Mal Neil
@malneil.bsky.social
Recalcitrant and obscure. A career in books has propelled me to anonymity
I'm also a nerd.. of a culture, soccer, and life variety.
I'm also a nerd.. of a culture, soccer, and life variety.
Reposted by Mal Neil
“Teachers and librarians are scared to get fired. So we make sure these books are still accessible. Some of our book smugglers can’t tell you who they are, but they’re out there.” - Tony Diaz, founder of Librotraficantes (Reporting Texas)
@penamerica.bsky.social
@penamerica.bsky.social
As a New Texas Law Clamps Down on School Libraries, 'Librotraficantes' Fight Back - Reporting Texas
Just two months after a new Texas law expanded parents’ power to challenge school library books, authors gathered at the Texas Book Festival’s Banned Book Bash to read from titles that have been banne...
www.reportingtexas.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“Teachers and librarians are scared to get fired. So we make sure these books are still accessible. Some of our book smugglers can’t tell you who they are, but they’re out there.” - Tony Diaz, founder of Librotraficantes (Reporting Texas)
@penamerica.bsky.social
@penamerica.bsky.social
Reposted by Mal Neil
Expertly crafted from mouth-blown glass
October 18, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Expertly crafted from mouth-blown glass
The idea that ebooks are designed by 'regimes' to be a tool of repression is bonkers.
Under authoritarian regimes, the dictator often reaches out to restrict access to books. That is already happening. The push for years has been to encourage e-books, which can be erased from your devices at any point by those selling them to you. #writingcommunity #booksky #ebooks #writing #books
September 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM
The idea that ebooks are designed by 'regimes' to be a tool of repression is bonkers.
Calling the new york times a centre left publication requires some pretty extreme recalibration of left wing politics.
It only works if you accept their mainstreaming of proto fascists as traditional conservatives.
It only works if you accept their mainstreaming of proto fascists as traditional conservatives.
September 14, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Calling the new york times a centre left publication requires some pretty extreme recalibration of left wing politics.
It only works if you accept their mainstreaming of proto fascists as traditional conservatives.
It only works if you accept their mainstreaming of proto fascists as traditional conservatives.
I worked with meanjin a few years ago on supporting its sales to close the incredibly small gap between its revenue and costs.
It had made progress. The small amount needed to subsidise could be found if UofM saw literary culture as important.
It clearly doesn't.
It had made progress. The small amount needed to subsidise could be found if UofM saw literary culture as important.
It clearly doesn't.
September 4, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I worked with meanjin a few years ago on supporting its sales to close the incredibly small gap between its revenue and costs.
It had made progress. The small amount needed to subsidise could be found if UofM saw literary culture as important.
It clearly doesn't.
It had made progress. The small amount needed to subsidise could be found if UofM saw literary culture as important.
It clearly doesn't.
She did you know
open.spotify.com/track/4ekr46...
open.spotify.com/track/4ekr46...
Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)
open.spotify.com
August 29, 2025 at 8:09 AM
She did you know
open.spotify.com/track/4ekr46...
open.spotify.com/track/4ekr46...
Who could ever forget the masterful negotiated end to the Vietnam war.
American exceptionalism right down to the last fleeing helicopter and the total capitulation of the South Vietnamese forces.
American exceptionalism right down to the last fleeing helicopter and the total capitulation of the South Vietnamese forces.
JD Vance: "This is how wars ultimately get settled. If you go back to World War 2, if you go back to every major conflict in human history, they all end with some kind of negotiation."
August 25, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Who could ever forget the masterful negotiated end to the Vietnam war.
American exceptionalism right down to the last fleeing helicopter and the total capitulation of the South Vietnamese forces.
American exceptionalism right down to the last fleeing helicopter and the total capitulation of the South Vietnamese forces.
Reposted by Mal Neil
Support Bookish in Bendigo, official Bendigo Writers Festival bookseller who would have spent months stocking books for the event and have pulled out in solidarity. Call them for your next book order if you can, or even pay it forward for one of their customers.
+61 3 5406 0596
+61 3 5406 0596
August 15, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Support Bookish in Bendigo, official Bendigo Writers Festival bookseller who would have spent months stocking books for the event and have pulled out in solidarity. Call them for your next book order if you can, or even pay it forward for one of their customers.
+61 3 5406 0596
+61 3 5406 0596
I have worked in books and publishing my entire adult life. I am from Bendigo where my love of ideas and reading were born.
The BWF and University I graduated from are acting against a fundamental right.
Denying the right to challenge injustice publicly is unsafe for everyone.
The BWF and University I graduated from are acting against a fundamental right.
Denying the right to challenge injustice publicly is unsafe for everyone.
August 15, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I have worked in books and publishing my entire adult life. I am from Bendigo where my love of ideas and reading were born.
The BWF and University I graduated from are acting against a fundamental right.
Denying the right to challenge injustice publicly is unsafe for everyone.
The BWF and University I graduated from are acting against a fundamental right.
Denying the right to challenge injustice publicly is unsafe for everyone.
Reposted by Mal Neil
It’s very sad seeing Australian cultural institutions tear themselves apart trying to prevent people from even talking about massacres and deliberate starvation
August 14, 2025 at 7:55 AM
It’s very sad seeing Australian cultural institutions tear themselves apart trying to prevent people from even talking about massacres and deliberate starvation
Well that's my Xmas presents sorted for creche!
August 6, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Well that's my Xmas presents sorted for creche!
Tim Winton's photo in today's guardian reminds me of someone.. a woman.
But according to AI HE DOESN'T!!
So removing my brain now obvs don't need it
But according to AI HE DOESN'T!!
So removing my brain now obvs don't need it
July 28, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Tim Winton's photo in today's guardian reminds me of someone.. a woman.
But according to AI HE DOESN'T!!
So removing my brain now obvs don't need it
But according to AI HE DOESN'T!!
So removing my brain now obvs don't need it
I fully expected this to be one post.. and was here for it.
The commitment to the bit is sublime
The commitment to the bit is sublime
July 13, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I fully expected this to be one post.. and was here for it.
The commitment to the bit is sublime
The commitment to the bit is sublime
Reposted by Mal Neil
I wonder whether the ABC will run anything on this outrage.
🚨Antisemitism boss Jillian Segal and her husband are the second biggest funders of far-right group "Advance". The extremist lobby group spreads online racism and xenophobia, including directly targeting Palestinians...
theklaxon.com.au/hrgd
theklaxon.com.au/hrgd
Jillian Segal and husband funding far-right group "Advance" - The Klaxon
Antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal and her husband are among the biggest funders of far-right group "Advance”, which spreads hateful propaganda and racist tropes.
theklaxon.com.au
July 12, 2025 at 6:39 AM
I wonder whether the ABC will run anything on this outrage.
Also Them: Ban Stories
Kristin Noem: "The greatest fear when you lose someone in your life is that people will forget them. So tell the stories that you knew and write them down and remember them because nobody wants their loved one that they don't have anymore to be forgotten."
July 12, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Also Them: Ban Stories
ME: Making idle comments and jokes about mushroom trial over a period of weeks
YOU: ranting about the death of publishing because of mushroom trial book
YOU: ranting about the death of publishing because of mushroom trial book
July 11, 2025 at 9:44 AM
ME: Making idle comments and jokes about mushroom trial over a period of weeks
YOU: ranting about the death of publishing because of mushroom trial book
YOU: ranting about the death of publishing because of mushroom trial book
I am shocked that a publisher of a non fiction bestseller still has not corrected the record.
This has never happened before...
according to said publisher.
IN OTHER NEWS how are Belle Gibson and Norma Khouri doing these days?
This has never happened before...
according to said publisher.
IN OTHER NEWS how are Belle Gibson and Norma Khouri doing these days?
July 8, 2025 at 12:09 AM
I am shocked that a publisher of a non fiction bestseller still has not corrected the record.
This has never happened before...
according to said publisher.
IN OTHER NEWS how are Belle Gibson and Norma Khouri doing these days?
This has never happened before...
according to said publisher.
IN OTHER NEWS how are Belle Gibson and Norma Khouri doing these days?
So many very online opinions about this... but sure, let's hang it on authors... Big Writing has flown under the radar for far too long.
If you win the Miles Franklin Literary Award, you'll receive $60,000 but pay as much as $20,000 of that back in tax.
If you *bet* on the winner of the Miles Franklin, your winnings are tax free.
Removing this tax is a small way we can support our authors, writes @alicektg.bsky.social.
If you *bet* on the winner of the Miles Franklin, your winnings are tax free.
Removing this tax is a small way we can support our authors, writes @alicektg.bsky.social.
Here's something absolutely cooked about books in Australia
Winning authors pay tax. Mug punters, that's another story.
www.canberratimes.com.au
June 26, 2025 at 3:34 AM
So many very online opinions about this... but sure, let's hang it on authors... Big Writing has flown under the radar for far too long.
A masterpiece in which the final scene with Enzo will make you weep
R.I.P Enzo Staiola, maybe THE face of Italian neorealism after Bicycle Thieves. I’m quoted in this Washington Post obituary of him archive.ph/fydat
June 7, 2025 at 9:20 AM
A masterpiece in which the final scene with Enzo will make you weep
Trans allies be visible... And stylish at the same time!!
Preorders for these amazing @transjusticeau.bsky.social via Sock Drawer Heroes t-shirts, jumpers and hoodies close tomorrow. I ordered a jumper! 🏳️⚧️ 💕 sockdrawerheroes.com/collections/...
Trans Justice Project
The Trans Justice Project is the first, trans-led, national campaigning organisation in Australia. The Trans Justice Project are working together with our communities, loved ones, and allies to bring ...
sockdrawerheroes.com
June 1, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Trans allies be visible... And stylish at the same time!!
Saving democracy by bigging up negative gearing
Kamala Harris takes swipe at Musk and warns world to ‘remember the 1930s’ at Gold Coast real estate conference
Kamala Harris takes swipe at Musk and warns world to ‘remember the 1930s’ at Gold Coast real estate conference
Former US vice president tells industry conference ‘I do worry, frankly, about what’s happening right now in the world’
Kamala Harris has criticised Elon Musk, noted “it’s important that we remember the 1930s” and raised concerns about AI when speaking to an audience of 4,500 real estate agents at an industry conference on the Gold Coast.
The former US vice president, who is visiting Australia for the first time, was the guest of honour at the 2025 Australian Real Estate Conference on Sunday. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
May 25, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Saving democracy by bigging up negative gearing
Remember that time the U.S.A invented WiFi 🤪
There is zero chance that he knows anything about anything in this post.
May 21, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Remember that time the U.S.A invented WiFi 🤪
I feel it is up to Gen X to continue to support the use of the semicolon; misuse the em dash; ignore the Oxford comma; and generally fuck around with grammar
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Marked decline in semicolons in English books, study suggests
Usage of punctuation down almost half in two decades as further research finds 67% of British students rarely use it
www.theguardian.com
May 18, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I feel it is up to Gen X to continue to support the use of the semicolon; misuse the em dash; ignore the Oxford comma; and generally fuck around with grammar
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Mal Neil
Vale Ali Kazak, the key educator and advocate for Palestine in Australia. Exceptional courage and commitment is needed to spend decades pursuing freedom for your people and to do so with few resources against considerable odds.
Vale Ali Kazak
On Sunday afternoon, we received the very sad news that Ali Kazak has died in Thailand, en route to Palestine. An extraordinary campaigner and shaper of the Palestinian cause for all his almost 80 years, his loss will be sorely felt. Stuart Rees wrote this tribute to Ali for Pearls and Irritations last November. More will follow in coming days.
johnmenadue.com
May 18, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Vale Ali Kazak, the key educator and advocate for Palestine in Australia. Exceptional courage and commitment is needed to spend decades pursuing freedom for your people and to do so with few resources against considerable odds.