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Alexandra Almond

@alexandraalmond.bsky.social
537 followers 305 following 865 posts

Writer, designer, would-be footballer. she/her. On Bunurong land, voted YES. Debut novel THOROUGHLY DISENCHANTED won the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel 2024.

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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I spent a fair portion of yesterday sewing my practice crochet squares together into a tea cosy. #lifegoals #teaislife (sadly, today is too warm to drink tea)
A squat vaguely square shape sitting on a kitchen bench. It's made of crocheted granny squares in red, grey, white, green and pink.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I've had a sneak preview and this is gorgeous! Cinnamon-roll male lead with competence-porn handyman vibes. You should definitely pre-order.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
“Fantastically clever, enormously funny and thrillingly heartfelt… quite simply one of the most rewarding romantic fantasies you’ll read.” - for Thoroughly Disenchanted.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I'm laughing and crying at the same time
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Well deserved! It was one of my favourites on the shortlist, all of which I've read thanks to the Almond family Hugo readalong. Thread below for some thoughts on the finalists.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
My local free little library has destroyed any progress I've been making on the TBR shelf. (although, some of these are favourites I've read and loved digitally, so I *could* put them straight onto the real shelves)
A pile of sci-fi and fantasy novels by Shelley Parker-Chan, RF Kuang, Alice Hoffman, TJ Klune and Brigitte Knightley, sitting on a kitchen table.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
These snails have been like this for more than 24 hours. I would normally dispose of snails that have the temerity to come into my garden, but you know what, good on 'em.
Two snails entwined together on what looks like a concrete surface. There is a circular snail-trail on the ground surrounding them.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
The guardian does good footy coverage
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Powerful article about the allegations of sexual assualt linked to Swans players: "It was once again left to the women in the AFL community to speak out against a culture that has a long history of protecting its male heroes." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
As a woman who loves AFL, I feel palpable despair. Why did it take so long to put us at the centre of this story? | Jill Stark
Commentary around the Sydney Swans case has made it painfully clear that women’s safety is not valued as highly as the sporting success of its male stars
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Post the best picture you have ever taken of your pet. (it's actually my brother's dog)
A majestic golden retriever standing knee deep in snow that is untouched other than her footsteps to get to that point. You can see ski runs on the mountains in the background, there are glimpses of blue sky and sun trying to blast through the clouds, and an alpine village and fir trees in the closer distance.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Here's my planned #aflw matches for August, let me know if you want to tag along. I could also be talked into going to any other game, particularly if it features Pies, Dogs, Tiges, Swans or Kangas. Sat 15 Pies v Tiges Sat 22 Dogs v Tiges Sun 23 Pies v Freo Sun 30 Pies v Hawks
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
"We know there exists a specific appetite for women’s sport that does not always extend to men’s leagues" Well, yeah. Everyone knows that except the old white men running the #afl. The fact they haven't managed to capitalise on the explosion in women's sport around the world is embarrassing.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
"Plagiarists lie, and the plagiarism machine industry is built on lies."
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
I've had about 5 hours sleep. I'm tired and grumpy, and my to-do list is a mile long. <collapses into armchair and opens Slay the Spire>
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Sci-fi and Fantasy are colour coded. Contemporary is alphabetical by author. Biography firstly by category (politics, famous people, sport, animals) and then by subject name. Penguin classics are by number, so publication date. Recipe books by size. Random non-fiction is random.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
FFS. The AFL have scheduled Collingwood men's R23 game to clash with the first game of the Collingwood AFLW season. #fail #afl #couldn't-organise-a-pissup-in-a-brewery #oldwhitemen #ffs
A screenshot of a fixture showing Hawthorn v Collingwood to play each other at 7.40pm at the MCG. (This is the men's team)A snapshot of a fixture showing Richmond v Collingwood at 5.05pm at IKON park. (this is the women's team)
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Terrific thread for book nerds or just people interested in how an industry like publishing evolves over time 👇
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Fellow Victorians, please could you sign this petition to make sure we understand the implications of putting an AI data centre on Melbourne's outskirts before we go ahead and build it. www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved...
parliament.vic.gov.au
Fully assess planning decision for a proposed Victorian AI Hub - Petitions - Parliament of Victoria
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
BOOKSHOP MAGIC; where you'll find the book you need. It’s always raining outside but cozy inside, your favourite armchair will be free, and the bookshop dog will curl up with you to read. Best of all; on your birthday you can read your favourite book for the first time again. #questpit #Q #P #RF #S
A magical-looking floorplan of a bookshop. The rooms are named (Pooh Corner, The Scriptorium, Gurgler, Yellow, Possibility, Exeunt Omnes, Taboo, The Fishbowl). The bookshop animals are in the margins: Willow the golden retriever, Spike and Angel the cats, and Drusilla the huntsman spider.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
I strongly recommend these powerful, dark and moody romantic fantasy novels. Terrific world building, gorgeous romances. Buy them, read them, write a review.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
I blame Collingwood. #AFLCrowsPies #AFL #gopies (Not that I mind. Great game.)
A blurry photo of a smart watch alert saying "High Heart Rate. Your heart rate rose above 120 BPM while you seemed to be inactive for 10 minutes from 9:57pm."
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
I read and loved A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangdu Mandanna. It's absolutely glorious and heartwarming and lovely with found family and people accepting each other and animals and a great house. I wish I’d written it ❤️
The illustrated cover of A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna. It's all shades of green down the bottom (grass fence flowers house) and pink up top (sky and trees). The house is three storeys with pointy bits and lots of windows with warm lighting, it looks enchanting. There is a woman with a book, a fox, a skeleton of a chicken and a man with a cup of tea.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
👇 I'd really like my trains not to be dependant on a single mobile phone network.* *the article is much more nuanced than that *'listen for announcements' is useless for hearing impaired
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Captain's tips for longevity in honour of his 15th birthday today: 1. STAY ACTIVE. Insist on a walk morning and night, no matter if it's raining or how tired your human is. 2. BE AN OPTIMIST. Something exciting is bound to be around that corner. 3. EAT MORE POO. I know. Apparently it's a thing.
A handsome golden labrador stands on the frosty grass, sunrise in the background. You can't see it, but his tail is wagging.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Fellow authors: without any context, what's the first line of your current WIP? "It all started when my best friend Linh cast two of my ex-lovers in a play where I was the fight choreographer, and had to teach them to slash at each other with swords."
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
An antidote to the "tough on crime" talk. Treating violence as a disease immediately focuses you on preventative measures, and they work. I'd never even heard of the VRU (violence reduction unit) and it's in my home state. Could we please talk more about this kind of brilliant, inspiring work?
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Heads up, there's a new AJ Demas out! It's everything you expect; strong characters, a beautiful sense of place, some things to think about, and just a whole load of sweet.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
A mix of romance, fantasy and literary this month and all of them excellent.
The covers of 8 books: 
FOSTER 
LADY'S KNIGHT
WE WHO HUNT THE HOLLOW
SHROUD
SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE
HOW TO FIND A GUY IN 5 WEDDINGS
FATHER MATERIAL
YELLOWFACE
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
This is gorgeous artwork for one of my favourite books.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
What he said 👇
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Icecream. I mean, if it was a superfood I could force myself to eat it for the health value. But I really don't get the fuss.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Hahahaha
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
I love this to pieces (I don't really follow soccer, I don't know any of these people, but I think that might change now)
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Things are a bit esoteric in Yarraville today.
A lifesize yellow cardboard human silhouette is stuck in a leafless tree, pointing at the sky, with the words LOOK UP AND LIVE written on its torso. It's dawn, with the sky lightening and a crescent moon just visible in the top left corner. A golden labrador trots away from the camera, ignoring the advice with his nose firmly fixed to the ground.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
This 👇
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Such a good book! And 99p!
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I read and loved How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings by @cynthiatimoti.bsky.social
Cartoon-style cover of a clearly romance book, How to Find a Guy in Five Weddings by Cynthia Timoti. It has a pale blue background, a stylish woman with long black hair wearing a swanky red dress, her arms are folded and she's looking over her shoulder at a taller brown-haired man in a suit holding a glass of champagne. There are four other guys in the background sitting on the kind of white chairs you might find at an outdoor wedding.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
I read and loved Father Material by Alexis Hall. It's the third in a series so don't start here. Luc and Oliver are still messed up but figuring it out together, and taking on real grown up responsibilities like a puppy and a foster kid. A really beautiful close out to their arc.
Cover of Father Material by Alexis Hall. It has a blue and red and white background in boxy shapes with white illustrations off british stuff, with a very tall and skinny illustrated version of Luc holding the leash of a happy puppy, and with his other arm around Oliver.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
#lifegoals
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Best. Month. Ever. thanks mainly to terrific new releases from @kjcharleswriter.com @quicunquevult.bsky.social and @marthawells.com May saw the start of our family Hugo Readalong (the Incandescent and the Everlasting), and all other books also entertaining and good value. Keep 'em coming 😊
The covers of 10 books with the title May reads, May 2026
- Platform Decay by Martha Wells
- Never After by Alexis Hall
- How to Fake it in Society by KJ Charles
- The Incadescent by Emily Tesh
- The Duke by Anna Cowan
- The Entanglement of Rival Wizards
- Moriarty and Moran's North Yorkshire Crime Spree by Kit Walker
- The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow
- When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi
- The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Terrific article about employment services in Australia, in which they succinctly sum up the current system as ‘it sometimes gets someone a job, if they're lucky’. shorturl.at/2Pwn6
shorturl.at
Is the government really overhauling employment services?
The government isn't rebuilding the Commonwealth Employment Service, but will its proposed changes fix a broken system?
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
This line was when I knew I was going to love murderbot (no spoiler alert, it's on the first page).
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
I don't use generative AI, as an author or a designer; I can think of no use case that justify the enormous environmental and societal cost. Not to mention the bastards stole my book. #booksky I wrote a guest blog post about this for Writing Off Meta: writingoffmeta.substack.com/p/avoiding-a...
writingoffmeta.substack.com
Avoiding AI and Meta? Almost impossible — but not quite
Here's my line in the sand.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Hahaha
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
I read and loved How To Fake It In Society by @kjcharleswriter.com A delicious queer historical romance where quiet colourman (person who makes and sells paints) Titus unexpectedly comes into a fortune that outlandish scoundrel Nico thinks should be his.
Cover of the book How to Fake it in Society by KJ Charles with the tagline "Step 1: Don't fall in love". It has a pale green background that looks like wallpaper maybe? And two handsomely dressed regency gentleman back-to-back. The shorter, facing us, wears a green coat and is clearly full of confidence. The taller is looking over his shoulder towards us with a hint of shyness, he is wearing a rich blue coat. They are holding hands.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
So true. I'm mourning the trains that never happened because of AI.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Celebrating the 85th birthday of this amazing woman, my mum, with high tea at Parliament House. Highly recommended the experience.
A very sprightly and well dressed looking older woman holding up a birthday cheesecake with Happy Birthday written on the plate in chocolate icing. The sun is shining through the window and she is smiling  as if all is well with the world.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
A compelling and disturbing piece from Melisssa Lucashenko. "The racism we endure, is, after all, as Australian as meat pies and Holden cars." www.theguardian.com/society/ng-i...
theguardian.com
‘A white man’s fantasy’: if we want to rebuild social cohesion, we need to acknowledge where it all started to unravel
Australia has a serious problem with social cohesion, but it’s no good pretending it’s recent. Koori civilisation has been torn asunder ever since the convict ships dropped anchor
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Interesting article about the impact of free public transport. I particularly like this conclusion: "Access, travel time, service reliability and the ability to make specific trips appear to matter more." theconversation.com/victoria-has...
theconversation.com
Victoria has made public transport free – NSW hasn’t. Has there been any difference in uptake?
Public transport access, travel time and familiarity with the network all play a role in how many people switch away from driving.
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Alexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
"Yes I know you're hungry, but dinner's at least an hour away. It's not my fault, blame the government." A daily conversation with Captain every time daylight savings ends (it takes him about 3 months to acclimatise).
A old (but very handsome) golden labrador glaring at the camera. Dinner is late and no excuses will be acknowledged, much less accepted.
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