Wayne Connolly
@wayneconnolly.bsky.social
Still the luckiest person in the world. Living in NE England. Body failing, spirit soaring, walking with Gusto in Pontburn Wood. Plymouth Argyle supporter. Monument Maker. MD ANT!
Pinned
Home from my Helsinki holiday to some great bookpost today - my contributor's copy of Night Terrors from Acid Bath Publishing. I'm made up to be in the company of so many fine writers.
You can order your copy here: acidbathpublishing.com
You can order your copy here: acidbathpublishing.com
Just finished another shift in the Oxfam bookshop, and I can't tell you how good it feels to be out in the world again after too many years of illness and inertia.
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Just finished another shift in the Oxfam bookshop, and I can't tell you how good it feels to be out in the world again after too many years of illness and inertia.
While some of the art history I read is dry as a bone, Julian Barnes does it with wit and style.
November 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM
While some of the art history I read is dry as a bone, Julian Barnes does it with wit and style.
Gail’s brutalist Christmas cards arrived here yesterday and they look great.
It's been a very quiet week.
As a small business owner that’s a bit scary heading into my busy season.
So, if you're looking for unique #Christmas gifts, I make prints, homewares, cards & accessories inspired by midcentury design, music & architecture.
Have a nosy here gailmyerscough.co.uk
As a small business owner that’s a bit scary heading into my busy season.
So, if you're looking for unique #Christmas gifts, I make prints, homewares, cards & accessories inspired by midcentury design, music & architecture.
Have a nosy here gailmyerscough.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Gail’s brutalist Christmas cards arrived here yesterday and they look great.
Good to see both Guardian blind daters use the word 'kind' today. Kindness is too often underrated these days.
November 8, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Good to see both Guardian blind daters use the word 'kind' today. Kindness is too often underrated these days.
I've already got a copy, but I think you should have one too
And Flamingo is back. After being out of print for a few years Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel is available again.
And with some endorsements from some fab authors.
This ‘cult classic’ from the ‘PG Wodehouse of the flophouse’ 😊 can be bought in the link below.
It’s an unforgettable stay
And with some endorsements from some fab authors.
This ‘cult classic’ from the ‘PG Wodehouse of the flophouse’ 😊 can be bought in the link below.
It’s an unforgettable stay
Ok… this is a BIG DEAL.
Published back in 2020, Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel by the unsurpassable @drewgum.bsky.social was our first novel… and as a consequence of us going to into hibernation for a while, it’s sadly been out of print.
NOT ANY LONGER!!!! IT’S BACK!!!!
Published back in 2020, Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel by the unsurpassable @drewgum.bsky.social was our first novel… and as a consequence of us going to into hibernation for a while, it’s sadly been out of print.
NOT ANY LONGER!!!! IT’S BACK!!!!
November 7, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I've already got a copy, but I think you should have one too
Reposted by Wayne Connolly
Ok… this is a BIG DEAL.
Published back in 2020, Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel by the unsurpassable @drewgum.bsky.social was our first novel… and as a consequence of us going to into hibernation for a while, it’s sadly been out of print.
NOT ANY LONGER!!!! IT’S BACK!!!!
Published back in 2020, Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel by the unsurpassable @drewgum.bsky.social was our first novel… and as a consequence of us going to into hibernation for a while, it’s sadly been out of print.
NOT ANY LONGER!!!! IT’S BACK!!!!
November 7, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Ok… this is a BIG DEAL.
Published back in 2020, Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel by the unsurpassable @drewgum.bsky.social was our first novel… and as a consequence of us going to into hibernation for a while, it’s sadly been out of print.
NOT ANY LONGER!!!! IT’S BACK!!!!
Published back in 2020, Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel by the unsurpassable @drewgum.bsky.social was our first novel… and as a consequence of us going to into hibernation for a while, it’s sadly been out of print.
NOT ANY LONGER!!!! IT’S BACK!!!!
A new independent bookshop, Eiledon Books, opened in Bishop Auckland opened today. I was the third customer so I bought a book - it would have been rude not to. The owner was so excited about her new venture, and I look forward to many repeat visits.
November 6, 2025 at 5:32 PM
A new independent bookshop, Eiledon Books, opened in Bishop Auckland opened today. I was the third customer so I bought a book - it would have been rude not to. The owner was so excited about her new venture, and I look forward to many repeat visits.
Weak and inadequate people often want to assert themselves as one thing: "I'm English!" or "I'm American!", and bolster that fragile identity with racism. Maybe one day they'll see that not only is cultural diversity a strength, but their own diverse identities can be a source of strength too.
This is me, except I'm Bosnian, Ukrainian, American.
"Others will take time in catching up to that." whew
November 5, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Weak and inadequate people often want to assert themselves as one thing: "I'm English!" or "I'm American!", and bolster that fragile identity with racism. Maybe one day they'll see that not only is cultural diversity a strength, but their own diverse identities can be a source of strength too.
Reposted by Wayne Connolly
Live Laugh Legislate.
November 5, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Live Laugh Legislate.
Sargent was an absolute master
Painted in 1913, 'Corner of the Church of San Stae, Venice,' John Singer Sargent has abandoned the 18thC panoramic tradition and painted a cropped version of the church, creating a more visually dynamic and arresting viewpoint.
November 5, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Sargent was an absolute master
Oldest selfie on your phone
Nov 2015 - days of intrepid cycling
Nov 2015 - days of intrepid cycling
November 4, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Oldest selfie on your phone
Nov 2015 - days of intrepid cycling
Nov 2015 - days of intrepid cycling
Often it seems that everything I post on Blue Sky is a complaint about something but I'm quite an optimistic person really
November 4, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Often it seems that everything I post on Blue Sky is a complaint about something but I'm quite an optimistic person really
Rolling the pitch is this year’s uptick. #lazyjournalism
November 4, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Rolling the pitch is this year’s uptick. #lazyjournalism
Shopping for a new jumper today and I was surprised to see how few are made from actual wool. Most of those on the high street are made from by-products of the petrochemical industry, which doesn't seem quite right to me.
November 3, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Shopping for a new jumper today and I was surprised to see how few are made from actual wool. Most of those on the high street are made from by-products of the petrochemical industry, which doesn't seem quite right to me.
The Icelandic composer Gabriel Ólafs is my new style icon
November 2, 2025 at 8:54 PM
The Icelandic composer Gabriel Ólafs is my new style icon
Two images of Mujina, the faceless shapeshifting figure of Japanese folklore, from an exhibition based on the ghost stories of Lafcadio Hearn at Ushaw Hall in County Durham this week.
November 2, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Two images of Mujina, the faceless shapeshifting figure of Japanese folklore, from an exhibition based on the ghost stories of Lafcadio Hearn at Ushaw Hall in County Durham this week.
A good night coming in Glasgow
Stories, poetry, non-fiction, short film, music, art, cheap bar, after-show & much more.
It's happening on Sat 22 Nov in Glasgow, doors 7pm. Come join our community for the final wurd night of 2025. Tickets & details here: thi-wurd.com
It's happening on Sat 22 Nov in Glasgow, doors 7pm. Come join our community for the final wurd night of 2025. Tickets & details here: thi-wurd.com
November 1, 2025 at 1:04 PM
A good night coming in Glasgow
Jesus liked nature because it's all lilies and birds, says the Bishop - neglecting to mention forty days in the wilderness, starving half to death and hallucinating the devil
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Britain one of least ‘nature-connected’ nations in world – with Nepal the most
Others languishing near bottom of 61-country study include Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan and Spain
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Jesus liked nature because it's all lilies and birds, says the Bishop - neglecting to mention forty days in the wilderness, starving half to death and hallucinating the devil
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
It wasn’t me,guv, honest. It was The Guardian and M&S who did the adult content and ran away.
October 31, 2025 at 9:49 PM
It wasn’t me,guv, honest. It was The Guardian and M&S who did the adult content and ran away.
These cards from Gail are great. I’m having some.
My Brutalist Christmas cards are back by popular demand!
Get yours here www.gailmyerscough.co.uk/christmas-ca...
Get yours here www.gailmyerscough.co.uk/christmas-ca...
October 31, 2025 at 7:22 PM
These cards from Gail are great. I’m having some.
The picture on my portable tv was a bit fuzzy, so I unscrewed the back cover, took it off, and thought 'I wonder if it would look better if I pressed this ...'
The tv was still plugged in and switched on at the time.
The tv was still plugged in and switched on at the time.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? I don’t mean “cheating on your partner” stupid, I mean stupid stupid. Like, once, I had this bubble bath which smelled absolutely delicious, so I took a big glug of it. That kind of stupid. (It did not taste delicious.)
October 31, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The picture on my portable tv was a bit fuzzy, so I unscrewed the back cover, took it off, and thought 'I wonder if it would look better if I pressed this ...'
The tv was still plugged in and switched on at the time.
The tv was still plugged in and switched on at the time.
Always a Friday highlight
And off it goes, June Caldwell’s Personal Anthology, with half a packet of sweeties, fighting back the titters, taking its sewing machine with it, wanting to make a good impression, feeling like biting Stepmother on her Gown, watching itself as it was then, and knowing what is going to come…
A Personal Anthology, by June Caldwell
For a short story to lure me in, I need one thing: great voice.
apersonalanthology.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Always a Friday highlight
Excellent news here...
Oh… some news from Badger HQ - we’ve pressed CTRL+P to get a small run of the brilliant ‘Seven Nights at the Flamingo Hotel’ by @drewgum.bsky.social back in print!!
A book this good deserves to be available, and will hopefully serve as a springboard for new titles in 2026!! 🤞🏼
A book this good deserves to be available, and will hopefully serve as a springboard for new titles in 2026!! 🤞🏼
October 31, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Excellent news here...