Jan Carson
@jancarsonwrites.bsky.social
I’m not terrific but I’m competent
All bookings via website www.jancarson.co.uk
All bookings via website www.jancarson.co.uk
I lost this badge a few years ago. I need to source a new one as a matter of urgency
February 9, 2026 at 6:57 PM
I lost this badge a few years ago. I need to source a new one as a matter of urgency
I recommend starting your writing week with an enormous software update which leaves your laptop in limbo for a good hour. Gah.
February 9, 2026 at 9:56 AM
I recommend starting your writing week with an enormous software update which leaves your laptop in limbo for a good hour. Gah.
Last night I dreamt that someone started a comedy club for Christians and it was called “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus,” and I’m pretty impressed that my unconscious brain is capable of punning on this level.
February 8, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Last night I dreamt that someone started a comedy club for Christians and it was called “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus,” and I’m pretty impressed that my unconscious brain is capable of punning on this level.
Happy joint birthday to the best bookish trio ever - me, Liza Thompson (editor extraordinaire) and Charles Dickens (not pictured here). All born on this very day.
February 8, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Happy joint birthday to the best bookish trio ever - me, Liza Thompson (editor extraordinaire) and Charles Dickens (not pictured here). All born on this very day.
Kudos to the two drunk men on a bench outside City Hall telling every single person who walks past that they’re beautiful. Good to have your full armour on before you make it to Royal Ave where a street preacher with a megaphone will tell you how vile and depraved you are.
February 7, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Kudos to the two drunk men on a bench outside City Hall telling every single person who walks past that they’re beautiful. Good to have your full armour on before you make it to Royal Ave where a street preacher with a megaphone will tell you how vile and depraved you are.
Sara Baume does it again - this is the book equivalent of a deep life affirming breath and it’s been a joy to read over the last few days. Out in July from @grantabooks.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Sara Baume does it again - this is the book equivalent of a deep life affirming breath and it’s been a joy to read over the last few days. Out in July from @grantabooks.bsky.social
A tiny sun has appeared at the very bottom of the weather forecast and it’s only 10 days away. (I fear Belfast might be submerged by this point)
February 5, 2026 at 11:14 PM
A tiny sun has appeared at the very bottom of the weather forecast and it’s only 10 days away. (I fear Belfast might be submerged by this point)
I can’t work out how to make online graphics so here is a shot of the Irish launch dates and venues for #FewAndFarBetween written on a post it. More events to come (and better graphics hopefully)
February 5, 2026 at 10:17 PM
I can’t work out how to make online graphics so here is a shot of the Irish launch dates and venues for #FewAndFarBetween written on a post it. More events to come (and better graphics hopefully)
I’ve been on the Enterprise 6 times this year so far and it’s yet to arrive on time. Why don’t they just admit that it’s not 2 hours and 10 minutes from Belfast to Dublin and then everyone could amend their expectations accordingly?
February 4, 2026 at 9:32 PM
I’ve been on the Enterprise 6 times this year so far and it’s yet to arrive on time. Why don’t they just admit that it’s not 2 hours and 10 minutes from Belfast to Dublin and then everyone could amend their expectations accordingly?
I’ve just been floored by my first encounter with Mavis Gallant. I know, I know, it shouldn’t have taken me this long to pick her up and yes, I will be seeking out the short stories asap.
February 4, 2026 at 8:43 PM
I’ve just been floored by my first encounter with Mavis Gallant. I know, I know, it shouldn’t have taken me this long to pick her up and yes, I will be seeking out the short stories asap.
Funny, familiar and bittersweet - a cracking debut novel by @patrickfreyne.bsky.social published in June. A must read for anyone who’s ever been in or around a not particularly successful band.
February 4, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Funny, familiar and bittersweet - a cracking debut novel by @patrickfreyne.bsky.social published in June. A must read for anyone who’s ever been in or around a not particularly successful band.
The French translation of #PostcardStories has just arrived on my doorstep. Translated by students of the University of Lorraine and published by Editions de L’Oxalide. This is the second translation from the original Emma Press publications.
February 4, 2026 at 7:16 PM
The French translation of #PostcardStories has just arrived on my doorstep. Translated by students of the University of Lorraine and published by Editions de L’Oxalide. This is the second translation from the original Emma Press publications.
“I will not be acquiring any books on this trip to Dublin,” she said, with tremendous conviction.
February 4, 2026 at 12:41 PM
“I will not be acquiring any books on this trip to Dublin,” she said, with tremendous conviction.
Thanks to my weird algorithms for highlighting the fact that Ali Smith and Barry Keoghan are pretty much the same person.
February 4, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Thanks to my weird algorithms for highlighting the fact that Ali Smith and Barry Keoghan are pretty much the same person.
Thanks to all the amazing booksellers, programmers, bloggers and bookish people who came along to tonight’s @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social showcase for Irish writers. It was great to meet so many of you and to have a chance to talk about #FewAndFarBetween
February 4, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Thanks to all the amazing booksellers, programmers, bloggers and bookish people who came along to tonight’s @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social showcase for Irish writers. It was great to meet so many of you and to have a chance to talk about #FewAndFarBetween
In praise of publicists, so good, they know exactly which seat you’d like best on the train and book your tickets accordingly. Looking at you Leonor Araújo. It’s the little things that make all this scuttling about more bearable.
February 3, 2026 at 2:03 PM
In praise of publicists, so good, they know exactly which seat you’d like best on the train and book your tickets accordingly. Looking at you Leonor Araújo. It’s the little things that make all this scuttling about more bearable.
New Margaret Drabble!!! How lucky are we?
February 3, 2026 at 12:46 PM
New Margaret Drabble!!! How lucky are we?
Photoshoot with the Captain up at Stormont this afternoon in preparation for the launch of #FewAndFarBetween
February 2, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Photoshoot with the Captain up at Stormont this afternoon in preparation for the launch of #FewAndFarBetween
It’s my second Hilary Mantel of the year and it was another cracker; a sequel to her first novel. She’s such an unflinching observer of human nature. Every single character here is a stand out. Dark and funny and wry. Loved it #MyYearWithHM
February 1, 2026 at 11:20 PM
It’s my second Hilary Mantel of the year and it was another cracker; a sequel to her first novel. She’s such an unflinching observer of human nature. Every single character here is a stand out. Dark and funny and wry. Loved it #MyYearWithHM
Some incredibly generous words from the legend that is @stuhennigan.bsky.social sometimes these weird online places aren’t entirely awful and they still allow writers to find each other and be supportive. Stu’s novel Keshed is published very soon and sounds like a brilliant read.
Devoured @jancarsonwrites.bsky.social Few and Far Between today. Offbeat, surreal and wryly amusing, but that's smoke and mirrors hiding a complex, moving, multi-faceted narrative about secrets, lies and trauma spanning decades. Brilliant stuff, glorious prose too 🙏💘
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February 1, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Some incredibly generous words from the legend that is @stuhennigan.bsky.social sometimes these weird online places aren’t entirely awful and they still allow writers to find each other and be supportive. Stu’s novel Keshed is published very soon and sounds like a brilliant read.
The best thing about Frederick Wiseman season at the QFT is getting my Wiseman library card stamped at each viewing. The second best thing is Joan’s excellent intros which are ace. (There are still loads of docs to come, you too can acquire your own Wiseman library card).
February 1, 2026 at 7:45 PM
The best thing about Frederick Wiseman season at the QFT is getting my Wiseman library card stamped at each viewing. The second best thing is Joan’s excellent intros which are ace. (There are still loads of docs to come, you too can acquire your own Wiseman library card).
PEOPLE!!!! We made it through the longest January of all time. It was bleak, it was cold, but it was also my best reading month in a very long time. Hard pressed to pick nine favourite reads but here they are. All gems.
January 31, 2026 at 11:41 PM
PEOPLE!!!! We made it through the longest January of all time. It was bleak, it was cold, but it was also my best reading month in a very long time. Hard pressed to pick nine favourite reads but here they are. All gems.
Huge congratulations to Lee and Helen. It was an absolute treat to celebrate the opening of Ok Afie Coffee this afternoon. Best coffee in Tandragee, delicious pastries and a super warm welcome.
January 31, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Huge congratulations to Lee and Helen. It was an absolute treat to celebrate the opening of Ok Afie Coffee this afternoon. Best coffee in Tandragee, delicious pastries and a super warm welcome.
Ultimate rural driving nightmare - there’s a tractor parade in Scarva. Just driven past on the other side of the road laughing at the people stuck behind 60 tractors, am fully aware that normally life would have me firmly in the middle of that queue
January 31, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Ultimate rural driving nightmare - there’s a tractor parade in Scarva. Just driven past on the other side of the road laughing at the people stuck behind 60 tractors, am fully aware that normally life would have me firmly in the middle of that queue
Thanks to everyone who helped with this. I have loads of brilliant suggestions now
I need some help folks. I’m looking for a song from Ireland or by an Irish artist suitable to be sung by a choir which is explicitly (ie quite obviously) about community and good times. Something nice and upbeat please.
January 30, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Thanks to everyone who helped with this. I have loads of brilliant suggestions now