Samuel Poots
@pootsidoodle.bsky.social
Writer of fiction, TTRPGs and lost to-do lists. PhD Researcher and Writer in Residence at Ulster University.
Associate Editor at @CastOfWonders.
Published in WFRP, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth RPG, Factor Four and Opulent Syntax
SFWA, OW-NI he/him
Associate Editor at @CastOfWonders.
Published in WFRP, Jim Henson’s Labyrinth RPG, Factor Four and Opulent Syntax
SFWA, OW-NI he/him
Reposted by Samuel Poots
What's interesting about LLMs and training data theft is how, in spite of all the threats of fire and brimstone on the copyright pages of our books, publishers rolled over.
Despite this, the Anthropic settlement insists that payouts will be given to the publishers too as they are 'legal owners'.
Despite this, the Anthropic settlement insists that payouts will be given to the publishers too as they are 'legal owners'.
November 18, 2025 at 12:47 PM
What's interesting about LLMs and training data theft is how, in spite of all the threats of fire and brimstone on the copyright pages of our books, publishers rolled over.
Despite this, the Anthropic settlement insists that payouts will be given to the publishers too as they are 'legal owners'.
Despite this, the Anthropic settlement insists that payouts will be given to the publishers too as they are 'legal owners'.
A few years ago, I wrote a story about a church having an AI-powered holographic confessional where people could come and talk to a Christ hologram. I never went past the first draft as I didn't think it worked. Now I'm thinking I need to look it over again.
FFS
FFS
Personal Jesus
“reach out and text faith”
my god it was right there, who’s in charge of marketing here?!
“reach out and text faith”
my god it was right there, who’s in charge of marketing here?!
November 15, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A few years ago, I wrote a story about a church having an AI-powered holographic confessional where people could come and talk to a Christ hologram. I never went past the first draft as I didn't think it worked. Now I'm thinking I need to look it over again.
FFS
FFS
Reposted by Samuel Poots
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 AM
As of this morning, Starbucks workers across the country are officially ON STRIKE. And we're prepared for this to become the biggest and longest ULP strike in Starbucks history.
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Say #NoContractNoCoffee with us: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS for the duration of our open-ended ULP strike! $SBUX
Reposted by Samuel Poots
This time last year, @tansyrr.bsky.social gave us her list of the great (male) brutes and villains of the #Discworld...
Read it here (for free!): www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/brutes-villains
Read it here (for free!): www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/brutes-villains
November 4, 2025 at 11:20 PM
This time last year, @tansyrr.bsky.social gave us her list of the great (male) brutes and villains of the #Discworld...
Read it here (for free!): www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/brutes-villains
Read it here (for free!): www.speculativeinsight.com/essays/brutes-villains
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Last Year in Marienburg is a noirish Warhammer fanfic that I am sharing on Patreon, with a twist - my community are helping me write it!
Anyone can read it for free and paid supporters can vote on what happens next!
#Warhammer
www.patreon.com/posts/last-y...
Anyone can read it for free and paid supporters can vote on what happens next!
#Warhammer
www.patreon.com/posts/last-y...
November 3, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Last Year in Marienburg is a noirish Warhammer fanfic that I am sharing on Patreon, with a twist - my community are helping me write it!
Anyone can read it for free and paid supporters can vote on what happens next!
#Warhammer
www.patreon.com/posts/last-y...
Anyone can read it for free and paid supporters can vote on what happens next!
#Warhammer
www.patreon.com/posts/last-y...
Reposted by Samuel Poots
I’ve realized!! If you care about medical justice and want to make a direct material difference in my case for totally free, here’s something quick that anyone can do:
Send a brief impact statement to trystanjhawthorne@gmail.com
For both general audiences and fellow creators.
Send a brief impact statement to trystanjhawthorne@gmail.com
For both general audiences and fellow creators.
November 3, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I’ve realized!! If you care about medical justice and want to make a direct material difference in my case for totally free, here’s something quick that anyone can do:
Send a brief impact statement to trystanjhawthorne@gmail.com
For both general audiences and fellow creators.
Send a brief impact statement to trystanjhawthorne@gmail.com
For both general audiences and fellow creators.
Cecile! This collection is fantastic, definitely recommend and a thoroughly well-deserved win.
The winner is Elephants in Bloom by Cecile Cristofari published by Newcon Press.
November 2, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Cecile! This collection is fantastic, definitely recommend and a thoroughly well-deserved win.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
#Hellweek25
Day 7: Halloween / Free day!
Hell's Kitchen. 👻🍳
#Art #Illustration #DCcomics #Hellblazer #JohnConstantine #Artsky
Day 7: Halloween / Free day!
Hell's Kitchen. 👻🍳
#Art #Illustration #DCcomics #Hellblazer #JohnConstantine #Artsky
November 1, 2025 at 1:22 AM
#Hellweek25
Day 7: Halloween / Free day!
Hell's Kitchen. 👻🍳
#Art #Illustration #DCcomics #Hellblazer #JohnConstantine #Artsky
Day 7: Halloween / Free day!
Hell's Kitchen. 👻🍳
#Art #Illustration #DCcomics #Hellblazer #JohnConstantine #Artsky
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Hehe.
Cartoon from @skullpizza.bsky.social
Cartoon from @skullpizza.bsky.social
![Cartoon panels showing a female-coded scientist in a white coat and goggles, a monster made of eyeballs, and a pumpkin-head creature on the final panel:
[scientist] I LOVE YOU, JEREMY, BUT WE CAN'T DO THIS!
[eyeballs] BE HONEST, PROFESSOR.
IS IT BECAUSE YOU MADE ME OUT OF EYEBALLS?
[scientist] NO, NO... IT'S UNETHICAL FOR ME TO DATE PUPILS
[pumpkinhead] NOPE. THAT’S IT. COMICTOBER'S
CANCELED. SORRY FOLKS](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yhpcrxbxkp2nsnpno7ow3uw4/bafkreid5pm5gtcutlkuuzwrdhm2krsle46ixdurmxu3fnsb7alr7iz3a2e@jpeg)
November 1, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Hehe.
Cartoon from @skullpizza.bsky.social
Cartoon from @skullpizza.bsky.social
When You need something vaguely Halloween costumish and end up as budget (and overwhelmed and sleep deprived) third/eleventh Doctor.
October 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM
When You need something vaguely Halloween costumish and end up as budget (and overwhelmed and sleep deprived) third/eleventh Doctor.
What Az has faced is horrific. Please, take a second to read this and if you know a way to help, or know someone who might be able to, do what you can.
Do we know anyone who can help with this? Can we help find the right people?
When You Trust A Dentist And Barely Survive. | The Azrai
Get more from The Azrai on Patreon
www.patreon.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 PM
What Az has faced is horrific. Please, take a second to read this and if you know a way to help, or know someone who might be able to, do what you can.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Call for Lakota and Native American sensitivity readers!!
#HorrorWritersChat I am trying so hard to figure out the best way to present this project.
I'm saving up for a website, hire beta readers, and I still need to find Lakota and other Native American sensitivity readers.
...I need to make a list. IN the meantime, snippets? Maybe? My grammar sucks.
I'm saving up for a website, hire beta readers, and I still need to find Lakota and other Native American sensitivity readers.
...I need to make a list. IN the meantime, snippets? Maybe? My grammar sucks.
October 29, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Call for Lakota and Native American sensitivity readers!!
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Strange Horizons will be open to fiction submissions from Indigenous authors only on November 3rd at 9am UTC!
The window will close after 500 submissions are received.
More information:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...
If you sent us a story in April or June, you CANNOT submit in this window.
The window will close after 500 submissions are received.
More information:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...
If you sent us a story in April or June, you CANNOT submit in this window.
October 27, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Strange Horizons will be open to fiction submissions from Indigenous authors only on November 3rd at 9am UTC!
The window will close after 500 submissions are received.
More information:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...
If you sent us a story in April or June, you CANNOT submit in this window.
The window will close after 500 submissions are received.
More information:
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/no...
If you sent us a story in April or June, you CANNOT submit in this window.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Ey folks
Could anyone possibly extend a helping hand of about 20-30 bucks to my venmo so myself, my partner and our two cats can stay another night in the motel we are in? We are ALMOST at a place we can recover from but not quite yet x.x
Username is MxJanusu,
Picture of kitties for algo
Could anyone possibly extend a helping hand of about 20-30 bucks to my venmo so myself, my partner and our two cats can stay another night in the motel we are in? We are ALMOST at a place we can recover from but not quite yet x.x
Username is MxJanusu,
Picture of kitties for algo
October 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Ey folks
Could anyone possibly extend a helping hand of about 20-30 bucks to my venmo so myself, my partner and our two cats can stay another night in the motel we are in? We are ALMOST at a place we can recover from but not quite yet x.x
Username is MxJanusu,
Picture of kitties for algo
Could anyone possibly extend a helping hand of about 20-30 bucks to my venmo so myself, my partner and our two cats can stay another night in the motel we are in? We are ALMOST at a place we can recover from but not quite yet x.x
Username is MxJanusu,
Picture of kitties for algo
After four years, the WFRP game I started during the pandemic has finally come to its conclusion. This monthly game with my incredibly talented and funny friends was a gift. I feel so blessed we could tell this story together. And the Slayer survived!
October 23, 2025 at 10:42 PM
After four years, the WFRP game I started during the pandemic has finally come to its conclusion. This monthly game with my incredibly talented and funny friends was a gift. I feel so blessed we could tell this story together. And the Slayer survived!
Reposted by Samuel Poots
"But soft! What light through yonder window... BRAKES!"
Shakespeare family home damaged by reversing driver
Shakespeare family home damaged by reversing driver
A 17th-century building that housed William Shakespeare's family has been left damaged after a driver reversed into it.
news.sky.com
October 19, 2025 at 12:23 PM
"But soft! What light through yonder window... BRAKES!"
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Hey all 👋 my living situation has dramatically changed. I should be fine for a few months, but if you'd like to help me make - significantly increased - rent, then any change would be greatly appreciated.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/spice8rack
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/spice8rack
PayPal: spice8rack@gmail.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/spice8rack
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/spice8rack
PayPal: spice8rack@gmail.com
Get more from Spice8Rack on Patreon
Creating Magic: the Gathering Adjacent Content
www.patreon.com
October 12, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Hey all 👋 my living situation has dramatically changed. I should be fine for a few months, but if you'd like to help me make - significantly increased - rent, then any change would be greatly appreciated.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/spice8rack
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/spice8rack
PayPal: spice8rack@gmail.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/spice8rack
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/spice8rack
PayPal: spice8rack@gmail.com
Reposted by Samuel Poots
October 5, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Big news from BFS members (and leaders) @shonak.bsky.social and @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social: A new independent non-profit organisation designed to help creatives thrive in publishing. Here's @divergent-paths.bsky.social
britishfantasysociety.org/divergent-pa...
britishfantasysociety.org/divergent-pa...
September 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Big news from BFS members (and leaders) @shonak.bsky.social and @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social: A new independent non-profit organisation designed to help creatives thrive in publishing. Here's @divergent-paths.bsky.social
britishfantasysociety.org/divergent-pa...
britishfantasysociety.org/divergent-pa...
A perfect cup of ADHTea. To make ADHTea, start making a cup of tea, then forget about it for an hour. The third time you do this, you’ve made ADHTea.
September 28, 2025 at 2:31 PM
A perfect cup of ADHTea. To make ADHTea, start making a cup of tea, then forget about it for an hour. The third time you do this, you’ve made ADHTea.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
Translunar Traveler's Lounge is open for speculative fiction, 5000 words and under. Please check the guidelines before submitting, but other than that, don't self-reject. translunartravelerslounge.com/submissions/
Submissions
Broadly defined, the type of fiction we are looking for is “fun”. [Go to Submissions]
translunartravelerslounge.com
September 28, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Translunar Traveler's Lounge is open for speculative fiction, 5000 words and under. Please check the guidelines before submitting, but other than that, don't self-reject. translunartravelerslounge.com/submissions/
Reposted by Samuel Poots
If you're tired and need a hug today, I'd like to offer this story of mine. It's about a haunted house so lonely that it promises it'll behave if anyone will just live in it.
DP FICTION #64A: “Open House on Haunted Hill” by John Wiswell – Diabolical Plots
www.diabolicalplots.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:01 PM
If you're tired and need a hug today, I'd like to offer this story of mine. It's about a haunted house so lonely that it promises it'll behave if anyone will just live in it.
Reposted by Samuel Poots
whoa october is around the corner!
reminder that we'll be open again for novellas soon.
more info here: www.neonhemlock.com/submissions
reminder that we'll be open again for novellas soon.
more info here: www.neonhemlock.com/submissions
September 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
whoa october is around the corner!
reminder that we'll be open again for novellas soon.
more info here: www.neonhemlock.com/submissions
reminder that we'll be open again for novellas soon.
more info here: www.neonhemlock.com/submissions
Just gave this a read and it is a wonderfully wicked little flash piece, a glimpse into a future I find too depressingly real with a great sting in its tail.
I have a sci-fi flash fiction out with @metastellar.bsky.social today!
If you have 4 minutes and fancy a fun take on what the future of advertising may hold, please have a read.
www.metastellar.com/fiction/flas...
If you have 4 minutes and fancy a fun take on what the future of advertising may hold, please have a read.
www.metastellar.com/fiction/flas...
Adverts - MetaStellar
“They know your search history!” Priya shook her head and sighed. “So stop living your wish fulfillment fantasy and bloody ask him before you end up in a contract, a cult, or even worse, an MLM.”
www.metastellar.com
September 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Just gave this a read and it is a wonderfully wicked little flash piece, a glimpse into a future I find too depressingly real with a great sting in its tail.