About Sylvia
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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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:
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 Roof4 September 2024
Pole Dancing with the Gods6 May 2024
Transitions (Tartu Prima Vista)7 April 2024
Manuscript Completed18 January 2024
Exploring AI, Ethics and Snarky ConversationSylvia's Books
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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…Aviation
A Concorde Close Call — Not!
29 November 2024
Navigating Instrument Failure at 10,000 Feet
22 November 2024
"I kept my eyes closed": Rudy's adventures in aerobatic flying
15 November 2024
Catalina Night Departure: NTSB Preliminary Report Released
8 November 2024
Airbus A321 Landing Attempt in Typhoon
1 November 2024
Air Crash Investigaion: Meltdown over Kathmandu (S21.E6)
National Geographic (26 April 2021)
ZDF Mythos (14 October 2020)
Air Crash Confidential, Seasons 2 and 3
Discovery Channel (2012, 2018)
«Центральное телевидение» с Вадимом Такменёвым НТВ
Central Television: NTV.ru (28 March 2015)
MALAYSIA AIRLINES Disparition du vol MH370
Channel M6 - France (7 March 2015)
Спасатели снова изменили зону поиска пропавших малайзийских самолетов
Channel 1 News - Russia (30 March 2014)
Events
Jan 2025
Reading Room ResidencyJun 2025
Baltic International Air ShowJul 2025
Estcon 202515 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
18 to 20 July 2025
Estcon 2025
Udu Farm, Jõgevamaa, Estonia
19 to 21 July 2024
Estcon 2024
Udu Farm, Jõgevamaa, Estonia
Exploring AI, Ethics and Snarky Conversation
7 to 11 May 2024
Transitions (SFRA annual conference)
Tartu, Estonia
10 May 15:30-17:00
PresenterNavigating 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
17 to 19 October 2023
AXALP '23 Flugvorführungen der Schweizer Luftwaffe
Axalp, Switzerland
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
PresenterMurderbot: 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
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
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