leej_403

From a recent chat in my science discussion group: "Who do you nominate to be the greatest influence on science?" https://leejrussell.com/2026/02/11/who-do-you-nominate-to-be-the-greatest-influence-on-science/ Most people started with the Greeks, including Aristotle and Parmenides. We had a long discussion about Charles Darwin's work, Newton, and also the immense social impact of James Clerk Maxwell's unification of electricity and magnetism. I chose Sir Francis Bacon. #science #blog [ portrait of Sir Francis Bacon, public domain via Wikipedia ]

Anyone using a ZWO ASI 662MC camera (or similar) on Linux Mint or Ubuntu? I'm wondering how easy it is to set up, and how effective it is to use for simple astro-imaging? #camera #astronomy #telescope

Does anyone know if you can use a manual lens with a Sony Alpha 390 DSLR? I can't get past the body wanting an aperture setting that the lens can't provide? Trying to use it in prime focus photography with a small telescope! #Photography #Camera

I'm just about to start playing the Alien RPG as a first time GM (DM'd other systems) with a group who are new to RPGs - what is your top tip for making the game super fun for players? (we're starting with 'Rapture Protocol' to get everyone's eye in on the rules) - tx #rpg #AlienRPG

Exciting news - I have now published my Action-Thriller trilogy! I don't distribute my work on Amazon. The ebooks can be obtained for free (no sign up needed) by following the links to BookFunnel on my website - go to https://leejrussell.com/the-lissa-blackwood-trilogy/ Creating this series was a lot of fun and I've totally enjoyed the whole journey with my leading character - Lissa Blackwood. ... and now for something different - my next project will be another 'Cold War Cthulhu' short story collection... and then maybe a sci-fi novel... ... so many ideas... so little time in the day! #thriller #fiction #books #book #writing #author #ColdWar

Mark Carney gave a great speech at the World Economic Forum yesterday (20th Jan) - can the UK have him as Prime Minister?

Yes - that is a "tongue in cheek", rhetorical question.

#politics #WorldEconomicForum

I got so excited yesterday about finishing writing the 3 books in my action-thriller series that I forgot to introduce myself - so here goes!

I recently retired (early - hooray!) from paid employment and can now concentrate on the things I love, which include:

* fiction writing (genre fic, of one form or another).

* writing non-fiction (usually Cold War focussed).

- my books & stories can be obtained for free, with no sign-up needed, via my personal website at leejrussell.com

* reading - mostly horror, sci-fi, thrillers, plus a lot of "popular science" books and Cold War/New Cold War accounts.

* studying Maths, Physics, Astronomy and Cosmology (life-long loves).

* amateur astronomy - I have 3 'scopes for varying uses.

* model making - usually spacecraft or aircraft.

I'm looking forward to some good conversations here on Mastodon, which looks like a much better space than other toxic social media sites.

Based in the UK, I write in British English.

#introduction #hobbies

Savage Heart – The Lissa Blackwood S.I.G. series, book 3

Whispering Death – The Lissa Blackwood S.I.G. series, book 2

Evil Eye – The Lissa Blackwood S.I.G. series, book 1

I’m pleased and proud to share that I have now finished writing my Lissa Blackwood S.I.G. trilogy of action-thriller novels! She is a complex and exciting character to write for, and I have thoroughly enjoyed going on the journey with her.

The 3 completed tales are:

Evil Eye – The Lissa Blackwood S.I.G. series, book 1
Whispering Death – The Lissa Blackwood S.I.G. series, book 2
Savage Heart – The Lissa Blackwood S.I.G. series, book 3

I started writing these adventures in 2017 and it has taken 8 years to complete her cycle. I’m now moving on to the ‘admin’ of formatting the books, preparing to share eBook copies via BookFunnel, and creating paperback copies for my private use. It will take a few months to complete these last steps, and I’ll then announce when the books are ready to pick up via my website ( leejrussell.com ) .

In the meantime, I will share the 3 covers – I hope they excite you!

#writing #thriller #ActionAdventure