Tal
@taldragon.bsky.social
3 tiredly cynical magpies hiding under a duvet, reposting things that catch their interest.
loves books, SFFH, cats, tea, puns and terrible jokes ;)
(She/her)
loves books, SFFH, cats, tea, puns and terrible jokes ;)
(She/her)
Reposted by Tal
rah herself is in fact an eldritch entity, but one who is sitting there clutching a diet Dr Pepper asking "are you fucking kidding me with this shit"
A lot of people think of moderators as eldritch entities that are bound to the exact words of the spell and if you don't speak the exact words, you cannot be moderated! Whereas in reality it's a bunch of very tired and overworked people going "are you fucking kidding me with this shit"
November 13, 2025 at 6:48 PM
rah herself is in fact an eldritch entity, but one who is sitting there clutching a diet Dr Pepper asking "are you fucking kidding me with this shit"
Reposted by Tal
It’s Transgender Awareness Week. I’m trans. Happily so! (Apart from *gestures at the world*.)
I also make trans art - books about a trans magical girl and all her gay teammates. You might like ‘em, and it directly supports me because this is my whole job. 😅 magicariot.com
I also make trans art - books about a trans magical girl and all her gay teammates. You might like ‘em, and it directly supports me because this is my whole job. 😅 magicariot.com
Magica Riot - Portland's Queer Magical Girl Rock Band - The Official Site
Novels about Portland's hard-rocking queer magical girls, Magica Riot.
magicariot.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:07 PM
It’s Transgender Awareness Week. I’m trans. Happily so! (Apart from *gestures at the world*.)
I also make trans art - books about a trans magical girl and all her gay teammates. You might like ‘em, and it directly supports me because this is my whole job. 😅 magicariot.com
I also make trans art - books about a trans magical girl and all her gay teammates. You might like ‘em, and it directly supports me because this is my whole job. 😅 magicariot.com
Reposted by Tal
The problem is that Bluesky’s “moderation policies” protect but do not bind racist, transphobic regressives, and binds but does not protect those regressives’ victims, the fact-checkers calling out the regressives, or anyone else.
November 13, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The problem is that Bluesky’s “moderation policies” protect but do not bind racist, transphobic regressives, and binds but does not protect those regressives’ victims, the fact-checkers calling out the regressives, or anyone else.
Reposted by Tal
I want to very gently say something, and I hope nobody will be mad: If somebody on the internet says something that is NOT about politics and NOT about how terrible everything is, it’s a kindness not to reflexively make a comment (in jest or not) that brings it back to those things.
November 13, 2025 at 2:10 AM
I want to very gently say something, and I hope nobody will be mad: If somebody on the internet says something that is NOT about politics and NOT about how terrible everything is, it’s a kindness not to reflexively make a comment (in jest or not) that brings it back to those things.
Reposted by Tal
BEING ARO lineup announcement! This YA cross genre aromantic anthology is coming your way May 2026 from Page Street!
@clh2oars.bsky.social @kashinggiwa.bsky.social @kalynjosephson.bsky.social @rukman.bsky.social @soumiroy1.bsky.social @annzhao.bsky.social
@clh2oars.bsky.social @kashinggiwa.bsky.social @kalynjosephson.bsky.social @rukman.bsky.social @soumiroy1.bsky.social @annzhao.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM
BEING ARO lineup announcement! This YA cross genre aromantic anthology is coming your way May 2026 from Page Street!
@clh2oars.bsky.social @kashinggiwa.bsky.social @kalynjosephson.bsky.social @rukman.bsky.social @soumiroy1.bsky.social @annzhao.bsky.social
@clh2oars.bsky.social @kashinggiwa.bsky.social @kalynjosephson.bsky.social @rukman.bsky.social @soumiroy1.bsky.social @annzhao.bsky.social
Reposted by Tal
Fools Rush In is available on my shop!
💖 Bisexual lead
🎉 Polyamory end game
🔮 Cool sword
♥️ Processing trauma
🪆 Found family
🎭 Enemies to lovers
A free preview (70+ pages) is also available.
📚 sarahclowder.com
🏷 payhip.com/SillyGooseInk
💖 Bisexual lead
🎉 Polyamory end game
🔮 Cool sword
♥️ Processing trauma
🪆 Found family
🎭 Enemies to lovers
A free preview (70+ pages) is also available.
📚 sarahclowder.com
🏷 payhip.com/SillyGooseInk
November 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Fools Rush In is available on my shop!
💖 Bisexual lead
🎉 Polyamory end game
🔮 Cool sword
♥️ Processing trauma
🪆 Found family
🎭 Enemies to lovers
A free preview (70+ pages) is also available.
📚 sarahclowder.com
🏷 payhip.com/SillyGooseInk
💖 Bisexual lead
🎉 Polyamory end game
🔮 Cool sword
♥️ Processing trauma
🪆 Found family
🎭 Enemies to lovers
A free preview (70+ pages) is also available.
📚 sarahclowder.com
🏷 payhip.com/SillyGooseInk
Reposted by Tal
Just two days left to back WITCHING SEASON!
You want to read @matthtaylor.com and my story about TRANS WITCHES battling MONSTERS don't you?!? Of course you do! So back this book!!! www.kickstarter.com/projects/phi...
You want to read @matthtaylor.com and my story about TRANS WITCHES battling MONSTERS don't you?!? Of course you do! So back this book!!! www.kickstarter.com/projects/phi...
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Just two days left to back WITCHING SEASON!
You want to read @matthtaylor.com and my story about TRANS WITCHES battling MONSTERS don't you?!? Of course you do! So back this book!!! www.kickstarter.com/projects/phi...
You want to read @matthtaylor.com and my story about TRANS WITCHES battling MONSTERS don't you?!? Of course you do! So back this book!!! www.kickstarter.com/projects/phi...
Reposted by Tal
Heads up: If you haven't read A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by @tkingfisher.com (and frankly that's criminal in the first place) and you're on Audible, it's part of the 2 for 1 sale right now. You won't regret it.
It has a possibly sentient, probably murderous sourdough starter in it.
It has a possibly sentient, probably murderous sourdough starter in it.
November 12, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Heads up: If you haven't read A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by @tkingfisher.com (and frankly that's criminal in the first place) and you're on Audible, it's part of the 2 for 1 sale right now. You won't regret it.
It has a possibly sentient, probably murderous sourdough starter in it.
It has a possibly sentient, probably murderous sourdough starter in it.
Reposted by Tal
Just cuz I suspect it's gonna be relevant: "underage women" is a contradiction in terms. There are adults and there are minors, who are children. Ditto "nonconsensual sex." That's rape. The only reason to play semantic games is because you benefit from obscuring the simplicity of these terms.
November 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Just cuz I suspect it's gonna be relevant: "underage women" is a contradiction in terms. There are adults and there are minors, who are children. Ditto "nonconsensual sex." That's rape. The only reason to play semantic games is because you benefit from obscuring the simplicity of these terms.
Reposted by Tal
Just add a bunch of trauma and this is the actual plot of LIBRARY OF AMORLIN by @kalynjosephson.bsky.social
Never give up.
Somewhere in the world, there's a haunted manor house on the moors with a mysterious caretaker, indifferent cats, and secret libraries within libraries, waiting for you in the darkness.
Somewhere in the world, there's a haunted manor house on the moors with a mysterious caretaker, indifferent cats, and secret libraries within libraries, waiting for you in the darkness.
November 12, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Just add a bunch of trauma and this is the actual plot of LIBRARY OF AMORLIN by @kalynjosephson.bsky.social
Reposted by Tal
If KDP is even going to mess with *Subterranean Press*, for goshsakes, I really think indie authors ought to think twice before using KDP for ANYTHING.
I know it's cheap, but the risk of this sort of nonsense tanking an indie's income stream is unreasonably high.
I know it's cheap, but the risk of this sort of nonsense tanking an indie's income stream is unreasonably high.
November 12, 2025 at 3:10 PM
If KDP is even going to mess with *Subterranean Press*, for goshsakes, I really think indie authors ought to think twice before using KDP for ANYTHING.
I know it's cheap, but the risk of this sort of nonsense tanking an indie's income stream is unreasonably high.
I know it's cheap, but the risk of this sort of nonsense tanking an indie's income stream is unreasonably high.
Reposted by Tal
You know what? Someone just reposted this onto my TL, and it reminded me that I want to read this book, which I haven't yet.
Writers, please, feel free to mention your work on this platform now and again because I need reminders. I forget; I'm busy; I mean to but don't.
Thank you for your service!
Writers, please, feel free to mention your work on this platform now and again because I need reminders. I forget; I'm busy; I mean to but don't.
Thank you for your service!
November 12, 2025 at 6:37 PM
You know what? Someone just reposted this onto my TL, and it reminded me that I want to read this book, which I haven't yet.
Writers, please, feel free to mention your work on this platform now and again because I need reminders. I forget; I'm busy; I mean to but don't.
Thank you for your service!
Writers, please, feel free to mention your work on this platform now and again because I need reminders. I forget; I'm busy; I mean to but don't.
Thank you for your service!
Reposted by Tal
Holy shit, just learned about the typewriter art of Montserrat Alberich Escardívol, a Catalan typist. Using an extra wide typewriter and 180 color ribbons, she built up elaborate images from simple characters like 'm' and '.' and ';'. Here is her typewritten painting of the Cathedral of Barcelona.
November 12, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Holy shit, just learned about the typewriter art of Montserrat Alberich Escardívol, a Catalan typist. Using an extra wide typewriter and 180 color ribbons, she built up elaborate images from simple characters like 'm' and '.' and ';'. Here is her typewritten painting of the Cathedral of Barcelona.
Reposted by Tal
Hey! The narrative audiobook of DEAD THINGS, the first in the Eric Carter, Necromancer series is 50% off until 12/1 if you like that sort of thing.
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
50% OFF Dead Things
Follow necromancer Eric Carter through a world of vengeful gods and goddesses, mysterious murders, and restless ghosts in this dark urban fantasy series kick-off.
Necromancer is such an ugly word, ...
www.audiobooks.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Hey! The narrative audiobook of DEAD THINGS, the first in the Eric Carter, Necromancer series is 50% off until 12/1 if you like that sort of thing.
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
Reposted by Tal
There was a lot of gossip. Not because they were both very old, and famous. Not only because both used the same pronouns. Mostly because they were different species.
How do they do it?
"Like everybody else," the heir to the Elven throne said.
The dragon smiled. "With love, care, and enthusiasm."
How do they do it?
"Like everybody else," the heir to the Elven throne said.
The dragon smiled. "With love, care, and enthusiasm."
November 12, 2025 at 6:21 PM
There was a lot of gossip. Not because they were both very old, and famous. Not only because both used the same pronouns. Mostly because they were different species.
How do they do it?
"Like everybody else," the heir to the Elven throne said.
The dragon smiled. "With love, care, and enthusiasm."
How do they do it?
"Like everybody else," the heir to the Elven throne said.
The dragon smiled. "With love, care, and enthusiasm."
Reposted by Tal
Something I do wish non-historians would internalise is that (modern) historians are not (generally) just making shit up. We do in fact have sources and evidence and proof of things which have happened in the past
November 12, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Something I do wish non-historians would internalise is that (modern) historians are not (generally) just making shit up. We do in fact have sources and evidence and proof of things which have happened in the past
Reposted by Tal
Oh I am SO excited.
Attention @seananmcguire.bsky.social fans! We’re pleased to announce a new mega-collection by Seanan (600+ pages, with 16 never-before-published stories!), Velveteen vs. the Consequences of Her Actions. Full details and preorder info here: subterraneanpress.com/newsannounci...
Announcing VELVETEEN VS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF HER ACTIONS by Seanan McGuire
We’re pleased to announce some of Seanan McGuire’s rarest—and previously unpublished—stories in the new mega-collection (over 600 pages), Velveteen vs. the Consequences of Her ...
subterraneanpress.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Oh I am SO excited.
Reposted by Tal
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have discovered a powerful antibody, known as 04_A06, that is able to neutralize 98.5% of MORE THAN 300 different HIV strains AND permanently reduce HIV viral load to undetectable levels, making it one of the broadest-acting antibodies against HIV identified to date.
November 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have discovered a powerful antibody, known as 04_A06, that is able to neutralize 98.5% of MORE THAN 300 different HIV strains AND permanently reduce HIV viral load to undetectable levels, making it one of the broadest-acting antibodies against HIV identified to date.
Reposted by Tal
...YES.
What would you like in your dream home?
1. basement bar
2. conservatory & planetarium
3. secret libraries within libraries
4. benevolent ghost or two
1. basement bar
2. conservatory & planetarium
3. secret libraries within libraries
4. benevolent ghost or two
November 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
...YES.
Reposted by Tal
A quick note on the availability of our ebooks...
November 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
A quick note on the availability of our ebooks...
Reposted by Tal
there is one (1) pre-modern English cathedral with actual legit foundations and it is St Alban’s
in case you’re wondering.
in case you’re wondering.
Ely is built on a hill of mud in a plain of mud. When they wanted to stabilise it to build bigger, they basically reinforced the hill with a sunken wicker fence made of oak trees. The attitude now is "it seems to be working, don't poke it." So far so good.
November 12, 2025 at 3:59 PM
there is one (1) pre-modern English cathedral with actual legit foundations and it is St Alban’s
in case you’re wondering.
in case you’re wondering.
Reposted by Tal
Westminster Abbey (and Houses of Parliament) are actually built on an island IN the Thames and then we just built roads over the bit of water and then buildings on top of that and now the whole thing looks solid but god forbid the Thames Barrier fails
While we’re on the subject, I take is Westminster Abbey is completely safe? I mean, not built in a swamp, or at the outer limits of what arches can do, or anything? (Asking for a friend who works nearby).
November 12, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Westminster Abbey (and Houses of Parliament) are actually built on an island IN the Thames and then we just built roads over the bit of water and then buildings on top of that and now the whole thing looks solid but god forbid the Thames Barrier fails
Reposted by Tal
Should add really that if you're a smol newsletter bean who would dearly love to NOT be on Substack, then I will happily roll (and manage) a Ghost install for you for cost + a small maintenance fee.
I'll talk you through setting up your own mailgun and stripe. Do that and you keep ALL your revenue.
I'll talk you through setting up your own mailgun and stripe. Do that and you keep ALL your revenue.
Okay, Ghost V6 integrated with Tinybird for analytics is pretty damn filthy.
Been running @theupfront.media on Ghost for a while as part of our "No Nazi platforms" stack. Very happy with it (and with our Germany-based email hosting instead of Google Business)
The technology you use is a choice.
Been running @theupfront.media on Ghost for a while as part of our "No Nazi platforms" stack. Very happy with it (and with our Germany-based email hosting instead of Google Business)
The technology you use is a choice.
October 15, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Should add really that if you're a smol newsletter bean who would dearly love to NOT be on Substack, then I will happily roll (and manage) a Ghost install for you for cost + a small maintenance fee.
I'll talk you through setting up your own mailgun and stripe. Do that and you keep ALL your revenue.
I'll talk you through setting up your own mailgun and stripe. Do that and you keep ALL your revenue.
Reposted by Tal
Look, I'm not saying I could very easily write a set of Warhammer 40k Kill Team rules for a Huntrix squad.
Just... you know. It wouldn't be THAT hard.
Just... you know. It wouldn't be THAT hard.
Unleash the ultimate K-pop power with the Idol Demon Hunter Mira 2 Miniature! 🎤🗡️ Ready to bust demons and steal the spotlight? Grab yours now or find out more at https://nuel.ink/BrfO0k
November 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Look, I'm not saying I could very easily write a set of Warhammer 40k Kill Team rules for a Huntrix squad.
Just... you know. It wouldn't be THAT hard.
Just... you know. It wouldn't be THAT hard.
Reposted by Tal
German court rules that OpenAI violated copyright laws by training ChatGPT on music 🎵
• May set precedent for Europe AI copyright uses
• OpenAI disagrees & can appeal
"The internet is not a self-service store, and human creative achievements are not free templates"
— German Music Rights Society
• May set precedent for Europe AI copyright uses
• OpenAI disagrees & can appeal
"The internet is not a self-service store, and human creative achievements are not free templates"
— German Music Rights Society
November 12, 2025 at 12:26 AM
German court rules that OpenAI violated copyright laws by training ChatGPT on music 🎵
• May set precedent for Europe AI copyright uses
• OpenAI disagrees & can appeal
"The internet is not a self-service store, and human creative achievements are not free templates"
— German Music Rights Society
• May set precedent for Europe AI copyright uses
• OpenAI disagrees & can appeal
"The internet is not a self-service store, and human creative achievements are not free templates"
— German Music Rights Society