Naomi Alderman
@naomialderman.bsky.social
I write novels (eg The Power, new novel is The Future), I make games (eg Zombies, Run!), unorthodox Jew. not-getting-into-pointless-arguments-on-the-internet is an act of revolution. However complex you think things are, they're more complex than that
I have done a podcast episode!
It is an interview with my friend, a senior rheumatologist, about my brush with chronic pain/fatigue a couple of years ago and the advice he gave me to help me get through it
naomialderman.substack.com/p/conversati...
It is an interview with my friend, a senior rheumatologist, about my brush with chronic pain/fatigue a couple of years ago and the advice he gave me to help me get through it
naomialderman.substack.com/p/conversati...
pain, fatigue and how to have less of them
first ever podcast ep! an interview with my wonderful friend who is a senior rheumatologist. plus: how to regain your focus in 15 minutes
naomialderman.substack.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:03 AM
I have done a podcast episode!
It is an interview with my friend, a senior rheumatologist, about my brush with chronic pain/fatigue a couple of years ago and the advice he gave me to help me get through it
naomialderman.substack.com/p/conversati...
It is an interview with my friend, a senior rheumatologist, about my brush with chronic pain/fatigue a couple of years ago and the advice he gave me to help me get through it
naomialderman.substack.com/p/conversati...
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
If you're looking for a sign to switch careers: this is the sign.
January 18, 2026 at 12:44 AM
If you're looking for a sign to switch careers: this is the sign.
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
This photo was taken in 1911 using glass plate technology by Herbert Ponting who was part of Scott's Antarctic expedition,
The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance
Iconic imo
The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance
Iconic imo
January 17, 2026 at 7:12 AM
This photo was taken in 1911 using glass plate technology by Herbert Ponting who was part of Scott's Antarctic expedition,
The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance
Iconic imo
The composition and detail are exquisite with the band of white snow/ice creating a perfect frame around the two people and the ship in the distance
Iconic imo
this is what we mean when we say that sexual assault is about power not sex
you can see lots of lovely images of Anne Hathaway from her work, which she consented to and was paid for. but that does not fulfil the need because assault is about the desire to assert power, not sexual gratification.
you can see lots of lovely images of Anne Hathaway from her work, which she consented to and was paid for. but that does not fulfil the need because assault is about the desire to assert power, not sexual gratification.
that's the thing they don't actually want sexy pictures they want to rob her of her consent
January 16, 2026 at 7:03 PM
this is what we mean when we say that sexual assault is about power not sex
you can see lots of lovely images of Anne Hathaway from her work, which she consented to and was paid for. but that does not fulfil the need because assault is about the desire to assert power, not sexual gratification.
you can see lots of lovely images of Anne Hathaway from her work, which she consented to and was paid for. but that does not fulfil the need because assault is about the desire to assert power, not sexual gratification.
I am *this close* to writing a several-thousand-word essay linking together "can canon be slash" with the classical scholars who fall in love with the fragmentary nature of the corpus and the pristine colourlessness of (previously brightly-coloured) statues.
you have to allow yourself to be whole.
you have to allow yourself to be whole.
Can canon be slash? the greatest thread in the history of forums, locked by a moderator after 12,239 pages of heated debate,.
probs it is time for An Oral History Of Slash Fiction, of which I was an extremely minor part (it obvs did influence my novel Disobedience)
in the *1980s* respected female-sexual-fantasy researcher Nancy Friday could still say she was not aware of *any* women who fantasised about two men together
in the *1980s* respected female-sexual-fantasy researcher Nancy Friday could still say she was not aware of *any* women who fantasised about two men together
January 16, 2026 at 6:59 PM
I am *this close* to writing a several-thousand-word essay linking together "can canon be slash" with the classical scholars who fall in love with the fragmentary nature of the corpus and the pristine colourlessness of (previously brightly-coloured) statues.
you have to allow yourself to be whole.
you have to allow yourself to be whole.
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
and still meet, trade zines, write etc. Blake's Seven fandom was heavily in print and in person. There will be many more and ofc LJ, other platforms and ultimately AO3 helped enormously. But that origin story feels very important. It was a risk. People were afraid they'd lose their jobs for it.
January 16, 2026 at 6:40 PM
and still meet, trade zines, write etc. Blake's Seven fandom was heavily in print and in person. There will be many more and ofc LJ, other platforms and ultimately AO3 helped enormously. But that origin story feels very important. It was a risk. People were afraid they'd lose their jobs for it.
there were slash zines before the internet, FOR SURE, this is very important history.
but the internet was what meant that slash could be read and enjoyed by women who would never have gone to a con or keep printed material like this in their homes.
but the internet was what meant that slash could be read and enjoyed by women who would never have gone to a con or keep printed material like this in their homes.
In the late 1970s and 1980s my mother ran a fan zine library by mail. She had a trunk full of fan zines, she'd get a request by USPS mail, would mail the request zine(s), and the borrower would return it by mail.
I learned that the library contained zines with Kirk / Spock slash in 1982-ish.
I learned that the library contained zines with Kirk / Spock slash in 1982-ish.
January 16, 2026 at 6:44 PM
there were slash zines before the internet, FOR SURE, this is very important history.
but the internet was what meant that slash could be read and enjoyed by women who would never have gone to a con or keep printed material like this in their homes.
but the internet was what meant that slash could be read and enjoyed by women who would never have gone to a con or keep printed material like this in their homes.
probs it is time for An Oral History Of Slash Fiction, of which I was an extremely minor part (it obvs did influence my novel Disobedience)
in the *1980s* respected female-sexual-fantasy researcher Nancy Friday could still say she was not aware of *any* women who fantasised about two men together
in the *1980s* respected female-sexual-fantasy researcher Nancy Friday could still say she was not aware of *any* women who fantasised about two men together
incredibly fucking lovely news. Heated Rivalry is inspiring gay hockey players to come out in real life: www.out.com/gay-athletes...
I very much perceive Heated Rivalry as the apotheosis of slash fiction, that I was into in my teens and 20s. I think this is what we wanted it to do.
I very much perceive Heated Rivalry as the apotheosis of slash fiction, that I was into in my teens and 20s. I think this is what we wanted it to do.
Heated Rivalry inspires real-life hockey player to come out as gay
"On the outside, I was still a top-tier player. On the inside, I was still that kid in Minnesota hiding," the player wrote in his coming-out statement.
www.out.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:20 PM
probs it is time for An Oral History Of Slash Fiction, of which I was an extremely minor part (it obvs did influence my novel Disobedience)
in the *1980s* respected female-sexual-fantasy researcher Nancy Friday could still say she was not aware of *any* women who fantasised about two men together
in the *1980s* respected female-sexual-fantasy researcher Nancy Friday could still say she was not aware of *any* women who fantasised about two men together
incredibly fucking lovely news. Heated Rivalry is inspiring gay hockey players to come out in real life: www.out.com/gay-athletes...
I very much perceive Heated Rivalry as the apotheosis of slash fiction, that I was into in my teens and 20s. I think this is what we wanted it to do.
I very much perceive Heated Rivalry as the apotheosis of slash fiction, that I was into in my teens and 20s. I think this is what we wanted it to do.
Heated Rivalry inspires real-life hockey player to come out as gay
"On the outside, I was still a top-tier player. On the inside, I was still that kid in Minnesota hiding," the player wrote in his coming-out statement.
www.out.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:17 PM
incredibly fucking lovely news. Heated Rivalry is inspiring gay hockey players to come out in real life: www.out.com/gay-athletes...
I very much perceive Heated Rivalry as the apotheosis of slash fiction, that I was into in my teens and 20s. I think this is what we wanted it to do.
I very much perceive Heated Rivalry as the apotheosis of slash fiction, that I was into in my teens and 20s. I think this is what we wanted it to do.
oh good
pretty sure he meant the other thing, grok, but very cool that those are your two things
January 16, 2026 at 5:07 PM
oh good
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
The world will progress, with or without the U.S.
Chinese Universities Surge in Global Rankings as U.S. Schools Slip
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:01 PM
The world will progress, with or without the U.S.
if you really want to feel wonderful, spending a bit of time with the brain of Leonardo Da Vinci is the way
it is interesting. seeking out brand new people is *also* delightful but you'll get a long way in life by going: sad? listen to Bach, look at Leonardo's notebooks/sketches, read Jane Austen
it is interesting. seeking out brand new people is *also* delightful but you'll get a long way in life by going: sad? listen to Bach, look at Leonardo's notebooks/sketches, read Jane Austen
Today at 1345 on Radio 4 (or available now online), I'm talking to @naomialderman.bsky.social about Leonardo da Vinci.
BBC Radio 4 - Human Intelligence, Series 2, Perfectionists: Leonardo Da Vinci
The quintessential Renaissance man, artist Leonardo da Vinci was curious about everything.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 3:58 PM
if you really want to feel wonderful, spending a bit of time with the brain of Leonardo Da Vinci is the way
it is interesting. seeking out brand new people is *also* delightful but you'll get a long way in life by going: sad? listen to Bach, look at Leonardo's notebooks/sketches, read Jane Austen
it is interesting. seeking out brand new people is *also* delightful but you'll get a long way in life by going: sad? listen to Bach, look at Leonardo's notebooks/sketches, read Jane Austen
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
If you are feeling despair I suggest a couple of @naomialderman.bsky.social 's "Human Intelligence" programmes may lift you up a bit. Though only 15 minutes long, they're a pretty perfect 15 minutes.
(I'm obsessed with Ida Pfeiffer now, which is this one:)
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
(I'm obsessed with Ida Pfeiffer now, which is this one:)
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Human Intelligence - Series 1 - Travellers: Ida Pfeiffer - BBC Sounds
A 19th-century solo female traveller who opened up the idea of travel for everyone.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 9:10 AM
If you are feeling despair I suggest a couple of @naomialderman.bsky.social 's "Human Intelligence" programmes may lift you up a bit. Though only 15 minutes long, they're a pretty perfect 15 minutes.
(I'm obsessed with Ida Pfeiffer now, which is this one:)
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
(I'm obsessed with Ida Pfeiffer now, which is this one:)
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
I am getting quite good at “being hated, don‘t give way to hating” but still absolutely crap at “yet don’t look too good or talk too wise”
God I am proud of blocking someone just now and not taking the argument bait.
January 14, 2026 at 7:04 PM
I am getting quite good at “being hated, don‘t give way to hating” but still absolutely crap at “yet don’t look too good or talk too wise”
God I am proud of blocking someone just now and not taking the argument bait.
January 14, 2026 at 7:03 PM
God I am proud of blocking someone just now and not taking the argument bait.
January 14, 2026 at 5:19 PM
on AI poetry. it is not actually that complicated to tell the difference. the human writing is funny. the AI poetry is po-faced and overly freighted with meaning. a person who doesn't read poetry's idea of 'what poetry is'.
janefriedman.com/writers-and-...
www.tiktok.com/@poetmalone/...
janefriedman.com/writers-and-...
www.tiktok.com/@poetmalone/...
Writers and Artists Need a Way to Label AI Use: Here’s What That Could Look Like | Jane Friedman
To encourage transparency among creators and audience, one writer suggests a simple, two-category system for labeling AI use in works of art.
janefriedman.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:17 PM
on AI poetry. it is not actually that complicated to tell the difference. the human writing is funny. the AI poetry is po-faced and overly freighted with meaning. a person who doesn't read poetry's idea of 'what poetry is'.
janefriedman.com/writers-and-...
www.tiktok.com/@poetmalone/...
janefriedman.com/writers-and-...
www.tiktok.com/@poetmalone/...
I just want to say that if you are waiting for an email from me and nonetheless see me on BlueSky right now it's not because I don't like you, it's because I am so jetlagged I have forgotten my own name. Please prompt me, if you're waiting.
(Just fielded 3 separate 'are you OK?' messages...)
(Just fielded 3 separate 'are you OK?' messages...)
January 14, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I just want to say that if you are waiting for an email from me and nonetheless see me on BlueSky right now it's not because I don't like you, it's because I am so jetlagged I have forgotten my own name. Please prompt me, if you're waiting.
(Just fielded 3 separate 'are you OK?' messages...)
(Just fielded 3 separate 'are you OK?' messages...)
it's just the science fiction writer in me, but I keep thinking about how this would all play out if there were no nuclear weapons.
how the existence of nuclear weapons - designed to destroy fascism - has mandated a softly-softly approach with the US and Russia
how the existence of nuclear weapons - designed to destroy fascism - has mandated a softly-softly approach with the US and Russia
It's finally happening.
The Swedish prime minister just announced that a pan-European force is arriving in #Greenland as we speak.
No word yet on whether UK forces are among them.
The Swedish prime minister just announced that a pan-European force is arriving in #Greenland as we speak.
No word yet on whether UK forces are among them.
January 14, 2026 at 4:30 PM
it's just the science fiction writer in me, but I keep thinking about how this would all play out if there were no nuclear weapons.
how the existence of nuclear weapons - designed to destroy fascism - has mandated a softly-softly approach with the US and Russia
how the existence of nuclear weapons - designed to destroy fascism - has mandated a softly-softly approach with the US and Russia
Yes, this. It would have been nice to give Montague a moment of showing that his confidence is a facade. In his case, if they lose this war it’s not a failure at cricket. He and his family are all dead.
This has always been my main qualm with Operation Mincemeat. It's so fun. It treats Glyndwr Michael with deep respect. I laugh uproariously at the opening of Act 2.
But they never really cover that the Montagues were fighting for their lives as Jewish people.
But they never really cover that the Montagues were fighting for their lives as Jewish people.
In other news, I love Operation Mincemeat the musical, love it. And I adored @taffyakner.bsky.social ’s brilliant piece on it.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/m...
But it does still strike me as so British that they paint Ewan Montague as “self-satisfied aristo” & don’t mention that he was Jewish.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/m...
But it does still strike me as so British that they paint Ewan Montague as “self-satisfied aristo” & don’t mention that he was Jewish.
January 14, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Yes, this. It would have been nice to give Montague a moment of showing that his confidence is a facade. In his case, if they lose this war it’s not a failure at cricket. He and his family are all dead.
In other news, I love Operation Mincemeat the musical, love it. And I adored @taffyakner.bsky.social ’s brilliant piece on it.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/m...
But it does still strike me as so British that they paint Ewan Montague as “self-satisfied aristo” & don’t mention that he was Jewish.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/m...
But it does still strike me as so British that they paint Ewan Montague as “self-satisfied aristo” & don’t mention that he was Jewish.
Why on Earth Have I Seen the Same Broadway Show 13 Times? An Investigation.
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:58 PM
In other news, I love Operation Mincemeat the musical, love it. And I adored @taffyakner.bsky.social ’s brilliant piece on it.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/m...
But it does still strike me as so British that they paint Ewan Montague as “self-satisfied aristo” & don’t mention that he was Jewish.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/m...
But it does still strike me as so British that they paint Ewan Montague as “self-satisfied aristo” & don’t mention that he was Jewish.
I am very very jet lagged in New Zealand and may disagree with myself on this at once but right now I am thinking: maybe psychologically what’s happened is that Palestinian ppl are now subject to the same insane logics of 1000+ years of European antisemitism.
Essentially I view all attacks on Palestinian writers and thinkers as a fun preview of what will be acceptable to do to Jewish writers and thinkers when anyone is annoyed/upset with Israel.
(In many cases not a preview but what is already happening. It is the same exact logic.)
(In many cases not a preview but what is already happening. It is the same exact logic.)
Like… IMO she was wrong to call for that, and the way to demonstrate that we have principles is also not to do it to her.
I am SUPER aware that there is a rapid escalation ramp. In so many culture wars, whatever ”they” do to ”us” becomes the new low bar of what “we” can do to “them”.
I am SUPER aware that there is a rapid escalation ramp. In so many culture wars, whatever ”they” do to ”us” becomes the new low bar of what “we” can do to “them”.
January 14, 2026 at 2:34 PM
I am very very jet lagged in New Zealand and may disagree with myself on this at once but right now I am thinking: maybe psychologically what’s happened is that Palestinian ppl are now subject to the same insane logics of 1000+ years of European antisemitism.
Essentially I view all attacks on Palestinian writers and thinkers as a fun preview of what will be acceptable to do to Jewish writers and thinkers when anyone is annoyed/upset with Israel.
(In many cases not a preview but what is already happening. It is the same exact logic.)
(In many cases not a preview but what is already happening. It is the same exact logic.)
Like… IMO she was wrong to call for that, and the way to demonstrate that we have principles is also not to do it to her.
I am SUPER aware that there is a rapid escalation ramp. In so many culture wars, whatever ”they” do to ”us” becomes the new low bar of what “we” can do to “them”.
I am SUPER aware that there is a rapid escalation ramp. In so many culture wars, whatever ”they” do to ”us” becomes the new low bar of what “we” can do to “them”.
January 14, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Essentially I view all attacks on Palestinian writers and thinkers as a fun preview of what will be acceptable to do to Jewish writers and thinkers when anyone is annoyed/upset with Israel.
(In many cases not a preview but what is already happening. It is the same exact logic.)
(In many cases not a preview but what is already happening. It is the same exact logic.)
Yes. I dont agree with everything Rwanda Abdel-Fattah has said but arts organisations should not be in the business of censorship. This same “sensitivity“ logic has been used to cancel eg Jewish comedy events.
The arts are about hearing from more voices. Just commission/programme more work/speakers
The arts are about hearing from more voices. Just commission/programme more work/speakers
Can't get over Adelaide Writers' Week disinviting Randa Abdel-Fattah just because she's Palestinian. Not over anything she wrote or said, just BEING Palestinian. Glad she got overwhelming support with prominent names dropping out leading to its cancellation. But I won't forget original decision.
Top Australian writers' festival cancelled after Palestinian author barred
Louise Adler, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors, said on Tuesday she was quitting her role at the Adelaide Writers' Week in February, following a decision by the festival's board t
www.dailymaverick.co.za
January 14, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Yes. I dont agree with everything Rwanda Abdel-Fattah has said but arts organisations should not be in the business of censorship. This same “sensitivity“ logic has been used to cancel eg Jewish comedy events.
The arts are about hearing from more voices. Just commission/programme more work/speakers
The arts are about hearing from more voices. Just commission/programme more work/speakers
I didn’t really want to write about child sexual abuse images and Grok, but some of the unbelievable statements by politicians yesterday in the UK made me feel I should, if I could.
Here are the reasons ‘AI child abuse images’ are not like ‘going to a nightclub’.
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
Here are the reasons ‘AI child abuse images’ are not like ‘going to a nightclub’.
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
I didn't want to write about child sexual abuse images
but here we are
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I didn’t really want to write about child sexual abuse images and Grok, but some of the unbelievable statements by politicians yesterday in the UK made me feel I should, if I could.
Here are the reasons ‘AI child abuse images’ are not like ‘going to a nightclub’.
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...
Here are the reasons ‘AI child abuse images’ are not like ‘going to a nightclub’.
open.substack.com/pub/naomiald...