Juliet E McKenna
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julietemckenna.bsky.social
Juliet E McKenna
@julietemckenna.bsky.social
8.6K followers 1.1K following 6K posts
Writes epic and contemporary fantasy novels along with varied shorter fiction. She/her. All opinions absolutely my own. For more, see www.julietemckenna.com
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julietemckenna.bsky.social
Juliet E McKenna @julietemckenna.bsky.social · 15d
Hello to new folk. I write epic and contemporary fantasy novels along with varied shorter fiction. For more about the books, see www.julietemckenna.com All opinions I express online are absolutely my own. I boost what looks like good reading and interesting things. I block intolerance and aggression
Text reads: Juliet E McKenna Publications in 2025 The Green Man’s Holiday Novel – Wizard’s Tower Press What can Tolkien’s creative process teach a writer today? Contribution to Writing the Magic – Essays on Crafting Fantasy Fiction Dead Ink Books The Boggart Had Seen It Before Short story – Lincolnshire Folktales Reimagined Five Leaves Publications To the left, the cover of Writing the Magic lists the editors and contributors and has the letters for the word 'magic' in black outlined with gold, and floating on a background which shades from green to purple. The cover of Lincolnshire Folk Tales Reimagined has the title in black with ‘reimagined’ in red above a sketch of a rural landscape with trees in the foreground and fields behind reaching to the horizon. The cream background has a texture like woven cloth and the sketch looks as if the artist used charcoal. To the right, The Green Man's Holiday cover art by Ben Baldwin shows a creature crouching in a low tunnel entrance lined with grey stones and partly hidden by green undergrowth and white flowers. The creature has pale skin covered in sparse black hair and it looks a bit like an ape, a bit like a bear, and completely unlike either of those.
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
diane.dianeduane.com
This is fascinating!
November 22, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
ernie.tedium.co
If you have been sharing that Malwarebytes article on the Gmail thing, you should note the giant correction up top.

www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20...
Update November 22. We’ve updated this article after realising we contributed to a perfect storm of misunderstanding around a recent change in the wording and placement of Gmail’s smart features. The settings themselves aren’t new, but the way Google recently rewrote and surfaced them led a lot of people (including us) to believe Gmail content might be used to train Google’s AI models, and that users were being opted in automatically. After taking a closer look at Google’s documentation and reviewing other reporting, that doesn’t appear to be the case. Gmail does scan email content to power its own “smart features,” such as spam filtering, categorisation, and writing suggestions. But this is part of how Gmail normally works and isn’t the same as training Google’s generative AI models. Google also maintains that these feature settings are opt-in rather than opt-out, although users’ experiences seem to vary depending on when and how the new wording appeared. It’s easy to see where the confusion came from. Google’s updated language around “smart features” is vague, and the term “smart” often implies AI—especially at a time when Gemini is being integrated into other parts of Google’s products. When the new wording started appearing for some users without much explanation, many assumed it signalled a broader shift. We’ve revised this article to reflect what we can confirm from Google’s documentation, as it’s always been our aim to give readers accurate, helpful guidance.
November 22, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
edrybicki.bsky.social
Just finished "The Green Man's Quarry" by Juliet E. McKenna @julietemckenna.bsky.social Getting better all the time - read! Enjoy!!
November 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
danneidle.bsky.social
Hope HMRC are investigating whether Gill evaded tax on the bribes he received.

(Bribes are absolutely taxable income, but people tend not to declare them to HMRC...)
November 22, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
tomlloydwrites.bsky.social
If you're in Oxford tomorrow, do come along and buy some books!
tomlloydwrites.bsky.social Tom Lloyd @tomlloydwrites.bsky.social · 8d
I'll be doing my first ever Indie book fair next weekend - on the 23rd of November, in Oxford! Come find me if you want a signed/dedicated/defaced book or just to say hello!
Oxford Indie Book fair - Sunday the 23rd of November in the examination schools, free entry to all!
November 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
mcnees.bsky.social
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
November 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
scalzi.com
Over on Whatever today I confirm that, indeed, all those emails authors and other writers are getting promising access to readers and book clubs and such are 100% scams, share all the scam emails I got just this morning, and note why they are all awful and bad:

whatever.scalzi.com/2025/11/22/y...
Yes, All Those Author Services and Book Club Emails Are Fake, and No, Don’t Send Them Any Money
If you’re an author, or honestly if you just happen to be standing near an author these days, then you have probably seen a flood of emails in the past couple of months promising you that who…
whatever.scalzi.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
lizgloyn.bsky.social
For those of us with international Christmas cards to send, the last posting dates for international destinations are now up on the Post Office website.
Christmas Last Posting Dates | Post Office
Get your cards, gifts and greetings delivered in time for Christmas. Check the latest recommended posting dates for all our UK and international services.
www.postoffice.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
alwayscoffee.bsky.social
bravo, @rianjohnson.bsky.social !!!
thr.com The Hollywood Reporter @thr.com · 1d
While on tour promoting 'Wake Up Dead Man', Rian Johnson goes off on AI for “making everything worse in every single way.” bit.ly/47UBPfH
November 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
patricksamphire.bsky.social
This is one of the reasons I'm against the death penalty. This guy had half his life stolen by corrupt police, but it could have been everything.
Peter Sullivan tells BBC: 'I was bullied into false murder confession'
In his first interview since release, Peter Sullivan says he wants an apology from the police after wrongful conviction of the 1986 murder of Diane Sindall.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
runalongwomble.bsky.social
This week on the blog a magical tale in Scotland that really understands character and stakes - I loved Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/11...
Daughters of Nicnevin by Shona Kinsella — Runalong The Shelves
I would like to thank Flame Tree Press for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review Publisher – Flame Tree Press Published – Out Now Price – £20 hardback £4.95 e...
www.runalongtheshelves.net
November 22, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
vlcampbell.bsky.social
This is such a brilliant article and includes my new favourite way of conceptualising women's work in (poorly done) previous studies as the 'whorification of female labour.'
sarahebond.bsky.social Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 18h
Historian of Ancient Greece Claire Taylor has an important, open access article on "Women, gender and the ancient economy: towards a feminist economic history of the ancient Greek world" in JHS 🧶 I really like this as a method for recovering more invisible labor. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
oinochoe Object Type oinochoe Museum number 1873,0820.304 Description Pottery: White-ground oinochoe. A woman in a long sleeved, dotted chiton, a bordered himation, and sandals, with earrings, bracelets, and hair wound into a ball on the neck and fastened with a fillet, standing to right, twisting between the thumb and first finger of her right hand a thread from a hank of wool on a distaff which she holds up with her left. On… Producer name Attributed to: The Brygos Painter Cultures/periods Attic Production date 490BC-470BC (circa) Production place Made in: Attica (Greece) Europe: Greece: Attica (Greece) Findspot Excavated/Findspot: Locri (said to be from) Europe: Italy: Calabria: Reggio di Calabria (province): Locri Materials pottery Ware White Ground Dimensions Height: 21.59 centimetres Inscriptions Inscription type: inscription Inscription position: on shoulder/body of vase Inscription language: Greek Inscription script: Greek Inscription content: HE ΠAIΣ KAΛΕ Inscription transliteration: ή παΐς καλή Inscription translation: the girl [is] beautiful Inscription note: 'kalos' inscription, painted pre-firing Curator's comments BM Cat. Vases The type of face is very similar to that of the Hera on the Brygos cup, BM Vase Ε65; the dotted dress also suit the style of this artist. Bibliographic references Vase / Catalogue of Vases in the British Museum (D13) Location On display (G69/dc5) Exhibition history Exhibited: 2006 8 Jun-4 Sep, Los Angeles, The Getty Villa, The Colors of Clay 2015, 26 Mar-5 Jul, The British Museum, Defining Beauty: the body in ancient Greek art. Subjects spinner/spinning Acquisition name Purchased from: Alessandro Castellani Department Greek and Roman Registration number 1873,0820.304
November 22, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
britfantasysoc.bsky.social
Diaspora Heroes to the Rescue!

Tickets here: tinyurl.com/bfslian

We need new heroes, who are culturally and socially more diverse and sensitive. Come and listen to our panellists, Pim Wangthechawat, Ann Sei Lin, The Mollusc Dimension and JM Engineer, as they discuss with moderator (1/3)
Shown is a graphic that has a wavy dark green background. Right at the top is a light green banner with the event name— Imaginarium II—followed by the name of panel, “Diaspora Heroes to the Rescue”. Underneath this are pictures of the panellists. They are Ann Sei Lin (top left); Pim Wangtechawat (top right); The Mollusc Dimension (bottom left); JM Engineer (bottom right). At the bottom of the graphic is a white panel that has the 4 logos of the sponsors: (from left to right) Difference Engine SG, Li’l Factory, Writing Our Legacy, and the British Fantasy Society.
November 22, 2025 at 11:55 AM
julietemckenna.bsky.social
A quick read thread to illuminate the current state of AI Slop infuriating authors
oliverklangmead.bsky.social Oliver K. Langmead @oliverklangmead.bsky.social · 18h
Today's AI spam is for a book I haven't written. But it gets even better than that:
An AI scammer trying to get me to send them money to market a book I haven't written.
November 22, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
mkhardywrites.com
A great keynote from Gemma Creffield from @solsticebooksuk.bsky.social at the @cymerafestival.co.uk Writers Conference, all about the importance of networks and collaboration in writing and publishing. "Listen to counsel, build your audience, and rule with kindness.“
A photograph of a woman in a white blazer standing at a microphone on a stage. The screen behind her has several publishing company logos, including Solstice Books.
November 22, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
friendlesschurches.bsky.social
In the UK, you could demolish a church VAT-free, but if you wanted to repair that church, you would have to pay VAT.
November 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
julietemckenna.bsky.social
This looks well worth a watch. NB Assistive technology utilising machine learning does not require the wholesale theft of creators' copyright intellectual property.
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Chris McCausland: Seeing into the Future – an astonishing look at how tech is changing disabled people’s lives
Prepare to have your perspective shattered by the comedian’s visits to our US tech overlords. The upcoming advancements for those with disabilities are life-changing
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
pressfuturist.bsky.social
Spent quite a lot of my time at the @publishingscotland.bsky.social Christmas Fair yesterday talking about this fascinating book: a TTRPG set in Pictish society, created by collaborators including @antiquaries.bsky.social and @stoutstoat.co.uk. It looks brilliant!

carvedinstone.scot
Carved in Stone
A storyteller's guide to Pictland. Available now!
carvedinstone.scot
November 22, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
theabigailthorn.bsky.social
The trans community’s trust in the NHS’ new puberty blocker trial is low and I can’t help but wonder whether they could have prevented that by involving ANY trans people in its design or operation, and maybe not involving several people who have attended conferences of anti-LGBTQ hate groups
November 22, 2025 at 8:43 AM
julietemckenna.bsky.social
UK folk, please vote in local elections whenever possible. Hereabouts, a Tory (formerly UKIP) County Councillor, elected with a 19 vote majority on a 42.7% turn-out, has been sharing quotes from Enoch Powell on social media, seemingly as valid points for discussion.
November 22, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
fondalee.bsky.social
COVER REVEAL: My next book is a standalone science fiction cyberpunk thriller starring aging corporate samurai. The Last Contract of Isako will be out on May 5, 2026 from @orbitbooks.bsky.social. Can't wait to share it with you. Thank you to @tommypocket.bsky.social for this kickass cover ⚔️
November 22, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
gautambhatia88.bsky.social
Finally out into the world, the labour of many months. My long essay in the inaugural edition of the Alter Magazine on the pasts, presents, and futures of Indian science fiction.

“The Secret History of Indian Science Fiction” —

altermag.com/articles/the...
The Secret History of Indian Science Fiction.
Before Asimov, there was Rokeya.
altermag.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
oxfordclarion.bsky.social
Once more for the weekend long read crowd 👇
oxfordclarion.bsky.social Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 1d
Your Oxford Clarion weekend newsletter is out! Featuring:
🎾 Green Belt padel court refused
🛻 Who will clean up the Kidlington dump?
👩‍👧 SEND latest
☕️ Vaults & Garden on the move…
📚 …and Waterstones reopening imminent
Come for the cats, stay for the best in local news: oxfordclarion.uk/clarion-week...
Clarion Weekend, 21 November 2025
Weekly weekend warmth from the Clarion right this way. It may be cold, but in here are gems of stories to warm your heart. Plus the latest on the illegal rubbish dump in Kidlington and bird flu in Wit...
oxfordclarion.uk
November 22, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
odavies9.bsky.social
Now this is how to start a history book. A Wiltshire story teller 1890s.

"There were a time, 'tweren't in my time, neither in your time, nit (nor yet) in anybody else's time; 'twere when magpies builded in old men's beards and turkey-cocks chewed bacca”.
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Reposted by Juliet E McKenna
tabathasouthey.bsky.social
Massive shoutout out to whoever handles the Royal Canadian Air Force’s social media account. They responded to every single comment on their already very solid Trans Day of Remembrance post and they responded like this…
A screenshot of a Facebook post where a person named Andy ask the Well now “What the hell is transgender?” The Royal Canadian Air Force account response with “That’s a pretty big question asked in a pretty small way, Andy. ‘Transgender’ putting describes someone whose gender – who they know themselves to be – doesn’t match the sex they were assigned at birth. It’s not new, and it’s certainly not a fad. People have lived this experience for as long as people have existed; we’re just finally talking about it openly. You don’t have to fully understand it right away, most learning takes time, but we can always start from a place of respect. That’s how decent folks handle things they’re still getting used to.”
November 22, 2025 at 1:03 AM