BBC Question Time now doing exact same with AI they did with Farage? This ‘expert’ panel on AI is a disgrace: not one critical voice. Gilbert works for Tony Blair to promote AI. Jones is govt chief AI booster (& Blair flunky). Riparbelli is industry. Gawdat is ex industry. And a Tory MP

This is an amazing novel. So moving, accurate and elegant.

Many, many years ago Agnes Owens taught me on the first ever Arvon course I attended. I was sick all week because I was so nervous ..... She was so warm and generous and encouraging. I love her work and I owe her for her kindness to me at that time.

Will be speaking at Leeds Central Library about the short story with Naomi Booth and @nicholasroyle.bsky.social chaired by @stuhennigan.bsky.social on Sat 6 June 1-3. Tickets below. Hope to see you there. www.ticketsource.com/leedslibrary...

Ben Myers on winning The Walter Scott Prize. 'This prize is just as important to their survival as it is mine; a win for Bluemoose would be like Liechtenstein winning the World Cup.' Readers, Liechtenstein won the world cup. @benjaminmyers76.bsky.social @walterscottprize.bsky.social

There are 107 screenings of the People's Emergency Briefing over just the next 7 days. Find one near you on our interactive map - now with a postcode search and the ability to switch to table view and find events within a certain distance. www.nebriefing.org/screening-map #PEBuk #TimeToStepUp

Dear @bbcnews.bsky.social @itvnews.bsky.social @channel4news.bsky.social 🔔This is all across local news. The government hasn't yet briefed the public on the severe threats from climate change and nature loss, so civil society is taking matters into its own hands. Articles from just last 10 days👇

The People’s Emergency Briefing just landed in Australia 👇 Check out a screening near you (or why not hold one… we have all the tools to you need to screen it yourself) lnkd.in/eRe3K3vJ

Reminder: tomorrow at 7.30 pm at the Painswick Centre. @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @walterscottprize.bsky.social www.firstthursdaypainswick.co.uk/event-detail...

New on the blog today. I've written about INCIDENTS IN THE RUE LAUGIER by Anita Brookner. I loved this precise, psychologically astute novel in which a young woman's life is cruelly shaped by an ill-advised love affair at an impressionable age. #BookSky 💙📚 jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026/05/05/i...

Food shortages risk civil unrest. Lt General Richard Nugee, at the #NationalEmergencyBriefing: "we're facing the potential of an ungovernable state unless Government takes this seriously". Can you help by hosting a screening of our film and inviting your MP? www.nebriefing.org/host-the-film

Thanks @writersonline.bsky.social Great questions. Felt like talking to friends. In relation to The Matchbox Girl @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @walterscottprize.bsky.social I felt as though I would lie down and die before finding the right way to tell it ..... open.spotify.com/episode/1A5h...

Speaking about my novel 'The Matchbox Girl' (about Dr Asperger) at Swindon Literature Festival with Lucy Mangan (author of Bookish). Also teaching during the day Saturday 9 May. Also teaching during the day. Tickets below. @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social trafalgartickets.com/swindon-arts...

OUT 1 JUNE 2026 Awarded the highest prize for prose in Belarus in 2021, What Now, Mr Wolf? offers an unforgettable oral testimony of the dark days of recent European history. Available to pre-order via link in our bio now! #artscouncilsupported #literatureintranslation

Casting no shade here on the many extraordinary people who have written books but ... not many professional authors are headlining at 'the world’s leading festival of ideas'.

Will be speaking about The Matchbox Girl @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @walterscottprize.bsky.social on 7th May 7.30 - 9.30 at The First Thursday #painswick Gloucestershire. Novel is about Dr Asperger - his pioneering research, his shocking crime. www.firstthursdaypainswick.co.uk/event-detail...

Talked to Ken Barrett of Brainland podcast about history of autism research in 'The Matchbox Girl' @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social Ken is a neuroscientist turned artist. Episode before mine is the legendary Dame Uta Frith - first translator of Asperger's work. open.spotify.com/episode/1FbU...

Police to resume Palestine Action arrests due to staggering rise in terrorism that has so far seen zero casualties Tax payers foot the bill — the same tax payers who can’t get a police officer to come out when they’ve been burgled @normalisland.co.uk www.normalisland.co.uk/p/police-to-...

Reserve your place at the panel celebrating the shortlisted authors and presses of this years Queen Mary Prize for Small Press Fiction ⬇️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queen-mary...

Northern #BookSky folk are reminded you can come see me being interviewed by the amazing Naomi Booth next Weds. More info a tickets here. www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/stu-hen...

Only a month since publication and we're already talking about being ready to hit the reprint button. Eternal thanks to all who've bought, read, shared, reviewed, come to events and been so generous in engaging with Keshed. Word of mouth is critical for writers like me, you're all brill #BookSky 📚

In conversation with Rosie Goldsmith, Austrian Cultural Forum Tuesday. 'Matchbox Girl' is about early pioneers of #autism research. Historical fiction always a lens through which to view our own times. @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @walterscottprize.bsky.social www.acflondon.org/events/the-m...

The logic of and widespread support for a wealth tax may be approaching a tipping point. @patmillsuk.bsky.social

The Society of Authors has launched a 'Human Authored' scheme to 'help identify works written by humans in a market increasingly flooded by AI-generated books' 👇#BookSky

I hope she sues them into oblivion 💜

Such an accurate, magical, honest book ...... A seriously talented writer.

“In 2024 the UK’s creative industries contributed £145.8 billion to the economy while the entire AI sector contributed £11.8 billion.” www.thetimes.com/article/8561...

Just when you think that you could not be more ashamed of your country.

My review @theguardian.com of debut novel from @weatherglassbooks.bsky.social 'Gloria Don't Speak' by Lucy Apps. Book is now on the long list for @womensprize.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/books/2026/m...

Republic of Consciousness Prize (now the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize) news alert. The SHORTLIST is out. therepublicofconsciousness.substack.com/p/the-queen-...

I get asked to show up to book clubs, online and offline. Here is why from now on the answer is always "no." If you think this might have something to do with "AI" ruining yet another thing for everyone, you're absolutely 100% correct. whatever.scalzi.com/2026/03/03/i...

@alicejolly.bsky.social compared Keshed to Hubert Selby Jr in her amazing @thetls.bsky.social review of the book, and @leebrackstone.bsky.social reffed him in his cover quote too. Fucking great novel and writer of singular voice. It's on The List 🤘 uk.bookshop.org/lists/how-to...

Thank you to the nearly 1,000 people who've already registered to host a screening of the People's Emergency Briefing film in their community, and the many others who've done the same via our partners - and to the many organisations planning screenings. Incredible momentum building. #NEB2025

Speaking with Sally Bayley Oxford Writers House 8th March 3.00 - 5.00. Sally will be speaking about her new book 'The Worm in the Bud' pub New Menard Press. I will speak about 'The Matchbox Girl' @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social @walterscottprize.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-wo...

It is a very good morning. What I know is that literally hundreds of Green Party volunteers from all the country got behind this ...... Amazing people who are showing what can be done ......

Eager to see what lessons Labour draws from this.

Speaking about The Matchbox Girl @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social with Rosie Goldsmith at The Austrian Cultural Form 7 pm on Tuesday 17 March. Book is about Dr Asperger and his colleagues (and the rise of fascism). Book is on @walterscottprize.bsky.social longlist. www.acflondon.org/events/the-m...

This is just a taste of what @profpaulbehrens.bsky.social warned about at the National Emergency Briefing 👇. It’s time for the Government to brief the nation and take emergency action to avoid serious prolonged food shortages. Has your MP signed yet? www.nebriefing.org/parliamentar...

Absolute shocker of a rights grab - academics may want to push back hard

The majority of earth's scientists now believe we are headed for at least 2.5°C of warming. We're in a climate emergency. No time to wait. #ActOnClimate #climate #energy #renewables #go100re

"We are asking for a WW2 level of leadership". Professor @mikebernerslee.bsky.social at the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster. Has your MP joined the Parliamentary Call for Gov to make a televised emergency briefing to the nation? Check here: www.nebriefing.org/parliamentar... #NEB2025

Yes. This is a really strong first novel.

Faith & love, friendship, community, environmental questions, nature & the post-&-foreshadowing of war, fisticuffs, fairgrounds, beer & a good deal of saltiness, brilliant protagonists, someone make this into a film please!

Defend Our Juries Co-Founder Tim Crosland explains what the High Court ruling showing over the Palestine Action ban means in real terms. He adds a renewed call for a meeting with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to discuss the harm that has been done since this ban was introduced.

Well done to @patrioticmillionaires.org for getting out and about and taking the time to visit York University. Students fully engaged and significant majority agreed with the motion 'This house supports a wealth tax.' Great work. @stephenstroud.bsky.social

Since #bbclaurak is trending, let’s remind ourselves that ONE MONTH ago, the BBC invited Mandelson on for a soft-ball interview on her show. While HIS CLIENT , Palantir’s Louis Moseley appeared as a pundit Both, as I wrote at time, were ‘abject failures of journalism’ 1/

Very excited that 'The Matchbox Girl' @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social is on this list. Thanks @walterscottprize.bsky.social and many congratulations to all the other amazing novelists who have been longlisted.

Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again. #Pinks #ProudBlue