Short story sale to Nature Magazine!

In June, I took part in a 48-hour software sprint in Belgrade, writing fiction inspired by the people there and the sponsors of the event. It was quite the experience.

I’m delighted that Nature has bought my favorite story that I drafted during the sprint. I can’t wait to share The girl who used to be my sister once it comes out!

The Mystery at Mull

The Times called me to talk about the Mull aviation mystery. This is one of my favourite airfields and I was thrilled to share what I knew about the story. Always thrilled to see aviation history featured in mainstream media and I’m flattered to have contributed to this piece — and that I got the last word. :D

You can read the full piece in The Times: Great Mull Air Mystery has finally been solved by Marc Horne.

Reading Room Residency

I’m thrilled to announce my upcoming Reading Room Residency at the British Library, where I’ll be conducting focused research for my paper on age and aging representation in Star Trek: Picard. The British Library’s extensive archives and historic reading rooms offer the perfect environment for deep investigation.

This week-long research period supports my contribution to the upcoming publication on the third age of Star Trek and its cultural impact.

Three Months on a Gull-Infested Roof

My latest creative nonfiction piece follows a pair of herring gulls who took up residence on the roof outside my window in April and decided it was a good place to raise a family. The story unfolds in three parts:

Part One: Feathered Siege – The invasion begins
Part Two: Fluffy Occupation – Three chicks turn my life upside down
Part Three: The Last Gull Standing – I thought I knew how this story would end. I was wrong.

Available now on the platform of your choice:

  • Substack: Feathered Siege
  • Beehiiv: Feathered Siege
  • Patreon: Feathered Siege
  • Pole Dancing with the Gods

    I attended a great show and vary daring show at HUNGR as a part of the Tallinn Fringe and I thought you might enjoy my review, Pole Dancing with the Gods: Norse Mythology for Adults published at Sour Cream and Dill.

    Someone wearing a sheet over their head topped by a pair of antlers slipped towards the stage. The specter carefully polished the pole and disappeared again. The crowd hushed as three women entered the stage area: the elven-eared girl and two others in less identifiable costumes. Was the leather-clad dancer with the pixie cut Freya? Were the angel wings meant to signify a Valkyrie? Each took a turn dancing in front of the pole and then on it. The pole quivered but held steady, even when one woman pulled her way to the very top.

    If you are in Tallinn, I recommend checking out the events in HUNGR. They are a queer-friendly space who are taking the opportunity to do something different.

    Exploring AI, Ethics and Snarky Conversation

    I’m pleased that I will be presenting on the subjectof Murderbot and AI at Estcon 2024. The conference is taking place in July at Udu Talu and I will post full details under events.

    This is a fun presentation and I’m pleased for the opportunity to revisit it.

    Navigating the Final Frontier at SFRA 2024 Transitions

    I am pleased that my proposal was accepted for Transitions, the SFRA 2024 annual meeting. I will be presenting my paper on The Journey into Old Age in ‘Star Trek: Picard.

    The conference takes place in Tartu in May and I’m very happy that I’ll be attending in person. For more information on the conference, please see their website: SFRA 2024 | Transitions.

    Heading to Switzerland

    I’m going to be attending the AXALP ’23 Air Force display next month! This is a flight display and live-firing exercise run by the Swiss Air Force every year. The spectator areas are 2,200 metres amsl (7,200 feet) and although there’s a shuttle taking me from Briez to Axalp, I’ll be hiking the final 708 metres (2,320 feet). I cannot tell you how excited I am about this.

    If you are interested in more detail, please read my newsletter post about it here: Wheels Up for Raclette

    Cyberjunk

    I’m thrilled to have another story in Nature Futures! I have to admit, this one has an author’s note that’s longer than the story.

    “Don’t be mean, Paul. We’ve never had to live through data scarcity.” I cleared last week’s menu, as if that helped. Paul was right, Mom was getting worse. There was nothing so trivial that she wouldn’t save it to the cloud and then make a back-up.

    You can read the entire story and author’s note at Nature.

    Exploring AI, Ethics and Snarky Conversation

    I’m pleased to be presenting at Disruptive Imaginations, the Joint Annual Conference of the SFRA and the GFF in Dresden. I’ll be speaking on the subject of Murderbot and AI on Thursday morning in room ABS/114. I hope to see you there!