Author Buzz | Sam Smith | Group Activity https://authorbuzz.co.uk/members/samsmith/activity/groups/ Public group activity feed of which Sam Smith is a member. Thu, 12 Nov 2026 17:29:29 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-GB 30 hourly 2 9efb533f2eea89a6b0a19a657e7beb5f Acorn Boi replied to the topic (Off topic) do you like politics in your fiction? in the forum General Chat https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/general-chat/forum/topic/off-topic-do-you-like-politics-in-your-fiction/#post-5381 Thu, 12 Nov 2026 17:29:29 +0000 I just watched a video in which Ursula K. Le Guin said, “Resistance and change often begins in art; and in our art – the art of words.”

]]> a814c89c24414c7d6284ca2d27759cba Adam Bassman replied to the topic (Off topic) do you like politics in your fiction? in the forum General Chat https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/general-chat/forum/topic/off-topic-do-you-like-politics-in-your-fiction/#post-5380 Thu, 12 Nov 2026 16:46:10 +0000 Haven’t books and movies always been a reflection of the real world dressed up as a story?

]]> 05467927ac02abe586172e1135dbe0ce Jane Smith joined the group Fans of Yahtzee Croshaw https://authorbuzz.co.uk/activity/p/19454/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 08:28:13 +0000 0 a9f961053e2a1939caaf59e66c9a845f Matthew Brown edited the blog post Spelling Bee (Cantrip) in the group Matthew D. Brown (Author) https://matthewdbrown.authorbuzz.co.uk/lordmatt/tpk/spelling-bee-cantrip/ Thu, 12 Nov 2026 05:11:45 +0000 Spelling Bee (Cantrip) This cantrip-level spell summons a bee with 1hp, 1ac, and 1d1 attack. It is in all other regards just a little bee, but it is improbably good at spelling words in any language you specify and can speak. It remains for a number of rounds equal to your spellcasting modifier and can take the help action once per round to…Read more

]]> 1975f3ad2579737defe2cc669394b076 Sam Smith started the topic Has anyone picked up "The End of Everything" by M. John Harrison? in the forum What are you reading? https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/what-are-you-reading/forum/topic/has-anyone-picked-up-the-end-of-everything-by-m-john-harrison/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 14:11:39 +0000 “The End of Everything” by M. John Harrison is this year’s Booker Prize winner. Normally, that sort of thing means nothing to me but this one low key has my attention. Before I rush out and by it, I want to know if normal readers enjoy it.

]]> 746b8b5ac6498002e543d54cbbcc06de Arves Corral replied to the topic (Off topic) do you like politics in your fiction? in the forum General Chat https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/general-chat/forum/topic/off-topic-do-you-like-politics-in-your-fiction/#post-5378 Tue, 10 Nov 2026 13:59:53 +0000 All fiction has some amount of politics in it because fiction is usually about people, and people generate politics. You cannot explore the human condition without exploring the environment in which we live. Everything that affects us is connected to politics, which is why you cannot keep it out of fiction. Even if we try to keep it out of our…Read more

]]> 30c636962883f5193899ef3596696b06 Jason Latnar replied to the topic (Off topic) do you like politics in your fiction? in the forum General Chat https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/general-chat/forum/topic/off-topic-do-you-like-politics-in-your-fiction/#post-5377 Mon, 09 Nov 2026 15:46:00 +0000 I hate it when a good series gets all political. I’m here to escape real life not join it.

]]> 4f4b069dfdd020aa0a0ea983d7453cbb Matthew Brown wrote a new blog post It was a delightful wedding. The bride looked radiant. Nan had a good cry. Photos were taken. The cake was cut... And then the murders began. in the group Writing prompts and inspirations https://muse.authorbuzz.co.uk/prompts/it-was-a-delightful-wedding-the-bride-looked-radiant-nan-had-a-good-cry-photos-were-taken-the-cake-was-cut-and-then-the-murders-began/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 10:00:00 +0000 a35a75b10730524fca2899cbfb3a759a Toni McHadden started the topic (Off topic) do you like politics in your fiction? in the forum General Chat https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/general-chat/forum/topic/off-topic-do-you-like-politics-in-your-fiction/ Sun, 08 Nov 2026 22:25:23 +0000 How do you feel about politics in your fiction?

Both or one of: Fictional or real-world.

If yes, why; if no, also why?

]]> 602bc79c85881d83366d6840c3ac26d5 Blog: Invincible from Dogwood Tales in the group Book Reviews by Dogwood Tales feed https://dogwoodtales.blogspot.com/2026/11/invincible.html Sat, 07 Nov 2026 12:07:43 +0000 I backed the pdf of this game in the kickstarter campaign and liked it enough to pick up the starter set and core book from someone who was selling a spare copy […]

]]> 0 b9f8956995b0cf5eb7bdb9dd52c3df79 Blog: Exclusive Extract: His Christmas Princess by Scarlet Wilson from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://s28434.pcdn.co/2026/11/06/exclusive-extract-his-christmas-princess-by-scarlet-wilson/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:34:53 +0000 She just wanted to know where she came from. Now she’s being asked to run a country. If you love … Continued

]]> 0 befee9a8bf2217e68175ecd774ad0f75 Blog: At the boating pool from Punning in the group Dad Jokes and Funny Memes https://punning.isbrill.com/dad-jokes/at-the-boating-pool/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 19:04:29 +0000 Boss: Come in, 99; your time is up. Worker: Sir, we don’t have a 99. Boss: 66, are you in trouble, 66?

]]> 0 2aec56bafbe0b3a574dc2ba110a988d7 Jane Smith joined the group General Chat https://authorbuzz.co.uk/activity/p/19409/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:20:49 +0000 0 db70444fff1ac2526af11adc36a5d587 Blog: Exclusive Extract: One Night in Amalfi by Carol Marinelli from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://s28434.pcdn.co/2026/11/02/exclusive-extract-one-night-in-amalfi-by-carol-marinelli/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:12:19 +0000 A billionaire determined not to fall in love. A secret that won’t stay hidden forever. If you love billionaire romances … Continued

]]> 0 b1acebb1923a6354ac8dde09d6d22cda Jason Latnar wrote a new blog post One day you wake up to discover you are a frog. in the group Writing prompts and inspirations https://muse.authorbuzz.co.uk/prompts/one-day-you-wake-up-to-discover-you-are-a-frog/ Sun, 01 Nov 2026 11:00:00 +0000 2313195ce8d34bee3b46d3b0b21bfabe Matthew Brown started the topic How much bloodthirstiness is too much in a good story? in the forum Aspiring Authors https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/aspiring-authors/forum/topic/how-much-bloodthirstiness-is-too-much-in-a-good-story/ Sat, 31 Oct 2026 23:30:02 +0000 I’m writing a fantasy story. Due to the nature of the situation, there’s a fair old amount of bloodshed. Mostly justified.

Readers, how much is too much for you?

]]> 0faa6d82109e9fb11407d108d8391e72 Blog: Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks from Dogwood Tales in the group Book Reviews by Dogwood Tales feed https://dogwoodtales.blogspot.com/2026/10/consider-phlebas-by-iain-m-banks.html Sat, 31 Oct 2026 18:01:26 +0000 Gentile or Jew O you who turn the wheel and look to windward, Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you. T. S. Eliot, “The Waste Land,” IV

I don […]

]]> 1 23d1a0576bb639dfa11d3485ca0e60e5 Acorn Boi replied to the topic Anime suggestions? in the forum General Chat https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/general-chat/forum/topic/anime-suggestions/#post-5370 Fri, 30 Oct 2026 11:16:48 +0000 Have you seen:

  • Ascendance of a Bookworm
  • The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
  • That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

I love them all

]]> fdebfd491c8ffff101605143d9055ce2 Blog: I’d tell you the joke about the time traveller, but you didn’t like it. from Punning in the group Dad Jokes and Funny Memes https://punning.isbrill.com/dad-jokes/id-tell-you-the-joke-about-the-time-traveller-but-you-didnt-like-it/ Fri, 30 Oct 2026 10:35:24 +0000 2 116bb532eea3924855c77c0196f719db Burty Burtman started the topic Anime suggestions? in the forum General Chat https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/general-chat/forum/topic/anime-suggestions/ Thu, 29 Oct 2026 11:47:08 +0000 Does anyone here watch anime?

What hidden gems can you recommend? (sub or dub)

]]> 28ccb17e493656d0c61c6bc1d2adb3c6 Charles Maxwell edited the blog post Just once, you'd like to live past 16 without being sacrificed to appease some random god. in the group Writing prompts and inspirations https://muse.authorbuzz.co.uk/prompts/just-once-youd-like-to-live-past-16-without-being-sacrificed-to-appease-some-random-god/ Sat, 24 Oct 2026 15:39:26 +0100 8d655fb4a71c410c56fa2ac274126448 Acorn Boi joined the group Thanet Creative: Writers https://authorbuzz.co.uk/activity/p/19311/ Sat, 24 Oct 2026 15:28:13 +0100 0 2c3d073fa13ea72a6fcf5da6e79f4a3a Matthew Brown edited the blog post Sekhmet calling in the group Writing prompts and inspirations https://muse.authorbuzz.co.uk/prompts/sekhmet-calling/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 19:59:08 +0100 Sekhmet callingToday you received a phone call from Sekhmet (the Egyptian god of war and plagues). All the chaos going on in the world has woken him up. Would you […]

]]> fdf111e90a47b40f6264a7946dc75a19 Toni McHadden started the topic Wuthering Heights in the forum What are you reading? https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/what-are-you-reading/forum/topic/wuthering-heights/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 19:51:27 +0100 My sister gave me a beautiful hardback copy of Wuthering Heights. I’ve always meant to read it. I’ll let you know how I get on.

]]> 4f6be826eb36c68768848ce7a6804f4e Christian Writer joined the group General Chat https://authorbuzz.co.uk/activity/p/19303/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 19:44:26 +0100 0 6511fe7fde1658d77e5d2e09b4cb3d28 Blog: Exclusive Extract: The Duke’s Marriage Rules by Michelle Willingham from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://s28434.pcdn.co/2026/10/23/exclusive-extract-the-dukes-marriage-rules-by-michelle-willingham/ Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:29:20 +0100 If you love marriage of convenience, grumpy vs sunshine and a passion that burns deliciously hot, The Duke’s Marriage Rules … Continued

]]> 0 cc42ec6d6ac13fceb0c377ac4b64217e Matthew Brown replied to the topic I'm reading "How to be a writer" in the forum What are you reading? https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/what-are-you-reading/forum/topic/im-reading-how-to-be-a-writer/#post-5365 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 13:50:00 +0100 I own a copy of this book. It lives on my desk next to my PC.

]]> 3c14a2bddc5e408d0de23ce56418d255 Blog: Why Joss Wood is the Author You Need on Your TBR Shelf from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://s28434.pcdn.co/2026/10/21/why-joss-wood-is-the-author-you-need-on-your-tbr-shelf/ Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:59:26 +0100 If you’ve never read Joss Wood, let me tell you why you need to fix that immediately! With a backlist … Continued

]]> 0 6fbd79a1777bb887e5a652e854641e62 Jason Latnar replied to the topic I'm reading "How to be a writer" in the forum What are you reading? https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/what-are-you-reading/forum/topic/im-reading-how-to-be-a-writer/#post-5364 Tue, 20 Oct 2026 09:04:44 +0100 Is it any good?

We demand a review. Well we ask nicely – demand is too strong a word.

]]> 2f5724a7a2b8b092e04ea4c3b223c0b1 Blog: Exclusive Extract: Surgeon’s Christmas Consequence by Tina Beckett from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://s28434.pcdn.co/2026/10/16/exclusive-extract-surgeons-christmas-consequence-by-tina-beckett/ Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:48:06 +0100 If you love one-night stands, opposites attract and surprise second chances, Surgeon’s Christmas Consequence belongs on your TBR! London at … Continued

]]> 0 fb55f28ee52d9a00da1ca1ede86c46ca Blog: The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie from Dogwood Tales in the group Book Reviews by Dogwood Tales feed https://dogwoodtales.blogspot.com/2026/10/the-mysterious-affair-at-styles-by.html Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:08:17 +0100 This was Agatha Christie’s first full length novel and it established many of the tropes of the genre – an Edwardian country house, a dastardly murder, a large c […]

]]> 0 ff11f9cc084af751e803862980ec7c22 Matthew Brown posted an update in the group Help and Support: Oh boy, that's a lot of spam. Clearing it out now. https://authorbuzz.co.uk/activity/p/19208/ Thu, 15 Oct 2026 02:55:04 +0100 Oh boy, that’s a lot of spam. Clearing it out now.

]]> 0 039349feb8a03806a22a055035e173b3 Blog: 13 Halloween Romance Books to Read This Spooky Season from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://blog.millsandboon.co.uk/2026/10/14/13-halloween-romance-books-to-read-this-spooky-season/ Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:27:09 +0100 It’s the most spook-tacular time of year! Whether you’re a Hocus Pocus or Blair Witch kind of ghoul, there’s nothing … Continued

]]> 0 c37a976835e34d8e658cd7270a44839f Blog: from Punning in the group Dad Jokes and Funny Memes https://punning.isbrill.com/dad-jokes/3091/ Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:21:17 +0100 0 a8f21bbd8268cb936a8581c70becd890 Blog: Exclusive Extract: Prideful Billionaire for Christmas by Jessica Gilmore from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://blog.millsandboon.co.uk/2026/10/09/exclusive-extract-prideful-billionaire-for-christmas-by-jessica-gilmore/ Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:22:55 +0100 If you love fake dating, enemies to lovers and a cosy holiday romance, Prideful Billionaire for Christmas belongs on your … Continued

]]> 0 ec08b578c4e1ed2aa8fe2288afe6af7c Blog: The Naughty List: 12 Spicy Christmas Romance Books For A Steamy Festive Season from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://blog.millsandboon.co.uk/2026/10/07/the-naughty-list-12-spicy-christmas-romance-books-for-a-steamy-festive-season/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:25:04 +0100 Not every Christmas fantasy involves chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Some festive seasons call for a romance so spicy … Continued

]]> 0 4cee904c59fa31cbf2101f146dd859b6 Blog: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, illustrated by Tove Jansson from Dogwood Tales in the group Book Reviews by Dogwood Tales feed https://dogwoodtales.blogspot.com/2026/10/the-hobbit.html Sun, 04 Oct 2026 18:49:07 +0100 Whilst I’ve read The Lord of the Rings multiple times over the years, I don’t think I’ve sat down and read the Hobbit from cover to cover since I was small. When […]

]]> 0 63ce50e3716577bf849316a89c47c917 Matthew Brown replied to the topic Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes by Rob Wilkins in the forum What are you reading? https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/what-are-you-reading/forum/topic/terry-pratchett-a-life-with-footnotes-by-rob-wilkins/#post-5355 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:47:03 +0100 I am 124 pages in and hooked. STP’s influence on Rob Wilkins is clear. Highly recommend this for Pratchett fans.

]]> 862ca76eec4324fa9a5ebee380acb82a Blog: Exclusive Extract: Kidnapped by the Devil by Heidi Rice from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://blog.millsandboon.co.uk/2026/10/02/exclusive-extract-kidnapped-by-the-devil-by-heidi-rice/ Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:14:19 +0100 If you love mafia romance, marriage of convenience and a heroine who learns that loving someone and seeing someone are … Continued

]]> 0 081fc82c38d9cec8bcbeda90c63213ed Blog: The Nice List: 9 Christmas Romances to Curl Up with this Festive Season from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://s28434.pcdn.co/2026/10/01/the-nice-list-9-christmas-romances-to-curl-up-with-this-festive-season/ Thu, 01 Oct 2026 16:18:11 +0100 If your idea of the perfect Christmas involves a steaming mug of something delicious, a fluffy blanket to curl up … Continued

]]> 0 3e2049d40505f591e8a1cdf244a3a077 Blog: Romance Includes You 2026: Winner Announcement from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://blog.millsandboon.co.uk/2026/10/01/romance-includes-you-2026-winner-announcement/ Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:55:27 +0100 Katherine Woollacott selected for Mills & Boon’s 2026 Romance Includes You mentorship! Mills & Boon is thrilled to announce that … Continued

]]> 0 0b3217f9d9954d8e177b63b54329e30f Blog: Why Lynne Graham is the author you need on your TBR from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://blog.millsandboon.co.uk/2026/09/29/why-lynne-graham-is-the-author-you-need-on-your-tbr/ Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:29:50 +0100 Lynne Graham is a USA Today bestselling author with a backlist that reads like a greatest hits collection of everything … Continued

]]> 0 ecd47f486ac06a5aaaf0ef0052164497 Matthew Brown edited the blog post I'm checking up on a small bug in the group Help and Support https://dev.authorbuzz.co.uk/2026/09/28/im-checking-up-on-a-small-bug/ Mon, 28 Sep 2026 16:19:18 +0100 I'm checking up on a small bug There appears to be an issue with ActivityPub on some blogs, including Author Buzz HQ. It should not break the site (as far as I can tell), but it […]

]]> 8fa6e0bae267c209b2e6c43135ebeeb1 Matthew Brown edited the blog post Fediverse Book Fair (#FediBookFair) in the group Author Buzz HQ https://authorbuzz.co.uk/2026/09/28/fediverse-book-fair-fedibookfair/ Mon, 28 Sep 2026 14:59:27 +0100 Fediverse Book Fair (#FediBookFair) A social media book fair is being organised on the Mastodon (and ActivityPub) social media network. It is free to participate, but you may, if you wish, […]

]]> 4f5fcf4f9742d7341950ece828d24b55 Blog: Ice by Anna Kavan from Dogwood Tales in the group Book Reviews by Dogwood Tales feed https://dogwoodtales.blogspot.com/2026/09/ice-by-anna-kavan.html Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:53:46 +0100 Well, this wasn’t quite what I was expecting. It opens conventionally enough with an unnamed narrator driving through an unseasonably harsh ice storm, looking for a […]

]]> 1 364517ee3dba677da932a51a3972db46 Matthew Brown edited the blog post Keeping Your Side Characters Distinct - Brandon Sanderson's Writing Lecture (2025) in the group Thanet Creative: Writers https://thanetcreative.co.uk/2026/09/keeping-your-side-characters-distinct-brandon-sandersons-writing-lecture-2025/ Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:12:58 +0100 Keeping Your Side Characters Distinct – Brandon Sanderson's Writing Lecture (2025)

]]> 31ef8da10aab76eefc614ec0a906b9dc Matthew Brown started the topic Terry Pratchett: A Life With Footnotes by Rob Wilkins in the forum What are you reading? https://authorbuzz.co.uk/groups/what-are-you-reading/forum/topic/terry-pratchett-a-life-with-footnotes-by-rob-wilkins/ Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:04:33 +0100 I’ve not started reading it yet but I was given a copy of the Terry Pratchett biography, A Life With Footnotes by Rob Wilkins, for my birthday.

When I have read (some of) it, I’ll report back.

]]> a311ec64d798669d5ba9ab435d5c3bae Toni McHadden joined the group I probably should be writing https://authorbuzz.co.uk/activity/p/19124/ Fri, 25 Sep 2026 18:56:09 +0100 0 b4a2f980eafab4603fd074deaa4d8ba1 Blog: Exclusive Extract: Her Royal Houseguest by Jade Lee from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://s28434.pcdn.co/2026/09/25/exclusive-extract-her-royal-houseguest-by-jade-lee/ Fri, 25 Sep 2026 14:12:09 +0100 If you love royal romance, opposites attract, and sharp-tongued heroines who refuse to be overlooked, Her Royal Houseguest belongs on … Continued

]]> 0 5af7da999ec98810b203e02fb8fc9cae Blog: 11 Cosy but Spicy Books to Read this Autumn from Mills & Boon Blog in the group Mills and Boon fans https://blog.millsandboon.co.uk/2026/09/23/11-cosy-but-spicy-books-to-read-this-autumn/ Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:15:45 +0100 The scent of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger is in the air, which can only mean one thing…pumpkin-spiced lattes are back! … Continued

]]> 0