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sflayzell.bsky.social
SF Layzell
@sflayzell.bsky.social
1.9K followers 1.4K following 410 posts
I write queer stories & edit books sometimes https://sflayzell.com/

Buy Cottonopolis, a MG set in 1840s Manchester, shortlisted for Little Rebels https://sflayzell.com/cottonopolis/

Views mine, contact via website
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sflayzell.bsky.social
SF Layzell @sflayzell.bsky.social · Aug 20
My publisher just sent me a video of the Little Rebels shortlist in the window of radical booksellers Housmans, including Cottonopolis!

www.instagram.com/reel/DNkmpTL...

As well as being in the window display (!), the book is also available to order from Housmans:
housmans.com/product/cott...
Reposted by SF Layzell
ianeagletonauthor.bsky.social
I’m wondering if any children’s publishers need a freelance writer to write reading scheme books for them or branded picture books etc? I’ve written reading scheme books for Star Wars and Disney before! Any shares would be amazing!

#BookSky #KidLit
November 16, 2025 at 6:12 PM
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sflayzell.bsky.social
"Inspired by the author’s own genealogy, Cottonopolis offers a still-too-rare (for children’s books) picture of working-class life which eschews sentimentality." Thank you Fen Coles for this review! booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/cotto...
Cottonopolis – Books For Keeps
booksforkeeps.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by SF Layzell
franmoldaschl.bsky.social
Sharing this again! I've since added the @saraband-books.bsky.social book 'Peat and Whisky: The Unbreakable Bond' by Mike Billett to this list, as well as 'The Zebra and Lord Jones' by Anna Vaught (and @renardpress.com )😍
franmoldaschl.bsky.social Fran Moldaschl - When The Giants Passed Through @franmoldaschl.bsky.social · 10d
As we're coming up to Christmas 🎄 I thought I'd highlight some indie-published books 📚 that I've loved this year, in case you'd like some recommendations for gifts. 🎁

I'll tag the publisher in each one, and then list some indie bookshops at the end.

Please, please add to this 🧵
November 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Reposted by SF Layzell
biggreenbooks.bsky.social
The Festive Big Green Book Swap is back!

Let me know the kind of stuff you like reading & I'll match you up with someone with similar tastes.

I'll then post you both a book I think you'll like (+ choc & tea).

Read, chat & eat choc!

Just £15!

DETAILS HERE.

www.biggreenbookshop.com/index.php
Two books, wrapped in christmas giftwrap. On each of the books is a bar of chocolate and a pack of pukka tea.
November 14, 2025 at 9:24 PM
sflayzell.bsky.social
"Inspired by the author’s own genealogy, Cottonopolis offers a still-too-rare (for children’s books) picture of working-class life which eschews sentimentality." Thank you Fen Coles for this review! booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/cotto...
Cottonopolis – Books For Keeps
booksforkeeps.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by SF Layzell
letterboxlibrary.bsky.social
Last week’s launch of @storymix.bsky.social The Other Father Christmas at Moon Lane Books truly had it all- from mince pies right through to a reading from the real Father Christmas aka Curtis Merriman.

Congrats to Jasmine Richards Priscilla Mante & @sha-hab.bsky.social
#KidLitUK

What a…
Photo of authors Priscilla Mante and Jasmine Richards. Both stand, smiling. Jasmine holds a hand bell & wears a Santa hat and is in a long red dress. Priscilla holds a copy of The Other Father Christmas and wears a knee length black/white dress & knee length boots. Surrounding is a bookshop. A back screen shows images from the book. Photo. A man dressed in deep dark red Father Christmas outfit reads from an iPad.
November 11, 2025 at 1:36 PM
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groomb.bsky.social
Remembering Elizabeth Gaskell, who died on this day 1865.
groomb.bsky.social Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · Mar 17
Made in Manchester: Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-65). Her wide-ranging work is valued for its social history, including first-hand accounts of Manchester’s poor, as well as its literary qualities. Much of what she wrote was innovatory or controversial. 1/5
November 12, 2025 at 8:31 AM
sflayzell.bsky.social
Great thread of festive shopping recommendations from indie publishers! #BookSky 📚💙
franmoldaschl.bsky.social Fran Moldaschl - When The Giants Passed Through @franmoldaschl.bsky.social · 10d
We've got our first @northodoxpress.bsky.social book now - the incredible Cottonopolis by @sflayzell.bsky.social

I read this months ago and I *still* find myself thinking about it.

Queer, working-class, northern historical fiction for young adults. Chef's kiss - no notes.
The cover for Cottonopolis by S F Layzell
November 8, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Reposted by SF Layzell
norfolkbookworm.bsky.social
Very pleased to see the Giving Tree back in @waterstones.bsky.social #Norwich.

All the tags represent a book choice from one of Norfolk's looked after children and ensures they get a book for Christmas.
I didn't have time to browse today so got a voucher for staff to use picking books.
#BookSky 📚💙
A decorative wooden Christmas tree covered in handwritten tags standing next to bookshelves on a red carpet. Each tag is a book request from one of Norfolk's looked after children and means they get a book they really want for Christmas
November 3, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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northodoxpress.bsky.social
Have you ordered your copy of our brand new dystopia novel, The Year of the Rat, yet?

An intriguing read from the brilliant KJ Taylor and another addition to our recent incredible SFF titles!

Browse our store here:
share.google/0SUOI5QoDqPM...
November 7, 2025 at 9:52 AM
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nionwomen.bsky.social
🏊‍♀️The women who swim at Kenwood Ladies Pond have already made their decision.

In 2024, almost 900 members voted to keep their trans-inclusive policy - a policy that has worked peacefully since 2019.

Now, a small campaign group is seeking to overturn that democratic decision through the courts.

1/5
NION Women Rejects Anti-Trans Narrative at Kenwood Ladies Pond Image of women swimming in the wild
November 7, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by SF Layzell
sndlstudio.bsky.social
i don't respect the grind. some of you need to go to bed and take it easy this weekend
November 7, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by SF Layzell
mombian.bsky.social
Today is Transgender Parent Day, so here’s to the trans parents of today and tomorrow—and of the past, on whose shoulders they stand. Please enjoy this profile of Billy Tipton (1914-1989), a jazz bandleader, father of three sons, and a trans man. mombian.com/2025/11/02/r...
Remembering Billy Tipton on Trans Parent Day - Mombian
Today is Transgender Parent Day, so here's to the trans parents of today and tomorrow---and of the past, on whose shoulders they stand. Please enjoy this profile of Billy Tipton (1914-1989), a jazz ba...
mombian.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:07 PM
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littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Something for all you Big Rebels to get behind!

A callout to UK indie booksellers to amplify Day of the Imprisoned Writer / 15th November.
englishpen.bsky.social English PEN @englishpen.bsky.social · Oct 15
Calling all indie bookshops... 📣

Take part in our #PENWrites letter-writing campaign in solidarity with writers in prison for Day of the Imprisoned Writer on 15 November.

Find out more & sign up ⬇️
www.englishpen.org/posts/campai...
PENWrites x Day of the Imprisoned Writer - English PEN
Bookshops: join us to send messages of solidarity to imprisoned writers around the world
www.englishpen.org
October 21, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by SF Layzell
sflayzell.bsky.social
My books are in a Halloween sale til 1 Nov! 👻🏳️‍🌈

Cottonopolis is a queer historical novel. Shortlisted for the 2025 #LittleRebelsAward 🎪
www.northodox.co.uk/product-page...

The Ballad of the Fen Violets combines history, folklore & adventure. Coming out in 2026 🦢
www.northodox.co.uk/product-page...
A graphic showing the cover of Cottonopolis on the left (one white girl and one Black girl in 1800s dress against a background of stars in the colours of the lesbian pride flag). On the right is some descriptive text: Little Rebels Award 2025 shortlist, a magical middlegrade full of marvel and mischief A graphic showing an orange cobweb and bats on a black backgrouns. In the bottom right is the Northodox Press logo. The text reads: 15% off this spooky season. Use the code HALLOWEEN25
October 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by SF Layzell
alomshaha.bsky.social
Sharing this again because an actual child read a book I wrote for children and wrote a whole review about it that is just so ridiculously charming that you should read it regardless of whether you have any interest in the book
alomshaha.bsky.social Alom Shaha @alomshaha.bsky.social · 19d
“I just want a moment to say how amazing and wonderful this book was and how much fun it was to read“ - delightful, comprehensive review of “About Time” by a NINE year-old!!!
Review: 'About Time: A Children's Guide To The History And Science Of Time'
As reviewed by a 9-year-old.
www.hodinkee.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Reposted by SF Layzell
mombian.bsky.social
LGBTQ parents and our children have a long history, arguably going back to Sappho (c. 600 BCE), who may have had a child. For LGBTQ History Month, I’m sharing some resources I’ve put together on this long and varied history, including a handy timeline of key milestones. mombian.com/2025/10/28/a...
An LGBTQ Parenting History Timeline and More Resources for Remembering Our Roots - Mombian
LGBTQ parents and our children have a long history, arguably going back to Sappho (c. 600 BCE), who may have had a child. For LGBTQ History Month, I'm sharing some resources I've put together on this ...
mombian.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Reposted by SF Layzell
franmoldaschl.bsky.social
This book is SO good. I keep thinking about in as I go about my day and its been months since I read it.
sflayzell.bsky.social SF Layzell @sflayzell.bsky.social · 20d
My books are in a Halloween sale til 1 Nov! 👻🏳️‍🌈

Cottonopolis is a queer historical novel. Shortlisted for the 2025 #LittleRebelsAward 🎪
www.northodox.co.uk/product-page...

The Ballad of the Fen Violets combines history, folklore & adventure. Coming out in 2026 🦢
www.northodox.co.uk/product-page...
A graphic showing the cover of Cottonopolis on the left (one white girl and one Black girl in 1800s dress against a background of stars in the colours of the lesbian pride flag). On the right is some descriptive text: Little Rebels Award 2025 shortlist, a magical middlegrade full of marvel and mischief A graphic showing an orange cobweb and bats on a black backgrouns. In the bottom right is the Northodox Press logo. The text reads: 15% off this spooky season. Use the code HALLOWEEN25
October 27, 2025 at 4:21 PM
sflayzell.bsky.social
My books are in a Halloween sale til 1 Nov! 👻🏳️‍🌈

Cottonopolis is a queer historical novel. Shortlisted for the 2025 #LittleRebelsAward 🎪
www.northodox.co.uk/product-page...

The Ballad of the Fen Violets combines history, folklore & adventure. Coming out in 2026 🦢
www.northodox.co.uk/product-page...
A graphic showing the cover of Cottonopolis on the left (one white girl and one Black girl in 1800s dress against a background of stars in the colours of the lesbian pride flag). On the right is some descriptive text: Little Rebels Award 2025 shortlist, a magical middlegrade full of marvel and mischief A graphic showing an orange cobweb and bats on a black backgrouns. In the bottom right is the Northodox Press logo. The text reads: 15% off this spooky season. Use the code HALLOWEEN25
October 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by SF Layzell
ravenbooks.bsky.social
Today's #IrishBookWeek prompt is: Share an Irish book you are going to read next📚☘

Going for a classic next week for Halloween: Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-1873). "Pre-dating Dracula by twenty-six years, Carmilla is the original vampire story, steeped in sapphic sexual tension and gothic romance."
October 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
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northodoxpress.bsky.social
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨

It's coming up to Halloween, it's cold, it's dark and it's perfect reading-with-a-biscuit-blanket-and-side-light weather.

So why not treat yourself one of our fabulous tomes with 15% off! All orders and preorders until 1st November!
share.google/7fvgFAwRlWUp...
October 24, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by SF Layzell
littlerebsprize.bsky.social
Playing #LittleRebelsAward 2025 Shortlistee Catchup…

And @sflayzell.bsky.social marked #BookshopDay with a visit to one of the award organisers: glorious @housmansbookshop.bsky.social a happy hive of radical bookishness.

Pick up your copy of Cottonopolis when you’re next there, folk!
#KidLitUK
sflayzell.bsky.social SF Layzell @sflayzell.bsky.social · Oct 11
Happy Bookshop Day! Last week I visited my book Cottonopolis at radical booksellers Housmans nr Kings Cross London. If only I could stretch big enough to hug the whole shop.

If you're after a historical LGBTQ novel for readers young and old, find it here ❤️🏳️‍🌈
housmans.com/product/cott...
Image shows the front window of a small but perfectly formed bookshop. There is a book trolley in the foreground, and behind the book trolley is a smiling person in a blue coat, stretching their arms wide to showcase the window display.
October 24, 2025 at 10:34 AM
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queerliblib.bsky.social
💜✨ Hey QLL! It’s our BIRTHDAY!
It’s our birthday! we’re 2! over a speckled background with a light green frame. the QLL logo wears a party hat in the center
October 23, 2025 at 1:20 PM
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smallpublishers.bsky.social
Edited by novelist and short story writer @nicholasroyle.bsky.social, Manchester-based @nightjarpress.bsky.social publishes limited edition single short-story chapbooks by individual authors. Browse and buy their titles at #smallpublishersfair25, London, Fri 24 / Sat 25 Oct
smallpublishersfair.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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emvchung.bsky.social
Was Manchester really as segregated as Engels said? What kept the rich and poor apart.... if anything? My first article is out today in @historicaljnl.bsky.social and I'm so pleased to share it with you all! doi:10.1017/S0018246X25101246
@stjohnscollege.bsky.social @camunicampop.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 7:17 AM