Finished all my prep for the upcoming Dickens Day on 11 October, where the theme is Dickens and Art. I'll be talking about the use of art in Hard Times. So what does this 1842 watercolour have to do with Hard Times? A good question. You can still register to attend: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...

'A panel of five judges, chaired by O’Farrell, will assess 15,000 words of a novel in progress, and both winner and runner-up will receive not only money, but mentoring from Mantel’s literary agency, AM Heath; the publishing house John Murray; and the creative writing charity Arvon.'

I’ll be talking about the use of art in Hard Times at the upcoming coming Dickens Day. This novel has been a focus of mine for the last few years even as I completed my PhD. Looking forward to seeing my fellow Dickensian soon.

Writing my paper for #Dickens Day, and having far too much fun. I have been obsessed with Hard Times for the last few years, and I have noticed so much about the little things Dickens wove into the book, art included. You can hear me speak on 11 October in London. ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...

We think the best way for #WomenWriters to overcome patriarchy is to support and promote each other. We aim to raise awareness, boost confidence and keep Bluesky friendly. Would you like to join us? Follow #WomenWritersNet for details about our monthly chats.

Sunday reading and this time it’s close to home for me. My Grandad was a mining man. I remember him with love and fondness. But I always remember what he could have been had he not been sent into the pits before he had a chance to figure out the man he wanted to be. #miningmen

Friday night reading with my own best dog. I’m so grateful for people like @niallharbison.bsky.social who work hard to make the lives of dogs better.

Looking forward to this talk tonight with @shelbyjudge.bsky.social

Just started this book while enjoying my lunch. I want to keep reading. Believe the hype. So far it has been utterly captivating.

Hi, Bluesky! 👋 We’re excited to be here. Our official move from Twitter/X happens on 1 September, but we’re already settling in. Follow us for writerly news and good conversation - including monthly Bluesky chats! 💙 #WritingCommunity

An interesting article in The Telegraph which picks up on the way Dickens treated the women in his life. Was he a bad person? Or is it fairer to say he was a flawed man of his time who made some poor choices (as they impacted on Catherine and Ellen)? And does this change how we read his work?

Me after coming back to my desk after two weeks of not looking at my emails:

We are now recruiting a new Commissioning Editor for fiction. Like all Faber editors, they will publish with dynamism and creativity, sensitivity and bravery – apply by 7 September. faber.co.uk/careers/fiction-commissioning-editor/

Doing a deep dive into a new area of Dickens research for me, and I realise there is still so much I do not know about his life. As a person, was he flawed? Yes, of course he was. But how he lived his life, and the way he manifested his experiences in his writing will never not be fascinating.

From 1 September, this will be our main home online. We’re migrating from Twitter/X and moving here to Bluesky. It’s exciting, and we look forward to many engaging conversations - including Bluesky chats! Thanks for finding us! #WritingCommunity

One of the best things about seeing the Lionesses win tonight was how proud they are to be part of the England team. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Let’s go Lionesses!

When it’s a reading kind of a morning, you pick a book of your TBR pile and open it up and just smile. I think I’ve picked the right book for me today.

Millbank Penitentiary, where Mary Furley was imprisoned after her death sentence was commuted to transportation for seven years.

For those who were at the @dickenssociety.bsky.social symposium, after days of searching, I have finally managed to piece together what happened to Mary Furley after the guilty verdict in her trial for murdering her son. Her trial was part of the inspiration driving Dickens as he wrote The Chimes.

How on earth did England win that? Gobsmacked.

I just read my last school newsletter, and I have to say there is a certain kind of freedom that comes with that knowledge. Twenty years of doing all the school admin for my boys. I am finally free!

Already looking forward to the next Dickens related event. Just reading about the narrative impulse in painting and came across this 1888 painting of Florence Dombey in Captain Cuttle’s Parlour by William Maw Egley.

Having the most amazing conference in Boston at the @dickenssociety.bsky.social symposium, where I presented my paper wearing my Lady Dedlock dress. Next year, the theme will be Dickens and Thinking.

We’ve Just opened our first open submissions window for working-class writers. We’re looking for stories that capture something about being working class in Britain in 2025. Can be fiction or non-fiction, & 500-3000 words long. Please pitch us. Details here: thebeemagazine.com/open-call-fo...

I know it’s early to be thinking about Halloween but I’ll be talking about my novel Dark Waters at Prudhoe library in October. It’s a great read for the spooky month. #authorlife Prudhoe Library - Deborah Siddoway Author Talk www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/prudhoe-li...

You are cordially invited to our Anti-Prime Sale, where every purchase will financially support bookstores, NOT billionaires 🥳

Gave myself a break from fiction today for a little research project which I'm calling the Mauling of Justice, examining the connection between the decisions of Justice Maule and Dickens's literature. For those who are wondering, yes, I am missing working on my PhD. #postPhDblues is a thing, right?

My Sunday reading is this rather heavy tome. I was delighted to see the Madox Brown painting Work as the frontispiece. At one point I was obsessed with his second wife Emma and my first novel was about her. It’s still in the drawer. Maybe this is the sign I need to take another look at it.

Indiana Jones and the We Don't Have the Budget for That.

I have my ESTA approved and can't wait to bring the Thames to Boston for the annual @dickenssociety.bsky.social symposium.

I knew Dickens would show up to keep us company at some point this weekend. #LFOW2025 with @jerichowriters.bsky.social

Looking forward to this session by @societyofauthors.bsky.social at @jerichowriters.bsky.social at #LFOW2025

The Signalman. Written by Charles Dickens. Pen and printing ink on paper. 2023.

It’s a beautiful morning up North and I’m on my way to #LFOW25 with @jerichowriters.bsky.social. See you in London soon.

In a stunning turn of events I have submitted my proposal long before the eleventh hour. Can’t wait to see what you all come up with.

Pleased to announce that registration for the "Pictorial Punch - Treasures from the Archive" study day at the British Library (Nov. 7, 2025) is now open. Information can be found on the event website, including a link to the registration page. Please note that the registration deadline is 31 August

It amazes me that all this is debatable.

How the hell do I get rid of Copilot from Word. I am so fecking sick of the suggestions. Let me re-write this for you? Just no. F the f off with your suggestions. I didn't ask for you and I don't want you in my life. So #writersofBlueSky how do I make it go away?

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 17387: The world is filled with writing advice. Some of it is personal, some of it is fairly universal. But advice is only ever advice: all authors are different. And if a method doesn't work for you, or get you the results you need, you don't have to follow it.

This looks great - grants of up to €10,000 for partnerships between the UK/Ireland and Nordic counties, for early career artists:

I have had a blast preparing my paper for the annual @dickenssociety.bsky.social Symposium. I look at Dickens's fascination with the Thames, fallen women, and the desperate plight of one woman who was the inspiration behind Meg from The Chimes, ending with how this led to the writing of my novel.

Hey BlueSky book community! We've joined to see what all the fuss is about and connect with all you book lovers out there 📚 Give us a follow to learn more about Bloodhound Books! If you want to get your hands on some FREE BOOKS join our ARC group here: www.facebook.com/groups/blood...

I'm on this list. I did the @jerichowriters.bsky.social self-edit course with @debialper.bsky.social and @emmadarwinwriter.bsky.social for the first novel I wrote. That novel remains unpublished but I took all the skills I learnt into the writing of the next.

On 25.06 ,we have our first free Brunel Uni online publishing webinar with editors Joelle Owusu from #MerkyBooks, @samjordison.bsky.social from @galleybeggars.bsky.social and Katie Bowden from @4thestatebooks.bsky.social Register here to demystify publishing: www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-e...

I cannot believe I am reading this. Professor Simon James was my PhD examiner and it was such a positive experience largely due to his insightful and engaging questions. He will be sorely missed by so many within the English department.

I have just come across the Somerset decision of 1772 for the first time and wondering why it isn’t better known, particularly given it effectively established that slavery was incompatible with both English common law and natural law. Any #legalhistorians have a view on this?

Scholarship for Durham University Students £15,000 for a full-time student from the North East of England and from a lower income household to study full-time for a STEM taught Masters degree for the year 2025-26. Durham people please spread the word! Application form 👇

I thought this a timely reflection of where the English literature degree is going. Look for the reference to Gradgrindian propaganda.

Excited to get the draft program for the @dickenssociety.bsky.social annual symposium in Boston. So many great papers to look forward to. I will be speaking about the particular allure the waters of the Thames had for Dickens in his writing. My paper is ready (early, no less). Bring on Boston!