John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
@jrberkeley.bsky.social
John (he/him) aka. John Berkeley; Leovinas. UK-based writer of SFF, player of RPGs, Classics/archaeology/ancient history PhD, process/telecoms specialist.
The sort of gay lefty Liberal your mother warned you about. Views my own, etc. (no TERFs or AI, ta)
The sort of gay lefty Liberal your mother warned you about. Views my own, etc. (no TERFs or AI, ta)
Pinned
I'm still not over seeing my name in print - and yes, this is a shameless plug for the IWTTO collection from @bonabooks.bsky.social, which includes my first published short story.
It's a very fun collection of the queer pulp SFF stories you never realised you needed. And it's now on sale! 😁
It's a very fun collection of the queer pulp SFF stories you never realised you needed. And it's now on sale! 😁
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
When the Coen Brothers remade The Ladykillers, another Ealing black comedy starring Alec Guinness, it was roughly 0.01% as good as the original.
Without wishing to cast aspersions on John Patton Ford, the director of this, I somehow doubt he's a Coen-level filmmaker.
Without wishing to cast aspersions on John Patton Ford, the director of this, I somehow doubt he's a Coen-level filmmaker.
I need everyone to know that the forthcoming Glen Powell movie, How to Make a Killing, is a modern American remake of one of my all-time favourite films, the classic British black comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), and I am *seething,* because there’s zero chance it does the original justice.
February 17, 2026 at 10:23 AM
When the Coen Brothers remade The Ladykillers, another Ealing black comedy starring Alec Guinness, it was roughly 0.01% as good as the original.
Without wishing to cast aspersions on John Patton Ford, the director of this, I somehow doubt he's a Coen-level filmmaker.
Without wishing to cast aspersions on John Patton Ford, the director of this, I somehow doubt he's a Coen-level filmmaker.
I am always on the lookout for new books to read, and while I usually focus on SFF, I have to say, I'm very much enjoying the Delamere Files. The setting and character work is particularly good - Jackson Marsh has an excellent sense of voice.
Ulysses reviews Finding A Way by Jackson Marsh
"I’ve just discovered this marvelous series and have become an instant fan. By the end of this book, I was thoroughly addicted. 5 stars."
www.queeromanceink.com/2026/01/23/r...
#Historical #BookReview @jacksonmarsh.bsky.social
"I’ve just discovered this marvelous series and have become an instant fan. By the end of this book, I was thoroughly addicted. 5 stars."
www.queeromanceink.com/2026/01/23/r...
#Historical #BookReview @jacksonmarsh.bsky.social
Review: Finding a Way – Jackson Marsh
Genre: Historical LGBTQ+ Category: Gay Reviewer: Ulysses Get It On Amazon About The Book It began with a man sobbing in the night. When London cabman, Jack Merrit, falls victim to a ruthless robbery, ...
www.queeromanceink.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:54 AM
I am always on the lookout for new books to read, and while I usually focus on SFF, I have to say, I'm very much enjoying the Delamere Files. The setting and character work is particularly good - Jackson Marsh has an excellent sense of voice.
Woke up with a stonking opening scene in my head for... something.
Will at least write it to see if it can go anywhere, or whether it needs to join other things in the rosewood box for the time being.
Will at least write it to see if it can go anywhere, or whether it needs to join other things in the rosewood box for the time being.
a woman in a white hat sits at a table with a plate and fork
Alt: Mary Poppins drums her fingers dramatically on a table, while pursing her lips sternly. This is the scene where she's being waited on by the penguins at the cartoon afternoon-tea.
media.tenor.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Woke up with a stonking opening scene in my head for... something.
Will at least write it to see if it can go anywhere, or whether it needs to join other things in the rosewood box for the time being.
Will at least write it to see if it can go anywhere, or whether it needs to join other things in the rosewood box for the time being.
Happy birthday, AK! 🎉
It's my birthday, hurrah! For my birthday I'd really love as many shares on this post as we can make happen!
Hi, I'm AK, and I write exceedingly queer books! Feel free to ask me about them!
ravenswordpress.com
Hi, I'm AK, and I write exceedingly queer books! Feel free to ask me about them!
ravenswordpress.com
Ravensword Press
The queer books your parents warned you about!
ravenswordpress.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Happy birthday, AK! 🎉
Ah, yes, Pink Hallowe'en, per @nigella.bsky.social. This is your annual reminder that Saint Valentine is (also) patron saint of the plague. And bees and epilepsy.
(Artwork by the talented Ludwig van Bacon, who doesn't appear to be on Bluesky)
(Artwork by the talented Ludwig van Bacon, who doesn't appear to be on Bluesky)
February 14, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Ah, yes, Pink Hallowe'en, per @nigella.bsky.social. This is your annual reminder that Saint Valentine is (also) patron saint of the plague. And bees and epilepsy.
(Artwork by the talented Ludwig van Bacon, who doesn't appear to be on Bluesky)
(Artwork by the talented Ludwig van Bacon, who doesn't appear to be on Bluesky)
Memes were doing the rounds the other day about how the Winter Olympics are the death-defying night to the Summer Olympics' day.
And even so, I was *not* prepared for the drone's-eye-view of the skeleton runs - you know, the one where they go at 74 mph head-first down an ice slide. Yeah. ...Gods.
And even so, I was *not* prepared for the drone's-eye-view of the skeleton runs - you know, the one where they go at 74 mph head-first down an ice slide. Yeah. ...Gods.
February 13, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Memes were doing the rounds the other day about how the Winter Olympics are the death-defying night to the Summer Olympics' day.
And even so, I was *not* prepared for the drone's-eye-view of the skeleton runs - you know, the one where they go at 74 mph head-first down an ice slide. Yeah. ...Gods.
And even so, I was *not* prepared for the drone's-eye-view of the skeleton runs - you know, the one where they go at 74 mph head-first down an ice slide. Yeah. ...Gods.
Sigh.
Like, I'm ready for my fully-automated luxury gay space communism now, but honestly, right now, I'd settle for partly-manual mid-range bisexual air social democracy instead.
Like, I'm ready for my fully-automated luxury gay space communism now, but honestly, right now, I'd settle for partly-manual mid-range bisexual air social democracy instead.
February 12, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Sigh.
Like, I'm ready for my fully-automated luxury gay space communism now, but honestly, right now, I'd settle for partly-manual mid-range bisexual air social democracy instead.
Like, I'm ready for my fully-automated luxury gay space communism now, but honestly, right now, I'd settle for partly-manual mid-range bisexual air social democracy instead.
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
If you know anyone who's ever come to the UK to live alongside you, and you'd either miss them if they were gone, or at the very least reckon they deserve to be treated humanely, please put aside some time to fill this in.
February 12, 2026 at 9:29 AM
If you know anyone who's ever come to the UK to live alongside you, and you'd either miss them if they were gone, or at the very least reckon they deserve to be treated humanely, please put aside some time to fill this in.
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
Fascinating and deeply satisfying resolution to why adenovirus-based vaccines produced blood clots in 1 out of 200,000 people.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Five years after the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines started, it seems the mystery of why the Astra-Zeneca and J&J vaccines led to a rare but deadly side effect of unusual blood clots and bleeding has finally been solved.
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
It's a fascinating case of molecular mimicry that may help make vaccine safer.🧪
Rare, dangerous side effects of some COVID-19 vaccines explained
“Groundbreaking” study uncovers why adenovirus-based shots caused life-threatening blood clots and bleeding in some people
www.science.org
February 11, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Fascinating and deeply satisfying resolution to why adenovirus-based vaccines produced blood clots in 1 out of 200,000 people.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Two factors interacted:
a mutation in an antibody gene + weak similarities between a viral protein & a human blood-clotting protein = induced clotting cascade.
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
Khaless wept, if this isn't a fucking word.
"...that place you're softly stepping your way towards is full of the bodies of our dead friends, put there by folks just asking questions about our humanity."
"...that place you're softly stepping your way towards is full of the bodies of our dead friends, put there by folks just asking questions about our humanity."
We are hostile to anyone being less than supportive because we understand where this two step you're doing into transphobia leads.
And that place you're softly stepping your way towards is full of the bodies of our dead friends, put there by folks just asking questions about our humanity.
And that place you're softly stepping your way towards is full of the bodies of our dead friends, put there by folks just asking questions about our humanity.
February 12, 2026 at 5:39 AM
Khaless wept, if this isn't a fucking word.
"...that place you're softly stepping your way towards is full of the bodies of our dead friends, put there by folks just asking questions about our humanity."
"...that place you're softly stepping your way towards is full of the bodies of our dead friends, put there by folks just asking questions about our humanity."
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
Someone on Threads coined ai;dr and YES YES YES!! Brilliant.
February 11, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Someone on Threads coined ai;dr and YES YES YES!! Brilliant.
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
AI is sold as if it’s going to make our lives better but all it seems to do is steal the lives we have and want. Less an opportunity and more an intruder. “You know all those things you already do fine and maybe even like doing? YEAH NOW AI’S DOING THAT, DIPSHIT. ISN’T THAT AWESOME? NO? SHUT UP.”
February 11, 2026 at 7:54 PM
AI is sold as if it’s going to make our lives better but all it seems to do is steal the lives we have and want. Less an opportunity and more an intruder. “You know all those things you already do fine and maybe even like doing? YEAH NOW AI’S DOING THAT, DIPSHIT. ISN’T THAT AWESOME? NO? SHUT UP.”
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
The problem is, the hype of AI is always so clearly manufactured. It’s sold as essential but mysteriously so — rarely is it portrayed as making life better; it’s sold as doing things WE want to keep doing. We want it to inventory our fridge and detect cancer, not make music and replace us at work.
I understand why people are exhausted by AI hype, and why those of us squarely in the corner of "human dignity uber alles" see AI doomerism as self-serving hype, but I *really* think people on the left broadly need to start thinking seriously about the possibiltiy of the hype being...true.
February 11, 2026 at 7:46 PM
The problem is, the hype of AI is always so clearly manufactured. It’s sold as essential but mysteriously so — rarely is it portrayed as making life better; it’s sold as doing things WE want to keep doing. We want it to inventory our fridge and detect cancer, not make music and replace us at work.
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
Don't give anything an Emmy until it's as good as this.
February 11, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Don't give anything an Emmy until it's as good as this.
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
People Keir Starmer has hired, then fired for stuff he knew about when he hired them, a thread and a list:
1. Tulip Siddiq, given the economic crime brief, despite her aunt being PM of Bangladesh and mired in corruption allegations. Siddiq herself had faced questions over London properties.
1. Tulip Siddiq, given the economic crime brief, despite her aunt being PM of Bangladesh and mired in corruption allegations. Siddiq herself had faced questions over London properties.
February 11, 2026 at 1:37 PM
People Keir Starmer has hired, then fired for stuff he knew about when he hired them, a thread and a list:
1. Tulip Siddiq, given the economic crime brief, despite her aunt being PM of Bangladesh and mired in corruption allegations. Siddiq herself had faced questions over London properties.
1. Tulip Siddiq, given the economic crime brief, despite her aunt being PM of Bangladesh and mired in corruption allegations. Siddiq herself had faced questions over London properties.
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
Said it before, and I’ll say it again, but for people like me, this would be transformative - it would stabilise our incomes, and allow us to plough more time into creative work and less into stuff anyone could be doing.
AND it’s a net economic benefit to the country.
AND it’s a net economic benefit to the country.
February 11, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Said it before, and I’ll say it again, but for people like me, this would be transformative - it would stabilise our incomes, and allow us to plough more time into creative work and less into stuff anyone could be doing.
AND it’s a net economic benefit to the country.
AND it’s a net economic benefit to the country.
Introduce yourself with the name your parents almost gave you:
So, my parents argued about a girl's name for 7 months before finally settling on Eleanor...
...and I was promptly 2 months premature - so in a mad last-minute rush, Mum gave me Dad's first name with her family name as a middle name. 😅
So, my parents argued about a girl's name for 7 months before finally settling on Eleanor...
...and I was promptly 2 months premature - so in a mad last-minute rush, Mum gave me Dad's first name with her family name as a middle name. 😅
Introduce yourself with the name your parents almost gave you:
My mum wanted me to be Tamsyn, which my dad vetoed with "don't be silly, she'll get 'Tampon' at school"
My dad wanted me to be Beryl [the peril] Minnie [the minx] which i think would've suited me
They compromised on Jennifer
My mum wanted me to be Tamsyn, which my dad vetoed with "don't be silly, she'll get 'Tampon' at school"
My dad wanted me to be Beryl [the peril] Minnie [the minx] which i think would've suited me
They compromised on Jennifer
Introduce yourself with the name your parents almost gave you:
Wilfred. It’s why I use it.
Although I do joke sometimes that I’m named for my *mum’s* favourite gay WWI poet, if I were named for my *dad’s* it would be Siegfried.
Wilfred. It’s why I use it.
Although I do joke sometimes that I’m named for my *mum’s* favourite gay WWI poet, if I were named for my *dad’s* it would be Siegfried.
February 11, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Introduce yourself with the name your parents almost gave you:
So, my parents argued about a girl's name for 7 months before finally settling on Eleanor...
...and I was promptly 2 months premature - so in a mad last-minute rush, Mum gave me Dad's first name with her family name as a middle name. 😅
So, my parents argued about a girl's name for 7 months before finally settling on Eleanor...
...and I was promptly 2 months premature - so in a mad last-minute rush, Mum gave me Dad's first name with her family name as a middle name. 😅
Good. Now do the Home Office.
🚨BREAKING: Lib Dems announce plan to replace Treasury with new Department for Growth based in Birmingham.
It's time to get Britain growing again.
It's time to get Britain growing again.
February 11, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Good. Now do the Home Office.
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
I had an informative chat with Not in Our Name in Parliament about their work to support for the Trans+ community. I have signed their pledge. @nionwomen.bsky.social
February 10, 2026 at 2:47 PM
I had an informative chat with Not in Our Name in Parliament about their work to support for the Trans+ community. I have signed their pledge. @nionwomen.bsky.social
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
SARWAR: [loudly] I AM SPARTACUS!
[awaiting applause]
SARWAR: [quieter] I...I am Spartacus?
[crickets]
SARWAR: Anyone... Anyone else feeling like Spartacus right now?
REST OF LABOUR: lol get a load of Spartacus over there
[awaiting applause]
SARWAR: [quieter] I...I am Spartacus?
[crickets]
SARWAR: Anyone... Anyone else feeling like Spartacus right now?
REST OF LABOUR: lol get a load of Spartacus over there
February 9, 2026 at 4:14 PM
SARWAR: [loudly] I AM SPARTACUS!
[awaiting applause]
SARWAR: [quieter] I...I am Spartacus?
[crickets]
SARWAR: Anyone... Anyone else feeling like Spartacus right now?
REST OF LABOUR: lol get a load of Spartacus over there
[awaiting applause]
SARWAR: [quieter] I...I am Spartacus?
[crickets]
SARWAR: Anyone... Anyone else feeling like Spartacus right now?
REST OF LABOUR: lol get a load of Spartacus over there
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
This is for 18+ groups for now. But we all know how this goes. The 18+, then the queer groups, which are considered 18+ by default. This killed Yahoo Groups and LiveJournal.
Discord is going to demand every account use facial recognition or give them our real ID in March.
Let's write them right now and explain how much "no."
support.discord.com/hc/en-us/art...
Let's write them right now and explain how much "no."
support.discord.com/hc/en-us/art...
How to Complete Age Assurance on Discord
Important: Starting in March, we’ll be expanding our teen-by-default experience and bringing age assurance to users globally as part of our broader effort to support age-appropriate experiences on ...
support.discord.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:24 PM
This is for 18+ groups for now. But we all know how this goes. The 18+, then the queer groups, which are considered 18+ by default. This killed Yahoo Groups and LiveJournal.
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
I'm convinced AI is our generation's radium - a discovery with genuinely useful applications in specific, controlled circumstances that we stupidly put in everything from kid's toys to toothpaste until we realised the harm far too late where future generations will ask if we were out of our minds.
February 8, 2026 at 10:23 PM
I'm convinced AI is our generation's radium - a discovery with genuinely useful applications in specific, controlled circumstances that we stupidly put in everything from kid's toys to toothpaste until we realised the harm far too late where future generations will ask if we were out of our minds.
I've just backed @neonhemlock.bsky.social's What Elegant Stars on @kickstarter.com - and you should too if you like the sound of queer space opera with a fashion bent.
They need to raise another $4k US / £4k Sterling and it'd be a tragedy if they fall short! 🌈🦚💃🚀📚
#booksky #queer
They need to raise another $4k US / £4k Sterling and it'd be a tragedy if they fall short! 🌈🦚💃🚀📚
#booksky #queer
What Elegant Stars
Queer Tales of Impossible Style, a fashionable space opera anthology.
www.kickstarter.com
February 8, 2026 at 10:59 PM
I've just backed @neonhemlock.bsky.social's What Elegant Stars on @kickstarter.com - and you should too if you like the sound of queer space opera with a fashion bent.
They need to raise another $4k US / £4k Sterling and it'd be a tragedy if they fall short! 🌈🦚💃🚀📚
#booksky #queer
They need to raise another $4k US / £4k Sterling and it'd be a tragedy if they fall short! 🌈🦚💃🚀📚
#booksky #queer
Reposted by John Berkeley Grout 🏳️🌈🔶
the idea that making art is embarrassing if you don't do it well enough to make a career out of it is an objectively harmful and toxic brainworm.
An opinion I pretty firmly hold is that everyone should make a song, paint a painting, act in something, and write a book even if all of those things end up being objectively terrible
February 8, 2026 at 10:26 AM
the idea that making art is embarrassing if you don't do it well enough to make a career out of it is an objectively harmful and toxic brainworm.