Ally Lester
@cogenthippo.bsky.social
Writer and reader of fiction -- history, sff, romance, thrillers. Interested in sustainability, rewilding, growing things. Knitter, early tech adopter, parent, spouse, disabled.
They/them. Also writes as Frances Fox. https://lnk.bio/gjD5 🏳️🌈 ✒️ 🏳️⚧️
They/them. Also writes as Frances Fox. https://lnk.bio/gjD5 🏳️🌈 ✒️ 🏳️⚧️
Reposted by Ally Lester
It's okay,everyone, we've found the leader who will unite our fractured country at last.
“I’ve reviewed over 50 sticky toffee puddings” is an incredibly powerful way to begin a video
February 12, 2026 at 4:19 PM
It's okay,everyone, we've found the leader who will unite our fractured country at last.
Reposted by Ally Lester
✨reminder that throughout February I have a 15% sale off all my original limited-edition linoprints! You can see all the prints on sale here shop.frankduffy.co.uk/product-cate... #artsky #printmaking
February 12, 2026 at 9:42 AM
✨reminder that throughout February I have a 15% sale off all my original limited-edition linoprints! You can see all the prints on sale here shop.frankduffy.co.uk/product-cate... #artsky #printmaking
Reposted by Ally Lester
To everyone thanking me, much appreciated but not why I posted! Pls support your local immigrant defense group like:
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: www.ilcm.org/donate/
Or my hometown LUCE: www.lucemass.org/donate
Or Google your city/state & “immigrant defense” to find your local heroes!
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: www.ilcm.org/donate/
Or my hometown LUCE: www.lucemass.org/donate
Or Google your city/state & “immigrant defense” to find your local heroes!
February 12, 2026 at 12:29 AM
To everyone thanking me, much appreciated but not why I posted! Pls support your local immigrant defense group like:
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: www.ilcm.org/donate/
Or my hometown LUCE: www.lucemass.org/donate
Or Google your city/state & “immigrant defense” to find your local heroes!
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota: www.ilcm.org/donate/
Or my hometown LUCE: www.lucemass.org/donate
Or Google your city/state & “immigrant defense” to find your local heroes!
Reposted by Ally Lester
Thread.
I don’t really know what I expect in posting this, but maybe some people see it and can learn from it.
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
February 12, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Thread.
Reposted by Ally Lester
The sapphic fiction community has come together to launch an auction for narrator Angela Dawe, who's struggling with ongoing health problems.
Authors are auctioning off signed paperbacks & other amazing items.
Check out the auction Facebook group:
www.facebook.com/groups/67083...
Authors are auctioning off signed paperbacks & other amazing items.
Check out the auction Facebook group:
www.facebook.com/groups/67083...
February 12, 2026 at 2:14 PM
The sapphic fiction community has come together to launch an auction for narrator Angela Dawe, who's struggling with ongoing health problems.
Authors are auctioning off signed paperbacks & other amazing items.
Check out the auction Facebook group:
www.facebook.com/groups/67083...
Authors are auctioning off signed paperbacks & other amazing items.
Check out the auction Facebook group:
www.facebook.com/groups/67083...
Reposted by Ally Lester
Since Substack seems to be the a topic of discussion again this week, I've been using this labeler (which adds a badge to posts with Substack links) and it's been useful.
bsky.app
February 12, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Since Substack seems to be the a topic of discussion again this week, I've been using this labeler (which adds a badge to posts with Substack links) and it's been useful.
Reposted by Ally Lester
a study of bees 🌘
Linedrawing coloured with turmeric and blackberry ink 🌿🐾🐝
Linedrawing coloured with turmeric and blackberry ink 🌿🐾🐝
February 12, 2026 at 2:29 PM
a study of bees 🌘
Linedrawing coloured with turmeric and blackberry ink 🌿🐾🐝
Linedrawing coloured with turmeric and blackberry ink 🌿🐾🐝
Reposted by Ally Lester
I'm ecstatic to announce that the biggest database of indie bookstore inventory, @bookshop.org , now supports e-Books! Every purchase on Bookshop(dot)org supports a local indie bookstore.
You can now find ALL of my eBooks there
#indieauthor #IndieBookstore #indiebooks #IndieBookLove #booklovers
You can now find ALL of my eBooks there
#indieauthor #IndieBookstore #indiebooks #IndieBookLove #booklovers
February 12, 2026 at 3:01 PM
I'm ecstatic to announce that the biggest database of indie bookstore inventory, @bookshop.org , now supports e-Books! Every purchase on Bookshop(dot)org supports a local indie bookstore.
You can now find ALL of my eBooks there
#indieauthor #IndieBookstore #indiebooks #IndieBookLove #booklovers
You can now find ALL of my eBooks there
#indieauthor #IndieBookstore #indiebooks #IndieBookLove #booklovers
Reposted by Ally Lester
I try not to speak over/for trans people but as someone very much still unlearning bioessentialism and how to be less harmful, who ALSO has very *gendered* medical training my advice to other cis people is "Assume your strongly held opinions are based on utter biological cluelessness."
February 12, 2026 at 6:52 AM
I try not to speak over/for trans people but as someone very much still unlearning bioessentialism and how to be less harmful, who ALSO has very *gendered* medical training my advice to other cis people is "Assume your strongly held opinions are based on utter biological cluelessness."
Reposted by Ally Lester
In the 1970s, this tiny medieval church faced the prospect of demolition. Thankfully we saved it from that fate and it is now cared for by an active and loving group of volunteers.
1/10
1/10
February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
In the 1970s, this tiny medieval church faced the prospect of demolition. Thankfully we saved it from that fate and it is now cared for by an active and loving group of volunteers.
1/10
1/10
Reposted by Ally Lester
Celebrate love this Valentine's day with this bundle of books specially curated for you!
I have a book in this bundle. Changes in the Wind features queer soulmates, an immortal emperor, a rebel fighting against him, and the secrets they both hide.
📚💙💕🌈📚🖤♿📚🌈📚🪐📚🌈♠️ 📦️
I have a book in this bundle. Changes in the Wind features queer soulmates, an immortal emperor, a rebel fighting against him, and the secrets they both hide.
📚💙💕🌈📚🖤♿📚🌈📚🪐📚🌈♠️ 📦️
Valentine's Day Romance Bundle by Talli and 29 others
Valentine's Day Romance Bundle: 29 books for $25.00
itch.io
February 12, 2026 at 3:42 AM
Celebrate love this Valentine's day with this bundle of books specially curated for you!
I have a book in this bundle. Changes in the Wind features queer soulmates, an immortal emperor, a rebel fighting against him, and the secrets they both hide.
📚💙💕🌈📚🖤♿📚🌈📚🪐📚🌈♠️ 📦️
I have a book in this bundle. Changes in the Wind features queer soulmates, an immortal emperor, a rebel fighting against him, and the secrets they both hide.
📚💙💕🌈📚🖤♿📚🌈📚🪐📚🌈♠️ 📦️
Reposted by Ally Lester
I’m always eager to learn the traditions of other cultures, so I hope this info is accurate. www.realsimple.com/traditional-...
5 Traditional Foods to Bring Luck and Prosperity in the Year of the Horse
Chinese-American food experts share the traditional foods eaten at Lunar New Year, such as dumplings, plus what those foods symbolize.
www.realsimple.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:31 AM
I’m always eager to learn the traditions of other cultures, so I hope this info is accurate. www.realsimple.com/traditional-...
Reposted by Ally Lester
Billionaires should be taxed out of existence because no one human being should possess the unilateral power to launch the kinds of environment-destroying and world-changing projects that billionaires can approve.
February 11, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Billionaires should be taxed out of existence because no one human being should possess the unilateral power to launch the kinds of environment-destroying and world-changing projects that billionaires can approve.
We have workmen coming in half an hour. Unfortunately they're going to be appalled if they have to work around me still tucked up under the duvet. So unreasonable.
February 12, 2026 at 7:13 AM
We have workmen coming in half an hour. Unfortunately they're going to be appalled if they have to work around me still tucked up under the duvet. So unreasonable.
"Inglorious Empire, What the British Did to India" by Shashi Tharoor. I've been dipping in and out of it for ages.
February 11, 2026 at 8:46 PM
"Inglorious Empire, What the British Did to India" by Shashi Tharoor. I've been dipping in and out of it for ages.
Reposted by Ally Lester
Supporting indie booksellers is one extremely joyful way to fight fascism today.
You don't gotta get my audiobook -- tho it has *extremely* Bridgerton narration of my fake Georgian novel excepts -- but please spring for one of these today or tomorrow 💝
You don't gotta get my audiobook -- tho it has *extremely* Bridgerton narration of my fake Georgian novel excepts -- but please spring for one of these today or tomorrow 💝
Booksellers are total heroes who keep us falling in love with reading. They are vitally important to our communities.
So I'm delighted that for the next 2 days sales of the audiobook of Lessons in Magic and Disaster via @libro.fm will benefit BINC, which helps booksellers in need 🥰
libro.fm/binc
So I'm delighted that for the next 2 days sales of the audiobook of Lessons in Magic and Disaster via @libro.fm will benefit BINC, which helps booksellers in need 🥰
libro.fm/binc
February 11, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Supporting indie booksellers is one extremely joyful way to fight fascism today.
You don't gotta get my audiobook -- tho it has *extremely* Bridgerton narration of my fake Georgian novel excepts -- but please spring for one of these today or tomorrow 💝
You don't gotta get my audiobook -- tho it has *extremely* Bridgerton narration of my fake Georgian novel excepts -- but please spring for one of these today or tomorrow 💝
Reposted by Ally Lester
Read this thread, and respond - you only have a short time. I find these proposals inhumane, unjustifiable and sickening. If you have an ounce of decency, you probably will too.
So tell the govt, asap.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
So tell the govt, asap.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
February 11, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Read this thread, and respond - you only have a short time. I find these proposals inhumane, unjustifiable and sickening. If you have an ounce of decency, you probably will too.
So tell the govt, asap.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
So tell the govt, asap.
www.gov.uk/government/c...
Reposted by Ally Lester
Like I’m so sorry but the normie left-liberal voter deserting Labour isn’t going to suddenly say “oh yeah even though they were soft on war crimes and my colleague is now fearing deportation, but gosh they have been spending lots on infrastructure!”
That’s not how anyone thinks in real life
That’s not how anyone thinks in real life
February 10, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Like I’m so sorry but the normie left-liberal voter deserting Labour isn’t going to suddenly say “oh yeah even though they were soft on war crimes and my colleague is now fearing deportation, but gosh they have been spending lots on infrastructure!”
That’s not how anyone thinks in real life
That’s not how anyone thinks in real life
This isn't rocket science. "Were you in contact with the guy or people hung out with the guy any time since his conviction?"
If yes, then you're out on your ear. It's about whether you've got any morals at all. It's extremely disappointing that so many of these people don't.
If yes, then you're out on your ear. It's about whether you've got any morals at all. It's extremely disappointing that so many of these people don't.
Rather than leadership nominations can we just get an orderly line of Labour figures with a zero tolerance for paedophiles and their friends? Forgive me for thinking it would be a given in our usual criteria
February 11, 2026 at 1:16 PM
This isn't rocket science. "Were you in contact with the guy or people hung out with the guy any time since his conviction?"
If yes, then you're out on your ear. It's about whether you've got any morals at all. It's extremely disappointing that so many of these people don't.
If yes, then you're out on your ear. It's about whether you've got any morals at all. It's extremely disappointing that so many of these people don't.
Reposted by Ally Lester
Explained: The ‘blocked weather pattern’ causing relentless rain to start 2026
The UK has experienced relentless wet weather so far this year. Weather Presenter Liam Dutton examines how long the rain deluge could last.
📩 Read the full newsletter:
channel4news.substack.com/p/explained-...
The UK has experienced relentless wet weather so far this year. Weather Presenter Liam Dutton examines how long the rain deluge could last.
📩 Read the full newsletter:
channel4news.substack.com/p/explained-...
Explained: The ‘blocked weather pattern’ causing relentless rain to start 2026
The UK has experienced relentless wet weather so far this year due to a blocked weather pattern over northeast Europe. Weather Presenter Liam Dutton examines how long the rain deluge could last.
channel4news.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Explained: The ‘blocked weather pattern’ causing relentless rain to start 2026
The UK has experienced relentless wet weather so far this year. Weather Presenter Liam Dutton examines how long the rain deluge could last.
📩 Read the full newsletter:
channel4news.substack.com/p/explained-...
The UK has experienced relentless wet weather so far this year. Weather Presenter Liam Dutton examines how long the rain deluge could last.
📩 Read the full newsletter:
channel4news.substack.com/p/explained-...
Reposted by Ally Lester
Another bug up my ass today is the issue of book publishing working with AI companies.
Now, for argument's sake, if you knew categorically that a company had stolen from the people that directly drive your revenue (authors), under any normal circumstances would you consider working with them?
Now, for argument's sake, if you knew categorically that a company had stolen from the people that directly drive your revenue (authors), under any normal circumstances would you consider working with them?
February 11, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Another bug up my ass today is the issue of book publishing working with AI companies.
Now, for argument's sake, if you knew categorically that a company had stolen from the people that directly drive your revenue (authors), under any normal circumstances would you consider working with them?
Now, for argument's sake, if you knew categorically that a company had stolen from the people that directly drive your revenue (authors), under any normal circumstances would you consider working with them?
Reposted by Ally Lester
The book club scam has taken an exciting new leap forward. I got one today from a "curated literary platform and newsletter" that, unusually, offered a link to its website. I'm in edits, so obviously I took the opportunity to procrastinate. /1
February 11, 2026 at 11:50 AM
The book club scam has taken an exciting new leap forward. I got one today from a "curated literary platform and newsletter" that, unusually, offered a link to its website. I'm in edits, so obviously I took the opportunity to procrastinate. /1
Reposted by Ally Lester
For Irish writers, the next application cycle opens in May! www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Ireland’s basic income for the arts scheme becomes permanent
When piloted, initiative that provided €325 a week to eligible artists recouped more than its net cost, study shows
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:23 AM
For Irish writers, the next application cycle opens in May! www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
So true.
Have long thought the moment houses went from homes to investments was the start of our slide into ‘this shit’.
February 11, 2026 at 11:44 AM
So true.
This is worth the two-and-something minutes it takes to watch.
Poetic, and oddly cheering. "If you can live through February, you'll survive another year".
Poetic, and oddly cheering. "If you can live through February, you'll survive another year".
Don't give anything an Emmy until it's as good as this.
February 11, 2026 at 11:37 AM
This is worth the two-and-something minutes it takes to watch.
Poetic, and oddly cheering. "If you can live through February, you'll survive another year".
Poetic, and oddly cheering. "If you can live through February, you'll survive another year".