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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 19h

The #WIPSnips word for October 17th is "suit" close enough, from Atlas Rising; Rourke vs beige #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

‘Thank you.’ He squeezed his body between the edge of the table and the wall. ‘Is she actually here?’
‘No, sir.’ Bernadette stayed in the doorframe.
‘You lied?’ Rourke laughed as he sat. He’d have to watch her. ‘I’m impress—’
‘I thought you could do with some rest.’ Now Rourke was sitting she came and stood in front of the desk. ‘I’m told the chair is comfortable.’
Rourke relaxed into it. ‘It is.’
‘She’ll be here whenever it suits you General.’ Then Bernadette left.
‘Right.’ Rourke watched the door close and took stock of the room. Dull wasn’t near to describing it. He felt the urge to yawn; it was that dull. Beige, grey and beiger. He couldn’t stifle the yawn now. Bernadette was right. He was shattered. He leant back into the seat, unbuttoned in his jacket, set a timer in his head for 50 minutes and closed his eyes.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 15/10/2026

Another epic fail from Emmanuel this time... sort your mail merge out ffs - lists what??? #WritingCommunity, is it just me, or has anyone else been hit with #spam fest today? Are college kids on holiday or something?

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 15/10/2026

But this one takes the spam grifter biscuit A shitty marketing spam email sent to my email but addressed to my brother 😂 (who is way ahead of me in the author game - 3rd book publishing next year) I think, dear Alice, I can with confidence say you epically failed here. #justsaying

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 15/10/2026

Well, I just checked my #spam folder related to the contact email on my #author #website and found at least 10 of these I guess I answered their question without answering 😜 #writingcommunity - how's your spam level today 😜

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 15/10/2026

The #WIPSnips word for October 15th is "pass" A close-ish - from Atlas Rising. Rourke vs memories #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

‘Ten days ago.’ Rourke looked down at the small remote and pressed the larger button. ‘I met this woman.’ The screen behind him, he knew, had changed to show a smiling woman in a white lab coat. She held a small red toy car in her hands out towards the camera. Behind her was a modern-looking laboratory.
‘This is Zara Atlas.’ Rourke glanced at the screen. ‘Dr Atlas is the reason I am here.’
He pressed the button.
The slide advanced.
An audible shock passed through the room.
‘And this was her two days ago.’ He didn’t need to look at the slide; he saw her every time he closed his eyes. On the screen, another photo of Dr Atlas.
This time, on her lab floor.
Her throat slit.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 13/10/2026

An odd one #writingcommunity What's the long con on this #grift? I've not shared my book with anyone to write a review, full stop... Do I take it out of the trash and respond, or just not bother 🤦😂

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 13/10/2026

Not sure I'll ever have the level of confidence expressed here on X I'm shit in a room, have big-time imposter syndrome and couldn't promote myself to save my life. God knows how I found a publisher 🤦😂 #WritingCommunity - how do you deal with that self-promoting side of this business? #amwriting

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 13/10/2026

The #WIPSnips word for October 13th is "blue" From Atlas Rising Rourke vs Kit Not sure this will survive - as soooo many won't get the in-joke re the old UK TV show 'Yes, Prime Minister', but it pleased me at the time 😜 #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

‘Thank you.’ He turned back to face the table. ‘Please pass the document you signed to Bernadette as she passes you.’
A woman in a simple blue dress and black jacket stepped into view on the feed and started making their way around the room, collecting signed paper.
‘Bernard - when you have all 14, let me know.’ The PM watched her progress.
‘Yes, Prime Minister.’
A quiet laugh came from some of the group at the table.
Rourke saw Bernadette smile as she collected Kit’s paper.
Kit looked confused.
‘It’s an old TV show, ma’am.’ Bernadette moved on towards the last few seats. Kit still looked confused. Rourke suspected she probably didn’t watch any TV – let alone old British comedy; she had that sort of feel to her.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 12/10/2026

#WIPSnips The word for October 12th is "pulse" From Atlas Rising General Rourke vs being asked nicely #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

As he followed her, Rourke pulled the folded paper from his pocket and read it.

“I need you leading the task force on this. Working directly for me. Please.” The Prime Minister’s neat handwriting continued, “Bernadette will show you to your office.”

Rourke stopped walking.
Bernadette did too.
‘He needs you.’ She made her way back to stand beside him. ‘Please?’
‘I’m only here to see—’
‘She’s waiting for you in your office, sir.’
Then she set off again.
Rourke watched her.
Thinking hard, pulse accelerating.
Then he followed.
They’d said please, after all.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 10/10/2026

I had no idea James Patterson worked this way and I’m not sure how I feel about it. #Writingcommunity, what weird facts have you learned today? 🤷

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 09/10/2026

Glad I’m not trying to get home by train tonight 😱

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 09/10/2026

Trying to imagine explaining the state of the world now to my dad, who passed 7 years ago. Not sure I could.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 08/10/2026

The #WIPSnips word for October 8th is "lizard" Weirdly, I do have lizard in Atlas Rising Anderson vs hell #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Anderson left Esme, who was now taking a picture of a seagull that had just landed on the glass balcony, about a foot away from her. The thing was fucking huge.
Who knew.
Anderson made her way through the vape and cigarette smoke, and the stench of too much alcohol, to the wooden outdoor bar. She arrived just as a topless man in shorts, with a lobster-red back and a large lizard tattoo on one arm, moved away from the bar with four pints of beer clutched in his massive fingers. He swayed as he walked.
Anderson gave him a wide berth.
She ordered two beers, which came in large plastic cups, and made her way back.
‘You’re in hell, aren’t you?’ Esme took one of the beers off her.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 08/10/2026

Wish I knew what happened, or what I did, on the 15th of September to get that many people visit my website 🤦 #writingcommunity - do you ever look at your website visit stats and wonder what the hell happened 😜

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 07/10/2026

The irony level of the comments section here is off the charts. There were two, too ffs 🤦😜

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 07/10/2026

#LitHodgepodge 7 The #narrative voice in Atlas Rising, continues where book 1, Pandora’s Secret left off & changes according to who’s pov we are in. There are only 2 though. This is Rourke’s - From the vomit draft of Atlas Rising; Rourke vs the CIA #WritingCommunity #writingprompts

Rourke glanced around the room as he sat, trying not to feel like an exhibit at the zoo, but avoided looking at Mercer.He was certain she would have a lot to say later.
‘You can’t look me in the eye,’ Mercer snapped. ‘Can you.’
‘I’m fine, Kit.’ He undid a jacket button. ‘Thanks for asking.’
Someone failed to suppress a laugh to Rourke’s left.
Rourke ignored it and didn’t look toward Mercer.
‘I must object again. Prime Minister.’ She sounded even angrier now.
‘Your objection has be noted.’ The prime minister sat down again. ‘Thank you.’
‘That’s not good enough.’ She snapped to her feet again. ‘This man was respons—’
‘Enough.’ The prime minister raised his voice, cutting her off.
‘Sir. I—’
Mercer didn’t know when to quit. Rourke admired that at least.
‘Miss Mercer.’ The Prime Minister stared at her. ‘May I remind you that the CIA is allowed to operate in the United Kingdom expressly and only with the permission of His Majesty's government.’
‘I am aware, sir, but this man he—’
‘In this room, I am that government.’

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 04/10/2026

#SundaySnips Don't have that word, but a 'feels like' - from the vomit draft of Pandora's Secret - It's no longer in the novel. Slowed things down too much. Ted vs the Maryland Goatman #WritingCommunity #Writingprompts #Writesky #HQpress

‘Great.’ Gerald moved his hand away. ‘But don’t go too slow.’
‘Why?’ Rourke chipped in. He knew where this was going.
‘The Maryland Goatman,’ Gerald said quietly, almost whispering. ‘Don’t stop on the bridge. That’s where he lives.’
‘We’re missile-proof; I think we’ll be okay.’ Wiltshire joined in.
Oh.’ Ted laughed uncertainly. ‘Right.’
The Cry Baby Bridge,’ added Rourke. ‘You know that legend, right?’

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 03/10/2026

You do have to wonder how this person on X thinks I will respond to this... or how often it works. If they'd read any of my posts, they'd know the book is with the publisher now. But no. Grifters gotta grift. #WritingCommunity may your weekend be scam/con/grifter free

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 02/10/2026

wtf does this even mean???? Tech bros trying to be cool again, I assume. #WritingCommunity what phrase have you heard recently that makes you pause to laugh?

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 01/10/2026

I suspect we need a quick lasagna test here 🤦😂@ellieyellu.bsky.social

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 01/10/2026

I often don't write #chapters in my #WIP #novel in order & I often don't know exactly where they fit until I've written more of a vomit draft. My chapters have titles because it helps me remember what's in it 🤦. Numbers mean nothing to my weird brain #WritingCommunity - anyone else do any of this?

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 30/09/2026

On my #photography account on X, I'm followed by Tom Cruise and John Cena. Yes, the real ones. This isn't a brag - more a I have no idea why & can I send em my book 😂 Strangely, Cruise has fewer followers than Cena #WritingCommunity - who famous have you got following you but u have no idea why?

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 30/09/2026

The #WIPSnips word for September 30th is "guard" A close-ish short one from Atlas Rising Rourke vs making an entrance #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

So here he sat, waiting for his cue, guarded and held back until the right moment. Like that troublesome uncle at a wedding whose arrival makes everyone just a little uncomfortable.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 29/09/2026

The #WIPSnips word for September 29th is "well" Something from a stage #play I wrote for an Ed Fringe show: a 50-minute monologue called Retribution Day, all about revenge. Watching a good actor bring their own take to your writing is always special. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

And now, I just tell the police the prepared lie:

It’s just a game we were playing.
He loves this kind of thing, Officer, pretending.
It was pretending to be a spy last month.
This week it was to be kidnapped.
Call him. He's okay!

Look, officers, here's his signature agreeing to everything.

Well, my pretty near-perfect version of it.

Oh my God, I am so sorry to have wasted your time! No, his friends weren't aware.
I feel stupid.
Yes, I should have told them.
I feel awful for wasting your time.
He's absolutely fine.
Let me make a donation to your widows’ fund.

Something like that. Right?

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 27/09/2026

#SundaySnips word of the week - Turn A close to from Atlas Rising - the new #WIP Rourke vs airports He should know by now to allow extra time when he travels... #WritingCommunity #Writingprompts #Writesky #HQpress

He turned right out of the open doors of the airbridge onto the main concourse.
And froze.
The business ends of seven SIG Sauer MCX Carbines were pointing at him. A red beam of light flicked over his eyes, blinding him for a second, making him look down to get the damn thing out of his eyes.
Six more dots of light appeared on his chest.
Grouped over his heart.
Fuck.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 27/09/2026

#writingcommunity - can you read this cold, with no pre-reading and get it right? Daughter (12) wrote this out and challenged me to do that. I failed! Couldn't get it right for a few goes either. Have a go - how did you do? #English, as she says, is weird.🤦 #amwriting

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 27/09/2026

The #WIPSnips word for September 27th is "delay" Going to stop sharing Pandora's Secret snips now & don't have 'delay' yet in the next instalment. So going back to the dystopian TV pilot, Tyler's War and a close-too snip The Prime Minister vs the alley #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

EXT. AN ALLEY ON A RUN-DOWN ESTATE - NIGHT
The dirty alley walls are lit by a dim orange light.
ON THE ALLEYWAY WALL
Newspaper front pages are stuck over faded ones
- ‘Freedom Tax Collector’s death ‘a terrorist incident.’
- ‘Nationwide search for Freedom Tax Collector killer.’
- ‘Gaunt doubles fines for late Freedom Tax payments.’
On the other wall, haphazardly plastered over other protest signs are fliers with caricature sketches of Gaunt, flapping in the icy wind. Each has a heading - ‘Proper Stupid.’

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 26/09/2026

Honestly, I think I might need an intervention. Every time I go into Primark, I buy trainer socks. Why man, why 🥴

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 25/09/2026

While I can sympathise with the humour here, when did reading become something to be monitored? That's ugly stuff for me. #WritingCommunity - how would you feel if the public knew you'd written only one page today, for example? No thanks!

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 25/09/2026

British English v US English Cliques.... #writingcommunity - do you worry about this stuff if you want to 'break into' the US? #amwriting

Was watching the new Ted Lasso on the train into London earlier this week - it's just a bundle of positivity to start the day.

It was the one where 'cliques' was said a lot. But even British English actors said it as 'clicks'.

It took me a beat to understand what they were saying. I even turned on subtitles. And it was definitely cliques.

Which made me think again about whether I should get someone to go through the #novel Pandora's Secret and make a US English version.

But then remembered the publisher's question when I'd said I had someone who offered to do it - would that be free?

That's when I remembered I am not Lee Child or Charles Cumming, and I went back to just enjoying the episode.

#amwriting

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 25/09/2026

Well it made me laugh - but i'm obviously a child🤦😂

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 24/09/2026

After the latest haircut today, it's not hard to imagine what I might look like bald So, that's something to look forward to... #justsaying

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 24/09/2026

I took my Editorial Report from the #publisher for Pandora's Secret and summarised it in broad terms, without referring to the book itself, so I could print it and refer to their advice as I write the next book. #writingcommunity sharing if useful to anyone writing Spy/Thrillers

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 24/09/2026

The #WIPSnips word for September 24th is "meddle" From Pandora's Secret - a don't 'meddle' vibe.. Anderson vs Mike the dick #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

The two common features of agents in this clique were that they were male and had buzz cuts. She’d worked with Mike once. Never again.
He was a dick.
‘You’ll be okay.’ He laughed, pleased with himself. ‘She doesn’t do cats.’
She stared at him until he broke eye contact.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 21/09/2026

Honestly, why do I bother being friendly....

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 21/09/2026

#WIPSnips The word for September 21st is "stream" From the new WIP Atlas Rising Not got stream, but flowing. Not sure it's quite the right word in this sentence, but it's in there for the vomit draft at least. Rourke v tech #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

‘The next thing I want to share with you is a video.’ Rourke put the controller down. ‘There are no special effects, no AI image generation. I recorded this with my mobile two days ago.’ He pulled his phone from his jacket pocket and looked down at the table. Three or four black wires lay on the table, their ends disappearing, flowing into a hole next to a speakerphone. He recognised one that looked like the charger for his phone, as Bernadette had promised, and plugged it in.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 19/09/2026

The #WIPSnips word for September 19th is "tube" From Pandora's Secret General Rourke - tell me about your mother... #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Rourke didn’t rush her. She’d ask in her own time. An easy silence fell as a bird trilled noisily outside in the trees opposite. ‘What’s that, then?’ He’d bought her a bird watching book for her birthday last year. It was still on the bedside table, unread.
‘Sounds like a pigeon.’ She opened her eyes, squinting against the bright light.
‘Pigeon. Right.’
‘Well, you asked the stupid question.’
‘So,’ he leant over and kissed her on a bit of unmasked cheek. ‘What’s new?’
She rattled the tube from the canister against her necklace. ‘Call yourself a spy.’
‘When did you acquire that must-have?’

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 18/09/2026

Only 98 days till I can legally eat this stuff... yum yum yum 🥰 I know I could make #brandybutter myself, but it's kinda like my bacon sandwich rule - it always tastes better when someone else makes em. So - #writingcommunity - what weird habits do you give your #characters & who inspires them?

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 17/09/2026

The #WIPSnips word for September 17th is "effort" From the new #WIP Atlas Rising, a close-ish one... Rourke vs his knees #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Rourke didn’t move. ‘I’m complying.’
He really didn’t want to die today.
‘Get down on the floor!’
At least they hadn’t shouted it that time.
He dropped his small carry-on bag to the floor as he lowered himself to his knees.
He got there, swaying, and waited for bits of him to complain.
‘NOW!’ The voice was back to shouting.
‘I’m trying!’ He couldn’t stop himself bitching out loud. ‘Give me a second.’
‘EAT THE CARPET.’ The voice got louder. ‘DO IT!’

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 17/09/2026

And I think I am done with the #edit of debut #novel Pandora's Secret. Mind you, I thought that when it was at 82k words long, so 😂 Now to submit it back to the #publisher and think about the next #book. #writingcommunity - how's your writing going today? #amwriting

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 15/09/2026

Momument London. 745 - spotted actress I’ve worked with all glammed up waiting with 2 of her close sec entourage, for a shoot I guess. Didn’t want to call out her name she was obvs tying to hide. WhatsApp her Got a message back calling me a silly c*** & I should have said hello. She’s so glam 🤣

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 14/09/2026

The #WIPSnips word for September 14th is "month" From Pandora's Secret Anderson vs advice Written yesterday as part of the publisher's suggestions for editing. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Esme’s fingernails were the same pink as they were on the plane, those months ago.
Anderson looked slowly up at her. ‘Did you really just quote me back at me?’
‘Sorry. Not sorry.’ Esme stood up.

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 13/09/2026

It’s been a tiring day.. for these 2 obvs 😂 #writingcommunity how’s yours been!

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 12/09/2026

Nothing would put me off a book promotor more than one whose name revolves around the words ‘book club’ that’s using an AI image of fake people reading fake books to promote what I must assume therefore be a fake service. #justsaying #writingcommunity am I being unreasonable?

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 10/09/2026

First one of these for me as an #author - it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be - tho I think it prob depends on the #publisher? I have 0 complaints. I've had some shockers as a screenwriter. #WritingCommunity - what's the weirdest development note you've seen? Better get #editing!

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 10/09/2026

Well, that's a new record 9 emails from the same grifter on X - offering $300 pay to do an #author interview. Including the first one addressed to 👇 Funnily enough, I passed. #WritingCommunity, how are the con artists and grifters treating you today?

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Andrew Bruce-Lockhart @andrewbrucelockhart.co.uk · 10/09/2026

Well, it made me laugh this morning but I'm a child. If only X had more funny stuff like this, like it used to. #writingcommunity - what's tickled you today?

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