Sam Humphreys
@sjheditor.bsky.social
Editorial consultant and freelance editor with 20+ years in-house experience including PRH & Pan Macmillan: [email protected]
Likes: books, birds, babies, sun, v weak coffee
Collects: doors, dogs, clutter
Opinions: mine
Pronouns: she/her
Likes: books, birds, babies, sun, v weak coffee
Collects: doors, dogs, clutter
Opinions: mine
Pronouns: she/her
Back when I started as an editor, email (rather than physical) submissions had become a thing but we still had to print them out to read… I became OBSESSED with finding the PERFECT manuscript bag.
February 13, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Back when I started as an editor, email (rather than physical) submissions had become a thing but we still had to print them out to read… I became OBSESSED with finding the PERFECT manuscript bag.
I got my first job in publishing in 2002. Looking back now it seems incredible, but at the time agents still submitted physical manuscripts by post. And publishers read and then returned them by post (unless they made an offer on them, of course). Agents and publishers spent a FORTUNE on postage!
February 11, 2026 at 12:20 PM
I got my first job in publishing in 2002. Looking back now it seems incredible, but at the time agents still submitted physical manuscripts by post. And publishers read and then returned them by post (unless they made an offer on them, of course). Agents and publishers spent a FORTUNE on postage!
I’ve not been very active on here but have decided that’s got to change! I used to love bookish Twitter and really miss engaging with people there — so I’ve made a (very belated!) New Year’s resolution to visit blue sky more regularly…
February 11, 2026 at 11:56 AM
I’ve not been very active on here but have decided that’s got to change! I used to love bookish Twitter and really miss engaging with people there — so I’ve made a (very belated!) New Year’s resolution to visit blue sky more regularly…
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
Congratulations to you all, you have completed January. Please progress to Level 2.
January 31, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Congratulations to you all, you have completed January. Please progress to Level 2.
That dark patch on my jeans? Yes, that’s epoxy glue. It is not meant to be on my jeans. It is… very solid.
January 31, 2026 at 7:27 PM
That dark patch on my jeans? Yes, that’s epoxy glue. It is not meant to be on my jeans. It is… very solid.
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
I often wonder if those criticising the current Prime Minister remember any of the previous five.
January 31, 2026 at 9:55 AM
I often wonder if those criticising the current Prime Minister remember any of the previous five.
All three of my orchids are flowering, at the same time. I think this might be the greatest achievement of my life.
January 29, 2026 at 9:15 PM
All three of my orchids are flowering, at the same time. I think this might be the greatest achievement of my life.
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
What's the point of the state if it's not managing basic resources and industries. Railways, healthcare, power, water, post office and more should be publicly owned. In any sane system this wouldn't even be up for debate.
January 29, 2026 at 3:55 PM
What's the point of the state if it's not managing basic resources and industries. Railways, healthcare, power, water, post office and more should be publicly owned. In any sane system this wouldn't even be up for debate.
I have ALWAYS wanted a little armoured one…
The word armadillo is borrowed from Spanish and simply means “little armored one.” But an even better word for an armadillo, in my opinion, is the Nahuatl ayotochtli. It means “turtle rabbit.”
January 29, 2026 at 8:27 PM
I have ALWAYS wanted a little armoured one…
I’ve been freelancing for just over a year now, and have completed my first ever tax return (ahead of deadline too!). It’s actually surprised me how much I’ve enjoyed freelancing; I thought I’d miss having both a routine and colleagues — but a couple of things have really helped…
January 22, 2026 at 9:31 AM
I’ve been freelancing for just over a year now, and have completed my first ever tax return (ahead of deadline too!). It’s actually surprised me how much I’ve enjoyed freelancing; I thought I’d miss having both a routine and colleagues — but a couple of things have really helped…
I kept making M switch seats with me last night, because he claimed he couldn’t hear the strange noise I could. Turns out it was my tinnitus up to its old tricks again.
January 22, 2026 at 9:27 AM
I kept making M switch seats with me last night, because he claimed he couldn’t hear the strange noise I could. Turns out it was my tinnitus up to its old tricks again.
I often read the plaques on benches in the parks. They’re all poignant, of course, but some are particularly heart-breaking.
January 21, 2026 at 5:43 PM
I often read the plaques on benches in the parks. They’re all poignant, of course, but some are particularly heart-breaking.
On my way into London, wearing the 12-y-o’s coat and boots.
(If you’ve not met me and am imagining I’m particularly petite, I’m actually 5’10’’ and have size 7 feet…)
(If you’ve not met me and am imagining I’m particularly petite, I’m actually 5’10’’ and have size 7 feet…)
January 21, 2026 at 5:31 PM
On my way into London, wearing the 12-y-o’s coat and boots.
(If you’ve not met me and am imagining I’m particularly petite, I’m actually 5’10’’ and have size 7 feet…)
(If you’ve not met me and am imagining I’m particularly petite, I’m actually 5’10’’ and have size 7 feet…)
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
No, l did not 'reach out' to you, l sent you a fucking email.
January 11, 2026 at 2:55 PM
No, l did not 'reach out' to you, l sent you a fucking email.
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
I for one am absolutely ASTONISHED that privatising our public services in order to make shareholders rich didn't result in better, cheaper, more efficient public services.
January 6, 2026 at 11:55 AM
I for one am absolutely ASTONISHED that privatising our public services in order to make shareholders rich didn't result in better, cheaper, more efficient public services.
I have just found out it is cardamom not cardamon and my mind has imploded.
January 4, 2026 at 9:39 PM
I have just found out it is cardamom not cardamon and my mind has imploded.
Love this house for sale sign in a local estate agents…
December 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Love this house for sale sign in a local estate agents…
I have a gorgeous print by Claire; am not at home atm so can’t post a picture of it but can attest to how beautiful her work is…
Sorry to add to the noise but just a reminder that I have some lovely art in my shop which would make really unique Christmas presents. Framed drawings that can go straight on the wall, plus unframed work if you’d prefer to frame yourself. And affordable prints from £30. claireleach.com/shop
December 17, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I have a gorgeous print by Claire; am not at home atm so can’t post a picture of it but can attest to how beautiful her work is…
❤️
For many years I have been posting little observations online. What you may not know is that for many years, artists have been illustrating them - for no reason other than they wanted to respond. Below is a thread of some of these beautiful drawings because they should be seen 🧵
December 17, 2025 at 5:17 PM
❤️
Reposted by Sam Humphreys
Look, you can have low taxation or you can have functioning public services. You can't have both. Lots of people, including the UK government, seem to have forgotten this fact. Taxation isn't theft. It's the foundation of society.
December 13, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Look, you can have low taxation or you can have functioning public services. You can't have both. Lots of people, including the UK government, seem to have forgotten this fact. Taxation isn't theft. It's the foundation of society.
Dear iPhone,
You are often very good at grouping together pictures of certain people and pets, but, no, none of these photos show my Jack Russell — although he was indeed mainly white with black spots…
You are often very good at grouping together pictures of certain people and pets, but, no, none of these photos show my Jack Russell — although he was indeed mainly white with black spots…
November 22, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Dear iPhone,
You are often very good at grouping together pictures of certain people and pets, but, no, none of these photos show my Jack Russell — although he was indeed mainly white with black spots…
You are often very good at grouping together pictures of certain people and pets, but, no, none of these photos show my Jack Russell — although he was indeed mainly white with black spots…
Sometimes you have to read a tweet aloud before it makes sense…
Right up until my 20s I wondered why I never saw a copy of Donkey Otie in bookshops or libraries, even though it seemed to be quite well known
November 15, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Sometimes you have to read a tweet aloud before it makes sense…
Was in town earlier today and saw a sobbing child, wailing plaintively to her (I assume) mum, “I’ll never, never, NEVER be that brave.” The heartbreak…
November 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Was in town earlier today and saw a sobbing child, wailing plaintively to her (I assume) mum, “I’ll never, never, NEVER be that brave.” The heartbreak…