Rayne Hall Author

https://writing.exchange/@Rayne_Hall_Author

#Author (#NonFiction #Gothic #Horror #Fantasy). Anthology Editor. #Writing Coach.
Rescuer & Trainer of #Cats. #Permaculture Gardener in #Bulgaria.

Public Key

npub1d390chqt3vd96ym8jrtpdtn25gfl5r7as02gpm3e9aye0gt8uzzqluvn08

NIP-05 Address

rayne_hall_author_at_writing.exchange@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsxcjhuts9ckxjazdnep4sk4e42yyl6plwc84yqacuj7jvh59n7ppqprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntqyt8wumn8ghj7un9d3shjtnswf5k6ctv9ehx2aqhwvd3w

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

relay.primal.net

offchain.pub

Author Public Key

npub1d390chqt3vd96ym8jrtpdtn25gfl5r7as02gpm3e9aye0gt8uzzqluvn08

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Last Notes

2026-02-18 21:29:00 UTC

The first crocuses of the year in my orchard. (Photographed yesterday. Today, it’s all covered in snow.)
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/116/093/754/181/173/407/original/f9cdd344ab88db61.jpg

2026-02-18 21:06:18 UTC

Today, we've had the first snow of the season. My cats decided to stay indoors, but the dog didn't mind the snow at all.
(Ginger and Leni are both #rescuedogs)
#Bulgaria
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/116/093/664/937/541/000/original/c867fb9ef532a674.mp4

2026-02-15 13:03:25 UTC

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I live in rural Bulgaria. There are no official cat rescue shelters here, just individuals who sometimes rescue and foster cats. (I've adopted cats this way in the past.) And lots of strays looking for homes. I've adopted those, too. It's actaully a very likely scenario that a homeless kitten turns up and tries to move in.:-)

2026-02-15 12:27:01 UTC

Last night, I dreamt that I found a kitten (not my kitten) in my home. It was a gray tabby (like in this picture), very sweet. I decided to keep it.
Then I woke up, realised it was only a dream, and was so disappointed!
#cats #kittens #dream
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/116/074/633/997/543/529/original/9aa8ced14d88962f.png

2026-02-14 16:57:38 UTC

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🙂

2026-02-13 12:07:05 UTC

It's raining heavily.
This is my dog house on my veranda.
This is not my dog. 😆
#dogs #Bulgaria #rescuedog
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/116/063/232/429/217/324/original/8ba4e32333b15f1e.mp4

2025-12-31 19:32:10 UTC

A friend has baked me a traditional #Bulgarian banitsa for New year Banitsa pastry comes in many regional variations with different doughs and shapes. Here in the Yambol Province, they are large and round, with pieces to break off.
#Bulgaria #baking #tradition #NewYear
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/115/815/841/721/152/982/original/b7e21def5a581ee2.jpg

2025-11-04 18:44:57 UTC

Wonderful news! I have a new puppy! Leni, a 3 1/2 month old #rescuedog. After a one-week trial visit, I've committed and adopted her. Leni loves my senior dog Ginger, the cats and me! 😍
#adoptdontshop #puppies #pets #Bulgaria
Full story on my blog.
https://open.substack.com/pub/rayne/p/meet-my-new-puppy-leni-a-sweet-rescued?r=1up7qe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/115/492/902/790/068/889/original/2d774774de8bdf43.jpg

2025-11-04 18:43:13 UTC

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Our heatwave and drouught are over now --- and our region has had disastrous floods. What a year!

2025-08-19 12:54:05 UTC

Rain! Real rain.
After three and a half months of drought, our village has rain at last.
It is very heavy rain. The roof-fed barrels and cisterns filled in an instant.
The plants are saved. And no more wildfires for a while.
Gratitude!
#gratitude #Bulgaria #wildfires #climatechane #weather #europe

2025-08-13 20:54:53 UTC

OMG - Wildfire right here!
My dog Ginger alerted me just in time - and I alerted the fire brigade just in time.
Thanks to Ginger, a catastrophe was averted.
(For those who don't know Ginger: he's a rescue dog I adopted.)
#dogs #wildfire #rescuedog #Bulgaria #gratitude
(full story here - written in a hurry, not proofread) https://open.substack.com/pub/rayne/p/omg-a-wildfire-right-here?r=1up7qe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

2025-07-24 22:51:10 UTC

In this dry weather, bees desperately need water. If you can, put out a bowl of water. Add some stones or bits of wood for the bees to sit on, so they can drink without risk of drowning.
The number of bees coming to my bowls is enormous - see video.
Please don’t give bees sugar water and mashed apple and such. Those cause harm. Clean water is what bees they need.
#permaculture #bees #Bulgaria
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/910/655/053/616/058/original/25d35fa68c9e9ddd.mp4

2025-07-24 22:49:00 UTC

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Sadly, that dog was not right for us. He seemed nice at first, but then showed his true nature. He bullied Ginger, bit my guests, attacked me. (I suspect the fosterer knew all along what the dog was like, but lied.) -- The right dog is somewhere out there. 🙂

2025-06-27 09:03:11 UTC

What do you think? Should I adopt this dog? 😍
Rescued from brutal abuse. German shepherd mix, one-year-old male. Affectionate, gentle, good guard dog, good with cats and other dogs.
Fosterer brought him on a 1-week trial visit.
Day 2, he's very happy, I like him a lot. Even the cats approve of him 🥰 , but alpha dog Ginger doesn't want another dog. Do you think Ginger will come round?
#rescuedog #dogs #adoptdontshop #animals #rescueanimals #Bulgaria
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/754/341/063/178/607/original/4eb820fa09fd0421.jpg

2025-06-24 08:11:50 UTC

In this detailed #interview I answer writing genes, #writing with cats, life in #Bulgaria, tips for #writers and more.
Could you leave a comment on the blog, please?https://bydllewellyn.com/2025/06/22/sunday-spotlight-with-gothic-fantasy-horror-author-and-writing-coach-rayne-hall/
#writingcommunity
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/737/325/338/277/897/original/fdd84520952e7c73.jpg

2025-05-28 17:56:55 UTC

*Winner Reveal*
Winners and runner ups of the writing contest: Gothic short stories created without AI, theme 'Very Cold Weather'.
#Horror author Lee Murray explains the judges' decisions.
https://shorturl.at/vrUql
#writing #writingcommunity #Gothic #Fiction
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/586/742/004/144/270/original/bf79d6cf98e621a5.jpg

2025-05-11 06:19:48 UTC

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Thanks. At the moment, I'm looking for published books, because I want to support indie authors who don't use AI.

2025-05-11 06:14:29 UTC

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Thanks. I'll download the samples of both and see if I enjoy them. 🙂

2025-05-11 05:57:59 UTC

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He's probably not a troll, just someone with a big ego. But you're right, those people exist everywhere. Thanks.

2025-05-11 05:56:39 UTC

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I've downloaded the samples of several books, including yours. I don't know yet whether it's to my personal taste or not. That's the great thing about samples: every reader can get a taste of interesting books and then choose what suits them best.

2025-05-11 05:55:19 UTC

I've downloaded samples and enjoy choosing. I'd welcome more suggestions.
But please: suggestions only. No tantrums if I don't choose your book.
#writing #reading #ReadingCommunity #books #noai
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/487/646/979/901/478/original/4c2433fcf66d9888.png

2025-05-11 05:51:45 UTC

Do some people come here purely to find something to take offense?
A smut author took offense because I said I personally don't enjoy reading smut.
The context: I asked for recommendations for books to buy, and listed the genres I enjoy. He suggested his own smut book, I courteously declined.
#writing #writingcommunity #writerslife #writinglife #courtesy
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/487/632/185/400/603/original/1192f22a287bf5f4.png

2025-05-11 05:33:45 UTC

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Huh? What diss? So you take offense when a reader says she personally chooses not to read smut?

2025-05-10 20:23:55 UTC

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Yes, sadly, there's a lot of Intellectual Property Theft going on with AI. I've had more than 20 of my books stolen and regurgitated by AI - and that's just the ones I know of.
It's good if Adobe obtained the creators' consent and paid them. That's fair.

2025-05-10 20:18:10 UTC

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Thanks. You're right, that's not what I personally enjoy reading, so I'll pass those.

2025-05-06 19:14:02 UTC

The contest results of the short story contest 'without AI use' will be announced soon. Judges include authors Lee Murray, Barbara Büchner, Tracie McBride.
The shortlisted writers have already been notified.
#writing #writingcommunity #writers #noai #writingcontests
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/462/478/322/885/088/original/180860d2e88445b7.png

2025-04-24 17:51:50 UTC

As a German, I used to wonder why the Germans, including my grandparents, kept supporting Hitler even when things got worse and worse?
The truth was staring them in the face, so why didnt they oust the Nazis while they still had the chance?
Now I know. They chose to close their eyes to the facts because they liked the government propaganda and simply wanted it to be true.
Rayne Hall, 24 April 2025.
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/394/207/401/542/354/original/df5ced5db2871234.jpg

2025-03-23 22:11:07 UTC

Suggestions welcome. I like fiction of all genres, especially Gothic, Fantasy, Horror, Historical, with vivid interesting settings.
Absolutely no AI. I support real authors who do real work, not AI-enabled theft.
#writing #writingcommunity #noai #reading #readingcommunity
(please share)
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/214/031/610/983/063/original/f061de3756ae3590.png

2025-02-16 13:01:49 UTC

The non-AI writing contest has now closed. The judges are evaluating the entries.
Thanks for submitting.
#writing #writingcommunity #writingcontest
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/114/013/689/096/369/315/original/54e1474fcdb50e86.png

2025-02-13 19:48:12 UTC

Don't forget to submit your story before the deadline (15 February).
Full information and rules here: https://www.raynehall.com/writing-contests
#writing #writingcommunity #writingcontest
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/113/998/304/994/853/107/original/f8a78206f2cb618c.png

2024-11-23 11:42:26 UTC

“If you choose to promote your politics or religion, do it respectfully, without attacking or besmirching others.” - Rayne Hall
#tolerance #respect
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/113/532/077/583/968/832/original/4d5739f52dff9386.jpg

2024-11-23 11:32:45 UTC

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Have you actually read the detailed alt texts I've crafted for many, many toots?
Or are you simply a complainer who seeks things to complain about?

2024-11-23 09:32:05 UTC

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I didn't think this particular message required alt text.
I've written many detailed alt texts, and not once have I had a response from a sight-impaired person. So it feels like a waste of my time.
Are you sight impaired? Then I'll be glad to describe the picture for you, especially if you ask courteously.

2024-11-23 08:39:30 UTC

My next newsletter will go out in a few hours.
#writing #Bulgaria #permaculture #Gardening #Cats #Rescuecats #writingcommunity
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/113/531/364/829/818/336/original/daa86b705bf3985b.png

2024-11-23 08:37:57 UTC

#WritersCoffeeClub 23/11: Do you write under a pseudonym? Would you?
Yes, 'Rayne Hall' is a pseudonym.
Years ago, friend had a dream in which I was a successful author a with this name. This seemed a good omen.
Also, 'Rayne Hall' is unusual and memorable, yet easy to pronounce and spell. It's short, and can be printed in big letters on book covers.
I also like that people don't immediately know whether it's male or female.
#writing #writingcommunity #WritingLife #Writerslife

2024-11-23 08:30:58 UTC

#WordWeavers 23. What comforts your antagonist?
(This is for a different story I'm also working on at the moment. In this story, the protagonist and the antagonist are both 'grey' characters, a blend of good and evil.)
Although she knows that she won't survive the night, she finds comfort in knowing that she has brought down her opponent.

2024-11-23 08:27:17 UTC

#WordWeavers 23. What comforts your antagonist?
Human contact. The naive friendship of a woman who recently moved to the neighbourhood and doesn't yet know who he is and what he does.

2024-11-23 08:22:56 UTC

Although the gardening year is coming to a close, and most plants in my garden have died down or gone to sleep for the winter, I still have some roses.
This variety is 'New Dawn'.
#gardening #roses #rosegardening #permaculture #flowergardening #Bulgaria
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/113/531/296/293/574/929/original/20a66bb654edecee.jpg

2024-10-14 17:57:54 UTC

Short Story Writinng Contest - Without AI
For real writers who can write their own stories. 😃
Theme: 'Very Cold Weather'.
Any length.
No entry fee.
Prizes. (First prize: 200 Euro - 223 US$)
Full details here:
https://www.raynehall.com/writing-contests
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/113/307/062/013/999/425/original/f232415315ee3ff7.png

2024-09-27 09:18:10 UTC

#WordWeavers
What makes my MC and antagonist work together?
The antagonist needs a living human to to interact on his behalf with the community, i.e. to do the shopping, so he doesn't get found out.
For this, the newly arrived foreigner is perfect, because she doesn't now local customs and has no clue about the existence of the undead.
MC is penniless in a foreign country and desperate. The neighbour's offer of meals & money in return for shopping seems a godsend.
#writing #writingcommunity

2024-09-27 09:04:33 UTC

#wordweavers 27. If your antagonist had three wishes from a genie, what would they be?
1. To be able to reveal himself to his great-greatgrandson
2. To understand modern life better, so he could pass for a living person
3. That he could again have a dog who would not fear him
#writing #writingcommunity

2024-09-27 07:20:39 UTC

My next newsletter will go out in a few hours.
#Writing, #Pets, Life in #Bulgaria and announcement of a non-AI writing competition
https://rayne.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/113/208/298/444/582/048/original/8979f8b1327eeb03.png

2024-08-24 17:28:19 UTC

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Reply @npub14yg…7xzq @npub1jeu…84ap
Red boots make most noise?
That's how I read your haiku
at first. You mean leaves?
#haiku

2024-08-24 14:02:00 UTC

https://rayne.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/113/017/363/963/142/621/original/44f9571c7ee306f0.jpg

2024-08-09 06:51:24 UTC

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Then I'm glad I posted about the experience. 😀

2024-08-08 22:18:21 UTC

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😃

2024-08-08 22:17:07 UTC

In a world of AI, bots and fakes, Rayne Hall will always be real. 😃
#writing #writingcommunity #writinglife
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/112/928/705/238/595/129/original/b41ed1fd724a72a1.jpg

2024-08-08 21:07:05 UTC

After recuing a cricket that was stuck between window glass and fly screen, I gave it first a drop of water and then a crushed grape.
It loved the grape and didn't stop eating! I was happy to watch its joy, and was able to fetch my phone to film it and share.
#Bulgaria #insects #wildlife #permaculture
https://cdn.masto.host/writing/media_attachments/files/112/928/430/589/824/964/original/594ccb78ed77d13f.mp4