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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 7m

Terry Pratchett's men: the way they interact with the witches is often a *very* good way to tell what sort of a man they are. You can read it right here: www.speculativeinsight.com/from-the-vault

Purple background, white text, which says The difference between a good king and a bad king is not whether or not they respect witches... but, that's not not the difference, either. "King vs Witch in Wyrd Sisters" -- Tansy Rayner Roberts

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 6h

Just over two years ago, Tansy Rayner Roberts looked at how the male characters in Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters fare... and in particular, how Pratchett skewers Shakespeare's kings along the way. Read it: www.speculativeinsight.com/from-the-vault

Purple background, white text, which says Shakespeare is hung out to dry as the most culpable villain of them all, a playwright deciding for posterity which were the good kings and which were the hunch-backed murderers... "King vs Witch in Wyrd Sister" -- Tansy Rayner Roberts

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Natski @natskibb.bsky.social · 11h

A excellent journal, providing a venue for really thoughtful and insightful essays. I recommend subscribing but you can also make a donation and in Australia its tax deductible.

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 12h

In which Farah Mendlesohn proposes reading Joanna Russ' The Female Man as a version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol... Read it right here, right now: www.speculativeinsight.com

Purple background, white text, which says Like Scrooge, Joanna is technically alive. But also like Scrooge she is hiding away from herself, her own life, and from the world. In modern parlance, both Joanna and Scrooge 'mask' out of insecurity and fear. "There were these three ghosts... The Female Man and A Christmas Carol" -- Farah Mendlesohn

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 16h

New from the vault: Tansy Rayner Roberts on the men and, in particular, the kings of Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters. Read it now! www.speculativeinsight.com/from-the-vault

Purple background, white text, which says While several scenes show us the POV of these four male characters, this is the Discworld and POV does not a protagonist make. This is called a witch book for a reason. The four kings might be vital to the plot, but this is not their story. "King vs Witch in Wyrd Sisters" -- Tansy Rayner Roberts

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Joanna Russ' "The Female Man", Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" and the similarities that Farah Mendlesohn sees between the two of them. Read the essay now to see what you think: www.speculativeinsight.com

Purple background, white text, which says Joanna is both the haunted and the haunting, the ghost of her own past present and future, and like Scrooge at times she haunts others: Scrooge haunts the Fezziwig brothers' party, Joanna haunts the celebrations and occupations of the people on Whileaway. "There were these three ghosts... The Female Man and A Christmas Carol" -- Farah Mendlesohn

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Let's make art happen! We're doing AusArt Day to completely cover paying our authors at a higher rate for (at least) Jan-June 2027! Support us by clicking the link to send some money... and tell your friends! artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2...

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

How analysing "The Female Man" via "A Christmas Carol" might show different aspects of the former... Read it now: www.speculativeinsight.com

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

This one is especially for the Aussies, because it's tax deductible - but international folks should feel free to donate too!

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

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Alex @random-alex.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

An English archaeologist travels around England and Wales to visit the Boudica-relevant sites AND writes about the archaeology... this is such a great book. randomalex.net/2026/10/08/e...

randomalex.net

Echolands: A Journey in Search of Boudica

I love a really good travel book. (Do I know what I mean by that? Not really. But apparently, from recent experience, it often includes at least a little bit of history.) I also love good history b…

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Tansy Rayner Roberts @tansyrr.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Less than $700 now to hit the goal on Day 1 of the Kickstarter! Dragons. Country dances. Comedy of manors. www.kickstarter.com/projects/tan...

static.klipy.com

Mr Darcy Sips Tea

ALT: Mr Darcy Sips Tea

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

A new essay! In which Dove Cooper explores aspec traces and resonances in John Wiswell's novels. Subscribe now to read it: AUD30 (~GBP16, USD22) - and get the back catalogue and the next 11 subscriber essays too! www.speculativeinsight.com Ping @dovelynnwriter.bsky.social.

Purple background, white text, which says the fact is that many readers do not know what asexual and aromatic resonances and traces may look like when they are employed deliberately and without relying on stereotypes. "His Family of Monsters" -- SL Dove Cooper

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

A Christmas Carol --> The Female Man How does that work? That's the essay. Read it now: www.speculativeinsight.com (it's by @effjayem.bsky.social, who knows their stuff)

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Combatting stereotypes, one asexual monster at a time... Dove Cooper explores aspec traces in John Wiswell's novels in this new subscriber essay. Subscribe now to read this, and other essays over the next year! AUD30/yr (~GBP16, or USD22). www.speculativeinsight.com

Purple background, white text, which says Making Shesheshen a literal monster with no fixed humanoid shape, while making Homily thoroughly human and from a family of abusive people, also allows Wiswell to thoroughly critique the stereotype that casts aspec people as inhuman and incapable of love. "His Family of Monsters" -- SL Dove Cooper

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

In which Farah Mendlesohn proposes reading Joanna Russ' The Female Man as a variation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol... To read it right now, head to: www.speculativeinsight.com

Purple background, white text, which says Joanna is being visited by three ghosts and may be one herself. I am genuinely not sure how well this works. This being Joanna Russ, one of the cleverest authors in our field, there was never going to be an easy mapping. "There were these three ghosts... The Female Man and A Christmas Carol" -- Farah Mendlesohn

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Scylla Publishing @scyllapublishing.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Unboxing the first ever delivery of Scylla books! Yes, I was very excited! Dreams coming true.

A brown box with paper full of copies of "Who Am I? Sapphic Speculative Fiction of Identity & Purpose"

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The Skiffy and Fanty Show @skiffyandfanty.com · 06/10/2026

And it's here. We've been promising it. Now it's real! Announcing our 2026 Fundraiser and Membership Drive! We've got two goals, three TTRPG events, some giveaways, and more! Read our announcement for full details, dates, and more! Spread the word! skiffyandfanty.com/b...

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

A Christmas Carol --> The Female Man How does that work? That's the essay. Read it now: www.speculativeinsight.com (it's by @effjayem.bsky.social, who knows their stuff)

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

In which Farah Mendlesohn proposes reading Joanna Russ' The Female Man as a variation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol... To read it right now, head to: www.speculativeinsight.com

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This one is especially for the Aussies, because it's tax deductible - but international folks should feel free to donate too!

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Three novels, three variations on aspec traces and resonances: Dove Cooper explores John Wiswell's novels in this new essay. Subscribe to read this, and other essays over the coming year. AUD30 (~GBP16, USD22) www.speculativeinsight.com

Purple background, white text, which says Wiswell's work showcases a range of ways in which writers can use and engage with asexual and aromantic concepts within their narratives. "His Family of Monsters" -- SL Dove Cooper

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

As well as essays, Speculative Insight posts "Fifth Friday" conversations: Arkady Martine & Ann Leckie. Suzan Palumbo and Kate Elliott. Garth Nix & Frances Hardinge. Freya Marske & Celia Lake. Angela Slatter & GennaRose Nethercott October has a fifth Friday... www.speculativeinsight.com/extras

speculativeinsight.com

Extras — Speculative Insight

Occasional extras that supplement and complement the essay published on Speculative Insight.

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Val Nolan @vallescurarule.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Something I mentioned during my @octocon.bsky.social panel yesterday is my current project for @lunapress.bsky.social titled *Space Opera: The First Hundred Years*, scheduled for release in 2028! Here's the press release with the full details: www.lunapresspublishing.com/post/introdu... 🚀

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

In which Farah Mendlesohn proposes reading Joanna Russ' The Female Man as a variation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol... To read it right now, head to: www.speculativeinsight.com

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Celebrate SI's editor's birthday today by subscribing to the journal! At AUD30/year (~USD22, GBP16) it's cheaper for you international folks than flying to Australia to buy her a beer... 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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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I watched it a couple months ago! It’s still pretty good!

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E. J. Swift @catamaroon.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

When There Are Wolves Again is on the UK Kindle Daily Deal today (5 October) for 99p. Bargainous! 😊🐺 amzn.eu/d/0en8hTOd

Cover of When There Are Wolves Again by E. J. Swift displayed on a kindle, with a 0.99 price tag

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

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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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The first film I saw at the cinema was The Neverending Story. That wolf…

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Today the editor of Speculative Insight turns a new prime number! It's a great day to subscribe! It'll cost you AUD30 (~GBP16 or USD22) for a whole year - until she goes back to being an even number, boo - which is about the same as sending a card through the mail... 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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Didi is a trans immigrant 🏳️‍⚧️ @didichanoch.northsky.social · 04/10/2026

You want to read this thread

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

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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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

In which Farah Mendlesohn proposes reading Joanna Russ' The Female Man as a version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol... Read it right here, right now: www.speculativeinsight.com

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Kate Macdonald 📚 🧶 @kateem.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Morning Womble! I'm reading this issue of @speculativeinsight.bsky.social from last year which is so good that I've subscribed!

a dark magazine cover with a swirly sparkly pattern like star footprints in purples and reds.

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Renay⁷ @renay.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Any device that goes with you during travel should have a minimum of 20MB of backup ebooks. *nods*

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

In which Farah Mendlesohn proposes reading Joanna Russ' The Female Man as a version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol... Read it right here, right now: www.speculativeinsight.com

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

How analysing "The Female Man" via "A Christmas Carol" might show different aspects of the former... Read it now: www.speculativeinsight.com

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

This one is especially for the Aussies, because it's tax deductible - but international folks should feel free to donate too!

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

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Speculative Insight journal @speculativeinsight.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

A Christmas Carol --> The Female Man How does that work? That's the essay. Read it now: www.speculativeinsight.com (it's by @effjayem.bsky.social, who knows their stuff)

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