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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Catherine Sharp @csharpwords.bsky.social · 4d

Ever wanted to learn how to stream convention panels? @octocon.bsky.social is looking for new online producers for next weekend (Sat 11th/Sun 12th) and there's still time to get you up and running with some training + free online membership! 2025.octocon.com/online-volun...

Online Volunteers Needed - Octocon 2025

This year, Octocon is running a full programme online on both days of the convention (Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th October 2025), and we need volunteers

2025.octocon.com

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Karina Steffens @karinasteffens.bsky.social · 4d

See you there!

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Karina Steffens @karinasteffens.bsky.social · 5d

It's almost time for #Octocon2025! This year, we're in-person and online on Saturday 11th and online on Sunday 12th. Here's my programme schedule for both days: prog.octocon.com/people/0068

@octocon.bsky.social #Octocon #Fantasy #Fandom #ReadingCommunity #Scifi #ScifiConvention #BookSky

My Octocon programme schedule. Text version: https://prog.octocon.com/people/0068

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Patrick Vallely @pjvphotography.bsky.social · Aug 28

"Pat, why do you carry that ridiculous 600mm lens on long hikes?"

Buddy, I can see mountains reflected in the eyes of a trailside pika.

Tighter crop of the same pika, focusing on its head.

An even tighter crop, focusing more on the pika's eye.

An extremely tight crop of the pika's eye, emphasizing their reflection of an early morning mountain scene.

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Karina Steffens @karinasteffens.bsky.social · Aug 28

Check out the @octocon.bsky.social website to see what happened at #dublincomiccon when I took Octo on a photoshoot for their big #OctosDayOut adventure 🐙

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Aug 26

We'll be dropping photos over on Instagram and Facebook of #OctosDayOut, where Octo takes on #DublinComicCon. But you can also view all the photos here:

https://2025.octocon.com/octosdayout-at-dublin-comic-con-2025-summer-edition/

#Octocon #Octocon2025 #SciFiConvention #Fantasy #Fandom #Cosplay

#OctosDayOut at Dublin Comic Con 2025, Summer Edition - Octocon 2025

On a hot weekend in August, the Octocon Team arrived at Dublin Comic Con. We brought Octos, flyers, bookmarks, Octo-stickers and chocolates to tempt

2025.octocon.com

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Aug 28

Did you know #Octocon2025 will also be online this year? Attend from anywhere in the world from the comfort of your one home for exclusive panels and workshops.

2025.octocon.com

#octocon #scifi #fantasy #readingcommunity #Fandom #Cosplay #Cosplayers #Horror

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Aliette de Bodard @aliettedebodard.com · Aug 25

Yep yep. Caring means one is invested emotionally, it doesn't have to be that the character is likeable or that the plot has big life threatening stakes.
(I wrote an entire novella where the stakes for the end of act II were "high-pressure banquet poetry", see On a Red Station Drifting)

Ann Leckie @annleckie.com · Aug 25

Also related (or maybe the same): Suspense is not generated by the reader not knowing what happens next. It's generated by the reader CARING what happens next.

Ann Leckie @annleckie.com · Aug 24

Related (or maybe the same) is that "I'm going to trick the reader haha" is not a good path to reader investment, but "I am going to delight the reader, haha!" is. They look the same on the surface but they're not. I always advise being generous to readers, not adversarial.

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Aug 24

We would like to thank South Dublin County Council for their support in bringing you #Octocon2025.

https://2025.octocon.com/

#Octocon #SciFiConvention #Fantasy #ReadingCommunity #OnlineConvention #Fandom #Cosplay #Cosplayers #writingworkshop #crochet #crocheting

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Karina Steffens @karinasteffens.bsky.social · Aug 24

Sent out two poetry submissions to @uncannymagazine.bsky.social. Who knows, right?

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · Aug 20

📣Announcing #PreDV and #DVParty!📣

Excited to bring back #PreDV & #DVParty leading up to #DVPit!

Practice your pitches during #PreDV on Mon, Sept 29, 2025!

Get to know your fellow participants during #DVParty from Oct 2-Oct 7!

Follow this account or dvpit.carrd.co for all official announcements!

#preDV September 29th, 2025 12PM - 5PM ET

Join us for our practice vent, #preDV on Bluesky!
Come with your best pitches and receive4 feedback from agented authors.

All participants are welcome to also give feedback and make friends during the community event before Oct 8th's #DVpit.
More info at dvpit.carrd.co

#DVparty
October 2nd - October 7th 2025

October 2nd (Day 1): Post a moodboard/art

October 3rd (Day 2): Introduce your main character

October 4th (Day 3): Opening LInes

October 5th (Day 4): Your Story as a meme/gif

October 6th (Day 5): Your Story's theme song/playlist

October 7th (Day 6): Hype your next project

Post on Bluesky with the #DVparty hashtag. Open all day. Please use alt-text if you post images. No AI generated images allowed. Have fun and make friends leading up to #DVpit! More info at dvpit.carrd.co

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Karina Steffens @karinasteffens.bsky.social · Aug 10

Day one at the @octocon.bsky.social fan table, at #DublinComicCon

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Aug 9

Our committee would love to talk to you about #Octocon2025 so make sure you pay us a visit at this #DublinComicCon this weekend.

#octocon #SciFi #Fantasy #Cosplay #fandom #SciFiConvention #ScienceFiction #ReadingCommunity #DublinComicCon2025

Members of the Octocon Committee at the Octocon table at Dublin Comic Con.

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · Aug 6

🚨IMPORTANT DVPIT ALERT!🚨

Unfortunately, the DVpit url has been claimed by an unknown party claiming to be us with services that we do not endorse.
All the official information for DVpit only comes from this account, our discord, or dvpit.carrd.co
We implore you to be safe & protect your information

Important Alert! We are being impersonated

Unfortunately, the DVpit url has been claimed by an unknown party which is claiming to be us with services that we do not endorse.
We are NOT affiliated with Cecil Butler or his payday loans.

At this time, please be advised that all the official information for DVpit only comes from @dvpit.bsky.social, dvpit.carrd.co, or our discord server.

We implore you to be safe and protect your information.

Thank you!

Graphic showing dvpit.com is NOT AFFILIATED WITH #DVPIT at this time!

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

David Green @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social · Aug 6

My creative writing lessons are beginning again on Monday 15th September! And they're still priced at just €50 for a block of six sessions.

Hope to see some of you there, spaces are limited!

www.davidgreenwriter.com/creative-wri...

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Karina Steffens @karinasteffens.bsky.social · Aug 6

I'll be helping with @octocon.bsky.social fan table at Dublin Comic Con this weekend! Wirh a few days to go, my new cosplay is *not ready* yet 😨 Husband is working full steam on the gun, and it's not even steampunk 😬

Reposted by Karina Steffens

Uncanny Magazine @uncannymagazine.bsky.social · Aug 4

PLEASE REPOST! WRITERS! Uncanny Magazine will be open to Short Story Submissions from August 25 to September 8! Uncanny Magazine will be open to Poetry Submissions from August 9 to August 26. WE WANT TO SEE YOUR SHINY WORDS! buff.ly/9AyStcb

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Simon Kuestenmacher @simongerman600.bsky.social · Jul 20

The Orient Express is one of history's most famous train journeys. Different routes were taken. I for one would love the purple route. Source: buff.ly/XrpuWsd

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Jul 12

You can be part of bringing #Octocon2025 to the masses and have an inside track in all the fun. Think you could fulfill these roles? Then get in touch via the link below:

2025.octocon.com/join-the-oct...

#Octocon #SciFiConvention #Fantasy #Fandom #Cosplay #SciFi #Horror #ReadingCommunity #Comics

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Jul 4

Our next #Octocon2025 online guest is @khanwong.bsky.social. Khan has a past as a poet, cellist, arts funder and internationally known hula hooper. His debut novel, The Circus Infinite, was published by @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social.

https://2025.octocon.com/khan-wong-online-guest/

#Octocon

Image of Khan Wong's book: Down in the Sea of Angels.

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Fi @fifyfofum.bsky.social · Jul 4

A lot of the committee and staff of Octocon are disabled. So, accessibility is a high priority for us. If you feel there is something more that Octocon could be doing please reach out!

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Jul 3

Octo would like to wish you all a happy #DisabilityPride. #Octocon does its best to make our convention as accessible as possible. Looking forward to seeing you all in October.

https://2025.octocon.com/

#octocon2025 #fantasy #scifi #fandom #scificonvention #readingcommunity

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Karina Steffens @karinasteffens.bsky.social · Jul 2

Congratulations!

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

David Green @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social · Jun 23

Delighted to have been nominated for two British Fantasy Awards this year for Best Fantasy Novel (A Shadow Over Haven) and Best Non-Fiction (Autism and Writing) alongside some amazing writers I deeply admire.

Thanks to everyone who voted for me, I really appreciate it 🙂

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Karina Steffens @karinasteffens.bsky.social · Jun 29

Is this new? I didn't see it when I visited in February

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · Jun 27

A big congratulations to @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social for being nominated for two @britfantasysoc.bsky.social.

#Octobooks #Fantasy #FantasyLit #Supernatural #IrishLit #Octocon2025 #Octocon

David Green @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social · Jun 23

Delighted to have been nominated for two British Fantasy Awards this year for Best Fantasy Novel (A Shadow Over Haven) and Best Non-Fiction (Autism and Writing) alongside some amazing writers I deeply admire.

Thanks to everyone who voted for me, I really appreciate it 🙂

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Juliette Wade @juliettewade.bsky.social · Jun 28

Trans women are women. Pass it on.

Feena van @feenavan2099.bsky.social · Jun 26

Trans women are women. Pass it on.

AnCom "spoopy" Jayne 🎃 she/shay 🎃 @ancomjayne1312.bsky.social · Jun 25

Trans women are women. Pass it on.

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Reposted by Karina Steffens

Ed Newton-Rex @ednewtonrex.bsky.social · Jun 11

Disney has joined the fight against AI’s theft of creative work, suing Midjourney & calling it “a bottomless pit of plagiarism”.

Midjourney engineers once told me their actions were justified because art is ‘ossified’.

End the plagiarism machine.

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/b...

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