'today’s sleeper hits emerge from an alchemical combination of influences: online enthusiasm, translation, design, political mood, bookseller advocacy and sheer serendipity.' Fascinating article in @theguardian.com about what makes a book suddenly become a hit. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...

Continuing our theme of books being the best presents 😊, here's a list of recommendations from @the-independent.com culture staff. Do you have a book that you gift more than any other? www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...

And if you would like to know more about Beast by @luluallison.bsky.social check out our #AuthorInterview with her from September (find the posts on #WomenWritersNet

We've been sharing end of year lists of #bookrecommendations this week, and here's another fab one from @wwborders.bsky.social with the best books in (and on) translation #booksintranslation #WomenWritersNet wordswithoutborders.org/read/article...

There were big changes for #WomenWritersNet in 2025, not least our leap across from X to here. Our new #authorinterview feature got off to a great start and our #skychats have been as stimulating and engaging as ever. A massive thank you to all our followers, old and new. See you next year!!

Everyone else go home — this is the year we secure ABOLISH ICE on a Chicago Snowplow chicagoshovels.org

Here's a list of publications that have sworn off generative AI: go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT

I bought #Trespasses by @louisekennedy.bsky.social for a friend when it first came out but didn't get around to reading it myself until now. What an incredible book. Beautifully written. Quietly devastating. Anyone see the @channel4.bsky.social series? How did it compare? #WomenWritersNet

What are the books that you gift over and over? Here's a list from @thebookerprizes.com judges and authors of their personal favourites. Some great ideas here. thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-l...

End of year #booklists can be very subjective but they do provide a good starting point for discussion. What do you think about this one from the BBC? Have you read many of these? What books are missing that you would put on your own best of 2025? www.bbc.com/culture/arti...

Hello everyone. It's @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social on the account this week. I'm a bit late starting today. I am so NOT organised for the celebrations to come. This photo is from last year. Will anyone have time for writing this week or will it be last minute present shopping like me?

'When I die, I hope to think I have annoyed a great many people' - novelist and poet Sylvia Townsend Warner (1893-1978) also enthralled and delighted them: good to see a statue of her unveiled today in Dorchester @womenwritersnet.bsky.social @womenwriters.bsky.social @womenwritebloom.bsky.social

What an excellent post for those writing period fiction. (Thankfully that doesn't include me because I got all the answers wrong!) #historicalfiction #WomenWritersNet

Great opportunity for all #womenwriters to polish the fabulous pitches you've definitely scribbled down over the year...

Today's writing group prompt was to write a story about an Advent calendar...Each day there's another message behind the door - then the denouement on the 24th... We've had #romance #crime #magic What would your story be?? #womenwriters #writingprompts

What would be your ideal book gift #womenwriters? To receive or give? I'm part of a bookish Secret Santa and am wondering what to send... #bookgifts #secretsanta #favouritereads

We can never have enough beautiful scenes to reflect on - here's one to fuel your creativity #womenwriters

Looking for a #writingretreat? I’m holding three in the Alps in 2026: in March, June and September. To learn more and to book: valeriavescina.com/teaching/wri... #writing #WritingCommunity #writingworkshop #holidays #writingcourse #writersretreat #writingadvice #writingtips #writerslife

Many congratulations, @brethertonwords.bsky.social! How fantastic to see The Fire in Their Eyes on the list! 👏👏👏 @breakthroughbook.bsky.social

Hello #womenwriters 😊 Anne, here, hosting this week from Scotland/Ireland. Where are you all following from? And what are your writing (etc) plans for the week? #writingcommunity #writinggoals

I finished this book today, and loved it! Lives of the Dead mixes the (sometimes fatal-feeling) mundane days of early motherhood with retold fairy tales and somehow both draw out, ultimately, the innate power of women. Excellent writing and storytelling. #BookSky #WomenWriters

Why we need indie presses. “There is too strong a need for books to be easily definable, to make marketing them as easy as possible, and I find that in itself makes me turn away. It creates a climate of dumbing down and patronizing readers.” lithub.com/life-giving-... #booksky #WritingCommunity

I mean, I did this course and look where I am now… can’t say anything else, really! Just DO IT! Well worth every penny!

Evening all, It’s @lizchampion.bsky.social on deck this week. How are you? What are your writing plans this week? I’d love to hear. #writing #writingcommunity

Yearning for space to create and shape your #writing project? ✍️ Whether you’re at the idea stage or revising a complete draft, join me for a six-day #writingretreat in the #Alps 🚠, and connect with like-minded #writers in a stimulating and supportive environment. valeriavescina.com/teaching/wri...

Morning all, how’s your week going? Any writing wins to report? #writing #writingcommunity

I made my first zine in 1985, I believe. I’m still making them in 2025, 40 years later. In 1985, it was unfathomable that I would co-organize a Black Zine Fair. I’m excited to share that the 3rd annual Black Zine Fair will take place on May 9, 2026. gogetfunding.com/black-zine-f... - please fund us.

Thanks, @literaryhub.bsky.social 👏👏👏 for your "100 notable small press books": "a thriving ecosystem of books from publishers taking risks, publishing from the margins, operating on few resources, with small distribution and even smaller marketing budgets." lithub.com/100-notable-... #Booksky

Looking for a #writingretreat? I’m holding three in the Alps in 2026: in March, June and September. To learn more and to book: valeriavescina.com/teaching/wri... #writing #WritingCommunity #writingworkshop #holidays #writingcourse #writersretreat #writingadvice #writingtips #writerslife

Is giving yourself a justified compliment, or seeing others doing so online, "squirm-inducing"? I'm aware from experience how hard this can be for #womenwriters on social media. An interesting opinion piece in @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle... @womenwritersnet.bsky.social

Amber Halls's final page for '25 Includes prose + an extract from WIP by Mirabel Lavelle, a refection on her time in the army reserves from Sarah Frideswide &a fab seasonal shape poem by Hongwei Bao. Way to go Amber! pentoprint.org/monday-momen... #mondaymotivation #Mondaythoughts #writingcommunity

My Bookish Month of November 2025 frombelgiumwithbooklove.com/my-bookish-m... - via @kellyvandamme.bsky.social 💙📚

The Magpie Way to Becoming a Writer booksbywomen.org/the-magpie-w... by @ninaschuyler.bsky.social @sibyllinepress.bsky.social

Starting to think, or even panic about, the Christmas shopping? Don’t forget books make wonderful presents! And for a thought-provoking, award-winning, fictional thrill-ride for the bookworms in your life, look no further… #booksky #giftsforbookworms @breakthroughbook.bsky.social

Applications for the 2026 TSF Poetry Workshop are open and close on Tuesday 2nd December at 5pm Irish time. More information on how to apply here: stingingfly.org/poetry-works...

What a wonderful showcase of our very own @nastasyaparker.bsky.social's work! Thank you, Lou, for introducing your blog readers to these powerful short stories and interview! #WritingCommunity #booksky

I could really relate to this article by @abielongstaff.bsky.social. abielongstaff.substack.com/p/what-do-yo... Have a read, @womenwritersnet.bsky.social community! #writerslife #writinglife #writing

Good morning from @valeriavescina.bsky.social in #Switzerland, @womenwritersnet.bsky.social community! What tips would you give fellow authors on how to make space for #writing in your day? #writerslife #writingadvice #writingtips

From @katenashagent.bsky.social: "As an agency specialising in popular commercial fiction, we’re constantly asked which genres are currently selling..." slushpilemountaineering.substack.com/p/what-ficti... #WritingCommunity #womenwriters

This article about "show vs tell", from @angelackerman.bsky.social, has such good examples of various effects that can be achieved! writershelpingwriters.net/2025/03/how-... #WritingCommunity #writingtips

PROMOTE YOUR BOOKS! EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR PUBLISHED BOOKS! gonna be reposting your books because hoo you made a book! www.versobooks.com/products/303...

Mark Kelly knows exactly what political violence looks like. The fact that the Pentagon is investigating him for urging troops to refuse illegal orders, even as Trump calls for political enemies to be punished, shows how dangerous this administration has become.

Every American should have this in their wallet:

We're reprinting another Bitch mag classic today and celebrating @scarleteen.com, the internet's best sex-ed site.

Want to join me for this Showing Up for Racial Justice event? mobilize.us/s/CYNNSF/n #resist #boycott #crushice #weaintbuyingit

Excited to have a sly micro posted @paragraphplanet.bsky.social today ❤️

Nov's Write On! and Friends, guess episode: 'Where Writers Go' – from Kathryn Georghiou who focusses on places and how they inspire our writing. Fascinating! open.spotify.com/episode/34J2... #writingcommunity #adventurewriting #Tuesdaythoughts #podcast #PodernFamily #britpodscene #PodcastHQ

#WriteStuff tonight

Great article from @felipedlh.bsky.social about a rarely-acknowledged vibe among recent immigrants: disappointment in the United States. Especially among people who believed they could succeed here by working hard. Only on Flaming Hydra!

Our friends at @mslexia have an interesting submissions slot. Take a look! bsky.app/profile/msle...