Jen Bowden
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jenbowden12.bsky.social
Jen Bowden
@jenbowden12.bsky.social
720 followers 730 following 200 posts
Journalist | Writer repped by @liverpoollit | Editor | Northern Voices podcast | Dr of Northern stories | #TeamHorn | Pityakker linktr.ee/jenbowden12
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jenbowden12.bsky.social
'Publishers need to understand that Northern writing in no way has to be about the North.'

Northern Voices is back and the first episode of 2026 features prize-winning writer @andrewokeyauthor.bsky.social discussing writing, winning and the North.

on.soundcloud.com/9sgItHGJrHxP...
A photo of Andrew from the shoulders up against a plain white wall background. He is side-on to the camera so that his body faces to the left but his face is looking directly at us. He has short, dark hair and glasses and he is smiling. He is wearing a bright green and black striped t-shirt. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
February 5, 2026 at 6:32 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'I like writing about women making terrible decisions'

Novelist @cdelull.bsky.social is on the final episode of Northern Voices for 2025 talking about writing bisexuality, her book Cacoethes and sassy, female-led fiction.

on.soundcloud.com/GkbhsBZagkm5...
A black and white photo of Chloe sitting on a chair. She is leaning forward with one hand resting on crossed legs and the other supporting her chin. She is wearing several rings, a light long sleeved top and dark trousers. She has glasses and mid-length straight hair. She is looking at the camera and smiling slightly. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
December 23, 2025 at 3:42 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'It's getting much harder to be published the traditional way.'

Author @malhavardwriter.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices to talk about why his foray into traditional publishing made him decide to do it himself.

on.soundcloud.com/LH2Wo0rK1V0I...
A black and white photo of Malcolm from the neck up. He has short hair and is looking just left of the camera and smiling slightly. He is wearing a dark polo shirt and jacket. Behind him is an out of focus bookshelf. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
December 18, 2025 at 6:30 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'Folklore is still part of everyday life in the cities as well as in the countryside.'

Novelist and folklore academic @cerihoulbrook.bsky.social is on Northern Voices today talking about boggarts, writing and her new book, Folklore, from @manchesterup.bsky.social

on.soundcloud.com/Zn0M7epQr9rg...
A photo of Ceri in front of a blurred brown background. She is sitting on the floor with her hands behind her knees. She is looking at the camera and smiling. She is wearing a blue dress with brown flowers and has short black hair with a full fringe. She has green eyes and is wearing pale pink lipstick. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
December 11, 2025 at 8:22 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
End of term marking – but with a 3.5 year old toddling in every five minutes and shouting 'knock knock are you busy!??'
December 3, 2025 at 6:27 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'I know so many neurodivergent writers who have had rejections for "unrelatable" characters.'

Novelist @alethearlyons.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices today to talk about diversity, writing and why AI isn't actually 'intelligent'.

on.soundcloud.com/gA1cXapmgwJ5...
A photo of Thea in front of a glass bookshelf filled with old gold and leather-bound books. She is side on from the camera and photographed from the shoulders up. She is smiling at the camera and has swirly eye makeup, bronze lipstick, blonde straight hair and brown eyes. She is wearing gold necklaces and a black vest top. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
November 27, 2025 at 6:53 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'In the North, we don't wait for handouts or to be given permission because that rarely comes. We just get on and do it.'

A special episode of Northern Voices today featuring the legendary @benjaminmyers76.bsky.social on his new novel, the North & more. @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social

rb.gy/tmsjtd
A photo of Benjamin from the chest up standing in front of an old wooden door. He is wearing a bright blue coat, green shirt and black turtleneck. He has a sandy grey beard and brown eyes and is looking at the camera with a serious face. He is also wearing a camel-coloured hat with a wide brim. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
As good a time as any to note that from early next year Northern Voices will be going out fortnightly rather than weekly. We've got a bit going on at home here having recently relocated to Perth (moving interstate 2/10 do not recommend) and had a bit of a job shuffle.
November 23, 2025 at 7:07 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'Publishers need to be more approachable at a grassroots level.'

Author and indie publisher Jodie Jones joins me on (the delayed) Episode 105 of Northern Voices talking about publishing, imposter syndrome and the natural storytellers of the North East.

on.soundcloud.com/ByhGc1YUBp67...
A selfie of Jodie showing her from the shoulders up. She is wearing a dark blue and white floral patterned blouse. Her blonde hair is shoulder length and she is wearing pink lipstick. She has blue eyes and is smiling at the camera. Behind her is a beige wall. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
November 23, 2025 at 7:05 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'There needs to be more transparency from publishers about the financial side of things.'

Today @foxandinkbooks.bsky.social author Melanie Taylor joins me to talk about her novel, Love Digitally, financial accessibility, and more.

@liverpool-lit.bsky.social

on.soundcloud.com/0aEtGDdVjHc4...
A selfie of Melanie, who is wearing a red, orange, brown and white paisley top. She has long, tousled red hair and blue eyes. She is looking at the camera and smiling. Behind her is a green woodland backdrop. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
November 13, 2025 at 12:09 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'I think celebrity writers are the biggest threat to authors at the moment – over and above AI.'

On Northern Voices, @canelobooks.bsky.social author @seanwatkinauthor.bsky.social talks writing crime, his novel Black Water Rising and Sonic the Hedgehog fan fiction.

on.soundcloud.com/osPOypoPlV3p...
A head and shoulders shot of Sean standing side on to the camera, looking directly at the lens. He has blue eyes and a silver nose ring. His shirt is pale blue linen and he also has a light brown beard and hair. He is smiling slightly. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
November 6, 2025 at 12:05 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'Regional diversity isn't spoken about enough and it would be lovely if publishers were braver.'

@panmacmillan.bsky.social author Sarah Handyside on her novel Instructions for Heartbreak, the celebrity books plague and the need for publishers to take more risks.

on.soundcloud.com/ll3TKykgtQJj...
Sarah is sitting sideways on a chair looking more glam than any of us can ever really hope to be. She is wearing a blue, purple and pink patterned long-sleeved dress. The chair is gold metal. She has a blonde fringe and her hair is tied up. She has blue eyes and is smiling slightly at the camera. The wall behind her is earthy brown and orange. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
October 30, 2025 at 8:37 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'In hard times people turn to creativity – it's a free resource available to anybody'

Writer and advocate Candi Martin is on Northern Voices this week talking about her poetry collection Burnt Ice Cream @writtenoffbooks.bsky.social and Northern imposter syndrome.

on.soundcloud.com/7Za8TeFyfW7H...
Candi sits on a blue couch with a multicoloured crochet throw on it. There is a picture on the white wall behind her that is muted green and grey colours. She is visible from the shoulders up and has a brown side fringe and green-brown eyes. She is wearing a black jumper with a red pattern on one shoulder and is smiling slightly at the camera. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
October 23, 2025 at 6:42 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'We can be old and new, broken and whole, and that is what makes a writer.'

The wonderful @drmabibby.bsky.social has the honour of being my guest on the 100th episode of Northern Voices today talking about horses, history and Northern heritage.

on.soundcloud.com/BoMDcRg4bXiU...
Miriam stands next to a white horse with a white mane that is nuzzling her hand. Behind her is a metal gate and a green field in the background. Miriam is wearing a white trilby with a grey trim, a black suit and lilac shirt. She has fair hair and is smiling at the camera. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image. There is a graphic of four balloons in the bottom left corner – red, orange, blue and green – and a big cartoon pink and yellow '100' in the top right.
October 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'Northern creatives need to set their sights further afield than just London.'

Podcaster and horror writer Neil McRobert @talkscaredpod.bsky.social joins me to discuss publishing, the North and having Stephen King as a writing friend. @wildhuntbooks.bsky.social

on.soundcloud.com/ExqvbmvBS3b0...
A greyscale photo of Neil from the shoulders up looking directly into the camera. His expression is serious and he is wearing headphones with wires. He has a beard and his hair is tied back. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
October 8, 2025 at 11:48 PM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
I have a group of ladies just like this in my novel MS and this picture is such a perfect representation of what I had in my head when I was writing them.
groomb.bsky.social Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · Oct 2
Four ladies at the seaside, photo by Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen. From Writing In The Sand, a celebration of the life of beaches in north-east England, 1973-98.
October 3, 2025 at 12:58 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'Being published isn't the end of the road and it can be rough on your mental health.'

Writer Dan Spencer @atlanticbooks.bsky.social joins me on Northern Voices today to discuss his novel, Cat Lover, the publishing process and feline intuition.

on.soundcloud.com/W7g9VDfmHuFa...
A photo of Dan from the waist up. He is standing in front of a rainbow-coloured shutter and is wearing a blue jacket and lighter blue jumper. He has a beard and a moustache and is wearing glasses. He has short sandy brown hair and is looking at the camera, smiling slightly. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
October 2, 2025 at 4:29 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
I don't know what's happening here, but this book is phenomenal so it's bound to be good news. Very exciting.
tednorthodox.bsky.social Ted Northodox @tednorthodox.bsky.social · Sep 24
We're waving goodbye to our biggest and most celebrated book this Sunday. Grab a copy while you can, it won't be available for a while!
northodoxpress.bsky.social Northodox Press 📖 @northodoxpress.bsky.social · Sep 24
🚨HUGE NEWS🚨

It is with equal sadness and excitement that we must announce The Mare will be coming off sale after this Sunday for reasons Angharad Hampshire will be making clear soon!

You have the next few days to grab a copy of this sensational Walter Scott nominated novel!

Don't miss out!
September 25, 2025 at 12:45 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
This is the kind of news I live for. UK trip upcoming and high on the list is introducing Justin to a Greggs corned beef pasty.

shorturl.at/ttdtI
Two Greggs branches granted licence to open 24 hours a day despite police fears
Officers feared the new rules could make the stores a "focal point" for crime
shorturl.at
September 25, 2025 at 12:40 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'Why is it a local history when it's about the North but when it's about London it's not a local history?'

Academic and writer E. Jay Gilbert @jaylikesthings.bsky.social on her book Haunted @manillapress.bsky.social, history and the linguistic ambiguity of Hagrid.

on.soundcloud.com/Xwb7WxWcnURO...
A photo of Jay from the shoulders up standing against a light beige stone wall. She has a centre-parted fringe and her dark hair is tied back. She has a small stud in the top pf her ear and is wearing red lipstick. She is wearing a black top and jacket and isn't smiling. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
September 25, 2025 at 12:33 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
I'm in @thebookseller.com today talking about how we can get more young people interested in publishing and writing careers.

Featuring @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social and her wonderful, articulate and passionate students.

www.thebookseller.com/comment/wide...
September 19, 2025 at 12:39 AM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
'You have to turn that isolation around and say these are experiences I can bring to an industry that doesn't have them.'

The vibrant Daisy May Johnson @chaletfan.bsky.social on baking, books and being proactive in publishing. @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

on.soundcloud.com/ua4HeJlkoXYX...
A close up photo of Daisy showing her from the neck up. She is smiling at the camera and behind her is a wall of dark green leaves. She is wearing glasses, a black top and has short wavy brown hair. The Tyne Bridge is pictured in the centre of the frame over a still, reflective River Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Either side of the bridge are buildings with a warmer glow as the sun rises. The words Northern Voices in white lettering feature in the bottom centre of the image.
September 18, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Reposted by Jen Bowden
liamthorp.bsky.social
It was one of the biggest honours of my career to be inside Downing Street and Parliament today to watch as the Hillsborough families made history

My write-up from an important and emotional day 👇
Inside Downing Street as the Hillsborough families made history
The ECHO was privileged to watch on as four of the key Hillsborough family members met with the Prime Minister before heading to the House of Commons to watch the historic moment that the new law they...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by Jen Bowden
nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social
The Hillsborough Law, introduced by the government today, is a long-overdue step toward justice for the families of 97 people who tragically lost their lives.

The new law makes it a crime for public officials to lie about major disasters.
September 16, 2025 at 12:58 PM
jenbowden12.bsky.social
Working on a new novel but it's 1 week to the state band contest and my brain won't think of words and just keeps humming test pieces. Love being a brass bander, but man contests don't half creatively zap you.
September 12, 2025 at 4:12 AM