Would you like to learn a practical technique for generating sci-fi/futuristic story ideas and developing them into stories? www.arvon.org/writing-cour...

Last week I had the huge pleasure of chatting to @frankenpodcast.bsky.social about one of my favourite Ray Harryhausen movies: Clash of the Titans. www.frankensteinspodcast.com/116-greek-go...

An amazing KOS walk today. A lesser spotted woodpecker at RSPB Blean Woods. Two blue-headed wagtails and a white wagtail, plus my first swallow of the year and 3 little ringed plovers at RSPB Worth Marshes, and a wheatear at Sandwich Bay (Sandilands). #kentbirding

I finally sit down for a one on one with gamekeeper Glenn Massacre (@mrhenrymorris.bsky.social) and it gets HEATED !

We discuss what constitutes 'vermin' and how he ALWAYS follows the letter of the law .

Please sign our petition to ban driven grouse shooting now govpetition.uk/700036

It's come to my attention that some people believe you can't buy a new book until you've read the books you already have. Let me assure you, as both a lawyer and a writer, that this idea is legally and morally WRONG and BAD. Buy more books.

Great to see the drake garganey at stodmarsh today too, not far from the jack snipe, at marsh hide. #kentbirding

After so many failed attempts at finding a jack snipe, I finally got to see one bouncing around at Stodmarsh today. What a thrill, and a relief! Thank you @baldbirder.bsky.social for putting me on to it! #kentbirding

For the past year, I've had the honour of creating and producing the Royal Literary Fund's new podcast. It launches on Sunday 19 January, but here's a hint of what's in store. You might recognise a familiar voice... youtu.be/ulDj16SEThk

I love that birding requires you to get your head round adjacent things such as weather, tides and the moon. I failed to get these things lined up for a pink-footed goose spectacular in Norfolk this weekend, but still had a brilliant time at RSPB Snettisham, Titchwell, & NWT Cley Marshes #UKbirding

Owltastic day at Elmley Marshes today with three owl sp. - long-eared, short-eared and barn owl. #kentbirding

Finding the exceedingly well camouflaged long-eared owl at Elmley today was like trying to solve one of those 1990s magic eye puzzles. You take your eyes just out of focus, and suddenly the owl resolves itself in front of you. #kentbirding

Attention, book lovers!

We are coming at you fast with a ruddy fantastic #BookReview from @aidenoreilly.bsky.social - who has delved into @adammarek.bsky.social's latest collection (published by @commapress.bsky.social)

nothingintherulebook.com/2024/12/10/b...

#AmReading #Books #Literature

Here’s a wonderful letter from Nick Cave to a young fan (but also to all of us).

“A little smart vampire full of raging love, amazed by the world – that will be you, my young friend, the earth shaking at your feet.”

www.theredhandfiles.com/im-13-in-a-w...

Beryl Bainbridge’s instant mince. Nabokov on how to boil an egg. Sylvia Plath’s Tomato Soup Cake — loving these writerly recipes.

www.thetimes.com/article/c80f...

If you feel like getting your teeth into something over the winter (like I do) & emerging victorious, why not join my short story Bootcamp course? Small group, lots of tools/feedback so you can dismantle & remantle a story you're wrestling with. Starts 27 Nov www.londonlitlab.co.uk/course/short...

Oohh this is always a festive treat! 🤩🎄

Last book of the year sent to print, things are finally relaxed at Comma (as if!)

10* books this year w/ some of the finest stories we’ve published. ❤️ to the writers, editors & translators who made these books possible.

On to ‘25

*True North by Sara Maitland not pictured

📚 commapress.co.uk/books

FIRE-READY (pub. Nov 28) 🔥

Arthur C Clarke winner Jane Rogers returns with her second collection of short fiction. Shining a light on the health of our planet, these stories ask what we can all do, collectively, in the face of climate disaster...

Pre-Order now 📘
commapress.co.uk/books/fire-r...

I’m excited to be chairing an event with the amazing nature and travel writers Lev Parikian & Oliver Smith at the Quarterhouse in Folkestone, Sun 17 Nov, 2pm. They’ll be discussing the evolution of flight and reframing our idea of pilgrimage. Book here: www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/whats-on/lev...