Wendy Metcalfe
@wendymetcalfe.bsky.social
Author. Hopepunk SF and cosy fantasy. Loves big cats and sentient starships, and both appear in her stories regularly.
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
And the hero who disarmed one of the Bondi gun men is Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit shop owner, who took two bullets in the arm for his trouble. Absolute legend.
Glad I got to see that at the end of a rough night. Tomorrow's going to be a tough one in Australia.
Glad I got to see that at the end of a rough night. Tomorrow's going to be a tough one in Australia.
Bondi hero who tackled shooter suffered two gunshot wounds
The hero who disarmed one of the Bondi Beach shooters has been identified as a father-of-two.
thenightly.com.au
December 14, 2025 at 3:39 PM
And the hero who disarmed one of the Bondi gun men is Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit shop owner, who took two bullets in the arm for his trouble. Absolute legend.
Glad I got to see that at the end of a rough night. Tomorrow's going to be a tough one in Australia.
Glad I got to see that at the end of a rough night. Tomorrow's going to be a tough one in Australia.
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
Here is a bit of my resignation speech from last night
Robin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
December 13, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Here is a bit of my resignation speech from last night
as a hopepunk writer myself, I really hope so
As I enter 2026 generating new hopepunk narratives, it occurs to mme that this is the new face of fantasy writing
December 13, 2025 at 9:16 PM
as a hopepunk writer myself, I really hope so
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Robin Ince reveals to last night’s audience at a recording of Infinite Monkey Cage that the BBC has forced him to resign over his support of trans people
December 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The fact is no presenter has ever had to leave the BBC for expressing conservative views, or even explicitly endorsing a right-wing party.
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
Was never a problem for Jeremy Clarkson. Was never a problem for Andrew Neil. Was never a problem for Alan Sugar
I have started writing
the new novel and
have already finished chapter 1. 1500 words.
I'm discovering again how joyous creating is.
the new novel and
have already finished chapter 1. 1500 words.
I'm discovering again how joyous creating is.
December 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I have started writing
the new novel and
have already finished chapter 1. 1500 words.
I'm discovering again how joyous creating is.
the new novel and
have already finished chapter 1. 1500 words.
I'm discovering again how joyous creating is.
is the price going to be less then?
It's "fewer," you absolute ghoul.
December 8, 2025 at 4:48 PM
is the price going to be less then?
It's not even Christmas and I'm deep into arranging next year's outings.
Just checked the wording for the Portsmouth Bookfest workshop I'll be doing in February 2026, and have already filled in the programme form for next Eastercon.
Can I have a rest now?
Just checked the wording for the Portsmouth Bookfest workshop I'll be doing in February 2026, and have already filled in the programme form for next Eastercon.
Can I have a rest now?
December 8, 2025 at 4:47 PM
It's not even Christmas and I'm deep into arranging next year's outings.
Just checked the wording for the Portsmouth Bookfest workshop I'll be doing in February 2026, and have already filled in the programme form for next Eastercon.
Can I have a rest now?
Just checked the wording for the Portsmouth Bookfest workshop I'll be doing in February 2026, and have already filled in the programme form for next Eastercon.
Can I have a rest now?
chapter plan for
new novel completed.
Started writing
chapter one. It's about five years since I've written a completely new
novel (I've written 8 novellas instead) so am having to adjust to the different pacing again.
new novel completed.
Started writing
chapter one. It's about five years since I've written a completely new
novel (I've written 8 novellas instead) so am having to adjust to the different pacing again.
December 7, 2025 at 4:29 PM
chapter plan for
new novel completed.
Started writing
chapter one. It's about five years since I've written a completely new
novel (I've written 8 novellas instead) so am having to adjust to the different pacing again.
new novel completed.
Started writing
chapter one. It's about five years since I've written a completely new
novel (I've written 8 novellas instead) so am having to adjust to the different pacing again.
I have reached the stage in my story planning where I have to choreograph the conflict.
This is the thing I find hardest to do. Somebody remind me why I chose to write action/adventure stories
This is the thing I find hardest to do. Somebody remind me why I chose to write action/adventure stories
December 6, 2025 at 6:49 AM
I have reached the stage in my story planning where I have to choreograph the conflict.
This is the thing I find hardest to do. Somebody remind me why I chose to write action/adventure stories
This is the thing I find hardest to do. Somebody remind me why I chose to write action/adventure stories
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
The point about Farage saying and doing racist shit as a schoolboy is, of course, to establish intent. If he hadn't been racist as a child, you could entertain the notion that his current behaviour was hapless, or at worst performative, and didn't reflect his sincere beliefs.
December 5, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The point about Farage saying and doing racist shit as a schoolboy is, of course, to establish intent. If he hadn't been racist as a child, you could entertain the notion that his current behaviour was hapless, or at worst performative, and didn't reflect his sincere beliefs.
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
The Women's Institute has been forced into excluding trans women too
"Not doing so would leave us at risk of costly legal challenge and potential regulatory action from the Charity Commission. We have a public duty to ensure our charity is not in breach of the law."
www.thewi.org.uk/media-centre...
"Not doing so would leave us at risk of costly legal challenge and potential regulatory action from the Charity Commission. We have a public duty to ensure our charity is not in breach of the law."
www.thewi.org.uk/media-centre...
Press Releases
www.thewi.org.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:55 AM
The Women's Institute has been forced into excluding trans women too
"Not doing so would leave us at risk of costly legal challenge and potential regulatory action from the Charity Commission. We have a public duty to ensure our charity is not in breach of the law."
www.thewi.org.uk/media-centre...
"Not doing so would leave us at risk of costly legal challenge and potential regulatory action from the Charity Commission. We have a public duty to ensure our charity is not in breach of the law."
www.thewi.org.uk/media-centre...
Got to that place in
the chapter plan where I have to start setting up the big conflict at the end of the book.
Choreographing
fights is my least favourite thing. I always need to go
over the Supreme
Ordeal two or
three times
before it's right.
the chapter plan where I have to start setting up the big conflict at the end of the book.
Choreographing
fights is my least favourite thing. I always need to go
over the Supreme
Ordeal two or
three times
before it's right.
December 2, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Got to that place in
the chapter plan where I have to start setting up the big conflict at the end of the book.
Choreographing
fights is my least favourite thing. I always need to go
over the Supreme
Ordeal two or
three times
before it's right.
the chapter plan where I have to start setting up the big conflict at the end of the book.
Choreographing
fights is my least favourite thing. I always need to go
over the Supreme
Ordeal two or
three times
before it's right.
chapter plan has got to chapter 42. Now gearing up for the Plot Point 2 reveal.
This project has been sloshing around for
two years without me
getting a handle on
the plot.
Suddenly, it's revealed itself. Creativity truly is magic.
This project has been sloshing around for
two years without me
getting a handle on
the plot.
Suddenly, it's revealed itself. Creativity truly is magic.
November 30, 2025 at 12:47 PM
chapter plan has got to chapter 42. Now gearing up for the Plot Point 2 reveal.
This project has been sloshing around for
two years without me
getting a handle on
the plot.
Suddenly, it's revealed itself. Creativity truly is magic.
This project has been sloshing around for
two years without me
getting a handle on
the plot.
Suddenly, it's revealed itself. Creativity truly is magic.
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
Most creative industries run on a business model that demands creatives constantly feed it with pitched ideas or free work on spec, but offers them no long-term employment or financial security. These industries are *subsidized* by the other work artists are forced to take on to support themselves.
Honestly, people calling creators the "petite bourgeoisie" makes me want to snap.
We're working folk. And we work really hard. For next to nothing.
We're not lounging around eating bonbons. We're trying to figure out how we're going to be able to pay rent next month.
We're working folk. And we work really hard. For next to nothing.
We're not lounging around eating bonbons. We're trying to figure out how we're going to be able to pay rent next month.
November 27, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Most creative industries run on a business model that demands creatives constantly feed it with pitched ideas or free work on spec, but offers them no long-term employment or financial security. These industries are *subsidized* by the other work artists are forced to take on to support themselves.
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
Art is an act of hope. Writing is an act of rebellion. The world will always need more stories--from real human beings, not bullshit plagiarism machines. Every book is a love story from the author, and every reader is fighting the war against cruelty, ignorance, and hopelessness. We are fighting.
November 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Art is an act of hope. Writing is an act of rebellion. The world will always need more stories--from real human beings, not bullshit plagiarism machines. Every book is a love story from the author, and every reader is fighting the war against cruelty, ignorance, and hopelessness. We are fighting.
so i'm not the only one who smears butter down my well read books then?
"A book reads the better which is our own, and has been so long known to us, that we know the typography of its blots, and dog's ears, and can trace the dirt in it to having read it at tea with buttered muffins."
Charles Lamb
Charles Lamb
November 20, 2025 at 4:50 PM
so i'm not the only one who smears butter down my well read books then?
Struggling to plan out new novel series.
Note to self: don't try to pluck creative ideas out of nowhere when you have the worst cold of the year. My brain does
nor want to play.
Note to self: don't try to pluck creative ideas out of nowhere when you have the worst cold of the year. My brain does
nor want to play.
November 20, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Struggling to plan out new novel series.
Note to self: don't try to pluck creative ideas out of nowhere when you have the worst cold of the year. My brain does
nor want to play.
Note to self: don't try to pluck creative ideas out of nowhere when you have the worst cold of the year. My brain does
nor want to play.
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
The one thing the useless incompetent Boris Johnson clung on to for his failed premiership was the UK’s Covid response. Turns out he killed 20,000 people.
‘Too little, too late’: damning report condemns UK’s Covid response
Report on handling of pandemic contains stinging criticism of ‘toxic and chaotic’ culture inside Boris Johnson’s No 10
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The one thing the useless incompetent Boris Johnson clung on to for his failed premiership was the UK’s Covid response. Turns out he killed 20,000 people.
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
NEW: A risk assessment found that leading general-use chatbots — ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI, and Claude — are "fundamentally unsafe" for teen mental health support, failing to catch important red flags and responding inappropriately to users exhibiting signs of crisis.
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Report Finds That Leading Chatbots Are a Disaster for Teens Facing Mental Health Struggles
A report found that leading chatbots are "fundamentally unsafe" for teens looking for mental health support, and failed to catch red flags.
futurism.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:36 PM
NEW: A risk assessment found that leading general-use chatbots — ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI, and Claude — are "fundamentally unsafe" for teen mental health support, failing to catch important red flags and responding inappropriately to users exhibiting signs of crisis.
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Watching Inside Museums from
the Kelvingrove in
Glasgow.
Reminds me of
being there last year for Worldcon.
the Kelvingrove in
Glasgow.
Reminds me of
being there last year for Worldcon.
November 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Watching Inside Museums from
the Kelvingrove in
Glasgow.
Reminds me of
being there last year for Worldcon.
the Kelvingrove in
Glasgow.
Reminds me of
being there last year for Worldcon.
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
So this morning I get an urgent email for a same day cardiology appointment at my local treatment centre.
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
November 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
So this morning I get an urgent email for a same day cardiology appointment at my local treatment centre.
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
Reposted by Wendy Metcalfe
My 11-year-old subscribes to Teen Vogue and reads the newsletters almost daily. It's been a reliable source of news for her, and fodder for thoughtful dinner table discussions.
Now, it will serve a new role in our house--as an opportunity to learn about boycotting companies that let us down.
Now, it will serve a new role in our house--as an opportunity to learn about boycotting companies that let us down.
thank you for all the support; the statement from our union is now live here with some more reporting.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
November 4, 2025 at 11:03 AM
My 11-year-old subscribes to Teen Vogue and reads the newsletters almost daily. It's been a reliable source of news for her, and fodder for thoughtful dinner table discussions.
Now, it will serve a new role in our house--as an opportunity to learn about boycotting companies that let us down.
Now, it will serve a new role in our house--as an opportunity to learn about boycotting companies that let us down.