Nicola Spurr
@nicolaspurr.bsky.social
Interested in journalism, literature, freedom of expression and human rights. Born in Jo’burg, now in London.
Anti-Apartheid Movement humour 🇿🇦
#OtD 16 Nov 1984 2000 Black tenants were arrested near Johannesburg, South Africa, for not paying rent. They said that they couldn't as they had burned down the rent office, but apparently the police didn't consider this a valid excuse stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8823...
November 16, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Anti-Apartheid Movement humour 🇿🇦
Amid the global outpouring of tributes to the legendary activist #AliceWong, many of the obits are neglecting to mention Alice’s incredible efforts in solidarity with Gazans.
You can contribute to this fund here in Alice’s memory.
chuffed.org/project/crip...
You can contribute to this fund here in Alice’s memory.
chuffed.org/project/crip...
Crips for eSims for Gaza
Crips for eSims for Gaza is a collaboration between Jane Shi, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, and Alice Wong.
chuffed.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Amid the global outpouring of tributes to the legendary activist #AliceWong, many of the obits are neglecting to mention Alice’s incredible efforts in solidarity with Gazans.
You can contribute to this fund here in Alice’s memory.
chuffed.org/project/crip...
You can contribute to this fund here in Alice’s memory.
chuffed.org/project/crip...
It’s hard to comprehend the reactionary lunacy that’s overtaken this Labour Government. Every day, a new low.
This thread by @emergencybod.medsky.social rebuts it all — succinctly and with perfect eloquence.
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
This thread by @emergencybod.medsky.social rebuts it all — succinctly and with perfect eloquence.
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
Refuge isn’t weakness. It’s an investment. And the returns are human, immeasurable, and generational.
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
November 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
It’s hard to comprehend the reactionary lunacy that’s overtaken this Labour Government. Every day, a new low.
This thread by @emergencybod.medsky.social rebuts it all — succinctly and with perfect eloquence.
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
This thread by @emergencybod.medsky.social rebuts it all — succinctly and with perfect eloquence.
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
Join Deepa Bhasthi – our inaugural International Translator in Residence – for her second online workshop next Saturday, 22 November. This is a unique opportunity for an intimate learning experience with an International Booker Prize-winning translator.
How to Be or Not Be a Translator: A Workshop Series by Deepa Bhasthi
Attend four curated online writing workshops tutored by our inaugural International Translator in Residence, Deepa Bhasthi.
buff.ly
November 15, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Join Deepa Bhasthi – our inaugural International Translator in Residence – for her second online workshop next Saturday, 22 November. This is a unique opportunity for an intimate learning experience with an International Booker Prize-winning translator.
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
FYI: The BBC has revealed the charities #TheCelebrityTraitors were all competing for, with links so that you can donate.
November 14, 2025 at 4:14 PM
FYI: The BBC has revealed the charities #TheCelebrityTraitors were all competing for, with links so that you can donate.
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
We are delighted to be supporting the W&A Working-Class Writers' Prize 2025 with
@writersandartists.bsky.social
@ruppin.bsky.social, @societyofauthors.bsky.social and @openuniversity.bsky.social
Submissions open on 1st November 2025. www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE
@writersandartists.bsky.social
@ruppin.bsky.social, @societyofauthors.bsky.social and @openuniversity.bsky.social
Submissions open on 1st November 2025. www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE
October 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
We are delighted to be supporting the W&A Working-Class Writers' Prize 2025 with
@writersandartists.bsky.social
@ruppin.bsky.social, @societyofauthors.bsky.social and @openuniversity.bsky.social
Submissions open on 1st November 2025. www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE
@writersandartists.bsky.social
@ruppin.bsky.social, @societyofauthors.bsky.social and @openuniversity.bsky.social
Submissions open on 1st November 2025. www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
🇯🇲 Poets Read for Hurricane Melissa Relief Fundraiser:
November 19th. Organised by @outspokenpress.bsky.social hosted by Leone Ross with an introduction from Akala, such an amazing line up, please show solidarity, donate and share and repost! Thank you!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
November 19th. Organised by @outspokenpress.bsky.social hosted by Leone Ross with an introduction from Akala, such an amazing line up, please show solidarity, donate and share and repost! Thank you!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
November 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
🇯🇲 Poets Read for Hurricane Melissa Relief Fundraiser:
November 19th. Organised by @outspokenpress.bsky.social hosted by Leone Ross with an introduction from Akala, such an amazing line up, please show solidarity, donate and share and repost! Thank you!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
November 19th. Organised by @outspokenpress.bsky.social hosted by Leone Ross with an introduction from Akala, such an amazing line up, please show solidarity, donate and share and repost! Thank you!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
🚨 We are looking for an experienced editor to lead our Enablers team on a fixed-term maternity cover contract
Salary: £53,100 to £59,000 per annum depending on experience
Contract: Fixed term maternity cover, full time, 11 months
Location: London (hybrid)
Deadline: Wednesday 26th November
Salary: £53,100 to £59,000 per annum depending on experience
Contract: Fixed term maternity cover, full time, 11 months
Location: London (hybrid)
Deadline: Wednesday 26th November
We’re hiring! Apply to be our Enablers Editor (Maternity cover)
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:28 AM
🚨 We are looking for an experienced editor to lead our Enablers team on a fixed-term maternity cover contract
Salary: £53,100 to £59,000 per annum depending on experience
Contract: Fixed term maternity cover, full time, 11 months
Location: London (hybrid)
Deadline: Wednesday 26th November
Salary: £53,100 to £59,000 per annum depending on experience
Contract: Fixed term maternity cover, full time, 11 months
Location: London (hybrid)
Deadline: Wednesday 26th November
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
🇯🇲 Poets Read for Hurricane Melissa Relief Fundraiser: November 19th, 7-9pm UK and 2-4pm EST organised by @outspokenpress.bsky.social hosted by Leone Ross with and introduction from Akala, amazing line up, please join us and please donate and please share!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
November 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
🇯🇲 Poets Read for Hurricane Melissa Relief Fundraiser: November 19th, 7-9pm UK and 2-4pm EST organised by @outspokenpress.bsky.social hosted by Leone Ross with and introduction from Akala, amazing line up, please join us and please donate and please share!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
ALL the Magnitsky Awards winners are incredible, brave & deserving. But this recognition of Laura Souief, whose prolonged hunger strike in support of her incarcerated son, Alaa, is very special.
Huge congratulations to both of them.
@billbrowder.bsky.social
Huge congratulations to both of them.
@billbrowder.bsky.social
BREAKING: Laila Soueif and Alaa Abd El-Fattah are the 2025 Magnitsky Award winners for “Courage Under Fire”. In the face of immense personal cost, their courage in standing up for human rights and freedom continues to inspire worldwide.
#MagnitskyAwards
#MagnitskyAwards
November 3, 2025 at 10:28 PM
ALL the Magnitsky Awards winners are incredible, brave & deserving. But this recognition of Laura Souief, whose prolonged hunger strike in support of her incarcerated son, Alaa, is very special.
Huge congratulations to both of them.
@billbrowder.bsky.social
Huge congratulations to both of them.
@billbrowder.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A brilliant piece investigating just who is behind this flag fandango. Such excellent reporting from the @manchestermill.bsky.social.
Wherever we looked for the prominent flaggers and leaders of this movement, we found people smugglers and sex doll salesmen, people with dubious criminal pasts and people willing to put in a good word for Adolf Hitler.
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
manchestermill.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 9:56 AM
A brilliant piece investigating just who is behind this flag fandango. Such excellent reporting from the @manchestermill.bsky.social.
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
Reminder: WE'RE HIRING!
We’re looking for a Sales & Marketing Executive who shares our passion for literature and wants to help us bring our authors to readers everywhere. Applications close 7 November.
For more info, head to www.saqibooks.com/careers
We’re looking for a Sales & Marketing Executive who shares our passion for literature and wants to help us bring our authors to readers everywhere. Applications close 7 November.
For more info, head to www.saqibooks.com/careers
October 31, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Reminder: WE'RE HIRING!
We’re looking for a Sales & Marketing Executive who shares our passion for literature and wants to help us bring our authors to readers everywhere. Applications close 7 November.
For more info, head to www.saqibooks.com/careers
We’re looking for a Sales & Marketing Executive who shares our passion for literature and wants to help us bring our authors to readers everywhere. Applications close 7 November.
For more info, head to www.saqibooks.com/careers
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
October 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Well.
A small victory for the republican cause, a more significant (if only symbolic) one for the Epstein victims & survivors.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
A small victory for the republican cause, a more significant (if only symbolic) one for the Epstein victims & survivors.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
Prince Andrew stripped of 'prince' title and will move out of Royal Lodge
He will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - Buckingham Palace says
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Well.
A small victory for the republican cause, a more significant (if only symbolic) one for the Epstein victims & survivors.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
A small victory for the republican cause, a more significant (if only symbolic) one for the Epstein victims & survivors.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
An unusual crowdfunder here but if you have some beans to spare, you could help save a unique button shop.
#TaylorsButtons
#TaylorsButtons
Please help SAVE TAYLORS BUTTONS, Maureen Rose's legendary shop in Cleveland St. They will shut in November forever unless they can pay their rent arrears from the Covid lockdowns:
crowdfunder.co.uk/p/taylorsbut...
crowdfunder.co.uk/p/taylorsbut...
October 30, 2025 at 4:42 PM
An unusual crowdfunder here but if you have some beans to spare, you could help save a unique button shop.
#TaylorsButtons
#TaylorsButtons
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
Need a proofreader? Editorial & mentoring for all writing projects (academic, trade fiction & non-fiction, scripted)? Reading lists & book content of all kinds?
Or perhaps someone to move to your castle & catalogue your antiquarian library while writing their memoirs?
Or perhaps someone to move to your castle & catalogue your antiquarian library while writing their memoirs?
I've had 2 paid editorial projects this year (which I've loved! but probs worked an unpaid hr for every 2 paid) + bookselling @ living wage + proof-reading + some mentoring (love this too, get in touch), & I'm not sure it will even see me over the tax threshold.
October 29, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Need a proofreader? Editorial & mentoring for all writing projects (academic, trade fiction & non-fiction, scripted)? Reading lists & book content of all kinds?
Or perhaps someone to move to your castle & catalogue your antiquarian library while writing their memoirs?
Or perhaps someone to move to your castle & catalogue your antiquarian library while writing their memoirs?
A significant intervention by #TheElders calling for the immediate release of #MarwanBarghouti from his Israeli prison cell.
theelders.org/news/elders-...
theelders.org/news/elders-...
The Elders call for Marwan Barghouti’s release to spur moves to two-state solution
The Elders call for the release of Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti from Israeli prison as an important step towards reviving a lasting two-state solution.
theelders.org
October 29, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A significant intervention by #TheElders calling for the immediate release of #MarwanBarghouti from his Israeli prison cell.
theelders.org/news/elders-...
theelders.org/news/elders-...
The #Jamaica Government has launched a very useful website for anyone wanting to help in the aftermath of #HurricaneMelissa.
It’s really important that communities receive goods & money they can actually use for their benefit. 🇯🇲
supportjamaica.gov.jm
It’s really important that communities receive goods & money they can actually use for their benefit. 🇯🇲
supportjamaica.gov.jm
Support Jamaica – Official Disaster Relief & Recovery Portal
Join hands with the Government of Jamaica. Support national disaster relief, locate shelters, and stay informed on Hurricane Melissa updates.
supportjamaica.gov.jm
October 29, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The #Jamaica Government has launched a very useful website for anyone wanting to help in the aftermath of #HurricaneMelissa.
It’s really important that communities receive goods & money they can actually use for their benefit. 🇯🇲
supportjamaica.gov.jm
It’s really important that communities receive goods & money they can actually use for their benefit. 🇯🇲
supportjamaica.gov.jm
I agree with Nadine. We in Britain have such deep ties with #Jamaica & the Caribbean (much of this has been historically oppressive & extractive).
Jamaicans need our help now. Give money through reputable organisations that can properly assess what’s needed on the ground.
#HurricaneMelissa
Jamaicans need our help now. Give money through reputable organisations that can properly assess what’s needed on the ground.
#HurricaneMelissa
If you love Jamaican food, music, culture - if you love wining to dancehall at carnival or getting high to reggae music or watching JA in the Olympics please be ready to donate to the humanitarian assistance JA is going to so desperately need 🙏🏽
Jamaica gives the world so much, please give back 🇯🇲
Jamaica gives the world so much, please give back 🇯🇲
October 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM
I agree with Nadine. We in Britain have such deep ties with #Jamaica & the Caribbean (much of this has been historically oppressive & extractive).
Jamaicans need our help now. Give money through reputable organisations that can properly assess what’s needed on the ground.
#HurricaneMelissa
Jamaicans need our help now. Give money through reputable organisations that can properly assess what’s needed on the ground.
#HurricaneMelissa
Another worrying incident of arbitrary suppression of the right to free expression in the US.
FYI: @indexoncensorship.org @nujofficial.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
FYI: @indexoncensorship.org @nujofficial.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
ICE detains British journalist after criticism of Israel on US tour
Trump ally Laura Loomer took credit for Sami Hamdi’s detainment in move denounced as ‘affront to free speech’
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Another worrying incident of arbitrary suppression of the right to free expression in the US.
FYI: @indexoncensorship.org @nujofficial.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
FYI: @indexoncensorship.org @nujofficial.bsky.social @englishpen.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Is anyone else grappling with the contradiction of #CeliaImrie being a dastardly Tory dabbling in a bit of treason in #TheDiplomat on Netflix but ALSO being a National Treasure & top #Faithful in #CelebrityTraitors on the Beeb?
October 25, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Is anyone else grappling with the contradiction of #CeliaImrie being a dastardly Tory dabbling in a bit of treason in #TheDiplomat on Netflix but ALSO being a National Treasure & top #Faithful in #CelebrityTraitors on the Beeb?
For anyone out and about in Oxford, this exhibition of Jill Edelstein photos looks brilliant.
October 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
For anyone out and about in Oxford, this exhibition of Jill Edelstein photos looks brilliant.
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
Only one week to go until our annual ceremony for the Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize – one of the world's top prizes for emerging writers around the globe!
Come celebrate with us at the Southbank Centre next Thursday, 30 October from 7pm! Tickets available here:
Come celebrate with us at the Southbank Centre next Thursday, 30 October from 7pm! Tickets available here:
Wasafiri: New Writing Prize 2025 | Southbank Centre
The UK's largest arts centre & the heart of London's cultural life.
buff.ly
October 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Only one week to go until our annual ceremony for the Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize – one of the world's top prizes for emerging writers around the globe!
Come celebrate with us at the Southbank Centre next Thursday, 30 October from 7pm! Tickets available here:
Come celebrate with us at the Southbank Centre next Thursday, 30 October from 7pm! Tickets available here: