Bob Johnston
@bobjohnstonbooks.bsky.social
'Our Big Day' LGBTQ+ award-winning picturebook published 2022. Currently subbing agents w/ a gay novel for adults. Husband, dog lover, cat misser, biscuit eater, previously @gutterbookshop ... he/him. linktr.ee/bobjohnstonbooks
Reposted by Bob Johnston
Another rejection, #writingcommunity. They come and go. Question: What do you do (if anything) to your project after rejection? Do you give another edit? Change your cover letter? Or do you leave it all alone?
February 10, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Another rejection, #writingcommunity. They come and go. Question: What do you do (if anything) to your project after rejection? Do you give another edit? Change your cover letter? Or do you leave it all alone?
Reposted by Bob Johnston
Prior to the 1970s, the bulk of a minister's time was occupied with medium to long term planning. Now, the focus is on day to day programme administration and how to manage negative mainstream and social media. That is not solely the fault of politicians but the 'gossip' appetites of us all.
I can‘t pretend to be the biggest fan of Keir Starmer,but the idea that Britain should get yet another new Government now is preposterous. And the Labour MPs who think they could do it better might be in for a shock. All such a change would do would be to further undermine public faith in democracy.
February 10, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Prior to the 1970s, the bulk of a minister's time was occupied with medium to long term planning. Now, the focus is on day to day programme administration and how to manage negative mainstream and social media. That is not solely the fault of politicians but the 'gossip' appetites of us all.
Just a reminder that planning agreements are in place to protect local villages from excessive noise but airlines are ignoring them & that Dublin already has more night-time flights than Heathrow. DAA know where the money's at & that's all that they're interested in.
Cabinet to approve lifting of Dublin Airport’s 32m passenger cap
Cabinet to approve lifting of Dublin Airport’s 32m passenger cap
Minister for Infrastructure Jack Chambers to present rule changes in attempt to shorten approval process for critical projects
www.irishtimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Just a reminder that planning agreements are in place to protect local villages from excessive noise but airlines are ignoring them & that Dublin already has more night-time flights than Heathrow. DAA know where the money's at & that's all that they're interested in.
Reposted by Bob Johnston
Very annoyed at the people who decided to open the floodgates to online sports betting, it is absolutely a scourge. Great piece from Gabrielle Gurley on people spending hours a day on these predatory apps.
The Scourge of Online Sports Betting - The American Prospect
States and leagues must face up to the damage from app-based gambling for the next generation of bettors, most of them young men.
prospect.org
February 9, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Very annoyed at the people who decided to open the floodgates to online sports betting, it is absolutely a scourge. Great piece from Gabrielle Gurley on people spending hours a day on these predatory apps.
Reposted by Bob Johnston
Reminder that I'll be at @yorklitfest.bsky.social on 14th March at 6.30pm. I'll be interviewed by the hugely talented writer @colettesnowden.bsky.social (who also has an event at 2pm the same day – go to that too.)
Do come!
Do come!
York Theatre Royal
Rónán Hession, in Conversation
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Reminder that I'll be at @yorklitfest.bsky.social on 14th March at 6.30pm. I'll be interviewed by the hugely talented writer @colettesnowden.bsky.social (who also has an event at 2pm the same day – go to that too.)
Do come!
Do come!
Reposted by Bob Johnston
I need a light backpack and can’t find one I like.
There are, however, plenty of nice tote bags, and I have a sewing machine I want to get the hang of. Has anyone got a beginner-friendly pattern for converting a tote bag into a backpack?
There are, however, plenty of nice tote bags, and I have a sewing machine I want to get the hang of. Has anyone got a beginner-friendly pattern for converting a tote bag into a backpack?
February 9, 2026 at 2:58 PM
I need a light backpack and can’t find one I like.
There are, however, plenty of nice tote bags, and I have a sewing machine I want to get the hang of. Has anyone got a beginner-friendly pattern for converting a tote bag into a backpack?
There are, however, plenty of nice tote bags, and I have a sewing machine I want to get the hang of. Has anyone got a beginner-friendly pattern for converting a tote bag into a backpack?
Reposted by Bob Johnston
shop local when you can
follow the money
who does your money support?
follow the money
who does your money support?
February 9, 2026 at 2:29 PM
shop local when you can
follow the money
who does your money support?
follow the money
who does your money support?
Reposted by Bob Johnston
This story on @rteradio1.bsky.social where a listener describes his relationship with an opposing GAA player 30 years ago is sweet but heartbreaking.
This man was inspired to share because of #HeatedRivalry & I hope he feels better in the sharing #Spéirgorm
www.instagram.com/reel/DUiO3Tb...
This man was inspired to share because of #HeatedRivalry & I hope he feels better in the sharing #Spéirgorm
www.instagram.com/reel/DUiO3Tb...
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
www.instagram.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:53 PM
This story on @rteradio1.bsky.social where a listener describes his relationship with an opposing GAA player 30 years ago is sweet but heartbreaking.
This man was inspired to share because of #HeatedRivalry & I hope he feels better in the sharing #Spéirgorm
www.instagram.com/reel/DUiO3Tb...
This man was inspired to share because of #HeatedRivalry & I hope he feels better in the sharing #Spéirgorm
www.instagram.com/reel/DUiO3Tb...
Reposted by Bob Johnston
“If we want children to read, we can’t treat books as gimmicks or afterthoughts. The book has to be the event. The experience. The invitation” www.thebookseller.com/comment/what...
What The Apprentice candidates got wrong about children's books
Writing for children is one of the most misunderstood creative challenges – as an episode of the BBC's The Apprentice has now demonstrated
www.thebookseller.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:56 PM
“If we want children to read, we can’t treat books as gimmicks or afterthoughts. The book has to be the event. The experience. The invitation” www.thebookseller.com/comment/what...
Reposted by Bob Johnston
Well this is fun for a grey Monday morning. I appear to be in the universe of 'German-Speaking Progressive Intellectuals' which is odd as my only ever after-school detention was for cheating in a German exam aged 13... (I wasn't cheating, I was bored & making 'hand faces' with my best mate).
February 9, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Well this is fun for a grey Monday morning. I appear to be in the universe of 'German-Speaking Progressive Intellectuals' which is odd as my only ever after-school detention was for cheating in a German exam aged 13... (I wasn't cheating, I was bored & making 'hand faces' with my best mate).
Reposted by Bob Johnston
By popular demand, we are removing the paywall from this informative and prescient article by @adambienkov.bsky.social from last July's print edition
The Myth of Morgan McSweeney subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/75/t...
The Myth of Morgan McSweeney subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/75/t...
The Myth of Morgan McSweeney – Byline Times Digital / Print Edition
The established press’ focus on supposedly ‘all powerful’ individual advisors often obscures the more important structural issues that come to define politics, writes Adam Bienkov
subscribe.bylinetimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:24 AM
By popular demand, we are removing the paywall from this informative and prescient article by @adambienkov.bsky.social from last July's print edition
The Myth of Morgan McSweeney subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/75/t...
The Myth of Morgan McSweeney subscribe.bylinetimes.com/edition/75/t...
Reposted by Bob Johnston
This is a very good analysis of a very tiresome phenomenon.
Also...Goodge Street. [waits expectantly]
Also...Goodge Street. [waits expectantly]
Mornington Crescent: a rant.
Or: how a goofy word game about train stations is the key to how devout causes can ruin people's ability to have a conversation.
Stand clear of the closing doors, let's begin.
1/18
Or: how a goofy word game about train stations is the key to how devout causes can ruin people's ability to have a conversation.
Stand clear of the closing doors, let's begin.
1/18
February 9, 2026 at 9:04 AM
This is a very good analysis of a very tiresome phenomenon.
Also...Goodge Street. [waits expectantly]
Also...Goodge Street. [waits expectantly]
Sunday - cloudy but mild & dry in Mayo do the front garden digging continues... Still not quite there but getting closer... So many stones... #gardening
February 8, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Sunday - cloudy but mild & dry in Mayo do the front garden digging continues... Still not quite there but getting closer... So many stones... #gardening
Reposted by Bob Johnston
This is a revealing read
Morgan McSweeney: the man running Britain and his ties to Israel
The prime minister's top man is funded by the Israel lobby.
electronicintifada.net
February 6, 2026 at 9:40 AM
This is a revealing read
Reposted by Bob Johnston
Dinner last night with leading feminist thinkers Dr Charlotte Proudman, Prof Catherine MacKinnon and the Harvard academic Mischa Shuman. One of the most profound compliments for the work I get to do is being considered safe to be invited into intimate spaces in communities to which I do not belong.
February 6, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Dinner last night with leading feminist thinkers Dr Charlotte Proudman, Prof Catherine MacKinnon and the Harvard academic Mischa Shuman. One of the most profound compliments for the work I get to do is being considered safe to be invited into intimate spaces in communities to which I do not belong.
Reposted by Bob Johnston
Dear white people: “Palestine” isn’t an over there problem. The genocide is coming from inside the countries you claim as your own.
February 5, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Dear white people: “Palestine” isn’t an over there problem. The genocide is coming from inside the countries you claim as your own.
Reposted by Bob Johnston
New polling on Ireland's housing crisis:
- 81% want the government to build more social housing "even if there are local objections"
- 64% disagree government is making progress on housing
- 67% would vote for a constitutional right to housing
- 29% are personally affected by the housing crisis
- 81% want the government to build more social housing "even if there are local objections"
- 64% disagree government is making progress on housing
- 67% would vote for a constitutional right to housing
- 29% are personally affected by the housing crisis
Appetite for radical change grows as voters’ patience wears thin over housing crisis
Half of all voters say country’s problems are getting worse instead of better
www.irishtimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:06 AM
New polling on Ireland's housing crisis:
- 81% want the government to build more social housing "even if there are local objections"
- 64% disagree government is making progress on housing
- 67% would vote for a constitutional right to housing
- 29% are personally affected by the housing crisis
- 81% want the government to build more social housing "even if there are local objections"
- 64% disagree government is making progress on housing
- 67% would vote for a constitutional right to housing
- 29% are personally affected by the housing crisis
I do love a mildly scary spooky movie before I go to sleep. Last night I tried 'The Amityville Theatre' (Playhouse in US) on Netflix & OMG, it's been a long time since I've seen anything that comically bad. Here's a taster of how not to write dialogue (or act)... #BadMovies youtu.be/P5nNUV4jLX4?...
February 6, 2026 at 11:43 AM
I do love a mildly scary spooky movie before I go to sleep. Last night I tried 'The Amityville Theatre' (Playhouse in US) on Netflix & OMG, it's been a long time since I've seen anything that comically bad. Here's a taster of how not to write dialogue (or act)... #BadMovies youtu.be/P5nNUV4jLX4?...
Reposted by Bob Johnston
Fuck off algo. I’ll have you know I am middle aged with poor balance.
February 6, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Fuck off algo. I’ll have you know I am middle aged with poor balance.
Reposted by Bob Johnston
fanfic author notes are their own genre sometimes i swear to god
February 6, 2026 at 11:12 AM
fanfic author notes are their own genre sometimes i swear to god
Reposted by Bob Johnston
I think my favourite thing about this clip where HC explains that current legislation is unfair to victims is that after she explains it, Michael Martin almost chides her and explains that her words are, in fact, very unfair on the government. The real victims.
The use of victims' counselling notes in trials for sexual offences is grotesque – yet the govt's new legislation doesn't ban the practice.
The Taoiseach says an outright ban is unconstitutional – the Social Democrats don't accept that excuse.
The govt needs to act stronger on this.
The Taoiseach says an outright ban is unconstitutional – the Social Democrats don't accept that excuse.
The govt needs to act stronger on this.
February 6, 2026 at 9:27 AM
I think my favourite thing about this clip where HC explains that current legislation is unfair to victims is that after she explains it, Michael Martin almost chides her and explains that her words are, in fact, very unfair on the government. The real victims.
Reposted by Bob Johnston
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue