Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
@stephencward.com
Comic-loving bookworm. Scribbler of words and images. (cis,he/him)
Website: https://stephencward.com
Avatar by Debbie Jenkinson
Website: https://stephencward.com
Avatar by Debbie Jenkinson
Pinned
Black Bolt/ Scream mashup I did for Inktober 2017. Which was printed in the back of Black Bolt #9 :D
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
This is a framed photograph you'd see on the wall in the Raccoon City Police Department
November 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
This is a framed photograph you'd see on the wall in the Raccoon City Police Department
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Very early in starting Little Deer, I realised how shockingly small most publishing runs are and how even our minuscule stock in our teeny tiny shop in Dublin could affect a book’s success.
Can confirm that selling 3 copies of a book immediately puts it in our best sellers of the month.
And if you sort all our books by “best selling” on our webshop you’re seeing a list of books that have sold more than 10 copies which for me then becomes an Always Stock Forever book.
And if you sort all our books by “best selling” on our webshop you’re seeing a list of books that have sold more than 10 copies which for me then becomes an Always Stock Forever book.
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
November 26, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Very early in starting Little Deer, I realised how shockingly small most publishing runs are and how even our minuscule stock in our teeny tiny shop in Dublin could affect a book’s success.
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 11:24 PM
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
I used to be a lead bookseller at one of the biggest bookshops in the UK. We had a reputation for being able to "break" books, i.e. build hype for books we got behind and make them start selling.
That often involved handselling just 9 or 10 copies over a couple of days.
That often involved handselling just 9 or 10 copies over a couple of days.
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 26, 2025 at 12:06 AM
I used to be a lead bookseller at one of the biggest bookshops in the UK. We had a reputation for being able to "break" books, i.e. build hype for books we got behind and make them start selling.
That often involved handselling just 9 or 10 copies over a couple of days.
That often involved handselling just 9 or 10 copies over a couple of days.
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Two exciting phase two trials show incredible success of mrna vaccines for seasonal flu with infectious symptoms prevented in some healthy individuals. 🧪🧵
Experimental mRNA flu vaccine shows superior efficacy against symptomatic illness
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 26, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Two exciting phase two trials show incredible success of mrna vaccines for seasonal flu with infectious symptoms prevented in some healthy individuals. 🧪🧵
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
This is where we're at. This is why we have an image of suffering and hungry artist. This needs to change.
www.comicsbeat.com/the-one-abou...
www.comicsbeat.com/the-one-abou...
The one about comic book page rates – again
The one about comic book page rates – again
www.comicsbeat.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:25 AM
This is where we're at. This is why we have an image of suffering and hungry artist. This needs to change.
www.comicsbeat.com/the-one-abou...
www.comicsbeat.com/the-one-abou...
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Do people understand what they are saying about themselves, when they denounce people as ‘antifa’? bleedingcool.com/comics/comic...
Comics Artist Elena Mistrello Turned Away At French Border As Antifa
Italian comics artist Elena Mistrello turned away at a French airport for antifascist activism
bleedingcool.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Do people understand what they are saying about themselves, when they denounce people as ‘antifa’? bleedingcool.com/comics/comic...
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Reminds of this all timer.
November 25, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Reminds of this all timer.
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
The housing crisis keeps people from being able to leave abusive situations. Not being able to afford to rent a room on their own, or not wanting to move their kids into a homeless refuge for months if not years.
Or not being able to move away after breaking up with an ex who is stalking you.
Or not being able to move away after breaking up with an ex who is stalking you.
November 25, 2025 at 10:57 PM
The housing crisis keeps people from being able to leave abusive situations. Not being able to afford to rent a room on their own, or not wanting to move their kids into a homeless refuge for months if not years.
Or not being able to move away after breaking up with an ex who is stalking you.
Or not being able to move away after breaking up with an ex who is stalking you.
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
This is outrageously propagandistic
When it comes to modern war, Ireland is a high-value target: its waters on the western fringe of Europe contain three-quarters of all undersea cables in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, is unprotected and unprepared.
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
November 25, 2025 at 10:43 PM
This is outrageously propagandistic
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Burn. The. Servers.
Everyone knows data centers use a ton of water.
What hardly anyone knows: they can poison the water that remains.
And in eastern Oregon, Amazon is doing exactly that.
What hardly anyone knows: they can poison the water that remains.
And in eastern Oregon, Amazon is doing exactly that.
AI’s water problem is worse than we thought
A new investigation reveals how Amazon is amplifying Oregon’s nitrate pollution crisis.
heated.world
November 25, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Burn. The. Servers.
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Lemass wasn’t the absolute worst (as FF Taoisigh go) but he did introduce the 1935 Conditions of Employment Act which restricted women’s access to the workplace. His biographer says he was sexist & regarded women’s employment as ‘contrary to the Irish way of life’, so that’s a no from me. #speirgorm
November 26, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Lemass wasn’t the absolute worst (as FF Taoisigh go) but he did introduce the 1935 Conditions of Employment Act which restricted women’s access to the workplace. His biographer says he was sexist & regarded women’s employment as ‘contrary to the Irish way of life’, so that’s a no from me. #speirgorm
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
imagine having to hear shit like "study confirms giving diabetic children insulin reduces their death rates by 100%" as if that hasn't been known for like a hunred years. that's what being trans is like
November 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
imagine having to hear shit like "study confirms giving diabetic children insulin reduces their death rates by 100%" as if that hasn't been known for like a hunred years. that's what being trans is like
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
As always, the West will dismantle itself for Israel's genocide. Now the UK is openly replacing impartial judges days before important Palestine cases wrap up, without any explanation or clarification. Any pretense of fairness in the legal system is gone.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Removal of judge in Palestine Action ban legal challenge ‘deeply concerning’
Unusual last-minute change means panel of three will now hear case rather than Mr Justice Chamberlain
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:39 AM
As always, the West will dismantle itself for Israel's genocide. Now the UK is openly replacing impartial judges days before important Palestine cases wrap up, without any explanation or clarification. Any pretense of fairness in the legal system is gone.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
It’s no accident the ladder climbers & fake smart careerist class occupying our government, mass media, boardrooms etc aren’t capable of understanding/responding to what Hansen is theorizing here.
A proper response would change the world within weeks. And that is the last thing big capital wants.
A proper response would change the world within weeks. And that is the last thing big capital wants.
Warning! This colorful chart is censored by IPCC - mailchi.mp/caa/warning-...
Also available on Substack: jimehansen.substack.com/p/warning-th...
Also available on Substack: jimehansen.substack.com/p/warning-th...
November 23, 2025 at 9:53 AM
It’s no accident the ladder climbers & fake smart careerist class occupying our government, mass media, boardrooms etc aren’t capable of understanding/responding to what Hansen is theorizing here.
A proper response would change the world within weeks. And that is the last thing big capital wants.
A proper response would change the world within weeks. And that is the last thing big capital wants.
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
There is NO FUCKING EXCUSE for this to be happening.
I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."
HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."
HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
A third infant has died in Kentucky, KYDPH adds:
“These are Kentucky’s first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy.”
s3.amazonaws.com/nursing-netw...
“These are Kentucky’s first pertussis deaths since 2018. None of the infants nor their mothers received the recommended pertussis vaccinations during pregnancy or early infancy.”
s3.amazonaws.com/nursing-netw...
November 25, 2025 at 10:01 PM
There is NO FUCKING EXCUSE for this to be happening.
I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."
HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
I had a baby die in my arms of pertussis some fifty years ago. It was a HORRIBLE death. But my fellow nurses said to me, "It's almost stamped out now, they're all getting the shots, we won't be seeing this again."
HOW THE FUCK ARE WE HERE. 😡
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Made a colour variant Mr. Blobby because nobody can stop me anymore. I am beyond consequences.
November 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Made a colour variant Mr. Blobby because nobody can stop me anymore. I am beyond consequences.
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
anyone on here produce finished inks for print in procreate?
November 25, 2025 at 9:44 PM
anyone on here produce finished inks for print in procreate?
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 25, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Is this cheese grater conscious? Many users feel they're talking to a real person. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
The National Artificial Intelligence Association wants to “hire” an unpaid intern to handle all their customer relationship management.
Sure, give the unpaid intern access to your member list and their personal information. What could possibly go wrong
Sure, give the unpaid intern access to your member list and their personal information. What could possibly go wrong
This job listing is a recession indicator. This is a bonkers responsibility list to end the description with it being an unpaid internship. It says internship at the top (screenshot cut off) but not UNPAID. And that application question? I can't. Be so fr rn.
November 25, 2025 at 9:36 PM
The National Artificial Intelligence Association wants to “hire” an unpaid intern to handle all their customer relationship management.
Sure, give the unpaid intern access to your member list and their personal information. What could possibly go wrong
Sure, give the unpaid intern access to your member list and their personal information. What could possibly go wrong
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Here's a small tease of a five pager (written by my partner @noellenorthstar.bsky.social!) I'm doing for a zine. More details soon...
November 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Here's a small tease of a five pager (written by my partner @noellenorthstar.bsky.social!) I'm doing for a zine. More details soon...
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
It is infuriating at times talking to family about renting (particularly those who haven't rented in decades)
Telling them about a rent increase of nearly 400 a month, and they look at you with a look of "not sure what the problem is".......
Telling them about a rent increase of nearly 400 a month, and they look at you with a look of "not sure what the problem is".......
a cartoon of a girl holding a boy 's face in front of a red c sign
Alt: a cartoon of a girl strangling a boy
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
It is infuriating at times talking to family about renting (particularly those who haven't rented in decades)
Telling them about a rent increase of nearly 400 a month, and they look at you with a look of "not sure what the problem is".......
Telling them about a rent increase of nearly 400 a month, and they look at you with a look of "not sure what the problem is".......
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Reposted by Stíofán Mhac an Bhaird (Stephen Ward)
Trial by jury is now “gaming the system” why are you clapping for fascism Pippa? And also you mean DEFENDANTS.
It comes after our @jessicaelgot.bsky.social revealed that criminals will be stopped from “gaming the system” by choosing trial by jury to increase chances of proceedings collapsing - and that govt was planning radical changes to limit jury trials by next election.
November 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Trial by jury is now “gaming the system” why are you clapping for fascism Pippa? And also you mean DEFENDANTS.