iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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The Cabinet of Doctor Alasdairi @alasdairstuart.com · 08/10/2026

When this happens? And it always happens eventually? Just bounce. Mute that shit. Self perpetuating drama is the Von Neumann machine of cultural discourse. It's the Borg shitposting. Don't allow that in your head.

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 06/10/2026

Sorry about channelling immense global trauma which in some regards is still ongoing into depressing art. 😅 This was definitely one of those SpecFic stories which drew heavily from real life. leeronheywood.substack.com/p/facing-wha... #writing #fiction #microfiction #horror

leeronheywood.substack.com

Facing What Is Unpredictable Yet Relentless

I line up the tests. Staring at the column of little plastic rectangles like they might change their minds. Might say something other than that I’m doomed.

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British Fantasy Society @britfantasysoc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The countdown to Halloween has begun - but which monster should you disguise yourself as this year? Corinne Pollard is delving into some classic Halloween monsters to help you make your final call. And first up is, of course, the vampire 🧛 britishfantasysociety.org/classic-hall...

The background image shows the bottom half of a woman's face. She has vampire fangs, and her mouth is dripping blood. The text on the top of this says Classic Halloween Monsters #1: The vampire. Article author Corinne Pollard is also pictured.

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 05/10/2026

I need to find a snappy, established term for "the story itself is humorous but there's some MESSED UP stuff lurking behind which is casually referred to". 😅 leeronheywood.substack.com/p/mutual-hun... #writing #fiction #microfiction #fantasy

leeronheywood.substack.com

Mutual Hunters Reaching Across

The vampire sighed. An unpleasantly dry, leathery sound. “Honestly. So dramatic…”

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Russ The Tedious Ghost @russ41.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

I essentially did exactly this. "Oh, if a charity isn't more effective than just giving people money, we should just give people money? Huh, that makes sense." (bookmarks GiveDirectly and moves on with life) Ten years later: "What do you mean, EA is a fucking death cult?"

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Indie Book Spotlight @bookspotlight.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

This VERY BIG AND SPOOKY BUNDLE of creepy and cosy reads is perfect for this year's Hallowe'en Season! All by incredible indie authors! We've got ghosts, goblins and gothic tales! Witches, warlocks and werewolves! Demons, dreams and Hallowe'en themes! itch.io/b/3904/chill...

Graphic for the Chills, Thrills & Kills October Itchio Sale. 93 books for $69. A VERY BIG AND SPOOKY BUNDLE of creepy and cosy reads perfect for this year’s Hallowe’en Season! Hosted by Indie Book Spotlight.

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

Every Friday, we meet a member of the BFS and peer deep into their soul (or, at least, a form they filled out). Staying in the Midlands, we meet Marielle Evans, a SFF fan who likes things playful and sometimes with a bit of spice. britishfantasysociety.org/meet-mariell...

On a black background with flourishes of red dots and lines is the text: Meet the BFS Members! Marielle Evans. Marielle is pictured in the centre; she has long dark hair, and wears glasses and a beret.

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 30/09/2026

When a prompt says "start or end your story with [this line]", I pretty much always use it to start. It's way easier imo. But in this case I realised I could do BOTH, and I like the "echo with context" result. 😄 leeronheywood.substack.com/p/a-tragic-p... #writing #fiction #microfiction #horror

leeronheywood.substack.com

A Tragic Premature Physical Meet

[My body is not yet ready to be loved.] Jacob read the message again. His brow furrowed. He rubbed the back of his head. Low self-esteem, maybe? Oh dear...

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 29/09/2026

...it feels like important characterisation, but you're not sure exactly what it's saying about that character, and seriously this was just meant to be a quick writing exercise! 😂

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 29/09/2026

TFW you spend three and a half minutes pondering whether mentioning hot chocolate means this is an urban fantasy story despite feeling historical fantasy in your head, and should you just change that one line but... leeronheywood.substack.com/p/sure-i-sto... #writing #fiction #microfiction #fantasy

leeronheywood.substack.com

Sure, I Stole From A Dragon

The figure that walked in the tavern doors was so average in every way that all the regulars were immediately suspicious. Nobody so normal would visit the Skulking Bucket…

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Dr Stew Hotston (he/him) @stewarthotston.com · 29/09/2026

Come see me flail using a flail.

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Tru Skies @trudieskies.readindiefantasy.com · 29/09/2026

I'll be at Fantasycon on three panels and I'll also be doing a reading from the Cruel Gods short story collection! I'll be bringing some books with me, but let me know if you're going and want one, and I'll bring extra.

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 29/09/2026

All this! Plus, even if someone CHOOSES to be a stay at home parent, they deserve the option for time off!

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British Fantasy Society @britfantasysoc.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

A whole new cast! Welcome to BFS Shortcuts; not replacing Long Story Short, but filling those empty weeks in which silence reigns. No longer! Ten set questions introduce authors you may not have read, but should. Kicking us off tomorrow, @abeaumontbooks.bsky.social faces the questions!

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 28/09/2026

For the record, he would NOT be this cheeky if he didn't already know she's into it. He's cocky, not clueless. The latter don't last long with fey. leeronheywood.substack.com/p/well-loved... #writing #fiction #microfiction #fantasy #romance

leeronheywood.substack.com

Well Loved By Moonlight

“Ahh.” Titania beamed at the shrouded woodland before them. “Is there ANYTHING not made more beautiful by moonlight?”

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Tru Skies @trudieskies.readindiefantasy.com · 28/09/2026

Got a book out in October? Hit me up!

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 28/09/2026

The drs were just as confused as her, but like, in the opposite direction.

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 28/09/2026

Apparently, when I was a baby, I would fuss and fuss and nothing would work... until my mom laid me down in a quiet dark room, upon which I would GO TO SLEEP. 🤨 My older brother, bless him, did NOT do this except when ill, so my mother repeatedly took me to the dr very worried. 😂

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 27/09/2026

This is one of those stories where I sat down with the prompt, the whole thing flowed, felt great, and only once I read back through did I go "Huh. This is kinda messed up." 😅 Does anyone else do this?? leeronheywood.substack.com/p/a-one-way-... #writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy

leeronheywood.substack.com

A One-Way Trip To Merad

Oh. I’m dreaming. “Er, not this time, old friend…”

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strigix @sovereignbeast.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I wonder if you could gamify literacy. Like, not the superficial 'gamification' that you see everywhere, where you add points and loot boxes that don't mean anything to a thing you're doing, but like... making a game out of the actual practices that are part of literacy.

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 27/09/2026

OMG, constructive helpful reader feedback?? I hope that means at least something good came out of this week for you.

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Shonna White @shonnathewhite.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

One of the hardest things about being an author is NOT TELLLING EVERYONE ALL THE COOL SHIT YOU HID IN YOUR BOOK BECAUSE YOU WANT PEOPLE TO DISCOVER IT THEMSELVES. But you are also really passionate about the shit you hid in your book.

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AK Faulkner ➡️ NYCC @ravenswordpress.com · 27/09/2026

Books readers love but don't recommend (or warn people away from even while recommending): A thread. Hi, I'm AK, and I write a series people love (privately, in my inboxes) which has won multiple awards and accolades. Here's why people generally don't recommend it. 🧵

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 26/09/2026

I don't think I quite managed a fable, it sort of turned into a neurodiversity analogy partway through. 😅 leeronheywood.substack.com/p/the-tortoi... #writing #fiction #microfiction #fantasy

leeronheywood.substack.com

The Tortoise And The Hare Chat Over Lunch

“Sorry I’m late, I got distracted AGAIN…”

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 26/09/2026

I learned a new word today! And. I mean. Describing soap-making wrong IS the sort of thing I would expect to kick off indignant internet people (not that describing it correctly will necessarily save you... 😆) so this charge will simply have to go to a jury of your peers. Once the book is out.

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British Fantasy Society @britfantasysoc.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Following the runaway indie success of Magic, Maps and Mischief, our own @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social is back with a new cozy fantasy and a new publisher, @boldwoodbooks.bsky.social. Introducing: A Healer’s Guide to Adventuring… britishfantasysociety.org/cover-reveal...

A purple curtain is partly pulled back to reveal the bottom corner of a book cover

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Bradley Ramsey @imagine2create.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

This week's episode of my Saved as Draft podcast is all about the power of writing prompts. A timely episode to celebrate the start of my next big writing challenge over on Substack! bradleyramsey.substack.com/p/episode-88... #Writingcommunity #writesky #authorsky #podcast

bradleyramsey.substack.com

Episode 88: The Power of Writing Prompts

Writing discussion, pitches, Power up Prompt Stories, and an interview with Gary L. Taylor!

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British Fantasy Society @britfantasysoc.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Every Friday, we meet a BFS member & peer deep into their soul. Here we have @annasmithwrites.bsky.social; though she's best known for grimdark, her forthcoming works may surprise you... An adventure heist or a fantasy romance, anyone? britishfantasysociety.org/meet-anna-st...

On a black background with flourishes of red dots and lines is the text: Meet the BFS members! Anna Stephens. Anna is pictured in the centre: she is a white woman with chin-length dark curly hair, and she is smiling at the camera.

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David Green @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Hope you're all ready for something exciting tomorrow morning, 9am 🙂 #ahealersguidetoadventuring #cozyfantasy #sapphic #sapphicromance

Top of the graphic is Tanwin El-Massa, a woman in her 30s with a dark bob with the words "she's a gentle Mind-Mage healing the souls of hurt heroes."

Bottom is Cora Starblessed, a brown-skinned elf with red hair, with the text "She's a fierce elf warrior who's spent a decade quietly loving her."

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 25/09/2026

Yeeees parallel processing teamwork is my favourite kind. 😁

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 25/09/2026

The trick there is we divvy up the sorting so you’re doing the beads and I’m doing the threads or something. At least, that’s worked before when there’s another sorting person I have to share with. 😄

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 25/09/2026

Ugggh. Ghost hugs for you, curse of stfu upon the whiny blood dribbler! They are so annoying.

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 24/09/2026

It's one of the two with (almost) every ND I know, you either react with glee or horror.

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British Fantasy Society @britfantasysoc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

New article series alert! Thanks to @karinjr.bsky.social, who chatted with BFS Horizon Editor @robincmduncan.bsky.social to find out more about what he’s looking for in submissions, and to get his take on the landscape for short fiction now. britishfantasysociety.org/ready-for-su...

A text-heavy graphic gives the name of the article series, Get Ready for Submission, plus features images of Karin J Robinson and Robin CM Duncan. An illustration of a telescope sits above Robin's photo.

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 24/09/2026

I'm the ND who'd happily say "Go ahead"... because then I get to sort everything into its proper container again. 😂 So either way you've got me safely diverted!

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Mike Brooks @mikebrooks668.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It's Bi Visibility Day! I describe myself as "queer" these days, as it's a handy catch-all term, but bi is still a perfectly valid description for me. I've written several bi characters across my fiction, my most recently prominent being Kitt Carver in TiWtFB. www.amazon.co.uk/This-Where-F...

amazon.co.uk

This is Where the Future Bleeds eBook : Brooks, Mike: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

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Disco Barrington 🏳️‍⚧️ Author @discobooks.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

5 BIPOC books with bisexual MCs: The Black God’s Drums by P. Djeli Clark Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi Happy Bisexual Visibility Day! 📚💙 📚🏳️‍🌈

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AK Faulkner ➡️ NYCC @ravenswordpress.com · 23/09/2026

Hey fellow bisexuals, we are briefly visible today. I realise this can be terrifying. Here's some fictional bisexuals to divert attention onto should you wish to! shop.ravenswordpress.com/collections/...

shop.ravenswordpress.com

Jack of Thorns

What do you do when a Celtic god rings your doorbell? Laurence Riley is a San Diego florist whose ex won't leave him alone. Quentin d'Arcy is a British earl on the run from his own family. Despi...

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British Fantasy Society @britfantasysoc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

For this month's instalment of the Ask an Expert column, you wanted to know more about running a stall at conventions - so we asked con stalwarts @dcartwriter.bsky.social & Claire Cartwright to take your queries. britishfantasysociety.org/ask-an-exper...

A text-heavy graphic features the combined bio of David and Claire Cartwright, plus their image

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 22/09/2026

I got caught up in the characters and meandered away from the prompt. 😅 Still happy with the story tho. (I feel like Josh is going to be a recurring character...) leeronheywood.substack.com/p/a-witchy-o... #writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy

leeronheywood.substack.com

A Witchy One-Night Stand

This was always the make-or-break point. While plenty of men SAID they were down with banging a witch, once they saw your living space…

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Leeron Heywood @leeronheywood.substack.com · 22/09/2026

I feel like it's better phrased as "Know what you write". As you say, if you want to write something you don't know, learn about it!

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