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whatsfsaid.bsky.social
SF Said
@whatsfsaid.bsky.social
10K followers 2.5K following 1.2K posts
Author of the Varjak Paw books, Phoenix and TYGER! I also write about children's books & all things connected - libraries, literacy & reading for pleasure.
http://www.sfsaid.com/
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whatsfsaid.bsky.social
BOOK GIVEAWAY!!! I'm not on social media much at the moment, working hard on my new book, which I feel sure will be my best one yet when it's done! In the meantime, I'm giving away signed copies of all my books so far. Follow & repost to enter, and say which book you'd like & why. Closes Dec 5!
Graphic showing the covers of all 4 books by SF Said - Varjak Paw, The Outlaw Varjak Paw, Phoenix and Tyger - all illustrated by Dave McKean
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
Incredible news: Tyger is a bestseller in the US! THANK YOU to everyone @penguinschoollib.bsky.social for bringing it to the US, everyone @barnesandnoble.com for making it their monthly pick, and all the brilliant booksellers, educators & librarians who've embraced the book & made dreams come true!
Bestseller announcement poster for TYGER by SF Said illustrated by Dave McKean, with the incredible words "AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER" above a picture of the book cover, showing half a tyger's face, some interior artwork from the book, showing a tyger in the forests of the night, and a picture of the author
August 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
Why read books? Because books are still the most powerful, reliable, transportive & magical storytelling technology we've invented - and all they need to work is YOUR OWN IMAGINATION! #booksky

(Cartoon by @mariascrivan.bsky.social)
Cartoon by Maria Scrivan: Benefits of Books, with a graphic of a book and its benefits: no glare, no battery, dog ears, probably won't get stolen at the beach, smells good, no pop up ads
August 4, 2025 at 5:57 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
We are all shaped by great children's writers. For me, the list includes Dr Seuss, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Richard Adams, Ursula K Le Guin, Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman & more... I wrote about some of them in this post:
www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sf-said...
#KidsBooksFriday
Cover of The Cat In The Hat by Dr Seuss Cover of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Cover of A Wizard Of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin Cover of Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman
August 1, 2025 at 7:36 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
TYGER was such a hard book to write, so it's been incredibly moving for me to see it being @barnesandnoble.com Young Reader Monthly Pick. Huge thanks to all the brilliant booksellers who've embraced it - and here's a blog collecting some of my favourite posts!
www.sfsaid.com/2025/07/tyge...
Barnes & Noble bookseller making a fantastic tyger growl, brandishing a copy of TYGER by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean Barnes & Noble bookseller holding up an open copy of TYGER by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean Barnes & Noble bookseller with an amazing display for TYGER by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean Barnes & Noble bookseller in a fantastic tyger print shirt, next to a stunning display for TYGER by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean
August 1, 2025 at 7:27 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
Why read books? Because there's a book for EVERYONE out there. And once you find the right book - reading will change your life forever! #literacy

(Art: Charles M Schulz)
Cartoon by Charles M Schulz showing the Peanuts gang reading - Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and Woodstock all with books - Woodstock weighed down by War And Peace!
July 28, 2025 at 7:51 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
Whenever I talk to kids in schools, their eyes light up the moment I say the word "manga". When they understand that reading manga counts as reading - reading is suddenly cool and exciting! Here's few I've been recommended by kids themselves (and enjoyed myself!) #KidLitUK #literacy
Cover of One Piece manga volume 1 by Eiichiro Odo Cover of Dragon Ball manga volume 1 by Akira Toriyama Cover of Naruto manga volume 1 by Masashi Kishimoto Cover of Fullmetal Alchemist manga volume 1 by Hiromu Arakawa
July 28, 2025 at 7:47 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
When you spend 9 years writing a book, as I did with Tyger, there's nothing nicer than visiting brilliant bookshops & being asked to sign your book! I had a wonderful time at Salts Mill signing Tygers. If you're anywhere near Saltaire, do go & visit them - it's an amazing place!
www.saltsmill.org.uk
Author SF Said with copies of his book Tyger, illustrated by Dave McKean, at the bookshop in Salts Mill, Saltaire. Also pictured is a brilliant bookshop tiger with sunglasses! Author SF Said with copies of his book Tyger, illustrated by Dave McKean, at the bookshop in Salts Mill, Saltaire. Also pictured is a brilliant bookshop tiger with sunglasses!
July 24, 2025 at 2:19 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
If you want to get kids excited about reading a book - show them this Tyger book trailer that @barnesandnoble.com & @penguinschoollib.bsky.social have just dropped! Please do have a look, Dave McKean's incredible artwork just takes my breath away:
instagram.com/p/DMDLm9fvq9g/
Screenshot of book trailer for Tyger by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean - screenshot from Instagram shows illustration of the River Thames in an alternate 21st Century London, where Tyger is set, with comments from Instagram users on the right.
July 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
I totally support the National Year Of Reading initiative. We desperately need a culture of reading for pleasure to replace the culture of constant testing in schools, backed by proper government funding. And we need STORYTIME to be part of the school day, every day! #literacy

(Art: Chris Riddell)
Quote by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Chris Riddell: "Let there be half an hour of STORYTIME at the end of school in primary schools up and down the country. Make this the half hour they all long for, that they don't want to be over. Let the children go home dreaming of the story, reliving it, wondering." Illustration shows dreamy bookish child holding a book, bear with scarf, flying ship and dragon...
July 8, 2025 at 9:56 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
When I was a child, my grandfather would take me to bookshops as a treat. They're still where I go when I want to feel inspired. So I'm blown away that Tyger is a @barnesandnoble.com Monthly Pick. THANK YOU to all the amazing booksellers out there - it really means the world to me!
Bookseller in Barnes & Noble Coral Ridge bookstore holding up Tyger by SF Said - book cover by Dave McKean showing a tyger's face. Young Reader Monthly Pick book display in Barnes & Noble Gaithersburg, Maryland, featuring Tyger by SF Said illustrated by Dave McKean - photo by @santiagocasares.bsky.social‬
July 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
This week, #KidsBooksFriday is about epic series recommendations! So I'm recommending Diana Wynne Jones's Chrestomanci books. Perfect if you want magic, alternate worlds & some of the best writing EVER. The first one is Charmed Life; once I read it, I couldn't stop until I'd read them all! #KidLitUK
Graphic showing the covers of all seven of Diana Wynne Jones's Chrestomanci books: Charmed Life, The Magicians Of Caprona, Witch Week, The Lives Of Christopher Chant, Mixed Magic, Conrad's Fate and The Pinhoe Egg. (Though personally, I would read The Lives Of Christopher Chant after Charmed Life and before The Magicians Of Caprona!)
July 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
TYGER is released today in the US! It's an extraordinary moment for me to see the book published there - I hope it finds readers, and brings them sparks of hope & light. Dave McKean's incredible art still takes my breath away!
@penguinschoollib.bsky.social

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753600...
Poster for the publication of the US edition of TYGER by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean, showing the book cover and some interior artwork of a tyger, with the words "There are three doors that I may show you. You will find a different kind of power behind each one..."
July 1, 2025 at 7:39 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
Thank you so much - I love the cover too! It's the work of the brilliant @davemckean.bsky.social - as is all the interior art. Here's one of my favourite pictures from the book:
Image by Dave McKean from Tyger by SF Said, showing a tyger leaping through space and time and dimensions....
June 24, 2025 at 7:50 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
It's an emotional moment for me to hold the US edition of TYGER in my hands. I put 9 years of my life into writing it because I believe children's books are the most important books of all. Thank you @penguinschoollib.bsky.social for bringing it to the US!
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/753600...
Author SF Said holding a copy of his new book TYGER, illustrated by Dave McKean, face out - the cover shows the face of a TYGER!
June 23, 2025 at 7:23 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
Tyger is coming to the US in July! I'm blown away by this review from an indie bookseller & beyond excited that it's going to be a Kids’ Indie Next List Pick! Huge & heartfelt thanks to Hezekiah Olorode & all the amazing booksellers across the US for supporting this book - it means the world to me!
Poster saying that TYGER by SF Said is a Kids Indie Next List Pick for July/August 2025, illustrated by the cover of the book and interior art (all by Dave McKean) showing a tyger! Screenshot of an indie bookseller's review for Tyger by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean: "Tyger is a breathtaking story of courage, creativity, and resistance. With themes of anticolonialism, anticapitalism, and the power of empathy, this book reminds us that young minds can shape the world, if only we let them." - Hezekiah Olorode, Old Town Books, Alexandra, VA
June 18, 2025 at 7:28 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
I'm so excited that TYGER is coming to the US in July! If you're on insta, @penguinschoollib.bsky.social have just dropped the first book trailer for it there – and it is a thing of absolute beauty! Just have a look at this...
www.instagram.com/p/DK0YSSgMtzb/
Screenshot of instagram post showing the book trailer for Tyger by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean - screenshot shows the book cover framed by the words AN UNFORGETTABLE MIDDLE GRADE ADVENTURE
June 16, 2025 at 6:58 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
Reading with children changes their lives forever, and EVERY SINGLE CHILD is entitled to this right! That's why I support the #ReadingRights campaign. The full report is out today from @booktrust.org.uk & @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social: please read & share!
www.booktrust.org.uk/about-us/rea...
Poster supporting the BookTrust/Children's Laureate Reading Rights campaign, with illustration by Chris Riddell of a reader with books
May 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
Come to @staustelllitfest.bsky.social! I'll be talking about reading for pleasure in an event for school staff on 12 June; then doing a solo event & a panel for Schools' Day 13 June - bring your kids!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/cornwall-edu...

staustellfestivalofchildrensliterature.com/2025-festiva...
Poster for SF Said event in St Austell Lit Fest Schools' Day 13 June, From Varjak Paw To Tyger, showing the author and the cover of Tyger Poster for Panel event in St Austell LitFest Schools' Day 13 June, showing the authors SF Said, Stew Foster & Cath Howe
May 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
I'm talking about TYGER at @slj.com Day Of Dialog in a Myth, Magic & Legends panel. I'll be showing some of @davemckean.bsky.social's stunning art from the book, like this image of the Underground Library, where the Underground Librarians hold the secrets of the world...
www.slj.com/event/school...
Illustration by Dave McKean from Tyger by SF Said, showing the entrance to the Underground Library beneath the streets of an alternate London
May 16, 2025 at 1:51 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
An island of strangers? Just imagine British children's books without the work of migrants & their children – all of these & more!
www.sfsaid.com/2017/02/one-...
Graphic showing British children's book covers: Matilda, The Tiger Who Came To Tea, Meg and Mog, Coming To England, The Gruffalo, Who's Going On A Bear Hunt, Horrid Henry, Journey To The River Sea, A Monster Calls, How I Live Now, Noughts & Crosses, The Girl Of Ink & Stars, Tall Staroy, Oliver & The Seawigs, Face, Varjak Paw
May 14, 2025 at 8:21 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
I'm so excited to be part of the @slj.com Day Of Dialog! I'm talking about TYGER in a Myth, Magic & Legends panel, free for all to view, esp librarians & educators. Streaming live May 22 1.35-2.35pm ET, then on demand. Register here! #SLJDOD @penguinschoollib.bsky.social

www.slj.com/event/school...
Flyer for SLJ Day Of Dialog free virtual event, May 22 2025, showing readers and books! Dave McKean's beautiful wraparound cover for TYGER by SF Said, showing the face of a tyger, inside which are details of a strange alternate London, and possibly infinity...
May 14, 2025 at 8:18 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
I am often asked how to get boys into reading. I honestly don't think boys are different to anyone else. If you want them to love reading - JUST LET THEM READ THINGS THEY LOVE! Whatever those things might be, they are the things that make us all into readers. #literacy

(Art: Bill Watterson)
Cartoon by Bill Watterson showing Calvin and Hobbes happily reading comics
April 14, 2025 at 6:29 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
I love libraries - Tyger was written in my local public library. So it means more than I can say that the very first American review for Tyger is in @ala-booklist.bsky.social, and it's the kind of review writers dream about. Thank you Beth Rosania, @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social, and all librarians!
ALA Booklist starred review of Tyger by SF Said, with cover & illustrations by Dave McKean, including extraordinary lines like: "An amazing fantasy that will change its readers. A must-buy for all libraries."
April 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
whatsfsaid.bsky.social
I was horrified to find EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY BOOKS had been plundered without my consent by the Meta AI book thieves. It's a violation & is wrong in every way. Please support us by signing this @societyofauthors.bsky.social petition and get them to #DoTheWriteThing!
www.change.org/p/protect-au...
#DoTheWriteThing poster for the Society Of Authors campaign, showing authors protesting against the theft of their work by Meta AI
April 4, 2025 at 7:48 PM