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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 4h

What? Pics of snow, already?! ❄️ Yes: dates for the diary! 📆 The first of my three 2026 #writingretreats in the Swiss Alps will run from 1 to 7 March. To learn more about it: valeriavescina.com/teaching/wri... #writingretreat #WritingCommunity #writing #books #writerslife

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 1d

This short article will interest you if you've ever wondered what #writingretreats are actually like, how they differ from one another and why they enable leaps forward for #writers at every level of experience: valeriavescina.com/2022/07/25/t... Happy reading! #WritingCommunity

Top 10 reasons to go on a writing retreat

A view from Flüeli-Ranft Writing away Ever wondered what a writing retreat is all about and whether it would benefit you? There are at least 10 reasons why writing retreats are invaluable. You̵…

valeriavescina.com

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 1d

Excited to be interviewing @brethertonwords.bsky.social for our @womenwritersnet.bsky.social live #AuthorInterview of 23 October. SAVE THE DATE and join us as we ask Stephanie all about her award-winning new novel, #TheFireInTheirEyes (@Breakthroughbooks.bsky.social)! #writing #reading

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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 3d

We’re super-excited to be welcoming Stephanie @brethertonwords.bsky.social to our next #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview.
🗓️ Thursday 23 October
⏰ 6pm BST
📚The Fire In Their Eyes @breakthroughbook.bsky.social

Everyone welcome to join in the Q&A.
Please share with anyone who might be interested.

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Nastasya Parker @nastasyaparker.bsky.social · 2d

How would you define a writing mindset, and what are your strategies for achieving and maintaining it? We'll be discussing questions like these Thursday 16 October at 6pm BST on #WomenWritersNet. Just follow the hashtag! We're excited to hear what you think. #WritingCommunity

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G. Lawrence 📚💙📚💙📚 @glawrence.bsky.social · 1d

#NewRelease!

Trusted to defend her son's empire, Eleanor of Aquitaine faces challenges not only from her enemies but from her own kin, as her youngest son plots to steal the throne of his brother...

The Narrowness of Death
$4.99
#Free #KU!
#medieval #histfic 💙📚💙📚
www.amazon.com/Narrowness-D...

The Narrowness of Death: Book Four of the Story of Eleanor of Aquitaine (The Heirs of Anarchy 8)

Amazon.com: The Narrowness of Death: Book Four of the Story of Eleanor of Aquitaine (The Heirs of Anarchy 8) eBook : Lawrence, G. , Design Studio, Betibup33: Kindle Store

www.amazon.com

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 1d

Many congratulations, @drnaomibaker.bsky.social, on the publication of Voices of Thunder (@reaktionbooks.bsky.social)! #newbooks #earlymodern #herstory

Naomi Baker @drnaomibaker.bsky.social · 1d

It’s PUBLICATION DAY!! 🌟⭐️💫 I’m very happy to see Voices of Thunder going out into the world 📚

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David Hayden @seventydys.bsky.social · 1d

I had the great pleasure of editing Naomi Baker’s Voices of Thunder, her groundbreaking book on radical religious women in the 17th century, which arrives with these emphatic endorsements. Out today from @reaktionbooks.bsky.social. #earlymodern

In Voices of Thunder Naomi Baker gives us the most accessible, detailed and well-informed study to date of the women preachers and prophets of the seventeenth-century, a time when nearly all women were meant to stay home and be quiet. Baker shows us how very many women were involved and influential in the early Baptist and Quaker movements and beyond, and how sharply they saw gender and class oppression, while often enduring harsh persecution, usually by men, at home and abroad. With notable biographical skill and sympathy, the author shows us how the women prophets saw and experienced their world. All can benefit from this book, and many will find it an eye-opening revelation.'
Nigel Smith, Princeton University, author of Andrew Marvell: The Chameleon
Voices of Thunder offers a ground-breaking account of the radical women who, during the political, social and religious turmoil of seventeenth-century Britain and Ireland, found voice and vocation. Naomi Baker is an outstanding guide to this complex, challenging and extraordinary culture.
Crawford Gribben, Professor of History at Queen's University Belfast and author of J. N. Darby and the Roots of Dispensationalism
This book crackles and fizzes with the energy and bravado of the many overlooked women who metaphorically hitched up their skirts to challenge forms of authority that sought to marginalise them. Naomi Baker brings deft erudition to her narrative and stylishly synthesises the complex histories of religious radicalism in the seventeenth century. This elegantly written and lively book has much to teach us about belief, politics and activism in both the seventeenth century and the contemporary moment.
Danielle Clarke, Professor of English Renaissance Language and Literature, University College Dublin
Her timely book reminds us of the urgent need to listen to the voices of those who disrupt our social and moral commonplaces.'
Adrian Streete, Professor of Early Modern Literature and Religion, U of Glasgow

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 2d

Last month's #writingretreat brought together writers who had previously attended one of my tutored retreats, so it was extra-special for all of us. Old friendships were deepened, new ones forged, and the group will continue meeting online for feedback & support.

A special writing retreat

Our September 2025 writing retreat has just wrapped up! This special gathering brought together writers who had previously attended one of my tutored retreats. They returned for a week of workshops…

valeriavescina.com

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 3d

"Rejection can be instructive, but only if you listen to what it’s trying to teach you. Otherwise, you will probably just keep taking rejection all wrong. So what lessons have I learned?" www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...? #WritingCommunity

‘Stay true to yourself – and fly closer to the sun’: what I’ve learned from 50 years of rejection

As a writer, I have been rejected thousands of times, and it initially led to shock, denial and anger. Then I accepted it. Here’s what you can gain from doing so too

www.theguardian.com

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 4d

Obligatory reading for readers and writers. How to safeguard independent publishers? They’re invaluable, taking “risks on books that have been ignored by the wider industry, launch careers and spark stylistic innovation”! #WritingCommunity
www.thebookseller.com/comment/open... #WritingCommunity

Open letter on the future of small press publishing in the UK

The industry must work together to ensure the longevity of the UK’s independent presses.

www.thebookseller.com

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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 5d

Our next #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview will be on Thursday 23 October. We’re excited to hear all about Stephanie‘s book, The Fire In Their Eyes @brethertonwords.bsky.social
Please join us. @valeriavescina.bsky.social will be hosting and everyone will have the chance to ask questions.

Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 5d

Hugely looking forward to interviewing @brethertonwords.bsky.social for our @womenwritersnet.bsky.social live #AuthorInterview of 23 October. SAVE THE DATE and join us as Stephanie tells us about her award-winning new novel, #TheFireInTheirEyes (@Breakthroughbooks.bsky.social)! #writing #reading

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Stephanie Bretherton @brethertonwords.bsky.social · 5d

Oooh, excited! But also a little bit nervous… though I know these are a lovely lot. Just not sure how quickly and sensibly I can type some proper answers! Why don’t you tune in and find out?

Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 5d

Hugely looking forward to interviewing @brethertonwords.bsky.social for our @womenwritersnet.bsky.social live #AuthorInterview of 23 October. SAVE THE DATE and join us as Stephanie tells us about her award-winning new novel, #TheFireInTheirEyes (@Breakthroughbooks.bsky.social)! #writing #reading

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 5d

What? Pics of snow, already?! ❄️ Yes: dates for the diary! 📆 The first of my three 2026 #writingretreats in the Swiss Alps will run from 1 to 7 March. To learn more about it: valeriavescina.com/teaching/wri... #writingretreat #WritingCommunity #writing #books #writerslife

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 5d

Hugely looking forward to interviewing @brethertonwords.bsky.social for our @womenwritersnet.bsky.social live #AuthorInterview of 23 October. SAVE THE DATE and join us as Stephanie tells us about her award-winning new novel, #TheFireInTheirEyes (@Breakthroughbooks.bsky.social)! #writing #reading

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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 5d

A ‘clearsighted and passionate exploration of the craft of memoir writing’
Wonderful review of Into Being by @lilydunn.bsky.social We can’t wait to get our hands on a copy. It sounds like essential reading for all memoirists.
#WomenWritersNet
www.rte.ie/culture/2025...

Book Of The Week: Exploring the radical craft of memoir

Towards the end of her clearsighted and passionate exploration of the craft of memoir writing, author Lily Dunn quotes memoirists she has interviewed for the book.

www.rte.ie

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European Writers Salon @saloneurope.bsky.social · 5d

✨ONLINE COURSE✨

Following the success of Julie’s Prose Poetry Workshop, we’re delighted to bring you our first longer course:

Exploring Poetic Concepts and Forms: A Poetry Workshop Series

Poster for course
Same details also in text

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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 5d

We love it that the Christopher Bland Prize recognises debut novelists and non-fiction writers over 50. Not all of us are spring chickens 😁 Now open for entries.
#WomenWritersNet

Royal Society of Literature @rsliterature.bsky.social · 8d

The 2026 Christopher Bland Prize is now open for entry 🏆

Closing 5pm on Friday 5 December 2025: https://rsliterature.org/rsl-christopher-bland-prize/

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Naomi Baker @drnaomibaker.bsky.social · 5d

One of the most daring theological works of the C17th, published by Elizabeth Avery in 1647. It reconsiders every mainstream Protestant teaching about the apocalypse, and caused her to be denounced as a heretic, including by her own brother. I tell Avery’s story in Voices of Thunder #earlymodern

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 6d

An informative and useful Substack article by @TheLincoln.bsky.social. "One thing writers should understand is how publishers sell books. Publishers do not sell books to readers per se. They sell to accounts."

To Understand What Books Are Published, You Must Understand How Books Are Sold

Plus cyborg baseball and the Anthropic AI author settlement info

countercraft.substack.com

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 6d

Hi Laura, registration is still open. Only the one-on-one sessions are sold out.

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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 7d

What do you do when all you've ever wanted to do is write but your life is just too busy? Our very own Liz Champion is struggling with this dilemma.
Read her Substack, Midlife without a Map. Touching, funny, honest.

lizchampion.substack.com/p/my-life-is...

My life is not working

I need to make a change

lizchampion.substack.com

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Madeleine F White @madeleinefwhite.bsky.social · 6d

Today's fab Showcase features:
Poetry from Mary herself, Lesley Forward, Bejamin Doteh, Natalie and fiction from Caroline Burrows.
Read the full showcase: pentoprint.org/showcase-bab...
#WritingCommunity #WednesdayMotivation #WriterWednesday #AmWriting #PoetryCommunity

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 7d

Registration for the @genevawriters.bsky.social Conference is now open. One of very few writers' conferences in Continental Europe, it takes place every two years. I attended the last one, and it was superb! genevawriters.org/gwg-conferen... #WritingCommunity #writing #writerslife

GWG Conference 2025

genevawriters.org

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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 7d

Looking for a tutored #writingretreat? I’m holding three in the Alps in 2026: in March, June and September. To learn more and to book: valeriavescina.com/teaching/wri... #writing #WritingCommunity #writingworkshop #holidays #writingcourse #writersretreat #writingadvice #writingtips #writerslife

Writing Retreats

Hasliberg – view from the lounge Creative writing retreats in idyllic Switzerland 7 – 13 September 2025 – completed 1 – 7 March 2026 14 – 20 June 2026 6 – 12 Sep…

valeriavescina.com