Louie Stowell
@louiestowell.bsky.social
Writer/illustrator of the LOKI: A Bad God's Guide books, Writer of Otherland & The Dragon in the Library. https://louiestowell.com. No terfs. Many fluctuating fandoms incluing BtVS + Doctor Who. This feed isn't for kids.
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Louie Stowell
@louiestowell.bsky.social
· Mar 30
The Louie Stowell Newsletter | Substack
News, books and nonsense. Click to read The Louie Stowell Newsletter, a Substack publication.
louiestowell.substack.com
I have a newsletter! If you'd like to keep up to date on my books, events, news, book-themed activities for kids and occasional Doctor Who and other fandom thoughts, sign up here! louiestowell.substack.com #KidLitUK
I hate that I know who most of these people are.
🚨 THE BATTLE BEGINS 🚨
Your favorite year-end contest is back. It’s time to choose who will be this year’s Worst Person In Tech for 2025!
Each day of this week new matchups will drop until we choose the winner on Friday.
🗳️ Cast your ballot: twsu.forms.app/worst-person...
Your favorite year-end contest is back. It’s time to choose who will be this year’s Worst Person In Tech for 2025!
Each day of this week new matchups will drop until we choose the winner on Friday.
🗳️ Cast your ballot: twsu.forms.app/worst-person...
December 15, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I hate that I know who most of these people are.
Reposted by Louie Stowell
when I read a student paper that's obviously written by them
a man with long hair is sitting in front of a laptop computer
Alt: gif of Antonio Banderas getting extremely happy after seeing something on his computer screen. he closes his eyes and smiles and brings his hand to him mouth and leans back in absolutely satisfaction and happiness.
media.tenor.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
when I read a student paper that's obviously written by them
Reposted by Louie Stowell
A fabulous introduction to Norse mythology for 7-9 readers, She Speaks: The Women of Norse Myths in their Own Words by Honor Cargill-Martin, illustrated by Pauliina Hannuniemi, is out now from @magiccatpublishing.bsky.social
#KidlitUK #UKKidlit
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/12/15/s...
#KidlitUK #UKKidlit
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/12/15/s...
She Speaks: The Women of Norse Myths in their Own Words by Honor Cargill-Martin, illustrated by Pauliina Hannuniemi
Cover illustration © 2025 Pauliina Hannuniemi Although they have a long way to go before they catch up with the ancient Greek and Roman ones, stories from Norse mythology are at last becoming incre…
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:22 PM
A fabulous introduction to Norse mythology for 7-9 readers, She Speaks: The Women of Norse Myths in their Own Words by Honor Cargill-Martin, illustrated by Pauliina Hannuniemi, is out now from @magiccatpublishing.bsky.social
#KidlitUK #UKKidlit
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/12/15/s...
#KidlitUK #UKKidlit
worldssmallestlibrary.wordpress.com/2025/12/15/s...
Reposted by Louie Stowell
—I’ve been asked to baptise the King of Spain’s daughter
—Infanta?
—No, holy water as usual. Weird thing to ask honestly
—Infanta?
—No, holy water as usual. Weird thing to ask honestly
December 15, 2025 at 1:08 PM
—I’ve been asked to baptise the King of Spain’s daughter
—Infanta?
—No, holy water as usual. Weird thing to ask honestly
—Infanta?
—No, holy water as usual. Weird thing to ask honestly
Ok so was just having a chat on here and was trying to think of what the aural equivalent is for a "mental image". Is there a phrase for that? When you're imagining what something would sound like?
December 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Ok so was just having a chat on here and was trying to think of what the aural equivalent is for a "mental image". Is there a phrase for that? When you're imagining what something would sound like?
Reposted by Louie Stowell
🎁 Attention, booklovers! 🎁
10 lucky winners will have the chance to receive a £100/€120 National Book Tokens gift card this Christmas, so they can enjoy the fun of choosing new books within the magic of their favourite bookshop 🪄
Enter the draw ⬇️
buff.ly/BMXgM9Y
10 lucky winners will have the chance to receive a £100/€120 National Book Tokens gift card this Christmas, so they can enjoy the fun of choosing new books within the magic of their favourite bookshop 🪄
Enter the draw ⬇️
buff.ly/BMXgM9Y
December 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
🎁 Attention, booklovers! 🎁
10 lucky winners will have the chance to receive a £100/€120 National Book Tokens gift card this Christmas, so they can enjoy the fun of choosing new books within the magic of their favourite bookshop 🪄
Enter the draw ⬇️
buff.ly/BMXgM9Y
10 lucky winners will have the chance to receive a £100/€120 National Book Tokens gift card this Christmas, so they can enjoy the fun of choosing new books within the magic of their favourite bookshop 🪄
Enter the draw ⬇️
buff.ly/BMXgM9Y
Reposted by Louie Stowell
We also need libraries to make those library cards at all useful. Many libraries are now volunteer-run because otherwise they’d close. Bring those back into public funding please. (This post brought to you by a community library volunteer.)
Philip Pullman, Richard Osman, @joannechocolat.bsky.social & @katemossewriter.bsky.social are some of the authors calling for library membership to be linked to birth registration.
This is a subject very close to our hearts. Read more in @theobserveruk.bsky.social by @vanessathorpe.bsky.social
This is a subject very close to our hearts. Read more in @theobserveruk.bsky.social by @vanessathorpe.bsky.social
Library card plan to help write newborns’ first chapter | The Observer
observer.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 11:57 AM
We also need libraries to make those library cards at all useful. Many libraries are now volunteer-run because otherwise they’d close. Bring those back into public funding please. (This post brought to you by a community library volunteer.)
Reposted by Louie Stowell
I'll be posting a lot about these for NYR, but with Christmas coming, may I mention these braille and print editions of brilliant picture books: shop.rnib.org.uk/collections/...
Shared reading books
These braille and print books make it easier to read together. Cleverly designed so that the braille, print and images are all legible at the same time, these shared reading books are always perfect f...
shop.rnib.org.uk
December 15, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I'll be posting a lot about these for NYR, but with Christmas coming, may I mention these braille and print editions of brilliant picture books: shop.rnib.org.uk/collections/...
Reposted by Louie Stowell
The amount of parents reading to their babies and young children is decreasing. I don't _know_ the reason, but my guess is a mixture of long working hours and the increased use of digital. Anything we can do to encourage parents back to libraries is a good thing. We need to support our libraries.
December 15, 2025 at 9:47 AM
The amount of parents reading to their babies and young children is decreasing. I don't _know_ the reason, but my guess is a mixture of long working hours and the increased use of digital. Anything we can do to encourage parents back to libraries is a good thing. We need to support our libraries.
In sad news I have to cut a joke about the stock market because eight year olds won't understand it. A fair cop. But one day I will write an adult book so I can fully engage with my horror at the world in fiction.
December 15, 2025 at 9:46 AM
In sad news I have to cut a joke about the stock market because eight year olds won't understand it. A fair cop. But one day I will write an adult book so I can fully engage with my horror at the world in fiction.
Reposted by Louie Stowell
We got lucky. If we hadn't, we'd still be doing what we've always done - making amazing comics and games, and making ends meet - but I'm so grateful for the chances I've been given.
I just want others to receive the same helping hand.
I just want others to receive the same helping hand.
December 15, 2025 at 9:15 AM
We got lucky. If we hadn't, we'd still be doing what we've always done - making amazing comics and games, and making ends meet - but I'm so grateful for the chances I've been given.
I just want others to receive the same helping hand.
I just want others to receive the same helping hand.
Reposted by Louie Stowell
Nich and I were lucky to get the opportunity to elevate our work to a wider platform. Not everyone gets that chance. I hope this new spotlight inspires publishers to reach into the UK comic community and lend their strength to this amazing, raw talent just waiting for opportunity.
December 15, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Nich and I were lucky to get the opportunity to elevate our work to a wider platform. Not everyone gets that chance. I hope this new spotlight inspires publishers to reach into the UK comic community and lend their strength to this amazing, raw talent just waiting for opportunity.
Reposted by Louie Stowell
the vine for a lack of infrastructure, publishers and distributors to support them - and, indeed, a wider acknowledgement that their art was valid and worthwhile.
December 15, 2025 at 9:13 AM
the vine for a lack of infrastructure, publishers and distributors to support them - and, indeed, a wider acknowledgement that their art was valid and worthwhile.
Reposted by Louie Stowell
We're so glad that comics are finally getting the attention they deserve, but please spare a thought for the long years in which the UK comic 'industry' was carried by independent creators, often at great expense, purely as a labour of love. A whole generation of amazing talent risked dying on...
December 15, 2025 at 9:13 AM
We're so glad that comics are finally getting the attention they deserve, but please spare a thought for the long years in which the UK comic 'industry' was carried by independent creators, often at great expense, purely as a labour of love. A whole generation of amazing talent risked dying on...
THIS
We're so glad that comics are finally getting the attention they deserve, but please spare a thought for the long years in which the UK comic 'industry' was carried by independent creators, often at great expense, purely as a labour of love. A whole generation of amazing talent risked dying on...
December 15, 2025 at 9:41 AM
THIS
Reposted by Louie Stowell
And it's true. MCM had long been devaluing comics in favour of fan art and merchandise. Their new selection policies, coupled with the financial and emotional toll of COVID, meant that the vast majority of creators we'd grown up with simply didn't return to MCM shows after lockdown.
December 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM
And it's true. MCM had long been devaluing comics in favour of fan art and merchandise. Their new selection policies, coupled with the financial and emotional toll of COVID, meant that the vast majority of creators we'd grown up with simply didn't return to MCM shows after lockdown.
Reposted by Louie Stowell
In case you've not heard the story, Tiny Hercules came about as a result of an encounter at MCM London back in 2023, when Nich and I were approached by two editors from Macmillan Children's Books. Their first comment was, I kid you not, 'there's not a lot of comics at comic con, are there?'
December 15, 2025 at 9:06 AM
In case you've not heard the story, Tiny Hercules came about as a result of an encounter at MCM London back in 2023, when Nich and I were approached by two editors from Macmillan Children's Books. Their first comment was, I kid you not, 'there's not a lot of comics at comic con, are there?'
Reposted by Louie Stowell
I will add, however, that it's strange to see us referred to as 'debut creators', seeing as we've been making comics for nearly 14 years, but that's the nature of the indie comics scene, I'm afraid. Practically invisible to the wider world :)
December 15, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I will add, however, that it's strange to see us referred to as 'debut creators', seeing as we've been making comics for nearly 14 years, but that's the nature of the indie comics scene, I'm afraid. Practically invisible to the wider world :)
Reposted by Louie Stowell
It's honestly so surreal to see Tiny Hercules (and indeed Nich and I) named alongside these amazing new children's graphic novels for 2026. The last two years have been an absolutely whirlwind, with amazing news seemingly every day. We're so honoured to be able to bring these books to life.
December 15, 2025 at 9:04 AM
It's honestly so surreal to see Tiny Hercules (and indeed Nich and I) named alongside these amazing new children's graphic novels for 2026. The last two years have been an absolutely whirlwind, with amazing news seemingly every day. We're so honoured to be able to bring these books to life.
Reposted by Louie Stowell
Get ready for legendary laughs with Tiny Hercules, a new series of children's graphic novels from @macmillankidsuk.bsky.social launching 5th February 2026 - written by me and illustrated by partner-in-crime Nich Angell!
Pre-order your copy today:
👉 www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jon-...
Pre-order your copy today:
👉 www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jon-...
October 1, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Get ready for legendary laughs with Tiny Hercules, a new series of children's graphic novels from @macmillankidsuk.bsky.social launching 5th February 2026 - written by me and illustrated by partner-in-crime Nich Angell!
Pre-order your copy today:
👉 www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jon-...
Pre-order your copy today:
👉 www.panmacmillan.com/authors/jon-...
Reposted by Louie Stowell
Part of the Chanukah tradition is to place the light menorah either outside or in a window where outsiders can see it. This is supposed to advertise the miracle of Chanukah. These days, it is also a way of saying, “This is a Jewish home.”
Every year I think about how it is also an act of bravery.
Every year I think about how it is also an act of bravery.
December 14, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Part of the Chanukah tradition is to place the light menorah either outside or in a window where outsiders can see it. This is supposed to advertise the miracle of Chanukah. These days, it is also a way of saying, “This is a Jewish home.”
Every year I think about how it is also an act of bravery.
Every year I think about how it is also an act of bravery.
This is such a good idea. I hope it happens, esp given next year is the National Year of Reading. But also, there need to be libraries for those babies to go to. Increased library funding now! observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Library card plan to help write newborns’ first chapter | The Observer
observer.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 7:55 AM
This is such a good idea. I hope it happens, esp given next year is the National Year of Reading. But also, there need to be libraries for those babies to go to. Increased library funding now! observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Louie Stowell
Still happy to sign and send out last minute gifts of Ladybirds and Cunk and the like, while stocks last…
www.gralefrit.co.uk/shop.html
www.gralefrit.co.uk/shop.html
December 14, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Still happy to sign and send out last minute gifts of Ladybirds and Cunk and the like, while stocks last…
www.gralefrit.co.uk/shop.html
www.gralefrit.co.uk/shop.html
Reposted by Louie Stowell
Excellent damn question (andfa very fine write up that actually gets into the history and larger issues)
Why Is Warner Bros. for Sale at All? prospect.org/2025/12/10/w...
Why Is Warner Bros. for Sale at All? prospect.org/2025/12/10/w...
Why Is Warner Bros. for Sale at All? - The American Prospect
Its product has never been more critically or financially successful. Why is it auctioning itself off?
prospect.org
December 13, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Excellent damn question (andfa very fine write up that actually gets into the history and larger issues)
Why Is Warner Bros. for Sale at All? prospect.org/2025/12/10/w...
Why Is Warner Bros. for Sale at All? prospect.org/2025/12/10/w...
Reposted by Louie Stowell
Vinyl records are popular again, but it's not just audiophiles or nostalgic boomers fueling the resurgence.
Gen Z is playing an outsized role in the revival of vinyl sales, which have grown on average by 18% annually in the past five years.
https://cnn.it/4q2ceaK
Gen Z is playing an outsized role in the revival of vinyl sales, which have grown on average by 18% annually in the past five years.
https://cnn.it/4q2ceaK
December 15, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Vinyl records are popular again, but it's not just audiophiles or nostalgic boomers fueling the resurgence.
Gen Z is playing an outsized role in the revival of vinyl sales, which have grown on average by 18% annually in the past five years.
https://cnn.it/4q2ceaK
Gen Z is playing an outsized role in the revival of vinyl sales, which have grown on average by 18% annually in the past five years.
https://cnn.it/4q2ceaK