The socialising is absolutely the best bit. I don't get to go to publishing events in London (cost again) so the festival was always the place I could meet fellow authors and readers, too. It sucks not to be able to see people in real life!
It's the whole thing added up, I agree. I don't know that there's an answer, just that I wish it wasn't the case. I can't justify the cost of being away when it's just me, and the cost of attending one festival for two days would pay for a week away with my family. Bank vapours are real!
I mean, it's been on the edge of too expensive for me for the last couple of years, but this year it's tipped over the edge. It would cost me the equivalent of a one-week holiday for my family for two days + accommodation at the festival. I can't justify that.
It's such a loss, not just for those who could be there if not for cost, but also for the festivals themselves. Virtual tickets are good to a point, but you're right, being there adds to the mix and stops it becoming very middle-class and cliquey.
I know everything is expensive these days and I'm not disputing that. I just wonder how many people are missing out on these brilliant festivals because of prohibitive costs. Writers and readers who would benefit massively from being there.
It's sad, that's all. I wish it was different.
Tickets for a book festival I've loved for years went on sale today but I can't go. With accommodation prices hiked up to ridiculous levels and the cost of attending, it's no longer viable.
It's the people I'll miss. Catching up with author chums and readers - always the best part of being there.
A screenshot of scam payments on my Ko-Fi page. Apparently the bogus senders send money using stolen credit cards and then flag the payments and demand refunds which are more money due to exchange rates. Flipping thieves!
A screenshot of scam payments on my Ko-Fi page. Apparently the bogus senders send money using stolen credit cards and then flag the payments and demand refunds which are more money due to exchange rates. Flipping thieves!
A screenshot of scam payments on my Ko-Fi page. Apparently the bogus senders send money using stolen credit cards and then flag the payments and demand refunds which are more money due to exchange rates. Flipping thieves!
My @ko-fi.com page appears to have been hit by a money-laundering scam. Bogus accounts setting up multiple monthly donations from unverified senders over the last 24 hours (screenshots below)
I've reported it to Ko-Fi but I've paused all tips and shop sales until it's sorted out. Total nightmare!
Woohoo exclamation marks are the best! ☺️
Ooh yes, sorry!
You ROCK! Thank you for everything you do x
Happy #ALCSDay to all who celebrate! The brilliant superstars @alcs.co.uk collect and distribute copyright royalties to authors and we flippin' LOVE them for it. If you're a published author, make sure you're registered with ALCS - it's money you're entitled to.
Yippee! 🎉
Beautiful work!
Dearest Gentle #Author,
Just a note to remind you that #LondonBookFair is upon us and appears to be the talk of the ton. You may feel left behind or unimportant. Be kind to yourself, Dear One, and remember that your words have worth. Leave the Book Fair Bobbins in your wake and be MAGNIFICENT!
Almost 10,000 authors have come together to publish an empty book protesting the theft of books by tech companies to train AI models.
Titled Don’t Steal This Book, it is empty of text except the names of the authors involved.. 🧵
Oh my goodness! Hope the driver is okay and that you get to where you're going.
Thank you for the squee! xx
A photo of a little girl sitting on a wall beside a penguin. The penguin has its flippers outstretched and the little girl is giggling for joy at the sight.
Posting my favourite photo ever because I've just seen something amazing that I can't talk about yet, but need to SQUEE about it! ☺️💕
#WriterLife
I've never been so happy to watch a door opening accompanied by birdsong... 😲
Tonight! 8pm UK time! Join me live for this week's Fab Night In Chatty Thing at MirandaDickinsonAuthor on FB for writer chat, three gorgeous Books of the Week recommendations and lots more.
Watch live or on video after the broadcast. See you there and pass it on!
#AuthorLive
#BookShow
"Waaah! That's not fair! WE are the stealy thieves, not THEM!"
My heart bleeds for the poor, wickluwl IP-thieving tech billionaires, it really doesn't.
Turns out copyright theft hurts. Who knew? 🤷🏻♀️
#AIThieves
Looks lovely! Also, your plan worked (preordered!) 🌸
Ah, brilliant!
A comment on Facebook reads: "Funny you put Ramadan and eid up first. Its a Christian country first and foremost." The reply by Bedford Borough Council is an absolute thing of beauty. It reads: "Ramadan began on February 17. That is why we put our Ramadan message on social media yesterday. Lent began today, which is why our Lent message went on social media one day later. The date of Lent is determined by the church calendar, rooted in the decisions of the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). The official start of Ramadan traditionally depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon. Bedford Borough Council holds no authority over the Council of Nicaea and was not responsible for the creation of the moon 4.53billion years ago." Totally awesome, ten out of ten, no notes!
Social media manager of Bedford Borough Council, take a bow.
This reply is truly a thing of beauty! ☺️
That's if they ever see our posts again, Jan, I mean this is Bluesky after all... 🤷🏻♀️
Absolutely. I'm just concerned they're expecting rage and fury and get... me?
I think I've been added to a 'political activist' starter pack. I'm getting a lot of follows from accounts posting solely about politics, specifically in US.
I post about books and daft stuff here, keeping my feed light in the face of *everything else*.
I just don't want anyone to be disappointed!
Livin’ the dream! ☺️
These are beautiful! 😍
I would like Fortbot to build me a fort. I think maybe we all need one right now... ☺️
Follow @smolrobots.bsky.social for daily bits of joy!
#LittleMomentsOfLovely
Ah, the weekende -- tyme to R.O.C.K. !
R = inefficentlye approachinge housholde taskes
O = readinge the saddest poetrye imaginable
C = tellinge the catte he ys a lovelye litel guy
K = lookinge solemnlye at the trees yn a parke while sippinge red zinger tea out of a thermos
