Moderately Salty
@melszymanik.bsky.social
Writer of fiction for children, puzzler, poet, imposter, spy, fan of hot chips, champagne and chocolate
Reposted by Moderately Salty
Everyone working on books right now would be well-served to keep their various drafts. Hate that we’re here, but right or wrong, some of us are inevitably, in this shitty future, going to be asked to show our work, so to speak.
May 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Everyone working on books right now would be well-served to keep their various drafts. Hate that we’re here, but right or wrong, some of us are inevitably, in this shitty future, going to be asked to show our work, so to speak.
Reposted by Moderately Salty
#nzpol During the last election campaign – you might have heard the phrase “It’s time to get the county back on track” uttered once or twice.
How do you feel that is going? Do you feel back on track yet?
There are some numbers in the Budget that back-up your concerns. A 🧵
How do you feel that is going? Do you feel back on track yet?
There are some numbers in the Budget that back-up your concerns. A 🧵
May 25, 2025 at 9:50 AM
#nzpol During the last election campaign – you might have heard the phrase “It’s time to get the county back on track” uttered once or twice.
How do you feel that is going? Do you feel back on track yet?
There are some numbers in the Budget that back-up your concerns. A 🧵
How do you feel that is going? Do you feel back on track yet?
There are some numbers in the Budget that back-up your concerns. A 🧵
Reposted by Moderately Salty
I've never seen "running government like a business is bad, actually" illustrated as plainly and clearly as this:
May 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I've never seen "running government like a business is bad, actually" illustrated as plainly and clearly as this:
Reposted by Moderately Salty
For months I've been thinking about the ways in which the norms of journalism aren't up to the task of reporting on people who won't accept the norms of reality.
So I've written about my thoughts there, and how the lessons of reporting about disinformation apply to everything now.
So I've written about my thoughts there, and how the lessons of reporting about disinformation apply to everything now.
Objective Journalism Isn’t Up To The Challenge Of Now
Traditional journalism’s focus on neutrality, balance and objectivity is its weakness — and it’s a weakness that reactionary and regressive groups are ready to exploit.
open.substack.com
March 21, 2025 at 2:40 AM
For months I've been thinking about the ways in which the norms of journalism aren't up to the task of reporting on people who won't accept the norms of reality.
So I've written about my thoughts there, and how the lessons of reporting about disinformation apply to everything now.
So I've written about my thoughts there, and how the lessons of reporting about disinformation apply to everything now.
It’s meeeee!!! With poetrrryyyyy 😃❤️
March 12, 2025 at 7:26 PM
It’s meeeee!!! With poetrrryyyyy 😃❤️
I revised a picture book manuscript today at the request of a maybe-interested publisher - when I read the new version it made me cry. I am choosing to see that as a good sign #AllTheFeels
February 12, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I revised a picture book manuscript today at the request of a maybe-interested publisher - when I read the new version it made me cry. I am choosing to see that as a good sign #AllTheFeels
Loved ‘A Complete Unknown’ and have been thinking about it a lot since seeing it yesterday. Surprising and recommended
January 28, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Loved ‘A Complete Unknown’ and have been thinking about it a lot since seeing it yesterday. Surprising and recommended
Writing today be like …
a cat is sliding down a green slide
ALT: a cat is sliding down a green slide
media.tenor.com
January 22, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Writing today be like …
Reposted by Moderately Salty
Welp. Apple snuck something dirty in our phones last night.
Settings > Apps > (pick an app) > Siri > Learn From this App
TOGGLE OFF.
You have to go through each app. My garage app, my BANKING APPS, others had that turned on automatically. 😡
Settings > Apps > (pick an app) > Siri > Learn From this App
TOGGLE OFF.
You have to go through each app. My garage app, my BANKING APPS, others had that turned on automatically. 😡
January 14, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Welp. Apple snuck something dirty in our phones last night.
Settings > Apps > (pick an app) > Siri > Learn From this App
TOGGLE OFF.
You have to go through each app. My garage app, my BANKING APPS, others had that turned on automatically. 😡
Settings > Apps > (pick an app) > Siri > Learn From this App
TOGGLE OFF.
You have to go through each app. My garage app, my BANKING APPS, others had that turned on automatically. 😡
Reposted by Moderately Salty
🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘 : 👎
🚘 🌳 🚴♀️ 🌳 🚶♀️ : 👍
🚘 🌳 🚴♀️ 🌳 🚶♀️ : 👍
Decades of research shows that expanding highways increases travel times. Some cities are reducing their highways in response.
Why Do We Keep Widening Highways If It Doesn’t Reduce Traffic?
Decades of research shows that expanding highways, despite its promise to reduce congestion, actually increases travel times.
buff.ly
January 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM
🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘 : 👎
🚘 🌳 🚴♀️ 🌳 🚶♀️ : 👍
🚘 🌳 🚴♀️ 🌳 🚶♀️ : 👍
Reposted by Moderately Salty
Submissions on the Treaty Principles bill reopened. New closing time and date: 1pm on Tuesday 14 January.
Treaty Principles Bill submissions re-open after website woes www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Treaty Principles Bill submissions re-open after website woes www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Treaty Principles Bill submissions re-open after website woes
Parliament's justice select committee has agreed to extend the deadline after receiving a record 300,000 submissions.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 8, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Submissions on the Treaty Principles bill reopened. New closing time and date: 1pm on Tuesday 14 January.
Treaty Principles Bill submissions re-open after website woes www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Treaty Principles Bill submissions re-open after website woes www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
Reposted by Moderately Salty
Resharing for today’s crowd!
#KidLit creators, please spread the word!
@littlethoughtspress.com
@doucette515.bsky.social
#KidLit creators, please spread the word!
@littlethoughtspress.com
@doucette515.bsky.social
👀
We have news!
We’re extending the conversation to include kids! More to come soon!
We have news!
We’re extending the conversation to include kids! More to come soon!
@epistemiclit.bsky.social is ready to announce our new lit mag for a younger audience. Keep your eyes on our pages for the first theme!
January 4, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Resharing for today’s crowd!
#KidLit creators, please spread the word!
@littlethoughtspress.com
@doucette515.bsky.social
#KidLit creators, please spread the word!
@littlethoughtspress.com
@doucette515.bsky.social
Reposted by Moderately Salty
Saw someone upbraiding someone else for having a hobby while the world is on fire, and, my friends:
1. The world is ever on fire, this is today's conflagration;
2. If you don't find time for rest and joy the fire will consume you;
3. Don't let people shame you for being an entire human.
1. The world is ever on fire, this is today's conflagration;
2. If you don't find time for rest and joy the fire will consume you;
3. Don't let people shame you for being an entire human.
December 17, 2024 at 3:21 PM
Saw someone upbraiding someone else for having a hobby while the world is on fire, and, my friends:
1. The world is ever on fire, this is today's conflagration;
2. If you don't find time for rest and joy the fire will consume you;
3. Don't let people shame you for being an entire human.
1. The world is ever on fire, this is today's conflagration;
2. If you don't find time for rest and joy the fire will consume you;
3. Don't let people shame you for being an entire human.
Reposted by Moderately Salty
It's simple really.
The more books you read, the greater the chance a magic portal will open in one and transport you into that realm.
Don't give up trying.
The more books you read, the greater the chance a magic portal will open in one and transport you into that realm.
Don't give up trying.
December 12, 2024 at 7:39 PM
It's simple really.
The more books you read, the greater the chance a magic portal will open in one and transport you into that realm.
Don't give up trying.
The more books you read, the greater the chance a magic portal will open in one and transport you into that realm.
Don't give up trying.
And a third poem - this one Christmassy too - less turkey, more peace on Earth @thedirigible.bsky.social ❤️
December 6, 2024 at 4:57 AM
And a third poem - this one Christmassy too - less turkey, more peace on Earth @thedirigible.bsky.social ❤️
Another poem by me now up on The Dirigible Balloon - what might a mouse want for Christmas? @thedirigible.bsky.social ❤️
December 6, 2024 at 4:49 AM
Another poem by me now up on The Dirigible Balloon - what might a mouse want for Christmas? @thedirigible.bsky.social ❤️
I wrote a haiku! Thanks to @thedirigible.bsky.social for including it on their website along with other poems by me (and many other fab people) 😃 ❤️
December 6, 2024 at 2:21 AM
I wrote a haiku! Thanks to @thedirigible.bsky.social for including it on their website along with other poems by me (and many other fab people) 😃 ❤️
Reposted by Moderately Salty
Wonderful piece - amazing woman
Joy Sellen may not be a household name, but she's key to making the NZCYA awards happen and is a quiet champion for kids books. She chats with Jane Arthur on what makes her tick and being embarrassed by picking up the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award:
www.thesapling.co.nz/book-people-...
www.thesapling.co.nz/book-people-...
Book People: Joy Sellen, Ace Administrator - The Sapling
In the first of an occasional series on the people ‘behind the scenes’ of the Aotearoa children’s lit scene, Jane Arthur speaks with Joy Sellen. Joy is the administrator of the NZ Book Awards for Chil...
www.thesapling.co.nz
November 29, 2024 at 3:01 AM
Wonderful piece - amazing woman
Reposted by Moderately Salty
In the past day I’ve heard two people who really should know better say they asked ChatGPT for factual info.
ChatGPT is not a search engine. It is predictive text based on other people’s stolen writing; its whole job is to make stuff up. Please do not ask it for facts. Tell a friend.
ChatGPT is not a search engine. It is predictive text based on other people’s stolen writing; its whole job is to make stuff up. Please do not ask it for facts. Tell a friend.
Don’t know what to buy your loved ones for Christmas? Just ask ChatGPT
Don’t know what to buy your loved ones for Christmas? Just ask ChatGPT
Santa has a new little helper. But can an AI-powered shopping assistant really master the subtle art of gift giving?
Some people love buying Christmas presents. Polly Arrowsmith starts making a note of what her friends and family like, then hunts for…
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2024 at 2:37 PM
In the past day I’ve heard two people who really should know better say they asked ChatGPT for factual info.
ChatGPT is not a search engine. It is predictive text based on other people’s stolen writing; its whole job is to make stuff up. Please do not ask it for facts. Tell a friend.
ChatGPT is not a search engine. It is predictive text based on other people’s stolen writing; its whole job is to make stuff up. Please do not ask it for facts. Tell a friend.
Love my library - it’s always there to support my reading habit and broaden my horizons and understanding
November 27, 2024 at 5:56 PM
Love my library - it’s always there to support my reading habit and broaden my horizons and understanding
Reposted by Moderately Salty
November 26, 2024 at 3:23 AM
Reposted by Moderately Salty
Clever creatives out there: we desperately need a counter social media storm to undermine Seymour/Hobson's Pledge lies right now. They're gearing up for a referendum, using the disgusting tactics seen in the Aussie 'Voice' vote. Please, please flood the zone with funny, hooky info to expose them.
We have a small yappy tail wagging the dog because the national party are too pathetic to lead, they have a weak leader and bunch of incompetent and nasty MPs who don't care what gets destroyed along the way to completing their grand plan, break all Labour built, like mean kids in a sandpit
#nzpol
#nzpol
November 25, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Clever creatives out there: we desperately need a counter social media storm to undermine Seymour/Hobson's Pledge lies right now. They're gearing up for a referendum, using the disgusting tactics seen in the Aussie 'Voice' vote. Please, please flood the zone with funny, hooky info to expose them.
Our wee ginger minx is 16? and has finally (finally 🤷♀️) decided sitting on my lap is a go. But only in the morning in bed. She disapproves of my morning coffee but not enough to sit elsewhere. Some delays with breakfast and showers are expected
November 25, 2024 at 6:01 AM
Our wee ginger minx is 16? and has finally (finally 🤷♀️) decided sitting on my lap is a go. But only in the morning in bed. She disapproves of my morning coffee but not enough to sit elsewhere. Some delays with breakfast and showers are expected