iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 23h

Lots of people have a favourite spoon in the cutlery drawer, but some cutlery drawers have the favourite's nemesis, the evil spoon that will ruin an enjoyable bowl of cereal faster than a slug in a milk bottle.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

While writing LoTR, Tolkien deleted one section because it was 'inartistic'. I'm going to make that one of my criteria when revising in future.

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Reposted by Michael Pryor

Aurealis Magazine @aurealisfsf.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Behold the fascinating non-fiction in Aurealis #194: ‘How Pop Culture and A.I. Interacted from 2000 to 2025’ by Lynne Lumsden Green, ‘Who put all these tentacles in my eldritch horror story?’ by Annie Mills and ‘Conservative Mythology in Weapons (2025)’ by Ani White.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In 1916 after a German Zeppelin crashed near the UK town of Little Wigborough a baby girl born that night was christened 'Zeppelina', which is a name we *definitely* need to see more often.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It's outright discrimination if visible pensioners have to pay.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I suppose that Modernist dog kennels with a Germanic influence belong to the Bauwauhaus school of architecture.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Did you know that the Australian tardigrade (macrobiotus australis) is not only almost totally impervious to extreme heat, pressure, and radiation, but it's also entirely resistant to criticism? 'Rigorous experiments subjected the tardigrades to criticism from theatre, music and restaurant critics.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Well, now. I just realised that Adam the Space Hippy and Tucker McElroy from the Good Old Boys were the same actor. Thespians are so talented.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

In my more reflective moments, I admit I have a number of regrets, but foremost of them, I think, is that I never had a long-lost relative who died and left me a mysterious castle in Scotland. Still, mustn't grumble.

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Aurealis Magazine @aurealisfsf.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Aurealis #194 is proud to present ‘Boy Leaves Girl Inside a Giant Octopus’ by Cameron Semmens, illustrated by Matt Bissett-Johnson, ‘Form a Shape, Besides Yourself’ by C.H. Pearce illustrated by Chris Catlin and ‘The Vineman of Nancy’ by Benjamin George Coles illustrated by Joel Bisaillon.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

We went to a 'High Cheese' at the Westin. Like a High Tea, but instead of scones, jam and cream it was an array of delicious cheesy morsels. Splendid!

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Any time a Roman emperor tries to appeal to the Roman masses as a way to power, I can't understand why historians don't call it the old hoi polloi ploy.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

From Australian Women's Weekly Sept 1978. The lad second right is imagining a future where all teens will wear safari suits. Arrested Development Narrator: He imagined wrong.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Spending a few days on a paddlesteamer, chugging down the Murray. Here's last night's sunset

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

There's a special, complex, modern emotion - part horror, part shame - when you accidentally drop a non-recyclable in the recycling bin.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

The first episode of the Apocryphal Australia podcast Series 4 is out now! Extremely extreme weather, a mysterious lake, runaway kitchen appliances and more! Get it wherever you find your podcasts or here: www.podbean.com/eas/pb-itbbt...

podbean.com

31. Enigmatic!

Extremely extreme weather, a mysterious lake, runaway kitchen appliances and more!

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I think I'll make one of those Reaction Videos, but instead of me watching a song or a movie, I'll be reading a book. It could be long, a couple of days of me engrossed, occasionally going 'No! No, don't do that!' or giving a triumphant 'Yes!' at appropriate moments. Winner.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

'Sometimes, when you look into the ibis, the ibis looks back' - Friedrich 'the Fredster' Nietzsche

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Injuries I have suffered because of books: 1. Paper cuts (numerous) 2. Strained neck after violent sneezing caused by dust on an old book 3. Bruised forehead after walking into a lamp post while reading 4. Broken heart (figurative). Worth it, each and every one of them.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I like seeing fantasy maps by Australians, because the south is cold and the north is hot, as it should be.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

You know what makes me smile even though I know it's silly? It's reading a UK or US book and there's a passing mention of Australia, or a minor character is Australian. It's like 'Australia! Yes!'

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I have a desire to write a novel that would include evocative scratch'n'sniff character names - Violet, Rose, Barbie ...

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Dog names that have been deciphered from ancient Egyptian dog mummies(!). Menyupu (‘He is a Shepherd’) Pehtes (‘Blacky’), Ankhu (‘Living One’), Neb (‘The Lordly One’), Behkai (‘Antelope’), Hekenu (‘Exultation’), Abutiyuw (‘Pointed Ears’) Tegra (‘Kettle-black’) and Aya (‘Woofer’).

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Put your hand up if a teacher ever told you, 'You can't start a sentence with "and".' Extra points if the same teacher said you can't start a sentence with "but", either.

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Did you know that subscribing to Speculative Insight gets you access to all the past subscriber essays? For AUD30/yr (~USD21, GBP16, EUR19) you can read 30 (and counting!) more essays: Pratchett's men, cargo ships in space, Tamsyn Muir as cosy catastrophe... and much more! www.speculativeinsight.com

speculativeinsight.com

Speculative Insight

A journal for exploring the ideas and themes that stand behind, inform, and develop out of, speculative fiction.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Subtitles ruin comedies. The punchlines arrive before the joke is finished and the gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice are out of sync with what you've read.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Series 4 of the Apocryphal Australia podcast is coming soon, and here's a sneaky preview! www.podbean.com/eas/pb-bq8ez...

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Reposted by Michael Pryor

Aurealis Magazine @aurealisfsf.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

To celebrate our upcoming very special 200th issue in 2027, Aurealis magazine is increasing the payment for all stories published in 2027 from AUD2c a word to AUD6c a word!

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Saw this perky kooka on a fence post yesterday.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Working hard with Stephen Higgins on preparing the Apocryphal Australia podcast. Coming soon, more unbelievable stories of rogues, mountebanks and tragic heroes, more fascinating tales of extraordinary events, remarkable natural features and hidden scandals!

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Aurealis Magazine @aurealisfsf.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Our July 2026 issue is here! Get it, or subscribe, at www.aurealis.com.au

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Subscribe for great genre fiction and non-fiction. Support Australian publishing - 30+ years and going strong.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Lift buttons should be connected to a pump hydraulic system so those people who mash the button over and over actually *can* make the lift come faster.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Instead of making lemon butter, I substituted limes and made lime butter. Yum.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

A late season bud for Precious Michelle, a delicate shell pink rose, after a rain shower.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Hendiatris is when three words are used to express one idea. Hook, line and sinker. Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. Game, set and match. Understood, clear, capisce?

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The Hero's Journey Reimagined Where the Hero Stays Home and Does Some Much Needed Maintenance Instead of Journeying.

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Aurealis Magazine @aurealisfsf.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

The intelligent non-fiction in Aurealis #190, our May issue: ‘“The Lonely”: The Twilight Zone Episode That Parallels the 2020s’ by Joseph Sullivan, ‘The Paradox of Nothing: The Anthromorphism of Aliens’ by Todd Sullivan and ‘Ignorance is Creative Bliss’ by Peter Court. Get it at www.aurealis.com.au

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

There should be a tick box at everyone online purchase checkout that says 'I do not want to review this product/service'. Or, even better, 'I DO want to review this product/service' so that the default is that I won't be pestered by 'Please review your purchase' follow-ups.

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Reposted by Michael Pryor

Alom Shaha @alomshaha.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Ok, Simon Armitage wins this particularly game. The last line…

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Early morning balloon in the neighbourhood.

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Odd This Day @oddthisday.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Well, to begin with today: happy 123rd anniversary to this extraordinary literary lineup of leather on willow enthusiasts

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Let's face it, all books are colouring books. We writers provide an outline and the readers fill it in with their imagination.

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Aurealis Magazine @aurealisfsf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Aurealis magazine is looking for someone to help out with our IT needs - our store, ordering and stock management and occasional website updates. If you have a love of Science Fiction and Fantasy and would like to be part of Australia's No.1 genre magazine contact us at editors@aurealis.com.au.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

In extreme close-up shots, I'm always looking to see if actors are wearing contact lenses. A surprising number are, even in historical dramas.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

J.M. Barrie, writer of 'Peter Pan', was only 161 cm tall.

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Michael Pryor @michaeljpryor.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

'Silliness' is much undervalued in comedy. Pure, unabashed silliness is a joy.

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