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Steve Toase

@stevetoase.bsky.social

4.1K followers 460 following 2.1K posts

Writer based in Franconian Forest, Germany Fortean Times comics reviewer published at Tor.com Shimmer 3LBE, Lackington's, Lead writer on Haunt www.stevetoase.co.uk To Drown in Dark Water from Undertow Publications Dirt Upon My Skin from Black Shuck Books

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · May 1

Dirt Upon My Skin, my archaeology themed horror collection, is still available direct from the publisher @blackshuckbooks.bsky.social for the grand total of £5.99 for the paperback, or £1.49 for the ebook.

That’s 59p a story for the dead tree version or less than 15p a story in electrical form!

The cover of Dirt Upon My Skin by Steve Toase

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Reposted by Steve Toase

Nina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 1h

Fishing some 5,300 years ago: a Neolithic fishhook made of wild boar tusk, wrapped with a fishing line.
The size of the fishhook is 6.5 cm. It was used to catch pikes.
Found in the lake-dwelling settlement of Arbon Bleiche 3, Switzerland.

On display at Archäologisches Museum Frauenfeld

📷me

🏺

The picture shows a fishhook made of wild boar tusk. Only the curved, pointed end and the upper part are visible. The rest is wrapped in fishing line. The fishing line is made of twisted bast.

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 2h

Note: Does not contain dentists, but if you're squeamish about teeth it might not be the story for you.

Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 2h

If you missed it before, you can read my story Dental Hygiene in the latest Exhibit from @horrificscribs.bsky.social. horrificscribblings.com/exhibitfour/

Horrific Scribes, Exhibit Four: Pests and Puppetmasters

This exhibit moves through threats that cling, forces that devour, creatures that inveigle, and parasites that control.

horrificscribblings.com

Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 2h

If you missed it before, you can read my story Dental Hygiene in the latest Exhibit from @horrificscribs.bsky.social. horrificscribblings.com/exhibitfour/

Horrific Scribes, Exhibit Four: Pests and Puppetmasters

This exhibit moves through threats that cling, forces that devour, creatures that inveigle, and parasites that control.

horrificscribblings.com

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Reposted by Steve Toase

Rhianna Pratchett @rhi.bsky.social · 16h

A great article from Rachel, who really understands the heart and soul of Dad’s work.

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Reposted by Steve Toase

Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 3d

In Cumbrian dialects, 'broc' is badger

Badger is held in high esteem and 'brocan' means wise man. In lore, badgers protect against witchcraft and other evils

more in: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#NationalBadgerDay #folklore
art: Lily Seika Jones

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Reposted by Steve Toase

Kieron Gillen @kierongillen.bsky.social · 4h

I'm reminded of this scene I wrote in Darth Vader, which is born of me pitching "Okay - the reason Droids don't generally beat humans in Star Wars is they don't have blood, as that's where midichlorians are. So, how about syringe-powered vampire robots?" and (rightfully) being told no, kieron, no.

Page from Darth Vader 19, drawn by Salva Larocca. Triple Zero makes a speech to scare the humans attacking teh robots, claiming all the robots are definitely NOT vampires.

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 5h

"The Black Widow" Episode 20 overall.

Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 5h

@dieworkwear.bsky.social have you seen this? Found on FB from Meagan Mcgovern on FB.
Some hints
Editor: Print
Banker: Checks
Fisherman: Netting
Gardner: (sic) Lawn
Clockmaker: Ticking
Dairyman: cheesecloth
Storytellers: Yarn
Farmers and “grosgrain”
Might be from a theatre seamstress.

A sheet of paper with 13 fabrics pinned. In order
1. Prisoner
2. Editor
3. Clergyman
4. Banker
5. Fisherman
6. Gardner
7. Clockmaker
8. Dairyman
9. Soldier
10. Farmer
11. Undertaker
12. Sight-seer
13. Story-teller

Reposted by Steve Toase

The Ghost Monk @theghostmonk.bsky.social · 2d

An enormous scary tree in an illustration by Nikolai Vorobiev for a 1970s book on Russian folk tales. I'm embarrassed that I know nothing about the story because it looks cool. However, the picture seemed ideal for #ThickTrunkTuesday.
#folklore #legends #folktales #illustration #Russian

A gigantic tree with eyes waves claw-like branches menacingly as a knight on horseback, dwarfed by its size, prepares to fire an arrow. Crows are flying around.

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 18h

I love that this episode of Twin Peaks is rated for age 6 and above.
“Let me know when Paw Patrol is finished. I’ve got a new series I think you’ll love!”

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 22h

The whole thing has not been publicly posted yet - just sent out to participants ahead of time with the nod to share details.

Reposted by Steve Toase

Writeopolis @writeopolis.bsky.social · 1d

This Sunday! 8:30pm! Live in the Discord with @stevetoase.bsky.social

Join us for talk of horror, archaeology, motorbikes, vintage cocktails and cake!

discord.gg/TnVuER79

The cover of Dirt Upon My Skin by Steve Toase, featuring a black background and a circle with a pattern made up of brown trowels in the centre

A black and white photo of Steve Toase wearing a biker jacket with bare trees in the background

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 1d

There are never enough hours for the TBR pile. Last week I had time to read a book in a single day, and it felt like such a luxury.

Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 1d

Some novellas are also twenty flash fictions in a trenchcoat. I think rhythm and pace also has a lot to do with it.

Reposted by Steve Toase

Esther Schindler @estherschindler.bsky.social · 2d

I just saw someone use the abbreviation “AI;DR” and I’ll be laughing for a while.

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Reposted by Steve Toase

Jez Conolly @jezconolly.bsky.social · 2d

It’s highly unfashionable to big up the BBC, but their YouTube archive has grown into a lovely collection of classic old telly. youtube.com/@bbcarchive?...

BBC Archive

Welcome to the BBC Archive. Hop aboard an audiovisual time machine, that will transport you back to the golden age of TV. Whether you are looking for some childhood nostalgia (clackers - remember t...

youtube.com

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 2d

The @worldfantasy2025.bsky.social schedule has been finalised, so here is where I'll be over the weekend.
I'll be in Brighton from Wednesday, so if you're about, come and say hi!

STEVE TOASE WORLD FANTASY CON SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 31ST OCTOBER 3-4PM (GLOUCESTER READING ROOM):

I will be reading alongside Dave Jeffries and Hildur Knutsdottir

FRIDAY 31ST OCTOBER 6-7PM (MAIN ROOM)

I will be at the Newcon Press launch for 'Blood in the Bricks' anthology launch

SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 3-4PM (MAIN ROOM)

Weird Fiction Panel with JS Breukelaar, Dan Coxon, Joanne Corrance, all ably moderated by Dave Jeffrey

SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 7.30-9PM (MAIN ROOM)

The British Fantasy Awards & Brian Aldiss Award ceremony. I still can't quite believe Dirt Upon My Skin is a nominee for 'Best Collection, and I'm so pleased to be in a category with such fantastic writers.

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Reposted by Steve Toase

Ginger Nuts of Horror @gnofhorror.com · 2d

Weaveworld’s Magic: How Clive Barker’s Novel Fights Fascism and Celebrates Queer Identity: A My Life in Horror

I’m honoured to work with such great writers. This essay from @exaggeratedelegy.bsky.social is immense and a must read.

gnofhorror.com/weaveworld-s...

Weaveworld's Magic: How Clive Barker's Novel Fights Fascism And Celebrates Queer Identity: A My Life In Horror - The Ginger Nuts Of Horror Review Website

Clive Barker's Weaveworld is more than a fantasy novel, it's a sacred text of queer awakening and a radical critique of fascism. and why its celebration of magic and desire forever alters its readers.

gnofhorror.com

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Reposted by Steve Toase

James Bennett @jamesbennett.bsky.social · 3d

Keep writing. It’s sound advice. Remember that I was querying for almost 3 years with no dice. In that time, I wrote 4 novels and sought new representation with 3. The agency rejected the first one, so I sent another MS right away and got signed.

It’s good to have material. So keep writing! 📚💙

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 3d

I picked up this copy of Salem’s Lot in a free book library in Munich. I love it still has the travel tickets to show it was read on Amtrak in 1996 and made the journey from Boston to Zurich then Munich, with the ticket stubs used as bookmarks
@stephenking.bsky.social

A paperback copy of Salem’s Lot with an Amtrak ticket stub from 1996 and two plane ticket stubs, one from Boston to Zurich, and one from Zurich to Munich.

The info page for the copy of Salem’s Lot showing it was a possibly a first paperback printing

Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 4d

The Housemartins Atredes

Reposted by Steve Toase

PseudoPod @pseudopod.org · 4d

“I had a strange experience, not long ago.”

The Suitable Surroundings
by Ambrose Bierce
&
The Resurrection Of Chilton Hills
by Philip Curtiss

Narrators: Ben Phillips and Kaz
Host: Joshua Tuttle
Audio: Graeme Dunlop

pseudopod.org/2025/10/03/p...

C/W suicide

PseudoPod 996: The Suitable Surroundings and The Resurrection of Chilton Hills

THE NIGHT ONE midsummer night a farmer’s boy living about ten miles from the city of Cincinnati was following a bridle path through a dense and dark forest. He had lost himself while searching for…

pseudopod.org

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 4d

Do you think Christopher Walken’s audition for Dune 2 was just,
“Have you heard the song Weapon of Choice?”

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 4d

Thanks for the shout out! I studied archaeology (focussing on Iron Age landscapes), and spent several years working in commercial archaeology. Now I’m sort of archaeological adjacent, working with historic maps and GIS.

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Steve Toase @stevetoase.bsky.social · 4d

Love Psychomania. I wrote a few articles about it.