𝕵𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖆𝖓 𝕬𝖈𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖆
@jordanacosta.co
🇬🇧/🇵🇭 Speculative fiction writer and Creative Director at @unseenhistories.com – rep'd by @jjbker.bsky.social.
https://www.jordanacosta.co
https://www.jordanacosta.co
Reposted by 𝕵𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖆𝖓 𝕬𝖈𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖆
This is interesting, because while everything about it is absurdly disrespectful, it sets quite a high price on the training value of a novel (if you make a rough equivalence about work done) to use as a benchmark for (say) future litigation.
X is hiring a creative writing specialist at $40 an hour to make Grok better at writing and a true LOL at the qualifications
January 30, 2026 at 8:27 PM
This is interesting, because while everything about it is absurdly disrespectful, it sets quite a high price on the training value of a novel (if you make a rough equivalence about work done) to use as a benchmark for (say) future litigation.
Reposted by 𝕵𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖆𝖓 𝕬𝖈𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖆
Yep. This is why pre-ordering, requesting from libraries or even just shelving the books youre interested in can be critical for an author, something I touch on in my latest blog post.
wtalabi.wordpress.com/2026/01/29/p...
wtalabi.wordpress.com/2026/01/29/p...
ICYDK, publishing is in a decline. Many authors who have had dependable contracts in the past are now scrambling to make ends meet and seeing lower advances and fewer sales than ever. If you see lots of book publicity posts, it's because we're scared and trying to keep our jobs during The Horrors.
January 29, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Yep. This is why pre-ordering, requesting from libraries or even just shelving the books youre interested in can be critical for an author, something I touch on in my latest blog post.
wtalabi.wordpress.com/2026/01/29/p...
wtalabi.wordpress.com/2026/01/29/p...
Couldn’t relate to this more. Without glasses I can’t read text unless it’s absolutely huge due to my astigmatism. And no, laser eye surgery doesn’t correct it nor does a high strength lens.
Without glasses I’d be effectively housebound 🤷🏻♀️
At my level of nearsightedness and astigmatism, getting on the right bus when I can’t make out the numbers is super iffy.
It’s even iffy with the glasses when I’m tired, so.
At my level of nearsightedness and astigmatism, getting on the right bus when I can’t make out the numbers is super iffy.
It’s even iffy with the glasses when I’m tired, so.
A few hundred years ago, and even today in some parts of the world, having poor vision was a major disability. Glasses made poor vision a minor inconvenience instead.
Other disabilities still exist because we live in places that don't accommodate our body's needs.
Other disabilities still exist because we live in places that don't accommodate our body's needs.
January 20, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Couldn’t relate to this more. Without glasses I can’t read text unless it’s absolutely huge due to my astigmatism. And no, laser eye surgery doesn’t correct it nor does a high strength lens.
Reposted by 𝕵𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖆𝖓 𝕬𝖈𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖆
It is important to know that I wrote a whole trilogy of Knights vs UFO books, they are gorgeous, they are wonderful, and they are now also cheap.
They open with a swordfight in the shadow of a dead god and arcane lightning. Juntas, iguana-folk, animist wizards...
www.amazon.co.uk/Gauntlet-Fis...
They open with a swordfight in the shadow of a dead god and arcane lightning. Juntas, iguana-folk, animist wizards...
www.amazon.co.uk/Gauntlet-Fis...
January 14, 2026 at 1:44 PM
It is important to know that I wrote a whole trilogy of Knights vs UFO books, they are gorgeous, they are wonderful, and they are now also cheap.
They open with a swordfight in the shadow of a dead god and arcane lightning. Juntas, iguana-folk, animist wizards...
www.amazon.co.uk/Gauntlet-Fis...
They open with a swordfight in the shadow of a dead god and arcane lightning. Juntas, iguana-folk, animist wizards...
www.amazon.co.uk/Gauntlet-Fis...
Many thanks to @nigella.bsky.social for throwing in the actual pancake recipe I lost ages ago. Can’t wait to make them again!
And here’s the recipe for the homemade instant pancake mix! www.nigella.com/recipes/home...
January 10, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Many thanks to @nigella.bsky.social for throwing in the actual pancake recipe I lost ages ago. Can’t wait to make them again!
The guy is a genius.
I’ve been listening to some bluegrass music while walking to work. This is a fantastic song with lovely lyrics. Billy Strings is a master of the strings.
Billy Strings - "Gild the Lily" (Apple Music Sessions)
YouTube video by Billy Strings
youtu.be
January 8, 2026 at 4:31 AM
The guy is a genius.
My favourite fact about Nickelback is the fact that ‘Rockstar’ was licensed to be in a now banned sofa advert for DFS. Incredibly, it wasn’t because the song, the band and the advert are terrible, but the Advertising Standards Authority noted the sofas were a third larger in the ad than real life.
January 7, 2026 at 11:36 PM
My favourite fact about Nickelback is the fact that ‘Rockstar’ was licensed to be in a now banned sofa advert for DFS. Incredibly, it wasn’t because the song, the band and the advert are terrible, but the Advertising Standards Authority noted the sofas were a third larger in the ad than real life.
A timely reminder for writers to push for no-ai clauses for editing or foreign translations.
Wild that it's just normal now for entire industries to despise the source of their revenue.
Harlequin France is firing its human translators and replacing them with—welp, you guessed it.
Harlequin France, which is owned by HarperCollins, has just confirmed that they’re shifting away from human translators with an eye to robot replacements. As The Bookseller reported this morn…
lithub.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:10 PM
A timely reminder for writers to push for no-ai clauses for editing or foreign translations.
This is inspired.
This Christmas I've cooked, cleaned and run around after our entire extended family. My other half has done fuck all, except sit and complete a very tricky 1000 piece jigsaw. Unfortunately when they get to the end, they'll find it's now a 999 piece jigsaw. I ate a piece in spite
January 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM
This is inspired.
Reposted by 𝕵𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖆𝖓 𝕬𝖈𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖆
Love this ❤️❤️❤️
January 2, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Love this ❤️❤️❤️
I happen to think @kristiedegaris.bsky.social is one of the most vital and relevant writers whose thoughts are challenging and refreshing in equal measure. Her book Drystone was one of my most important reads of 2025 and she continues to write brilliant essays.
Worth a read👇
Worth a read👇
New year, no reset.
A short essay on continuation, constraint, and why ‘fresh starts’ don’t work for everyone.
kristiedegaris.substack.com/p/on-not-beg...
#Scotland #Writing #WritingCommunity #Reading #Books #UK
A short essay on continuation, constraint, and why ‘fresh starts’ don’t work for everyone.
kristiedegaris.substack.com/p/on-not-beg...
#Scotland #Writing #WritingCommunity #Reading #Books #UK
January 2, 2026 at 10:58 AM
I happen to think @kristiedegaris.bsky.social is one of the most vital and relevant writers whose thoughts are challenging and refreshing in equal measure. Her book Drystone was one of my most important reads of 2025 and she continues to write brilliant essays.
Worth a read👇
Worth a read👇
First read of 2026 – The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. I began the book ages ago but for reasons didn’t get round to finishing, so I decided to start from the beginning. A unique exploration of the English class system and the notion of duty.
Charming and disturbing in equal measure.
Charming and disturbing in equal measure.
January 1, 2026 at 10:23 AM
First read of 2026 – The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro. I began the book ages ago but for reasons didn’t get round to finishing, so I decided to start from the beginning. A unique exploration of the English class system and the notion of duty.
Charming and disturbing in equal measure.
Charming and disturbing in equal measure.
One of mine: not all first lines and pages have to be ‘hooky’ or ‘explosive’. My favourite books have nothing of the sort.
This set of observations is produced by my scrolling Reddit and otherwise listening to people talk about "how to write."
A) there is no requirement that any of your characters has any sort of "arc" let alone a redemption.
B) there is also no requirement that your fiction has a plot.
A) there is no requirement that any of your characters has any sort of "arc" let alone a redemption.
B) there is also no requirement that your fiction has a plot.
January 1, 2026 at 10:13 AM
One of mine: not all first lines and pages have to be ‘hooky’ or ‘explosive’. My favourite books have nothing of the sort.
“In her many years of quiet devotion and in the dignity with which she endured so much, Giménez was a rare blaze of grace and humility in an ever-darker, ever-crueller world. That – and not Monkey Christ – was her life’s work and its legacy.”
Cecilia Giménez’s botched Monkey Christ became a global meme. The real marvel was the humble, graceful woman behind it | Sam Jones
Cecilia Giménez’s botched Monkey Christ became a global meme. The real marvel was the humble, graceful woman behind it | Sam Jones
The restorer, who died on Monday, brought unwanted attention to herself – and her small Spanish town. Then, slowly, a small miracle took place, says Sam Jones, the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:04 AM
“In her many years of quiet devotion and in the dignity with which she endured so much, Giménez was a rare blaze of grace and humility in an ever-darker, ever-crueller world. That – and not Monkey Christ – was her life’s work and its legacy.”
Early on in my writing career at the very first writing thing I went to in order to learn the craft, a well known and respected author shat all over me. I very much wanted to give up but I’m glad I didn’t. Every day since has been a learning curve and I’m so pleased I have readers I trust now.
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 23:
We're all on a learning curve. Every writer, at whatever stage of their career - is on a learning curve. The minute you forget that - either to shit on a less experienced writer, or to refuse to be edited, or to ignore criticism - is the moment you start to suck.
We're all on a learning curve. Every writer, at whatever stage of their career - is on a learning curve. The minute you forget that - either to shit on a less experienced writer, or to refuse to be edited, or to ignore criticism - is the moment you start to suck.
December 31, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Early on in my writing career at the very first writing thing I went to in order to learn the craft, a well known and respected author shat all over me. I very much wanted to give up but I’m glad I didn’t. Every day since has been a learning curve and I’m so pleased I have readers I trust now.
I totally used overmorrow in my new novel. Absolutely bringing this one back.
Ok team, we can bring these words back into usage! 💪
Overmorrow = the day after tomorrow
Ereyesterday = the day before yesterday
We ahould have been using such excellent words ereyesterday, but if we start now we’ll be glad overmorrow!
Overmorrow = the day after tomorrow
Ereyesterday = the day before yesterday
We ahould have been using such excellent words ereyesterday, but if we start now we’ll be glad overmorrow!
You can be the change you want to see in the English language!
December 31, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I totally used overmorrow in my new novel. Absolutely bringing this one back.
Reposted by 𝕵𝖔𝖗𝖉𝖆𝖓 𝕬𝖈𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖆
Wanna see real-life miracles? Fund scientific research.
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
Alzheimer's Fully Reversed in Mice, Scientists Say
A new compound has been shown to reverse late stage Alzheimer's disease in lab mice, which gives millions of sufferers new cause for hope.
futurism.com
December 31, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Wanna see real-life miracles? Fund scientific research.
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
A team of US scientists just cured Alzheimer’s in mice — and there is now hope that the disease can be reversed in humans.
futurism.com/health-medic...
As an aside, if you wanted this and other photographs like this in high resolution and in colour, I worked with Unsplash and the Library of Congress to make them available for the first time in colour, for free. 👇
unsplash.com/collections/...
unsplash.com/collections/...
December 31, 2025 at 11:57 AM
As an aside, if you wanted this and other photographs like this in high resolution and in colour, I worked with Unsplash and the Library of Congress to make them available for the first time in colour, for free. 👇
unsplash.com/collections/...
unsplash.com/collections/...
“Bouvat-Merlin says he was drawn to Sauron by both the mission and an opportunity to solve a real customer problem.”
I suppose dominion over all living things counts as a ‘customer problem’.
I suppose dominion over all living things counts as a ‘customer problem’.
Sauron is appearing on the scene as concerns rise about crime among the most wealthy.
Sauron, the high-end home security startup for "super premium" customers, plucks a new CEO out of Sonos | TechCrunch
Sauron is appearing on the scene as concerns rise about crime among the most wealthy.
techcrunch.com
December 29, 2025 at 7:17 AM
“Bouvat-Merlin says he was drawn to Sauron by both the mission and an opportunity to solve a real customer problem.”
I suppose dominion over all living things counts as a ‘customer problem’.
I suppose dominion over all living things counts as a ‘customer problem’.
True Detective S1 is still the pinnacle of television for me, and I’m so pleased it introduced a new generation of readers to Robert W. Chambers’ seminal anthology, The King in Yellow.
How many times is it acceptable to rewatch True Detective in a year. I should resist. I can't just drop everything to watch it again just because I talked myself into it. That's foolish
December 29, 2025 at 3:07 AM
True Detective S1 is still the pinnacle of television for me, and I’m so pleased it introduced a new generation of readers to Robert W. Chambers’ seminal anthology, The King in Yellow.
The end of year history book review has arrived!👇
Christmas Day lies dead ahead! Here are ten of our favourite history books published over the past year, with entries from @ianleslie.bsky.social, @drjoannepaul.bsky.social, @rooneyvision.bsky.social, @shafikmeghji.bsky.social, @highamnews.bsky.social and more👇
Happy Christmas, all! 🎄
Happy Christmas, all! 🎄
Our favourite history books of 2025 - Unseen Histories
Looking for a history book this Christmas? Here's a list of our favourites.
www.unseenhistories.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:07 AM
The end of year history book review has arrived!👇
Management is looking for *any* excuse to compromise worker pay or conditions in the interest of convenience👇
There are many people who simply do not understand the stakes and either understate or overstate them. The issue is not that AI will replace writers or w/e: it can't. The issue is that AI will make our working conditions significantly worse and harm the development of new artists in our fields.
December 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Management is looking for *any* excuse to compromise worker pay or conditions in the interest of convenience👇
I bloody loved Sinners when it came out but hearing director Ryan Coogler talk about the technical aspects of the shoot is simply incredible: knowledgeable, enthusiastic and completely devoid of ego. Worth a watch.
youtu.be/78Ru62uFM0s?...
youtu.be/78Ru62uFM0s?...
Aspect Ratios with Sinners Director Ryan Coogler
YouTube video by Kodak
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I bloody loved Sinners when it came out but hearing director Ryan Coogler talk about the technical aspects of the shoot is simply incredible: knowledgeable, enthusiastic and completely devoid of ego. Worth a watch.
youtu.be/78Ru62uFM0s?...
youtu.be/78Ru62uFM0s?...
Over the last year I’ve come to the conclusion that creation and curation is an act of rebellion. Write. Paint. Draw. Make. There is no inevitability to the digital asbestos generated by these companies run by sociopaths if we quietly refuse to use their products.
"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 21, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Over the last year I’ve come to the conclusion that creation and curation is an act of rebellion. Write. Paint. Draw. Make. There is no inevitability to the digital asbestos generated by these companies run by sociopaths if we quietly refuse to use their products.