T.A. Moore's Blog, page 12

STATE OF THE TAM - 5th July

All Grade Pulaski wanted was a quiet life, a few low-profile murders to clean up after, and his hometown in the rear view as he headed back to LA. Simple, attainable goals. All he had to do was keep his nose down and everyone else’s hands clean...as far as the law was concerned...and he’d been able to show Sweeny his heels sooner rather than later.

Problem was that Grade’s ‘thing’ with local mob boss Clay Traynor—currently somewhere between a one-night stand and a bad idea—was a lot of things, but it wasn’t quiet or simple.

For example, Judge Charity Parker was the last person in Sweeny who needed to know Grade’s name. Yet here he was in her basement after midnight, cleaning up a mess that could derail a couple of political careers in one fell swoop. All because Clay owed Judge Parker a favor... or three.

Grade should have known better than to go along with it. Amateurs always made a job messy, and politicians didn’t have a grateful bone in their bodies. Now the only chance he had of seeing LA again meant he had to break his professional code of conduct.

He needed to get his client caught.

Buy Moore

I have also spent today fighting with my computer and then the DVANI in turn. It’s been six months (nearly) and I’m asking for my license back! Between that and the book release I’ll keep this short today!

Exciting things are in the works though. I don’t know when I’ll be able to talk about it, but when I can it’s VERY COOL!

I hope you all had a very good Fourth of July!

Pupdate of the Week

Chilling in the sunshine while it lasted! I know I can’t get away without sharing a pic of the pups!

Don’t forget to follow the Dirty Job blog tour! It’s still going.

This is so cool!

Whereas this is SO COOL! I know some Americans don’t like armadillos but I have no idea why. I’d love them buttling around.

@greensborosciencecenterLittle tippy, tappys 🥺 #GreensboroScienceCenter #ScreamingHairyArmadillo #Armadillo #healthadepopit[image error]Tiktok failed to load.

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State of the TAM - June 28

What’s Up?

Look at this weather. I get climate change and all, but apparently our weather has just been thrown in a tumbler and shaken about. All the weather all at once!

I’ve seen people talking about that author who said that authors should stay in their lane and keep their mouth shut about Roe vs Wade. To start with, I do as I like. Secondly, I know women who lost their children in the Magdalene Laundries, who were brutalized and shamed by nuns. I had friends at school who had to try and sneak over to England to get an abortion against their parent’s wishes. I know what happens when religion becomes part of the state. It does neither institution any favors.

So it’s my lane, thanks. I’m not really worried about losing any readers. I can’t imagine I have a lot of those who are all that way right of where I stand. If they are, well, consider what these laws are really about. For the record I think abortion should be the pregnant person’s choice and religion should be kept out of it. If people want to discourage abortion, make birth control easier to get and sex education mandatory.

Not much else is going on this week! Lots of dragging the pups out in the rain while they grumble about it and doing some writing. The Dirty Job blog tour is off to the different mailboxes it was supposed it hit!

Addendum - We will be doing a puppy bath this week apparently. The baby is stinky.

Pupdate of the Week

Mind you, we have had SOME nice days!

Free Audio Chapter of the Week

'Late Shift' by TA Moore is a Night Shift short story and a prequel to Shift Less. Find out more about who Kit Marlow was before he joined the Night Shift, and how he became the man Cade Deacon gets to meet in the books! Chapter Seven up now!

Written by TA Moore
Narrated by Michael Fell

Listen Now

If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can get Late Shift in mobi and epub on the website.

The complete Night Shift series is available on Audible, also narrated by the awesome Michael Fell.

These are so cool. Horrifying too, obviously, but still!

Wonder of Science @wonderofscienceThese 'Beach Animals' were created by Theo Jansen as a fusion of art and engineering. The kinetic structures walk on their own and get all their energy from the wind.

June 26th 2022

83,308 Retweets545,395 Likes

This delighted me.

Shout Out of the Weekamazon.com/gp/product/B0B… ","username":"andrewgreybooks","name":"Andrew Grey","date":"Tue Jun 21 13:25:57 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FVx49R...Andrew Grey @andrewgreybooksNew today! This Time for Always is now available for your reading pleasure!amazon.com/gp/product/B0B…

June 21st 2022

1 Retweet11 LikesDave Jamieson @jamiesonEXCLUSIVE: I spoke with Medieval Times workers about why they want to unionize their castle. What they deal with is nuts: guests spooking the horses, grabbing the falcon, even putting their hands on the queen. They want better pay and safety -- and respect A Union At Medieval Times? Indeed, M’Lord.Employees at the chain’s New Jersey castle have launched a union campaign aimed at improving pay and safety at a surprisingly dangerous job.huffpost.com

June 28th 2022

789 Retweets2,967 LikesMust Read of the Week

You would think I’d be tired of plague after the last few years (and I’d certainly sign up for the No New Pandemics multiverse), but I still find the Black Death fascinating. I remember studying it in history, after the murder of Thomas Becket (which I rendered in gory detail for an illustrated essay, using tipp-ex blobs as brain matter. Apparently 12 year old me thought there’d been a final boss fight!).

Where Did the Black Death Begin? DNA Detectives Find a Key Clue.

Where and when did the Black Death originate? The question has been asked for centuries and led to heated debate among historians.

Now, a group of researchers reports that it has found the answer in the pulp of teeth from people buried in the 14th century.

Based on their analysis of the preserved genetic material, the researchers report that the Black Death arrived in 1338 or 1339 near Issyk-Kul, a lake in a mountainous area just west of China in what is now Kyrgyzstan. The plague first infected people in a small, nearby settlement of traders eight years before it devastated Eurasia, killing 60 percent of the population.

inkpug A post shared by Lauren (@inkpug)

I love my puppies, but sometimes I do miss my cats. They would have hated the dogs from somewhere on high, but I still wish they were here.

little.tunny A post shared by Grace Gogarty 🐌 (@little.tunny)

So fast! I love it!

Look! How cute is this?!

#claymation! Magical Cat is a project we do between jobs to loosen up and enjoy #animation. ","username":"scottdaros","name":"Scott DaRos","date":"Sat Jun 25 18:21:16 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/upload/...Scott DaRos @scottdarosMy wife and I made another cat #claymation! Magical Cat is a project we do between jobs to loosen up and enjoy #animation.

June 25th 2022

19,656 Retweets83,441 Likes

State of the TAM - 21st June

What’s Up

Just getting all my ducks in a row for the release of Dirty Job, book two in the Dirty Deeds series. I am always worried I’ll forget something important!

Speaking of which, don’t miss the Dirty Job blog tour! It runs from the 4th to the 8th of July! Win prizes and find out more about the books!

Pupdate of the Week

Look at what a good bean Jax is!

Danny Bate @DannyBate4I didn't realise until today's walk around Peebles that I could have a favourite road sign.

June 19th 2022

13,394 Retweets146,675 LikesFree Audio Chapter of the Week

'Late Shift' by TA Moore is a Night Shift short story and a prequel to Shift Less. Find out more about who Kit Marlow was before he joined the Night Shift, and how he became the man Cade Deacon gets to meet in the books! Chapter Six up now!

Written by TA Moore
Narrated by Michael Fell

Listen Now

If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can get Late Shift in mobi and epub on the website.

The complete Night Shift series is available on Audible, also narrated by the awesome Michael Fell.

Book of the Week

All Grade Pulaski wanted was a quiet life, a few low-profile murders to clean up after, and his hometown in the rear view as he headed back to LA. Simple, attainable goals. All he had to do was keep his nose down and everyone else’s hands clean...as far as the law was concerned...and he’d been able to show Sweeny his heels sooner rather than later.

Problem was that Grade’s ‘thing’ with local mob boss Clay Traynor—currently somewhere between a one-night stand and a bad idea—was a lot of things, but it wasn’t quiet or simple.

For example, Judge Charity Parker was the last person in Sweeny who needed to know Grade’s name. Yet here he was in her basement after midnight, cleaning up a mess that could derail a couple of political careers in one fell swoop. All because Clay owed Judge Parker a favor... or three.

Grade should have known better than to go along with it. Amateurs always made a job messy, and politicians didn’t have a grateful bone in their bodies. Now the only chance he had of seeing LA again meant he had to break his professional code of conduct.

He needed to get his client caught.

Buy Moore

debra_frances A post shared by Debra Frances Book Arts (@debra_frances)

Whaaaat? This is a direct portal into the nightmare realm.

NORIBROS INC. @noribros【オリジナル制作】飛ぶ？

June 3rd 2022

12,021 Retweets77,470 Likes

These are just amazing!

Energía Patín @EnergiaPatinAsí se hacían antes los efectos especiales👌

June 17th 2022

85,280 Retweets483,740 Likes

I am torn on this one! I really enjoyed some of the early elements of it, but my brain consistently jarred up against some of the more common sense, ‘anchoring’ bits and bobs. I’ve gotten to the halfway point and wandered off, but I’ll probably dig my teeth back in this weekend.

State of the TAM - 14 June

What’s Up

I, ah, obviously missed a few newsletters.

May just managed to fit a whole year of rough days into a month. A lot was going on and I still can’t drive, which has been driving me to tears with frustration. I’m back on track now. More or less? Hopefully!

Dirty Job, the second book in the Dirty Deeds series is coming soon! July 5 in fact!

All Grade Pulaski wanted was a quiet life, a few low-profile murders to clean up after, and his home-town in the rear-view as he headed back to LA. Simple, attainable goals. All he had to do was keep his nose down and everyone else's hands clean...as far as the law was concerned...and he'd been able to show Sweeny his heels sooner rather than later.

Problem was that Grade's 'thing' with local mob boss Clay Traynor--currently somewhere between a one-night stand and a bad idea--was a lot of things, but it wasn't quiet or simple.

For example, Judge Charity Parker was the last person in Sweeny who needed to know Grade's name. Yet here he was in her basement after midnight, cleaning up a mess that could derail a couple of political careers in one fell swoop. All because Clay owed Judge Parker a favor...or three.

Grade should have known better than to go along with it. Amateurs always made a job messy, and politicians didn't have a grateful bone in their body. Now the only chance he had of seeing LA ever again, meant that he had to break his professional code of conduct.

He needed to get his client caught.

Read Moore

I also have a brand new ‘landing page’. Let me know if there’s anything else you think I should add!

Pupdate of the Week Free Audio Chapter of the Week

'Late Shift' by TA Moore is a Night Shift short story and a prequel to Shift Less. Find out more about who Kit Marlow was before he joined the Night Shift, and how he became the man Cade Deacon gets to meet in the books! Chapter Five up now!

Written by TA Moore
Narrated by Michael Fell

Listen Now

If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can get Late Shift in mobi and epub on the website.

The complete Night Shift series is available on Audible, also narrated by the awesome Michael Fell.

titsay 𓆏 @titsay

May 28th 2022

6,574 Retweets37,854 LikesShout Out of the Week@KFieldingWrites is a magical, tender and sweetly sensual romance combined with an entertaining and warmly perceptive performance from @joellesliefro ","username":"CazReadingRm","name":"Caz's Reading Room","date":"Thu Apr 07 08:01:06 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":3,"like_count":8,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://bookish29.wordpress.com/2022/... (Greynox by the Sea #2) by Kim Fielding (audiobook) – Narrated by Joel Leslie","description":"This title may be downloaded from Audible via Amazon Ravaged by a horrific experience, Oliver Webb flees the smog-bound city of Greynox for a quiet seaside village and the inheritance he’s never se…","domain":"bookish29.wordpress.com"},"video_url":null}">Caz's Reading Room @CazReadingRmFARVIEW by @KFieldingWrites is a magical, tender and sweetly sensual romance combined with an entertaining and warmly perceptive performance from @joellesliefro Farview (Greynox by the Sea #2) by Kim Fielding (audiobook) – Narrated by Joel LeslieThis title may be downloaded from Audible via Amazon Ravaged by a horrific experience, Oliver Webb flees the smog-bound city of Greynox for a quiet seaside village and the inheritance he’s never se…bookish29.wordpress.com

April 7th 2022

3 Retweets8 Likes

Well! This is nightmare fuel!

@mochimochi_rkgk ","username":"noribros","name":"NORIBROS INC.","date":"Mon Jun 13 06:37:05 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/upload/...NORIBROS INC. @noribros【オリジナル制作】にょろにょろ🙃🪱🪱クリーチャーデザイン@mochimochi_rkgk

June 13th 2022

5,311 Retweets36,645 Likes

I’ve been watching this, but I can’t QUITE bring myself to finish. Partially because I haven’t been enjoying it, but I also know what is going to happen to the people that I’m rooting for. So it’s hard to commit. On the other hand it will gall me forever if I don’t watch all of it.

I love this *rofl*

Josh Luke Davis 🏳️‍🌈 @JoshLukeDavisThe inspiration // The artDid I stitch this for a stupid internet joke? Yes. Did it take me an obscene amount of my free time? Also yes. 🥲

May 28th 2022

2,615 Retweets27,992 Likes

State of the TAM - 17th March

What’s Up?

So this weekend Jax and Izzy are going to the Pawfect Pooch Birthday Party to help celebrate AND raise some money for NISTBR. They are going to be selling kisses - buy 1, get 1000 free! - between noon and two! We’re also going to get a fancy portrait done of Izzy.

I feel the judgement! It may be coming from inside the house :D Thing is there was only space left! And I have loads of awesome photos of my beautiful boy, but Izzy has second child photography going on. She’s a beautiful little bean, but Jax photobombs a lot of photo opportunities.

So what the hell, eh? Might as well get a really nice portrait of her to go up with all the ones of Jax.

I am honestly considering just doing a Writing Staffie newsletter :D But it will have to wait until I’m a bit less busy!

Writing news…

I’m writing! Waiting for an edit. I have done some really nice practice covers and might be trying out some new things with those in the near future!

I am starting to believe in the UK Meet! GRL I’m still a bit ‘what a beautiful fairytale!’ apart.

Pupdate of the Week

Jax is feeling much better this week! Still taking it slow until I’m sure his belly is settled now he’s off his meds. Izzy has taken to lying on him and cleaning his ears.

She also enjoys a good walk in the rain. At least, she had every expection that she would until we did. Now she doesn’t plan to try it again.

@cellisharlequin @MillsandBoon @HarlequinBooks for making my dreams come true! ♥️ ","username":"LelaMayWight","name":"Lela May Wight","date":"Tue May 17 07:54:07 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://substackcdn.com/image/upload/...Lela May Wight @LelaMayWightI've been off the grid for a little while, and came home to my dreams waiting for me. *Sobs* It's a book. A real book!!! Thank you so much @cellisharlequin @MillsandBoon @HarlequinBooks for making my dreams come true! ♥️

May 17th 2022

11 Retweets79 Likes

I still remember how ridiculously excited I was the first time I got a hard copy of my book. I think my friend Penn still has the picture of me rolling around on a bed with them.

Free Audio Chapter of the Week

'Late Shift' by TA Moore is a Night Shift short story and a prequel to Shift Less. Find out more about who Kit Marlow was before he joined the Night Shift, and how he became the man Cade Deacon gets to meet in the books! Chapter Four up now!

Written by TA Moore
Narrated by Michael Fell

Listen Now

If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can get Late Shift in mobi and epub on the website.

The complete Night Shift series is available on Audible, also narrated by the awesome Michael Fell.

Shout Out of the Week

I’m gonna say it, if you aren’t watching Derry Girls…what the hell?!?

#DerryGirls finale taking us from uncontrollable laughter to uncontrollable tears in the space of a minute 💔 ","username":"Channel4","name":"Channel 4","date":"Tue May 17 20:38:00 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://res.cloudinary.com/hhsslviub/...Channel 4 @Channel4#DerryGirls finale taking us from uncontrollable laughter to uncontrollable tears in the space of a minute 💔

May 17th 2022

279 Retweets2,211 Likes

This is my favourite episode. My family, you know, kicked with the other foot, but we still did this because my Grandad couldn’t be having it with flute bands. That year I composed and sang sad dirges about dead fishermen and mermaids (bearing in my mind, I’m kinda tone deaf) he couldn’t be having that either. But we’d pile in the car early on the 12th and head for down South instead. I still remember watching to see if the soldiers DID find anyone in a car boot.

Also I made Rhys and Jenn Moffatt watch it while I was over. They had to have subtitles on.

I LOOOVE Axolotls. I would absolutely have tanks of them if I had the expertise, patience, time, and know how to take care of them. They are just so…goofy water dragons.

Ethan "Moistly Harmless on Zoop" Kocak @BlackmudpuppyJust $762 more and I will have to do full color for MOISTLY HARMLESS. Like a genie compelled to grant wishes or Beetlejuice or something. What was I talking about? Oh right. Buy my book. Moistly Harmless: How to Appreciate Newts and SalamandersAn educational comic book by NYT Bestselling Cartoonist (and amphibian enthusiast) Ethan Kocak. The finished version of this softcover book will be around 100 pages, 6.625 x 10.25″zoop.gg

May 16th 2022

21 Retweets57 LikesMust Read of the Week

I have no idea who’ll come out ahead LEGALLY in this, but I like Jack and their messaging so I hope they do. They wiped the floor with Katie Hopkins in a similar situation, so fingers crossed.

More seriously I can’t think of anything more emblematic of the problems with our current government that the fact that faced with negative analysis of their policies and decisions they attack the critic, not address the criticism.

‘People are literally dying because they can’t afford to eat.’

‘Yeah, well, you have expensive socks.’

Anyhow, good luck to Jack. They are good people.

Jack Monroe @BootstrapCookWrote a thing about all of this.What’s The Difference Between Jack Monroe Suggesting Budget Recipes, And A Tory MP?It didn’t start with a Jan Moir article in the Daily Mail a couple of days ago, but it could have done. Ironically, my first forays into political protest started with a Jan Moir article in the Dai…cookingonabootstrap.com

May 12th 2022

3,021 Retweets9,894 Likes

What? Seriously, WHAT?

Deb Spence @debswildartAnd it’s finished! This was a huge challenge as I wanted to create the stainless steel effect with only pastel pencils.Pastel pencils on Pastlemat.

May 14th 2022

16,304 Retweets180,015 Likes

Whaaaaat?

Oh c’mon. Admit it’s a thing. I don’t BELIEVE in wishing anyone harm (and having fallen and hurt myself SIGNIFICANTLY - there’s a bruise - recently, I do always wonder if it’s karmic payback for this. Yes, i know that’s not how karma works. ANYHOW, I don’t think you should celebrate anyone’s death, but some of these people only immediate family will cry for.

Elizabeth preorder The Origin of Storms! Bear 🇺🇦 @matociqualaThe Reverse Betty White: The disappointment of noticing some son-of-a-bitch is trending and clicking through to discover they're not dead.

May 17th 2022

2 Retweets9 Likes

I remain unconvinced Liz Truss knows what the Good Friday Agreement is. She probably thinks it’s something to do with chocolate eggs. And sorry to be so political this week. I’ll get back to just random weird trash! This is just…let’s not go back.

Maybe we could make her watch Derry Girls?

Patrick Kielty @PatricKieltyIf you cared about the Good Friday Agreement, you wouldn’t have supported the Leave campaign in the first place. Oh, hang on. You didn’t. That’s why people in N Ireland don’t believe a word you say.

Liz Truss @trussliz

Our first priority is to uphold the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.💬 Read my statement to @HouseofCommons: https://t.co/uuzSmvbiCh https://t.co/8je59XOndV

May 17th 2022

643 Retweets4,151 Likes

State of the TAM - 11th May

What’s Up

Jax, the writing staffie, has a bad tummy. He was nauseous and seemed uncomfortable when he got up yesterday morning. When he didn’t want to eat—not even Izzy’s ultra-tempting puppy biscuits—I shipped him off to the vets (I still can’t drive, which is driving me mad). He has a tummy bug and has been giving anti-sickness shots, probiotics, and something to settle his tummy.

So, I’ve been up to high do fretting about that. Being a dog owner on Facebook means the algorithms sent me a lot of info about new strains of parvovirus that the inoculations won’t protect them from and mystery new diseases! I swear, if we ever find out that Zuckerberg has SOMEHOW found a way to monetise anxiety I would not be surprised. In fact, it would explain a lot.

He seems to be feeling better today though. Which is why today you get a newsletter!

Oh in other news, someone emailed me last week and told me to ‘Get over myself’. For the record, I shan’t.

Pupdate of the Week

The patient. I did not put him in Angry Bean Prison (Izzy’s pen). He just decided that was where he was going and refused to come out. Izzy was unimpressed at being suddenly forced to share a room. She is, however, extremely impressed by the addition of a massive furry blanket to her domain.

Free Audio Chapter of the Week

'Late Shift' by TA Moore is a Night Shift short story and a prequel to Shift Less. Find out more about who Kit Marlow was before he joined the Night Shift, and how he became the man Cade Deacon gets to meet in the books! New Chapter up now!

Written by TA Moore
Narrated by Michael Fell

Listen Now

If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can get Late Shift in mobi and epub on the website.

The complete Night Shift series is available on Audible, also narrated by the awesome Michael Fell.

One time one time I was up in Belfast at Castle Court and I saw a woman with a monkey in a backpack! She was feeding it french fries and it would grab them with its little hands and just duck back down into the bag to eat them.

I doubt french fries are healthy for monkeys, but she still did it!

A parrot might even be better. I would want to stroke it SO MUCH.

Kristin Jensen🌻 @edibleirelandNothing to see here, just a man and his parrot having lunch in Dublin.

May 9th 2022

535 Retweets8,080 Likes

This is fascinating and SLIGHTLY terrifying. Like pregnant women just walking around, desperately trying to provide the embryo inside them with enough specific nutrients to stop them from LEECHING THE CALCIUM FROM YOUR TEETH! It’s pretty metal.

I did know about the hormone that messed up all your tendons and stuff. Someone I worked with had the most horrific pelvic related time with her pregnancy. Like she’d just dislocate a hip from sitting.

🍃 TeaRo | ⬆️ 🇺🇲🗽 @tearoepriceThe REAL, PERMANENT effects of allowing a zygote to develop into a fetus in human females: A THREAD. Please share because some people seem to think it's just "allowing a tenant" for 9 months and they are terribly wrong.

May 3rd 2022

42 Retweets78 Likes

Must Read of the Week

This is an old article, but man…I would have thrown the WORLD’S MOST DISTURBING DINNER PARTY! I still would. I’d regret nothing.

Is the hand rabbit? Do you think the hand is rabbit? Because it would need to very bony and picky to give the right, horrifying impact.

This London butcher is selling fake human meat, and it is INCREDIBLY TRAUMATIC

Have you ever wanted to live the life of an Argentinean soccer player? Is your main complaint about Sweeney Todd the fact that you can’t find reviews for that restaurant on Yelp? Did you find that one horrifying episode of Mythbusters intriguing, but in the end, insufficiently delicious?

Then get your rump roast to Wesker and Son butchers at London’s Smithfield Market, where they’re selling everything you need to host a Donner party. Human hands for the equivalent of $8? So cheap! Kids, we’re having ladyfingers tonight.

Read More

You can also go to the Picky Glutton for more pictures? But be warned, there is a penis in a bowl. So…didn’t want to spring that on anyone.

I wanna t-shirt!

Christianne GG @cegoudreauBeen having a lot of feelings lately.

May 9th 2022

126 Retweets526 Likes

It is! I cannot sing. I could hold a concussed tune in a bucket with a lid on it. But I still enjoy it. (I am actually slightly tone-deaf…which combined with the mild case of colorblindness and the fact I can’t taste the difference between sweet and bitter is just…weird. Like the world’s most lacklustre superpower, but you take it because it could be worse?)

@tamoorewrites https://t.co/juC406paWt","u... May 10 22:17:36 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{"full_text":"💀#Eurovision2022 https://t.co/oEuHbE00sr","u... 👨‍🚀"},"retweet_count":0,"like_count":0,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Penndragon @PenndragonI feel this might be aimed at us @tamoorewrites https://t.co/juC406paWt

Lee 👨‍🚀 @MXOFO

💀#Eurovision2022 https://t.co/oEuHbE00sr

May 10th 2022

Just cos :D

State of the TAM - 3rd May

What’s Up?

It’s my mum’s birthday today! She’s…younger every year! Meanwhile Izzy just turned four whole months old!!

So for a joint celebration we went up to Rowallane for a picnic. ORIGINALLY I had planned to take Mum down south for a week, but…you know. I can’t drive right now and the puppy can’t get her passport until she’s six months. So, here we are. My mum, her favorite kids, and me :D

Pupdate of the Week

This Saturday I took Izzy and Jax over to Bangor to do some fundraising for Northern Ireland Staffordshire Bull Terrier Rescue. It was raining, so afterwards Jax and Izzy got to go in for a puppuccino (they shared!). Izzy VERY MUCH enjoyed the experience. Jax would have preferred to have a pup cup all to himself.

By the time we got home Jax was exhausted from being such a good boy. He had to have a hard nap up on my bed while Izzy rioted around downstairs.

This looks so neat.

@WeAreZoop May 16th! \n\nCheck out this link here to get notified as soon as our campaign goes live! zoop.gg/c/almostrealvo… ","username":"FortunaMedias","name":"🔮😈🌿FORTUNA MEDIA🌿😈🔮","date":"Thu Apr 28 21:51:33 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FRdite...zoop.gg/c/almostrealvo… Free Audio Chapter of the Week

'Late Shift' by TA Moore is a Night Shift short story and a prequel to Shift Less. Find out more about who Kit Marlow was before he joined the Night Shift, and how he became the man Cade Deacon gets to meet in the books! Chapter Two up now!

Written by TA Moore
Narrated by Michael Fell

Listen Now

If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can get Late Shift in mobi and epub on the website.

The complete Night Shift series is available on Audible, also narrated by the awesome Michael Fell.

Shout Out of the Week

I am working my way through the Necessary Evils books. They’ve had to go on the back burner for a bit while I write some crime-doings, but they’re really good.

@OnleyJames1’s NECESSARY EVIL is available now in audio! Check out the gorgeous, HOT series today and fall in love with a new kind of bad boy.\n\nUNHINGED: amzn.to/3fXLB4U\nPSYCHO: amzn.to/3H1dp4l ","username":"InkSlingerPR","name":"InkSlingerPR","date":"Wed Feb 02 13:01:21 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FKl-XC...InkSlingerPR @InkSlingerPR★★ NOW IN AUDIO ★★@OnleyJames1’s NECESSARY EVIL is available now in audio! Check out the gorgeous, HOT series today and fall in love with a new kind of bad boy.UNHINGED: amzn.to/3fXLB4UPSYCHO: amzn.to/3H1dp4l

February 2nd 2022

1 Retweet7 Likes

This is entirely what I would do if I worked for Jurassic Park. Tiny little killer lovebirds.

ヘビニワ🗿 @inkoinko7

April 27th 2022

2,696 Retweets15,310 Likes

ALSO I would like to reiterate that the people who say that dinosaurs wouldn’t be scary if they had feathers? They are people who have CLEARLY never been chased by a goose.

Must Read of the Week

I always love articles like these. Don’t get me wrong, I approach every selfie/photo opportunity with double-chins on deck and a weird expression on my face. But THEORETICALLY I could put some of these tips into action.

The Do’s And Don’ts For Striking A Pose To Always Be Camera Ready

If we had to guess, we would say that the only time taking pictures wasn’t common was when the first cameras were created. Nowadays, it’s uncommon not to take pictures, especially when basically every single technological device has a camera now. While it is great to take photographs — whether it’s for showing off or to save your favorite moments in your camera roll — the tricky part of this process is that it isn’t always easy to take good pictures. You have to be mindful of the lighting, angle, pose, outfit, and lots of other things! Luckily, many photography experts offer their help on Instagram, and one of them is Bonnie Rodríguez Krzywicki. Bonnie shares lots of tips that will make your photos look as if a professional photographer took them. Enjoy these 45 photography tips to make you look great in your photos!

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…he’s just so happy!

@OwensCC and wow, I gotta get myself one of these. https://t.co/VjPx3n9Uvk","u... Jones","date":"Thu Apr 28 16:42:31 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":22,"like_count":1458,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":"https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/...Saeed Jones @theferocityI found a bubble gun in my green room this morning at @OwensCC and wow, I gotta get myself one of these. https://t.co/VjPx3n9Uvk

April 28th 2022

22 Retweets1,458 Likes

Lizzo always looks amazing, but duuuuude that coat is AWESOME.

#MetGala 😍😍😍 https://t.co/OtbdQ3Jsag","u... May 03 02:02:58 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":2239,"like_count":16842,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":"https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/...may @maispramayQue linda homenagem da Lizzo ao MC Fioti no #MetGala 😍😍😍 https://t.co/OtbdQ3Jsag

May 3rd 2022

2,239 Retweets16,842 Likes

State of the TAM - April 26th

What’s Up?

OK. I have been absent without leave for a few weeks. Between the wee pup, visitors, and a friend not being very well I’ve been a bit scattered. Izzy is a DELIGHT, but she faces life at 1000 miles an hour and with her teeth ready to chew any neglected corner.

So, I had a lovely ‘meet the pup’ surprise visit with friends (surprise for one of them, not me. That would have involved so much anxiety for me). They’ll hopefully be back later in the year to see her when she’s a bit bigger.

A BIT because Izzy is a dinky wee miss. She’s smaller at four months than Jax was at two and a half. She’s JUST graduated from XS dog jackets to Small after a growth spurt. She’s got no idea, mind. As far as she’s concerned she could fight a gorilla.

I am STARTING to get excited for UK Meet. I have swag to design and a USB to get all together, but things are IN MOTION. I have a panel and all!

GRL after that, and that’s going to be wild. Man, it’s been two years since I went ANYWHERE. Literally the only time I’ve left NI was when I went to Pettigo and accidentally veered over the border crossing the road. It’ll be so awesome to see everyone again, though.

(And for the record, I did this Tuesday night and it was almost ready to send when my laptop battery went ‘screw you, I’m out’. I was all ‘whatever, I’ll finish it on my tablet’. Then I realised that the last saved draft was from three hours before and I was already in bed and I wasn’t going to get up and wake the puppy. So…excuses!)

Pupdate of the Week

Jax and Izzy enjoyed a stuffie BBQ in the unexpected post-Easter sunshine. Don’t worry! The sun has passed now and the clouds are back! My pallor is preserved! :D

Free Audio Chapter of the Week

'Late Shift' by TA Moore is a Night Shift short story and a prequel to Shift Less. Find out more about who Kit Marlow was before he joined the Night Shift, and how he became the man Cade Deacon gets to meet in the books! Chapter One up now!

Written by TA Moore
Narrated by Michael Fell

Listen Now

If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can get Late Shift in mobi and epub on the website.

The complete Night Shift series is available on Audible, also narrated by the awesome Michael Fell.

Shout Out of the Week

You have literally NO IDEA how far this is up my alley. I love constructs and the idea of what it means to something made to feel and think and love. Then the love interest, how do they resolve the question of what consent means when the intelligence behind it was constructed.

I was ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED with Westworld when it first came out in case y’all were wondering.

Created by the alchemist Braxton, Levi was “born” fully grown and spends his early days learning about the monster-filled kingdom he calls home.

Even though he is just a construct pieced together from cloned parts, Levi longs to fit in with his mythical neighbors, but more than that, he wishes he could say two words to the Shadow King without stuttering.

Ashmedai has been king of what was once the Amethyst Kingdom since it was cursed a thousand years ago. Only he and Braxton know what truly happened the night of the curse, and Ash’s secret makes walking among his beloved people painful, so he rarely leaves his castle. However, with Festival Day approaching, Ash wouldn’t mind going out more often... if it means seeing more of Levi.

Ash wishes he deserved the longing looks from those strangely familiar violet eyes. He knows no one could love him after learning the truth of the curse. But if anyone can change his mind, it is the sweetly stitched young man who looks at him like he hung the moon.

Order Now

Must Read of the Week

I am fascinated by the idea of Guide Dog dropouts. In Cafe Nero once I was next to a guide dog foster family who were doing a catch up with the Guide Dog organization and…it was a fascinating eavesdrop, ok? If I picked it up right the dog, who was a girl, had already been dropped from the breeding program because she wasn’t big enough. There was also (I think) a chance that she was going to fall short of making it as a guide dog due to her size.

(Lovely dog. Not sure the fact she kept poking my ankle with her nose under the table when she was meant to be training said good things about her guide dogging future.)

Inside the World of Guide Dog DropoutsIn this highly competitive training, pup perfection is demanded—and not every student can make it to graduation. Here's what happens to the still very good boys who need a sudden ‘career change.’

When I meet Eddie, a yellow Labrador, at a friend’s family barbecue in Detroit, it’s clear he isn’t like other dogs. He knows how to sit, stay and walk (on- or off-leash), but his best trick is being able to read a room. Whether his role is to greet a guest, play with children or rest his head on my lap as we drink beers by the bonfire, Eddie always does the right thing. All the while, he’s never a nerd about his intrinsic obedience. “Dude, what’s your dog’s deal?” I eventually ask Delia Bryan, Eddie’s owner and a family friend.

“He’s a guide-dog-school reject,” she tells me. 

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I would be too!

Fesshole 🧻 @fessholeOur dog has been staying with a friend whilst we've had covid. when they dropped her back I thought it'd be like one of those videos where marines come home from a tour and their dog goes mad and everyone cries, but I just got a quick wag and a lie down. I was really hurt.

April 26th 2022

16 Retweets1,581 Likes

This is actually really neat and I’m enjoying it. Not ENTIRELY sure how well the world-building is going to hold up for me once I get to episode two, but it’s interesting at least for now!

Not sure where this is going yet, but I love the energy of the art! I currently have an entirely unfounded expectation that it’s going to be this low-key No-Sleep style horror about storm chasers who find something wicked in the winds. HOWEVER there is no evidence of that to date, and I think possibly I’m projecting onto a very nice slice of storm chaser life? We’ll see. I still enjoy the art.

EKW | BECOME UNMARKETABLE @bigbigtruckHey, I have a new webcomic. It's called SHOT AND CHASER. The first 10 pages are up. Link below.

April 19th 2022

535 Retweets1,774 Likes

I wish I could draw. I’d draw so many corvids :D There are loads of young ones about at the moment, trying so hard to look dignified as they wiggle their stumpy bums around.

Josie George @porridgebrainSat in the LEGO family campus drawing rooks. What a bonkers, brilliant turn my life took four years ago, huh?

April 12th 2022

14 Retweets1,116 Likes

Izzy has not yet been to the shore. It’s definitely not going to be calm, but it should be fun!

#SmallBeautiesHour ","username":"SonzyB","name":"Sonia Boal 💙","date":"Mon Apr 11 19:24:36 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...Sonia Boal 💙 @SonzyBA few seconds of calm by the shore #SmallBeautiesHour

April 11th 2022

2 Retweets26 Likes

State of the TAM - 5th April

What’s Up

I can’t believe it’s March already, never mind April. I’m not up for dealing with the passage of time anymore, it alarms me.

Been another slow week, one thing and another. Going to be doing lots over Easter though. I’m head down writing most of the time, in between riding herd on the rogue piddler queen, Izzy Bo Bo.

But the recycling is going to be picked up this week after last week’s strike (I come from a family of union supporters, so support strike action but…I was worried I’d have to try and get my still-not-allowed-to-drive butt and a bag of recycling to the skip.) so that’s a relief.

I’m still waiting to get my appointment at for an MRI at the Ulster Hospital. My neurologist thinks I’m an author’s PA for some reason, but I’m not bothering to correct him!

Pupdate of the Week

Look how much Izzy has grown! She’s also a total wee goblin, but Jax seems to enjoy it!

She also went for her very first on-the-lead outside walk this week! She’s not TOO focused, but she will eventually chase after her brother if he gets ahead of her. Enjoy her little yellow jerkin harness while you can, because it is already a bit tight on her. She’s going to need a new one soon, although she’s still smaller than Jax at her age. Izzy Blue is going to be a little dainty princess, and she’ll deck you if you say otherwise!

And, of course, Jax remains the prettiest boy! He’s enjoying have a sister—most of the time!

Recommendation of the Week

For Javi Navarro, Detroit will become another blood-splattered city in his rearview mirror after he puts its dead back into the ground. Expecting an easy hunting job, Javi instead finds a kiss of ancient vampires on the hunt for a descendant of their long-dead creator. 
 
Reclusive Ciarnan Mac Gerailt abandoned his family legacy of blood and death magic after it nearly destroyed him. Unfortunately for Ciarnan, the Motor City can only be saved if he resumes his dark arts and joins forces with Javi Navarro, the hunter who brought the vampire apocalypse—and hope for the future—straight to Ciarnan’s front door.

Previously published as "Legacy of Blood and Death" in the anthology Creature Feature 2.

Pre-Order Now

Free Audio Chapter of the Week

Listen to First Shift and Shift Plan ‘ by TA Moore are Night Shift prequels to the series. Find out more about who Kit Marlow was before he joined the Night Shift, and how he became the man Cade Deacon gets to meet in the books! The first two audiobooks are complete to listen to now!

Next week we’ll be starting with the last short story in the series!

Written by TA Moore
Narrated by Michael Fell

Listen Now

If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can get the epubs and mobis on the website.

The complete Night Shift series is available on Audible, also narrated by the awesome Michael Fell.

I love The Great British Menu. It’s just a totally satisfying bit of competance porn. There’s no way that I’ll ever use half of the ingredients, own most of the kit, eat anything they make, and I’ll definitely never cook anything like a ‘salt baked celeriac’. But watching really, really good chefs do all this stuff with no pressure on me to learn anything is just very pleasing.

Must Read of the Week

…I can’t cook OR bake. I’ve come to terms.

Do You Really Need to Bake With a Scale?

I am legally obligated to tell you the truth, even if you don't want to hear it.

Illustration by Anamaria Morris

In Baking Hows, Whys, and WTFs, food editor Shilpa Uskokovic will answer your burning baking questions and share her tips and tricks for perfect sweets . Today, do you really need to bake with a scale?

If I baked a chocolate chip cookie for every person who told me they’re great at cooking but “just not a baker,” I could make chocolate chip cookies every day for a year and still need more. Each time I hear this, my first question is always, “But did you use a scale?” and each time the answer is no. So listen to me, your baking therapist: You need to stop the negative self-talk. It’s not you—it’s your measuring cup. And it’s letting you down!

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These look AMAZING. I wish I had the patience.

Nikki McMullen @nikki_mcmullenI decided to try my hand at embroidery, practicing on my least favourite pair of jeans in case it went terribly. But now that I’ve finished, I think I might have a new favourite pair 👀

April 2nd 2022

74,731 Retweets1,149,307 LikesAbandoned Places @abandonedspacesShifting sands…Namibian ghost townimage - Jean Wimmerlin

April 1st 2022

42 Retweets258 Likes

Moon Knight was never one my superheroes (I’m an X-Men reader, deal with it!), so I was a bit ‘Eeeeehhhh’ about it. That said, and acknowledging I have almost no idea what is going on, I absolutely freaking loved it.

This cracks me up. It’s the ‘creeps away’ apart. I imagine they giggled all the way.

Fesshole 🧻 @fessholeMy husband suddenly moved out then dropped round & asked for a recipe he really loved & my dish to cook it. Next day I called round his. There were 2 champagne glasses on table, dish in oven, 'noises' from upstairs. I poured a whole box of salt in the dish & crept away.

April 5th 2022

19 Retweets2,472 Likes

State of the TAM - 29 March

What’s Up?

In typical Northern Irish weather we’ve had a lovely two weeks, lots of sunshine and no rain, and next week we might have snow.

What is that about?

I do promise to get video of Izzy rioting in the first snowfall if there is any though! I know none of you would want to miss that!

Not being doing much else this week. Mostly writing, taking Izzy out to do a wee everytime she wakes up from a snooze, and making plans for UK Meet and GRL. I’ll try and do something more thrilling next week! Or, you know, anything!

Pupdate of the Week

I told you we had nice weather! Even went and got a paddling pool. Jax would like you all to know that he’s getting ready for Easter and that he definitely doesn’t need a bath (he so needs a bath, he has a green tail from running up the field :D).

Meanwhile, Izzy is just ready for mischief and doesn’t know what a bath is…although she’s going to need one soon. She’s been rolling in the firt like she’s a chinchilla!

Book Recommendation of the Week

So, Alice Crane was kind enough to invite me to her group to celebrate her Publishversary this week. So since I believe in celebrating week long… check out her series Thicker than Blood!

As a soldier in the Australian Army, Daniel Sinclair knows that there are no guarantees in life. When he returns home from a surprise deployment to find his partner has left him and he has been left alone with a baby on the way, he finds his world shifting beneath him. The last thing he needs is to add a new heartache to his list of complications. But there’s something about Eli that turns his head and he just can’t resist the temptation.

Eli Devlin barely has time for himself, let alone time to find a man to share his life with. He is trying to keep his sister from self-destructing while caring for her three children. Eli has no idea what to do with a hunky soldier that pushes all his buttons and demands every part of him.

Can they convince each other—and themselves—that life is better together than apart?

This is a 90,000-word MM romance with mature themes that contains a happily-ever-after filled with hot snarky men who can’t resist falling in love.

Buy Now

Free Audio Chapter of the Week

‘Shift Plan’ by TA Moore is a Night Shift short story and a prequel to Split Shift. Find out more about who Kit Marlow was before he joined the Night Shift, and how he became the man Cade Deacon gets to meet in the books! Final chapter up now!

Written by TA Moore
Narrated by Michael Fell

Listen Now

If you prefer to read rather than listen, you can get Shift Plan in mobi and epub on the website.

The complete Night Shift series is available on Audible, also narrated by the awesome Michael Fell.

…so many bees! I have characters whose significant others would SO write this tweet. LOL.

Abigail Edwards 📚 @Writing_AbigailMy husband ordered bees. 🐝 20,000 bees.The postal service has lost his order.

March 27th 2022

22,598 Retweets364,206 LikesMust Read of the Week

I am not much of a cook, but ‘oily fingie’ sent me so I’m sharing it with you. :D

How to Measure Sticky Ingredients Without Losing Your Gosh Darn Mind

I spent 30 years measuring sticky ingredients like a fool.

There used to be exactly one thing I didn’t like about baking. I called it the Peanut Butter Problem and it happened every time I made my favorite three-ingredient cookies. The Peanut Butter Problem was, as you may have guessed, my best attempt to get a precise amount of peanut butter from a measuring cup into a mixing bowl, and it involved multiple butter knives, my pointer finger, and swearing. I’m told I looked like a very drunk person trying to pick a lock while blindfolded.

And then came TikTok.

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This is localish (I could drive there :D…if I could drive at the moment!) to me. Isn’t it AMAZING.

Belfast Empire @belfastEmpireNew mural in Downpatrick. 😍

March 26th 2022

601 Retweets6,101 Likes

I am deeply attached to Ra…Ra..Rasputin and I love this trailer.

And since we’re here…the reason I love that song so much is because I associate it with Nikolai Dante from 2000 AD. I loved this series.

I would eat these. I’m not proud of that, but I would.

Chillona Woods @Ms_3K20Y’all taking this shit too far

March 29th 2022

5 Retweets13 Likes