Sam Humphreys
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sjheditor.bsky.social
Sam Humphreys
@sjheditor.bsky.social
Editorial consultant and freelance editor with 20+ years in-house experience including PRH & Pan Macmillan: sjheditor@gmail.com
Likes: books, birds, babies, sun, v weak coffee
Collects: doors, dogs, clutter
Opinions: mine
Pronouns: she/her
(This is said Jack Russell, in case you’re interested…)
November 22, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Dear iPhone,
You are often very good at grouping together pictures of certain people and pets, but, no, none of these photos show my Jack Russell — although he was indeed mainly white with black spots…
November 22, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Ha! Very true!
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Sometimes you have to read a tweet aloud before it makes sense…
Right up until my 20s I wondered why I never saw a copy of Donkey Otie in bookshops or libraries, even though it seemed to be quite well known
November 15, 2025 at 7:20 PM
I’ve just bought this; the 12-yo is going to be VERY excited! X
November 15, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Was in town earlier today and saw a sobbing child, wailing plaintively to her (I assume) mum, “I’ll never, never, NEVER be that brave.” The heartbreak…
November 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
As a lawyer I'm seeing a lot more redundancies in 2025. I can't stress this enough, if you are being made redundant - GET A FUCKING LAWYER. I keep hearing of people getting unfair consultations and being ripped off in their redundancy packages. We would have spotted them for you.
November 6, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Ah, thank you! I also spied THE DAYS AND NIGHTS OF LONDON NOW on your list, which I really want to read (and Ben Judah’s book on London, which I have read)…
November 6, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Me too!
November 6, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Ah, lovely! Your list has given me lots of inspiration, so thank you!
November 6, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Oh, and I definitely need to read this! I once edited Robert.
November 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Oh, and I have this book! Am saving it until next month to read, for maximum seasonal enjoyment.
November 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Ooh, I love the look of this.
November 6, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Wow.
November 6, 2025 at 8:34 PM
‘Narrative is a bit disjointed and it’s kind of a slow burn, but by the Qs I couldn’t put it down. Five stars.’

Loving this review!
Not many career paths lead to being friends with the dictionary, but I’m happy to find myself in one. Thanks for the early copy of the Twelfth Edition, @merriam-webster.com!

Narrative is a bit disjointed and it’s kind of a slow burn, but by the Qs I couldn’t put it down. Five stars.
November 6, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Have just asked for these for Christmas!
If you've ever experienced a rupture with a loved one, this #birddivination is for you. Find more of them and the story behind them at almanacofbirds.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:32 PM
I’ve just put in a request for these as a Christmas present! They’re gorgeous.
November 6, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Missing this beautiful boy still…
November 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Also: back in the ‘old’ days, I once came into the office to a fax from Kurt Vonnegut, threatening legal action.
November 5, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Husband is soon to become ex-husband.
November 5, 2025 at 8:33 PM
(I’d sent DDL the cover proof of one of his novels — can’t even remember which now. But this was back when everything was physical not digital — hence him calling rather than emailing — to say he loved it.)
November 5, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Was just telling my husband about the time I’d just started at Picador (2002) and I came in to work one morning to find Don DeLillo had left me a voicemail message. (I was BEYOND excited.)

Husband: who’s Don DeLillo?
November 5, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
Remember remember the 5th of November, which is traditionally the day we put that guy Faulks on top of the Bonfire (of the Vanities) 🔥🎇

#BonfireNight #GuyFawkes
November 5, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
Books. No cookie preferences. No cookies. No GDPR. No pop ups. No bots. No floating videos. No AI. No ads. No trackers. No misinformation. No fascist techbros. No distracting animations. No paywalls. No influencers. How good are these things? Books are frickin awesome
October 23, 2025 at 7:55 AM
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
A staycation is spending your holiday in your own home and visiting places. A vacation is staying away from home even if it is in the same country. I will die on this hill.
October 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM