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Alice Jolly
@alicejolly.bsky.social
Winner of the 2026 Walter Scott prize for 'The Matchbox Girl' (about Dr Asperger) published by Bloomsbury Books in 2025. Rep'd by Eleanor Birne at Rogers, Coleridge, White. Oxford University whistleblower. Active member of Just Stop Oil.
‘Plans to turn British Library’s science and social sciences reading rooms into pay-to-use co-working spaces have divided those who use the space’ As a regular BL user, gonna say this hasn’t ‘divided’ anyone. It’s an awful idea that shouldn’t come to pass But that it’s even mooted speaks volumes
Jonn Elledge@jonnelledge.bsky.social · last wk.well this seems bad metro.co.uk/2026/11/03/b...
"Publishers have always seen authors as a bit of a nuisance, and now there’s a desire to make us obsolete,” says one bestselling Big Five author. “What’s fascinating to me is that in the process of trying to make authors obsolete by using AI, the publishers are rendering themselves obsolete.”
Adam Morgan@adamm0rgan.bsky.social · 2w agoFor @wired.com, I spoke with Macmillan and PRH staff about AI at the rest of the Big Five. I also spoke with bestselling authors who've gone to "war" with publishers over AI use and are now demanding disclosures and threatening to leave their publishers altogether. www.wired.com/story/macmil...
I'm disappointed in a few authors for distorting the facts about generative AI to be conciliatory in ways that are not helpful to the creative community. Also, how do they use AI in their work and are they being paid in any way, incl consulting gigs and speaking appearances, by AI companies?
What? The problem with AI is that it is built on theft. And many of those who were robbed are the members of the Society of Authors. I have always been a Society of Authors supporters ..... but I can't be a member of an organisation which claims that is OK to use a system created by theft.
Mike Brooks@mikebrooks668.bsky.social · last mo.Anyone who uses generative AI is a sham and a fraud. The Society of Authors has sold us out, abandoned their responsibilities, and can no longer be trusted to represent creatives.
Wtaf? Always remember:”“We see a future where intelligence is a utility, like electricity or water, and people buy it from us on a meter.”
For Sally Carson, #BornOnThisDay in 1902, my thoughts on CROOKED CROSS. A gripping, terrifying novel about the rise of Nazism, the falling apart of a country’s codes of decency and the moral fortitude required to oppose persecution. Frighteningly timely. 💙📚 jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/c...
Crooked Cross by Sally Carson
For a novel first published in 1934, Sally Carson’s Crooked Cross feels remarkably timely, charting, as it does, the rise of Nazism in the early 1930s, the falling apart of a country’s fundamental …
jacquiwine.wordpress.com
94-year-old Jewish human rights barrister, Margaret Owen OBE, arrested under the Terrorism Act outside @labouruk.bsky.social conference. Her crime? Holding a piece of cardboard with the words “I oppose genocide - I support Palestine Action” on it. She was among hundreds doing the same.
Alice Jolly has written an exclusive reading guide to help explore her novel THE MATCHBOX GIRL, whether on your own, as part of a reading group, or in class: www.walterscottprize.co.uk/about-the-pr... #ReadingGuide #WalterScottPrize #BookPrize #HistoricalFiction #BookSky @alicejolly.bsky.social
The op-ed by @stuhennigan.bsky.social challenges Booker Prize judges to look further afield to anoint big-prize winners as heavyweights – he's flying the flag for indie presses. inews.co.uk/culture/book...
The Booker is a shambles - and everyone in publishing knows it
Plenty thought my novel would make the list – it didn't. Here's why I don't give a toss
inews.co.uk
Do look up the outstanding joint winners: Nell Osbourne (Ghost Driver)and Rebecca Grandsen (Figures Crossing the Field towards the Group)
Stu Hennigan@stuhennigan.bsky.social · 3mo agoYes, the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize (formerly Republic of Consciousness) celebrated it's 10th birthday this year, i was on the panel with @susannacrossman.bsky.social and @marinabenjamin.bsky.social www.republicofconsciousness.com
Macron calls crisis meeting as wildfires force 300,000 to flee in Spain and France
Macron calls crisis meeting as wildfires force 300,000 to flee in Spain and France
French official says uncontrolled fires still headed toward Bordeaux, an urban centre of 265,000 people
irishtimes.com
Deeply irresponsible. We're in a climate crisis. This is such a terrible start. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Burnham to announce plans for new North Sea oil and gas drilling
Drilling has become a controversial topic for the Labour party after the 2024 manifesto pledged to not issue new licences.
bbc.co.uk
Will be @hatchards.bsky.social in Piccadilly on Weds 22 July (this week) with Rachel Seiffert and Angela Findlay. 'The Matchbox Girl' @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social and 'Once the Deed is Done' (Virago) both recognised by @walterscottprize.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/alice-joll...
Alice Jolly and Rachel Seiffert at Hatchards, Piccadilly
Alice Jolly and Rachel Seiffert discusses their novels 'The Matchbox Girl' and 'Once the Deed is Done' with Angela Findlay.
eventbrite.co.uk
Thanks @writersreview.bsky.social 3 amazing novels plus equally interesting memoir. Have we heard enough about WW2? No. The true significance of what happened may only be starting to become clear now. Time to ditch the heroes and villains and dig deep into how collaboration and complicity operate.
@writersreview 📚@writersreview.bsky.social · 4mo agoGuest Alice Jolly has won the Walter Scott prize for historical fiction with The Matchbox Girl - here she chooses 4 novels set in/after the Nazi regime in Germany and asks 'What would you have done?' reviewsbywriters.blogspot.com/2026/07/gues... @alicejolly.bsky.social #Nazism #SecondWorldWar
I am seeing more and more stories of this kind and I am cheering all of the way. Time to acknowledge that mainstream publishing is no longer interested in literary fiction - and the small presses are doing a great job of taking up the challenge.
Ian McMillan@imcmillan.bsky.social · 4mo agoGreat to see a celebration of the brilliant And Other Stories press in the Observer!
Why not? Because they stole the work of millions of writers and paid nothing for it ....... but by all means do cosy up to the people who will put you out of work ..... why not?
Dr Ian McCormick@wokestudies.bsky.social · 4mo agoJeannette Winterson: “Every writer can make their own choice. Humans are tool-using animals. That has been our success story. At present all AI, including generative AI, is a tool. Would I work with an LLM? Of course! Why not?” #creativity #novels #writing #authors #fiction #HigherEd
Writers are so grateful for her support of Beeban Kidron in the fight against generative AI. Publishers and agents are not supporting writers but she cares and takes action. THANK YOU!
THE NERVE@thenerve.news · 4mo agoAcclaimed British film-maker, peer and activist Beeban Kidron on why Burnham would do well "put a pin in" the cosy relationship between politicians and big tech - and why Tony Blair is one of the worst offenders. 1/3
Thanks so much @lindasbookbag.bsky.social Linda was very supportive and kind to me when no-one else wanted to know! I don't forget!
Linda Hill@lindasbookbag.bsky.social · 4mo agoMy penultimate The People’s Friend paperback column hits the shelves on 11th July with Katie Fforde @olgawojtas.bsky.social @sarramanning.bsky.social @alicejolly.bsky.social @jennyashcroft.bsky.social Jennifer Ross @orionbooks.bsky.social @bloomsburybooks.bsky.social @saraband-books.bsky.social HQ
So exciting to receive advance copies of the paperback release of The Matchbox Girl, due in the shops on 16 July. @alicejolly.bsky.social
Letter in today's Times by climate scientist Sir Brian Hoskins: "The discourse around net-zero is increasingly decoupled from…science and our changing weather. "Net-zero is not an arbitrary slogan, rather it is dictated by the laws of physics."
Such a painful and brilliant book.
Stu Hennigan@stuhennigan.bsky.social · 5mo agoToday's tome, by another writer reffed in Keshed reviews. Only read Hangover Square by him, which i loved. This comes on high rec from @alicejolly.bsky.social and @hannahfearn.bsky.social so anticipating a similar response. #BookSky 📚
Many thanks to everyone who has sent messages and shared info. Very exciting that 'The Matchbox Girl' @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social won @walterscottprize.bsky.social Many thanks to the judges and to Abbotsford (the home of WALTER SCOTT).
Honoured to see #Prophecy featured in the @financialtimes.com Best summer #books of 2026! Thank you! giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Best summer books of 2026: Environment, Science and Technology
Pilita Clark, Clive Cookson and John Thornhill select their best mid-year reads
giftarticle.ft.com
UK publishing generated £7.4 billion in revenue last year. Compare that to: Premier League football: £6.6 billion Home entertainment: £5.6 billion UK film industry: 2.8 billion Now tell me again why authors don't deserve fair contracts and better pay.
This Sat in Leeds: @alicejolly.bsky.social Naomi Booth & me talking about short stories www.ticketsource.com/leedslibrary...
ticketsource.com