David Aitken
@davidaitken.bsky.social
Wordsmith, lost deep in the word mines, collecting acceptable adverbs and credible similes. Keen to surface and present my findings to an astonished world.
Pinned
David Aitken
@davidaitken.bsky.social
· Dec 10
Great to finally have the anthology in my hands. Seven 5star reviews so far from readers loving our creepy vibes. Paperback £7.99, free on Kindle Unlimited.
tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
#booksky
#ghoststories
tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
#booksky
#ghoststories
Reposted by David Aitken
Much though I have enjoyed all of my many trips to the USA over forty or so years I have realised that I cannot go there any more until there is what we might call ‘regime change’ Like Iran they are killing their own citizens. Tragic
January 25, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Much though I have enjoyed all of my many trips to the USA over forty or so years I have realised that I cannot go there any more until there is what we might call ‘regime change’ Like Iran they are killing their own citizens. Tragic
Reposted by David Aitken
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
January 24, 2026 at 8:29 PM
If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.
Reposted by David Aitken
“We’ve invented a magic computer. It uses all of the earth’s resources, we’ve spent trillions on it and it’s the sole growth area of the US economy.”
“What does it do?”
“We were hoping you could tell us.”
“What does it do?”
“We were hoping you could tell us.”
Delicious to me
January 22, 2026 at 7:36 AM
“We’ve invented a magic computer. It uses all of the earth’s resources, we’ve spent trillions on it and it’s the sole growth area of the US economy.”
“What does it do?”
“We were hoping you could tell us.”
“What does it do?”
“We were hoping you could tell us.”
Reposted by David Aitken
The sad thing is that social media is a lifeline for a lot of young people and shouldn't require anything close to a ban but Big Tech has been so rapacious, reckless and amoral that it has legitimised authoritarian solutions. It's not the tech, it's the monsters who control it
January 19, 2026 at 3:06 PM
The sad thing is that social media is a lifeline for a lot of young people and shouldn't require anything close to a ban but Big Tech has been so rapacious, reckless and amoral that it has legitimised authoritarian solutions. It's not the tech, it's the monsters who control it
Come on @johnswinney.bsky.social get off X, man.
You're sullying yourself remaining there. It's now a vote loser to remain on that platform.
Disconnect.
@rosscolquhoun.bsky.social get him telt, will you?
There's no good reason to be on there anymore.
You're sullying yourself remaining there. It's now a vote loser to remain on that platform.
Disconnect.
@rosscolquhoun.bsky.social get him telt, will you?
There's no good reason to be on there anymore.
I'm sorry, 'writing on X', have you not a clue what's happening most of you. A platform controlled by Trump allies where you won't get a hearing, your opinion will be de-rated and suppressed and the hate directed at you monetised? UK politicians just don't understand the moment.
January 18, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Come on @johnswinney.bsky.social get off X, man.
You're sullying yourself remaining there. It's now a vote loser to remain on that platform.
Disconnect.
@rosscolquhoun.bsky.social get him telt, will you?
There's no good reason to be on there anymore.
You're sullying yourself remaining there. It's now a vote loser to remain on that platform.
Disconnect.
@rosscolquhoun.bsky.social get him telt, will you?
There's no good reason to be on there anymore.
Congratulations @gentleman-of-west.bsky.social you must be chuffed to bits.
Powerful and emotive recollections of your mum's life in Dani's article.
Nice wee mention for @thiwurd.bsky.social too.
Powerful and emotive recollections of your mum's life in Dani's article.
Nice wee mention for @thiwurd.bsky.social too.
It's the centenary of the wonderful Agnes Owens' birth this year. Her books are being reissued & a satellite archive has officially opened within the Alasdair Gray archive. I spoke to her son, John, & wrote about this "most unfairly neglected of Scottish authors" in the @heraldscotland.bsky.social.
Finally, recognition for 'unfairly neglected' Scottish author Agnes Owens
Writer Agnes Owens was once seen as “part of a golden age of Scottish literature,” and influenced younger writers, including Janice Galloway,…
www.heraldscotland.com
January 17, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Congratulations @gentleman-of-west.bsky.social you must be chuffed to bits.
Powerful and emotive recollections of your mum's life in Dani's article.
Nice wee mention for @thiwurd.bsky.social too.
Powerful and emotive recollections of your mum's life in Dani's article.
Nice wee mention for @thiwurd.bsky.social too.
Reposted by David Aitken
Scotland will expand free school breakfast clubs and support former Mossmorran workers.
It will be paid for by taxes on private jets, shooting estates, and million pound homes.
The Scottish Green proposals were accepted by the Scottish Government and announced in today's budget.
It will be paid for by taxes on private jets, shooting estates, and million pound homes.
The Scottish Green proposals were accepted by the Scottish Government and announced in today's budget.
January 13, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Scotland will expand free school breakfast clubs and support former Mossmorran workers.
It will be paid for by taxes on private jets, shooting estates, and million pound homes.
The Scottish Green proposals were accepted by the Scottish Government and announced in today's budget.
It will be paid for by taxes on private jets, shooting estates, and million pound homes.
The Scottish Green proposals were accepted by the Scottish Government and announced in today's budget.
Reposted by David Aitken
It’s a bargain at full price. Get extra copies now and give them to your friends.
Got my royalty statement for Saltburn. It sold 24 copies in last six months. Selling books is tough.
You can get it now for 50% off in Renard Press’s Books of 2025 promotion. Yours for £5.
#SupportIndiePublishing
renardpress.com/books/saltbu...
You can get it now for 50% off in Renard Press’s Books of 2025 promotion. Yours for £5.
#SupportIndiePublishing
renardpress.com/books/saltbu...
Saltburn – Renard Press
May the residents of the real Saltburn-by-the-Sea and neighbouring towns forgive my mermaids, my nuclear power stations, my foetus museums and so on and so on. They were written with love. Welcome to ...
renardpress.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:45 AM
It’s a bargain at full price. Get extra copies now and give them to your friends.
Look at the figures, it's a no brainer, @johnswinney.bsky.social
Political class are addicted to the platform, and vastly over exaggerate its reach with voters.
Coming off is a vote winner.
cc: @rosscolquhoun.bsky.social
Political class are addicted to the platform, and vastly over exaggerate its reach with voters.
Coming off is a vote winner.
cc: @rosscolquhoun.bsky.social
January 10, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Look at the figures, it's a no brainer, @johnswinney.bsky.social
Political class are addicted to the platform, and vastly over exaggerate its reach with voters.
Coming off is a vote winner.
cc: @rosscolquhoun.bsky.social
Political class are addicted to the platform, and vastly over exaggerate its reach with voters.
Coming off is a vote winner.
cc: @rosscolquhoun.bsky.social
Reposted by David Aitken
The principal of Edinburgh University Sir Peter Mathieson will earn close on £ half a million this year. He proposes allowing (!) Scottish students to pay fees. Why not seek out Scots who’d be content with modest salaries to run public services instead?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scottish students should pay towards tuition, says Edinburgh uni principal
Prof Sir Peter Mathieson said that Scotland could adopt a
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 8:47 AM
The principal of Edinburgh University Sir Peter Mathieson will earn close on £ half a million this year. He proposes allowing (!) Scottish students to pay fees. Why not seek out Scots who’d be content with modest salaries to run public services instead?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Fantastic classes. Really help you to focus on improving your craft, but also great for generating ideas for new work. All done in a supportive and collegiate atmosphere, and surprisingly good fun, given it's on Zoom. Want to write? All abilities nurtured and encouraged.
Starts next Tuesday. We are based in Glasgow. Writers from around the world are welcome. Details on our website www.thi-wurd.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Fantastic classes. Really help you to focus on improving your craft, but also great for generating ideas for new work. All done in a supportive and collegiate atmosphere, and surprisingly good fun, given it's on Zoom. Want to write? All abilities nurtured and encouraged.
Reposted by David Aitken
Scotland, Caracas and the Trump Corollary
open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
Scotland, Caracas and the Trump Corollary
It has the same feeling as reporting the loss of the Titanic with the apocryphal headline attributed to the Aberdeen Press and Journal: “North-east man lost at sea”, to report on events in Caracas in ...
open.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Scotland, Caracas and the Trump Corollary
open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
Reposted by David Aitken
It is November 2025 Martin O’Neill is simultaneously the former, current, and future manager of Glasgow Celtic Football Club.
January 5, 2026 at 8:49 PM
It is November 2025 Martin O’Neill is simultaneously the former, current, and future manager of Glasgow Celtic Football Club.
Reposted by David Aitken
The Carrying Stream is a new podcast for Scottish words and ideas – long-form conversations with writers, scholars, poets and artists. 🎙️🏴
Episode 0 is now live, alongside the first three full conversations.
pod.link/1865430519
Episode 0 is now live, alongside the first three full conversations.
pod.link/1865430519
January 4, 2026 at 11:23 AM
The Carrying Stream is a new podcast for Scottish words and ideas – long-form conversations with writers, scholars, poets and artists. 🎙️🏴
Episode 0 is now live, alongside the first three full conversations.
pod.link/1865430519
Episode 0 is now live, alongside the first three full conversations.
pod.link/1865430519
Reposted by David Aitken
Fascist US President 🤝 Fascist Social Media Platform
The UK Government thinking everything is A-OK to keep continuing on as before with them.
Never in my lifetime has there been such a gaping moral void at the heart of this state than right now. What a grim world we're now in.
The UK Government thinking everything is A-OK to keep continuing on as before with them.
Never in my lifetime has there been such a gaping moral void at the heart of this state than right now. What a grim world we're now in.
January 3, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Fascist US President 🤝 Fascist Social Media Platform
The UK Government thinking everything is A-OK to keep continuing on as before with them.
Never in my lifetime has there been such a gaping moral void at the heart of this state than right now. What a grim world we're now in.
The UK Government thinking everything is A-OK to keep continuing on as before with them.
Never in my lifetime has there been such a gaping moral void at the heart of this state than right now. What a grim world we're now in.
Reposted by David Aitken
“Well, we must face a new reality. No more carefree days of chasing squirrels, running through the park, or howling at the moon. On the other hand, no more ‘Fetch the stick, boy,
fetch the stick.’”
fetch the stick.’”
January 3, 2026 at 3:04 PM
“Well, we must face a new reality. No more carefree days of chasing squirrels, running through the park, or howling at the moon. On the other hand, no more ‘Fetch the stick, boy,
fetch the stick.’”
fetch the stick.’”
As a young television researcher I had to phone novelist Ian Rankin about his appearance in a forthcoming series. Opening the call, I ask him if it was a nice day in North Queensferry. He was somewhat miffed that I had confused his home for that of fellow Scots novelist Iain Banks. Oops. Sorry Ian.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM
As a young television researcher I had to phone novelist Ian Rankin about his appearance in a forthcoming series. Opening the call, I ask him if it was a nice day in North Queensferry. He was somewhat miffed that I had confused his home for that of fellow Scots novelist Iain Banks. Oops. Sorry Ian.
I once stood across the same television greenroom from Robert Plant, each of us eating Refresher Chew lollypops. While he regaled the assembled with his love of that particular confectionary, I could only look on in tacit agreement, with little to add to the conversation.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 30, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I once stood across the same television greenroom from Robert Plant, each of us eating Refresher Chew lollypops. While he regaled the assembled with his love of that particular confectionary, I could only look on in tacit agreement, with little to add to the conversation.
Reposted by David Aitken
The Agnes Owens Archive opens January 2026, celebrating one of Scotland’s most distinctive literary voices. Marking her centenary, a programme of events and free guided tours will be announced soon. #AgnesOwens
December 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
The Agnes Owens Archive opens January 2026, celebrating one of Scotland’s most distinctive literary voices. Marking her centenary, a programme of events and free guided tours will be announced soon. #AgnesOwens
Reposted by David Aitken
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
Reposted by David Aitken
People ask me why I'm publishing on Amazon, who are indisputably evil. They say I should publish via an ethical company.
So here's why.
I've published 3 Sunday Times Bestsellers through ethical publishers, and made - drum roll - absolutely zero. Literally not one penny.
In fact ...
So here's why.
I've published 3 Sunday Times Bestsellers through ethical publishers, and made - drum roll - absolutely zero. Literally not one penny.
In fact ...
December 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
People ask me why I'm publishing on Amazon, who are indisputably evil. They say I should publish via an ethical company.
So here's why.
I've published 3 Sunday Times Bestsellers through ethical publishers, and made - drum roll - absolutely zero. Literally not one penny.
In fact ...
So here's why.
I've published 3 Sunday Times Bestsellers through ethical publishers, and made - drum roll - absolutely zero. Literally not one penny.
In fact ...
Reposted by David Aitken
The album I've listened to most this year is this one and I think it stands up pretty well 😊 #5albums25
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com/album/old-so...
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com/album/old-so...
Old Songs for Kids, by The Family Grave
10 track album
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The album I've listened to most this year is this one and I think it stands up pretty well 😊 #5albums25
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com/album/old-so...
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com/album/old-so...
21 fabulously freaky fictions.
Definitely not recommended for readers of a nervous disposition.
#booksky
#HorrorFiction
#FolkHorror
Definitely not recommended for readers of a nervous disposition.
#booksky
#HorrorFiction
#FolkHorror
A mansion house that holds a dark secret; a woman trapped inside a picture frame; a shadow that is always one step behind you and never goes away; a ouija board that conjures up something terrifying; a haunting in Venice – all these and more terrifying tales lurk between these pages...
December 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
21 fabulously freaky fictions.
Definitely not recommended for readers of a nervous disposition.
#booksky
#HorrorFiction
#FolkHorror
Definitely not recommended for readers of a nervous disposition.
#booksky
#HorrorFiction
#FolkHorror
Reposted by David Aitken
🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid.
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid.
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
Should also mention that all profits from this collection of creepy tales will be donated to the PD James Memorial Fund, a charity that helps retired authors in financial hardship.
www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
December 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Should also mention that all profits from this collection of creepy tales will be donated to the PD James Memorial Fund, a charity that helps retired authors in financial hardship.
www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...