iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 3h

Delighted to announce Dan Brotzel’s latest, The Earth Husband, a literary romance with an otherworldly aura. Known for his funny-sad stories, Dan has created a memorable love triangle with a twist. See comments for more #goldenyearsromance #funnysad #ghostlylove #literaryromance #lovebeyondthegrave

Image shows a graphic of the cover design of the Earth Husband, the new funny-sad love story by Dan Brotzel, coming Feb 27

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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

If you happen to be in #puglia this Saturday, 3 October, don’t miss this book presentation by our very own @valeriavescina.bsky.social! She will be talking about her novel, That Summer in Puglia (@breakthroughbook.bsky.social). #booksky #womenwriters

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Blackwell’s are amazing on this. Free delivery, over thousand of miles, and it doesn’t take long… blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...

blackwells.co.uk

Curious Events Lately Occurring In This Neighbourhood

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

“Rollicking absurdity,” says Frances for the Compulsive Reader — an excellent resource for the bookish — in her glowing review of Curious Events Lately Occurring in this Neighbourhood by Tom Cox. “Captivating” indeed… compulsivereader.com/2026/09/26/a...

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

What connects being an artistic detective with insatiable curiosity? How do you become a QI elf? How does a fascination with neopaganism and the folk renaissance lead to a 5 year quest, resulting in a new book? Excellent interview with Awakenings author and ‘great eccentric‘ Stevyn Colgan below:

Image shows the cover of “awakenings: why neopaganism, and the folklore Renaissance matter” a new book by Stevyn Colgan and the cover art includes traditional symbols and creatures from folklore and representations of Neolithic structures

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Never gets old… When excited authors send us pictures after receiving their first box of new books. Fallowfield by Nicole Swengley, out Oct 8. Find out why this story that beautifully combines suspense, 70s culture, mysterious deaths, and the art world is getting such a buzz! #booksky

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Oh we do love seeing our books out in the wild!

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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Here's today's column on the astonishing, ongoing mistreatment of people with #ME/CFS. Please spread it far and wide: the only thing which can break the media's wall of indifference is seeing an article about the issue go viral. Thank you. 1/2 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

theguardian.com

Abandoned, dismissed and gaslighted: there is no excuse for the way ME sufferers have been betrayed | George Monbiot

Changes in guidance and science seem to have little impact on millions of devastated lives. It’s a social crisis playing out behind closed doors, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

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Big Green Books @biggreenbooks.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

A quick reminder I've just got SIGNED copies of Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social new collection "Curious Events Lately Occurring in the Neighbourhood". Published by @breakthroughbook.bsky.social and thoroughly recommended! Order HERE. www.biggreenbookshop.com/signed-copie...

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Some musings on why short stories, matter, and why they can and do sell, especially with some fire in the belly from @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social and an ambitious (for its authors ) indie publisher… (thanks to quoted readers) #booksky #shortstories breakthroughbooks.substack.com/p/selling-th...

breakthroughbooks.substack.com

Selling the Story Short

(the curious, industry-defying tale of producing a bestseller in the space of three months)

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Lovely feature on Fallowfield in Round & About. Captures themes from the past haunting the present, to the author’s signature blend of “art, memory and suspense.” Comps to Donna Tartt and Barbara Vine! A background in art journalism beautifully informs Nicole’s atmospheric stories. Out 8/10 #books

Image is a styled shot of the cover and the open magazine showing the feature in Round and About, the local Bucks glossy magazine, carrying a story on the upcoming release of Fallowfield, the second artful mystery novel from art, design and architecturejournalist, Nicole Swengley

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Excellent and enlightening interview with art and design journalist, Nicole Swengley, ahead of the pre-launch event for her highly anticipated follow-up to her debut novel, The Portrait Girl. Nicole discusses the inspiration for Fallowfield at the Autumn Decorative Fair in Battersea… #booksky 🔗⬇️

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Tom Cox. Always worth a follow, always worth a read (from posts to published books) and always worth the alt text. If seeking the ideal gift for the slightly weird readers in your life, feel clueless no more. If they don’t already know Tom, this collection is the perfect introduction… #booksky

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Claire @thechesilbeach.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Curious Events Lately Occurring in this Neighbourhood by @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social is officially published today! It’s a smashing read, so why not treat yourself to a new book.

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

And one of the first things we said to Tom, was “We LOVE short stories!” We also know and value the importance of loyal readers, so a huge thanks also to everybody who got behind this book and helped to make it happen…

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

You beat us to it! And we had a card ready and everything…. (And, no, thank YOU for the thrill ride of bringing this extraordinary book into a world that needs just this kind of surreal and hilarious distraction, and trusting us with it!)

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Me reading a very tiny story from this. (Yes I know I have great taste in socks.)

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Sometimes, as writers and readers, we all need the refreshing palate cleanser of something light and silly and ‘pick’n’mix - but no less captivating, inspiring and delightful, and certainly no less consequential than a deeper tome. Tom need have no reservations about promoting this delightful book

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Lovey interview with Tom, and a nice mention for Curious Events Lately Occurring in this Neighbourhood, the new short fiction collection out in the world (officially) from Tuesday the 15th!

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

The limited edition bookmarks are gone now but Blackwell's still have signed copies (with free international delivery) available here: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...

blackwells.co.uk

Curious Events Lately Occurring In This Neighbourhood

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Dr Anke Marsh @ankemarsh.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

So I got this the other day and wondered why it came from @breakthroughbook.bsky.social rather than Blackwells, where I’d recently ordered it from. Today, I got an email from Blackwells to let me know my order was despatched… I got so excited about this book, apparently I ordered it twice 🤣

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Life Is Amazing publisher @lifeisamazing.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

So, I decided to take my new book Curious Events Occurring Lately In This Neighbourhood by @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social down to my local chilling place, Eastney Beach, Portsmouth. Thankfully it is no longer packed with far right paramilitary racists but is all lovely again. Thanks for this, Tom.

Tom's book held up at Eastney Beach, which two nights ago was the scene of violent racist thugs rioting. The book actually masks a broken mulberry harbour that has lain in the harbour for 82 years since D-Day, from the last time we had to face fascists from the shores of the UK. Very sad we are now importing them from America.

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Our MD is quoted here… this challenging industry is certainly in flux, but there are many valid paths to publishing (due diligence, a thick skin and huge effort required for all) but even the big companies can fail and be a risk unless they never overextend and always ring fence author royalties.

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Ian Martin @ianmartin.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Well this, unsurprisingly, is tremendous. I'm only an hour in but already it's the best short story collection since @quantick.bsky.social's and that was the best in ages. Bloody @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social Tom Cox, sickeningly prolific and consistently weird and funny. Hard recommend.

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Wonderful, perceptive and heartfelt review from Jan! It’s always such a joy seeing the very personal and individual responses to a new book… #booksky

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Ebooks now directly available from the @breakthroughbook.bsky.social website! www.breakthroughbookcollective.com/product/curi...

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Best reader review I've had for this: "a psychedelic pick & mix". Because that was my exact intention ' Not a vast story that broke my brain to write (like EWSY). Not the surreal autobiography of a year (like 1983) Not a tangled interconnected history (like Villager). Just a short silly book.

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

I've made this short story free to read, as a representative sample from my new book. If you like books, bookshops, eccentric old people and mystery, you might enjoy it. And if you like it you'll almost certainly enjoy the book. www.tom-cox.com/old-litkinov...

tom-cox.com

Old Litkinov

Old Litkinov owned the bookshop down the road and, back when I was a poor student, I would sometimes sell him books that I had stolen from delivery trucks, supermarkets and the bedrooms of people who’...

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

One month until Fallowfield by Nicole Swengley is out! This atmospheric and ‘artful’ mystery will appeal to fans of Nicole’s debut, The Portrait Girl, plus readers of Barbara Vine and Maeve Haran, and anyone into themes of art, design, dark academia, 70s culture and amateur female sleuths. #booksky

Screen, grab of praise for Fallow Field by Nicole Swengley., One review says “intergenerational murder on campus. A twisty page, turner with summer balls, 40-year-old romances and intrigue, right until the end” from Nigel West historian, and author voted the expert’s expert by the observer. Another quote says “do we ever really know our parents? Nicole Swengley has produced an enticing cocktail of murder, mystery and parental love that will keep you guessing, until it’s satisfying conclusion.” Maeve Haran, author of the campervan, detectives

Image shows the cover of a Fallowfield by Nicole Swengley in the foreground are daffodils, which are a theme of the book, in the middle ground is the silhouette of a contemporary woman, in the background is a grand Georgian type house, lit up at night

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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

This is just to say... I have stolen the work that you spent years creating and which you were probably hoping would pay your bills But online sharing doesn't count It's actually a compliment So fuck you BTW, I'm a fan

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Jennie @unabridgedopinions.com · 05/09/2026

Saturday afternoon book post! Very excited to read @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social’s latest. And quite please to be supporting a publisher like @breakthroughbook.bsky.social. And the mermaid is amazing!

the newest book by Tom Cox, “Curious Events Lately Occurring in this Neighbourhood”. Also pictured is a linocut print of a mermaid holding a hagstone. Extremely cool.

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Ian Collings @bookamatic.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Saturday #Bookpost is the best kind of book post! Chuffed to have my signed copy, many thanks @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social and for the bookmark. Congratulations to @breakthroughbook.bsky.social for their publication and distribution #Booksky

Paperback edition of Tom Cox’s Curious Events Lately Occurring In This Neighbourhood.

A signed copy of Curious Events with a beautiful bookmark

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

ICYMI: An extract from our upcoming non-fiction from former QI researcher and all-round intriguing guy, Stevyn Colgan, recounting his 5-year exploration of a cultural phenomenon, is on our Stack* Awakenings: Why Neopaganism and the Folklore Renaissance Matter is on pre-order on our *shop **see⬇️

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Another pre-publication job ticked off today: two signed copies of this donated to my local library. @breakthroughbook.bsky.social

My new short story collection, Curious Events Lately Occurring In This Neighbourhood.

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Also, please do follow Breakthrough's account on here. Help them grow. They're working hard to try to do good things for writers, having learned from the mistakes of other, less fair and transparent publishers.

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Heroic effort from Tom! Writers really shouldn’t have to work this hard on anything that isn’t writing, but the book industry is the way it is. We are doing our best to disrupt that a little bit and also grow enough so that we can supply some extra support labour to writers as brilliant as Tom.

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Bev A @beva.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Hurrah! Arrived in time for the last afternoon of my holiday. Looking forward to it @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social !

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Squirrel linoprint by my mum, Jo.

A squirrel eating a nut, linocut by my mum in her home studio in Nottinghamshire in 2020 for my book Notebook (recently republished by Swift Press).

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Back from my long drive to the Blackwell's warehouse. Car full (and I *mean* car full: I don't know how I squeezed them into a VW Polo) of books now dropped off and should be dispatched soon. Grab one of the remaining withed ones (FREE international delivery) here: blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...

blackwells.co.uk

Curious Events Lately Occurring In This Neighbourhood

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Just had the news that Blackwell's have sold almost 500 copies of this since I announced it. Thank you, everyone who has ordered one. We are hoping that, if it sells enough, Waterstones might also be persuaded to stock it.

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Jen @jenillustrates.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Look what’s arrived in the post this morning! @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social latest book, that’s what! I’m looking forward to reading this. Shout out to Tom’s local post office for doing a stellar job with all the post they’re handling too!

The book ‘Curious events lately occurring in this neighbourhood’ by Tom Cox is sitting on my table. It has a delightful lino print cover of a hand holding a hagstone & in the background there’s a helicopter, part of a ruined tower & an old style telephone you’d see from the 50s to the late 80s

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

"Only" 1000 books signed today (with the help of my faithful assistant). I'll be driving these up to the Blackwell's warehouse in Gloucester tomorrow in my ailing car. Wish me luck!

Me signing a copy of Curious Events Lately Occurring In This Neighbourhood, watched by my strawberry blonde cat Jim, who is hoping I will take a break to choose a record from the shelves behind us - preferably some mellow jazz, though not recorded post-1967.

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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Great to see Yeseni and the Daughter of Peace by Solange Burrell (Brit born, Canada based) listed in this roundup on kidsbooknews.ca! A vivid YA historical fantasy, this coming of age tale with a time travel twist celebrates pre colonial African culture and confronts the slave trade #blacklit #books

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Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

To celebrate the release of this/it hitting number on the Blackwell's bestseller chart, I'm giving away THREE signed copies of this to Bluesky users today. To enter just repost this and pop a reply below. #booksky

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Stephanie Bretherton @brethertonwords.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

A retrospective on a thoroughly enjoyable creative exercise in which 10 authors from @breakthroughbook.bsky.social passed the narrative parcel to come up with a longish short story called Alexander the Mate. Links to read it in the substack: #booksky stephaniebretherton.substack.com/p/the-conseq...

stephaniebretherton.substack.com

The consequences of passing the narrative parcel

What do 10 authors, Alexander the Great, and modern neuroscience have in common? A free ‘short’ story for a start…plus news of a Blackwell’s bestseller with free shipping!

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