David Aitken
@davidaitken.bsky.social
Wordsmith, lost deep in the word mines, collecting acceptable adverbs and credible similes. Keen to surface and present my findings to an astonished world.
Pinned
Great to finally have the anthology in my hands. Seven 5star reviews so far from readers loving our creepy vibes. Paperback £7.99, free on Kindle Unlimited.
tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
#booksky
#ghoststories
tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
#booksky
#ghoststories
Reposted by David Aitken
The principal of Edinburgh University Sir Peter Mathieson will earn close on £ half a million this year. He proposes allowing (!) Scottish students to pay fees. Why not seek out Scots who’d be content with modest salaries to run public services instead?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scottish students should pay towards tuition, says Edinburgh uni principal
Prof Sir Peter Mathieson said that Scotland could adopt a
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 8:47 AM
The principal of Edinburgh University Sir Peter Mathieson will earn close on £ half a million this year. He proposes allowing (!) Scottish students to pay fees. Why not seek out Scots who’d be content with modest salaries to run public services instead?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Fantastic classes. Really help you to focus on improving your craft, but also great for generating ideas for new work. All done in a supportive and collegiate atmosphere, and surprisingly good fun, given it's on Zoom. Want to write? All abilities nurtured and encouraged.
Starts next Tuesday. We are based in Glasgow. Writers from around the world are welcome. Details on our website www.thi-wurd.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Fantastic classes. Really help you to focus on improving your craft, but also great for generating ideas for new work. All done in a supportive and collegiate atmosphere, and surprisingly good fun, given it's on Zoom. Want to write? All abilities nurtured and encouraged.
Reposted by David Aitken
Scotland, Caracas and the Trump Corollary
open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
Scotland, Caracas and the Trump Corollary
It has the same feeling as reporting the loss of the Titanic with the apocryphal headline attributed to the Aberdeen Press and Journal: “North-east man lost at sea”, to report on events in Caracas in ...
open.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Scotland, Caracas and the Trump Corollary
open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
open.substack.com/pub/fiftysix...
Reposted by David Aitken
It is November 2025 Martin O’Neill is simultaneously the former, current, and future manager of Glasgow Celtic Football Club.
January 5, 2026 at 8:49 PM
It is November 2025 Martin O’Neill is simultaneously the former, current, and future manager of Glasgow Celtic Football Club.
Reposted by David Aitken
The Carrying Stream is a new podcast for Scottish words and ideas – long-form conversations with writers, scholars, poets and artists. 🎙️🏴
Episode 0 is now live, alongside the first three full conversations.
pod.link/1865430519
Episode 0 is now live, alongside the first three full conversations.
pod.link/1865430519
January 4, 2026 at 11:23 AM
The Carrying Stream is a new podcast for Scottish words and ideas – long-form conversations with writers, scholars, poets and artists. 🎙️🏴
Episode 0 is now live, alongside the first three full conversations.
pod.link/1865430519
Episode 0 is now live, alongside the first three full conversations.
pod.link/1865430519
Reposted by David Aitken
Fascist US President 🤝 Fascist Social Media Platform
The UK Government thinking everything is A-OK to keep continuing on as before with them.
Never in my lifetime has there been such a gaping moral void at the heart of this state than right now. What a grim world we're now in.
The UK Government thinking everything is A-OK to keep continuing on as before with them.
Never in my lifetime has there been such a gaping moral void at the heart of this state than right now. What a grim world we're now in.
January 3, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Fascist US President 🤝 Fascist Social Media Platform
The UK Government thinking everything is A-OK to keep continuing on as before with them.
Never in my lifetime has there been such a gaping moral void at the heart of this state than right now. What a grim world we're now in.
The UK Government thinking everything is A-OK to keep continuing on as before with them.
Never in my lifetime has there been such a gaping moral void at the heart of this state than right now. What a grim world we're now in.
Reposted by David Aitken
“Well, we must face a new reality. No more carefree days of chasing squirrels, running through the park, or howling at the moon. On the other hand, no more ‘Fetch the stick, boy,
fetch the stick.’”
fetch the stick.’”
January 3, 2026 at 3:04 PM
“Well, we must face a new reality. No more carefree days of chasing squirrels, running through the park, or howling at the moon. On the other hand, no more ‘Fetch the stick, boy,
fetch the stick.’”
fetch the stick.’”
As a young television researcher I had to phone novelist Ian Rankin about his appearance in a forthcoming series. Opening the call, I ask him if it was a nice day in North Queensferry. He was somewhat miffed that I had confused his home for that of fellow Scots novelist Iain Banks. Oops. Sorry Ian.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM
As a young television researcher I had to phone novelist Ian Rankin about his appearance in a forthcoming series. Opening the call, I ask him if it was a nice day in North Queensferry. He was somewhat miffed that I had confused his home for that of fellow Scots novelist Iain Banks. Oops. Sorry Ian.
I once stood across the same television greenroom from Robert Plant, each of us eating Refresher Chew lollypops. While he regaled the assembled with his love of that particular confectionary, I could only look on in tacit agreement, with little to add to the conversation.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 30, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I once stood across the same television greenroom from Robert Plant, each of us eating Refresher Chew lollypops. While he regaled the assembled with his love of that particular confectionary, I could only look on in tacit agreement, with little to add to the conversation.
Reposted by David Aitken
The Agnes Owens Archive opens January 2026, celebrating one of Scotland’s most distinctive literary voices. Marking her centenary, a programme of events and free guided tours will be announced soon. #AgnesOwens
December 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
The Agnes Owens Archive opens January 2026, celebrating one of Scotland’s most distinctive literary voices. Marking her centenary, a programme of events and free guided tours will be announced soon. #AgnesOwens
Reposted by David Aitken
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
Reposted by David Aitken
People ask me why I'm publishing on Amazon, who are indisputably evil. They say I should publish via an ethical company.
So here's why.
I've published 3 Sunday Times Bestsellers through ethical publishers, and made - drum roll - absolutely zero. Literally not one penny.
In fact ...
So here's why.
I've published 3 Sunday Times Bestsellers through ethical publishers, and made - drum roll - absolutely zero. Literally not one penny.
In fact ...
December 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
People ask me why I'm publishing on Amazon, who are indisputably evil. They say I should publish via an ethical company.
So here's why.
I've published 3 Sunday Times Bestsellers through ethical publishers, and made - drum roll - absolutely zero. Literally not one penny.
In fact ...
So here's why.
I've published 3 Sunday Times Bestsellers through ethical publishers, and made - drum roll - absolutely zero. Literally not one penny.
In fact ...
Reposted by David Aitken
The album I've listened to most this year is this one and I think it stands up pretty well 😊 #5albums25
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com/album/old-so...
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com/album/old-so...
Old Songs for Kids, by The Family Grave
10 track album
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The album I've listened to most this year is this one and I think it stands up pretty well 😊 #5albums25
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com/album/old-so...
thefamilygrave.bandcamp.com/album/old-so...
21 fabulously freaky fictions.
Definitely not recommended for readers of a nervous disposition.
#booksky
#HorrorFiction
#FolkHorror
Definitely not recommended for readers of a nervous disposition.
#booksky
#HorrorFiction
#FolkHorror
A mansion house that holds a dark secret; a woman trapped inside a picture frame; a shadow that is always one step behind you and never goes away; a ouija board that conjures up something terrifying; a haunting in Venice – all these and more terrifying tales lurk between these pages...
December 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
21 fabulously freaky fictions.
Definitely not recommended for readers of a nervous disposition.
#booksky
#HorrorFiction
#FolkHorror
Definitely not recommended for readers of a nervous disposition.
#booksky
#HorrorFiction
#FolkHorror
Reposted by David Aitken
🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid.
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
🧵 Is it a super flu year? Who knows, but I think the current reporting is stupid.
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
A pissed off thread using data.
Firstly - here are today's headlines and some from the last 3 years... spot the difference. 1/10
Should also mention that all profits from this collection of creepy tales will be donated to the PD James Memorial Fund, a charity that helps retired authors in financial hardship.
www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
December 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Should also mention that all profits from this collection of creepy tales will be donated to the PD James Memorial Fund, a charity that helps retired authors in financial hardship.
www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
Great to finally have the anthology in my hands. Seven 5star reviews so far from readers loving our creepy vibes. Paperback £7.99, free on Kindle Unlimited.
tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
#booksky
#ghoststories
tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
#booksky
#ghoststories
December 10, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Great to finally have the anthology in my hands. Seven 5star reviews so far from readers loving our creepy vibes. Paperback £7.99, free on Kindle Unlimited.
tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
#booksky
#ghoststories
tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
#booksky
#ghoststories
Reposted by David Aitken
Absolutely magnificent. The best song ever written about one of the best cities in the world.
🙂🙂🙂
🙂🙂🙂
December 10, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Absolutely magnificent. The best song ever written about one of the best cities in the world.
🙂🙂🙂
🙂🙂🙂
Reposted by David Aitken
Quite wonderful. Take a minute.
Woke up to a new De La Soul album and a David Byrne Tiny Desk (including "Nothing but Flowers"). All right.
David Byrne: Tiny Desk Concert
In matching, brilliant blue suits, David Byrne and his band squeeze behind the Desk to perform four songs, including Talking Heads' "Life During Wartime."
www.npr.org
December 1, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Quite wonderful. Take a minute.
Reposted by David Aitken
So glad to see Edinburgh honouring Jane Haining with this stolperstein at the foot of the steps of St Stephen's Church in Stockbridge, where she worshipped.
December 1, 2025 at 10:45 AM
So glad to see Edinburgh honouring Jane Haining with this stolperstein at the foot of the steps of St Stephen's Church in Stockbridge, where she worshipped.
As the nights become dark and chilly, best stay at home with a good book.
As editor & publisher @ianskewis.bsky.social puts it: Our book takes a less is more approach to the genre, so there's little gore or outright horror. This is a collection of subtle, refined & quite elegant stories. #booksky
As editor & publisher @ianskewis.bsky.social puts it: Our book takes a less is more approach to the genre, so there's little gore or outright horror. This is a collection of subtle, refined & quite elegant stories. #booksky
Today I became a publisher!!!
It's been a long and winding road to get here but I'm really proud of this book and all the amazing authors who contributed to it. All proceeds go to the PD James Memorial Fund.
Ebook: www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
Paperback: www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
It's been a long and winding road to get here but I'm really proud of this book and all the amazing authors who contributed to it. All proceeds go to the PD James Memorial Fund.
Ebook: www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
Paperback: www.amazon.co.uk/Shadows-Veil...
November 27, 2025 at 4:31 PM
As the nights become dark and chilly, best stay at home with a good book.
As editor & publisher @ianskewis.bsky.social puts it: Our book takes a less is more approach to the genre, so there's little gore or outright horror. This is a collection of subtle, refined & quite elegant stories. #booksky
As editor & publisher @ianskewis.bsky.social puts it: Our book takes a less is more approach to the genre, so there's little gore or outright horror. This is a collection of subtle, refined & quite elegant stories. #booksky
November 27, 2025 at 9:12 AM
This creepy collection featuring my Dahl inspired short story 'Framing Mildred' is published tomorrow. Buy here: tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
Edited by @ianskewis.bsky.social it's on kindle and in paperback.
My story was born from a prompt in @thiwurd.bsky.social writing classes.
#ghoststories #booksky
Edited by @ianskewis.bsky.social it's on kindle and in paperback.
My story was born from a prompt in @thiwurd.bsky.social writing classes.
#ghoststories #booksky
November 26, 2025 at 11:35 AM
This creepy collection featuring my Dahl inspired short story 'Framing Mildred' is published tomorrow. Buy here: tinyurl.com/54u8uxpr
Edited by @ianskewis.bsky.social it's on kindle and in paperback.
My story was born from a prompt in @thiwurd.bsky.social writing classes.
#ghoststories #booksky
Edited by @ianskewis.bsky.social it's on kindle and in paperback.
My story was born from a prompt in @thiwurd.bsky.social writing classes.
#ghoststories #booksky
Reposted by David Aitken
The big “why do you hate AI?” Thread got comments and quotes turned off, but here’s the main reason I hate AI:
It’s being developed by the worst people on the planet solely to enrich themselves at the expense and labor of the world’s vulnerable populations. Everything else stems from that
It’s being developed by the worst people on the planet solely to enrich themselves at the expense and labor of the world’s vulnerable populations. Everything else stems from that
May 18, 2025 at 3:48 AM
The big “why do you hate AI?” Thread got comments and quotes turned off, but here’s the main reason I hate AI:
It’s being developed by the worst people on the planet solely to enrich themselves at the expense and labor of the world’s vulnerable populations. Everything else stems from that
It’s being developed by the worst people on the planet solely to enrich themselves at the expense and labor of the world’s vulnerable populations. Everything else stems from that