Shirley-Anne McMillan
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shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Shirley-Anne McMillan
@shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
600 followers 190 following 440 posts
Writer and things.
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shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Here is a small thing you can for Palestine. Come to our event in Belfast on Saturday. Music, poetry and craic to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians. Please share. Thank you x
A poster advertising an event at the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast on 11th October to raise funds for Palestine.
October 6, 2025 at 8:44 AM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Turns out that AI won't make a picture of Trump being led into hell by Paddington, but they are OK with Paddington leading him into heaven. Paddington wasn't too happy about the arrangement, but that is modern life.
AI image of a grumpy Paddington Bear ushering Trump into heaven
August 30, 2025 at 10:29 AM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Mr Tumble in drag, reading to children. Enniskillen library, 2008. No big outcry. No protest. Why? Because it was pre-Trans Panic. Transphobia and the intimidation of drag art is inextricably linked. Please stop turning a blind eye to your favourite writer's transphobia.
Mr Tumble as Aunt Polly in the library Mr Tumble and Aunt Sooky in the library Mr Tumble as Aunt Sooky in the library reading a book called About Cakes
August 7, 2025 at 9:13 AM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
John Boyne's arrogance is seemingly perpetual. Here he is describing women like me as assistants to rapists, traitors to our kind. I cannot understand why the literary establishment in this country continues to turn a blind eye. It makes me feel physically ill.
Extract from John Boyne's Irish Independent article, praising JK Rowling and berating people who stand up for trans rights.
August 4, 2025 at 4:22 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Fixed it for you
Screenshot from BBC news headline which read 'almost a quarter of NI parents prefer child not to go to integrated schools' now doctored to read 'almost all NI parents child to go to integrated schools'.
July 22, 2025 at 8:46 AM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Famous photo of Lorca looking directly at the camera with one hand to his face. Caption reads: Sometimes, when I think of what is going on in the world, I wonder why I am writing? The answer is that one simply has to work. Work and go on working. Work and help everyone who deserves it. Work even though at times it feels like so much wasted effort. Work as a form of protest. For one's impulse has to be to cry out every day one wakes up and is confronted by misery and injustice of every kind: I protest! I protest! I protest! Federico Garcia Lorca
July 13, 2025 at 9:10 AM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
I want us to stop saying 'This isn't who we are.' Look at it. It is who we are. We are a racist country. How are we going to change it? What is the plan?

Image by Kevin Scott, Belfast Telegraph
A lit bonfire at Moygashel with a sign which says 'stop the boats' and a large boat at the top full of brown-skinned people being burned in effigy.
July 10, 2025 at 11:03 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
In my review of reviews I voted this Amazon review, which I found yesterday, the top review.
A review I found while looking for a fold-up bed. The woman talks hilariously about her divorce and the various benefits of a fold-up bed for causing possible injury to her husband.
June 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Mine was mainly this and Bros.
Poster in black and white for the Anti-Apartheid Movement calling for a 'united non-racial democratic South Africa.'
June 23, 2025 at 8:21 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
I have just seen Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake at Bord Gais and honestly I think it might be the best thing I've ever seen in a theatre. I am never going to stop thinking about it.
A still from Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. Two men are dancing under a full moon. Male dancers pose in the background.
May 22, 2025 at 9:22 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce! He's not called the boss for nathin'!
Screengrab of Trump's latest crazy diatribe, this time having a pop at Bruce Springsteen for not being a massive fascist. It is worth googling.
May 16, 2025 at 6:11 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
My son's first bit of music journalism. An interview with Pent Up Boyfriends about neurodiversity in the music industry for the Waterbear zine.
Black and white picture of two humans embracing with a pink star in the foreground beside the text of an interview. Small colour picture of the two members of the band. Al has long curly red hair, Carter has a black and red mullet. Interview text is white on black background.
May 4, 2025 at 1:08 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Sometimes the editing in MAFS is perfection. 'Darling'.
The three experts from the TV show MAFS sit behind a desk, all of them taking a drink from their glass at the same time.
April 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
What do you mean 'think'? Come back when you're sure, Daniel!
A DM from someone claiming to be Daniel Craig with a profile picture of a woman. Text says they think they find me attractive and would love to get to know me better.
April 12, 2025 at 9:40 AM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Beautiful Galway, thank you for this perfect evening walk.
A group of young friends sitting on the end of Galway pier looking at the moon as the sun goes down.
April 11, 2025 at 8:02 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
I've been here at the Cúirt festival in Galway all week and it has been mercifully gorgeous weather. My step count average is about 3k more then usual. I've met thee bestest young writers and their fantastic teachers. Dream job, like. Event tomorrow with the brilliant Clara Kumagai.
A copy of my book, Grapefruit Moon, in the window of Charlie Byrne's in Galway. Some young people's spooky stories in mini-zine format. Some young people's poems about where they're from in mini-zine format Some young people's poems about bananas in (you guessed it) mini-zine format
April 11, 2025 at 4:21 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
I'm years 7&8 of the 10 year funding.
Screenshot from Queen's University Website about the post of Children's Writing Fellow.
April 7, 2025 at 10:05 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Was just looking a local thing up on Google Maps there and saw that someone has tagged a cat as 'tourist attraction'. There are reviews.
Google maps tag of a tabby cat. It says 'friendly tabby cat (Mr Bojangles)' Two favourable reviews of Mr Bojangles, the cat.
March 24, 2025 at 11:15 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
@ianmartin.bsky.social @quantick.bsky.social @stevedoherty.bsky.social This seems a bit meta. Who was there for Palliative Care Paddington??
A photo of half a statue of Paddington Bear. Someone has cut the other half off.
March 8, 2025 at 7:31 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
World Book Day bananacraic at Knockevin special school in Castlewellan! Amazing students and staff.
Shirley McMillan with some students who are dressed as Dr Seuss characters and holding bananas. A 'banana poem' worksheet by Darren comparing bananas to various items including a very silly moustache! Shirley McMillan reading a mini book about bananas with a student who is dressed as a Dr Seuss character.
March 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
All rental places in Brighton and lots of other places in England seem to have this rule and I am wondering why no politicians in NI seem to care about it? It massively disadvantages our students. Who can afford a years rent up front??
Screenshot of rental agency in Brighton called Just Lets stipulating that students from NI must pay all rent for the year up front.
March 1, 2025 at 9:52 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Really happy to say that I've signed a contract with the brilliant O'Brien Press for a new YA to be published in Spring 2027. I'm going to have to houl my whisht about the details for now, but I'm delighted that it's happening!
O'Brien Press logo: A black flag with white writing which reads 'O'Brien. Underneath the flag are the words 'The O'Brien Press Ltd'
February 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
A privilege to be at the launch of the launch of Cara-Friend's 50th anniversary exhibition at the Linen Hall library this evening. Please go down and see these amazing portraits - they are so good!
A man in a checked shirt sits at a table which has assorted bohemian artifacts: candles, feathers,home made jam. On the wall there is an abstract painting. A booklet which says 'Dear Friend- The History of Cara Friend 1974-2000
February 3, 2025 at 9:56 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
My son is the middle act here. Please share with your Brighton pals! I'd go on the strength of the poster alone.
A poster for a gig featuring Le Lamb, Gobsmacked and Party in the Valley. Daltons in Brighton, 17th Feb. Poster features a lamb (either dead or asleep...) with a halo. Dark background, ornate silver frame.
January 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
shirleyannemcm.bsky.social
Giggling. My sister and I are on Radio Ulster this afternoon (now) and they just opened with Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves.
Radio Ulster Afternoon Show webpage screengrab featuring me and my sister.
January 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM