iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Jake Casella Brookins @casella.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

That is not dead which can eternal cast And with such sessions ev’ry pod may last

Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

We were live from @octocon.bsky.social, and now you can hear that episode but it's not live. Is it dead? CAN PODCASTS DIE? Who knows! Listen here: octothorpe.podbean.com/e/170-... #ScienceFiction #Podcast #Octocon

Three crocheted Octos – one purple, one green, and one red – sit against a white background. The words “Octocon 170” appear at the top and “Live from Octothorpe” appear at the bottom. (Octo is the Octocon mascot and is an octopus, so these are made from the official Octo crochet pattern.)

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Octothorpe 169 is here! We discuss LAcon V some more, talk about first conventions, libraries, the philosophy of programme, and more. Then Alison talks about a piece of art. It's a long one! Listen here: octothorpe.podbean.com/e/169-...

A photograph of various fans at LAcon V cosplaying foxes to varying degrees, including John wearing some fox ears and his wife España Sheriff wearing a fox mask. Above, orange text on a white background reads “Octothorpe 169” and below it reads “Foxes skulk at LAcon V”. For some reason, Adobe Photoshop is convinced I've used an AI-generated image, but given it's a photograph and some text Adobe Photoshop can get in the sea.

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John Coxon @johncoxon.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I'm going to be an online guest, alongside @bohemiancoast.bsky.social and @lizbatty.bsky.social, at @octocon.bsky.social and they sent me a lovely graphic to plug it!

Graphic with text reading “OCTOCON: THE NATIONAL IRISH SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION. Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October 2026. Clayton Hotel Cork City & Online. Online Guest: John Coxon – Octothorpe. octocon.com”. The background is a light purple and has a skyline in black with a robot and flying dragon in white and a UFO in green.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Do you feel that your life has insufficient Octo-ness in it? Want to connect with other people who send a lot of Discord messages? Why not join @octocon.bsky.social, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention, and come to a live recording of Octothorpe! www.octocon.com

A graphic for Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention, showing that Octothorpe are online guests! Also there's a dragon and a robot.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Octothorpe 168 is here! We discuss @laworldcon.bsky.social in all its finery, including the very excellent program and the very excellent Hugo Award winners. And before anyone asks: yes, Alison has a backing track for part of the episode. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/168-it-s-a...

A photograph of John and Duncan MacGregor taken at an IHOP near the Hilton Anaheim. They are turned to look at each other in a booth. Their facial expressions are difficult to read, but hearts overlay the picture and so we surmise they are in love. Faces of bystanders are pixellated for privacy purposes. Words above the photo read “Octothorpe 168” and below read “Love is in the air at LAcon V”.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Do you feel that your life has insufficient Octo-ness in it? Want to connect with other people who send a lot of Discord messages? Why not join Octocon, the Irish national SF con, and come to a live recording of Octothorpe! octocon.com

A graphic for Octocon, the Irish National science fiction convention, showing that Octothorpe are online guests! Also there's a dragon and a robot.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

It’s the summer of fun: what better way to celebrate than with our entirely serious and definitely realistic proposal to fix the Hugo Awards once and for all? Listen here… octothorpe.podbean.com/e/167-way-mo... Disclaimer: Hugo Awards may not need fixing, quality of fixes may vary, consult your do—

An watercolour of three pink mushrooms growing on the trunk of a tree. The words “Octothorpe 167” appear at the top, and “summer of fungi” appear at the bottom. The listener is left to discern which mushroom represents which co-host.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

It’s a day late, and John’s going to bed now. Goodnight everyone. Zzzzzzzzzzz octothorpe.podbean.com/e/166-writin...

A photograph of a total solar eclipse above a beach in Northern Spain. Text reads “Octothorpe 166” in purple at the top and “SUMMER of SUN” in white at the bottom.

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Octocon @octocon.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

We’re excited to welcome the Octothorpe podcasters as online guests for Octocon 2026! octocon.com/2026/07/octo...

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

In this episode we deal with a veritably bulging mailbag before diving back into the WSFS Business Meeting and bringing you all the HOTTEST GOSSIP. Who was the best-dressed? What was controversial about a jar of jam? And why are bees? Listen here: octothorpe.podbean.com/e/165-e-ese-...

72 assorted LEGO minifigs in a 6x12 grid. Words above read “Octothorpe 165” and below read “WSFS Business Meeting Register: Stand up and be Counted”. The title case on the part of the sentence after the colon is, frankly, bananas, and it certainly isn’t aligned with the Octothorpe style guide.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Episode 164 is here! We discuss Eurocons, including Metropol Con, with roving reporter Alison. Then John and Liz dive into the WSFS business meeting agenda because it’s the SUMMER OF FUN! Listen here: octothorpe.podbean.com/e/164-wsfs-a...

John and Liz are behind two large stacks of paper with text reading "WSFS Agenda… D… E… E… F… F7… more F7… secret squirrel" whilst Alison sits in the stands of Lord’s. Words above say “Octothorpe 164” and “It’s the summer of fun!”.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Octothorpe 163 has arrived, and we discuss Eurocons in some detail, covering all the news from 2026 to 2030. Alison is currently at Metropol Con and she’s promised to report back. We also discuss queer awards and swim headphones. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/163-board-...

A goldfish with the head of Alison wearing goggles and swim headphones. The words “Moist Ear Tunes*” appear at the top and the words “SF Fandom’s Premier Swim Headphone Podcast”, “Fun Fact: Moist Ear Tunes is a nonogram of Octothorpe 163” and “Sue Mason art appears courtesy of Plokta (thanks guys)” appear at the bottom. I know that Alison has forgotten to include the asterisk on the footnote, but since she also has the memory of a goldfish maybe it’s a delightful and multilayered joke.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Octothorpe 162 arrives! We discuss conventions this week, focusing on @satellitecons.bsky.social, the @nuremberg2028.bsky.social Worldcon bid, and the UK Games Expo. Then we do picks and get wet and splash each other in the pool. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/162-do-you...

A photograph of Portmeirion made to look like a stamp or a postcard, with words overlaid saying “Holiday greetings from Portmeirion, be seeing you…”. Above reads “Octothorpe 162” and below reads “Alison has gone on holiday again”.

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Scott Edelman @scottedelman.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Episode 284 of Eating the Fantastic is now LIVE with guests @bohemiancoast.bsky.social and @johncoxon.bsky.social. Discover how the coming of COVID-19 kickstarted the creation of Octothorpe, how to comment responsibly on fandom while being part of fandom & more. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...

Photos of John and Alison across the table from me at Nando's, each seen over their plates of food, both wearing black T-shirts.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Join us as we read the Clarke Award shortlist! Alison and Liz judge John’s own judging, and then they ask him questions about his judging and judge his answers. We hope you judge that this is a good episode. The word “judge” looks weird now. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/161-you-pa...

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Scott Edelman @scottedelman.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Edited the first half hour of raw audio from Eating the Fantastic's Eastercon lunch with @octothorpecast.bsky.social's @johncoxon.bsky.social and @bohemiancoast.bsky.social. If you'd like to hear what happens when two Hugo Award-nominated podcasts collide once live — subscribe! pod.link/1083737796

The horizontal bar of sound waves of our voices in GarageBand with many snips and a time stamp of 30.02.388.

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Scott Edelman @scottedelman.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Drove home from Balticon listening to the latest episodes of both @octothorpecast.bsky.social and @coodestreet.bsky.social. That's the wonderful thing about podcasts — if you listen to enough of them, your convention weekend need never end!

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Octothorpe 160 comes with an exclusive free gift*! We talk a little bit more about the Hugo Awards including the packet, but mostly we dive into our bulging mailbag and read out your letters and comments. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/160-global... *free gift is theoretical/made up

A drawing of a CD-Rom with the words “Octothorpe 160” and “New!! Exclusive Octothorpe cover-mounted CD-Rom”.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

We finally get around to talking about Eastercon! This is a bumper episode, where we recap parts of @easterconuk.bsky.social and talk about the bids for 2028, 2029, and beyond. We promise we’ll do letters of comment again next week. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/159-taking...

A stack of grey blocks being held up by two small stacks underneath. The stack is labelled “all current Eastercon digital infrastructure”, while the two small stacks are labelled “bits being thanklessly maintained by Andrew January” and “bits being thanklessly maintained by James Shields”. The words “Octothorpe 159” appear at the top.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

We’re releasing early today, with a Hugo Awards finalists special! We discuss what ended up on the ballot and give some off-the-cuff remarks about it all. We’re also thrilled to be finalists again: a huge thanks to all who nominated us. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/158-i-am-t...

A cartoon. John, Alison and Liz are wearing Octothorpe T-shirts and matching purple baseball caps while standing behind a market stall clad in a very slightly different purple and with various delicacies upon it. The sign above the stall reads “Octothorpe 158 Hugo HOT takes”, with “HOT” in a little tiny fire. The sign below the stall reads “Always half-baked! Fresh off the griddle! Three-pack special!”

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

More seriously, we think Roseanna is right on with her take on this. Go read and follow her if you don’t already!

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Listeners will be glad to know that we circumvented this advice by recording our HOT TAKES before the news comes out. That’s the galaxy brain approach! Keep your eyes peeled for when the embargo lifts, folks…

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Episode 157, live from the 2026 Eastercon, has landed with guest star @claudiarapp.bsky.social! We discuss the Eastercon, as well as Metropol Con and the Nuremberg and Brisbane Worldcon bids. Listen here: octothorpe.podbean.com/e/157-moist-... @nuremberg2028.bsky.social @brisbanein28.bsky.social

A picture of John, Alison and Claudia sitting behind the panel tables during the live recording. A thread from the convention Discord is being projected onto the screen behind them, with messages reading “Malcolm H: Song for Alison… Da Da Da”, “Roseanna: We’ve passed the discord comment count for the highest other item!! Best panel confirmed [rocket emoji]”, “Meg MacDonald: Teach us your wisdom”, “Frances Dowd: Drink drink drink your Heineken, oodles and oodles for everyone!”. Words have been added to the top reading “Octothorpe 157” and to the bottom reading ‘Live from Iridescence: “Best panel confirmed”’.

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Scott Edelman @scottedelman.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

This afternoon, I was led by two-thirds of the @octothorpecast.bsky.social podcast — John Coxon and Alison Scott — to my first taste of the UK culinary nirvana which is Nando’s. I invite you to eavesdrop on our conversation on a future episode of Eating the Fantastic! pod.link/1083737796

Two square shots of John and Alison across the table from me merged into a single horizontal image.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Octothorpe 156 is here! We discuss Locus, we discuss the Nebulas, we discuss Eastercon, and then we talk about Liz’s totally SFnal and very genre pick. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/156-surpri... @locusmag.bsky.social @sfwa.org @easterconuk.bsky.social

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Well done! You’ve found the contents of Octothorpe 155, perfectly preserved in a jar. The jar was in your basement. The jar was always there. You always had a basement. Don’t run—come back! We talk about Eastercon! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/155-ed-ed-... P.S. Vote in GUFF, today is the last day.

Three homunculi in jars with cork toppers who look reminiscent of John, Alison and Liz. Alison’s has a little stick with a moose head on it and a cup of coffee. The jars are on a shelf. The words “Octothorpe 155” appear at the top and “Small Podcasters” at the bottom.

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Dan Hartland @danhartland.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Thanks to @johncoxon.bsky.social of @octothorpecast.bsky.social for his contribution at the close of the latest podcast. In our last episode, @tristanbeiter.bsky.social and co discussed the space for criticism in fandom. I was curious for a second opinion. Critical Friends: it's for conversation.

strangehorizons.com

Critical Friends Episode 21: On Style

Paul Kincaid and Dawn Macdonald join Dan Hartland to discuss style.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

John, Alison and Liz start getting excited to nominate things for the Hugo Awards, and they consequently talk about books and games! They also chat about LAcon V and the upcoming fan funds. Listen here: octothorpe.podbean.com/e/154-at-lea... @laworldcon.bsky.social @thehugoawards.bsky.social

Text reading “OCTOTHORPE 154* *See, it’s like this. This is the first day of 2026 that hasn’t been cold, or wet, or both, so instead of doing the Octothorpe cover I went for a nice walk. And bought no board games, but a jigsaw. And did the jigsaw. Sorry.” The text is on top of a photograph of a bridge and some trees underneath a blue sky.

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Renay⁷ @renay.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

If you need a refresher on art/writing that dropped in 2025 that may be eligible for a Hugo Award, we built a whole spreadsheet! It's pretty rad (fans are awesome).

docs.google.com

The Hugo Awards (2026)

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Octothorpe 153 arrives! We discuss the best board games to play at school, and then we cover important topics such as whether yellow is “Pokémon-coloured” before discussing @smofcon43.bsky.social, Nuremberg 2028, and @dublin2029.bsky.social. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/153-bowlin...

A picture of Alison with white hair, wearing a white dressing gown, and wielding a staff with a moose head. John and Liz flank her. She says “Behold! I am reborn as Alison the White!” John says “That’s a bit dramatic… it’s only a haircut” and Liz says “Pretty sure that’s a dressing gown… and are you standing on a box?” The words Octothorpe 153 are at the top.

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Scott Edelman @scottedelman.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

The wonderful thing about podcasts like this and @coodestreet.bsky.social and @octothorpecast.bsky.social and @hugogirlpodcast.bsky.social and @skiffyandfanty.com and others — and even my own — is if you listen to enough of them, it's possible to feel as if your con never ends! That's where I live!

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Octothorpe 152 is here! We read your letters before discussing @brisbanein28.bsky.social’s neat new logo and the latest Eastercon’s financial report. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/152-slap-t...

John’s head and shoulders appear behind a pinkish desk as if he is the puppeteer of Sooty and Sweep (Americans, ask your British friends). Sooty is pulling on Sweep’s ear. Text at the top reads “Octothorpe 152: John is preparing for the big dust-up”.

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Renay⁷ @renay.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

heck yeeeeeeah read our guides and come join our nerdy book club

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

We emerge blinking into the sunlight of 2026 and we have a full mail bag! We discuss the @montreal2027.bsky.social org chart and René Walling’s role at Montreal, as well as recent Hugo how-to guides from @renay.bsky.social and @mollytempleton.com. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/151-only-d...

Three lions photographed on a safari in Kenya, with glasses photoshopped onto two of them to make them look very slightly more like John and Alison. The top has words reading “Octothorpe 151” and the bottom has words reading “Definitely not about the cricket”. It is unclear why, because John edited all the cricket out.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Starting 2026 by reading each other's picks! Hope you are all starting 2026 in similar fashion.

Hardback copies of Your Wish is my Command by Deena Mohamed and Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman.

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Jake Casella Brookins @casella.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Really enjoyed this episode and wish I knew what could be done about the structural racism affecting international fandom (visa denials and banking seriously hurting the Rwanda Worldcon's chances); it's good to at least have it laid out so clearly.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Octothorpe 150 is up, the last episode of 2025! We discuss Smofcon 42 and the conventions that John found out about, plus John doesn’t pass out. RESULT. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/150-i-woul...

A Mahalo Flying V, an Uma Blue Pineapple, and a Brunswick soprano are hanging on a Christmas tree beneath the words “Octothorpe 150”.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Episode 149 is here! Which we forgot to put on socials because John is at to SMOFcon and I didn't notice. We discuss some upcoming worldcon bids and get slightly derailed by Rutger Hauer. www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tjhfq-...

podbean.com

149: Real-Time Toilet Monitoring

John is going to Smofcon, Alison has FOMO, and Liz is a horrible person. An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk,...

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Paul "Princejvstin" Weimer @princejvstin.com · 22/11/2025

"I do feel J.R.R. Tolkien experienced horror in the 1st World War and spent 50 years trying to process it through the medium of Elves" - the brilliant @emilytesh.net on the newest @octothorpecast.bsky.social podccast octothorpe.podbean.com/e/148-i-m-wi...

octothorpe.podbean.com

148: I’m With Liz | Octothorpe

John, Alison, and stunt Liz Emily Tesh are live from Novacon 54! An uncorrected transcript of this episode is available here. Please email your letters of comment to comment@octothorpecast.uk, join ou...

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

John, Alison, and stunt Liz @emilytesh.net are live from Novacon 54! We discuss the convention, what it’s like to be a Guest of Honour, parenting at cons and also whether or not John should read the Silmarillion. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/148-i-m-wi...

Emily Tesh, John, and Alison stand in front of a suspiciously purple background which may indicate that the real background has been subtracted by nefarious photo editing. The words “Octothorpe 148 Live from Novacon” are overlaid.

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Everina Maxwell @everinamaxwell.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Had a great time at Novacon, including seeing @emilytesh.net on the @octothorpecast.bsky.social liveshow! Renewed (and correct) push to get everyone to read Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Good morning! Octothorpe 147 is here with an episode that was described by my two cohosts during the editing process as “discursive” and “rambly”. STRAP IN, LISTENERS. octothorpe.podbean.com/e/147-what-w...

A photograph of the mountains of Nepal with text overlaid, reading “Octothorpe 147 Official Octothorpe Nepal Identification Guide* (*apparently never gets old)** (** Liz might like to go to a comics con there)”.

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Liz is back! We discuss a variety of topics including Worldcon finances and the fact that Alison is definitely doing the T-shirts for @easterconuk.bsky.social like, any day now. Really. No, YOU’RE overcommitted. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/146-it-win...

The Torrijos Ceiling at the Victoria & Albert East Storehouse. An elaborate, gilded and octagonal ceiling. Why yes, Alison has a new phone, how could you tell?

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Octothorpe 145 is here! This episode we talk to Tommy Ferguson, chair of Reconnect, about conrunning with a Northern Irish slant. We record 146 in 4.5 hours at the time this post goes up, so listen quickly so you can loc 😉 octothorpe.podbean.com/e/145-james-...

John, Alison and Tommy are weaving ropes of fate as norns. The ropes lead to little spools, above their heads, reminiscent of a sculpture called Umbilical by Conrad Shawcross which Alison will explain in more detail in Octothorpe 146. The words “Octothorpe 145” appear at the top, and “Looking forward to Norncon” at the bottom.

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Hugo, Girl! the podcast @hugogirlpodcast.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

As a bonus, in our Discord you may encounter friends from fabulous podcasts such as @hugospodcast.com, @octothorpecast.bsky.social, and @worldbuildcast.bsky.social, all in furtherance of my ultimate goal to create the megafancast, Hugoctothorpe Building There for Girl Masochists!

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Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

OCTOTHORPE 144 IS THE LAW. As well as a pleasing rhyme, listeners will know this heralds the episode on 2012’s DREDD! We hope you enjoy the episode, and remember: until your assessment is formally over, you’re still entitled to dispense justice. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/144-i-have...

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