James Spackman
jamesspackman73.bsky.social
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
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.
February 14, 2026 at 11:52 AM
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
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
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
Reposted by James Spackman
My mate Stef and the amazing @xobikes.bsky.social (plus their new barbers' shop)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Bike mechanic scheme reduces prison leaver reoffending
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 8:38 PM
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
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 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
The one thing I would definitely wear if I was on The Traitors: *quiet shoes*
January 23, 2026 at 9:29 PM
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
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
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
January 12, 2026 at 10:20 AM
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
Dear X,

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
Benoit Blanc is so Shelby Foote 👌
December 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
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
Amadeus ep1: reet good imo
December 21, 2025 at 9:18 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
December 20, 2025 at 2:22 PM
This year’s card :)
December 16, 2025 at 1:37 PM
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 :)
HODDER & STOUGHTON OPEN SUBMISSIONS
Visit the post for more.
www.hodder.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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.
November 28, 2025 at 9:50 AM
This week's Book Pitch Doctor's Surgery is all about different types of publishing enthusiasm. Link here: mailchi.mp/ae28d1738360...
#booksky
November 28, 2025 at 9:55 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.
November 23, 2025 at 10:55 AM