iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Public executions were not abolished out of tenderness towards the criminal. They were abolished because of the effect on the people watching, and the dangers of making human death a source of commercial entertainment. Here's Charles Dickens in The Times, after witnessing an execution in 1849.

"I have seen, habitually, some of the worst sources of general contamination and corruption in this country, and I think there are not many phases of London life that could surprise me. I am solemnly convinced that nothing that ingenuity could devise to be done in this city, in the same compass of time, could work such ruin as one public execution, and I stand astounded and appalled by the wickedness it exhibits. I do not believe that any community can prosper where such a scene of horror and demoralization as was enacted this morning outside Horsemonger Lane Gaol is presented at the very doors of good citizens, and is passed by, unknown or forgotten. And when in our prayers and thanksgivings for the season we are humbly expressing before God our desire to remove the moral evils of the land, I would ask your readers to consider whether it is not a time to think of this one, and to root it out.

I am, Sir, your faithful Servant.
Charles Dickens".

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

People talk about how medical journalism leaves you prone to hypochrondria and self-diagnosis. Let me tell you, that's nothing to when you're a medical journalist with parents in their late 80s and an ever-growing list of potentially-terrifying symptoms.

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Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

The BMJ @bmj.com · 13/08/2026

Donald Trump signed an executive order this week that will require the MMR vaccine to be delivered in separate doses. US policies are making a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases inevitable www.bmj.com/content/394/...

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Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

Big Green Books @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

I have another #buyastrangerabook day offer to tell you about. @lizmakesit.bsky.social is offering to buy two people a copy each of any of the five "Refugee Tales" books. There's more info about them HERE. www.refugeetales.org/books If you'd a like a particular volume, let us know. UK only

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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Me trying to remember how to do my job after the long weekend:

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Right, time to log off and go outside. Blossom and tulips and scent and birdsong.

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

In what crazy world does it make sense to bar the brightest students from Sudan, Afghanistan and other countries from coming to study in the UK?

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River @riverlorien.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

18 yr old Bahar had offers from York and Reading, but 'thanks to Shabana Mahmood, she will now never escape the Taliban.' 'Britain has decided that the girl who fought the Taliban’s agenda, who learned English in secret, who turned down a forced marriage, who won her place, is an asylum risk.'

independent.co.uk

This 18-year-old Afghan girl nearly escaped the Taliban – then we took her visa away

She resisted a forced marriage and studied in secret, winning scholarships to leave Kabul and attend a British university. But now the home secretary’s ban on study visas has removed her one chance of...

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Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

And so we write to brilliant postgraduate students from Sudan, withdrawing the offers and scholarships they won in open competition with the best in the world. A sad day for the University of Oxford.

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Sir Ian, making the case for strangers from Shakespeare's words, 400 years ago.

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Emma Wilkinson @emmajourno.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Remember at the start of Covid we all learned about R numbers and that it was 2-3 and that was bad. Well R no of measles in an unvaccinated population is 12-18. That’s half a classroom. And there will be classrooms where only half are vaccinated….

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

She is brilliant. Also, every publicity department in every publishing house in the land is now trying to get their authors on the next series of Traitors.

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Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

“Farage claimed last year to have “bought a house” in his constituency but the property is actually owned in the name of his partner, meaning he legally avoided higher-rate stamp duty on the purchase of an additional home – given he already owns other properties” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

theguardian.com

Nigel Farage uses private company to pay less tax on GB News earnings

Exclusive: Reform leader’s use of personal services firm is a practice criticised across the political spectrum

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Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

Dr Lucy Rogers @drlucyrogers.com · 13/08/2025

I am very excited to report that my book is now available for pre-order!! If you like things that fly – be it aircraft, bugs or birds, then this book is for you! I am also so delighted with the beautiful cover art by @Rachelhillustrates.bsky.social :) www.penguin.co.uk/books/461507...

Book cover of "UP" with butterflies, glowworms, bats, condors, a hot air balloon, an aircraft, a kite, stars, clouds and other things that are above us.

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womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Eileen Blair, from South Shields, UK, was believed to have had a large influence on her husband George Orwell's writing. 'Nineteen Eighty-Four's title and idea is thought to be based on one of her poems - 'End of the Century, 1984' #womensart

Penguin publisher book cover in orande and white

Monochrome photograph featuring the head and shoulders of a white woman facing forwards with dark wavey hair wearing a blouse

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Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

Sian Meades-Williams @sianysianysiany.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Unbound/Boundless are officially bust and I am selling the remaining copies of my book. Freelance writers, The Pyjama Myth will make you a better, happier freelancer. freelancewritingjobs.substack.com/p/buy-the-py...

freelancewritingjobs.substack.com

Buy The Pyjama Myth: the Freelance Writer's Survival Guide

'Inspiring, informative... changed my life!'

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

I'm working regularly with @bmj.com again, 10 years after going freelance. I've taken on a part-time freelance role as clinical editor at BMJ Learning, working on their excellent CPD courses. Clinicians who are interested in peer review or writing, let me know!

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Extraordinary story. As Lewis Goodall says, what else don't we know that we don't know?

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

The Observer published an interview yesterday with my Refugee Tales friend Pious, about his long journey to a sort of freedom here. It's well worth a read, especially to counter the myths about the asylum and immigration system that we hear every day. observer.co.uk/culture/inte...

observer.co.uk

The long walk to freedom | The Observer

Pious Keku escaped forced labour in Ghana and human traffickers in the UK only to be placed in detention

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Dr Rachel Clarke @drrachelclarke.com · 12/05/2025

1 in 5 of the UK’s care workforce have a non-British passport. Starmer would have us believe these carers are the “squalid” result of a “failed experiment”. I say they do vital, necessary, humane, skilled work and they are worth their weight in gold.

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

I led an @RefugeeTales walk along the coast of Kent on Saturday, 30 of us enjoying friendship, sharing stories and sandwiches and enjoying the views over the English channel. An island of strangers? Couldn't be further from the truth.

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

"I have spoken to many care workers who have built a life in the UK and hold a great commitment to the work we provide, but are ready to pack their bags and move to a country where our labour is valued." Time to listen to the care workers themselves.

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Do you prefer listening to reading? I'm moving into audiobooks, and you can listen to the audiobook of my novella Murder At The Ritz free and for nothing... for now! Follow the link to Bookfunnel here: dl.bookfunnel.com/469glrk6n6

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

In case you missed it: here's the new cover design for the next Marjorie Swallow mystery. Thanks as always to Donna at DLR Cover Designs for another beautiful cover.

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

Looking for some free mystery e-books this weekend? Check out the Amateur Sleuth promotion on Bookfunnel, here: books.bookfunnel.com/amateursleut...

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Sun's back! Now, which one of these is your garden reading for the weekend?

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Sneak preview of the cover of my next Marjorie Swallow mystery, Murder On The White Cliffs. Thanks as always to my cover designer Donna Rogers, who makes the most beautiful covers!

Book cover for 1920s mystery novel Murder On The White Cliffs showing a young woman and a castle

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Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Still no payment from my ex-publisher, so I'm selling a few more of these (all purchased from their warehouse). The offer I'm doing is ALL FOUR of these, signed, for the price of the 1983 hardback (£16.99) plus postage. Please email me at hello@tom-cox.com with your address if you want to nab them.

My books Notebook and 21st-Century Yokel.

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Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

Sense about Science @senseaboutsci.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

🗣️The 2025 MJA Awards are now open for entries! We support journalism that informs, challenges, and inspires. Whether you’re an experienced journalist or an emerging voice in health reporting, we encourage you to submit your work. 🗓️Deadline: June 1, 2025

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Reposted by Anna Sayburn Lane

Lily Canter @lilycanter.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

My book Ultra Women written with @emmajourno.bsky.social is out today. We were originally told that men wouldn't buy this book so there was no market for it (as apparently women don't buy sports books!!!) - we desperately want to prove that marketing person wrong! www.amazon.co.uk/Ultra-Women-...

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

Want to know some secrets? I wrote a post about my favourite research resources for writing historical fiction, over on Substack. Why not take a look? annasayburnlane.substack.com/p/secret-sit...

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

I had a birthday over the weekend and received these lovely flowers from my lovely stepson, lighting up a cloudy day. I do adore fresh flowers and it's even nicer to have them delivered!

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Watched the old movie 9 To 5 last night and I think what the world needs now is more Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda.

The movie poster for the film 9 to 5 with Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

My May newsletter is out now! Sign up via my website for all the news and offers each month - including a free audiobook and e-book. Link here: annasayburnlane.com/signup/

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Happy May Day! This month, I shall mostly be hanging out on the allotment, listening to the bees and drinking tea. Maybe a spot of gardening if I get bored.

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Want to peek behind the scenes at the research websites I rely on to write my 1920s mysteries? I've written about my top nine favourite resources on Substack, here:

open.substack.com

Secret sites that help me get the details right: dates, cars, words, fashion and more!

Resources for writing historical fiction

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Blue Tuesday... feeling all the blues by the seaside today. I've finished the first draft of the next book and lined up some freelance work for later, so I'm off to the beach!

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

This sounds suspiciously like the plot of my first novel, written in 1978 when I was nine. The Life And Times of Captain O'Neil, in which the Eskimos kill the invading British sailors with knives made from icicles. I believe my mother still has the sole extant copy, however.

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

For anyone who thinks Bluesky has no sense of humour. The comments are great.

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

Who's this handsome young man? My great-grandfather, William Frank Ball, had a perilous start in life, but went on to start a successful building firm in south London. My family history has influenced my 1920s books - I wrote about William's story here: annasayburnlane.substack.com/p/a-dickensi...

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

There are few things more exciting than listening to a professional narrator read your audiobook! Kim Bretton has done a brilliant job of recording Murder At The Ritz. You can download it free here: dl.bookfunnel.com/9mscs0o6bq

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Up on Hawkshill Freedown, the primroses are blooming all over and the bees are having a marvellous time. This is one of my favourite places for a walk (or a sit down, if I've been working hard!)

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

I usually plot all my mystery books out from the start... but this week that plan's gone out of the window. I've changed my mind about whodunnit! A whole lot of re-engineering coming up. Do any other authors do this?

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

A more personal post on Substack this week, thinking about how my own family history has shaped my fictional 1920s heroine, Marjorie Swallow. Plus! Link to a free audiobook of Murder At The Ritz.

open.substack.com

Shop-keepers, builders and a date at the Ritz

Family history and the Marjorie Swallow series

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Anna Sayburn Lane @annasayburnlane.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Looking for something to read? There are dozens of free mystery e-books available in the April Murder Madness promotion on Bookfunnel. I'm taking part with Murder At The Ritz. Why not see what else is on offer? books.bookfunnel.com/murdermadnes...

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