Magpie Editing

20/06/2024

A marvelous antho, and the last in its series!

Space is the place! A collection of science fiction stories and poems by authors of African/African Diaspora Descent.

23/04/2024

22/04/2024

https://shepherd.com/best-books/wildly-entertaining-journeys-around-the-multiverse

Ira Nayman shares the 5 best books on wildly entertaining journeys around the multiverse. Have you read The Cornelius Chronicles?

08/04/2024

This is why I'm probably going to stay indie, frankly.

No, seriously, guys. We really, really need to talk about some of this. A fellow author forwarded this article to me this morning, and my head nearly exploded–not because of the writer or rea…

27/03/2024

Read it now

26/03/2024

Yay, my friends' cookbook is back on the zon! Grab it for free as a digital copy and answer that endless question, "what can I cook when I can't cook at all, and I'm broke?" https://www.amazon.com/Sad-Bastard-Cookbook-Food-Make/dp/3949666303

The Sad Bastard Cookbook: Food You Can Make So You Don't Die

24/03/2024

This one is for my fellow Canadians. Please sign and share this official House of Commons petition to have russia added to the List of Foreign State Supporters of Terrorism.

There is no obligation on the part of the House of Commons or any Member of Parliament to authorize the publication of an e-petition or to present an e-petition or a paper petition to the House of Commons. Neither the House of Commons nor any Member of Parliament authorizing the publication of an e-...

23/03/2024

Unfortunately, it's hard to self evaluate our own work!

21/03/2024

Remember to block pages that use AI art for "content." Most AI work is basically autocomplete or a visual collage. And it takes those words from the internet. That means your own words are probably mixed in with the leftover blender soup being dished up as "art."

It's not "mean" to refuse to engage with most AI art. There are ethical AI use cases, but random cute pictures and whimsical space filler is not one of those.

Do not support influencers and artists who use AI unethically, especially without attribution.

If you think AI can be used for something special, you should at least be mentioning which AI you're using, as if the AI was an artist itself.

This is really no different than the old days of art theft and Photoshop before now. Photo frauds and hoaxes are the same all the way down.

But using AI art is like crossing the picket line. Don't be a scab. AI seems cheap or free, but as usual with labour rights issues, cheap things tend to have a price you're not seeing. (Ever wonder why those t-shirts are a few bucks on Shein? Dont get me started on agriculture in both America and Canada, or the chocolate industry...)

I've posted some AI art accidentally myself, so this isn't a morally pure indictment or anything. It's a gentle but firm reminder that we all have to hold the picket line against these exploitative tech bros and large companies and weird little fake news pages.

We can make the world better, but solidarity, not individual heroism, is the only way forward.

And of course - pay and support real artists! There are some great local artists in my city, and so many markets and thrift stores to shop from!

15/03/2024

J. Scott Coatsworth has released a new book today - and you should check it out! Btw, the cover and writing and all work therein are 100% human generated (I can't believe I have to say that now).

11/03/2024

https://x.com/nenshi/status/1767264019621327294?s=20

10/03/2024

Man, I am going to have a weird schedule for the next few months. Babies really do keep their own hours.

Well, this is as good a time as any to mention that I'm planning to fade out my editing work and focus on artisan markets! Check out Rainbow Bazaar Art Collective and keep an eye on our digital and physical spaces. I will be posting about that more often, or trying to!

You can still hit me up for editing, though. I'll be taking more personal referrals rather than hunting on Upwork. So if you need something, hit me up. The next month is booked, for pretty obvious reasons, but I can still schedule ahead.

07/02/2024

My friends made a thing!

Check out Flower Prince Art & Design's video.

29/12/2023

Cw: war.
Quoting my friend in Kyiv:
"6 cities.
122 missiles and 36 drones.
A maternity hospital, shopping mall, educational facilities, residential buildings and private homes.
12 people killed and 75 wounded."
Please remember that the tragedy of russian attacks against Ukraine has not ceased, and that they still need our support and funding for their very lives.

Don't look away.

22/12/2023

Happy Yule and Solstice (like half an hr late, technically, but who's counting?) May the Krampus leave you uneaten.

08/12/2023

Thank you all for the lovely birthday wishes! Feeling the love.

28/11/2023

https://chng.it/4YBJknw5XS don't let them take our pensions!

Unite Canadians to Oppose Alberta's Departure from CPP

28/11/2023

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Sign/e-4661

23/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans. To my Indigenous friends, I hope your land is returned. I wish you rest, peace, strength, and to fight on, and survival always. For the rest of us, I wish and ask for both a pause for gratitude (secular or faithful, as you prefer) and time spent to decolonize ourselves. For example: https://www.amazon.ca/Things-Know-About-Indian-Reconciliation/dp/0995266522/

21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality

08/09/2023

So, for writers or people curious about what writing is like, I would like to present to you: Instant Classic (That No One Will Read)! Grab your preorder copy of these fantastic, hilarious short stories here.

Instant Classic: That No One Will Read

27/06/2023

New release from one of my clients! https://www.facebook.com/leighcarronebooks

I’m a villain.

I never wanted to be. One tragic yet unforgivable mistake, and I'm trapped in a prison of memories, sentenced to self-denial.

My mantra is: Avoid and abstain. Until the brazen Jordyn Sinclair walks into the bar and tests my very will. Despite the burning temptation, I turn her down cold. I don’t trust her no-strings-attached seduction. And more than that, I don’t trust myself. I learned the hard way, s€x is never free.

Determined to work her out of my system, I spend hours at the dojo, beating a punching bag and fighting myself. But when a threat to her safety arises, I just can’t stay away. Only the sassy redhead doesn't take the incidents seriously, nor does she want my help after the way I humiliated her. At least that will prevent me from doing something I’ll regret. Except...

Every argument ignites our sizzling chemistry, and makes my vow harder and harder to keep.

Resisting her is my mission.
Protecting her could be my downfall.

An Imperfect Seduction is a stand-alone enemies-to-lovers romance packed with page-turning plots, heartfelt emotion, and electrifying passion.

Grab your copy today. https://books2read.com/u/49d9z0

Available now at your favorite digital store!
An Imperfect Seduction by Leigh Carron

17/03/2023

I worked on a couple of these, and it's a fantastic series!

Visit Amazon's Lost in Austin Page and shop for all Lost in Austin books. Check out pictures, author information, and reviews of Lost in Austin