CL Hellisen
@clhellisen.bsky.social
Stories in F&SF, Strange Horizons, Apex, Tor, Shimmer, BCS.
Repped by Caro Clarke
The Shape of Monsters out now https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Shape-of-Monsters-Audiobook/B0FGDJ5X1M
https://clhellisenlanding.carrd.co/
They/them, Scotland + S. Africa
Repped by Caro Clarke
The Shape of Monsters out now https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Shape-of-Monsters-Audiobook/B0FGDJ5X1M
https://clhellisenlanding.carrd.co/
They/them, Scotland + S. Africa
Pinned
CL Hellisen
@clhellisen.bsky.social
· Jul 7
Godskin
Sometimes among the fish and crabs, we trawl squid and octopus, or little sharks, all added to the pots. Sometimes it’s a fish person, a thing we cut free and do not talk of, pretend we never saw. …
strangehorizons.com
If you'd like to read my World Fantasy Award shortlisted story Godskin, then amble on over to @strangehorizons.bsky.social ...
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fi...
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Ooh and I have found it. Carmen Dog by Carol Emshwiller.
One chapter in and it is deliciously biting - unsurprising to see this is a Small Beer Press book.
smallbeerpress.com/books/2004/1...
One chapter in and it is deliciously biting - unsurprising to see this is a Small Beer Press book.
smallbeerpress.com/books/2004/1...
Carmen Dog | Small Beer Press
Chapter 1 "A rollicking outre satire.... full of comic leaps and absurdist genius." -- Bitch magazine
smallbeerpress.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Ooh and I have found it. Carmen Dog by Carol Emshwiller.
One chapter in and it is deliciously biting - unsurprising to see this is a Small Beer Press book.
smallbeerpress.com/books/2004/1...
One chapter in and it is deliciously biting - unsurprising to see this is a Small Beer Press book.
smallbeerpress.com/books/2004/1...
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Today is the last day that you can repost this image
December 31, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Today is the last day that you can repost this image
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Test-running the dragon.
(A shimmering red-gold dragon swirls around an Asian person)
(A shimmering red-gold dragon swirls around an Asian person)
December 31, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Test-running the dragon.
(A shimmering red-gold dragon swirls around an Asian person)
(A shimmering red-gold dragon swirls around an Asian person)
It turns out I might be able to fit in one more book this year, provided it's short and captures my attention.
Time to scan the TBR for a candidate.
Time to scan the TBR for a candidate.
December 31, 2025 at 7:59 AM
It turns out I might be able to fit in one more book this year, provided it's short and captures my attention.
Time to scan the TBR for a candidate.
Time to scan the TBR for a candidate.
Reposted by CL Hellisen
We've updated the cover artwork for MUNTU by @genni.bsky.social to add a bit more contrast. This stunning novella (the first in a series) publishes May 12, 2026. Cover art by @nadiarausa.bsky.social. Layout by Tyson Schultz.
Pre-order: badhandbooks.com/preorders/mu...
Pre-order: badhandbooks.com/preorders/mu...
December 30, 2025 at 5:53 PM
We've updated the cover artwork for MUNTU by @genni.bsky.social to add a bit more contrast. This stunning novella (the first in a series) publishes May 12, 2026. Cover art by @nadiarausa.bsky.social. Layout by Tyson Schultz.
Pre-order: badhandbooks.com/preorders/mu...
Pre-order: badhandbooks.com/preorders/mu...
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Out of curiosity, I just ran a few paragraphs from The Butchering Art through an AI checker and it got flagged: 88% AI. This book was released in 2017, and AI machines were subsequently trained off it. How many writers are getting flagged for AI because of the literal theft of their work(s)? Insane.
OMG - f*ck AI for ruining the em-dash for writers. I use them all the time. Of course, what a shock that AI uses them since they were trained off my voice and other authors' voices.
I'm a writer who has specifically been directed *not* to use em-dashes because "they mean it was written by AI." I can detect AI writing, but it is not simply a matter of the punctuation used.
December 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Out of curiosity, I just ran a few paragraphs from The Butchering Art through an AI checker and it got flagged: 88% AI. This book was released in 2017, and AI machines were subsequently trained off it. How many writers are getting flagged for AI because of the literal theft of their work(s)? Insane.
I've decided on Fahrenheit 451 as my final book of the year. I have read Bradbury, but for some reason, never this one.
Usually I skip the forewords but decided not to, and I'm glad I read this one because it was lovely, and ended thus.
Usually I skip the forewords but decided not to, and I'm glad I read this one because it was lovely, and ended thus.
December 30, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I've decided on Fahrenheit 451 as my final book of the year. I have read Bradbury, but for some reason, never this one.
Usually I skip the forewords but decided not to, and I'm glad I read this one because it was lovely, and ended thus.
Usually I skip the forewords but decided not to, and I'm glad I read this one because it was lovely, and ended thus.
I loved this show, you should go see it
Some great news for 2026: my creepy li'l show is coming to Nottingham!
🎬
YOU OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES
Fri 23 January, 8.30pm
Neville Studio, @nottmplayhouse.bsky.social
🎟️
nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/you-o...
🎬
YOU OUGHTA BE IN PICTURES
Fri 23 January, 8.30pm
Neville Studio, @nottmplayhouse.bsky.social
🎟️
nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/you-o...
December 30, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I loved this show, you should go see it
Reposted by CL Hellisen
I've waited 3 years to make this post
December 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I've waited 3 years to make this post
Where do I begin...?
Seriously though, it was when I called a baked good by the correct name it was sold under in a South African bakery, and all of Canada descended to tell me I was wrong and also assumed I was an American in America?
Seriously though, it was when I called a baked good by the correct name it was sold under in a South African bakery, and all of Canada descended to tell me I was wrong and also assumed I was an American in America?
What’s the funniest reason someone got mad at you on Bluesky this year?
December 30, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Where do I begin...?
Seriously though, it was when I called a baked good by the correct name it was sold under in a South African bakery, and all of Canada descended to tell me I was wrong and also assumed I was an American in America?
Seriously though, it was when I called a baked good by the correct name it was sold under in a South African bakery, and all of Canada descended to tell me I was wrong and also assumed I was an American in America?
Reposted by CL Hellisen
If you see items in a black box like this on the Amazon app (presumably similar on desktop), do NOT use Amazon to purchase. Go to the artist's site directly to see what they actually have, buy more easily, and not support this garbage concept that big corps can scrape whatever they want.
December 30, 2025 at 6:59 PM
If you see items in a black box like this on the Amazon app (presumably similar on desktop), do NOT use Amazon to purchase. Go to the artist's site directly to see what they actually have, buy more easily, and not support this garbage concept that big corps can scrape whatever they want.
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Damon Knight: holy machine learning process! it seems that people don't AI slop being eligible for the nebula!
Knight: what to do?
Knight: i'll feed the question into the bat computer
Erin Underwood: never fear, erin underwood is here!
Knight: what to do?
Knight: i'll feed the question into the bat computer
Erin Underwood: never fear, erin underwood is here!
December 30, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Damon Knight: holy machine learning process! it seems that people don't AI slop being eligible for the nebula!
Knight: what to do?
Knight: i'll feed the question into the bat computer
Erin Underwood: never fear, erin underwood is here!
Knight: what to do?
Knight: i'll feed the question into the bat computer
Erin Underwood: never fear, erin underwood is here!
I got both my flu and covid jags this winter because I'm on the immunocompromised list and I still got whatever is going around and it sucks
December 30, 2025 at 5:16 AM
I got both my flu and covid jags this winter because I'm on the immunocompromised list and I still got whatever is going around and it sucks
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Today is my birthday! 🎂
I feel grateful for everyone who supports me, my art and the work I love. It makes even the hardest days brighter and gives me the strength to keep creating🫶
If you could spare a repost, it would mean a lot and help my work reach more people 🤗
I feel grateful for everyone who supports me, my art and the work I love. It makes even the hardest days brighter and gives me the strength to keep creating🫶
If you could spare a repost, it would mean a lot and help my work reach more people 🤗
December 29, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Today is my birthday! 🎂
I feel grateful for everyone who supports me, my art and the work I love. It makes even the hardest days brighter and gives me the strength to keep creating🫶
If you could spare a repost, it would mean a lot and help my work reach more people 🤗
I feel grateful for everyone who supports me, my art and the work I love. It makes even the hardest days brighter and gives me the strength to keep creating🫶
If you could spare a repost, it would mean a lot and help my work reach more people 🤗
Very much enjoyed The lamb by Lucy Rose.
Technically, a lesbian serial killer cannibal horror fairy tale.
In reality, an extended metaphor for the relationship between narcissistic mothers and their daughters when they stop being small children.
Technically, a lesbian serial killer cannibal horror fairy tale.
In reality, an extended metaphor for the relationship between narcissistic mothers and their daughters when they stop being small children.
December 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Very much enjoyed The lamb by Lucy Rose.
Technically, a lesbian serial killer cannibal horror fairy tale.
In reality, an extended metaphor for the relationship between narcissistic mothers and their daughters when they stop being small children.
Technically, a lesbian serial killer cannibal horror fairy tale.
In reality, an extended metaphor for the relationship between narcissistic mothers and their daughters when they stop being small children.
i am only doing this to keep you from making unhealthy choices it's not because i enjoy it i say as i unhinge my jaw so i can eat a whole terry's at once
It's a community service - for the good of all.
December 29, 2025 at 1:14 PM
i am only doing this to keep you from making unhealthy choices it's not because i enjoy it i say as i unhinge my jaw so i can eat a whole terry's at once
look the sooner I eat all the xmas chocolate the sooner I can start my road to health
December 29, 2025 at 11:57 AM
look the sooner I eat all the xmas chocolate the sooner I can start my road to health
Reposted by CL Hellisen
this essay is so embarrassingly bad, both in concept and execution, that it should torch whatever reputation this erin underwood has as a writer
Not only does this have the sing-songy rhetorical stylings of an LLM text itself, nothing about it appears to be true. Contracts are a 4000-year-old social practice; how did they become incomprehensible to the unaided human mind last year?
Erin Underwood: Open Letter to the Science Fiction Writers Association and Community
Hi Friends, Erin Underwood After writing the letter below, I thought rather than sending it to SFWA only, I’d share it with Mike at File 770 along with a note that read: “Am I crazy? Will this blow…
file770.com
December 28, 2025 at 8:42 PM
this essay is so embarrassingly bad, both in concept and execution, that it should torch whatever reputation this erin underwood has as a writer
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Thank you for all the support and encouragement everyone! I'm about to get real shouty...
And look, I even added my neuroqueer dark fantasy, Born of Malice, to Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/books/b3a44d...
And look, I even added my neuroqueer dark fantasy, Born of Malice, to Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/books/b3a44d...
December 28, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Thank you for all the support and encouragement everyone! I'm about to get real shouty...
And look, I even added my neuroqueer dark fantasy, Born of Malice, to Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/books/b3a44d...
And look, I even added my neuroqueer dark fantasy, Born of Malice, to Storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/books/b3a44d...
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Umm, hi. So this list might have someone you know on it. Also a bunch of intriguing books I wasn’t aware of.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
9 Books from 2025 You Shouldn't Overlook
As our editors continue to look back on the books published this year, we thought it would be worth shouting out these under-appreciated gems.
www.publishersweekly.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Umm, hi. So this list might have someone you know on it. Also a bunch of intriguing books I wasn’t aware of.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by CL Hellisen
As we approach 2026, take note of our February zine submission call. I'm paying 10 cents per word for cunty horrors, cursed concerts, monstrous dating profiles, batshit LinkedIn posts, and nightmare grifters.
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...
Submission Calls
OPEN Zine call (February 1st through 7th) Zine PromptsFor this zine bundle, I’m looking for written pieces about these five prompts: -Cunty Horrors (cunty horror microfiction and mini-essays …
cursedmorsels.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:20 PM
As we approach 2026, take note of our February zine submission call. I'm paying 10 cents per word for cunty horrors, cursed concerts, monstrous dating profiles, batshit LinkedIn posts, and nightmare grifters.
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...
cursedmorsels.com/submission-c...
Reposted by CL Hellisen
To review:
Sincerely : formal
Best : neutral
All the best : positive
All the very best : can we be friends???
Regards : from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee
Sincerely : formal
Best : neutral
All the best : positive
All the very best : can we be friends???
Regards : from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee
December 9, 2025 at 10:45 PM
To review:
Sincerely : formal
Best : neutral
All the best : positive
All the very best : can we be friends???
Regards : from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee
Sincerely : formal
Best : neutral
All the best : positive
All the very best : can we be friends???
Regards : from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee
Just putting this out here for those who are new to my feed (hi! Welcome!)
I am virulently anti-AI.
I don't believe it's ethical to use generative AI in any aspect of your creative work, and I refuse to incorporate it.
You can tell me I'm going to be left behind, that's fine with me.
I am virulently anti-AI.
I don't believe it's ethical to use generative AI in any aspect of your creative work, and I refuse to incorporate it.
You can tell me I'm going to be left behind, that's fine with me.
December 29, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Just putting this out here for those who are new to my feed (hi! Welcome!)
I am virulently anti-AI.
I don't believe it's ethical to use generative AI in any aspect of your creative work, and I refuse to incorporate it.
You can tell me I'm going to be left behind, that's fine with me.
I am virulently anti-AI.
I don't believe it's ethical to use generative AI in any aspect of your creative work, and I refuse to incorporate it.
You can tell me I'm going to be left behind, that's fine with me.
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Aleksandra Waliszewska
December 29, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Aleksandra Waliszewska
Reposted by CL Hellisen
Tis the season, so, some great books I read in 2025: ejswift.co.uk/2025/12/28/y...
December 28, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Tis the season, so, some great books I read in 2025: ejswift.co.uk/2025/12/28/y...