Francesca Simon
@francescasimon.bsky.social
Writer and librettist. Author, the Horrid Henry books, Salka, Lady of the Lake, Two Terrible Vikings and novel and opera The Monstrous Child (ROH). Plays banjo (not quite ready for Carnegie Hall)
Pinned
My first novel for adults, published by Faber in April, inspired by the cantata THE FAERIE BRIDE I wrote with composer @gavhiggins.bsky.social Glorious cover artwork by Charlotte Day
This was a terrific evening and I loved talking with my fellow authors about their favourite childhood books
A new episode of The Power of a Book podcast has dropped! In which Yours Truly interviews Jessie Burton, Patrice Lawrence and Francesca Simon about their favourite childhood books. Thanks to @childrensbooksf.bsky.social for making this happen.
open.spotify.com/episode/2f0A...
open.spotify.com/episode/2f0A...
Tracy Chevalier and Our Esteemed Authors Live In Conversation: Patrice Lawrence, Francesca Simon, Jessie Burton
open.spotify.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:18 PM
This was a terrific evening and I loved talking with my fellow authors about their favourite childhood books
Reposted by Francesca Simon
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by Francesca Simon
I’ve never seen an American elected official fight so hard to starve people.
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 AM
I’ve never seen an American elected official fight so hard to starve people.
We are totally engrossed in a great French series ‘Un Village Français’ (or The Line) on @itvx.com about a village occupied in WW2. The moral dilemmas are heart-stopping and all types of collaboration and ‘crossing the line’ explored. Do you know it @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social ?
November 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
We are totally engrossed in a great French series ‘Un Village Français’ (or The Line) on @itvx.com about a village occupied in WW2. The moral dilemmas are heart-stopping and all types of collaboration and ‘crossing the line’ explored. Do you know it @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social ?
Reposted by Francesca Simon
⏰ It's the final countdown! ⏰
Not long left to submit your entries for #BBC500Words, the UK's largest children's story writing competition 🎉✍️
Remember: spelling, punctuation and grammar don't count, it's all about the creativity!
bbc.co.uk/500words.
Not long left to submit your entries for #BBC500Words, the UK's largest children's story writing competition 🎉✍️
Remember: spelling, punctuation and grammar don't count, it's all about the creativity!
bbc.co.uk/500words.
November 7, 2025 at 9:01 AM
⏰ It's the final countdown! ⏰
Not long left to submit your entries for #BBC500Words, the UK's largest children's story writing competition 🎉✍️
Remember: spelling, punctuation and grammar don't count, it's all about the creativity!
bbc.co.uk/500words.
Not long left to submit your entries for #BBC500Words, the UK's largest children's story writing competition 🎉✍️
Remember: spelling, punctuation and grammar don't count, it's all about the creativity!
bbc.co.uk/500words.
Reposted by Francesca Simon
The demolished East Wing is a monument to this regime's destruction of our system of checks and balances, and the process of democratic governance.
It is a monument of rubble.
It is a monument of rubble.
October 24, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The demolished East Wing is a monument to this regime's destruction of our system of checks and balances, and the process of democratic governance.
It is a monument of rubble.
It is a monument of rubble.
Reposted by Francesca Simon
The East Wing Obscenity
open.substack.com/pub/therickw...
open.substack.com/pub/therickw...
The East Wing Obscenity
Trump's Ballroom Is a Tumor On The People's House
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The East Wing Obscenity
open.substack.com/pub/therickw...
open.substack.com/pub/therickw...
Reposted by Francesca Simon
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - WHO’S A CHILD RAPIST - IS GOING TO STEAL $230 MILLION FROM US B/C HE THINKS HE’S DUE REPARATIONS FOR HAVING BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF CRIMES HE COMMITTED.
THIS IS WHILE HE SMASHES THE WHITE HOUSE & WEAPONIZES OUR MILITARY AGAINST US.
Call. Your. Reps.
202-224-3121
☎️🚨
THIS IS WHILE HE SMASHES THE WHITE HOUSE & WEAPONIZES OUR MILITARY AGAINST US.
Call. Your. Reps.
202-224-3121
☎️🚨
October 22, 2025 at 1:20 AM
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - WHO’S A CHILD RAPIST - IS GOING TO STEAL $230 MILLION FROM US B/C HE THINKS HE’S DUE REPARATIONS FOR HAVING BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF CRIMES HE COMMITTED.
THIS IS WHILE HE SMASHES THE WHITE HOUSE & WEAPONIZES OUR MILITARY AGAINST US.
Call. Your. Reps.
202-224-3121
☎️🚨
THIS IS WHILE HE SMASHES THE WHITE HOUSE & WEAPONIZES OUR MILITARY AGAINST US.
Call. Your. Reps.
202-224-3121
☎️🚨
The symbolism is heart-breaking
October 20, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The symbolism is heart-breaking
Reposted by Francesca Simon
I've never seen and felt as much love for America as we're seeing across the country today.
October 18, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I've never seen and felt as much love for America as we're seeing across the country today.
Wow what a crowd
One of them was Meeeeeeeeeee
No Kings protest kicking off in Washington, D.C. Here’s the view down Pennsylvania Avenue from near the front. Street is totally packed for blocks.
October 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Wow what a crowd
#NoKingsInAmerica rally at the US Embassy London. Dancing T-Rexs and frogs!
October 18, 2025 at 5:31 PM
#NoKingsInAmerica rally at the US Embassy London. Dancing T-Rexs and frogs!
Reposted by Francesca Simon
Metro in DC has stopped charging. Simply too many people!!!
October 18, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Metro in DC has stopped charging. Simply too many people!!!
Reposted by Francesca Simon
The raw hatred is almost unbearable. But I’m withstanding it so I can report the truth back to y’all in the Homeland.
October 18, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The raw hatred is almost unbearable. But I’m withstanding it so I can report the truth back to y’all in the Homeland.
#NoKings #NoTyrants rally tomorrow in London at the US Embassy from 1pm to 3pm. Fuel the energy of resistance!
October 17, 2025 at 2:57 PM
#NoKings #NoTyrants rally tomorrow in London at the US Embassy from 1pm to 3pm. Fuel the energy of resistance!
Reposted by Francesca Simon
Tomorrow on my live podcast History Matters:
Why Protests Matter.
A LOT.
This is for the naysayers claiming that they don’t matter.
History, politics, and common sense say: they’re wrong.
Friday 10AM ET
NCHEteach.org/conversations
Why Protests Matter.
A LOT.
This is for the naysayers claiming that they don’t matter.
History, politics, and common sense say: they’re wrong.
Friday 10AM ET
NCHEteach.org/conversations
October 16, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Tomorrow on my live podcast History Matters:
Why Protests Matter.
A LOT.
This is for the naysayers claiming that they don’t matter.
History, politics, and common sense say: they’re wrong.
Friday 10AM ET
NCHEteach.org/conversations
Why Protests Matter.
A LOT.
This is for the naysayers claiming that they don’t matter.
History, politics, and common sense say: they’re wrong.
Friday 10AM ET
NCHEteach.org/conversations
Reposted by Francesca Simon
No kings equals democracy.
October 16, 2025 at 7:06 PM
No kings equals democracy.
@jbf1755.bsky.social what about the history of the Insurrection act or government persecuting ‘enemies?’ for future #HMASDC?
October 16, 2025 at 7:03 PM
@jbf1755.bsky.social what about the history of the Insurrection act or government persecuting ‘enemies?’ for future #HMASDC?
I’m delighted to be speaking about my books and inventing a religion (Wodenism) in Jesus College Oxford during Evensong this Sunday.
www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
www.jesus.ox.ac.uk
October 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM
I’m delighted to be speaking about my books and inventing a religion (Wodenism) in Jesus College Oxford during Evensong this Sunday.
www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
www.jesus.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/u...
Thank you!
I really enjoyed reading “Kemi Badenoch wants to end ‘rip-off degrees” by @francescasimon.bsky.social I remember being told my archaeology degree would be useless, but I’ve been lucky enough to have had a career in technology and always worked. Humanities degrees give you all kinds of life skills
Kemi Badenoch wants to end ‘rip-off degrees’ – but I wouldn’t have created Horrid Henry without mine | Francesca Simon
I studied Old and Middle English. Although I didn’t know it, I couldn’t have chosen a better subject to train me to become a children’s author, says author Francesca Simon
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Thank you!
I love her
October 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I love her