Just did a really long run so I am once again sharing my Leeds Half Marathon fundraising page in the hope that we can muster £2000 for @mariecurieuk.bsky.social by race day on May 10. Please share. Don't make me tag my 2 (two) famous followers. Leave me my dignity. www.justgiving.com/page/richard...

Anyone looking for audio fiction to listen to, I've found this website this week: www.theend.fyi 'Binge-ready' i.e. there's at least one complete series/story to listen to already, no waiting for the next instalment. (It now lists my own sitcom Lee-Ann's Spare Fridays, too)

For those experiencing similar bad weather to the hail here in Wharfedale instead of being able to hunt for Easter eggs, may I offer an episode of my sitcom in which Gina is absolutely not on a treasure hunt because they’re for kids.Contains some of my fave lines creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...

I was most interested when the new 'did Harold sail to Hastings in 1066?' theory came out last week because my dad lives near Riccall and we love a bit of local history, so it set us off on a short quest jacquelinesaville.substack.com/p/riccall-an...

Are you looking for a funny romance novel set near Lake Michigan? I happen to have reviewed one here jacquelinesaville.substack.com/p/funny-stor...

Today is an exciting day: I have relaunched Inkcap! New website, new branding, lots of in-depth reporting on nature in Britain coming your way. Please share & help me get this thing off the ground. www.inkcap.co.uk/inkcap-is-ba...

Enjoyed this interesting @nytimes.com piece on fake AI videos of animals being improbable. But really it isn't a new phenomenon. COME WITH ME BACK TO 1903. 🧵 www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/m...

Yesterday I finished reading @gralefrit.bsky.social's Be Funny Or Die, which I've been dipping into since it came out. It's excellent, and among other things it made sense of something that's bothered me for years: why do people cut drama a lot more slack than comedy?

Here's this year's first big charity push, pals. I'm running the Leeds Half in May in support of @mariecurieuk.bsky.social and in memory of my lovely mum-in-law Sue, who so sadly died this month. It's an amazing charity. Throw all your spare money my way, please. www.justgiving.com/page/richard...

It's 2026, & growing a science newsletter isn't getting any easier. Time for some [grimaces] SELF-MARKETING. Hello! Once a week, I publish a newsletter to 30,000+ folk, trying to make them go "wow!" at sciencey stuff. You can sign up for free here: everythingisamazing.substack.com Thx/sorry.

Last month I got interested in whether those 18th&19th century frost fairs were exclusively a London thing - turns out they weren't. You can read about my quest here, and if you know about any I've missed (particularly in Yorkshire!) let me know jacquelinesaville.substack.com/p/frost-fair...

Here’s a poem called ‘Message to the 14-Year-Old Me’.

To every writer, artist & [insert your creative thing here] who feels they maybe shouldn't be posting stuff that *isn't* 'How Do We Stop The Fascists' right now: One of the tools of Evil People is hopelessness - where everyone's so exhausted they forget what Better looks like. Please remind them.

I notice that a fair few listeners to @gidcoe.bsky.social have decided to keep the lights up until Candlemas, so it’s not just me open.substack.com/pub/jacqueli...

there have been better days to launch an ambitious project to fund original scripted audio comedy from the likes of joel & ben (pictured), but it’s been in the diary for ages. please take a look at our store: Leadmojo.co.uk/smelt

For those who might be interested, Ilkley Oxfam bookshop had a near full set of PG Wodehouse’s Blandings books this afternoon. Newest paperback editions, in the classic literature section.

Idly reading a book from 1866 which talks about a golden crested wren and a blue titmouse being things to spot in January, and honestly this makes the goldcrest and bluetit sound so much more fairytale and wonderful than they already are. (I think I may have turned into Fotherington Thomas)

📣📣📣LEEDS LIT FEST EVENT CALL OUT 2026📣📣📣 Are you a writer, performer, publisher or event promoter? Do you want to be part of LLF2026? Please fill in our short form to submit your event idea but read the guidance notes in the form first. Deadline - Sun 1 Feb. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Someone at Tesco has clearly been listening to the Lee-Ann's Spare Fridays xmas episode opening: "there comes a point in December when mince pies become acceptable as a breakfast item and it would be foolish not to take advantage of that..." creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...

Had a lot of fun working with Leesa Morris on this, a comic festive disaster story about a working-class woman's first Christmas with her fiancé's middle-class parents. Her observations of rituals and manners from sausage rolls eating to present opening are a yuletide delight 🐝🎄🐝🎄🐝🎄

Reminded me of your jumper @mikeachim.bsky.social

With Skipton named Happiest Place to Live, and Christmas round the corner, it's the perfect time to listen to the festive episode of my sitcom Lee-Ann's Spare Fridays. Skipton's not the happiest place to go Christmas shopping, but that's probably Gina's fault creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...

Ran across a note from 2022, when I was researching for my Hexham book festival commission, and I needed to share: John Wallis in the Natural History and Antiquities of Northumberland (1769) referred to a jellyfish as ‘the large loco-motive Sea Nettle’ Thanks. As you were.

Just scrolled past something I can’t find again, which I think was suggesting Black Friday ought to be a celebration of goth. I would very much be behind this idea. Come on 6Music, you know it makes sense.

I'll be pulling down the shutters on the crossword shop at the end of Sunday, so get your bespoke puzzle orders in now! NOW I SAY!

One of the things people don’t realise is that only about 15% (at most) of food price paid at the till goes to the farmer in the most ‘advanced’ versions of this food system There is some evidence that on average farmers actually subsidise such system with their free or sub cost labour

My great-grandad was a piano tuner from Huddersfield. He was conscripted into the army during the First World War, and had an awful time. After I found out a bit about what he went through, I wrote a short story. I thought today might be a good day to share it. richarddsmyth.com/2025/11/09/n...

Is there a crossword person in your life? Would you like to get them a unique gift? PERHAPS FOR CHRISTMAS? Well maybe a bespoke quiz or cryptic crossword would fit the bill, on any theme, of any size, by the author of [counts on fingers] more than 900 published crosswords, i.e. Me. Give me a shout!

🚨 LAST CHANCE! 🚨 Writers in West Yorkshire, want to break into screenwriting? The Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme is your shot. Masterclasses, mentoring & industry networking. Apps close MIDNIGHT Sunday 5 Oct. Apply now 👉 https://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/the-mayors-script-diversity-programme/

Applications for the Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme close midnight Sunday 5 Oct. Free masterclasses, mentoring & networking for West Yorkshire writers ready to break into film & TV. Apply now:

I am to be let out, and poked until I speak. My first talk in AGES - please do come along, if you're in the north-east. Books, birds, all that sort of thing. www.nhsn.org.uk/events/richa...

By and large publishing can only pay advances that are not enough for authors to live on. Authors therefore require other means to support their writing. Publishing needs more voices from marginalised communities. Which communities have the means to support their writing? Not the marginalised ones.

What was the first book you remember loving as a child? Have your reading habits changed since childhood? Are there any books you return to, time and time again? 📚

Applications are open for The Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme, a course designed to help writers from underrepresented groups pivot into screenwriting. 👉 Find out more and apply here: https://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/the-mayors-script-diversity-programme/

I've been writing a weekly serial for the past four years and it's reaching its conclusion in the next couple of months. Seemed like a good moment to re-introduce it! Check it out if you're into crime fiction, science fiction and fantasy mash-ups. open.substack.com/pub/simonkjo...

Yes this is a naff photo of a kingfisher, but importantly *I saw a kingfisher* which is very exciting.

@claireymary77.bsky.social no more In Our Time with Melvyn! Loads of back catalogue to go at but it won’t be the same without him.

Did a thread. TL/DR give all your money to refugees please and fuck that other lot.

The wait is over, sales are open! Book your tickets now for the 2025 Festival, 3-19 October 🤩📖🥳 So peruse the programme, pick your favourites, and book your tickets now! Online: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/whats-on By phone: 01943 816714

If this looks like a magical place you might want to read about, I wrote about a book of essays about life in Withernsea today: open.substack.com/pub/jacqueli...

I'm hosting a poetry event as part of Chapel Allerton Arts Festival next month. Tuesday 26 August at Brew+Bao on Stainbeck Lane. Headliner will be the wonderful @wendypratt.bsky.social, supported by Liz McPherson, plus an open mic. Come! chapelallerton.org.uk/poetry/

Poetry lovers! BBC Radio lovers! Music lovers! This one is for YOU. BBC Contains Strong Language Festival is coming to Bradford for the first time. What a line up 😍

Ran across this from Punch in 1842 worrying about steam power; naturally made me think of genAI ‘if all labour done by man were suddenly performed by machine power, and that power in the possession of some thousand individuals, -what would be the cry of the rest…Would not the shout be -Share, share?

I've worked in publishing for 35yrs and in that time the market has inexorably driven down the quality of the environment for authors. Self publishing changed some things but this (below) is an accurate picture of the experience for the vast majority of authors. Please talk up books you've enjoyed.

By way of an Ozzy tribute I shared an unpublished story from 2021 that deals with the centrality of both tea and metal to some people's lives (mine for instance) & is heavily influenced by Pratchett & Gaiman jacquelinesaville.substack.com/p/short-stor...

This has made me realise how inadequate my butterfly identification skills are. Common or holly blue? Meadow brown or gatekeeper? Large or small white? It’s ok if they’re sat on a buddleia for half an hour but most are fluttering past. By August 10th, hopefully, I will have improved.

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...

A quick review of a compelling detective novel which also explores the ethics of AI, and was last year’s Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year open.substack.com/pub/jacqueli...

To celebrate one year since publication of Pleasantly Disturbed - and also legendary Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr's 66th birthday (the man who inspired the book and the teenage me) - it is now available FREE of charge as an e-book on KindleUnlimited via Amazon. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FH2KPFMM

If you’re interested in the state of England a couple of years ago, or have a fondness for JB Priestley’s English Journey, I can highly recommend Stuart Maconie’s updated version jacquelinesaville.substack.com/p/the-full-e...