Sylvia Spruck Wrigley

About Sylvia

Sylvia
Sylvia
Sylvia Spruck Wrigley was born in Germany on the 7th of March 1968. She spent most of her childhood in Los Angeles but escaped at the end of the 1980s. After a few years of drifting, she moved to England where her accent was irretrievably damaged. She somehow ended up in Estonia with no good explanation. You can contact her by email at [email protected].

Newsletter

I'm 55 years old and five foot tall and my knee aches when it rains. I write about embarrassment and passion and anger. I write about conflict. Sometimes that conflict is not wanting to overpay for garlic, other times it's trying to enter a foreign country without any paperwork.

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Press Kit

News

Three Months on a Gull-Infested Roof

17 October 2024

My latest creative nonfiction piece follows a pair of herring gulls who took up residence on the roof outside my window in April and decided it was a good place to raise a family. The story unfolds in three parts:

Part One: Feathered Siege - The invasion begins
Part Two: Fluffy Occupation - Three chicks turn my life upside down
Part Three: The Last Gull Standing - I thought I knew how this story would end. I was wrong.

Available now on the platform of your choice:

  • Substack: Feathered Siege
  • Beehiiv: Feathered Siege
  • Patreon: Feathered Siege


  • Pole Dancing with the Gods

    4 September 2024

    I attended a great show and vary daring show at HUNGR as a part of the Tallinn Fringe and I thought you might enjoy my review, Pole Dancing with the Gods: Norse Mythology for Adults published at Sour Cream and Dill.

    Someone wearing a sheet over their head topped by a pair of antlers slipped towards the stage. The specter carefully polished the pole and disappeared again. The crowd hushed as three women entered the stage area: the elven-eared girl and two others in less identifiable costumes. Was the leather-clad dancer with the pixie cut Freya? Were the angel wings meant to signify a Valkyrie? Each took a turn dancing in front of the pole and then on it. The pole quivered but held steady, even when one woman pulled her way to the very top.

    If you are in Tallinn, I recommend checking out the events in HUNGR. They are a queer-friendly space who are taking the opportunity to do something different.


    Transitions (Tartu Prima Vista)

    6 May 2024

    I am in Tartu! I'm attending Transitions, the 2024 annual conference of the Science Fiction Research Association. Tartu is also hosting Futures Better and Worse as a part of the Tartu Internationa Literary Festival, so it promises to be an action-packed week.

    My presentation will be on Friday, the 10th of May at 15:30.

    Navigating the Final Frontier: The Journey into Old Age in 'Star Trek: Picard'

    This paper explores themes of leadership, legacy, and the human aging process in 'Star Trek: Picard'. Traditionally, Star Trek has suffered from persistent ageist tropes, most blatantly celebrating old age in alien races while depicting human elders as frail, emotionally unstable and unfit for leadership. 'Star Trek: Picard' explores human old age through the character of Jean-Luc Picard, who is forced to confront the challenges of aging: loss, regret and the need for reinvention. As he reunites with the crew of 'The Next Generation', the series has the opportunity to explore many facets of old age and aging across a range of personalities. This analysis focuses on the first series and whether 'Star Trek: Picard' promises a a more nuanced view of old age or reinforces those very stereotypes that have dogged the Star Trek universe from the beginning. The author seeks seeks to contribute a deeper understanding of how popular science fiction influences and reflects societal attitudes towards aging. 'Star Trek: Picard' may not have broken the barriers of ageist stereotypes, but the first series undeniably sets a course for new discussions.

    If you are in Tartu this week for either of the events, please let me know; it'd be great to say hello!


    Manuscript Completed

    7 April 2024

    I've recently returned from a month-long artist residency in Hrísey, a small island in northern Iceland's Eyjafjörður fjord. During this intensive period, I completed the first draft of a new manuscript exploring themes of isolation, adaptation, and finding connection in unexpected places.

    The unique setting - a remote island village with a population of 150, accessible only by ferry - provided the perfect backdrop for deep focus on the work. It took me about a week to get going. I spent a lot of that time sleeping. I needed some time to think my way into the project and work out how to start chipping away at it. I had the workroom to myself and I loved having two walls that I could just cover with my project. I wanted to be able to visualise things because I knew I would struggle without my computer and full-sized monitor.

    I completed a manuscript of 98,000 words which turned out to be a lot more heartfelt and emotional than I had planned. I'm giving it one more pass and then it will begin its journey toward publication.


    Exploring AI, Ethics and Snarky Conversation

    18 January 2024

    I'm pleased that I will be presenting on the subjectof Murderbot and AI at Estcon 2024. The conference is taking place in July at Udu Talu and I will post full details under events.

    This is a fun presentation and I'm pleased for the opportunity to revisit it.


    17 October 2024

    Three Months on a Gull-Infested Roof

    4 September 2024

    Pole Dancing with the Gods

    6 May 2024

    Transitions (Tartu Prima Vista)

    7 April 2024

    Manuscript Completed

    18 January 2024

    Exploring AI, Ethics and Snarky Conversation

    Sylvia's Books

    Pilot Error

    Without a Trace 1970-2017

    Without a Trace 1881-1968

    Why Planes Crash — Case Files: 2003

    Domnall and the Borrowed Child

    The Mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370

    Why Planes Crash — Case Files: 2002

    Why Planes Crash — Case Files: 2001

    You Fly Like a Woman

    Pilot Error

    Pilot Error

    Buckle up for an exhilarating ride through the world of aviation mishaps in Pilot Error! Aviation expert Sylvia Wrigley provides an eye-opening exposé of mistakes made in the cockpit, ranging from comical blunders to catastrophic consequences.

    Read more…

    Without a Trace 1970-2017

    Without a Trace 1970-2017

    The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 in 2014 is considered the greatest aviation mystery of our time but it does not stand alone. How could a military pilot chasing a glowing unidentified object disappear from radar in an instant? How did India's military misplace five fighter jets? Did a young Australian pilot flying over the Australian coast really get abducted by aliens? These questions and more are explored in Volume 2 of Without a Trace.

    Read more…

    Without a Trace 1881-1968

    Without a Trace 1881-1968

    For many, aviation still brings with it an air of mystery, a century-long magic trick. Though most of us will board an aircraft at some point in our lives, we know little about how they work and the procedures surrounding their operation. It is that mystery that makes these losses, such as the vanishing of Malaysia Airlines flight 370, so terrifying.

    Read more…

    Why Planes Crash — Case Files: 2003

    Why Planes Crash — Case Files: 2003

    Why Planes Crash Case Files: 2003 follows eleven aircraft disasters from 2003, detailing how the accidents happened and how they might have been avoided. This "CSI for aviation enthusiasts" series examines both the history and the current climate of aviation to unravel the instigating events which led to these catastrophes.

    Read more…

    Domnall and the Borrowed Child

    Domnall and the Borrowed Child

    The best and bravest faeries fell in the war against the Sluagh, and now the Council is packed with idiots and cowards. Domnall is old, aching and as cranky as they come but, as much as he'd like to retire, he's the best scout the Sithein court has left.

    Read more…

    The Mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370

    The Mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370

    In this age of constant surveillance, it shouldn't be possible to lose a Boeing 777 carrying 239 passengers. It's inconceivable that the aircraft flew for seven hours without anyone noticing that it was up there, completely off track. Yet, that's exactly what happened.

    Read more…

    Why Planes Crash — Case Files: 2002

    Why Planes Crash — Case Files: 2002

    The second book in the Why Planes Crash series covers incidents and accidents in 2002, including two in-flight suicides, the Sknyliv airshow disaster, how to write off a Saab 2000, an aircraft collision over the runway, a dramatic river landing, Air China 129’s flight into a Korean mountain, and finally, an in-depth view of the Überlingen mid-air collision.

    Read more…

    Why Planes Crash — Case Files: 2001

    Why Planes Crash — Case Files: 2001

    This, the first of the series, deconstructs eleven of the most interesting incidents that the world saw in the year 2001. These include a detailed analysis of the disastrous runway incursion at Linate, the passenger interference leading to the Avjet Aspen Crash and why an Airbus A300 disintegrated over Queens.

    Read more…

    You Fly Like a Woman

    You Fly Like a Woman

    Getting a pilot's licence was the furthest thing from her mind – until an ex-RAF instructor suggested that she wasn't competent to do so. The thing is, he could be right. Sylvia has just a few weeks to prove that she can fly as well as any man.

    Read more…

    Events

    Jan 2025

    Reading Room Residency

    Jun 2025

    Baltic International Air Show

    Jul 2025

    Estcon 2025

    15 to 23 Jan 2025

    Reading Room Residency

    London, England

    15 to 17 January 2025

    The British Library


    21 to 22 January 2025

    V&A Art Library


    14 to 15 June 2025

    Baltic International Air Show

    Riga, Latvia

    Press


    18 to 20 July 2025

    Estcon 2025

    Udu Farm, Jõgevamaa, Estonia


    19 to 21 July 2024

    Estcon 2024

    Udu Farm, Jõgevamaa, Estonia

    Presenter
    Exploring AI, Ethics and Snarky Conversation


    7 to 11 May 2024

    Transitions (SFRA annual conference)

    Tartu, Estonia

    10 May 15:30-17:00

    Presenter
    Navigating the Final Frontier: The Journey into Old Age in 'Star Trek: Picard'

    Lossi 3-326


    1 to 31 March 2024

    Old School Hrísey Residency

    Hrísey, Iceland

    Writer in Residence


    17 to 19 October 2023

    AXALP '23 Flugvorführungen der Schweizer Luftwaffe

    Axalp, Switzerland

    Attendee


    15 to 19 August 2023

    Disruptive Imaginations Joint Annual Conference

    Dresden, Germany

    15 August 18:00-19:30

    Chair: "Future Work"

    ABS/114


    17 August 09:30-11:00

    Presenter
    Murderbot: Exploring AI, Ethics, and Snarky Conversations

    ABS/114


    17 August 11:15-12:45

    Chair: "Human-Machine Disruptions"

    ABS/214


    18 August 13:45-15:15

    Roundtable discussion: "Disruptors to full!"

    Main auditorium


    21 to 23 July 2023

    Estcon 2023

    Udu Farm, Jõgevamaa, Estonia

    monthly 2022-2023

    Tell Me A Story

    Heldeke! Tallinn, Estonia

    Storyteller


    5 February 2023

    Narrative, Creative, Lyrical Flash

    Rambo Academy for Wayword Writers

    5 February 2023 9:30-11:30 Pacific

    Instructor


    7 to 8 January 2023

    Coffee and Cigarettes Improv Comedy

    Tallinn, Estonia

    11 to 13 December 2021

    Iceswim festival

    Noblessner Harbour, Tallinn, Estonia

    11 December 2021 17:10 (UTC+2)

    Swimmer: Men vs. Women relay race


    12 December 2021

    Swimmer: 25 metre breast stroke


    3 December 2021

    Tell Me A Story

    Heldeke! Tallinn, Estonia

    3 December 2021 19:00 to 21:00 (UTC+2)

    Storyteller


    16 to 18 July 2021

    Estcon 2021

    Udu Farm, Jõgevamaa, Estonia

    22 to 24 June 2021

    Gender and Age/Aging in Popular Culture

    University of Graz, Austria (virtual)

    24 June 2021 11:30 - 12:45 (UTC+2)

    Presenter: Old Age and Aging as Represented in Star Trek


    2 to 4 October 2020

    Futuricon (EuroCon 2020)

    Rijeka, Croatia (virtual)

    3 October 2020 13:20 - 13:55 (UTC+2)

    Presenter: To Oldly Go


    17 to 19 July 2020

    Estcon 2020

    Udu Farm, Jõgevamaa, Estonia

    18 August 2020

    Presenter: To Oldly Go


    22 to 25 August 2019

    TitanCon (EuroCon 2019)

    Belfast, UK

    24 August 2019 10:50 - 11:30

    Presenter: Throw Grandma out the Airlock

    Lagan A, Hilton Belfast


    23 August 2019 16:00 - 17:00

    Moderator: Game of Thrones series retrospective


    15 to 19 August 2019

    Worldcon 77

    Dublin, Ireland

    15 August 2019 13:30 - 14:20

    Presenter: Pushing Grandma out the Airlock

    Odeon 5 (Point Square, Dublin)


    17 August 2019 12:00 - 12:50

    Moderator: Invisible Work: Mothers and Caretakers in SFF

    Wicklow Hall 1 (CCD)


    19 August 2019 10:00 - 10:50

    Panellist: Anniversary: Alcock and Brown

    ECOCEM Room (CCD)


    19 August 2019 13:00 - 13:50

    Autographing

    Level 4 Foyer (CCD)


    19 to 21 July 2019

    Estcon 2019

    Udu Farm, Jõgevamaa, Estonia

    21 July 2019 13:00 - 14:00

    Presenter:
    Vanaemad ulmes (Grandmothers in SF)


    5 to 7 July 2019

    Finncon

    Jyväskylä, Finland

    6 July 2019 15:00 - 16:00

    Presenter:
    Gender, race, and humanity in speculative fiction
    Old Women in Science Fiction


    6 to 8 December 2018

    Worlding SF

    University of Graz, Austria

    6 December 15:30 - 17:00

    Chair:
    B4: Sex and Gender


    8 December 16:00 - 17:30

    Presenter:
    G3: Age and Aging
    Throw Grandma out the Airlock
    The Representation of Old Women in Science Fiction


    13 to 15 July 2018

    Estcon 2018

    Udu Farm, Jõgevamaa, Estonia

    Guest of Honour


    9 to 13 August 2017

    Worldcon 75

    Helsinki, Finland

    9 August 16:00

    Book Signing

    Signing Area


    10 August 15:00

    Moderator: Motivation Methods

    Room 206


    10 August 19:00

    Flash Fiction Online

    Room 206


    12 August 17:00

    Moderator: Building You Own Writing Retreat

    Room 215


    14 to 18 August 2014

    Worldcon 72

    London, UK

    16 August 16:30

    Moderator: From Indie to AAA

    Capital Suite 16


    17 August 11:00

    Lizard Wizards in Space

    Capital Suite 1


    6 to 9 April 2012

    Eastercon

    Heathrow, UK

    9 April 17:00 - 18:00

    Social Media in SF

    Royal A+C



    Other Publications

    Essays

    Short stories

    Translations

    Short Stories
    Cyberjunk
    Nature magazine – August 2023
    In response to your request for a modification to the atmosphere of break bulk cargo hold 17
    Nature magazine – November 2022
    Hoist by her own Picard
    Nature magazine – April 2021
    The Choices You Make
    If This Goes On – October 2018
    Two lists discovered folded in the wallet of space explorer Jorge Finnegan after the Reliant wreckage was recovered from Tau Ceti e
    Daily Science Fiction – February 2017
    To Catch a Comet
    Galaxy's Edge – March 2016
    Ten Surefire Steps to Romance for the Workaholic Commuter Who Doesn't Make Time for His Social Life
    Daily Science Fiction – February 2016
    Project Daffodil
    Nature magazine – January 2016
    The Sex Adventurer’s Handbook to Kuiper Belt Resorts
    Expanded Horizons – November 2015
    A Foregone Conclusion (with Connor Wrigley)
    Jetpack
    Daily Science Fiction – March 2015
    Tea for Two
    SF Comet – November 2014
    Alienated
    Nature magazine – October 2014
    There and Back Again
    Daily Science Fiction – September 2014
    Space Travel Loses its Allure When You’ve Lost Your Moon Cup
    Crossed Genres – July 2014
    A Long Way from Home
    Nature Futures – July 2014
    You Only Live Once
    Postmark Andromeda
    When the Selkie Comes
    Daily Science Fiction – September 2013
    Going All the Way
    Every Day Fiction – June 2013
    Alive, Alive Oh
    Lightspeed – June 2013
    Vintage Millennial Cookery InfoManual by the Geusian Ladies Society
    Crossed Genres – May 2013
    The Front Line
    Nature Futures – May 2013
    When You Come Back Again
    Kazka Press – February 2013
    A Mother's Love
    Crimson Fog – February 2013
    Old Flames
    Daily Science Fiction – November 2012
    Looking for a Knight in Shining Armor
    Daily Science Fiction – November 2011
    Excerpts from the Geusian Ladies Society Food InfoManual
    Foreign Flavours – October 2011
    Plague of Locusts
    Call It Even
    Long and Short Reviews – July 2010
    Steven's Dragon
    Time Goes By – January 2009
    Meat Market
    Boston Literary Magazine – December 2008
    Darren is Updating his Facebook Status
    Every Day Fiction – October 2008
    The Banshee
    Every Day Fiction – September 2008
    Just a Few Miles from Galway
    MicroHorror – January 2008
    Café Crème
    Lily – December 2004
    Translations
    Catalan
    The Front Line
    Catarsi – November 2014
    Chinese
    Tea for Two
    SF Comet – November 2014
    Croatian
    The Front Line
    Parsek – May 2015
    La Paella
    Eridan – May 2015
    Dutch
    The Front Line
    Wonderwaan – October 2014
    Estonian
    French
    Galician
    Polish
    The Front Line
    Szortal – September 2015
    A Letter From Your Mother
    Szortal – September 2015
    Portugese
    Romanian
    Alive, Alive Oh
    Fantastica – Summer 2014
    The Front Line
    Fantastica – September 2013
    Russian
    Spanish