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William C Powell

@willcampowell.bsky.social

1.8K followers 2K following 780 posts

Author of TEARDOWN🌈📚 (NineStar), EXPIRATION DAY (YA/SF, Tor), also writes short SFF, long SFF/HF/Crime/contemporary. Software engineer (retired). Politics Green #FBPE bit.ly/TeardownBook https://williamcampbellpowell.com He/him

williamcampbellpowell.com

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William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · Mar 20

When their lead singer quits 2 weeks before their Germany tour, enby drummer Kai needs to find a singer fast. Diva Dom might lead the band to stardom - but she's hiding a dark secret. And Lars? Kai's long-dormant heart is beating double-time on the road to Berlin...
🌈📚💙📚🥁🎶📚

bit.ly/TeardownBook

Now available
Teardown Book cover, showing a white van and band members driving towards the Berlin skyline

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William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 8d

But there will be a consultation. And the outcome of the consultation will be FYWA.

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 25d

You are all right Charlies
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...

How huge London far-right march lifted the lid on a toxic transatlantic soup

Tommy Robinson’s ‘free speech’ protest attracted more than 100,000 people – and it was easy to find links to key political figures and events in the US

www.theguardian.com

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 26d

I just remembered Jerome Bixby's The Holes Around Mars, a short story from the pages of Galaxy magazine. There's a Larry Niven short, too, which involves switching off a machine that holds a microscopic black hole in stasis. I can't remember the title. And it may not be Larry Niven.

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 26d

Brilliant that we're starting to have discussions about the demographics of the UK population, about the declining birth rate, about the increased tax burden on the people of working age, about the way the government responds by raising the age of retirement. That has a ceiling, and it's very close.

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 27d

That's remarkably like Spike Milligan's "I told you I was ill" inscribed (in Irish Gaelic) on his headstone.

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 27d

Some very tempting reads here.

Rob Bignell, Science Fiction Author @sfauthorrobbignell.bsky.social · 27d

#BlueskySciFiWriters #SciFiWriters #sf #scifi #specfic #sciencefiction #syfi #amwritingsf #SciFi #scifichat #sciencefiction #speculativefiction #writingcommunity

The best new science fiction books of September 2025

Authors including literary heavyweight Ian McEwan and big hitters John Scalzi, Yume Kitasei and Cixin Liu have new sci-fi novels out this month

www.newscientist.com

Reposted by William C Powell

Rob Bignell, Science Fiction Author @sfauthorrobbignell.bsky.social · 27d

What are your favorite noels or short stories in which black holes play a major role?
#BlueskySciFiWriters #SciFiWriters #sf #scifi #specfic #sciencefiction #syfi #amwritingsf #SciFi #scifichat #sciencefiction #speculativefiction #writingcommunity

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William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 27d

The only one that springs to mind is Fred Pohl's Heechee Saga.

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William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 28d

You can now pre-order The Best of MetaStellar Year 4 at books2read.com/u/4jdgOD - DRM-free where the platform permits.

#SpeculativeFiction #Fantasy #ScienceFiction #ShortStories #Anthology #ComingSoon #MetaStellar #HumansAreMagic #HumanStoriesByHumanAuthors #Culture #Reading

Cover image of The Best of MetaStellar Year 4, listing (some) author names and with a medieval-themed graphic of an armoured foot pressing down on a wounded goblin. Nice!

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William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 28d

Microsoft Office CLASSIC subscription successfully renewed today.
Why no, I don't need Copilot's useless suggestions wasting my time when writing. It turns out that thinking for myself is good for the brain. And not using AI is good for the planet.
Win-win.

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · 29d

Bah! Perdido Street Station has been wiped from my Audible library, I just discover. Another one gone, and a reminder that we do not buy Audible books, but only lease them for as long as it pleases Amazon, or the publisher, or whomever.
Angry face.

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · Sep 9

Me again, posting about The Best of MetaStellar Year 4.
This isn't just about me. Here are some teasers for other stories in the volume.
#SpeculativeFiction #Fantasy #ScienceFiction #ShortStories #Anthology
#ComingSoon #MetaStellar #HumansAreMagic #HumanStoriesByHumanAuthors
#Culture #Reading

Broken hearts can become games of shadows on the ballroom
floor….
— “The Power We Give” by Larina Warnock

The perfect alien planet for human life might not be all it's
cracked up to be....
— “Dream Planet” by Jordan Maison

Sometimes, androids will do anything for a hot cup of coffee….
— “Coffee Robot” by Bryce Paradis

Front cover of 'The Best of MetaStellar Year 4' as paperback, on tablet and on smartphone, against a backdrop of a whitewashed brick wall, with a picture frame, a white mug and an artists' wooden posable mannequin.

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · Sep 7

Reform led Nottinghamshire Council has blacklisted a local paper for asking questions about what councillors were doing. Farage says he welcomes free speech, that should apply to freedom of the press too. Sign the petition to get them to reverse the decision: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/re...

Reform: Stop hiding from press scrutiny!

Nigel Farage says he welcomes freedom of speech, even if people find it offensive. Surely that should apply to freedom of the press too? So why have Reform's Nottinghamshire councillors - who control ...

you.38degrees.org.uk

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · Sep 4

A fascinating list, that asks the important question: do I have room on my bookshelves for another 5 books?

Reactor Magazine @reactorsff.bsky.social · Sep 4

Last month @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social recommended 5 books set in the 1800s. But if you're looking for SFF takes on the radium girls, French spies, and the Great Depression, this list of backlist books that take place in the 20th century might be more your speed:

reactormag.com/backlist-bon...

Backlist Bonanza: 5 Underrated Books Set in an Alternate 20th Century - Reactor

Sentient robots, grumpy ghosts, and a magical Great Depression...

reactormag.com

Reposted by William C Powell

Sam J Miller @sentencebender.bsky.social · Sep 3

I'm scared I will draw the Wrath of the Fanboys, but... this week on my newsletter I wrote about why I think the "Golden Age of Science Fiction" writers have so little appeal to a huge swathe of today's SF/F writers & readers.

undercover-in-the-apocalypse.ghost.io/this-is-why-...

this is why we don't read the Golden Age anymore.

There are so many histories of the future. Spinning through timespace, studying this apocalypse, a key part of my undercover mission is studying stories about the future. When and where and how were ...

undercover-in-the-apocalypse.ghost.io

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William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · Sep 3

Also, apologise quickly. The longer you leave it, the more it looks like the apology is being forced out of you, and less like you really mean it.

Reposted by William C Powell

A. L. Munson | Onnahinli Hinak Bitepuli (she/her) @almunsonauthor.bsky.social · Aug 31

Coming in September: The Best of MetaStellar Year Four anthology! Featuring 54 stories from #sff writers around the globe. Look for it in bookstores near the end of next month.

#sciencefiction #fantasy #shortstories #specfic #horror #books

Three copies of The Best of MetaStellar Year Four anthology stacked on a table.

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Reposted by William C Powell

A. L. Munson | Onnahinli Hinak Bitepuli (she/her) @almunsonauthor.bsky.social · Aug 29

We are less than a month away from the release of The Best of MetaStellar Year Four anthology! This compilation of 54 #sff stories hits bookstores in late September. Look for it at a store near you!

#sci-fi #fantasy #horror #specfic #shortstories #books

The Best of MetaStellar Year Four anthology standing upright on a table with a potted plant in the background.

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Reposted by William C Powell

A. L. Munson | Onnahinli Hinak Bitepuli (she/her) @almunsonauthor.bsky.social · Aug 28

The Best of MetaStellar Year Four anthology comes out next month with 54 #sff stories for all you nerdy readers! It will be available in bookstores and online for print and e-book purchases.

#sci-fi #sciencefiction #fantasy #horror #specfic #shortstories

The Best of MetaStellar Year Four anthology lying on a wooden table.

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Reposted by William C Powell

A. L. Munson | Onnahinli Hinak Bitepuli (she/her) @almunsonauthor.bsky.social · Aug 27

Like #sci-fi and #fantasy? The Best of MetaStellar Year Four anthology is filled with #SFF stories you're bound to enjoy!

Release date set for September 26.

#shortstories #sciencefiction

The Best of MetaStellar Year Four anthology on tablet, smartphone, and in print.

William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · Aug 31

I love working with MetaStellar - both as a writer and as a first reader - having first sold a story (The Box) to them in 2021. Their upcoming anthology "The Best Of MetaStellar Year Four" contains 54 original tales across science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Bargain, if you ask me.

3 copies of 'The Best Of MetaStellar Year Four' standing on a wooden chest.

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William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · Aug 29

DNF on the first book. Went straight to the charity shop.

Reposted by William C Powell

Amanda Turek👻Headless Horsewoman @acturek.bsky.social · Aug 25

#WIPSnips #fantasy #WritingCommunity #WriteSky #reptile

Drisal’s just regained his own sense of reality after being overwhelmed by another’s. It’s awkward when it happens in front of his 8-year-old son.

- Brother’s Keeper, book of my fantasy WIP about two brothers linked by a misunderstood power.

Teryl eyed him with educated suspicion. "As if it's
never happened before." But Drisal had never satisfied his son's curiosity about such episodes. He frowned a warning. After a moment, Teryl's focus changed. "I saw the purple tortoise. I followed her to the blackberry tangle.
Lia and her friends passed by. Rush lost, didn't he?"

Drisal suppressed a sigh, but did not reprove Tëryl
for omitting the honorific required before his enshála's
name. "No, he did not lose, but she won. That's why we have to hurry. The celebration will be at Rälla Etania—"

"Mother wants me to wear the green tunic she
made of the silk Jer brought from, from ..."

"Talfúrnia."

"I don't have to, do I? She won't let me have any
fun if I'm wearing it."

Brother's Keeper
A.C. Turek

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Reposted by William C Powell

Jan Karlsson @jangoeswriting.bsky.social · Aug 25

It’s very likely Danni may be exaggerating, somewhat, here.

‘Alligator’ instead of ‘reptile’ in ‘Bottles’.

#WiPSnips

“Ah, so you did miss me.” Danni nodded toward Lyla, who could only roll her eyes at Tegan, almost threateningly. “Well, I only visited my mum, she lives in Fort Lauderdale, but I, ah, managed to see a lot of the places most people don’t get to see. I wrestled an alligator. Oh, yeah. They’d already tranquillised it, but they can still snap a hand off, even in their sleep. Of course, most people don’t realise just, ah, how much of Florida is swampland. It’s not all Miami, which I visited. Miami Vice do not dress like they did in the tv show. It’s, ah, not a contiguous state, though. It’s actually, ah, a peninsula, and …”

Tegan walked away. She had to, because she had unleashed a monster. She even managed to stop herself from mentioning that she used to watch Miami Vice with her dad. She daren’t because she had the distinct feeling that she would get dragged into a one-sided conversation that would last, almost literally, forever. She was still talking, even now. Tegan wasn’t even certain she needed to breathe. Just kept talking. On-and-on. In the same dreary tone.

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William C Powell @willcampowell.bsky.social · Aug 25

As I resume work on this WIP after 5 months hold, 'reptile' finds the aftermath of a rhinuffalo stampede. The rhinuffalo is native to this parallel world, to which project manager Jessica has crossed, to revenge her murdered mother, and take back the Ruby Throne.
#WIPSnips #PortalFantasy #witches

The drizzle stopped about two hours before sundown, and a moderate breeze began to dispel the remaining mists.
Night fell.
Across the valley floor the earth was everywhere churned into mud by hundreds — thousands — of hooves. Dotted here and there were the broken mounds of rhinuffalo that had stumbled and fallen under those same hooves.
It was feast time for many, though. Avians, mammals and reptiles drawn down from the high rocks and the neighbouring valleys — all came to share in the banquet of shattered flesh across the valley floor.
And where the mud gave way to mostly un-trampled grass, a boy lay, battered and bloodied, beyond hope, sobbing with his last strength after all tears had failed.

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