Sound advice from the cleric Sydney Smith, courtesy of Stephen Bayley in this quarter’s Slightly Foxed @slightlyfoxed.bsky.social.

Stuff these, Dirk Bogarde’s spoken word album Lyrics for Lovers is on Spotify.

New records out today by CMAT, Blood Orange and The Beaches. Glorious.

It's true! Julia Roberts will be narrating Leonard and Hungry Paul. She read the book when it came out and her agent got in touch to say she really liked it. But I never thought things would go this far. Delighted. www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...

My thoughts on the remarkable fiction of Paul Griffiths in the latest issue of Exacting Clam www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18...

My review of C.D. Rose’s superb new novel, We Live Here Now, is in the latest TLS @thetls.bsky.social.

My review of C.D. Rose’s superb new novel, We Live Here Now, is in the latest TLS @thetls.bsky.social.

My interview with writer, librettist and music critic Paul Griffiths is out now in the latest issue of Exacting Clam. It's also free to read on the website: www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18... @disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social

My interview with writer, librettist and music critic Paul Griffiths is out now in the latest issue of Exacting Clam. It's also free to read on the website: www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18... @disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social

My free monthly newsletter THE GLUE FACTORY goes out this Friday to 2000+ subscribers. If you're not already signed up you can DM me for inclusion on the mailing list. Featuring indie press news, links to broadcasts, podcasts and substacks; forthcoming fiction, non-fiction and poetry; all that.

No council, or councillor, has the right to "ban" any books. The library service are the only body that makes decisions on stock selection. A councillor, as a member of the public, can *request* books are removed on a title-by-title basis, but the reply should come that under @cilip.bsky.social

Wonderful to hear @alicefwrites.bsky.social talk about her short story collection, The Truth Has Arms and Legs, at Camberley Library this evening. @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social

My review of Kevin Davey’s Toothpull of St Dunstan, a wild ride through 700 years of dentistry at the gates of Canterbury, is in this week’s TLS @thetls.bsky.social. www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...

My review of Kevin Davey’s Toothpull of St Dunstan, a wild ride through 700 years of dentistry at the gates of Canterbury, is in this week’s TLS @thetls.bsky.social. www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...

Sadly, @eeahahayteatea.bsky.social has fractured her ankle and is off work. It’s clinically proven that buying her artwork will aid in recovery.* www.studioerratt.com *probably.

Sadly, @eeahahayteatea.bsky.social has fractured her ankle and is off work. It’s clinically proven that buying her artwork will aid in recovery.* www.studioerratt.com *probably.

Yesterday evening, I finished @alexpheby.bsky.social’s Waterblack, the third in the Cities of the Weft trilogy. Incredible. Whether you read fantasy or not, these books are significant. @galleybeggars.bsky.social

It's Thursday afternoon and officially NEARLY the weekend, and A Personal Anthology! This week's guest editor, picking and introducing a dozen favourite short stories, is @robertloyko-greer.bsky.social Sign up here if you don't already subscribe. RT if you do! apersonalanthology.substack.com/about

Interesting discussion on Radio 4 this morning about the difference between reading books and listening to audiobooks that seemed to entirely forget the existence and history of…radio.

Good morning. It is Independent Bookshop Week. If you are able please do support your local bookshop. They pay their taxes and support the community! @bookcornerhx.bsky.social @sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social @forumbooks.bsky.social @drakebookshop.bsky.social @grovebookshop.bsky.social

An engrossing search for understanding and meaning in a single, brilliant poem. A Crumpled Swan is a thoughtful and irrefutable demonstration of the power of art. DC is such a knowledgeable and companionable writer. Published by @saggingmeniscus.bsky.social

My new short story, The Man in the U-Bend, is in the summer issue of Exacting Clam @exactingclam.bsky.social. Looking forward to reading what looks like another splendid gathering of pieces. Clam on exactingclam.com/issues/no-17...

A brief but revitalising dip back into academic life this weekend at the Samuel Beckett Society conference in Edinburgh. Lovely to see @annamcmullan.bsky.social, @davidpattie.bsky.social and other friends.

Exacting Clam No.17 is here. Gina DeMartino's A Clam at the Bellagio adorns the cover. Stunning fiction, poetry, criticism and essay adorns the rest of it. Subscribe today https://www.exactingclam.com/subscribe/

Published today.

Reality is getting there before the satirists again.

New fiction coming soon in the @exactingclam.bsky.social summer issue.

TV NEWS! Delighted to share details of the forthcoming TV adaptation of Leonard and Hungry Paul for BBC and RTE. Have visited the set – a wonderful cast and crew. Thanks to Subotica, BBC @rte.ie and everyone involved. @thebookseller.com deadline.com/2025/05/leon...

The interview with Peter Robinson is available as a free sample for issue 11 of Poetry Birmingham, which is now on sale: poetrybirmingham.com/current-issu...

The interview with Peter Robinson is available as a free sample for issue 11 of Poetry Birmingham, which is now on sale: poetrybirmingham.com/current-issu...

Immensely pleased to have my interview with Peter Robinson on his friendship with Roy Fisher in the latest Poetry Birmingham @poetrybrum.bsky.social.

Immensely pleased to have my interview with Peter Robinson on his friendship with Roy Fisher in the latest Poetry Birmingham @poetrybrum.bsky.social.

Why we love libraries. From New York Libraries. Ghost Mountain by Rónán Hession - Book of the day. Thank you. @librariesconnected.bsky.social @dublincitylibs.bsky.social @gutterbookshop.bsky.social @chaptersbookstore.bsky.social @thebookseller.com

The fabulous Rebecca Erratt @eeahahayteatea.bsky.social is exhibiting pieces at this year’s App Art Exhibition at Prior’s Field. 5-20th April, free admission 10-4 www.appartonline.co.uk

Put up a new bird feeder yesterday. No foolin’.

Really proud to have been making Stanchion Magazine for 5 years now. Also really proud of Issue 18 feat. writing & visual art by 25 contributors from around the world. Please consider pre-ordering a copy today. You'll have it in hand in late April. 🖤🤍 www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...

'North by Northwest isn’t about what happens to Cary Grant, it’s about what happens to his suit. The suit has the adventures, a gorgeous New York suit threading its way through America.' (Cary Grant's Suit by Todd McEwen) With no offence to Cary Grant, who was born #OTD in 1904.

As we have to endure each company tediously shoehorning AI into their products and services, I’m hoping some go in the other direction. My campaign for the reintroduction of messenger pigeon by Royal Mail starts here.

HE IS RETURNING… Look out for amazing new promo pics and videos landing from tomorrow. 2 weeks to go. And for Scott Jericho, nothing will ever be the same again… BURYING JERICHO PREORDER LINKS: geni.us/burying-jeri...

A brilliant piece on Adrian Bell! The Countryman's Quartet is available to purchase from the Slightly Foxed website or via the link below: foxedquarterly.com/shop/a-count...

I wrote about one of my favourite writers of rural life, Adrian Bell, and how he brought poetry to the local newspaper someflowerssoon.substack.com/p/pinks-29-s...

Thank you to the gorgeous Farnham Library for hosting my Farnham Literary Festival and making me feel so welcome! 🥰 I spoke about my novels, including my upcoming title (TBA soon!) & gave an exclusive reading before the proofs have even been printed! 😎🤩 #OnTheEdge #29Locks #21Miles

Stop the presses. The new Coheed and Cambria album is out. open.spotify.com/album/7fj1TO...

‘simplify and add lightness’ - Stephen Bayley offers excellent writing advice via Laurence Pomeroy’s The Racing Car Explained (1963) in the latest Slightly Foxed @slightlyfoxed.bsky.social

Kirkus Reviews on @davidcollard.bsky.social's forthcoming A CRUMPLED SWAN: "Collard’s insightful essays reveal him, as well, as a sympathetic presence, sensitive and wise. Fresh, perceptive literary essays." www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

"Bonilla writes an exquisite and sonorous prose, Victorian in its resonance and haunting in its effect upon the reader." @ericracher.bsky.social  on Sleep Decades by @israelbonilla.bsky.social , from @malarkeybooks.bsky.social  Spring '25 issue. Subscribe for full access and your discounted rate.

Looking forward to helping with Farnham Library’s first Lit Fest event tomorrow, a community performance produced by Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures followed by a talk from @whusseyauthor.bsky.social Last couple of tickets remaining! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lgbtq-stor...

Finally, some realistic product photos. Weird how so many companies just ignore the fact that dinosaurs might also use an outdoor dining area.

Farnham Literary Festival 2025, 6-16 March - brilliant lineup of talks, panels, workshops and more. I’m supporting events at Farnham Library, plus great stuff at Farnham Maltings, Oxfam Bookshop, St Andrew’s Church and more farnhamliteraryfestival.co.uk