'Perhaps it was only from the English coast that a band like Soft Cell could emerge. Dave Ball, from Blackpool, and Marc Almond, from Southport, were at their best when they wrote the soundtrack to the fringes' (Fish &) Chips On My Shoulder: Soft Cell Beside The Sea

What I read this summer. Thanks to: Backlisted Podcast Andy Miller Jude Cook Stu Hennigan Rose Ruane Mumblin' Deaf Ro Verso Books prototype JOAN Republic of Consciousness Prize Daunt Books And Other Stories Serpent's Tail Héloïse Press Rachel Cattle David Zwirner Canongate

“memory is too hot / to climb out of” Love Christian Gullette’s spare, gorgeous poems in Coachella Elegy

Must say waltzing to Taffy by Jenny Lewis with an unconvinced cat in my arms has done little to lessen the Sunday soul sink, undone homework of the heart sensation, which the early autumn atmosphere is amplifying: feels like big school in an even bigger blazer begins tomorrow

Woodcut of the Long Man of Wilmington Eric Ravilious

Thank you Rose Ruane Backlisted Podcast for bringing this to me. Did not want it to end. Also the only non-wanky acknowledgments section I’ve ever read. 10/10 all round, including having a cat called Carwash.

Someone likes Matcha. Great book Rose Ruane

Culture Funding Crisis, Scotland: This goes some way to show the level of stress Creative Scotland’s decision to close Open Project Funding for Individuals caused. Six months of work crammed into eleven days. Now being paid for in burn out, by people who can’t afford to rest.

Head over to insta for my review of the glorious #Birding by Rose Ruane An exquisite tale of hopes and dreams, set in a seaside town. Trust me, this is one to be savoured 🌊🏖️🐚 ➡️ instagram.com/p/C_gOqtEAK4q/…

Sheet music for Fancy by Bobbie Gentry, 1969.

Do something wonderful in 2025. Become an Arts Emergency mentor and help an aspiring young creative explore a future in your industry. Without someone to open the doors they're likely to stay shut out. You can change that. Register now > arts-emergency.org/mentor

The JULA goodbye party was in Covent Garden so I got to see the cute cloud installation. Had too much fun and many, many involved death conversations so managed virtually no pics. Except me and Rose Ruane in the loos. Goobyes said, today I meet with a potential new agent 🤞

have woken up to the first day of autumn and are hungry for HORROR! I get a fair amount of more gothic/folky stuff - and please keep it coming - but would really love to see more of the nasty, campy, cruel, bonkers and uncomfortable stuff too!

Loves, am quite shit at the old “some personal news” stuff, but I’m represented by Becky Thomas at Lewinsohn Literary now. Ever so delighted & excited, had a lovely time with her yesterday scheming & conjuring future things & I’m feeling very fortunate & full hearted today💖✨💕

Somebody make this into the distracted boyfriend meme with both Romanas please

If you’re in the North West and free for our show tomorrow, do pop along. I have a few guest list places and it’s only a fiver if not

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN!

Dear everyone, this novel by Rose Ruane is absolutely extraordinary. She's a word wizard. Every sentence full of euphony and perceptive wisdom.

One of the novels of the year, and her first one is stellar too.