morag
@mordant.bsky.social
Nobody loves me and the sun's going to kill me.
Dilettante, raconteur, connoisseur of human folly
Guaranteed 0.5 or less of the author @mkhardywrites
The Needfire, Solaris 2025, out now
Dilettante, raconteur, connoisseur of human folly
Guaranteed 0.5 or less of the author @mkhardywrites
The Needfire, Solaris 2025, out now
TODAY is the last day you can post your ballot and be pretty sure of it reaching head office.
REMINDER FOR MY FRIENDS IN UK ACADEMIA
If you're Unison, Unite, UCU, EIS, PLEASE POST YOUR BALLOT BACK by tomorrow. We're balloting for amounts to a general strike in HE. This EXISTENTIAL for the sector. Please, please get your vote in as we need to make quorum.
If you're Unison, Unite, UCU, EIS, PLEASE POST YOUR BALLOT BACK by tomorrow. We're balloting for amounts to a general strike in HE. This EXISTENTIAL for the sector. Please, please get your vote in as we need to make quorum.
November 26, 2025 at 12:18 PM
TODAY is the last day you can post your ballot and be pretty sure of it reaching head office.
REMINDER FOR MY FRIENDS IN UK ACADEMIA
If you're Unison, Unite, UCU, EIS, PLEASE POST YOUR BALLOT BACK by tomorrow. We're balloting for amounts to a general strike in HE. This EXISTENTIAL for the sector. Please, please get your vote in as we need to make quorum.
If you're Unison, Unite, UCU, EIS, PLEASE POST YOUR BALLOT BACK by tomorrow. We're balloting for amounts to a general strike in HE. This EXISTENTIAL for the sector. Please, please get your vote in as we need to make quorum.
November 25, 2025 at 1:57 PM
REMINDER FOR MY FRIENDS IN UK ACADEMIA
If you're Unison, Unite, UCU, EIS, PLEASE POST YOUR BALLOT BACK by tomorrow. We're balloting for amounts to a general strike in HE. This EXISTENTIAL for the sector. Please, please get your vote in as we need to make quorum.
If you're Unison, Unite, UCU, EIS, PLEASE POST YOUR BALLOT BACK by tomorrow. We're balloting for amounts to a general strike in HE. This EXISTENTIAL for the sector. Please, please get your vote in as we need to make quorum.
What the hell man.
Waterstones to open about 100m from Argonaut, a particularly nice indie bookshop. Quote from Waterstones management makes it sound like they got Argonaut mixed up with the gaming café next door.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562908...
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2562908...
Anger as Waterstones snaps up prime site on doorstep of independent bookshop
UK's biggest bookselling chain under fire over plans for new store beside Edinburgh tram line.
www.heraldscotland.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:09 AM
What the hell man.
That can't be right; I heard Scotland was a drain on the UK economy...
Scotland to get 8% of UK's fishing funding, despite landing 60% of its fish
UK fishing fund offer to Scotland is 'madness', minister told
Labour ministers have been criticised for giving less than 8% of a £360m package to Scotland, which lands more than half of the UK's catch .
www.bbc.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
That can't be right; I heard Scotland was a drain on the UK economy...
For anybody seeking context on this one: this policy on its face would result in the deportation of my wife, who has been living in Scotland for 17 years, is married to a Scot, shares the mortgage on a house, and works in a university. Lots of perfectly comfortable people earn < £38k.
Katie Lam has made a video - focusing on not giving new ILR grants to people who don't have it
But quietly including the Conservative proposal to be the first government since Idi Amin in 1972 to revoke the permanent leave to remain, then expel: she underplays to what extent
x.com/Katie_Lam_MP...
But quietly including the Conservative proposal to be the first government since Idi Amin in 1972 to revoke the permanent leave to remain, then expel: she underplays to what extent
x.com/Katie_Lam_MP...
x.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:41 AM
For anybody seeking context on this one: this policy on its face would result in the deportation of my wife, who has been living in Scotland for 17 years, is married to a Scot, shares the mortgage on a house, and works in a university. Lots of perfectly comfortable people earn < £38k.
Reposted by morag
We should probably post an update about our various authorly goings on but here have this naval gazing instead. (Subscribe to our newsletter for more stuff and nonsense.)
Aware
In which Morag rambles a bit about ADHD
mkhardywrites.beehiiv.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
We should probably post an update about our various authorly goings on but here have this naval gazing instead. (Subscribe to our newsletter for more stuff and nonsense.)
An utter lack of humanity. Skimmed the comments on a Torygraph article of all things, a Brit writing that a theoretical ILR scrap would break up her family. Bot and human alike: "Deport them all then." That's me. That's my family. But rather than challenge, Labour panders. Weathervanes, every one.
Words cannot express how toxic and dangerous this approach from Labour is. As soon as we start saying people are only welcome if they "give more than they take" we demonise the disabled, those who do unpaid care work, anyone who isn't a 'productive member of society'.
“We welcome those who come to this country, legally, and give more than they take. We believe the right to stay here must not be automatic, but that those who play their part should be able to earn that right."
October 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
An utter lack of humanity. Skimmed the comments on a Torygraph article of all things, a Brit writing that a theoretical ILR scrap would break up her family. Bot and human alike: "Deport them all then." That's me. That's my family. But rather than challenge, Labour panders. Weathervanes, every one.
Tfw you realise belatedly that you've dressed like an extra from Man In The High Castle...
September 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Tfw you realise belatedly that you've dressed like an extra from Man In The High Castle...
Nobody actually cares about this for their own sake, Keir. Nobody is actually personally worried about this. You know why? Because it's not a real problem. When will you stop dancing to Farage's vicious racist little tune and start paying attention to the stuff that matters?
September 1, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Nobody actually cares about this for their own sake, Keir. Nobody is actually personally worried about this. You know why? Because it's not a real problem. When will you stop dancing to Farage's vicious racist little tune and start paying attention to the stuff that matters?
Finally made it to a Worldcon panel I'm not on.
Female panelist: [after being asked about romantasy by the moderator] Romantasy has its place but I don't really read it.
Old dude panelist: When you say Romantasy has its place that sets off subversive thoughts for me. Slavery has its place.
Welp.
Female panelist: [after being asked about romantasy by the moderator] Romantasy has its place but I don't really read it.
Old dude panelist: When you say Romantasy has its place that sets off subversive thoughts for me. Slavery has its place.
Welp.
August 17, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Finally made it to a Worldcon panel I'm not on.
Female panelist: [after being asked about romantasy by the moderator] Romantasy has its place but I don't really read it.
Old dude panelist: When you say Romantasy has its place that sets off subversive thoughts for me. Slavery has its place.
Welp.
Female panelist: [after being asked about romantasy by the moderator] Romantasy has its place but I don't really read it.
Old dude panelist: When you say Romantasy has its place that sets off subversive thoughts for me. Slavery has its place.
Welp.
Some good insights in Ian's article but let's be clear here: there are LOADS of progressive male influencers trying to promote nontoxic masculinity online; they just get zero traction compared to extreme grievance media. The issue is the algo, not that there's nobody promoting these messages.
The left is completely silent on the subject of men getting laid - which, generally speaking, they are v.interested in doing and will continue to be interested in regardless of whether progressives want to talk about it. So the stage has been left entirely clear for the far-right.
August 1, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Some good insights in Ian's article but let's be clear here: there are LOADS of progressive male influencers trying to promote nontoxic masculinity online; they just get zero traction compared to extreme grievance media. The issue is the algo, not that there's nobody promoting these messages.
Friendly reminder that as of Theresa May's Snooper's Charter YOU SHOULD ALREADY HAVE A VPN IF YOU LIVE IN THE UK. If you don't, the second best time to get one is now. There are lots of good ones and at least one will have a sale on right now.
OSA is gonna make us lose access to fucking wikipedia
write to your MPs.
write to your MPs.
July 27, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Friendly reminder that as of Theresa May's Snooper's Charter YOU SHOULD ALREADY HAVE A VPN IF YOU LIVE IN THE UK. If you don't, the second best time to get one is now. There are lots of good ones and at least one will have a sale on right now.
I know what you're thinking but let me answer your question with a question: why don't YOU have a deer skull in your back garden?
Look at this beauty!! The foil! The border details! She's absolutely stunning!
@solarisbooks.bsky.social
and Holly Macdonald have hit it out of the park.
Get your copy at: geni.us/needfire today
@solarisbooks.bsky.social
and Holly Macdonald have hit it out of the park.
Get your copy at: geni.us/needfire today
July 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I know what you're thinking but let me answer your question with a question: why don't YOU have a deer skull in your back garden?
Reposted by morag
Required reading.
A.I.: The Apocalypse of Intent | Film Crit Hulk
Get more from Film Crit Hulk on Patreon
www.patreon.com
July 20, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Required reading.
Fml. Note the battery % for extra Fml.
July 15, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Fml. Note the battery % for extra Fml.
Got some stuff coming up...
Needfire events now confirmed for BOTH Glasgow and Edinburgh at the end of July! We launch at Waterstones Argyle St, Glasgow on 29th July with the wonderful Heather Parry and Kirsty Logan, and then we'll be at Blackwells South Bridge, Edinburgh on 31st July.
Booking links at linktr.ee/mkhardy
Booking links at linktr.ee/mkhardy
July 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Got some stuff coming up...
Whyyy have I given my data to billionaire fascists for free if it still takes a month for me to run across @lindsayellis.bsky.social video essaying about Tori Amos?
(My reminder to actually WATCH Nebula, not just pay the subscription so I feel less guilty about watching YouTube...)
(My reminder to actually WATCH Nebula, not just pay the subscription so I feel less guilty about watching YouTube...)
July 7, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Whyyy have I given my data to billionaire fascists for free if it still takes a month for me to run across @lindsayellis.bsky.social video essaying about Tori Amos?
(My reminder to actually WATCH Nebula, not just pay the subscription so I feel less guilty about watching YouTube...)
(My reminder to actually WATCH Nebula, not just pay the subscription so I feel less guilty about watching YouTube...)
Reposted by morag
New jewellery! I (M) have been looking for just the right labrys pendant for ages so eventually I just had a conversation with a smith! @taitayaforge.bsky.social work in iron as well as precious metals, which I love. So many gorgeous pieces over at taitaya.etsy.com - am sure I'll be back for more!
July 4, 2025 at 5:48 PM
New jewellery! I (M) have been looking for just the right labrys pendant for ages so eventually I just had a conversation with a smith! @taitayaforge.bsky.social work in iron as well as precious metals, which I love. So many gorgeous pieces over at taitaya.etsy.com - am sure I'll be back for more!
First 'like' on this by my local trade union branch says a lot about the week we just had.
I was not NOT drunk before I made a very alcoholic chartreuse cocktail.
June 27, 2025 at 9:17 PM
First 'like' on this by my local trade union branch says a lot about the week we just had.
I was not NOT drunk before I made a very alcoholic chartreuse cocktail.
June 27, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I was not NOT drunk before I made a very alcoholic chartreuse cocktail.
"It is precisely this kind of unlawful government action that critics of the UK’s terrorism laws warned would come one day.”
Hey look @felicityhannah.bsky.social It's Brave New 1984 Man :-P
Hey look @felicityhannah.bsky.social It's Brave New 1984 Man :-P
UK: Amnesty's response to Home Secretary's announcement that Palestine Action will be proscribed a terrorist organisation
We are Amnesty International UK. We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights.
www.amnesty.org.uk
June 24, 2025 at 11:23 PM
"It is precisely this kind of unlawful government action that critics of the UK’s terrorism laws warned would come one day.”
Hey look @felicityhannah.bsky.social It's Brave New 1984 Man :-P
Hey look @felicityhannah.bsky.social It's Brave New 1984 Man :-P
That time of year in Scotland where every time you're at the shops you're all "BUYING LOCALLY IS OBJECTIVELY VIRTUOUS."
June 24, 2025 at 7:04 PM
That time of year in Scotland where every time you're at the shops you're all "BUYING LOCALLY IS OBJECTIVELY VIRTUOUS."
I got added to a queer creators list and gained a bunch of followers RIGHT after I posted this, so here's a repost for the new folks - also hi new people. I don't post much (most author stuff is on @mkhardywrites.com), but there's occasionally some political grumbling on here :-)
SOAPBOX & CALL TO ACTION: So many vids from YouTubers this past few weeks about the unviability of the platform as a revenue stream. This gang of smart, thoughtful young documentarians and essayists are producing often extremely high quality content for what amounts to poverty wages or less. 1/8
June 24, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I got added to a queer creators list and gained a bunch of followers RIGHT after I posted this, so here's a repost for the new folks - also hi new people. I don't post much (most author stuff is on @mkhardywrites.com), but there's occasionally some political grumbling on here :-)
Reposted by morag
Good thread - I subscribe to dropout.tv and they are worth the very modest fee. If you like comedy, nerd stuff and nerd comedy, maybe give them a go?
June 22, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Good thread - I subscribe to dropout.tv and they are worth the very modest fee. If you like comedy, nerd stuff and nerd comedy, maybe give them a go?