Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
@ruthejbooth.bsky.social
SFFH Author/Critic. BSFA & British Fantasy Award Winner. Shoreline of Infinity columnist. GSFWC. #SGSAH funded. #StrathLife
Queer Neurodivergent Human with Chronic Illness.
Stories and more: https://linktr.ee/ruthejbooth
Queer Neurodivergent Human with Chronic Illness.
Stories and more: https://linktr.ee/ruthejbooth
Pinned
**New Blog** Thank you, everyone, for your kind Birthday greetings! As thanks (as well as apology for missing World Fantasycon later this month), please accept this wee seasonal gift from me...
www.ruthbooth.com/2025/10/hall...
www.ruthbooth.com/2025/10/hall...
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
This is interesting. Amazon UK is selling the paperback of Fight Like A Girl #2 for £4.64, which is less than the ebook price and less than it costs from the printer. www.amazon.co.uk/Fight-Like-G...
Amazon.co.uk
www.amazon.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 9:11 AM
This is interesting. Amazon UK is selling the paperback of Fight Like A Girl #2 for £4.64, which is less than the ebook price and less than it costs from the printer. www.amazon.co.uk/Fight-Like-G...
Wishing you and yours a contemplative #GazpachoSoupDay. Save a career today. Tell your friend that Gazpacho Soup is served cold and watch them go up, up, up the zigurat, lickety-split.
a man in a military uniform is holding a clipboard and a light bulb .
Alt: Arnold Rimmer, a man in a khaki uniform, giving an elaborate salute.
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Wishing you and yours a contemplative #GazpachoSoupDay. Save a career today. Tell your friend that Gazpacho Soup is served cold and watch them go up, up, up the zigurat, lickety-split.
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
just incredibly thrilled to announce that after months and months of uncertainty over the future of the game, and several I have bought Zombies, Run!, the game I co-created and have been making for the past 12 years:
zombiesrungame.com
observer.co.uk/the-critics/...
zombiesrungame.com
observer.co.uk/the-critics/...
I’m a novelist who’s just bought a video games company. Here’s why you should care about games writing | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:08 AM
just incredibly thrilled to announce that after months and months of uncertainty over the future of the game, and several I have bought Zombies, Run!, the game I co-created and have been making for the past 12 years:
zombiesrungame.com
observer.co.uk/the-critics/...
zombiesrungame.com
observer.co.uk/the-critics/...
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
November 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
Juliet hits on a very important point here. If we don't trust tech companies anymore, will they make more effort to appear trustworthy -- or will they assume that, since we use their products anyway, they can do what they like?
Food for thought in the "Shove LLMs-in-everything" era.
Food for thought in the "Shove LLMs-in-everything" era.
So the 'Gmail is now training its LLM on your email' alert was a genuine misunderstanding due to unclear language on their part and the fact users no longer trust Google not to be evil. I wonder if this uproar will give the decision makers there pause for thought. Not counting on that happening 1/5
November 23, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Juliet hits on a very important point here. If we don't trust tech companies anymore, will they make more effort to appear trustworthy -- or will they assume that, since we use their products anyway, they can do what they like?
Food for thought in the "Shove LLMs-in-everything" era.
Food for thought in the "Shove LLMs-in-everything" era.
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
Treasure trove of Peter Capaldi's Dr Who memorabilia in raffle to help save Barrhead church
Am sure there will be some Dr Who fans here. For a local(ISH) cause...
www.glasgowlive.co.uk/whats-on/fil...
www.glasgowlive.co.uk/whats-on/fil...
November 22, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Treasure trove of Peter Capaldi's Dr Who memorabilia in raffle to help save Barrhead church
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
Maternal mortality came down over history because of specific, measurable interventions.
Human childbirth is difficult and hazardous for both mother and child. Early adaptations to this hazard were to have more children, which worked at a human population level, but didn't change individual risk.
Human childbirth is difficult and hazardous for both mother and child. Early adaptations to this hazard were to have more children, which worked at a human population level, but didn't change individual risk.
This is one of the most horrific and evil things I have ever read. www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Maternal mortality came down over history because of specific, measurable interventions.
Human childbirth is difficult and hazardous for both mother and child. Early adaptations to this hazard were to have more children, which worked at a human population level, but didn't change individual risk.
Human childbirth is difficult and hazardous for both mother and child. Early adaptations to this hazard were to have more children, which worked at a human population level, but didn't change individual risk.
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
@priyajsridhar.bsky.social explains her essay about Kelly Link's short stories in this short video.
Subscribe to read: AUD30/yr gets you an extra essay per month! (About USD19 / GBP15.)
www.speculativeinsight.com/subs
Subscribe to read: AUD30/yr gets you an extra essay per month! (About USD19 / GBP15.)
www.speculativeinsight.com/subs
November 18, 2025 at 6:04 PM
@priyajsridhar.bsky.social explains her essay about Kelly Link's short stories in this short video.
Subscribe to read: AUD30/yr gets you an extra essay per month! (About USD19 / GBP15.)
www.speculativeinsight.com/subs
Subscribe to read: AUD30/yr gets you an extra essay per month! (About USD19 / GBP15.)
www.speculativeinsight.com/subs
Regardless of whether or not the Krasnov story is true, that the codename would not only be that of an Ataman of the Don Cossacks but also a Nazi collaborator is a stroke of genius.
November 22, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Regardless of whether or not the Krasnov story is true, that the codename would not only be that of an Ataman of the Don Cossacks but also a Nazi collaborator is a stroke of genius.
But there is a techmological fix. It's just Low Tech, not High Tech.
Consider advancing yourself rather than just speeding up the planet eater.
Consider advancing yourself rather than just speeding up the planet eater.
If people in your team or organisation are using AI notetakers as a way of coping with too many meetings and a culture of presenteeism, there's not a technological fix for this. The answer is to have fewer, better organised meetings www.careful.industries/blog/2025-11...
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 AM
But there is a techmological fix. It's just Low Tech, not High Tech.
Consider advancing yourself rather than just speeding up the planet eater.
Consider advancing yourself rather than just speeding up the planet eater.
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
November 20, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This week, I withdrew from a speaking engagement at a public university because they sent me a list of prohibited “words & concepts.” I will not humor this censorship. It does a disservice to the stories I’m discussing & the audience, who deserve unfettered access to information & conversation.
Anyone remember WeWork?
“But the most absurd & preposterous of all… was one started by an unknown adventurer, entitled ‘A company for carrying on an undertaking of great advantage, but nobody to know what it is’”
—Charles Mackay (1814–1889) on the South Sea Bubble, in Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of Crowds
—Charles Mackay (1814–1889) on the South Sea Bubble, in Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of Crowds
What if the A.I. bubble “is an inevitable part of developing and adopting a revolutionary tool that will fundamentally improve productivity and growth?” Mohamed El-Erian writes.
November 20, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Anyone remember WeWork?
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
Art is an act of hope. Writing is an act of rebellion. The world will always need more stories--from real human beings, not bullshit plagiarism machines. Every book is a love story from the author, and every reader is fighting the war against cruelty, ignorance, and hopelessness. We are fighting.
November 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Art is an act of hope. Writing is an act of rebellion. The world will always need more stories--from real human beings, not bullshit plagiarism machines. Every book is a love story from the author, and every reader is fighting the war against cruelty, ignorance, and hopelessness. We are fighting.
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
I think one of the hardest things about being a career writer in traditional publishing is that writing attracts the neurodivergent brain while the variable reinforcement schedule punishes it. We are all the rat at the water bottle, waiting for the hit of cocaine. You get one win, and you need MORE.
November 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I think one of the hardest things about being a career writer in traditional publishing is that writing attracts the neurodivergent brain while the variable reinforcement schedule punishes it. We are all the rat at the water bottle, waiting for the hit of cocaine. You get one win, and you need MORE.
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
Don't forget on our special Trans Day of Remembrance stream! We will still be fundraising for The Trevor Project!
Stream starting at 2pm PST
www.twitch.tv/gmrkitty
#TwitchTogetherforGood #TrevorProject #TransAwarenessWeek #TransDayofRemebrance #LGBTQ+ #Pride #TransLivesMatter #TDoR #TDoR2025
Stream starting at 2pm PST
www.twitch.tv/gmrkitty
#TwitchTogetherforGood #TrevorProject #TransAwarenessWeek #TransDayofRemebrance #LGBTQ+ #Pride #TransLivesMatter #TDoR #TDoR2025
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Don't forget on our special Trans Day of Remembrance stream! We will still be fundraising for The Trevor Project!
Stream starting at 2pm PST
www.twitch.tv/gmrkitty
#TwitchTogetherforGood #TrevorProject #TransAwarenessWeek #TransDayofRemebrance #LGBTQ+ #Pride #TransLivesMatter #TDoR #TDoR2025
Stream starting at 2pm PST
www.twitch.tv/gmrkitty
#TwitchTogetherforGood #TrevorProject #TransAwarenessWeek #TransDayofRemebrance #LGBTQ+ #Pride #TransLivesMatter #TDoR #TDoR2025
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
Today is Trans Day Of Remembrance
#TransLivesMatter #TDoR #TDoR2025 #TransDayOfRemembrance #TransAwarenessWeek #SayTheirNames
*** Trigger warning for the following thread: Violence against trans people (especially TWOC) * * *
#TransLivesMatter #TDoR #TDoR2025 #TransDayOfRemembrance #TransAwarenessWeek #SayTheirNames
*** Trigger warning for the following thread: Violence against trans people (especially TWOC) * * *
November 20, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Today is Trans Day Of Remembrance
#TransLivesMatter #TDoR #TDoR2025 #TransDayOfRemembrance #TransAwarenessWeek #SayTheirNames
*** Trigger warning for the following thread: Violence against trans people (especially TWOC) * * *
#TransLivesMatter #TDoR #TDoR2025 #TransDayOfRemembrance #TransAwarenessWeek #SayTheirNames
*** Trigger warning for the following thread: Violence against trans people (especially TWOC) * * *
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
I'm glad to have signed this statement in support of queer and trans staff at the National Library of Scotland, who by the sounds of it are going through an awful time at the moment: docs.google.com/document/d/e...
November 19, 2025 at 10:15 AM
I'm glad to have signed this statement in support of queer and trans staff at the National Library of Scotland, who by the sounds of it are going through an awful time at the moment: docs.google.com/document/d/e...
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
This award gives emerging writers a free course, retreat and mentoring. You need to be unpublished but it closes on 30th November so get in quick.
Details in link.
Please share :)
Details in link.
Please share :)
Emerging Writer Award - The Bridge Awards
The Emerging Writer Award is run in partnership with The Bridge Awards. The award winner receives a package including courses, retreat time and mentoring.
www.moniackmhor.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:33 PM
This award gives emerging writers a free course, retreat and mentoring. You need to be unpublished but it closes on 30th November so get in quick.
Details in link.
Please share :)
Details in link.
Please share :)
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
If you missed our E.M. Faulds' excellent ecofiction tale 'Love, Scotland' in 2024's Gallus, here's your chance. 'Love, Scotland' features in ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction (Apex Book Company / Violet Lichen), out now in all good bookshops.
@bethkesh.bsky.social
@apexmag.bsky.social
@bethkesh.bsky.social
@apexmag.bsky.social
ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction
"A triumph. 23 stellar tales offering creative and varied takes on the book's themes. Every entry is equal parts thought-provoking, insightful, and impactful." —Publishers Weekly Starred Review A must...
www.apexbookcompany.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
If you missed our E.M. Faulds' excellent ecofiction tale 'Love, Scotland' in 2024's Gallus, here's your chance. 'Love, Scotland' features in ECO24: The Year's Best Speculative Ecofiction (Apex Book Company / Violet Lichen), out now in all good bookshops.
@bethkesh.bsky.social
@apexmag.bsky.social
@bethkesh.bsky.social
@apexmag.bsky.social
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
My first stories, and novels When the Sea is Rising Red, and Beastkeeper came out under Cat Hellisen.
My latest novel The Shape of Monsters is under CL Hellisen, and narrated by the fabulous Omari Douglas.
Also more stuff between those ends of the timeline
My latest novel The Shape of Monsters is under CL Hellisen, and narrated by the fabulous Omari Douglas.
Also more stuff between those ends of the timeline
November 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
My first stories, and novels When the Sea is Rising Red, and Beastkeeper came out under Cat Hellisen.
My latest novel The Shape of Monsters is under CL Hellisen, and narrated by the fabulous Omari Douglas.
Also more stuff between those ends of the timeline
My latest novel The Shape of Monsters is under CL Hellisen, and narrated by the fabulous Omari Douglas.
Also more stuff between those ends of the timeline
Reposted by Ruth EJ Booth (she/they)
I'm gonna do an eligibility post because I don't expect any other publications this year.
Writing in 2025:
1. The Flaming Embusen (short story) available in text and audio:
1/4
Writing in 2025:
1. The Flaming Embusen (short story) available in text and audio:
1/4
The Flaming Embusen - Uncanny Magazine
Jero cleared his throat before he continued speaking into the phone. “Up to this moment it could not positively have been asserted that the man, in spite of his tantalizing declaration, was really in ...
www.uncannymagazine.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I'm gonna do an eligibility post because I don't expect any other publications this year.
Writing in 2025:
1. The Flaming Embusen (short story) available in text and audio:
1/4
Writing in 2025:
1. The Flaming Embusen (short story) available in text and audio:
1/4