Will AI make us the last generation to read and write? | Victor Riparbelli TED Talks Daily · Episode

Are you scared by AI? I am, and not just because I'm worried it's coming for my job as a writer. This was intriguing listening: open.spotify.com/episode/36K8...

My home-based writing retreat (family leaves, I stay home) is almost done. Two pitches and one Lit Fest interview drafted, one manuscript finished. Feeling good!

OK 500 words before school pick up - let's go!

An excerpt from a list of books stolen by Meta for feeding its AI.

This was not the sort of crime writing I wanted to get into. #author

What's it about? ;)

I know, that is definitely me! One day...

Oh, do you have a book out? ;)

Welcome the rest but annoyed I didn't get to hang out with my characters in the dawn chorus.

Typical. The time I think 'I'll wake up too early anyway, I may as well get up and write', I actually get some sleep.

Lots of Guernsey LitFest work this week, so falling behind on word counts/writing time. On the other hand, perimenopausal insomnia so thinking tomorrow I'll get #upwiththelark and write. Who's with me?!

A postcard of jackdaws, a feather and the title page of The Observer Book of Birds.

Big week this week, finishing first draft of the new thing. #kidlit #writing

Postcard from The Lost Spells by Rob MacFarlane and Jackie Morris.

Amazing! Congratulations!

a man says ginger get the popcorn while standing in a room Alt: a man says ginger get the popcorn while standing in a room

I slept none, not at all, and am about to embark on my wip. This could get interesting.
#writing #author #perimenopause

A Welsh terrier, grinning

Going into Saturday like...

WIP is sailing along, let's do this!

Beaver releases into wild to be allowed in England for first time in centuries Exclusive: Government to grant nature groups a licence for release of rodent species after earlier setbacks

Beavers! This is good news.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

How green are books? Not very, is the sad answer, but here's what you can do to change that. . .

Want to make publishing more sustainable? There's a campaign for that! Read all about it:
open.substack.com/pub/mudandin...

Fleabag by Helen Stephens — Helen Stephens Helen’s book Fleabag, no not Fleabag from the telly, this Fleabag came first 😂 Quirky ink line, watercolour and crayon. Reminiscent of the Little Golden book, a nostalgic colour palette.

Fleabag, by Helen Stephens www.helenstephens.com/folios/fleabag

"Getting my waterproof trousers out for the first time in ages."

Reeves is claiming sustainable air fuel will make this move climate compatible. A 2023 report produced by @royalsociety.org warned that producing enough SAF to decarbonise UK aviation ‘could require HALF of UK agricultural land’. This is Truss level stupidity.
www.imeche.org/news/news-ar...

Hi Sam! I'm a gardening author, novelist-in-waiting (#amquerying with a MG manuscript) and Administrator for Guernsey Literary Festival!

Thanks for your content, always useful!

Sunrise over a lane and silhouette of a large tree and houses, turning the sky red, orange and lilac.

Gorgeous shepherd's warning this morning. No sign of the shepherd though, unfortunately.

Writers! How do you go about having more than one project on at a time? Do you
A. Allocate them different days of the week?
B. Do a bit on each every day?
C. A third way?
#Booksky #KidlitUK

And Robin Hood. Oliver Rackham is amusingly scathing as I recall, but plant blindness is so sad.

Got an email asking me to be on TV. Promote your book to millions they said. This is bogus I said*.

*to myself, didn't actually reply.
#writer #author

two peppers are standing in the snow and one says " i 'm a little chili " in a speech bubble Alt: two peppers are standing in the snow and one says " i 'm a little chili " in a speech bubble

It's a hot water bottle up the jumper and chai tea kinda day.

@frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social for PM anyone?

Also - more collections of short stories please #kidlit !

This is worth reading. I used to read with year 3 children at school - inevitably we'd be doing nonfiction for the less developed readers because of the dearth of good, short, fiction for their age. Not that nonfiction is bad, it's great, but they also wanted good, short stories.

Extract from Cosmic by Frank Cottrell-Boyce: "Monopoly is not a game because nothing is happening."

Cover image of Cosmic by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, featuring a boy with a space helmet, a shadow of a larger astronaut behind him.

Monopoly - yes or no?

I'm with Liam, hero of @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social 's wonderful book, Cosmic!

The BookTrust Christmas Appeal raises money to send surprise festive book parcels to children who are vulnerable or in care. Donate £10 today and bring joy to more children this Christmas with the magic of books.

No matter what’s changing for a child, the comfort of a good book is timeless. A £10 donation to @booktrust.bsky.social will give a child in need a gift they’ll enjoy now and long after the festive season. www.booktrust.org.uk/xmas #MagicOfBooks