into space because they don't have an idea for the next book. And look, that is Not It.
What day is it, nerds?
MIGHTY NEIN ON PRIME DAY!
Congratulations to all who celebrate.
MIGHTY NEIN ON PRIME DAY!
Congratulations to all who celebrate.
a group of people are sitting at a table with their names on a screen
ALT: a group of people are sitting at a table with their names on a screen
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:43 AM
What day is it, nerds?
MIGHTY NEIN ON PRIME DAY!
Congratulations to all who celebrate.
MIGHTY NEIN ON PRIME DAY!
Congratulations to all who celebrate.
Woohoo, are you in the Midlands? Want to not have to go Xmas shopping only you get to buy books which is actually effort-free Xmas shopping?
Come and see us talk about sff books and worlds!
Come and see us talk about sff books and worlds!
We have a graphic for the event this coming Saturday at Redditch Library at noon, where I'll be with the inimitable @garethlpowell.bsky.social and @annasmithwrites.bsky.social to discuss crafting sci-fi and fantasy! A local bookstore is bringing stock!
November 18, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Woohoo, are you in the Midlands? Want to not have to go Xmas shopping only you get to buy books which is actually effort-free Xmas shopping?
Come and see us talk about sff books and worlds!
Come and see us talk about sff books and worlds!
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
20 years ago today Heth and I remortgaged our house and Incorporated Bluemoose Books as a publishing company.
Many thanks to the wonderful librarians, booksellers, reviewers and readers who've promoted and hand sold our books.
Magic!
@thebookseller.com
@waterstones.bsky.social
Many thanks to the wonderful librarians, booksellers, reviewers and readers who've promoted and hand sold our books.
Magic!
@thebookseller.com
@waterstones.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 8:51 AM
20 years ago today Heth and I remortgaged our house and Incorporated Bluemoose Books as a publishing company.
Many thanks to the wonderful librarians, booksellers, reviewers and readers who've promoted and hand sold our books.
Magic!
@thebookseller.com
@waterstones.bsky.social
Many thanks to the wonderful librarians, booksellers, reviewers and readers who've promoted and hand sold our books.
Magic!
@thebookseller.com
@waterstones.bsky.social
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
Dad’s books are full of empathy, common sense, and a healthy suspicion of the powerful. But at its heart his work is also about how systems keep people poor while pretending it’s their own fault. So I hope Kemi’s taking notes as well as reading the jokes.
Kemi Badenoch claiming Terry Pratchett as her favourite author is wild
October 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Dad’s books are full of empathy, common sense, and a healthy suspicion of the powerful. But at its heart his work is also about how systems keep people poor while pretending it’s their own fault. So I hope Kemi’s taking notes as well as reading the jokes.
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
The Greens don’t believe providing safe refuge for endangered asylum seekers is an “out-of-control” policy.
Nor do we believe making life more difficult for those in need is the way to unify British society.
Refugees are welcome.
Nor do we believe making life more difficult for those in need is the way to unify British society.
Refugees are welcome.
November 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The Greens don’t believe providing safe refuge for endangered asylum seekers is an “out-of-control” policy.
Nor do we believe making life more difficult for those in need is the way to unify British society.
Refugees are welcome.
Nor do we believe making life more difficult for those in need is the way to unify British society.
Refugees are welcome.
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
if you are disgusted by government proposals for refugees - please, please write to both your local MP and to [email protected]
Fill their inbox with your shock and dismay. Be polite but be clear
If you want text then I'm happy to share what I wrote
Fill their inbox with your shock and dismay. Be polite but be clear
If you want text then I'm happy to share what I wrote
November 17, 2025 at 9:53 AM
if you are disgusted by government proposals for refugees - please, please write to both your local MP and to [email protected]
Fill their inbox with your shock and dismay. Be polite but be clear
If you want text then I'm happy to share what I wrote
Fill their inbox with your shock and dismay. Be polite but be clear
If you want text then I'm happy to share what I wrote
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
In discussion with a few likeminded peeps such as @justinleeanderson.com and @rainewilson.bsky.social please find a list of some news sources we check in on regularly including @chadbourn.bsky.social @petergeoghegan.bsky.social and @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social here on BSky.
Some Reliable News Sources for Critical Readers
Discover reliable news sources committed to facts and the well-being of ordinary people, amidst today's biased news landscape.
stewarthotston.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
In discussion with a few likeminded peeps such as @justinleeanderson.com and @rainewilson.bsky.social please find a list of some news sources we check in on regularly including @chadbourn.bsky.social @petergeoghegan.bsky.social and @mikegalsworthy.bsky.social here on BSky.
💀💀💀
November 16, 2025 at 9:48 AM
💀💀💀
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
Booklovers, your favourite game is back! 📚🔎
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
November 13, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Booklovers, your favourite game is back! 📚🔎
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
Guess all 20 books in the #HiddenBooksGame and you could win a £500/€500 National Book Token to spend in your local bookshop (the best gift ever, in our opinion).
Play now: buff.ly/460M0aR
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
Residuum is on sale this weekend!! Space pirates, AI genocide, found family and massive spiders, what more could you ask for on the run up to Christmas?
mybook.to/ResiduumDBRook
mybook.to/ResiduumDBRook
November 15, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Residuum is on sale this weekend!! Space pirates, AI genocide, found family and massive spiders, what more could you ask for on the run up to Christmas?
mybook.to/ResiduumDBRook
mybook.to/ResiduumDBRook
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
It’s out!!! youtu.be/Mvht2clqats?...
The Mighty Nein S1E1 Full Episode “Mote of Possibility” | Prime Video
YouTube video by Prime Video
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 9:45 PM
It’s out!!! youtu.be/Mvht2clqats?...
Reposted by Anna ZenKen Stephens
Also sounds like people who don’t understand books. “I want to set my books up so nobody needs to talk about them online or writes fanfic” is such a wild thing for someone to say if they want to make money.
I’ll say this much: This reads exactly like what it is: people who discovered romance five years ago and decided they had all kinds of amazing new ideas to “fix” it. Connections between books? That feel kind of cozy to the reader? How did no one ever think of that?? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/b...
November 14, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Also sounds like people who don’t understand books. “I want to set my books up so nobody needs to talk about them online or writes fanfic” is such a wild thing for someone to say if they want to make money.