James Cook
@jamesbpcook.bsky.social
Writer. MEMORY SONGS | IN HER ROOM | Editor @Review31. Bylines @TheTLS @Guardian. Agent @oliagent @AMHeathLtd. jamesbpcook.blogspot.com
Pinned
James Cook
@jamesbpcook.bsky.social
· Nov 15
In Bluer Skies
YouTube video by Echo & the Bunnymen - Topic
www.youtube.com
Now playing. Echo and the Bunnymen, In Bluer Skies. #MemorySongs www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtzz...
Reposted by James Cook
Latest from me on Substack (it's free!)
maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/what-does-...
maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/what-does-...
What does all this chaos mean for the government's SEND plans?
Keir Starmer's meltdown surely makes any drastic cutting-back of families' rights even more politically reckless, but that doesn't mean it won't happen
maybeimamazed.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Latest from me on Substack (it's free!)
maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/what-does-...
maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/what-does-...
Reposted by James Cook
February 1, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Blood on the tracks. Great stuff from @iammilliam.bsky.social
A new instalment of INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. I put my heart, soul, brain and guts into this one, plus a lifetime of listening. 👓
This week: Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Blood & Chocolate but mostly blood. 🍫
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Blood & Chocolate but mostly blood. 🍫
www.patreon.com/backlisted
February 2, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Blood on the tracks. Great stuff from @iammilliam.bsky.social
Reposted by James Cook
A late-January Substack essay from me. Read In Plain Sight: The Dark Side of the 70s for FREE here: judecook.substack.com/p/in-plain-s...
January 30, 2026 at 10:28 AM
A late-January Substack essay from me. Read In Plain Sight: The Dark Side of the 70s for FREE here: judecook.substack.com/p/in-plain-s...
Reposted by James Cook
Penultimate new episode up now. The Sacred and Profane Love Machine by Iris Murdoch, with guest Ian Patterson in Socratic dialogue with @unamccormack.bsky.social Nicky Birch and me. www.backlisted.fm/episodes/256...
256. The Sacred and Profane Love Machine by Iris Murdoch — Backlisted
Ian Patterson, author of Books: A Manifesto (W&N), returns to Backlisted for a joyful discussion of Iris Murdoch and her sixteenth novel The Sacred and Profane Love Machine  ...
www.backlisted.fm
January 27, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Penultimate new episode up now. The Sacred and Profane Love Machine by Iris Murdoch, with guest Ian Patterson in Socratic dialogue with @unamccormack.bsky.social Nicky Birch and me. www.backlisted.fm/episodes/256...
I wrote about John Davidson’s moving, courageous memoir 'I Swear: My Life With Tourette’s' for this week’s TLS. @thetls.bsky.social www.the-tls.com/lives/autobi...
An engaging and affecting portrait of Tourette syndrome
In March 1989, the BBC screened a thirty-minute documentary, John’s Not Mad, as part of its Q.E.D series. It followed sixteen-year-old John Davidson, who
www.the-tls.com
January 26, 2026 at 12:24 PM
I wrote about John Davidson’s moving, courageous memoir 'I Swear: My Life With Tourette’s' for this week’s TLS. @thetls.bsky.social www.the-tls.com/lives/autobi...
Reposted by James Cook
From the i's well-briefed breakdown of SEND changes: our increasingly nuanced, complex understanding of psychology & child development reduced to four "tiers" with an ejector-seat fifth that will seemingly involve actual rights. Humanity carved up by bureaucracy: No-one will like this system
January 23, 2026 at 8:41 PM
From the i's well-briefed breakdown of SEND changes: our increasingly nuanced, complex understanding of psychology & child development reduced to four "tiers" with an ejector-seat fifth that will seemingly involve actual rights. Humanity carved up by bureaucracy: No-one will like this system
Reposted by James Cook
If any journalists are covering the mounting controversy/briefing war about SEND changes, pls remember that the current system goes up to the age of 25. Abs no mention of this so far, which terrifies many people (inc me)
January 24, 2026 at 11:35 AM
If any journalists are covering the mounting controversy/briefing war about SEND changes, pls remember that the current system goes up to the age of 25. Abs no mention of this so far, which terrifies many people (inc me)
Reposted by James Cook
Latest from me on (free!) Substack: on the eve of drastic change, whether the govt likes it or not, the SEND debate is getting nastier... we're back to the national sport of seeing people's needs, and branding them cheats maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/whether-th...
Whether the government likes it or not, the Special Needs debate is full of a familar nastiness
It's already happened to immigrants, people on benefits and disabled adults: amid a cloud of prejudice and "overdiagnosis" talk, SEND children and their families seem to be next
maybeimamazed.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Latest from me on (free!) Substack: on the eve of drastic change, whether the govt likes it or not, the SEND debate is getting nastier... we're back to the national sport of seeing people's needs, and branding them cheats maybeimamazed.substack.com/p/whether-th...
Reposted by James Cook
Who wants to #GetKeshed with me and @judecook.bsky.social at Bard Books in London on 12th March? Cos tix are onsale as of this afternoon 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
www.wearebardbooks.co.uk/event-detail...
www.wearebardbooks.co.uk/event-detail...
MEET THE BÀRD: Stu Hennigan | Bard Books
We are delighted to be hosting the first London event for Stu Hennigan's hotly tipped debut novel 'Keshed', a brutally poetic examination of class, belonging, masculinity, addiction and fatherhood. St...
www.wearebardbooks.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Who wants to #GetKeshed with me and @judecook.bsky.social at Bard Books in London on 12th March? Cos tix are onsale as of this afternoon 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
www.wearebardbooks.co.uk/event-detail...
www.wearebardbooks.co.uk/event-detail...
Reposted by James Cook
A new instalment of INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, discover Comus and the musical death trip of scythechedelia, support the podcast.
This week: Comus, First Utterance (1971)
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Comus, First Utterance (1971)
www.patreon.com/backlisted
January 14, 2026 at 10:03 AM
A new instalment of INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, discover Comus and the musical death trip of scythechedelia, support the podcast.
This week: Comus, First Utterance (1971)
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Comus, First Utterance (1971)
www.patreon.com/backlisted
Reposted by James Cook
In the build-up to the government's watershed changes to Special Needs education, there's one place you can find in-depth commentary/coverage: my (free) Substack, Maybe I'm Amazed. New post is a long read, out Thursday. Subscribe here open.substack.com/pub/maybeima...
#autism #send
#autism #send
Maybe I'm Amazed | John Harris | Substack
Writing & information on my new memoir about my autistic son James, Special Needs education, music and more. And yes, it's free. Click to read Maybe I'm Amazed, by John Harris, a Substack publication ...
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:04 PM
In the build-up to the government's watershed changes to Special Needs education, there's one place you can find in-depth commentary/coverage: my (free) Substack, Maybe I'm Amazed. New post is a long read, out Thursday. Subscribe here open.substack.com/pub/maybeima...
#autism #send
#autism #send
Reposted by James Cook
New episode up now. Jake Thackray: The Unsung Writer, with guests Paul Thompson and Andrew Male in conversation with Andy Miller and Una McCormack. @jakethackrayfan.bsky.social @andrewmale.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social www.backlisted.fm/episodes/255...
255. Jake Thackray - The Unsung Writer by Paul Thompson — Backlisted
Biographer and singer-songwriter Paul Thompson joins us for a new episode of Backlisted devoted to the life and work of Jake Thackray, the so-called 'Yorkshire chansonnier' who died in 2002. Thackray ...
www.backlisted.fm
January 13, 2026 at 7:04 AM
New episode up now. Jake Thackray: The Unsung Writer, with guests Paul Thompson and Andrew Male in conversation with Andy Miller and Una McCormack. @jakethackrayfan.bsky.social @andrewmale.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social www.backlisted.fm/episodes/255...
Reposted by James Cook
6th Jan 1979 - Kevin Cummins took photos of Joy Division in a wintry Manchester.
I loved investigating the story davehaslam.substack.com/p/ian-curtis...
From a Wimpy Bar in Bradford, then to a wedding, a club called the ‘Glory Hole’, a sculpture called Alice, and an old mill near a river.
I loved investigating the story davehaslam.substack.com/p/ian-curtis...
From a Wimpy Bar in Bradford, then to a wedding, a club called the ‘Glory Hole’, a sculpture called Alice, and an old mill near a river.
Ian Curtis & David Hockney – the story of a connection
From a well-lit boutique to the River Aire
davehaslam.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:40 AM
6th Jan 1979 - Kevin Cummins took photos of Joy Division in a wintry Manchester.
I loved investigating the story davehaslam.substack.com/p/ian-curtis...
From a Wimpy Bar in Bradford, then to a wedding, a club called the ‘Glory Hole’, a sculpture called Alice, and an old mill near a river.
I loved investigating the story davehaslam.substack.com/p/ian-curtis...
From a Wimpy Bar in Bradford, then to a wedding, a club called the ‘Glory Hole’, a sculpture called Alice, and an old mill near a river.
Reposted by James Cook
Whatever line the govt takes, if you want to sample the great cloud of misapprehension and false argument swirling around changes to the SEND system, check out this Times editorial - a prime example of "overdiagnosis" as the bollocksome catch-all explanation for abs. everything archive.is/PZU8b
January 5, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Whatever line the govt takes, if you want to sample the great cloud of misapprehension and false argument swirling around changes to the SEND system, check out this Times editorial - a prime example of "overdiagnosis" as the bollocksome catch-all explanation for abs. everything archive.is/PZU8b
Reposted by James Cook
This on the ongoing SEND mess, by @catrionamoore.bsky.social, is a must-read www.specialneedsjungle.com/leaks-denial...
January 5, 2026 at 8:52 AM
This on the ongoing SEND mess, by @catrionamoore.bsky.social, is a must-read www.specialneedsjungle.com/leaks-denial...
Reposted by James Cook
Very happy that @tamarindlit.co.uk have run my short story 'Progresso' in their excellent new issue #9. Many thanks to @anitamchandran.bsky.social. Download the digital copy or buy the print edition here: tamarindlit.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Very happy that @tamarindlit.co.uk have run my short story 'Progresso' in their excellent new issue #9. Many thanks to @anitamchandran.bsky.social. Download the digital copy or buy the print edition here: tamarindlit.co.uk
Reposted by James Cook
A final Substack essay for 2025 from me. Read The Golden World: Do Politics and Fiction Mix? for FREE here: judecook.substack.com/p/the-golden... Happy New Year!
The Golden World
Do Politics and Fiction Mix?
judecook.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:12 AM
A final Substack essay for 2025 from me. Read The Golden World: Do Politics and Fiction Mix? for FREE here: judecook.substack.com/p/the-golden... Happy New Year!
Reposted by James Cook
A special New Year's Day INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, hit 2026 running with Pulp, Dog Day Afternoon and The Fallen Women, support the podcast.
This week: Jarvis Cocker, 'The Loss Adjuster'.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Jarvis Cocker, 'The Loss Adjuster'.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
January 1, 2026 at 9:28 AM
A special New Year's Day INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, hit 2026 running with Pulp, Dog Day Afternoon and The Fallen Women, support the podcast.
This week: Jarvis Cocker, 'The Loss Adjuster'.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Jarvis Cocker, 'The Loss Adjuster'.
www.patreon.com/backlisted
Reposted by James Cook
New Christmas episode up now! Asterix and the Roman Agent - and LOADS more Asterix books - with Louie Stowell, Robert Shearman, Una McCormack & Andy Miller. 🎄📚🎅
@robertshearman.bsky.social @louiestowell.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/6mIn...
@robertshearman.bsky.social @louiestowell.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/6mIn...
December 25, 2025 at 9:10 AM
New Christmas episode up now! Asterix and the Roman Agent - and LOADS more Asterix books - with Louie Stowell, Robert Shearman, Una McCormack & Andy Miller. 🎄📚🎅
@robertshearman.bsky.social @louiestowell.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/6mIn...
@robertshearman.bsky.social @louiestowell.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @iammilliam.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/6mIn...
Reposted by James Cook
As is traditional, here's the 2017 Xmas @backlisted.bsky.social in which @iammilliam.bsky.social @johnmitchinson.bsky.social @jamesbpcook.bsky.social and I talk about OHMSS & all things Bond. Happy Christmas one and all. www.backlisted.fm/episodes/56-...
December 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
As is traditional, here's the 2017 Xmas @backlisted.bsky.social in which @iammilliam.bsky.social @johnmitchinson.bsky.social @jamesbpcook.bsky.social and I talk about OHMSS & all things Bond. Happy Christmas one and all. www.backlisted.fm/episodes/56-...
Reposted by James Cook
A wintry new INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, learn all about the greatest Christmas single that never was, support the podcast.
This week: Twice As Much & Vashti, 'The Coldest Night of the Year'. ❄️
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Twice As Much & Vashti, 'The Coldest Night of the Year'. ❄️
www.patreon.com/backlisted
December 24, 2025 at 9:33 AM
A wintry new INVENTORY is available now via the @backlisted.bsky.social Patreon. Sign up as a Locklistener today, learn all about the greatest Christmas single that never was, support the podcast.
This week: Twice As Much & Vashti, 'The Coldest Night of the Year'. ❄️
www.patreon.com/backlisted
This week: Twice As Much & Vashti, 'The Coldest Night of the Year'. ❄️
www.patreon.com/backlisted
Reposted by James Cook
I chose Yann Chateigné Tytelman's terrific book, Blackout (tr. @clementoctober.bsky.social), for Review31's Books of the Year 2025. @review31.bsky.social @lesfugitivespress.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 1:21 PM
I chose Yann Chateigné Tytelman's terrific book, Blackout (tr. @clementoctober.bsky.social), for Review31's Books of the Year 2025. @review31.bsky.social @lesfugitivespress.bsky.social
Reposted by James Cook
Some of my recent books, bendable for placement inside stockings — available in the usual ways, but links are @ www.danobrien.org @acrebooks.bsky.social @dalkeyarchive.bsky.social @cbeditions.bsky.social @poetrylondon.bsky.social @calquepress.bsky.social
December 10, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Some of my recent books, bendable for placement inside stockings — available in the usual ways, but links are @ www.danobrien.org @acrebooks.bsky.social @dalkeyarchive.bsky.social @cbeditions.bsky.social @poetrylondon.bsky.social @calquepress.bsky.social
Reposted by James Cook
Columnists! People who make videos of their own heads! Do you know nothing about autism & its complexity? Never read a word about it, but seen something about SEND reform and what Badenoch/Tice said the other day? Top tip: Just sound off about "overdiagnosis" and get another week's beer money
December 10, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Columnists! People who make videos of their own heads! Do you know nothing about autism & its complexity? Never read a word about it, but seen something about SEND reform and what Badenoch/Tice said the other day? Top tip: Just sound off about "overdiagnosis" and get another week's beer money