Simone Heller
@herlizardness.bsky.social
sff writer & translator
curiosity in abundance | astray in worlds and words
curiosity in abundance | astray in worlds and words
Pinned
Simone Heller
@herlizardness.bsky.social
· Oct 15
Oh, wow, just when I thought about checking what's going on here - so many new faces! Hi! Hello! I'm back for a bit, I hope. What's good to know about me? I'm horrible at social media and I write short fiction at a glacial pace. So far none of my stories feature a human point of view character.
lol
AI stole my life’s work
to use it to replace me
and now I need a new computer to do what’s left of this work
and it costs as much as a car or maybe a small spaceship
because of AI
AI stole my life’s work
to use it to replace me
and now I need a new computer to do what’s left of this work
and it costs as much as a car or maybe a small spaceship
because of AI
January 9, 2026 at 4:06 PM
lol
AI stole my life’s work
to use it to replace me
and now I need a new computer to do what’s left of this work
and it costs as much as a car or maybe a small spaceship
because of AI
AI stole my life’s work
to use it to replace me
and now I need a new computer to do what’s left of this work
and it costs as much as a car or maybe a small spaceship
because of AI
If you believe LLMs can translate your book, there’s no reason to think LLMs can’t also write your book.
December 29, 2025 at 11:27 PM
If you believe LLMs can translate your book, there’s no reason to think LLMs can’t also write your book.
Reposted by Simone Heller
Sidebar:
A part of the AI conversation that passes me off is the fact that the proponents know and sometimes outright say seas of people will lose their jobs (i.e., creatives and skilled workers) and rarely have an even passable answer about what these people will do instead.
A part of the AI conversation that passes me off is the fact that the proponents know and sometimes outright say seas of people will lose their jobs (i.e., creatives and skilled workers) and rarely have an even passable answer about what these people will do instead.
French publishing house Harlequin decided to use AI translation instead of human translations.
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
All their freelance translators (some of whom had been working with Harlequin for +30y!!!) were told they would no longer receive work from Harlequin
December 19, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Sidebar:
A part of the AI conversation that passes me off is the fact that the proponents know and sometimes outright say seas of people will lose their jobs (i.e., creatives and skilled workers) and rarely have an even passable answer about what these people will do instead.
A part of the AI conversation that passes me off is the fact that the proponents know and sometimes outright say seas of people will lose their jobs (i.e., creatives and skilled workers) and rarely have an even passable answer about what these people will do instead.
Reposted by Simone Heller
I still can’t believe I sold four stories this year!
Apparently it’s awards season again?!?
Anyway, 2025 was an amazing year! Consider reading & maybe nominating:
Flash fiction:
sites.google.com/newmyths.com...
theorangebee.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
Short Story:
giganotosaurus.org/2025/07/01/w...
www.khoreomag.com/fiction/isla...
Anyway, 2025 was an amazing year! Consider reading & maybe nominating:
Flash fiction:
sites.google.com/newmyths.com...
theorangebee.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
Short Story:
giganotosaurus.org/2025/07/01/w...
www.khoreomag.com/fiction/isla...
NewMyths.com Issue #70 - Check Out
Check Out
by Sonia Focke
“What can I do for you today?” The Librarian had perfectly librarianesque wire-rimmed spectacles perched precariously on her snout, a delightfully librarian-y pink cardig...
sites.google.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I still can’t believe I sold four stories this year!
And last but not least, I'm running a fundraising event right now with my Seal Signal project. You help a really good seal center, I send you a cute seal sticker designed by a human artist. This is the project of my heart, all cobbled together to multiply the impact I could have on my own.
Donation Dive 1 has launched! This means you can:
- Donate directly to Natureland Skegness Seal Hospital
- Send a screenshot of the donation ("Thank you" page) via DM or on The Seal Signal webpage (scroll down for link)
- Get a sticker created by Haru mailed to you as a thank-you
- Donate directly to Natureland Skegness Seal Hospital
- Send a screenshot of the donation ("Thank you" page) via DM or on The Seal Signal webpage (scroll down for link)
- Get a sticker created by Haru mailed to you as a thank-you
December 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
And last but not least, I'm running a fundraising event right now with my Seal Signal project. You help a really good seal center, I send you a cute seal sticker designed by a human artist. This is the project of my heart, all cobbled together to multiply the impact I could have on my own.
3 books I translated this year that almost made me lose my mind (for different reasons - one was a lot to learn, one I jumped on last minute, and one … we don’t talk about Bruno). My two fav translations of 2025 are not out yet :(
December 18, 2025 at 1:56 PM
3 books I translated this year that almost made me lose my mind (for different reasons - one was a lot to learn, one I jumped on last minute, and one … we don’t talk about Bruno). My two fav translations of 2025 are not out yet :(
Crazy year I had! Probably the most busy ever, but I also lost 3 reliable clients since A offers to translate Kindle books with a click. So next year might look quite different, and I'm glad and very frightened. I'd really like to work less, but these are 8 books I'm not going to translate in 2026.
December 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Crazy year I had! Probably the most busy ever, but I also lost 3 reliable clients since A offers to translate Kindle books with a click. So next year might look quite different, and I'm glad and very frightened. I'd really like to work less, but these are 8 books I'm not going to translate in 2026.
Come for the acid-spitting centipedes, stay for the calm of the forest - and for many more fabulous stories in this bundle.
Simone Heller SALE
"When We Were Starless"
www.infinivoxsf.com/robots-ai-1
"Forever the Forest"
www.infinivoxsf.com/space-time-4
Sale ends 10/29:
www.infinivoxsf.com/product-page...
"When We Were Starless"
www.infinivoxsf.com/robots-ai-1
"Forever the Forest"
www.infinivoxsf.com/space-time-4
Sale ends 10/29:
www.infinivoxsf.com/product-page...
October 26, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Come for the acid-spitting centipedes, stay for the calm of the forest - and for many more fabulous stories in this bundle.
Reposted by Simone Heller
My friend @herlizardness.bsky.social has been working on a very cool (and VERY CUTE) new project - check out what she's doing at sealsignal.org and give The Seal Signal a follow?
(spoilers: delightful seal stickers designed by human artists)
(spoilers: delightful seal stickers designed by human artists)
October 17, 2025 at 8:19 AM
My friend @herlizardness.bsky.social has been working on a very cool (and VERY CUTE) new project - check out what she's doing at sealsignal.org and give The Seal Signal a follow?
(spoilers: delightful seal stickers designed by human artists)
(spoilers: delightful seal stickers designed by human artists)
I made a thing. Not my usual thing, but using similar skills - gathering information, structuring it, thinking up a good way to present it. Enter: The Seal Signal @sealsignal.bsky.social - a global guide to seal rescue and conservation.
October 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I made a thing. Not my usual thing, but using similar skills - gathering information, structuring it, thinking up a good way to present it. Enter: The Seal Signal @sealsignal.bsky.social - a global guide to seal rescue and conservation.
Not relevant in the big slop heap, but can AI comments/emails fuck off? It used to be easy to recognize spam comments. Now I get messages that look like someone read my posts or stories, and I’m like: oooh, exciting, let’s re… wait, why does this sound like biting into old socks on stale toast?
October 12, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Not relevant in the big slop heap, but can AI comments/emails fuck off? It used to be easy to recognize spam comments. Now I get messages that look like someone read my posts or stories, and I’m like: oooh, exciting, let’s re… wait, why does this sound like biting into old socks on stale toast?
Reposted by Simone Heller
"In the Sea of Binary Stars" by @herlizardness.bsky.social free to read online!
"We are both shadows of each other, but we are also ebb and flow, binary stars forever circling, both shining just as bright."
plotthoundmag.com/in-the-sea-o...
"We are both shadows of each other, but we are also ebb and flow, binary stars forever circling, both shining just as bright."
plotthoundmag.com/in-the-sea-o...
October 4, 2025 at 3:58 PM
"In the Sea of Binary Stars" by @herlizardness.bsky.social free to read online!
"We are both shadows of each other, but we are also ebb and flow, binary stars forever circling, both shining just as bright."
plotthoundmag.com/in-the-sea-o...
"We are both shadows of each other, but we are also ebb and flow, binary stars forever circling, both shining just as bright."
plotthoundmag.com/in-the-sea-o...
If you understand German oder French, one of the best cultural history things around at the moment is on Arte: Est-il vrai/Stimmt es, dass …? Often not what you expect and food for thought and interesting perspectives in every episode.
Stimmt es, dass ...? - Geschichte | ARTE
Hat die Demokratie ihren Ursprung in Griechenland? War die Pest die schlimmste Epidemie aller Zeiten? Und haben wir früher wirklich härter gearbeitet als heute? Das Geschichtsmagazin "Stimmt es, dass ...
www.arte.tv
September 12, 2025 at 8:38 PM
If you understand German oder French, one of the best cultural history things around at the moment is on Arte: Est-il vrai/Stimmt es, dass …? Often not what you expect and food for thought and interesting perspectives in every episode.
Reposted by Simone Heller
Want to explore the ocean beyond with me? "In the Sea of Binary Stars" is out now in Plott Hound Magazine issue 2, bringing you along for a speedy, but contemplative dive to the deepest depths! Chomp and tenderness, all in one blubbery package. plotthoundmag.com/issues/
Plott Hound issue 2 is now live!
Buy individual issue or annual subscription to access this latest menagerie:
plotthoundmag.com/issues/
Buy individual issue or annual subscription to access this latest menagerie:
plotthoundmag.com/issues/
September 6, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Want to explore the ocean beyond with me? "In the Sea of Binary Stars" is out now in Plott Hound Magazine issue 2, bringing you along for a speedy, but contemplative dive to the deepest depths! Chomp and tenderness, all in one blubbery package. plotthoundmag.com/issues/
Want to explore the ocean beyond with me? "In the Sea of Binary Stars" is out now in Plott Hound Magazine issue 2, bringing you along for a speedy, but contemplative dive to the deepest depths! Chomp and tenderness, all in one blubbery package. plotthoundmag.com/issues/
Plott Hound issue 2 is now live!
Buy individual issue or annual subscription to access this latest menagerie:
plotthoundmag.com/issues/
Buy individual issue or annual subscription to access this latest menagerie:
plotthoundmag.com/issues/
September 6, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Want to explore the ocean beyond with me? "In the Sea of Binary Stars" is out now in Plott Hound Magazine issue 2, bringing you along for a speedy, but contemplative dive to the deepest depths! Chomp and tenderness, all in one blubbery package. plotthoundmag.com/issues/
Reposted by Simone Heller
Plott Hound issue 2 is now live!
Buy individual issue or annual subscription to access this latest menagerie:
plotthoundmag.com/issues/
Buy individual issue or annual subscription to access this latest menagerie:
plotthoundmag.com/issues/
September 5, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Working class monsters (and very nice animation): Nobody
《中国奇谭》第1话：小妖怪的夏天【奇幻 | 传说 | 故事 | Made By Bilibili】
YouTube video by 哔哩哔哩动画Anime Made By Bilibili - 欢迎订阅 -
youtu.be
September 5, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Working class monsters (and very nice animation): Nobody
A wonderful piece of art for all you museum & fox lovers out there!
Free Fiction Friday is here! In this mind-bending exploration of a painting, a fox pulls a Bartleby and a hunter is left questioning his purpose magazine.trollbreath.com/la-foret-de-...
September 5, 2025 at 10:59 AM
A wonderful piece of art for all you museum & fox lovers out there!
👀 🌊✨
We're putting the finishing touches on Plott Hound Magazine, Issue Two.
Here's a sneak peak at the cover!
Here's a sneak peak at the cover!
August 29, 2025 at 11:13 PM
👀 🌊✨
Reposted by Simone Heller
Nooooo
This app is integrated in Kobo readers and they’ve been my dream reading team for everything forever :( :( :(
This app is integrated in Kobo readers and they’ve been my dream reading team for everything forever :( :( :(
May 22, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Nooooo
This app is integrated in Kobo readers and they’ve been my dream reading team for everything forever :( :( :(
This app is integrated in Kobo readers and they’ve been my dream reading team for everything forever :( :( :(
Reposted by Simone Heller
My impression is that there are currently competing views on the truth of digital images - one still looking for objective evidence, the other seeing them more as symbolic representations of a subjective reality. And both views can even be held by the same people, depending on context
5/
5/
May 22, 2025 at 6:17 AM
My impression is that there are currently competing views on the truth of digital images - one still looking for objective evidence, the other seeing them more as symbolic representations of a subjective reality. And both views can even be held by the same people, depending on context
5/
5/
Reposted by Simone Heller
im so intensely proud of this story. we wanted to tell a story where-- like many of my fave godzilla movies-- it was about the people living in the literal shadow of godzilla
hustlers still hustle, criminals still commit crimes...and sometimes godzilla destroys the city during all of that
hustlers still hustle, criminals still commit crimes...and sometimes godzilla destroys the city during all of that
Inks from IDW's (Eisner nominated) anthology "Godzilla 70th Anniversary special"
From a story by the amazing Danny Lore @weredawgz.bsky.social
Edited by @davidmariotte.bsky.social and Jake Williams
From a story by the amazing Danny Lore @weredawgz.bsky.social
Edited by @davidmariotte.bsky.social and Jake Williams
May 21, 2025 at 9:45 PM
im so intensely proud of this story. we wanted to tell a story where-- like many of my fave godzilla movies-- it was about the people living in the literal shadow of godzilla
hustlers still hustle, criminals still commit crimes...and sometimes godzilla destroys the city during all of that
hustlers still hustle, criminals still commit crimes...and sometimes godzilla destroys the city during all of that
Reposted by Simone Heller
Today is Sprint for the Seals day! I’ll very much galumph for the seals because my body decided it’s time for a flare-up. No time to rest though - the residents and rehab patients of the Cornish Seal Sanctuary need a new pool. Me and the seals would be chuffed if you could help #sealsky
Sprint For Seals 2025
Help Simone Heller raise money to support SEA LIFE Trust
www.justgiving.com
May 18, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Today is Sprint for the Seals day! I’ll very much galumph for the seals because my body decided it’s time for a flare-up. No time to rest though - the residents and rehab patients of the Cornish Seal Sanctuary need a new pool. Me and the seals would be chuffed if you could help #sealsky