I don't often do #author photoshoots in supermarket carparks (or at all), but when I do, it's colourful.
Taken a few weeks ago.
I am very chuffed with them. I got almost 200 to choose from but these are a few Tony nodded stoically at over his breakfast coffee so I'm assuming they pass muster.

Also, I popped these up on Insta and Threads yesterday and lost some Patreon supporters and followers. If seeing the face behind my posts makes you uncomfortable, please go in peace, no hard feelings. It's taken me a lot of years to be comfortable with this human body and I rather like it. 😊🌻🌺

But back to awesome things. If you like the overalls. Check out https://www.flouncygardenwear.co.nz/ because Trace is a legend who makes beautiful practical things with POCKETS. Locally made here in my part of Aotearoa.

And my gorgeous (and ridiculously affordable) photographer Rachael is amazing and can be found at https://rachelelizabethphotography.co.nz/
If you live in my part of the world or want some amazing pictures to take home if visiting, I'd definitely give her a roar.

Okay, this picture is where it all went bonkers. The author who in previous pictures was actually trying to be sensible, is laughing like a loon, leaning out from the hedge they were trying to camouflage against. Their pink hair is still their, as are their glasses. But their entire face is crunched up in laughter, possibly because they've just realised that the possibility of them ever being a hedge is nil. What you can't get from this image is the sheer immensity of this particular author's cackle. It's a cackle for the ages. I've been told that when I laugh in the cinema, people immediately know who the noise is coming from. Imagine a bubble bubble toil and trouble cackle and turn it up to eleven. Yeah. A bit more. Now you have it. The whole vibe in this picture is someone who's done with this photography business for the day and just wants to go chill with their photographer so they can continue cracking each other up with daft stories.
Okay, this picture is where it all went bonkers. The author who in previous pictures was actually trying to be sensible, is laughing like a loon, leaning out from the hedge they were trying to camouflage against. Their pink hair is still their, as are their glasses. But their entire face is crunched up in laughter, possibly because they've just realised that the possibility of them ever being a hedge is nil. What you can't get from this image is the sheer immensity of this particular author's cackle. It's a cackle for the ages. I've been told that when I laugh in the cinema, people immediately know who the noise is coming from. Imagine a bubble bubble toil and trouble cackle and turn it up to eleven. Yeah. A bit more. Now you have it. The whole vibe in this picture is someone who's done with this photography business for the day and just wants to go chill with their photographer so they can continue cracking each other up with daft stories.
Our pink haired human continues in this particular image. But they've moved. And they've changed overalls. What?! I know! It was one of those days. The image is showing our subject wearing zebra print overalls, leaning against a grey wall, looking sideways at the camera. Behind them is a black wall with graffiti on it. Their hair is still neon pink, as are their glasses. Their hands are in their pockets. They have by this stage of the shoot relaxed a bit enough not to be pulling a silly face. They are actually smiling in kind of a natural way, pink lipstick too by the way...because they've exhausted all their "Oh bugger I'm on a photoshoot" anxiety and are now just relaxing and enjoying the company of their photographer friend. What you can't see here, is Rachael, a black haired very efficient, somewhat hilarious woman, crouching down behind a bike rack to get this shot, while a man in his 70s is trying to park his bike, huffing and snortling that people are using this carpark for non carpark things, even though he is using the carpark for complaining. It did provide quite a funny backdrop. What else... nope. This is just a straight up sensible author picture that you'd imagine in a real proper sensible book. I'm rather happy with it.
Our pink haired human continues in this particular image. But they've moved. And they've changed overalls. What?! I know! It was one of those days. The image is showing our subject wearing zebra print overalls, leaning against a grey wall, looking sideways at the camera. Behind them is a black wall with graffiti on it. Their hair is still neon pink, as are their glasses. Their hands are in their pockets. They have by this stage of the shoot relaxed a bit enough not to be pulling a silly face. They are actually smiling in kind of a natural way, pink lipstick too by the way...because they've exhausted all their "Oh bugger I'm on a photoshoot" anxiety and are now just relaxing and enjoying the company of their photographer friend. What you can't see here, is Rachael, a black haired very efficient, somewhat hilarious woman, crouching down behind a bike rack to get this shot, while a man in his 70s is trying to park his bike, huffing and snortling that people are using this carpark for non carpark things, even though he is using the carpark for complaining. It did provide quite a funny backdrop. What else... nope. This is just a straight up sensible author picture that you'd imagine in a real proper sensible book. I'm rather happy with it.
You're looking at a pink haired human with their hands behind their head, standing against a green hedge backdrop. They're wearing pink glasses and green and white overalls. So, the vibe. The vibe here is someone who absolutely does not know how to be photographed, who has decided to stand against a green background while wearing green in a way that makes them hope they'll just blend in and look like a hedge with a head. Inconveniently, the pink hair and glasses, which is the sort of "slap you around if you look at it first thing in the morning it's that bright" kind of pink, kind of defeats this entire enterprise. The expression on this human's face is cheeky. Probably because I'd just finished sharing an absolutely filthy joke with my lovely photographer and she'd just told me to shut my mouth and pose or we'd be there all day. As this was being shot in a supermarket car park, imagine a couple of confused people looking on, but not too many, because this kind of thing is very normal in the part of the world where I live. People trying to impersonate hedges or woodland creatures unsuccessful is almost mandatory in fact. So, yes. The vibe is pink haired hedge human. I hope that helps.
You're looking at a pink haired human with their hands behind their head, standing against a green hedge backdrop. They're wearing pink glasses and green and white overalls. So, the vibe. The vibe here is someone who absolutely does not know how to be photographed, who has decided to stand against a green background while wearing green in a way that makes them hope they'll just blend in and look like a hedge with a head. Inconveniently, the pink hair and glasses, which is the sort of "slap you around if you look at it first thing in the morning it's that bright" kind of pink, kind of defeats this entire enterprise. The expression on this human's face is cheeky. Probably because I'd just finished sharing an absolutely filthy joke with my lovely photographer and she'd just told me to shut my mouth and pose or we'd be there all day. As this was being shot in a supermarket car park, imagine a couple of confused people looking on, but not too many, because this kind of thing is very normal in the part of the world where I live. People trying to impersonate hedges or woodland creatures unsuccessful is almost mandatory in fact. So, yes. The vibe is pink haired hedge human. I hope that helps.

I don't often do #author photoshoots in supermarket carparks (or at all), but when I do, it's colourful.
Taken a few weeks ago.
I am very chuffed with them. I got almost 200 to choose from but these are a few Tony nodded stoically at over his breakfast coffee so I'm assuming they pass muster.

Also, I popped these up on Insta and Threads yesterday and lost some Patreon supporters and followers. If seeing the face behind my posts makes you uncomfortable, please go in peace, no hard feelings. It's taken me a lot of years to be comfortable with this human body and I rather like it. 😊🌻🌺

But back to awesome things. If you like the overalls. Check out https://www.flouncygardenwear.co.nz/ because Trace is a legend who makes beautiful practical things with POCKETS. Locally made here in my part of Aotearoa.

And my gorgeous (and ridiculously affordable) photographer Rachael is amazing and can be found at https://rachelelizabethphotography.co.nz/
If you live in my part of the world or want some amazing pictures to take home if visiting, I'd definitely give her a roar.

Okay, this picture is where it all went bonkers. The author who in previous pictures was actually trying to be sensible, is laughing like a loon, leaning out from the hedge they were trying to camouflage against. Their pink hair is still their, as are their glasses. But their entire face is crunched up in laughter, possibly because they've just realised that the possibility of them ever being a hedge is nil. What you can't get from this image is the sheer immensity of this particular author's cackle. It's a cackle for the ages. I've been told that when I laugh in the cinema, people immediately know who the noise is coming from. Imagine a bubble bubble toil and trouble cackle and turn it up to eleven. Yeah. A bit more. Now you have it. The whole vibe in this picture is someone who's done with this photography business for the day and just wants to go chill with their photographer so they can continue cracking each other up with daft stories.
Okay, this picture is where it all went bonkers. The author who in previous pictures was actually trying to be sensible, is laughing like a loon, leaning out from the hedge they were trying to camouflage against. Their pink hair is still their, as are their glasses. But their entire face is crunched up in laughter, possibly because they've just realised that the possibility of them ever being a hedge is nil. What you can't get from this image is the sheer immensity of this particular author's cackle. It's a cackle for the ages. I've been told that when I laugh in the cinema, people immediately know who the noise is coming from. Imagine a bubble bubble toil and trouble cackle and turn it up to eleven. Yeah. A bit more. Now you have it. The whole vibe in this picture is someone who's done with this photography business for the day and just wants to go chill with their photographer so they can continue cracking each other up with daft stories.
Our pink haired human continues in this particular image. But they've moved. And they've changed overalls. What?! I know! It was one of those days. The image is showing our subject wearing zebra print overalls, leaning against a grey wall, looking sideways at the camera. Behind them is a black wall with graffiti on it. Their hair is still neon pink, as are their glasses. Their hands are in their pockets. They have by this stage of the shoot relaxed a bit enough not to be pulling a silly face. They are actually smiling in kind of a natural way, pink lipstick too by the way...because they've exhausted all their "Oh bugger I'm on a photoshoot" anxiety and are now just relaxing and enjoying the company of their photographer friend. What you can't see here, is Rachael, a black haired very efficient, somewhat hilarious woman, crouching down behind a bike rack to get this shot, while a man in his 70s is trying to park his bike, huffing and snortling that people are using this carpark for non carpark things, even though he is using the carpark for complaining. It did provide quite a funny backdrop. What else... nope. This is just a straight up sensible author picture that you'd imagine in a real proper sensible book. I'm rather happy with it.
Our pink haired human continues in this particular image. But they've moved. And they've changed overalls. What?! I know! It was one of those days. The image is showing our subject wearing zebra print overalls, leaning against a grey wall, looking sideways at the camera. Behind them is a black wall with graffiti on it. Their hair is still neon pink, as are their glasses. Their hands are in their pockets. They have by this stage of the shoot relaxed a bit enough not to be pulling a silly face. They are actually smiling in kind of a natural way, pink lipstick too by the way...because they've exhausted all their "Oh bugger I'm on a photoshoot" anxiety and are now just relaxing and enjoying the company of their photographer friend. What you can't see here, is Rachael, a black haired very efficient, somewhat hilarious woman, crouching down behind a bike rack to get this shot, while a man in his 70s is trying to park his bike, huffing and snortling that people are using this carpark for non carpark things, even though he is using the carpark for complaining. It did provide quite a funny backdrop. What else... nope. This is just a straight up sensible author picture that you'd imagine in a real proper sensible book. I'm rather happy with it.
You're looking at a pink haired human with their hands behind their head, standing against a green hedge backdrop. They're wearing pink glasses and green and white overalls. So, the vibe. The vibe here is someone who absolutely does not know how to be photographed, who has decided to stand against a green background while wearing green in a way that makes them hope they'll just blend in and look like a hedge with a head. Inconveniently, the pink hair and glasses, which is the sort of "slap you around if you look at it first thing in the morning it's that bright" kind of pink, kind of defeats this entire enterprise. The expression on this human's face is cheeky. Probably because I'd just finished sharing an absolutely filthy joke with my lovely photographer and she'd just told me to shut my mouth and pose or we'd be there all day. As this was being shot in a supermarket car park, imagine a couple of confused people looking on, but not too many, because this kind of thing is very normal in the part of the world where I live. People trying to impersonate hedges or woodland creatures unsuccessful is almost mandatory in fact. So, yes. The vibe is pink haired hedge human. I hope that helps.
You're looking at a pink haired human with their hands behind their head, standing against a green hedge backdrop. They're wearing pink glasses and green and white overalls. So, the vibe. The vibe here is someone who absolutely does not know how to be photographed, who has decided to stand against a green background while wearing green in a way that makes them hope they'll just blend in and look like a hedge with a head. Inconveniently, the pink hair and glasses, which is the sort of "slap you around if you look at it first thing in the morning it's that bright" kind of pink, kind of defeats this entire enterprise. The expression on this human's face is cheeky. Probably because I'd just finished sharing an absolutely filthy joke with my lovely photographer and she'd just told me to shut my mouth and pose or we'd be there all day. As this was being shot in a supermarket car park, imagine a couple of confused people looking on, but not too many, because this kind of thing is very normal in the part of the world where I live. People trying to impersonate hedges or woodland creatures unsuccessful is almost mandatory in fact. So, yes. The vibe is pink haired hedge human. I hope that helps.

Good day everyone!

I’m feeling much better after last week’s rough patch. I’m on call right now, so Fireside Fedi will be back next week with @julian and @timnitGebru@dair‑community.social joining us.

In the meantime, feel free to catch up on the latest episodes:

@felipe – https://video.firesidefedi.live/w/sDJemivHawRdnMgTQbAnFC - #Cre8iveBeast & #Nuvon.io
@mapache – https://video.firesidefedi.live/w/gNVkbmuerRiPM3n214NTCQ - #VocalCat and #BadgeFed
@benpate – https://video.firesidefedi.live/w/dowy1SdtHjQbgDWnztCFXJ - #Emissary and #Bandwagon
@rwg – https://video.firesidefedi.live/w/tVPMWSe7QFMwnS2DZUnedm – will also be at a very special @fediforum next week!

Thanks for hanging in there—see you all soon!

#FiresideFedi #fedi #fediverse #peertube #vod #podcast #fediforum #activist #author

Good day everyone!

I’m feeling much better after last week’s rough patch. I’m on call right now, so Fireside Fedi will be back next week with @julian and @timnitGebru@dair‑community.social joining us.

In the meantime, feel free to catch up on the latest episodes:

@felipe – https://video.firesidefedi.live/w/sDJemivHawRdnMgTQbAnFC - #Cre8iveBeast & #Nuvon.io
@mapache – https://video.firesidefedi.live/w/gNVkbmuerRiPM3n214NTCQ - #VocalCat and #BadgeFed
@benpate – https://video.firesidefedi.live/w/dowy1SdtHjQbgDWnztCFXJ - #Emissary and #Bandwagon
@rwg – https://video.firesidefedi.live/w/tVPMWSe7QFMwnS2DZUnedm – will also be at a very special @fediforum next week!

Thanks for hanging in there—see you all soon!

#FiresideFedi #fedi #fediverse #peertube #vod #podcast #fediforum #activist #author

I found this post interesting, especially since this author claims those terrible places are where readers are, and yet, I've found an audience here in the #Fediverse that donates to me to keep me writing, that supports my audiobook/podcast narrators I link to, and a whole other type of audience, so never trick yourself into thinking there's only one kind of audience. https://juliaserano.blogspot.com/2025/06/regarding-substack-and-writer-centric.html#Substack#IndieWeb#Author#Artist

I found this post interesting, especially since this author claims those terrible places are where readers are, and yet, I've found an audience here in the #Fediverse that donates to me to keep me writing, that supports my audiobook/podcast narrators I link to, and a whole other type of audience, so never trick yourself into thinking there's only one kind of audience. https://juliaserano.blogspot.com/2025/06/regarding-substack-and-writer-centric.html#Substack#IndieWeb#Author#Artist

Today in Labor History August 31, 1919: John Reed and others formed the Communist Labor Party of America in Chicago. The party evolved into the American Communist Party. Reed was a journalist and communist activist who extensively covered World War I. He was most famous for his coverage of the Russian Revolution and his book, “Ten Days That Shook the World.” He died in Moscow in 1920 from typhus. They gave him a hero’s welcome and buried him in Kremlin Wall Necropolis. Only two other Americans were given this honor: Big Bill Haywood, a founding member of the IWW, and C.E. Ruthenberg, founder of the Communist Party USA.

John Dos Passos included a short biography of him in his “U.S.A.” trilogy. Uptain Sinclair called him the Revolution’s Playboy, elements of which can be seen in Warren Beaty’s portrayal of Reed in the film, “Reds.” Sergei Eisenstein made a film version of “Ten Days That Shook the World” in 1927.

#workingclass #LaborHistory #johnreed #communism #russia #ussr #soviet #kremlin #IWW #journalism #writer #author #books @bookstadon

Today in Labor History August 31, 1919: John Reed and others formed the Communist Labor Party of America in Chicago. The party evolved into the American Communist Party. Reed was a journalist and communist activist who extensively covered World War I. He was most famous for his coverage of the Russian Revolution and his book, “Ten Days That Shook the World.” He died in Moscow in 1920 from typhus. They gave him a hero’s welcome and buried him in Kremlin Wall Necropolis. Only two other Americans were given this honor: Big Bill Haywood, a founding member of the IWW, and C.E. Ruthenberg, founder of the Communist Party USA.

John Dos Passos included a short biography of him in his “U.S.A.” trilogy. Uptain Sinclair called him the Revolution’s Playboy, elements of which can be seen in Warren Beaty’s portrayal of Reed in the film, “Reds.” Sergei Eisenstein made a film version of “Ten Days That Shook the World” in 1927.

#workingclass #LaborHistory #johnreed #communism #russia #ussr #soviet #kremlin #IWW #journalism #writer #author #books @bookstadon

vruz
vruz boosted

"There is love in me the likes of which you've never seen. There is rage in me the likes of which should never escape. If I am not satisfied in the one, I shall indulge the other..."

Happy birthday to Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, born 30th August, 1797. Portrait by Richard Rothwell, 1840.

#MaryShelley#MaryWollstoncraftShelley#Writer#Author#Auteur#OTD#Anniversaire#Frankenstein #books #livres #bookstagram#FrankensteinDay #bookdstodon

"There is love in me the likes of which you've never seen. There is rage in me the likes of which should never escape. If I am not satisfied in the one, I shall indulge the other..."

Happy birthday to Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, born 30th August, 1797. Portrait by Richard Rothwell, 1840.

#MaryShelley#MaryWollstoncraftShelley#Writer#Author#Auteur#OTD#Anniversaire#Frankenstein #books #livres #bookstagram#FrankensteinDay #bookdstodon

Good news US readers!

All eBooks in The Way of the Wielder series are up to 60% off through September 6!

This romantic fantasy story has something for everyone:

💧 Elemental magic
❤️ A BF to lovers romance
🗡️ Espionage, action, and adventure
🌫️ Dark forces at play
🫂 Trauma and healing
And so much more!

Don't wait—start with book one today! https://a.co/d/iD5zCG8

#SelfPromo#Promotion#Books#Fantasy#FantasyBooks#RomanticFantasy#FantasySeries#SelfPublishing#Author#IndieAuthor#Reading

An image showing the covers for my published books. The series name (The Way of the Wielder) is in white text at the top, and immediate beneath that is Book One (in blue text), Book Two (in red text), and Book Three (in green text).

Beneath that is the covers for each book, respectively. Book one is on the left. It’s titled, “The Way of the Wielder”. On the cover is the profile of a young woman looking left, staring at a glowing blue orb in her hand. Behind her is a misty cityscape, and between her and the author’s name (at the bottom of the cover) is a vignette of a fox running across a mountainous landscape.

Book two is in the center. It’s titled, “Mysteries of the Material”. On the cover is the profile of a young man facing right, staring at a fox mask in his hand; the other is holding a dagger. Between the title and the author’s name is a vignette of a woman standing before a glowing stone building.

Book three is on the right. It’s titled “Convergence of Connection”. The cover features a young woman facing the viewer, her hands before her with four orbs (green, gray, red, and blue) hovering around them. Behind her is a green and gold glow with leaves and vines along the edges. Between the title and the author’s name is a vignette of an angel before a starry golden sky.

Below that, the following text in white: Paperback, Kindle, and KU options available on Amazon now!
An image showing the covers for my published books. The series name (The Way of the Wielder) is in white text at the top, and immediate beneath that is Book One (in blue text), Book Two (in red text), and Book Three (in green text). Beneath that is the covers for each book, respectively. Book one is on the left. It’s titled, “The Way of the Wielder”. On the cover is the profile of a young woman looking left, staring at a glowing blue orb in her hand. Behind her is a misty cityscape, and between her and the author’s name (at the bottom of the cover) is a vignette of a fox running across a mountainous landscape. Book two is in the center. It’s titled, “Mysteries of the Material”. On the cover is the profile of a young man facing right, staring at a fox mask in his hand; the other is holding a dagger. Between the title and the author’s name is a vignette of a woman standing before a glowing stone building. Book three is on the right. It’s titled “Convergence of Connection”. The cover features a young woman facing the viewer, her hands before her with four orbs (green, gray, red, and blue) hovering around them. Behind her is a green and gold glow with leaves and vines along the edges. Between the title and the author’s name is a vignette of an angel before a starry golden sky. Below that, the following text in white: Paperback, Kindle, and KU options available on Amazon now!

Good news US readers!

All eBooks in The Way of the Wielder series are up to 60% off through September 6!

This romantic fantasy story has something for everyone:

💧 Elemental magic
❤️ A BF to lovers romance
🗡️ Espionage, action, and adventure
🌫️ Dark forces at play
🫂 Trauma and healing
And so much more!

Don't wait—start with book one today! https://a.co/d/iD5zCG8

#SelfPromo#Promotion#Books#Fantasy#FantasyBooks#RomanticFantasy#FantasySeries#SelfPublishing#Author#IndieAuthor#Reading

An image showing the covers for my published books. The series name (The Way of the Wielder) is in white text at the top, and immediate beneath that is Book One (in blue text), Book Two (in red text), and Book Three (in green text).

Beneath that is the covers for each book, respectively. Book one is on the left. It’s titled, “The Way of the Wielder”. On the cover is the profile of a young woman looking left, staring at a glowing blue orb in her hand. Behind her is a misty cityscape, and between her and the author’s name (at the bottom of the cover) is a vignette of a fox running across a mountainous landscape.

Book two is in the center. It’s titled, “Mysteries of the Material”. On the cover is the profile of a young man facing right, staring at a fox mask in his hand; the other is holding a dagger. Between the title and the author’s name is a vignette of a woman standing before a glowing stone building.

Book three is on the right. It’s titled “Convergence of Connection”. The cover features a young woman facing the viewer, her hands before her with four orbs (green, gray, red, and blue) hovering around them. Behind her is a green and gold glow with leaves and vines along the edges. Between the title and the author’s name is a vignette of an angel before a starry golden sky.

Below that, the following text in white: Paperback, Kindle, and KU options available on Amazon now!
An image showing the covers for my published books. The series name (The Way of the Wielder) is in white text at the top, and immediate beneath that is Book One (in blue text), Book Two (in red text), and Book Three (in green text). Beneath that is the covers for each book, respectively. Book one is on the left. It’s titled, “The Way of the Wielder”. On the cover is the profile of a young woman looking left, staring at a glowing blue orb in her hand. Behind her is a misty cityscape, and between her and the author’s name (at the bottom of the cover) is a vignette of a fox running across a mountainous landscape. Book two is in the center. It’s titled, “Mysteries of the Material”. On the cover is the profile of a young man facing right, staring at a fox mask in his hand; the other is holding a dagger. Between the title and the author’s name is a vignette of a woman standing before a glowing stone building. Book three is on the right. It’s titled “Convergence of Connection”. The cover features a young woman facing the viewer, her hands before her with four orbs (green, gray, red, and blue) hovering around them. Behind her is a green and gold glow with leaves and vines along the edges. Between the title and the author’s name is a vignette of an angel before a starry golden sky. Below that, the following text in white: Paperback, Kindle, and KU options available on Amazon now!

Today in Labor History August 24, 1922: Howard Zinn, American historian, author, teacher and activist was born on this day. Zinn has written over 20 books, including his most well-known book, “A People's History of the United States” (1980). He has described himself as an anarchist and as a democratic socialist. He was initially opposed to U.S. involvement in WWII, but later enlisted to help fight fascism. However, after napalm-bombing a town in France, he later learned that over 1,000 civilians had been killed. This experience reinforced the anti-war stance he would maintain for the rest of his life. In the 1960s, he was heavily involved in the SNCC and Freedom Summer. Zinn has mentored many famous activists and writers, including Alice Walker and Marian Wright Edelman. In 2008, the Zinn Education Project launched to support teachers using “A People’s History” in their curriculum. He died in 2010 from an apparent heart attack.

Be sure to come to the annual Howard Zinn Book fair this December 7, 2025, (10am-6pm) at San Francisco City College, Mission Campus. There will be lots of great writers and workshops. This year’s theme is “Fight Supremacy: Actions Against Authoritarianism.” I will be hosting a working-class writers panel with San Francisco Poet Laureate and activist Tongo Eisen-Martin, poet Daphne Gottlieb, educator and author Jenny Worley, and possibly more tbd.

https://www.zinnbookfair.org/2025

#workingclass #LaborHistory#howardzinn#peopleshistory #anarchism #socialism #sncc #historian #civilrights #antiwar #author #writer #books#poet @bookstadon

Today in Labor History August 24, 1922: Howard Zinn, American historian, author, teacher and activist was born on this day. Zinn has written over 20 books, including his most well-known book, “A People's History of the United States” (1980). He has described himself as an anarchist and as a democratic socialist. He was initially opposed to U.S. involvement in WWII, but later enlisted to help fight fascism. However, after napalm-bombing a town in France, he later learned that over 1,000 civilians had been killed. This experience reinforced the anti-war stance he would maintain for the rest of his life. In the 1960s, he was heavily involved in the SNCC and Freedom Summer. Zinn has mentored many famous activists and writers, including Alice Walker and Marian Wright Edelman. In 2008, the Zinn Education Project launched to support teachers using “A People’s History” in their curriculum. He died in 2010 from an apparent heart attack.

Be sure to come to the annual Howard Zinn Book fair this December 7, 2025, (10am-6pm) at San Francisco City College, Mission Campus. There will be lots of great writers and workshops. This year’s theme is “Fight Supremacy: Actions Against Authoritarianism.” I will be hosting a working-class writers panel with San Francisco Poet Laureate and activist Tongo Eisen-Martin, poet Daphne Gottlieb, educator and author Jenny Worley, and possibly more tbd.

https://www.zinnbookfair.org/2025

#workingclass #LaborHistory#howardzinn#peopleshistory #anarchism #socialism #sncc #historian #civilrights #antiwar #author #writer #books#poet @bookstadon

Today in Labor History August 21, 1920: Ongoing violence by coal operators and their paid goons in the southern coalfields of West Virginia led to a three-hour gun battle between striking miners and guards that left six dead. 500 Federal troops were sent in not only to quell the fighting, but to ensure that scabs were able to get to and from the mines. A General Strike was threatened if the troops did not cease their strikebreaking activities. This was just 3 months after the Matewan Massacre, in which the miners drove out the seemingly invincible Baldwin-Felts private police force, with the help of their ally, Sheriff Sid Hatfield. 1 year later, Sheriff Hatfield was gunned down on the steps of the courthouse by surviving members of the Baldwin-Felts Agency. News spread and miners began arming themselves, leading to the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed insurrection since the Civil War and the largest labor uprising in U.S. history. Over 100 people were killed in the 5-day battle, including 3 army soldiers and up to 20 Baldwin-Felts detectives. Nearly 1,000 people were arrested. 1 million rounds were fired. And the government dropped bombs from aircraft on the miners, only the second time in history that the government bombed its own citizens (the first being the pogrom against African American residents of Tulsa, during the so-called Tulsa Riots).

The Battle of Blair Mountain is depicted in Storming Heaven (Denise Giardina, 1987), Blair Mountain (Jonathan Lynn, 2006), and Carla Rising (Topper Sherwood, 2015). And the Matewan Massacre is brilliantly portrayed in John Sayles’s film, “Matewan.”

Read my history of the Battle of Blair Mountain here: https://michaeldunnauthor.com/2024/04/14/the-battle-of-blair-mountain/

#workingclass #LaborHistory #mining #strike #union #westvirginia #matewan#BattleOfBlairMountain #uprising #civilwar#GeneralStrike #tulsa #massacre #racism #books #fiction #film #writer #author #novel @bookstadon

Today in Labor History August 21, 1920: Ongoing violence by coal operators and their paid goons in the southern coalfields of West Virginia led to a three-hour gun battle between striking miners and guards that left six dead. 500 Federal troops were sent in not only to quell the fighting, but to ensure that scabs were able to get to and from the mines. A General Strike was threatened if the troops did not cease their strikebreaking activities. This was just 3 months after the Matewan Massacre, in which the miners drove out the seemingly invincible Baldwin-Felts private police force, with the help of their ally, Sheriff Sid Hatfield. 1 year later, Sheriff Hatfield was gunned down on the steps of the courthouse by surviving members of the Baldwin-Felts Agency. News spread and miners began arming themselves, leading to the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed insurrection since the Civil War and the largest labor uprising in U.S. history. Over 100 people were killed in the 5-day battle, including 3 army soldiers and up to 20 Baldwin-Felts detectives. Nearly 1,000 people were arrested. 1 million rounds were fired. And the government dropped bombs from aircraft on the miners, only the second time in history that the government bombed its own citizens (the first being the pogrom against African American residents of Tulsa, during the so-called Tulsa Riots).

The Battle of Blair Mountain is depicted in Storming Heaven (Denise Giardina, 1987), Blair Mountain (Jonathan Lynn, 2006), and Carla Rising (Topper Sherwood, 2015). And the Matewan Massacre is brilliantly portrayed in John Sayles’s film, “Matewan.”

Read my history of the Battle of Blair Mountain here: https://michaeldunnauthor.com/2024/04/14/the-battle-of-blair-mountain/

#workingclass #LaborHistory #mining #strike #union #westvirginia #matewan#BattleOfBlairMountain #uprising #civilwar#GeneralStrike #tulsa #massacre #racism #books #fiction #film #writer #author #novel @bookstadon

#PennedPossibilities 760 — MC POV: Describe who you are in your group of friends. Tell is if you’re the motherly / fatherly type, the funny friend, the serious one, etc.

Friends, Friendship. Teammates. Buddies. Partners in crime†. Frankly, I don't get it. I do the job and make sure everybody comes back. I train them until they drop in a sweaty heap, but then they insist on group meals and singing, that stuff, and won't let me pay. Sure I have everybody's back in a fight, or with clients, or the boss, but that's the right thing to do. I am responsible for them. They ask me for advice, too. Sometime weird. I ended up punching the cheating husband when he made a pass at me, which was actually sort of fun. At times they won't leave me along to be quiet with my books, which is really all I want out of life. I am really the wrong person to ask such a question to.

=-=-=-=-=-=
† Literally.

[Author retains copyright (c)2025 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#mystery #thriller #romance #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory#RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

#PennedPossibilities 760 — MC POV: Describe who you are in your group of friends. Tell is if you’re the motherly / fatherly type, the funny friend, the serious one, etc.

Friends, Friendship. Teammates. Buddies. Partners in crime†. Frankly, I don't get it. I do the job and make sure everybody comes back. I train them until they drop in a sweaty heap, but then they insist on group meals and singing, that stuff, and won't let me pay. Sure I have everybody's back in a fight, or with clients, or the boss, but that's the right thing to do. I am responsible for them. They ask me for advice, too. Sometime weird. I ended up punching the cheating husband when he made a pass at me, which was actually sort of fun. At times they won't leave me along to be quiet with my books, which is really all I want out of life. I am really the wrong person to ask such a question to.

=-=-=-=-=-=
† Literally.

[Author retains copyright (c)2025 R.S.]

#BoostingIsSharing

#gender #fiction #writer #author
#mystery #thriller #romance #sf #sff #sciencefiction
#writing #writingcommunity #writersOfMastodon #writers
#RSdiscussion
#RSstory#RSReluctanceStory
#microfiction #flashfiction #tootfic #smallstory

Today in Labor History August 18, 1812: Lady Ludd led the Luddite Corn Market riot of women and boys in Leeds, England. Luddites also rioted in Sheffield against flour and meat sellers. England was suffering huge food shortages and inflation at the time, in part because of the War of 1812, which had started in June, and the ongoing Napoleonic wars. Additionally, new technological innovations were allowing mill owners to replace many of their employees with machines. In response, Luddites would destroy looms and other equipment. To try and get control over these worker protests, the British authorities made illegal oath-taking punishable by death in July 1812. They also empowered magistrates to forcibly enter private homes to search for weapons. And they stationed thousands of troops in areas where rioting and looting had occurred over the summer.

There are numerous parallels between that period and today. Like then, we have new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, that could reduce the amount of dangerous and tedious toil for the working-class, giving them higher wages and reduced hours. Instead, the technology is being used by the bosses to cut jobs and further enrich themselves. Like then, we are funding numerous wars and genocides, paid for through austerity that has been imposed on the working-class. And like then, governments are planning and implementing new repressive laws and police powers to undermine working-class protest.

Charlotte Bronte’s second novel, “Shirley” (1849), takes place in Yorkshire, 1811-1812, during the Luddite uprisings. It was originally published under the pseudonym, Currer Bell. The novel opens with a ruthless mill owner waiting for the delivery of new, cost-saving equipment that will allow him to fire many of his workers, but Luddites destroy the equipment before it reaches him. As a result of the novel’s popularity, Shirley became a popular female name. Prior to this, it was mostly a male name.

#workingclass #LaborHistory #luddite #england #inflation #genocide #ukraine #palestine #gaza #hunger #freespeech #fiction #novel #author #writer #books @bookstadon