Me and everyone else on the Novacon committee send many congratulations to @emilytesh.net on making the shortlist for this year's Locus, Nebula and the Hugos with her brilliant novel, THE INCANDESCENT. Congratulations and good luck 😍
Just been to seen Chinese wuxia film BLADES OF THE GUARDIANS with Wu Jing and Jet Li at the cinema. If you’re a fan of sword fights, acrobatics and gorgeous scenery it’s on a short run in some local cinemas. I thoroughly enjoyed it (NB with English and Mandarin subtitles)
COVER REVEAL - WE ARE FOR THE DARK by Gretchen McNeil
On 1st September from @blackcrowbooks.bsky.social “A murder-mystery turned horror is perfect for fans of religious horror and cult-classic The Wicker Man
MAY EVENT: We are very excited to welcome Hugo Award winning author Ray Nayler as our next guest on Friday 8th May. This event will be held over Zoom - free for members, £6 for non-members. Tickets and further info here: eventbrite.com/e/1987709792497
REMINDER- Tomorrow night (10th April) at 7:45pm the @birminghamsfgroup.bsky.social guest is Oliver Bettis talking about climate change scenarios and realistic strategies. Sure to be fascinating. Open to all. Details below
I thoroughly enjoyed his presentation and was very impressed with his English
Guest of Honour @emmanewman.bsky.social being interviewed at @easterconuk.bsky.social by Kate Towner
Free Solar Science Events at The Exchange, Birmingham. (www.birmingham.ac.uk/the-exchange)
Should we be afraid of space weather?
Wednesday 1 April, 6pm – 7.30pm
A journey to the centre of the Sun
Wednesday 3 June, 6pm – 7.30pm
Are we out of sync with the Sun?
Wednesday 1 July, 6pm – 7.30pm
On 10 April @birminghamsfgroup.bsky.social welcome Oliver Bettis, ESG actuary and co-author of Climate Scorpion and Parasol Lost. Come and discuss the real terraforming going on and its risks at @inthewarehouse.bsky.social or via Zoom. Tickets on the door or via
eventbrite.co.uk/e/1985958692911
DON’T MISS a chance to meet @aychao.com tonight 13th March at 7:45 pm at @inthewarehouse.bsky.social She’ll be discussing SHANGHAI IMMORTAL and new book, PARIS CELESTIAL (fingers crossed may be a few advance copies available). Will be published on 26th March @hodderscape.bsky.social Details below
Looking forward to next Friday (13th March) and the chance to interview @aychao.com author of SHANGHAI IMMORTAL and PARIS CELESTIAL (published this month). Alice is this month’s guest at @birminghamsfgroup.bsky.social
🚀🚀🚀 The BSFA Awards Shortlist is available to view now 👇
Congratulations to everyone shortlisted 🌟
www.bsfa.co.uk/bsfa-awards-...
BREAKING NEWS: We have just had it confirmed that Alastair Reynolds will be in Birmingham tonight and has very kindly volunteered to give a short talk before the Book Auction. Entry is still free. Usual place at the FoE Warehouse on Allison St, 7.45 for 8pm. Hope to see you there!
FEBRUARY EVENT: We are very excited to welcome our first guest of 2026, award-winning SFF author @jainefenn.bsky.social on 13th Feb. Come and join us at The Warehouse, Birmingham Friends of the Earth, or online via Zoom. Tickets available on the door or via Eventbrite (link to be provided soon).
Help Helena
gofund.me/3c76f16db
If you're in the uk con scene you probably know Helena. She unexpected lost her husband right before Xmas and could use some help making ends meet for her and her two boys
BSFG MEETING - 9th January 2026
Many Apologies. In the interests of Member safety tonight’s in-person BSFG meeting is cancelled due to bad weather.
The meeting will go ahead via Zoom at 7:30 pm. The book auction will be held at a later date.
From The BSFG Committee
I had a lovely time giving a talk and Q & A to several generations of devoted SFF fans in Birmingham @birminghamsfgroup.bsky.social, who turned out to be just as interested in Chinese #horror as they were in scifi. Thank you for having me there! 7/
IMPORTANT UPDATE RE 9/1/2026 SCHEDULED AGM.
Given the current snow, we may have to cancel tomorrow’s in-person AGM. A final decison will be made by 11 am Friday and all paid-up members will be contacted via email. An announcement will also be posted on the Facebook Group and on Bluesky.
Cover of the House of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard: a banyan tree with grey heraldry showing Notre Dame bisected by a sword The text above reads "Enter a Ruined Paris", and below "March 10, 2026"
Cover of The House of Binding Thorns by Aliette de Bodard: a dragon wrapped around grey heraldry showing a crowned hawthorn tree. The background is blue with spatters of grungy black The text reads "Ruled by Fallen Angels..." and "March 10, 2026"
Cover of The House of Sundering Flames by Aliette de Bodard: a tiger in flames wrapped around grey heraldry showing a hawk above a tower The background is blue with spatters of grungy black The text reads "And Dragons of the depths", "March 10, 2026"
Covers of all three books, The House of Shattered Wings (banyan tree and Notre Dame), The House of Binding Thorns (eastern dragon and crowned hawthorn tree), The House of Sundering Flames (tiger in flames and hawk over tower) The text reads "Read the Complete Trilogy", "Available in Ebook and Trade Paperback March 10, 2026"
I'm relaunching Dominion of the Fallen in the US with @awfulagent.bsky.social
Magnificent covers by @fringe-element.net
Deliciously gothic atmosphere, queer characters from across the world, and high intrigue--in a Paris wrecked by magical cataclysms
March 10th, 2026!
awfulagent.com/ebooks/the-h...
Come see me in Birmingham on the 3rd (this Weds) from 5pm at Waterstones Birmingham. I'll be tired, I'll be wired and I'll be delighted to see anyone at all! :-)
Another chance to see @stewarthotston.com on 3rd December at 5pm at @waterstones.bsky.social Birmingham with lots of other authors. Free - no need to book Details at www.waterstones.com/events/save-...
Oh hey who would like a Gothic in space with a creepy spaceship that disappears children?
It's this way
👇
The SF Collections at Liverpool host the Olaf Stapledon Archive. We're delighted that SFF trustee Una McCormack was able to discuss Stapledon's landmark debut novel with Matthew De Abaitua and Andy Miller. www.backlisted.fm/episodes/253...
In festive instalment of the series and tribute to classic Golden Age crime novels, the Jekyll & Hyde detective agency must solve a locked-room mystery!
JEKYLL & HYDE: WINTER RETREAT by @timjmajor.bsky.social is out now! ❄️
https://tinyurl.com/2jdvnut9
@annasmithwrites.bsky.social @garethlpowell.bsky.social and @mikebrooks668.bsky.social will all be appearing at Redditch Library on Saturday 22nd November at 12 noon - and it’s free! Book at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/worlds-of-...
Emily Tesh, John, and Alison stand in front of a suspiciously purple background which may indicate that the real background has been subtracted by nefarious photo editing. The words “Octothorpe 148 Live from Novacon” are overlaid.
John, Alison, and stunt Liz @emilytesh.net are live from Novacon 54! We discuss the convention, what it’s like to be a Guest of Honour, parenting at cons and also whether or not John should read the Silmarillion. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/148-i-m-wi...
Congratulations to my friend, author @theresaderwin.bsky.social with the cover reveal for her forthcoming novel GOD’S VENGEANCE soon to be published with #CrystalLakePublishig
@stewarthotston.com braved Storm Claudia last night at @birminghamsfgroup.bsky.social to take us through the Arcology of Project Hanuman, different interpretations of quantum mechanics, Watchdogs and some amazing LARPs! Great night
Having a fun-filled weekend at @novacon.bsky.social convention. Great panels talking #SFF books, a marvellous quiz hosted by @satellite9.bsky.social and where else would you get Morris dancing with a wasp🐝🤣