Rob McMinn
@robmcminn.uk
Author, blogger, Irish tea drinker, pizza perfectionist, Beatles person. UK and France. My two latest novels: Type Thief and Codename Hirondelle, are available on paper, as audio, or as ebooks.
https://robmcminn.uk
https://robmcminn.uk
Pinned
Rob McMinn
@robmcminn.uk
· 3d
Type Thief – now an audiobook
Type Thief, set in #earlymodern Europe, is the tale of a beautiful typeface created in Venice for exclusive use by the Vatican. But the apprentice tasked with delivering the type to Rome decides in…
robmcminn.uk
Updated links to Type Thief as an audiobook. Now available on Apple Books as well as Amazon/Audible
robmcminn.uk/2025/12/29/t...
robmcminn.uk/2025/12/29/t...
Christmas tree is on the compost heap. Sad times. Especially for my wrists, which are now itching because tree contact
January 2, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Christmas tree is on the compost heap. Sad times. Especially for my wrists, which are now itching because tree contact
Did an orzo “risotto”. Strong recommend
January 2, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Did an orzo “risotto”. Strong recommend
Type Thief audio – chapter 1
I didn't take the time to re-export with intro music like I did for Codename Hirondelle, so this is the barebones Chapter 1 that follows on from the Prologue (previously posted—or mostly, as part of the sample). Note that I will not be uploading the entire book at this…
I didn't take the time to re-export with intro music like I did for Codename Hirondelle, so this is the barebones Chapter 1 that follows on from the Prologue (previously posted—or mostly, as part of the sample). Note that I will not be uploading the entire book at this…
Type Thief audio – chapter 1
I didn't take the time to re-export with intro music like I did for Codename Hirondelle, so this is the barebones Chapter 1 that follows on from the Prologue (previously posted—or mostly, as part of the sample). Note that I will not be uploading the entire book at this time, just a few sample chapters, so the curious can get a feel for it. If you want to hear the whole thing, links are below. Here's the link to Apple Books Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon AU Amazon CA
robmcminn.uk
January 2, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Type Thief audio – chapter 1
I didn't take the time to re-export with intro music like I did for Codename Hirondelle, so this is the barebones Chapter 1 that follows on from the Prologue (previously posted—or mostly, as part of the sample). Note that I will not be uploading the entire book at this…
I didn't take the time to re-export with intro music like I did for Codename Hirondelle, so this is the barebones Chapter 1 that follows on from the Prologue (previously posted—or mostly, as part of the sample). Note that I will not be uploading the entire book at this…
Ventured as far as the front door to bring you this weather news
January 2, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Ventured as far as the front door to bring you this weather news
Another 5½ km walk through the woods. A cold wind has picked up, possible snow on the way. It were proper frigid
January 1, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Another 5½ km walk through the woods. A cold wind has picked up, possible snow on the way. It were proper frigid
Jet Lag – the game: freedom of movement porn
This is something for which I am most definitely not the target market (how could I be?), but I've been enjoying it nevertheless. It came to my attention when one of the team guested on No Such Thing as a Fish, a podcast I have returned to after giving…
This is something for which I am most definitely not the target market (how could I be?), but I've been enjoying it nevertheless. It came to my attention when one of the team guested on No Such Thing as a Fish, a podcast I have returned to after giving…
Jet Lag – the game: freedom of movement porn
This is something for which I am most definitely not the target market (how could I be?), but I've been enjoying it nevertheless. It came to my attention when one of the team guested on No Such Thing as a Fish, a podcast I have returned to after giving it a rest for a few years. It's on YouTube, and is most definitely…
robmcminn.uk
January 1, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Jet Lag – the game: freedom of movement porn
This is something for which I am most definitely not the target market (how could I be?), but I've been enjoying it nevertheless. It came to my attention when one of the team guested on No Such Thing as a Fish, a podcast I have returned to after giving…
This is something for which I am most definitely not the target market (how could I be?), but I've been enjoying it nevertheless. It came to my attention when one of the team guested on No Such Thing as a Fish, a podcast I have returned to after giving…
Don't think our Christmas tree has dropped a single needle yet
January 1, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Don't think our Christmas tree has dropped a single needle yet
When I sneaked away from the party last night and walked up the hill to home, I took this. Very much *not* a dark skies pic, but you can see Orion quite clearly
January 1, 2026 at 8:03 AM
When I sneaked away from the party last night and walked up the hill to home, I took this. Very much *not* a dark skies pic, but you can see Orion quite clearly
At a party. Early doors, still on first glass of champagne. Just ate fish eggs (pink) and they were SO SALTY I will be nursing a thirst for the rest of the night
December 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
At a party. Early doors, still on first glass of champagne. Just ate fish eggs (pink) and they were SO SALTY I will be nursing a thirst for the rest of the night
From sunrise this morning to sunset this evening. Spot le difference
December 31, 2025 at 5:21 PM
From sunrise this morning to sunset this evening. Spot le difference
Planning to put in an appearance at the NYE party down the road and then make a sneaky French exit. I have supplied minestrone soup, as is now traditional
December 31, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Planning to put in an appearance at the NYE party down the road and then make a sneaky French exit. I have supplied minestrone soup, as is now traditional
Reposted by Rob McMinn
All righty -- this year's writerly resolution is live, should you care to read it. The tl;dr is it's actually quite an optimistic read, so hopefully it'll give you some juice to kick open the new year and put words to stories that need to be told.
Writer Resolution 2026: Wield The Weapon That Is You
It’s never precisely easy to be a writer — professional or otherwise. I mean, it’s easy in the sense of, hey, anybody can open a word processor and start (fiercely or methodically…
terribleminds.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
All righty -- this year's writerly resolution is live, should you care to read it. The tl;dr is it's actually quite an optimistic read, so hopefully it'll give you some juice to kick open the new year and put words to stories that need to be told.
OH is watching old episodes of Airline on the ‘Tube. Cannot help overhearing. Seems to me that most problems are caused by people who are late. Habitually late people need to have a word with themselves
December 31, 2025 at 4:42 PM
OH is watching old episodes of Airline on the ‘Tube. Cannot help overhearing. Seems to me that most problems are caused by people who are late. Habitually late people need to have a word with themselves
Experimenting with a Safari extension that blocks a certain orange person's name on web sites. Where you see the 😎👍🏼, the story has been removed. I'll see how this works out and may extend it beyond just the one keyword …
December 31, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Experimenting with a Safari extension that blocks a certain orange person's name on web sites. Where you see the 😎👍🏼, the story has been removed. I'll see how this works out and may extend it beyond just the one keyword …
Reposted by Rob McMinn
🎉 Here's a selection of our favourite second mentions from this year 🎉
JANUARY
Egyptian geese: "the handsome honksters"
Bluefin tuna: "the warm-blooded aquatic torpedoes"
Ghost slugs: "the worm-sucking molluscs"
5m long anaconda: "the girthy reptile"
JANUARY
Egyptian geese: "the handsome honksters"
Bluefin tuna: "the warm-blooded aquatic torpedoes"
Ghost slugs: "the worm-sucking molluscs"
5m long anaconda: "the girthy reptile"
December 31, 2025 at 10:37 AM
🎉 Here's a selection of our favourite second mentions from this year 🎉
JANUARY
Egyptian geese: "the handsome honksters"
Bluefin tuna: "the warm-blooded aquatic torpedoes"
Ghost slugs: "the worm-sucking molluscs"
5m long anaconda: "the girthy reptile"
JANUARY
Egyptian geese: "the handsome honksters"
Bluefin tuna: "the warm-blooded aquatic torpedoes"
Ghost slugs: "the worm-sucking molluscs"
5m long anaconda: "the girthy reptile"
Bot-ulism – a year on the blog
Something prompted me to have a look at the old blog stats for this year. It's fair to say that the last couple of years have seen a lot of growth. Until 2024, the covid year of 2020 represented the high watermark of visitors and views, a fact explained by the…
Something prompted me to have a look at the old blog stats for this year. It's fair to say that the last couple of years have seen a lot of growth. Until 2024, the covid year of 2020 represented the high watermark of visitors and views, a fact explained by the…
Bot-ulism – a year on the blog
Something prompted me to have a look at the old blog stats for this year. It's fair to say that the last couple of years have seen a lot of growth. Until 2024, the covid year of 2020 represented the high watermark of visitors and views, a fact explained by the pandemic providing people with a lot more idle time. …
robmcminn.uk
December 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Bot-ulism – a year on the blog
Something prompted me to have a look at the old blog stats for this year. It's fair to say that the last couple of years have seen a lot of growth. Until 2024, the covid year of 2020 represented the high watermark of visitors and views, a fact explained by the…
Something prompted me to have a look at the old blog stats for this year. It's fair to say that the last couple of years have seen a lot of growth. Until 2024, the covid year of 2020 represented the high watermark of visitors and views, a fact explained by the…
Nice walk in the winter sun. Esmé catching some rays
December 30, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Nice walk in the winter sun. Esmé catching some rays
Incandescent with rage every time I have to empty the used coffee pods hopper
December 30, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Incandescent with rage every time I have to empty the used coffee pods hopper
Updated links to Type Thief as an audiobook. Now available on Apple Books as well as Amazon/Audible
robmcminn.uk/2025/12/29/t...
robmcminn.uk/2025/12/29/t...
Type Thief – now an audiobook
Type Thief, set in #earlymodern Europe, is the tale of a beautiful typeface created in Venice for exclusive use by the Vatican. But the apprentice tasked with delivering the type to Rome decides in…
robmcminn.uk
December 30, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Updated links to Type Thief as an audiobook. Now available on Apple Books as well as Amazon/Audible
robmcminn.uk/2025/12/29/t...
robmcminn.uk/2025/12/29/t...
How I would stare at these photos when I was a teenager. Also, one of them immortalised on my bedroom wall
December 29, 2025 at 4:09 PM
How I would stare at these photos when I was a teenager. Also, one of them immortalised on my bedroom wall
Watching The X Files and appreciating how well-lit it is
December 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Watching The X Files and appreciating how well-lit it is
The Pie & Mash Detective Agency (ARC review)
This cozy crime novel is very much not my usual thing, but I was amused by the title and thought I'd give it a go. This is a review of an ARC from Netgalley and publisher Random House/Cornerstone. J D Brinkworth is actually two people, a nom de plume,…
This cozy crime novel is very much not my usual thing, but I was amused by the title and thought I'd give it a go. This is a review of an ARC from Netgalley and publisher Random House/Cornerstone. J D Brinkworth is actually two people, a nom de plume,…
The Pie & Mash Detective Agency (ARC review)
This cozy crime novel is very much not my usual thing, but I was amused by the title and thought I'd give it a go. This is a review of an ARC from Netgalley and publisher Random House/Cornerstone. J D Brinkworth is actually two people, a nom de plume, although (confusingly) my Kindle showed the author as one "Steve Jones".
robmcminn.uk
December 29, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The Pie & Mash Detective Agency (ARC review)
This cozy crime novel is very much not my usual thing, but I was amused by the title and thought I'd give it a go. This is a review of an ARC from Netgalley and publisher Random House/Cornerstone. J D Brinkworth is actually two people, a nom de plume,…
This cozy crime novel is very much not my usual thing, but I was amused by the title and thought I'd give it a go. This is a review of an ARC from Netgalley and publisher Random House/Cornerstone. J D Brinkworth is actually two people, a nom de plume,…