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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
@redfernjon.bsky.social
4.4K followers 580 following 1K posts
Nonbinary author to PROUD PINK SKY and THE GIDDY DEATH. Ambitopia evangelist. Written for Guernica, Strange Horizons, Reckoning, PinkNews, Nature Futures. They/them. Rep: Jonathan Villegas, Olswanger Lit. Website: redjon.com Home: Berlin.
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · Nov 12
Hi to all the new followers!

I'm a queer author with two novels out: PROUD PINK SKY is set in the world's first gay state, while THE GIDDY DEATH is all about polyamory and nonbinary life.

I also love make up! The more colour the better!

You can read more about me and my work at redjon.com
Redfern Jon Barrett in the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library holding a copy of their book PROUD PINK SKY. Redfern Jon Barrett holding a copy of THE GIDDY DEATH OF THE GAYS & THE STRANGE DEMISE OF STRAIGHTS. Redfern is wearing orange and yellow eyeshadow that matches the cover of the book.
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Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
strangehorizons.bsky.social
Strange Horizons @strangehorizons.bsky.social · 20h
Critical Friends Episode 16 is out now!

Have you ever felt that a novel was too long? Or perhaps too short?

Dan Hartland @danhartland.bsky.social discusses what drives those feelings with Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social and Nileena Sunil!

Link ⬇️
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/po...
Critical Friends Episode 16: Length and Breadth
Dan Hartland is joined by Redfern Jon Barrett and Nileena Sunil to discuss those novels that feel too short or not long enough: what's behind that feeling we have that a text is lacking something, …
strangehorizons.com
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Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
danhartland.bsky.social
Dan Hartland @danhartland.bsky.social · 2d
[email protected] on reading long and short books critically: "You can have breadth and have that work really well. You can have depth and have that work really well. It's not like there's one direction

"I think it’s really when the novel feels dissatisfying based on what it’s trying to do."
danhartland.bsky.social
Dan Hartland @danhartland.bsky.social · 2d
📣 NEW CRITICAL FRIENDS!

In a new ep of the @strangehorizons.bsky.social SFF criticism podcast, I talk with @redfernjon.bsky.social and Nileena Sunil about books that might be longer, and others that could be shorter.

How to read a text that offers too little, or too much, stuff? Some ideas.
Critical Friends Episode 16: Length and Breadth
Dan Hartland is joined by Redfern Jon Barrett and Nileena Sunil to discuss those novels that feel too sure or not long enough: what's behind that feeling we have that a text is lacking something, o…
strangehorizons.com
3 3
Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
vajra.me
Vajra Chandrasekera @vajra.me · 2d
in which Dan very controversially claims that “a novella is just a novel that is slightly short”
danhartland.bsky.social
Dan Hartland @danhartland.bsky.social · 2d
📣 NEW CRITICAL FRIENDS!

In a new ep of the @strangehorizons.bsky.social SFF criticism podcast, I talk with @redfernjon.bsky.social and Nileena Sunil about books that might be longer, and others that could be shorter.

How to read a text that offers too little, or too much, stuff? Some ideas.
Critical Friends Episode 16: Length and Breadth
Dan Hartland is joined by Redfern Jon Barrett and Nileena Sunil to discuss those novels that feel too sure or not long enough: what's behind that feeling we have that a text is lacking something, o…
strangehorizons.com
4 7 41
redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 2d
I had such a fantastic time discussing books with the both of you! 💞📖
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Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
danhartland.bsky.social
Dan Hartland @danhartland.bsky.social · 2d
📣 NEW CRITICAL FRIENDS!

In a new ep of the @strangehorizons.bsky.social SFF criticism podcast, I talk with @redfernjon.bsky.social and Nileena Sunil about books that might be longer, and others that could be shorter.

How to read a text that offers too little, or too much, stuff? Some ideas.
Critical Friends Episode 16: Length and Breadth
Dan Hartland is joined by Redfern Jon Barrett and Nileena Sunil to discuss those novels that feel too sure or not long enough: what's behind that feeling we have that a text is lacking something, o…
strangehorizons.com
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 2d
It was used a lot to refer to people with learning disabilities, there’s more info here :)

spoonieauthorsnetwork.com/ableist-term...
Ableist Terms to Avoid
Please note that use of language is always changing, so this page will also be subject to change. However, this might be a good place to start when reworking your content to avoid using ableist ter…
spoonieauthorsnetwork.com
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 2d
It’s been 15 years since I left, but my home country breaks my heart. There’s so much potential, and so much is held back by such a tiny clutch of privileged people.
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 2d
The ableism of the wording here has (rightly) been pointed out to me. I would change “stupidity” to “ignorance” or “thoughtlessness”.
redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 2d
Hanlon’s razor is increasingly useless: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.”

We need a new maxim that better fits the 21st century.

“Never excuse malice by mistaking it for stupidity.”

Or even:

“Do not assume malice and stupidly are distinct.”
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 2d
I fear the British elite is so small and insular that a prominent journalist criticising policy leadership would make for too many awkward dinner parties.
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Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 2d
Hanlon’s razor is increasingly useless: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.”

We need a new maxim that better fits the 21st century.

“Never excuse malice by mistaking it for stupidity.”

Or even:

“Do not assume malice and stupidly are distinct.”
2 11
redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 2d
Hanlon’s razor is increasingly useless: “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.”

We need a new maxim that better fits the 21st century.

“Never excuse malice by mistaking it for stupidity.”

Or even:

“Do not assume malice and stupidly are distinct.”
2 11
Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
kevinklehr.bsky.social
Kevin Klehr @kevinklehr.bsky.social · 9d
But this gave me time to reflect on this story's messages, and on Redfern's prose and structure. Read the full article: Review: Proud Pink Sky by Redfern Jon Barrett �¸ https://lttr.ai/AjTv2 #dystopian #bookreview #sciencefiction
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 3d
I might be blue to be working this Sunday, but at least I can be a shimmering blue!
A selfie of Redfern standing in front of a cyberpunk Akira print. They are wearing a blue and lilac floral shirt and shimmering blue eyeshadow.
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Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 6d
I just emailed my MEPs in opposition to Chat Control in the EU.

Even if you don't care about our right to private messages, just think of the damage that can be done if criminal organisations or hostile states get access to them.

It's easy to do your part! Just visit: fightchatcontrol.eu
Fight Chat Control - Protect Digital Privacy in the EU
Learn about the EU Chat Control proposal and contact your representatives to protect digital privacy and encryption.
fightchatcontrol.eu
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 6d
I just emailed my MEPs in opposition to Chat Control in the EU.

Even if you don't care about our right to private messages, just think of the damage that can be done if criminal organisations or hostile states get access to them.

It's easy to do your part! Just visit: fightchatcontrol.eu
Fight Chat Control - Protect Digital Privacy in the EU
Learn about the EU Chat Control proposal and contact your representatives to protect digital privacy and encryption.
fightchatcontrol.eu
1 2
redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 7d
What a happy spider! 🕷️💞
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Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
genni.bsky.social
Eugen Bacon @genni.bsky.social · 9d
Honoured to be chairing the @otherwiseaward.org jury 2025, with fellow jurors Cheryl Ntumy, @andrewhook.bsky.social, Kiini Salaam and Rebecca Fraimow. Recognising #speculativefiction that explores and expands gender, #diversity. Online recommendations close in November. otherwiseaward.org/news
News « Otherwise Award
All the latest news from the Otherwise Award, given to a work of science fiction or fantasy in one year which best explores & expands gender roles.
otherwiseaward.org
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 9d
Congratulations!
1
Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
lindseytheartist.bsky.social
Lindsey the Artist @lindseytheartist.bsky.social · 9d
Tis the season for cute outfits 🥰
It is I, doing a mirror selfie, in a long brown pleated skirt, blue waistcoat and roguish cream-coloured blouse with frilly sleeve cuffs. It's gently implying fantasy librarian or light academia.
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 9d
I'm so jealous of this look! 💞
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Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 10d
As the leaves transform green to gold, so too goes my eyeshadow!

I love this time of year 🍃🍁
A selfie of Redfern wearing a bright green scarf, gold-ish jacket, and matching eyeshadow.
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 10d
As the leaves transform green to gold, so too goes my eyeshadow!

I love this time of year 🍃🍁
A selfie of Redfern wearing a bright green scarf, gold-ish jacket, and matching eyeshadow.
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 10d
Yeah it’s not quite the right shade of green, that’s true!
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redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 11d
On the way to my monthly writing group! Happy Saturday, everyone! 💞
A smiling selfie of Redfern standing on a train station platform. They have on a sweater, jacket, and backpack all in different shades of pink. Their eyeshadow is also pink.
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Reposted by Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett
redfernjon.bsky.social
Dr. Redfern Jon Barrett @redfernjon.bsky.social · 12d
The problem with the term “culture war” is that it implies there are two equal sides. Two belligerents. Two aggressors.

In reality it’s always one powerful group that’s scapegoating the less powerful for their own ends.

A far more accurate term would be “culture attack” or “culture assault”.
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