bec/riley
@rileyforsythe.bsky.social
WOTCHER. I am bec/riley, a voracious reader, persistent writer, and general loudmouth queer trade union member living in South London (they/she)
Reposted by bec/riley
What ARE the haps?
November 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM
What ARE the haps?
I saved this issue for a rainy day to read cover-to-cover and was not disappointed. I particularly loved Jill Hopper’s riposte to Samuel Pepys, and Anna Shelton’s dressing down of anatomical eponyms. But as ever, the whole issue is filled with brilliant poems, and thoughtful essays and reviews. <3
We're absolutely delighted to announce Magma 93 'Liberation' is now published and available to buy on our website.
Edited by Isabelle Baafi @timtimtmi.bsky.social & @sohinibasak.bsky.social
#liberation #magma93
Get your hands on a copy now!
magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
Edited by Isabelle Baafi @timtimtmi.bsky.social & @sohinibasak.bsky.social
#liberation #magma93
Get your hands on a copy now!
magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
November 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I saved this issue for a rainy day to read cover-to-cover and was not disappointed. I particularly loved Jill Hopper’s riposte to Samuel Pepys, and Anna Shelton’s dressing down of anatomical eponyms. But as ever, the whole issue is filled with brilliant poems, and thoughtful essays and reviews. <3
Has there ever been a Taskmaster series where it could be anyone’s game right up to the finale? I kind of want Sanjeev to casually stroll away the winner despite (lol actually because of) his insouciance and total lack of fucks when morally is should by rights be Ania.
November 13, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Has there ever been a Taskmaster series where it could be anyone’s game right up to the finale? I kind of want Sanjeev to casually stroll away the winner despite (lol actually because of) his insouciance and total lack of fucks when morally is should by rights be Ania.
Okay so I said I wanted a gif of this to accurately reflect my brain….have just realised I’ve mislaid one of my favourite pens, the ballpoint pen with “Write Your Story” printed on the side, and I’m both genuinely gutted and feel way too aligned with Pauline Campbell-Jones for comfort 😬
I can’t believe they don’t have a gif of Bruce’s post-pen-theft meltdown. That’s probably more accurate.
November 12, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Okay so I said I wanted a gif of this to accurately reflect my brain….have just realised I’ve mislaid one of my favourite pens, the ballpoint pen with “Write Your Story” printed on the side, and I’m both genuinely gutted and feel way too aligned with Pauline Campbell-Jones for comfort 😬
This workshop sounds incredible.
Explore writing about our relationships with women with Jennifer Lee Tsai on 17 November, 5-7pm via Zoom. We will take inspiration from a range of poets including Isabelle Baafi, Katrina Naomi, Dzifa Benson, Degna Stone, and more! Visit the Salon to register. #amwriting
Mslexia Salon a magazine for women's writing and women who write.
Online events, writing surgeries and workshops for women writers. Join our vibrant online community.
mslexia.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
This workshop sounds incredible.
Reposted by bec/riley
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
I am so excited for this!!!! Yes it does merit multiple exclamation marks ‼️
25 November in the Roman amphitheatre at the London Guildhall, it's Instant Classics's first live event. We'll be talking about what life was like in Roman London. And a drink and mingle at the end. Had been sold out, but more tickets now released www.instantclassicspod.com/events
Instant Classics | Events
www.instantclassicspod.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:28 AM
I am so excited for this!!!! Yes it does merit multiple exclamation marks ‼️
While I’m okay with the cats re-establishing the litter Into Which We Do Not Pass Solids, I’m less keen on the recent practice of them demanding an audience for their pooping. Come on gals. You’re 7/8 months old, and big brave kitties do not need this kind of encouragement.
November 9, 2025 at 4:42 PM
While I’m okay with the cats re-establishing the litter Into Which We Do Not Pass Solids, I’m less keen on the recent practice of them demanding an audience for their pooping. Come on gals. You’re 7/8 months old, and big brave kitties do not need this kind of encouragement.
For sale: two cat beds, never slept in.
November 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
For sale: two cat beds, never slept in.
Two different approaches to radiator maximisation.
November 3, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Two different approaches to radiator maximisation.
A film you’ve seen more than seven times with a gif.
November 2, 2025 at 6:30 AM
A film you’ve seen more than seven times with a gif.
October reading:
45. The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
46. The Women of Troy - Pat Barker
47. Birding - Rose Ruane
48. The Artist - Lucy Steeds
45. The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
46. The Women of Troy - Pat Barker
47. Birding - Rose Ruane
48. The Artist - Lucy Steeds
November 1, 2025 at 8:05 AM
October reading:
45. The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
46. The Women of Troy - Pat Barker
47. Birding - Rose Ruane
48. The Artist - Lucy Steeds
45. The Island of Missing Trees - Elif Shafak
46. The Women of Troy - Pat Barker
47. Birding - Rose Ruane
48. The Artist - Lucy Steeds
Gal pals enjoying a loafing session near the toasty radiator.
November 1, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Gal pals enjoying a loafing session near the toasty radiator.
Current listening: Technique, proven by Science as the best New Order album - this is Fact not opinion, and anyone who disagrees is a certified jackass. I can say this cause I got loooove technique, innit.
a cartoon of spongebob with the words technique technique
ALT: a cartoon of spongebob with the words technique technique
media.tenor.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Current listening: Technique, proven by Science as the best New Order album - this is Fact not opinion, and anyone who disagrees is a certified jackass. I can say this cause I got loooove technique, innit.
Simone wants to play, too.
October 29, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Simone wants to play, too.
Reposted by bec/riley
This week in Instant Classics Bookclub, we take a step back & think about the repeated adjectives used to describe characters in the Odyssey. What is their point? Join the Bookclub here instantclassics.supportingcast.fm (& you can get an earlybird offer to our first live event on 25 Nov)
Instant Classics | Instant Classics
instantclassics.supportingcast.fm
October 29, 2025 at 9:26 AM
This week in Instant Classics Bookclub, we take a step back & think about the repeated adjectives used to describe characters in the Odyssey. What is their point? Join the Bookclub here instantclassics.supportingcast.fm (& you can get an earlybird offer to our first live event on 25 Nov)
An excellent three-card spread: first card (past) the Ten of Coins reversed, second card (present) Knight of Coins, third card (future) The Sun.
October 27, 2025 at 10:11 AM
An excellent three-card spread: first card (past) the Ten of Coins reversed, second card (present) Knight of Coins, third card (future) The Sun.
What’s it like inside your head?
October 23, 2025 at 6:53 PM
What’s it like inside your head?
Reposted by bec/riley
Unsolicited writing advice: no. 8075: There is no such thing as serious writing. There are only writers who take their work seriously, and those who don’t. Tragedy is no more “serious” than comedy. Children’s writing is no less “serious” than writing for adults. Good writing is wherever you find it.
October 20, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Unsolicited writing advice: no. 8075: There is no such thing as serious writing. There are only writers who take their work seriously, and those who don’t. Tragedy is no more “serious” than comedy. Children’s writing is no less “serious” than writing for adults. Good writing is wherever you find it.
Pop-propriation of The Velvet Underground: “Linger on….your pale pink beans”
October 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Pop-propriation of The Velvet Underground: “Linger on….your pale pink beans”
If we fits, we sits.
October 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
If we fits, we sits.
Abba pop-propriation inspired by the litter box:
Right now the Super Poopers’
Stink can nearly blind me
Honking from their bums (su-p-per, poo-p-per)
Zooming, having fun (su-p-per, poo-p-per)
Even after number one
Right now the Super Poopers’
Stink can nearly blind me
Honking from their bums (su-p-per, poo-p-per)
Zooming, having fun (su-p-per, poo-p-per)
Even after number one
October 17, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Abba pop-propriation inspired by the litter box:
Right now the Super Poopers’
Stink can nearly blind me
Honking from their bums (su-p-per, poo-p-per)
Zooming, having fun (su-p-per, poo-p-per)
Even after number one
Right now the Super Poopers’
Stink can nearly blind me
Honking from their bums (su-p-per, poo-p-per)
Zooming, having fun (su-p-per, poo-p-per)
Even after number one
One of these pervy fuckers was just spying on me and when I clocked him, flew off to join his creepy mates. How I loathe them.
October 16, 2025 at 9:18 AM
One of these pervy fuckers was just spying on me and when I clocked him, flew off to join his creepy mates. How I loathe them.