Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
@spiralisland.bsky.social
I record music as Spiral Island. I write speculative fiction under the pen name Aster Loxley. I also play in Gentle Brontosaurus. Expect posts about Madison, biking, cats, etc.
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
this is precisely the deep dive i wanted from ludwig and serena on the music of SINNERS. m.youtube.com/watch?v=9oku...
The Music of Sinners, with Ludwig and Serena Göransson | #DolbyCreatorTalks
YouTube video by Dolby
m.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:37 AM
this is precisely the deep dive i wanted from ludwig and serena on the music of SINNERS. m.youtube.com/watch?v=9oku...
I don't know what's stranger:
- That the profit margins on this short story market pay for a team of people to argue contracts nonstop
- That they act like those profit margins truly hinge on this indemnification clause
- That the profit margins on this short story market pay for a team of people to argue contracts nonstop
- That they act like those profit margins truly hinge on this indemnification clause
Did you read my post from last week about how contract woes caused me to withdraw an accepted story from F&SF, ending my 54-year quest to be published in that magazine? But wait (as the saying goes) — there's more! Scroll down at the link for an update. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...
A dream denied: My 54-year quest to publish a short story in F&SF ‹ Scott Edelman
www.scottedelman.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:13 AM
I don't know what's stranger:
- That the profit margins on this short story market pay for a team of people to argue contracts nonstop
- That they act like those profit margins truly hinge on this indemnification clause
- That the profit margins on this short story market pay for a team of people to argue contracts nonstop
- That they act like those profit margins truly hinge on this indemnification clause
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
Absolutely egregious from the people who bought the three oldest magazines in SFF and are attempting to convert them into a giant funnel of monetizable IP
This postscript is so telling of what trying to negotiate with MRM is like. Massive respect for Scott in sticking to his principles and not allowing them to bully or gaslight him into signing. I'm disgusted that this is still happening to authors. No market is worth this.
Did you read my post from last week about how contract woes caused me to withdraw an accepted story from F&SF, ending my 54-year quest to be published in that magazine? But wait (as the saying goes) — there's more! Scroll down at the link for an update. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...
November 19, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Absolutely egregious from the people who bought the three oldest magazines in SFF and are attempting to convert them into a giant funnel of monetizable IP
Enjoying Isabel Maria's latest single (and back catalog), ffo Phoebe, Taylor
open.spotify.com/track/5UaE3Z...
open.spotify.com/track/5UaE3Z...
Fairweather Friends
open.spotify.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Enjoying Isabel Maria's latest single (and back catalog), ffo Phoebe, Taylor
open.spotify.com/track/5UaE3Z...
open.spotify.com/track/5UaE3Z...
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
On days where I fret whether we're waving our Weird flag w/enough vigor, I remind myself of the 3k-word cheat sheet that @goresorcerer.bsky.social wrote up to explain PUPPET'S BANQUET.
@eveharms.com thought it was badass; that's good enough for us, should be for you too🖤☠️
store.tenebrouspress.com
@eveharms.com thought it was badass; that's good enough for us, should be for you too🖤☠️
store.tenebrouspress.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:57 PM
On days where I fret whether we're waving our Weird flag w/enough vigor, I remind myself of the 3k-word cheat sheet that @goresorcerer.bsky.social wrote up to explain PUPPET'S BANQUET.
@eveharms.com thought it was badass; that's good enough for us, should be for you too🖤☠️
store.tenebrouspress.com
@eveharms.com thought it was badass; that's good enough for us, should be for you too🖤☠️
store.tenebrouspress.com
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
"A Transhuman Enters a Coffee Shop" sounds like the setup for a joke, but in Jon Hansen's story, it's instead a lovely look at how very different beings can still find connection.
A Transhuman Enters a Coffee Shop - Small Wonders
Luke had been halfway through the morning rush at Jumpin' Joe's when the dynaman phased in with a womp, its ozone discharge blending with the coffee smell.
smallwondersmag.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"A Transhuman Enters a Coffee Shop" sounds like the setup for a joke, but in Jon Hansen's story, it's instead a lovely look at how very different beings can still find connection.
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
Promise Mascot Agency
November 18, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Promise Mascot Agency
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
@onrepeatrecords.bsky.social Thanks for the add to your weekly playlist. open.spotify.com/playlist/3fQ... #indiemusic
On Repeat Records Playlist #323
open.spotify.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:15 PM
@onrepeatrecords.bsky.social Thanks for the add to your weekly playlist. open.spotify.com/playlist/3fQ... #indiemusic
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
Per building management, the chief of Milwaukee Fire Department said this about my storing my ebike in the bike room:
“In my opinion it matters not if it is UL certified. This industry has NOT adequately provided protections for occupants if/when the battery decides to go into thermal runaway.”
“In my opinion it matters not if it is UL certified. This industry has NOT adequately provided protections for occupants if/when the battery decides to go into thermal runaway.”
November 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Per building management, the chief of Milwaukee Fire Department said this about my storing my ebike in the bike room:
“In my opinion it matters not if it is UL certified. This industry has NOT adequately provided protections for occupants if/when the battery decides to go into thermal runaway.”
“In my opinion it matters not if it is UL certified. This industry has NOT adequately provided protections for occupants if/when the battery decides to go into thermal runaway.”
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
that's a wrap on Stray Children. still can't discuss much at all in the backhalf without spoilers, so instead, some things i think would be good for people to check out when thinking about the game and its themes. not as a 'the TRUE MEANING OF' or 'HIDDEN REFERENCE' way but just that: thinking.
November 17, 2025 at 4:51 PM
that's a wrap on Stray Children. still can't discuss much at all in the backhalf without spoilers, so instead, some things i think would be good for people to check out when thinking about the game and its themes. not as a 'the TRUE MEANING OF' or 'HIDDEN REFERENCE' way but just that: thinking.
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
One thing I love about Madison is that you have pretty good odds of bumping into Rob Dz on any given night. A delightful person who has also fought some long uphill battles in our local cultural scenes. Rob had a heart attack last week. Please help him out if you can.
Donate to Help Rob Dz Heal and Create Again, organized by Urban Community Arts Network
If you know Rob Dz, you know how much he has poured into Madison and be… Urban Community Arts Network needs your support for Help Rob Dz Heal and Create Again
www.gofundme.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
One thing I love about Madison is that you have pretty good odds of bumping into Rob Dz on any given night. A delightful person who has also fought some long uphill battles in our local cultural scenes. Rob had a heart attack last week. Please help him out if you can.
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
If you're a dinosaur in a noir story, it's inevitable that you'll find yourself at Qurtiz's establishment in "Everybody Comes to the Velociraptor's", by Timothy Mudie.
Everybody Comes to the Velociraptor’s - Small Wonders
When the triceratops headbutted in my office door, I was at my desk, cigarette pinched between my claws and a whiskey in front of me. I expected him; he knew I expected him; no point trying to hide it.
smallwondersmag.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
If you're a dinosaur in a noir story, it's inevitable that you'll find yourself at Qurtiz's establishment in "Everybody Comes to the Velociraptor's", by Timothy Mudie.
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
“Helsinki hasn’t registered a single traffic-related fatality in the past year…Citing data that shows the risk of pedestrian fatality is cut in half by reducing a car’s speed from 40 to 30km/hr, city officials imposed the lower limit in most of Helsinki’s residential areas & city center in 2021.”
Helsinki just went a full year without a single traffic death
The capital city is Finnish’ed with car-related fatalities.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 6:31 AM
“Helsinki hasn’t registered a single traffic-related fatality in the past year…Citing data that shows the risk of pedestrian fatality is cut in half by reducing a car’s speed from 40 to 30km/hr, city officials imposed the lower limit in most of Helsinki’s residential areas & city center in 2021.”
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
Mid-November ice extent in the Bering Sea (west of Alaska) 1978-2025 based on NSIDC data. In hindsight, the step change between 2001 and 2002 is remarkable for its consistency. The 2002-2025 median is 65 percent lower(!) than the median of the prior 24 years. 1 / 2 #akwx #Arctic #SeaIce
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
![Steve Hogarty @misterbrilliant
[gets olympic tickets to 100m butterfly] Oh my god this will be great. [sees the huge stadium] Oh wow that must be where they keep it.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:k5zurjvwdwxqwpvd4ggk3w76/bafkreihzgag5tcnviy6ohpnaokdl6jbyus6lufcrxk27xbskrzjusvybxu@jpeg)
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
Friends! Applications for the Wholehearted Writers Week are open until December 12!
This is an intentionally inclusive, neurodiverse and queer-led online event based on building community that welcomes writers to bring their whole selves. I hope to see you there! wholeheartedwriters.weebly.com
This is an intentionally inclusive, neurodiverse and queer-led online event based on building community that welcomes writers to bring their whole selves. I hope to see you there! wholeheartedwriters.weebly.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Friends! Applications for the Wholehearted Writers Week are open until December 12!
This is an intentionally inclusive, neurodiverse and queer-led online event based on building community that welcomes writers to bring their whole selves. I hope to see you there! wholeheartedwriters.weebly.com
This is an intentionally inclusive, neurodiverse and queer-led online event based on building community that welcomes writers to bring their whole selves. I hope to see you there! wholeheartedwriters.weebly.com
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
The “Big Beautiful Bill” shows its petty ugliness once again… this time locally. isthmus.com/news/news/wo...
Madison's WORT-FM lays off staff, cites public media funding cuts
The community radio station lost $112,000 in public funding, 12% of its 2025 budget.
isthmus.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The “Big Beautiful Bill” shows its petty ugliness once again… this time locally. isthmus.com/news/news/wo...
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
Bethesda to DC bike ride rolls out Sunday to promote street safety
November 16, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Bethesda to DC bike ride rolls out Sunday to promote street safety
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
It is very funny that this Pope is just going to get jerseys from now on. Everyone decided that's what this Pope likes and that is it. It's like if your grandmother got you a puzzle for Christmas one year and you said you liked it so your entire extended family is like "oh that's the puzzle kid"
Spike Lee just blessed Pope Leo with a custom Knicks jersey during his visit to the Vatican, just one week after the Pope was gifted a custom Chicago Bulls one.
Spike Lee Blesses Pope Leo with Knicks Jersey
Spike Lee just blessed Pope Leo with a custom Knicks jersey during his visit to the Vatican, just one week after the Pope was gifted a custom Chicago Bulls one.
www.vulture.com
November 16, 2025 at 3:07 AM
It is very funny that this Pope is just going to get jerseys from now on. Everyone decided that's what this Pope likes and that is it. It's like if your grandmother got you a puzzle for Christmas one year and you said you liked it so your entire extended family is like "oh that's the puzzle kid"
November 15, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
"Malort advent calendar" is already such an unhinged concept but every little window just having Malort in it really pushes it over the edge into something transcendently funny
November 15, 2025 at 12:54 AM
"Malort advent calendar" is already such an unhinged concept but every little window just having Malort in it really pushes it over the edge into something transcendently funny
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
When allegiance to a multi-media franchise brand eclipses critical engagement, even the most idealistic communities risk being co-opted by forces that run counter to the values they once championed.
Star Trek is now owned by problematic people.
New blog post: hugoclub.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
Star Trek is now owned by problematic people.
New blog post: hugoclub.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
two men are sitting in a car with the words `` damage report ! '' written on the screen .
Alt: Picard and Riker shaking about on the bridge with the words `` damage report ! '' written on the screen .
media.tenor.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:11 AM
When allegiance to a multi-media franchise brand eclipses critical engagement, even the most idealistic communities risk being co-opted by forces that run counter to the values they once championed.
Star Trek is now owned by problematic people.
New blog post: hugoclub.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
Star Trek is now owned by problematic people.
New blog post: hugoclub.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
Reposted by Nick Davies / Aster Loxley / Spiral Island
The Apex Book Company submission window closes TONIGHT at midnight EST! 🪟📚
Submissions sent after this time will be deleted, so make sure to send us your strange, surreal, beautiful work before the deadline!
Read our submission guidelines and submit HERE: www.apexbookcompany.com/pages/submis...
Submissions sent after this time will be deleted, so make sure to send us your strange, surreal, beautiful work before the deadline!
Read our submission guidelines and submit HERE: www.apexbookcompany.com/pages/submis...
November 14, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The Apex Book Company submission window closes TONIGHT at midnight EST! 🪟📚
Submissions sent after this time will be deleted, so make sure to send us your strange, surreal, beautiful work before the deadline!
Read our submission guidelines and submit HERE: www.apexbookcompany.com/pages/submis...
Submissions sent after this time will be deleted, so make sure to send us your strange, surreal, beautiful work before the deadline!
Read our submission guidelines and submit HERE: www.apexbookcompany.com/pages/submis...
I'm so sold
Astronaut hates space, ship, other crew members💀
Not too fond of his assigned penpal either (at first)💀
Shit goes bananas at the edge of the universe💀
Time gets crazy💀
People die💀
Cosmic Horror💀
...Meet Cute?❤️
DEAR STUPID PENPAL by @rascalhartley.bsky.social
OUT NOW: store.tenebrouspress.com
Not too fond of his assigned penpal either (at first)💀
Shit goes bananas at the edge of the universe💀
Time gets crazy💀
People die💀
Cosmic Horror💀
...Meet Cute?❤️
DEAR STUPID PENPAL by @rascalhartley.bsky.social
OUT NOW: store.tenebrouspress.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I'm so sold
Here's a video walking through the mix of this song youtu.be/RdhaqJf8Ego?...
November 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Here's a video walking through the mix of this song youtu.be/RdhaqJf8Ego?...