Jess Popplewell
@jesspopps.bsky.social
I know writers who use subtext, and they’re all cowards.
Author: THE DARK WITHIN US.
Rep’d by: Louise Lamont at LBA.
See also: Careers Consultant; views own & not representative of employer, obviously.
See more of my nonsense at jesspopplewell.com
Author: THE DARK WITHIN US.
Rep’d by: Louise Lamont at LBA.
See also: Careers Consultant; views own & not representative of employer, obviously.
See more of my nonsense at jesspopplewell.com
Pinned
Jess Popplewell
@jesspopps.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Hello! I’m Jess, I wrote a book called THE DARK WITHIN US. It’s a YA portal fantasy inspired equally by Dante’s INFERNO and 2007-era SKINS.
Jenny is looking for a way to fix her life so when a demon tells her she doesn’t have a soul, she agrees to go with him on a journey to Hell to get it back.
Jenny is looking for a way to fix her life so when a demon tells her she doesn’t have a soul, she agrees to go with him on a journey to Hell to get it back.
Reposted by Jess Popplewell
Name them
shame them
shame them
February 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Name them
shame them
shame them
This is beautiful and awful and really well written.
‘To say I was the favourite would imply I was liked’: Mark Haddon on a loveless childhood
‘To say I was the favourite would imply I was liked’: Mark Haddon on a loveless childhood
As a bookish child with a distant father and a disapproving mother, the Curious Incident author retreated into a world of his own. Looking back, he asks what it means to lose parents who never showed you love
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:53 AM
This is beautiful and awful and really well written.
“…they are generally more set on acquiring new kingdoms, right or wrong, than on governing well those they possess.”
Thomas More wrote that about monarchies in approximately 1515. We’ve been singing this song about politics way over 500 years, and this is still the world we live in.
Thomas More wrote that about monarchies in approximately 1515. We’ve been singing this song about politics way over 500 years, and this is still the world we live in.
January 23, 2026 at 5:56 PM
“…they are generally more set on acquiring new kingdoms, right or wrong, than on governing well those they possess.”
Thomas More wrote that about monarchies in approximately 1515. We’ve been singing this song about politics way over 500 years, and this is still the world we live in.
Thomas More wrote that about monarchies in approximately 1515. We’ve been singing this song about politics way over 500 years, and this is still the world we live in.
Happy PLR day to all who celebrate (it’s me, I’m celebrating my first ever PLR payment, and also everyone who uses libraries ❤️❤️❤️❤️)
January 19, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Happy PLR day to all who celebrate (it’s me, I’m celebrating my first ever PLR payment, and also everyone who uses libraries ❤️❤️❤️❤️)
Reposted by Jess Popplewell
I think the last paragraph of it is important enough that it needs inclusion.
December 29, 2025 at 6:12 AM
I think the last paragraph of it is important enough that it needs inclusion.
Reposted by Jess Popplewell
Great post about generative AI. Happy Holidays. Don't say I never gave you anything. anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
December 29, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Great post about generative AI. Happy Holidays. Don't say I never gave you anything. anthonymoser.github.io/writing/ai/h...
Periodic reminder that I wrote a book, am v proud of it, and other people seem to quite like it. I dunno, maybe you will too?
December 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Periodic reminder that I wrote a book, am v proud of it, and other people seem to quite like it. I dunno, maybe you will too?
Reposted by Jess Popplewell
Oh wow, suddenly you have a desperate need for social and artistic skill sets? Amazing. Anyway, eat a cold loaf of Satan's ass cheese, fellas.
Are these the same companies that told us the robot could do it?
December 18, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Oh wow, suddenly you have a desperate need for social and artistic skill sets? Amazing. Anyway, eat a cold loaf of Satan's ass cheese, fellas.
Reposted by Jess Popplewell
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
December 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
🚨 The UK government just published a breakdown of the responses to its consultation on AI & copyright:
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
- 95% of respondents want AI companies to pay for their training data (made up of 88% saying strengthen copyright law, & 7% saying leave it as is)
🧵 1/2
I’m full of cold, and I’m also ✨hormonal✨ so, maybe I’m taking this differently than I would normally, but within the last few days I have:
- got 2 chapters into a book recommended to me before realising it was either written ENTIRELY with ChatGPT or at least relied heavily on it… (1)
- got 2 chapters into a book recommended to me before realising it was either written ENTIRELY with ChatGPT or at least relied heavily on it… (1)
December 15, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I’m full of cold, and I’m also ✨hormonal✨ so, maybe I’m taking this differently than I would normally, but within the last few days I have:
- got 2 chapters into a book recommended to me before realising it was either written ENTIRELY with ChatGPT or at least relied heavily on it… (1)
- got 2 chapters into a book recommended to me before realising it was either written ENTIRELY with ChatGPT or at least relied heavily on it… (1)
Editing Advent is on HOLD
Because I’m ill! I have brought PESTILENCE into the house! (Probably from the tube).
But I’ve got until the new year to get finished so I reckon it’s fine. Anyway, I’m going for a nap.
Because I’m ill! I have brought PESTILENCE into the house! (Probably from the tube).
But I’ve got until the new year to get finished so I reckon it’s fine. Anyway, I’m going for a nap.
December 13, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Editing Advent is on HOLD
Because I’m ill! I have brought PESTILENCE into the house! (Probably from the tube).
But I’ve got until the new year to get finished so I reckon it’s fine. Anyway, I’m going for a nap.
Because I’m ill! I have brought PESTILENCE into the house! (Probably from the tube).
But I’ve got until the new year to get finished so I reckon it’s fine. Anyway, I’m going for a nap.
Editing advent day 10:
Halfway mark!!!!
Halfway mark!!!!
December 10, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Editing advent day 10:
Halfway mark!!!!
Halfway mark!!!!
Editing advent day 9:
I’m back making pen notes on my manuscript again, and it’s nice to have that switch between the two modes of working.
I’ve got to a section about my favourite character now - he’s a lot of fun to write.
I’m back making pen notes on my manuscript again, and it’s nice to have that switch between the two modes of working.
I’ve got to a section about my favourite character now - he’s a lot of fun to write.
December 9, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Editing advent day 9:
I’m back making pen notes on my manuscript again, and it’s nice to have that switch between the two modes of working.
I’ve got to a section about my favourite character now - he’s a lot of fun to write.
I’m back making pen notes on my manuscript again, and it’s nice to have that switch between the two modes of working.
I’ve got to a section about my favourite character now - he’s a lot of fun to write.
Editing Advent Day 7:
I’d say I’m about 1/3 through this edit now - I start by making handwritten notes on the manuscript to figure out WHERE I should be making the edits, and then I transpose those into the actual document.
I’d say I’m about 1/3 through this edit now - I start by making handwritten notes on the manuscript to figure out WHERE I should be making the edits, and then I transpose those into the actual document.
December 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Editing Advent Day 7:
I’d say I’m about 1/3 through this edit now - I start by making handwritten notes on the manuscript to figure out WHERE I should be making the edits, and then I transpose those into the actual document.
I’d say I’m about 1/3 through this edit now - I start by making handwritten notes on the manuscript to figure out WHERE I should be making the edits, and then I transpose those into the actual document.
Editing advent day six:
Very boring task of changing a character’s name today.
I COULD use find and replace, but for plot reasons the more laborious version of that is required.
Watching YouTube vids I missed on holiday to get me through.
Very boring task of changing a character’s name today.
I COULD use find and replace, but for plot reasons the more laborious version of that is required.
Watching YouTube vids I missed on holiday to get me through.
December 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Editing advent day six:
Very boring task of changing a character’s name today.
I COULD use find and replace, but for plot reasons the more laborious version of that is required.
Watching YouTube vids I missed on holiday to get me through.
Very boring task of changing a character’s name today.
I COULD use find and replace, but for plot reasons the more laborious version of that is required.
Watching YouTube vids I missed on holiday to get me through.
Editing Advent Day 5:
Lots of travel time today, but I’m now 80/190 pages edited.
Observations: I’ve found lots of places I need to give a little bit of “breathing room” to the action - I guess that happens when a story just BURSTS out of you like this one did…
Lots of travel time today, but I’m now 80/190 pages edited.
Observations: I’ve found lots of places I need to give a little bit of “breathing room” to the action - I guess that happens when a story just BURSTS out of you like this one did…
December 5, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Editing Advent Day 5:
Lots of travel time today, but I’m now 80/190 pages edited.
Observations: I’ve found lots of places I need to give a little bit of “breathing room” to the action - I guess that happens when a story just BURSTS out of you like this one did…
Lots of travel time today, but I’m now 80/190 pages edited.
Observations: I’ve found lots of places I need to give a little bit of “breathing room” to the action - I guess that happens when a story just BURSTS out of you like this one did…
Editing Advent Day 4:
I’m actually ahead of myself, so I gave myself a night off (it’s the last night of my holiday anyway).
Tomorrow I have 5 hours on a train to do plenty more!
I’m actually ahead of myself, so I gave myself a night off (it’s the last night of my holiday anyway).
Tomorrow I have 5 hours on a train to do plenty more!
December 4, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Editing Advent Day 4:
I’m actually ahead of myself, so I gave myself a night off (it’s the last night of my holiday anyway).
Tomorrow I have 5 hours on a train to do plenty more!
I’m actually ahead of myself, so I gave myself a night off (it’s the last night of my holiday anyway).
Tomorrow I have 5 hours on a train to do plenty more!
Editing Advent Day 3:
I’ve made notes on 55 pages out of 191, which feels like good going!
I’ve made notes on 55 pages out of 191, which feels like good going!
December 3, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Editing Advent Day 3:
I’ve made notes on 55 pages out of 191, which feels like good going!
I’ve made notes on 55 pages out of 191, which feels like good going!
Day 2 of Editing Advent:
Didn’t achieve loads today because I had windmills to look at, but I made some notes on 2 early chapters to address a couple of editing points (introducing backstory, that kind of thing).
Now celebrating with a hot chocolate. The Dutch are VERY good at hot chocolate.
Didn’t achieve loads today because I had windmills to look at, but I made some notes on 2 early chapters to address a couple of editing points (introducing backstory, that kind of thing).
Now celebrating with a hot chocolate. The Dutch are VERY good at hot chocolate.
December 2, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Day 2 of Editing Advent:
Didn’t achieve loads today because I had windmills to look at, but I made some notes on 2 early chapters to address a couple of editing points (introducing backstory, that kind of thing).
Now celebrating with a hot chocolate. The Dutch are VERY good at hot chocolate.
Didn’t achieve loads today because I had windmills to look at, but I made some notes on 2 early chapters to address a couple of editing points (introducing backstory, that kind of thing).
Now celebrating with a hot chocolate. The Dutch are VERY good at hot chocolate.
As a sort of advent calendar for me this year, I’ve split my edits for my current WIP (I call it “the vampire book”) into 24.
Today I:
- changed a character’s name
- changed a different character’s age, which has subtly changed that character and her relationships with the main storyline.
Today I:
- changed a character’s name
- changed a different character’s age, which has subtly changed that character and her relationships with the main storyline.
December 1, 2025 at 8:26 PM
As a sort of advent calendar for me this year, I’ve split my edits for my current WIP (I call it “the vampire book”) into 24.
Today I:
- changed a character’s name
- changed a different character’s age, which has subtly changed that character and her relationships with the main storyline.
Today I:
- changed a character’s name
- changed a different character’s age, which has subtly changed that character and her relationships with the main storyline.
Hello I know complaining on the internet is what old people do but I’m old so buckle up.
I need a blood test. Like, I’ve had these symptoms before (extreme tiredness even after full night’s sleep, aching muscles, brain fog) and the problem is either a vitamin deficiency or my thyroid meds (1)
I need a blood test. Like, I’ve had these symptoms before (extreme tiredness even after full night’s sleep, aching muscles, brain fog) and the problem is either a vitamin deficiency or my thyroid meds (1)
November 24, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Hello I know complaining on the internet is what old people do but I’m old so buckle up.
I need a blood test. Like, I’ve had these symptoms before (extreme tiredness even after full night’s sleep, aching muscles, brain fog) and the problem is either a vitamin deficiency or my thyroid meds (1)
I need a blood test. Like, I’ve had these symptoms before (extreme tiredness even after full night’s sleep, aching muscles, brain fog) and the problem is either a vitamin deficiency or my thyroid meds (1)
Reposted by Jess Popplewell
Reposted by Jess Popplewell
Good Morning Blue Sky! Hope you’re all ok? Today I’m currently reading and highly enjoying Firstborn of the Sun by Marvellous Michael Anton for some epic fantasy back in my life. What are you reading at the moment?
November 2, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Good Morning Blue Sky! Hope you’re all ok? Today I’m currently reading and highly enjoying Firstborn of the Sun by Marvellous Michael Anton for some epic fantasy back in my life. What are you reading at the moment?
Reposted by Jess Popplewell
Shall we talk about ebooks?
It might be a bit of a weird thing for a physical bookshop to do, but bear with me. There's a reason.
Take a seat for a short thread. 1/?
It might be a bit of a weird thing for a physical bookshop to do, but bear with me. There's a reason.
Take a seat for a short thread. 1/?
a woman in a suit and tie is smiling with #schitts creek written on the bottom
Alt: a woman in a suit and tie is smiling with #schitts creek written on the bottom
media.tenor.com
October 26, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Shall we talk about ebooks?
It might be a bit of a weird thing for a physical bookshop to do, but bear with me. There's a reason.
Take a seat for a short thread. 1/?
It might be a bit of a weird thing for a physical bookshop to do, but bear with me. There's a reason.
Take a seat for a short thread. 1/?
Reposted by Jess Popplewell
Delivering a face-to-face workshop today about how to write winning flash fiction. Look out NQW contestants, we have some newbies in the wings ready to take the crown!
October 23, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Delivering a face-to-face workshop today about how to write winning flash fiction. Look out NQW contestants, we have some newbies in the wings ready to take the crown!