The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.

🎄Merry Christmas! 🎄 Wherever you are, and however this season meets you, we’re wishing you hope, peace, and love today. Here’s a short clip from a Carols by Candlelight service in one of our hubs, Oasis Waterloo ⭐

Moments from the Sevenoaks Literary Festival — celebrating words and community. ✨📚

🎉 Such a privilege to take part in the Sevenoaks Literary Festival this week! I had the pleasure of speaking alongside Alexies, author of Windward Family, in a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about storytelling, migration, and identity — beautifully chaired by Rupert Lancaster.

Jimmy Cliff - one of the greats, and this is a positive message for everyone feeling beaten down. m.youtube.com/watch?v=7Znh...

A post for the last day of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Two purple plants like the beautiful ones on my Mum and Dad’s porch in Biabou #pancreaticcancerawareness💜

A post about the power of community with a lot of writing in it. www.linkedin.com/posts/alexis...

My books seem to be popping up in a variety of places. This one is available via Waterstones. 👇https://www.waterstones.com/book/luton-town-fc-in-the-1970s/paul-rance/9781520981451

Nice that my book, Made in Luton, got the thumbs up from teachers at my old junior school in Luton recently. It's now available via Waterstones and Blackwell's. www.waterstones.com/book/made-in...

Well done Paul on the successful journey of your book 😊

I'm so happy to share this campaign from my friend and author @gracequantock.bsky.social to raise funds so that her book Living Well with Chronic Illness can be placed in hospitals in England and Wales to support patients who can benefit from its advice and insights

"More than half of the young people involved said they would like to reduce screen time, but 46% felt “unable” to. And then came the kicker: “93% of young people who have attended a youth centre say it has made a positive difference to their lives.”"

Looking forward to speaking at this British Academy event, ‘Writing Wild Worlds’, as part of the @britishacademy.bsky.social ‘Living With the Planet’ Season 30th October, 18:30 www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/livin...

I’m taking part in the Sevenoaks Literary Festival on 4th Oct with @armanazadi.bsky.social It will be great to talk about our books at a time when so much is being said to demonise those who have endured so much to make their lives in and contribute to this country sevlitfest.com/alexis-keir-...

The Non-fiction That Shapes Us: Alexis Keir open.substack.com/pub/hinterla...

Windrush open.substack.com/pub/alexismo...

#Windrush British subjects who came with skills and artistry to help a country rebuild

"In 1971, Luton boasted one of the strongest women's teams in England in Chiltern Valley Ladies". My article about Luton's pioneering women's football manager Harry Batt and the Lost Lionesses in the latest issue of Best of British magazine. www.bestofbritishmag.co.uk/july-2024-2/

Happy Fathers’ Day Hatters! 🧡

📢We are delighted to share our new report, Working for patients: How improving the experience of patients with long-term conditions can deliver the Government’s Ten Year Health Plan, shaped in partnership with Future Health and commissioned by AbbVie. 👇 www.nationalvoices.org.uk/publication/...

Call out for writers with lived experience of homelessness or poverty to submit monologues for a new anthology to highlight the complexity of the experiences of homelessness and poverty – struggles, resilience, hope, humour. Please share :) mtos.cardboardcitizens.org.uk/anthology/

Really interesting report from @changingrealities.bsky.social on low-income parents navigating the complex system of childcare support. Getting this right feels key to the Government's work agenda, but the report also brings out the nuances of parents wanting to balance work with family life

New blog post 🎢 by Changing Realities participant, Jo: "Just for a moment: a temporary sense of security in an uncertain world" #universalcredit #work #precarity #livedexperience Read here ⬇️ changingrealities.org/blog/just-fo...

Mental Health Awareness Week this year is all about community. As part of the writing community, you offer each other an amazing source of support and encouragement. However, we also know how lonely and isolating the author's life can sometimes feel. 🧵

There's always some idiots that slag off Luton though they've never properly visited the town. It's a town in a valley surrounded by the beautiful Chilterns. I guess some people don't find greenery attractive...

To remind myself today that highs and lows come and go but our love for people and for a football club is enduring 🎩🧡 COYH! ‘To Wake Up in the Promised Land’ by David Cain from Tonic Sta Press tonicstapress.bigcartel.com/product/to-w...

A nice Tuesday return to Luton my hometown. Where I last worked as a social worker in 1991 and returned last week working for NHS England and saw my progress reflected in other ways too.

Yesterday was a GOOD day! 🎩👏🏽

As part of her creation of ‘A River Runs Under Your Feet’ which has now opened in Luton local artist Abi Spendlove also ran a competition for photos of the River Lea. If you’d like to relax and see some beautiful photography take a look - I made a contribution too 😉 youtu.be/KTcLxqlKQng?...

Got home yesterday from Cardiff and London Book Fair to find my copy of Hinterland no. 16 - ‘Journeys’ had arrived from @hinterlandnf.bsky.social It’s beautiful, bumper full of amazing creative nonfiction and I’m very proud that my words are in there too www.hinterlandnonfiction.com/shop/issue-1...

The Town Are Staying Up 🧡

Busy 2 days! Today with members of NHSE Older Peoples Sounding Board where I had way more chat about football and rugby clubs and their place in the community than I expected. Now on way to see Luton play at Cardiff with my son. Then back 1st thing for London Book Fair #LBF25

Words To Live By Number 197

Look what’s just arrived! Subscribers and preorder customers - keep an eye on your letter boxes! Everyone else: you can still order a copy here www.hinterlandnonfiction.com/shop/issue-1...

Sunday is a great day for writing submissions. The Freelance Writing Jobs Bursary closes next week! freelancewritingjobs.substack.com/p/the-freela...

‘Who tells the story determines the story that gets told.’ In 2017 Common People, an anthology of working class memoir was our attempt to offer alternative narratives. So much yet to be done. See the work of @drdaveobrien.bsky.social

The proof copy of Issue 16 has just arrived in the post - and it looks great! Full print run due next week, so you've still got time to preorder: www.hinterlandnonfiction.com/shop/issue-1...

Over on our Substack, we chat with Elizabeth Lewis Williams about her piece about travelling to the Antarctic, 'Arriving', which features in the latest issue of Hinterland. You can preorder Issue 16 over at our webstore now: www.hinterlandnonfiction.com/shop/issue-1...

After 9 hours travelling finally I reached the fair #kingslynnmart

Delighted to say that the latest issue of Hinterland, a Journeys special, is up for preorder now, packed with some fantastic writing by Jean McNeil, Elizabeth Lewis Williams, Alexis Keir, and many more besides: www.hinterlandnonfiction.com/shop/issue-1...