We can all pretend we don't have TBRs the size of a house together!

[spindizzy]

In slightly less capslock news: hey everyone, turns out that a lot of people have been making things free this week. I've compiled a quick list of the ones that I've seen go past; if anyone wants to link to anything else my comments are open. If anyone needs a list of soothing things as well/instead, I can gather that up too; my twitter timeline is equal parts COVID, books, and soothing animal streams right now. If you need something to get you started: someone compiled a thread of animal cams! At the very least, I recommend shedd_aquarium's videos of penguins touring the other exhibits.

I'm linking to the tweets that I got the links off as well, partly as credit and partly to reassure myself that these downloads are legit and I'm not somehow robbing an author by... Downloading a book that I already own at least two paid-for copies of... Wait a minute, no, I've gone wrong somewhere.

Free books!

• portalbookshop, queer sff bookshop of my heart, is offering free copies of The Trans Teen Survival Guide to any trans/non-binary/genderqueer teens who might need it, and accepting donations to pay for copies if you're feeling so moved.


• I found it through this tweet, but Cambridge Core are making HTML copies of their textbooks free to access if you want to check out some non-fiction. (I want to send this to every university student in the US because I am STILL angry about how bullshit the textbook industry is over there.)


• illusClaire has made The first issue of Bun&Tea free to download.


• I have no idea what The Clock is, but the first issue is available for free.


• I kickstarted Heart of Gold a million years ago and never got around to reading it, butthe first act of that and some of the creators' other works are free on Gumroad till the 20th.


• Never read anything by genderqueerwolf (I'm doing whatever the asexual version of thirst following is), but their queer erotica IceMelt (which is primarily non-binary from what they said) is pay what you want.


• LR_Lam has made her alter-ego Laura Ambrose's books free until the 22nd. F/F convention drama and geekery from what I remember?


• kj_charles is offering free digital copies of Magpie Lord, her first novel. It's understandably rougher than her current stuff, and comes with SEVERAL caution warnings for suicide/suicidal thoughts/rape and abuse in backstory, but queer magic mysteries is my jam.


• All I know about Sunstone is that hamefang retweets a fair about of the art, but volumes 1-6 are available for free right now so maybe I'll change that!


• Unspeakable: Queer Gothic Anthology is free with the code


• minavesguerra is giving away digital copies of two of her books, What Kind of Day and Kiss and Cry!


• Widdershins is my queer pulpy cosmic horror comfort read, and now it's free! ... I cannot explain to you why it's my comfort read, but apparently "intensely anxious academic and the dashing detective he's in love with" is my niche, WHO KNEW.


• This thread of free and 99p ebooks has some GOOD STUFF IN THERE!

Books on sale!

• ... So good that I'm repeating it here JUST TO BE SURE.


• Ninestar Press are doing a sale on EVERYTHING they sell. They've got a pretty wide range of genres, and do actually acknowledge that asexuals and pansexuals exist, so I'm in favour of diving in! I've read some of their stuff and am hoarding others of it, so let me know if you need recs.


• (Queen of Ieflaria is one that I am hoarding.)


• renay's favourite author has a book discounted! Cold Magic is the Carthaginian ice age industrial revolution fantasy AU with lawyer dinosaurs (NO REALLY), so maybe make her day and check it out?


• I don't think it's discounted, but both volumes of My Solo Exchange Diary are available as ebooks now!

Making things!
I know a bunch of the people I know noodle with making games, and I know SO MANY youtubers and podcasters, so here we go:

• This post has free art assets for video games until the 22nd.


• This music is copyright-free and explicitly for use on streams, but I haven't listened to all of it so can't speak to the quality.


• Chuck Tingle giving official permission for people to livestream readings of his books!

Other thinks that might be relevant!

• The Berlin Philharmonic is streaming performances for free.


• I'm sure someone anti-recced Headspace to me as being too expensive, but they've released some free meditations if that helps you!


• Yesssssss, bring my more museums with virtual tours so we can snoop without leaving the house!

There is 100% more out there, but this is what I could find right now on a casual check. Be safe, be well, read good books. ♥