SJ Groenewegen
@sjgroenewegen.co.uk
SFF author, trans-inclusive feminist, gay, non-binary, autistic. BEM.
Website: https://www.sjgroenewegen.co.uk - includes links to all my publications.
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/sjgroenewegen - new posts every Wednesday on politics and/or writing.
Website: https://www.sjgroenewegen.co.uk - includes links to all my publications.
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/sjgroenewegen - new posts every Wednesday on politics and/or writing.
Pinned
We are in a bad place but people are resisting. I wrote about how that's happening, & why we must keep going: ko-fi.com/post/Its-Bee...
Related reminder: UK Government consultation on immigration is ending on 12 Feb: ko-fi.com/post/How-to-... Link's in the article; please complete it if you can.
Related reminder: UK Government consultation on immigration is ending on 12 Feb: ko-fi.com/post/How-to-... Link's in the article; please complete it if you can.
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
They haven't posted yet, but the bluesky account for SMOFcon 43 -- a convention for convention runners to think and talk about how to run better conventions -- is now live. Follow
@smofcon43.bsky.social - this year will be in Lisbon 4-6 December www.smofconlisbon.org
@smofcon43.bsky.social - this year will be in Lisbon 4-6 December www.smofconlisbon.org
SMOFcon 43
SMOFcon 43 - A convention for people who run science fiction, fantasy, and horror conventions. December 4-6, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal.
www.smofconlisbon.org
January 31, 2026 at 6:28 PM
They haven't posted yet, but the bluesky account for SMOFcon 43 -- a convention for convention runners to think and talk about how to run better conventions -- is now live. Follow
@smofcon43.bsky.social - this year will be in Lisbon 4-6 December www.smofconlisbon.org
@smofcon43.bsky.social - this year will be in Lisbon 4-6 December www.smofconlisbon.org
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Our first newsletter just went out. As well as news about PictCon the newsletters will offer a round up of sf groups and events in Scotland. Please do sign up! PictCon.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Our first newsletter just went out. As well as news about PictCon the newsletters will offer a round up of sf groups and events in Scotland. Please do sign up! PictCon.com
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Please read this thread.
I qualify.
I'm obviously not going to go work for Grok, but boy, I certainly would like one of the writing jobs that everybody in the comments is being so sarcastic about making more than that, bc I tell you what, I sure as fuck am not making more than that and you guys KNOW how much I write.
I'm obviously not going to go work for Grok, but boy, I certainly would like one of the writing jobs that everybody in the comments is being so sarcastic about making more than that, bc I tell you what, I sure as fuck am not making more than that and you guys KNOW how much I write.
X is hiring a creative writing specialist at $40 an hour to make Grok better at writing and a true LOL at the qualifications
January 31, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Please read this thread.
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Here's a free article about metaphor, from a linguistic point of view. It shows how metaphors work and the many things they can illuminate.
It also exposes a critical weakness of "AI."
Good for writers, and good for those who use metaphors, which is everyone!
www.patreon.com/posts/metaph...
It also exposes a critical weakness of "AI."
Good for writers, and good for those who use metaphors, which is everyone!
www.patreon.com/posts/metaph...
Metaphor and your Mind (and a critical weakness of "AI") | Under the Surface - the Worlds of Juliette Wade
Get more from Under the Surface - the Worlds of Juliette Wade on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Here's a free article about metaphor, from a linguistic point of view. It shows how metaphors work and the many things they can illuminate.
It also exposes a critical weakness of "AI."
Good for writers, and good for those who use metaphors, which is everyone!
www.patreon.com/posts/metaph...
It also exposes a critical weakness of "AI."
Good for writers, and good for those who use metaphors, which is everyone!
www.patreon.com/posts/metaph...
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
To make a comparison reveals us.
With "AI," there's nothing to reveal.
Free article:
www.patreon.com/posts/metaph...
With "AI," there's nothing to reveal.
Free article:
www.patreon.com/posts/metaph...
Metaphor and your Mind (and a critical weakness of "AI") | Under the Surface - the Worlds of Juliette Wade
Get more from Under the Surface - the Worlds of Juliette Wade on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:08 AM
To make a comparison reveals us.
With "AI," there's nothing to reveal.
Free article:
www.patreon.com/posts/metaph...
With "AI," there's nothing to reveal.
Free article:
www.patreon.com/posts/metaph...
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
The Society of Authors joins forces with other creator-led organisations to co-launch Brave New World?, a groundbreaking report on the onset of a creative jobs crisis in the UK. More and a link to download the report here. Essential reading.
societyofauthors.org/2026/01/30/b...
#JusticeForCreators
societyofauthors.org/2026/01/30/b...
#JusticeForCreators
Brave New World: Justice for creators in the age of GenAI - The Society of Authors
We have joined forces with other creator-led organisations to co-launch a ground-breaking report showing the onset of a creative jobs crisis in the UK.
societyofauthors.org
January 30, 2026 at 9:44 AM
The Society of Authors joins forces with other creator-led organisations to co-launch Brave New World?, a groundbreaking report on the onset of a creative jobs crisis in the UK. More and a link to download the report here. Essential reading.
societyofauthors.org/2026/01/30/b...
#JusticeForCreators
societyofauthors.org/2026/01/30/b...
#JusticeForCreators
Short, crucial thread.
Calling LLMs "AI" is a huge metaphorical trap.
Early uses of the phrase were more humble about what they were attempting and less self-aggrandizing.
The marketing of LLMs as "AI" is baiting your subconscious to believe they are actually intelligent - more than that, that they are people. 1/5
Early uses of the phrase were more humble about what they were attempting and less self-aggrandizing.
The marketing of LLMs as "AI" is baiting your subconscious to believe they are actually intelligent - more than that, that they are people. 1/5
January 30, 2026 at 5:27 AM
Short, crucial thread.
Just watched The Magnificent Seven (1960) and was struck by how Mexican and mixed heritage it is, and it's message (from the Japanese original) is quite radical to keep for a US film.
January 29, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Just watched The Magnificent Seven (1960) and was struck by how Mexican and mixed heritage it is, and it's message (from the Japanese original) is quite radical to keep for a US film.
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
The cost of the paperback version of my short story collection Into The Dark is going to rise at the end of Jan to $9.99 (or the equivalent in your local money). 📈
(The electronic version will stay at $2.99, so if you prefer reading on your Kindle there's no rush.)
books.fatpigeons.com/y14l8u74pl
(The electronic version will stay at $2.99, so if you prefer reading on your Kindle there's no rush.)
books.fatpigeons.com/y14l8u74pl
Short Stories of Science Fiction and Horror
Seven thrilling stories of Science Fiction and Horror take you from the heart of a Large Hadron Supercollider in the present day to the darkness of the far future when time itself has stopped.
Within ...
books.fatpigeons.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:15 PM
The cost of the paperback version of my short story collection Into The Dark is going to rise at the end of Jan to $9.99 (or the equivalent in your local money). 📈
(The electronic version will stay at $2.99, so if you prefer reading on your Kindle there's no rush.)
books.fatpigeons.com/y14l8u74pl
(The electronic version will stay at $2.99, so if you prefer reading on your Kindle there's no rush.)
books.fatpigeons.com/y14l8u74pl
This time 'national' means England and Wales, not the UK. So Police Scotland and PSNI are not involved directly.
A move like this was on the agenda prior to 2010, and partially achieved, but Labour ultimately bungled it. Curious to see how things develop this time around.
A move like this was on the agenda prior to 2010, and partially achieved, but Labour ultimately bungled it. Curious to see how things develop this time around.
A new national police force is the right move, but the case for merging local forces is much weaker
@cassiarowland.bsky.social gives her verdict on the home secretary's proposals on police reform www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poli...
@cassiarowland.bsky.social gives her verdict on the home secretary's proposals on police reform www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poli...
A new national police force is the right move, but the case for merging local forces is much weaker | Institute for Government
There is much to welcome in the home secretary’s proposals on police reform.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 12:57 PM
This time 'national' means England and Wales, not the UK. So Police Scotland and PSNI are not involved directly.
A move like this was on the agenda prior to 2010, and partially achieved, but Labour ultimately bungled it. Curious to see how things develop this time around.
A move like this was on the agenda prior to 2010, and partially achieved, but Labour ultimately bungled it. Curious to see how things develop this time around.
This thread! If you've not already read it, then do. While it's based on a UK govt policy announcement, the lack of thinking behind it will apply elsewhere.
Top tip to journalists reporting on this, don't forget to ask the relevant ministers: 'By "national", do you mean the UK or only England?'
Top tip to journalists reporting on this, don't forget to ask the relevant ministers: 'By "national", do you mean the UK or only England?'
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
aiskillshub.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 9:22 AM
This thread! If you've not already read it, then do. While it's based on a UK govt policy announcement, the lack of thinking behind it will apply elsewhere.
Top tip to journalists reporting on this, don't forget to ask the relevant ministers: 'By "national", do you mean the UK or only England?'
Top tip to journalists reporting on this, don't forget to ask the relevant ministers: 'By "national", do you mean the UK or only England?'
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
I wrote a thing about short stories, why they get rejected, and what you can apply to your own work.
clhellisen.beehiiv.com/p/a-view-fro...
clhellisen.beehiiv.com/p/a-view-fro...
A View from the Slush
clhellisen.beehiiv.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:15 PM
I wrote a thing about short stories, why they get rejected, and what you can apply to your own work.
clhellisen.beehiiv.com/p/a-view-fro...
clhellisen.beehiiv.com/p/a-view-fro...
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
There's a lot going on in the world today, but art is still here. Just a reminder that subs are still open on our Sapphic Specfic anthology, and will close on Feb 28! Submit here: www.scyllapublishing.com/anthology-su...
January 28, 2026 at 10:52 PM
There's a lot going on in the world today, but art is still here. Just a reminder that subs are still open on our Sapphic Specfic anthology, and will close on Feb 28! Submit here: www.scyllapublishing.com/anthology-su...
Just watched an episode of The Professionals with an amazing cast. It included Clarke Peters, Al Matthews, Charles Dance and Geoffrey Palmer.
January 28, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Just watched an episode of The Professionals with an amazing cast. It included Clarke Peters, Al Matthews, Charles Dance and Geoffrey Palmer.
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'yellow' #BookQW #Booksky
To try my writing without potentially committing to a series, take a look at The Cleaving, my standalone retelling of King Arthur's story from the perspective of the women involved.
Published by @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social
To try my writing without potentially committing to a series, take a look at The Cleaving, my standalone retelling of King Arthur's story from the perspective of the women involved.
Published by @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'yellow' #BookQW #Booksky
To try my writing without potentially committing to a series, take a look at The Cleaving, my standalone retelling of King Arthur's story from the perspective of the women involved.
Published by @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social
To try my writing without potentially committing to a series, take a look at The Cleaving, my standalone retelling of King Arthur's story from the perspective of the women involved.
Published by @angryrobotbooks.bsky.social
Small thread for people interested in Worldcons outside of the USA...
📚💙🪐🚀
📚💙🪐🚀
I'm usually not much of one to ask for things, but...
I am involved in the bid to bring Worldcon to Brisbane in 2028. Site selection is this year in Los Angeles.
I would really like it if people followed the @brisbanein28.bsky.social account. 1/5
I am involved in the bid to bring Worldcon to Brisbane in 2028. Site selection is this year in Los Angeles.
I would really like it if people followed the @brisbanein28.bsky.social account. 1/5
January 28, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Small thread for people interested in Worldcons outside of the USA...
📚💙🪐🚀
📚💙🪐🚀
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Our Writers of Colour workshops are back! Join us and former Edinburgh Makar @hannahlavery.bsky.social for another round of poetry writing, sharing, and learning together: scottishbpocwritersnetwork.org/writers-of-c...
Writers of Colour Poetry Writing Group with Hannah Lavery - February-June 2026
Join us from February-June 2026 for our Writers of Colour poetry writing group!
scottishbpocwritersnetwork.org
January 28, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Our Writers of Colour workshops are back! Join us and former Edinburgh Makar @hannahlavery.bsky.social for another round of poetry writing, sharing, and learning together: scottishbpocwritersnetwork.org/writers-of-c...
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Why do apology scenes in SFF suck so much? @rickandwrite.bsky.social has a few ideas—and a few examples of the writers who actually did it well.
britishfantasysociety.org/sorry-not-so...
britishfantasysociety.org/sorry-not-so...
January 27, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Why do apology scenes in SFF suck so much? @rickandwrite.bsky.social has a few ideas—and a few examples of the writers who actually did it well.
britishfantasysociety.org/sorry-not-so...
britishfantasysociety.org/sorry-not-so...
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
PAUL J McAULEY @unlikelyworlds.bsky.social - free London event on Tuesday 10th February!
srfcfeb2026.eventbrite.com
The Arthur C Clarke Award winner and all-round acclaimed sci-fi novelist will be reading, chatting and answering your questions at SRFC - do come!
srfcfeb2026.eventbrite.com
The Arthur C Clarke Award winner and all-round acclaimed sci-fi novelist will be reading, chatting and answering your questions at SRFC - do come!
January 27, 2026 at 12:11 PM
PAUL J McAULEY @unlikelyworlds.bsky.social - free London event on Tuesday 10th February!
srfcfeb2026.eventbrite.com
The Arthur C Clarke Award winner and all-round acclaimed sci-fi novelist will be reading, chatting and answering your questions at SRFC - do come!
srfcfeb2026.eventbrite.com
The Arthur C Clarke Award winner and all-round acclaimed sci-fi novelist will be reading, chatting and answering your questions at SRFC - do come!
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Review time, as I use a recent global trip to test out Simify's Global eSIM service for speed and reliability purposes... as well as a little fun on the way.
#travel #eSIM #mobilebroadband
alexreviewstech.com/simify-globa...
#travel #eSIM #mobilebroadband
alexreviewstech.com/simify-globa...
Simify Global eSIM Review - Alex Reviews Tech
Simify’s Global eSIM could make a lot of sense if your travel plans incorporate a lot of countries – but much less so if it’s only a handful.
alexreviewstech.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Review time, as I use a recent global trip to test out Simify's Global eSIM service for speed and reliability purposes... as well as a little fun on the way.
#travel #eSIM #mobilebroadband
alexreviewstech.com/simify-globa...
#travel #eSIM #mobilebroadband
alexreviewstech.com/simify-globa...
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
My three @prospectmagazine.co.uk posts on the Minnesota killings and government thuggery
A death in Minnesota (Good)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The new ICE Age
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Another death in Minnesota (Pretti)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
A death in Minnesota (Good)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The new ICE Age
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Another death in Minnesota (Pretti)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Death in Minnesota
The significance of the reaction to the killing of Renee Nicole Good
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 26, 2026 at 8:41 PM
My three @prospectmagazine.co.uk posts on the Minnesota killings and government thuggery
A death in Minnesota (Good)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The new ICE Age
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Another death in Minnesota (Pretti)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
A death in Minnesota (Good)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
The new ICE Age
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Another death in Minnesota (Pretti)
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
A Study on Magic and Crystals is out now!
Talita must travel to the fairy city to learn magic and count on the necromancer Marcela, and the fairy Solis for help! Together, they learn a lot about themselves.
maybarros.com.br/a-study-on-m...
🌈📚 💙📚 📢📚
Talita must travel to the fairy city to learn magic and count on the necromancer Marcela, and the fairy Solis for help! Together, they learn a lot about themselves.
maybarros.com.br/a-study-on-m...
🌈📚 💙📚 📢📚
January 26, 2026 at 7:21 PM
A Study on Magic and Crystals is out now!
Talita must travel to the fairy city to learn magic and count on the necromancer Marcela, and the fairy Solis for help! Together, they learn a lot about themselves.
maybarros.com.br/a-study-on-m...
🌈📚 💙📚 📢📚
Talita must travel to the fairy city to learn magic and count on the necromancer Marcela, and the fairy Solis for help! Together, they learn a lot about themselves.
maybarros.com.br/a-study-on-m...
🌈📚 💙📚 📢📚
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Show your lockscreen seems like the most blatant social engineering way of getting hold of your device brand and mobile provider, with a bonus extra helping of maybe a picture of your kids or whatever. So maybe think about that in this time of no fed posting, eh.
January 25, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Show your lockscreen seems like the most blatant social engineering way of getting hold of your device brand and mobile provider, with a bonus extra helping of maybe a picture of your kids or whatever. So maybe think about that in this time of no fed posting, eh.
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Do you have any news about sf or fantasy in Scotland?
#PictCon will be sending out a newsletter at the end of the month and if you have an event you want to advertise, or news of a book coming out etc please let us know.
Email to: PictCon@PictCon.
#PictCon October 17 2026, Perth 🏴
pictcon.com
#PictCon will be sending out a newsletter at the end of the month and if you have an event you want to advertise, or news of a book coming out etc please let us know.
Email to: PictCon@PictCon.
#PictCon October 17 2026, Perth 🏴
pictcon.com
PictCon – A Scottish science fiction and fantasy convention about science fiction and fantasy in Scotland.
pictcon.com
January 25, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Do you have any news about sf or fantasy in Scotland?
#PictCon will be sending out a newsletter at the end of the month and if you have an event you want to advertise, or news of a book coming out etc please let us know.
Email to: PictCon@PictCon.
#PictCon October 17 2026, Perth 🏴
pictcon.com
#PictCon will be sending out a newsletter at the end of the month and if you have an event you want to advertise, or news of a book coming out etc please let us know.
Email to: PictCon@PictCon.
#PictCon October 17 2026, Perth 🏴
pictcon.com
Reposted by SJ Groenewegen
Now the news is out! I can't wait for you all to discover Captain Artemis-- it's Captain Scarlet with lesbians, it's Quatermass and the Pit for the Brexit era, and so much more!
January 24, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Now the news is out! I can't wait for you all to discover Captain Artemis-- it's Captain Scarlet with lesbians, it's Quatermass and the Pit for the Brexit era, and so much more!