iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 13h

That room was live-streamed but I’m not sure if it’s kept, sorry

Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 19h

Last panel of the con sees Mr L co-opted at the last minute to discuss Nolan’s The Odyssey, alongside Ioanna Papadopoulou, Adrian Fletcher, Allen Ashley & ME Moirin. Chris reveals he was in a musical in high school written by his teacher where he sung a calypso song about Odysseus. Of course.

5 people sit at a table having a discussion

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 19h

Fantasycon day 3: busy being on stage instead of watching. But a breather just now making paper choosey things to help worldbuilding. Details are important, people’s!

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Yes, I wrote this myself on that account. I’m totally unrelated news, if you’d like to volunteer to help the BFS’s content creation team…

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

I did not win, but the amazing @clhellisen.com did (as I suspected!) which makes it easier to be the bridesmaid 🖤

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Unsurprised to lose this one to the iconic, multi-award winning Audible star @clhellisen.com!!!

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

More gothic for my dark and yearning side: the allure of gothic in the 21st century, chaired by @abeaumontbooks.bsky.social and featuring Erin of @mkhardywrites.com, @cesalter.com, @damosays.bsky.social & @johannestevans.co.uk 👻

Johannes T Evans, Damien Kelly, Cassidy Ellis Salter, Erin Hardee and Alexandra Beaumont sit at a table discussing the gothic

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Standing room only at the Role of Yearning in Gothic Fiction panel at Fantasycon. No photo from my position sitting on the floor by the panel table, but great stuff from @frazerlee.bsky.social, @mkhardywrites.com, @nadiaelfassi.bsky.social & @saranadosfiction.com

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Mid-way through Fantasycon, and we have @stewarthotston.com chatting with FantasyCon guest of honour, the SF legend Peter F Hamilton

Stewart Hotston and Peter F Hamilton in conversation

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

And @idakeogh.bsky.social made cake to complement her forthcoming food-based collection!

A plate of cupcakes with a mixture of pink, brown and white icing

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

More launches: this time it’s Flame Tree’s group of talents, including the legend that is @ramseycampbell.bsky.social 💪

Four people sit at a table covered in books

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

The man himself, the legend that is CC Adams, launches his new book. Not one for the bug-phobic 🪳

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

The awards are tonight!!! Nervous? Me? Never! 🫣😬🥴

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

…though now it’s book launch time, which means the fizz has come out!

Two glasses of sparkling wine on a table

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Yes, I’ve been FantasyCon-ing since 10am but mainly repping the BFS in the dealer’s room so no fun photos as yet…

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Psychopomp @psychopomp.com · 09/10/2026

hello, I am doing some research and would like to tap into the collective brains of BSKY: 1. can you share some genre or literary fiction magazines that have closed and the archive is NO LONGER ONLINE 2. the same but the archives remain online FOR NOW i would also appreciate RTs for awareness 💀

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Thanks for a head-spinning first day, FantasyCon. My throat is already sore from talking too many ears off. Sorry 😳

Glasgow’s Ovo Hydro stadium and surrounds on a wet evening. A sign in the foreground reads “people make Glasgow”

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Ohhh sorry! I thought it was weird he was suddenly on Bluesky 🤦‍♀️

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

After moderating a panel on women’s rage in horror, I’m finishing the first day of FantasyCon with the thrill of the slasher. Step up, @mikehollows.bsky.social, @benjaminlangley.bsky.social, @benunsworth.co.uk and @blackshuckbooks.bsky.social 🔪

Steve J Shaw, Ben Unsworth, Ben Langley and Mike Hollows in a panel discussion

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Hey FantasyCon! @kitwhitfield.bsky.social has ammonite-shaped cookies to promote her forthcoming novel The Snakestone Girls!

Kit Whitfield holds a tub full of shortbread

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

And in the same session, @dancoxon.bsky.social shares part of his story from @deadinkbooks.bsky.social’s Beasts of England collection.

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Fantasycon continues: @lyndseycroal.bsky.social reads from her Scottish folk horror currently on submission 🖤

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

FantasyCon 2026 is officially underway! Attending my first panel, on what authors owe their audience (if anything), chaired by @aknighton.bsky.social, and panellists Anna Stephens, FD Lee, Siobhan Murphy and Fiona Moore.

Andrew Knighton, Anna Stephen’s, FD Lee, Siobhan Murphy and Fiona Moore sit at a table during a panel discussion

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

@shonak.bsky.social was *my* BFS Chair - I have known no other! - but she’s been fucking brilliant. Keep an eye on what comes next for her because it’s bound to be special. And I guess congrats etc to @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social 🤷‍♀️

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Psst womble you’ve tagged the antithesis of @aknighton.bsky.social in this one 🫣

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Your publisher closing doesn't have to be the end of the story - just ask @aknighton.bsky.social!

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Hey so I totally wrote the first draft of a flash fiction today. Go me!

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Australian here: I just take a deep breath and say “righto”

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Today’s procrastination: moving my writing station from bad place (next to bathroom) to better place (front room, lots of light, can theoretically shut myself away, no bad smells). And no, I don’t need all those how to write books. I should probably take them to the charity shop 🫣

A desk next to a small bookcase and an ergonomic kneeling chair.

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Reposted by Lauren (LJ) McMenemy

British Fantasy Society @britfantasysoc.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Just FOUR DAYS until we meet in Glasgow! Tickets are still available for both individual days and the whole weekend. Find the full programme (including the British Fantasy Awards!) and ticketing details over on our website: britishfantasysociety.org/events-2/fan...

A graphic advertises FOUR days until Fantasycon 2026, to be held from 9-11 October in Glasgow. It's illustrated with tentacles and parchment paper.

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Out now: @xanwriter.bsky.social's latest - and potential first in a series - is an Afrocentric, neuroqueer dark fantasy based on Finnish underworld mythology.

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Looking forward to chatting RAGE with you!

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Angela Yuriko Smith @angelayurikosmith.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

When is it time for a writing coach? I sat down with award-winning author, editor, and HWA Mentor of the Year Lee Murray to talk about what good coaching looks like to help move a creative career forward. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP38... Authortunities Academy coming January 2027.

youtube.com

When Is It Time for a Writing Coach? with Lee Murray for Authortunities Academy

YouTube video by Authortunities

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Pam did a thing, and I’m part of the thing, and the thing had a thing happen

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

That "full programme" includes a few things I'm involved in: >A workshop on author newsletters >Moderating a panel on women's rage in horror >Participating in a panel on modern folk horror >Interview the icon that is @vlatinalondon.bsky.social >Covering the British Fantasy Awards for the BFS!

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

That top envelope looks mighty enticing... wonder if I can convince anyone to steam it open and take a look for me?

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James Bennett | Pre-order "Mother of Night" @jamesbennett.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Just to let folks know, an ARC of "Mother of Night" is now available to request on Netgalley. Gracias! 🙏🏻📚💙

Arc copy of "Mother of Night" available to request.

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British Fantasy Society @britfantasysoc.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

We're officially in the countdown to Fantasycon 2026: just SEVEN DAYS until we meet in Glasgow! Tickets are still available for both individual days and the whole weekend. Get the details ➡️ britishfantasysociety.org/events-2/fan...

A graphic advertises 7 days until Fantasycon 2026, to be held from 9-11 October in Glasgow. It's illustrated with tentacles and parchment paper

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Super excited to pull Chelsey into the Ask an Expert series for the BFS!

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The last of my Fantasycon guest of honour chats is now live, and this one officially makes me one degree of separation from Spielberg and Kubrick, thank you very much Mr 'Gorn.

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

My latest chat with a Fantasycon Guest of Honour has just gone live! And @lunapress.bsky.social's Francesca is the absolute bestest.

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Oh I won't watch the AI narrated ones - but the humans aren't much better!

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Omg “SK” … just bloody well say serial killer. You’re literally doing a listicle about haunted prisons and guards refusing to do the night shift. Also more “red fluid” and “passing away”… ffs

static.klipy.com

Lol

ALT: Lol

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Lauren (LJ) McMenemy @laurenwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Watching more shitty paranormal listicles, as is my habit, and I swear if/when I do my own I won’t care about the algorithm and absolutely will not substitute words. If I hear another “demise” or “red life juice”, I swear to all that is unholy…

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