Steve Blackman
@steveblackman.bsky.social
Writer, but not the one who did The Umbrella Academy. Or the wrestler. Rep'd by @CallenJMartin @BLM_Agency
VERY exciting book post today! I can't wait to dive into DIRK JONES IS NOT THE CHOSEN ONE, by Gatlin Perrin. It's promising to be fun, spooky, nonbinary, and Welsh – all excellent things. Out October 9th. Thanks @fireflypress.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 11:57 AM
VERY exciting book post today! I can't wait to dive into DIRK JONES IS NOT THE CHOSEN ONE, by Gatlin Perrin. It's promising to be fun, spooky, nonbinary, and Welsh – all excellent things. Out October 9th. Thanks @fireflypress.bsky.social
Have wiser words ever been spoken?
September 10, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Have wiser words ever been spoken?
I took a cab in the Lakes at the weekend. Our excellent driver revealed that he's a passionate gold panner. In Scotland! And the (plentiful) gold there is heavier, and more valuable than normal. Now my brain can't stop creating plots for stories featuring gold-filled Highland rivers.
August 6, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I took a cab in the Lakes at the weekend. Our excellent driver revealed that he's a passionate gold panner. In Scotland! And the (plentiful) gold there is heavier, and more valuable than normal. Now my brain can't stop creating plots for stories featuring gold-filled Highland rivers.
The @paperboundmag.bsky.social team keeps raising the bar. This new issue is STUNNING! I loved reviewing the latest YA – Live – from uber-talented writer and poet Luke Palmer. Music, 3D characters, a propulsive plot, and important themes. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me sing.
💜🌟The LIGHT & DARK issue is officially out now!🌟💜
Full of brand new author interviews, #BookRecommendations, #WritingTips, #illustration prompts and more, we're delighted to share this brand new issue with readers. Check it out TOTALLY FREE now👇
🌟 paperboundmag.com/issues
Full of brand new author interviews, #BookRecommendations, #WritingTips, #illustration prompts and more, we're delighted to share this brand new issue with readers. Check it out TOTALLY FREE now👇
🌟 paperboundmag.com/issues
July 10, 2025 at 5:31 AM
The @paperboundmag.bsky.social team keeps raising the bar. This new issue is STUNNING! I loved reviewing the latest YA – Live – from uber-talented writer and poet Luke Palmer. Music, 3D characters, a propulsive plot, and important themes. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me sing.
It was such a pleasure! Can't wait to see the new issue.
Excellent book reviewers 🎉📖
steveblackman.bsky.social
wydobson.bsky.social
Laura Jones
& Alex and his daughter
steveblackman.bsky.social
wydobson.bsky.social
Laura Jones
& Alex and his daughter
July 5, 2025 at 1:26 PM
It was such a pleasure! Can't wait to see the new issue.
It was such a joy to see Julia Armfield talking about her new story Private Rites at Backstory this week. Her extraordinary prose has a Schrödinger effect on me – making me want to give up writing (knowing I’ll never be that good), whilst simultaneously inspiring me to go and write immediately.
July 5, 2025 at 1:22 PM
It was such a joy to see Julia Armfield talking about her new story Private Rites at Backstory this week. Her extraordinary prose has a Schrödinger effect on me – making me want to give up writing (knowing I’ll never be that good), whilst simultaneously inspiring me to go and write immediately.
I just finished listening to ALBION, written and read beautifully by Anna Hope. It's stunningly lyrical yet accessible, filled with urgent, essential themes. I sobbed at the end, which the book deserved, but the people in the coffee shop around me didn't. Thanks, Tom Rowley, for the recommendation.
May 9, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I just finished listening to ALBION, written and read beautifully by Anna Hope. It's stunningly lyrical yet accessible, filled with urgent, essential themes. I sobbed at the end, which the book deserved, but the people in the coffee shop around me didn't. Thanks, Tom Rowley, for the recommendation.
Hang on. I wasn't worried being eaten by trolls before...
New book out today! Mighty Myths is a guide on surviving all the dangerous stuff from myth and legend. If you’re worried about being eaten by trolls or licked by giant one-eyed umbrellas, help is at hand.
May 8, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Hang on. I wasn't worried being eaten by trolls before...
Excellent book post today! Thank you, @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social for sending me this gorgeous copy of The Binding Spell by Marisa Linton @mlinton.bsky.social. Full of dark academia, folk horror and the supernatural, you say? Count me in!
March 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Excellent book post today! Thank you, @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social for sending me this gorgeous copy of The Binding Spell by Marisa Linton @mlinton.bsky.social. Full of dark academia, folk horror and the supernatural, you say? Count me in!
Writers’ dubious web searches #324: What is the best animal urine for tanning leather?
January 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Writers’ dubious web searches #324: What is the best animal urine for tanning leather?
You know it’s an early start when you’ve finished your coffee before the #5amwritersclub
January 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM
You know it’s an early start when you’ve finished your coffee before the #5amwritersclub
It’s 0700 in London. The sky’s a deep blue, and there’s a bright dot low in the western sky that I *think* is #Jupiter. It’s so far away, but so clear, and it’s giving me that vertigo feeling of looking out into space. It’s a lot for a Friday morning.
December 6, 2024 at 7:24 AM
It’s 0700 in London. The sky’s a deep blue, and there’s a bright dot low in the western sky that I *think* is #Jupiter. It’s so far away, but so clear, and it’s giving me that vertigo feeling of looking out into space. It’s a lot for a Friday morning.
So much fun last night with @trientertainment.bsky.social @royalalberthall.bsky.social. Gregg Wallace, Nitro, bookshelves and the World Cup of Christmas tunes. I can’t lie, I was hugely disappointed it only ran 25 minutes over! Thank you, Marina Hyde, @richardosman1.bsky.social and the orchestra.
December 5, 2024 at 1:48 PM
So much fun last night with @trientertainment.bsky.social @royalalberthall.bsky.social. Gregg Wallace, Nitro, bookshelves and the World Cup of Christmas tunes. I can’t lie, I was hugely disappointed it only ran 25 minutes over! Thank you, Marina Hyde, @richardosman1.bsky.social and the orchestra.
Yesterday, over the annual family Christmas lunch, my brother, nephews and I agreed to play #Whamageddon. I officially lost at 18:37 today.
December 1, 2024 at 7:10 PM
Yesterday, over the annual family Christmas lunch, my brother, nephews and I agreed to play #Whamageddon. I officially lost at 18:37 today.
So, I wasn't able to join #NaNoWriMo this year, but I started a new story today, and have given myself until New Year's Day to complete a first draft. (Yeah, I know.) I'm calling it #ChrimboWriMo. Hop on board if you like; there's loads of room on the magical story sleigh.
December 1, 2024 at 7:07 PM
So, I wasn't able to join #NaNoWriMo this year, but I started a new story today, and have given myself until New Year's Day to complete a first draft. (Yeah, I know.) I'm calling it #ChrimboWriMo. Hop on board if you like; there's loads of room on the magical story sleigh.
Reposted by Steve Blackman
You know what would **really** disrupt the publishing industry?
Fair contracts and decent pay for authors.
No AI training without the creator’s consent.
Artists and translators on the cover.
No NDAs for ghostwriters.
Fair contracts and decent pay for authors.
No AI training without the creator’s consent.
Artists and translators on the cover.
No NDAs for ghostwriters.
November 27, 2024 at 2:04 PM
You know what would **really** disrupt the publishing industry?
Fair contracts and decent pay for authors.
No AI training without the creator’s consent.
Artists and translators on the cover.
No NDAs for ghostwriters.
Fair contracts and decent pay for authors.
No AI training without the creator’s consent.
Artists and translators on the cover.
No NDAs for ghostwriters.
Reposted by Steve Blackman
ITS A SCAM!
Publishers DON’T charge YOU to make YOUR books, they PAY you.
These guys aren’t tryna “Disrupt” anything, they’re depending on people who are desperately looking to be published to part with their money.
It’s far cheaper to learn to write or self publish.
Publishers DON’T charge YOU to make YOUR books, they PAY you.
These guys aren’t tryna “Disrupt” anything, they’re depending on people who are desperately looking to be published to part with their money.
It’s far cheaper to learn to write or self publish.
A new publisher has claimed it aims to “disrupt” the books industry by publishing 8,000 books in 2025 alone using artificial intelligence (AI) 👇 www.thebookseller.com/news/new-pub... #BookSky
New publisher Spines aims to 'disrupt' industry by using AI to publish 8,000 books in 2025 alone
A new publisher has claimed it aims to “disrupt” the books industry by publishing 8,000 books in 2025 alone using artificial intelligence.
www.thebookseller.com
November 27, 2024 at 2:23 PM
ITS A SCAM!
Publishers DON’T charge YOU to make YOUR books, they PAY you.
These guys aren’t tryna “Disrupt” anything, they’re depending on people who are desperately looking to be published to part with their money.
It’s far cheaper to learn to write or self publish.
Publishers DON’T charge YOU to make YOUR books, they PAY you.
These guys aren’t tryna “Disrupt” anything, they’re depending on people who are desperately looking to be published to part with their money.
It’s far cheaper to learn to write or self publish.
Thank you, Chicken House, for today's exceptional book post. That's my reading needs sorted for a little while! Can't wait to dive in to: THE ZOMBIE PROJECT @alicenuttallbooks.bsky.social and THE WILDERNESS OF GIRLS @madelineclaire.bsky.social. Reviews to follow!
November 27, 2024 at 4:20 PM
Thank you, Chicken House, for today's exceptional book post. That's my reading needs sorted for a little while! Can't wait to dive in to: THE ZOMBIE PROJECT @alicenuttallbooks.bsky.social and THE WILDERNESS OF GIRLS @madelineclaire.bsky.social. Reviews to follow!
I was attacked in the street a moment ago! Out of nowhere my head was nudged hard from behind, and something scratched my scalp. I turned, just as the raven that had flown into me fluttered past and landed on the ground. The stink-eye he gave me made it clear he thought it was my fault. Bully.
a black and white photo of a crow with its wings spread
Alt: A black and white photo of a raven with its wings spread.
media.tenor.com
November 27, 2024 at 12:23 PM
I was attacked in the street a moment ago! Out of nowhere my head was nudged hard from behind, and something scratched my scalp. I turned, just as the raven that had flown into me fluttered past and landed on the ground. The stink-eye he gave me made it clear he thought it was my fault. Bully.
Reposted by Steve Blackman
Well said John Bothwell from Durham. Well said indeed! 😆
November 25, 2024 at 11:13 AM
Well said John Bothwell from Durham. Well said indeed! 😆
I’m writing while listening to the @mynoise.bsky.social soundscape of The Name of the Rose. I’ve set my earbuds to ‘immersive’ and it is like I’m there! Thanks @joannaoldman.bsky.social for the intro.
November 25, 2024 at 1:52 PM
I’m writing while listening to the @mynoise.bsky.social soundscape of The Name of the Rose. I’ve set my earbuds to ‘immersive’ and it is like I’m there! Thanks @joannaoldman.bsky.social for the intro.
Reposted by Steve Blackman
...our cover artist Rachael Robertson. A big shout out to our book reviewers too: Maisie Fish, @steveblackman.bsky.social, Diane Englert, Lauren Marples, @wydobson.bsky.social and Laura Jones. We are new here on Bluesky, so if we've missed tagging you, let us know! Happy Reading!
November 25, 2024 at 11:46 AM
...our cover artist Rachael Robertson. A big shout out to our book reviewers too: Maisie Fish, @steveblackman.bsky.social, Diane Englert, Lauren Marples, @wydobson.bsky.social and Laura Jones. We are new here on Bluesky, so if we've missed tagging you, let us know! Happy Reading!
Reposted by Steve Blackman
We don't seem to be taking this seriously enough. And it's not enough to say "just publish good books" - we do that...loads in fact. We have to make sharing books then reading books independently not just a 'nice' thing but a vital thing. Like "5 A Day" did for healthy eating awareness.
November 25, 2024 at 12:37 PM
We don't seem to be taking this seriously enough. And it's not enough to say "just publish good books" - we do that...loads in fact. We have to make sharing books then reading books independently not just a 'nice' thing but a vital thing. Like "5 A Day" did for healthy eating awareness.
Reposted by Steve Blackman
Trying not to feel existential at the urgency needed to turn everyone's attention to the gradual decline in reading evidenced through tons of data about children's reading - and now even the children who are reading will be fed crap from platforms like this. If not this lot then something else.
November 25, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Trying not to feel existential at the urgency needed to turn everyone's attention to the gradual decline in reading evidenced through tons of data about children's reading - and now even the children who are reading will be fed crap from platforms like this. If not this lot then something else.
This isn't disruptive. It's a cynical reframing of vanity publishing but on a digital platform. Depressing and irritating. Was their brief to the photographer: 'try to make us look as much like a stock photo as possible'?
tinyurl.com/e5rv3d66
tinyurl.com/e5rv3d66
New publisher Spines aims to 'disrupt' industry by using AI to publish 8,000 books in 2025 alone
A new publisher has claimed it aims to “disrupt” the books industry by publishing 8,000 books in 2025 alone using artificial intelligence.
tinyurl.com
November 25, 2024 at 12:16 PM
This isn't disruptive. It's a cynical reframing of vanity publishing but on a digital platform. Depressing and irritating. Was their brief to the photographer: 'try to make us look as much like a stock photo as possible'?
tinyurl.com/e5rv3d66
tinyurl.com/e5rv3d66