Polly Atkin
@pollyrowena.bsky.social
Writer, Lake-swimmer, Bookseller.
FRSL
hEDS/Haemochromatosis/all the comorbs
she/her
rep @PortyLiterary
Basic Nest Architecture
Much with Body
Recovering Dorothy
Some Of Us Just Fall
The Company of Owls
https://linktr.ee/pollyatkin
FRSL
hEDS/Haemochromatosis/all the comorbs
she/her
rep @PortyLiterary
Basic Nest Architecture
Much with Body
Recovering Dorothy
Some Of Us Just Fall
The Company of Owls
https://linktr.ee/pollyatkin
Ahhhhh! Thank you thank you to all the readers buying The Company of Owls @milkweededitions.bsky.social and all the booksellers selling it to bring it to no. 4 in the indie press bestsellers list!
February 19, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Ahhhhh! Thank you thank you to all the readers buying The Company of Owls @milkweededitions.bsky.social and all the booksellers selling it to bring it to no. 4 in the indie press bestsellers list!
Reposted by Polly Atkin
From always rewarding @lithub.com.web.brid.gy newsletter: lithub.com/the-independ...
Please buy/order at your local independent bookstore, @bookshop.org, or @libro.fm #BookSky 📚 💙
Please buy/order at your local independent bookstore, @bookshop.org, or @libro.fm #BookSky 📚 💙
The Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers: Fiction
Here are this week’s Independent Press Top 40 Bestsellers for fiction, based on sales in hundreds of independent bookstores nationwide, generously provided by the American Booksellers Association. …
lithub.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:21 PM
From always rewarding @lithub.com.web.brid.gy newsletter: lithub.com/the-independ...
Please buy/order at your local independent bookstore, @bookshop.org, or @libro.fm #BookSky 📚 💙
Please buy/order at your local independent bookstore, @bookshop.org, or @libro.fm #BookSky 📚 💙
Reposted by Polly Atkin
I wrote about how there are no pure platforms or publishers and how there are very few ethical media diets. Which leaves those of us who know we can’t consume ethically but still want to try, left to navigate what feels right, or, at least, less bad. lithub.com/what-do-you-...
What Do You Do When the Biggest Platforms For Readers Are Kind of Evil?
Last week a number of popular authors published an open letter to the leadership team of RELX. RELX is the parent company of Reedpop, which is the organizer of many conventions including BookCon, w…
lithub.com
February 19, 2026 at 1:19 PM
I wrote about how there are no pure platforms or publishers and how there are very few ethical media diets. Which leaves those of us who know we can’t consume ethically but still want to try, left to navigate what feels right, or, at least, less bad. lithub.com/what-do-you-...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Forty years since Ted Hughes wrote his single most excruciating Laureate poem, for the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson
February 19, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Forty years since Ted Hughes wrote his single most excruciating Laureate poem, for the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Join us next Thursday for a conversation about all things fluvial: rivers, hydrology, ecology, mythology, adventure, literature, restoration, responsibility…
#rivers #theflow #waterbookclub
#rivers #theflow #waterbookclub
Delighted to share the wonderful @amyjanebeer.bsky.social will join us for a live Q&A, focused on her award winning book The Flow - for our first Water Book Club!
This is currently set for February 26th at 7pm 🌊
RSVP here: calendarlink.com/event/Yv6nE
[FREE Event]
#NatureWriting #UKCanals #Water
This is currently set for February 26th at 7pm 🌊
RSVP here: calendarlink.com/event/Yv6nE
[FREE Event]
#NatureWriting #UKCanals #Water
February 19, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Join us next Thursday for a conversation about all things fluvial: rivers, hydrology, ecology, mythology, adventure, literature, restoration, responsibility…
#rivers #theflow #waterbookclub
#rivers #theflow #waterbookclub
Reposted by Polly Atkin
The shortlist for the £10,000 Unwin Award has been revealed 👇 #BookSky
Shortlist for £10k Unwin Award 2026 revealed
ebx.sh
February 17, 2026 at 1:06 PM
The shortlist for the £10,000 Unwin Award has been revealed 👇 #BookSky
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Congratulations to all those independent booksellers on the @thebookseller.com's 2026 Independent Bookshop of the Year shortlist! #booksky
www.thebookseller.com/british-book...
www.thebookseller.com/british-book...
Independent Bookshop of the Year Finalists | The British Book Awards
Check out the regional and country finalists for the Independent Bookshop of the year at The British Book Awards 2026
www.thebookseller.com
February 18, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Congratulations to all those independent booksellers on the @thebookseller.com's 2026 Independent Bookshop of the Year shortlist! #booksky
www.thebookseller.com/british-book...
www.thebookseller.com/british-book...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
The UN released a scathing report on Canada’s treatment of disabled people last spring—calling out inadequate support & urging a halt to MAiD expansion + Track Two.
I document the government's silence about the report.
My piece in
@breachmedia.ca
1/n
breachmedia.ca/canada-sides...
I document the government's silence about the report.
My piece in
@breachmedia.ca
1/n
breachmedia.ca/canada-sides...
Canada sidesteps UN scrutiny over assisted dying ⋆ The Breach
Calls by disability advocates and the UN to halt an expansion of medically assisted death have gone largely unacknowledged by the federal government
breachmedia.ca
February 17, 2026 at 8:59 PM
The UN released a scathing report on Canada’s treatment of disabled people last spring—calling out inadequate support & urging a halt to MAiD expansion + Track Two.
I document the government's silence about the report.
My piece in
@breachmedia.ca
1/n
breachmedia.ca/canada-sides...
I document the government's silence about the report.
My piece in
@breachmedia.ca
1/n
breachmedia.ca/canada-sides...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
We commissioned Sarah Howe's 'Earthenware model of a horse, unglazed' for our TIDE project in collaboration with Oxford University.
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/if-m...
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/if-m...
February 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM
We commissioned Sarah Howe's 'Earthenware model of a horse, unglazed' for our TIDE project in collaboration with Oxford University.
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/if-m...
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/stories/if-m...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Lunar New Year! In celebration of the year of the horse, here are two horsey poems...
Helen Dunmore's ‘The Horse Landscape’ was runner up in the 1985 National Poetry Competition poems.poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/the-horse-landscape/
Helen Dunmore's ‘The Horse Landscape’ was runner up in the 1985 National Poetry Competition poems.poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/the-horse-landscape/
February 17, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Lunar New Year! In celebration of the year of the horse, here are two horsey poems...
Helen Dunmore's ‘The Horse Landscape’ was runner up in the 1985 National Poetry Competition poems.poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/the-horse-landscape/
Helen Dunmore's ‘The Horse Landscape’ was runner up in the 1985 National Poetry Competition poems.poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/the-horse-landscape/
Reposted by Polly Atkin
The Company of Owls: A Memoir
A Memoir
bookshop.org
February 17, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Reposted by Polly Atkin
It’s beyond insane that the BBC World Service might end in 7 weeks when its funding runs out. A beacon of information, education and UK soft power - Ministers would be crazy not to find money to support it
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:41 PM
It’s beyond insane that the BBC World Service might end in 7 weeks when its funding runs out. A beacon of information, education and UK soft power - Ministers would be crazy not to find money to support it
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
However you feel about Valentine’s day we are aflame with books to fall in love with/by, and will always help you find "the one".
As the sun lit the snow on the tops pink at shop closing this afternoon, we put together this little stack of #RecommendedReads on love and loving. #BookSky #Valentines
As the sun lit the snow on the tops pink at shop closing this afternoon, we put together this little stack of #RecommendedReads on love and loving. #BookSky #Valentines
February 13, 2026 at 8:34 PM
However you feel about Valentine’s day we are aflame with books to fall in love with/by, and will always help you find "the one".
As the sun lit the snow on the tops pink at shop closing this afternoon, we put together this little stack of #RecommendedReads on love and loving. #BookSky #Valentines
As the sun lit the snow on the tops pink at shop closing this afternoon, we put together this little stack of #RecommendedReads on love and loving. #BookSky #Valentines
Reposted by Polly Atkin
The longlist for the 2025 Duais Leabhair na Gàidhealtachd | Highland Book Prize has been announced. The Prize celebrates the talent, landscape, & cultural diversity of the Scottish Highlands & is open to works of fiction, non-fiction, & poetry
💙📚
www.highlandbookprize.org.uk/longlist/
💙📚
www.highlandbookprize.org.uk/longlist/
Longlist - The Highland Book Prize | Duais Leabhair na Gàidhealtachd
Highland Book Prize 2025 Longlist Announced The longlist for the Highland Book Prize 2025 has been announced by the Highland Society of London and Moniack Mhor, Scotland’s Creative Writing Centre. Thi...
www.highlandbookprize.org.uk
February 12, 2026 at 1:44 PM
The longlist for the 2025 Duais Leabhair na Gàidhealtachd | Highland Book Prize has been announced. The Prize celebrates the talent, landscape, & cultural diversity of the Scottish Highlands & is open to works of fiction, non-fiction, & poetry
💙📚
www.highlandbookprize.org.uk/longlist/
💙📚
www.highlandbookprize.org.uk/longlist/
Reposted by Polly Atkin
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “I was literally begging the agent who was holding me back to let me do CPR,” she told The Intercept.
The Woman Alex Pretti Was Killed Trying to Defend Is an EMT. Federal Agents Stopped Her From Giving First Aid.
One of the women Alex Pretti was killed trying to defend is an EMT. Federal agents stopped her from giving him first aid.
interc.pt
February 13, 2026 at 3:25 PM
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “I was literally begging the agent who was holding me back to let me do CPR,” she told The Intercept.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Celebrating paperback publication day for @mwcraven.bsky.social's #TheFinalVow with a visit and signing. Catch your signed Final Vows and selected backlist on the shelves whilst you can! #ChooseBookshops #IndieBookshops #CumbriaCulture #CumbriaCrime #BookSky
February 12, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Celebrating paperback publication day for @mwcraven.bsky.social's #TheFinalVow with a visit and signing. Catch your signed Final Vows and selected backlist on the shelves whilst you can! #ChooseBookshops #IndieBookshops #CumbriaCulture #CumbriaCrime #BookSky
Reposted by Polly Atkin
A dusting of snow on the fells beyond the bookshop hustle and bustle.
February 13, 2026 at 4:52 PM
A dusting of snow on the fells beyond the bookshop hustle and bustle.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
UK ban on Palestine Action ruled unlawful ft.trib.al/TKbvf6A
UK ban on Palestine Action ruled unlawful
Ministers argued the direct action group engaged in a campaign of criminal damage and violence
ft.trib.al
February 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM
UK ban on Palestine Action ruled unlawful ft.trib.al/TKbvf6A
I've updates my website with details of my TWO books - yes that's TWO books - out this year:
1. My 3rd poetry collection #EmergencyDream out with @serenbooks.bsky.social March 16th
2. #SwimmingTheSeasons: A freshwater Almanac, out with @saraband-books.bsky.social May 7th
#BookSky #BookNews
1. My 3rd poetry collection #EmergencyDream out with @serenbooks.bsky.social March 16th
2. #SwimmingTheSeasons: A freshwater Almanac, out with @saraband-books.bsky.social May 7th
#BookSky #BookNews
Publications
Swimming the Seasons: A Freshwater Almanac (Saraband, 2026) COMING MAY 7TH 2026 A little book about swimming all year round in the lakes, rivers and tarns of the English Lake District, despite not …
pollyatkin.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:36 PM
I've updates my website with details of my TWO books - yes that's TWO books - out this year:
1. My 3rd poetry collection #EmergencyDream out with @serenbooks.bsky.social March 16th
2. #SwimmingTheSeasons: A freshwater Almanac, out with @saraband-books.bsky.social May 7th
#BookSky #BookNews
1. My 3rd poetry collection #EmergencyDream out with @serenbooks.bsky.social March 16th
2. #SwimmingTheSeasons: A freshwater Almanac, out with @saraband-books.bsky.social May 7th
#BookSky #BookNews
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Fantastic online poetry event with a few FREE places for people for whom the cost would be prohibitive...
My next event will be an online workshop at StAnza Poetry festival - 'In the company of Poetry', Saturday 14th March, 2.30-4pm. Ticket prices start at £5. There are also still a few FREE places available for people for whom the cost would be prohibitive. Sign up here to secure a place -
StAnza 26 (Online): In the Company of Poetry with Polly Atkin
14:30 – 16:00 | Zoom | £5
Through shared reading and reflection, Polly Atkin will explore how poetry can offer company, spark self-discovery, and help build communities of care.
Jane Cooper once wro...
byretheatre.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Fantastic online poetry event with a few FREE places for people for whom the cost would be prohibitive...
I wonder if this is why the letter from my last consultation was so bafflingly wrong? I assumed it was just good old fashioned dr not listening syndrome.
Hospitals here, including children's hospitals, are using AI transcription tools as well. Studies have shown they are inaccurate the majority of the time, fabricate content during silences about abuse and drug usage (what could go wrong!!!), and delete the original audio for "privacy" reasons
Social workers’ AI tool makes ‘gibberish’ transcripts of accounts from children
February 11, 2026 at 9:38 PM
I wonder if this is why the letter from my last consultation was so bafflingly wrong? I assumed it was just good old fashioned dr not listening syndrome.
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Hospitals here, including children's hospitals, are using AI transcription tools as well. Studies have shown they are inaccurate the majority of the time, fabricate content during silences about abuse and drug usage (what could go wrong!!!), and delete the original audio for "privacy" reasons
Social workers’ AI tool makes ‘gibberish’ transcripts of accounts from children
Social workers’ AI tool makes ‘gibberish’ transcripts of accounts from children
Transcription tools used by councils in England and Scotland reported to wrongly indicate suicidal ideation
AI tools are making potentially harmful errors in social work records, from bogus warnings of suicidal ideation to simple “gibberish”, frontline workers have said.
Keir Starmer last year championed what he called “incredible” time-saving social work transcription technology. But research across 17 English and Scottish councils shared with the Guardian has now found AI-generated hallucinations are slipping in. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Hospitals here, including children's hospitals, are using AI transcription tools as well. Studies have shown they are inaccurate the majority of the time, fabricate content during silences about abuse and drug usage (what could go wrong!!!), and delete the original audio for "privacy" reasons
Reposted by Polly Atkin
Microsoft, Google, Meta and Amazon paying influencers $400k-$600k to post months of AI hype content. Absolutely busted, failed industry, embarrassing era
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/g...
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/g...
Google and Microsoft offer lucrative deals to promote AI, but even $500,000 won't sway some creators
Tech companies including Google and Microsoft are paying influencers hundreds of thousands of dollars to promote AI products.
www.cnbc.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Microsoft, Google, Meta and Amazon paying influencers $400k-$600k to post months of AI hype content. Absolutely busted, failed industry, embarrassing era
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/g...
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/06/g...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
A top (withens) amount of Emily Brontë's #WutheringHeights selling from the bookshelves at present. Moody, passionate, and that's just the booksellers...
February 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM
A top (withens) amount of Emily Brontë's #WutheringHeights selling from the bookshelves at present. Moody, passionate, and that's just the booksellers...
Reposted by Polly Atkin
An eclectic longlist for the 2026 Women's Prize for non-fiction! @womensprize.bsky.social Take a look at the titles here... www.samreadbooks.co.uk/shop/women-s...
Sam Read Bookseller Online Shop
www.samreadbooks.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 3:09 PM
An eclectic longlist for the 2026 Women's Prize for non-fiction! @womensprize.bsky.social Take a look at the titles here... www.samreadbooks.co.uk/shop/women-s...