Sign in

S P Burton

@spburton.bsky.social
481 followers 756 following 2.5K posts

Some guy in Scotland trying to write strange stuff. Ex scientist. Current nothing. Occasional maker of dusty musical rambles. First novel coming soon... spburton.weebly.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by S P Burton
Seán Padraic Birnie @seanbirnie.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
It's a day ending in 'day', so I thought I should post about this collection of both the spectral and the bodily horrific: 14 stories of unease and alienation, bleak elation and despair. Ghosts and illness and pain and catastrophe. All the good stuff. undertowpublications.com/shop/i-would...
undertowpublications.com
I Would Haunt You if I Could — Undertow Publications
COVER ART: Jana Heidersdorf I would haunt you … The debut short story collection from Seán Padraic Birnie does indeed haunt. Sown with seeds of sorrow and grief, and imbued with disquieting bodily h...
02111
Reposted by S P Burton
Rob the Bastard, Lord of Misrule @robtruestories.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Influx Press publications are available to buy in USA for the first time, including In the Shadow of the Phosphorous Dawn. USA readers can buy it online, in a bookshop, ideally from your favourite independent bookshop. www.influxpress.com/in-the-shado...
influxpress.com
In the Shadow of the Phosphorous Dawn — Influx Press
184
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Pretty astonishing this is utter beauty comes from an ascending C major scale (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si) split over different octaves. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDZ8...
youtube.com
Pärt: Solfeggio
YouTube video by Polyphony - Topic
000
Reposted by S P Burton
Esowteric @esowteric.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The Daemon ~~~~~~~~~ “For centuries we have searched for the right term for this “call.” The Romans named it your genius; the Greeks, your daimon; and the Christians your guardian angel. The Romantics, like Keats, said the call came from the heart, ...” ~ James Hillman, The Soul's Code.
Image containing a text quotation, with the profile of a black cat, its paw raised, in the lower left-hand corner. The text, from James Hillman, The Soul's Code: In Search of Character and Calling, reads:

The Daemon:

“For centuries we have searched for the right term for this “call.” The Romans named it your genius; the Greeks, your daimon; and the Christians your guardian angel. The Romantics, like Keats, said the call came from the heart, and Michelangelo’s intuitive eye saw an image in the heart of the person he was sculpting. The Neoplatonists referred to an imaginal body, the ochema, that carried you like a vehicle. It was your personal bearer or support. For some it is Lady Luck or Fortuna; for others a genie or jinn, a bad seed or evil genius. In Egypt, it might have been the ka, or the ba with whom you could converse. Among the people we refer to as [Innuit] and others who follow shamanistic practices, it is your spirit, your free-soul, your animal-soul, your breath-soul.”
131
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I think the thing that gets reincarnated in Buddhism is a hand over note.
000
Reposted by S P Burton
artnau @artnau.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Sneak Thief, 2025 by Lisa Ivory www.instagram.com/lisaivory888/
1409
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xpn...
youtube.com
Dominance and Submission
YouTube video by Blue Öyster Cult - Topic
010
Reposted by S P Burton
Rose Ruane @regretteruane.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The Tear: an oil painting created c.midC20th, in the art therapy studio at Netherne hospital, Surrey, by an individual who was compelled to live there, whose identity is currently unknown to us
A painting in blues and greens and purples of a female face with one huge blue cyclopean eye, crying tears made of smaller blue eyes, the figure seems to fix the viewer in her gaze and it is reminiscent of Rembrandt's girl with a pearl earring
1120534
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
000
Reposted by S P Burton
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
"Graves, in their neat rows like houses in the streets, their doors firmly locked, are our attempt at preserving the boundaries that identify an individual life. But the dead rise up into the upper air and are possessed by anyone who breathes. There is no such thing as respect for the dead and we are all grave robbers."
Celia Paul, Letters to Gwen John.
011
Reposted by S P Burton
Я @gertiewentworth.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Death in Space 1913 • Fritz Schwimbeck
2163
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Sunset Over the Fjord - Adelsteen Normann
Painting of a sunset over the sea. The sun is low and a deep red, giving the entire picture a blood orange hue. Steep mountains rise to the left above coastal buildings, while a few boats dot the water in the distance. Gulls circle over the waves lapping at the shore close to the viewer.
000
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I can't get enough of this track. Drums are something else. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUf6...
youtube.com
Metal Church - Of Unsound Mind
YouTube video by Assassin1102
010
Reposted by S P Burton
Liza Adamczewski aka the accidental ecologist @lizaadamczewski.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
 I open up my Work. Between the delivery of building materials, 14 volunteers arriving in five different vehicles, a barking dog & my busy mind, I tried to find the balance. Select the brush. Mix the paint. I feel a moment of calm opening within me. Safe in my studio enjoying the alchemy of paint
49715
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I call it spaghetti oops.
000
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Great Joan Eardley exhibition in Berwick upon Tweed. Powerful seascapes packed with a frightening beauty.
A Photo of The Sea II by Joan Eardley. A landscape oil painting of an impressionist, ominous wave crashing in dark, earthy tones.
010
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Nice spot for fans of public information films.
A warning sign pointing out the DANGER of a former military target area. "Do not touch or pick up ang metallic objects. They may explode and kill you." Also quicksand.
020
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
"Graves, in their neat rows like houses in the streets, their doors firmly locked, are our attempt at preserving the boundaries that identify an individual life. But the dead rise up into the upper air and are possessed by anyone who breathes. There is no such thing as respect for the dead and we are all grave robbers."
Celia Paul, Letters to Gwen John.
011
Reposted by S P Burton
B. Rae “Rusty” Grosz @braegrosz.com · 11/09/2026
My friends failed spectacularly at talking me out of my most recent ADHD whim (they didn’t even try), so please enjoy this sneak peek of my line of greeting cards and postcards, coming soon! Proceeds will be donated to @romgothsam.bsky.social’s Romancing the Gothic project
Front of greeting card with illustration of a demonic figure dancing on top of damned souls who are being devoured by a beastInterior of greeting card with text that reads “Commiserations on your damnation”Three greeting cards. First features an illustration of a monk signing his soul and body over to a demon with text that reads “Congratulations on your new job.” Second features illustrations of a 29th century woman with skeleton legs carrying a shovel and a 19th century man with skeleton legs carrying a scythe and text that reads “Love is never having to ask, ‘Will you help me bury the body?’” Third features a vanitas still life painting of books, a candle, an hourglass, and a skull with a speech bubble saying “Not long now!”Postcard featuring a cartoonish scene of skeletons and ghostly figures getting up to mischief in a cemetery with the caption “Wish You Were Here”
4206
Reposted by S P Burton
phanes @phanesforward.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Jan van Eyck. Ghent Altarpiece. 'Adoration of the mystic lamb". 1432.
291
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
richardchartier.bandcamp.com/track/a-dark...
richardchartier.bandcamp.com
a dark room full of plastic plants, by PINKCOURTESYPHONE
from the album Foley Folly Folio
010
Reposted by S P Burton
sanctorium.bsky.social @sanctorium.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Perhaps there is a language which is not made of words and everything in the world understands it. Perhaps there is a soul hidden in everything and it can always speak, without even making a sound, to another soul. Frances Hodgson Burnett
24215
Reposted by S P Burton
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Another weird fiction short story up on my blog. spburton.weebly.com/home/honesty
spburton.weebly.com
Honesty
Detail from Solitary Figure in a Theatre by Edward Hopper
041
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Another weird fiction short story up on my blog. spburton.weebly.com/home/honesty
spburton.weebly.com
Honesty
Detail from Solitary Figure in a Theatre by Edward Hopper
041
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
I hate the term 'self-published' when it comes to writing. It's a loaded term used to look down on folk. If it were music it would be called DIY, because that's exactly what it is.
120
Reposted by S P Burton
Society for Psychical Research @spr1882.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Mindfield 2026 Call for Submissions: mindfieldbulletin.org/mindfield-ca...
mindfieldbulletin.org
Mindfield 2026 Call for Submissions - Mindfield Bulletin
The Mindfield Bulletin is a publication of the Parapsychological Association, edited by Jacob W. Glazier (Lead Editor) with Anastasia Wasko (Associate Editor) and David S. B. Mitchell (Associate Edito...
022
Reposted by S P Burton
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Snaps from my recent trip round Preston Island.
A close up of an old, dirty, faded NO SWIMMING sign on a wire fence. Rust drips from the four screws and a black silhouette of a swimming figure swimming remains prominent against the faded red warning circle. Behind the sign and fence is a sharp grass hill leading to flat horizon.A sign sits behind a high wire fence topped with barbed wire. The sign warns of dangerous lagoons and Scottish Power prosecuting trespassers. Half the writing is in black, with the other half being a red faded to almost nothing. Behind the sign and fence is a sharp grass hill leading to flat horizon. The sky is largely overcast.

A half-consumed rabbit carcass lies strung on the top strip of barbed wire above a high wire fence. Behind the sign and fence is a sharp grass hill leading to flat horizon spotted with bushes. The sky is overcast.
021
Reposted by S P Burton
Ivy Grimes @ivygrimes.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
In this episode of Dear Ivy, I was asked a great question by @coffinesque.bsky.social: "I pine for some of the indie music fandom in indie publishing...Do you think there’s anything writers can be doing to foster that feeling in the reading community?"
4308
Reposted by S P Burton
Ian Wade @wadeywade.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Will Self going furious, full motherfucker on the wankers. The passages on Ditum, Pearson, Long and Stock etc are absolute fire. THIS is the Substack to read.
willself1.substack.com
Jason Arday: J'Accuse the British Media
After the death of Jason Arday, Will Self asks what happens when the media machine mistakes what interests the public for the public interest.
1388
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
My neurotic saving and keeping of each project as a separate file at the end of each days writing/editing doesn't seem so crazy after all I guess.
010
Reposted by S P Burton
Uncanny Magazine @uncannymagazine.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
PLEASE SHARE! Writers! Uncanny Magazine will be open for short story submissions from August 24 to September 7! WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR AMAZING, HUMAN-WRITTEN STORIES! www.uncannymagazine.com/submissions/
Uncanny Magazine will be open for short story submissions from  August 24 to September 7!
5308274
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Bloody hell. #Keshed is such a good book. I've been in a nick this year so it took me 5 months to get to despite preordering. I don't think I've read a more honest depiction of the utterly ruinous feedback loop alcohol and mental illness bring about. 1/
131
Reposted by S P Burton
Good Trailcams @goodtrailcams.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
222217302
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Thought I might try and brave the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time in an age, only to find the show I want to see starts at 10PM every night. So that's a no then.
000
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
This early waking insomnia is getting a bit much. 2AM is still yesterday.
010
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Snaps from my recent trip round Preston Island.
A close up of an old, dirty, faded NO SWIMMING sign on a wire fence. Rust drips from the four screws and a black silhouette of a swimming figure swimming remains prominent against the faded red warning circle. Behind the sign and fence is a sharp grass hill leading to flat horizon.A sign sits behind a high wire fence topped with barbed wire. The sign warns of dangerous lagoons and Scottish Power prosecuting trespassers. Half the writing is in black, with the other half being a red faded to almost nothing. Behind the sign and fence is a sharp grass hill leading to flat horizon. The sky is largely overcast.

A half-consumed rabbit carcass lies strung on the top strip of barbed wire above a high wire fence. Behind the sign and fence is a sharp grass hill leading to flat horizon spotted with bushes. The sky is overcast.
021
Reposted by S P Burton
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
This is the second one. Prima Materia. More old-fashioned in its vibe, it concerns the arrival of a theosophist friend who claims to be having visions. spburton.weebly.com/home/prima-m...
spburton.weebly.com
Prima Materia
​A short story.
012
Reposted by S P Burton
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
I was hoping to get some stories published as a run up to putting my novel out later this year. What I submitted got rejected, of course, but some came with nice comments. So I thought I'd put my attempts at weird fiction up on the blog. This is the first one... spburton.weebly.com/home/the-bli...
spburton.weebly.com
The Blindspot
​A short story.
002
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Good time to give this a go again. Been over 30 years...
A Games Workshop Rogue Trooper game.
011
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
This is the second one. Prima Materia. More old-fashioned in its vibe, it concerns the arrival of a theosophist friend who claims to be having visions. spburton.weebly.com/home/prima-m...
spburton.weebly.com
Prima Materia
​A short story.
012
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
I was hoping to get some stories published as a run up to putting my novel out later this year. What I submitted got rejected, of course, but some came with nice comments. So I thought I'd put my attempts at weird fiction up on the blog. This is the first one... spburton.weebly.com/home/the-bli...
spburton.weebly.com
The Blindspot
​A short story.
002
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
"The hallucinogenic substance in Lanmaoa remains unknown... What is known is that the visions always feature tiny people and can last for days..." www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
theguardian.com
Plantwatch: Beware a tasty mushroom with a powerful hallucinogen
Anyone eating Lanmaoa asiatica could have visions for days of tiny people running and jumping around
000
Reposted by S P Burton
sanctorium.bsky.social @sanctorium.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
A spoken language is a body, a living creature, whose physiognomy is verbal and whose visceral functions are linguistic. And this creature's home is the inarticulate as well as the articulate. John Berger, Confabulations
0102
Reposted by S P Burton
Quanta Magazine @quantamagazine.org · 11/07/2026
Agency is a hotly contested term with biologists, with some rejecting it outright and others considering it a key part of life. In this week’s Qualia column, writer Philip Ball goes deep on what it means to be alive.
quantamagazine.org
Is Life Just Different? | Quanta Magazine
The idea of ‘biological agency’ — that life devises its own goals and behaves accordingly — complicates our understanding of what it means to be alive. But does it serve a scientific purpose?
22512
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
I can only assume they came up with that bassline after it was recorded cos its way better like this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXoN...
youtube.com
Thunder (Prince live @ Glam Slam '92)
YouTube video by Lifelinz 4ever
010
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Catfoot www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midland...
birminghammail.co.uk
Police address 'legend of Catfoot' as Midland big cat sightings grow
The truth is out there - and even police officer are wading in
010
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
“The fairies are always going, going – but never gone … Unlike the fairies who belong in the past and appear only fleetingly in the present, UFOs and their 'occupants' appear in the present and belong in the future. They are ... always coming, coming – but never here.” -Patrick Harpur
020
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Ants pass the mirror test... www.animalcognition.org/2015/04/15/l...
animalcognition.org
List of Animals That Have Passed the Mirror Test - Animal Cognition
A comprehensive list of animals that have passed the mirror test, plus information about the mirror test and its significance in animal cognition research.
011
Reposted by S P Burton
Sardonicus @sardonicus.eu · 01/06/2026
Goodnight.
houses, with shes mad but shes magic painted near a roofline
923545
S P Burton @spburton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
From the Paranormal Database...
Karaoke Screaming

Location: Sefton - Private residence, Park Lane area

Type: Poltergeist

Date / Time: 1994 to mid-2000s

Further Comments: The poltergeist here would unlock doors, turn lights on and move furniture around. In one instance screaming lasting five minutes emerged from a karaoke machine which had been stored on top of a wardrobe untouched for over a year.

Source: User Submission

First added: 2012-05-07 | Last updated: 2012-05-07 | ID #10874
010