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vallescurarule.bsky.social
Val Nolan
@vallescurarule.bsky.social
2.8K followers 1.3K following 1.4K posts
Co-author of Spec Fic for Newbies 1, 2, 3; author of Neil Jordan: Works for the Page; Sturgeon/BSFA/BFA finalist; Locus Rec List; articles in Irish Uni Review, symplokē, Science Fiction Studies, Irish Studies Review, JGNC; fiction in many venues... He/Him
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vallescurarule.bsky.social
Val Nolan @vallescurarule.bsky.social · Oct 23
My three book projects together 😀 Neil Jordan: Works for the Page from Cork University Press, and Spec Fic for Newbies: A Beginner's Guide to Writing Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror vols. 1 & 2, co-authored with @tiffaniangus.bsky.social, available from @lunapress.bsky.social!
Three books standing upright on a table in front of bookshelves. Books are, from L-to-R: Neil Jordan: Works for the Page by Val Nolan (Cork University Press), and Spec Fic for Newbies: A Beginner's Guide to Writing Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror by Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan Vol 1. (red cover) and Vol 2. (blue cover), bot of the latter from Luna Press.
Reposted by Val Nolan
drfionamoore.bsky.social
If you've never watched B5, now's the time to start. And as you do, you'll start to realise you're seeing TV transform from 20th to 21st century standards.
February 14, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Reposted by Val Nolan
theguardian.com
‘A whole lost culture’: the Irishman reviving the forgotten sport of stone lifting
‘A whole lost culture’: the Irishman reviving the forgotten sport of stone lifting
For centuries in Ireland lifting huge boulders was a way to test strength and bond communities, says Instagram sensation Indiana Stones David Keohan surveyed the County Waterford beach and spotted a familiar mound half-buried in sand: an oval-shaped limestone boulder. It weighed about 115kg. He wedged it loose with a crowbar, wiped it dry with a cloth, dusted his hands with chalk and paused to gaze at the Irish Sea, as if summoning strength from the waves pounding ashore. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:09 AM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
Absolutely *stunning* sky out there this morning!
A vivid morning sky shading from purple (top right) through red hues (center) through to orange (bottom) over the silhouette of trees and hedgerow.
February 14, 2026 at 7:48 AM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
Managed to sneak in a bike ride along the Greenway before dinner this evening 😀
A tarmacadam greenway recedes into the distance beneath a bright blue sky and stands of ivy-covered trees on either side.
February 13, 2026 at 9:30 PM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
Another one of my favourite far-future Trek ship designs 😀
gaghyogi49.bsky.social Jörg Hillebrand @gaghyogi49.bsky.social · 1d
Here are all the space shots we get of the (32nd century) Intrepid class USS Sargasso in #StarfleetAcademy's "Come, Let's Away".
February 13, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by Val Nolan
tiffaniangus.bsky.social
@vallescurarule.bsky.social & I got to hang out with @danielwillcocks.bsky.social The Writer's Chair pod/video cast (and Devils Rock Books) to talk about all things SFF/H and SPEC FIC FOR NEWBIES Vol 3 (@lunapress.bsky.social) ! Find the full video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wcw...
February 13, 2026 at 12:16 PM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
Let Tawny Newsome make as much damn Star Trek as she wants.
abbymsommer.bsky.social @abbymsommer @abbymsommer.bsky.social · 8d
I am 100% OK with Tawny getting full control of the Star Trek franchise at some point. She’d do it right.
February 13, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Reposted by Val Nolan
startrekcc.bsky.social
*original post is referring to Jeffrey Combs
Discovery Pike wearing the gold uniform with that asstastic ugly black collar. Anyway, he has pointing at something off-screen and has an earnest look on his face. The caption reads, "That right there is the shit."
February 10, 2026 at 11:50 PM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
This is just to say

I have combined
the memes
that were on your timeline

and which you
had probably
learned to unsee

forgive me
but the Dow
is over
50,000.
Norman Rockwell's painting 'Freedom of Speech' (1943) depicting a town meeting in which a lone dissenter is pictured standing to make a point. This speaker wears a plaid shirt and suede jacket. The other attendees are wearing white shirts, ties and jackets.
February 13, 2026 at 10:34 AM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
No spoilers, but this week's Starfleet Academy gets *intense*.
February 13, 2026 at 9:41 AM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
We had so much fun talking to @danielwillcocks.bsky.social this week about *Spec Fic for Newbies* & about all manner of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror topics!

From tomorrow you can catch the full chat with @tiffaniangus.bsky.social & I on The Writer's Chair pod/video cast: devilsrockbooks.com/podcast!
danielwillcocks.bsky.social Daniel Willcocks @danielwillcocks.bsky.social · 2d
On The Writer’s Chair, we ask the hard questions…
Like: “What’s your favourite book?” 😈📚

Tomorrow: @tiffaniangus.bsky.social & @vallescurarule.bsky.social join us to talk Spec Fic for Newbies – Vol. 3

New episode drops tomorrow. 👻🎙️
devilsrockbooks.com/podcast
February 12, 2026 at 5:12 PM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
Thinking about pre-ordering *Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 3*, the third stand-alone entry in the writing guide series from @lunapress.bsky.social? Check out the subgenres and major tropes covered in the book here, and then head over to the Luna website: www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page...
To the left, the cover (green and black) of "Spec Fic For Newbies: A Beginner's Guide to Writing Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror" Vol 3 by Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan. To the right, a list of the topics covered by the book: "Learn about writing… Space Academies, Superheroes, Terraforming Tales, Mad Scientists, Space Westerns, SF Procedurals, Meta SF, Spy-Fi, Searches For God In Space, The End Of The Universe, Dinosaur Tales, Archaeologist Stories, Hollow Earth, Elves, Magic Schools and Dark Academia, Wizards & Sorcerers, Magical Realism, Anthropomorphic Fantasy, Fantasy of Manners, Swashbuckling Fantasy, Weird Fiction, Urban Gothic, Shapeshifters, Birthing Monsters, Alien Abductions, Fungal Horror, Bugs!!!, Kaiju, Deals With The Devil, Near-Death Experiences" Against a background of multi-colored confetti are three book covers. Spec Fic for Newbies Volume 1: The cover is split into thirds with the top and bottom third red and the center third black. Text on the top third reads Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan in yellow font. The middle third reads Spec Fic for Newbies in bold white font. And the bottom third reads A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror in yellow font. Spec Fic for Newbies Volume 2: The cover is medium blue on the top and bottom third with the center third black. In the top blue block are the authors’ names in yellow: Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan In the middle black block is the main title in white: Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 2 In the bottom blue block is the subtitle in yellow: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing More Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Spec Fic for Newbies Volume 3: The cover is bright green on the top and bottom third with the center third black. In the top green block are the authors’ names in yellow: Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan In the middle black block is the main title in white: Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 3 In the bottom green block is the subtitle in yellow: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Even More Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Beneath that is the text "Spec Fic for Newbies Vol 3 is available for pre-order!" and “Out March 24!” In the center is a QR code and in the bottom right is a Luna Press logo.
February 12, 2026 at 2:13 PM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
Little friend dozing in the morning light 🐾
A black cat curled up on a grey blanket between a pile of books and the window blinds.
February 12, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Reposted by Val Nolan
tiffaniangus.bsky.social
"Refusing is actually the more hopeful expansive vision of the future."

We don't have to accept AI. We don't have to accept technology that is being created so that the powers that be can treat us inhumanely.

The future is not settled.
rude1.blacksky.team Rudy wants revolution. @rude1.blacksky.team · 3d
More people should listen to @tressiemcphd.bsky.social

When people say AI is inevitable, let them know the future isn’t settled.
February 11, 2026 at 3:37 PM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
"Disney can’t save Star Wars, but can they save Ken Starmer? In this op-ed, I will discuss..."
February 11, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Reposted by Val Nolan
wishusdonna.bsky.social
Delighted to share the full ToC for Best of British Science Fiction 2025. Pre-orders now available on the Newcon Press website! www.newconpress.co.uk/info/book.as...
Book cover depicting a section of a fiery sun surface against a dark, starry space background. Best of British Science Fiction 2025 KEITH BROOKE & ERIC BROWN LAVIE TIDHAR ANNE CHARNOCK TADE THOMPSON GARETH L. POWELL STARK HOLBORN FIONA MOORE TIM MAJOR STEWART HOTSTON E.M. FAULDS STEPHEN ORAM ...and many more... Edited by Donna Scott
February 11, 2026 at 10:50 AM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
My keyboard sounds particularly pleasing this morning. Obviously has *zero* bearing on what I'm writing 😂 but it's a fun sensory thing 😀 Makes the typos seem very satisfying 😂
February 11, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Reposted by Val Nolan
alasdairstuart.com
Everything Sophia puts here is great but this is next level. If you want a playlist of absolute banger soup to nuts classic movies then look at the replies here.
sophianyx.bsky.social Sophia_Nyx 🏳️‍⚧️ @sophianyx.bsky.social · 6d
Name an anti fascist film
February 9, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Reposted by Val Nolan
cethanleahy.com
Typical, if you win a Oscar, you're an Irishman in the papers, but if you are a key member of the downfall of the British Prime Minster, suddenly it's Corkman this, Corkman that!
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Val Nolan
gailsimone.bsky.social
Here is a true thing and it has nothing to do with sales or marketing or my of that noise.

If your blood family sucks, come be with us. I get the privilege of inviting you to be an honorary X-Man and you get to ride in the Blackbird and steal Gambit’s beer and be part of a family that loves you.
February 9, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Reposted by Val Nolan
erikahall.bsky.social
My favorite artifact in the "you don't need AI to do art" discourse is, of course, screenwriter Dan O'Bannon's sketch of the facehugger to explain it to Giger.
A 2 panel sketch disgram of a 1 meter tall pod. in the second panel, an oval section pops off and a demonic little face with short tentacles flies out, crudely drawn.
February 7, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Val Nolan
johannamation.bsky.social
My piping hot take on PLURIBUS is that it’s one of the most Ghibli-esque shows on TV today, and people who think its pacing is too slow ought to really sit with and examine why they feel that slow pace = bad.

Its first season has several minutes worth of “mā”, and is much stronger for it, IMO
SCREENCRAFT WHAT IS "MA"? In an interview with film critic Roger Ebert from 2002, Ebert tells Miyazaki he appreciates what he calls "gratuitous motion" in his films, adding that, "Instead of every movement being dictated by the story, sometimes people will just sit for a moment, or they will sigh, or look in a running stream, or do something extra, not to advance the story but only to give the sense of time and place and who they are," said Ebert. Miyazaki answered with, "We have a word for that in Japanese," he said. "It's called Ma. Emptiness. It's there intentionally."
February 7, 2026 at 3:47 AM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
Pre-orders are NOW OPEN for *Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 3* by myself and @tiffaniangus.bsky.social! 🥳 Published by @lunapress.bsky.social! 😀 Find pre-order details and check out the subgenres and major tropes covered in the book here: www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page...!
Against a background of multi-colored confetti are three book covers. Spec Fic for Newbies Volume 1: The cover is split into thirds with the top and bottom third red and the center third black. Text on the top third reads Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan in yellow font. The middle third reads Spec Fic for Newbies in bold white font. And the bottom third reads A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror in yellow font. Spec Fic for Newbies Volume 2: The cover is medium blue on the top and bottom third with the center third black. In the top blue block are the authors’ names in yellow: Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan In the middle black block is the main title in white: Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 2 In the bottom blue block is the subtitle in yellow: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing More Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Spec Fic for Newbies Volume 3: The cover is bright green on the top and bottom third with the center third black. In the top green block are the authors’ names in yellow: Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan In the middle black block is the main title in white: Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 3 In the bottom green block is the subtitle in yellow: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Even More Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Beneath that is the text "Spec Fic for Newbies Vol 3 is available for pre-order!" and “Out March 24!” In the center is a QR code and in the bottom right is a Luna Press logo.
February 6, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Val Nolan
tiffaniangus.bsky.social
And we have lift off!

Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 3 by me and @vallescurarule.bsky.social will be out from
@lunapress.bsky.social at the end of March! This one is .... green! (ooh! aah!)

Pre-order here:
www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page...
Against a background of multi-colored confetti are three book covers. Spec Fic for Newbies Volume 1: The cover is split into thirds with the top and bottom third red and the center third black. Text on the top third reads Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan in yellow font. The middle third reads Spec Fic for Newbies in bold white font. And the bottom third reads A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror in yellow font. Spec Fic for Newbies Volume 2: The cover is medium blue on the top and bottom third with the center third black. In the top blue block are the authors’ names in yellow: Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan In the middle black block is the main title in white: Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 2 In the bottom blue block is the subtitle in yellow: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing More Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Spec Fic for Newbies Volume 3: The cover is bright green on the top and bottom third with the center third black. In the top green block are the authors’ names in yellow: Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan In the middle black block is the main title in white: Spec Fic for Newbies Vol. 3 In the bottom green block is the subtitle in yellow: A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Even More Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Beneath that is the text "Soec Fic for Newbies Vol 3 is available for pre-order!" and “Out March 24!” In the center is a QR code and in the bottom right is a Luna Press logo.
February 6, 2026 at 12:24 PM
vallescurarule.bsky.social
Have you checked out what the first stand-alone volume of our *Spec Fic for Newbies* writing guide series offers you?

Find it here www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page... from @lunapress.bsky.social! Grab yourself a copy, start learning, and get writing! 😀
To the left, the cover (red and black) of "Spec Fic For Newbies: A Beginner's Guide to Writing Subgenres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror" Vol 1 by Tiffani Angus and Val Nolan. To the right, a list of the topics covered by the book: "Learn about writing… Spaceships, Aliens, Big Dumb Objects, Robots, Military SF, Utopia, Dystopia, Apocalypses, Cyberpunk, Solarpunk, Folktales & Fairy Tales, Witches, High Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Grimdark, Historical Fantasy, Steampunk, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Time Travel, Gothic Horror, Supernatural Horror, Vampires, Psychological Horror, Body Horror, Zombies, Suburban Horror, Splatterpunk, Techno Horror, and Cosmic Horror!"
February 6, 2026 at 11:07 AM