Thanks so much, Paul.

Lucy Coats is a bisexual writer and poet living in Northamptonshire, UK. She writes about queerness, war, goddesses, the minutiae of the countryside where she lives, and the effects of patriarchy on the lives of women everywhere. In 2024 she was shortlisted for the Bridport Poetry Prize, and has been published in many magazines and literary journals, including Clarion, BQW and The Winged Moon. If I could start again, I would ask the Fates to send me lush-bodied witches with midnight hair, and pillow soft breasts to lay my head in the long light of solstice dawns. A back strong as oak boughs yet supple as willow fronds, so that I could dance fandangos without pain; a gut that could ingest the heat of scotch bonnets and laugh; a heart that loves without fear of becoming burnt sugar in a neglected copper pan. I would demand a life that fitted me like green velvet gloves on a plump holy whore

Delighted to have my poem ‘If’ published in this quarter’s Beyond Queer Words magazine. Hope you enjoy it.

#poetry
#PoetsOfBluesky
#lgbtqia+
#QueerPoetry

Human Authored Survey - The Society of Authors We're looking for your opinions on schemes which certify that novels or books have been fully created by humans. Complete our survey here.

Please fill in if you can, whether you are a @societyofauthors.bsky.social member or not.

#NoToAI
#GenerativeAI
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societyofauthors.org/2025/07/11/h...

Pre-order Chris Emery’s new collection ‘WONDER, with a massive 25% discount from Waterstones today – head to bit.ly/3GWJNdA

You will need to enter “SUMMER25” at the checkout to redeem the offer to receive 25% off RRP

Offer ends 31 July.
#WPreorder #BookSky

Done! This and The Well at Winter Solstice are the two I’m most looking forward to from the poetry list.

I am so excited to be starting to work on my new/first collection with the much-needed counsel of @hironstom.bsky.social. I have a framework, I think I have a title—now it’s down to making shortlists of poems and editing. Hard work ahead, but I know it will be worth it🤞🏻.

#PoetsOfBluesky
#Poetry

Ah. Ok. This is what I wrote:
The general ‘non-Labourness’ around benefits, the Reformist language around immigration, the weapons sales to Iz and support for same vs the documented horror of a g£nocide, and the increasingly rightward-leaningness of the main players is all informing my choices too.

Also…what does @societyofauthors.bsky.social say about this? I presume (maybe wrongly) that you’ve all consulted with their legal department?

It is iniquitous and disgraceful behaviour. I will never ever buy another book from Boundless until they rescind this decision and treat their authors fairly and with respect. I am so sorry, Tom, for you and for all the other authors this affects.

See my reply above to Kate Anderson.

I do know this, Kate. But the general ‘non-Labourness’ around benefits, the Reformist language around immigration, the weapons sales to Iz and support for same vs the documented horror of a g£nocide, and the increasingly rightward-leaningness of the main players is all informing my choices too.

I’d recommend The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia. It’s one I just can’t get out of my head (and I wouldn’t want to!). Mexican magical realism, history, and just generally a lovely, tender book I will go back to over and over.

Me too. He is a despicable human being.

Cover of C+nto and Othered Poems by Joelle Taylor. Black and white lettering on dull gold background.

She’s not on here, but today’s #LiftToTheSky is for Joelle Taylor (elsewhere as @jtaylortrash) and her newest collection ’C+nto’ which has been a revelation & delight to me. Really—read it.
@brokenspinearts.bsky.social

#PrideMonth 🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜

That made me smile a lot, Sue.

Labour are basically the Tories now. I shall never vote for them again. This news very literally makes me feel sick.

I supported Unbound and so many good authors I know by crowdfunding their books. This is absolutely appalling and I’m so sorry they treated you like this, Alex. Your book sounds amazing. I can’t read print copies (bad eyes). What is the e-book situation? Presume you get nothing there either?

I’ll have a look. Thanks, Ollie.

Thanks for the tip. I’ve added Paul to my Poetry Starter Pack.

Agreed, Ollie. I don’t really understand how this place works yet, possibly because I still am on Meta platforms and haven’t properly put the work in.

Thanks for the reminder! Done.

PETITION : The UK must put pressure on Israel Doctors of the World humanitarian workers are responding to the mass violence in Gaza and the West Bank. Please sign the petition to protect civilians and medical workers.

I added my name to demand real action from the UK government – not just words - to protect civilians and humanitarian workers in Gaza with @dotwuk.bsky.social. 💙 Please take a minute to do the same.
petition.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/page/171651/...

A bunch of radishes with leaves and one spring onion on a grey-blue wood background.

Wednesday is #gardening day for me, so I present to you (with pride) my beautiful, just picked French Breakfast Radishes. I may write a poem about their peppery crunchiness, and the way they feel in the mouth when I put sea salt with them. Later, though, when I’ve finished the weeding…

Thanks. All the stars aligned for this one. I went out one early morning, and there were all the sheep sleeping round it. Luckily I had my phone with me.

An old oak tree standing in a frosty field, surrounded by sleeping sheep.

Hooray! Just discovered #ThickTrunkTuesday is here. This is one of my own favourites—an ancient oak in Somerset, where I used to go for a writing retreat every January. He has very comfortable roots to lie in and dream.

Just bought my copy, Lucy, and can’t wait to dive in and explore. A belated congratulations on publication. 💚

We must all uplift each other in these times, dear N. 🩵

A #LiftToTheSky @brokenspinearts.bsky.social this week for poet and writer @nikitagill.bsky.social whose work on myths and goddesses is stellar, and whose poetry uplifts me every time I read it. Here’s one of hers about rage and justice, very appropriate for the times we live in.

The Trojan Horse would not be bling enough to get inside the WH gates (too many splintery rough edges). Try inserting a Golden Calf instead.

Just watching the first series over again, because it’s been a minute and my memory isn’t what it was. I’m thinking it is pretty stellar in all ways—truly excellent acting and storytelling, so am v encouraged by the thought that it gets even better in S2.