I'm bringing my "lecture" Pronoun Trouble to @colchartscentre.bsky.social on 6th May as a Wonderful Wednesday Pay What You Can show.
It's about cartoons, friendship, time, laund(e)rettes, awkwardness and words.
Tickets via Linktree in Bio.
It's #lectureseason

I think The Illuminated Man (the Ballard biog, but also, as they discuss, more than that) is a really fascinating and powerful book. Out next Thursday.

President, Extremely Normal Brain-Wise: Pope Weak on Crime, Also I’m Dr. Jesus Christ

A+ headline.

defector.com/president-ex...

Started @8minutesidle.bsky.social’s new book FAMOUS and was soon enthralled. Insightful, funny and informative, and the photo on the front becomes especially hilarious after you’ve read that chapter. Do you enjoy a grudge match? Then this is the book for you.

Prince liked the Cocteau Twins and sampled them in one of his tracks: Love... Thy Will be Done. Which makes it the most Eighties track possible, albeit one tracked in 1991.

Failed Job Interviews of a Novelist A famous influencer comes into our lives

matthewdeabaitua.substack.com/p/failed-job...

“My agent said I had to come to Hackney for my career,” she said, a catch of disbelief in a throaty Dublin accent.

An influencer comes into our lives

Showed the kids my new outfit. "John Pork's had a glow up," muttered Florence.

Thanks. The gloves were a right off btw.

Oh that makes sense. There will be further rat-and-influencer hijinks in next week's installment. I couldn't fit it all into one episode.

What does that emoji signify?

open.substack.com/pub/matthewd...

A famous influencer comes into our lives.

Failed Job Interviews of a Novelist Second and Third Interviews: The Virtual Shopping Trolley Channel and agency EMP

matthewdeabaitua.substack.com/p/failed-job...

"The original meaning of passion is suffering. That is why it is called the Passion of the Christ. It’s not that Christ was particularly enthused by crucifixion. It just hurt. So don’t ask me to be passionate about the job. Just ask me to perform it in a timely and competent manner."

There is also a squirrel eating popcorn. So I'm catering to all audiences.

It was either that or rat with dummy.

Failed Job Interviews of a Novelist Beth gets a job in the library. We move back to Hackney and discover that people have changed.

Beth started her part-time job at the Highbury Library. She spent her first day receiving reports of a customer with his penis out. She ran up and down the three storeys of the library, looking for this errant cock. Eventually, its owner was found masturbating under a table in Quick Picks.

Pleased you've enjoyed the novel and thanks for letting me know.

Too much?

Thanks Adam.

Failed Job Interviews of a Novelist Every day, the toddlers pulled the books from the bookshelves, as if sensing that books were the source of our troubles.

When writers run out of money

Nice to see the Metaverse fold up its polygons and disappear up Zuckerberg’s fundament like an origami dildo.

Is this a psychological test? Of course I was going to choose a central figure!

The middle one, bearing a goblet.

You called?

Failed Job Interviews of a Novelist Fifth interview: Luxury, offshore and humourless, whispers the word “passion” over and again with a headful of Xanax

open.substack.com/pub/matthewd...

The thing about shitting your pants is that you rarely have to point out to other people that you've done it. It's one of those things that people tend to pick up on, whether you like it or not.

Thanks @andrewmale.bsky.social, it's much appreciated.