iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

My almost 12-year old is looking for YA cosy crime. Any recs? She's aged out of 9-12 category, but it seems most YA crime is edgy and dark. Don't get me wrong, she liked AGGGTM and similar, but is now looking for something different as her next read. Like the Murder Most Unladylike series but older.

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

July is supposed to be a big month for #amwriting but I keep accidentally reading instead. Caught up on the latest couple of Lincoln Lawyer books - now finally reading The Moon is a Harsh Mistress - and I haven't been able to put any of them down. So annoying! #amreading

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

I have a story up on Hell Itself today - you can find it here. For what it's worth, this story was rejected at least 35 times over the years... and I still like it! hellitself.com/the-space-be... thanks to @hellitself.bsky.social

hellitself.com

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Episode 9 of this season is the most I have laughed at anything in a very long time. Excellent. The chaos they have added over the various Aus/NZ editions have just made it better and better.

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

I am fortunate to work from home in a largely quiet little road. Today, a neighbour has spent 9:30-2:30pm powerwashing his car (and tyres). Who has time for that? The noise is driving me insane. V hard to ignore it to focus on words!

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Reposted by Helen French

Fusion Fragment @fusionfragment.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

The second story in Saros #4, edited by @hannahgreer.bsky.social: "Folded" by @helenfrench.bsky.social, which originally appeared in the anthology Strange Days from Midnight Street Press. To read it, grab a copy of Saros #4 for free at sarossf.com/issue-4/

"Folded" by Helen French: second-hand guilt / ash scattering journey / mysterious mass destruction

Ashes and memories and a heap of obligation were all I had left of my mother.
I might’ve ignored her dying wishes, but Mother had put the requests in a will, which was a surprise given that she’d had Alzheimer’s for so many years. I supposed she’d made it official when her neurons were still firing properly, long ago.

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

I'm in this issue of Saros with one of my favourite ever stories - v excited to see it out and about :)

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

If you have daily goals, like writing or walking (eg I have 1k and 10k ones), do you just give yourself a break if you have to be away from home, or strive to complete no matter what? Next week I'll spend 2 days mostly in the car for example. Then I'll be visiting family. I may just need to... rest?

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Audiobooks have pushed me to purchasing more print books than Netgalley this year. First it was Dungeon Crawler Carl, now it's Legends & Lattes - so different in tone but both creating worlds I want to spend more time in. Or, perhaps, people/cats I want to spend more time with...

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

My daughter was reading last night and asked: "Mum, why does all the dialogue here end in 'he said' or 'she said', but my teachers say we're not allowed to do that?" Had to explain teachers want to extend her vocab, but that in published work 'said' is used so often because it's kinda invisible.

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

So pleased to land third place here. Now the hard work begins! (Because I still have some writing and editing to do...)

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Reposted by Helen French

Fusion Fragment @fusionfragment.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Saros #4, edited by @hannahgreer.bsky.social, is currently in production! Featuring stories by @ctbideas.bsky.social @ericfomley.bsky.social @helenfrench.bsky.social @jlgeorge.bsky.social and Lex Chamberlin, with gorgeous cover art by @warls.bsky.social! Stay tuned for more info!

Saros #4 Table of Contents

edited by hannah greer

christina tang-bernas: at the heart of it
organ harvesting / moon colonies / a fresh start

eric fomley: brain leech
memory selling / for the good of the family / corporate greed

helen french: folded
second-hand guilt / ash scattering journey / mysterious mass destruction

jl george: little shade
plague / unresolved grief / cat companion

lex chamberlin: new immortals
restrictive stereotype droid bodies / self-love / immortality during mass extinction

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Very happy to have made the shortlist for one of the @iaminprint.bsky.social novel categories this year! Some days/weeks/years you just need a little boost to your confidence to keep on going, and this news has worked wonders for mine.

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

So it finally happened. I finished listening to the last (currently available) Dungeon Crawler Carl book (sob!). What do I do now? Do I move on to reading them all instead? They are very lovely in hardback form…

A picture of Dungeon Crawler Carl (the hardback)

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

I feel like I only really talk about audiobooks online nowadays, but I've been on a really satisfying listening spree for months. Currently I'm on book 7 (of 7 so far) of Dungeon Crawler Carl and I'm going to be bereft when it's over. What on earth can I read next?!

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Really pleased to have a flash story in the latest issue of Mythaxis. You can find it here: mythaxis.co.uk/issue-41/saf... Or use the link in the quoted post to see the whole issue.

mythaxis.co.uk

Safe in the Dark

Speculative Fiction Without Distraction

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Reposted by Helen French

The Daily Tomorrow @thedailytomorrow.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Last chance to read for free! The thrilling story "The Race For His Heart" by Helen French (@helenfrench.bsky.social) is free to read until midnight! dailytomorrow.substack.com/p/the-race-f...

dailytomorrow.substack.com

The Race For His Heart - Part One

By Helen French

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

The final part of my serialised story (about a catfishing robot) is now out at @thedailytomorrow.bsky.social! You can use the same link to read from the beginning, and there's an afterword for paid subscribers. dailytomorrow.substack.com/p/the-race-f...

dailytomorrow.substack.com

The Race For His Heart - Part Seven

By Helen French

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Part six of my serialised story on @thedailytomorrow.bsky.social is up now - final part tomorrow! You can also use the link to start reading from the beginning: dailytomorrow.substack.com/p/the-race-f...

dailytomorrow.substack.com

The Race For His Heart - Part Six

By Helen French

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Reposted by Helen French

C. Robert Cargill @crobertcargill.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Writersky is talking about writers and ages again, so it bears repeating: there is no expiration date on writers except for death. Up until your last day, you can be writing, you can be published, you can be produced, you can sell. There's no "Too late." Only you can decide when your done.

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Thrilled to have a story serialised in The Daily Tomorrow this week - parts one and two already available!

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

I've recently really got into my walking treadmill - it actually helps me stay focused. But it means, for the first time in my (very dorky) life, I've started buying trainers... Now, can someone explain to me - how on earth do you get brave enough to wear white ones outside?

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

I have a 100-word drabble available to read today over at @blackharepress.bsky.social. The prompt was 'Evil Editors'! Revising Evil www.blackharepress.com?p=14387

blackharepress.com

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

After a couple of weeks with a walking pad and a standing desk, I can now walk and type without too much wobble or slowdown. It's time to attempt creative writing while walking next. Any tips? #amwriting #writingcommunity

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

I finally read (ok, listened to) Octavia E Butler's Parable of the Sower and it's incredibly powerful and prescient. Wonderful. 5 stars. But I don't think I can bear the next one as Butler never got to finish the series. And I'm scared of it not being as good. Sensible or weird?

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

I have a ridiculous amount of short stories out on sub and I'd normally be expecting a rejection or two per day by this point. Where are they? Yes, I'm aware that mentioning this will cause a rejectolanche! Or maybe a whole bunch of sales? Sure!

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

I've got two novelly projects I can't decide between, so I've decided to work on both (2 windows open side by side whenever I'm at my desk writing). That's totally reasonable and going to help me make progress, right? #amwriting #writingcommunity

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

The more I listen to audiobooks, the more I realise the ability to listen well is a skill. I still have a lot to learn! I find it easiest to listen to series, where knowing the characters a bit helps keep me on track. What tips do you have? #audiobooks

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

That brief period of sweet relief when you're up to date with all your reviews for NetGalley for the month... (nb I've just signed up to StoryGraph, alongside Goodreads for now -would you recommend?)

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Reposted by Helen French

Fantasy Magazine @fantasymagazine.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Dearest writers, Updated submissions info! We plan to open Jan 22-29 22-25 to works by BIPOC authors 26-29 open to all Short fic! Flash fic! Poetry! Please check guidelines; apologies for any confusion. We are eager to see your words! psychopomp.com/fantasy-maga... - A

psychopomp.com

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

When I was a teen at school in the UK in the 90s, one of the worst things you could say about someone was that they were ‘sad’/a saddo (alongside all the usual homophobic stuff). For story-writing purposes, what was the equivalent sort of insult in the early 2010s? #writing #amwriting

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

I’ve decided to do something bold and different (for me). I’m going to try *not* encouraging myself to write a crap first draft. Instead I’m going to allow myself to write slow and see where it gets me. (Nb. May change mind). #writing #amwriting

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

I feel like I ask this a lot, but can anyone recommend a good audiobook series? I need something to alternate with my listens of the Dresden Files, and I've just caught up with the Bobiverse. Doesn't have to be SF, must have a good narrator. #audiobooks #amreading

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

I didn't expect to spend all of December with the Vorkosigans but I think I'm in it til the end now. Just done Komarr so off to A Civil Campaign next!

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Realised I have 50 tabs open today. There's got to be a way to need less stuff open for my mind (yes, I do bookmark, but this is all sites I don't want to dig for). Nevertheless, I also can't imagine a world where I just open one tab at a time. Who does this? Lovely organised people?

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

I'm up to Mirror Dance in the Vorkosigan Saga now (reading in tweaked chronological order, see: bookriot.com/vorkosigan-s...), and it is SO good. I'm thinking, why did I stop a few books in all those years ago? Why has no one I know read them? Why isn't there a TV series in the works?

bookriot.com

Your Ultimate Guide to the Vorkosigan Saga Reading Order | Book Riot

A handy guide to the Vorkosigan Saga reading order, with tips for the best order in which to enjoy this classic sci-fi series.

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Just discovered this old daily schedule for the first COVID lockdown in the UK. I can almost (almost) look back on this fondly. The weather was glorious first time around and schools left us to it, so the pressure wasn’t too bad. Workplaces were understanding. Second time was a different story…

It’s short schedule that says Joe Wicks PE followed by maths and phonics, a break, English, lunch, creative time, then more English and maths

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

I’ve really got to unsubscribe to retailer newsletters…

This picture shows an email inbox with 40,0041 unread messages

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 8: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 7: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

This is a book cover with a space scene, showing a ship and other vessels, plus shots being fired. It's the cover of We are Legion (We are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor. Behold the Baaaawwwb!

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 6: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

This is a book cover of Bob Mortimer's autobiography 'And Away...' He is on the cover in a fetching orange turtleneck jumper, with his mouth wide open.

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

This week I've been trying to just do the thing, instead of thinking about how I'm going to do the thing, and honestly it has really helped. But I also feel like I might crash and burn at some point in the next four days. So wait for my next report!

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 5: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

This is the book cover for All Systems Red in the Murderbot Diaries. A murderbot is on the cover - a person-shaped android

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

[is it wrong to realise this might get a bit tedious just four days in?] Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 4: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

This is a bright yellow book cover which says 'The Confidence Game' on the front

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 3: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

It’s a book cover image. It shows people playing ice hockey in the foreground, and a small town and mountains in the background. The book is called Beartown

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

How do you cope with knowing there will never be enough time to read all the books? I read a healthy amount but when I look at this year’s Goodreads awards options, there’s so many I’m not even aware of! Mind you, it doesn’t help that I’ve just got back into a series that I first started 20 yrs ago.

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

I gave in and bought an air fryer - any recs for cookbooks (UK ones ideally)? Or do I just cook everything for a little less than I would in the oven?

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 2: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

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Helen French @helenfrench.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 1: #BookSky 💙📚 #Books #BookChallenge #20daybookchallenge

This is a picture of the book cover for Adrian Tchaikovsky's Dogs of War - you can see lots of dogs in red

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