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Mark Cantrell

@man0words.bsky.social
196 followers 132 following 410 posts

A UK writer and journalist. Writes about social housing (day job). Author of SFF novels Citizen Zero and Silas Morlock, published by Inspired Quill. Website: tykewriter.wordpress.com Substack Newsletter: markcantrellauthor.substack.com

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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The thing is, AI just didn't work. But that was okay. There was a solution, an upgrade that worked beyond their wildest dreams. Until suddenly, it didn't... Citizen Zero from Inspired Quill: www.inspired-quill.com/product/citi... #books #BookSky #scifi #fiction #AI @inspiredquill.bsky.social
AI has devastated jobs, authoritarian surveillance is the norm, and unemployed David is struggling to survive in a broken reality... The Matrix meets V for Vendetta with a twist of I, Daniel Blake.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Are you a citizen or a zero? The choice may not be yours to make... tykewriter.wordpress.com/novels/citiz... #scifi #novels #dystopian #fiction #books #BlueSky @inspiredquill.bsky.social
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Citizen Zero presents a thrilling amalgam of The Matrix and V for Vendetta, with a twist of I, Daniel Blake... Get the novel from Inspired Quill in paperback and digital editions... www.inspired-quill.com/product/citi... #BookSky #cyberpunk #fiction #scifi #dystopia @inspiredquill.bsky.social
Citizen Zero book cover on a red background. Text reads: There were eyes, of one kind or another, everywhere.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Remembering my dad, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday today.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
The books were harvested, their spines torn away, their souls sucked from the dying pages -- all to feed the darkness. Silas Morlock from @inspiredquill.bsky.social www.inspired-quill.com/product/sila... #BookSky #books #fiction #dystopia #scifi #horror
Silas Morlock cover. "A room without books is like a body without a soul." A macabre  melding of Fahrenheit 451 and Nosferatu.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
AI made flesh, but what becomes of the human? Citizen Zero, a sci-fi thriller with a dystopian contemporary edge, from @inspiredquill.bsky.social. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071P8R2SV #scifi #dystopian #fiction #BookSky #novels
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
It's been a long day, up in Leeds for a big property industry event, totally knackered -- but, hey, I made a friend 🤣
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Facial recognition, AI-powered surveillance, the fusion of corporate and state power, you just know it ain't gonna end well... #booksky #books #novels #scifi #dystopia #AI
Image depicts the cover to the novel Citien Zero. Text reads: AI has devastated jobs, authoritarian surveilance is the norm, and unemployed David is struggling to survive a broken reality... The Matrix meets V for Vendetta with a twist of I, Daniel Blake.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
That's human-authored books, obviously... #booksky #fiction #novels #fantasy #scifi #dystopian @inspiredquill.bsky.social
Silas Morlock book cover, together with the text "A room without books is like a body without a soul." Beneath that, further text reads "A macabre melding of Fahrenheit 451 and Nosferatu".
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
The latest post on my author blog offers a visit to the world of Forever Mercy, providing a glimpse into the early life of the novel's protagonist... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/making-mer... #booksky #books #fiction #WIP #amwriting
A woman in the dark aims a gun. Text reads: Making Mercy: Sing a song of a shanties girl. Subtext reads: From a child refugee fleeing conflict to a renowned singing sensation, the  glare of Mercy's life in the limelight dazzles some darker truths.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Now I have the full set. Looking forward to reading my fellow IQ author's latest works. Wasn't expecting to see my name on the cover, though. I stand by every word! 😊 #booksky @inspiredquill.bsky.social
Photo of Hugo Jackson's books, Edge of Ascension and Remnant's Hope published by Inspired Quill.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
The latest on my author site... As readers we often write ourselves into the 'biography' of a book, contributing tantalising clues to the human connection they represent. markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/you-dont-g... #books #literature #booksky #readers #history #heritage
Image depicts two people examining  some realy old books in a library. Text reads: You don't get that with a Kindle. Sub-heading: Second-hand books are a trove of readers lives.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Dip into a dystopian future in this gripping sci-fi thriller from @inspiredquill.bsky.social... Paperback and digital editions available from the publisher: www.inspired-quill.com/product/citi... Alternatively, order your copy from any good bookstore... #booksky #fiction #novels #scifi #dystopia
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Millions of people face exclusion from next generation digital technology because designers can't – or won't – grasp their mobility needs. markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/technology... #technology #disability #design #accessibility
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 31/12/2025
Something for the New Year... www.inspired-quill.com/product/sila... #booksky #books #fiction #scifi #darkfantasy #dystopia @inspiredquill.bsky.social
Text reads: "A room without books is like a body without a soul." Beneath it, "A macabre melding of Fahrenheit 451 and Nosferatu."
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Xmas present from my niece. Good choice.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Recently started work on my latest #novel, Forever Mercy. To mark the occasion, I thought I'd share the draft of the first chapter. Enjoy... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/all-gothed... #booksky #books #creativewriting #fiction #scifi
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
A vinyl record made with coal dust pays tribute to Britain's mining heritage, but it also invokes a warning for the future if technological disruption excludes those at today's 'coal face' of change... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/when-vinyl... #writing #culture #history #heritage #coal
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Something from the archives this week. Experts at Cambridge University warned that AI risks denying people of colour a presence in our imagined world of tomorrow... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/the-colour... #AI #technology #culture #diversity #representation
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Once AI has done its work, where will you hide? Citizen Zero, a hard-hitting #scifi thriller from @inspiredquill.bsky.social... Buy it here: www.inspired-quill.com/product/citi... #booksky #fiction #cyberpunk #novels #AI #technologu
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
If you're looking for some hard-hitting near-future scifi with a contemporary edge, then check out Citizen Zero... Find out more on my website: tykewriter.wordpress.com/novels/citiz... #booksky #novels #cyberpunk #dystopian #scifi @inspiredquill.bsky.social
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
Ilkley Literary Festival marks 52 years of celebrating great literature with a focus on 'soft power' and the soul of Northern poetry. Read the story on my author newsletter... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/theres-not... #literature #books #booksky #authors @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
This week's post on my author newsletter is a short story culled from my archives. Hope you enjoy it... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/sinners-in... #fiction #creativewriting #shortstories #scifi
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
Scientists are 'fleshing' out the next stage of robot evolution by exploring the potential of lab-grown muscles, but will this bio-breakthrough cramp their style? markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/machines-m... #technology #science #robotics #writing
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
A tiny Saxon cross unearthed in a Leeds field is telling a story about the city's early medieval past. Read the latest piece on my #author newsletter... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/weve-all-g... #culture #history #heritage #archaeology #museums #Yorkshire
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
In the end, AI just wasn't what it was cracked up to be -- so they came up with a monstrous solution... Buy the book from @inspiredquill.bsky.social www.inspired-quill.com/product/citi... #booksky #fiction #scifi #AI
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
If you'd like to support independent bookshops, as well as indie publishing, then my books are available to order through Bookshop UK... uk.bookshop.org/shop/markcan... #booksky #novels #scifi #dystopian @inspiredquill.bsky.social
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
Developers and academics are working on a new computer game intended to change our attitudes to plastic and reduce the material's impact on the environment. Read the latest story on my #author newsletter. markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/play-the-g... #plastic #pollution #environment #videoames
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 20/07/2025
Silas Morlock presents a dark story of redemption in homage to the power of literature... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/dare-you-v... #booksky #fiction #novels #darkfantasy @inspiredquill.bsky.social
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
Time for some fiction with the latest post on my #author newsletter. Hope you enjoy this short story... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/of-unicorn... #fiction #shortstory #vampires #horror #macabre
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
It's your moral imperative... www.inspired-quill.com/product/citi... #books #welfarereform #novels
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
I’m proud - and humbled - to have been asked to contribute to Shaun McClure's latest book, offering a comprehensive guide to designing interactive fiction (adventure games). Please do check it out... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FC6B1J5J/ #books #publishing #adventuregames #zxspectrum #fiction
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
Scientists reckon that land affected by the 1986 Chornobyl nuclear accident is finally safe for farming. Read the story on my #author newsletter... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/chornobyl-... #science #agriculture #nuclear
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Fahrenheit 451 meets Nosferatu in this macabre 'love letter' to literature... Buy Silas Morlock from @inspiredquill.bsky.social and keep the candles burning... www.inspired-quill.com/product/sila... Learn more: tykewriter.wordpress.com/novels/silas... #fiction #booksky #novels #horror #scifi
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
A wad of government cash is a major step to creating a new hub for Northern writers; it's about nurturing new talent and ensuring the North's literary talent makes itself heard. markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/let-the-no... #writing #writers #literature #authors
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Silas Morlock follows a macabre path to a dark destination, but at heart the novel is a love letter to literature. Venture into the shadows and seek the light... Buy it direct from the publisher, @inspiredquill.bsky.social www.inspired-quill.com/product/sila... #fiction #booksky #novels #horror
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
We all have bad days at work, but at least they're never quite so macabre as in this short piece of fiction (well, hopefully they're not)... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/time-chang... #fiction #macabre #horror #shortstory #readers
Time Changes the Man, a short story by Mark Cantrell. The drudgery of work is all in the mind, we suppose, but what if it's written into our very flesh? Image depicts a close up of a bee's face.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
In the early days of AI, the models were trained on the stolen fruits of human brain-power, later models didn't stop there... Support indies and buy direct from the publisher: www.inspired-quill.com/product/citi... Find out more: tykewriter.wordpress.com/novels/citiz... #scifi #booksky #novels
Citizen Zero, a novel by Mark Cantrell, published by Inspired Quill.

AI has devastated jobs, authoritarian surveillance is the norm, and unemployed David is struggling to survive a broken reality...
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Two years to the day since my dad passed away, so I thought I'd mark the occasion with this personal essay on my author newsletter. markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/mourning-i... #dementia
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
Dug something out of the archives for the latest piece on my #author newsletter, see what you think... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/programmin... #writing #essays #blogpost #newsletter #readers #author
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Government response to Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations: steps forward, but not systemic change open.substack.com/pub/peteapps... #ukhousing #socialhousing
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Brain fog is no metaphor when it comes to air pollution – poor air quality really does make it harder to think, scientists have found... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/the-muck-w... #science #health #environment #airpollution
The muck we breathe pollutes our thinking

Air pollution clouds the mind and makes everyday tasks challenging, say scientists.

Image depicts a cluster of high rise buildings shrouded in thick smog, the top of them poking through the clouds. A red sun glowers through the haze.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
The latest article on my #author newsletter... Scientists have used cutting edge computer modelling to explore how well one of humanity's early ancestors could run, shedding light on how we evolved our faster pace. markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/walk-a-mil... #science #evolution #technology
Walk a million years in her shoes

Cutting edge simulations are making Lucy walk again to help figure out the evolution of humanity's ability to run.

Image depicts two Australopithecus skeletons with select leg muscles attach walking over a grid-based computer landscape.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Enjoy a little background reading on my current #novel in progress... In a cafe in downtown Bradford, Karel Ludek talks about his unlikely relationship with the Bone Diva herself... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/shell-feed... #fiction #amwriting #writerslife #booksky
"She'll feed you to the crows, my friend." Black market arms dealer, Karel Ludek offers a friendly warning over tea and biscuits. Image depicts a crow perched near a gothic tombstone with a skull carved at the base.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Meet Stormie, my new cat. She's been through the wars, poor thing. Very nervous as a result of her experiences, but she seems to be coming out of her shell. This is the first time I've actually been able to get a good look at her!
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Pioneering research claims marine food-chains risk unravelling because plankton will struggle to survive unless humans can curtail their global warming habits. markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/the-heats-... #science #nature #globalwarming #authornewsletter
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 04/01/2025
Cancer patients who wear facial prosthetics have had their #portraits painted to raise awareness of their experiences – and challenge stigma. markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/cancer-has... #art #health #wellbeing #science
"Cancer has many faces. This is mine." The I'm Still Me portrait exhibition in Leeds offers a poignant reflection on cancer and facial difference.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
My sister is up for a visit with her family, so we all went to Emma Bridgewater today to paint pots. I'll hold my hand up and admit I'm no good at it, but I'm still quite pleased with my effort given it was a first attempt.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 30/12/2024
Books have power; Silas Morlock clutches that simple truth to the darkest depths of his soul... A macabre melding of Fahrenheit 451 and Nosferatu, dare you venture into the void? Get your copy from @inspiredquill.bsky.social www.inspired-quill.com/product/sila... #books #novel #SFF #horror
Silas Morlock: When the last book burns, the darkness will devour us.
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Mark Cantrell @man0words.bsky.social · 28/12/2024
A slice of fiction on the author newsletter this week... markcantrellauthor.substack.com/p/luck-of-th... #fiction #shortstory #creativewriting #readers #author
Luck of the Draw: The grim realities of uran life push a man towards a desperate act, but a careless  mistake stops a murderer taking vengeance.
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