Reposted by Bothersome WordsTricia Dearborn @triciadearborn.bsky.social · 01/05/2026If you're thinking about using gen-AI to "write" books, this 🧵 is for you. I’m a highly experienced editor who’s been in the biz a long time. Recently I’ve had manuscripts come to me where the author has used gen-AI – not for writing, I’ve been assured, but for “structuring” or "organising" 13964455
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 03/01/2026Tinder but for making friends via library loans. Lender? Helps you find and friend the people from your local library who are going through the same reading binge as you.media.tenor.coma woman in a library with a tote bag that says ' nlg ' on itALT: a woman in a library with a tote bag that says ' nlg ' on it 240
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 22/12/2025Me, emailing: I hope you have a lovely break planned for the festive season. Autocorrect: Wait! I know I said this was fine but how about we just quickly change that before you send - “I hope you have a lovely break-up planned for the festive season”… 140
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 05/12/2025Petition for an app that lets your phone identify the cooking smells coming from your neighbour’s house and then give you the recipe.media.tenor.coma painting of a landscape with a tree in the middleALT: a painting of a landscape with a tree in the middle 020
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 15/11/2025Never mind crumpets and Percy Pig, when is someone going to start importing Hula Hoops on a regular, easily accessible basis? apple.news/Ajgss8RYiSuu...apple.newsColes finally confirms $6 cult British snack is coming in days: 'Giving millions of Aussies a chance' — Yahoo Lifestyle AustraliaBritish expats in Australia will no doubt go wild over this. 010
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 13/11/2025My fellow indoctrinated left-handers, do any of you find you sometimes forget which hand you use for stuff? Frequently I’ll pick up a gadget in the kitchen and have a mental blank and both ways feel wrong. 😑media.tenor.comHands Loop GIFALT: Hands Loop GIF 010
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 11/11/2025WHY is my phone email reminding me of a job deadline from July LAST year? I am worried enough about CURRENT deadlines. 😩 040
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 08/10/2025I would be a rubbish Cinderella for many reasons, not least of which is that having lost one slipper, I’ve now misplaced its pair as well.media.tenor.coma picture of a vase of flowers is on a wall next to a sign that says es pnALT: a picture of a vase of flowers is on a wall next to a sign that says es pn 020
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 29/08/2025It has taken me MONTHS since the Great Email Disaster to track down various folders and emails. Still not complete. Spent some time yesterday re-setting up email rules to try and get things back in order. Friends, I have… regrets.media.tenor.coma woman is crying while holding a napkin in front of a box with the letter i on itALT: a woman is crying while holding a napkin in front of a box with the letter i on it 230
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 23/08/2025Bloops, is it just me and my admittedly shocking eyesight, or is the font on Amazon Prime (TV) impossible to read? I’m having to either guess or Google based on titles coz I can’t for the life of me read the blurbs.media.tenor.coma bald man wearing a plaid shirt is making a faceALT: a bald man wearing a plaid shirt is making a face 020
Reposted by Bothersome WordsBothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 16/07/2025Confused about publishing? Not sure what to do with your manuscript next? Wondering how and to whom you should pitch or submit your manuscript? Curious about self-publishing? I’m an editor and literary agent - maybe I can help. Book a 1hr chat and ask me anything: tidycal.com/bothersomewo... 042
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 16/07/2025Confused about publishing? Not sure what to do with your manuscript next? Wondering how and to whom you should pitch or submit your manuscript? Curious about self-publishing? I’m an editor and literary agent - maybe I can help. Book a 1hr chat and ask me anything: tidycal.com/bothersomewo... 042
Reposted by Bothersome WordsDamon Young @damonyoung.com.au · 28/05/2025Good folk of Melbourne: come holler at me at Readings Carlton! 👇 022
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 14/05/2025Can anyone recommend trustworthy, miracle-working IT expert who works in the Sydney area? OneDrive and Outlook got into a secret relationship behind my back and after I made them get divorced everything completely broke and every single one of my emails from the past 20years has run away from home. 030
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 14/05/2025Just a heads-up to anyone waiting for things from me: 1. I am deep in the throes of vertigo, which means not much work or reading is getting done. 2. My email has died and at the moment I have lost every single email and calendar item I have ever sent or received or set up. Please bear with me 050
Reposted by Bothersome WordsAlexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 10/05/2025Winner of the Aurealis Awards for Best Fantasy Novel 2024, Thoroughly Disenchanted is a cosy romantic fantasy about four friends, a magical country manor and a weekend away that has lasted a century. Available in bookstores now or online: www.harpercollins.com.au/978146076604... 3208
Reposted by Bothersome WordsAlan Baxter @alanbaxter.bsky.social · 04/05/2025Beyond grateful to see I'm closing in on 10,000 followers. Amazing! Thank you all. How about a giveaway to help me get there? If you dig what I do, please repost this to help me spread the word about my work. I'll pick one random share for a signed copy of their book of choice once I pass 10k. 🖤 28045
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 04/05/2025Congratulations to AAL’s very own @alexandraalmond.bsky.social for winning an Aurealis Award for Thoroughly Disenchanted! ❤️ 3293
Reposted by Bothersome WordsAlexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 04/05/2025I am absolutely stoked that Thoroughly Disenchanted won the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel 😊 Thanks to all involved at @aurealisawards.bsky.social , to my agent @bothersomewords.bsky.social, and the team at HC including @shannonkelly.bsky.social #booksky #romancelandia #aurealisawards 3142
Reposted by Bothersome WordsDamon Young @damonyoung.com.au · 23/04/2025I’m wearing a Batman T-shirt here, but the Caped Crusader actually doesn’t feature in this book. You do get Star Trek, ballet, Black Sabbath, Gundam, and so much more. 092
Reposted by Bothersome WordsAlexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 15/04/2025So, umm, Thoroughly Disenchanted is shortlisted for best fantasy novel in the Aurealis Awards. 😮🫢😊 shorturl.at/X4o09shorturl.at2024 Aurealis Awards Shortlist AnnouncementNow in its 30th year, the 2024 Aurealis Awards, Australia’s premier speculative fiction award, attracted more than 830 entries across 15 categories, including 34 nominations in the tri-annual… 372
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 15/04/2025Congratulations to all the shortlistees for the 2024 Aurealis Awards! Special shout-out to Alex Adsett Literary’s very own @alexandraalmond.bsky.social, whose debut novel, Thoroughly Disenchanted, is in stellar company on the fantasy novel list ❤️ aurealisawards.org/2025/04/15/2...aurealisawards.org2024 Aurealis Awards Shortlist AnnouncementNow in its 30th year, the 2024 Aurealis Awards, Australia’s premier speculative fiction award, attracted more than 830 entries across 15 categories, including 34 nominations in the tri-annual… 020
Reposted by Bothersome WordsDamon Young @damonyoung.com.au · 11/04/2025Lovely to wake up to this: a copy of IMMORTAL GESTURES, just bought from @hatchards.bsky.social at St Pancras. I can’t be in the UK right now, but my book can travel. (📷 : Brendan Colley) 1123
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 09/04/2025I just got one of those “<Person> has accepted this meeting invitation” emails… only I misread it as “<Person> has accepted this situation” and frankly that feels more apt. Also shoutout to <Person>. Acceptance is the hardest step. 020
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 03/04/2025“Brought” is to “bring” as “bought” is to “ka-ching”. #writingtipsmedia.tenor.combugs bunny is holding a stack of money in his handsALT: bugs bunny is holding a stack of money in his hands 030
Reposted by Bothersome WordsCassandra O'Leary @cassandraoleary.bsky.social · 25/03/2025Here's a good article from The Guardian Australia on the AI book stealing situation. Love the quote from Holden Sheppard! Livid is exactly the word I used too. 💙📚 www.theguardian.com/technology/2...theguardian.com‘No consent’: Australian authors ‘livid’ that Meta may have used their books to train AIA searchable database showed titles from former prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull and John Howard, as well as journalist Tracey Spicer 053
Reposted by Bothersome WordsCYA Conference @cyaconference.com · 22/03/2025Abigail Nathan will be doing one-on-one assessment sessions at this year’s CYA Conference. With experience as an editor and literary agent, she will be providing feedback on a range of genres, including commercial fiction, crime, fantasy, YA, middle grade, & more. www.cyaconference.com/assessments 211
Reposted by Bothersome WordsKylie @kyliemmason.com · 18/03/2025My guide to self-editing the first draft of your novel is an incredibly affordable way to get a polished second draft you'll be excited to send to publishers and agents. Just AU$9.99!kyliemmason.comAfter the First Draft WorkbookA writer’s guide to self-editing manuscripts. Writing a novel is an amazing achievement! Congratulations! Take a moment to celebrate what you’ve accomplished, because it’s incredible. But wha… 035
Reposted by Bothersome WordsKylie @kyliemmason.com · 18/03/2025Finally got a new gate installed after our old one was destroyed by Sydney's January storms. Yay! Now I have to find a way to pay for it. Boo! Do you need your manuscript read or edited? I love to help authors fine-tune their manuscripts and I'm available from April. Get in touch: kyliemmason.com 033
Reposted by Bothersome WordsDr Meg Caddy @megcaddy.bsky.social · 13/03/2025It's been a long road, but I just signed a contract with UQP for the publication of my YA historical fiction, A Flash in the Dust! 141
Reposted by Bothersome WordsKylie @kyliemmason.com · 11/03/2025Recently finished the first draft of your novel and not sure what to do next? Why not give self-editing your manuscript a go? I've created a simple guide that helps you identify areas you can improve in your next draft - get your copy here: #writing #editing #manuscript #novelkyliemmason.comAfter the First Draft WorkbookA writer’s guide to self-editing manuscripts. Writing a novel is an amazing achievement! Congratulations! Take a moment to celebrate what you’ve accomplished, because it’s incredible. But wha… 022
Reposted by Bothersome WordsAlexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 11/03/2025Thanks for a lovely review, Amelia and Newtown Review of Books ❤️ 022
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 06/03/2025Loving the “new business festival event” aimed at freelancers and sole traders, promising to align with freelancers’ needs, unlike other business events that are “too corporate”. Promising. I guess that means they understand freelance budgets too? Just looked at the ticket prices. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 030
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 28/02/2025Closing MIDNIGHT tonight! If you’re interested but you’ve been too busy (or procrastinating - no judgement) you have just over 4 hours to slide into my bookings…⏳ 021
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 27/02/2025I am currently reading a not-for-work book and almost every single chapter breaks mid-scene and then the next picks up where it left off - continuing the conversation or whatever and it is SO JARRING. 120
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 27/02/2025🚨LAST DAY TO APPLY!🚨 The Bothersome Words Writing Clinic includes workshops, writing exercises, personal mentoring sessions and written feedback. It’s a safe, supportive creative space designed to help you finish your manuscript. Click link to apply: bothersomewords.com/services/wor... 010
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 26/02/2025Only 3 days left to apply! The Bothersome Words Writing Clinic includes workshops, writing exercises, personal mentoring sessions and written feedback. It’s a safe, supportive creative space designed to help you finish your manuscript. Click the link for more! bothersomewords.com/services/wor...bothersomewords.comBothersome Words Writing ClinicEmailFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitterEmailFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitter 000
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 24/02/2025FINAL week to apply for the Writing Clinic! Spend 8 weeks in a safe, supportive, creative space focused: * 6 weeks of workshops to help you work through your own manuscript * PLUS 2 weeks of focused writing * 1-hr mentoring call * manuscript feedback * and more! Bookings close Friday.bothersomewords.comBothersome Words Writing ClinicEmailFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitterEmailFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitter 000
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 23/02/2025Just caught myself clicking my fingers at the Roomba to encourage it towards the sofa as if it were one of the cats. How’s YOUR Sunday? 000
Reposted by Bothersome WordsBothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 16/02/2025Bookings for the Bothersome Words Writing Clinic are open NOW. Classes begin March 10 and space are limited. Learn more and apply here: bothersomewords.com/services/wor...bothersomewords.comBothersome Words Writing ClinicEmailFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitterEmailFacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitter 012
Reposted by Bothersome WordsAlexandra Almond @alexandraalmond.bsky.social · 21/02/2025My first library talk at Warragul on Wednesday night. Lovely people with interesting questions; the time flew by. 001
Reposted by Bothersome WordsBothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 20/02/2025Who wants to finish their novel and get it out in the world this year? 025
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 20/02/2025Who wants to finish their novel and get it out in the world this year? 025
Bothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 19/02/2025“We are always here to assist you,” says the sign-off from the tech support person who has literally just finished an email explaining that they are NOT, in fact, here to assist me and I should go somewhere else (possibly Hell.) Even though it is their product. And their broken website.media.tenor.coma man is screaming with his mouth wide openAlt: a man is screaming with his mouth wide open 050
Reposted by Bothersome WordsBothersome Words @bothersomewords.bsky.social · 18/02/2025As a professional editor and literary agent with over 20 years experience in the publishing industry, my number one goal has always been to help writers get the story in their head onto the page. The Writing Clinic is designed to help YOU with that process! bothersomewords.com/services/wor... 084