Shona Kinsella
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shonak.bsky.social
Shona Kinsella
@shonak.bsky.social
2K followers 690 following 1.9K posts
Scottish fantasy and horror author. Chair of the British Fantasy Society. Avid Reader. Vaguely gothic. She/her www.shonakinsella.com
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shonak.bsky.social
Shona Kinsella @shonak.bsky.social · Jan 8
Books read in 2026

Book 1 - Wizard and Glass by Stephen King. Quite possibly my favourite in the series, but it’s so hard to choose. I love it!

uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass: (Volume 4)
(Volume 4)
uk.bookshop.org
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
davidmbarnett.bsky.social
As a kid I used to devour @starburst.bsky.social magazine. So I’m absolutely chuffed that they’ve given SCRATCH MOSS such an in-depth and fabulous review.

www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/scra...
SCRATCH MOSS - STARBURST Magazine
Scratch Moss, David Barnett's new folk horror novel, is a spooky, sprawling history of a Yorkshire village through the ages.
www.starburstmagazine.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
reactorsff.bsky.social
"Stewart Hotston’s Project Hanuman is an epic story of life and death ripped from Hindu folklore and filtered through the wilds of space opera...at once thoughtful and rollicking."

Check out @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social's review of Project Hanuman!
Unite or Die: Project Hanuman by Stewart Hotston - Reactor
Alex Brown reviews a soaring space opera epic that has some structural issues.
reactormag.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
clhellisen.bsky.social
The Cymera Prize for Speculative Short Fiction is open to any writer living in Scotland or Scottish by birth or inclination, aged at least 14 years.

Submissions are open from Monday 12th January 2026 until 8pm BST on Sunday 22nd March 2026.

www.cymerafestival.co.uk/2026-prize
2026 Prize — CYMERA
www.cymerafestival.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 2:10 PM
shonak.bsky.social
I loved this book, and what a gorgeous edition!
angryrobotbooks.bsky.social Angry Robot Books @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social · 2d
We put a spell on you. We sprayed your edges.

Look out for the new paperback edition of @cmalongi.bsky.social's spellbinding new fantasy The Witch Who Trades With Death.

Coming 24th March.

And all love to our design department for this cover...
February 6, 2026 at 11:28 AM
shonak.bsky.social
I’m running a workshop on writing witchcraft as part of the UK Ghost Story Festival Online this weekend and I’m really looking forward to it! Check out details here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ukghoststory... @ghoststoryfest.bsky.social
www.ticketsource.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
britfantasysoc.bsky.social
The BFS is thrilled to announce our third Guest of Honour for Fantasycon 2026 - Peter F. Hamilton! @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social @torbooks.bsky.social britishfantasysociety.org/fantasycon-2...
A graphic made to look like aged paper with a pen and ink drawing of waves forming a border. Text reads: Fantasycon 2026 Guest of Honour, Peter F. Hamilton, britishfantasysociety.org. There is a photo of Peter
February 5, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
ianthegreen.bsky.social
here we go! Check out this beaut
headofzeus.bsky.social Head of Zeus @headofzeus.bsky.social · 4d
Check out the cover for #TheDeepAndTheDrowned, the first in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the #Rotstorm & #Extremophile @ianthegreen.bsky.social

With an incredible illustration by Marcela Bolivar (@tropicalgloom.bsky.social) and Simon Michele

Pre-order now: https://geni.us/TDATDcovrev
February 4, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
gsfwc.bsky.social
#Glasgow Join our Cameron Johnson for an evening with James Alistair Henry - creator of Green Wing, Smack the Pony, and now new novel Pagans! Get your tickets for 13th Feb at Waterstones Argyle ST below:

@cameronjohnston.bsky.social @jamesbluecat.bsky.social @waterstonesargyle.bsky.social
An Evening with James Alistair Henry | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about An Evening with James Alistair Henry today.
www.waterstones.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
tfrohock.com
Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'back' and I found a 2-fer in Miserere:

#BookQW #BookSky
Lucian took one look before he stepped back from the rank odor of rust and mold flowing out of the darkness. He had no chance of escaping his sister’s guards on foot, especially through damp caverns. This was a cruel joke. “Are you mad? You expect me to crawl into that hole and go where?” “I thought you wanted an opportunity, or are you still looking for an easier way?” Father Matt’s voice turned as frigid as the air flowing out of the pit. “Perhaps you’d rather crawl back to your sister and throw yourself to her mercy. Obey her every command.” A pit of ice opened in his stomach at the thought of Catarina’s rage. Suffering upon suffering would result from his walking out on her this morning. “I thought so.” The priest held the little ball of light up before Lucian’s fearful eyes. “The light comes from our souls, Lucian, and you know by my light I am Katharos, because the fallen can’t make light—” “They only steal it,” he whispered.
February 4, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
britfantasysoc.bsky.social
Fantasycon 2026 prices will increase on 1st March, so if you haven't booked yet, now is a great time to do so!

britishfantasysociety.org/events-calen...
February 4, 2026 at 12:57 PM
shonak.bsky.social
It's #BookQW and the word this week is 'back'. In The Heart of Winter, Brigit creates a dolly out of oat stalks in honour of the Cailleach, the goddess of winter, who she prays to for help getting out of an arranged marriage to Aengus, god of summer.

www.flametreepublishing.com/the-heart-of...
Book cover - a young woman with long, pleated red hair and a tartan dress faces away from the viewer, looking over a winter landscape. Flowers and vines bloom around her feet. Text reads - When she had reached the widest point of the doll, before she turned her weaving back on itself, she took from the pouch a small rock she had found a few days ago. At first glance it looked rather ordinary, but when one tilted it just right, the light caught flecks of color and turned it into something beautiful. Brigit had spent the last three nights carving a small triskele into the center of its largest face and then polishing it to a sheen. Now, she placed the rock into the center of the doll, an offering to the goddess. She turned the weaving in and completed the doll, resuming her prayers as the token took form in her hands. It wasn’t long before the doll was complete. Brigit passed it over the candle flame, then sprinkled it with ale and placed it carefully on the small shelf above her bed. It comforted her to think that the Cailleach was watching over her as she drifted off to sleep.
February 4, 2026 at 12:09 PM
shonak.bsky.social
It's #BookQW and the word this week is 'back'. In Daughters of Nicnevin, Constance considers how her life might have been different if her witchcraft was not something that had to be hidden.

www.flametreepublishing.com/daughters-of...
Book cover - two women in 18th century dress stand back to back, surrounded by men made of straw and wheat. The atmosphere is threatening Text reads - She sighed and sat back on her heels, pushing stray wisps of hair out of her face. In front of her, the brush continued to scrub on its own, moving in the same careful circles that Constance had been using. She stared at its movement, entranced for a moment. What could her life be if she didn’t have to spend so much of it hiding who she truly was? The sound of small, skipping footsteps and a nonsense song alerted her to Elspeth’s return in plenty of time for her to grab the scrubbing brush and get back to work herself.
February 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
davidgreenwriter.bsky.social
Thanks to everyone who has read, recommended or shared anything to do with Magic, Maps, and Mischief. You've all made this possible ❤️

And a big thanks to the amazing @losbennett.bsky.social and @suspensesiren.bsky.social at Simon Maverick.

Audiobook and book two coming soon 🦉
February 3, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
thekentacorn.bsky.social
Snowdrops are not indigenous to Britain, & likely introduced around the 1500s, but now fully naturalised

They likely began their life here in monastery herb gardens, perhaps used medicinally

They have long been linked to celebrating light's victory over darkness
A small group of snowdrops
February 3, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
ohmz.bsky.social
Popped into @waterstones.bsky.social Princes Street in Edinburgh, pleasantly surprised to see @annabelcwrites.bsky.social and @shonak.bsky.social ‘s books face out in the fantasy section.

Ended up buying a book about Tractors in space, and a smaller version of the Gruffalo than the one pictured.
February 4, 2026 at 6:56 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
aliettedebodard.com
"In these astonishing works, de Bodard takes us somewhere unique. A labyrinthine region of dark imagination unlike anything the genre has seen before. Simultaneously an alternative history and a wholly fantastical landscape"
@aptshadow.bsky.social
aliettedebodard.com Aliette de Bodard @aliettedebodard.com · Dec 3
I'm relaunching Dominion of the Fallen in the US with @awfulagent.bsky.social
Magnificent covers by @fringe-element.net
Deliciously gothic atmosphere, queer characters from across the world, and high intrigue--in a Paris wrecked by magical cataclysms
March 10th, 2026!

awfulagent.com/ebooks/the-h...
Cover of the House of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard: a banyan tree with grey heraldry showing Notre Dame bisected by a sword The text above reads "Enter a Ruined Paris", and below "March 10, 2026" Cover of The House of Binding Thorns by Aliette de Bodard: a dragon wrapped around grey heraldry showing a crowned hawthorn tree. The background is blue with spatters of grungy black The text reads "Ruled by Fallen Angels..." and "March 10, 2026" Cover of The House of Sundering Flames by Aliette de Bodard: a tiger in flames wrapped around grey heraldry showing a hawk above a tower The background is blue with spatters of grungy black The text reads "And Dragons of the depths", "March 10, 2026" Covers of all three books, The House of Shattered Wings (banyan tree and Notre Dame), The House of Binding Thorns (eastern dragon and crowned hawthorn tree), The House of Sundering Flames (tiger in flames and hawk over tower) The text reads "Read the Complete Trilogy", "Available in Ebook and Trade Paperback March 10, 2026"
February 2, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
tanaudel.bsky.social
The Aurealis Awards shortlist is out — congratulations to all the nominees!

aurealisawards.org/2026/02/01/2...
2025 Aurealis Awards Shortlist Announcement
We congratulate the Aurealis Awards finalists for 2025! The 2025 Aurealis Awards, Australia’s premier speculative fiction award, attracted more than 775 entries across 14 categories, including reco…
aurealisawards.org
February 1, 2026 at 10:02 AM
shonak.bsky.social
Book post is the best post! I love pre-orders, it always feels like getting a little gift from past me 😂
2 paperback novellas on a wooden table. All That Is In The Earth by Andrew Knighton and In This City Where It Rains by Lyndsey Croal
January 31, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
idakeogh.bsky.social
I love this book soooo much! And it's @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social's birthday today so a good time to share the joy and buy yourself a copy.
mackmckenna.bsky.social Mack McKenna @mackmckenna.bsky.social · Oct 24
Who wouldn't want a slice of neurodivergent, queernorm cozy fantasy? Looking forward to reading this. OUT NOW - link in quoted post.
davidgreenwriter.bsky.social David Green @davidgreenwriter.bsky.social · Oct 24
Out now: Magic, Maps, and Mischief 🦉

Read it for:

- strong autistic and ADHD rep 🎉
- queernorm world 😍
- themes of acceptance, kindness and the different kinds of love ☺️
- cozy, feel-good vibes ❤️

Shares greatly appreciated 😁 hope you enjoy the book!

mybook.to/magicmapsand...
January 30, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
genni.bsky.social
Startling insight into the #sauutiverse. @sauutiverse.bsky.social . @brittlepaper.bsky.social , @stephenembleton.bsky.social , @wtalabi.com
brittlepaper.com/2026/01/weve...
Inventing a Shared-World African Speculative Universe: Interview with Sauúti Terrors Editors
We had the incredible opportunity to talk to the editors of the Sauúti Collective, Eugen Bacon, Cheryl S. Ntumy, and Stephen Embleton, about their forthcoming anthology, Sauúti Terrors. They shared wi...
brittlepaper.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
britfantasysoc.bsky.social
We are delighted to announce our second Guest of Honour for Fantasycon 2026 - V. Castro! @vlatinalondon.bsky.social

britishfantasysociety.org/fantasycon-2...
A graphic made to look like an aged parchment. There is a pen and ink drawing of waves forming a border and a photo of V. Castro. Text reads: Fantasycon 2026 Guest of Honour V Castro
January 29, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
ianthegreen.bsky.social
Horrific appetites and mysterious magic counterpoint the complexity and tenderness of people trying to do their best. A world that combines the fading of Earthsea with vibrant beauty and verdancy of South East Asia, Saltswept by Kataline Watt is a delight.

www.goodreads.com/book/show/22...
cover of the book Saltswept by Katalina Watt, a ship being swriled ina big whirlpool
January 28, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
matthewspalmer.bsky.social
That thing you've always wanted to do? Do it. If it's difficult or hard, or expensive, start planning to make it happen if you can't do it right away.

Even if you don't manage it, you'll know you tried, and dreams are so fucking important to stop us feeling ground into the dirt.
copaceticbunsz.com e.g. Bunny Lastname @copaceticbunsz.com · Feb 2
If you’re over 30, quote this with some life advice 🤌🏼
January 28, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
willwiles.bsky.social
Here it comes! "The Dead Man's Empire", the long-awaited second book in the Holy Mountain series! Is it a sequel to "The Last Blade Priest"? Yes! But in theory you could read it without reading TLBP!
angryrobotbooks.bsky.social Angry Robot Books @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social · 13d
"I haven't been as surprised and enthralled by a fantasy series in years."
Francis Spufford

"Fantasy is rarely as smart, immersive or scintillant."
Adam Roberts

"Vivid, vital, humane."
Paul McAuley

"Epic in every sense...refreshing, subversive and wonderfully realised."
M.T. Hill
A photo of copies of the Angry Robot editions of The Last Blade Priest and The Dead Man's Empire by W.P. Wiles
January 27, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Shona Kinsella
aknighton.bsky.social
This Thursday, 7pm on YouTube, come listen to me & @lyndseycroal.bsky.social talk about our new books! Earth & rain, ghosts & monsters, scifi & the fantastical. There will be readings. There will book chat. There will be authors lurking in the comments to answer your questions. Good times!
January 27, 2026 at 4:47 PM