Rene Astle 🍁🌻
@castle88.bsky.social
Author of science fiction and fantasy where characters find their families and their place in the world ... or the universe. Reader of same. Urbanist and environmentalist (the former stemming from the latter). She/her. Find me at reneastle.substack.com.
Pinned
Rene Astle 🍁🌻
@castle88.bsky.social
· Mar 8
If you're looking to (temporarily) escape to the great big sea of stars, book 1 in The Lyra Cycle is free at your favourite online retailers.
Follow the ragtag crew of the cargo ship Lyra as the reluctantly get embroil in adventures they didn't ask for.
books2read.com/lyracycle1
Follow the ragtag crew of the cargo ship Lyra as the reluctantly get embroil in adventures they didn't ask for.
books2read.com/lyracycle1
Do you love science fiction? Do you love free books?
Join us as we countdown to 2026 with a month of free science fiction.
Find a new book every day at heathertexle.com/CountdownTo2...
#FreeSFBooksCountdown
Join us as we countdown to 2026 with a month of free science fiction.
Find a new book every day at heathertexle.com/CountdownTo2...
#FreeSFBooksCountdown
November 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Do you love science fiction? Do you love free books?
Join us as we countdown to 2026 with a month of free science fiction.
Find a new book every day at heathertexle.com/CountdownTo2...
#FreeSFBooksCountdown
Join us as we countdown to 2026 with a month of free science fiction.
Find a new book every day at heathertexle.com/CountdownTo2...
#FreeSFBooksCountdown
I have now discovered the Bird Whisperer Project. And it is wonderful.
Calling all bird loving artists! This month's bird is the Spotted Owlet. 🤎 Draw! Paint! Sculpt! We hope you'll join us. Posting day is Nov 26th.
Rules and Full Size Ref. Photo here: birdwhispererproject.com/participate/
#birds #BirdWhisperer #art #owl
Rules and Full Size Ref. Photo here: birdwhispererproject.com/participate/
#birds #BirdWhisperer #art #owl
November 27, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I have now discovered the Bird Whisperer Project. And it is wonderful.
Well, I intended to write 4 stories during Not A Novel November. I wrote two. But that two more than I had at the beginning.
Now it's back to the final edits on book 4 in The Lyra Cycle.
#amwriting
Now it's back to the final edits on book 4 in The Lyra Cycle.
#amwriting
November 26, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Well, I intended to write 4 stories during Not A Novel November. I wrote two. But that two more than I had at the beginning.
Now it's back to the final edits on book 4 in The Lyra Cycle.
#amwriting
Now it's back to the final edits on book 4 in The Lyra Cycle.
#amwriting
There are many things I love about living on the Wet Coast of Canada. A small one is that my winter cycling gear is:
* Waterproof, reflective jacket big enough to fit over a sweater
* Rain pants
* Waterproof gloves
* Lightweight running toque (if it's really cold)
* Waterproof shoes
* Safety googles
* Waterproof, reflective jacket big enough to fit over a sweater
* Rain pants
* Waterproof gloves
* Lightweight running toque (if it's really cold)
* Waterproof shoes
* Safety googles
Hey winter cyclists: the smartest thing I've done after threatening to do it for too many years was actually write down what to wear based on temperature. This helped immensely last year, and winter is coming 🥶
November 25, 2025 at 5:42 AM
There are many things I love about living on the Wet Coast of Canada. A small one is that my winter cycling gear is:
* Waterproof, reflective jacket big enough to fit over a sweater
* Rain pants
* Waterproof gloves
* Lightweight running toque (if it's really cold)
* Waterproof shoes
* Safety googles
* Waterproof, reflective jacket big enough to fit over a sweater
* Rain pants
* Waterproof gloves
* Lightweight running toque (if it's really cold)
* Waterproof shoes
* Safety googles
Only 211 words in before Day Job, but I'll take it. Hopefully, I can write some more tonight. Not sure the lurking migraine will let me though.
#amwriting
#amwriting
November 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Only 211 words in before Day Job, but I'll take it. Hopefully, I can write some more tonight. Not sure the lurking migraine will let me though.
#amwriting
#amwriting
Woot! New season of Saint-Pierre coming January 5th.
November 22, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Woot! New season of Saint-Pierre coming January 5th.
There's a village growing near where I live.
November 21, 2025 at 11:12 PM
There's a village growing near where I live.
I'm pretty sure I'm jinxing it but I *might* almost have a pants pattern that mostly fits 😳
Just need to transfer the latest changes to the pattern and hope I don’t screw up then fix the pockets and add a proper zipper fly (since I started with pyjamas) ... and make another muslin.
Just need to transfer the latest changes to the pattern and hope I don’t screw up then fix the pockets and add a proper zipper fly (since I started with pyjamas) ... and make another muslin.
November 20, 2025 at 3:53 AM
I'm pretty sure I'm jinxing it but I *might* almost have a pants pattern that mostly fits 😳
Just need to transfer the latest changes to the pattern and hope I don’t screw up then fix the pockets and add a proper zipper fly (since I started with pyjamas) ... and make another muslin.
Just need to transfer the latest changes to the pattern and hope I don’t screw up then fix the pockets and add a proper zipper fly (since I started with pyjamas) ... and make another muslin.
I had intended to have this short story in Not a Novel November written this past weekend. Instead, I wrote almost 400 words before Day Job.
Now, off to work I go.
#amwriting
Now, off to work I go.
#amwriting
November 19, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I had intended to have this short story in Not a Novel November written this past weekend. Instead, I wrote almost 400 words before Day Job.
Now, off to work I go.
#amwriting
Now, off to work I go.
#amwriting
"Birb incoming! Shields up!"
Find your smiles where you can.
Find your smiles where you can.
Let's have another bullet bird, this time the Sparrow!
#birds #birdphotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography
#birds #birdphotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography
November 18, 2025 at 1:22 AM
"Birb incoming! Shields up!"
Find your smiles where you can.
Find your smiles where you can.
Termites are cockroaches?! What the what?!
@ologies.bsky.social blowing my mind again.
www.alieward.com/ologies/blat...
@ologies.bsky.social blowing my mind again.
www.alieward.com/ologies/blat...
Blattodeology (YES, COCKROACHES) with Dr. Dominic Evangelista — alie ward
Dazzling colors. Remote habitats. Gentle parenting. Fantastic genitalia. And yeah, swimming through sewers to surprise you. It’s cockroaches and I promise you will find something to love about them in...
www.alieward.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Termites are cockroaches?! What the what?!
@ologies.bsky.social blowing my mind again.
www.alieward.com/ologies/blat...
@ologies.bsky.social blowing my mind again.
www.alieward.com/ologies/blat...
Although I still own a car (it's 15yrs old), currently I don't plan to replace it. It's interesting to read other people's reasons.
For me, it's both environmental impact and cost ... with a dash of enjoying walking and cycling more than driving (even in the rain).
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
For me, it's both environmental impact and cost ... with a dash of enjoying walking and cycling more than driving (even in the rain).
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
Why some Canadians love living without a car | CBC Climate Change News
In this issue of our environmental newsletter, we share the experiences of people across Canada who don't own a car; track China's progress on cutting emissions; and check out an efficient way to remo...
www.cbc.ca
November 15, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Although I still own a car (it's 15yrs old), currently I don't plan to replace it. It's interesting to read other people's reasons.
For me, it's both environmental impact and cost ... with a dash of enjoying walking and cycling more than driving (even in the rain).
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
For me, it's both environmental impact and cost ... with a dash of enjoying walking and cycling more than driving (even in the rain).
www.cbc.ca/news/climate...
So close! I miscounted near the end.
I solved the daily Clues by Sam (Nov 13th 2025) in less than 13 minutes
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cluesbysam.com
I solved the daily Clues by Sam (Nov 13th 2025) in less than 13 minutes
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cluesbysam.com
Clues by Sam
A daily logic puzzle where you deduce who are criminals and who are innocent!
cluesbysam.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:23 AM
So close! I miscounted near the end.
I solved the daily Clues by Sam (Nov 13th 2025) in less than 13 minutes
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cluesbysam.com
I solved the daily Clues by Sam (Nov 13th 2025) in less than 13 minutes
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cluesbysam.com
Only just over 300 words today in story 2 of Not a Novel November, but the story is still coming along, finding its feet. The main character has changed a bit and I'm liking it.
Hopefully, I can write some more before work tomorrow morning since tomorrow night is theatre night.
#amwriting
Hopefully, I can write some more before work tomorrow morning since tomorrow night is theatre night.
#amwriting
November 13, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Only just over 300 words today in story 2 of Not a Novel November, but the story is still coming along, finding its feet. The main character has changed a bit and I'm liking it.
Hopefully, I can write some more before work tomorrow morning since tomorrow night is theatre night.
#amwriting
Hopefully, I can write some more before work tomorrow morning since tomorrow night is theatre night.
#amwriting
Story 2 in Not a Novel November is underway. Only just over 400 hundred words this morning but I hope for more later ... though maybe I'll finish my 'can I turn a pyjama pants pattern into pants pants' experiment.
November 11, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Story 2 in Not a Novel November is underway. Only just over 400 hundred words this morning but I hope for more later ... though maybe I'll finish my 'can I turn a pyjama pants pattern into pants pants' experiment.
Only just over 500 words today finished the rough draft of the first story in Not a Novel November. I'm aiming for 4 stories - I think it'll be three.
#amwriting
#amwriting
November 11, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Only just over 500 words today finished the rough draft of the first story in Not a Novel November. I'm aiming for 4 stories - I think it'll be three.
#amwriting
#amwriting
I'll admit this is a little bit me. What is there's traffic? What if security is slow? What if...?
Heading to the airport to see if I can get on an earlier flight. If not this will be me
Dad Suggests Arriving At Airport 14 Hours Early - The Onion share.google/LseQ4tKwyprX...
Dad Suggests Arriving At Airport 14 Hours Early - The Onion share.google/LseQ4tKwyprX...
Dad Suggests Arriving At Airport 14 Hours Early
CARLISLE, MA—Planning for his family’s Saturday evening flight to Florida, local dad Walter Holbrook suggested arriving at the airport at least 14 hours early, sources confirmed. "The plane leaves at ...
share.google
November 11, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I'll admit this is a little bit me. What is there's traffic? What if security is slow? What if...?
This IS amazing!
We all need a little klingon doomgrass in our lives right now. This is AMAZING!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSwH...
#StarTrek
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSwH...
#StarTrek
batlh vIteqta’ | Klingon Doomgrass | A Star Trek Folk Metal Anthem (Original Song)
YouTube video by Lord OTT
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
This IS amazing!
This is pretty cool, but I started my day with snails and then encountered preying mantises. It's a tough call.
A high-resolution digital map allows people to plan their routes along the ancient roads of the Roman Empire
go.nature.com/4nHZmoM
go.nature.com/4nHZmoM
November 9, 2025 at 9:02 PM
This is pretty cool, but I started my day with snails and then encountered preying mantises. It's a tough call.
There might be a snail in the story I'm working on so this is research. But also, I just love snails.
We’re snailposting, post your snails
November 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
There might be a snail in the story I'm working on so this is research. But also, I just love snails.
Walks can be great for writing. I now have an ending to the story I'm working on.
Of course, I still need to write the stuff between where I am and the end.
Of course, I still need to write the stuff between where I am and the end.
November 9, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Walks can be great for writing. I now have an ending to the story I'm working on.
Of course, I still need to write the stuff between where I am and the end.
Of course, I still need to write the stuff between where I am and the end.
These are amazing!
November 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM
These are amazing!
This one was indeed tricky but I did it
I solved the daily Clues by Sam (Nov 6th 2025) in less than 14 minutes
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cluesbysam.com
I solved the daily Clues by Sam (Nov 6th 2025) in less than 14 minutes
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cluesbysam.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:52 AM
This one was indeed tricky but I did it
I solved the daily Clues by Sam (Nov 6th 2025) in less than 14 minutes
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cluesbysam.com
I solved the daily Clues by Sam (Nov 6th 2025) in less than 14 minutes
🟩🟩🟩🟩
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cluesbysam.com
A smile for your day
November 6, 2025 at 12:49 AM
A smile for your day
Typo of the day:
"...hunched over her much of tea..."
I appreciate tea as much as the next person, but perhaps a *much* is too much tea? Regardless, in this case I do mean mug.
"...hunched over her much of tea..."
I appreciate tea as much as the next person, but perhaps a *much* is too much tea? Regardless, in this case I do mean mug.
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Typo of the day:
"...hunched over her much of tea..."
I appreciate tea as much as the next person, but perhaps a *much* is too much tea? Regardless, in this case I do mean mug.
"...hunched over her much of tea..."
I appreciate tea as much as the next person, but perhaps a *much* is too much tea? Regardless, in this case I do mean mug.