Tom Shiels
@itstomshiels.bsky.social
Writer of reflective essays on memory, music, and place. Attempting to live slower in the middle of the chaos. Irish living in West Yorkshire. https://storiessongsseasons.substack.com
I’m back on BBC Upload this Saturday (1 August). Tune in across BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio Humberside or stream live on BBC Sounds from 6pm. I'll be talking to Hannah about the good old VHS tape, and reading from the piece 'Internet killed the video star.’
We've only gone and done it! Pre-orders for the limited edition of Stories. Songs. Seasons. are now sold out. Thank you all for the incredible support so far. There's still plenty of tickets left for the live event in Leeds in December, more on that in the coming weeks and months. Grá Mór 💚
Just four of these pre-order limited editions left now. Be sure to grab one today if it sounds like something you’d be interested in. 💚
Irish Literary Times@irishlittimes.bsky.social · 2mo agoRooted in memory, place, and music, the essays move between childhood, family, loss, the changing seasons, and growing up in Northern Ireland by Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
This opportunity will not hang about! Sounds like a super book:
Tom Shiels@itstomshiels.bsky.social · 3w agoHappy Wednesday, people. We seem to be stuck at seven pre-orders left of Stories. Songs. Seasons. Can you help make it unstuck? If you're interested in this first, limited, signed and numbered edition grab yours today. If you know people who are into this kind of work, please share. Grà Mór 💚
Happy Wednesday, people. We seem to be stuck at seven pre-orders left of Stories. Songs. Seasons. Can you help make it unstuck? If you're interested in this first, limited, signed and numbered edition grab yours today. If you know people who are into this kind of work, please share. Grà Mór 💚
Irish Literary Times@irishlittimes.bsky.social · 2mo agoRooted in memory, place, and music, the essays move between childhood, family, loss, the changing seasons, and growing up in Northern Ireland by Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
Happy Wednesday, people. We seem to be stuck at seven pre-orders left of Stories. Songs. Seasons. Can you help make it unstuck? If you're interested in this first, limited, signed and numbered edition grab yours today. If you know people who are into this kind of work, please share. Grà Mór 💚
Irish Literary Times@irishlittimes.bsky.social · 2mo agoRooted in memory, place, and music, the essays move between childhood, family, loss, the changing seasons, and growing up in Northern Ireland by Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
For anyone who has ever felt they've been shaped by a place, a song, or a person - this is the book for you. And there's just seven limited edition, signed, and, numbered pre-orders left. Get yours here: storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
Stories. Songs. Seasons.
Stories.
storiessongsseasons.substack.com
There's only seven of these limited edition, signed, and numbered pre-orders left. If it sounds like your cup of tea then be sure to grab one today. 💚
Irish Literary Times@irishlittimes.bsky.social · 2mo agoRooted in memory, place, and music, the essays move between childhood, family, loss, the changing seasons, and growing up in Northern Ireland by Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
Just nine of these left to go now. Can we shift them this weekend? All support appreciated. 💚💚💚
Tom Shiels@itstomshiels.bsky.social · 4mo agoThis has just got real. Stories. Songs. Seasons. collection available to pre-order now. Out December 2026. And if you’re in Leeds, tickets for the live event are available to pre-order now. All info and links here: storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
We’re at 11 now. Getting so close to this being sold out. Get yours here: storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
Stories. Songs. Seasons.
Stories.
storiessongsseasons.substack.com
Tom Shiels@itstomshiels.bsky.social · 4w agoJust 12 limited edition pre-order copies left of my upcoming book. Will you help me get it over the line? 💚
Just 12 limited edition pre-order copies left of my upcoming book. Will you help me get it over the line? 💚
Irish Literary Times@irishlittimes.bsky.social · 2mo agoRooted in memory, place, and music, the essays move between childhood, family, loss, the changing seasons, and growing up in Northern Ireland by Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
Happy Friday, everyone. I’ve set myself the modest target of getting three new pre-order supporters for my upcoming collection of essays this weekend. Will you be one of them? 💚 Please share if you can.
Irish Literary Times@irishlittimes.bsky.social · 2mo agoRooted in memory, place, and music, the essays move between childhood, family, loss, the changing seasons, and growing up in Northern Ireland by Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
Thank you for sharing @irishlittimes.bsky.social. 💚
Irish Literary Times@irishlittimes.bsky.social · 2mo agoRooted in memory, place, and music, the essays move between childhood, family, loss, the changing seasons, and growing up in Northern Ireland by Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
@siobhanmcelduff.bsky.social Hey Siobhán, I've just sent you a short email. I hope you received it but if it's gone into spam will you give me a shout? All the very best.
@itstomshiels.bsky.social has a collection of reflective essays on memory, music, and place storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
Stories. Songs. Seasons.
Stories.
storiessongsseasons.substack.com
This Saturday, I’ll be joining Hannah Sackville-Bryant on BBC Upload to talk about the essay “Tell me there’ll be Saturdays”. Catch it live on BBC Radio Leeds, Sheffield, York, or Humberside, from 6pm-8pm or on the BBC Sounds app. Looking forward to it!
This has just got real. Stories. Songs. Seasons. collection available to pre-order now. Out December 2026. And if you’re in Leeds, tickets for the live event are available to pre-order now. All info and links here: storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...
Stories. Songs. Seasons. (Live event + collection pre-order).
Stories.
storiessongsseasons.substack.com
A setlist from a gig l did with my band "Far From Havana" 22 years ago this summer. It was an outdoor gig and it rained so heavily the audience watched from their cars and beeped their horns in place of clapping. We were as dreadful as our name suggests but we thought we had made it.
A short piece about Saturday's in the 90s - local football, Saturday night TV, and that feeling of belonging that technology seems to be eroding. storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/tell-me-th...
Tell me there'll be Saturdays
The death of Saturday night TV, hipster stomping grounds, and custard creams.
storiessongsseasons.substack.com
I’ve got bacon for sandwiches in the pan, lamb shoulder slow cooking in the oven, lemon cheese cake chilling in the fridge next to an Easter egg. Now I just need some good songs on and the day is complete. Happy Easter Sunday.
My Substack has had a bit of a face lift. Find out more here and follow along for news of what’s coming between now and the end of the year. storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/introducin...
Introducing... Stories. Songs. Seasons.
Reflective essays on memory, music, and place.
storiessongsseasons.substack.com
From the archive, I spoke to Christy Moore a few years ago about the song Lisdoonvarna. Have a read… open.substack.com/pub/itstomsh...
So Hard to Beat... Christy Moore, Lisdoonvarna
"I assumed I’d sing it once and let it off, but it has persisted."
open.substack.com
Sorry to see Irish people still having to put up with this sort of nonsense
Leeds firm boss repeatedly shouted 'potato' at Irish employee
A book-keeper has been awarded more than £23,000 at an employment tribunal in Leeds.
bbc.co.uk
I’ve had the potato thing a few times, but it was sort of good natured and it stopped when I asked for it stop. I know sometimes people want to feel they can relax and joke around, but if someone doesn’t find it funny, then it needs to stop.
If you want there to be more people like Alan Bennett in 21st century Britain, provide funding for local authority arts programmes and restore BBC and Arts Council funding to what it once was!
Shame on Aer Lingus, what kind of price is this for a “saver” flight to Belfast from Leeds and back this weekend?! This is before you even add a bag.
Yorkshire Tea’s sponsorship of Simon Armitage’s ‘Shed’ podcast is genius. I’m up at the kettle every time he asks his guest “shall we have a cup of tea?” And of course, having no Punjana or Barry’s, it’s always Yorkshire.
“Do try to be alive to things all day, not bored or superior to others or critical or clever or full of notions and opinions. Remember that life is eternally passing - for others as for yourself and they too have to endure it in the lonely cell of themselves” - John McGahern, 1961
A few days after my mum’s funeral in Nov, I had an 8 hr ferry journey ahead of me. I was mooching about Waterstones and came across this wonderful book by @seamas.bsky.social. Serendipity. Can’t quite believe I’d never come across his work before, with us both being from Derry. The book is a tonic.
