Maggie Womersley
@maggiewomersley.bsky.social
Writer - Young Adult, NA, Middle Grade/ Winner of Cheshire Novel Prize for Kids 2023/ Undiscovered Voices Deputy Chair/ CNP 2024 Judge/ Likes Spooky stuff, quirky brain science, making dolls and doll houses (don't judge me).
Pinned
Hello, I'm Maggie, and I'm here for the books, the writers, the weird and the cats. I'm also interested in birds, especially covids; dolls, and people who make them; brilliant brains - in heads not jars; TV and film. I used to be a TV archive film researcher, now I write. That's me, who are you?
I knew there was something special about today.
Today is St. Martin's Day, Old Halloween! 🍂
Marking the end of harvest/start of winter, it is a liminal time for bonfires, lantern processions, feasts and wine.
Welsh folklore tells us to watch out for eerie omens: owls hoot, meteors fall & the Cŵn Annwn (spectral hounds) roam.
Marking the end of harvest/start of winter, it is a liminal time for bonfires, lantern processions, feasts and wine.
Welsh folklore tells us to watch out for eerie omens: owls hoot, meteors fall & the Cŵn Annwn (spectral hounds) roam.
November 11, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I knew there was something special about today.
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
‘Freud knew that the family was the ultimate ghost story, a tendency reflected in the narratives that have become attached to ghost sightings, which often concern disputed inheritances, dynastic continuity or betrayed love.’
Jon Day on the unheimlich
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Jon Day on the unheimlich
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Jon Day · Gloomth: Haunted Houses
Haunted house stories tend to end in one of two ways: either the family flees, or the ghosts are soothed, and everyone...
www.lrb.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:10 PM
‘Freud knew that the family was the ultimate ghost story, a tendency reflected in the narratives that have become attached to ghost sightings, which often concern disputed inheritances, dynastic continuity or betrayed love.’
Jon Day on the unheimlich
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Jon Day on the unheimlich
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Being from the UK and a member of the late part of Generation X means having to live with the fact that every photo from your childhood resembles a still from a cultishly acclaimed but commercially disappointing folk horror film.
ESPECIALLY IF THEY ACTUALLY ARE: www.tom-cox.com/some-photos-...
ESPECIALLY IF THEY ACTUALLY ARE: www.tom-cox.com/some-photos-...
Some Photos From My Family's Archive And The Cult Low Budget Horror Films They Became
This is a free post, but taking out a paid subscription here helps me write more of the stuff I love to write, and will give you access to lots of exclusive writing in the near future.
www.tom-cox.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Being from the UK and a member of the late part of Generation X means having to live with the fact that every photo from your childhood resembles a still from a cultishly acclaimed but commercially disappointing folk horror film.
ESPECIALLY IF THEY ACTUALLY ARE: www.tom-cox.com/some-photos-...
ESPECIALLY IF THEY ACTUALLY ARE: www.tom-cox.com/some-photos-...
She was my first girl crush - that outfit, that hair, that quite sensible attitude to dealing with naughty baddies, that made me think of my Reception class teacher. A heroine for all.
Hey!
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
November 8, 2025 at 11:52 AM
She was my first girl crush - that outfit, that hair, that quite sensible attitude to dealing with naughty baddies, that made me think of my Reception class teacher. A heroine for all.
Looking like your pet just peeked.
Japanese photographer Miyoko Ihara documented the bond between her grandmother, Misao and her beloved cat Fukumaru #WomensArt #Autumn
November 8, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Looking like your pet just peeked.
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Even if you don't buy any books - it's a good way to have a look around Dragon Hall in Norwich.
November 8, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Even if you don't buy any books - it's a good way to have a look around Dragon Hall in Norwich.
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
'The arc, the timescale, the structure has to fit the kind of story you want to tell' ⏳
Author of the iconic novels #OneDay and #YouAreHere David Nicholls discusses his use of time as a structural device in his books and shares tips for how to depict a believable bond between two characters.
Author of the iconic novels #OneDay and #YouAreHere David Nicholls discusses his use of time as a structural device in his books and shares tips for how to depict a believable bond between two characters.
David Nicholls on writing | Author interview
Bestselling author David Nicholls discusses his approach to creating characters, crafting dialogue and the iconic structure of One Day.
www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:59 PM
'The arc, the timescale, the structure has to fit the kind of story you want to tell' ⏳
Author of the iconic novels #OneDay and #YouAreHere David Nicholls discusses his use of time as a structural device in his books and shares tips for how to depict a believable bond between two characters.
Author of the iconic novels #OneDay and #YouAreHere David Nicholls discusses his use of time as a structural device in his books and shares tips for how to depict a believable bond between two characters.
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
IT’S HERE! Our first volume of strange and supernatural stories for the darker half of the year. Nine new tales by masters of the genre: Ramsey Campbell, Helen Grant, Reggie Oliver, Ally Wilkes, Steve Toase, Verity Holloway and more.
👉🏼 Get your copy on www.helleborezine.com
👉🏼 Get your copy on www.helleborezine.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:16 PM
IT’S HERE! Our first volume of strange and supernatural stories for the darker half of the year. Nine new tales by masters of the genre: Ramsey Campbell, Helen Grant, Reggie Oliver, Ally Wilkes, Steve Toase, Verity Holloway and more.
👉🏼 Get your copy on www.helleborezine.com
👉🏼 Get your copy on www.helleborezine.com
The veins of Rome. Like this a lot.
Wow! 😮🤩
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
There's a new interactive map of Every Known Road in the Roman Empire!! 🤓
itiner-e.org
We might have to have a lie-down.
November 6, 2025 at 6:41 PM
The veins of Rome. Like this a lot.
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Don't forget about the collaboration opportunity at #KidLitGN. GN creators, find a critique group or collaborators. Reply to the comments of people looking for collaborators and/or ask for your own. kidlitgn.com/2025/10/30/c...
Collaboration Opportunity at KidLitGN – KidLitGN
kidlitgn.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Don't forget about the collaboration opportunity at #KidLitGN. GN creators, find a critique group or collaborators. Reply to the comments of people looking for collaborators and/or ask for your own. kidlitgn.com/2025/10/30/c...
This is what my YA novel is about - this this this! Hands up who wants to read an exciting YA thriller about a teenage super-recogniser helping the police catch a dangerous terrorist? www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
AI study gives insights into why super-recognisers excel at identifying faces
Research uses eye-tracking data to examine some people’s extraordinary recognition ability
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:10 AM
This is what my YA novel is about - this this this! Hands up who wants to read an exciting YA thriller about a teenage super-recogniser helping the police catch a dangerous terrorist? www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
OGOM HALLOWEEN NEWSLETTER www.opengravesopenminds.com/newsletter/o...
Open Graves, Open Minds: Halloween Newsletter 2025
Welcome to the Open Graves Open Minds Newsletter for October. We’re delighted to bring you our news and activities for the 2025 spooky season. We are trying out a new way of publishing the newslett…
www.opengravesopenminds.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
OGOM HALLOWEEN NEWSLETTER www.opengravesopenminds.com/newsletter/o...
Interesting point.
‘If you’re more likely to be haunted if you rent than if you own, has the housing crisis led to a rise in poltergeist activity?’
Jon Day on haunted houses.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Jon Day on haunted houses.
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Jon Day · Gloomth: Haunted Houses
Haunted house stories tend to end in one of two ways: either the family flees, or the ghosts are soothed, and everyone...
www.lrb.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Interesting point.
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
When I was in secondary school, we had a wonderful library and a brilliant, kind, and supportive librarian. She, more than anyone, promoted a love of reading in our school. Do schools still have this?
October 26, 2025 at 7:31 AM
When I was in secondary school, we had a wonderful library and a brilliant, kind, and supportive librarian. She, more than anyone, promoted a love of reading in our school. Do schools still have this?
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
here is a post I just wrote about how to have a really nice weekend this weekend. it would have been my mother's 83rd birthday today, we're here for a good time not a long time. don't hoard enjoyment, spend it.
naomialderman.substack.com/p/are-you-ke...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/are-you-ke...
are you keeping enjoyment for 'best'?
cos I realised I am! let's stop doing that?!
naomialderman.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:35 AM
here is a post I just wrote about how to have a really nice weekend this weekend. it would have been my mother's 83rd birthday today, we're here for a good time not a long time. don't hoard enjoyment, spend it.
naomialderman.substack.com/p/are-you-ke...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/are-you-ke...
Doors, windows, holes, spirals. Pick a portal now.
Portals found on walks this week.
October 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Doors, windows, holes, spirals. Pick a portal now.
Oh Lordy, how shamelessly frilly is this?!
October 14, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Oh Lordy, how shamelessly frilly is this?!
Amazing opportunity for unpublished authors.
#Discoveries2026, a #NovelWriting programme and prize for unpublished women writers currently residing in the UK or Ireland, is open for entries until 12 January 2026! @womensprize.bsky.social
Head to the blog for tips on how to perfect your entry: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/how-to-...
Head to the blog for tips on how to perfect your entry: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/how-to-...
How to prepare your entry to Discoveries 2026
Advice on perfecting your entry to Discoveries 2026. Write a novel opening that will stand out to the judges.
www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Amazing opportunity for unpublished authors.
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Off to teach at Oxford Brookes this afternoon. I'm an associate lecturer on their Publishing MA. To give you an idea as to how university finances are going: a few years ago I did 36 hours of teaching on this module, this year I'm doing 6.
October 14, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Off to teach at Oxford Brookes this afternoon. I'm an associate lecturer on their Publishing MA. To give you an idea as to how university finances are going: a few years ago I did 36 hours of teaching on this module, this year I'm doing 6.
Love an iris.
'Copper Frills' really lights up the garden. A wonderful bright variety from 1940 created by Mrs. Agnes Whiting.
#iris 🌱
#iris 🌱
October 14, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Love an iris.
Interesting angle re toddler and baby books.... I had no idea they were largely written 'in house'.
One of the things about this study is that a lot of baby and toddler books are written in house, by editors. So the study reveals the whiteness of editorial in kidlit even if not explicitly. But, big picture, this trend is unacceptable. I remember so many promises www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
‘Catastrophic decline’ in Black representation in children’s books
A report by charity Inclusive Books for Children found that of the 2,721 books surveyed, only 51 featured a Black main character, down by 21.5% since 2023
www.theguardian.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Interesting angle re toddler and baby books.... I had no idea they were largely written 'in house'.
I adore the cover of this book, and I can't wait to read the story inside when it comes out next year.
COVER REVEAL
My YA debut The Last Death Poet will be published by @rocktheboatnews.bsky.social in April 2026.
Thank you Adams Carvalho for this stunning cover, I love it.
My YA debut The Last Death Poet will be published by @rocktheboatnews.bsky.social in April 2026.
Thank you Adams Carvalho for this stunning cover, I love it.
October 14, 2025 at 9:59 AM
I adore the cover of this book, and I can't wait to read the story inside when it comes out next year.
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
“It was the best writing experience of my career”: Jennifer Holm on writing her new middle grade novel, ‘Outside’ buff.ly/q64hLBw
October 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
“It was the best writing experience of my career”: Jennifer Holm on writing her new middle grade novel, ‘Outside’ buff.ly/q64hLBw
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Here's a picture of Robert Louis Stevenson at his home in Skerryvore Gardens - where he wrote Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
We are super excited to host a celebration IN THAT EXACT SPOT HE IS STANDING to mark his 175th birthday on the evening of Thursday 13th November.
We are super excited to host a celebration IN THAT EXACT SPOT HE IS STANDING to mark his 175th birthday on the evening of Thursday 13th November.
September 17, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Here's a picture of Robert Louis Stevenson at his home in Skerryvore Gardens - where he wrote Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
We are super excited to host a celebration IN THAT EXACT SPOT HE IS STANDING to mark his 175th birthday on the evening of Thursday 13th November.
We are super excited to host a celebration IN THAT EXACT SPOT HE IS STANDING to mark his 175th birthday on the evening of Thursday 13th November.