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vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
Dr Richard Hussey
@vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
16 followers 8 following 190 posts
"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence"
Senior Data Scientist
Books, boardgames, RPGs, evolutionary computation, graph DB
Autistic; Gay

🌉 bridged from ⁂ https://mastodon.online/@Vecna, follow @ap.brid.gy to interact
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vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
Dr Richard Hussey @vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy · 5d
Book 9 is "Grave Peril" by Jim Butcher, third in the Dresden Files.

#currentlyreading #bookstodon #JimButcher #thedresdenfiles #graveperil
The cover of the book. A grainy illustration of a man with a staff and a hat in a graveyard, in front of a large tomb. Trees with bare branches in the background.
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
Look what turned up this week. @gonzohistory's "Booklet of Bounties". A zine about ... well bounties and fugitives. Some random tables and thoughts about why bounties might even exist in the first place, how to get them, and so on.
The cover of the book. A hooded and robed figure stands with their back to the viewer looking at a board covered in two dozen or more wanted posters of all sizes and types.
February 7, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
fasterthanlime.hachyderm.io.ap.brid.gy
...horrifying message without context, thank you
Error: entity released
February 2, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
zachweinersmith.bsky.social
One interesting thing you may not know about publishing is that at this point there are only 4 people alive who still purchase a book, open it, and read the words inside. All the stores and campaigns are to reach them. Famous authors like Stephen King sometimes reach as many as 2 with a single book.
January 29, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
tomgauld.bsky.social
A recent cartoon for @theguardian.com
title: The Writer in January Panel 1. “A short stroll...” says the writer aleaving the house. The sun has begun to peek over the horizon. Panel 2. “Then back to my desk for a good day's writing in the winter sun.” The sun has risen a little higher. Panel 3. “Surely it's not going down yet?” The sun is indeed on its way down. Panel 4. “Perhaps I'll catch the last rays.” Says the writer breaking into a sprint. Panel 5. The writer is back at home sitting at a desk saying “Damn!”. The sun is gone. The sky is gloomy.
January 26, 2026 at 11:53 AM
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
At 94,000 words my second novel is complete.
Now for the second draft and some heavy editing...

#writerscommunity #amwriting #writersofmastodon
January 7, 2026 at 11:20 PM
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
2026 has begun, so a new reading thread starts.

Book 1 is "The Black Bird Oracle" by Deborah Harkness, the fifth All Souls novel.

#currentlyreading #bookstodon #deborahharkness #allsouls #theblackbirdoracle
The cover of the book. A black bird in flight, in the centre of a golden circle with six phases of the moon spaced unevenly around the outside, stars in the background.
January 2, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
New year, new reading thread.

Starting off 2025 with book 1, "Starborn" by Lucy Hounsom.

#currentlyreading #bookstodon #lucyhounsom #theworldmakertrilogy #starborn
The cover of the book. A woman in a cloak stands looking forward, some trees in the distance behind her. A map of the zodiac is lightly drawn behind her.
January 1, 2025 at 10:19 PM
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
New year, new #trackbear goals and leaderboards to set up.

#writingcommunity #amwriting
January 1, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
tomgauld.bsky.social
Happy New Year, everyone!

This is a @theguardian.com books cartoon from a few years ago.
Title: New year's resolution A man sits at a table with a coffee writing in a notebook: “This year i will devote myself completely to reading serious, improving literature, forsaking easy pleasures and tirelessly seeking out truth and profundity in the work of the greatest writers.” He looks at it Says: Hmm... then “Scratch Scratch Scratch scratch” scribbles out words until the text reads: “This year I will read for Fun”
January 1, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
tomgauld.bsky.social
My latest cartoon for @theguardian.com books.
The 27th of December... “I think Dad got too many books for christmas this year.” Says a daughter. “Don't worry, he'll get through them.” Says the mother, looking up from her book. “But until then..?” Asks the daughter. “He'll be fine on turkey sandwiches until he's reduced the front piles” The father is completely surrounded by high teetering walls of stacked books. He is reading within and the daughter has thrown a sandwich in to him.
December 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
zachweinersmith.bsky.social
Quality footnote
December 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
Today is the 175th day of my current writing streak. I also at some point in the last couple of weeks passed without noticing 150,000 words written this year.

Will I finish my current project by the end of the year as planned? Unclear, I've slipped behind this week but I've got little to do for […]
Original post on mastodon.online
mastodon.online
December 21, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
tomgauld.bsky.social
Generate a heartwarming advert for your bookshop:
Title: Heartwarming christmas television advert plot generator for bookshops. (choose one from each column to come up with a sentence) Choices in column 1: A lonely A grumpy A workaholic An elderly A poor Column 2: Book Shop Owner Learns The True Meaning Of Column 3: Literature Christmas Community Wealth Friendship Column 4: With help from a Column 5: Wise Celebrity Magical Kindly Clumsy Column 6: Child Mouse Parsnip Snowman Ghost Additional text below: Just add: twinkly music, wooly jumpers, computer-generated snow, poetry, bells.
December 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
tomgauld.bsky.social
My latest cartoon for @newscientist.com
A small child approaches his scientist father who is working at a large, strange, contraption. His face pressed to a viewing tube. “Are you looking forward to Christmas, papa?” Asks the child. “Yes,” replies the scientist“ turning round, “that is exactly what I am doing” then he adds “Thank you for the socks.” We can now see that the viewing tube breaks the border of the comics panel, passes through complicated machinery and allows the scientist to see into the next comic panel: Caption: December 25th A Christmas scene. The child and father-scientist open presents before a Christmas tree. The father has just unwrapped some socks.
December 7, 2025 at 8:56 AM
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
I've got two advent "calendars" this year. One of which I'll be posting pictures of and the other I won't...

The latest in the #journal29 series, and a gift calendar of greatest themed book related items.

#adventcalendar #advent2025
A green book. The title is "Journal 29 Advent Calendar" with a subheading "Interactive Book Game". A notecard on top of tissue paper. It reads "The Fairytale & Fantasy Advent Calendar 2025".
December 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
I'm behind with posting my Not NaNo word counts as I haven't been that well most of the month.

Here we are:
Day 1: 1,093 (vs 1,666)
Day 2: 2,030 (vs 3,333)
Day 3: 2,401 (vs 5,000)
Day 4: 3,341 (vs 6,666)
Day 5: 4,785 (vs 8,333)
Day 6: 5,474 (vs 10,000)
Day 7: 8,895 (vs 11,666)
Day 8: 9,554 (vs […]
Original post on mastodon.online
mastodon.online
November 9, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
17thshard.com
July 2025 art commission
🎨 Artist: www.instagram.com/nozomi_seirei/
📖 Book: Mistborn
~
#BrandonSanderson #Cosmere #Mistborn
A digital illustration of a younger Lord Ruler walking out of a burning building unscathed. He is walking towards the viewer, rings decorating his fingers, his long coat and formal-looking outfit partially ablaze, revealing unmarred skin underneath. His long dark hair is similarly untouched by the flames. His downcast eyes hide a dark look, but the array of weapons and tools surrounding him, and subtly attached to his chest with blue steel lines, reveal his destructive intent. A multi-story building, perhaps an inn, has gone up in flames behind him, and fire similarly trails his footsteps.
November 21, 2025 at 5:08 PM
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
I'm behind with posting my Not NaNo word counts as I haven't been that well most of the month.

Here we are:
Day 1: 1,093 (vs 1,666)
Day 2: 2,030 (vs 3,333)
Day 3: 2,401 (vs 5,000)
Day 4: 3,341 (vs 6,666)
Day 5: 4,785 (vs 8,333)
Day 6: 5,474 (vs 10,000)
Day 7: 8,895 (vs 11,666)
Day 8: 9,554 (vs […]
Original post on mastodon.online
mastodon.online
November 9, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
tomgauld.bsky.social
My books cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com
Panel 1 An author in their agent's office says: "This book will be my magnum opus, the book that I was put on the planet too write, and the pinnacle my writing and your publishing careers." Panel two The agent looks over a manuscript with a neutral expression. The author continues: "Unless you don’t like it. In which case it’s just one of a number of ideas I’m playing around with."
November 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
Adhoc reminder for my Bluesky followers: if you're not following the bridge bot (https://bsky.app/profile/ap.brid.gy) then I'm not going to be able to see your posts. :⁠-⁠)
November 3, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
tomgauld.bsky.social
A halloween books cartoon for @theguardian.com
Image: The library of an ancient castle. A full moon shines through a gothic window. A vampire creeps up behing a carpenter. Caption: "It had not been easy, but the Count was glad that he had resisted drinking the carpenter's blood until his beautiful new bookshelves were complete."
October 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
vecna.mastodon.online.ap.brid.gy
All arrived and registered for World Fantasy Con 2025 in Brighton.

#worldfantasycon #worldfantasy2025 #wfc2025 #britishfantasysociety #bfs #writingcommunity
October 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
dungeonalchemist.com
We’re giving you some treats ahead of #Halloween with these new tricks from the ‘Room for Improvement’ Update!

⚱️ Improved Asset Placement
🧺 More Furnished Asset Variety
💡 Improved Light Spawning
🍲 Better Patterns and New Assets!

#indiedev #gamedev #mapmaking
October 22, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
tomgauld.bsky.social
‘The exceptionally limited edition book.’ (My cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com books)
Title: The exceptionally limited edition book Part 1. Bound in cloth taken from the author's wardrobe! (image of tweed-bound book) Indecipherably elegant font! Your mere presence sullies its beauty! Part 2. Luxurious presentation! (the book inside) Three slipcases (inside a) Lightproof Velvet bag (indide a) Archival Glass box (inside a) Lead-lined Biometric safe Part 3. Scroll of Authenticity! (image of long, text-covered scroll with am ornate seal) Includes author's signature, home phone number and invitation to stay for a few days over the summer. Part 4. Too heavy to hold: reading assistants On standby 24/7 (image of two figures holding huge book) Sign up promptly to ensure you are considered for the waiting list to enter the lottery to register your interest in preordering a copy!
October 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by Dr Richard Hussey
tomgauld.bsky.social
Choose your own (research) adventure.
My cartoon for this week’s @newscientist.com
A choose-your-own-adventure, cartoon composed of nine, numbered panels. Panel 1 reads: What do you want to research? Free will, go to 8. Telepathic Twins, Go to 2. New flavours of ice cream, go to 3. Playing chess with robots, go to 5. Commuter jetpacks, go to 4. However, whatever you chose you will eventually be forced to choose 'Free Will' and end up at panel 9, which reads: Your paper is rapturously received and you are rewarded with a huge grant! Go to 1.
October 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM