Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
@cometarytales.com
Writer, engineer, editor, human
Find everything on my website https://cometarytales.com
Find everything on my website https://cometarytales.com
Reposted by Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
Such a fun panel to speak on! Thank you to @cometarytales.com for moderating!
My final contribution to @octocon.bsky.social 2025
My final contribution to @octocon.bsky.social 2025
Also enjoyed the @octocon.bsky.social Panel Control Your Fears: How Much Horror is Too Much?
Incl feelings, Deep discomfort, Tension, Intent, Jumpscares, Visuals, Lasting effect, Powerlessness, Choosing/sharing. Metaphor. Escapism. Mediums and imaginations. Authoring tips
#Octocon #SciFi #Ireland
Incl feelings, Deep discomfort, Tension, Intent, Jumpscares, Visuals, Lasting effect, Powerlessness, Choosing/sharing. Metaphor. Escapism. Mediums and imaginations. Authoring tips
#Octocon #SciFi #Ireland
October 12, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Such a fun panel to speak on! Thank you to @cometarytales.com for moderating!
My final contribution to @octocon.bsky.social 2025
My final contribution to @octocon.bsky.social 2025
Be 'there' (in my case, with comfy socks and in my desk chair, online). My schedule:
11th
8 am PDT: The Many Shades of Villainy #character #villains
11 am: Adapted or Stolen? #anime #appropriation
12th
8 am PDT: Control Your Fears #horror
9:30 am: Protect Your Author Rights #workshop #contracts
11th
8 am PDT: The Many Shades of Villainy #character #villains
11 am: Adapted or Stolen? #anime #appropriation
12th
8 am PDT: Control Your Fears #horror
9:30 am: Protect Your Author Rights #workshop #contracts
We're back! #Octocon2025 will take place on Saturday, 11th October 2025, Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin & online, and Sunday, 12th October 2025, online. Check out https://octocon.com/ to keep up to date with guest announcements and more! Image as per post.
#octocon #scifi #Fantasy #fandom #horror
#octocon #scifi #Fantasy #fandom #horror
October 10, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Be 'there' (in my case, with comfy socks and in my desk chair, online). My schedule:
11th
8 am PDT: The Many Shades of Villainy #character #villains
11 am: Adapted or Stolen? #anime #appropriation
12th
8 am PDT: Control Your Fears #horror
9:30 am: Protect Your Author Rights #workshop #contracts
11th
8 am PDT: The Many Shades of Villainy #character #villains
11 am: Adapted or Stolen? #anime #appropriation
12th
8 am PDT: Control Your Fears #horror
9:30 am: Protect Your Author Rights #workshop #contracts
Do you need a connection to goodness? Here you go.
Free. Accessible anywhere with internet. Awesome people to meet.
Technically, it's a writers' conference, but you can choose to listen to people read you stories while you chat with new friends.
#writing #friendship #publishing #craft #reading
Free. Accessible anywhere with internet. Awesome people to meet.
Technically, it's a writers' conference, but you can choose to listen to people read you stories while you chat with new friends.
#writing #friendship #publishing #craft #reading
It's finally September! Do you know what that means???
Flights of Foundry is THIS MONTH.
Register: flights-of-foundry.o...
Let's gooooo! 🪽🪽🪽
Flights of Foundry is THIS MONTH.
Register: flights-of-foundry.o...
Let's gooooo! 🪽🪽🪽
September 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Do you need a connection to goodness? Here you go.
Free. Accessible anywhere with internet. Awesome people to meet.
Technically, it's a writers' conference, but you can choose to listen to people read you stories while you chat with new friends.
#writing #friendship #publishing #craft #reading
Free. Accessible anywhere with internet. Awesome people to meet.
Technically, it's a writers' conference, but you can choose to listen to people read you stories while you chat with new friends.
#writing #friendship #publishing #craft #reading
Could someone with a bigger following than mine repost this? It seems to me that most people are less than aware of the depths and consequences of the ongoing cuts at NASA. If you are in the DC area, now is your chance to speak up for #science
#space #budget
#space #budget
Rally to #SaveNASA next Monday! 🌏🌙🔭📡
While the full event will last 5 hours, the best time to come will likely be between 11 and 1. We'll keep you posted on timing.
Follow @nasa-needs-help.bsky.social
While the full event will last 5 hours, the best time to come will likely be between 11 and 1. We'll keep you posted on timing.
Follow @nasa-needs-help.bsky.social
September 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Quiz.
Did 3 things after the Nebulas: said fond goodnight to new and old friends online, walked out to the kitchen for a late dinner, turned on the news.
Which thing should I not have done if I meant to sleep tonight?
Did 3 things after the Nebulas: said fond goodnight to new and old friends online, walked out to the kitchen for a late dinner, turned on the news.
Which thing should I not have done if I meant to sleep tonight?
June 8, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Quiz.
Did 3 things after the Nebulas: said fond goodnight to new and old friends online, walked out to the kitchen for a late dinner, turned on the news.
Which thing should I not have done if I meant to sleep tonight?
Did 3 things after the Nebulas: said fond goodnight to new and old friends online, walked out to the kitchen for a late dinner, turned on the news.
Which thing should I not have done if I meant to sleep tonight?
Fellow #scifi #fantasy #horror #writer?
Just so y'all know:
💻 the Nebula Conference is also online (AND year-long)
🎟️ it does NOT require SFWA membership
✒️ it IS your genre's writers conference--building craft and working connections
You can register anytime. events.sfwa.org/our-2025-con...
Just so y'all know:
💻 the Nebula Conference is also online (AND year-long)
🎟️ it does NOT require SFWA membership
✒️ it IS your genre's writers conference--building craft and working connections
You can register anytime. events.sfwa.org/our-2025-con...
The 2025 Nebula Awards Conference schedule - Nebula Awards Conference Online
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) is looking forward to marking this year’s diamond-year 60th Annual Nebula Awards Conference with you in Kansas City, Missouri. From June 5 to...
events.sfwa.org
May 24, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Fellow #scifi #fantasy #horror #writer?
Just so y'all know:
💻 the Nebula Conference is also online (AND year-long)
🎟️ it does NOT require SFWA membership
✒️ it IS your genre's writers conference--building craft and working connections
You can register anytime. events.sfwa.org/our-2025-con...
Just so y'all know:
💻 the Nebula Conference is also online (AND year-long)
🎟️ it does NOT require SFWA membership
✒️ it IS your genre's writers conference--building craft and working connections
You can register anytime. events.sfwa.org/our-2025-con...
Readers and writers. Please support the Authors Guild and add your voice to stand up for responsible, knowledgeable copyright administration and protection.. authorsguild.org/petition-to-...
Petition to Reinstate Shira Perlmutter as Register of Copyrights - The Authors Guild
Last Saturday, the White House abruptly fired Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter, a renowned expert with deep knowledge of the importance of copyright for authors’ livelihoods. In her place, the ...
authorsguild.org
May 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Readers and writers. Please support the Authors Guild and add your voice to stand up for responsible, knowledgeable copyright administration and protection.. authorsguild.org/petition-to-...
While NASA has disavowed this inspiring project, you can still access the funny, colorful, and accurate First Woman graphic novels. Download them and share with aspiring future astronauts. This time of silencing will end one day. Links in comments, + more on the purge. Image via NASA Watch.
March 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
While NASA has disavowed this inspiring project, you can still access the funny, colorful, and accurate First Woman graphic novels. Download them and share with aspiring future astronauts. This time of silencing will end one day. Links in comments, + more on the purge. Image via NASA Watch.
A long time ago, in a galaxy not far away, I used to post about books. Nowadays, I'm reading more ... widely, because it's getting hard to keep a firm grasp on the truth.
amikokelly.substack.com/p/the-only-t...
amikokelly.substack.com/p/the-only-t...
The Only Thing Abandoned is the Truth
Preserving NASA’s Legacy Amidst a Vortex of Misinformation
amikokelly.substack.com
March 17, 2025 at 4:00 AM
A long time ago, in a galaxy not far away, I used to post about books. Nowadays, I'm reading more ... widely, because it's getting hard to keep a firm grasp on the truth.
amikokelly.substack.com/p/the-only-t...
amikokelly.substack.com/p/the-only-t...
If you are or someone you know is a doge-fired federal employee who works (worked) in a science-related field, the people really in charge of allocating federal funds to science would like to hear about it.
democrats-science.house.gov/sciencefirings
#DOGS #firings #science
democrats-science.house.gov/sciencefirings
#DOGS #firings #science
Were you fired by President Trump? | House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
democrats-science.house.gov
March 12, 2025 at 3:10 AM
If you are or someone you know is a doge-fired federal employee who works (worked) in a science-related field, the people really in charge of allocating federal funds to science would like to hear about it.
democrats-science.house.gov/sciencefirings
#DOGS #firings #science
democrats-science.house.gov/sciencefirings
#DOGS #firings #science
Science is at risk. Here is a startup guide on taking action against recent and imminent attacks on science. aas.org/advocacy/get...
This is fom the American Astronomical Society, but they're not just talking about astronomy.
This is fom the American Astronomical Society, but they're not just talking about astronomy.
March 9, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Science is at risk. Here is a startup guide on taking action against recent and imminent attacks on science. aas.org/advocacy/get...
This is fom the American Astronomical Society, but they're not just talking about astronomy.
This is fom the American Astronomical Society, but they're not just talking about astronomy.
NASA management: "We're just following orders."
Where have we heard that one before?
www.flyingmag.com/nasa-fires-1...
Where have we heard that one before?
www.flyingmag.com/nasa-fires-1...
NASA Fires 1,000 Probationary Employees
Mass firings of probationary workers could be the start of larger force reductions at the world’s largest space agency.
www.flyingmag.com
February 19, 2025 at 12:19 AM
NASA management: "We're just following orders."
Where have we heard that one before?
www.flyingmag.com/nasa-fires-1...
Where have we heard that one before?
www.flyingmag.com/nasa-fires-1...
Yay, our family got that "quit or we gonna fire ya" email from the Orange One yesterday.
Confess I don't usually listen to Neil Young that much, but this one fits so well, right down to the title track of the email.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W61o...
Confess I don't usually listen to Neil Young that much, but this one fits so well, right down to the title track of the email.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W61o...
Neil Young - Fork In The Road
YouTube video by neilyoungchannel
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Yay, our family got that "quit or we gonna fire ya" email from the Orange One yesterday.
Confess I don't usually listen to Neil Young that much, but this one fits so well, right down to the title track of the email.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W61o...
Confess I don't usually listen to Neil Young that much, but this one fits so well, right down to the title track of the email.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W61o...
Noooooooooooo!
What she said
December 15, 2024 at 1:02 AM
Noooooooooooo!
Reposted by Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
Larry Hogan freaking out because he saw Orion is exactly what I expected.
A bunch of people who don't usually look up at the night sky discovering stars.
Historically, a ton of UFO reports are just people seeing Venus.
A bunch of people who don't usually look up at the night sky discovering stars.
Historically, a ton of UFO reports are just people seeing Venus.
Some of the "drones" in former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan's video were found to be stars in the constellation Orion - NYT
December 14, 2024 at 9:46 PM
Larry Hogan freaking out because he saw Orion is exactly what I expected.
A bunch of people who don't usually look up at the night sky discovering stars.
Historically, a ton of UFO reports are just people seeing Venus.
A bunch of people who don't usually look up at the night sky discovering stars.
Historically, a ton of UFO reports are just people seeing Venus.
Reposted by Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
So this cool group of variously underrepresented authors who have let me play in their house are having a fabulous party online next Saturday (Dec 14th) and everybody in the known universe who can log on to zoom is invited.
December 8, 2024 at 3:10 AM
So this cool group of variously underrepresented authors who have let me play in their house are having a fabulous party online next Saturday (Dec 14th) and everybody in the known universe who can log on to zoom is invited.
Reposted by Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
If you've any interest in books or publishing, then you need to read this article, because this is the business model for 'AI' publishing laid out in full by people who are doing it, and it's a fucking nightmare.
A short, angry thread. 1/
www.thebookseller.com/news/new-pub...
A short, angry thread. 1/
www.thebookseller.com/news/new-pub...
New publisher Spines aims to 'disrupt' industry by using AI to publish 8,000 books in 2025 alone
A new publisher has claimed it aims to “disrupt” the books industry by publishing 8,000 books in 2025 alone using artificial intelligence.
www.thebookseller.com
November 25, 2024 at 11:21 AM
If you've any interest in books or publishing, then you need to read this article, because this is the business model for 'AI' publishing laid out in full by people who are doing it, and it's a fucking nightmare.
A short, angry thread. 1/
www.thebookseller.com/news/new-pub...
A short, angry thread. 1/
www.thebookseller.com/news/new-pub...
So, the first thing you get from ThatOtherSite, after you deactivate your account, is an urgent ad to join that site. I am clean out of bad words today.
November 6, 2024 at 9:21 AM
So, the first thing you get from ThatOtherSite, after you deactivate your account, is an urgent ad to join that site. I am clean out of bad words today.
Reposted by Vanessa MacLaren-Wray
So now the states of Missouri, Kansas, And Idaho are suing the FDA because they are being harmed by not being able to force teenage girls to have babies they don’t want.
www.wonkette.com/p/missouri-k...
www.wonkette.com/p/missouri-k...
Missouri, Kansas, And Idaho Are Suing The FDA Because They Don't Have Enough Teen Moms
I'm sorry, what?
www.wonkette.com
October 19, 2024 at 3:09 AM
So now the states of Missouri, Kansas, And Idaho are suing the FDA because they are being harmed by not being able to force teenage girls to have babies they don’t want.
www.wonkette.com/p/missouri-k...
www.wonkette.com/p/missouri-k...
Well, hello Bluesky. I guess the days of invites are over, as I'm somehow here without complications. I'll drop some hashtags in hopes that helps friends find me! Photo has alt text. 😁 #writer #sff #fantasy #energy #science #space #sciencefiction #books #alternateuniverses #engineer #solar #storage
March 5, 2024 at 10:20 PM