iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Just finished the first two Hyperion books. Sad not to have read Simmons before the year of his passing, but how terrifying and vindicating that our current reality so uncomfortably resembles his science fiction.

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The Abominable Jonathan L. Howard @jonathanlhoward.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Mixed feelings about my ATOMFALL novel. Delighted that it's out, less so that it was published four months ago and I only found out today. That aside, I think I did good work with this and, considering its less than barnstorming release, It's got nice reviews. ATOMFALL: THE SECRETS OF WINDSCALE

Cover of ATOMFALL: THE SECRETS OF WINDSCALE, showing the protagonist, journalist Jenny Coggins, regarding the Windscale plant in the distance. Blue energy emanates up from the ruined plant, and lighting strikes down from an angry cloud above.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Would you like to hear a story told in a 13th century church? Here's a clip from last week's event where I got to perform with a bard - the marvellous David Yardley. This is my retelling of The Herlathing, a British variant of the Wild Hunt myth, which inspired my novel, Song of the Huntress.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

My name twinned in any context whatsoever with Rosemary Sutcliff's is the highest honour 🥹

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hookland.bsky.social @hookland.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

If after death I walk as a shade across an English ghostscape, I shall choose the old paths, the ancient ways. I will navigate by hollow hills, tread a haunted hodology. My living map of folklore will be the territory I'll tread. Harrowhounds shall pad beside me. – #CLNolan

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CL Hellisen @clhellisen.com · 17/09/2026

It's ONE WEEK to go before The Shape of Monsters is out in print! I am so amped for readers to meet Aleks, Vai and *evil grin* my sweet innocent precious Ilea. Come join @heatherpalmer.bsky.social and me at Blackwell's in Edinburgh at 7pm on Thursday the 24th September!

Cl Hellisen: The Shape of Monsters in conversation with Annabel Campbell (sadly she can't make this,but the wonderful Heather Palmer is taking her seat)
Thursday 24th September, 7pm

And a picture of me in a stripy top, with the red and dark purple cover of the Shape of Monsters with its creepy stag head

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Been a while since I read an unputdownable book - maybe this one just found me at the perfect time. What a place to end on, @clhellisen.com!

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CL Hellisen @clhellisen.com · 15/09/2026

It's not long til FantasyCon, and here's where I'll be, including a Very Exciting Double Launch with @annabelcwrites.bsky.social because for some reason we write tonally different books about voids, dragons, idiot over-powerful mages, and women who are Done With Everything

Promo post for fantasy Con Glasgow CL Hellisen

Friday 8pm Women's rage in Horror
Saturday 10 am What Makes a Monster
3pm reading
Sunday 12 pm Launch with Annabel Campbell - the Void Dragon and CL Hellisen The Shape of Monsters
1 pm Creating Likeable Unlikeable Characters

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Amazing day at Fantasy Forest Libertalia. Thank you weather gods! Everyone was nice and dressed so amazingly. Even spotted a whole table of @ravenswordpress.com books!

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

100%. Must protect the libraries. Crucially something not for profit but social good...and where books can be books rather than product.

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hookland.bsky.social @hookland.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

There are moments when time becomes uncertainty. It could be now, it could be two centuries back or more. Moments when we walk a landscape that feels more constant and reliable than the chaos of our own lives. How can I not feel this as an enfolding of ghosts? – #DAKilroy

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Thanks to @jonathanlhoward.bsky.social for flagging my extremely cool feature in Private Eye recently. Am now the proud owner of the original Simon Pearsall cartoon :) An honour to be tossed onto the floor of a bookshop by George R R Martin 😂

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Paul "Princejvstin" Weimer @princejvstin.com · 02/08/2026

Also there is a new Mythago Wood tribute anthology that current appears to be UK only. I need to get it though blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro... Stories by @aptshadow.bsky.social @silvanhistorian.bsky.social @sennydreadful.bsky.social @mytholder.bsky.social @rjbarker.bsky.social and many more

blackwells.co.uk

Heartwood: A Mythago Wood Anthology

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Paul "Princejvstin" Weimer @princejvstin.com · 18/07/2026

In search of Rheged And its legendary king, Uryen by @silvanhistorian.bsky.social . fun research on her part for her forthcoming The Last Verse of the Harp Lord silvanhistorian.substack.com/p/in-search-...

silvanhistorian.substack.com

In search of Rheged

And its legendary king, Uryen

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

For those interested in yr Hen Ogledd (the Old North) a few words about one of its most powerful realms, Rheged. This was the territory of Uryen, a figure drenched in legend but who almost certainly did rule Cumbria during the 6th century. Patron of Taliesin! open.substack.com/pub/silvanhi...

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Angela Cleland / Cleland Smith @angelacleland.co.uk · 10/07/2026

Emailing the Scottish Waterstones buyer this morning to ask if they’ll consider stocking “Black Doe”. By coincidence she’s based in Inverness, which is both where I was born and a key setting in the book, and is also called Angela…keep your fingers crossed for me. 🩵📚 🤞🤞🤞Quoting this thread for luck.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A dream to be working with @headofzeus.bsky.social & @bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social to bring you THE LAST VERSE OF THE HARP LORD in 2027. I'm coming for your hearts... In 2028 you get my GWYDION, a tale of the Mabinogi’s trickster-magician in his own charmed words & as you've never heard it before.

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Luna Press Publishing @lunapress.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Pre-orders are now open for The Kirk, the Deil and the Grue Atween by Orkadian scholar Barbara Stevenson 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 What defines Scottish Gothic, specifically, what separates it from traditional Gothic fiction yet keeps it in that mould? @booksfromscotland.bsky.social

lunapresspublishing.com

The Kirk, the Deil and the Grue Atween | Luna Press Publishing

What defines Scottish Gothic, specifically, what separates it from traditional Gothic fiction yet keeps it in that mould? This book is for all lovers of Gothic fiction; readers, writers and those in...

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Gwrach Gymraeg @cherylmorgan.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Back at @uofgfantasy.bsky.social for day 2 of the European Conference on the Fantastic. Which this morning means that I have to perform. Talking about you @mayadeane.bsky.social @rozkaveney.bsky.social @silvanhistorian.bsky.social and many others.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Over on Substack, some words about Y Gododdin as inspiration for my next book, and the historical Aneirin & Taliesin. open.substack.com/pub/silvanhi...

Aneirin's Y Gododdin is one of the oldest recorded poems in the British Isles. It was originally composed in Cumbric, the predecessor of Old Welsh, and commemorates a famous battle in yr Hen Ogledd, the Old North, around 570-600 AD.

It is likely, however, that Taliesin and Aneirin were contemporaries. Both belonged to the earliest generation of Welsh bards, the Cynfeirdd. I found some scholarly speculation re their relationship in a commentary on a lesser-known poem called ‘Anrec Urien’ or ‘Urien’s Gift’ attributed to Taliesin.

“The date of the genuine part of the composition,” wrote T. Stevens of Merthyr Tydfil in 1851, “the battle of Aerven, and the intimacy between Taliesin and Aneurin will probably come under discussion another time.” I do not know if that discussion ever took place, but if you want a fictional one, feel free to pick up The Last Verse of the Harp Lord when it drops in Spring 2027.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Just me messing around with a sad French medieval ballad for your Sunday night. Complainte de la Blanche Biche (Lament of the White Doe) tells of young Marguerite, girl by day, deer by night, who was unwittingly hunted and eaten by her brother Renaud.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Hopefully have official publishing announcement news for you soon, but THE LAST VERSE OF THE HARP LORD drops next spring and it's a story reimagining the lives of the early medieval Welsh bards Aneirin & Taliesin ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🪉

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

COPYEDITS DONE This is the last time my book will look like an MS Word document! It's a kind of malady, when you've lived with a story for years but no one has read it - stories are meant to be read. Today marks one step closer to HARP LORD being out in the world & I could not be more excited!

The Last Verse of the Harp Lord by Lucy Holland: word document with an illustration by Florence Harrison.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

On the strange and beautiful music of the Robert ap Huw manuscript open.substack.com/pub/silvanhi...

Substack post: the earliest written Welsh harp music. Photo depicts a tablature page from Robert ap Huw manuscript

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Ursula K. Le Guin Bot @leguinbot.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

My name, and yours, and the true name of the sun, or a spring of water, or an unborn child, all are syllables of the great word that is very slowly spoken by the shining of the stars. There is no other power. No other name.

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Lindz McLeod - THE MISEDUCATION OF CAROLINE BINGLEY is out now! @lindzmcleod.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

I am SO EXCITED to reveal the cover of my new novella! WE, THE DROWNING is about a drowning death-cult at the end of the world and the boy who'll do anything to find out why his mother joined it. (Plus, it has a pink fairy armadillo ✨)

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Calan Mai hapus! Cyntefin, Beltane, May Day! Cyntefin is an older name for Calan Mai, the festival that welcomes summer. It's one of three ysbrydnos - spirit nights - when the veil between Prydain & Annwfn thins. My next book is structured around Cyntefin & a recurring motif: the game of forms. /1

‘How about a Cyntefin song?’ he suggested, although the summer festival – when such songs were traditionally sung – was still far off. ‘The game of forms.’ His eyes danced. ‘Make use of that harp.’

I sucked in a breath. The game of forms was an old bardic duel where competitors attempted to outwit each other. I had seen it played, but not by anyone skilled. This was unmistakably a challenge.

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Cap'n Cupcake @maliceunchained.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

I have now finished SONG OF FHE HUNTRESS by @silvanhistorian.bsky.social. What an absolutely incredible book. Full of drama, emotion, poetic prose, and brilliantly described action. Utterly magical.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Come write fantasy with me this summer!

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Curtis Brown Creative @cbcreative.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

'Build in limitations because magic can be plot-breaking' 🔮 We caught up with bestselling fantasy author Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social to discuss what first sparked her love for the fantasy genre, how she incorporates magic into her worldbuilding and our Writing Fantasy course.

curtisbrowncreative.co.uk

Lucy Holland on writing fantasy | Author interview

We caught up with bestselling fantasy author Lucy Holland to discuss what first sparked her love for the fantasy genre, how she incorporates magic into her worldbuilding, the inspiration behind her…

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Curtis Brown Creative @cbcreative.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Not long left to apply for Writing Fantasy! ⚔️ Learn from @silvanhistorian.bsky.social and attend a masterclass with author of bestseller #TheLastStarbornSeer @venetiaconstantine.bsky.social & Editorial Director at Aria, Aubrie Artiano. Apply by 20 Apr: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Running my fantasy course again this May and there's still time to apply!

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Curtis Brown Creative @cbcreative.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

'Journeying alongside my characters is how I come to understand them' ✍️ We caught up with fantasy author Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social to discuss what sparked her love for the fantasy genre and how she blends magic into her worldbuilding.

curtisbrowncreative.co.uk

Lucy Holland on writing fantasy | Author interview

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Curtis Brown Creative @cbcreative.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

There's still time to apply for our Writing Fantasy course ⚔️ Join us for nine weeks of Zoom teaching, workshops and tutorials led by British Fantasy Award-winner and bestselling author, Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social! Apply by 20 Apr:

curtisbrowncreative.co.uk

Writing Fantasy | Zoom Course

Write epic fantasy fiction with dedicated online teaching and feedback from British Fantasy Award-winner and bestselling author, Lucy Holland.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Yesterday I handed in structural edits on my 2027 book THE LAST VERSE OF THE HARP LORD and thought you deserved a little look at it. It's very Welsh, very gay and I cannot wait to share it with you! 5 parts. 39 chapters. 146K words.

What's it about?

Poetry, pining, grief and glory. A love that survives after death. Inspired by Britain's earliest literature, history and myth, THE LAST VERSE OF THE HARP LORD is the story of legendary bard, Aneirin.

In pursuit of poetic fame, he must survive the rigorous training of the bardic school, bloody battlefields where warriors win death or glory, and the machinations of powers both mortal and immortal. Ultimately he must decide what price he is willing to pay to break the curse that binds the man he loves.

Set in late 6th century Britain, this is my ode to the poetry, music and mystery of medieval Wales.

It's the Tale of Taliesin, Y Gododdin, Tam Lin. The Mabinogi. It's 100% a Lucy Holland book doing what I love best: melding history, myth and queerness into one epic tapestry of story. It will make you cry.

"Men went to Catraeth..."

Extract from The Last Verse of the Harp Lord by Lucy Holland reads: The nobles were holding their breath, rapt and relishing the sight of us standing eye to eye, our harps unsheathed like blades. Taliesin said, ‘I was at Rheged’s side and witnessed the great king put flight to Fflamddwyn and his sons. I watched the blood of the Angles run red to the sea. I heard Owein’s defiance, fearless as his father. I will sing of it. For am I not Taliesin, bard to Uryen, golden spear of the north?’

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Danie Ware @danacea.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

I have not, do not, and will not use AI. Those who use AI are not writers (artists, etc) they're thieves, cheats, and plagiarists. They have no more written a book than someone who's got in an Uber has run a marathon.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Beggars belief that it needs to be said but yes for the record I have never and will never use AI for *anything*. I live for the magic, the poetry, of writing. It is my lifeblood, my livelihood and my meaning. I can't even conceive of outsourcing the joy of crafting prose to a machine.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Publishing has truly lost its way. After the years of work authors put into their MS, to feed it lazily into the unregulated maw of a LLM is disgraceful and insulting. Publish less and better. www.thebookseller.com/news/some-ed...

Some editors 'uploading confidential manuscripts to ChatGPT to read quickly' agent claims

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Alasdair Stuart @alasdairstuart.com · 01/04/2026

Hey folks -- Signal Boost time for this week's #TheFullLid. If you have a human-made creative project to promote, leave the details in a reply. Include the title and a link please, so folks can find it. For pre-launch crowdfunders let us know about 2 weeks in advance.

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JaneLane @nyjanelane.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

or, all of bluesky could block @attie.ai right now lol

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

I am still fighting the unjust disablement of my Instagram account @silvanhistorian. In the meantime I have created another to keep in touch with everyone still on the gram (most of trad publishing it seems). If you are there too, you can find me at my new username: lucyhollandauthor.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

"Tribute to Ursula" by Jackie Duckworth. I picked up this beautiful hand printed linocut at World Fantasy last year & have finally had it framed! Le Guin has long been one of my formative writing inspirations & I feel Jackie's art conveys some of the Taoist philosophy underpinning Earthsea.

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

I do not think it is hyperbolic to say that AI is an extinction level threat. This is how we'll go. The greed and hubris of a few. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

theguardian.com

Number of AI chatbots ignoring human instructions increasing, study says

Exclusive: Research finds sharp rise in models evading safeguards and destroying emails without permission

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Lucy Holland @silvanhistorian.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

I'm running my Writing Fantasy course starting in May this year. Come join me?

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Law Geek @lawgeek.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Love this book. Go buy it!

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