Amy Lord
@tenpennydreams.bsky.social
Northern writer. Author of The Disappeared. Stories in The London Reader, Reflex Press, Palm-Sized Press. Finalist: Mslexia Short Story Comp/Dinesh Allirajah Prize. Arts marketer. Writer in residence Durham Writes & Crossing the Tees.
amylordauthor.com
amylordauthor.com
Reposted by Amy Lord
This is a really interesting reinflection of reading survey data - a welcome move away from the endless doomsaying of decreasing numbers
77% of people who don’t call themselves readers read every week.
Britain doesn’t have a shortage of readers. We have a shortage of people who feel like readers.
It’s time to #RedefineReading.
👉 Explore the new State of the Nation report here: bit.ly/46ItklZ
Britain doesn’t have a shortage of readers. We have a shortage of people who feel like readers.
It’s time to #RedefineReading.
👉 Explore the new State of the Nation report here: bit.ly/46ItklZ
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 AM
This is a really interesting reinflection of reading survey data - a welcome move away from the endless doomsaying of decreasing numbers
"...if you chronically underfund your cultural institutions, and treat your cultural workers with contempt... people will begin to suspect that in truth you do not value culture at all, and are in fact running a giant heritage museum in which the only cultural workers you respect are the dead ones."
Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library | Zadie Smith
The dispute over pay at this great national institution gets to the heart of our misplaced priorities, says novelist Zadie Smith
share.google
November 11, 2025 at 5:49 PM
"...if you chronically underfund your cultural institutions, and treat your cultural workers with contempt... people will begin to suspect that in truth you do not value culture at all, and are in fact running a giant heritage museum in which the only cultural workers you respect are the dead ones."
November's writing workshop is all about writing stories featuring alternate lives.
📆 Wednesday 26 November, 7pm
We'll explore some examples, look at the structures the writers use and think about how to build the rules of your shifting story worlds.
www.amylordauthor.com/events #AmWriting
📆 Wednesday 26 November, 7pm
We'll explore some examples, look at the structures the writers use and think about how to build the rules of your shifting story worlds.
www.amylordauthor.com/events #AmWriting
November 9, 2025 at 1:39 PM
November's writing workshop is all about writing stories featuring alternate lives.
📆 Wednesday 26 November, 7pm
We'll explore some examples, look at the structures the writers use and think about how to build the rules of your shifting story worlds.
www.amylordauthor.com/events #AmWriting
📆 Wednesday 26 November, 7pm
We'll explore some examples, look at the structures the writers use and think about how to build the rules of your shifting story worlds.
www.amylordauthor.com/events #AmWriting
Reposted by Amy Lord
A recent M.I.T. study found that 95% of companies that had invested in A.I. tools were seeing zero return.
The A.I.-Profits Drought and the Lessons of History
Like the steam engine, electricity, and computers, generative artificial intelligence could take longer than expected to transform the economy.
nyer.cm
November 3, 2025 at 11:38 PM
A recent M.I.T. study found that 95% of companies that had invested in A.I. tools were seeing zero return.
My book is on sale! Want a bit of *fictional* political dystopia? Go check it out 👇📖🔥
"A hand grenade of a debut."
"An unflinching tale of resistance in dark political times."
What if reading the wrong book could get you arrested
THE DISAPPEARED, set in a broken Britain where books are banned.
Both hardback and paperback ON SALE on our website
"An unflinching tale of resistance in dark political times."
What if reading the wrong book could get you arrested
THE DISAPPEARED, set in a broken Britain where books are banned.
Both hardback and paperback ON SALE on our website
October 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
My book is on sale! Want a bit of *fictional* political dystopia? Go check it out 👇📖🔥
Still time to join my Writing the Ghost Story workshop tonight on Zoom and flex the darker side of your imagination 👻👇 #Writing #WriteLife
Having fun planning my next online writing workshop, which is all about the ghost story 👻🎃
If you fancy a spooky evening experimenting with ghosts and ghouls, come join me!
📆 Wed 22 October, 7pm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-wo... #WritingCommunity
If you fancy a spooky evening experimenting with ghosts and ghouls, come join me!
📆 Wed 22 October, 7pm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-wo... #WritingCommunity
Writing workshop: The Ghost Story
In this fun writing workshop, we’ll think about what makes a chilling or creepy ghost story and focus on a key aspect: the spirit themselves
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Still time to join my Writing the Ghost Story workshop tonight on Zoom and flex the darker side of your imagination 👻👇 #Writing #WriteLife
Having fun planning my next online writing workshop, which is all about the ghost story 👻🎃
If you fancy a spooky evening experimenting with ghosts and ghouls, come join me!
📆 Wed 22 October, 7pm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-wo... #WritingCommunity
If you fancy a spooky evening experimenting with ghosts and ghouls, come join me!
📆 Wed 22 October, 7pm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-wo... #WritingCommunity
Writing workshop: The Ghost Story
In this fun writing workshop, we’ll think about what makes a chilling or creepy ghost story and focus on a key aspect: the spirit themselves
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Having fun planning my next online writing workshop, which is all about the ghost story 👻🎃
If you fancy a spooky evening experimenting with ghosts and ghouls, come join me!
📆 Wed 22 October, 7pm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-wo... #WritingCommunity
If you fancy a spooky evening experimenting with ghosts and ghouls, come join me!
📆 Wed 22 October, 7pm
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-wo... #WritingCommunity
Reposted by Amy Lord
FREE SHIPPING - get the below titles in your basket and you'll get FREE SHIPPING. Just use the code FREESHIP at the checkout on our website.
UK only, unfortunately - thanks Brexit.
#BookSky
UK only, unfortunately - thanks Brexit.
#BookSky
October 14, 2025 at 11:20 AM
FREE SHIPPING - get the below titles in your basket and you'll get FREE SHIPPING. Just use the code FREESHIP at the checkout on our website.
UK only, unfortunately - thanks Brexit.
#BookSky
UK only, unfortunately - thanks Brexit.
#BookSky
Reposted by Amy Lord
I know statistics are poorly understood and are misused. But facts matter
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
October 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I know statistics are poorly understood and are misused. But facts matter
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
Between the 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021 Census *every* ethnic group in the UK has become *less* geographically segregated and *all* groups, majority and minorities, are more likely to interact with people not like them
👻👻 Getting in the spooky season mood? I'm running an online writing workshop focused on the ghost story this month! 👻👻
📆 Wednesday 22 October, 7pm
Book here: www.amylordauthor.com/events 🎃 #WritingCommunity
📆 Wednesday 22 October, 7pm
Book here: www.amylordauthor.com/events 🎃 #WritingCommunity
October 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
👻👻 Getting in the spooky season mood? I'm running an online writing workshop focused on the ghost story this month! 👻👻
📆 Wednesday 22 October, 7pm
Book here: www.amylordauthor.com/events 🎃 #WritingCommunity
📆 Wednesday 22 October, 7pm
Book here: www.amylordauthor.com/events 🎃 #WritingCommunity
So close to the end of this novel redraft, but I've only been able to dip in and out occasionally since April, while working on other things, and trying to pick it back up again properly is a bloody nightmare 😫
One of the problems with trying to juggle writing around work is lack of continuity.
I'm restructuring the second half of the novel I'm working on (60k words). Took a week off in April and got a massive chunk done, then managed a few writing sessions here & there before work commitments ramped up.
I'm restructuring the second half of the novel I'm working on (60k words). Took a week off in April and got a massive chunk done, then managed a few writing sessions here & there before work commitments ramped up.
October 2, 2025 at 2:18 PM
So close to the end of this novel redraft, but I've only been able to dip in and out occasionally since April, while working on other things, and trying to pick it back up again properly is a bloody nightmare 😫
Some great upcoming writing workshops listed here 👇
Thanks for including my sessions too, Matt!
Thanks for including my sessions too, Matt!
This month's round-up of courses, workshops and events from your friendly neighbourhood freelancers:
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/oct-nov-25...
Includes stuff from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @megpokrass.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @stillsquirrel.bsky.social
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/oct-nov-25...
Includes stuff from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @megpokrass.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @stillsquirrel.bsky.social
Oct / Nov 25: Upcoming courses, workshops & events
Here’s what’s coming up from your your friendly neighbourhood freelancers, lit mags and awesome independents over the next couple of months.
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Some great upcoming writing workshops listed here 👇
Thanks for including my sessions too, Matt!
Thanks for including my sessions too, Matt!
Reposted by Amy Lord
A report published about The Basic Income for the Arts pilot in Ireland shows that it produced over €100 million in Social and Economic Benefits and for every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return.
👉 www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
👉 www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
September 28, 2025 at 11:53 AM
A report published about The Basic Income for the Arts pilot in Ireland shows that it produced over €100 million in Social and Economic Benefits and for every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return.
👉 www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
👉 www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
Reposted by Amy Lord
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...
The Publishing Industry Has a Gambling Problem | The Walrus
Companies keep betting on the next bestseller. Literature is poorer for it
thewalrus.ca
September 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
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...
Writers: does anyone have a recommendation for a really useful craft book on the short story? Thank you! ✍️
September 26, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Writers: does anyone have a recommendation for a really useful craft book on the short story? Thank you! ✍️
Still time to book for tonight's workshop if you're in the writing mood! ✍️
www.amylordauthor.com/events
www.amylordauthor.com/events
Busy prepping for this week's workshop on folklore-inspired stories.
There are still places available if you'd like to join us on Zoom for an evening of writing.
www.amylordauthor.com/events
There are still places available if you'd like to join us on Zoom for an evening of writing.
www.amylordauthor.com/events
September 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Still time to book for tonight's workshop if you're in the writing mood! ✍️
www.amylordauthor.com/events
www.amylordauthor.com/events
Lovely evening in Newcastle at an event for author @joannapocock.bsky.social and her book Greyhound.
A really interesting, thoughtful conversation on travel, community and America. Can't wait to read the book!
A really interesting, thoughtful conversation on travel, community and America. Can't wait to read the book!
September 23, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Lovely evening in Newcastle at an event for author @joannapocock.bsky.social and her book Greyhound.
A really interesting, thoughtful conversation on travel, community and America. Can't wait to read the book!
A really interesting, thoughtful conversation on travel, community and America. Can't wait to read the book!
Reposted by Amy Lord
There's one week left for writers in the North of England to send us their stories!
We're looking for folklore-inspired tales to publish in our first anthology.
It's been a real treat to read all the submissions so far, but we'd love to squeeze a few more in 🙏
carnyxpress.co.uk/submissions
We're looking for folklore-inspired tales to publish in our first anthology.
It's been a real treat to read all the submissions so far, but we'd love to squeeze a few more in 🙏
carnyxpress.co.uk/submissions
September 23, 2025 at 7:29 AM
There's one week left for writers in the North of England to send us their stories!
We're looking for folklore-inspired tales to publish in our first anthology.
It's been a real treat to read all the submissions so far, but we'd love to squeeze a few more in 🙏
carnyxpress.co.uk/submissions
We're looking for folklore-inspired tales to publish in our first anthology.
It's been a real treat to read all the submissions so far, but we'd love to squeeze a few more in 🙏
carnyxpress.co.uk/submissions
Busy prepping for this week's workshop on folklore-inspired stories.
There are still places available if you'd like to join us on Zoom for an evening of writing.
www.amylordauthor.com/events
There are still places available if you'd like to join us on Zoom for an evening of writing.
www.amylordauthor.com/events
September 22, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Busy prepping for this week's workshop on folklore-inspired stories.
There are still places available if you'd like to join us on Zoom for an evening of writing.
www.amylordauthor.com/events
There are still places available if you'd like to join us on Zoom for an evening of writing.
www.amylordauthor.com/events
Reposted by Amy Lord
"A hand grenade of a debut."
"An unflinching tale of resistance in dark political times."
What if reading the wrong book could get you arrested
THE DISAPPEARED, set in a broken Britain where books are banned.
Both hardback and paperback ON SALE on our website
"An unflinching tale of resistance in dark political times."
What if reading the wrong book could get you arrested
THE DISAPPEARED, set in a broken Britain where books are banned.
Both hardback and paperback ON SALE on our website
September 19, 2025 at 8:30 AM
"A hand grenade of a debut."
"An unflinching tale of resistance in dark political times."
What if reading the wrong book could get you arrested
THE DISAPPEARED, set in a broken Britain where books are banned.
Both hardback and paperback ON SALE on our website
"An unflinching tale of resistance in dark political times."
What if reading the wrong book could get you arrested
THE DISAPPEARED, set in a broken Britain where books are banned.
Both hardback and paperback ON SALE on our website
After running lots of writing workshops & 1-1 sessions this year, one thing that came up again and again is the need for emerging writers to build confidence.
When I was asked to write a guest post for a local writers' group blog, it seemed a good topic to explore!
bcwg.co.uk/4-ways-to-bu...
When I was asked to write a guest post for a local writers' group blog, it seemed a good topic to explore!
bcwg.co.uk/4-ways-to-bu...
4 ways to build confidence as a writer – Amy Lord
This year, I’ve been working a lot with new and emerging writers: running workshops, offering 1-1 mentoring sessions and giving feedback on samples of work. One thing that has come up again and aga…
bcwg.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 2:58 PM
After running lots of writing workshops & 1-1 sessions this year, one thing that came up again and again is the need for emerging writers to build confidence.
When I was asked to write a guest post for a local writers' group blog, it seemed a good topic to explore!
bcwg.co.uk/4-ways-to-bu...
When I was asked to write a guest post for a local writers' group blog, it seemed a good topic to explore!
bcwg.co.uk/4-ways-to-bu...
Reposted by Amy Lord
Join us for a jam-packed programme of events and classes on writing and publishing short stories.
£10 off when you book your place today. There are also bursary places for those on a low income. Email me for more info.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/short-stor...
£10 off when you book your place today. There are also bursary places for those on a low income. Email me for more info.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/short-stor...
September 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Join us for a jam-packed programme of events and classes on writing and publishing short stories.
£10 off when you book your place today. There are also bursary places for those on a low income. Email me for more info.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/short-stor...
£10 off when you book your place today. There are also bursary places for those on a low income. Email me for more info.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/short-stor...
Reposted by Amy Lord
This autumn, I'm running a few fun online writing workshops on different themes. We'll be exploring:
✨ Folklore
✨ Ghost stories
✨ Alternative lives
✨ Plotting a Christmas mystery
I'd love to see you there! You can find the full details & booking links on my website: www.amylordauthor.com/events ✍️
✨ Folklore
✨ Ghost stories
✨ Alternative lives
✨ Plotting a Christmas mystery
I'd love to see you there! You can find the full details & booking links on my website: www.amylordauthor.com/events ✍️
September 3, 2025 at 1:50 PM
This autumn, I'm running a few fun online writing workshops on different themes. We'll be exploring:
✨ Folklore
✨ Ghost stories
✨ Alternative lives
✨ Plotting a Christmas mystery
I'd love to see you there! You can find the full details & booking links on my website: www.amylordauthor.com/events ✍️
✨ Folklore
✨ Ghost stories
✨ Alternative lives
✨ Plotting a Christmas mystery
I'd love to see you there! You can find the full details & booking links on my website: www.amylordauthor.com/events ✍️
Reposted by Amy Lord
This autumn, I'm running a series of fun online writing workshops, starting with:
🧚♂️ Exploring Folklore
📆 Wed 24 Sep, 7pm-8.30pm
We'll be experimenting with our own folklore-inspired story through a range of writing exercises.
www.amylordauthor.com/events
🧚♂️ Exploring Folklore
📆 Wed 24 Sep, 7pm-8.30pm
We'll be experimenting with our own folklore-inspired story through a range of writing exercises.
www.amylordauthor.com/events
September 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
This autumn, I'm running a series of fun online writing workshops, starting with:
🧚♂️ Exploring Folklore
📆 Wed 24 Sep, 7pm-8.30pm
We'll be experimenting with our own folklore-inspired story through a range of writing exercises.
www.amylordauthor.com/events
🧚♂️ Exploring Folklore
📆 Wed 24 Sep, 7pm-8.30pm
We'll be experimenting with our own folklore-inspired story through a range of writing exercises.
www.amylordauthor.com/events