Dr Helen Scales
@helenscales.bsky.social
Aptly named marine biologist, writer, broadcaster.
Latest book: What the Wild Sea Can Be, shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction and Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing
UK + France
she/her
www.helenscales.com
Latest book: What the Wild Sea Can Be, shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction and Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing
UK + France
she/her
www.helenscales.com
New book out today!!
My latest collaboration with the amazing art duo Good Wives and Warriors
Join us on a journey around the ocean, from icy poles, to kelp forests, coral reefs and the mysterious deep, meeting all sorts of amazing animals along the way
🌊🐠🦭🦑🐋🦀🦈
www.laurenceking.com/products/oce...
My latest collaboration with the amazing art duo Good Wives and Warriors
Join us on a journey around the ocean, from icy poles, to kelp forests, coral reefs and the mysterious deep, meeting all sorts of amazing animals along the way
🌊🐠🦭🦑🐋🦀🦈
www.laurenceking.com/products/oce...
October 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM
New book out today!!
My latest collaboration with the amazing art duo Good Wives and Warriors
Join us on a journey around the ocean, from icy poles, to kelp forests, coral reefs and the mysterious deep, meeting all sorts of amazing animals along the way
🌊🐠🦭🦑🐋🦀🦈
www.laurenceking.com/products/oce...
My latest collaboration with the amazing art duo Good Wives and Warriors
Join us on a journey around the ocean, from icy poles, to kelp forests, coral reefs and the mysterious deep, meeting all sorts of amazing animals along the way
🌊🐠🦭🦑🐋🦀🦈
www.laurenceking.com/products/oce...
So proud to stand alongside my amazing sister @krhendry.bsky.social at the Week Junior book awards
Our book Scientists in the Wild, Antarctica, illustrated by fabulous Rômolo D’Hipólito, was shortlisted for STEM book of the year
Huge thanks to @flyingeyebooks.bsky.social for cheering us on!
🐟🐧🦈🦭🐋
Our book Scientists in the Wild, Antarctica, illustrated by fabulous Rômolo D’Hipólito, was shortlisted for STEM book of the year
Huge thanks to @flyingeyebooks.bsky.social for cheering us on!
🐟🐧🦈🦭🐋
October 3, 2025 at 6:52 PM
So proud to stand alongside my amazing sister @krhendry.bsky.social at the Week Junior book awards
Our book Scientists in the Wild, Antarctica, illustrated by fabulous Rômolo D’Hipólito, was shortlisted for STEM book of the year
Huge thanks to @flyingeyebooks.bsky.social for cheering us on!
🐟🐧🦈🦭🐋
Our book Scientists in the Wild, Antarctica, illustrated by fabulous Rômolo D’Hipólito, was shortlisted for STEM book of the year
Huge thanks to @flyingeyebooks.bsky.social for cheering us on!
🐟🐧🦈🦭🐋
The North Cornwall Coast has frankly been showing off this week. I’ve been visiting favourite spots, surfing, hiking and star gazing.
Tomorrow (Saturday 27th) I’ll be at North Cornwall Book Festival talking about the ocean and my book What the Wild Sea Can Be
🌊
endelienta.org.uk/whats-on/ncb...
Tomorrow (Saturday 27th) I’ll be at North Cornwall Book Festival talking about the ocean and my book What the Wild Sea Can Be
🌊
endelienta.org.uk/whats-on/ncb...
September 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The North Cornwall Coast has frankly been showing off this week. I’ve been visiting favourite spots, surfing, hiking and star gazing.
Tomorrow (Saturday 27th) I’ll be at North Cornwall Book Festival talking about the ocean and my book What the Wild Sea Can Be
🌊
endelienta.org.uk/whats-on/ncb...
Tomorrow (Saturday 27th) I’ll be at North Cornwall Book Festival talking about the ocean and my book What the Wild Sea Can Be
🌊
endelienta.org.uk/whats-on/ncb...
It was a joy to be on stage last night with the other shortlisters for the @wainwrightprize.bsky.social for Conservation Writing and have a chance to bring the sea all the way to the Cotswolds
🌊
Congrats to @guyshrubsole.bsky.social for winning again!
@atlanticbooks.bsky.social #whatthewildseacanbe
🌊
Congrats to @guyshrubsole.bsky.social for winning again!
@atlanticbooks.bsky.social #whatthewildseacanbe
September 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
It was a joy to be on stage last night with the other shortlisters for the @wainwrightprize.bsky.social for Conservation Writing and have a chance to bring the sea all the way to the Cotswolds
🌊
Congrats to @guyshrubsole.bsky.social for winning again!
@atlanticbooks.bsky.social #whatthewildseacanbe
🌊
Congrats to @guyshrubsole.bsky.social for winning again!
@atlanticbooks.bsky.social #whatthewildseacanbe
I've launched a new science writing course at Cambridge University exploring creative ways to generate ideas for short form writing +podcasts +videos
📚🧪🎤📹
Spaces available for next class:
Online
6 weeks
Starts 8 Sept
For writers of all levels anywhere in the world
www.pace.cam.ac.uk/courses/crea...
📚🧪🎤📹
Spaces available for next class:
Online
6 weeks
Starts 8 Sept
For writers of all levels anywhere in the world
www.pace.cam.ac.uk/courses/crea...
August 27, 2025 at 9:51 AM
I've launched a new science writing course at Cambridge University exploring creative ways to generate ideas for short form writing +podcasts +videos
📚🧪🎤📹
Spaces available for next class:
Online
6 weeks
Starts 8 Sept
For writers of all levels anywhere in the world
www.pace.cam.ac.uk/courses/crea...
📚🧪🎤📹
Spaces available for next class:
Online
6 weeks
Starts 8 Sept
For writers of all levels anywhere in the world
www.pace.cam.ac.uk/courses/crea...
Today was an octopus day in Brittany. Not 1 but 2 in a secret spot nearby (as featured in What the Wild Sea Can Be), including a female carefully guarding her eggs, tucked deep under a rock.
It’s heartbreaking knowing she doesn’t have long to live, but joyous knowing this is an octopus nursery
🐙 🐙
It’s heartbreaking knowing she doesn’t have long to live, but joyous knowing this is an octopus nursery
🐙 🐙
August 24, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Today was an octopus day in Brittany. Not 1 but 2 in a secret spot nearby (as featured in What the Wild Sea Can Be), including a female carefully guarding her eggs, tucked deep under a rock.
It’s heartbreaking knowing she doesn’t have long to live, but joyous knowing this is an octopus nursery
🐙 🐙
It’s heartbreaking knowing she doesn’t have long to live, but joyous knowing this is an octopus nursery
🐙 🐙
In Sept my paperback tour for What the Wild Sea Can Be continues and I’m coming to Cornwall and Devon
Appledore Book Festival 16 Sept
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival 17 Sept
North Cornwall Book Festival 27 Sept
🌊🦑🦈🦈🐙
Hope to see lots of you there
More details: helenscales.com/portfolio/au...
Appledore Book Festival 16 Sept
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival 17 Sept
North Cornwall Book Festival 27 Sept
🌊🦑🦈🦈🐙
Hope to see lots of you there
More details: helenscales.com/portfolio/au...
July 30, 2025 at 9:35 AM
In Sept my paperback tour for What the Wild Sea Can Be continues and I’m coming to Cornwall and Devon
Appledore Book Festival 16 Sept
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival 17 Sept
North Cornwall Book Festival 27 Sept
🌊🦑🦈🦈🐙
Hope to see lots of you there
More details: helenscales.com/portfolio/au...
Appledore Book Festival 16 Sept
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival 17 Sept
North Cornwall Book Festival 27 Sept
🌊🦑🦈🦈🐙
Hope to see lots of you there
More details: helenscales.com/portfolio/au...
Introducing Ocean Art, my new illustrated book. Out in August.
Featuring some of the most striking and meaningful images of sea creatures from ancient times to modern and from the coasts to the deepest abyss, I reflect on how art shapes our view of marine life
🦑🐟🐙🦈
reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/ocean-art
Featuring some of the most striking and meaningful images of sea creatures from ancient times to modern and from the coasts to the deepest abyss, I reflect on how art shapes our view of marine life
🦑🐟🐙🦈
reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/ocean-art
July 29, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Introducing Ocean Art, my new illustrated book. Out in August.
Featuring some of the most striking and meaningful images of sea creatures from ancient times to modern and from the coasts to the deepest abyss, I reflect on how art shapes our view of marine life
🦑🐟🐙🦈
reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/ocean-art
Featuring some of the most striking and meaningful images of sea creatures from ancient times to modern and from the coasts to the deepest abyss, I reflect on how art shapes our view of marine life
🦑🐟🐙🦈
reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/ocean-art
Pre-orders make a huge difference for new books, boosting the first week’s sales which can help a book take flight
@waterstones.bsky.social has an amazing pre-order summer sale on, including 2 of mine.
So if you love books and want to support authors pre-order!📚
www.waterstones.com/campaign/jul...
@waterstones.bsky.social has an amazing pre-order summer sale on, including 2 of mine.
So if you love books and want to support authors pre-order!📚
www.waterstones.com/campaign/jul...
July 28, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Pre-orders make a huge difference for new books, boosting the first week’s sales which can help a book take flight
@waterstones.bsky.social has an amazing pre-order summer sale on, including 2 of mine.
So if you love books and want to support authors pre-order!📚
www.waterstones.com/campaign/jul...
@waterstones.bsky.social has an amazing pre-order summer sale on, including 2 of mine.
So if you love books and want to support authors pre-order!📚
www.waterstones.com/campaign/jul...
A few more happy memories including our delight at the announcement that Story of a Heart by the fabulous @doctoroxford.com was awarded the women’s prize for non-fiction. If you haven’t read it yet, please please do ♥️
July 4, 2025 at 9:26 PM
A few more happy memories including our delight at the announcement that Story of a Heart by the fabulous @doctoroxford.com was awarded the women’s prize for non-fiction. If you haven’t read it yet, please please do ♥️
Here are some of my favourites of the official photos of @womensprize.bsky.social in June. It has been the most uplifting, joyful experience every single step of the way. To stand alongside these amazing women and celebrate together were incredibly special and important moments that I will treasure
July 4, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Here are some of my favourites of the official photos of @womensprize.bsky.social in June. It has been the most uplifting, joyful experience every single step of the way. To stand alongside these amazing women and celebrate together were incredibly special and important moments that I will treasure
“Angelsharks almost slipped away from the ocean decades ago, but now they are making a comeback, thanks in large part to the everyday people who are spotting them in the wild and becoming their champions...”
Words from WHAT THE WILD SEA CAN BE, art by Aaron John Gregory
#angelsharkday
Words from WHAT THE WILD SEA CAN BE, art by Aaron John Gregory
#angelsharkday
June 26, 2025 at 6:11 PM
“Angelsharks almost slipped away from the ocean decades ago, but now they are making a comeback, thanks in large part to the everyday people who are spotting them in the wild and becoming their champions...”
Words from WHAT THE WILD SEA CAN BE, art by Aaron John Gregory
#angelsharkday
Words from WHAT THE WILD SEA CAN BE, art by Aaron John Gregory
#angelsharkday
This #worldoceanday I’ll be by the sea in Margate hosted by the Margate Bookshop talking about the wonders and future of our seas with @rebeccadouglas.bsky.social
🌊
Join us:
8 June
5pm
Fort Hope Bar, Margate
Reserve free tickets here ⬇️
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-the-w...
🌊
Join us:
8 June
5pm
Fort Hope Bar, Margate
Reserve free tickets here ⬇️
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-the-w...
May 21, 2025 at 9:51 AM
This #worldoceanday I’ll be by the sea in Margate hosted by the Margate Bookshop talking about the wonders and future of our seas with @rebeccadouglas.bsky.social
🌊
Join us:
8 June
5pm
Fort Hope Bar, Margate
Reserve free tickets here ⬇️
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-the-w...
🌊
Join us:
8 June
5pm
Fort Hope Bar, Margate
Reserve free tickets here ⬇️
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/what-the-w...
This is Octopolis! By Breton artist Gaétan Nocq. It’s a novel, featuring natural history museums, marine biology, deep-sea exploration and evil plots to mine the deep sea. And the book is an object of great beauty
🦑🌊
#savethedeep
🦑🌊
#savethedeep
May 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
This is Octopolis! By Breton artist Gaétan Nocq. It’s a novel, featuring natural history museums, marine biology, deep-sea exploration and evil plots to mine the deep sea. And the book is an object of great beauty
🦑🌊
#savethedeep
🦑🌊
#savethedeep
Meta have stolen my books along with the work of millions of authors to train their AI because it was cheaper and easier than respecting copyright law.
Theft is not a valid alternative
#MetaBookThieves #Payup #booksky #dothewritething @societyofauthors.bsky.social
Theft is not a valid alternative
#MetaBookThieves #Payup #booksky #dothewritething @societyofauthors.bsky.social
April 3, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Meta have stolen my books along with the work of millions of authors to train their AI because it was cheaper and easier than respecting copyright law.
Theft is not a valid alternative
#MetaBookThieves #Payup #booksky #dothewritething @societyofauthors.bsky.social
Theft is not a valid alternative
#MetaBookThieves #Payup #booksky #dothewritething @societyofauthors.bsky.social
The wonder of new life... from seahorses to turtles and puffins, how marine animals welcome in the next generation
🐟🐬🦈
My first time writing for the Marine Conservation Society
www.mcsuk.org/your-ocean-m...
🦑🧪🌊
🐟🐬🦈
My first time writing for the Marine Conservation Society
www.mcsuk.org/your-ocean-m...
🦑🧪🌊
March 31, 2025 at 10:45 AM
The wonder of new life... from seahorses to turtles and puffins, how marine animals welcome in the next generation
🐟🐬🦈
My first time writing for the Marine Conservation Society
www.mcsuk.org/your-ocean-m...
🦑🧪🌊
🐟🐬🦈
My first time writing for the Marine Conservation Society
www.mcsuk.org/your-ocean-m...
🦑🧪🌊
A few final tickets have been released for my talk tomorrow at the @cambridgefestival.bsky.social with my awesome sister @krhendry.bsky.social
join us for Antarctic adventures
Sat 29th
1.30m
Cambridge
🧪🦑
www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/antar...
join us for Antarctic adventures
Sat 29th
1.30m
Cambridge
🧪🦑
www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/antar...
March 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
A few final tickets have been released for my talk tomorrow at the @cambridgefestival.bsky.social with my awesome sister @krhendry.bsky.social
join us for Antarctic adventures
Sat 29th
1.30m
Cambridge
🧪🦑
www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/antar...
join us for Antarctic adventures
Sat 29th
1.30m
Cambridge
🧪🦑
www.festival.cam.ac.uk/events/antar...
I am stunned to be 1 of 6
Thank you to the @womensprize.bsky.social and the judges for making this a dream come true that I never really dared to dream. It's a joy and an honour to be short listed with these 5 incredible women and their books
#womensprize
womensprize.com/prizes/women...
Thank you to the @womensprize.bsky.social and the judges for making this a dream come true that I never really dared to dream. It's a joy and an honour to be short listed with these 5 incredible women and their books
#womensprize
womensprize.com/prizes/women...
March 26, 2025 at 12:04 PM
I am stunned to be 1 of 6
Thank you to the @womensprize.bsky.social and the judges for making this a dream come true that I never really dared to dream. It's a joy and an honour to be short listed with these 5 incredible women and their books
#womensprize
womensprize.com/prizes/women...
Thank you to the @womensprize.bsky.social and the judges for making this a dream come true that I never really dared to dream. It's a joy and an honour to be short listed with these 5 incredible women and their books
#womensprize
womensprize.com/prizes/women...
Happy International Women’s Day!
If you’re a reader or have readers in your life, buy any (and many) books this weekend at @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social and you’ll support the @womensprize.bsky.social Trust
Fine out more ⤵️
uk.bookshop.org/lists/women-...
If you’re a reader or have readers in your life, buy any (and many) books this weekend at @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social and you’ll support the @womensprize.bsky.social Trust
Fine out more ⤵️
uk.bookshop.org/lists/women-...
March 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Happy International Women’s Day!
If you’re a reader or have readers in your life, buy any (and many) books this weekend at @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social and you’ll support the @womensprize.bsky.social Trust
Fine out more ⤵️
uk.bookshop.org/lists/women-...
If you’re a reader or have readers in your life, buy any (and many) books this weekend at @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social and you’ll support the @womensprize.bsky.social Trust
Fine out more ⤵️
uk.bookshop.org/lists/women-...
I have to admit I'm finding it hard to put into words how it feels to be longlisted for the @womensprize.bsky.social for non-fiction. To be alongside 15 amazing women is thrilling, empowering and a tremendous honour, all the more knowing my book was chosen by a panel of fabulous judges
#WomensPrize
#WomensPrize
February 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I have to admit I'm finding it hard to put into words how it feels to be longlisted for the @womensprize.bsky.social for non-fiction. To be alongside 15 amazing women is thrilling, empowering and a tremendous honour, all the more knowing my book was chosen by a panel of fabulous judges
#WomensPrize
#WomensPrize
In the opening chapter of my book, What the Wild Sea Can Be, I compared a gannet’s blue eyes to Marilyn Monroe’s eyeshadow in an Andy Warhol print. Today, in Paris, I had a chance to see that very image: Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, 1964, at the Fondation Luis Vuitton
I think I got the colour right
🦑
I think I got the colour right
🦑
January 9, 2025 at 7:45 PM
In the opening chapter of my book, What the Wild Sea Can Be, I compared a gannet’s blue eyes to Marilyn Monroe’s eyeshadow in an Andy Warhol print. Today, in Paris, I had a chance to see that very image: Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, 1964, at the Fondation Luis Vuitton
I think I got the colour right
🦑
I think I got the colour right
🦑
For me 2024 was a year of spending time with wonderful people as I've toured the UK talking about the sea. I've met authors and book sellers. I've made new friends. Swum in cool lakes with dragonflies filling the air.
I'm off soon for some quiet time by the sea 🌊
Back here sometime late Jan 2025 💙
I'm off soon for some quiet time by the sea 🌊
Back here sometime late Jan 2025 💙
December 24, 2024 at 11:32 AM
For me 2024 was a year of spending time with wonderful people as I've toured the UK talking about the sea. I've met authors and book sellers. I've made new friends. Swum in cool lakes with dragonflies filling the air.
I'm off soon for some quiet time by the sea 🌊
Back here sometime late Jan 2025 💙
I'm off soon for some quiet time by the sea 🌊
Back here sometime late Jan 2025 💙
Good news for the planet 🌍
115 out of 149 UK universities commit to divest from the fossil fuel industry. That's £17.7bn of investments the world's most damaging industry won't get their hands on
Amazing campaigning by @peopleandplanet.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
115 out of 149 UK universities commit to divest from the fossil fuel industry. That's £17.7bn of investments the world's most damaging industry won't get their hands on
Amazing campaigning by @peopleandplanet.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
December 2, 2024 at 4:37 PM
Good news for the planet 🌍
115 out of 149 UK universities commit to divest from the fossil fuel industry. That's £17.7bn of investments the world's most damaging industry won't get their hands on
Amazing campaigning by @peopleandplanet.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
115 out of 149 UK universities commit to divest from the fossil fuel industry. That's £17.7bn of investments the world's most damaging industry won't get their hands on
Amazing campaigning by @peopleandplanet.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
My favourite books of 2024 📚
Each year I list my top reads on my @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social page
It's a mix of clifi, scifi & nonfiction all with nature themes
🦑📘
Buy any books via my page and I donate the commission to the marine conservation charity Sea Changers
uk.bookshop.org/lists/my-202...
Each year I list my top reads on my @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social page
It's a mix of clifi, scifi & nonfiction all with nature themes
🦑📘
Buy any books via my page and I donate the commission to the marine conservation charity Sea Changers
uk.bookshop.org/lists/my-202...
November 28, 2024 at 6:32 PM
My favourite books of 2024 📚
Each year I list my top reads on my @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social page
It's a mix of clifi, scifi & nonfiction all with nature themes
🦑📘
Buy any books via my page and I donate the commission to the marine conservation charity Sea Changers
uk.bookshop.org/lists/my-202...
Each year I list my top reads on my @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social page
It's a mix of clifi, scifi & nonfiction all with nature themes
🦑📘
Buy any books via my page and I donate the commission to the marine conservation charity Sea Changers
uk.bookshop.org/lists/my-202...
Some more of my underwater encounters from my Breton summer
🦑
Golf ball sponge. Feather duster polychaete worm. Leach’s spider crab (in big white anemone)
All snapped on an 8 year old Olympus Tough tg, natural light, holding my breath
🦑
Golf ball sponge. Feather duster polychaete worm. Leach’s spider crab (in big white anemone)
All snapped on an 8 year old Olympus Tough tg, natural light, holding my breath
November 9, 2024 at 11:21 AM
Some more of my underwater encounters from my Breton summer
🦑
Golf ball sponge. Feather duster polychaete worm. Leach’s spider crab (in big white anemone)
All snapped on an 8 year old Olympus Tough tg, natural light, holding my breath
🦑
Golf ball sponge. Feather duster polychaete worm. Leach’s spider crab (in big white anemone)
All snapped on an 8 year old Olympus Tough tg, natural light, holding my breath