Dr Fordwalker
@fordwalker.bsky.social
Tasmanian author and Doctor of Creative Writing. Stories in Reactor and Clarkesworld (upcoming), Lightspeed, BCS, PodCastle and more. Clarion West & Odyssey ‘22. Tree enthusiast, dog friend, garden wench.
Fordwalker.com
Fordwalker.com
People offer ‘army intelligence’ as the prime example of an oxymoron, but consider: ‘political party’
January 21, 2026 at 9:08 PM
People offer ‘army intelligence’ as the prime example of an oxymoron, but consider: ‘political party’
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
I doubt anyone in Hobart who’s been outside and watched the Aurora Australis strobing through the night sky will ever forget tonight. This is the most active Aurora I’ve seen. Photos taken on my IPhone 14 Pro Max about 1.3 kilometres from my front door.
January 20, 2026 at 12:56 PM
I doubt anyone in Hobart who’s been outside and watched the Aurora Australis strobing through the night sky will ever forget tonight. This is the most active Aurora I’ve seen. Photos taken on my IPhone 14 Pro Max about 1.3 kilometres from my front door.
Excuse me aurora australis do you mind keeping it down? Some of us are trying to sleep
January 20, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Excuse me aurora australis do you mind keeping it down? Some of us are trying to sleep
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
Cory Doctorow is great. From pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
January 18, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Cory Doctorow is great. From pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
I was just talking to @fordwalker.bsky.social about this: after using Scrivener, going back to Word for edits feels like *punishment*.
Yeah, it’s what the publishers use. We gotta track those changes.
And yet. It’s like being put in stocks.
Yeah, it’s what the publishers use. We gotta track those changes.
And yet. It’s like being put in stocks.
Me: OK, I need to indent this single line.
Word: how about the whole document?
Me: no!
Word: WHOLE DOCUMENT DONE 🙂
Me: Arghhh.
Word: yaaaaay indent!
Me: UNDO, UNDO
Word: *indents everything you've ever written in both the past and future*
Word: I'm a word processor!
Word: how about the whole document?
Me: no!
Word: WHOLE DOCUMENT DONE 🙂
Me: Arghhh.
Word: yaaaaay indent!
Me: UNDO, UNDO
Word: *indents everything you've ever written in both the past and future*
Word: I'm a word processor!
January 18, 2026 at 11:20 PM
I was just talking to @fordwalker.bsky.social about this: after using Scrivener, going back to Word for edits feels like *punishment*.
Yeah, it’s what the publishers use. We gotta track those changes.
And yet. It’s like being put in stocks.
Yeah, it’s what the publishers use. We gotta track those changes.
And yet. It’s like being put in stocks.
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
The one, the only: the ✨UNMISSABLE SFF of 2026✨ list!
🎆 🎆 🎆 🎆 🎆
aka all the fantasy and sci-fi that should definitely be on your tbr, how are these not on your tbr already??? you poor unfortunate soul, let's fix that!
buff.ly/IWTR8A6
🎆 🎆 🎆 🎆 🎆
aka all the fantasy and sci-fi that should definitely be on your tbr, how are these not on your tbr already??? you poor unfortunate soul, let's fix that!
buff.ly/IWTR8A6
Unmissable Fantasy and SciFi of 2026!
The EXTREMELY MANY SFF releases of 2026 that I consider unmissable!
buff.ly
January 1, 2026 at 5:11 PM
The one, the only: the ✨UNMISSABLE SFF of 2026✨ list!
🎆 🎆 🎆 🎆 🎆
aka all the fantasy and sci-fi that should definitely be on your tbr, how are these not on your tbr already??? you poor unfortunate soul, let's fix that!
buff.ly/IWTR8A6
🎆 🎆 🎆 🎆 🎆
aka all the fantasy and sci-fi that should definitely be on your tbr, how are these not on your tbr already??? you poor unfortunate soul, let's fix that!
buff.ly/IWTR8A6
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
I feel this. It's no coincidence that gardening was something I enjoyed this year. Fewer devices, less tracking, more care. Paper books, friends IRL, walking, tea, perfume, cinema, gigs...
Just be mindful that the attention economy is *not*your friend and not everything is accomplished by shopping.
Just be mindful that the attention economy is *not*your friend and not everything is accomplished by shopping.
Buttons are back. Knobs are back. Dumb devices are back. Own-it-forever software is back. Print is back. Personal websites and chronological feeds are back. Touching grass is back. People keep saying 2015, but it’s not far enough. The entire 2010s were a mistake. We must retvrn to… 2009.
Amazingly, reaction times using screens while driving are worse than being drunk or high—no wonder 90 percent of drivers hate using touchscreens in cars. Finally the auto industry is coming to its senses.
December 28, 2025 at 10:24 AM
I feel this. It's no coincidence that gardening was something I enjoyed this year. Fewer devices, less tracking, more care. Paper books, friends IRL, walking, tea, perfume, cinema, gigs...
Just be mindful that the attention economy is *not*your friend and not everything is accomplished by shopping.
Just be mindful that the attention economy is *not*your friend and not everything is accomplished by shopping.
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 27, 2025 at 5:27 PM
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
Sir Terry Pratchett is best understood as one of the most interesting, deeply ethical practical (I would say Pragmatist but I cede to actual experts) philosophers of the late 20th Century who just happened to work in deconstructed fantasy literature as his medium.
Discworld QOTD, from Hogfather
December 25, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Sir Terry Pratchett is best understood as one of the most interesting, deeply ethical practical (I would say Pragmatist but I cede to actual experts) philosophers of the late 20th Century who just happened to work in deconstructed fantasy literature as his medium.
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
Oooof
Time again to share the incredible and poingant "Christmas Tree" by James Merrill. Written during what he knew would be his last illness as he was looked after by friends and family.
December 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Oooof
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
Jesus, can you hear me? Good, the comms are working. Now, you're gonna need to run if you want to evade those Roman soldiers. Hold down A to sprint. Go ahead and try it. ... Good work! You just might be the savior yet. Now pick up that AR-15 and let's do some target practice.
December 24, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Jesus, can you hear me? Good, the comms are working. Now, you're gonna need to run if you want to evade those Roman soldiers. Hold down A to sprint. Go ahead and try it. ... Good work! You just might be the savior yet. Now pick up that AR-15 and let's do some target practice.
Merry today! Here is a festive painting of my dog in watercolour and gouache.
(I’m learning to paint! When my impotent rage about AI wore itself out, all that remained was an urge to create in the most aggressively lo-fi mode possible.)
(I’m learning to paint! When my impotent rage about AI wore itself out, all that remained was an urge to create in the most aggressively lo-fi mode possible.)
December 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Merry today! Here is a festive painting of my dog in watercolour and gouache.
(I’m learning to paint! When my impotent rage about AI wore itself out, all that remained was an urge to create in the most aggressively lo-fi mode possible.)
(I’m learning to paint! When my impotent rage about AI wore itself out, all that remained was an urge to create in the most aggressively lo-fi mode possible.)
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
How would you motivate people to study foreign languages?
This German caller has the ultimate, definitive answer.
[I love this so much 💙]
This German caller has the ultimate, definitive answer.
[I love this so much 💙]
December 24, 2025 at 6:47 AM
How would you motivate people to study foreign languages?
This German caller has the ultimate, definitive answer.
[I love this so much 💙]
This German caller has the ultimate, definitive answer.
[I love this so much 💙]
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
“hey leena how’s your day going?”
“WAKE IN FRIGHT WAS A DOCUMENTARY”
“WAKE IN FRIGHT WAS A DOCUMENTARY”
December 24, 2025 at 1:46 AM
“hey leena how’s your day going?”
“WAKE IN FRIGHT WAS A DOCUMENTARY”
“WAKE IN FRIGHT WAS A DOCUMENTARY”
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
AD-ROCK: Yo Ebenezer you gotta show re-
BEASTIES: MORSE
AD-ROCK: Redemption is not a mere matter of
Beasties: COURSE
MIKE D: We’ll show you Bob Cratchit’s not a lazy
BEASTIES: MOOCHER
MCA: We’re Christmas Past
MIKE D: Christmas Present
BEASTIES: AND CHRISTMAS FUTURE
BEASTIES: MORSE
AD-ROCK: Redemption is not a mere matter of
Beasties: COURSE
MIKE D: We’ll show you Bob Cratchit’s not a lazy
BEASTIES: MOOCHER
MCA: We’re Christmas Past
MIKE D: Christmas Present
BEASTIES: AND CHRISTMAS FUTURE
January 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
AD-ROCK: Yo Ebenezer you gotta show re-
BEASTIES: MORSE
AD-ROCK: Redemption is not a mere matter of
Beasties: COURSE
MIKE D: We’ll show you Bob Cratchit’s not a lazy
BEASTIES: MOOCHER
MCA: We’re Christmas Past
MIKE D: Christmas Present
BEASTIES: AND CHRISTMAS FUTURE
BEASTIES: MORSE
AD-ROCK: Redemption is not a mere matter of
Beasties: COURSE
MIKE D: We’ll show you Bob Cratchit’s not a lazy
BEASTIES: MOOCHER
MCA: We’re Christmas Past
MIKE D: Christmas Present
BEASTIES: AND CHRISTMAS FUTURE
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
"they don't know how to express the idea" here's rian johnson's storyboard for knives out
pick up a pencil and a napkin
pick up a pencil and a napkin
December 18, 2025 at 4:58 PM
"they don't know how to express the idea" here's rian johnson's storyboard for knives out
pick up a pencil and a napkin
pick up a pencil and a napkin
@adelaidesean.bsky.social Just realised I was not following you. The audacity!
December 19, 2025 at 3:18 AM
@adelaidesean.bsky.social Just realised I was not following you. The audacity!
LEVEL UP! You receive: Floppy Hat!
December 19, 2025 at 2:11 AM
LEVEL UP! You receive: Floppy Hat!
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
When it originally appeared in Reckoning 3, "The Blackthorn Door" expanded our concept of what environmental justice means and what a story about it can do. It's a fascinating reframing of the long-term psychological impacts of the horrors of war through the medium of paranormal mystery
New today from @reckoningmag.bsky.social's #Neurodivergent Reprint Collection, A CHORUS, DIVERGENT, @fordwalker.bsky.social's "The Blackthorn Door," a powerful story about trees, trauma, and how memory defines us.
reckoning.press/the-blacktho...
reckoning.press/the-blacktho...
The Blackthorn Door | Reckoning
Akari saw the restricted tree first. Wrestling the Agency’s sleek sedan around the treacherous holes in Zimmerman’s pitted rural driveway held my full attention. We’d passed the mailbox fifteen minute...
reckoning.press
November 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
When it originally appeared in Reckoning 3, "The Blackthorn Door" expanded our concept of what environmental justice means and what a story about it can do. It's a fascinating reframing of the long-term psychological impacts of the horrors of war through the medium of paranormal mystery
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
New today from @reckoningmag.bsky.social's #Neurodivergent Reprint Collection, A CHORUS, DIVERGENT, @fordwalker.bsky.social's "The Blackthorn Door," a powerful story about trees, trauma, and how memory defines us.
reckoning.press/the-blacktho...
reckoning.press/the-blacktho...
The Blackthorn Door | Reckoning
Akari saw the restricted tree first. Wrestling the Agency’s sleek sedan around the treacherous holes in Zimmerman’s pitted rural driveway held my full attention. We’d passed the mailbox fifteen minute...
reckoning.press
November 14, 2025 at 7:27 PM
New today from @reckoningmag.bsky.social's #Neurodivergent Reprint Collection, A CHORUS, DIVERGENT, @fordwalker.bsky.social's "The Blackthorn Door," a powerful story about trees, trauma, and how memory defines us.
reckoning.press/the-blacktho...
reckoning.press/the-blacktho...
Sharing this for no particular reason... 😎
Just sent out thirteen acceptance letters. I look forward to sharing these stories with everyone!
November 8, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Sharing this for no particular reason... 😎
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
Here’s a classic bit of story feedback from my writing buddy @fordwalker.bsky.social.
October 28, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Here’s a classic bit of story feedback from my writing buddy @fordwalker.bsky.social.
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
"There, on her mother’s stomach, where her hands had fallen away, was the bloody outline of a butterfly."
We're excited (and...scared? A little intrigued?) to share an excerpt from @wenyilee.bsky.social's adult fantasy When They Burned the Butterfly!! 🦋🔥
reactormag.com/excerpts-whe...
We're excited (and...scared? A little intrigued?) to share an excerpt from @wenyilee.bsky.social's adult fantasy When They Burned the Butterfly!! 🦋🔥
reactormag.com/excerpts-whe...
Read an Excerpt From When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-yi Lee - Reactor
Loner schoolgirl Adeline Siow has never needed more company than the flame she can summon at her fingertips…
reactormag.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:29 PM
"There, on her mother’s stomach, where her hands had fallen away, was the bloody outline of a butterfly."
We're excited (and...scared? A little intrigued?) to share an excerpt from @wenyilee.bsky.social's adult fantasy When They Burned the Butterfly!! 🦋🔥
reactormag.com/excerpts-whe...
We're excited (and...scared? A little intrigued?) to share an excerpt from @wenyilee.bsky.social's adult fantasy When They Burned the Butterfly!! 🦋🔥
reactormag.com/excerpts-whe...
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
In a newly integrated insect metropolis, generations clash around art, technology, and capitalism. Boris, a rural vesper, chases modernity to the city, but tradition is there first.
Next week. "Laurie on the Radio" by Sam Davis!!
Art by Michael Hirshon
Edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
Next week. "Laurie on the Radio" by Sam Davis!!
Art by Michael Hirshon
Edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
September 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In a newly integrated insect metropolis, generations clash around art, technology, and capitalism. Boris, a rural vesper, chases modernity to the city, but tradition is there first.
Next week. "Laurie on the Radio" by Sam Davis!!
Art by Michael Hirshon
Edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
Next week. "Laurie on the Radio" by Sam Davis!!
Art by Michael Hirshon
Edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Fordwalker
I sent a photo of our half-cleaned patio to @fordwalker.bsky.social and
January 26, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I sent a photo of our half-cleaned patio to @fordwalker.bsky.social and