Shona Kinsella
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shonak.bsky.social
Shona Kinsella
@shonak.bsky.social
1.9K followers 670 following 1.8K posts
Scottish fantasy and horror author. Chair of the British Fantasy Society. Avid Reader. Vaguely gothic. She/her www.shonakinsella.com
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shonak.bsky.social
Shona Kinsella @shonak.bsky.social · Jan 3
Books Read in 2025

I used to try and do a thread like this in the other place, although I didn’t always remember to keep up with them. Let’s see if I can keep it going here.

Book 1 - Doors of Eden by @aptshadow.bsky.social uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

Excellent, smart SF with a lot of heart
The Doors of Eden: An exhilarating voyage into extraordinary realities from a master of science fiction a book by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
They thought we were safe. They were wrong.Lee and Mal went looking for monsters on Bodmin Moor four years ago, and only Lee came back. She thought she’d lost Mal forever, now miraculously returned. B...
uk.bookshop.org
shonak.bsky.social
Working on Fantasycon 2026 planning this morning. It’s going to be so good…
November 25, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
angryrobotbooks.bsky.social
OOOOHH! Look at what has just arrived in the office - ARCs of First Mage on the Moon, the new novel by @cameronjohnston.bsky.social. Publishes on April 16th next year.

Cover designed by @onecuriouschip.bsky.social.
A photo of the ARC for First Mage on the Moon by Cameron Johnston. The cover is basically typographic but designed to look like paper notes on a blueprint. The promotional text reads "A secret mission. A breathless countdown. A fantasy like no other."
November 25, 2025 at 12:09 PM
shonak.bsky.social
One more event! Join me tonight in Edinburgh, where I’ll be chatting with Rafael Torrubia and @cymerafestival.co.uk’s Ann Landmann

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening...
An Evening with Shona Kinsella & Rafael Torrubia - Edinburgh West End
Join Shona Kinsella & Rafael Torrubia as they chat to Ann Landmann on their haunting, fantastical tales deeply rooted in Scottish folklore.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
mikebrooks668.bsky.social
Do you want to hear me read the opening chapter from my upcoming fantasy adventure novel This Is Where The Future Bleeds, then talk nonsense? YOU CAN!
tinybookcase.bsky.social The Tiny Bookcase Podcast @tinybookcase.bsky.social · 1d
# 240- Mike Brooks (@mikebrooks668.bsky.social) joins Ben and Nico to showcase the opening to his new book and talk about writing! Listen here:

pod.link/1524142040/e...

Mike Brooks appears this Friday @waterstones.bsky.social in Nottingham:
www.waterstones.com/events/franc...

#author #interview
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
andrewmueller.bsky.social
Posting this partially as service to fellow writers, partly to motivate myself to get it done today. November 30 is deadline to log your year's work at @alcs.co.uk, in return for which you *will* get free money, possibly quite startling quantities of it. If you haven't signed up, do. www.alcs.co.uk
ALCS
www.alcs.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
scalzi.com
If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!
laurenbeukes.com Lauren Beukes @laurenbeukes.com · 1d
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 5:39 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
stewarthotston.com
My eligibility post is really simple this year:

Project Hanuman - an SF novel about building community after disaster with weird (real) physics, diverse characters, explorations of the meaning of survival, immortality, intelligence and hope.

If you've enjoyed it please consider nominating it!
Project Hanuman - Angry Robot
Blending Indian mythology and classic space opera, Project Hanuman is a bold new science-fiction novel from Stewart Hotston, perfect for fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky.
angryrobotbooks.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
laurenwrites.bsky.social
A visual prompt to kick off your creative weekend: what creature-ific worlds can you conjure from this image?

And if that whets your appetite, join us online for Writing the Occult: Creatures & Cryptids THI⬇️S SATURDAY (!) when we’ll peer into the murky world of creatures & cryptids. 🧵
A man in zombie makeup, wearing a shirt and loose tie, standing awkwardly in an office.
November 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
aptshadow.bsky.social
This coming Thursday I am at Waterstones Gower Street talking 10 years of Children of Time with Temi Oh. www.waterstones.com/events/celeb...
Celebrate the 10th Anniversary or the Children of Time - an Evening with Adrian Tchaikovsky in conversation with Temi Oh | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Celebrate the 10th Anniversary or the Children of Time - an Evening with Adrian Tchaik...
www.waterstones.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
runalongwomble.bsky.social
On the blog this week - a great smart fantasy set in a key part of Scottish history Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/11...
Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella — Runalong The Shelves
I would like to thank Flame Tree Press for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review Publisher – Flame Tree Press Published – Out Now Price – £20 hardback £4.95 e...
www.runalongtheshelves.net
November 23, 2025 at 10:39 AM
shonak.bsky.social
Had a lovely time at the Highland Bookshop last night and looking forward to heading north again for the next book. But this morning, the pain is big and I am small
November 23, 2025 at 10:44 AM
shonak.bsky.social
Arrived in Fort William, had a delicious lunch at Cafe Mango then checked into the hotel. Now for coffee and an attempt to distract myself from my nerves…
A grey stone hotel against a dreich grey sky
November 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
shonak.bsky.social
Today I’m heading north for a visit to Fort William, one of my favourite places to be. I’ll be in the Highland Bookshop tonight talking about Daughters of Nicnevin www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/daughters-...
Daughters of Nicnevin: A Scottish Fantasy Book Event with Shona Kinsella
Get ready to dive into a world of Scottish fantasy with Shona Kinsella and the Daughters of Nicnevin - a book event you won't want to miss!
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
alasdairstuart.bsky.social
#TheFullLid - 21st November 2025 - Happy Friday! We're talking Hanuman Project, from Friend of the Lid @stewarthotston.com , great art from the #transart hashtag, a link to a great translation project and some crime fighting magicians to heist us into the weekend.

mailchi.mp/1d89dfbc5e61...
Numbers fold vertically down a view of deep space centred on a colossal cloud of luminiscent green light and gas. Sanskrit is written over it as is the title PROJECT HANUMAN. The name STEWART HOTSTON is written on the bottom of the image. A digital illustration of the plush shark Blahaj, sticking out of a bag that is shaped like the iconic ikea bags, but patterned like the transgender flag, on a pink background. „Coming out” is handwritten underneath. Text reading FULLY FUND SECOND BOOK-LAST GOAL sits above a donation thermometer showing 44% of a $5000 goal. Beneath that text reads THE BENGITHI LIZOKUNA TRANSLATION IS FUNDED, BUT WE NEED TO CLOSE THE FUNDING FOR ZVINOBVINZA. HELP IS SO APPRECIATED... The lead characters of Now You See Me walk through and around the words of the title. It's an optical illusion, in the style of the tricks the suited, well dressed main characters do.
November 21, 2025 at 5:10 PM
shonak.bsky.social
A still of James Fraser from Outlander with the text “the answer to my problems probably isn’t rewatching Outlander again, but I better double check”
November 21, 2025 at 12:16 PM
shonak.bsky.social
“A masterpiece in feminist folklore” 🥹😭

britishfantasysociety.org/review/daugh...
Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella – The British Fantasy Society
britishfantasysociety.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
shonak.bsky.social
I’m on a train, heading into Glasgow for tonight’s event. But first, hot chocolate
November 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
shonak.bsky.social
It’s tonight! I’m so nervous and excited about this week’s events that I haven’t slept properly in 3 days 😂.

Catch me tonight chatting with @samkhorton.bsky.social and @megintransition.bsky.social at @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social

www.waterstones.com/events/sam-k...
Sam K. Horton and Shona Kinsella In Conversation | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Sam K. Horton and Shona Kinsella In Conversation today.
www.waterstones.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
britfantasysoc.bsky.social
The BFS is very pleased to support the Best Audiobook: Science Fiction & Fantasy category at the inaugural British Audio Awards the ceremony for which takes place on 24th November. To mark the event, Long Story Short presents our very first Podcast Special.

britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-pod...
November 19, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
davidgreenwriter.bsky.social
I was once told that this book - Magic, Maps, and Mischief - written by an autistic person about the autistic experience, did nothing new.

I didn't agree, and put it down to people judging worth differently.

1,600 sales later since October 24th, I'm glad people agree with me ❤️
November 19, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
tashasuri.bsky.social
got asked, by a very nice person, 'why don't you use chatGPT in your writing' and their argument was that it's just like using google to research: a modern tech that will enhance my work. all the obvious issues aside, I don't want to be modern. I want to be artisanal.
November 19, 2025 at 12:04 PM
shonak.bsky.social
There’s still time to get your ticket for one of these events!
gsfwc.bsky.social Glasgow SF Writers' Circle @gsfwc.bsky.social · 12d
Happy Book Birthday Week to Shona Kinsella's Daughters of Nicnevin (Flame Tree Press)!

Learn about these Jacobite witches from the woman herself in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fort William at these special events:

Glasgow (with Sam K. Horton) - 20/11
www.waterstones.com/events/sam-k... (1/2)
Sam K. Horton and Shona Kinsella In Conversation | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Sam K. Horton and Shona Kinsella In Conversation today.
www.waterstones.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
stewarthotston.com
It's that time of year again!

Nominations for the 2025 BSFA awards are open for BSFA Members. Nominations then form the Longlist. Nominations will close at the end of the year.

Project Hanuman is only just out but if you enjoyed it please consider nominating it in the best novel category 😍
November 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
julietemckenna.bsky.social
Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'jam' #BookQW
To say Dan and Fin are in right pickle doesn't begin to cover the challenges they're facing. Has Dan had an idea how to get them out of this sticky situation?
Modern fantasy rooted in British myths and folklore, widely available from retailers.
Cover art by Ben Baldwin shows a creature crouching in a low tunnel entrance lined with grey stones and partly hidden by green undergrowth and white flowers. The creature has pale skin covered in sparse black hair and it looks a bit like an ape, a bit like a bear, and completely unlike either of those. Book extract reads: I looked up and stared at nothing. An idea was floating just out of reach. A moment later, it hit me like a smack in the face. I ran up the stairs, taking them two and three at a time. In the front bedroom, I emptied Fin’s suitcase onto the bed. I turned over her clothes, raking them apart with my hands. Nothing. I realised anyone outside would be able to see what I was doing. They’d also see I’d lost the towels I’d been wearing on the stairs. I quickly drew the curtains. Fin had hung the dress bag for her bridesmaid’s frock on the front of the wardrobe. I pulled the zip down so hard it jammed. I forced myself to go more slowly. Taking the frock out of the bag, I shook it. The shoes and the headdress of silk flowers fell onto the floor. I didn’t care about them. I carefully turned the dress inside out. I saw a fleck of white caught in a seam. A tiny, downy feather.
November 19, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
jolantru.bsky.social
Hey hey hey, SH has a call for Indigenous submissions.

And I would like to read more Southeast Asian Indigenous writers!

If you are Dayak, Iban, Murut, Orang Asli - please submit!

Also I would like to see more Asian Indigenous:

Taiwanese aborigines.
Ainu.

strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...
Indigenous Author Submissions
On November 3rd, we will be opening for speculative fiction stories written by Indigenous authors. We will be capping submissions at 500.
strangehorizons.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:17 AM