Sonia Focke
@soniafocke.bsky.social
SFF author & Egyptologist. Loves tiny 🫖, 🦋 & 🐙.
Stories out in The Were-Traveler‘s „Women Destroy [Retro-] Sci-Fi“ edition, „Mirror, Mirror“, „Crunchy With Ketchup“, „Wyngraf #4“, „The Pelagic Zone: Uncharted Waters“, New Myths #70, GigaNotoSaurus 07/2025.
Stories out in The Were-Traveler‘s „Women Destroy [Retro-] Sci-Fi“ edition, „Mirror, Mirror“, „Crunchy With Ketchup“, „Wyngraf #4“, „The Pelagic Zone: Uncharted Waters“, New Myths #70, GigaNotoSaurus 07/2025.
Pinned
Sonia Focke
@soniafocke.bsky.social
· Sep 25
Reposted by Sonia Focke
I‘ve introduced the kids to ATLA with the slightly hilarious consequence that now, when the 6-year-old is frustrated, he stamps his feet and yells: „I NEED A CALMING CUP OF TEA!!!“
#Tea #ATLA #UncleIroh
#Tea #ATLA #UncleIroh
a cartoon of a man sitting at a table with a cup of calming jasmine tea behind him
Alt: Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender, an older man with a grey beard and hair in a topknot and wearing a red samurai-style chestplate, sitting at a table in front of a solitaire card game, a steaming red and black teapot beside him. He spreads his arms wide and the caption says: „Please, sit. Why don’t you enjoy a cup of calming jasmine tea?“
media.tenor.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:42 AM
I‘ve introduced the kids to ATLA with the slightly hilarious consequence that now, when the 6-year-old is frustrated, he stamps his feet and yells: „I NEED A CALMING CUP OF TEA!!!“
#Tea #ATLA #UncleIroh
#Tea #ATLA #UncleIroh
I‘ve introduced the kids to ATLA with the slightly hilarious consequence that now, when the 6-year-old is frustrated, he stamps his feet and yells: „I NEED A CALMING CUP OF TEA!!!“
#Tea #ATLA #UncleIroh
#Tea #ATLA #UncleIroh
a cartoon of a man sitting at a table with a cup of calming jasmine tea behind him
Alt: Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender, an older man with a grey beard and hair in a topknot and wearing a red samurai-style chestplate, sitting at a table in front of a solitaire card game, a steaming red and black teapot beside him. He spreads his arms wide and the caption says: „Please, sit. Why don’t you enjoy a cup of calming jasmine tea?“
media.tenor.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:42 AM
I‘ve introduced the kids to ATLA with the slightly hilarious consequence that now, when the 6-year-old is frustrated, he stamps his feet and yells: „I NEED A CALMING CUP OF TEA!!!“
#Tea #ATLA #UncleIroh
#Tea #ATLA #UncleIroh
Hi! If you missed it on Wednesday, you can watch here!
This week, Story Hour explores the stars—and our human ideas of intelligence and emotion. Sonia Focke reads about kittens and octopuses, and Daniel Marcus responds to a famous 1954 sci-fi story. You can still watch! #Booksky
@soniafocke.bsky.social @danmarcus.bsky.social
youtu.be/5wt7IARlO_s
@soniafocke.bsky.social @danmarcus.bsky.social
youtu.be/5wt7IARlO_s
November 12, 2025: Sonia Focke and Daniel Marcus read sci-fi!
YouTube video by Story Hour
youtu.be
November 14, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Hi! If you missed it on Wednesday, you can watch here!
Reposted by Sonia Focke
Look, it’s me!
I‘ll be reading „Island Getaway“ from the current issue of khōréō @khoreo.bsky.social !
(Which, btw, is getting an AWESOME narrator for its official audio version! Squee!)
I‘ll be reading „Island Getaway“ from the current issue of khōréō @khoreo.bsky.social !
(Which, btw, is getting an AWESOME narrator for its official audio version! Squee!)
If our spooky October scared you away, it’s safe to return to Story Hour now. This week, Sonia Focke will read us something fun! Host Daniel Marcus joins as a reader. Join us Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. PST! @soniafocke.bsky.social @danielmarcus.bsky.social #Booksky www.storyhour2020.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Look, it’s me!
I‘ll be reading „Island Getaway“ from the current issue of khōréō @khoreo.bsky.social !
(Which, btw, is getting an AWESOME narrator for its official audio version! Squee!)
I‘ll be reading „Island Getaway“ from the current issue of khōréō @khoreo.bsky.social !
(Which, btw, is getting an AWESOME narrator for its official audio version! Squee!)
Reposted by Sonia Focke
If our spooky October scared you away, it’s safe to return to Story Hour now. This week, Sonia Focke will read us something fun! Host Daniel Marcus joins as a reader. Join us Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. PST! @soniafocke.bsky.social @danielmarcus.bsky.social #Booksky www.storyhour2020.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
If our spooky October scared you away, it’s safe to return to Story Hour now. This week, Sonia Focke will read us something fun! Host Daniel Marcus joins as a reader. Join us Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. PST! @soniafocke.bsky.social @danielmarcus.bsky.social #Booksky www.storyhour2020.com
Look, it’s me!
I‘ll be reading „Island Getaway“ from the current issue of khōréō @khoreo.bsky.social !
(Which, btw, is getting an AWESOME narrator for its official audio version! Squee!)
I‘ll be reading „Island Getaway“ from the current issue of khōréō @khoreo.bsky.social !
(Which, btw, is getting an AWESOME narrator for its official audio version! Squee!)
If our spooky October scared you away, it’s safe to return to Story Hour now. This week, Sonia Focke will read us something fun! Host Daniel Marcus joins as a reader. Join us Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. PST! @soniafocke.bsky.social @danielmarcus.bsky.social #Booksky www.storyhour2020.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Look, it’s me!
I‘ll be reading „Island Getaway“ from the current issue of khōréō @khoreo.bsky.social !
(Which, btw, is getting an AWESOME narrator for its official audio version! Squee!)
I‘ll be reading „Island Getaway“ from the current issue of khōréō @khoreo.bsky.social !
(Which, btw, is getting an AWESOME narrator for its official audio version! Squee!)
Reposted by Sonia Focke
Locus is a magazine built for & by readers AND writers. Get insider news about which magazines are publishing what kind of story, as well as our reviewers' favorite books of the year. Immerse yourself in our community, we would love to have you. linktr.ee/locusmagazine
November 9, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Locus is a magazine built for & by readers AND writers. Get insider news about which magazines are publishing what kind of story, as well as our reviewers' favorite books of the year. Immerse yourself in our community, we would love to have you. linktr.ee/locusmagazine
Reposted by Sonia Focke
November submissions are OPEN!
The theme for the November submission period is REVOLUTIONS!
We pay $0.10/word! More info on how to submit is on our website: www.khoreomag.com/submissions-...
The theme for the November submission period is REVOLUTIONS!
We pay $0.10/word! More info on how to submit is on our website: www.khoreomag.com/submissions-...
November 1, 2025 at 9:23 PM
November submissions are OPEN!
The theme for the November submission period is REVOLUTIONS!
We pay $0.10/word! More info on how to submit is on our website: www.khoreomag.com/submissions-...
The theme for the November submission period is REVOLUTIONS!
We pay $0.10/word! More info on how to submit is on our website: www.khoreomag.com/submissions-...
Halloween tradition: Mel Brooks‘ Young Frankenstein.
a man in a hat says " could be worse could be raining " in a black and white scene
Alt: In black and white, Frederick and Eye-gor from Young Frankenstein standing in a grave saying "could be worse. Could be raining " upon which lightning flashes and rain pours down.
media.tenor.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Halloween tradition: Mel Brooks‘ Young Frankenstein.
My husband‘s Halloween costume this year!
Bodysuit and mask are store-bought, the rest of the costumre by moi.
Bodysuit and mask are store-bought, the rest of the costumre by moi.
November 1, 2025 at 6:31 PM
My husband‘s Halloween costume this year!
Bodysuit and mask are store-bought, the rest of the costumre by moi.
Bodysuit and mask are store-bought, the rest of the costumre by moi.
#CurrentlyReading
Fiction paper:
Berbard Werber, Sa Majesté des Chats
Margaret Macdonald, Glasgow Boys
Fiction Audio:
Malka Older, The Mimicking of Known Successes
Non-Fiction:
Georges Bordonove, La vie quotidienne des Temmpliers au XIIIe siècle
Fiction paper:
Berbard Werber, Sa Majesté des Chats
Margaret Macdonald, Glasgow Boys
Fiction Audio:
Malka Older, The Mimicking of Known Successes
Non-Fiction:
Georges Bordonove, La vie quotidienne des Temmpliers au XIIIe siècle
October 31, 2025 at 6:22 AM
#CurrentlyReading
Fiction paper:
Berbard Werber, Sa Majesté des Chats
Margaret Macdonald, Glasgow Boys
Fiction Audio:
Malka Older, The Mimicking of Known Successes
Non-Fiction:
Georges Bordonove, La vie quotidienne des Temmpliers au XIIIe siècle
Fiction paper:
Berbard Werber, Sa Majesté des Chats
Margaret Macdonald, Glasgow Boys
Fiction Audio:
Malka Older, The Mimicking of Known Successes
Non-Fiction:
Georges Bordonove, La vie quotidienne des Temmpliers au XIIIe siècle
Reposted by Sonia Focke
Friends, I'm overwhelmed. Trying hard to keep mom's care at the nursing home up while I'm on a disability pension is kicking my @ss right now. I'm pouring my energy into game dev and writing, but work is scarce. Please donate, or share if you see this. ko-fi.com/soniasulaima...
Buy SoniaSulaiman a Coffee
Sonia is writing speculative fiction inspired by Palestinian folklore. Leave her a tip to support her work!
ko-fi.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Friends, I'm overwhelmed. Trying hard to keep mom's care at the nursing home up while I'm on a disability pension is kicking my @ss right now. I'm pouring my energy into game dev and writing, but work is scarce. Please donate, or share if you see this. ko-fi.com/soniasulaima...
Reposted by Sonia Focke
Some unexpected bills came up and I'm in a bit of a tight spot.
Need a couple of commissions to help pad it out!
vgen.co/sonybaloneyart
Need a couple of commissions to help pad it out!
vgen.co/sonybaloneyart
October 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Some unexpected bills came up and I'm in a bit of a tight spot.
Need a couple of commissions to help pad it out!
vgen.co/sonybaloneyart
Need a couple of commissions to help pad it out!
vgen.co/sonybaloneyart
Currently reading:
Fiction, paper:
@naominovik.bsky.social , The Golden Enclaves (suuuuch a good trilogy!!!)
Claire Duvivier, Un long voyage
Fiction, Audio: @marthawells.com City of Bones
Non-Fiction: La vie quotidienne des templiers au XIIIe siècle
Fiction, paper:
@naominovik.bsky.social , The Golden Enclaves (suuuuch a good trilogy!!!)
Claire Duvivier, Un long voyage
Fiction, Audio: @marthawells.com City of Bones
Non-Fiction: La vie quotidienne des templiers au XIIIe siècle
October 14, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Currently reading:
Fiction, paper:
@naominovik.bsky.social , The Golden Enclaves (suuuuch a good trilogy!!!)
Claire Duvivier, Un long voyage
Fiction, Audio: @marthawells.com City of Bones
Non-Fiction: La vie quotidienne des templiers au XIIIe siècle
Fiction, paper:
@naominovik.bsky.social , The Golden Enclaves (suuuuch a good trilogy!!!)
Claire Duvivier, Un long voyage
Fiction, Audio: @marthawells.com City of Bones
Non-Fiction: La vie quotidienne des templiers au XIIIe siècle
Introduce yoruself using one food you refuse to eat, one movie you'll never watch again, and one song you can't stand.
Beetroot, Meet the Feebles, most gangsta rap.
Beetroot, Meet the Feebles, most gangsta rap.
Introduce yoruself using one food you refuse to eat, one movie you'll never watch again, and one song you can't stand.
Mushrooms, Blackhat, Fixer Upper (from Frozen)
Mushrooms, Blackhat, Fixer Upper (from Frozen)
Introduce yourself using one food you refuse to eat, one movie you'll never watch again, and one song you can't stand.
mushrooms
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Walking on Sunshine
mushrooms
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Walking on Sunshine
October 13, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Introduce yoruself using one food you refuse to eat, one movie you'll never watch again, and one song you can't stand.
Beetroot, Meet the Feebles, most gangsta rap.
Beetroot, Meet the Feebles, most gangsta rap.
Okay, I think I know what most of these are, but „count as female“ has me a bit stumped (person answered the wrong question, maybe?) & I want to know if fish benders are part of the Water Nation or are their own thing.
Job occupations, from an 1881 census. Every one of these sounds like something a sorely provoked Captain Haddock would should at someone in times of heavy stress.
October 13, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Okay, I think I know what most of these are, but „count as female“ has me a bit stumped (person answered the wrong question, maybe?) & I want to know if fish benders are part of the Water Nation or are their own thing.
This still cracks me up.
BTW the fun fact is that the Templar‘s charter exists in Latin and French and the Latin one says „do NOT under any circumstances accept excommunicated knights“ and the French charter says „Excommunicated knights? Yes, please.“
Me, eager to tell SO a fun fact about the Templars, but having to wait because he‘s in a plot-heavy part if his video game:
October 13, 2025 at 7:44 AM
This still cracks me up.
Remember this? No? Why not read it now?
It’s about space fronds (tee-hee) & it’s based on an ancient Egyptian fairytale!
It’s about space fronds (tee-hee) & it’s based on an ancient Egyptian fairytale!
New story up at GNS:
Amenau survives a space-wreck, but wakes on a strange planet, tended to by a frond-covered gold and blue creature. Surely this is a concussion. Surely.
Read “Water to a Goose” by Sonia Focke @soniafocke.bsky.social
giganotosaurus.org/2025/07/01/water-to-a-goose/
Amenau survives a space-wreck, but wakes on a strange planet, tended to by a frond-covered gold and blue creature. Surely this is a concussion. Surely.
Read “Water to a Goose” by Sonia Focke @soniafocke.bsky.social
giganotosaurus.org/2025/07/01/water-to-a-goose/
Water to a Goose - GigaNotoSaurus
CW: grief, disassociation, presumed death of a child “Why give water to a goose at dawn if it is being slaughtered in the morning?” – Story of the Shipwrecked Sailor, Papyrus St. Pet...
giganotosaurus.org
October 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Remember this? No? Why not read it now?
It’s about space fronds (tee-hee) & it’s based on an ancient Egyptian fairytale!
It’s about space fronds (tee-hee) & it’s based on an ancient Egyptian fairytale!
Flea market finds!
These three (+ a wall decal not pictured) for 1€!
The little tin and ceramic saucer with the painted grapes will keep our pepper mill from spreading pepper dust all over the counter, the dish will be a plant tray and the hen egg cup will join our Easter decotation.
These three (+ a wall decal not pictured) for 1€!
The little tin and ceramic saucer with the painted grapes will keep our pepper mill from spreading pepper dust all over the counter, the dish will be a plant tray and the hen egg cup will join our Easter decotation.
October 12, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Flea market finds!
These three (+ a wall decal not pictured) for 1€!
The little tin and ceramic saucer with the painted grapes will keep our pepper mill from spreading pepper dust all over the counter, the dish will be a plant tray and the hen egg cup will join our Easter decotation.
These three (+ a wall decal not pictured) for 1€!
The little tin and ceramic saucer with the painted grapes will keep our pepper mill from spreading pepper dust all over the counter, the dish will be a plant tray and the hen egg cup will join our Easter decotation.
Reposted by Sonia Focke
Both my kids are really creative. K1 invented the „Strawberryfant“ and we both had to draw him. This is my take 😁
Alcohol marker, acrylic marker and coloured pencil. The eye is felt-tipped pen.
Alcohol marker, acrylic marker and coloured pencil. The eye is felt-tipped pen.
October 10, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Both my kids are really creative. K1 invented the „Strawberryfant“ and we both had to draw him. This is my take 😁
Alcohol marker, acrylic marker and coloured pencil. The eye is felt-tipped pen.
Alcohol marker, acrylic marker and coloured pencil. The eye is felt-tipped pen.
Both my kids are really creative. K1 invented the „Strawberryfant“ and we both had to draw him. This is my take 😁
Alcohol marker, acrylic marker and coloured pencil. The eye is felt-tipped pen.
Alcohol marker, acrylic marker and coloured pencil. The eye is felt-tipped pen.
October 10, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Both my kids are really creative. K1 invented the „Strawberryfant“ and we both had to draw him. This is my take 😁
Alcohol marker, acrylic marker and coloured pencil. The eye is felt-tipped pen.
Alcohol marker, acrylic marker and coloured pencil. The eye is felt-tipped pen.
Reposted by Sonia Focke
WE'RE 30% FUNDED!! 🎉🎉🎉 Apex will be open to nonfiction pitches FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! ✨
Want to unlock the next chapter of Apex? Please consider backing our Kickstarter and help us keep publishing the strange, surreal, shocking, beautiful stories you love!
www.kickstarter.com/.../apexpu.....
Want to unlock the next chapter of Apex? Please consider backing our Kickstarter and help us keep publishing the strange, surreal, shocking, beautiful stories you love!
www.kickstarter.com/.../apexpu.....
October 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
WE'RE 30% FUNDED!! 🎉🎉🎉 Apex will be open to nonfiction pitches FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! ✨
Want to unlock the next chapter of Apex? Please consider backing our Kickstarter and help us keep publishing the strange, surreal, shocking, beautiful stories you love!
www.kickstarter.com/.../apexpu.....
Want to unlock the next chapter of Apex? Please consider backing our Kickstarter and help us keep publishing the strange, surreal, shocking, beautiful stories you love!
www.kickstarter.com/.../apexpu.....
Reposted by Sonia Focke
Alrght everybody, get your Tin Can Telephones out. We need your help!
We reach new people by word of mouth. Send all your educator friends this pic! Teachers, librarians, scout troop leaders, etc! We offer our program for free, so we need help getting the word out without advertising $$.
We reach new people by word of mouth. Send all your educator friends this pic! Teachers, librarians, scout troop leaders, etc! We offer our program for free, so we need help getting the word out without advertising $$.
September 30, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Alrght everybody, get your Tin Can Telephones out. We need your help!
We reach new people by word of mouth. Send all your educator friends this pic! Teachers, librarians, scout troop leaders, etc! We offer our program for free, so we need help getting the word out without advertising $$.
We reach new people by word of mouth. Send all your educator friends this pic! Teachers, librarians, scout troop leaders, etc! We offer our program for free, so we need help getting the word out without advertising $$.
I kept meaning to post last year‘s book list - here it is!
This year‘s is twice as look - I have my reading mojo back!
This year‘s is twice as look - I have my reading mojo back!
September 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I kept meaning to post last year‘s book list - here it is!
This year‘s is twice as look - I have my reading mojo back!
This year‘s is twice as look - I have my reading mojo back!