Jude Cook
@judecook.bsky.social
Novelist (Byron Easy, Jacob's Advice) & critic. Words Guardian, TLS, Literary Review. Radio plays BBC R3. Associate lecturer in Creative Writing Westminster University. judecook.com
https://judecook.substack.com/
https://judecook.substack.com/
Pinned
Jude Cook
@judecook.bsky.social
· Nov 15
I wrote about the Booker Prize, Samantha Harvey's triumphant 2024 win, as well as pleasure and pain-principle novels. Read The Wrong Paul for free here: judecook.substack.com/p/the-wrong-...
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 Jude Cook
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...
A very strong line-up of debut novelists in the Observer's 2026 list. Great to see @weatherglassbooks.bsky.social on there with Lucy Apps' Gloria Don't Speak. #smallpresses observer.co.uk/culture/book...
The best debut novelists of 2026 | The Observer
Featuring a GP, a teacher, a former zoologist and a pair of poets, The Observer’s list of rising stars reveals the eight names to watch this year
observer.co.uk
January 25, 2026 at 11:37 AM
A very strong line-up of debut novelists in the Observer's 2026 list. Great to see @weatherglassbooks.bsky.social on there with Lucy Apps' Gloria Don't Speak. #smallpresses observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Reposted by Jude Cook
"Keshed is original, difficult and revelatory. There are echoes of James Kelman and Hubert Srlby Jr but Hennigan's voice is entirely his own."
Keshed by @stuhennigan.bsky.social reviewed in @thetls.bsky.social by Alice Jolly.
First big review of the book, and it’s an excellent one!
‘An exceptional debut’
www.the-tls.com/literature/f...
@turnarounduk.bsky.social
First big review of the book, and it’s an excellent one!
‘An exceptional debut’
www.the-tls.com/literature/f...
@turnarounduk.bsky.social
Enjoy it while you can
In his non-fiction debut Ghost Signs (2022), Stu Hennigan wrote from his own experiences about social deprivation in Leeds during the pandemic, describing
www.the-tls.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:07 PM
"Keshed is original, difficult and revelatory. There are echoes of James Kelman and Hubert Srlby Jr but Hennigan's voice is entirely his own."
Reposted by Jude Cook
London event for Keshed with @stuhennigan.bsky.social and @judecook.bsky.social at the brilliant Bard Books by Victoria Park.
March 12th. This’ll be a good one - get your tickets before they go!
March 12th. This’ll be a good one - get your tickets before they go!
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 14, 2026 at 5:01 PM
London event for Keshed with @stuhennigan.bsky.social and @judecook.bsky.social at the brilliant Bard Books by Victoria Park.
March 12th. This’ll be a good one - get your tickets before they go!
March 12th. This’ll be a good one - get your tickets before they go!
Reposted by Jude 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 Jude Cook
Post-winter break, I'm still working through the contents of my inbox and finding some great things to read. I enjoyed this piece by @judecook.bsky.social, which asks if 'politics and fiction make for uneasy bedfellows? Does one, as it were, fatally undermine the other?'
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
January 7, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Post-winter break, I'm still working through the contents of my inbox and finding some great things to read. I enjoyed this piece by @judecook.bsky.social, which asks if 'politics and fiction make for uneasy bedfellows? Does one, as it were, fatally undermine the other?'
Reposted by Jude Cook
The online launch for Keshed is only a month away 😱 Anyone wanting to join the fun, pls email GetKeshed@gmail.com and I'll get you on the list for when the email invites are sent out. @ortacpress.bsky.social @davidcollard.bsky.social @regretteruane.bsky.social in the house, don't miss it 👍
The Keshed online launch is happening in one month! Send your names and email addresses to getkeshed@gmail.com to register.
@stuhennigan.bsky.social
@regretteruane.bsky.social
@davidcollard.bsky.social
@stuhennigan.bsky.social
@regretteruane.bsky.social
@davidcollard.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 10:00 PM
The online launch for Keshed is only a month away 😱 Anyone wanting to join the fun, pls email GetKeshed@gmail.com and I'll get you on the list for when the email invites are sent out. @ortacpress.bsky.social @davidcollard.bsky.social @regretteruane.bsky.social in the house, don't miss it 👍
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
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!
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 Jude 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 Jude Cook
That time of year again, and here's my off-trail Book of the Year choice.
December 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
That time of year again, and here's my off-trail Book of the Year choice.
Reposted by Jude Cook
Review 31's Books of the Year 2025
Review 31 is an online literary review.
review31.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 1:07 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
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 Jude Cook
Reposted by Jude Cook
Great cover. Looking forward to this.
Thrilled to reveal the cover of Conduit Books' first title, MALC'S BOY by Shaun Wilson, designed by Michal Kuzmierkiewicz, with an image by legendary photographer of working-class life, Tom Wood. Publishing April 2026. Available for preorder here: www.conduitbooks.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Great cover. Looking forward to this.
Thrilled to reveal the cover of Conduit Books' first title, MALC'S BOY by Shaun Wilson, designed by Michal Kuzmierkiewicz, with an image by legendary photographer of working-class life, Tom Wood. Publishing April 2026. Available for preorder here: www.conduitbooks.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Thrilled to reveal the cover of Conduit Books' first title, MALC'S BOY by Shaun Wilson, designed by Michal Kuzmierkiewicz, with an image by legendary photographer of working-class life, Tom Wood. Publishing April 2026. Available for preorder here: www.conduitbooks.co.uk
Reposted by Jude Cook
I talked to @timrelf.bsky.social about my forthcoming novel, TIME BEING, for @saltpublishing.com's House Magazine. Out September 2026, folks. www.saltpublishing.com/blogs/house-...
Jude Cook discusses his new novel, Time Being
by Tim Relf With the countdown on to publication of Jude Cook’s ‘existential’ literary thriller, Time Being, House catches up with the acclaimed author to find out what makes him tick 1. Tell us a lit...
www.saltpublishing.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I talked to @timrelf.bsky.social about my forthcoming novel, TIME BEING, for @saltpublishing.com's House Magazine. Out September 2026, folks. www.saltpublishing.com/blogs/house-...
Reposted by Jude Cook
‘Tom thought that knowledge and art weren’t negotiable commodities: there were absolute standards of good and bad.’
Richard Eyre remembers his friend, Tom Stoppard.
Richard Eyre remembers his friend, Tom Stoppard.
Remembering Tom Stoppard: ‘Knowledge and art weren’t negotiable commodities for him’ | The Observer
Get full access to the app & website:
observer.co.uk
December 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
‘Tom thought that knowledge and art weren’t negotiable commodities: there were absolute standards of good and bad.’
Richard Eyre remembers his friend, Tom Stoppard.
Richard Eyre remembers his friend, Tom Stoppard.
A late-November Substack essay from me: I wrote about creative inspiration in music and writing. Read Catch a Fire: That Michelangelo Moment for FREE here 👇: judecook.substack.com/p/catch-a-fire
November 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
A late-November Substack essay from me: I wrote about creative inspiration in music and writing. Read Catch a Fire: That Michelangelo Moment for FREE here 👇: judecook.substack.com/p/catch-a-fire
Reposted by Jude Cook
Duw duw!
I'm so pleased, and proud that this came from an open vote - so thanks to all the readers and advocates and allies who have lifted me up in the last year. Genuinely blindsided by this, and humbled. Thanks @hayfestival.bsky.social x
www.hayfestival.com/news/blog.as...
I'm so pleased, and proud that this came from an open vote - so thanks to all the readers and advocates and allies who have lifted me up in the last year. Genuinely blindsided by this, and humbled. Thanks @hayfestival.bsky.social x
www.hayfestival.com/news/blog.as...
A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland named Hay Festival Book of the Year 2025
A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland has been named Hay Festival Book of the Year 2025 after hundreds of book lovers nominated their favourite titles of the year online.
www.hayfestival.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Duw duw!
I'm so pleased, and proud that this came from an open vote - so thanks to all the readers and advocates and allies who have lifted me up in the last year. Genuinely blindsided by this, and humbled. Thanks @hayfestival.bsky.social x
www.hayfestival.com/news/blog.as...
I'm so pleased, and proud that this came from an open vote - so thanks to all the readers and advocates and allies who have lifted me up in the last year. Genuinely blindsided by this, and humbled. Thanks @hayfestival.bsky.social x
www.hayfestival.com/news/blog.as...
observer.co.uk/news/columni... Every writer & musician should read this. Excellent piece by John Naughton in today’s Observer.
Paul McCartney stages a silent protest against AI | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 30, 2025 at 9:33 AM
observer.co.uk/news/columni... Every writer & musician should read this. Excellent piece by John Naughton in today’s Observer.
Reposted by Jude Cook
We are delighted to announce that the winner of the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation 2025 is ‘And the Walls Became the World All Around’ by Johanna Ekström and Sigrid Rausing, translated from Swedish (Sweden) by Sigrid Rausing and published by @grantabooks.bsky.social !
November 27, 2025 at 7:54 PM
We are delighted to announce that the winner of the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation 2025 is ‘And the Walls Became the World All Around’ by Johanna Ekström and Sigrid Rausing, translated from Swedish (Sweden) by Sigrid Rausing and published by @grantabooks.bsky.social !
Delighted to announce that MALC’S BOY by Shaun Wilson will be @conduitbooks.bsky.social’s first title! Coming April 2026.
Freshly launched publisher Conduit Books has announced that its inaugural title will be Malc’s Boy, “a bold and emotionally charged” debut novel by Cumbrian writer Shaun Wilson, following 1,500 submissions over the past few months 👇 #BookSky
Conduit Books reveals Shaun Wilson's Malc’s Boy as its first publication
ebx.sh
November 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Delighted to announce that MALC’S BOY by Shaun Wilson will be @conduitbooks.bsky.social’s first title! Coming April 2026.