Vivienne Spence (arlena_reads)
@arlena.bsky.social
I write code and read books.
Started a new hobby by accident. First time crocheting.
Doggo for scale (and because he is a yarn thief)
Doggo for scale (and because he is a yarn thief)
May 27, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Started a new hobby by accident. First time crocheting.
Doggo for scale (and because he is a yarn thief)
Doggo for scale (and because he is a yarn thief)
I was not expecting the AI to be quite that...capable. This is terrifying.
Seems like an appropriate time to post this again. It's a comparison of 'good' AI narration vs the real thing.
AI narration is like injecting your fiction with bleach.
Don't do it.
It robs your story of its ability to connect.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=05lx...
AI narration is like injecting your fiction with bleach.
Don't do it.
It robs your story of its ability to connect.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=05lx...
AI Audio vs Human Narration
YouTube video by Travis Baldree
www.youtube.com
May 16, 2025 at 5:04 AM
I was not expecting the AI to be quite that...capable. This is terrifying.
Reposted by Vivienne Spence (arlena_reads)
To celebrate the completion of The Library Trilogy with THE BOOK THAT HELD HER HEART, I'm giving away the full set of signed Locked Library special editions.
To enter just repost.
Contest held across my socials - enter elsewhere too to increase chances.
Winner chosen randomly from all entries.
To enter just repost.
Contest held across my socials - enter elsewhere too to increase chances.
Winner chosen randomly from all entries.
April 17, 2025 at 1:23 PM
To celebrate the completion of The Library Trilogy with THE BOOK THAT HELD HER HEART, I'm giving away the full set of signed Locked Library special editions.
To enter just repost.
Contest held across my socials - enter elsewhere too to increase chances.
Winner chosen randomly from all entries.
To enter just repost.
Contest held across my socials - enter elsewhere too to increase chances.
Winner chosen randomly from all entries.
My current read. Only around 150 pages in but I was not expecting it to be quite this entertaining 🤭
#SandersonCuriosities
#SandersonCuriosities
April 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
My current read. Only around 150 pages in but I was not expecting it to be quite this entertaining 🤭
#SandersonCuriosities
#SandersonCuriosities
Reposted by Vivienne Spence (arlena_reads)
Hi all!
Just wanted to tell you that pre-orders for The Rise of the West are now open!
You can grab your paperback and hardcover copies on Barnes & Noble, and the ebook is available on Amazon🔥
⚔️⚔️ Links in the first comment!
Just wanted to tell you that pre-orders for The Rise of the West are now open!
You can grab your paperback and hardcover copies on Barnes & Noble, and the ebook is available on Amazon🔥
⚔️⚔️ Links in the first comment!
April 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Hi all!
Just wanted to tell you that pre-orders for The Rise of the West are now open!
You can grab your paperback and hardcover copies on Barnes & Noble, and the ebook is available on Amazon🔥
⚔️⚔️ Links in the first comment!
Just wanted to tell you that pre-orders for The Rise of the West are now open!
You can grab your paperback and hardcover copies on Barnes & Noble, and the ebook is available on Amazon🔥
⚔️⚔️ Links in the first comment!
Well @bsky.app keeps crashing when I try to add a picture but...
OF EMPIRE AND DUST by @ryancahill.bsky.social is out in the world today! Happy release day to the fourth book in one of my favourite fantasy series 🎉🎉🎉
By blade and by blood!
OF EMPIRE AND DUST by @ryancahill.bsky.social is out in the world today! Happy release day to the fourth book in one of my favourite fantasy series 🎉🎉🎉
By blade and by blood!
March 31, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Well @bsky.app keeps crashing when I try to add a picture but...
OF EMPIRE AND DUST by @ryancahill.bsky.social is out in the world today! Happy release day to the fourth book in one of my favourite fantasy series 🎉🎉🎉
By blade and by blood!
OF EMPIRE AND DUST by @ryancahill.bsky.social is out in the world today! Happy release day to the fourth book in one of my favourite fantasy series 🎉🎉🎉
By blade and by blood!
I think we reached peak grown up. Today's outing with friends was plants and supplies shopping for our gardens 😅
March 16, 2025 at 7:33 PM
I think we reached peak grown up. Today's outing with friends was plants and supplies shopping for our gardens 😅
March 10, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I think my character might already been on this path before it was even revealed 🙈
Happy Valentine's Day! 💝
Some key members of the RPG team, with a little help from Dan Wells, cooked up a new Scholar specialty, the Devotary of Thirst, in honor of the day of love. Inspired by Ardent Ellista, this talent tree is perfect for anyone wanting to bring romance into their fantasy.
Some key members of the RPG team, with a little help from Dan Wells, cooked up a new Scholar specialty, the Devotary of Thirst, in honor of the day of love. Inspired by Ardent Ellista, this talent tree is perfect for anyone wanting to bring romance into their fantasy.
February 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I think my character might already been on this path before it was even revealed 🙈
Happy audiobook release day to @mattdinniman.bsky.social, Carl and of course Princess Donut. Can't wait to start it!
February 11, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Happy audiobook release day to @mattdinniman.bsky.social, Carl and of course Princess Donut. Can't wait to start it!
Oh! My! God! I can't wait to have this gorgeousness on my book shelf 😱
“There are demons within us all that we must face. They only ever surface when we are at our lowest because they are not strong enough to challenge us at our highest.”
The ODAL @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social goes on sale in early March. I’m in love with the cover by Nemo Art 🧡
Here. We. Go.
The ODAL @thebrokenbinding.bsky.social goes on sale in early March. I’m in love with the cover by Nemo Art 🧡
Here. We. Go.
February 6, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Oh! My! God! I can't wait to have this gorgeousness on my book shelf 😱
It has been nice knowing you all!
#hotoneschallenge
#hotoneschallenge
February 1, 2025 at 11:15 AM
It has been nice knowing you all!
#hotoneschallenge
#hotoneschallenge
OMG! How fucking adorable is this!
I needs!
I needs!
Oh, hi there! It's cover reveal day for Brigands & Breadknives, with art yet again by the amazing @emberwickart.bsky.social-
I love it so ❤️
Coming Nov 11 '25 from @torbooks.bsky.social-
I love it so ❤️
Coming Nov 11 '25 from @torbooks.bsky.social-
January 29, 2025 at 7:26 PM
OMG! How fucking adorable is this!
I needs!
I needs!
I am looking forward to this one!
This seems like a good time to plug the dark epic fantasy book I am currently writing (the third in a series of four).
Sometimes you just gotta fight back knowing that others will malign and vilify you for holding them accountable—and that’s okay.
Sometimes you just gotta fight back knowing that others will malign and vilify you for holding them accountable—and that’s okay.
January 22, 2025 at 6:22 AM
I am looking forward to this one!
That's a couple of hours listening in 2024 🤭
January 15, 2025 at 11:29 AM
That's a couple of hours listening in 2024 🤭
I was sold on that title. And while the title is a lie the book itself was really good!
4⭐
🧛♂️
4⭐
🧛♂️
January 14, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I was sold on that title. And while the title is a lie the book itself was really good!
4⭐
🧛♂️
4⭐
🧛♂️
If you haven't read Eleventh Cycle now is a great time to pick it up.
Oh man, I am so absolutely proud and excited for how Forgotten Seed is turning out! The past 2 years were about improving as an author and it is finally paying off 🙌
January 10, 2025 at 9:24 AM
If you haven't read Eleventh Cycle now is a great time to pick it up.
I'm starting a series of mini reviews for the books I've read. Book #1 of 2025 is Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass
January 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I'm starting a series of mini reviews for the books I've read. Book #1 of 2025 is Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass
All the books I read in 2024.
It's not much but it's honest work.
There were two surprises. I definitely did not expect to like ACOTAR but here we are 🤷♀️. And I absolutely expected Dungeon Crawler Carl to be way too silly for my taste. Alas, it became an all time favourite.
It's not much but it's honest work.
There were two surprises. I definitely did not expect to like ACOTAR but here we are 🤷♀️. And I absolutely expected Dungeon Crawler Carl to be way too silly for my taste. Alas, it became an all time favourite.
January 4, 2025 at 10:10 PM
All the books I read in 2024.
It's not much but it's honest work.
There were two surprises. I definitely did not expect to like ACOTAR but here we are 🤷♀️. And I absolutely expected Dungeon Crawler Carl to be way too silly for my taste. Alas, it became an all time favourite.
It's not much but it's honest work.
There were two surprises. I definitely did not expect to like ACOTAR but here we are 🤷♀️. And I absolutely expected Dungeon Crawler Carl to be way too silly for my taste. Alas, it became an all time favourite.
One of the best things that came out of 2024 was finding my #CosmereRPG group! Such intense role playing sessions. It's fantastic! Can't wait for the official release! @brotherwisegames.bsky.social is doing a truly amazing job with this one 🔥🔥🔥
January 4, 2025 at 1:25 PM
One of the best things that came out of 2024 was finding my #CosmereRPG group! Such intense role playing sessions. It's fantastic! Can't wait for the official release! @brotherwisegames.bsky.social is doing a truly amazing job with this one 🔥🔥🔥
I love these tarot cards so much! 💙
I revealed this Tarot Card as part of my yearly wrap up, but I never did an actual reveal on socials!
Behold The Fool – Dann Pimm 🏹
The man, the myth, the legend.
Illustration by the amazing @dudkaart.bsky.social
🤟
Behold The Fool – Dann Pimm 🏹
The man, the myth, the legend.
Illustration by the amazing @dudkaart.bsky.social
🤟
January 2, 2025 at 8:45 AM
I love these tarot cards so much! 💙
My top 3 reads of 2024.
Number 1 is not a surprise to anyone. Number 2 is a series I did not expect to like but it became an instant favourite. Number 3 is a great ending to a fantastic trilogy.
What are your top 3 reads of the year?
Thanks for the graphics @tezzarudge.bsky.social 💙
Number 1 is not a surprise to anyone. Number 2 is a series I did not expect to like but it became an instant favourite. Number 3 is a great ending to a fantastic trilogy.
What are your top 3 reads of the year?
Thanks for the graphics @tezzarudge.bsky.social 💙
December 28, 2024 at 11:30 AM
My top 3 reads of 2024.
Number 1 is not a surprise to anyone. Number 2 is a series I did not expect to like but it became an instant favourite. Number 3 is a great ending to a fantastic trilogy.
What are your top 3 reads of the year?
Thanks for the graphics @tezzarudge.bsky.social 💙
Number 1 is not a surprise to anyone. Number 2 is a series I did not expect to like but it became an instant favourite. Number 3 is a great ending to a fantastic trilogy.
What are your top 3 reads of the year?
Thanks for the graphics @tezzarudge.bsky.social 💙
Stormfather, but I accept that we have reached *a* destination.
Wind and Truths by Brandon Sanderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a masterpiece.
Wind and Truths by Brandon Sanderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a masterpiece.
December 26, 2024 at 8:05 PM
Stormfather, but I accept that we have reached *a* destination.
Wind and Truths by Brandon Sanderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a masterpiece.
Wind and Truths by Brandon Sanderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a masterpiece.
Finished Day 7 of Wind and Truth. I just... really don't want to pick this book back up and continue. Because once I do it's over. OVER. And I don't think I'm ready.
December 21, 2024 at 7:43 AM
Finished Day 7 of Wind and Truth. I just... really don't want to pick this book back up and continue. Because once I do it's over. OVER. And I don't think I'm ready.
Never in my life have I been so scared to read a book like I am now with Wind and Truth 😅
December 8, 2024 at 9:30 PM
Never in my life have I been so scared to read a book like I am now with Wind and Truth 😅