New publication: our collaboration with the legendary Belgian literary journal Deus Ex Machina has been published. The issue features regular wurd contributors & author Ali Smith deusexmachina.be/bestel/

On average 600 people lose their lives in water related incidents every year in the UK. Beckie lost her 13-year-old son Dylan, while he was swimming in a disused quarry in 2011. She started a petition to increase #WaterSafety content in the national curriculum.

Thanks to @KTPaters for taking this picture of our collaboration with ‘Deus Ex Machina’ in Athenaeum Boekhandel in Amsterdam. Looking forward to visiting this beautiful bookstore in the future #Amsterdam #Brussels #Glasgow #Literature #Bookstore

❓What do we know about women in parliament through history? Necessary Women tells the stories of these women, from housekeepers to Speaker’s wives, who held more influence than you might expect 👀 Author Mari Takayanagi Mari Takayanagi told Nuala McGovern what she discovered ⬇️

🇷🇸 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Dr Elise Inglis - known as the ‘Serbian Mother from Scotland’ - founded four Scottish Women’s Hospitals there during World War One. anita rani is joined by three women who are in Serbia to honour her memory at an annual ceremony. 🎧 Listen here ⬇

Looking to discover new poets? To mark our 70th birthday, we have launched our 70-Poet Challenge, an invitation to find 70 poets 'new' to you, and tell us about your favourites! Ends Sun 5 May 2024. More info + booklets at the library desk or online: nationalpoetrylibrary.org.uk/news-stories/7…

Tickets announced for a celebration of thi wurd's forthcoming literary anthology 'Earthly Rewards’, Fri 10 May 7.30pm till late in Glasgow University Union. Join us for a night of readings, music, art & much more. Tickets & details here: thi-wurd.com/earthly-reward… #Glasgow #thiwurd

We reveal the pre-order & details for new anthology ‘Earthly Rewards’. Cover art by Lorna Robertson. Illustrations by Andrew Cranston. Design @RedmondMaeve. 51 pieces of fiction, poetry & experimental writing, 272pp. Full details/pre-order on our website thi-wurd.com/earthly-reward…

Sadly I can't make the launch. But it is always an honour to contribute to thi wurd. I'm really excited to see Earthly Rewards in print and read all the wonderful work. Thanks to Alan and the team for including my piece.

Loved hearing Alan from thi wurd discuss this new book and how it came together. A very inspiring listen. A highly recommended 10 minutes #thiwurd

Saw this tonight National Theatre utterly brilliant, cannot recommend enough.

The election means we won't be able to publish our report on the escalation of violence against women and girls, but Chair Caroline Nokes has written to the Home Office & Ministry of Justice calling for research into patterns of escalation. Read the letter 👇 committees.parliament.uk/publications/4…

Massively excited to share I’m election artist for UK House of Commons 2024. Heading all over the UK, looking at every party. I’m interested in the electorate, & candidates. First time voters, undecided voters I want to chat with you. More info here heritagecollections.parliament.uk/news-post-25/

Setting up all 650 Members in their offices takes time.

How does a bill become a law?

I have a play reading on 15 October, and, as is the way of all playwrights, I must devote my social media accounts to ruthless self-promotion. Please come and hear my first science-fiction play, and then tell me what you think (nicely). Tickets here: lambethfringe.com/events/a-lie-a…

Yesterday the House of Commons held a debate in honour of International Women's Day.

Happy International Women's Day! Today we're celebrating the 263 women MPs currently serving in the House of Commons, many of whom are captured here. They make up 40% of the total number of MPs today, the highest number in the UK's history.