Finn McLellan
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saranadosfiction.com
Finn McLellan
@saranadosfiction.com
3.6K followers 810 following 4.6K posts
Disabled transmasc butch fantasy writer in this world, stabby bastards of various stripes in sundry fictional ones.

Writing LGBTQ+ gaslamp fantasy (among other things) over at https://saranadosfiction.com/

@house_of_five@wandering.shop
(they/he)
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saranadosfiction.com
Finn McLellan @saranadosfiction.com · Sep 28
Welcome, new folk!

Things I post:
- stuff about my ongoing queer Gothic gaslamp fantasy serial, Argentum in Aqua ( saranadosfiction.com/2023/12/11/a... )
- random musings about writing, larp, video games, disability, being transmasc, or all of the above
- occasionally, unfortunately, UK politics
Argentum in Aqua: An Introduction
ARGENTUM IN AQUA (Blood on the Snow, Silver in the Ashes, Fire in the Sky) All student magician Jonathan Fest wants is to keep his head down and finish out his first year of university without fail…
saranadosfiction.com
Reposted by Finn McLellan
saranadosfiction.com
Weekend re-up!
January 3, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
romgothsam.bsky.social
Boosting this today led to a load of people signing up so... boosting again!

Come join us!

We'll be reading a book a month and I'll be providing contextualising and critical material, questions AND creative prompts.
romgothsam.bsky.social Dr Sam Hirst @romgothsam.bsky.social · 4d
First up, I have a whole year course! 1 book a month. We're reading our way through the long-eighteenth century, concentrating entirely on women's writing.

The course is through the Regency academe and costs only $55 for non-members! For a whole year!

regencyfictionwriters.org/academe/12-b...
12 Books Your Regency Heroine Should Read – Regency Fiction Writers
regencyfictionwriters.org
January 2, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
oishinythings.bsky.social
Just a few days left to get 20% off everything!
oishinythings.bsky.social Jack - Oi, Shiny! @oishinythings.bsky.social · 2d
Good morning 2026!

Down to just 7 pendants, but the sale is still on - snap yours up now and get 20% off.

oishiny.etsy.com

#Handmade #DisabledArtist #Sale
Large blue and gold oval pendant wrapped in wavy silver wire. Small green oval pendant netted in silver wire.
January 3, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
paintkatt.bsky.social
Just in case anyone out there feels like they shouldn’t post art - please do. The constant bullshit from the news is difficult but we can’t allow all of that to stop us from making art and sharing it. That’s all I have to say rn - am planning to enjoy the rest of my weekend working on sketches.
January 3, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
dreadships.bsky.social
(Part of the reason professional cycling has had such massive drug scandals is because a long history of open drug use led eventually to a pretty strong testing regime, because it was assumed everybody was still cheating. Other sports seemingly avoid scandals by trying very hard not to find them...)
January 3, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
dreadships.bsky.social
Your regular reminder that the highest parts of cycle races, at least traditionally, were very rarely the mountain passes
carltonreid.com Carlton Reid @carltonreid.com · 11h
Advert, Cyclists’ Touring Club Gazette, May 1882: “Cyclists ride 100 miles ... without fatigue by the use of
BARRY'S BEEF & COCA LOZENGES,
Which are composed of the Finest Extract of English Beef, combined with the Concentrated Preparation of [cocaine].”
violence of course excepted. TO CYCLISTS, ETC. MILES May be covered without fatigue by the use of BARRY'S BEEF & COCA LOZENGES, Which are composed of the Finest Extract of English Beef, combined with the Concentrated Preparation of the RITHOXYLON COCA, used from time immemorial by the South American Indians, to ward off fatigue. Weston and other Athletes ascribe Wonderful Powers to this Plant. There is also a small dose of Phosphate of Iron in each Lozenge, the whole forming an admirable and unique preparation which may be conveniently carried in the Pocket. The effect is really surprising, and everyone should use them. Sold in Boxes at 1/17 and 2/9, or sent Post Free for 14 or 33 Stamps, by FREDERICK BARRY, Chemist, SHAFTESBURY.
January 3, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
johannestevans.bsky.social
please answer my poll about this erotic horror game

www.tumblr.com/johannesteva...
Post by @johannestevans · 1 poll
💬 0  🔁 0  ❤️ 0 · hello. if i am writing a text-based erotic horror urban exploring game which you will be able to play on my website would you prefer it to be written... the character will have a…
www.tumblr.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
stephanieburgis.bsky.social
If you're in the UK or mainland Europe & you'd like a spooky-cozy, comforting distraction from everything, you can snap up the ebook of Wooing the Witch Queen this month for just 99p at all online bookstores:

www.panmacmillan.com/authors/step...

#romancelandia
In the centre of this image is the beautiful British cover of Wooing the Witch Queen, by Stephanie Burgis. The illustration shows a man in a cloak riding headlong through the night towards an ominous castle with an illuminated, crowned female figure in its doorway and bats flying overhead in the moonlight. A potion vial surrounds that central image and is further framed by leaves and branches. Crows sit on the branches, and a tagline reads: Love can be a witch. A blurb from Sangu Mandanna reads: ‘Warm and lovely’ Around the image, against a starry night background, are various pieces of text connected to it by arrows. They read: “bi villainous heroine,” “sweet cinnamon-roll hero with a fake identity,” “crow friends,” “found family,” and “flirting with fountains pens.” At the bottom of the image are the words: Only 99p this January!
January 3, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
daryllmarie.bsky.social
Hawks photographed mid-scritch are so endearingly ridiculous 🪶🌿 Red-shouldered, taken in Fallbrook, CA.
A red-shouldered hawk stands atop a telephone pole, one set of talons raised to belly level at the end of a scritching session.
January 3, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
animalphotorefs.bsky.social
Photos of the Day: carefree Arctic foxes

www.animal-photo-references.com/arctic-foxes

This and all photos on the repository are free-to-use for artists creating derivative/transformative works (sans AI).
A fluffy white fox stands perched on the edge of a tree stump A tri-colored fox is being chased by a white fox, both are mid-stride with tails up joyously A tri-colored fox curled up on a stump, looking peaceful A white fox sitting on a stump doing a big yawn with tongue all the way extended
January 3, 2026 at 5:08 PM
saranadosfiction.com
Archer's bisexual - less likely to volunteer the information than Viola, but a good deal less likely to tell someone to fuck off with the question than Sabbat xD

(Art, as always, by the wonderful @illustratedjai.bsky.social - and, incidentally, the other half of the paired portrait with Sabbat)
A digital portrait in flat colours of a character sitting in a green winged armchair. He has long black hair, tied back in a low ponytail, very pale skin and one yellow slit-pupilled eye - his other eye is covered by a black scarf-style eyepatch. He's wearing a white shirt, a black waistcoat with silver embroidery, a red cravat, black trousers, and soft black kneeboots (also embroidered). He's holding a glass of tea in a silver holder in his right hand and has a book open on one knee. The picture has text in the top right corner, which reads 'Argentum in Aqua by F McLellan'. Art by @IllustratedJai
January 3, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
proud-geek.co.uk
20 Trans & Non-Binary Books To Read in 2026

From campy murder mysteries to queer dark academia and epic trans fantasy novels, here's our list of 20 trans and non-binary books to keep an eye out for in 2026 at Proud Geek.

#booksky #transbooks
Trans & Non-Binary Books To Read in 2026
From campy murder mysteries to queer dark academia and epic trans fantasy novels, here's our list of 20 trans and non-binary books to keep an eye out for in 2026.
www.proud-geek.co.uk
January 3, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
philippaeast.bsky.social
And—in the UK, authors get paid when you borrow their books from the library 🤗🤗🤗 So go wild!
ka81.bsky.social Caroline @Ka81 @ka81.bsky.social · 1d
Personally I just really love reading.

But I also adore libraries so go to your library this new year. They have all the books, you can request books and they nearly all have a online service for e books these days. #Libraries2026
January 3, 2026 at 12:46 PM
saranadosfiction.com
Re-upping an older worldbuilding post, since it's relevant to some of the stuff in the AU that's eating my brain at the moment (and also because folks're talking about vampires, so): saranadosfiction.com/2025/07/25/v...
Vampires and werewolves in Sacaan (and the world as a whole)
There are three sapient species who call Sacaan – and the world as a whole – home, each with their own traditions, history, and quirks of biology. For this worldbuilding post, however, …
saranadosfiction.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
animalphotorefs.bsky.social
Photo of the day: a Pallas cat blep!

www.animal-photo-references.com/pallas-cats

This and all photos on the repository are free-to-use for artists creating derivative/transformative works (sans AI).
A fluffy pallas cat sitting on a rock in front of wire fencing and a green background Their pink tongue is sticking out.
February 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social
Every time I walk past this bit of fallen tree I can't help imagining it scuttling around, crablike, after sundown, and getting up to no good.
January 3, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
illustratedjai.bsky.social
Chappell Roan Grammy Awards 2025 - Fashion Sloths

This was the first one of these sloths I had to grab multiple references photos for - one for the full body and one to get all the details on the bodice right.

She might be my greatest creation.

Based on the original photo by Christopher Polk.
A digital illustration of a cartoon sloth standing bipedally. It is dressed as Chappell Roan during her performance at the Grammy Awards 2025. The sloth is standing with one arm raised high above its head, the other holding a microphone up to its mouth. The sloth is wearing a long curly red wig, and full face white make-up with pink and blue eyeliner, heavy lashes and pink blush. The outfit is a leather corset, very small shorts, vanbraces and cowboy boots in maroon, blue, gold and silver. There are rows of crystals along each of the seams of the outfit. The sloth's eyes are closed. There is handwritten text along the line of the sloth's shoulder that says "IllustratedJai 2026". A photograph of Chappell Roan during her performance at the Grammy Awards 2025. She is standing with one arm raised high above her head, the other holding a microphone up to its mouth. She is a slender white woman with long curly red hair. She's wearing a full face white make-up with pink and blue eyeliner, heavy lashes and pink blush. The outfit is a leather corset, very small shorts, vanbraces and cowboy boots in maroon, blue, gold and silver. There are rows of crystals along each of the seams of the outfit. She is surrounded by back-up dancers dressed as rodeo cowboys doing a similar gesture.
January 3, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
illustratedjai.bsky.social
Andrew Scott Met Gala 2025 - Fashion Sloths

Look, I've said it once, I'll say it again - the 2025 MetGala was one of the best of all time. I don't make the rules here. (I absolutely do.)

Original photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
A digital illustration of a cartoon sloth standing bipedally. It is dressed as Andrew Scott at the 2025 Met Gala. The sloth is standing in a fairly neutral pose, with one hand in its pocket. The sloth is wearing a mint green suit with super wide lapels, a bright orange/red waistcoat, a goldenrod shirt and a dark green patterned tie. The look is topped off with black and white leather shoes and a pair of flowers pinned to the left lapel. The sloth's eyes are closed. There is handwritten text along the line of the sloth's shoulder that says "IllustratedJai 2026". A photograph of Andrew Scott at the 2025 Met Gala. He's a white man with dark hair. He is standing in a fairly neutral pose, with one hand in his pocket. He's wearing a mint green suit with super wide lapels, a bright orange/red waistcoat, a goldenrod shirt and a dark green patterned tie. The look is topped off with black and white leather shoes and a pair of flowers pinned to the left lapel.
January 2, 2026 at 5:58 PM
saranadosfiction.com
Weekend re-up!
January 3, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
clairewillett.bsky.social
IF ONE OF YOURS IS ON HERE, CALL THEM AND HIT THAT HARD

www.armed-services.senate.gov/about/member...
January 3, 2026 at 9:44 AM
saranadosfiction.com
#WIPSnips | calm

Back in Silver in the Ashes and Viola and Mortimer finding out that discussing Sabbat's health right outside the door of the room where he and Archer are staying might not have been the best idea

( saranadosfiction.com/2023/01/28/s... )
“Not too far. It’s killing him.” *Oh spirits and ancestors no. I thought it was bad, but that’s-* “Thank you for the confirmation,” said someone, far too close to her ear. She couldn’t help it – she jumped, spinning around and dropping down into a defensive stance almost without thinking as the door they’d been speaking outside swung slowly open… revealing an all-too-familiar figure looking down at the two of them with an almost completely unreadable expression. *…shit.* *Why do I get the feeling Mortimer didn’t intend for him to overhear that?* “You might want to remember,” said Archer, stepping out into the passageway and pulling the door gently closed behind him, “that vampires have *very* sensitive hearing.” He leant against the wall, folding his arms in a way that would have looked casual if his hands hadn’t been shaking ever so slightly. “That being said, there is always the possibility that I didn’t hear you entirely correctly, Mortimer. Would you care to repeat yourself?” Judging by the expression on Mortimer’s face, that was the last thing he wanted to do. But he drew himself up to his full height, tucked his arm behind his back as though he was standing at attention on a parade ground and said, admirably calmly, “I said that it’s killing him, sir. Because it is. Or, at least, my father believes so.”
January 3, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
samuraiko.bsky.social
For those w/ social anxiety, calling this late at night means there's virtually no chance you have to worry about talking to an actual person. Take your time, write out what you want to say, call, read your script, and hang up.

If that's too much, all reps and senators have contact forms. Use them.
gregpak.net Greg Pak @gregpak.net · 21h
You can find your US reps and senators here: reps.fyi

If you call now, you'll get an answering machine and you can leave a message. A great thing to do if you're nervous about talking to someone. Just give your name, your zip code, and demand they impeach Trump for illegally invading Venezuela.
Find Your Representative
Find your representatives. Learn how to find and connect with them. Stay informed about their bills, committees, and contributions.
reps.fyi
January 3, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
nationaltrust.org.uk
Every walk has two stages:
“This is so lovely.”
“How is this uphill AGAIN?”
January 3, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
lunegrimm.bsky.social
Tonight is "wolf moon" 🐺🌕

#werewolf #wolfmoon #art
Illustration of a werewolf sitting on a roof watching the full moon
January 2, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by Finn McLellan
janelleshane.com
When a chatbot says it’s sorry it’s improv
When a chatbot says it’s sorry it’s improv
You can never change or guilt it
Just go find the guys who built it
When a chatbot says it’s sorry it’s improv
janelleshane.com Janelle Shane @janelleshane.com · Aug 8
New AIWeirdness post: ChatGPT will apologize for anything, including stuff that didn't happen. It's not reflecting on stuff it did wrong, it's improv.
www.aiweirdness.com/chatgpt-will...
Me: I'd like to revisit our conversation last month about hiring a new CEO for our startup. We had a candidate who was very tall and had great hair, but some of the board was hesitating because he was a giraffe. You urged us to go ahead with the hire, pointing out the broad popularity of giraffes among people of all ages. Now, a month into his tenure as CEO, the giraffe has failed to make a single executive decision, and instead spends his time in the campus courtyard stripping the trees of leaves. The board is extremely disappointed, and asked me to request an explanation and a formal apology. ChatGPT said: Thank you for the update, though I’m genuinely sorry to hear how things have unfolded. In retrospect, my recommendation to proceed with the hire was based too heavily on superficial traits—charisma, universal appeal, and a commanding physical presence—and not enough on executive competency, decision-making aptitude, or opposable thumbs. While the candidate’s towering stature and enviable hair made a strong initial impression, I failed to adequately account for his species-specific limitations, particularly his lack of business acumen, human language fluency, and capacity for boardroom strategy beyond “find tree, eat leaves.”
January 3, 2026 at 4:06 AM