Nicola Spurr
@nicolaspurr.bsky.social
Interested in journalism, literature, freedom of expression and human rights. Born in Jo’burg, now in London.
The Palestine Action arrests continue and become ever more surreal. First they came for grandmas and vicars; now it’s Santa’s turn to be prosecuted for terrorism.
@defendourjuries.bsky.social
@defendourjuries.bsky.social
Santa Claus has been arrested under the Terrorism Act in Norwich after it turns out Santa oppo-ho-ho-ses genocide and supports Palestine Action.
These four officers will be having their names checked twice this year.
Lift The Ban on Palestine Action.
wedonotcomply.org
These four officers will be having their names checked twice this year.
Lift The Ban on Palestine Action.
wedonotcomply.org
November 29, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The Palestine Action arrests continue and become ever more surreal. First they came for grandmas and vicars; now it’s Santa’s turn to be prosecuted for terrorism.
@defendourjuries.bsky.social
@defendourjuries.bsky.social
Rest in peace Tom Stoppard. A great dramatist and a lifelong friend to the causes of free expression.
We’ve lost our greatest postmodernist. All the greater because we had to share him with Czechoslovakia, which no longer exists. And, let us not forget, hot stuff.
November 29, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Rest in peace Tom Stoppard. A great dramatist and a lifelong friend to the causes of free expression.
Sir, I’ve asked you to return your seat to the upright position and stow your tray.
Finally getting some theological clarity on the ethics of reclining in one’s plane seat
November 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Sir, I’ve asked you to return your seat to the upright position and stow your tray.
This grifting family sure have things sewn up. Enraging.
The King’s brother, Prince Edward, enjoys his Surrey mansion at a peppercorn rent, it can be revealed, after The Times forced the disclosure of documents held by the Crown Estate.
www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-fam...
www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-fam...
Prince Edward pays peppercorn rent for 120-room Surrey mansion
Campaigners have questioned whether the royal family can justify Edward’s occupation of Bagshot Park, which could otherwise be leased for taxpayer benefit
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:36 PM
This grifting family sure have things sewn up. Enraging.
Hi Naomi @naomialderman.bsky.social
Connecting you here with Ashleigh who’s interested in writing about gaming. If you have any leads, perhaps you could get in touch? Thank you.
Connecting you here with Ashleigh who’s interested in writing about gaming. If you have any leads, perhaps you could get in touch? Thank you.
Hello everyone👋🏽😀!
I’m Ashleigh, a #freelancewriter based in South Africa with 7+ years of industry experience as a writer with 3+ years in games media.
I’m also looking to “test the waters” in games PR, so if you have any opportunities or roles, I'm more than #opentowork!
I’m Ashleigh, a #freelancewriter based in South Africa with 7+ years of industry experience as a writer with 3+ years in games media.
I’m also looking to “test the waters” in games PR, so if you have any opportunities or roles, I'm more than #opentowork!
November 28, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Hi Naomi @naomialderman.bsky.social
Connecting you here with Ashleigh who’s interested in writing about gaming. If you have any leads, perhaps you could get in touch? Thank you.
Connecting you here with Ashleigh who’s interested in writing about gaming. If you have any leads, perhaps you could get in touch? Thank you.
This tower block fire in #HongKong is terrible, with so many painful resonances to the #Grenfell fire.
Police have already arrested 3 people involved with the Hong Kong buildings & seized documents & evidence. Grenfell survivors still waiting for justice.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Police have already arrested 3 people involved with the Hong Kong buildings & seized documents & evidence. Grenfell survivors still waiting for justice.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Hong Kong fire: what we know so far
Dozens are confirmed dead, with hundreds more missing, after fire broke out and spread quickly via bamboo scaffolding
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:54 PM
This tower block fire in #HongKong is terrible, with so many painful resonances to the #Grenfell fire.
Police have already arrested 3 people involved with the Hong Kong buildings & seized documents & evidence. Grenfell survivors still waiting for justice.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Police have already arrested 3 people involved with the Hong Kong buildings & seized documents & evidence. Grenfell survivors still waiting for justice.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
£15,000 prize launched for writers from refugee and migrant backgrounds
£15,000 prize launched for writers from refugee and migrant backgrounds
The Footnote x Counterpoints prize is intended to uncover new literary voices whose work reflects the experiences of migration
Footnote Press and Counterpoints Arts have announced a new fiction award celebrating writers from refugee and migrant backgrounds, offering a £15,000 prize and a publishing deal for the winner.
The Footnote x Counterpoints prize for fiction, launching on Thursday, marks the second time the two organisations have collaborated on a prize. In 2023, writers were invited to submit narrative nonfiction, but now the prize will focus on fiction for the first time. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:19 AM
£15,000 prize launched for writers from refugee and migrant backgrounds
This is EXACTLY how I feel too. The two child limit was a terrible, inequitable policy and it’s good it’s gone.
Cheering the two child limit ending isn’t patting Starmer’s Labour on the back or ignoring his record. It’s acknowledging 8 years of hard campaigning and ridding the country of a cruel, toxic policy. Half a million children won’t be hungry anymore. Celebrate today. Tomorrow, pick the next fight.
November 26, 2025 at 10:03 PM
This is EXACTLY how I feel too. The two child limit was a terrible, inequitable policy and it’s good it’s gone.
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
📢📢📢📢📢📢#Book peeps: ONLY 3 weeks remain till submissions close for Jhalak Prize for its landmark 10th anniversary year. What are you waiting for? Send in those amazing books! #publishing #books #representationmatters #jhalakprizeat10 #jhalakprize www.thebookseller.com/news/news/jh...
Jhalak Prize submissions open for 10th year
Submissions for the 10th year of the Jhalak Prize are open.
www.thebookseller.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:50 AM
📢📢📢📢📢📢#Book peeps: ONLY 3 weeks remain till submissions close for Jhalak Prize for its landmark 10th anniversary year. What are you waiting for? Send in those amazing books! #publishing #books #representationmatters #jhalakprizeat10 #jhalakprize www.thebookseller.com/news/news/jh...
It’s cold & wet in London, which makes me think about the thousands of displaced Gazans who are being flooded out of their tents, trying to survive both the ongoing Israeli aggression, famine & severe shortages & winter hardships.
If you can, please donate to one of the following organisations.
If you can, please donate to one of the following organisations.
November 25, 2025 at 4:14 PM
It’s cold & wet in London, which makes me think about the thousands of displaced Gazans who are being flooded out of their tents, trying to survive both the ongoing Israeli aggression, famine & severe shortages & winter hardships.
If you can, please donate to one of the following organisations.
If you can, please donate to one of the following organisations.
This is the go-to defence of the bully who protests that punching the small kid was only a joke. A joke that only the bully & their acolytes laughed at.
The testimonies of the boys who remember Farage at school correspond with the personality of the adult who now struts about our political stage.
The testimonies of the boys who remember Farage at school correspond with the personality of the adult who now struts about our political stage.
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This is the go-to defence of the bully who protests that punching the small kid was only a joke. A joke that only the bully & their acolytes laughed at.
The testimonies of the boys who remember Farage at school correspond with the personality of the adult who now struts about our political stage.
The testimonies of the boys who remember Farage at school correspond with the personality of the adult who now struts about our political stage.
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
📣 Work with Us - #DeptfordLiteratureFestival
Are you a London-based writers, poets, artists, arts and community organisations with exciting ideas? Apply to be part of our #DeptfordLiteratureFestival 2026 programme.
🔗 More info : tinyurl.com/4mjm3b67
Deadline: Monday 1 December, 10am
Are you a London-based writers, poets, artists, arts and community organisations with exciting ideas? Apply to be part of our #DeptfordLiteratureFestival 2026 programme.
🔗 More info : tinyurl.com/4mjm3b67
Deadline: Monday 1 December, 10am
November 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
📣 Work with Us - #DeptfordLiteratureFestival
Are you a London-based writers, poets, artists, arts and community organisations with exciting ideas? Apply to be part of our #DeptfordLiteratureFestival 2026 programme.
🔗 More info : tinyurl.com/4mjm3b67
Deadline: Monday 1 December, 10am
Are you a London-based writers, poets, artists, arts and community organisations with exciting ideas? Apply to be part of our #DeptfordLiteratureFestival 2026 programme.
🔗 More info : tinyurl.com/4mjm3b67
Deadline: Monday 1 December, 10am
A movie that takes place where you’re from
November 23, 2025 at 6:51 PM
A movie that takes place where you’re from
Here’s a brilliant auction raising funds for #Sudan. There’s a massive range of cool arty things you can bid on!
Are you looking for a christmas present for a creative person? Hoo boy do we have the auction for you. Hundreds of creatives from 20 countries are raising funds for people fleeing Genocide in El-Fasher, Sudan. Huge names, huge items! Bid here! app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
Art by @raafaye, insta
Art by @raafaye, insta
November 23, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Here’s a brilliant auction raising funds for #Sudan. There’s a massive range of cool arty things you can bid on!
Wonderful obituary for South African writer Zoë Wicomb here, in good company with the late Geoffrey Bindman.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Last Word - Baroness Newlove, Zoe Wicomb, Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC, Professor Roland Paxton - BBC Sounds
Matthew Bannister on a campaigner, an author, a lawyer and a civil engineer.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Wonderful obituary for South African writer Zoë Wicomb here, in good company with the late Geoffrey Bindman.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
Our Winter Sale is here!
Enjoy 50% off all books from 21 – 30 November.
Explore stories that inspire, challenge and delight, with proceeds supporting Taawon and The Trussell Trust.
Use code WINTER50 at checkout.
Exclusions apply.
www.saqibooks.com
Enjoy 50% off all books from 21 – 30 November.
Explore stories that inspire, challenge and delight, with proceeds supporting Taawon and The Trussell Trust.
Use code WINTER50 at checkout.
Exclusions apply.
www.saqibooks.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Our Winter Sale is here!
Enjoy 50% off all books from 21 – 30 November.
Explore stories that inspire, challenge and delight, with proceeds supporting Taawon and The Trussell Trust.
Use code WINTER50 at checkout.
Exclusions apply.
www.saqibooks.com
Enjoy 50% off all books from 21 – 30 November.
Explore stories that inspire, challenge and delight, with proceeds supporting Taawon and The Trussell Trust.
Use code WINTER50 at checkout.
Exclusions apply.
www.saqibooks.com
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
Happy brithday Nadine Gordimer! Born on this day, 20th of November, 1923.
A powerful voice against the horrors of apartheid in her home country of South Africa, her works include A Guest of Honour (1970) and The Conservationist (1974). She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991.
A powerful voice against the horrors of apartheid in her home country of South Africa, her works include A Guest of Honour (1970) and The Conservationist (1974). She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991.
November 20, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Happy brithday Nadine Gordimer! Born on this day, 20th of November, 1923.
A powerful voice against the horrors of apartheid in her home country of South Africa, her works include A Guest of Honour (1970) and The Conservationist (1974). She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991.
A powerful voice against the horrors of apartheid in her home country of South Africa, her works include A Guest of Honour (1970) and The Conservationist (1974). She won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1991.
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The real BBC bias story, narrated by Anna Ford
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
This award gives emerging writers a free course, retreat and mentoring. You need to be unpublished but it closes on 30th November so get in quick.
Details in link.
Please share :)
Details in link.
Please share :)
Emerging Writer Award - The Bridge Awards
The Emerging Writer Award is run in partnership with The Bridge Awards. The award winner receives a package including courses, retreat time and mentoring.
www.moniackmhor.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:33 PM
This award gives emerging writers a free course, retreat and mentoring. You need to be unpublished but it closes on 30th November so get in quick.
Details in link.
Please share :)
Details in link.
Please share :)
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
📣 We're looking for a new Treasurer!
If you're passionate about words, human rights, and good governance, we'd love to hear from you. Help guide the future of one of the world's oldest human rights organisations.
📅 Apply by 24 November ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/jobs/vacancy...
If you're passionate about words, human rights, and good governance, we'd love to hear from you. Help guide the future of one of the world's oldest human rights organisations.
📅 Apply by 24 November ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/jobs/vacancy...
Vacancy: Treasurer - English PEN
www.englishpen.org
November 19, 2025 at 11:09 AM
📣 We're looking for a new Treasurer!
If you're passionate about words, human rights, and good governance, we'd love to hear from you. Help guide the future of one of the world's oldest human rights organisations.
📅 Apply by 24 November ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/jobs/vacancy...
If you're passionate about words, human rights, and good governance, we'd love to hear from you. Help guide the future of one of the world's oldest human rights organisations.
📅 Apply by 24 November ⤵️
www.englishpen.org/jobs/vacancy...
Anti-Apartheid Movement humour 🇿🇦
#OtD 16 Nov 1984 2000 Black tenants were arrested near Johannesburg, South Africa, for not paying rent. They said that they couldn't as they had burned down the rent office, but apparently the police didn't consider this a valid excuse stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8823...
November 16, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Anti-Apartheid Movement humour 🇿🇦
Amid the global outpouring of tributes to the legendary activist #AliceWong, many of the obits are neglecting to mention Alice’s incredible efforts in solidarity with Gazans.
You can contribute to this fund here in Alice’s memory.
chuffed.org/project/crip...
You can contribute to this fund here in Alice’s memory.
chuffed.org/project/crip...
Crips for eSims for Gaza
Crips for eSims for Gaza is a collaboration between Jane Shi, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, and Alice Wong.
chuffed.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Amid the global outpouring of tributes to the legendary activist #AliceWong, many of the obits are neglecting to mention Alice’s incredible efforts in solidarity with Gazans.
You can contribute to this fund here in Alice’s memory.
chuffed.org/project/crip...
You can contribute to this fund here in Alice’s memory.
chuffed.org/project/crip...
It’s hard to comprehend the reactionary lunacy that’s overtaken this Labour Government. Every day, a new low.
This thread by @emergencybod.medsky.social rebuts it all — succinctly and with perfect eloquence.
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
This thread by @emergencybod.medsky.social rebuts it all — succinctly and with perfect eloquence.
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
Refuge isn’t weakness. It’s an investment. And the returns are human, immeasurable, and generational.
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
Britain once understood that. It can again.
8/8
November 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
It’s hard to comprehend the reactionary lunacy that’s overtaken this Labour Government. Every day, a new low.
This thread by @emergencybod.medsky.social rebuts it all — succinctly and with perfect eloquence.
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
This thread by @emergencybod.medsky.social rebuts it all — succinctly and with perfect eloquence.
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicola Spurr
Join Deepa Bhasthi – our inaugural International Translator in Residence – for her second online workshop next Saturday, 22 November. This is a unique opportunity for an intimate learning experience with an International Booker Prize-winning translator.
How to Be or Not Be a Translator: A Workshop Series by Deepa Bhasthi
Attend four curated online writing workshops tutored by our inaugural International Translator in Residence, Deepa Bhasthi.
buff.ly
November 15, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Join Deepa Bhasthi – our inaugural International Translator in Residence – for her second online workshop next Saturday, 22 November. This is a unique opportunity for an intimate learning experience with an International Booker Prize-winning translator.