I love the fact that I get to talk about Hard Times in my upcoming presentation at the @dickenssociety.bsky.social Symposium in Aarhus. It is the Dickensian novel with which I have been obsessed over the past few years.
Very grateful I could get a direct flight from Newcastle to Denmark too!
Her story would go on to inspire Charles Dickens as he wrote his Christmas story, The Chimes.
I have been tracing Mary's story, and now know her fate following her sentence of death.
I'm currently writing up my findings and hope to have them published in the Dickens Quarterly or Dickensian soon.
OTD in 1844, 36 year old Mary Furley was tried at the Old Bailey for the wilful murder of her infant son George. Utterly destitute, she had walked to Regent's Canal with the intention of dying with her baby. She survived. Her son did not. Found guilty, she was sentenced to death.
When you have to review your own novel to try and find the right publisher:
deborahsiddoway.com/2026/03/23/r...
#WritingCommunity #Authors
Just starting the process of submitting my Dickensian adaptation. I'm really keen on indie presses, but having purchased the @mslexia.bsky.social Indie press guide, just wanted to point out the submission guidelines for And Other Stories request agented submissions only except in unusual cases.
I placed my hand on his chest. His heartbeat was strong and constant, two things he’d never been for me. His eyes, full of sadness, still held hope for a life in which I no longer played a part. He thought he had a future. I looked into those sad eyes of his and I pushed. I pushed him dead hard.
Blanket ✅
Dog ✅
Fire ✅
Hello Mr Ian McEwan. It’s been a while.
The second part of my Christmas story has just been posted on my website.
deborahsiddoway.com/2025/12/22/a...
I've posted a little Christmas story on my website, available to read now. Set in London in Christmas of 1848, it is the beginnings of the story of model and muse Emma Hill, who would go on to become the wife of English artist Ford Madox Brown. #writing
deborahsiddoway.com/2025/12/19/a...
Super excited that two of my loves are coming together with this Peloton walk #achristmascarol #dickens #peloton
Wondering if the written music in Telenovela has been uploaded somewhere online so I can listen to it? My sight reading of music has never been reliable. @galleybeggars.bsky.social do you know?
Was gutted to have heard the news. He was an eminent Dickensian and always talked enthusiastically with me about my research. He will be very much missed.
Nothing like a bit of book post. @galleybeggars.bsky.social
@dickenssociety.bsky.social the Christmas window display at Fenwicks in Newcastle is A Christmas Carol! I’ll make a visit and report back soon.
Just under two weeks left to enter the annual GBP Short Story Prize - one of the highlights of our year, and where, for 2025/26, we'll be joined by two brilliant writers and one brilliant literary agent as judges (Sam Mills, Selby Wynn Schwartz, and Sebastian Godwin:
www.galleybeggar.co.uk/prize
Finished all my prep for the upcoming Dickens Day on 11 October, where the theme is Dickens and Art. I'll be talking about the use of art in Hard Times. So what does this 1842 watercolour have to do with Hard Times? A good question. You can still register to attend: www.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
'A panel of five judges, chaired by O’Farrell, will assess 15,000 words of a novel in progress, and both winner and runner-up will receive not only money, but mentoring from Mantel’s literary agency, AM Heath; the publishing house John Murray; and the creative writing charity Arvon.'
I’ll be talking about the use of art in Hard Times at the upcoming coming Dickens Day. This novel has been a focus of mine for the last few years even as I completed my PhD. Looking forward to seeing my fellow
Dickensian soon.
Writing my paper for #Dickens Day, and having far too much fun. I have been obsessed with Hard Times for the last few years, and I have noticed so much about the little things Dickens wove into the book, art included. You can hear me speak on 11 October in London. ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
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Sunday reading and this time it’s close to home for me. My Grandad was a mining man. I remember him with love and fondness. But I always remember what he could have been had he not been sent into the pits before he had a chance to figure out the man he wanted to be. #miningmen
Friday night reading with my own best dog. I’m so grateful for people like @niallharbison.bsky.social who work hard to make the lives of dogs better.
It was the first novel he was able to write after the separation from his wife. I love contemplating how his own personal issues were feeding the emotional intensity of his writing.
It’s one of my favourite Dickensian endings.
Really informative and engaging. I spared you a couple of questions I had but might email you for some references later.
Looking forward to this talk tonight with @shelbyjudge.bsky.social
Given the horror story that was the last Dickensian adaptation (yes I am taking about THAT Great expectations) this can only offer an improvement on the art of the adaptation.
Just started this book while enjoying my lunch. I want to keep reading. Believe the hype. So far it has been utterly captivating.
Hi, Bluesky! 👋 We’re excited to be here. Our official move from Twitter/X happens on 1 September, but we’re already settling in. Follow us for writerly news and good conversation - including monthly Bluesky chats! 💙 #WritingCommunity
