BEANO artist Laura Howell is delivering a free online masterclass on Writing and Drawing for Kids Comics this Tuesday, 13th January 2026, as part of the Comics Youth “Comics Declassified” project https://downthetubes.net/laura-howell-next-comics-declassified-guest-offering-comic-creation-tips/

I cancelled my Twitter account today, after 10 years, and feeling really sad as I've lost connection to so many nice friends. Missing JW, my Green Valley metal dectectorist, antique expert old pal who died, I loved looking up his profile, reading his tweets.

I enjoyed the list of gritter names... which is your favourite? www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now...

Getting rid of DCMS meant there was no one in government able to warn the prime minister that creatives can't live off thin air. thecritic.co.uk/brin...

Thank you so much Julie Stevens for your kind words about my new book This Joyful Interlude! Book links (or pm me for an author copy): UK: amazon.co.uk/dp/1068432330 US: amazon.com/dp/1068432330 CA: amazon.ca/dp/1068432330 AU: amazon.com.au/dp/1068432330 #poems #poetry #books #booklovers

Good morning! This is my first Monday Morning Musings for 2026. This is my weekly post of #poetry #photos and commentary on the past week. merrildsmith.org/2026/01/05/o...

BIG NEWS from SHINE poetry...the 1st (annual?) "Come As You Are" Book Prize is now open for submissions to #poets residing in the USA. #FREE to submit. Full guidelines can be found at shinepoetry.weebly.com/book-prize.h... Send in your manuscripts! #poetry #bookprize #submissions are OPEN

A poem from my collection, In the Shadow of Gods, Hoar Frost. 🖼️ Hoar-frost And Stars, Gustaf Fjaestad.

If you steal from independent artists, you're going as low as you can. You're not Robin Hood. You're beating up on the most defenseless people you can find just for your entertainment. Go search the droves of free things we already give you and help promote us in a legal and respectful way.

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 132678: You don't need to write every day: you just need to keep your imagination alight. Feed it with books, with art, with films and theatre. That way it will always be ready when you need it.

I loved "Two Words" by Afarin Rava. Start reading it for free: read.amazon.co.uk/kp/kshare?as...

I know we have bigger first to fry but this sucks so fucking bad. Location: Midtown Hotel Boston

It's fascinating to see the changes in one company's logo over the years.

Jane's Poetry Press - 2027. Callout for 2 (or maybe 3) poets. I make poetry books for fun & to give poets a platform. I’m drawn to poets who have a friendly, supportive online presence and who actively encourage and uplift others in the poetry community. Being inclusive really matters to me.

15 skywatching events you won't want to miss in 2026 buff.ly/p8948ln Although all of these events will be visible to the naked eye, a nice pair of binoculars and a good beginner telescope can significantly enhance the experience. #SkyWatching #Astronomy #Moon #Planets #Eclipse #Meteors

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” J.R.R. Tolkien was born #OTD in 1892. 🎨Alan Lee

The end of the year is looming, and it's time to take a chance. Click this link to enjoy a randomly selected poem from the Stone Circle archives: stonecirclereview.com/random/ There are almost 300 poems available and each one is a banger. You can't lose!

I got Basics by Matt Jakubowski, a beautiful reminder to give my lovely man a kiss and tell him he's brilliant 💫💕

Time for New Year's Resolutions? Be gentle with yourselves, friends. 😊 (Here's an excerpt from an old one.) Happy New Year! www.SamanthaTerrell.com #nye #poetry #poetrylovers #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity

‘It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.’ ~ Tolkien, LOTR. This #BookWormSat is Tolkien’s birthday so we will travel to other worlds and fantasy universes. Come with us.

SHINE got "intrepid" -- love that, folks! Let's go fearlessly into 2026 -- send in your work & share the love?! Tell your #poetry pals: #submissions are OPEN & FREE. Guidelines & more at: SHINEpoetry.com #shinepoetry #poetrycommunity #internationalcommunity

I hope this is a good sign that 2026 will be happier than 2025 🙏✨️

I've spoken alot about my grandad, but I've rarely discussed his battle with Dementia. He is my motivation for signing up for the 50 miles in January challenge. I will be sharing folklore along the way. Please share or donate if you are able. Thank you! fundraise.dementiauk.org/s/27334/2788...

okay let's do a thread of FUN ONLY, no-stress, low-stakes New Year's Resolutions that are designed not to make you become a Better™️ Person™️ but purely to increase the amount of happiness in your life in 2026 I'm going to learn Polish folk embroidery and I want to DM at least a one-shot of something

ㅤ

I'm enjoying 25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie. Happy Hogmanay! #amreading 🥂

data being made into an object for international trade via regulation was a mistake and it’s being repeated with AI. secondary systems of complexity.

Due to IG's new (abysmal) AI policies, SHINE has closed our IG account & moved exclusively to BSKY. Please help SHINE's account grow by liking & sharing this post, and follow @shinepoetry.bsky.social where subs are OPEN & FREE! #shinepoetry #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #internationalcommunity

Oh

Some more #lichen: #MacroMonday #macrophotography #macro

#TheStarbeckOrion Contributions closed for the final issue of 2025. The next anthology will be the Summer Feast 2026 that begins on June 25th and lasts 50 days. Contributions in by 7th June. Thank you to all you amazing writers and artworkers that have contributed so much creativity this year.

#Poetrylovers, just a reminder you can join these happy faces and take your own picture of SHINE Quarterly in the wild, by grabbing a copy of ANY issue right here: www.tinyurl.com/shinepoetryseries! Plus, watch the Issue 5 launch here: youtu.be/ADqjbsKe1YM #shinepoetry #poetrycommunity

oomf who is a librarian had to take down the David Walliams poster at work today and said it felt like pulling down the big Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad in 2003

I think you might like this book – "Still Waters (Sandhamn Murders Book 1)" by Viveca Sten, translated by Marlaine Delargy. Start reading it for free: read.amazon.co.uk/kp/kshare?as...

lone robin serenades my path solstice song #DailyHaikuPrompt #haiku

1/ We have now exceeded over 4 million reads of our Powerful Citizen journalism in 2025 and rising. Help us look forward to a brilliant 2026 by supporting citizen voices and becoming a friend of Bylines Network bylinesnetwork.co.uk/friends-of-b...

“The so-called job crisis, the automation of work and human tasks, is on the most profound level a war against people.” Ursula Franklin, 1996 peacemagazine.org/archive/v12n...

Pantone just updated their Color Of The Year

A very helpful article about coping with dysfunctional family relationships at a tough time of year: 'Brooklyn Beckham and the reality of family estrangement at Christmas' www.independent.co.uk/life-style/f...

New review up on Goodreads. You can follow me over there: www.goodreads.com/author/show/... if you're interested!! Happy weekend~ #poetrylovers #readinglovers #bookreviews #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity

Just as it's foolish to stop wasting $ only when you are running out, it's idiotic to wait until you see your death around the next bend to stop wasting time.

I am baking! I love this recipe for ginger biscuits, I added some extra all spice and it smells very festive! Hope you're having a nice day too! www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ging...

This is such a misunderstanding of why writers, artists, and designers do research to begin with, which is to find something unexpected, not capture the average or find reference for the default. And, as always, the biggest misapprehension: We don’t want to NOT do this part. It’s fun to learn shit

My professional artists peers! We got a survey request! Researchers at the University of Carnegie Mellon is doing a research to see how generative Al has (or has not) impacted your work and/or sentiments in the industry. Folks in creative fields only, please consider filling this out 👇

It bears repeating that Paul is a fine editor, generous, thoughtful, discerning but seemingly free of the editorial afflictions of dogmatism and self-regard. He invites written, spoken and visual contributions to his excellent site. Please send him your best work ✍️🎨🎤

🌳Vast areas of our most vital habitat are at risk of being lost forever. Will you join Dame Judi Dench and @wildcard.land in calling for DEFRA to fund the restoration of our publicly owned ancient woodlands? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/br...

SHINE is reading now for Feb/March online Spotlight features, plus every submission is considered for inclusion in the print quarterly. Why not sub today and get a response before the New Year!? #shinepoetry #poetrycommunity #submissions are open #internationalcommunity #writingcommunity