Happy 250th birthday, Jane Austen. You invented free indirect style, wrote the most vicious put downs, gave us the GOAT enemies-to-lovers plot, and wore the heck out of a bonnet

Absolutely devastating news about the passing of Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle. What an achievement to make so many people’s favourite film, but from a range of six different titles. Here on the set of the superlative and unique The Princess Bride.

I was, over the years, an angel, pregnant Mary who gets rejected by the innkeepers (but a different girl got to play Mary with the Christ child), and more depressingly, the front end of a camel whose wise man brought the gift of myrrh.

Came up with a solution to avoid having to use the new Word Copilot. Found an old laptop with a copy of Word installed pre-pandemic. Tho the touchpad is broken, I can link to a monitor & mouse/keyboard and use that. Added benefit of having PC Word which has more functionality than Word for Mac.

Has anyone had issues with a cat under-eating and losing weight? Otto gets hungry but only eats a bit. Have tried lots of foods, and now the blood tests have come back negative for anything nasty (thank goodness). Vet is unsure if dental issues explain it so I wonder if anyone has any ideas?

We made a special episode to mark Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, about Sense & Sensibility (1995). We talk to costume designer Eleanor Bull about how filmmakers create character through costume, Emma Thompson’s script, Alan Rickman and much more! Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

This is such an exciting development. Storks live in urban areas all over the place except for Britain. Until now!

Think we’ve reached peak cosy crime

We are into the last 5 days of the #Creatives4Sudan auction. There are some INCREDIBLE lots on there. Please consider a cheeky little bid. EG on creative mentoring from @rashmiwriting.bsky.social #KeepEyesOnSudan app.galabid.com/creatives4su...

Perfect Tom Stoppard story from DTel obituary: His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”

The latest episode of Total 90s Recall is out. We’re talking about Dazed and Confused: the music, the cast, the incredible 70s fashion… lnk.bio/Total90sRecall

maybe i am going insane

Second episode of Total 90s Recall is up on all platforms and it's about FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL. @mollymerwin.bsky.social and I loved this film but we do have our critiques... Follow the links to have a listen! lnk.bio/Total90sRecall

First episode of TOTAL 90S RECALL is out now! …Am I the only one who has overly developed thoughts about Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park? Am I too excited for interactive CD-ROMS? Listen here! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Conclave The Agony and the Ecstasy A Man For All Seasons Hot Tub Time Machine 2

I’m launching a podcast with @mollymerwin.bsky.social! Total 90s Recall rewinds back to the best decade for movies, and asking if they’re as good or bad as we remember. We’ll have industry guests, insightful discussions and FUN! Like & subscribe *wherever you get your podcasts*

No.

Smashing to see several @andersenpress.bsky.social titles here!

Has the King been demoted too somehow?

From White Teeth to Swing Time: Zadie Smith’s best books - ranked!

Was not prepared for how funny Lily Allen's new album is

Wow!

These two absolutely hated each other www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Can anyone help identify this cable port?

City St George’s, University of London students work with UNFPA to launch podcast series on women’s issues https://podnews.net/press-release/womens-world

Earlier this year me and my fellow MA podcasters worked with @unfpa.org to make a series about the persistent gender gap in several areas including sport, medicine and technology. We met brilliant women who are working to change that. All 5 episodes are out now: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...

Yeah, this is an odd stereotype on social media about what's currently published. There's a wide variety of fiction not merely on shelves but on tables, prize shortlists. Translated fiction is getting a big push. It's not perfectly representative but I don't see the male, pale, stale thing on lists?

Just found out from @chloesackur.bsky.social: there's a new kidlit podcast in town! From @rachelparris.bsky.social & Children's Book project www.instagram.com/childrensboo... First guest @laurenlaverne.bsky.social, check it out! feeds.acast.com/public/shows... #UKKidLit #KidLitUK

The stained glass ceiling is smashed! 🙏

We are delighted to announce the #GoldsmithsPrize2025 shortlist. Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists! Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...

This is now officially a One Battle After Another fan account!!

Finally a policy that fills me with hope. Why didn’t they announce this at the start? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Imelda Storm-ton

I was chuffed to find out that my podcast, Flight Risk, has been chosen for the Official Selection at Aesthetica Short Film Festival! I’ll be part of the Makers’ Forum at York Theatre Royal, doing a little talk Sat 8th November 3pm 🙂

This is wonderful www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

'Ghibli is not overtly political, but for me, it is massively so, because of how it holds questions rather than stating answers' observer.co.uk/culture/film...

Good little @theguardian.com explainer on the differing reasons behind the massive housing crises in the global north vs south here: www.theguardian.com/world/video/...

‘In 1963, the Robbins report argued for expansion of universities on the grounds that learning was a good in itself. ‘Half a century later came the Browne report. “Higher education matters,” it insisted, because it allows students to gain “higher wages”’ observer.co.uk/news/opinion...

This is a roller coaster. I mean the kind with a massive drop at the end: www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

RIP and thank you, Allan Ahlberg.

I've just received my transcript for my Podcasting MA at City St George's, University of London - I've achieved a distinction! 🎉

The only positive I can see in this is that at least it’s not Grok OpenAI and UK sign deal to use AI in public services www.bbc.com/news/article...

Two podcast episodes discussing the decline in literacy and reading for pleasure and what we’re losing as a result: 1) podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Look there’s an obvious choice for the replacement Masterchef hosts

Great overview of why publishing editorial departments are unlikely to pick up on fabrications in memoirs: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j...

The winners of the @cilip.bsky.social #CarnegieMedals have been announced! 📚📜

I’ve got 20 days till my final project is due. Wish me luck with the (continuing) edit!

Here's a screenshot of the spectral frequency display of the birdsong I recorded this morning at Knepp. This is about 30 seconds of song. I'm going to try and see if I can erase the blackbird, dunnock, wren and woodpecker to isolate the turtle dove!

Current view: recording storks and turtle doves in @kneppwilding.bsky.social A magical place for wildlife. I just want the doves to purr a little bit more…