A.J. Ponder

A.J. Ponder

@ponderbooks.com

Author at https://ponderbooks.com Poet. Builder of worlds. Player of games. He, she, they.

2.3K followers1.8K following6.8K posts

Dear readers of fantasy both epic and cosy and all things in between, which setting do you love the most? The intrigue and grandeur of a castle, or the rustic charm of village life?

A.J. Ponder reposted

Voting is a massive pain in my ample arse. I hate peopleing, and I hate the silent Presbyterian eyeball-judgement in the queue. Whatever, I’ll do my civic duty. But Luxon’s coalition of calamity just made doing yours that little bit harder, and why you have until MIDNIGHT TONIGHT to enrol. #nzpol 🧵👇

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So much noise and so much confusion, and yet what a time for hope this is. Hope and hard work, that is, because despite appearances this election is not about gangs and race. New Hopetown post on Substack #nzpol simonwilsonhopetown.substack.com/p/the-age-of...

simonwilsonhopetown.substack.comThe age of hopeSo much noise and so much confusion, and yet what a time for hope this is. Hope and hard work, that is, because despite appearances this election is not be about gangs and race.

A.J. Ponder reposted

Early readers wanted! The ARC for my cozy fantasy Legendary: Help Unwanted is now available on BookFunnel! If you're interested in receiving an early copy in exchange for an honest review, click the link to claim your book. ✨ dl.bookfunnel.com/xbo00nozna #BookSky #CozyFantasy #ARC

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I’ve talked to everyone I can about politics. I’ve checked they’re enrolled to vote. And I’ve said how I’m voting if they’ve asked. ✅✅ #TwoTicksGreen #nzpol #VoteHealth

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#nzpol

LostArcNZ@lostarcnz.bsky.social

If he can afford to pay for Doctor's visits, I am guessing he could also cope with 3 free visits and pay more taxes. The whole argument against raising taxes boils down to "but I can afford it, why should I help pay for others to get it?" Universality is both simpler, and ultimately fairer.

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96% of us could ‘Pay Less For MORE’ How amazing would our lives all be! 🤩🕊️… If only ordinary kiwi voters realised they are choosing to keep 96% of us ‘Paying More For LESS’. 🤑💸 #nzpol #OneTermGovernment #NZ #TaxTheRich #ForAllOfUs #Aotearoa #BeAGoodAncestor #TwoTicksGreen

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Is Nicky Hager’s next book going to be about how the Opportunity Party was used as a cynical dirty politics strategy to keep National and ACT in power this election? #nzpol

Welcome adventurer, scholar and seeker of hidden wonders. What do you wish to find within the pages of your next book? Secrets or Knowledge?

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"Meanwhile data released today showed that New Zealand's electronic retail card spending fell 0.4% month on month in Sep while food inflation accelerated to 2.4% highlighting persistent price pressures" Today's Market commentary doesn't reflect well on your performance Willis but keep lying #nzpol

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“Horrified and appalled” about sums it up. #nzpol

Sacha@sachadylan.bsky.social

“Over the last year with budget constraints, they’ve not hired new nurses. Anytime a nurse left, they weren’t replaced.” - Starship children's hospital whistleblower. (paywalled) #NzPol

A wizard has decided you must choose between reading only about tame dragons or wild dragons -- which do you choose?

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Excellent article - on how Dirty works spells out decades of manipulation power & influence of big money in right wing Nz politics - a handful of well funddd trolls presented as grass roots movement- sometimes truth just resonates

Nick Young@nickofnz.bsky.social

Part of the reason for the organised vilification of the Ardern govt initial response to the COVID pandemic was that it was so effective in demonstrating how powerful decisive state intervention in the interests of the common good could be. The far-right and its big business backers were HORRIFIED.

A.J. Ponder reposted

Part of the reason for the organised vilification of the Ardern govt initial response to the COVID pandemic was that it was so effective in demonstrating how powerful decisive state intervention in the interests of the common good could be. The far-right and its big business backers were HORRIFIED.

stuff.co.nzHow NZ’s right turned culture war into political strategyNicky Hager’s latest book argues the tactics of New Zealand’s organised right have changed, but the interests behind them have not.

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#pretendpanel Terry Pratchett will always inspire me. With his dedication to his craft, his humanism, his way of making things humourous and not didactic while still going deep on his themes. I aspire. I’ll never be funny like him, so instead, my goal is stated in this meme I want to share with you:

Inspiration can come from many sources. Teachers and mentors, orher authors, various muses in our lives, and more. Tell me, #pretendpanel … 10th: Who inspires you (specific to your writing)? #WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts

You're settling down to read your next book: What are you looking for, scary vibes or uplifting vibes? Me, I enjoy uplifting vibes, but a little scary in the middle can be fun! :)

Guess the magical creature that will be on the new cover of Into FaerLand. 🐰🐲🦤🦄🐓🦁 (You don't need to be right to win) Please ❤️ like this post, and P.S. Keep an eye out for the big reveal! ❤️📖 * No purchase necessary. This promotion ends when the new cover goes live Thursday 8th 5pm EST

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Having lived in countries that have real rail, I really hope #NZ can do this and get it right. The option has to be better than taking a car or a plane, it has to have that advantage and be built in from the ground up. Look at Finland's system. #nzpol www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3610...

stuff.co.nzThe Green Party wants to connect these major cities via trainThe Greens are proposing a $4.02b passenger rail plan spanning Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga, Christchurch and Dunedin.

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For our friends in Aotearoa-New Zealand as they head to an election on Sat 7 Nov 🇳🇿 👉 Make sure you’re enrolled to vote: https:/:vote.nz 🚨 Enrolments close October 25!

Dragonsday! Can a dragon be funny? Lots of dragons are very serious, or very dangerous. But have you come across a funny dragon? Mossoadey is hilarious, but I still think he needs more dragon jokes and puns to put in his autobiography Mossoadey on Mossoadey: My Life in Flames. What have you got?

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Chlöe Swarbrick gives an almighty summation of the current governing coalition’s record. Her speech, given as parliament closes for the election, also outlines why the @greens.org.nz need to lead the next government… the video is well worth your time. #nzpol

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What type of magic do you prefer in your books? Bonus Round: The world might not be ending, but you're in a bit of a bind, and evil forces have you in their grip. What sort of magic is going to get out of trouble and back home in time for tea?

What type of magic do you prefer in your books? Bonus Round: The world might not be ending, but you're in a bit of a bind, and evil forces have you in their grip. What sort of magic is going to get out of trouble and back home in time for tea?

A.J. Ponder reposted

Replying to @ponderbooks.com

There’s a good reason why an egalitarian & equal society is better for everyone, including the #rich - doubling down on the #poor & middle class & pushing them into #poverty isn’t a good strategy! #AtlasNetwork #Project2025 #Trump www.politico.com/magazine/sto...

politico.comThe Pitchforks Are Coming… For Us PlutocratsA memo for my fellow filthy rich who live in our gated bubble worlds: Wake up, people. It won’t last.

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