Dave Watkins
@davewatkins.bsky.social
š¤ 224
š„ 133
š 42
Horror writer. Maths teacher. Not mutually exclusive.
It's finally Christmas! Or at least, it's the end of the school term...
david-watkins.com/2025/12/19/s...
#education
#school
#teaching
#learning
#coulddobetter
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So here it isā¦
Merry Christmas ā you made it! Definitely time for a beverage of your choice1. So, how was the last week for you? Did you have to keep students engaged up to today? Did you decorate your clasā¦
https://david-watkins.com/2025/12/19/so-here-it-is/
12 days ago
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So here itĀ isā¦ Merry Christmas - you made it! Definitely time for a beverage of your choice1. So, how was the last week for you? Did you have to keep students engaged up to today? Did you decorate your classroom? Give out Christmas cards to everyone in your tutor group2? Play carols during tutorā¦
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So here itĀ isā¦
Merry Christmas - you made it! Definitely time for a beverage of your choice1. So, how was the last week for you? Did you have to keep students engaged up to today? Did you decorate your classroom? Give out Christmas cards to everyone in your tutor group2? Play carols during tutor time? Or maybe 'Fairytale of New York' with changed lyrics…
http://david-watkins.com/2025/12/19/so-here-it-is/
13 days ago
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One week toĀ goā¦ Yeah, it is, really. No, no come back.... One week of the longest term in the school year left. The Autumn term is usually fifteen weeks long, which is unfeasibly1 huge. For year 11 and 13, they are halfway through the year. Unbelievable. The summer term can also be as long, butā¦
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One week toĀ goā¦
Yeah, it is, really. No, no come back.... One week of the longest term in the school year left. The Autumn term is usually fifteen weeks long, which is unfeasibly1 huge. For year 11 and 13, they are halfway through the year. Unbelievable. The summer term can also be as long, but let's face it, the sun is shining (sometimes…
http://david-watkins.com/2025/12/12/one-week-to-go/
20 days ago
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Interesting questions Full disclosure: this wasn't going to be this week's topic, but something happened yesterday. I am luck enough to work with teachers to try and improve their practice, and work with small groups of students. Yesterday, a cool, enthusiastic teacher asked me a very importantā¦
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Interesting questions
Full disclosure: this wasn't going to be this week's topic, but something happened yesterday. I am luck enough to work with teachers to try and improve their practice, and work with small groups of students. Yesterday, a cool, enthusiastic teacher asked me a very important question whilst we were discussing ways to avoid burnout and stress. "How do we fix the profession?"
http://david-watkins.com/2025/12/05/interesting-questions/
27 days ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Now I've stopped teaching, I've been blogging about my memories and thoughts over the last 30+ years at the chalkface. I'd love more eyes on it!
david-watkins.com/could-do-bet...
#education
#redundancy
#teaching
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Could Do Betterā¦
The first week Open evening and other shenanigans The grind startsā¦. Performance Management Lesson Observations Itās all over. After 31 years, Iām hanging up my chalk1 and trying ā¦
https://david-watkins.com/could-do-better/
3 months ago
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Post Mock Blues By now the year 11 (and possibly year 13) mocks are over, or very nearly over and so our focus turns to more important things - namely, how the hell are we going to improve these results? This is a fundamental problem with teaching and I have no clue how to solve it. We needā¦
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Post Mock Blues
By now the year 11 (and possibly year 13) mocks are over, or very nearly over and so our focus turns to more important things - namely, how the hell are we going to improve these results? This is a fundamental problem with teaching and I have no clue how to solve it. We need students to improve their results because it makes the school look good in league tables…
http://david-watkins.com/2025/11/28/post-mock-blues/
about 1 month ago
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OFSTED Is there a word1 more likely to cause stress and panic amongst teachers than OFSTED? We get a phone call, up to 48 hours before arrival and then they're in, looking at everything and anything they want. Then they disapper, and providing everything is okay, they disappear for three years.ā¦
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OFSTED
Is there a word1 more likely to cause stress and panic amongst teachers than OFSTED? We get a phone call, up to 48 hours before arrival and then they're in, looking at everything and anything they want. Then they disapper, and providing everything is okay, they disappear for three years. They are switiching to a new framework now, which means apparently, fewer inspections right now and none in the week before Christmas…
http://david-watkins.com/2025/11/21/ofsted/
about 1 month ago
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Parentsā Evening You are now most likely entering the time of year where everyone's favourite evening of the school calendar happens1. Yep, it's time for the first parents' evening of the year! People do though.... Parents evening should be a time for you to give feedback to parents as to howā¦
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Parentsā Evening
You are now most likely entering the time of year where everyone's favourite evening of the school calendar happens1. Yep, it's time for the first parents' evening of the year! People do though.... Parents evening should be a time for you to give feedback to parents as to how their child is getting on. Every child. It should be a space for you to be honest and truthful, which may include telling a parent how their child spent the lesson throwing glue sticks at the ceiling to see if they would stick, or doing zero work and then looking affronted when you remind them you're meeting their parents and the report won't be good.
http://david-watkins.com/2025/11/14/parents-evening/
about 2 months ago
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Itās mock time! At some point in the next couple of weeks, or possibly already, year 11 will start their first round of mocks. Before I go any further, I should say the majority of my experience was in a 11-16 school, so if you also have year 12/13 mocks then I feel for you, and particularly yourā¦
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Itās mock time!
At some point in the next couple of weeks, or possibly already, year 11 will start their first round of mocks. Before I go any further, I should say the majority of my experience was in a 11-16 school, so if you also have year 12/13 mocks then I feel for you, and particularly your marking load. Solidarity, and all the tea…
http://david-watkins.com/2025/11/07/its-mock-time/
about 2 months ago
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Half Term. It's the holidays. What the fuck1 are you doing reading an education blog? Get outside, play with your kids, read a book, watch a film, do something else. Look! It's outside! Until next time.
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Half Term.
It's the holidays. What the fuck1 are you doing reading an education blog? Get outside, play with your kids, read a book, watch a film, do something else. Look! It's outside! Until next time.
http://david-watkins.com/2025/10/31/half-term/
2 months ago
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You made it! It's half term! One half term down, five to go. No, wait, come back, don't go cry in the corner... Have a beverage of your choice - you've earned it. When we reached this particular half term, my overriding feeling was always relief. This one is always a monster. We go from the lightā¦
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You made it!
It's half term! One half term down, five to go. No, wait, come back, don't go cry in the corner... Have a beverage of your choice - you've earned it. When we reached this particular half term, my overriding feeling was always relief. This one is always a monster. We go from the light evenings and reasonable temperatures of September to end up here: wet, windy and dark October.
http://david-watkins.com/2025/10/24/you-made-it/
2 months ago
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Inspirational? A few years ago, there was an advertising campaign which had celebrities naming a teacher who had inspired them. I can't remember much about it1, apart from Bob Hoskins growling someone's name. There's also a video on YouTube of Ian Wright meeting his former teacher guaranteed toā¦
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Inspirational?
A few years ago, there was an advertising campaign which had celebrities naming a teacher who had inspired them. I can't remember much about it1, apart from Bob Hoskins growling someone's name. There's also a video on YouTube of Ian Wright meeting his former teacher guaranteed to melt the heart of anyone except the biggest cynic. Take a look below.
http://david-watkins.com/2025/10/17/inspirational/
3 months ago
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Bad teachers? Nope, not the Cameron Diaz film, which I admit I found pretty funny, although I am easily pleased1. The reason for all the lesson observations and performance management shenanigans is down to bad teachers. Nothing improves a blog like a random picture of Cameron Diaz2. In an earlierā¦
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Bad teachers?
Nope, not the Cameron Diaz film, which I admit I found pretty funny, although I am easily pleased1. The reason for all the lesson observations and performance management shenanigans is down to bad teachers. Nothing improves a blog like a random picture of Cameron Diaz2. In an earlier post I said that bad teachers are on the decline and I absolutely stand by that.
http://david-watkins.com/2025/10/10/bad-teachers/
3 months ago
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Now I've stopped teaching, I've been blogging about my memories and thoughts over the last 30+ years at the chalkface. I'd love more eyes on it!
david-watkins.com/could-do-bet...
#education
#redundancy
#teaching
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Could Do Betterā¦
The first week Open evening and other shenanigans The grind startsā¦. Performance Management Lesson Observations Itās all over. After 31 years, Iām hanging up my chalk1 and trying ā¦
https://david-watkins.com/could-do-better/
3 months ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Ginger Nuts of Horror
3 months ago
In between reviewing new books, I am making an effort to review books that "fell by the wayside" thanks to my depression over the years. Today it is The Original's Rage by
@davewatkins.bsky.social
The final part of his excellent werewolf trilogy.
gnofhorror.com/the-original...
ššš©ø
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The Originals Rage' By David Watkins: Howling Good Finish - The Ginger Nuts Of Horror Review Website
Ten years after the wolf war begins, a London mishap changes everything in David Watkins' thrilling end to The Originals series in The Originals Rage review.
https://gnofhorror.com/the-originals-rage-by-david-watkins/
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Lesson Observations Following on from last week's musings on Perfomarmance Management, let's take a look at the other bit to PM - having a lesson observed. Lesson observations are weird. They are undoubtedly nerve wracking, but they shouldn't be. See, the problem is teachers work in isolation mostā¦
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Lesson Observations
Following on from last week's musings on Perfomarmance Management, let's take a look at the other bit to PM - having a lesson observed. Lesson observations are weird. They are undoubtedly nerve wracking, but they shouldn't be. See, the problem is teachers work in isolation most of the time. Sure we have the 30 (or more!) students looking at us, but we rarely have other adults in the room.
http://david-watkins.com/2025/10/03/lesson-observations/
3 months ago
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Performance Management (PM) Ah, is there any other two word phrase designed to invoke a mixture of fear, disgust and feelings of inadequacy in a teacher than āperformance managementā? The process involves looking at your performance (clues in the name!) over the past academic year. It is meant toā¦
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Performance Management (PM)
Ah, is there any other two word phrase designed to invoke a mixture of fear, disgust and feelings of inadequacy in a teacher than āperformance managementā? The process involves looking at your performance (clues in the name!) over the past academic year. It is meant to look at the training you recieved, your job description, [ā¦] Performance Management (PM)
http://david-watkins.com/2025/09/30/performance-management-pm-2/
3 months ago
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Performance Management (PM) Ah, is there any other two word phrase designed to invoke a mixture of fear, disgust and feelings of inadequacy in a teacher than 'performance management'? The process involves looking at your performance (clues in the name!) over the past academic year. It is meant toā¦
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Performance Management (PM)
Ah, is there any other two word phrase designed to invoke a mixture of fear, disgust and feelings of inadequacy in a teacher than 'performance management'? The process involves looking at your performance (clues in the name!) over the past academic year. It is meant to look at the training you recieved, your job description, a lesson observation (or more), results for key stakeholders…
http://david-watkins.com/2025/09/26/performance-management-pm/
3 months ago
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The grind startsā¦ So I had some feedback from people1 reading this and as a result, I'll do less footnotes this week, promise. Okay, with that out of the way, let's get on with the grind. You've been back in school three weeks. What's that? No, really, you have. The summer seems a lifetime agoā¦
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The grind startsā¦
So I had some feedback from people1 reading this and as a result, I'll do less footnotes this week, promise. Okay, with that out of the way, let's get on with the grind. You've been back in school three weeks. What's that? No, really, you have. The summer seems a lifetime ago (and it was), your tan has gone, you don't know what it's like to have free time and your life is ruled by bells.
http://david-watkins.com/2025/09/19/the-grind-starts/
3 months ago
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Open Evening and otherĀ shenanigans Ah open evening - one of the highlights of the academic year1. Children come to look around 'big school' and get excied about the range of activities teachers have cobbled together to show them. These activities are designed to get the children to be students, soā¦
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Open Evening and otherĀ shenanigans
Ah open evening - one of the highlights of the academic year1. Children come to look around 'big school' and get excied about the range of activities teachers have cobbled together to show them. These activities are designed to get the children to be students, so they are invariably exciting and fun.2 In some cases, schools will decorate the corridors with plants to make the whole place look less like a prison.
http://david-watkins.com/2025/09/12/open-evening-and-other-shenanigans/
4 months ago
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The first week A school year starts something like this: Day one: 9am start (earlier if you're really unlucky). You've just had the worst night of sleep you've had in the last six weeks, possibly ever. You turn up early, because you want to set a good impression1. The staff room/hall/whereverā¦
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The first week
A school year starts something like this: Day one: 9am start (earlier if you're really unlucky). You've just had the worst night of sleep you've had in the last six weeks, possibly ever. You turn up early, because you want to set a good impression1. The staff room/hall/wherever you're meant to meet is full of people with quickly fading tans chatting about their holidays and what a shit night's sleep they just had.
http://david-watkins.com/2025/09/05/the-first-week/
4 months ago
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Last Days No, this isn't a review of the splendid Adam Nevill book... Today is my last day at a place I have worked since January 2005. I have taught for 31 years, so two thirds of my career has been in one place. To say today has be emotional would be an understatement of biblical proportions.ā¦
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Last Days
No, this isn't a review of the splendid Adam Nevill book... Today is my last day at a place I have worked since January 2005. I have taught for 31 years, so two thirds of my career has been in one place. To say today has be emotional would be an understatement of biblical proportions. This is the side of teaching that no-one really sees: the thanks we get at the end of term (or in my case, the end of a career).
http://david-watkins.com/2025/07/24/last-days/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Top Book Picks for 2024: A ReaderāsĀ Review Better late than never, right? The endless cheese fog has lifted and I'm gearing up to returning to work tomorrow - the same day my eldest leaves us to return to university. Normal life will resume, which is depressing enough, and I'm doing dry-ishā¦
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Top Book Picks for 2024: A ReaderāsĀ Review
Better late than never, right? The endless cheese fog has lifted and I'm gearing up to returning to work tomorrow - the same day my eldest leaves us to return to university. Normal life will resume, which is depressing enough, and I'm doing dry-ish January. What the hell is 'dry-ish' January? Well, I have set myself the goal of being a little fitter and losing some weight this year and the fastest way to do that is to cut out booze (for a bit).
http://david-watkins.com/2025/01/05/top-book-picks-for-2024-a-readers-review/
12 months ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Ginger Nuts of Horror
11 months ago
Some book post Cold Eternity, the latest SciFi Horror from S.A. Barnes and
@torbooks.bsky.social
And The Way Up is Death, complete with my review quote from
@danhanks.bsky.social
and
@angryrobotbooks.bsky.social
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Alex Davis
11 months ago
Looking for some online horror workshops? Or even group feedback sessions? Then Fears of the Dark this Feb and March has you coveredā¦
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fears-of-t...
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Fears of the Dark - 6-week horror writing school
Join us for six weeks of horror writing workshops, feedback sessions and more and experience the fear of the dark...
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fears-of-the-dark-6-week-horror-writing-school-tickets-1026248325367?aff=oddtdtcreator
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I guess this means the algorithm is working, or perhaps its Amazon's way to say 'dude, stop obsessively checking your book'...
#horror
#werewolf
#trilogy
#amreading
11 months ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Kev Harrison
12 months ago
Shadow of the Hidden has now made it onto 3 different people's favourite reads of 2024 lists. Blimey! Honoured! Here's the latest from the mighty
@davewatkins.bsky.social
david-watkins.com/2025/01/05/t...
#BookSky
#HorrorBooks
šš±
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Top Book Picks for 2024: A Readerās Review
Better late than never, right? The endless cheese fog has lifted and Iām gearing up to returning to work tomorrow ā the same day my eldest leaves us to return to university. Normal lifeā¦
https://david-watkins.com/2025/01/05/top-book-picks-for-2024-a-readers-review/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHnwQZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHfFJBUoTH0vTyJwx_zWZXX529RZx-6g-hymBocASKnCF5iaER3Pyw7LJyQ_aem_EKixFEviW8b9goZjJHDOMQ
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Top Book Picks for 2024: A ReaderāsĀ Review Better late than never, right? The endless cheese fog has lifted and I'm gearing up to returning to work tomorrow - the same day my eldest leaves us to return to university. Normal life will resume, which is depressing enough, and I'm doing dry-ishā¦
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Top Book Picks for 2024: A ReaderāsĀ Review
Better late than never, right? The endless cheese fog has lifted and I'm gearing up to returning to work tomorrow - the same day my eldest leaves us to return to university. Normal life will resume, which is depressing enough, and I'm doing dry-ish January. What the hell is 'dry-ish' January? Well, I have set myself the goal of being a little fitter and losing some weight this year and the fastest way to do that is to cut out booze (for a bit).
http://david-watkins.com/2025/01/05/top-book-picks-for-2024-a-readers-review/
12 months ago
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One month later and no response, and I still can't open the app on my galaxy 22 ultra. Anyone want to help
@support.bsky.team
?
add a skeleton here at some point
12 months ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Kev Harrison
about 1 year ago
@nighttidemag.bsky.social
look back at 2008's Pontypool and find a very different kind of zombie film, and
@davewatkins.bsky.social
sits down with
@horrortree.bsky.social
to answer the
#SpookySix
interview questions. Happy reading, friends! šš¦ā ļø
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
I did an interview with The Horror Tree and Willow Croft. Fun was had, even if Willow seems to actually like spiders, which is, well, wrong.
horrortree.com/the-spooky-s...
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The Spooky Six with David Watkins and Willow Croft - The Horror Tree
https://horrortree.com/the-spooky-six-with-david-watkins-and-willow-croft/
about 1 year ago
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I did an interview with The Horror Tree and Willow Croft. Fun was had, even if Willow seems to actually like spiders, which is, well, wrong.
horrortree.com/the-spooky-s...
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The Spooky Six with David Watkins and Willow Croft - The Horror Tree
https://horrortree.com/the-spooky-six-with-david-watkins-and-willow-croft/
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Alan Baxter
about 2 years ago
There is no power on earth for authors like word of mouth. Especially with the death of Twitter, so many of us have lost huge chunks of our reach. So please, if you love a book, tell your friends and talk it up on your social media. No voice is too small, every single word counts. And thank you!
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Ginger Nuts of Horror
about 1 year ago
"I Killed My Boyfriend is a fast, fun, fulfilling read, infused with laugh-out-loud dark comic escapades, some unexpected horror hijinks, and a romantic journey thatās as surprisingly sweet as it is unorthodox."
gnofhorror.com/oops-i-kille...
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The Original's Rage has been out just over a week! 10 reviews so far for an average of 4.5*, which is a massive relief. Anyway, who wants some werewolves in their life? And not those cuddly, ripped ones either...
#BookSky
mybook.to/originalsrage
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Amazon.com: The Original's Rage: A werewolf thriller (The Originals Book 3) eBook : Watkins, David: Kindle Store
Amazon.com: The Original's Rage: A werewolf thriller (The Originals Book 3) eBook : Watkins, David: Kindle Store
https://mybook.to/originalsrage
about 1 year ago
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Anyone else having an issue with the app on Android? I have a galaxy 22 ultra, but when I open the app, I can't select the keyboard. Have tried clearing cache and data, but same problem persists. Super annoying as I was just getting to grips with this place.
@support.bsky.team
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
British Fantasy Society
about 1 year ago
Every Friday, we meet a BFS member. This week, we celebrate the man who celebrates others:
@davejeffery.bsky.social
, a former mental health nurse turned king of dystopia, who'll be a key guest at tomorrow's Mental Health & Writing day for the BFS.
britishfantasysociety.org/meet-dave-je...
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Indie Horror Chapter
about 1 year ago
š» HAPPY RELEASE DAY š» The Originalās Rage by
@davewatkins.bsky.social
has now hit the world š± A fabulous series. Go grab it šš
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I have no idea why that link says it's not Katy Perry. If I click on it, it goes to the preorder page. Anyway, book is out in a couple of hours, excited and nervous author here!
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
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The Original's Rage is sitting in 46 preorders and is out tomorrow! The maths geek in me really hopes that hits 50 for a nice round number.. Werewolves on the rampage - what's not to like?
Mybook.to/originalsrage
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This is not Katy Perry
https://Mybook.to/originalsrage
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
TC Parker/Dr Nat Edwards (she/her)
about 1 year ago
Dave is amazing, and the Originals series is - guaranteed - one of the best werewolf stories you'll ever read
add a skeleton here at some point
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#HorrorWritersChat
Hello I'm Dave, and I'm kind of new in these parts, but not new to writing. My fifth book is out on Friday (eek!) and can be summed up as: Angry werewolf out for revenge Hopefully it's better than that makes it sound.
Mybook.to/originalsrage
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
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Two more days until Rage is released! What happens when a werewolf wants revenge? What if it were the God of all werewolves? 'What have you done?' Jack Stadler is back....
mybook.to/originalsrage
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Dave Watkins
Lauren (LJ) McMenemy
about 1 year ago
I interviewed a bunch of the UK's best and brightest in indie horror (including
@davewatkins.bsky.social
,
@tcparker.bsky.social
,
@danhowarth20.bsky.social
,
@kevharrison.bsky.social
,
@stephellis.bsky.social
) for the next issue of the BFS Journal. Keep an eye out for it!
add a skeleton here at some point
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A short blog about my new book The Original's Rage. Out on Friday!
david-watkins.com/2024/10/08/p...
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Pre-order The Originalās Rage Today!
Yesterday I did it ā I pulled the plug and set a release date for The Originalās Rage. Book 3 of the Originalās series is ready to go! Drum roll pleaseā¦ 15th November 2024 Pā¦
https://david-watkins.com/2024/10/08/pre-order-the-originals-rage-today/
about 1 year ago
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A lovely review of my personal favourite of my own books. If you're interested, you can read more here, including a preview.
Mybook.to/exeter
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
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you reached the end!!
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