bec/riley
@rileyforsythe.bsky.social
WOTCHER. I am bec/riley, a voracious reader, persistent writer, and general loudmouth queer trade union member living in South London (they/she)
So many, but of late, the entirety of The Sleeping Wound by Moniza Alvi, from “Europa”, a collection I return to constantly.
December 7, 2025 at 11:09 AM
So many, but of late, the entirety of The Sleeping Wound by Moniza Alvi, from “Europa”, a collection I return to constantly.
Hi friends. City of Sanctuary are a fabulous organisation in need of funds to continue their work supporting organisations to create welcoming environments to those fleeing persecution and war.
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
Welcome and support for people seeking sanctuary – Big Give
We are building a more welcoming UK for people forced to flee their homes. Help us get there. We support …
donate.biggive.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Hi friends. City of Sanctuary are a fabulous organisation in need of funds to continue their work supporting organisations to create welcoming environments to those fleeing persecution and war.
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
Reposted by bec/riley
my LRB blog-post on the weird kingston mural: www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/de...
Mark Sinker | Glitchcore Bosch
Above Côte Brasserie in Kingston upon Thames, overlooking its Riverside Walk, there was for a week in mid-November a...
www.lrb.co.uk
December 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
my LRB blog-post on the weird kingston mural: www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/de...
This was an excellent evening 👍
Come with us (Instant Classics Live) to the Roman amphitheatre in London and find out about life in London then (the slaves, the rich, the whistleblowers, the rebels) tinyurl.com/yc86565f
Life, Death and Gladiators in Roman London
Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 04/12/2025 · 1h 2m
tinyurl.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:12 AM
This was an excellent evening 👍
I ditched Spotify three months ago, so no Wrapped and my Apple Music year-end is understandably less educated about the year, but top artists seem accurate: The Mars Volta and Wet Leg (together at last!)
December 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I ditched Spotify three months ago, so no Wrapped and my Apple Music year-end is understandably less educated about the year, but top artists seem accurate: The Mars Volta and Wet Leg (together at last!)
November reading:
49. The Accidentals - Guadalupe Nettel (translated by Rosalind Harvey)
50. Mouth - Mona Arishi
51. The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker
52. The Voyage Home - Pat Barker
ongoing - The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson
Book IV: What the Sea God Said
49. The Accidentals - Guadalupe Nettel (translated by Rosalind Harvey)
50. Mouth - Mona Arishi
51. The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker
52. The Voyage Home - Pat Barker
ongoing - The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson
Book IV: What the Sea God Said
December 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
November reading:
49. The Accidentals - Guadalupe Nettel (translated by Rosalind Harvey)
50. Mouth - Mona Arishi
51. The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker
52. The Voyage Home - Pat Barker
ongoing - The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson
Book IV: What the Sea God Said
49. The Accidentals - Guadalupe Nettel (translated by Rosalind Harvey)
50. Mouth - Mona Arishi
51. The Silence of the Girls - Pat Barker
52. The Voyage Home - Pat Barker
ongoing - The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson
Book IV: What the Sea God Said
Athena: the original manic pixie dream girlboss.
what is a god? On Instant Classics we have a go at trying to understand Athena, much more than a 'goddess of wisdom' podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Athena: Private Life of a Greek Goddess
Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 27/11/2025 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Athena: the original manic pixie dream girlboss.
You just died. The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
November 27, 2025 at 7:04 PM
You just died. The 6th picture in your phone gallery is what killed you.
Reposted by bec/riley
Righto my chums, hit me up with pub recommendations in the City (walking distance to the Guildhall). Bonus points if they have hot snax but not a deal breaker.
November 23, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Righto my chums, hit me up with pub recommendations in the City (walking distance to the Guildhall). Bonus points if they have hot snax but not a deal breaker.
Righto my chums, hit me up with pub recommendations in the City (walking distance to the Guildhall). Bonus points if they have hot snax but not a deal breaker.
November 23, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Righto my chums, hit me up with pub recommendations in the City (walking distance to the Guildhall). Bonus points if they have hot snax but not a deal breaker.
The good news is I found my pen (my pen!!!!) however I found it while looking for something else. Seriously, perimenopause brain fog: pistols at dawn.
Okay so I said I wanted a gif of this to accurately reflect my brain….have just realised I’ve mislaid one of my favourite pens, the ballpoint pen with “Write Your Story” printed on the side, and I’m both genuinely gutted and feel way too aligned with Pauline Campbell-Jones for comfort 😬
I can’t believe they don’t have a gif of Bruce’s post-pen-theft meltdown. That’s probably more accurate.
November 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
The good news is I found my pen (my pen!!!!) however I found it while looking for something else. Seriously, perimenopause brain fog: pistols at dawn.
Reposted by bec/riley
What ARE the haps?
November 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM
What ARE the haps?
I saved this issue for a rainy day to read cover-to-cover and was not disappointed. I particularly loved Jill Hopper’s riposte to Samuel Pepys, and Anna Shelton’s dressing down of anatomical eponyms. But as ever, the whole issue is filled with brilliant poems, and thoughtful essays and reviews. <3
We're absolutely delighted to announce Magma 93 'Liberation' is now published and available to buy on our website.
Edited by Isabelle Baafi @timtimtmi.bsky.social & @sohinibasak.bsky.social
#liberation #magma93
Get your hands on a copy now!
magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
Edited by Isabelle Baafi @timtimtmi.bsky.social & @sohinibasak.bsky.social
#liberation #magma93
Get your hands on a copy now!
magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
November 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I saved this issue for a rainy day to read cover-to-cover and was not disappointed. I particularly loved Jill Hopper’s riposte to Samuel Pepys, and Anna Shelton’s dressing down of anatomical eponyms. But as ever, the whole issue is filled with brilliant poems, and thoughtful essays and reviews. <3
Has there ever been a Taskmaster series where it could be anyone’s game right up to the finale? I kind of want Sanjeev to casually stroll away the winner despite (lol actually because of) his insouciance and total lack of fucks when morally is should by rights be Ania.
November 13, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Has there ever been a Taskmaster series where it could be anyone’s game right up to the finale? I kind of want Sanjeev to casually stroll away the winner despite (lol actually because of) his insouciance and total lack of fucks when morally is should by rights be Ania.
Okay so I said I wanted a gif of this to accurately reflect my brain….have just realised I’ve mislaid one of my favourite pens, the ballpoint pen with “Write Your Story” printed on the side, and I’m both genuinely gutted and feel way too aligned with Pauline Campbell-Jones for comfort 😬
I can’t believe they don’t have a gif of Bruce’s post-pen-theft meltdown. That’s probably more accurate.
November 12, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Okay so I said I wanted a gif of this to accurately reflect my brain….have just realised I’ve mislaid one of my favourite pens, the ballpoint pen with “Write Your Story” printed on the side, and I’m both genuinely gutted and feel way too aligned with Pauline Campbell-Jones for comfort 😬
This workshop sounds incredible.
Explore writing about our relationships with women with Jennifer Lee Tsai on 17 November, 5-7pm via Zoom. We will take inspiration from a range of poets including Isabelle Baafi, Katrina Naomi, Dzifa Benson, Degna Stone, and more! Visit the Salon to register. #amwriting
Mslexia Salon a magazine for women's writing and women who write.
Online events, writing surgeries and workshops for women writers. Join our vibrant online community.
mslexia.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
This workshop sounds incredible.
Reposted by bec/riley
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
I am so excited for this!!!! Yes it does merit multiple exclamation marks ‼️
25 November in the Roman amphitheatre at the London Guildhall, it's Instant Classics's first live event. We'll be talking about what life was like in Roman London. And a drink and mingle at the end. Had been sold out, but more tickets now released www.instantclassicspod.com/events
Instant Classics | Events
www.instantclassicspod.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:28 AM
I am so excited for this!!!! Yes it does merit multiple exclamation marks ‼️
While I’m okay with the cats re-establishing the litter Into Which We Do Not Pass Solids, I’m less keen on the recent practice of them demanding an audience for their pooping. Come on gals. You’re 7/8 months old, and big brave kitties do not need this kind of encouragement.
November 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
While I’m okay with the cats re-establishing the litter Into Which We Do Not Pass Solids, I’m less keen on the recent practice of them demanding an audience for their pooping. Come on gals. You’re 7/8 months old, and big brave kitties do not need this kind of encouragement.
For sale: two cat beds, never slept in.
November 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
For sale: two cat beds, never slept in.
Two different approaches to radiator maximisation.
November 3, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Two different approaches to radiator maximisation.
A film you’ve seen more than seven times with a gif.
November 2, 2025 at 6:30 AM
A film you’ve seen more than seven times with a gif.
October reading:
45. The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
46. The Women of Troy - Pat Barker
47. Birding - Rose Ruane
48. The Artist - Lucy Steeds
45. The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
46. The Women of Troy - Pat Barker
47. Birding - Rose Ruane
48. The Artist - Lucy Steeds
November 1, 2025 at 8:05 AM
October reading:
45. The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
46. The Women of Troy - Pat Barker
47. Birding - Rose Ruane
48. The Artist - Lucy Steeds
45. The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
46. The Women of Troy - Pat Barker
47. Birding - Rose Ruane
48. The Artist - Lucy Steeds
Gal pals enjoying a loafing session near the toasty radiator.
November 1, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Gal pals enjoying a loafing session near the toasty radiator.