Jamie McGarry
@jamiemcgarry.bsky.social
Thirty-something dad from Scarborough, UK, who runs a small publishing house 📚 and loves music 🎶
Oh dear, forgot this existed for two months! There's just no room in my head for social media...
August 3, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Oh dear, forgot this existed for two months! There's just no room in my head for social media...
Wow. This is a must-read, I'd not encountered the subject before but he seems to define and be defined by the modern media world. www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
‘The Mozart of the attention economy’: why MrBeast is the world’s biggest YouTube star | Mark O’Connell
The long read: He’s spent 24 hours immersed in slime, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash on lucky participants. But are MrBeast’s videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of...
www.theguardian.com
June 3, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Wow. This is a must-read, I'd not encountered the subject before but he seems to define and be defined by the modern media world. www.theguardian.com/news/2025/ju...
Me and my son are reading "Coping with the 21st century" by Peter Corey, a Horrible Histories style kids non-fic published in 1999. It's tickling our brains on so many levels (it starts with an intro addressed to anyone reading in the 2020s!)
This prediction is funny and quite close to true ...
This prediction is funny and quite close to true ...
April 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Me and my son are reading "Coping with the 21st century" by Peter Corey, a Horrible Histories style kids non-fic published in 1999. It's tickling our brains on so many levels (it starts with an intro addressed to anyone reading in the 2020s!)
This prediction is funny and quite close to true ...
This prediction is funny and quite close to true ...
A rare outing for me and the books – thanks to staff and students at the University of Salford.
March 29, 2025 at 1:09 PM
A rare outing for me and the books – thanks to staff and students at the University of Salford.
Did anyone else see this sky?? Extraordinary!
February 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Did anyone else see this sky?? Extraordinary!
So good, they built it twice: valleypress.substack.com/p/lendal-pre...
Lendal Press rides again
Our imprint is back, and it means business
valleypress.substack.com
February 11, 2025 at 11:26 PM
So good, they built it twice: valleypress.substack.com/p/lendal-pre...
Just woke up, with a start, from a dream where I'd written the most brilliant 10-minute Kermit and Miss Piggy sketch of all time... it asked all the questions you'd always wondered about, was modern, silly, but ultimately touching and sentimental. Forgotten everything else about it now, of course. 🤷♂️
February 2, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Just woke up, with a start, from a dream where I'd written the most brilliant 10-minute Kermit and Miss Piggy sketch of all time... it asked all the questions you'd always wondered about, was modern, silly, but ultimately touching and sentimental. Forgotten everything else about it now, of course. 🤷♂️
Just deactivated my Facebook account, the last trace of my social media (besides Blsky, which is okay so far).
God it was painful!! It took 20 mins, I had to wade through all sorts of documentation, and install the Messenger app just in order to deactivate that part! I feel pretty good now, though.
God it was painful!! It took 20 mins, I had to wade through all sorts of documentation, and install the Messenger app just in order to deactivate that part! I feel pretty good now, though.
January 21, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Just deactivated my Facebook account, the last trace of my social media (besides Blsky, which is okay so far).
God it was painful!! It took 20 mins, I had to wade through all sorts of documentation, and install the Messenger app just in order to deactivate that part! I feel pretty good now, though.
God it was painful!! It took 20 mins, I had to wade through all sorts of documentation, and install the Messenger app just in order to deactivate that part! I feel pretty good now, though.
I couldn't recommend this album more – it's melodic indie jangle pop about disappointing relationships, that sounds like it's fallen through a crack in time from 1991. (I mean that as a huge compliment! Though that cover art is just awful... sorry folks.)
open.spotify.com/album/1jE1sS...
open.spotify.com/album/1jE1sS...
In Love Again
Ex-Vöid · Album · 2025 · 10 songs
open.spotify.com
January 20, 2025 at 1:04 AM
I couldn't recommend this album more – it's melodic indie jangle pop about disappointing relationships, that sounds like it's fallen through a crack in time from 1991. (I mean that as a huge compliment! Though that cover art is just awful... sorry folks.)
open.spotify.com/album/1jE1sS...
open.spotify.com/album/1jE1sS...
I think it's time to change the name of "Advance Information sheets", so prevalent in the sales side of publishing. I was at a meeting yesterday where "AI" and "AIs" was said multiple times a minute, and every time I saw some of the participants "fight or flight" responses briefly triggered...
January 16, 2025 at 7:14 PM
I think it's time to change the name of "Advance Information sheets", so prevalent in the sales side of publishing. I was at a meeting yesterday where "AI" and "AIs" was said multiple times a minute, and every time I saw some of the participants "fight or flight" responses briefly triggered...
Goodness me – this must be one of the best 5 articles I've ever read in my life. It's the Sistine Chapel of the opinion section. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Being a parent means you’re never quite your own person again – but that self-sacrifice can pull off a miracle | Justin Toh
Parents must frequently say no to their own wants and needs to help their child flourish – and grow into a wonderful adult
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Goodness me – this must be one of the best 5 articles I've ever read in my life. It's the Sistine Chapel of the opinion section. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Turned on Radio 4 just now, randomly... hear Simon Armitage saying "today I'm looking at an animal I've not thought much about before... molluscs, snails and slugs." Getting their dues at last!! 🤣
December 25, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Turned on Radio 4 just now, randomly... hear Simon Armitage saying "today I'm looking at an animal I've not thought much about before... molluscs, snails and slugs." Getting their dues at last!! 🤣
Filey – a Christmas "tree" made of lobster pots, topped with a metal fish. Imaginative! (I'm sure the lobsters prefer them put to this use...)
December 22, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Filey – a Christmas "tree" made of lobster pots, topped with a metal fish. Imaginative! (I'm sure the lobsters prefer them put to this use...)
I was having a low moment today, when this came on – instantly flipped me 180° to pure joy. God bless those silly rockers. open.spotify.com/track/7K0D56...
Doctor Worm
They Might Be Giants · Beast of Horns [Sampler] · Song · 2024
open.spotify.com
December 21, 2024 at 11:52 PM
I was having a low moment today, when this came on – instantly flipped me 180° to pure joy. God bless those silly rockers. open.spotify.com/track/7K0D56...
I'm technically avoiding the news, but I couldn't resist reading this... what an amazing column, perfectly summarising a very British madness. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Hit TV show, tick. Millions for lawyers, tick. Now could we manage some actual justice for the subpostmasters? | Marina Hyde
The ‘big people’ implicated in this disgraceful run of events need to pay their dues. Britain needs it – and demands it, says Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
December 20, 2024 at 11:02 PM
I'm technically avoiding the news, but I couldn't resist reading this... what an amazing column, perfectly summarising a very British madness. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Just for this month, my 8 year old has access to "Spotify Kids" – I have to say it's already one of the best digital pursuits I've enabled. He's simultaneously 1) working his way through the entire recorded output of humanity, 30 seconds at a time... I now get questions like "Daddy, what's EDM?"
December 14, 2024 at 11:20 PM
Just for this month, my 8 year old has access to "Spotify Kids" – I have to say it's already one of the best digital pursuits I've enabled. He's simultaneously 1) working his way through the entire recorded output of humanity, 30 seconds at a time... I now get questions like "Daddy, what's EDM?"
My most listened to song of the year, according to you-know-who ... 59 times.
It's so deceptively simple, almost innocuous... but that plaintive intro, and the bridge ending with that gorgeous title, really resonates. It means a lot to me.
open.spotify.com/track/27RzS2...
It's so deceptively simple, almost innocuous... but that plaintive intro, and the bridge ending with that gorgeous title, really resonates. It means a lot to me.
open.spotify.com/track/27RzS2...
My Last and Latest Chance
Jones · Keepers · Song · 2010
open.spotify.com
December 10, 2024 at 6:41 PM
My most listened to song of the year, according to you-know-who ... 59 times.
It's so deceptively simple, almost innocuous... but that plaintive intro, and the bridge ending with that gorgeous title, really resonates. It means a lot to me.
open.spotify.com/track/27RzS2...
It's so deceptively simple, almost innocuous... but that plaintive intro, and the bridge ending with that gorgeous title, really resonates. It means a lot to me.
open.spotify.com/track/27RzS2...
If Josh Groban started a podcast, he could probably get some really big politicians on... whose staff are just a little bit careless/hard of hearing.
"You're the guy with millions of devoted listeners, right?"
"Sure!" says Josh, then quietly: "I mean, not for *this*..."
"You're the guy with millions of devoted listeners, right?"
"Sure!" says Josh, then quietly: "I mean, not for *this*..."
December 10, 2024 at 3:04 PM
If Josh Groban started a podcast, he could probably get some really big politicians on... whose staff are just a little bit careless/hard of hearing.
"You're the guy with millions of devoted listeners, right?"
"Sure!" says Josh, then quietly: "I mean, not for *this*..."
"You're the guy with millions of devoted listeners, right?"
"Sure!" says Josh, then quietly: "I mean, not for *this*..."
From 2021, one of the best political songs I've ever heard. To discuss this subject so movingly is an absolute triumph of songwriting.
open.spotify.com/track/7q95Zz...
open.spotify.com/track/7q95Zz...
Fault Line
The Magic Lantern · A Reckoning Bell · Song · 2021
open.spotify.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:35 AM
From 2021, one of the best political songs I've ever heard. To discuss this subject so movingly is an absolute triumph of songwriting.
open.spotify.com/track/7q95Zz...
open.spotify.com/track/7q95Zz...
Here's a piece of art I didn't think I'd see today! Somehow, I feel like if you put those two characters in a blender, I might be the result. (Note: I do not necessarily intend that as a compliment.)
December 8, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Here's a piece of art I didn't think I'd see today! Somehow, I feel like if you put those two characters in a blender, I might be the result. (Note: I do not necessarily intend that as a compliment.)
My son asked to hear 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC (it seems to be popular in the playground??)
Afterwards I asked him what kind of person he thought was singing. He thought carefully then replied: "a very old granny."
Afterwards I asked him what kind of person he thought was singing. He thought carefully then replied: "a very old granny."
December 2, 2024 at 11:03 PM
My son asked to hear 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC (it seems to be popular in the playground??)
Afterwards I asked him what kind of person he thought was singing. He thought carefully then replied: "a very old granny."
Afterwards I asked him what kind of person he thought was singing. He thought carefully then replied: "a very old granny."
Two news stories from my phone feed today ... does one explain the other? 🤔
November 30, 2024 at 11:34 AM
Two news stories from my phone feed today ... does one explain the other? 🤔
I saw musical act "The Magic Lantern" last night at the Heart Centre in Headingley. Was just magnificent. Here's a clip (of the band, not the night): youtu.be/cXvjEk7286A?...
The Magic Lantern - Holding Hands (live)
YouTube video by Themagiclantern
youtu.be
November 26, 2024 at 7:13 PM
I saw musical act "The Magic Lantern" last night at the Heart Centre in Headingley. Was just magnificent. Here's a clip (of the band, not the night): youtu.be/cXvjEk7286A?...
Just for fun, as I walked to the shop tonight, I rewrote Chris de Burgh's "Lady in Red" so it was about my outing – "Jamie Needs Bread" – then kept laughing out loud to myself as I thought of each line. Simple pleasures. 😄
November 24, 2024 at 9:13 PM
Just for fun, as I walked to the shop tonight, I rewrote Chris de Burgh's "Lady in Red" so it was about my outing – "Jamie Needs Bread" – then kept laughing out loud to myself as I thought of each line. Simple pleasures. 😄
The sudden rise of Bluesky has given me an interesting predicament... for the first time in my life, I actually WANT to engage with social media, and support this platform... but find I don't have anything to say 🤔
I had some nice poached eggs this morning...
I had some nice poached eggs this morning...
November 24, 2024 at 1:51 PM
The sudden rise of Bluesky has given me an interesting predicament... for the first time in my life, I actually WANT to engage with social media, and support this platform... but find I don't have anything to say 🤔
I had some nice poached eggs this morning...
I had some nice poached eggs this morning...