James Spackman
@jamesspackman73.bsky.social
Literary agent, pitching coach, cyclist, lino printer https://linktr.ee/JamesSpackman
Reposted by James Spackman
been working with a few other booksellers from different shops to compile a contemporary dictionary of book trade slang. here is how it stands at the moment - please, if you are "in the trade", let us know what we've forgotten. (NOT lingo specific to just one shop, pls - only widely-understood terms
February 14, 2026 at 3:44 PM
been working with a few other booksellers from different shops to compile a contemporary dictionary of book trade slang. here is how it stands at the moment - please, if you are "in the trade", let us know what we've forgotten. (NOT lingo specific to just one shop, pls - only widely-understood terms
I doubled down (nearly) on 66 fascinating hours of the audiobook of The Power Broker, by listening to about 30 *more* hours of @romanmars.bsky.social and Elliott Kalan discuss it. Worth every second. Clever, funny, richly rewarding on every level. Sending warm vibes of gratitude to all involved.
Join Roman and Elliott one last time as they reflect on their journey with you all through The Power Broker, exploring their favorite moments and answering listener questions in this bonus episode.
The Power Broker Breakdown Wrap-Up
Join Roman and Elliott one last time as they reflect on their journey with you all through The Power Broker, exploring their favorite moments and answering listener questions in this bonus episode. If you finished The Power Broker with us (or know someone who did), get the 99PI Power Broker challenge coin to commemorate your achievement! Visit 99pi.org/store to get the challenge coin and other 99PI merch.
99percentinvisible.org
February 14, 2026 at 11:52 AM
I doubled down (nearly) on 66 fascinating hours of the audiobook of The Power Broker, by listening to about 30 *more* hours of @romanmars.bsky.social and Elliott Kalan discuss it. Worth every second. Clever, funny, richly rewarding on every level. Sending warm vibes of gratitude to all involved.
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery takes us back into trope-land. Link here: mailchi.mp/1d24ef8c1f20... #booksky
February 13, 2026 at 10:40 AM
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery takes us back into trope-land. Link here: mailchi.mp/1d24ef8c1f20... #booksky
Reposted by James Spackman
From tomorrow, @jamesbluecat.bsky.social will be coming to a @waterstones.bsky.social near you! Swipe through to see the full list. Do pop in to say hello, not least because he is bringing *multiple* Muppets t-shirts with him and we need photographic evidence: www.waterstones.com/events/searc...
February 9, 2026 at 11:54 AM
From tomorrow, @jamesbluecat.bsky.social will be coming to a @waterstones.bsky.social near you! Swipe through to see the full list. Do pop in to say hello, not least because he is bringing *multiple* Muppets t-shirts with him and we need photographic evidence: www.waterstones.com/events/searc...
why are templates in Outlook so shit? Why is *everything* in Outlook so shit? In fact, why is everything microsoft so shit? Accursed software.
February 9, 2026 at 12:49 PM
why are templates in Outlook so shit? Why is *everything* in Outlook so shit? In fact, why is everything microsoft so shit? Accursed software.
Reposted by James Spackman
My mate Stef and the amazing @xobikes.bsky.social (plus their new barbers' shop)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Bike mechanic scheme reduces prison leaver reoffending
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 8:38 PM
My mate Stef and the amazing @xobikes.bsky.social (plus their new barbers' shop)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by James Spackman
Waterstones, where I used to work as a bookseller, have made Pagans their Science Fiction/Fantasy book of the month (with two quid off). THE MOTHERSHIP HAS CALLED ME HOME. www.waterstones.com/campaign/boo...
Books of the Month | Waterstones
Discover our full range of books, gifts, toys, stationery and audiobooks at Waterstones.com. Click & Collect within 2 hours or buy online with Free UK Delivery on Orders Over £25.
www.waterstones.com
February 1, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Waterstones, where I used to work as a bookseller, have made Pagans their Science Fiction/Fantasy book of the month (with two quid off). THE MOTHERSHIP HAS CALLED ME HOME. www.waterstones.com/campaign/boo...
Reposted by James Spackman
This was ACTUAL FUN.
“There’s definitely stuff in there you couldn’t write into Bob The Builder…” Listen back to @jamesbluecat.bsky.social chatting about PAGANS with the wonderful @jumokefashola.bsky.social on BBC Radio London this morning: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Inspirit with Jumoké Fashola - 01/02/2026 - BBC Sounds
Reverend William Taylor, playwright Olga Braga and author James Alastair Henry.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 1:41 PM
This was ACTUAL FUN.
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery is all about the joy of tropes! Link here mailchi.mp/c00176d5dc2a... #booksky
January 30, 2026 at 1:19 PM
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery is all about the joy of tropes! Link here mailchi.mp/c00176d5dc2a... #booksky
The one thing I would definitely wear if I was on The Traitors: *quiet shoes*
January 23, 2026 at 9:29 PM
The one thing I would definitely wear if I was on The Traitors: *quiet shoes*
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery is all about the self consciousness of team pitching mailchi.mp/91e79b716d58...
January 16, 2026 at 3:34 PM
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery is all about the self consciousness of team pitching mailchi.mp/91e79b716d58...
Caught up with this. So good. Need to re-read a few of these for the names alone (think there was a Roman athlete called Gluteus Maximus??) ... and pretend I understood the satirical subtext all along 👍
The Backlisted Christmas special will be delivered overnight (see below). And there will be a Christmas Day instalment of INVENTORY available free to all subscribers tomorrow afternoon. Sign up now, then gather around your phone or laptop at 3pm. @backlisted.bsky.social www.patreon.com/backlisted
January 13, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Caught up with this. So good. Need to re-read a few of these for the names alone (think there was a Roman athlete called Gluteus Maximus??) ... and pretend I understood the satirical subtext all along 👍
So good!
What an incredible line-up?! So honoured that 5 More Minutes is amongst these!
If you agree with Andy that you need to own it, you can scoop one up here: hannahberry.bigcartel.com/product/5-mo...
Also at Gosh/Page 45/Dave’s/Cartoon Museum/Travelling Man/Kraken Comics if you’re in their vicinities
If you agree with Andy that you need to own it, you can scoop one up here: hannahberry.bigcartel.com/product/5-mo...
Also at Gosh/Page 45/Dave’s/Cartoon Museum/Travelling Man/Kraken Comics if you’re in their vicinities
January 12, 2026 at 10:20 AM
So good!
So lame of Labour politicians to adopt the Tory messaging tactic of using the word 'clear' as though it has magic properties.
January 6, 2026 at 12:26 PM
So lame of Labour politicians to adopt the Tory messaging tactic of using the word 'clear' as though it has magic properties.
Dear X,
This is a message from The Traitors.
The Traitors have murdered you, by order of The Traitors.
Signed, The Traitors
This is a message from The Traitors.
The Traitors have murdered you, by order of The Traitors.
Signed, The Traitors
January 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Dear X,
This is a message from The Traitors.
The Traitors have murdered you, by order of The Traitors.
Signed, The Traitors
This is a message from The Traitors.
The Traitors have murdered you, by order of The Traitors.
Signed, The Traitors
Benoit Blanc is so Shelby Foote 👌
December 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Benoit Blanc is so Shelby Foote 👌
I use Amazon more than I'd like, so I was pretty chuffed to get a Kobo reader for xmas. Now it's ebooks from them (and hopefully via @bookshop.org in future) and audiobooks from @xigxaguk.bsky.social hurrah.
December 27, 2025 at 11:40 AM
I use Amazon more than I'd like, so I was pretty chuffed to get a Kobo reader for xmas. Now it's ebooks from them (and hopefully via @bookshop.org in future) and audiobooks from @xigxaguk.bsky.social hurrah.
Amadeus ep1: reet good imo
December 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Amadeus ep1: reet good imo
Back from xmas shopping, pleased to report King's Road booksellers are nailing it. Staff at Sandoe and Waterstones ultra helpful (and speedy, and well-informed). Didn't buy anything at Book Bar but the vibes were welcoming and I'll be back there soon. Handshakes all round. Keep it up lads. #booksky
December 20, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Back from xmas shopping, pleased to report King's Road booksellers are nailing it. Staff at Sandoe and Waterstones ultra helpful (and speedy, and well-informed). Didn't buy anything at Book Bar but the vibes were welcoming and I'll be back there soon. Handshakes all round. Keep it up lads. #booksky
This year’s card :)
December 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
This year’s card :)
Reposted by James Spackman
Check it out!! Hodder & Stoughton have an open submission window for all fiction genres.
Get in quick.
Details in link.
Please share :)
Get in quick.
Details in link.
Please share :)
HODDER & STOUGHTON OPEN SUBMISSIONS
Visit the post for more.
www.hodder.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Check it out!! Hodder & Stoughton have an open submission window for all fiction genres.
Get in quick.
Details in link.
Please share :)
Get in quick.
Details in link.
Please share :)
Reposted by James Spackman
As a children’s bookseller I spent quite some time every week explaining two things - why visual literacy is important and why comic books are ‘real’ books.
And why certain books are better read when a child is older and more able to understand the emotional complexity on the page.
And why certain books are better read when a child is older and more able to understand the emotional complexity on the page.
November 28, 2025 at 9:50 AM
As a children’s bookseller I spent quite some time every week explaining two things - why visual literacy is important and why comic books are ‘real’ books.
And why certain books are better read when a child is older and more able to understand the emotional complexity on the page.
And why certain books are better read when a child is older and more able to understand the emotional complexity on the page.
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery is all about different types of publishing enthusiasm. Link here: mailchi.mp/ae28d1738360...
#booksky
#booksky
November 28, 2025 at 9:55 AM
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery is all about different types of publishing enthusiasm. Link here: mailchi.mp/ae28d1738360...
#booksky
#booksky
Weird to hear I Live You by Spacemen 3 on the soundtrack of Malice. Same side (crucially 🤓) of the same album as Big City, used in Succession.
November 23, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Weird to hear I Live You by Spacemen 3 on the soundtrack of Malice. Same side (crucially 🤓) of the same album as Big City, used in Succession.