Leeron Heywood
@leeronheywood.substack.com
Writer, knitter, gamer, cat person. Pronouns ne/nem/nir (they/them is fine if you're not used to neopronouns). Autistic psychopath, agender/genderqueer, aro/ace, disabled. Profile pic courtesy of my void floof Salmiakki
I'm not sure if it would make him feel better or worse if someone explained that the main reason mortals aren't crushed under our looming existential deadline is we've evolved the tendency to forget it's there. 😅
leeronheywood.com/the-ghosts-o...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy
leeronheywood.com/the-ghosts-o...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy
The Ghosts Of Holidays Long Past
Perhaps it was the spiced wine, or the memories of holidays past, but August found himself reflecting on the puzzle of mortality.
leeronheywood.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I'm not sure if it would make him feel better or worse if someone explained that the main reason mortals aren't crushed under our looming existential deadline is we've evolved the tendency to forget it's there. 😅
leeronheywood.com/the-ghosts-o...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy
leeronheywood.com/the-ghosts-o...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy
I remember coming up with "forest dragons" as a kid, after the shock discovery that dinosaurs had proto-feathers. To my child mind this meant small northern dragons were viable.
leeronheywood.com/a-glimpse-in...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #cosy #fantasy
leeronheywood.com/a-glimpse-in...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #cosy #fantasy
A Glimpse Into The Winter Habits Of Forest Dragons
Here we see a juvenile forest dragon, resting in the yearling burrow she shares with her litter-mates…
leeronheywood.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I remember coming up with "forest dragons" as a kid, after the shock discovery that dinosaurs had proto-feathers. To my child mind this meant small northern dragons were viable.
leeronheywood.com/a-glimpse-in...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #cosy #fantasy
leeronheywood.com/a-glimpse-in...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #cosy #fantasy
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
A Google software engineer won his battle against MetLife to receive disability benefits for Long Covid.
This is huge
Long Covid has a lot of stigma attached to it and it can be hard to get disability.
You’re told to “try harder”.
It’s “not that bad”.
You can “still work”.
Not everyone can
This is huge
Long Covid has a lot of stigma attached to it and it can be hard to get disability.
You’re told to “try harder”.
It’s “not that bad”.
You can “still work”.
Not everyone can
MetLife Owes Disability Pay to Software Engineer With Long Covid
A Google LLC software engineer suffering from long Covid won his lawsuit seeking long-term disability benefits from Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:45 PM
A Google software engineer won his battle against MetLife to receive disability benefits for Long Covid.
This is huge
Long Covid has a lot of stigma attached to it and it can be hard to get disability.
You’re told to “try harder”.
It’s “not that bad”.
You can “still work”.
Not everyone can
This is huge
Long Covid has a lot of stigma attached to it and it can be hard to get disability.
You’re told to “try harder”.
It’s “not that bad”.
You can “still work”.
Not everyone can
Violet, you really shouldn't include lines like "there won't be any trouble anyway" in your internal monologues. Ah well, she's young; she'll learn, I'm sure.
leeronheywood.com/a-party-to-d...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #cosy #urbanFantasy
leeronheywood.com/a-party-to-d...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #cosy #urbanFantasy
A Party To Deceit
That familiar masked figure blocking the alley meant my hopes were dashed - unless I can convince what I could not escape…
leeronheywood.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Violet, you really shouldn't include lines like "there won't be any trouble anyway" in your internal monologues. Ah well, she's young; she'll learn, I'm sure.
leeronheywood.com/a-party-to-d...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #cosy #urbanFantasy
leeronheywood.com/a-party-to-d...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #cosy #urbanFantasy
I thought I was too tired to write today, but "I'll see how far I get" combined with a superb prompt meant the words flew! Hopefully it's coherent. 😄
leeronheywood.com/the-importan...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #fantasy
leeronheywood.com/the-importan...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #fantasy
The Importance Of Earnest Truth-Seeking
I must make it clear that I would normally never interact with an obviously magical artefact, but something pulled me to the eerily white, faintly glowing board…
leeronheywood.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I thought I was too tired to write today, but "I'll see how far I get" combined with a superb prompt meant the words flew! Hopefully it's coherent. 😄
leeronheywood.com/the-importan...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #fantasy
leeronheywood.com/the-importan...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #fantasy
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
Robin & Dave dress up as writers to chat to @stewarthotston.com on his new novel Project Hanuman, LARP, bookshelves, book recs, BSFA & more. Importantly we cover topics needing discussion like why SF authors write about politics & what happens if we don’t.
britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-pod...
britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-pod...
November 27, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Robin & Dave dress up as writers to chat to @stewarthotston.com on his new novel Project Hanuman, LARP, bookshelves, book recs, BSFA & more. Importantly we cover topics needing discussion like why SF authors write about politics & what happens if we don’t.
britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-pod...
britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-pod...
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
it's here
it's QUEER
it's the
2025 Queer Adult SFF Books list!!!!
🌈📚🌈📚🌈📚🌈
it's QUEER
it's the
2025 Queer Adult SFF Books list!!!!
🌈📚🌈📚🌈📚🌈
2025 Queer Adult Science Fiction & Fantasy Books
Welcome to the 2025 list of queer adult science-fiction and fantasy books! If you’re new to this dance, this list and the ones before (see: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019) are my answer t…
kadoore.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:45 PM
it's here
it's QUEER
it's the
2025 Queer Adult SFF Books list!!!!
🌈📚🌈📚🌈📚🌈
it's QUEER
it's the
2025 Queer Adult SFF Books list!!!!
🌈📚🌈📚🌈📚🌈
TBF many of those stories/movies/etc probably DID have tenuous science at best, BUT that doesn't mean there weren't lessons to learn.
leeronheywood.com/its-called-a...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #scifi
leeronheywood.com/its-called-a...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #scifi
It’s Called A Guilt COMPLEX For A Reason
Graham suspected there were dozens of movies with premises very similar to this experiment, and was starting to wonder if he should have watched some of them…
leeronheywood.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
TBF many of those stories/movies/etc probably DID have tenuous science at best, BUT that doesn't mean there weren't lessons to learn.
leeronheywood.com/its-called-a...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #scifi
leeronheywood.com/its-called-a...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #scifi
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
The very first thing the Prime Minister does is use the household budget metaphor.
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
November 26, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The very first thing the Prime Minister does is use the household budget metaphor.
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
A metaphor - this report into BBC coverage - said could be "easily misleading."
Why is the government trying to mislead the country?
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
One week left to back The Chosen One Con crowdfund! And there's also ONE add-on left to name a character/business/potion and become part of the book!
I may need help naming Max's trans masc ex-boyfriend who will definitely appear in the sequel, just saying 👀
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
I may need help naming Max's trans masc ex-boyfriend who will definitely appear in the sequel, just saying 👀
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
The Chosen One Con
The Chosen One Con is the first book in the Lost in the Aether duology—a queer gaslamp fantasy of industrial magic in a world of designer enchantments and celebrity-branded potions from the author of ...
www.backerkit.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
One week left to back The Chosen One Con crowdfund! And there's also ONE add-on left to name a character/business/potion and become part of the book!
I may need help naming Max's trans masc ex-boyfriend who will definitely appear in the sequel, just saying 👀
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
I may need help naming Max's trans masc ex-boyfriend who will definitely appear in the sequel, just saying 👀
www.backerkit.com/c/projects/t...
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
My cartoon for this week's @newscientist.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
My cartoon for this week's @newscientist.com
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
When you’re struggling to cope with physical health conditions & symptoms, too many assume you’re struggling with mindset and mental health, and talking would help.
Actually this often isn’t true.
No amount of talking will ease the symptoms or exhaustion.
Actually this often isn’t true.
No amount of talking will ease the symptoms or exhaustion.
November 26, 2025 at 8:41 AM
When you’re struggling to cope with physical health conditions & symptoms, too many assume you’re struggling with mindset and mental health, and talking would help.
Actually this often isn’t true.
No amount of talking will ease the symptoms or exhaustion.
Actually this often isn’t true.
No amount of talking will ease the symptoms or exhaustion.
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
To put that these Motability cuts into perspective...
It will save around £300 million.
Latest figures show the DWP has spent over £400 million fighting people on PIP appeals.
Scrap policies that punish Disabled people & stop pretending it's about economic efficiency! #Budget
It will save around £300 million.
Latest figures show the DWP has spent over £400 million fighting people on PIP appeals.
Scrap policies that punish Disabled people & stop pretending it's about economic efficiency! #Budget
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
To put that these Motability cuts into perspective...
It will save around £300 million.
Latest figures show the DWP has spent over £400 million fighting people on PIP appeals.
Scrap policies that punish Disabled people & stop pretending it's about economic efficiency! #Budget
It will save around £300 million.
Latest figures show the DWP has spent over £400 million fighting people on PIP appeals.
Scrap policies that punish Disabled people & stop pretending it's about economic efficiency! #Budget
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
Growing @greenparty.org.uk membership 📈
Growing the pressure on Labour to tax extreme wealth fairly 📈
Growing the movement to make hope normal again 📈
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Growing the pressure on Labour to tax extreme wealth fairly 📈
Growing the movement to make hope normal again 📈
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Watch as Rachel Reeves brands Greens leader Zack Polanski a 'keen hypnotherapist'
🗣️ 'The only things getting bigger under his approach would be the deficit and the rise of inflation'
🗣️ 'The only things getting bigger under his approach would be the deficit and the rise of inflation'
November 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Growing @greenparty.org.uk membership 📈
Growing the pressure on Labour to tax extreme wealth fairly 📈
Growing the movement to make hope normal again 📈
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Growing the pressure on Labour to tax extreme wealth fairly 📈
Growing the movement to make hope normal again 📈
Join.greenparty.org.uk
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
Chancellor says their Universal Credit reforms will put 15,000 into work. She conveniently fails to mention that these cuts will put 100,000 into poverty #Budget2026
Source👇 www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/governm...
Source👇 www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/governm...
November 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Chancellor says their Universal Credit reforms will put 15,000 into work. She conveniently fails to mention that these cuts will put 100,000 into poverty #Budget2026
Source👇 www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/governm...
Source👇 www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/governm...
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
Device…hoarding. Because you don’t go get a new one while yours is still fine.
Apparently I am also practicing car hoarding, house hoarding, husband hoarding, dog hoarding, computer hoarding, furniture hoarding and art hoarding.
Apparently I am also practicing car hoarding, house hoarding, husband hoarding, dog hoarding, computer hoarding, furniture hoarding and art hoarding.
stupid young people, stop buying a new phone every year if you don't want to be broke. wait no, not like that.
November 25, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Device…hoarding. Because you don’t go get a new one while yours is still fine.
Apparently I am also practicing car hoarding, house hoarding, husband hoarding, dog hoarding, computer hoarding, furniture hoarding and art hoarding.
Apparently I am also practicing car hoarding, house hoarding, husband hoarding, dog hoarding, computer hoarding, furniture hoarding and art hoarding.
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
🚨Our statement on #Budget2026
Yet more Government actions that place the burden on Disabled people instead of taking responsibility for an unequal and inaccessible society that the Government has the power to change.
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dr-uks-...
Yet more Government actions that place the burden on Disabled people instead of taking responsibility for an unequal and inaccessible society that the Government has the power to change.
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dr-uks-...
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
🚨Our statement on #Budget2026
Yet more Government actions that place the burden on Disabled people instead of taking responsibility for an unequal and inaccessible society that the Government has the power to change.
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dr-uks-...
Yet more Government actions that place the burden on Disabled people instead of taking responsibility for an unequal and inaccessible society that the Government has the power to change.
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/dr-uks-...
This one's very short, partly because I'm very tired and mostly because sticking to single syllable words was HARD. But probably a good writing practice!
leeronheywood.com/dont-stop-fo...
#writing #fiction #microfiction
leeronheywood.com/dont-stop-fo...
#writing #fiction #microfiction
Don't Stop. Follow The Wind.
So cold. All over. Yet throat burns. Can’t stop.
leeronheywood.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:07 PM
This one's very short, partly because I'm very tired and mostly because sticking to single syllable words was HARD. But probably a good writing practice!
leeronheywood.com/dont-stop-fo...
#writing #fiction #microfiction
leeronheywood.com/dont-stop-fo...
#writing #fiction #microfiction
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
In exactly an hour, @the-book-bazaar.com will be hosting a pre-recorded reading of myself and @rjbayley.bsky.social from The Chosen One Con on Twitch!
www.twitch.tv/thebookbazaar
www.twitch.tv/thebookbazaar
TheBookBazaar - Twitch
NOT A BRAND: WE'RE A GROUP OF INDIES! A celebration of publishing and all things book! Crowdfunding group project banding together indie authors and publishers of all kinds - Funding NOW until Dec. 3r...
www.twitch.tv
November 25, 2025 at 9:02 PM
In exactly an hour, @the-book-bazaar.com will be hosting a pre-recorded reading of myself and @rjbayley.bsky.social from The Chosen One Con on Twitch!
www.twitch.tv/thebookbazaar
www.twitch.tv/thebookbazaar
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!
A reminder that the median book deal for a debut author in the UK is £7000, paid over 12-18 months. (from 2022 Society of Authors report). Some of your favourite writers are struggling. societyofauthors.org/2022/12/06/a....
A profession struggling to sustain itself - The Society of Authors
ALCS report on author incomes shows 60% drop in median incomes since 2006
societyofauthors.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
I will be the first to admit I couldn’t understand why anyone would oppose Assisted Dying… and then I became disabled and had it “offered” to me.
It’s not compassionate when there’s coercion.
It’s not dignified when it’s offered in lieu of care.
Listen to disabled people.
It’s not compassionate when there’s coercion.
It’s not dignified when it’s offered in lieu of care.
Listen to disabled people.
November 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
I will be the first to admit I couldn’t understand why anyone would oppose Assisted Dying… and then I became disabled and had it “offered” to me.
It’s not compassionate when there’s coercion.
It’s not dignified when it’s offered in lieu of care.
Listen to disabled people.
It’s not compassionate when there’s coercion.
It’s not dignified when it’s offered in lieu of care.
Listen to disabled people.
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
Fun Fact: I don't promote Amazon as a sales channel. I only promo my own shop.
Halfway through 2025, my sales dropped off a cliff and have not recovered.
Events and bsky posts reliably led to follow-on sales, right until Boycott Amazon... And I'm not linking to Amazon.
Halfway through 2025, my sales dropped off a cliff and have not recovered.
Events and bsky posts reliably led to follow-on sales, right until Boycott Amazon... And I'm not linking to Amazon.
I'm blocking everyone who parrots "they weren't going to buy it anyway" because that used to be the case. Now, it's the Boycott Amazon people, which *everyone* said would happen bc sales dropped like a rock overnight as pirated stuff went up.
November 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Fun Fact: I don't promote Amazon as a sales channel. I only promo my own shop.
Halfway through 2025, my sales dropped off a cliff and have not recovered.
Events and bsky posts reliably led to follow-on sales, right until Boycott Amazon... And I'm not linking to Amazon.
Halfway through 2025, my sales dropped off a cliff and have not recovered.
Events and bsky posts reliably led to follow-on sales, right until Boycott Amazon... And I'm not linking to Amazon.
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
Reposted by Leeron Heywood
I updated both the mini dragons and the mini dragon/egg combos today so there are tons of new colors including the notepaper one with a little pencil colored egg! These make great gifts or stocking stuffers 👀☺️ #bsnm
measuredandslow.studio/shop?categor...
measuredandslow.studio/shop?categor...
November 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I updated both the mini dragons and the mini dragon/egg combos today so there are tons of new colors including the notepaper one with a little pencil colored egg! These make great gifts or stocking stuffers 👀☺️ #bsnm
measuredandslow.studio/shop?categor...
measuredandslow.studio/shop?categor...
Ok, what if - hear me out - the person we fire at the moon IS a werewolf?? Pretty sure they'd go for it then.
leeronheywood.com/pushing-the-...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy
leeronheywood.com/pushing-the-...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy
Pushing The Boundaries
It was a comfortably dull day in the grants administration department - until Professor Williams stormed in.
leeronheywood.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Ok, what if - hear me out - the person we fire at the moon IS a werewolf?? Pretty sure they'd go for it then.
leeronheywood.com/pushing-the-...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy
leeronheywood.com/pushing-the-...
#writing #fiction #microfiction #urbanFantasy