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Gita Ralleigh

@gitaralleigh.bsky.social

3.5K followers 5.7K following 1K posts

Writer/Poet/Lecturer/ex-doctor. Kids: The Destiny of Minou Moonshine 🐘 The Voyage of Sam Singh 🦜 @zephyrbooks.bsky.social Poetry: Siren 🧜🏽‍♀️ @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social A Terrible Thing 🧝🏽‍♀️ (Bad Betty Press) https://linktr.ee/gitaralleigh

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · Aug 6

First post! I'm a poet, writer and ex-doctor born to Indian immigrant parents in London. More: gitaralleighauthor.wordpress.com
Here mostly to check in on the world without being sucked into a vortex of despair and to post my daily word count for accountability. ⌨️

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Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Books for Keeps, the online children's books review journal @booksforkeeps.bsky.social · 13h

Not long until @ibbyuk.bsky.social conference 8 November, even less time to apply for a FREE place via our special offer. Find out more, and enter by Friday 17 October🤞#KidLitUK

booksforkeeps.co.uk/books-for-ke...

Graphic advertising the Ibby UK Conference 2025 title Whose History? Challenging historical narratives through writing for children and young people.

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 3h

Current WIP: Chanel no. 5, roses, incense & the Underworld. 💀🥀🧞‍♂️

L. D. Lewis, Peach Jolly Rancher 🍬 @ldlewiswrites.blacksky.app · 3h

What would *your* book smell like if you engaged in a mega weirdo scented pages promotional campaign?

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 14h

June 2026!!

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 15h

Absolutely - performative conservative cosplay 🙄

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 16h

I don’t have A-level English. But I do have a medical degree, membership of two Royal Colleges, two masters degrees, a lecturer position at a top university and four published books (fifth coming next year…)

The Independent @the-independent.com · 18h

Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in UK

www.independent.co.uk

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 18h

It really is!!

Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Tiny Owl Workshop @tinyowlworkshop.bsky.social · 22h

‘… it isn’t really funding or institutional backing that decides a magazine’s fate, but the determination (and health, and age) of the flesh-and-blood people behind it. If they have the energy and desire to keep on, the magazine will continue.’

Great read. Thanks @gitaralleigh.bsky.social

The London Magazine @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social · 12d

'There’s big trouble in the world of little magazines.' — Tristram Fane Saunders

Tristram Fane Saunders on what makes 'little magazines' so fragile, why they matter and why they so often vanish without any fanfare.

Read here: thelondonmagazine.org/article/essa...

Essay | Why Magazines Fail by Tristram Fane Saunders - The London Magazine

Drawing on recent literary magazine closures, Tristram Fane Saunders asks what makes 'little magazines' so fragile, why they matter and why they so often vanish.

thelondonmagazine.org

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 21h

🤩🤩🤩 #kidlituk #ukkidlit
I've been lucky enough to read a proof of this and it is a brilliant retelling of Jason and the Argonauts with the most excellent jokes!

Clare Pollard @poetclare.bsky.social · 1d

COVER REVEAL for The Othernauts!!! Thankyou to illustrator Macha Yao for bringing Phoebe, Perry, Cora and the Argo to life! Can’t wait to take you on this adventure 🌊🏛️🏺🐍♟️⚡️🔮⚓️🐉 @bonnierbooks.bsky.social

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 22h

Literary magazines and journals, along with small presses, are hugely important as incubators for new talent, so I want to add a plug here for one of my favourite small (print!) litmags @tamarindlit.co.uk

The London Magazine @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social · 12d

Essay | Why Magazines Fail by Tristram Fane Saunders - The London Magazine

Drawing on recent literary magazine closures, Tristram Fane Saunders asks what makes 'little magazines' so fragile, why they matter and why they so often vanish.

thelondonmagazine.org

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 22h

It's a great piece!

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 23h

#kidlituk #ukkidlit

The School Library Association @sla.org.uk · 1d

During #BannedBooksWeek, author Tasneem Abdur-Rashid shared a heartfelt opinion piece, exploring how #schoollibraries can offer a vital solution to increasing polarisation and prejudice. This is a must-read blog for everyone working in schools: bit.ly/4n5EHL9 @dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social #EduSkyUK

Raising Critical Thinkers through the School Library

Many schools and headteachers are dealing with increasing incidents of racism. How can school libraries contribute to a solution?

bit.ly

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 1d

🙏🏽🥰

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 1d

It was such a pleasure and privilege to speak to the Student BMJ team (including two of my ex students!) about creative writing and its role in medicine! And we had some great recommendations!
#academicsky #MedSky #writingforwellbeing
Listen here:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 1d

🤩🤩🤩 #booksky #sff #2025IgnyteAwards

The Ignyte Awards @theignyteawards.bsky.social · 2d

Oh, hello

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 3d

😍😍😍

Piu DasGupta 🐒🐍💫 @piudg.bsky.social · 3d

Adventure awaits! The next book in the Snakestone Cycle, The Golden Monkey Mystery, is out in January 2026!

🐒💍🐍✨✨

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 3d

I am eternally in your debt for alerting me to this entire thread…

Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · 4d

Libra season is upon us. My power is now infinite and fall has finally fallen. Crisp and clear today. Praise Beyoncé.

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Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Philip Nel @philnel.bsky.social · 4d

Harold and the Purple Crayon is a manifesto for human creativity disguised as a children's book. I wrote about it.
blog.oup.com/2025/10/turn...

Turn off AI. Pick up a crayon.

Google Gemini offers “a new way to bring your imagination to life.” Adobe Firefly promises “The ultimate creative AI solution.” And Craiyon invites you to “Create AI Art.” Don't believe the tech hype.

blog.oup.com

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

😢💯

Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Samira Ahmed @samiraahmed.bsky.social · 4d

"Rather, I’m bitter at a publishing industry model that seems weirdly averse to selling the majority of books it puts out..."

That sound you hear is a million authors nodding their heads vigorously and maybe crying a little.

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 4d

A book is being marketed with mayo-scented ink. Jealous? Me? | David Barnett

With the rise of TikTok and two-tier marketing budgets, something’s off in the world of publishing (and it’s not just the aroma), says author David Barnett

www.theguardian.com

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

I've been published by 3 presses on this list and enjoyed books by many more.
If you're interested in commenting on or joining a roundtable on the future of small presses in the UK, link to the form is here: #smallpresspublishing #indiepublishing #ukpublishing
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

Amazing-thanks for sharing this!!

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

Yes! On Kishōtenketsu story structure and as a Ghibli fan I am finding it fascinating!!

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

First week back teaching creative writing to my brilliant students @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social !! And I am reading this fascinating craft book:

Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird by Henry Lien

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

Amazing-cannot wait to read!!🤩