That was the old me - new me loves behindthename.com for all my character naming needs!

Something I’ve learned in the last day: never get on the wrong side of a Scot. They are insanely good at insults

999 followers !!!

three followers away from 1000? How did that happen! Who will be my 1000th Blue Sky follower ... I post nonsense about books, reading, my gorgeous cheeky cockapoo, and um, that's about it!

I've done a reel about my new book deal with the amazing @theboldbookclub ! I'm very happy. In fact, I am currently happy dancing about my office. No video of said happy dancing will be forthcoming. www.instagram.com/p/DMH65eENyM7/

So @scbwi.bsky.social is unilaterally splitting up the British Isles into 4 regions, without discussion or consultation, without consideration or respect. While I'm shocked and saddened, I'm also not surprised. Bye, SCBWI, but not my SCBWI-BI friends, who will remain an important part of my life.

It's publication day! One summer on a beautiful island could change everything… Grab your copy of #OverTheSeaToSkye now! amazon.co.uk/Over-Sea-Sky...

June is #NationalCrimeReadingMonth Fancy a #psychological #suspense ? #BookSky 📚💙 ➡️ mybook.to/LMangosBooks ⬅️

I'm at that stage in writing a new book where I want to grab every passerby and say, READ THIS, I LOVE IT. This stage will soon pass and be replaced by, OMG THIS TOTALLY SUCKS.

could it be that the orange one has actually done something that led to something that doesn't totally suck - as in, the reaction in Canadian politics & their election? I am a Canadian citizen, though from afar for a long while. Interesting times. Interesting article - observer.co.uk/news/interna...

Thank you, Canada 🍁 🇨🇦

Heading to LSF - London Screenwriters Festival - next weekend! To talk about writing books that go to the screen! londonscreenwritersfestival.com/write-the-bo...

Look out, SCBWI retreat, here we come! And we can’t get lost, because Len the penguin has a compass #istandwiththepenguins

YES. This.

hayfever - UGH. Is it just me or is it worse than usual this year? (in England)

Nooooo …. I haven’t posted here in almost a month?! Soz. What’s up? *listening face*

I started playing Pickleball a while ago - I think I've been five times now. And today, for the first time, I felt like I could actually play - not brilliantly, but well enough to have a game of doubles and enjoy it. YAY me!!

Thank you, Canada, for standing with Ukraine 🇺🇦 ”Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine (…) Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and Ukrainians in achieving a just & lasting peace.”

is it just me who spends five million years (ish) rewriting the first chapter, and about five minutes (ish) on the rest?

Another book review for 2025! Is it cheating because I’ve read it before? I definitely got more out of it this time around, and now heading into the woods with my main character… 5⭐️

to wine or not to wine, that is the question… (context: annoying day, but feel like might be getting a cold, so 🤷‍♀️)

Very excited to reveal to you the amazing cover for Kitty and the Clifftop Peril written by me and illustrated by Jenny Lovlie. Published by OUP and out in May! It’s Kitty book 16! Look Jenny’s fabulous cover! @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social

….or even, a PICTURE BOOK! This is why I need editors

Lovely new picture by Candy Gourlay, Little Rhino Lost, illustrated by Jamie Bauza, is out today in the USA! Her baby brother did some motion graphics for the trailer. Please share everywhere if you can! youtu.be/prOmb69XZRI

A writing retreat at lovely Holland House, Cropthorne, with SCBWI - though you'll have to put up with me giving a talk/workshop/one-to-ones..! April 11 to 14th, so not long to wait. Booking and details here: www.tickettailor.com/events/socie...

today is all about editing ... I'm prepared: vat of tea, multiple colours of gel pens, at my desk so very early. All I have to do now is stop looking at waterproof walking shoes on line

I was absolutely hooked by the weird and wonderful in this one. Original, spooky and full of twists - I loved it!! 5/5 ⭐️ Thank you @sameades.bsky.social for the proof. Everyone else will have to wait until publication date in June. And thank you, @sarahpinborough.bsky.social , for writing it.

how cool is this? - a Canadian doorcam recording of a meteorite strike - sound up. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Once more with feeling and a dollop of frustration … Taking our work without permission or payment is theft. thttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/14/british-novelists-criticise-government-over-ai-theft#img-1

this is the actual current temperature in my garden office. I’m wearing three layers, fingerless gloves, Ugh boots and a blanket and it’s not enough! Brrrr 🥶

It varies but chaotic plantster sounds about right!

Highly recommend to any little ones and their parents!

I still have some days available for school visits during World Book Day week! I can easily travel to London/ Birmingham/ Oxford and many other areas. Contact me to find out more or book me through Authors Aloud #primary #authors #teaching

I haven't been booked for World Book Day in March! Astonishing, I know! Contact me if interested teriterry.jimdoweb.com/contact/

Me: it's a writing day and I've hardly got anything done. Also me: four loads washing, walked Scooby, sorted kitchen, looked for lost things, had a phone meeting. Me: ...

yesterday I had an idea how to transform something I've been writing on and off for over ten years, and it was a perfect, shiny thing. Today, hmmm. Not so sure. Isn't writing fun?1?!

happy book birthday @katepoels.bsky.social !! I'm really looking forward to reading this one! Book 4 - if you haven't discovered this farm-set cosy crime series, you are in for a treat.

Let me tell you about the weird business that delivers art into our lives, and the impact it has on the long-term careers of artists. This is a thread prompted by yet another article on authors' incomes, and the inevitable reactions from the 'people-would-pay-if-it-was-worth-it-to-them' brigade. 1/

My third read of the year is The Push by Ashley Audra. Couldn’t stop reading, an intense mixture of horror and fascination. Pulls off a tricky second person voice so well. It will stick in my mind for a while. The ending was perfect. 5/5

I liked @richardosman1.bsky.social Tuesday Murder Club books, but I LOVED the new one, We Solve Murders! Quirky characters, exotic settings (great for tax deductible holidays? research trips?), loads of action, and a satisfying number of gun shot wounds? Too many question marks? Maybe? 4.8/5⭐️

Latest read, first of the year! The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny 5/5⭐️ www.instagram.com/p/DEXOjLDtN8...

Happy New Year, everyone! 2024 saw too much darkness around the world, please, please let there be more light in 2025. Wishing for hope, health, happiness… …and a book deal. Or two 😬

for screen writers or those who want to learn more about it, there is an amazing opportunity to attend a day at the famous Ealing Studios with a stellar list of speakers. It's on 12th January and only costs £5. To register and more info, makeitreel.uk (I'll now return to my social media free break🙃)

Signing off social media until the new year … see you on the other side!

I FINISHED MY BOOK BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!! Now pass me a mince pie