Dr Emma Byrne
@emmabyrneauthor.bsky.social
Science Writer ('Swearing is Good for You', 'How to Build a Human'), broadcaster, journalist.
I write about the stuff that makes you go 'that's fucking amazing!'
She/they
www.emmabyrne.net
Signal: sciwriby.11
I write about the stuff that makes you go 'that's fucking amazing!'
She/they
www.emmabyrne.net
Signal: sciwriby.11
Pinned
I wrote Murder on the Cariad because I longed to read more scifi meets cosy crime. I've had so much fun building a world, and playing with my imaginary friends. This is the icing on the cake!
I want to read all 12: especially Murder on the Moon and Blind Side of the Sun.
Nerd-er Mystery FTW
I want to read all 12: especially Murder on the Moon and Blind Side of the Sun.
Nerd-er Mystery FTW
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
You probably know about the Jaffa Cakes VAT thing, but here are a bunch of others compiled for your tax nerdy pleasure by @timharford.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/2b77...
www.ft.com/content/2b77...
October 24, 2026 at 9:23 PM
You probably know about the Jaffa Cakes VAT thing, but here are a bunch of others compiled for your tax nerdy pleasure by @timharford.ft.com
www.ft.com/content/2b77...
www.ft.com/content/2b77...
Jesse Smith as the Artillery Man was particularly fantastic. Really want to see the 2028 arena version
October 24, 2026 at 10:20 PM
Jesse Smith as the Artillery Man was particularly fantastic. Really want to see the 2028 arena version
Farewell Thunder Child...
October 24, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Farewell Thunder Child...
October 24, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
Colossal Bioscience and Ben Lamm are ridiculous. I have a chapter on them in my new book. Though their politics are probably different, these schemes are most reminiscent of the ridiculous science projects of...
The Nazis.
The Nazis.
October 23, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Colossal Bioscience and Ben Lamm are ridiculous. I have a chapter on them in my new book. Though their politics are probably different, these schemes are most reminiscent of the ridiculous science projects of...
The Nazis.
The Nazis.
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
@pictcon.bsky.social is now half way to breaking even for 2027. Do you live in Scotland or near enough that a one day science fiction and fantasy convention (with an optional dinner the night before, for early arrivals) appeals? Just £30/£20!- we just need to sell 26 more tickets to be on target!
PictCon3! 23rd October 2027. Guests: Ann Landmann (Cymera Festival) & Noel Chidwick (Shoreline of Infinity)
Location: Salutation Hotel, Perth, 🏴 £30/£20/£19
Sign up for the newsletter at PictCon.com Tickets at Eventbrite. Search PictCon3 We've sold 14 tickets already, just 46 to go to break even!
Location: Salutation Hotel, Perth, 🏴 £30/£20/£19
Sign up for the newsletter at PictCon.com Tickets at Eventbrite. Search PictCon3 We've sold 14 tickets already, just 46 to go to break even!
PictCon – A Scottish science fiction and fantasy convention about science fiction and fantasy in Scotland.
PictCon.com
October 24, 2026 at 1:08 AM
@pictcon.bsky.social is now half way to breaking even for 2027. Do you live in Scotland or near enough that a one day science fiction and fantasy convention (with an optional dinner the night before, for early arrivals) appeals? Just £30/£20!- we just need to sell 26 more tickets to be on target!
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
“At long last, we have created the Dogs of War, from the classic @aptshadow.bsky.social sci-fi novel [Don't Create The] Dogs of War"
*NEW* Colossal Biosciences’ Ben Lamm and Anduril’s Palmer Luckey team up on a new startup to genetically engineer war dogs for the military. Warhound comes out of stealth at $1.2B valuation
For @forbes.com with @iainmartin.bsky.social and @mhunterhart.bsky.social
www.forbes.com/sites/amyfel...
For @forbes.com with @iainmartin.bsky.social and @mhunterhart.bsky.social
www.forbes.com/sites/amyfel...
Billionaires Palmer Luckey And Ben Lamm Spin Up Startup To Genetically Engineer Military Dogs
Ben Lamm of de-extinction startup Colossal has teamed up with Palmer Luckey’s team at Anduril to create a dog that’s optimized for military use. The new “warhounds” will be cloned and gene edited.
www.forbes.com
October 23, 2026 at 9:24 AM
“At long last, we have created the Dogs of War, from the classic @aptshadow.bsky.social sci-fi novel [Don't Create The] Dogs of War"
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
Your intro to wordspotting from the brilliant @weirdmedieval.bsky.social 🌳
Language lovers, pre-order your copy of #TheWordspottersGuide by Olivia Swarthout now, out 5th Nov: tinyurl.com/TheWordspottersGuide
Language lovers, pre-order your copy of #TheWordspottersGuide by Olivia Swarthout now, out 5th Nov: tinyurl.com/TheWordspottersGuide
October 21, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Your intro to wordspotting from the brilliant @weirdmedieval.bsky.social 🌳
Language lovers, pre-order your copy of #TheWordspottersGuide by Olivia Swarthout now, out 5th Nov: tinyurl.com/TheWordspottersGuide
Language lovers, pre-order your copy of #TheWordspottersGuide by Olivia Swarthout now, out 5th Nov: tinyurl.com/TheWordspottersGuide
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
Amid all the various horrors of ai in publishing, I am pouring one out for the agents who are being flooded with AI submissions. My worry about that is partly that we'll get MORE nepotism, as people might be more tempted to trust their networks in the face of the deluge.
October 24, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Amid all the various horrors of ai in publishing, I am pouring one out for the agents who are being flooded with AI submissions. My worry about that is partly that we'll get MORE nepotism, as people might be more tempted to trust their networks in the face of the deluge.
Nobody can stop you eating chocolate biscuits
September 24, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Nobody can stop you eating chocolate biscuits
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
Comedians! If you ever want to give me free tickets, apparently my laugh is so loud that it basically physically HURTS the comedian if i sit too close (I was in the front row). But it's very good for their egos.
September 24, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Comedians! If you ever want to give me free tickets, apparently my laugh is so loud that it basically physically HURTS the comedian if i sit too close (I was in the front row). But it's very good for their egos.
What Blair and Badenoch don't seem to understand is that you can't penalise people into better mental health.
Why not address the depression and anxiety caused by zero-hours exploitation, shitty housing, and crippling costs of living instead?
Why not address the depression and anxiety caused by zero-hours exploitation, shitty housing, and crippling costs of living instead?
September 24, 2026 at 7:52 AM
What Blair and Badenoch don't seem to understand is that you can't penalise people into better mental health.
Why not address the depression and anxiety caused by zero-hours exploitation, shitty housing, and crippling costs of living instead?
Why not address the depression and anxiety caused by zero-hours exploitation, shitty housing, and crippling costs of living instead?
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
Well, hey, I'm entirely in favour of an AI slow-down too, I'm just not convinced that tech companies are calling for it out of the goodness of their own hearts.
September 17, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Well, hey, I'm entirely in favour of an AI slow-down too, I'm just not convinced that tech companies are calling for it out of the goodness of their own hearts.
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
From the author of THE LIBRARY comes a magisterial history of bookshops and booksellers 📚️
#TheBookshop connects stories and lives that span centuries, countries and continents.
Andrew Pettegree's sweeping history of bookselling and its characterful booksellers is out today: tinyurl.com/5t4p8r49
#TheBookshop connects stories and lives that span centuries, countries and continents.
Andrew Pettegree's sweeping history of bookselling and its characterful booksellers is out today: tinyurl.com/5t4p8r49
September 17, 2026 at 9:01 AM
From the author of THE LIBRARY comes a magisterial history of bookshops and booksellers 📚️
#TheBookshop connects stories and lives that span centuries, countries and continents.
Andrew Pettegree's sweeping history of bookselling and its characterful booksellers is out today: tinyurl.com/5t4p8r49
#TheBookshop connects stories and lives that span centuries, countries and continents.
Andrew Pettegree's sweeping history of bookselling and its characterful booksellers is out today: tinyurl.com/5t4p8r49
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
"It's just the weather"
3/4 of England officially in a drought
NFU warnings about food shortages
120 firefighters tackling wildfire in the New Forest
UKHSA issued heat health alerts
Amber heat alerts from Tuesday to Friday
And the Super El Niño hasn't even peaked yet
#GlobalBoiling
3/4 of England officially in a drought
NFU warnings about food shortages
120 firefighters tackling wildfire in the New Forest
UKHSA issued heat health alerts
Amber heat alerts from Tuesday to Friday
And the Super El Niño hasn't even peaked yet
#GlobalBoiling
Amber heat-health alerts issued for most of England as temperatures could reach 36C or higher this week – as it happened
The upgraded alerts will be in place from 9am on Tuesday until 9pm on Friday
www.theguardian.com
August 10, 2026 at 6:14 PM
"It's just the weather"
3/4 of England officially in a drought
NFU warnings about food shortages
120 firefighters tackling wildfire in the New Forest
UKHSA issued heat health alerts
Amber heat alerts from Tuesday to Friday
And the Super El Niño hasn't even peaked yet
#GlobalBoiling
3/4 of England officially in a drought
NFU warnings about food shortages
120 firefighters tackling wildfire in the New Forest
UKHSA issued heat health alerts
Amber heat alerts from Tuesday to Friday
And the Super El Niño hasn't even peaked yet
#GlobalBoiling
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
Fire on New Forest. A31 closed. Cars abandoned as people flee. Welcome to the future. Join us 12/13/14 September, London, Love & Rage.
More info here:
rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/love-a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...
#LoveAndRage
More info here:
rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/love-a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...
#LoveAndRage
Firefighters battle to put out New Forest wildfire as people urged to stay away
Drivers abandoned their vehicles on Sunday after the fire spread from a van that set alight. More than 120 firefighters are tackling the 1 sq km blaze.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 10, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Fire on New Forest. A31 closed. Cars abandoned as people flee. Welcome to the future. Join us 12/13/14 September, London, Love & Rage.
More info here:
rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/love-a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...
#LoveAndRage
More info here:
rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/love-a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...
#LoveAndRage
Jodrell Bank is heritage, it's history, but its also a valuable current asset in this time of growing investment in space
July 27, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Jodrell Bank is heritage, it's history, but its also a valuable current asset in this time of growing investment in space
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
It's a terrible look for Burnham if Jodrell Bank gets axed in his second week as PM, which is why I don't think it will happen.
Keep on making noise.
Keep on making noise.
July 27, 2026 at 11:36 AM
It's a terrible look for Burnham if Jodrell Bank gets axed in his second week as PM, which is why I don't think it will happen.
Keep on making noise.
Keep on making noise.
Seriously, WTF was UKRI thinking with its cuts to eMerlin?
Tracking Space Debris from Jodrell Bank!
The Lovell Telescope has helped demonstrate a world-first radar technique for tracking satellites and space debris in real time.
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/j...
The Lovell Telescope has helped demonstrate a world-first radar technique for tracking satellites and space debris in real time.
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/j...
Jodrell Bank demonstrates live radar observations of satellites and space debris
Radio astronomers and radar experts have teamed up to demonstrate how powerful radio telescopes, including the 76-m Lovell Telescope and e-MERLIN antennas operated by the University of Manchester at J...
www.manchester.ac.uk
July 27, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Seriously, WTF was UKRI thinking with its cuts to eMerlin?
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
I'm heartbroken by the vandalism by UKRI. So lacking in vision. So counterproductive
I'm heartbroken by the vandalism by UKRI. So lacking in vision. So counterproductive
Jodrell Bank Observatory facing closure after major funder cuts support
Scientists say decision is blow to UK astronomy as deep space observatory is home to world-leading facilities
www.theguardian.com
July 27, 2026 at 8:10 PM
www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
I'm heartbroken by the vandalism by UKRI. So lacking in vision. So counterproductive
I'm heartbroken by the vandalism by UKRI. So lacking in vision. So counterproductive
Thames Water really are bloody useless. Not enough water to bathe but I can just go fuck myself apparently...
It might be related to the W4 pipe burst but that's a long shot, and not showing on the map...
www.thameswater.co.uk/help/report-...
It might be related to the W4 pipe burst but that's a long shot, and not showing on the map...
www.thameswater.co.uk/help/report-...
July 14, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Thames Water really are bloody useless. Not enough water to bathe but I can just go fuck myself apparently...
It might be related to the W4 pipe burst but that's a long shot, and not showing on the map...
www.thameswater.co.uk/help/report-...
It might be related to the W4 pipe burst but that's a long shot, and not showing on the map...
www.thameswater.co.uk/help/report-...
I allus knew West Yorkshire'd invent time travel
West Yorkshire has hosted five Years of Culture between 2023 and 2025. James Gough, Dr Ruth Melville and Julia Payne have been reflecting on what happens after the fireworks, opening ceremonies and media attention fade away?
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
July 8, 2026 at 5:22 PM
I allus knew West Yorkshire'd invent time travel
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
Oh cool, an Easter egg feature that traps you in a driverless car and kidnaps you when it's decided you've misbehaved.
Imagine what a hacker group or ICE can do with this. The fact that this is even functionally possible is horrifying.
Imagine what a hacker group or ICE can do with this. The fact that this is even functionally possible is horrifying.
July 8, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Oh cool, an Easter egg feature that traps you in a driverless car and kidnaps you when it's decided you've misbehaved.
Imagine what a hacker group or ICE can do with this. The fact that this is even functionally possible is horrifying.
Imagine what a hacker group or ICE can do with this. The fact that this is even functionally possible is horrifying.
Reposted by Dr Emma Byrne
If you’re an editor, publisher, slush reader or industry organisation dealing with this: what resources would actually help? We want to hear from you.
If this is relevant to your press, magazine, union, imprint, submissions team or writing group, please share it.
If this is relevant to your press, magazine, union, imprint, submissions team or writing group, please share it.
July 7, 2026 at 5:04 PM
If you’re an editor, publisher, slush reader or industry organisation dealing with this: what resources would actually help? We want to hear from you.
If this is relevant to your press, magazine, union, imprint, submissions team or writing group, please share it.
If this is relevant to your press, magazine, union, imprint, submissions team or writing group, please share it.