Sylvia Leatham
@sylvialeatham.bsky.social
Debut romcom ‘Chaos Theory’ with Storm Publishing. Rep’ed by Liverpool Lit Agency. Shortlisted for The Letter Review prize, Watson Little Indie Novella prize & Retreat West 1st Chapter. LL’ed for Mslexia novel prize. https://linktr.ee/SylviaLeatham
Pinned
It’s finally here! Publication day! And not, as my phone keeps autocorrecting it, ‘pub location’ day. 😂
‘Chaos Theory’ has been nurtured for 4.5 years, and now it’s finally out in the world, going on its own adventures. You can get it as paperback, e-book and audiobook.
Linktr.ee/SylviaLeatham
‘Chaos Theory’ has been nurtured for 4.5 years, and now it’s finally out in the world, going on its own adventures. You can get it as paperback, e-book and audiobook.
Linktr.ee/SylviaLeatham
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
'I was offered a two-book deal by Storm Publishing in July '24. One of the conditions of the deal was that I’d be willing to make some changes to the as-yet-untitled Chaos Theory...my first reaction to this proposal was hesitation'
writes @sylvialeatham.bsky.social
👇
www.writing.ie/.../the-role...
writes @sylvialeatham.bsky.social
👇
www.writing.ie/.../the-role...
February 9, 2026 at 11:37 AM
'I was offered a two-book deal by Storm Publishing in July '24. One of the conditions of the deal was that I’d be willing to make some changes to the as-yet-untitled Chaos Theory...my first reaction to this proposal was hesitation'
writes @sylvialeatham.bsky.social
👇
www.writing.ie/.../the-role...
writes @sylvialeatham.bsky.social
👇
www.writing.ie/.../the-role...
I strongly suspect she’s making more from TEACHING others how to do this grift, than the grift itself.
Where is copyright law in all this? Is there anything to stop someone else taking and selling her terrible Ai slop books? Presumably they can’t be copyrighted as they’re not original works.
Where is copyright law in all this? Is there anything to stop someone else taking and selling her terrible Ai slop books? Presumably they can’t be copyrighted as they’re not original works.
“If I can generate a book in a day, and you need six months to write a book, who’s going to win the race?” God this is bleak
The New Fabio Is Claude
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:18 PM
I strongly suspect she’s making more from TEACHING others how to do this grift, than the grift itself.
Where is copyright law in all this? Is there anything to stop someone else taking and selling her terrible Ai slop books? Presumably they can’t be copyrighted as they’re not original works.
Where is copyright law in all this? Is there anything to stop someone else taking and selling her terrible Ai slop books? Presumably they can’t be copyrighted as they’re not original works.
Once again sharing the art my dad drew on our backyard wall, to show that you don’t need Ai or an education or permission to be creative or to make art.
He did this for no one but himself. He said he could see the faces in the stones.
He did this for no one but himself. He said he could see the faces in the stones.
February 7, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Once again sharing the art my dad drew on our backyard wall, to show that you don’t need Ai or an education or permission to be creative or to make art.
He did this for no one but himself. He said he could see the faces in the stones.
He did this for no one but himself. He said he could see the faces in the stones.
Again, I cannot believe it is legal right now to access and use private counselling notes in court against the person being counselled.
I think my favourite thing about this clip where HC explains that current legislation is unfair to victims is that after she explains it, Michael Martin almost chides her and explains that her words are, in fact, very unfair on the government. The real victims.
The use of victims' counselling notes in trials for sexual offences is grotesque – yet the govt's new legislation doesn't ban the practice.
The Taoiseach says an outright ban is unconstitutional – the Social Democrats don't accept that excuse.
The govt needs to act stronger on this.
The Taoiseach says an outright ban is unconstitutional – the Social Democrats don't accept that excuse.
The govt needs to act stronger on this.
February 6, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Again, I cannot believe it is legal right now to access and use private counselling notes in court against the person being counselled.
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
This hits hard.
👀Now that ICE/DHS are planning to buy ‘mega’ warehouse detention centers across the US to house human beings you might want to listen to this gentleman’s history lesson that he delivered at a city council meeting in AZ. Congress needs to have hearings on this like yesterday.
February 5, 2026 at 4:36 PM
This hits hard.
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
🌼Happy launch day to Ruth Ennis!🌼
❤️Ruth is our fab children's books reviewer & is such a supportive, generous, & talented person—we wish her and Shorelines all the success in the world ❤️
@littleislandbooks.bsky.social @gutterbookshop.bsky.social @childrensbooksireland.ie @rurooie.bsky.social
❤️Ruth is our fab children's books reviewer & is such a supportive, generous, & talented person—we wish her and Shorelines all the success in the world ❤️
@littleislandbooks.bsky.social @gutterbookshop.bsky.social @childrensbooksireland.ie @rurooie.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 8:59 AM
🌼Happy launch day to Ruth Ennis!🌼
❤️Ruth is our fab children's books reviewer & is such a supportive, generous, & talented person—we wish her and Shorelines all the success in the world ❤️
@littleislandbooks.bsky.social @gutterbookshop.bsky.social @childrensbooksireland.ie @rurooie.bsky.social
❤️Ruth is our fab children's books reviewer & is such a supportive, generous, & talented person—we wish her and Shorelines all the success in the world ❤️
@littleislandbooks.bsky.social @gutterbookshop.bsky.social @childrensbooksireland.ie @rurooie.bsky.social
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
Join Mei Chin and I at @gutterbookshop.bsky.social on 19th February as we'll be talking about some of our favourite Chinese literature.
It's free!
Do come and celebrate the Lunar New Year with us – the Year of the Horse.
It's free!
Do come and celebrate the Lunar New Year with us – the Year of the Horse.
Great Books of China at Gutter Bookshop ✨
Join Rónán Hession and Mei Chin for a discussion on books from and about China, exploring its history, present, and unexpected perspectives.
🗓️ Thursday 19 February, 18.30–20.00.
🎫 Free, no booking required.
📚 Gutter Bookshop, Cows Lane, Temple Bar
Join Rónán Hession and Mei Chin for a discussion on books from and about China, exploring its history, present, and unexpected perspectives.
🗓️ Thursday 19 February, 18.30–20.00.
🎫 Free, no booking required.
📚 Gutter Bookshop, Cows Lane, Temple Bar
February 3, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Join Mei Chin and I at @gutterbookshop.bsky.social on 19th February as we'll be talking about some of our favourite Chinese literature.
It's free!
Do come and celebrate the Lunar New Year with us – the Year of the Horse.
It's free!
Do come and celebrate the Lunar New Year with us – the Year of the Horse.
January and February, in two photos.
(Both taken today on a stroll around the neighbourhood in Dublin 7.)
(Both taken today on a stroll around the neighbourhood in Dublin 7.)
February 1, 2026 at 5:21 PM
January and February, in two photos.
(Both taken today on a stroll around the neighbourhood in Dublin 7.)
(Both taken today on a stroll around the neighbourhood in Dublin 7.)
Just imagine, in less than 9 hours, it will no longer be January.
January 31, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Just imagine, in less than 9 hours, it will no longer be January.
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
Delighted to share this event hosted by the bookshop with the biggest heart, @chaptersbookstore.bsky.social !
Come join us on Valentine’s Day for fun and fizz and a chat about book lovers, for book lovers!
www.eventbrite.ie/e/book-lover...
💖
Come join us on Valentine’s Day for fun and fizz and a chat about book lovers, for book lovers!
www.eventbrite.ie/e/book-lover...
💖
January 30, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Delighted to share this event hosted by the bookshop with the biggest heart, @chaptersbookstore.bsky.social !
Come join us on Valentine’s Day for fun and fizz and a chat about book lovers, for book lovers!
www.eventbrite.ie/e/book-lover...
💖
Come join us on Valentine’s Day for fun and fizz and a chat about book lovers, for book lovers!
www.eventbrite.ie/e/book-lover...
💖
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
New blog post: a list of upcoming novel competitions for 2026 anneolearyblog.wordpress.com/2026/01/26/n...
Novel competitions 2026
Somewhat later in the New Year than I intended, but it’s taking a while for this year’s novel competitions to wake up. Nonetheless, the crop that is currently or soon to open for entrie…
anneolearyblog.wordpress.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:35 PM
New blog post: a list of upcoming novel competitions for 2026 anneolearyblog.wordpress.com/2026/01/26/n...
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
I need some help folks. I’m looking for a song from Ireland or by an Irish artist suitable to be sung by a choir which is explicitly (ie quite obviously) about community and good times. Something nice and upbeat please.
January 28, 2026 at 10:05 PM
I need some help folks. I’m looking for a song from Ireland or by an Irish artist suitable to be sung by a choir which is explicitly (ie quite obviously) about community and good times. Something nice and upbeat please.
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
No way we let Sweden get over the line on this ahead of Ireland.
Tell your friends. This isn’t just any old petition, this mechanism has EU clout.
Tell your friends. This isn’t just any old petition, this mechanism has EU clout.
358 806 signatures for the full suspension of the EU-Israel association, more than 1/3 of what is needed and 4 of the 7 countries needed over 100%.
tinyurl.com/mv8fzdhu
☑️Belgium 103%
☑️Finland 100.5%
☑️France 296%
Ireland 58.7%
Italy 79.8%
Netherlands 31%
Poland 51.4%
☑️Spain 111.9%
Sweden 81.6%
tinyurl.com/mv8fzdhu
☑️Belgium 103%
☑️Finland 100.5%
☑️France 296%
Ireland 58.7%
Italy 79.8%
Netherlands 31%
Poland 51.4%
☑️Spain 111.9%
Sweden 81.6%
January 25, 2026 at 10:40 AM
No way we let Sweden get over the line on this ahead of Ireland.
Tell your friends. This isn’t just any old petition, this mechanism has EU clout.
Tell your friends. This isn’t just any old petition, this mechanism has EU clout.
Reading this but have to keep stopping to check my privacy settings on social media! 😱
‘Esther is now following you’ by Tanya Sweeney.
Very good so far!
‘Esther is now following you’ by Tanya Sweeney.
Very good so far!
January 20, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Reading this but have to keep stopping to check my privacy settings on social media! 😱
‘Esther is now following you’ by Tanya Sweeney.
Very good so far!
‘Esther is now following you’ by Tanya Sweeney.
Very good so far!
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
Perhaps the surest sign of AI not being super intelligent is the amount of tailored scams targeting the finances of authors, which is as rewarding as trying to mug a seagull.
January 12, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Perhaps the surest sign of AI not being super intelligent is the amount of tailored scams targeting the finances of authors, which is as rewarding as trying to mug a seagull.
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
Thread: non-musical movies that have musical scenes
Intergalactic Back To The Future Intergalactic Quality GIF
Alt: Michael J Fox taking off a guitar and saying "your kids are gonna love it"
media.tenor.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Thread: non-musical movies that have musical scenes
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
On an iphone, you find the apps on the App Store, you scroll to the bottom of its listing to where it says “Report a Problem”.
Follow the drop down menus to report something illegal.
Here’s my report, as an example. Just takes 2 minutes.
Follow the drop down menus to report something illegal.
Here’s my report, as an example. Just takes 2 minutes.
January 11, 2026 at 10:37 AM
On an iphone, you find the apps on the App Store, you scroll to the bottom of its listing to where it says “Report a Problem”.
Follow the drop down menus to report something illegal.
Here’s my report, as an example. Just takes 2 minutes.
Follow the drop down menus to report something illegal.
Here’s my report, as an example. Just takes 2 minutes.
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
@rickoshea.bsky.social and I had a good natter about translated fiction on Arena @rteradio1.bsky.social earlier in the week. You can listen back here if you fancy it.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Fiction in Translation
Writer and columnist Rónán Hession joins the show to be quizzed about best foreign fiction hitting the shelves, as well as the art of literary translation.
www.rte.ie
January 9, 2026 at 11:12 PM
@rickoshea.bsky.social and I had a good natter about translated fiction on Arena @rteradio1.bsky.social earlier in the week. You can listen back here if you fancy it.
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
I’ve just written to the Taoiseach about Twitter/X. I urge you to do the same. The address is:
[email protected]
[email protected]
January 8, 2026 at 12:52 PM
I’ve just written to the Taoiseach about Twitter/X. I urge you to do the same. The address is:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
Very good article on this writer realising exactly what a good editor does, and crucially, why.
The Role of the Editor by Sylvia Leatham
Where art meets commerce: the role of the editor. Sylvia Leatham reflects on lessons learned over the two-and-a-half-year process of editing her debut novel for a commercial market. My debut novel, Chaos Theory, was released in September 2025 with…
Where art meets commerce: the role of the editor. Sylvia Leatham reflects on lessons learned over the two-and-a-half-year process of editing her debut novel for a commercial market. My debut novel, Chaos Theory, was released in September 2025 with…
The Role of the Editor by Sylvia Leatham
Where art meets commerce: the role of the editor. Sylvia Leatham reflects on lessons learned over the two-and-a-half-year process of editing her debut novel for a commercial market. My debut novel, Chaos Theory, was released in September 2025 with digital-first publisher Storm Publishing. A quirky romantic comedy with a speculative fiction twist, the book follows the adventures – in life and love – of Irish tourism executive Maeve McGettigan, as she navigates the chaos created by a new workplace robot called Kobi.
www.writing.ie
January 5, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Very good article on this writer realising exactly what a good editor does, and crucially, why.
Reposted by Sylvia Leatham
What is the point of having deepfake tools readily available for all to use? Genuine question. Because over 90% of what's created is porn, and I'd wager a good chunk of that is non-consensual. And the reamining sliver is scams, slop and ... what exactly that makes it so necessary to keep around????
New with @regret.bsky.social: Grok’s creation of harmful “undress” images is relentless.
Even today, after days of scrutiny, Grok was churning out ‘bikini’ and underwear images of women every few seconds.
Researchers estimate that Grok has become the biggest creator of sexualized deepfake images
Even today, after days of scrutiny, Grok was churning out ‘bikini’ and underwear images of women every few seconds.
Researchers estimate that Grok has become the biggest creator of sexualized deepfake images
Grok Is Pushing AI ‘Undressing’ Mainstream
Paid tools that “strip” clothes from photos have been available on the darker corners of the internet for years. Elon Musk's X is now removing barriers to entry—and making the results public.
www.wired.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:43 PM
What is the point of having deepfake tools readily available for all to use? Genuine question. Because over 90% of what's created is porn, and I'd wager a good chunk of that is non-consensual. And the reamining sliver is scams, slop and ... what exactly that makes it so necessary to keep around????
Fun fact about Avatar for Irish fans. A guy from Tallaght works on the technical/ fx aspects! His name is Richard Baneham and he still has his Dublin accent.
December 28, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Fun fact about Avatar for Irish fans. A guy from Tallaght works on the technical/ fx aspects! His name is Richard Baneham and he still has his Dublin accent.