W. J. Davies
@wjdavies.bsky.social
Writer and critic. Essays, fiction and reviews in the Times Literary Supplement, Slightly Foxed, Exacting Clam, Review 31, Poetry Birmingham. Author of Beckett and the Second World War (Bloomsbury)
https://linktr.ee/wjdavies
https://linktr.ee/wjdavies
Congratulations to @cdrose.bsky.social. We Live Here Now is one of the funniest and most inventive novels I've read in a long time. Well deserved!
We are delighted to announce that the winner of the Goldsmiths Prize 2025 is C.D. Rose's We Live Here Now! 🎉🎉
Congratulations Chris! 👏👏
Congratulations Chris! 👏👏
November 30, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Congratulations to @cdrose.bsky.social. We Live Here Now is one of the funniest and most inventive novels I've read in a long time. Well deserved!
Just in time for Christmas, Exacting Clam comes along with its Dada special issue. I've an interview with translator Catherine Schelbert, @br0phy.bsky.social reviews a new Ashbery bio, and C J Patrick has some exquisite poems on show, plus more besides. www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-19...
No. 19 — Winter 2025 | Exacting Clam
The Discerning Mollusk’s Guide to Arts and Ideas: THE DADA ISSUE. Contributions by Liza Achilles, Terena Elizabeth Bell, Greg Bem, Eric Bies, Christopher Boucher, Ian Boulton, James Brophy, Niamh Mac ...
www.exactingclam.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Just in time for Christmas, Exacting Clam comes along with its Dada special issue. I've an interview with translator Catherine Schelbert, @br0phy.bsky.social reviews a new Ashbery bio, and C J Patrick has some exquisite poems on show, plus more besides. www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-19...
Thanks to @slightlyfoxed.bsky.social for including my piece on Peter Ross's Steeple Chasing in the upcoming winter Foxed Quarterly.
foxedquarterly.com/shop/slightl...
foxedquarterly.com/shop/slightl...
Slightly Foxed Issue 88
In this issue: Laurie Graham relishes a story of mushrooms and murder • Sam Leith pays homage to The Once and Future King . . .
foxedquarterly.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Thanks to @slightlyfoxed.bsky.social for including my piece on Peter Ross's Steeple Chasing in the upcoming winter Foxed Quarterly.
foxedquarterly.com/shop/slightl...
foxedquarterly.com/shop/slightl...
My interview with Peter Robinson about his new Selected Poems, Return to Sendai, is available to read for free with The High Window: thehighwindowpress.com/2025/09/26/p...
Peter Robinson: Return to Sendai
***** Peter Robinson is currently Professor English and American Literature at the University of Reading, and poetry editor for Two Rivers Press and The Fortnightly Review. The author of many books…
thehighwindowpress.com
September 27, 2025 at 1:58 PM
My interview with Peter Robinson about his new Selected Poems, Return to Sendai, is available to read for free with The High Window: thehighwindowpress.com/2025/09/26/p...
Sound advice from the cleric Sydney Smith, courtesy of Stephen Bayley in this quarter’s Slightly Foxed @slightlyfoxed.bsky.social.
August 30, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Sound advice from the cleric Sydney Smith, courtesy of Stephen Bayley in this quarter’s Slightly Foxed @slightlyfoxed.bsky.social.
Stuff these, Dirk Bogarde’s spoken word album Lyrics for Lovers is on Spotify.
New records out today by CMAT, Blood Orange and The Beaches. Glorious.
August 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Stuff these, Dirk Bogarde’s spoken word album Lyrics for Lovers is on Spotify.
New records out today by CMAT, Blood Orange and The Beaches. Glorious.
August 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
New records out today by CMAT, Blood Orange and The Beaches. Glorious.
Reposted by W. J. Davies
It's true! Julia Roberts will be narrating Leonard and Hungry Paul.
She read the book when it came out and her agent got in touch to say she really liked it. But I never thought things would go this far.
Delighted.
www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...
She read the book when it came out and her agent got in touch to say she really liked it. But I never thought things would go this far.
Delighted.
www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...
Julia Roberts to narrate new BBC series Leonard and Hungry Paul
The feel-good series follows two board-gaming friends in their thirties who meander through leafy suburban life finding solace in their quiet routines
www.bbc.com
August 29, 2025 at 7:52 AM
It's true! Julia Roberts will be narrating Leonard and Hungry Paul.
She read the book when it came out and her agent got in touch to say she really liked it. But I never thought things would go this far.
Delighted.
www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...
She read the book when it came out and her agent got in touch to say she really liked it. But I never thought things would go this far.
Delighted.
www.bbc.com/mediacentre/...
Reposted by W. J. Davies
My thoughts on the remarkable fiction of Paul Griffiths in the latest issue of Exacting Clam
www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18...
www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18...
Paul Griffith's let me tell you and let me go on | Exacting Clam
www.exactingclam.com
August 22, 2025 at 5:02 AM
My thoughts on the remarkable fiction of Paul Griffiths in the latest issue of Exacting Clam
www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18...
www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18...
Reposted by W. J. Davies
My review of C.D. Rose’s superb new novel, We Live Here Now, is in the latest TLS @thetls.bsky.social.
The dark side of the Durrells; Oscar Wilde’s conversion; making and describing great wine; Europe’s last pagans; good teachers; second mentions – and much more.
The new issue of the TLS is out now: www.the-tls.com/issues/curr...
The new issue of the TLS is out now: www.the-tls.com/issues/curr...
August 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
My review of C.D. Rose’s superb new novel, We Live Here Now, is in the latest TLS @thetls.bsky.social.
My review of C.D. Rose’s superb new novel, We Live Here Now, is in the latest TLS @thetls.bsky.social.
The dark side of the Durrells; Oscar Wilde’s conversion; making and describing great wine; Europe’s last pagans; good teachers; second mentions – and much more.
The new issue of the TLS is out now: www.the-tls.com/issues/curr...
The new issue of the TLS is out now: www.the-tls.com/issues/curr...
August 21, 2025 at 5:03 PM
My review of C.D. Rose’s superb new novel, We Live Here Now, is in the latest TLS @thetls.bsky.social.
Reposted by W. J. Davies
My interview with writer, librettist and music critic Paul Griffiths is out now in the latest issue of Exacting Clam. It's also free to read on the website: www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18...
@disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social
@disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social
Constraint and Release | Exacting Clam
www.exactingclam.com
August 19, 2025 at 8:10 PM
My interview with writer, librettist and music critic Paul Griffiths is out now in the latest issue of Exacting Clam. It's also free to read on the website: www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18...
@disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social
@disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social
My interview with writer, librettist and music critic Paul Griffiths is out now in the latest issue of Exacting Clam. It's also free to read on the website: www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18...
@disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social
@disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social
Constraint and Release | Exacting Clam
www.exactingclam.com
August 19, 2025 at 8:10 PM
My interview with writer, librettist and music critic Paul Griffiths is out now in the latest issue of Exacting Clam. It's also free to read on the website: www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-18...
@disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social
@disgwylfa.bsky.social @exactingclam.bsky.social am.bsky.social
Reposted by W. J. Davies
My free monthly newsletter THE GLUE FACTORY goes out this Friday to 2000+ subscribers.
If you're not already signed up you can DM me for inclusion on the mailing list.
Featuring indie press news, links to broadcasts, podcasts and substacks; forthcoming fiction, non-fiction and poetry; all that.
If you're not already signed up you can DM me for inclusion on the mailing list.
Featuring indie press news, links to broadcasts, podcasts and substacks; forthcoming fiction, non-fiction and poetry; all that.
July 30, 2025 at 12:32 PM
My free monthly newsletter THE GLUE FACTORY goes out this Friday to 2000+ subscribers.
If you're not already signed up you can DM me for inclusion on the mailing list.
Featuring indie press news, links to broadcasts, podcasts and substacks; forthcoming fiction, non-fiction and poetry; all that.
If you're not already signed up you can DM me for inclusion on the mailing list.
Featuring indie press news, links to broadcasts, podcasts and substacks; forthcoming fiction, non-fiction and poetry; all that.
Reposted by W. J. Davies
No council, or councillor, has the right to "ban" any books. The library service are the only body that makes decisions on stock selection. A councillor, as a member of the public, can *request* books are removed on a title-by-title basis, but the reply should come that under @cilip.bsky.social
This is hateful and dystopian. I was just on holiday in Kent. Nice to know how welcome queer people (esp children) are there eh? Please, Kent locals, write to your councillors and resist this grossness. #KidLitUK www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Kent council bans transgender books in children’s library section
KCC says the move came after a
www.bbc.co.uk
July 4, 2025 at 9:33 AM
No council, or councillor, has the right to "ban" any books. The library service are the only body that makes decisions on stock selection. A councillor, as a member of the public, can *request* books are removed on a title-by-title basis, but the reply should come that under @cilip.bsky.social
Wonderful to hear @alicefwrites.bsky.social talk about her short story collection, The Truth Has Arms and Legs, at Camberley Library this evening. @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social
It's no secret I love #libraries - so I'm delighted to be giving author talks at Frimley Green Library and Camberley Library this summer. Join us for two Q&A events, on June 3 & July 1, talking all things #shortstories. Booking links in bio. #Frimley #camberley #surrey @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social
July 2, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Wonderful to hear @alicefwrites.bsky.social talk about her short story collection, The Truth Has Arms and Legs, at Camberley Library this evening. @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social
Reposted by W. J. Davies
My review of Kevin Davey’s Toothpull of St Dunstan, a wild ride through 700 years of dentistry at the gates of Canterbury, is in this week’s TLS @thetls.bsky.social.
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
Extirp the worm!
Toothpull of St Dunstan, the testimony of an unnamed, immortal Canterbury dentist, begins with a Donne-ish invitation: “Walk with me. Let your ears attend
www.the-tls.com
June 27, 2025 at 6:30 AM
My review of Kevin Davey’s Toothpull of St Dunstan, a wild ride through 700 years of dentistry at the gates of Canterbury, is in this week’s TLS @thetls.bsky.social.
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
My review of Kevin Davey’s Toothpull of St Dunstan, a wild ride through 700 years of dentistry at the gates of Canterbury, is in this week’s TLS @thetls.bsky.social.
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
Extirp the worm!
Toothpull of St Dunstan, the testimony of an unnamed, immortal Canterbury dentist, begins with a Donne-ish invitation: “Walk with me. Let your ears attend
www.the-tls.com
June 27, 2025 at 6:30 AM
My review of Kevin Davey’s Toothpull of St Dunstan, a wild ride through 700 years of dentistry at the gates of Canterbury, is in this week’s TLS @thetls.bsky.social.
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
Reposted by W. J. Davies
Sadly, @eeahahayteatea.bsky.social has fractured her ankle and is off work. It’s clinically proven that buying her artwork will aid in recovery.* www.studioerratt.com
*probably.
*probably.
Studio Erratt | sculpture
Handmade figurative and portrait sculpture. Bespoke sculpture commissions. Gaming Dice Pots. Handmade by Studio Erratt
www.studioerratt.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Sadly, @eeahahayteatea.bsky.social has fractured her ankle and is off work. It’s clinically proven that buying her artwork will aid in recovery.* www.studioerratt.com
*probably.
*probably.
Sadly, @eeahahayteatea.bsky.social has fractured her ankle and is off work. It’s clinically proven that buying her artwork will aid in recovery.* www.studioerratt.com
*probably.
*probably.
Studio Erratt | sculpture
Handmade figurative and portrait sculpture. Bespoke sculpture commissions. Gaming Dice Pots. Handmade by Studio Erratt
www.studioerratt.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Sadly, @eeahahayteatea.bsky.social has fractured her ankle and is off work. It’s clinically proven that buying her artwork will aid in recovery.* www.studioerratt.com
*probably.
*probably.
Yesterday evening, I finished @alexpheby.bsky.social’s Waterblack, the third in the Cities of the Weft trilogy. Incredible. Whether you read fantasy or not, these books are significant.
@galleybeggars.bsky.social
@galleybeggars.bsky.social
June 19, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Yesterday evening, I finished @alexpheby.bsky.social’s Waterblack, the third in the Cities of the Weft trilogy. Incredible. Whether you read fantasy or not, these books are significant.
@galleybeggars.bsky.social
@galleybeggars.bsky.social
Reposted by W. J. Davies
It's Thursday afternoon and officially NEARLY the weekend, and A Personal Anthology! This week's guest editor, picking and introducing a dozen favourite short stories, is @robertloyko-greer.bsky.social
Sign up here if you don't already subscribe. RT if you do!
apersonalanthology.substack.com/about
Sign up here if you don't already subscribe. RT if you do!
apersonalanthology.substack.com/about
June 19, 2025 at 11:26 AM
It's Thursday afternoon and officially NEARLY the weekend, and A Personal Anthology! This week's guest editor, picking and introducing a dozen favourite short stories, is @robertloyko-greer.bsky.social
Sign up here if you don't already subscribe. RT if you do!
apersonalanthology.substack.com/about
Sign up here if you don't already subscribe. RT if you do!
apersonalanthology.substack.com/about
Interesting discussion on Radio 4 this morning about the difference between reading books and listening to audiobooks that seemed to entirely forget the existence and history of…radio.
June 19, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Interesting discussion on Radio 4 this morning about the difference between reading books and listening to audiobooks that seemed to entirely forget the existence and history of…radio.
Reposted by W. J. Davies
Good morning.
It is Independent Bookshop Week.
If you are able please do support your local bookshop.
They pay their taxes and support the community!
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@grovebookshop.bsky.social
It is Independent Bookshop Week.
If you are able please do support your local bookshop.
They pay their taxes and support the community!
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@grovebookshop.bsky.social
June 14, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Good morning.
It is Independent Bookshop Week.
If you are able please do support your local bookshop.
They pay their taxes and support the community!
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@grovebookshop.bsky.social
It is Independent Bookshop Week.
If you are able please do support your local bookshop.
They pay their taxes and support the community!
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@grovebookshop.bsky.social