Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"

@stephens.website

Self-published author, exploring the possibilities of the impossible. You can buy my stories in epub format exclusively at the link below. If you're an A.I. pusher, you're getting blocked. #ActuallyAutistic He/Him/His

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Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"
@stephens.website

For the first official #worldbuilding post on my #Patreon, I talk about how trick-or-treating as an activity can help build your world. Join my Builders' Tier to have full access to this and all future articles on building your world *and* your characters. #WriterSky #WritingCommunity #Halloween

patreon.comTrick-or-Treating Is Worldbuilding (Part One) | Stephen's SiteThe worldbuilding and characterbuilding articles for this week and next week will be Halloween-themed. This week, we'll be talking about "t

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

NOH8 Campaign
@noh8campaign.bsky.social

“We are driven to make things better. We have that dream to make a better world.” Remembering Walter Koenig, best known for playing Pavel Chekov in Star Trek and Alfred Bester in Babylon 5. His decades-long career left a lasting mark on television and generations of fans. Rest in peace #NOH8

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"
@stephens.website

In "The Woman in Black", there's a well-lit daytime scene of Daniel Radcliffe inside a room, no quick cuts or anything happening, just an obstrusive dark shape in the background that starts moving after he's been there a while. It's a great film overall for moments like that.

Reactor Magazine@reactorsff.bsky.social

Horror is famous for its jump scares, but what about the quieter, subtle moments that exist just for the viewers: a glimpse of a ghost just behind a protagonist, a demon that only we get to see? Let's talk about some terrifying moments of background horror in film and TV 🎈

reactormag.comThe Subtle Horrors Lurking in the Background of Your Favorite Scary Movies - ReactorCelebrating the quiet, blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments that chill us to our core.

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

The Daily Tism
@thedailytism.com

An autistic man was left reeling this Halloween after being forced to confront numerous anatomical inaccuracies in an alleged “skeleton”, eyewitnesses have said.

thedailytism.comAutistic man horrified by anatomically incorrect Halloween skeletonHeadline by John Butler, piece by John Butler with Sara Gibbs An autistic man was left reeling this Halloween after being forced to confront numerous anatomical inaccuracies in an alleged “skeleton”,…

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

Micro SF/F by O. Westin
@microsff.com

The God of Bad Art gets offerings from all over the world, but in Their temple, They sometimes appear. "Why bad art?" I ask. "It is brave", the God replies. "To try and fail?" "No," the God chuckles. "Any creative work is a defiance of entropy, of Death itself. If you create, you do not fail."

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

interACT Advocates
@interact.bsky.social

"Policies that aim to define or restrict a person’s sex or gender are not rooted in scientific reality; they’re based on political ideology."

The Advocate@advocate.com

On Intersex Awareness Day, Zach Eisenstein explains why political attempts to define sex as strictly male or female ignore scientific reality.

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

the Qeșeþ System
@golemgirlgoop.bsky.social

seeing "we knew this" reactions, but the point of these studies is to be able to say the things 'we know' and then back them up with citations. Because the other side can, will, and does insist it isn't so.

Samantha Brennan@samanthabrennan.bsky.social

A new survey of 1,000 American adults found that the strongest supporters of transgender sports bans are not the people who admire women most: they are the people who hold the most hostile views about women. www.helenwebberley.com/news/transge...

helenwebberley.comAre transgender sports bans really about protecting women? | Dr Helen WebberleyThe data says no. Those most hostile to women are most in favour of banning trans athletes.

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

Jesse Thorn
@jessethorn.bsky.social

My pal Danielle Koenig shared that her father Walter Koenig passed away last night at age 90. A performer whose kindness and warmth shone through the screen. He will be well remembered.

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

Lewis Carroll Bot
@lewis-carroll-bot.bsky.social

The eldest Oyster looked at him, But never a word he said: The eldest Oyster winked his eye, And shook his heavy head — Meaning to say he did not choose To leave the oyster-bed.

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

Moby Dick
@mobydickatsea.bsky.social

how it is that we still refuse to be comforted for those who we nevertheless maintain are dwelling in unspeakable bliss

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

Lewis Carroll Bot
@lewis-carroll-bot.bsky.social

She knelt down and looked along the passage into the loveliest garden you ever saw. How she longed to get out of that dark hall, and wander about among those beds of bright flowers and those cool fountains.

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"
@stephens.website

You ask, What is the point? In return, I ask you, What do you think the point should be? Do that. #Poetry #PoetryPrompt #MPPrompt #Cinquain #PoetrySky

Malachy Moran@malformed-poetry.bsky.social

Today’s #poetryprompt: I want you to take this normally despondent phrase and turn it hopeful. What is the point? #MPPrompt I repost replies Follow for daily prompts

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

Moby Dick
@mobydickatsea.bsky.social

there’s no way to stop my singing in this world but to cut my throat. And when that’s done, ten to one I sing ye the doxology for a wind-up

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"
@stephens.website

Seffin Phel has parents from different races and looks enough like both races that he could pass for either, so he'd be one of those "master of disguise" villains, maybe even a shapeshifter. Read about how he makes use of his biracial traits in "The Trials of Seffin Phel", available in epub format:

stephens.websiteStephen's SiteExploring the possibilities of the impossible
Zed Prospero@zprospero.bsky.social

Please try to remember the 25th of #Octember! TODAY'S QUESTION: What would your characters be if they were a horror movie villain? Not just a "guy with knife" but a "I was impaled by a tree trunk and walked it off" kind of villain? 1/2 #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"
@stephens.website

This #Patreon #microfiction post is an idea I had a long time ago about a help center that fields calls from people in #horror movies, especially apocalyptic ones. Though it's comedic in nature, some of the imagery presented may be disturbing. #Writing #WriterSky #WritingCommunity

patreon.comEnd of the Line | Stephen's SiteThis is an idea I had a long time ago about a help center that fields calls from people in horror movies, especially apocalyptic ones. Thou

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

Philosophika
@philosophika.bsky.social

Given Meta's upcoming AI scrapping policy, I'll be moving my editing business back to Bluesky. If you're looking for an editor with professional experience in the publishing world and numerous qualifications, pls keep your eyes peeled. More updates to come! #AmEditing #WritingCommunity #Writesky

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"
@stephens.website

Bard-barian in the forthcoming "Talismans" series is a romantic at heart. He'd write about his team's exploits in haunted houses and abandoned castles and underwater shrines and he'd make it all sound appropriately thrilling, but anyone paying attention would be able to see the love in the lyrics.

Zed Prospero@zprospero.bsky.social

Please try to remember the 24th of #Octember! TODAY'S QUESTION: What would a bard's ballad be of your character's adventures/crimes? Would they sing of heroic deeds? Of love? Or dark deeds and death? (If there's a song that fits, share it!) 1/2 #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

Leicester Gazette
@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel" reposted

Lili Saintcrow
@lilithsaintcrow.com

"Stalling pitched the idea of skeletons dancing in a graveyard as a musical novelty where the animation would be set to the music, rather than the other way around. Disney wrote to his brother Roy in 1928 that the idea had “dandy possibilities.”"

reactormag.comThe Skeleton Dance: How Disney’s 1929 Short Became a Masterpiece of the Macabre - ReactorA fascinating deep dive into the history and legacy of Disney's dancing skeletons
Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"
@stephens.website

Since I don't have pictures of me trick-or-treating, I was compelled to use a cosplay picture from #DragonCon. And it has given me the (brilliant?) idea to carry a bag to every future event where I will be cosplaying so I can say "trick or treat" when approaching tables that have free stuff.

Stephen Monteith, Author of "The Trials of Seffin Phel"@stephens.website

And here's the post about how trick-or-treating helps #writers develop #characters. Join my Builders' Tier on #Patreon to have full access to all future #characterbuilding and #worldbuilding posts. #WriterSky #WritingCommunity #Halloween www.patreon.com/Stephens_Sit...

patreon.comTrick-or-Treating Is Characterbuilding (Part One) | Stephen's SiteYou've read a little about how trick-or-treating can be worldbuilding in the previous article. Today, we'll talk about how you can build yo