An opportunity to meet the excellent Adam De Souza!

Hi folks - as @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social draws ever closer (November seems like a long way off, from experience I can tell you it isn't) a reminder that if you are exhibiting Desties is here to help. Need local knowledge? Ask. Need a shipping address so you can post stuff ahead? Ask. 1/2

I'm not saying I'm middle class but I can taste the difference between the stalk end of a golden kiwi and t'other.

📝 Call for Papers! Comics Forum, the amazing Leeds-based comics academic conference, has announced its theme for this year; Welfare! The conference will take place on 12-13 November 2026 at Leeds Central Library (UK) as part of Thought Bubble Festival.

Dropped off some @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social goodies at @leedslibraries.bsky.social (Central) this morning. What a place.

Currently, 66% of the shortlist consists of first time, newbie SBCF-ers -would love to get that number even higher by close of submissions. Apply!

Do you have what it takes to be the next 2000 AD creator? The @2000ad.bsky.social Artist and Writer Talent Search returns to Thought Bubble Comic Convention 2026! Find all the details here: thoughtbubblefestival.com/2000ad

Pass it on!

Yet more legends joining us for our bacchanalian celebration of comics. Bring grapes!

Sparks at Chelsea Royal Hospital last night. Starting to lose count of how many times I've seen them now. Best ever? I say that every time though...

@leedslitfest.bsky.social is bringing together comics, creativity, and conversation this June, and we've picked out three brilliant events for graphic novel fans, aspiring creators, and anyone interested in the power of storytelling.

On a train to Carlisle and I thought of you, @stevenappleby.bsky.social! Shame about the misspelling.

Applications are open for @leedscc.bsky.social's 2nd Small Press Day @smallpressday.bsky.social market on Saturday 25th July at The Brew Society in Leeds, UK. Half-tables will be £5 (our backroom has an event rental fee now) and sign up form is here: forms.gle/ijuFvSbP6S7r... Deadline is 26th June

Part Two in my joyful series: meeting The Other Bennet Sister.

The sheer joy!

I went to St Dunstan in the East; a little ruined church incongruously sandwiched between a load of banks near London Bridge. Built by the Saxons, rebuilt by St Dunstan in 950 AD, then again by Sir Christopher Wren in 1697. Well worth a squiz! Utterly delightful.

Guest list getting more and more delicious, with loads more to come...

Setting up for MCM and it's hooootttt. I'll be on the Travelling Man stand Saturday and Sunday. Please say hi!

Let's talk about YOU, shall we? As in the collective "YOU": the people who make comics, who filled in the UK Comics Creators Survey - ukcomicscreators.org.uk I hope you’re hungry for charts, because lunch is served! WHO ARE YOU? 🧵

Are you an LGBTQ+ support organisation? No matter where you're based, we want to donate copies of our trans anthology When I Was Me to you & your community members! Non-UK-based orgs just need to cover postage. Please get in touch with us via email! 🐉 More about WIWM: quindriepress.com/books/p/wiwm

I say this every year, but might this be the best line-up ever? Seeing the applications come in each year is such a joy; this pile of talent is a lovely combo of brand new (to us) creators and old pals.

Congratulations to all the Eisner nominees, and also to everyone who submitted. If you've made a comic, you've already won. Comics forever!

Shelfdust has received an Eisner Nomination for Best Comics Periodical/Journalism this year. AND THAT MEANS so has EVERYBODY who contributed to the site in 2025! www.comic-con.org/awards/eisne...

SOLRAD, the two-time Eisner-nominated literary magazine for comics criticism, is open for submissions. We publish reviews, essays, and interviews — and we pay $100 per piece.

Clever Dan.

🔥The results of the UK Comics Creators Survey 2025 are in 🔥 STATS! Come get yer STATS! Fresh juicy STATS! ukcomicscreators.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Applications for ShortBox Comics Fair 2027, our all digital, online-only independent comics show, are now open- full details at the link: www.shortboxcomicsfair.com/apply

A school dad, after finding out what I did for a living, excitedly handed me his favourite graphic novel at drop-off yesterday. Is there any other medium that causes this level of joy in sharing? I don't think so. If you're interested, it was IN by @willmcphail.bsky.social and it is SPECTACULAR.

Happy Beltane from my neck of the woods to yours.

Today on SOLRAD, we feature an Exclusive Excerpt of ORLANDO by Jules Scheele, published by @averyhill.bsky.social solrad.co/exclusive-ex...

Letter from my dear old dad to my Aunty Betty, announcing my birth: 'She was not delivered into the world quite as much of a finished article as Rosa was: she still looks like a purple monkey. No doubt this appearance will fade into the light of common day.' continued....

Excuse my bragging, but my plant has grown such a pretty leaf.

T'Sculture Park.

Here's a little starter - an amuse-bouche, if you will - of the ever-enormous roster of brilliant guests coming to Harrogate for our twentieth (!) convention this November. You should definitely come.

Small Press Day is back on Saturday, July 25th, 2026. #smallpressday #smallpressday2026 Let's make this the biggest one yet after last year's triumph! smallpressday.co.uk

I picked my mum up from her care home earlier, and they were all listening to 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now'. Startling for too many reasons to mention.

What?

Still transcribing my dad's WWII diaries. They are eye-wateringly tricky (pic attached). Here, have a🧵of one of my favourite excerpts:

🚨 Rare post from us: We are on the lookout for a couple of new editors to work with us, specifically for French and Japanese language comics. You can read the full listing over here peow.studio/blog/newedit...

Still transcribing my dad's WWII diaries. They are eye-wateringly tricky (pic attached). Here, have a🧵of one of my favourite excerpts:

Will 100% be heading along to this. Looks brilliant. Well done @chrismole.bsky.social for pulling it all together.

After decades of visiting my family in Brighton, I finally caught the Starling murmuration off the pier.

Eisner submissions are now open. My fellow comic creators, no matter at what point in your career you are, if you're making comics in any form, these awards are "For You" and you absolutely can be nominated. Let's get small press/self pub comics on that list! ENTER: www.comic-con.org/uploads/2025...

THE BEST. No hyperbole here.

I'm currently curating @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social, and there are so many incredible applications from people who are brand new to me, it is thrilling! Beyond excited for a bumper year already. Don't forget to apply! You have til 8th Feb.

Thought Bubble is looking for Patrons to offer financial support to help us maintain and develop our work; Don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere but Patrons’ support will ensure that we can continue to create a festival that spotlights comics and uplifts so much of our amazing community.

The applications are already looking very delicious. More please!

Tell your mates! And while you're at it, tell yourself.

20th! I've been working for 16 of them. And it somehow gets better every time? Mind-boggling really.

We are still reeling from the beauty of this one!