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Julia Skinner, PhD

@bookishjulia.bsky.social
4.6K followers 841 following 1K posts

Author, fermenter, food historian, writing coach, Library Science PhD, culinary educator, forager, maker of everyday magic. Wrote Our Fermented Lives. Agent: Ekus Group linktr.ee/juliaskinner

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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I made a scholarship in honor of my best friend. If you’re a creative person who doesn’t fit cleanly in any box, and who wants to build a sustainable writing practice, please apply! The winner receives access to my 4 week live workshop this November! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
Danielle Holliday scholarship for misfit creatives
Named for chef and creative spirit Danielle Holliday, who had a multidisciplinary creative drive and never fit cleanly into any category, this scholarship gives two misfit creatives free access to my ...
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I’m running a live class on fermentation and magic in Cork on 11/10. I’m also thinking of running the same class online. Think: how I use ferments in my spells/magic, daily fermentation as a simple mindfulness practice, how I build a sour jar (w/ vinegar, hence the ferment), etc. Would you join?
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Cork friends, I’m teaching medieval calligraphy (specifically uncials) at the My Goodness restaurant above Quay coop on October 23. All materials are provided, but you have to book with me to save a spot (it’s 25 Euro, 20 if you’re a night coop member or pay cash). DM me if you want to come!
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
One thing I did this year was completely reswizzle my most popular writing practice workshop. I knew it needed a refresh to help writers have even more support for crafting their practice and for actually, well, writing. We meet online in November! www.rootsandbranches.site/learn-more-b...
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Look I’ve never been diagnosed as neurodivergent but I just finished writing, illustrating, and designing a short story collection specifically about the history of fermentation, so I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
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Reposted by Julia Skinner, PhD
Surprised Eel Historian, PhD @greenleejw.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Friends! It's the feast day of St. Hildegard of Bingen, an abbess, polymath, mystic, & eel truth-teller. Medieval thinkers agreed that eels reproduce asexually. But Hildegard suggested that eels mate at sea, where we can't watch. No one listened to her. But she was right! 1/2 🗃️🧪
Meme. Painting of St. Hildegard, from the shoulders up. She is dressed up in her nunnish finery. Her wimple is white and very creased, so that she looks a bit like a mummy and her veil is the dusky black of that suggests it's been through the wash many times. She has something like a crown on her head, with little spikes that look for all the world like duck feet. The saint's eyebrows are hard lines like windshield wipers, & her nose is ski-jump smooth.

Her head is surrounded by a nimbus of blue with a white outline, set against an orange background. She is looking up and towards your right, as if she's watching a possum that's about to drop onto the person sitting next to you. Her mouth is set in a tight smile. She's likely thinking about sex again. And maybe not just eel sex.

Hildegard provided us with the first written description of the female orgasm, so it's quite possible that she's got that on her mind.

Meme text reads:
"Medieval Eel Truth:
It's all about the Bingen's, baby!"
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I’m noticing wayyyy more people setting up and last-minute canceling or changing dates lately. I’m not sure if this is a Cork thing or a thing happening everywhere? It’s happened with both men and women. I love going on dates but not respecting my time is a big red flag!
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Both a timely and evergreen reminder to fellow journalists: Make PDFs of all your pieces as they come out so you have them even if/when things go offline. If you haven’t been, go back and grab what you can now then get in the practice of capturing as things go live.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
For a year or more, I’ve been wanting to send cozy letters, little trinkets, pressed plants, and other tiny revelations from my walks, travels, and my own garden. So this fall I’m starting. Sign up for the waitlist below. Get cool mail from wherever I am in the world. forms.gle/3Y6vWhW3kBcD...
forms.gle
Dispatches from Daily Life mail club
Hi friend! Thanks for your interest in my new mail club, where I'll share little pieces of my daily life as lived on two continents and through lots of walks. Every month, you'll receive mail that'...
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Nontraditional but delicious letter of recommendation: sprinkle chopped marsh samphire on your fajitas just before serving. The briny crunch really brings something special.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
One of my ‘I’m wealthy’ goals has been to set up a scholarship fund in honor of my best friend. Then I realized I already give scholarships and there’s no reason I can’t name them. Anyhow the Danielle Holliday Scholarship for Misfit Creatives will be opening soon. I think they’d be proud.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Cork! I’ve a book signing at the Patrick Street Eason’s at noon this Saturday, August 22. Come say hi, grab a book and let me personalize it for you!
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Honestly I should start doing this
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Had the sads this weekend but the whole thing turned around when two separate folks (a newsletter reader and a writing client) reached out to tell me how much they love my work and how much it’s helped them. If you’ve been waiting to send a nice message to an author or teacher, this is your sign!
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I love the messy and generative early stages of a new project. I’ve written most of the intro text to my next writing project in the margins of a teetering stack of books I’m revisiting from grad school and the sense of elation I feel is like nothing else on earth.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Wonderful to talk with @bibliocook.bsky.social about all things food preserving for the Irish Examiner. If you’ll be at Cork on a Fork, come watch my demo on the 16th! www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/he...
irishexaminer.com
How to make the most of seasonal gluts
Learning how to preserve fruit and vegetables while they're fresh and bountiful is an economical, sustainable and mindful way of holding on to nourishing and delicious foods even when they're out of s...
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Leaning back into being my 13 year old self by voriaciously poring over books, then putting lemon juice in my hair and sitting in the sun
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Reposted by Julia Skinner, PhD
Matt Schneider @mattlaschneider.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Me: *sighs wistfully* Wife: what’s wrong? Me: just thinking about— Wife: Michael Collins’s wolf slippers? Me: yeah Wife: Me: *sigh* Wife: they’re really good slippers Me: so fucking good
A comfy set of slippers in a rich blue with jaunty wolf faces over the toes, originally owned by Michael Collins
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Our sweet girl goes home to the stars on Tuesday and we will miss her terribly
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
I’ve spent the day at Kitty ER with Bonk, where I have received not great news that I don’t really want to share online. But if you’ve been wanting to book a class or 1:1 session with me, get some Reiki, or just send me a tip or something for my work, now is a time I’d really extra appreciate it!
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FoodPrint @foodprintorg.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Fermentation is HOT but so many food preservation practices are not new — a fact that guides @bookishjulia.bsky.social’s latest book, “Essential Food Preserving.” She outlines how to use the tools of our ancestors to transform fresh, seasonal ingredients into ones that taste great and keep longer:
foodprint.org
Beyond fermentation: A new book explores the many methods of food preservation
While fermentation may be the food trend of the moment, Julia Skinner's new book explores the full spectrum of food preservation techniques.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Co-creating a very special mail club with @foodinjars.bsky.social, all about food preserving. Recipe zines, stories, original drawings, handwritten notes, plus the occasional surprise. We’ve opened the waitlist! Sign up below and we’ll be in touch when it’s ready to go:
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Emergency alert! 🚨the pomegranates on my pomegranate tree are almost ripe🚨 (I am about to have The Most sensual and delicious August)
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Reposted by Julia Skinner, PhD
Éibhear Ó hAnluain @eibhear.gibiris.org · 13/03/2026
Can we please, I beg you all, stop naming laws after sympathetic victims? It is so much easier for politicians to work some nasty things into them. "This law will effectively remove important rights in very many situations." "So you want there to be more unfortunate children like Angela, then?"
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I’m both a PhD and author, and an energy worker and mentor for creative folks. I started offering monthly, automatic energy work for creative people who need that support but do not need more appointments to remember and it’s already having a huge impact. I’d love to help you, too:
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Reposted by Julia Skinner, PhD
FoodPrint @foodprintorg.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Knowing how to preserve food can help you save money, prevent food waste and ensure your pantry is stocked should the unexpected happen (like a power outage). Fermentation expert @bookishjulia.bsky.social's latest book can teach you how to master the many methods of food preservation:
foodprint.org
Beyond fermentation: A new book explores the many methods of food preservation
While fermentation may be the food trend of the moment, Julia Skinner's new book explores the full spectrum of food preservation techniques.
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Reposted by Julia Skinner, PhD
Tressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Real AF
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
See you tonight at Harvard Bookstore!
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Tomorrow! I’m joining friend and fellow fermentation schemer and dreamer @wordloaf.org for an evening of conversation around food, preserving, fermenting, tradition, and more. July 16, 7 PM at Harvard bookstore. Head to www.harvard.com/event/julia-... for all the details See you there!
harvard.com
Julia Skinner at Harvard Book Store
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Today’s affirmation for creatives who have trouble moving ahead when the path is not yet clear: “Not knowing means something good is coming that I’m not aware of yet.”
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Boston and NYC book tour stops this week! Boston: Harvard bookstore on the 16th NYC: midday fermenting and place class + ferment swap (optional but recommended!) in Brooklyn Come learn about food preserving and celebrate with me! Get all the details below: can’t wait to see you there!
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
NYC friends! Join me for a fermentation and place demo, ferment swap, and a book signing (bring your books with!) alongside my friends at Field Meridians. I’ll see you on the 18th! www.eventbrite.com/e/fermentati...
eventbrite.com
Fermentation 101
Connecting to place through ferments with Dr. Julia Skinner
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Once a month at least I have an at-home artist’s residency. A day where I shut off email, ignore anyone calling or coming by the house, and just make art and write and do whatever else with zero focus on end products, just on process.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
NYC friends! Join me for a fermentation and place demo, ferment swap, and a book signing (bring your books with!) alongside my friends at Field Meridians. I’ll see you on the 18th! www.eventbrite.com/e/fermentati...
eventbrite.com
Fermentation 101
Connecting to place through ferments with Dr. Julia Skinner
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Reposted by Julia Skinner, PhD
Andrew Janjigian @wordloaf.org · 03/07/2026
Who's coming to see @bookishjulia.bsky.social and me on the 16th at @harvardbookstore.bsky.social? Can't wait to hear all about her new book, just in time for the season of abundance!
A photograph of a woman ladling a bright red liquid through a strainer into a jar, with the words:

"DR. JULIA SKINNER
IN CONVERSATION WITH ANDREW JANJIGIAN
HARVARD BOOKSTORE CAMBRIDGE, MA JULY 16 7-8 PM
A CELEBRATION OF HER NEW BOOK, ESSENTIAL FOOD PRESERVING"

on it.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Hundreds of my former students can attest to what a mind-shaping read The Cheese and the Worms is, especially when viewed through an LIS lens. Sad the world won’t receive any more of his thoughtful work.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Oh hey guess what, I’m hiring a very part time executive assistant! Looking for someone to support the day to day running of my biz + authorial work and the skills to both expand from where we are and keep things on track as we go. A GenAI-free space! Many details + link to application form:
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Oh hey guess what, I’m hiring a very part time executive assistant! Looking for someone to support the day to day running of my biz + authorial work and the skills to both expand from where we are and keep things on track as we go. A GenAI-free space! Many details + link to application form:
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Heat wave salad (it is too warm to turn on the stove): Fresh peaches and lil’ mozzarella balls, dressing made of chopped kimchi and sesame oil, garnished with sesame seeds + scallions.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
This took me years to do and now I help other academics do the same because whew, important but also a skill we are not taught!
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
You know what’s an A+ breakfast? Making batches of mushroom stroganoff sauce, then heating up single servings to pour over baked potatoes.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
What is your favorite snake? If I had to choose (which, is hard and technically I don’t *have* to)… DeKay’s brown snake is my pick. Because every time I find one it’s such a pleasant surprise. A little injection of wonder into the day (not to mention they’re adorable)
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
A couple years ago, I wrote a handful of short stories inspired by Our Fermented Lives. All of them have to do with the fermentation stories of everyday folks, not famous figures. Anyhow I’m thinking of illustrating them and turning it into a zine. Would you buy it?
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
I accidentally purchased a jumbo pack of the Fabuloso scented trash bags and I am filled with a deep sense of regret
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Successful first book tour stop! Thank you DC for showing up (in the rain and wind!) to support Essential Food Preserving! (I got zero pics during the event, if you did, I’d love to see them!)
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Reposted by Julia Skinner, PhD
Álvaro López @bakadori.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
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Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
The degradation of Ireland's river water quality.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
DC, Boston, NYC, Atlanta, and Cork friends, please join me for my book tour stops this summer! More dates in more cities TBD: as always, reach out if you want to host me for a talk or event! root-kitchens.com/im-going-on-...
root-kitchens.com
I’m going on book tour (ATL, Boston, DC, Cork, and beyond) - Root
To celebrate Essential Food Preserving, I’ll be on tour this summer, heading to some favorite cities and my home bases. I’d love to see you in person, hear your questions and your current preserving p...
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Reposted by Julia Skinner, PhD
Hyo Yoon Kang 강효윤 @hyoyoonkang.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
RIP Carlo Ginzburg. Being in one of his lectures was being taken along for a wild, delightful ride into worlds unknown where the smallest details of the things you would normally overlook appeared magnified and logical.
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Julia Skinner, PhD @bookishjulia.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Just turned down a speaking gig that was initially unclear about their expectations (as in, I have to do a bunch of extra legwork on top of the class) and only paid $100 for the pleasure. If your speaker pay is low, compensate in other ways or at least make life easy on speakers!
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