Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Copenhagen 2030 - A Eurocon Bid @copenhagen2030.bsky.social · 3d

We're throwing our hat in the ring to host Eurocon 2030 in the fantastical city of Copenhagen! Accessible transport, stunning sights, and a commitment to sustainability, Copenhagen promises an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

Support our bid, and be part of an incredible adventure!

A blue silhuette of the Copenhagen skyline with a rocketship, a dragon and some tentacles added, in front of a picture of the Cat's Paw Nebula picture taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. Text reads: Copenhagen 2030, a Eurocon bid, f: Copenhagen2030, ig: copenhagen_2030, bsky: well, you're already here.

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 11d

Hotel Booking Open to General Members.

If you are a registered member of Iridescence you should have received an email with booking instructions.

Please check your spam if it isn't in your inbox.

If you've any questions please email [email protected]

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 16d

OCTOTHORPE 144 IS THE LAW. As well as a pleasing rhyme, listeners will know this heralds the episode on 2012’s DREDD! We hope you enjoy the episode, and remember: until your assessment is formally over, you’re still entitled to dispense justice. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/144-i-have...

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 16d

Reminder that hotel booking will open to the general membership on the 30th September.

Booking information will only be sent to registered members so if you've not joined the convention yet then now is a great time to do so.

Join or check your registration via eastercon2026.org/register

Please confirm your email address | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 19d

Iridescence Bursary Scheme Now Open

Need support with attending Iridescence? We’ve got a bursary scheme to help.

The scheme is open to anyone in the UK or Ireland.

First deadline: 31 October 2025

Full details and the application form eastercon2026.org/bursary-sche...

Bursary Scheme Policy | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 20d

There are roles both pre-con or at-con. There is no minimum contribution, be it for on an hour or the whole weekend, your contribution makes a real difference.

Come join the team and be part of the con spirit!

Any questions then don't hesitate to email [email protected]

Volunteering | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 20d

We are looking for volunteers.
Volunteering is at the heart of Eastercon. It is what makes the convention possible!

By giving a little of your time, you help shape the experience for everyone while joining a welcoming, creative community.

The form is on our website eastercon2026.org/volunteering

Phoenix in red and yellow flames rising above white text “Volunteer Iridescence eastercon2026.org”

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Farah Mendlesohn @effjayem.bsky.social · 22d

It's clearly my month to be on podcasts.

This time I'm talking about fiction about the English Civil Wars.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Creating Memory – Historical Fiction and the English Civil Wars

Podcast Episode · The World Turned Upside Down - The British Civil Wars 1638-1651 · 19/09/2025 · 32m

podcasts.apple.com

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 24d

Apply now to secure your spot and be part of one of the busiest, most vibrant parts of the convention!

Deadline for applications: 31st January 2026

Any questions email [email protected]

Dealers | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 24d

Dealers applications launched!

Step into the excitement of the Iridescence Dealers’ Room and bring your artistry and merchandise to an eager audience ready to discover something new and wonderful.

Form to apply can be found on our webpage eastercon2026.org/dealers

Dealers | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 24d

Come be part of the celebration of our community and reserve your fan table slot now.

Form to apply can be found on our webpage eastercon2026.org/fan-tables

Deadline for applications: 31st January 2026

Any questions email [email protected]

Fan Tables | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 24d

Fan table applications launched

Fans are the heart of Iridescence, the passion and glue that keeps our community together. So, whether you’re representing a club, a project, or a cause, fan tables are a place to gather, share, and celebrate what makes fandom special.

Fan Tables | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Dr Tiffani Angus @tiffaniangus.bsky.social · 24d

If you're a newbie writer but not reading established authors' newsletters, why not? @matociquala.bsky.social's recent "Networking is just making friends, a how-to guide to conventioning for authors" is full of VITAL info to help you progress & avoid embarrassment. buttondown.com/matociquala

buttondown.com

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Association for Scottish Literature @asls.org.uk · 25d

“I mean, your society’s broken, so who should we blame? Should we blame the rich, powerful people who caused it? No let’s blame the people with no power & no money & these immigrants who don’t even have the vote, yeah it must be their fucking fault.”

—Iain Banks
www.theguardian.com/books/2013/j...

Iain Banks: the final interview

Iain Banks died last Sunday, just before the publication of his final novel The Quarry. Last month he talked to Stuart Kelly about writing, politics and all the things still left to do . . .

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · 26d

Hotel Booking: Opening Dates, Rates, and Access Notifications.

We are excited to announce that we will shortly be opening hotel bookings for the Hilton Birmingham Metropole!
Hotel booking will be via a link, sent to members.
If you’re not yet a member, then join now!

eastercon2026.org/register

Hotel Booking | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Trip Galey @trip.bsky.social · 27d

I stopped by the Trope-ology Podcast with @themythofchris.bsky.social to natter on about Goblin Markets! Have a listen if you fancy!

Available in the usual places!

open.spotify.com/episode/1cfs...

Ep 14: Goblin Markets with Trip Galey

open.spotify.com

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Los Angeles Worldcon @laworldcon.bsky.social · Aug 19

✨ Guest Liaison
Help create a fantastic convention experience for one of our Guests of Honor. You will serve as the liaison between the GoH and the convention, assisting with guest/con logistics, and ensuring that all Divisions and guests communicate effectively to have their needs met.

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Shona Kinsella @shonak.bsky.social · Sep 11

It's two months until publication and events are starting to open for tickets! I'm so very excited to be talking with Sam K Horton @samkhorton.bsky.social and Meg Macdonald @megintransition.bsky.social in November

www.waterstones.com/events/sam-k...

A dark green graphic shows two book covers. Ragwort by Sam K Horton, shows an apparently human skull with small antlers growing from it, and small yellow flowers blooming from it. Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella, shows two women in 18th century highland dress standing back to back in a field, surrounded by the looming presence of straw men.

Text on the graphic reads: Waterstones Argyle Street, Thursday 20th November, 7pm. Sam K Horton and Shona Kinsella, in conversation with Meg MacDonald

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Los Angeles Worldcon @laworldcon.bsky.social · Sep 10

Help us build our Programming at LAcon V!

There are two ways to get involved in this by visiting our site.

Take the Program Interest Survey or Submit Your Program Ideas at lacon.org/programming

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Dr. Meg MacDonald @megintransition.bsky.social · Sep 8

Came across this through work today and I cannot think for the life of me why it might be a useful thing in recent discourse.

namedrop.io

NameDrop - a name pronunciation service

No name should ever be mispronounced. NameDrop allows you to record your name and share it with the world

namedrop.io

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · Sep 6

You can also find more info on our programme page: eastercon2026.org/programme

Help us bring you the best programme possible!

Programme at Iridescence | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · Sep 6

Programme klaxon!

The programme team are working on lots of ideas to bring you a brilliant programme, but we need to hear from you!

We’ve created a *very* short survey for you to pass on your suggestions and to tell us if you’d also like to take part in programme:
forms.office.com/e/rN9T4wEX1N

Microsoft Forms

forms.office.com

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · Sep 6

If you've not received it yet then check your spam and if it still isn't there then please email [email protected]

We will be posting a series of updates in the coming weeks so do check your email and our socials.

Still to get membership?
Grab it at eastercon2026.org/register

Please confirm your email address | Iridescence

eastercon2026.org

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Iridescence - The 2026 Eastercon @easterconuk.bsky.social · Sep 6

Hello lovely Easterconners - We've been busy in the background getting things in place to bring you an amazing Eastercon next year!

If you're a member you should have received an update email today. We're sorry if you got it more than once, we're tech wrangling and grateful for your patience.

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Reposted by Dr. Meg MacDonald

Martha Wells @marthawells.com · Aug 29

If you missed the live recording of the Murderbot interview episode at WorldCon, you can watch it here:

Ink to Film @inktofilm.bsky.social · Aug 29

Didn't make it to Worldcon this year? No worries, our LIVE #Murderbot episode with @marthawells.com is now free for everyone!

And don't miss the special message the show's cast sent, which we had the privilege to share with her & an audience of fans 👀
📺 bit.ly/4lRpBIq
🎙️ bit.ly/3HC8z33
#worldcon2025

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