I don't know what's happening here, but this book is phenomenal so it's bound to be good news. Very exciting.

This is the kind of news I live for. UK trip upcoming and high on the list is introducing Justin to a Greggs corned beef pasty. shorturl.at/ttdtI

'Why is it a local history when it's about the North but when it's about London it's not a local history?' Academic and writer E. Jay Gilbert @jaylikesthings.bsky.social on her book Haunted @manillapress.bsky.social, history and the linguistic ambiguity of Hagrid. on.soundcloud.com/Xwb7WxWcnURO...

I'm in @thebookseller.com today talking about how we can get more young people interested in publishing and writing careers. Featuring @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social and her wonderful, articulate and passionate students. www.thebookseller.com/comment/wide...

'You have to turn that isolation around and say these are experiences I can bring to an industry that doesn't have them.' The vibrant Daisy May Johnson @chaletfan.bsky.social on baking, books and being proactive in publishing. @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/ua4HeJlkoXYX...

It was one of the biggest honours of my career to be inside Downing Street and Parliament today to watch as the Hillsborough families made history My write-up from an important and emotional day 👇

The Hillsborough Law, introduced by the government today, is a long-overdue step toward justice for the families of 97 people who tragically lost their lives. The new law makes it a crime for public officials to lie about major disasters.

Working on a new novel but it's 1 week to the state band contest and my brain won't think of words and just keeps humming test pieces. Love being a brass bander, but man contests don't half creatively zap you.

'I couldn't write about autism until I was old enough to look at myself from the outside.' On Northern Voices this week, poet Ella Frances Sanderson talks about accessibility, her creative inspiration and why she loves performing her work. on.soundcloud.com/rJozfVEo0VH5...

A pinned thread about my new novel, Keshed, publishing on 12th Feb 2026 with @ortacpress.bsky.social. Pre-orders available now from all the usual bookshops/websites. See thread for some early pre-press takes from some AMAZING writers and links to other stuff. www.ortacpress.com/product-page...

'Writing became something just for me, for my own wellbeing.' Novelist and Write on the Tyne director Helen Aitchison is on Northern Voices today discussing accessibility, writing as therapy and taking matters into your own hands. on.soundcloud.com/OjqL1sjV81oR...

Honoured to have taken part in this Northern Voices podcast with 6 of my students, discussing 'Calm', Beta reading and how young people in Hull feel about stereotypes of northerners and access to writing and publishing opportunities. With @jenbowden12.bsky.social soundcloud.com/northern_voi...

'There's a real lack of guidance on where you can start out. Publishing is an industry behind closed doors.' These are the words from one of @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social English students, six of whom feature on today's episode of Northern Voices alongside Susan. 1/ on.soundcloud.com/SVXzImbzMdF5...

Sad news in the last couple of weeks that Neem Tree Press has gone under. Like other NTP and Unbound authors, I'm now looking for new representation/publication - with the sequel to 'Calm' ready to go. #unbound #boundless #neemtreepress #yadystopia #authorlife

'We shouldn't exclude creative, passionate, talented people just because they live in another part of the country.' In a special episode, @canelobooks.bsky.social Executive Publisher Louise Cullen joins me on NV to talk publishing, bias, diversity and the North. on.soundcloud.com/0SkLFU7d6v6G...

Here is to my old Kindle, having finally carked it after 14 years (14!!) of solid use.

'Millions of people living in towns and villages don't get represented because they're not in London.' @srlpublishing.bsky.social novelist @robertwelbourn.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking gender inequity, romance and the scourge of social media. on.soundcloud.com/d8iVGgWCEVu7...

I did not bring enough chocolate to work for this day.

'Do all your networking online. Don't worry about physical location.' Novelist and educator Ken Powell is on Northern Voices this week talking about his writing process, the similarities between theatre and publishing, and the benefits of online networking. on.soundcloud.com/Bo7lteZvmfq5...

I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with @jenbowden12.bsky.social as part of her Northern Voices podcast! We chatted about my book '365 Days of Healing', the Northern writing scene/UK book industry, as well as my upcoming projects 🥰 You can listen here: soundcloud.com/northern_voi...

'There are so few resources that give explicit instruction on how the industry works.' Writer Quinn Clark @adashofseaglass.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices today to talk about access, wellness and octopus novels. @summersdalebooks.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/Iwuv0ldtABBj...

'If they can't see it, they can't be it. Young people need to see opportunities in writing and publishing.' Novelist @naomikelsey.bsky.social is on Northern Voices this week talking female characters with agency, creative writing education and publishing careers. on.soundcloud.com/EYobrdWvs6i4...

Give that bagpipe player any damn thing he wants. /

I realise I am very late to the party, but happy publication to Northern Voices's first ever interviewee @connorhutchinson.bsky.social for his debut novel, Dead Lucky @littlebrown.bsky.social Listen to the episode: on.soundcloud.com/azHZfRNXJHXt... Buy the book: shorturl.at/6yMe5

'We are grappling with a publishing industry completely obsessed with celebrity and making quick sales.' This week on Northern Voices, The Judas Case author Nicholas Graham talks about writing historical fiction, publishing's celebrity obsession and more. on.soundcloud.com/6STJLjoPZj7e...

'Trees of Hope': saplings from the felled Sycamore Gap tree on Hadrian's Wall will be sent to projects and charities this autumn. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

About flipping time! Having spoken to miners who were there on the ground while researching my novel about the strike and heard just how horrific that day was, this is long overdue. shorturl.at/jBt7v

My first journal article 'Publishing the North: Bias, Diversity and the North–South Divide in the UK Book Industry' out now in Publishing Research Quarterly. It's open access, anyone can read it, and I think if you work in the UK book industry you really should. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

'Make your own contacts, don't wait for things to fall in your lap.' Novelist Jack Byrne has some great advice on writing, publishing and breaking through class barriers on today's episode of Northern Voices. @liverpool-lit.bsky.social @northodoxpress.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/ytGeEyAzy2f5...

'I love writing for myself but in some ways supporting others is even better.' Professor and novelist @abicurtiswriter.bsky.social is on Northern Voices this week discussing her novel The Headland @goldsmithspress.bsky.social, academia, creativity and more. on.soundcloud.com/EHaFY2uG7xsg...

J & I are currently planning our UK trip – flying in to London and trying to stay there or nearby for the National Band Championships at t'Albert Hall. We have tried every which way to figure out an affordable way to stay there – but it's pretty much impossible. Currently our only option is ... 1/

'I've discovered that there really is a great beauty in those things we consider mundane.' This week on Northern Voices, emerging writer Sharon Tyers talks about writing her memoir, The Wrong Socks, Leicester's rich history and giving voice to working-class women. on.soundcloud.com/McOaYWqvOaVU...

Just opened up a first draft of a novel I wrote back in 2021 expecting absolute bollocks and it's actually pretty decent. Hoping to get working on it in the next few weeks and get another Northern novel in the bank. #takethatimpostersyndrome

It's the perfect time to resurrect my article for @theguardian.com about Durham Miners Gala because it is coming up on 12 July (seriously, go) and it truly is an experience of pure joy. Feat. @kenloach16films.bsky.social and some fab Northerners www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

'Publishing is a long process and that's something writers need to be aware of.' Writer @jodierobins.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking about her novella The Off Season from @wildhuntbooks.bsky.social Northern Weird Project among many other things. on.soundcloud.com/7v5IGdrn5pj0...

'My work is about welcome and I want as many people as possible to have access to pretty much anything.' Writer and artist Lisette Auton is on Northern Voices today talking about her novel Lights Up, performing Northern venues and the importance of accessibility. on.soundcloud.com/hcUWZNFLHYeZ...

It takes a bit of work to get Northern Voices out each week and as accessibility is at the heart of my work I never want to ask anyone to pay to listen. But, if you like what we do there is now the option to donate. donorbox.org/northern-voi...

'I think BookTok is the best thing that could have happened.' On Northern Voices this week @deborahoconnor.bsky.social on how BookTok is keeping publishing honest, her novel, Dear Future Me, and Saltburn the place vs Saltburn the film. @zaffrebooks.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/p65jVsUl3djp...

2025 The Year of Publication: Part 2. I've had my first academic paper accepted for a journal! Based on my PhD research, it looks at bias, diversity and the North–South divide in the UK book industry. Not entirely sure when it's out, but soon! (Dr Bowden still feels weird)

In good news, we're coming for a UK visit in October. Thought it was about time the husband experienced the National Brass Band Championships at the Albert Hall. Will be in London (briefly)/North East/Edinburgh :)

Are you unemployed and interested in joining a creative community where you can further your skills as a writer? There’s a FREE creative writing course run by industry professionals available in Liverpool. Link below. Please share :)

'There's a magic about fiction. It can make you feel understood, inspired. It's therapy.' Novelist Jamie Jackson @northodoxpress.bsky.social is my guest on Episode 80 (!) of Northern Voices today. on.soundcloud.com/BeKpv8BihIFY...

'I think everyone should be writing about climate change.' Novelist @johnironmonger.bsky.social on documenting the climate crisis, his new book The Wager and the Bear from @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social and how he almost deleted the email that got him an agent. on.soundcloud.com/iGgIClAw3AKq...

Northern Voices episodes are now booked up until January 2026, but if you haven't yet been on and have a novel coming out next year/are a Northern writer drop me a message. #writers #NorthernWriters #publishers #amwriting

'The day before I found out I won this prize, I decided I was done submitting this book.' 2024 Northbound Book Award winner Rozie Kelly @saraband-books.bsky.social @newwritingnorth.bsky.social on her debut novel Kingfisher, character writing and almost giving up. on.soundcloud.com/LsBzJKGQgTgV...

'Even though you've got brilliant opportunities in London, the industry and community in the North is growing rapidly.' On Northern Voices this week, novelist @nataliechandler.bsky.social on second books, thriller writing and not having imposter syndrome. on.soundcloud.com/G4o4qhKGqADX...

A Chicago Pope implies the existence of an MLA Pope and APA Pope

'Horror is most effective when it reflects society as a whole.' Matt Wesolowski @mattjwesolowski.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking about class, his new novella from @wildhuntbooks.bsky.social (Don't) Call Mum and the depth of horror as a genre. on.soundcloud.com/QuvNiapjQDiJ...

'The industry can do better and decentralisation is the key' The Great Orme author @pauldcoombs.bsky.social is on Northern Voices this week talking about his gothic thriller, wild landscapes and the London-centric publishing industry. @northodoxpress.bsky.social on.soundcloud.com/sHCYpwrFm5Ra...