What the KENNEDY Center used to be… Remember that time Aretha Franklin performed at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors, paying tribute to Carole King, who co-wrote “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman,” and it brought a tear to Obama’s eye and everyone to their feet? And Carole King’s reaction. Wow.

“Can’t believe NYC elected a Muslim as mayor.” In truth—a Black American Christian woman swearing in a Ugandan American Muslim of South Asian ethnicity as his Syrian American wife holds the Qurans he swears in on, all while standing on the steps of a subway station—is the most NYC thing imaginable.

And so here we are. 55 today! A walk along the beach in Saltburn, watching out for the killer seals, and mermaids, and then off to a party at the Flamingo Hotel.

The countdown to Keshed begins. Shouts to @regretteruane.bsky.social @heidijames.bsky.social @ortacpress.bsky.social @davidcollard.bsky.social @saloneurope.bsky.social @blackwellsmcr.bsky.social @oziasmidwinter.bsky.social @serenitybookshop.bsky.social stuhennigan.substack.com/p/countdown-...

Twenty years ago Heth & I remortgaged our house to start a publishing company that would find great new stories others thought too risky to publish. Our books have been short listed and won awards and two have been adapted into TV series. Today we paid that mortgage off Magic!

That blinking-eyed strange state when you emerge from the deep flow/trance of writing… where am I? Anyway, ms of new novel delivered

Having some Shakshuka for breakfast in our hotel in Belfast and Jeremy Vine from BBC Radio 2 phones about Julia Roberts and Leonard and Hungry Paul by @ronanhession.bsky.social Rónán will be on @bbcradio2bot.bsky.social at 1.30 this afternoon. Magic.

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 999: It’s not just the story that matters, it’s the person telling it. Your stories are filtered through your experience, your culture, your upbringing, your identity. Don’t be afraid to let it show. Those things matter. You matter.

New client testimonial for Elspells Writing Feedback! I still have some spaces left in October if you're after affordable, helpful, honest feedback on your work-in-progress ✍️ www.elspells.com

ICYMI tix now available for the official Keshed launch on publication day in Feb. Heads up the link for general tix which don't include a book, isn't working but i've told them do should be fixed soon. But if you want the tix w/a book (i'll sign after obvs), crack on 🙏👌

There are two ticket types for this, one that includes a copy of the book (signed if ye come see us after, obvs) and a general admission one that doesn't. Someone said earlier the link to the second one wasn't working, I've told them about it but might not be fixed so flagging if anyone's after them

Shouts to @robtruestories.bsky.social @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social Naomi Booth @oziasmidwinter.bsky.social @jamesscudamore.bsky.social @leebrackstone.bsky.social @regretteruane.bsky.social Terri White, Juno Roche, Jae Auxjera @markabowles.bsky.social angarrad Hampshire @susannacrossman.bsky.social

New blogpost/newsletter here. If anyone wants to sign up, it's free, rarely gets updated and you won't get spammed with shite; but once it all kicks off with Keshed this is where you'll find all the info about events, upcoming publications etc. open.substack.com/pub/stuhenni...

16 years married!

Last ping for the time being to say pre-order for Keshed are up now so if you like the idea of some fucked-up, gnarly, realist fiction with a northern working class bent, the link is here. Overseas folk can order from Blackwells, as a coupla folk have said. www.ortacpress.com/product-page...

Now this is a bumper delivery! @stuhennigan.bsky.social @ortacpress.bsky.social I read Keshed as a ms, but seeing the finished (beautifully typeset) book is fantastic. Do yourself a favour and preorder this exceptional, visceral novel. #keshed

@stuhennigan.bsky.social had a preview of Keshed… what an achievement. Brilliant work. Congratulations mate!

Writers, come and join us for the next session of Elspells Writing Workshops on Saturday 26th April when we will be looking at Editing: The Big Picture. It's online, it's FREE, and we're a friendly bunch! Email me to book your spot! #WritingCommunity ✍

In this latest episode of First Graft @heidijames.bsky.social talks to @adellestripe.bsky.social about the creative process. And decorating. And gardening. It’s quite joyous, these two friends talking. Have a listen. open.spotify.com/episode/54ae...

Lovely lunchtime listen to @heidijames.bsky.social & Naomi Booth talking about their writing - really recommend this podcast #FirstGraft 📚🧡📚 #books #BookSky

In the latest (and last of this series) episode of First Graft Adelle Stripe and I talk about her writing process, living with another writer, working through self-doubt and the punk rock gardening club. We also give a shout out to 3:AM, Andrew Gallix, Ben Myers and Lee Rourke.

It’s PAYDAY! You’ve stayed at the Flamingo Hotel. ‘Probably the most original, exciting, and creatively invigorating book I've read this year.’ Jamie Mollart, author of Kings of a Dead World Why not take a trip to Saltburn? £10. All in. Seaside frolics. renardpress.com/books/saltbu...

Out on Monday, First Graft with the extraordinary Adelle Stripe (with shout outs to Andrew Gallix, Lee Rourke and Ben Myers) #podcast #firstgraft #basenotes

'This type of horror is less about scaring you out of your wits and more about deliberately not conforming; it is using an intelligent, reactionary and political genre to creatively explore uncomfortable truths.' www.thebookseller.com/comment/good...

Latest episode of First Graft out now: I talk with Naomi Booth about how place sparks inspiration, enmeshment, resistance to and the demands of the creative impulse and how vital it is to decolonise our minds from patriarchal capitalism if we are to create.

Out on the 24th March, I talk to Naomi Booth about writing place, enmeshment and decolonising the mind.

Out on the 24th March, I talk to Naomi Booth about writing place, enmeshment and decolonising the mind.

In the latest episode of First Graft I talk to Cauvery Madhavan about self doubt, claiming your voice, and the importance of naming in finding your characters.  Out now where’s you listen to your podcasts.

Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone? They paved paradise, put up a climate summit. www.bbc.com/news/article...

In the latest episode of First Graft I talk to Annabel Dover about her painting, writing in fragments, the value of small things and writing with and through depression.

I really enjoy these podcasts about the creative process. Here @heidijames.bsky.social talks to Kirsteen McNish about finding the space to write, vulnerability, being a carer and the view that gives to the wider world. open.spotify.com/episode/5ebt...

6 tix left for tonight 👇👇👇👇👇

And just discovered these. Search in Spotify, click the camera, and scan the pic and it takes you to podcast.

Latest episode of First Graft is out now: In this episode I talk to Kirsteen McNish about writing grief, place and writing as an act of vulnerability. Kirsteen writes a regular column for Caught By The River, and was long listed for the Nan Shepherd Prize in 2023.

looking forward to presenting my session on Decolonising the Study Abroad Curricula with Dr. Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

Latest episode of First Graft out now… In this episode I talk to filmmaker and musician, Luke Seomore, about finding your own style as an artist, collaboration, falling in love with image and our mutual love for the Werner Herzog film, Stroszek.

Latest episode of First Graft out now… In this episode I talk to filmmaker and musician, Luke Seomore, about finding your own style as an artist, collaboration, falling in love with image and our mutual love for the Werner Herzog film, Stroszek.

More relevant than ever. Organize! ✊🏽✊🏿✊🏼✊🏾✊🏻✨

Another excellent episode of the First Graft podcast in which author @heidijames.bsky.social talks to author @noemikissdeaki.bsky.social about the writing process. Does Noemi like editing? Listen below to find out.. open.spotify.com/episode/223P...

Just recorded three new episodes of First Graft over the last couple of days … I’ve got some treats lined up for you!

Can't recommend this @heidijames.bsky.social novel enough. Tremendous. Thanks @stuhennigan.bsky.social for the tip

After *far too long* on my TBR, I finished Birding (pictured with Bodie having a good old book sniff) by @regretteruane.bsky.social in one intense sitting and I feel changed as a person. What a gorgeously written, quietly devastating novel. I'll be recommending this one until my voice goes hoarse 🫡

Read in one sitting… absolutely brilliant. Congratulations @adellestripe Basenotes is wonderful

What wonderful chats - LOVED listening to @regretteruane.bsky.social & @heidijames.bsky.social talk all things writing - highly recommend a listen 👏💚🌟💚👏 #books #booksky #WritersLife open.spotify.com/episode/33RI...

Mary Oliver feeling fitting today

Reminding myself that personal acts of resistance aren’t futile. For me it’s sharing educational resources, continuing to work for epistemological equity, staying informed, making art and forging networks of support. Please share your acts of resistance below. Let’s connect…

Be careful with the Vulture article about Neil Gaiman. It is very comprehensive and does not look away, which means that a lot of it has the potential to be very traumatic.

There isn't a day goes by that I don't think how lucky I am to have a roof over my head, heating and food in the cupboards. These aren't luxuries, they are absolutely the basics that everyone deserves.