Samuel Poots
@pootsidoodle.bsky.social
Writer of fiction, TTRPGs and lost to-do lists. PhD Researcher and Writer in Residence at Ulster University.
Associate Editor at @CastOfWonders.
Published in WFRP, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth RPG, Factor Four and Opulent Syntax
SFWA, OW-NI he/him
Associate Editor at @CastOfWonders.
Published in WFRP, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth RPG, Factor Four and Opulent Syntax
SFWA, OW-NI he/him
Reposted by Samuel Poots
A reminder that the median book deal for a debut author in the UK is £7000, paid over 12-18 months. (from 2022 Society of Authors report). Some of your favourite writers are struggling. societyofauthors.org/2022/12/06/a....
A profession struggling to sustain itself - The Society of Authors
ALCS report on author incomes shows 60% drop in median incomes since 2006
societyofauthors.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:34 PM
A reminder that the median book deal for a debut author in the UK is £7000, paid over 12-18 months. (from 2022 Society of Authors report). Some of your favourite writers are struggling. societyofauthors.org/2022/12/06/a....
Reposted by Samuel Poots
@shortwavebooks.bsky.social for books across the speculative genres;
@chmmagazine.bsky.social for the best Weird Horror/Sword & Sorcery magazines;
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social who force us all to be smarter & more literary;
I'll never remember everyone.
THE FUCKING POINT IS, SUPPORT INDIE PUBLISHING.
@chmmagazine.bsky.social for the best Weird Horror/Sword & Sorcery magazines;
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social who force us all to be smarter & more literary;
I'll never remember everyone.
THE FUCKING POINT IS, SUPPORT INDIE PUBLISHING.
November 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
@shortwavebooks.bsky.social for books across the speculative genres;
@chmmagazine.bsky.social for the best Weird Horror/Sword & Sorcery magazines;
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social who force us all to be smarter & more literary;
I'll never remember everyone.
THE FUCKING POINT IS, SUPPORT INDIE PUBLISHING.
@chmmagazine.bsky.social for the best Weird Horror/Sword & Sorcery magazines;
@malarkeybooks.bsky.social who force us all to be smarter & more literary;
I'll never remember everyone.
THE FUCKING POINT IS, SUPPORT INDIE PUBLISHING.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
2 ongoing convos are dovetailing rn:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
November 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
2 ongoing convos are dovetailing rn:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
Just heard I’m joint winner of the McCrea Literary Award, given out biannually by @ulsteruni.bsky.social!
I’ll link to where you can find the published versions of my two winning stories. I’d chosen perhaps my two most N. Irish stories.
I’ll link to where you can find the published versions of my two winning stories. I’d chosen perhaps my two most N. Irish stories.
November 21, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Just heard I’m joint winner of the McCrea Literary Award, given out biannually by @ulsteruni.bsky.social!
I’ll link to where you can find the published versions of my two winning stories. I’d chosen perhaps my two most N. Irish stories.
I’ll link to where you can find the published versions of my two winning stories. I’d chosen perhaps my two most N. Irish stories.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Feeling very grateful for all the support on our GFM today-Az is editing the latest episode of the Last Threshold & like all of 'em it's a doozy.
If you'd like to join the fray for two trans gays as we battle Mouldlords & fight to retain status in Canada check out our GFM:
gofund.me/19f232b9e
If you'd like to join the fray for two trans gays as we battle Mouldlords & fight to retain status in Canada check out our GFM:
gofund.me/19f232b9e
Donate to Help Queer Artists Trystan & Lou Secure Safe Housing, organized by Trystan Hawthorne
We’re Trystan (artist name: Azrai) & Lou, the queer ar… Trystan Hawthorne needs your support for Help Queer Artists Trystan & Lou Secure Safe Housing
gofund.me
November 20, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Feeling very grateful for all the support on our GFM today-Az is editing the latest episode of the Last Threshold & like all of 'em it's a doozy.
If you'd like to join the fray for two trans gays as we battle Mouldlords & fight to retain status in Canada check out our GFM:
gofund.me/19f232b9e
If you'd like to join the fray for two trans gays as we battle Mouldlords & fight to retain status in Canada check out our GFM:
gofund.me/19f232b9e
Anyone from or living in Canada, please take a second to sign this and help out trans folk who need to claim asylum.
Sharing & signing this petition could make it far more feasible for queer and trans people to claim asylum in Canada. And Canadian immigration options are dwindling.
If you care about protecting us, this is one way that only takes 30 seconds 🇨🇦🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
If you care about protecting us, this is one way that only takes 30 seconds 🇨🇦🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en...
www.ourcommons.ca
November 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Anyone from or living in Canada, please take a second to sign this and help out trans folk who need to claim asylum.
Children of the Grave.
Without saying Iron Man, fav Black Sabbath song?
November 20, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Children of the Grave.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Did you read my post from last week about how contract woes caused me to withdraw an accepted story from F&SF, ending my 54-year quest to be published in that magazine? But wait (as the saying goes) — there's more! Scroll down at the link for an update. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...
A dream denied: My 54-year quest to publish a short story in F&SF ‹ Scott Edelman
www.scottedelman.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Did you read my post from last week about how contract woes caused me to withdraw an accepted story from F&SF, ending my 54-year quest to be published in that magazine? But wait (as the saying goes) — there's more! Scroll down at the link for an update. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...
This is George. Every morning, George flies over to the windowsill when he spots us getting up and waits for one of us to go outside and fill up the bird feeder. Today, he popped over to see if there was any lunch. We like George.
November 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
This is George. Every morning, George flies over to the windowsill when he spots us getting up and waits for one of us to go outside and fill up the bird feeder. Today, he popped over to see if there was any lunch. We like George.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
What's interesting about LLMs and training data theft is how, in spite of all the threats of fire and brimstone on the copyright pages of our books, publishers rolled over.
Despite this, the Anthropic settlement insists that payouts will be given to the publishers too as they are 'legal owners'.
Despite this, the Anthropic settlement insists that payouts will be given to the publishers too as they are 'legal owners'.
November 18, 2025 at 12:47 PM
What's interesting about LLMs and training data theft is how, in spite of all the threats of fire and brimstone on the copyright pages of our books, publishers rolled over.
Despite this, the Anthropic settlement insists that payouts will be given to the publishers too as they are 'legal owners'.
Despite this, the Anthropic settlement insists that payouts will be given to the publishers too as they are 'legal owners'.
A few years ago, I wrote a story about a church having an AI-powered holographic confessional where people could come and talk to a Christ hologram. I never went past the first draft as I didn't think it worked. Now I'm thinking I need to look it over again.
FFS
FFS
Personal Jesus
“reach out and text faith”
my god it was right there, who’s in charge of marketing here?!
“reach out and text faith”
my god it was right there, who’s in charge of marketing here?!
November 15, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A few years ago, I wrote a story about a church having an AI-powered holographic confessional where people could come and talk to a Christ hologram. I never went past the first draft as I didn't think it worked. Now I'm thinking I need to look it over again.
FFS
FFS
Reposted by Samuel Poots
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Reposted by Samuel Poots
This time last year, @tansyrr.bsky.social gave us her list of the great (male) brutes and villains of the #Discworld...
Read it here (for free!): www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/brutes-villains
Read it here (for free!): www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/brutes-villains
November 4, 2025 at 11:20 PM
This time last year, @tansyrr.bsky.social gave us her list of the great (male) brutes and villains of the #Discworld...
Read it here (for free!): www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/brutes-villains
Read it here (for free!): www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/brutes-villains
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Last Year in Marienburg is a noirish Warhammer fanfic that I am sharing on Patreon, with a twist - my community are helping me write it!
Anyone can read it for free and paid supporters can vote on what happens next!
#Warhammer
www.patreon.com/posts/last-y...
Anyone can read it for free and paid supporters can vote on what happens next!
#Warhammer
www.patreon.com/posts/last-y...
November 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Last Year in Marienburg is a noirish Warhammer fanfic that I am sharing on Patreon, with a twist - my community are helping me write it!
Anyone can read it for free and paid supporters can vote on what happens next!
#Warhammer
www.patreon.com/posts/last-y...
Anyone can read it for free and paid supporters can vote on what happens next!
#Warhammer
www.patreon.com/posts/last-y...
Reposted by Samuel Poots
I’ve realized!! If you care about medical justice and want to make a direct material difference in my case for totally free, here’s something quick that anyone can do:
Send a brief impact statement to [email protected]
For both general audiences and fellow creators.
Send a brief impact statement to [email protected]
For both general audiences and fellow creators.
November 3, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I’ve realized!! If you care about medical justice and want to make a direct material difference in my case for totally free, here’s something quick that anyone can do:
Send a brief impact statement to [email protected]
For both general audiences and fellow creators.
Send a brief impact statement to [email protected]
For both general audiences and fellow creators.
Cecile! This collection is fantastic, definitely recommend and a thoroughly well-deserved win.
The winner is Elephants in Bloom by Cecile Cristofari published by Newcon Press.
November 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Cecile! This collection is fantastic, definitely recommend and a thoroughly well-deserved win.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
#Hellweek25
Day 7: Halloween / Free day!
Hell's Kitchen. 👻🍳
#Art #Illustration #DCcomics #Hellblazer #JohnConstantine #Artsky
Day 7: Halloween / Free day!
Hell's Kitchen. 👻🍳
#Art #Illustration #DCcomics #Hellblazer #JohnConstantine #Artsky
November 1, 2025 at 1:22 AM
#Hellweek25
Day 7: Halloween / Free day!
Hell's Kitchen. 👻🍳
#Art #Illustration #DCcomics #Hellblazer #JohnConstantine #Artsky
Day 7: Halloween / Free day!
Hell's Kitchen. 👻🍳
#Art #Illustration #DCcomics #Hellblazer #JohnConstantine #Artsky
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Hehe.
Cartoon from @skullpizza.bsky.social
Cartoon from @skullpizza.bsky.social
![Cartoon panels showing a female-coded scientist in a white coat and goggles, a monster made of eyeballs, and a pumpkin-head creature on the final panel:
[scientist] I LOVE YOU, JEREMY, BUT WE CAN'T DO THIS!
[eyeballs] BE HONEST, PROFESSOR.
IS IT BECAUSE YOU MADE ME OUT OF EYEBALLS?
[scientist] NO, NO... IT'S UNETHICAL FOR ME TO DATE PUPILS
[pumpkinhead] NOPE. THAT’S IT. COMICTOBER'S
CANCELED. SORRY FOLKS](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yhpcrxbxkp2nsnpno7ow3uw4/bafkreid5pm5gtcutlkuuzwrdhm2krsle46ixdurmxu3fnsb7alr7iz3a2e@jpeg)
November 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Hehe.
Cartoon from @skullpizza.bsky.social
Cartoon from @skullpizza.bsky.social
When You need something vaguely Halloween costumish and end up as budget (and overwhelmed and sleep deprived) third/eleventh Doctor.
October 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM
When You need something vaguely Halloween costumish and end up as budget (and overwhelmed and sleep deprived) third/eleventh Doctor.
What Az has faced is horrific. Please, take a second to read this and if you know a way to help, or know someone who might be able to, do what you can.
Do we know anyone who can help with this? Can we help find the right people?
When You Trust A Dentist And Barely Survive. | The Azrai
Get more from The Azrai on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 PM
What Az has faced is horrific. Please, take a second to read this and if you know a way to help, or know someone who might be able to, do what you can.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Call for Lakota and Native American sensitivity readers!!
#HorrorWritersChat I am trying so hard to figure out the best way to present this project.
I'm saving up for a website, hire beta readers, and I still need to find Lakota and other Native American sensitivity readers.
...I need to make a list. IN the meantime, snippets? Maybe? My grammar sucks.
I'm saving up for a website, hire beta readers, and I still need to find Lakota and other Native American sensitivity readers.
...I need to make a list. IN the meantime, snippets? Maybe? My grammar sucks.
October 29, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Call for Lakota and Native American sensitivity readers!!
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Strange Horizons will be open to fiction submissions from Indigenous authors only on November 3rd at 9am UTC!
The window will close after 500 submissions are received.
More information:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...
If you sent us a story in April or June, you CANNOT submit in this window.
The window will close after 500 submissions are received.
More information:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...
If you sent us a story in April or June, you CANNOT submit in this window.
October 27, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Strange Horizons will be open to fiction submissions from Indigenous authors only on November 3rd at 9am UTC!
The window will close after 500 submissions are received.
More information:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...
If you sent us a story in April or June, you CANNOT submit in this window.
The window will close after 500 submissions are received.
More information:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...
If you sent us a story in April or June, you CANNOT submit in this window.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Ey folks
Could anyone possibly extend a helping hand of about 20-30 bucks to my venmo so myself, my partner and our two cats can stay another night in the motel we are in? We are ALMOST at a place we can recover from but not quite yet x.x
Username is MxJanusu,
Picture of kitties for algo
Could anyone possibly extend a helping hand of about 20-30 bucks to my venmo so myself, my partner and our two cats can stay another night in the motel we are in? We are ALMOST at a place we can recover from but not quite yet x.x
Username is MxJanusu,
Picture of kitties for algo
October 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Ey folks
Could anyone possibly extend a helping hand of about 20-30 bucks to my venmo so myself, my partner and our two cats can stay another night in the motel we are in? We are ALMOST at a place we can recover from but not quite yet x.x
Username is MxJanusu,
Picture of kitties for algo
Could anyone possibly extend a helping hand of about 20-30 bucks to my venmo so myself, my partner and our two cats can stay another night in the motel we are in? We are ALMOST at a place we can recover from but not quite yet x.x
Username is MxJanusu,
Picture of kitties for algo
After four years, the WFRP game I started during the pandemic has finally come to its conclusion. This monthly game with my incredibly talented and funny friends was a gift. I feel so blessed we could tell this story together. And the Slayer survived!
October 23, 2025 at 10:42 PM
After four years, the WFRP game I started during the pandemic has finally come to its conclusion. This monthly game with my incredibly talented and funny friends was a gift. I feel so blessed we could tell this story together. And the Slayer survived!