I've seen people trying to defend it today by saying "No, no, I just use it to brainstorm, bounce ideas, I do the actual writing" and with all the kindness in the world I need to tell you: if there is a stage of writing you are not good at, you need to get good, not use the plagiarism machine.

Fresh morning delivery, Orchard Toys! A restock and many new ones in the photo. These are developmental puzzles and games from the youngest ages to around 11yo. Bluey incl. the new Dance Mode, new jigsaws on a range of themes, Alphabet Bingo, and a couple of new Mini Games. And Troll in the Hole!

And here is one we took yesterday, new YA. We'll tag @melliver.bsky.social as they are here and active! To The Death, a struggle for survival and a deadly entertainment game on Blood Island. Centre of shot. Lots more new paperback editions here, and in our YA and SFF areas. #booksky

We've taken updated images of some sections, here is a selection of foodie books. From the local, Cannon Hall Farm, to international - Med, Indian, Persian, Caribbean and more. Health, affordable books, party books, lots more here and elsewhere. No-Nonsense Nutrition is on my list to get! #booksky

I’m very moved by this poem by Abigail Dembo from the latest Poetry Review from @poetrysociety.org.uk which came today.

Good to see @imcmillan.bsky.social earlier, talk about buses and walking, books and writing, podcasts on books and current affairs. #booksky

Nipping to the brilliant @thebookvault.bsky.social in Barnsley today to pick up a book I ordered about writing in New Orleans. Support your local bookshop!

In store now! Megalomaniacs from @jamiesmart.bsky.social #booksky

A couple of quick shots. Onyx Storm was out in paperback yesterday, here they are with a stand and between that and the books, new bookmarks! The first copies went quickly, the first of these today went before I had them on the tables. #booksky 1/2

Since I'm listening to the album again, nominate @clppng.bsky.social for the Hugos! And @realmsunknown.bsky.social, the best SFF podcast. And books, starting with @qntm.org There Is No Anti-Memetics Division. Any more suggestions?! Be good to get SFF in replies to check out. #booksky

A recent books cartoon for @theguardian.com

Was talking to a customer just yesterday who said this was one of their favourite books of recent years (and mine!). Well worth a read if you have yet to have that pleasure. #booksky

It's my (Manager, not the shop) birthday today, so I WANT EVERYTHING! A new book from @sophyhenn.bsky.social about what we really want. Do I want hiccups? An octopus as a hat? Infinite mushy peas? Maybe not! #booksky

Dungeon Crawler Carl series are now all here! The Matt Dinniman series has been republished as UK hardbacks and are now all in store, along with the separate recent title Operation Bounce House. A new title on the way soon! #booksky

Two new books, both with pre-orders and copies for sale in store. Out today, the latest diaries and prose from Alan Bennett covering 2016-2024. Enough Said! And out next week, the classic @aptshadow.bsky.social trilogy becomes a quartet with Children of Strife. #booksky

Two new books, both with pre-orders and copies for sale in store. Out today, the latest diaries and prose from Alan Bennett covering 2016-2024. Enough Said! And out next week, the classic @aptshadow.bsky.social trilogy becomes a quartet with Children of Strife. #booksky

More signed books in store, out this week. One I will be getting is The Delusions by Jenni Fagan, "1984 for the afterlife" says Irvine Welsh on the cover. Plus Innamorata from Ava Reid, and the paperback release of @thebookerprizes.com winner Flesh. #booksky

Perks of a bookshop, have this morning received early copies of these two books! Look forward to reading. Due out on 9 April. #booksky

Check this out! (and not just because I'm in there:-)

Authors always welcome, particularly bearing Italian biscuits! After Matson Taylor's previous books about Evie Epworth, Roman Mornings moves, erm, to Rome. 1976 to be exact, where Clementine's teenage dreams have faded until new adventures later in life. Thank you for the advance copy! 1/2 #booksky

My books cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com

It's Saturday again. Five children from two families waiting to come in when the door opens. Three with WBD tokens, now used, along with other books bought. The other two going with Oi! books. What are you reading this weekend?! Let us know, all reviews and recommendations welcome. #booksky

Thank you to @joannechocolat.bsky.social for visiting earlier, to sign copies of the paperback edition of Vianne which was released yesterday. An excellent book! I read an advance when the hardback was released last year. Copies in store, we can mail out in the UK, DM for details. #booksky

New & recent non-fiction. I am currently reading Elemental by @snellarthur.bsky.social, as expected an excellent, absorbing book. Pictures with the new Antony Beevor book on Rasputin, and The Last Kings of Hollywood. Plus recent paperbacks for a range of interests. #booksky

Almost 10,000 authors have come together to publish an empty book protesting the theft of books by tech companies to train AI models. Titled Don’t Steal This Book, it is empty of text except the names of the authors involved.. 🧵

New books! Lunchtime read was Monsters, newly translated into English. Very good story, character and artwork throughout. 'But what is a monster, really?' as the Circus of Dreams rolls into the village at the end of the world. A 'rich, haunting story' for 7yo+ #booksky

Busy day, lots of people of all ages getting new books, lots of world book vouchers coming in! We were also at Barnsley Library for an event with @abielongstaff.bsky.social this morning, here is Abie making a new story with the children who came! We now have signed copies of Abie's books in store.

Absolutely delighted and flabbergasted to be nominated for a British Book Award! Mine and @paulcornell.bsky.social’s WHO KILLED NESSIE is in some excellent company! ❤️❤️❤️ www.thebookseller.com/british-book...

I've already bought my copy, out today and in store now alongside Withered Hill and Scuttler's Cove. #booksky

IT'S WORLD BOOK DAY! If you haven't already used your vouchers we have all world book day titles in store. We also have Little People Big Dreams, Barrington Stoke, books for all ages in our children's section plus lots of YA. Stories, factual books, and of course Orchard Toys! #choosebookshops

We get varied books in all areas where possible to encourage exploration, and take customer orders. This is both. @stuhennigan.bsky.social books in store, both requested to be saved for an order. I read Ghost Signs when first out, recommend! Not found time for Keshed yet, it is on my list. #booksky

More books! Arriving today, we have Little Fairy Godmother by @abielongstaff.bsky.social in store, for an event at Barnsley Library this Saturday! Stories and activities, and the magical origins of fairy tale characters. The new book is out late April, we have early supply for this event! #booksky

Oh now I get it. Dubai is Golgafrinchan Ark B.

Poetry in action! We were pleased to be at the @livewirepoetry.org event at Barnsley Book Festival last night, photos here of @salenagodden.bsky.social and Faye Marshall. Signed copies of Salena's book With Love, Grief and Fury now in store! #booksky

Hello! On my way to Barnsley Book Festival, my first poetry gig of 2026, see you all soon lovelies Xx

We were pleased to meet and support @gregjenner.bsky.social at @barnsleycivic.bsky.social as part of Barnsley last night. Here is Greg signing books for people after the event, we will have signed copies of all Greg's books available in store from tomorrow! #booksky

My cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com books.

Lovely to see The Last Wolf reviewed in the Guardian today. I must say, the reaction I've had to this book thus far has been quite remarkable! So pleased that people seem to be enjoying it.

I’m in Barnsley which has beautiful buildings, a charming social history museum, a lovely art gallery, and this very moving memorial to the tragic colliery explosion of 1866 that killed nearly 400 men and boys

WE ARE OPEN! Lots of books for all interests, including these from @gregjenner.bsky.social ready for his visit and talk at Barnsley Civic Theatre later as part of the Book Festival. Books to buy and be signed by Greg! Tickets available! If you can't wait they are available in store now. #booksky

Hey @imcmillan.bsky.social U reds! Didzy x 3 #thefootball

WE ARE OPEN! Lots of books for all interests, including these from @gregjenner.bsky.social ready for his visit and talk at Barnsley Civic Theatre later as part of the Book Festival. Books to buy and be signed by Greg! Tickets available! If you can't wait they are available in store now. #booksky

More copies of @salenagodden.bsky.social With Love, Grief and Fury in store ready for Barnsley Book Festival and the poetry event on Monday. I was already going for personal interest, I will now have books with me for sale and to be signed! Paperbacks plus a few hardback copies. #booksky

More copies of @salenagodden.bsky.social With Love, Grief and Fury in store ready for Barnsley Book Festival and the poetry event on Monday. I was already going for personal interest, I will now have books with me for sale and to be signed! Paperbacks plus a few hardback copies. #booksky

My debut novel Tombstoning is reborn today! @orendabooks.bsky.social have produced a 20th anniversary edition with a beautiful cover by Mark Swan and fantastic introduction by @brookmyre.bsky.social. Special thanks to Karen Sullivan for making this happen. Print - geni.us/Mb0bqB Ebook - geni.us/c10i

Quick review. This was one of favourite books of last year when I read an advance copy, and having re-read a few stories from the finished book it is still a favourite. A Love Story From the end of the World, short stories from Juhea Kim. #booksky 1/2

We are at Barnsley Book Festival, an event with Ajay Close. Here at the start of the event reading from her book What Doesn't Kill You, a crime thriller as a killer talks the streets of Leeds. #booksky

This Satruday! In Barnsley at the Civic Theatre! @gregjenner.bsky.social in conversation with @michellerawlins.bsky.social, author and journalist. We will be there with books for sale, for the signing of! Link in the following post. #booksky

Bookshop day ends (almost!) with another delivery, this time advance copies. I have been waiting for @snellarthur.bsky.social Elemental to arrive, will start reading in the near future, the long view of geopolitics. Out on 12 March. And the next Bobby Palmer book due out 2 July. #booksky

OK, will do 'life of a bookseller' posts as time allows. It's inset day for some, another day off school. First books of the day sold were @ofalafel.bsky.social The Far Out Five for the younger reader, and a local book on Village Heroes for the older one, on areas within our town. #booksky