And in the continuing saga of "Charles Darwin speaks directly to my soul on his bad days" I present to you these excerpts from actual letters he actually wrote to actual people, please enjoy:)
Claire Lomas
@clairelomas.bsky.social
Books (reading and writing) *Winner WriteMentorAwards 25 | Highly Commended Yeovil 24 | SL Wells 24 | SL Guppy 2023 | Honorary Mention UV2024* @TheGEAcademy alumni. Ex-lawyer. Music teacher 🎶
This mural has gone up in Kingston, ostensibly for Christmas but AI has ensured it's actually to celebrate the return of our dark lord Cthulhu
I genuinely can’t quite believe this! 😮🏆 Thank you to @write-mentor.bsky.social for this brilliant opportunity, and to David Higham Associates for judging. I really am in the best company on both the Long and Shortlist, and I salute my fellow writers! 🤩🙌😍 #WritingCommunity #kidlit #believe ✨
WriteMentor@write-mentor.bsky.social · last yr.WriteMentor is delighted to announce the winners of its 2025 Novel and Picture Book Awards, judged by David Higham Associates, which showcases new writing talent in both children’s and adult fiction.
This was such a great day! Lovely to work with Sara and spend time with a roomful of talented and generous writers 🥰🤩
Sara Grant@authorsaragrant.bsky.social · last yr.What could be better? A day spent with writers sharing my favourite exercises & tips on how to revise a novel at the Limehouse Library Hotel. The energy & talent in the room was inspiring. I love doing virtual events but you can’t beat the synergy and connections that are only possible in real life!
Schools, it’s here! Today’s Programme for Schools is streaming free online, offering a world of different experiences. Join us! www.hayfestival.org/schools
So surprised and pleased to make this shortlist 🥰 It means a lot 🥹 Thanks to all @write-mentor.bsky.social
The Gilded Age thing I was not fully expecting about our century’s was Spiritualism coming back???
the beggars out of here getter@milesklee.bsky.social · last yr.“The whole thing feels like Black Mirror.” “He would listen to the bot over me.” “It gave my husband the title of ‘spark bearer’ because he brought it to life.” Relationships are being destroyed thanks to spiritual mania, supernatural delusions, and arcane prophecy — all fueled by AI chatbots:
Just spotted the swifts returning here in Warwickshire this morning! Too high and tiny in the sky to photograph. But they are BACK!! 💙💙
So excited to collect @annalieseavery.bsky.social’s new book The Wycherleys from Waterstones this morning!! How gorgeous?!💜💜
Really enjoyed this unsettling little gem by @orlaowenwriting.bsky.social It’s one of those books that lingers in the back of your mind, long after you lay it down. Not surprised to hear it has been longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award 2025.
being an indie bookseller in the helltimes has felt both very stable and very stabilizing, and part of me wishes everyone could be on my side of the counter for a little while, because I think it would help some of you be a little less cynical and doomy right now. so here is my VERY anecdotal data:
An interesting and important read.
Oisín McGann@oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 2y agoI have an article in The Bookseller about the drop in our ability to read at length and in depth, what the children's publishing industry is trying to do about it – and why the answer can't just be comics. www.thebookseller.com/comment/pull...
Freddie Mercury didn't go into the studio and nail the vocals for "The Show Must Go On" in one take while dying of AIDS for you to despair and give up now. Take the time you need, but then get up and get back out there. The show must go on.
After playing a fictional member of the Resistance a long time ago, I never could have imagined it ever happening in real life, but here we are.
Delaney King (She/Her/Whomst)@delaneyking.bsky.social · 2y agoMark Hamill posting rebellious content in a battle against a dictator and his robotic sidekick is the most Star Wars shit ever.
Exciting news! 🥳 ‘Fyn Carter and the Agents of Eromlos’ has been shortlisted in the Selfies Book Awards 2025 Children’s category! I am so happy, stunned, and excited! (1/2) @bookbrunch.bsky.social #selfiesbookawards #kidlit #middlegradebooks #fyncarter
Cuts to audio drama at rhe BBC are a real concern. Please read and consider signing. chng.it/cZQT4cxyxt
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Save Audio Drama at the BBC
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The deep cultural cost of British university job cuts Arts and humanities are being hit hardest by cuts in higher education, write Prof Thea Pitman and Prof Emma Cayley www.theguardian.com/education/20...
The deep cultural cost of British university job cuts | Letters
Letters: Arts and humanities are being hit hardest by cuts in higher education, write Prof Thea Pitman and Prof Emma Cayley, and Dr Ronan McLaverty-Head and another letter writer comment on cuts at Ca...
theguardian.com
In 1647 the city of York unsuccessfully petitioned parliament for a university, warning of the harm of a north south divide and the “ignorance of illiterate men, through whom that sad proverbe is fulfilled upon us: the blinde leade the blinde and both fall into the ditch.”
Many years ago when I was an editor I went to my boss and asked why we were allowing ourselves to become so reliant on Amazon...I suggested that publishers could mutually invest in a central bookselling website where orders were sent direct to relevant hubs and the amount we'd save because...
Thrilled to announce next week the publication of a centenary edition of The Great Gatsby, with the fine folks at @cambridgeup.bsky.social. I wrote the introduction, and the maestro James LW West III edited the authoritative text. I think it is a thing of beauty. www.cambridge.org/core/books/c...
The Cambridge Centennial Edition of The Great Gatsby
Cambridge Core - Literary Texts - The Cambridge Centennial Edition of The Great Gatsby
cambridge.org
Well, this is a surprise! I was over the moon just to be on the shortlist, but this is nuts. Makes up for waking up at 5am with a migraine! I’m off to try and digest this over a large Americano. Meanwhile, check out the other category winners! Honoured and chuffed to be amongst them! x
I'm so delighted to share the amazing cover for I AM RAVEN, coming 10th April! With brilliant illustration from #KaritasGunnirsdottir and design by #RayTierney, I can't wait to see it out in the world! 🐦⬛ @nosycrow.bsky.social #KidLitUK #IAmRaven #FlightOrFight alastairc.com/blog/2025012...
I Am Raven cover reveal!
The cover for Alastair Chisholm's new sci-fi adventure, I AM RAVEN, has been revealed.
alastairc.com
Just read King of Nothing and Steady for this by Nathanael Lessore and I cannot tell you how much I loved both books. Fresh and authentic, genuinely hilarious, charming and thoughtful. Excellent for young teens. Such a gap for this age group and these books are perfect 💜
“The fear is that as they disappear – mainstream universities are also cutting their creative arts courses – a drama school training will become once again the preserve of the wealthiest who can afford to pay to go to private institutions.” www.theguardian.com/education/20... (1/2)>
‘National catastrophe’: drama school funding crisis in England sparks concern
Actors Samuel West and Paapa Essiedu join calls for urgent action to protect and expand access to arts
theguardian.com