Kit de Waal
banner
kitdewaal.com
Kit de Waal
@kitdewaal.com
Optimist, writer, swearer. common person. Co-founder Big Book Weekend with @MollyFlatt. Proud Primadonna. Professor, University of Leicester. FRSL. Photo by Paul Chambers. No DMs please. To email use contact@kitdewaal.com
'I spent 30 years searching for secret to happiness - the answer isn't what I thought'

Fergal Keane - beautiful, frank and uplifting article so apt for this time of year.
Fergal Keane on PTSD, depression and the secret to happiness
Prompted by Blue Monday, the BBC's special correspondent reflects on his struggle to find balance and joy in life - and a surprisingly straightforward solution.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
A reminder that there's free things. Free!

📚📘👨🏻‍🏫👩🏼‍🏫📖📗📔

#ProjectGutenberg
#Library #reading #bookclub #literature #classics #eBooks

@oldladyhembrew.bsky.social 📚
Does everyone know about Project Gutenberg? E-books for free. The world’s great literature here, with focus on older works for free. Digitized and diligently proofread by thousands of volunteers.

Please share.
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is a library of free eBooks.
www.gutenberg.org
December 16, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
Kit is an excellent teacher, leader, inspiration and hugely practical as well.
December 17, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
I’m very happy to announce the publication of BOOK of JOBS, a wry & philosophical memoir of the many many jobs I had between the ages of 16 and 42. It’s dedicated to @kitdewaal.com as she provided much encouragement to me in the writing. Thank you!

My book is available on Amazon:
amzn.eu/d/2FCjLZL
December 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
First book by a brilliant writer. You’ll love it
I’m very happy to announce the publication of BOOK of JOBS, a wry & philosophical memoir of the many many jobs I had between the ages of 16 and 42. It’s dedicated to @kitdewaal.com as she provided much encouragement to me in the writing. Thank you!

My book is available on Amazon:
amzn.eu/d/2FCjLZL
December 17, 2025 at 7:47 PM
REMINDER - there is a fully funded bursary place available for my Six Month Writing Course in association with @gladlib.bsky.social The Deadline is 7th January.
www.gladstoneslibrary.org/event/the-si...
(Sold Out) The Six-Month Writing Course with Kit de Waal - Gladstone's Library
Join Kit de Waal for a six-month journey into the art and discipline of storytelling, with two visits to the UK’s finest residential library.
www.gladstoneslibrary.org
December 17, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Job here at Bristol Refugee Festival

Link here via IG www.instagram.com/bristolrefug...
December 15, 2025 at 8:14 AM
HarperCollins Author Academy opens 8th January, a virtual, six-week, free programme for writers from underrepresented to have their manuscript considered across HarperCollins UK publishing divisions.

Please share with anyone that might be interested.

Find out more at harpercollinsacademy.co.uk
Welcome to the HarperCollins Author Academy - HarperCollins Author Academy
Free-for-student six-week training programme created for writers from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. Applications Open 8 January. The Author Academy offers writers … Continued
harpercollinsacademy.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 8:05 AM
ITV in partnership with The Film and TV Charity, are looking for 20 people to take part in a new pilot in January at ITV bringing freelancers from different aspects of production to, receive an ITV mentor, attend events, training and workshops.

To find out more or to apply go to thegreenroom.itv
ITV Academy Green Room
The Film and TV Charity’s Looking Glass report shows how tough it is at the moment in our industry. That’s why ITV and FTVC are working together to understand ways in which we can support freelancers ...
thegreenroom.itv
December 15, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
📣Calling writers: Gladstone’s Library is offering one funded place on The Six-Month Writing Course with @kitdewaal.com. For writers who would benefit from the course but may otherwise be unable to access it. We especially welcome those who feel marginalised within the industry.
1/3
December 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Please share :)
📣Calling writers: Gladstone’s Library is offering one funded place on The Six-Month Writing Course with @kitdewaal.com. For writers who would benefit from the course but may otherwise be unable to access it. We especially welcome those who feel marginalised within the industry.
1/3
December 13, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
Apply by midday, Wednesday 7th January. Full T&Cs & how to apply via the link in our bio (or Website → Events → Writing Kit → Six-Month Writing Course). The bursary recipient will remain anonymous unless they choose otherwise.

We can’t wait to hear from you!
3/3
December 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
You’ll receive:
▪️ 2 in-person + 4 online workshops with Kit de Waal
▪️ Small group experience (max 16 writers)
▪️ A night's accommodation for both in-person sessions
▪️ Meals & refreshments (full details on our site)
2/3
December 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Free to enter retreat in Greece for emerging fiction writers.

Please share :)
Fiction Writers Program
Oxbelly is an international community of storytellers with a mission to champion, empower and support independent creators.
www.oxbelly.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:55 AM
As some people are very keen to point out it’s not ‘all’ genres, just quite a few :)

My bad.
Check it out!! Hodder & Stoughton have an open submission window for all fiction genres.

Get in quick.

Details in link.

Please share :)
HODDER & STOUGHTON OPEN SUBMISSIONS
Visit the post for more.
www.hodder.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
"We are currently looking for:

Crime & thrillers
Psychological thrillers
Cozy crime
Historical fiction
Romance & romantic comedies

We currently don’t accept non-fiction, science fiction, YA, children’s books, literary fiction, poetry or short stories."
Check it out!! Hodder & Stoughton have an open submission window for all fiction genres.

Get in quick.

Details in link.

Please share :)
HODDER & STOUGHTON OPEN SUBMISSIONS
Visit the post for more.
www.hodder.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
🌟 This winter, we have a chance to make something extraordinary happen - and we’re looking for 27 people to help us do it. 🌟

Join our Bursar Club 👉 bit.ly/4p6Xqrw
November 25, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾
Check it out!! Hodder & Stoughton have an open submission window for all fiction genres.

Get in quick.

Details in link.

Please share :)
HODDER & STOUGHTON OPEN SUBMISSIONS
Visit the post for more.
www.hodder.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Check it out!! Hodder & Stoughton have an open submission window for all fiction genres.

Get in quick.

Details in link.

Please share :)
HODDER & STOUGHTON OPEN SUBMISSIONS
Visit the post for more.
www.hodder.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
I’ve been on here about a year. Today I passed 20,000 followers. I wouldn’t have believed that possible when I started out, though my early connections, including the wonderful @regretteruane.bsky.social @kitdewaal.com @hanrahanistan.bsky.social supported me & helped me get going
Thank you everyone🙏
December 7, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Thread 👇🏽
Historian of eugenics here. I don't normally like to retweet bad arguments, but this is such a fundamental misunderstanding of eugenics, I think it's important to point out. I don't have time to debunk all of the ways this is inaccurate, but I'll highlight a few things and then recommend some books🧵
December 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Reposted by Kit de Waal
kind of obsessed with this custom binding for Moby dick by Susan and Chaim Ebanks at Exeter Bookbinders
December 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Looking for a Christmas present for that loved one who always has a story to tell? I will be delivering a memoir masterclass @gladlib on 30 May 2026.🎅🎄🎁
www.gladstoneslibrary.org/event/memoir...
Memoir with Kit de Waal (Beginner) - Gladstone's Library
Join Kit de Waal for an inspiring day devoted to bringing your memories to life on the page.
www.gladstoneslibrary.org
December 3, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Word
“A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.”

— Bertrand Russell
December 2, 2025 at 4:43 PM
If you have any questions on my 6 month writing course send them to @eanstruther.bsky.social and we will answer them over on Substack on the 5th December substack.com/@eleanoranst...
Eleanor Anstruther (@eleanoranstruther)
5th Dec 1pm @Kit de Waal will be on Substack LIVE with me to answer your questions. Send them to me in advance!
substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM