Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
@russeldmclean.bsky.social
Novelist, screenwriter, freelance dev editor. Crime/thriller/sff/horror. General miscreant. Dad of cats. Scottish. Latest Book: THE FRIDAY GIRL (as R.D. McLean)
https://www.russeldmcleanbooks.com
https://www.russeldmcleanbooks.com
Pinned
J McNee
Visit Amazon's J McNee page and shop for all J McNee books. Check out pictures, author information and reviews of J McNee
www.amazon.co.uk
At last all five of the J McNee books are on KDP select -- meaning if you have Kindle Unlimited you can read em as part of your subscription! Go on and get yer fill of some late 2000s/early2010s Dundee noir! www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0822L7CP...
Reposted by Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
We’re BACK filming brand new Cops and Monsters! And you can support our vertical series & audio series by grabbing a perk at
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/eWoNXXY... and share the link!
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/eWoNXXY... and share the link!
January 24, 2026 at 12:40 PM
We’re BACK filming brand new Cops and Monsters! And you can support our vertical series & audio series by grabbing a perk at
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/eWoNXXY... and share the link!
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/eWoNXXY... and share the link!
The key to dramatic writing, imo, is being both universal and specific at once. Universal in terms of emotional drivers for characters, specific in terms of what that means in the moment. Most of the notes I give tend towards pinpointing the actual manifestation of/reason for emotional reactions.
January 24, 2026 at 12:30 PM
The key to dramatic writing, imo, is being both universal and specific at once. Universal in terms of emotional drivers for characters, specific in terms of what that means in the moment. Most of the notes I give tend towards pinpointing the actual manifestation of/reason for emotional reactions.
Reposted by Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
For Jim Moir/Vic Reeves' birthday, a reminder it's thirty years this year since this advert.
January 24, 2026 at 10:01 AM
For Jim Moir/Vic Reeves' birthday, a reminder it's thirty years this year since this advert.
Last night's watch was the devastating AT CLOSE RANGE (1986, dir. James Foley) on @arrowvideo.bsky.social blu ray. Not one I knew, but it's based on a true story about a father/son conflict that brought down a criminal gang. Amazing performances from Walken and Penn anchor this dark neo-noir.
January 24, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Last night's watch was the devastating AT CLOSE RANGE (1986, dir. James Foley) on @arrowvideo.bsky.social blu ray. Not one I knew, but it's based on a true story about a father/son conflict that brought down a criminal gang. Amazing performances from Walken and Penn anchor this dark neo-noir.
Reposted by Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
GET YOUR RED SPREDGES BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. #redspredges
The @waterstones.bsky.social exclusive paperback of Pagans by @jamesbluecat.bsky.social is a limited edition, and stocks are going fast – so if you want shiny foil, red spredges, a sneak peek of the sequel *and* a bonus short story, you'll need to pre-order ASAP! www.waterstones.com/book/pagans/...
January 23, 2026 at 2:21 PM
GET YOUR RED SPREDGES BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. #redspredges
First day feeling nearly normal (for two days I couldn't even drink coffee!) this week -- behind with work and trying my damndest to catch up. Send dopamine and arse-kicking.
January 23, 2026 at 12:17 PM
First day feeling nearly normal (for two days I couldn't even drink coffee!) this week -- behind with work and trying my damndest to catch up. Send dopamine and arse-kicking.
Also... that brilliant Blues Legend cameo in the final moments was heartbreakingly brilliant...
Finally saw SINNERS (2025, dir. Ryan Coogler) a few nights ago. A bizzarely brilliant genre mash-up that works because it remains honest to its own story and characters... and it looks absolutely bloody amazing, too... It deserves those 16 Oscar nominations and to win as many of those as possible.
January 22, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Also... that brilliant Blues Legend cameo in the final moments was heartbreakingly brilliant...
Finally saw SINNERS (2025, dir. Ryan Coogler) a few nights ago. A bizzarely brilliant genre mash-up that works because it remains honest to its own story and characters... and it looks absolutely bloody amazing, too... It deserves those 16 Oscar nominations and to win as many of those as possible.
January 22, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Finally saw SINNERS (2025, dir. Ryan Coogler) a few nights ago. A bizzarely brilliant genre mash-up that works because it remains honest to its own story and characters... and it looks absolutely bloody amazing, too... It deserves those 16 Oscar nominations and to win as many of those as possible.
I mean... I think their defence here is definitely watertight...
The greatest story you’ll read today 😂😂🫡
Forward it on for the betterment of mankind & also to get me into heaven
Forward it on for the betterment of mankind & also to get me into heaven
January 22, 2026 at 1:19 PM
I mean... I think their defence here is definitely watertight...
Reposted by Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
“We’ve invented a magic computer. It uses all of the earth’s resources, we’ve spent trillions on it and it’s the sole growth area of the US economy.”
“What does it do?”
“We were hoping you could tell us.”
“What does it do?”
“We were hoping you could tell us.”
Delicious to me
January 22, 2026 at 7:36 AM
“We’ve invented a magic computer. It uses all of the earth’s resources, we’ve spent trillions on it and it’s the sole growth area of the US economy.”
“What does it do?”
“We were hoping you could tell us.”
“What does it do?”
“We were hoping you could tell us.”
Reposted by Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
GREENE DOOR MENTORING SCHEME
@greeneandheaton.bsky.social is delighted to be bringing back its Greene Door mentoring scheme for writers from underrepresented backgrounds✍️
📜Completed manuscript not required.
🗓️Closing date is 27 Mar 2026.
More Info: greeneheaton.co.uk/the-greene-d...
@greeneandheaton.bsky.social is delighted to be bringing back its Greene Door mentoring scheme for writers from underrepresented backgrounds✍️
📜Completed manuscript not required.
🗓️Closing date is 27 Mar 2026.
More Info: greeneheaton.co.uk/the-greene-d...
January 22, 2026 at 11:19 AM
GREENE DOOR MENTORING SCHEME
@greeneandheaton.bsky.social is delighted to be bringing back its Greene Door mentoring scheme for writers from underrepresented backgrounds✍️
📜Completed manuscript not required.
🗓️Closing date is 27 Mar 2026.
More Info: greeneheaton.co.uk/the-greene-d...
@greeneandheaton.bsky.social is delighted to be bringing back its Greene Door mentoring scheme for writers from underrepresented backgrounds✍️
📜Completed manuscript not required.
🗓️Closing date is 27 Mar 2026.
More Info: greeneheaton.co.uk/the-greene-d...
Reposted by Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
I’ve added the script for Wake Up Dead Man to my site. This is the final shooting script, so it has stuff that was cut and moved around, which I always think is more interesting to see than a conformed cleaned up version. Enjoy! www.rian-johnson.com/screenplays
rcjohnso / scripts
Free screenplays for Brick, Brothers Bloom and Looper.
www.rian-johnson.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:23 AM
I’ve added the script for Wake Up Dead Man to my site. This is the final shooting script, so it has stuff that was cut and moved around, which I always think is more interesting to see than a conformed cleaned up version. Enjoy! www.rian-johnson.com/screenplays
Folks, you KNOW you want to read this one! Get out there and get reading this cracking novel... (and then seek out @lesleymcdowell.bsky.social's next book, LOVE AND OTHER POISONS, about a real-life murderer who got away with it, and which is equally stunning!)
It's Byron's birthday today but you want to read about the woman he impregnated at 18, who was Mary Shelley's stepsister, who became a governess in Russia, who owned her own apartment in Paris, who was fictionalised by Henry James in The Aspern Papers...
January 22, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Folks, you KNOW you want to read this one! Get out there and get reading this cracking novel... (and then seek out @lesleymcdowell.bsky.social's next book, LOVE AND OTHER POISONS, about a real-life murderer who got away with it, and which is equally stunning!)
And an excellent investment for those looking to learn more about the craft of screenwriting... If you ain't already, folks, you should check it out!
January 22, 2026 at 12:02 PM
And an excellent investment for those looking to learn more about the craft of screenwriting... If you ain't already, folks, you should check it out!
Rubbish week so far -- a cold has taken hold at Casa McLean, and while I've escaped the worst of it, I've managed to get a massively blocked head meaning I can barely look at a screen to do edits. Slightly better today at least so cracking on, but blaaach...
January 22, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Rubbish week so far -- a cold has taken hold at Casa McLean, and while I've escaped the worst of it, I've managed to get a massively blocked head meaning I can barely look at a screen to do edits. Slightly better today at least so cracking on, but blaaach...
This will be excellent -- @tariqashkanani.bsky.social is bloody excellent (and @hullnoir.bsky.social are pretty awesome, too!). If you're in Hull, get down there... if you ain't, get on that livestream!
January 20, 2026 at 5:56 PM
This will be excellent -- @tariqashkanani.bsky.social is bloody excellent (and @hullnoir.bsky.social are pretty awesome, too!). If you're in Hull, get down there... if you ain't, get on that livestream!
I know why people were slow or reluctant to leave X (I left my account up for ages as a placeholder/so I could see what was happening) but now we need to walk away. News orgs etc need to the same, I think. The platform is no longer fit for purpose. Great move by @societyofauthors.bsky.social here.
We have made the decision to formally close our X social media account. Once a vibrant platform to promote the interests of authors, we feel X is no longer a trusted place for balance, community support, and reliable information.
January 20, 2026 at 12:05 PM
I know why people were slow or reluctant to leave X (I left my account up for ages as a placeholder/so I could see what was happening) but now we need to walk away. News orgs etc need to the same, I think. The platform is no longer fit for purpose. Great move by @societyofauthors.bsky.social here.
I never get a massive number of loans (Although please -- use libraries, folks! And if you take out my books, that's an added bonus for me!) but even the tiny slice of PLR (Public Lending Right) I get helps to ease a bill or two or even get a wee night out... Such a brilliant scheme!
fry from futurama says " and it 's all thanks to the books at my local library .. "
ALT: fry from futurama says " and it 's all thanks to the books at my local library .. "
media.tenor.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:47 PM
I never get a massive number of loans (Although please -- use libraries, folks! And if you take out my books, that's an added bonus for me!) but even the tiny slice of PLR (Public Lending Right) I get helps to ease a bill or two or even get a wee night out... Such a brilliant scheme!
Reposted by Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
Reposted by Russel D McLean/R.D. McLean
John Boorman is 93.
This anecdote about him & Lee Marvin has quite the punchline.
This anecdote about him & Lee Marvin has quite the punchline.
January 18, 2026 at 12:14 PM
John Boorman is 93.
This anecdote about him & Lee Marvin has quite the punchline.
This anecdote about him & Lee Marvin has quite the punchline.
Tonight's comfort watch finds Bob Hope in a creepy Louisiana mansion with a killer on the loose and a fortune at stake -- its the 1939 comedy-horror, THE CAT AND THE CANARY (dir. Elliot Nugent) in the lovely Eureka Video edition on blu ray...
January 19, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Tonight's comfort watch finds Bob Hope in a creepy Louisiana mansion with a killer on the loose and a fortune at stake -- its the 1939 comedy-horror, THE CAT AND THE CANARY (dir. Elliot Nugent) in the lovely Eureka Video edition on blu ray...
Got an early read of @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social's latest, THE EDGE OF DARKNESS -- the 6th Malabar House mystery... A headless corpse, a potential uprising, shadowy Americans... this 1950s-India set mystery is a true treat... & Persis Wadia, India's first female police detective is a superb creation!
January 18, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Got an early read of @vaseemkhanuk.bsky.social's latest, THE EDGE OF DARKNESS -- the 6th Malabar House mystery... A headless corpse, a potential uprising, shadowy Americans... this 1950s-India set mystery is a true treat... & Persis Wadia, India's first female police detective is a superb creation!
Finally got round to watching WEAPONS (2025) last night... & really enjoyed! A slow, weird build up and a cathartic final act... and at least one moment that made me jump, too, which is increasingly unusual... Yes, it's maybe more shallow than its structure suggests, but in the end it's great fun!
a shadow of a person running down a dark street
ALT: a shadow of a person running down a dark street
media.tenor.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Finally got round to watching WEAPONS (2025) last night... & really enjoyed! A slow, weird build up and a cathartic final act... and at least one moment that made me jump, too, which is increasingly unusual... Yes, it's maybe more shallow than its structure suggests, but in the end it's great fun!
The whole AI thing is lies within lies. It doesn't what it says it does. It doesn't do what it implies it does. It's smoke and mirrors and it's actively making the world a worse place in every conceivable way. [/end rant mode]
January 17, 2026 at 2:16 PM
The whole AI thing is lies within lies. It doesn't what it says it does. It doesn't do what it implies it does. It's smoke and mirrors and it's actively making the world a worse place in every conceivable way. [/end rant mode]
Another read: Victor LaValle's THE DEVIL IN SILVER. (pubbed this month). A man finds himself trapped on a mental health ward following sloppy police paperwork. But he soon realises that another more surreal horror stalks the wards at night... Unsettling, angry & excellent.
January 17, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Another read: Victor LaValle's THE DEVIL IN SILVER. (pubbed this month). A man finds himself trapped on a mental health ward following sloppy police paperwork. But he soon realises that another more surreal horror stalks the wards at night... Unsettling, angry & excellent.