Rachel Handley 🏳️‍🌈
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rachelahandley.com
Rachel Handley 🏳️‍🌈
@rachelahandley.com
15K followers 5.2K following 6.1K posts
Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Liverpool.
SFF Author. Poet. 🦉
Possible Worlds and Other Stories (2022)
They/Them.

rachelahandley.com
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rachelahandley.com
Here is my face.
A non-binary person with a dark green jumper on. They are looking at the camera. They have short brown hair and brown eyes.
November 11, 2025 at 6:13 PM
rachelahandley.com
New Possible Worlds and Other Stories marketing strategy just dropped. Buy my book, or the fluffy round pig will be SAD.
Someone is holding a round startled looking guinea pig. The text at the top reads: This is who you hurt when you're mean to me. The text at the bottom reads: This guy is also sad about you not buying Possible Worlds and Other Stories yet.
October 24, 2025 at 12:34 PM
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He bides his time.
Pumpy the pumpkin. A large smiling plush pumpkin with thin arms and legs sitting on some books.
October 23, 2025 at 8:06 PM
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New office plant friends! What should I name them? I was thinking of Cyril Citrus for the lemon tree (that's right, left to my own devices after teaching yesterday I did indeed buy a whole entire tree).

I've no idea what to call the flat cactus. Maybe Bob?
A small lemon tree in a grey pot on a white windowsil. A small flat cactus on the same windowsil.
October 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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I'm delighted to say that I will be running an online Ursula Le Guin themed creative writing workshop for @octocon.bsky.social on 11th October, 4 pm.

Get ready for some philosophical fiction!

You must be a member to join. Not a member yet? You can still sign-up here: 2025.octocon.com/join-us/
Poster showing a pink/red octopus with a cute face. The background is a white and blue water cartoon-like graphic. The text reads: Would you walk away from Omelas? An Ursula Le Guin Themed Creative Writing Workshop, 11th October, 4 pm, online. In this workshop, led by science fiction writer, poet, and philosophy lecturer Dr Rachel Handley, you will be invited to explore Le Guin's short stories and related themes. There will be opportunities to respond to writing prompts based on Le Guin's and other's work throughout the workshop. The workshop will be very interactive, and writers at all levels are very welcome to attend. You'll also have the chance to read out what you've written during the workshop.
October 7, 2025 at 2:33 PM
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Yesterday, a friend reminded me that Hemmingway once endorsed* buying a copy of Possible Worlds and Other Stories 👀 (*very legit).
A statue of Hemmingway holding a copy of Possible Worlds and Other Stories.
August 31, 2025 at 5:47 PM
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My research assistants are hard at work.
A ginger cat (left) and a tuxedo cat (right) sleeping on the couch.
August 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
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Last night, I became an honoured chosen one.
A round ginger cat curled up into a ball sleeping on the bed.
August 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
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Today, I am editing whilst Mogs assists.
A tuxedo cat photographed on a soda cushion looking out to the right.
August 19, 2025 at 2:11 PM
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Tibbles and Mogs. Yes, this is just a cat account now. I'm actually Tibbles. I have taken over. Meow meow meow. All hail our new cat overlords.
Tibbles (ginger cat) and Mogs (tuxedo cat on the left) both snoozing on a cosy looking couch.
August 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
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Mogs.
A black and white cat sleeping on a duvet.
August 18, 2025 at 11:01 AM
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A Sunday spent reading feat. Tibbles.
A cosy living room with two couches, a book case, a plant and a tall lamp. In the background you can see a door opening onto a garden. In the foreground you can see Tibbles the orange cat napping on the couch to the right.
August 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
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Tibbles.
A plump fluffy ginger cat being stroked.
August 16, 2025 at 9:43 PM
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New hair!
A non-binary person with a fade.
July 31, 2025 at 5:27 PM
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I walked and fed an alpaca today AKA I had a perfect day.
Five people each standing and siling next to alpacas in a field.
July 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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I had an absolute blast running an Ursula Le Guin themed creative writing workshop for the Current Research in Speculative Fiction at the University of Liverpool last week!

I loved the whole conference, but the keynote by @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social was a firm favourite!
A non-binary person running a creative writing workshop. They are sitting behind a desk with their laptop open.
July 7, 2025 at 5:35 PM
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I went to see my book in the Sydney Jones Library at Liverpool University 😎
A non-binary person holding up their book Possible Worlds and Other Stories between two full shelves of books. Possible Worlds and Other Stories being held up in front of Other books on a shelf.
July 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
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New hair just dropped.
A non-binary person with short hair.
June 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
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This post is giving me life whilst I have an oh no my writing is bad actually day to the sound of a tiny violin.
Damian (@bridgo.bsky.social) writes, "Happy Birthday Rachel, on holiday reading Possible Worlds. It's brilliant, and full of ideas. Have a great day. "
June 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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It's my birthday today. Here is a photo of me reading some poetry poetically on a stage.
A non-binary person reading poetry from printed sheets of paper at Street 66, Dublin.
June 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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On the 12th June I'll be one of the featured poets, along with @sarahmaintains.bsky.social for the Poems for Palestine fundraising event at Street 66. All of the proceeds will go to Irish Visual Artists for Gaza.

Tickets are still available! conscious-connections.geektickets.ie/events/118696
Poster for Poems for Palestine. Sponsored by conscious connections and queers for palestine. Two featured poets are on the poster. The first is Sarah Clancy, described as a poet, activist and community development worker, based in Clare. The second is Rachel Handley, described as a poet, science fiction author, and academic based in Dublin. All of the funds raised will be donated to Irish Visual Artists for Gaza. The event will take place on thursday 12th June, 7 pm at Street 66. Tickets are available on Geek Tickets, or you can scan the QR code.
June 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
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I'm delighted to say that my poem, A Soft Reckoning, was published earlier this month by @arlenhouse.bsky.social in their fabulous anthology, Washing Windows V, edited by Alan Hayes and @nualaoconnor.bsky.social! 📚
A Soft Reckoning I can sink into the fresh heart of it just as you do. A soft reckoning. An easy vibration so small that it takes years to sing from your body to mine. For you to notice that we are not in the same place. That when I try to move, my whole soul flies up, eating freedom under wing, feeling the soft heat of the sun. Having to say nothing more than hello. A bone attempts escape and your mouth tells me I am not made well like you, I am frayed edges yet you are the one bitten, and brought, burnt, back to the earth. The front cover reads: Washing Windows V, Women Revolutionise Irish Poetry, 1975 to 2025, Alan Hayes and Nuala O'connor Editors.
May 14, 2025 at 11:12 PM
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There's only one copy of Possible Worlds and Other Stories left in @booksupstairs.bsky.social! You should buy it so it isn't lonely. There's no sticker on it, but the copy is signed!
A copy of Possible Worlds and Other Stories in Books Upstairs on a shelf. A copy of Possible Worlds and Other Stories in Books Upstairs showing the front cover.
May 14, 2025 at 9:54 PM
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I have a lovely time visiting Rosemount today, UCD's very own apple orchard. The apple juice they make there is delicious. Many thanks to the CoSSL Sustainability Committee for organising the trip!
A photo of an apple orchard in the sunshine. The sky is clear and blue.
May 6, 2025 at 1:45 PM
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I got new glasses.
A non-binary person with short brown hair , a green shirt, and round glasses smiling at the camera. In the background, there is a bookshelf full of books.
April 25, 2025 at 10:56 AM