Richard Hooton
@rjhooton.bsky.social
Writer. Award-winning short fiction.
Debut novel THE MARGARET CODE published by Sphere Books out now: http://bit.ly/4eNE0CI.
Rep: @stubbleagent @ RCW
Debut novel THE MARGARET CODE published by Sphere Books out now: http://bit.ly/4eNE0CI.
Rep: @stubbleagent @ RCW
Thrilled to get my hands on the German edition of my novel, published by @dtv-verlag.bsky.social under the title The Day Barbara Died.
And very grateful for the fantastic reviews it’s received in its first week on sale - please keep them coming in! 😊
And very grateful for the fantastic reviews it’s received in its first week on sale - please keep them coming in! 😊
November 20, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Thrilled to get my hands on the German edition of my novel, published by @dtv-verlag.bsky.social under the title The Day Barbara Died.
And very grateful for the fantastic reviews it’s received in its first week on sale - please keep them coming in! 😊
And very grateful for the fantastic reviews it’s received in its first week on sale - please keep them coming in! 😊
Look where you tread on a Manchester street for there’s poetry beneath your feet.
Lemn Sissay’s street poem ‘Flags’ is embedded into the pavement along Tib Street as public art.
Here’s a snippet of his stirring words.
Lemn Sissay’s street poem ‘Flags’ is embedded into the pavement along Tib Street as public art.
Here’s a snippet of his stirring words.
November 18, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Look where you tread on a Manchester street for there’s poetry beneath your feet.
Lemn Sissay’s street poem ‘Flags’ is embedded into the pavement along Tib Street as public art.
Here’s a snippet of his stirring words.
Lemn Sissay’s street poem ‘Flags’ is embedded into the pavement along Tib Street as public art.
Here’s a snippet of his stirring words.
Such a treat to have a band of the calibre of The Unthanks performing on our doorstep.
The folk group scaled back for some intimate shows to support small venues, enabling us to see them at The Vale in Mossley.
Fabulous performances, beautiful voices, captivating songs.
The folk group scaled back for some intimate shows to support small venues, enabling us to see them at The Vale in Mossley.
Fabulous performances, beautiful voices, captivating songs.
November 16, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Such a treat to have a band of the calibre of The Unthanks performing on our doorstep.
The folk group scaled back for some intimate shows to support small venues, enabling us to see them at The Vale in Mossley.
Fabulous performances, beautiful voices, captivating songs.
The folk group scaled back for some intimate shows to support small venues, enabling us to see them at The Vale in Mossley.
Fabulous performances, beautiful voices, captivating songs.
Margaret has arrived in Germany!
It’s publication day for my debut novel in Deutschland under the title The Day Barbara Died
Thrilled with the advance reviews – split between perfect & very good 😊
Many thanks to publishers @dtv-verlag.bsky.social & translator Susanne Goga
It’s publication day for my debut novel in Deutschland under the title The Day Barbara Died
Thrilled with the advance reviews – split between perfect & very good 😊
Many thanks to publishers @dtv-verlag.bsky.social & translator Susanne Goga
November 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Margaret has arrived in Germany!
It’s publication day for my debut novel in Deutschland under the title The Day Barbara Died
Thrilled with the advance reviews – split between perfect & very good 😊
Many thanks to publishers @dtv-verlag.bsky.social & translator Susanne Goga
It’s publication day for my debut novel in Deutschland under the title The Day Barbara Died
Thrilled with the advance reviews – split between perfect & very good 😊
Many thanks to publishers @dtv-verlag.bsky.social & translator Susanne Goga
Manchester’s favourite drink is delicious both hot & cold, has health benefits (possibly?) & is so revered the locals created a statue for it.
Drink it in!
Drink it in!
November 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Manchester’s favourite drink is delicious both hot & cold, has health benefits (possibly?) & is so revered the locals created a statue for it.
Drink it in!
Drink it in!
A lovely little spot in a community garden in Mossley for people to sit & take a moment to remember, respect & reflect.
#Lestweforget
#Lestweforget
November 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
A lovely little spot in a community garden in Mossley for people to sit & take a moment to remember, respect & reflect.
#Lestweforget
#Lestweforget
My debut novel is published in Germany next week by @dtv-verlag.bsky.social under the title The Day Barbara Died.
Early reviews are already coming in with the first a five-star – here’s the English translation.
Danke schön for such a fab review: “a sweet & exciting thriller”
Early reviews are already coming in with the first a five-star – here’s the English translation.
Danke schön for such a fab review: “a sweet & exciting thriller”
November 6, 2025 at 5:12 PM
My debut novel is published in Germany next week by @dtv-verlag.bsky.social under the title The Day Barbara Died.
Early reviews are already coming in with the first a five-star – here’s the English translation.
Danke schön for such a fab review: “a sweet & exciting thriller”
Early reviews are already coming in with the first a five-star – here’s the English translation.
Danke schön for such a fab review: “a sweet & exciting thriller”
The Burnings by @naomikelsey.bsky.social is the perfect book to curl up with this time of year - full of intrigue, deception & witchcraft.
The flawless period detail & vivid descriptions transport you back to 1590 & the Berwick witch trials with treason in the air.
It’s bewitching!
The flawless period detail & vivid descriptions transport you back to 1590 & the Berwick witch trials with treason in the air.
It’s bewitching!
November 5, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The Burnings by @naomikelsey.bsky.social is the perfect book to curl up with this time of year - full of intrigue, deception & witchcraft.
The flawless period detail & vivid descriptions transport you back to 1590 & the Berwick witch trials with treason in the air.
It’s bewitching!
The flawless period detail & vivid descriptions transport you back to 1590 & the Berwick witch trials with treason in the air.
It’s bewitching!
You know you live in a creative area when the postbox toppers are seasonal!
Bravo to those that make them.
Bravo to those that make them.
November 4, 2025 at 5:53 PM
You know you live in a creative area when the postbox toppers are seasonal!
Bravo to those that make them.
Bravo to those that make them.
Hugh Whitemore’s ‘Breaking The Code’ gives Alan Turing’s extraordinary life the play it deserves.
A brilliant production at Home Manchester about the code breaker, maverick & trailblazer that brings his legacy bang up to date.
Poignant, fascinating & lightened with humour.
A brilliant production at Home Manchester about the code breaker, maverick & trailblazer that brings his legacy bang up to date.
Poignant, fascinating & lightened with humour.
November 2, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Hugh Whitemore’s ‘Breaking The Code’ gives Alan Turing’s extraordinary life the play it deserves.
A brilliant production at Home Manchester about the code breaker, maverick & trailblazer that brings his legacy bang up to date.
Poignant, fascinating & lightened with humour.
A brilliant production at Home Manchester about the code breaker, maverick & trailblazer that brings his legacy bang up to date.
Poignant, fascinating & lightened with humour.
I thoroughly enjoyed being one of the judge’s for this competition ❤️
The standard was extremely high with the entries well crafted, imaginative & thought provoking 🤩
Congratulations to the winners on their amazing stories 👏
The standard was extremely high with the entries well crafted, imaginative & thought provoking 🤩
Congratulations to the winners on their amazing stories 👏
October 30, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed being one of the judge’s for this competition ❤️
The standard was extremely high with the entries well crafted, imaginative & thought provoking 🤩
Congratulations to the winners on their amazing stories 👏
The standard was extremely high with the entries well crafted, imaginative & thought provoking 🤩
Congratulations to the winners on their amazing stories 👏
October’s almost over - scary isn’t it! 🎃
It’s also the last chance to get #TheMargaretCode for 99p on ebook😱
Grab it while you can! 👻
It’s also the last chance to get #TheMargaretCode for 99p on ebook😱
Grab it while you can! 👻
October 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
October’s almost over - scary isn’t it! 🎃
It’s also the last chance to get #TheMargaretCode for 99p on ebook😱
Grab it while you can! 👻
It’s also the last chance to get #TheMargaretCode for 99p on ebook😱
Grab it while you can! 👻
A couple more 5-star reviews on Goodreads for #TheMargaretCode
I wasn’t expecting my novel to be called ‘the cutest’ but what amazing comments – I’m extremely grateful.
I wasn’t expecting my novel to be called ‘the cutest’ but what amazing comments – I’m extremely grateful.
October 28, 2025 at 5:10 PM
A couple more 5-star reviews on Goodreads for #TheMargaretCode
I wasn’t expecting my novel to be called ‘the cutest’ but what amazing comments – I’m extremely grateful.
I wasn’t expecting my novel to be called ‘the cutest’ but what amazing comments – I’m extremely grateful.
Woah! How big are the spiders this year?
Someone call John Goodman!
(niche 1990s film reference!)
Someone call John Goodman!
(niche 1990s film reference!)
October 26, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Woah! How big are the spiders this year?
Someone call John Goodman!
(niche 1990s film reference!)
Someone call John Goodman!
(niche 1990s film reference!)
Just a week left to get your entries in to this fantastic writing competition with cash prizes up for grabs.
The closing date for the Southport Writers’ Circle Short Story Competition is 31 Oct 2025.
Link in the comments for more details.
The closing date for the Southport Writers’ Circle Short Story Competition is 31 Oct 2025.
Link in the comments for more details.
October 23, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Just a week left to get your entries in to this fantastic writing competition with cash prizes up for grabs.
The closing date for the Southport Writers’ Circle Short Story Competition is 31 Oct 2025.
Link in the comments for more details.
The closing date for the Southport Writers’ Circle Short Story Competition is 31 Oct 2025.
Link in the comments for more details.
Amazing voice, amazing story - reggae pioneer Sutara Gayle (AKA Lorna Gee) performs her extraordinary life story in The Legends Of Them.
From a troubled childhood, abuse, prison & the Brixton uprising to chart success & a spiritual journey.
She gave a virtuoso performance at Home Manchester.
From a troubled childhood, abuse, prison & the Brixton uprising to chart success & a spiritual journey.
She gave a virtuoso performance at Home Manchester.
October 19, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Amazing voice, amazing story - reggae pioneer Sutara Gayle (AKA Lorna Gee) performs her extraordinary life story in The Legends Of Them.
From a troubled childhood, abuse, prison & the Brixton uprising to chart success & a spiritual journey.
She gave a virtuoso performance at Home Manchester.
From a troubled childhood, abuse, prison & the Brixton uprising to chart success & a spiritual journey.
She gave a virtuoso performance at Home Manchester.
Comedian Mark Watson had me in stitches with his latest stand-up show Before It Overtakes Us at Home Manchester.
Essentially it’s about human interaction in a world infiltrated by AI.
But somehow covered everything from brain surgery to the state of the sausage industry!
Essentially it’s about human interaction in a world infiltrated by AI.
But somehow covered everything from brain surgery to the state of the sausage industry!
October 17, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Comedian Mark Watson had me in stitches with his latest stand-up show Before It Overtakes Us at Home Manchester.
Essentially it’s about human interaction in a world infiltrated by AI.
But somehow covered everything from brain surgery to the state of the sausage industry!
Essentially it’s about human interaction in a world infiltrated by AI.
But somehow covered everything from brain surgery to the state of the sausage industry!
The 99p Kindle deal for #TheMargaretCode finishes at the end of October.
‘A cleverly crafted mystery with an amateur detective duo you root for.’
Interested? Get it while you can.
‘A cleverly crafted mystery with an amateur detective duo you root for.’
Interested? Get it while you can.
October 16, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The 99p Kindle deal for #TheMargaretCode finishes at the end of October.
‘A cleverly crafted mystery with an amateur detective duo you root for.’
Interested? Get it while you can.
‘A cleverly crafted mystery with an amateur detective duo you root for.’
Interested? Get it while you can.
Manchester Craft & Design Centre is a hidden gem in the Northern Quarter.
Picturesque & full of independent designers creating art, jewellery & homeware & with workshops, events & a great little cafe.
Picturesque & full of independent designers creating art, jewellery & homeware & with workshops, events & a great little cafe.
October 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Manchester Craft & Design Centre is a hidden gem in the Northern Quarter.
Picturesque & full of independent designers creating art, jewellery & homeware & with workshops, events & a great little cafe.
Picturesque & full of independent designers creating art, jewellery & homeware & with workshops, events & a great little cafe.
The Shawshank Redemption at Home Manchester is a powerful adaptation of the hit 90s film with an all-star cast & great scenery to take you behind the bars.
Based on Stephen King’s novella, it’s an enthralling story of friendship, resilience & hope in the darkest times.
Based on Stephen King’s novella, it’s an enthralling story of friendship, resilience & hope in the darkest times.
October 12, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The Shawshank Redemption at Home Manchester is a powerful adaptation of the hit 90s film with an all-star cast & great scenery to take you behind the bars.
Based on Stephen King’s novella, it’s an enthralling story of friendship, resilience & hope in the darkest times.
Based on Stephen King’s novella, it’s an enthralling story of friendship, resilience & hope in the darkest times.
Margaret is half-a-year old - which she much prefers to being 89!
It’s 6 months since #TheMargaretCode was published & I’m grateful for all the reviews, publicity & events.
Here’s a look back from advance copies to different editions.
It’s 6 months since #TheMargaretCode was published & I’m grateful for all the reviews, publicity & events.
Here’s a look back from advance copies to different editions.
October 10, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Margaret is half-a-year old - which she much prefers to being 89!
It’s 6 months since #TheMargaretCode was published & I’m grateful for all the reviews, publicity & events.
Here’s a look back from advance copies to different editions.
It’s 6 months since #TheMargaretCode was published & I’m grateful for all the reviews, publicity & events.
Here’s a look back from advance copies to different editions.
I enjoyed meeting the other judges to discuss the entries for the Inclusive Voices short story competition run by Calibre Audio.
The standard was high & it was difficult to choose the favourites from all the gems.
The results will be announced by the end of the month.
The standard was high & it was difficult to choose the favourites from all the gems.
The results will be announced by the end of the month.
October 8, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I enjoyed meeting the other judges to discuss the entries for the Inclusive Voices short story competition run by Calibre Audio.
The standard was high & it was difficult to choose the favourites from all the gems.
The results will be announced by the end of the month.
The standard was high & it was difficult to choose the favourites from all the gems.
The results will be announced by the end of the month.
The sweetest smell in the world strikes me whenever I walk past this place. It’s a fragrance lightening bolt!
October 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The sweetest smell in the world strikes me whenever I walk past this place. It’s a fragrance lightening bolt!
John Rylands Library in Manchester is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
A shrine to knowledge, the Victorian Gothic masterpiece is more like a cathedral & inspired the design of Hogwarts.
Well worth a visit.
A shrine to knowledge, the Victorian Gothic masterpiece is more like a cathedral & inspired the design of Hogwarts.
Well worth a visit.
October 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
John Rylands Library in Manchester is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
A shrine to knowledge, the Victorian Gothic masterpiece is more like a cathedral & inspired the design of Hogwarts.
Well worth a visit.
A shrine to knowledge, the Victorian Gothic masterpiece is more like a cathedral & inspired the design of Hogwarts.
Well worth a visit.
Bargain alert!
#TheMargaretCode is only 99p in a time-limited Kindle deal.
Cheaper than chips! Grab it while you can!
#TheMargaretCode is only 99p in a time-limited Kindle deal.
Cheaper than chips! Grab it while you can!
October 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Bargain alert!
#TheMargaretCode is only 99p in a time-limited Kindle deal.
Cheaper than chips! Grab it while you can!
#TheMargaretCode is only 99p in a time-limited Kindle deal.
Cheaper than chips! Grab it while you can!