Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
@samarcand.itch.io
Girly Trans Soul Rebel, author & reader.
So many books.
So many comics.
So much tea.
Pronouns:she/her
https://linktr.ee/samarcand
So many books.
So many comics.
So much tea.
Pronouns:she/her
https://linktr.ee/samarcand
Pinned
I've decided that one of the reasons that people aren't buying my books is because they don't really know anything about them, because I'm really useless at publicising my work. But, if I can write threads talking about other people's books, then I can certainly do it for my own. So here goes.
There's a book that people have been recommending that I really should have taken note of but didn't because I'm daft. It's called something like 'There is No Memetic Underground' and the author's name is just consonants.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
February 19, 2026 at 6:55 AM
There's a book that people have been recommending that I really should have taken note of but didn't because I'm daft. It's called something like 'There is No Memetic Underground' and the author's name is just consonants.
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
Does anyone know what I'm talking about?
This is really good. Emory is one of my favourite writers of the moment.
Jack & Jill has real 'Dorley Hall' vibes but more towards the pre-Bea era. It's also beautifully illustrated with non-AI artwork.
Jack & Jill has real 'Dorley Hall' vibes but more towards the pre-Bea era. It's also beautifully illustrated with non-AI artwork.
I put Jack & Jill - Phase 1 & 2 up on my Itch.io for any of the curious!
emoryahlberg.itch.io/jack-jill-ph...
emoryahlberg.itch.io/jack-jill-ph...
Jack & Jill - Phase 1 by Emory Ahlberg
emoryahlberg.itch.io
February 18, 2026 at 8:53 PM
This is really good. Emory is one of my favourite writers of the moment.
Jack & Jill has real 'Dorley Hall' vibes but more towards the pre-Bea era. It's also beautifully illustrated with non-AI artwork.
Jack & Jill has real 'Dorley Hall' vibes but more towards the pre-Bea era. It's also beautifully illustrated with non-AI artwork.
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
New on my Patreon...
Half Sisters - Episode 71
Sandy episode! Nikki's been hogging the spotlight lately but it's time to stick with our girl from Boston, because Josh just flew in to surprise her and sometimes the most romantic gestures are also the most complicated.
Find it here! bit.ly/4nXgpDS
Half Sisters - Episode 71
Sandy episode! Nikki's been hogging the spotlight lately but it's time to stick with our girl from Boston, because Josh just flew in to surprise her and sometimes the most romantic gestures are also the most complicated.
Find it here! bit.ly/4nXgpDS
February 16, 2026 at 6:23 PM
New on my Patreon...
Half Sisters - Episode 71
Sandy episode! Nikki's been hogging the spotlight lately but it's time to stick with our girl from Boston, because Josh just flew in to surprise her and sometimes the most romantic gestures are also the most complicated.
Find it here! bit.ly/4nXgpDS
Half Sisters - Episode 71
Sandy episode! Nikki's been hogging the spotlight lately but it's time to stick with our girl from Boston, because Josh just flew in to surprise her and sometimes the most romantic gestures are also the most complicated.
Find it here! bit.ly/4nXgpDS
I'm enjoying Starfleet Academy but the opening titles must be the longest, dullest (admittedly prettiest but even so...) in the history of the Federation.
February 18, 2026 at 6:23 PM
I'm enjoying Starfleet Academy but the opening titles must be the longest, dullest (admittedly prettiest but even so...) in the history of the Federation.
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
A #poem of rage and love - the sort of poem I write that seems to anger anti trans voices (why they bother to have opinions about what I make I don’t know - they seem a bit obsessed)
cosmicshambles.myshopify.com/products/ice...
cosmicshambles.myshopify.com/products/ice...
February 18, 2026 at 10:15 AM
A #poem of rage and love - the sort of poem I write that seems to anger anti trans voices (why they bother to have opinions about what I make I don’t know - they seem a bit obsessed)
cosmicshambles.myshopify.com/products/ice...
cosmicshambles.myshopify.com/products/ice...
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
Figure I should share a post I saw myself for once :p
January 22, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Figure I should share a post I saw myself for once :p
My timeline
Feb 2015: go to gp and get referred
April 2016: First appointment at NRGDS
Oct 2016: Started hrt
July 2020: Bottom surgery
July 2023 (perhaps?): GRC approved
Feb 2015: go to gp and get referred
April 2016: First appointment at NRGDS
Oct 2016: Started hrt
July 2020: Bottom surgery
July 2023 (perhaps?): GRC approved
my timeline is
dec 2020: realise i can just buy (grey market) hrt
jan 21: start hrt
aug 22: tell gp & join gic waiting list
sept 22: 100% socially transition
sept 24: get private diagnosis (for grc)
jan 25: apply for grc
feb 25: grs in bangkok
may 25: grc approved
feb 26: gic confirms i'm trans 🙃
dec 2020: realise i can just buy (grey market) hrt
jan 21: start hrt
aug 22: tell gp & join gic waiting list
sept 22: 100% socially transition
sept 24: get private diagnosis (for grc)
jan 25: apply for grc
feb 25: grs in bangkok
may 25: grc approved
feb 26: gic confirms i'm trans 🙃
February 17, 2026 at 6:06 PM
My timeline
Feb 2015: go to gp and get referred
April 2016: First appointment at NRGDS
Oct 2016: Started hrt
July 2020: Bottom surgery
July 2023 (perhaps?): GRC approved
Feb 2015: go to gp and get referred
April 2016: First appointment at NRGDS
Oct 2016: Started hrt
July 2020: Bottom surgery
July 2023 (perhaps?): GRC approved
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
Welcome to Dorley Hall is back in the UK! The first book of The Sisters of Dorley relaunches April 23rd, and for a limited time, you can get 25% off your pre-order at Waterstones with code FEB26.
Visit the website or app between Feb 17 and Feb 20 to pre-order!
www.waterstones.com/book/welcome...
Visit the website or app between Feb 17 and Feb 20 to pre-order!
www.waterstones.com/book/welcome...
February 17, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Welcome to Dorley Hall is back in the UK! The first book of The Sisters of Dorley relaunches April 23rd, and for a limited time, you can get 25% off your pre-order at Waterstones with code FEB26.
Visit the website or app between Feb 17 and Feb 20 to pre-order!
www.waterstones.com/book/welcome...
Visit the website or app between Feb 17 and Feb 20 to pre-order!
www.waterstones.com/book/welcome...
You should. It's really good. And then follow up with a subscription to yr2.
Hadn't initially realized I set up The Collected Hulderotica Year One release (03/17) to coincide with the Trans Rights Readathon. Nice bit of confluence that. :)
Said 160k book is on pre-order for $5.99 USD/8 CAD if people want to add it to their TRR pile...
www.huldrahouse.com/shop/p/pre-o...
Said 160k book is on pre-order for $5.99 USD/8 CAD if people want to add it to their TRR pile...
www.huldrahouse.com/shop/p/pre-o...
February 16, 2026 at 10:25 PM
You should. It's really good. And then follow up with a subscription to yr2.
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
yeah i'm really super duper concerned that people who try out transitioning for a bit might end up liking it so much they never want to stop. that's a really dangerous possibility, right there.
February 16, 2026 at 6:40 PM
yeah i'm really super duper concerned that people who try out transitioning for a bit might end up liking it so much they never want to stop. that's a really dangerous possibility, right there.
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
I was lying in bed this morning and, for some reason, started to think about what I would do if I became the next Labour Prime Minister. Something that will not happen for many reasons but the biggest ones being that I'm not a member of the Labour Party and I don't want to.
Anyway...
1/
Anyway...
1/
February 16, 2026 at 4:10 PM
I was lying in bed this morning and, for some reason, started to think about what I would do if I became the next Labour Prime Minister. Something that will not happen for many reasons but the biggest ones being that I'm not a member of the Labour Party and I don't want to.
Anyway...
1/
Anyway...
1/
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
i am extremely proud to announce my latest journalism
this piece is about Tupac Amaru Shakur, the Black Panthers, COINTELPRO, and liberation
ALL my work is free, PLEASE SEND TIPS
i publish every other Thursday
read for free by clicking the link below:
junoryleejournalism.com/2026/01/29/t...
this piece is about Tupac Amaru Shakur, the Black Panthers, COINTELPRO, and liberation
ALL my work is free, PLEASE SEND TIPS
i publish every other Thursday
read for free by clicking the link below:
junoryleejournalism.com/2026/01/29/t...
January 30, 2026 at 4:20 AM
i am extremely proud to announce my latest journalism
this piece is about Tupac Amaru Shakur, the Black Panthers, COINTELPRO, and liberation
ALL my work is free, PLEASE SEND TIPS
i publish every other Thursday
read for free by clicking the link below:
junoryleejournalism.com/2026/01/29/t...
this piece is about Tupac Amaru Shakur, the Black Panthers, COINTELPRO, and liberation
ALL my work is free, PLEASE SEND TIPS
i publish every other Thursday
read for free by clicking the link below:
junoryleejournalism.com/2026/01/29/t...
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
t has been a hard week. In truth, it has been a hard few years. For many trans+ people, the noise, the headlines, the debates and the hostility can feel relentless.
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
February 14, 2026 at 10:04 AM
t has been a hard week. In truth, it has been a hard few years. For many trans+ people, the noise, the headlines, the debates and the hostility can feel relentless.
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
So this Valentine’s, we wanted to do something simple.
So we've launched our 'Letters of love to the trans community'...
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
New post: LABOUR'S SECTION 28 IS HERE - ACT NOW.
I explain how the Labour government's proposed revisions to the guidance on "keeping children in education" are designed to erase trans children in England. But it's not a done deal - there is plenty we can do to oppose this.
I explain how the Labour government's proposed revisions to the guidance on "keeping children in education" are designed to erase trans children in England. But it's not a done deal - there is plenty we can do to oppose this.
Labour’s Section 28 is here – act now
In May 1988, the Conservative government introduced Section 28. This legal measure outlawed support for “homosexuality as a pretended family relationship” across Britain, especially in …
ruthpearce.net
February 14, 2026 at 6:20 PM
New post: LABOUR'S SECTION 28 IS HERE - ACT NOW.
I explain how the Labour government's proposed revisions to the guidance on "keeping children in education" are designed to erase trans children in England. But it's not a done deal - there is plenty we can do to oppose this.
I explain how the Labour government's proposed revisions to the guidance on "keeping children in education" are designed to erase trans children in England. But it's not a done deal - there is plenty we can do to oppose this.
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
*Columbo, rowing away from the iceberg in a little boat. Ships his oars, turns round*
"Oh, er, just one more thing ..."
"Oh, er, just one more thing ..."
February 15, 2026 at 11:47 AM
*Columbo, rowing away from the iceberg in a little boat. Ships his oars, turns round*
"Oh, er, just one more thing ..."
"Oh, er, just one more thing ..."
For the first time in months, I wore a full face of makeup - with a really bold lipstick - for a video call with a gorgeous and talented woman that I really quite like. (The makeup was the first time in months. The hot woman was the first time in years.)
1/2
1/2
February 14, 2026 at 11:02 PM
For the first time in months, I wore a full face of makeup - with a really bold lipstick - for a video call with a gorgeous and talented woman that I really quite like. (The makeup was the first time in months. The hot woman was the first time in years.)
1/2
1/2
A thought:
If I'm working from home and I'm visited by a cis woman colleague during my working hours, am I legally obliged to refuse her request to use my toilet?
If I'm working from home and I'm visited by a cis woman colleague during my working hours, am I legally obliged to refuse her request to use my toilet?
February 14, 2026 at 9:35 PM
A thought:
If I'm working from home and I'm visited by a cis woman colleague during my working hours, am I legally obliged to refuse her request to use my toilet?
If I'm working from home and I'm visited by a cis woman colleague during my working hours, am I legally obliged to refuse her request to use my toilet?
New genders just dropped.
I'm (shuffle)
I'm (shuffle)
But perhaps we should return to romance, because I’m not entirely cynical, and celebrate @janelleshane.com training a neural network to generate alternative slogans for Love Hearts (or candy hearts if you’re in the US)
February 14, 2026 at 12:33 PM
New genders just dropped.
I'm (shuffle)
I'm (shuffle)
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
Also the link for the consultation is up.
Everyone needs to respond to this:
consult.education.gov.uk/independent-...
Everyone needs to respond to this:
consult.education.gov.uk/independent-...
Keeping children safe in education: 2026 proposed revisions
- Department for Education
- Citizen Space
Find and participate in consultations run by the Department for Education
consult.education.gov.uk
February 12, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Also the link for the consultation is up.
Everyone needs to respond to this:
consult.education.gov.uk/independent-...
Everyone needs to respond to this:
consult.education.gov.uk/independent-...
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
I will be much more blunt:
They are torturing children. They are torturing children as policy. They are torturing children to make us an economically and sexually exploitable underclass. They are as black and white evil as that sounds because that is the material reality of forcing trans desistance
They are torturing children. They are torturing children as policy. They are torturing children to make us an economically and sexually exploitable underclass. They are as black and white evil as that sounds because that is the material reality of forcing trans desistance
February 12, 2026 at 6:06 PM
I will be much more blunt:
They are torturing children. They are torturing children as policy. They are torturing children to make us an economically and sexually exploitable underclass. They are as black and white evil as that sounds because that is the material reality of forcing trans desistance
They are torturing children. They are torturing children as policy. They are torturing children to make us an economically and sexually exploitable underclass. They are as black and white evil as that sounds because that is the material reality of forcing trans desistance
February 12, 2026 at 6:54 PM
I have two pre-interview interviews tomorrow.
One of them asks for proofreading skills. Do you think they'll just give me the job if I point out a typo on their website?
One of them asks for proofreading skills. Do you think they'll just give me the job if I point out a typo on their website?
February 12, 2026 at 5:52 PM
I have two pre-interview interviews tomorrow.
One of them asks for proofreading skills. Do you think they'll just give me the job if I point out a typo on their website?
One of them asks for proofreading skills. Do you think they'll just give me the job if I point out a typo on their website?
Reposted by Ellen Mellor 🏳️⚧️ Samarcand Books (she/her)
End of act one of my fundraising show a couple of weeks back was the most hope-filled thing I could muster. #Cloudbusting
February 12, 2026 at 8:29 AM
End of act one of my fundraising show a couple of weeks back was the most hope-filled thing I could muster. #Cloudbusting
This looks like the comic book shop I worked in for a little while when I lived in Paris. I wonder where it is.
The Exquisite Corpses pop up store in central Paris is easily a career highlight. How fucking cool is this?
February 11, 2026 at 11:13 PM
This looks like the comic book shop I worked in for a little while when I lived in Paris. I wonder where it is.