Sally Nicholls
@sallynicholls.bsky.social
Author of books such as 'Ways to Live Forever', 'Things a Bright Girl Can Do', 'The Button Book', 'A Chase in Time'. 'Godfather Death' and 'Yours From the Tower' out now. Lives in Liverpool with husband and two kids, Quaker, bridge-player, woolly liberal.
Oh NO. This is such sad news.
Also, they published a Carnegie medal-winning novel, a novel which got turned into a CBBC show, they had huge amounts of good press and goodwill from the community. Like, what does it take?
Also, they published a Carnegie medal-winning novel, a novel which got turned into a CBBC show, they had huge amounts of good press and goodwill from the community. Like, what does it take?
The news is out so I can finally point at this. Yes this is my publisher of the Vivi novels. I’m devastated that another company started to change things up in this industry has failed to thrive. I don’t know any more so pls be compassionate to the authors.
www.thebookseller.com/news/indepen...
www.thebookseller.com/news/indepen...
October 29, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Oh NO. This is such sad news.
Also, they published a Carnegie medal-winning novel, a novel which got turned into a CBBC show, they had huge amounts of good press and goodwill from the community. Like, what does it take?
Also, they published a Carnegie medal-winning novel, a novel which got turned into a CBBC show, they had huge amounts of good press and goodwill from the community. Like, what does it take?
I think my kids were 6 and 9 before we managed to buy a Christmas tree, bring it home, put it up and decorate it in one day.
I'd have been a lot more upset about this if 'adults spending what felt like hours finding the ONE tree light bulb that needed replacing' wasn't such a core Christmas memory.
I'd have been a lot more upset about this if 'adults spending what felt like hours finding the ONE tree light bulb that needed replacing' wasn't such a core Christmas memory.
“You have permission to do a lot less when kids are small, and they probably won’t notice. You can also do more when they get older, and it will still likely feel like you did it from birth.”
Me today @thepom.bsky.social
Me today @thepom.bsky.social
You Can Survive the Holidays with Little Kids
If you don’t get it right on the first try, you can keep trying. In fact, you should.
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:46 AM
I think my kids were 6 and 9 before we managed to buy a Christmas tree, bring it home, put it up and decorate it in one day.
I'd have been a lot more upset about this if 'adults spending what felt like hours finding the ONE tree light bulb that needed replacing' wasn't such a core Christmas memory.
I'd have been a lot more upset about this if 'adults spending what felt like hours finding the ONE tree light bulb that needed replacing' wasn't such a core Christmas memory.
If you hate baking with kids, I can strongly recommend buying a packet of plain digestive biscuits, making some icing, giving them a butter knife and some sprinkles and letting them get on with it.
It will look hideous. It will be horrendously sugary. They will love it. You will get to drink coffee.
It will look hideous. It will be horrendously sugary. They will love it. You will get to drink coffee.
My controversial parenting take is you absolutely don’t have to bake with your kids if you don’t enjoy it and you especially don’t have to bake with kids under 3. Get break and bake cookies if you must do a bake.
October 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
If you hate baking with kids, I can strongly recommend buying a packet of plain digestive biscuits, making some icing, giving them a butter knife and some sprinkles and letting them get on with it.
It will look hideous. It will be horrendously sugary. They will love it. You will get to drink coffee.
It will look hideous. It will be horrendously sugary. They will love it. You will get to drink coffee.
Like a lot of authors (probably), I've been asked to share @thetimes.com #GetBritainReading campaign, where you commit to spending ten minutes every day reading to yourself or someone else.
Either my husband or I still read to my kids every day (they're ten and seven). My eldest is a big reader
Either my husband or I still read to my kids every day (they're ten and seven). My eldest is a big reader
October 14, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Like a lot of authors (probably), I've been asked to share @thetimes.com #GetBritainReading campaign, where you commit to spending ten minutes every day reading to yourself or someone else.
Either my husband or I still read to my kids every day (they're ten and seven). My eldest is a big reader
Either my husband or I still read to my kids every day (they're ten and seven). My eldest is a big reader
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
Word of warning: if you've invested money in index trackers, particularly American index trackers, you might want to reconsider. Index trackers are disproportionately tied up in tech stock, and when the AI bubble bursts, you don't want your money to go with it.
October 9, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Word of warning: if you've invested money in index trackers, particularly American index trackers, you might want to reconsider. Index trackers are disproportionately tied up in tech stock, and when the AI bubble bursts, you don't want your money to go with it.
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
One of the practical tips for schools in this excellent briefing is, "Keep up a varied and up-to-date book collection'.
THE most cost effective way to do this in the long term is to subscribe to a local school library service.
Find your local SLS here: sls-uk.org/enquire-now/
THE most cost effective way to do this in the long term is to subscribe to a local school library service.
Find your local SLS here: sls-uk.org/enquire-now/
![Practical tips to support children’s book choices
Here are some evidence-informed methods for bringing more choice and agency into the classroom:
2: Keep up a varied and up-to-date book collection
The more access children have, the more personally meaningful choices they can make. Including a variety – as Prof. Teresa Cremin (Open University) suggests – of ‘old but gold’ and ‘new and bold’ books can best engage students [16].
Keeping abreast of the ever-expanding range of children’s books helps to keep your collection ‘fresh’. BookTrust’s booklists, including our Great Books Guide, can support and inspire you.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:l7xhjvuuyxc6kk5moilm6r2x/bafkreiaydae7xqvzbed7pffr7rxvqmld3mumxnqd6sseor53qztponlopu@jpeg)
October 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
One of the practical tips for schools in this excellent briefing is, "Keep up a varied and up-to-date book collection'.
THE most cost effective way to do this in the long term is to subscribe to a local school library service.
Find your local SLS here: sls-uk.org/enquire-now/
THE most cost effective way to do this in the long term is to subscribe to a local school library service.
Find your local SLS here: sls-uk.org/enquire-now/
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
I just saw someone use the abbreviation “AI;DR” and I’ll be laughing for a while.
October 6, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I just saw someone use the abbreviation “AI;DR” and I’ll be laughing for a while.
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
Yes!
October 3, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Yes!
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
And this is the problem.
Because antisemitism is always, always wrong.
This was an attack on British Jews, praying in their shul on the holiest day of the year.
If your response to hearing of their murder starts with “but Gaza” you are missing the point.
Because antisemitism is always, always wrong.
This was an attack on British Jews, praying in their shul on the holiest day of the year.
If your response to hearing of their murder starts with “but Gaza” you are missing the point.
i really don't know how much more vocally anti-israel and anti-genocide i have to be before goyim actually care about what i have to say about their antisemitism
October 3, 2025 at 2:27 AM
And this is the problem.
Because antisemitism is always, always wrong.
This was an attack on British Jews, praying in their shul on the holiest day of the year.
If your response to hearing of their murder starts with “but Gaza” you are missing the point.
Because antisemitism is always, always wrong.
This was an attack on British Jews, praying in their shul on the holiest day of the year.
If your response to hearing of their murder starts with “but Gaza” you are missing the point.
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
📣 AUTHORS 📣
This is a $1.5 billion copyright settlement for the use of pirated books to train an AI model.
If your book is included in the list that can be searched on this page – secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup – then you may be able to claim a share of it.
#CopyrightAndAI
This is a $1.5 billion copyright settlement for the use of pirated books to train an AI model.
If your book is included in the list that can be searched on this page – secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup – then you may be able to claim a share of it.
#CopyrightAndAI
October 2, 2025 at 9:52 AM
📣 AUTHORS 📣
This is a $1.5 billion copyright settlement for the use of pirated books to train an AI model.
If your book is included in the list that can be searched on this page – secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup – then you may be able to claim a share of it.
#CopyrightAndAI
This is a $1.5 billion copyright settlement for the use of pirated books to train an AI model.
If your book is included in the list that can be searched on this page – secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup – then you may be able to claim a share of it.
#CopyrightAndAI
My youngest (7) is likely dyslexic and comics are the one way he can confidently 'read' a story. He's a big Looshkin fan because the jokes are so visual.
I cannot tell you how many parents I met across the last few events who said that comics started their kids reading. Just comics. It’s the one thing that worked. 🫡
I’m just humbly suggesting that, should the publishing industry want to tackle the crisis in reading for pleasure rates, and we have research suggesting that there’s no crisis in reading for pleasure rates amongst children who read comics, that there’s maybe a relatively simple solution right here.
September 30, 2025 at 8:06 AM
My youngest (7) is likely dyslexic and comics are the one way he can confidently 'read' a story. He's a big Looshkin fan because the jokes are so visual.
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
Don't worry, we all know and talk about it amongst ourselves.
This is an eye-opening article that all writers and PUBLISHERS should read!
I spent the summer reporting this essay on why it seems harder than ever to sell a book right now—especially if it isn't a debut and comes with the dreaded "sales track." I'm grateful to the writers, agents, editors, publishers & experts who spoke to me for this piece: thewalrus.ca/the-publishi...
September 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Don't worry, we all know and talk about it amongst ourselves.
My kid is going on the Year Six residential. For two nights.
Just had to dissuade him from packing eight books and four card/board games.
Just had to dissuade him from packing eight books and four card/board games.
September 21, 2025 at 8:19 PM
My kid is going on the Year Six residential. For two nights.
Just had to dissuade him from packing eight books and four card/board games.
Just had to dissuade him from packing eight books and four card/board games.
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
Ever wondered what happened to the other girls who were invited to Prince Charming’s ball? @sallynicholls.bsky.social pens a raucous reimagining of Cinderella from the point of view of one of the palace’s not-so-lowly kitchen maids. Quirky, characterful illustrations by Ashley King. Out Jan 2026!
September 18, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Ever wondered what happened to the other girls who were invited to Prince Charming’s ball? @sallynicholls.bsky.social pens a raucous reimagining of Cinderella from the point of view of one of the palace’s not-so-lowly kitchen maids. Quirky, characterful illustrations by Ashley King. Out Jan 2026!
Did you ever think about what Prince Charming's ball would have been like? He invited EVERY GIRL IN THE LAND ... and no men? Insecure or what?
What must it have been like for all the other girls - expected to sit around and watch Prince Charming smooch Cinderella all night?
What must it have been like for all the other girls - expected to sit around and watch Prince Charming smooch Cinderella all night?
September 18, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Did you ever think about what Prince Charming's ball would have been like? He invited EVERY GIRL IN THE LAND ... and no men? Insecure or what?
What must it have been like for all the other girls - expected to sit around and watch Prince Charming smooch Cinderella all night?
What must it have been like for all the other girls - expected to sit around and watch Prince Charming smooch Cinderella all night?
Another requests thread. My kid is a FAST reader. Gets through 3 or 4 Horrible Histories in an afternoon fast. I'd like some meatier books to slow him down a bit. (He's 10.) Any suggestions? He likes humour. Currently reading Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but would like some kidslit recs.
September 10, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Another requests thread. My kid is a FAST reader. Gets through 3 or 4 Horrible Histories in an afternoon fast. I'd like some meatier books to slow him down a bit. (He's 10.) Any suggestions? He likes humour. Currently reading Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but would like some kidslit recs.
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
I definitely thought of this word as pain-staking, which doesn't actually make any sense now that I think about it
September 9, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I definitely thought of this word as pain-staking, which doesn't actually make any sense now that I think about it
I'm BEGGING theatres to not stage children's shows midweek during term time.
I'd love to take my 10yo to the Lightning Thief musical (he's a big Percy Jackson fan). But my options are an evening show that finishes 1 1/2hrs past his bedtime, a matinee on Thursday and ONE Saturday matinee we can't do.
I'd love to take my 10yo to the Lightning Thief musical (he's a big Percy Jackson fan). But my options are an evening show that finishes 1 1/2hrs past his bedtime, a matinee on Thursday and ONE Saturday matinee we can't do.
September 9, 2025 at 10:04 AM
I'm BEGGING theatres to not stage children's shows midweek during term time.
I'd love to take my 10yo to the Lightning Thief musical (he's a big Percy Jackson fan). But my options are an evening show that finishes 1 1/2hrs past his bedtime, a matinee on Thursday and ONE Saturday matinee we can't do.
I'd love to take my 10yo to the Lightning Thief musical (he's a big Percy Jackson fan). But my options are an evening show that finishes 1 1/2hrs past his bedtime, a matinee on Thursday and ONE Saturday matinee we can't do.
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
A reminder for UK people that there will be an emergency alert broadcast to all mobile phones at 3pm today. If you have need to not have your phone ring for any reason turn your phone off or see if you can turn the alert itself off (see next post):
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September 7, 2025 at 10:27 AM
A reminder for UK people that there will be an emergency alert broadcast to all mobile phones at 3pm today. If you have need to not have your phone ring for any reason turn your phone off or see if you can turn the alert itself off (see next post):
(1/2)
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My kid is having a sleepover for his tenth birthday and my husband is running a World of Warcraft campaign for him and his two best friends and so far it's the easiest birthday party I've been involved in. I'm just lying in bed listening to the roars (husband) and delighted giggles (kids).
September 6, 2025 at 4:52 PM
My kid is having a sleepover for his tenth birthday and my husband is running a World of Warcraft campaign for him and his two best friends and so far it's the easiest birthday party I've been involved in. I'm just lying in bed listening to the roars (husband) and delighted giggles (kids).
Reposted by Sally Nicholls
It's seven years since we posted on Twitter about how kids kept coming into the library asking if we had any books about FORTNITE. We didn't back then, and we'd never heard of it so we tried asking what it was.
September 3, 2025 at 11:40 AM
It's seven years since we posted on Twitter about how kids kept coming into the library asking if we had any books about FORTNITE. We didn't back then, and we'd never heard of it so we tried asking what it was.