Share UK
@share-uk.bsky.social
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Retrieving women from the dustbin of history. ✊✨ Join the movement!
https://linktr.ee/shareuk
Very much looking forward to speaking at this tomorrow, talking about The Foundling Hospital's wet nurses, amongst other things! Do register if you haven't already done so.
add a skeleton here at some point
13 days ago
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Join me at the official launch of my new book - Great Women of London
@waterstones.bsky.social
*in Walthamstow* at 6.30pm on Tuesday 30th June. Contact the store to book you free place >>
www.waterstones.com/events/book-...
18 days ago
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Try before you buy - read an extract from my new book - Great Women of London - in The Waltham Forest Echo, featuring lesbian suffragette and queer Quaker, Eva Slawson.
walthamforestecho.co.uk/2026/06/05/t...
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The Waltham Forest rebel who challenged notions of womanhood in Edwardian Britain
Social historian Esther Freeman tells the story of Eva Slawson, one of many female Londoners who rebelled against patriarchy in the early 1900s
https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/2026/06/05/the-waltham-forest-rebel-who-challenged-notions-of-womanhood-in-edwardian-britain/
26 days ago
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Roman Road in Bow, East London has a rich history. But one fish and chip shop has an unusual past. Discover its links to the suffragettes. This mini walking tour is taken from my new book, Great Women of London. Buy it now at:
bit.ly/greatwomenlo...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT2q...
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The hidden history of this fish and chip shop in Bow
YouTube video by Women Activists of East London
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT2q1iRk25c
about 1 month ago
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Ethel Froud was one of the most important teachers of the 20th century - yet nobody seems to have heard about her.
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/the-femini...
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The feminist teacher who tore up the rule book
#OTD Ethel Froud died, and we lost one of the most brilliant and radical teachers this country has known
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/the-feminist-teacher-who-tore-up
about 2 months ago
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I've started a new series of mini walking tours over on our You Tube channel. Visit and learn about some local history without needing to leave your house (I've suffered the wind and pollen so you don't have to!). Follow the link to WATCH and SUBSCRIBE
youtu.be/MXny6qLj4mU
about 2 months ago
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Happy 150th birthday to the telephone, which in its early days caused a moral panic about women talking to men in their pyjamas!
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/how-the-te...
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How the telephone corrupted women
It's 150 years since the invention of the telephone. While today our moral panic focuses on the ways phones might be harming young people, back then the hysteria was about women.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/how-the-telephone-corrupted-women
about 2 months ago
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Discover the story behind my new book - Great Women of London. Out now!
www.transformreads.com/the-story-be...
about 2 months ago
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Delighted to become a member of The Historical Writers Association who produce
@historia-hwa.bsky.social
You can see my profile here>>
historicalwriters.org/writer/esthe...
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Esther Freeman
https://historicalwriters.org/writer/esther-freeman/
about 2 months ago
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Great talk. Thanks so much!
add a skeleton here at some point
about 2 months ago
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It's 100 years since the General Strike. As usual, the stories of women have been excluded from this landmark moment in history. Yet they were there and their role was important. Disocver more on my Substack.
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/the-women-...
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The women of the 1926 General Strike
In May 1926, Britain's first and only General Strike began. Although often told through the eyes of men, women were there too, and their role was significant.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/the-women-of-the-1926-general-strike
about 2 months ago
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My new book - Great Women of London - is out now. Expect stories of lesbian suffragettes, a 103 year old Iraq war protestors and the women who brought down the BNP. Buy your copy here:
share-uk-109210.square.site
2 months ago
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It's time for a Bechdel Test for Jews. I can not watch another Holocaust movie where they are simply voiceless victims! It's insulting, and historically inaccurate, as the badass Jewesses in my latest Substack prove.
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/why-we-nee...
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Why we need a Bechdel Test for movies about the Holocaust
How we need to fix the representation of Jews in historical dramas.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/why-we-need-a-bechdel-test-for-movies
3 months ago
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@gregjenner.bsky.social
I'm currently writing about Amy Ashwood Garvey. Have you ever thought about doing an episode on her? Thought it would be a good one for
@athenakugblenu.bsky.social
as Amy was friends with Madam C J Walker (and also Ida B wells). Far less well known than them though, I think.
3 months ago
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#OTD
in 1860, Emily Hobhouse was born in St. Ives in Cornwall. From this sleepy costal town, she went on to became one of the biggest thorns in Lord Kitchener’s side, earning her the title of, “that bloody woman!” Find out why in my latest Substack.
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/the-woman-...
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The woman who exposed the British concentration camps
Lord Kitchener was considered a war hero, but a vicar's daughter took him on, exposing his role in one of Britain's most shameful moments in history.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/the-woman-who-exposed-the-british
3 months ago
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Discover the real meaning of International Women's Day on my latest Substack. It has nothing to do with wellness workshops, craft markets or even celebrating women.
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/this-is-th...
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This is the TRUE meaning of International Women's Day
International Women's Day has been taken over by the capitalists, making it more like Mother's Day than its original concept.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/this-is-the-true-meaning-of-international-c9a
4 months ago
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Decades before the Women's Liberation Movement began their fight for reproductive justice, a poor Jewish woman in London's East End was advocating for women's right to bodily autonomy. Yet virtually nobody has ever heard of this trailblazer.
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Milly Witkop: forgotten hero of women's reproductive justice
#OTD in 1877 Milly Witkop was born. Trade unionist, anarchist and feminist trailblazer, she was advocating for reproductive justice decades before Gloria Steinham put on a pair of aviator glasses
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/milly-witkop-forgotten-hero-of-womens?r=4s8jes&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true
4 months ago
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A recent trip to 1066 country left me thinking a lot about how we teach history in schools, and how the stories of ordinary people are often so much more relatable than Kings & Queens. My thoughts on my latest Substack.
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To excite young people about history we need less kings and queens and more everyday people
As the numbers taking History GCSE continues to decline, it's time to rethink how we can make history feel relevant and interesting to young people again.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/to-excite-young-people-in-history
4 months ago
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#otd
in 1943, Sophie Scholl from the White Rose movement was executed for spreading anti-Nazi propaganda. Before her death she said: "Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go, but what does my death matter, if through us, thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?"
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Our WW2 narratives have silenced all stories of German resistance, except one.
On this day in 1943, Sophie Scholl of the White Rose movement was executed for spreading anti-Nazi propaganda. But she wasn't the only German who resisted.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/our-ww2-narratives-have-silenced
4 months ago
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We're delighted to be working with The London Archives to run one of our women's writing circles for Women's History Month. Join us to explore stories from the archives related to fabulous London women, then free write, journal or use creative writing techniques to go deeper with the history.
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Women’s Writing Circle with Share UK
Join us for a writing workshop during Women's History Month,
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/womens-writing-circle-with-share-uk-tickets-1975406834017
5 months ago
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I didn't mean for this week's Substack post to come out quite so gloomy. But with the release of the Epstein files - during Sexual Violence Awareness Week no less - that has been the overwhelming mood.
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/from-17th-...
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From 17th century rape victims to the Epstein files - when will men start believing women?
The release of the Epstein files shows we've made little progress in believing female sexual abuse victims since Artemisia Gentileschi's rape trial in the 17th century.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/from-17th-century-rape-victims-to
5 months ago
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I heard the story of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti over Christmas and fell in love. She forced British colonial rulers to back down with the power of the sisterhood. If you thought Riot Women was a powerful representation of older women, wait til you hear this.
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/vengeance-...
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Vengeance of the Vagina Head
In the late 1940s, women in Nigeria gathered to resist an unfair tax, where they took the idea of the protest song to a whole new level
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/vengeance-of-the-vagina-head
5 months ago
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To celebrate International Day of Education, I'm sharing an abridged extract from my forthcoming book, Kitchen Resistance, about the free school meals pioneer, Margaret McMillan.
#internationaldayofeducation
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/kitchen-re...
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Kitchen Resistance extract: Free school meals pioneer
To celebrate International Day of Education, I'm sharing an abridged extract from my forthcoming book, Kitchen Resistance, about the free school meals pioneer, Margaret McMillan.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/kitchen-resistance-extract-free-school
5 months ago
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There are so many anniversaries this year, some of them really important. Check out my latest Substack post for a round up, including events taking place to mark them.
open.substack.com/pub/estherfr...
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The year of the anniversary
There are a number of big anniversaries this year, with commemorative events across the country.
https://open.substack.com/pub/estherfreeman/p/the-year-of-the-anniversary?r=4s8jes&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
6 months ago
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Wet nurses at the Foundling Hospital were known for their compassion, upholding the highest levels of child welfare. So why does the boy on the right look like he's about to cry? Find out the story behind the photo with my talk
@voicesofmotherhood.bsky.social
on 5th Feb.
bit.ly/voicesofmoth...
6 months ago
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Excited to launch our new pilot project - The Writers Corner - a peer support community for under-represented writers. Join us if you want more time and space to write, get feedback on your work or to develop your craft. Book here:
shareuk.eventbrite.com
6 months ago
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This week disability chief, Tressa Burke, rejected a King's Honour. My latest Substack looks at the history of rejecting the royal award as a political act. From anti-colonalism, to protesting the appeasement of Trump, these small protests can make a big impact.
open.substack.com/pub/estherfr...
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New Year's Honours - REJECTED
Tressa Burke, CEO of Glasgow Disability Alliance, made headlines this week for turning down an MBE. She follows a strong tradition of those who have rejected the royal award.
https://open.substack.com/pub/estherfreeman/p/new-years-honours-rejected?r=4s8jes&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
6 months ago
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Happy Christmas all you history lovers! We'll see you all for more stories, past and present, in 2026! ❤️
6 months ago
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Do you know the full story of Jane Fonda and her activism, and how it links to her exercise videos? Honouring this great woman, who yesterday turned 88 years old.
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/jane-fonda...
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Jane Fonda: The politics behind the pelvic tilt
#OTD in 1937, Jane Fonda was born. You probably think you know her story, yet most only know a small part of it.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/jane-fonda-the-politics-behind-the
7 months ago
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BEST BOOKS OF 2025 Book lovers! Gift ideas or entertainment for yourself this Christmas. With every purchase, Bookshop donate to independent booksellers, and we get a commission to support our work in promoting women's history. Win-win-win!
open.substack.com/pub/estherfr...
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My best books of 2025
The best historical fiction and non-fiction of 2025 ... according to me!
https://open.substack.com/pub/estherfreeman/p/my-best-books-of-2025?r=4s8jes&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
7 months ago
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My piece for London Historians on our latest project - Kitchen Resistance - is out now. Exploring how different waves of migrants to the capital have used food to provide a sense of safety and community during even the most challenging times.
londonhistorians.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/t...
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The History of Food as an Act of Resistance
A guest post by London Historians Member Esther Freeman Over the past year, with a grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, I’ve been researching how women have used food for social justice. …
https://londonhistorians.wordpress.com/2025/11/28/the-history-of-food-as-an-act-of-resistance/
7 months ago
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Today is World AIDS Day. I'm thinking about when Noel Gallagher said he hoped Blur "catch AIDS and die". The whole story is covered by
@msmirandasawyer.bsky.social
in her brilliant book, Uncommon People. I give my hot-take on it all on my Substack.
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/we-shouldn...
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We shouldn't forget how AIDS destroyed a generation of artists
It's World AIDS Day - an important time to remember all the art and culture we lost because of this devastating virus.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/we-shouldnt-forget-how-aids-destroyed
7 months ago
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My second post for
#disabilityhistorymonth
looks at Adelaide Knight - the disability activist who wasn't. Despite her life long health and mobility issues, Adelaide never identified politically as disabled. Discover why in my latest Substack.
open.substack.com/pub/estherfr...
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Adelaide Knight: the disability activist who wasn't
My second post for Disability History Month explores how political identities for disabled people have changed radically over the past 150 years. And not always for the better.
https://open.substack.com/pub/estherfreeman/p/adelaide-knight-the-disability-activist
7 months ago
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V. sad to hear the news that author, Marina Lewycka died. I loved her books, but was sad none of her obituaries mentioned her activism. Because that is how I know Marina best, interviewing her in 2019 about her role in feminist group, Big Flame. Here's my alternative obituary for her.
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Alternative obituary: Marina Lewycka, author and activist
Last weekend Marina Lewycka, author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian died. Obituaries in the mainstream media focus on her writing, but she was also a brilliant feminist activist.
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/alternative-obituary-marina-lewycka
8 months ago
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Disability History Month is here! Elizabeth Burgwin was possibly the world's first SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). She pioneered work with disabled children so they could reach their full potential. Warning! She is a complicated woman!
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/elizabeth-...
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Elizabeth Burgwin: the first Special Educational Needs Coordinator
As part of Disability History Month, I'm shining a spotlight on Elizabeth Burgwin, who we could call the first Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/elizabeth-burgwin-the-first-special
8 months ago
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It was easy for middle class Victorian women to struggle financially. Despite the welfare state, and better career opportunities, unpaid care work stills make women vulnerable. Read my Substack to discover middle class paupers, Sylvia Pankhurst, Margaret McMillan & Lydia Becker... and me!
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How women become middle class paupers
Women seem to be more vulnerable than men to becoming downwardly mobile. This has been the case throughout history.
https://open.substack.com/pub/estherfreeman/p/how-women-become-middle-class-paupers?r=4s8jes&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
8 months ago
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reposted by
Share UK
Women's History Network
8 months ago
New on the blog! Esther Freeman from
@share-uk.bsky.social
explores the different ways women have used food throughout history, and how we can reframe it as a powerful political tool
#womenshistory
womenshistorynetwork.org/kitchen-resi...
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Kitchen Resistance: how women used food to fight back – Esther Freeman
I’d been in the Women’s Library at LSE for hours, going through oral history transcripts in the Women Against Pit Closures collection. I’m not being hyperbolic when I say I felt close to tears. The…
https://womenshistorynetwork.org/kitchen-resistance-how-women-used-food-to-fight-back/
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Happy Halloween! 🧙♀️👻💀 🎃 I enjoy Halloween, but do still need to talk about the persecution of witches. It's far more recent than you'd think. See my Substack for the Hayfield Witch, how to right past wrongs, and if Elon Musk is the new Witchfinder General?
open.substack.com/pub/estherfr...
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Why we need to keep talking about witch trials
It's Halloween, which means its my annual rant about the persecution of women as witches. And some of it is more recent than you'd think.
https://open.substack.com/pub/estherfreeman/p/why-we-need-to-keep-talking-about?r=4s8jes&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
8 months ago
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Rachel
@curiouswilds.bsky.social
transformed a derelict piece of land, turning it into a forest school. By educating the next generation, she is quietly saving the planet one mud kitchen at a time. Read about Rachel and her toddler climate activists:
estherfreeman.substack.com/p/the-toddle...
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The toddler climate activists
Time is running out to stop the devastating impacts of climate change. Is the next generation our last remaining hope?
https://estherfreeman.substack.com/p/the-toddler-climate-activists
8 months ago
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@societyofauthors.bsky.social
We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey.
sendsurvivalguide.wufoo.com/forms/qxuk6z..
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9 months ago
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@thelitconsultancy.bsky.social
We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey.
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9 months ago
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@actorsandwriters.bsky.social
We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey.
sendsurvivalguide.wufoo.com/forms/qxuk6z..
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9 months ago
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@plutopress.bsky.social
We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey.
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9 months ago
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@versobooks.bsky.social
We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey.
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9 months ago
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@sevenstories.bsky.social
We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey.
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9 months ago
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@katebod.bsky.social
Hi! We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey. Tx
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9 months ago
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@thefictiondesk.com
We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey.
sendsurvivalguide.wufoo.com/forms/qxuk6z..
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9 months ago
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@uncertainstories.com
We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey.
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9 months ago
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@arvonfoundation.bsky.social
We're creating a new community for under-represented writers. Could you share our survey so we can understand what's helpful to them? There's book vouchers to win for those who complete the survey.
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9 months ago
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We're creating a group for under-represented writers. To ensure we're delivering what writers need, we'd like them to co-design it. Take 5 mins to complete our questionnaire and shape this new community of creatives. **Plus win some book vouchers**
sendsurvivalguide.wufoo.com/forms/qxuk6z...
9 months ago
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