iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Dr Rachel Franks

Australian Historical Studies @ahsjournal.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social reviews ‘Outrageous Fortunes: The Adventures of Mary Fortune, Crime-Writer, and Her Criminal Son’ by Megan Brown and Lucy Sussex @lucysussex.bsky.social La Trobe University Press www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

076

Reposted by Dr Rachel Franks

Australian Historical Studies @ahsjournal.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Victoria M. Nagy reviews 'An Uncommon Hangman: The Life and Deaths of Robert ‘Nosey Bob’ Howard' by Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social UNSW Press @newsouthpublishing.bsky.social doi.org/10.1080/1031...

154

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

A beautiful silk floral tie, a new acquisition, with a grey pinstripe suit. It feels like a very speakeasy look today.

020

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

I’d like you to meet Gertrude aka Draco Aethiopicus. She’s from Ulyssis Aldrovandi's "Historiae Serpentum et Draconum” - basically A Handy Guide to Serpents and Dragons - of 1640. I’m grateful to Sydney’s best tattoo artist Megan Oliver, for her attention to detail and hours of patient work.

A dragon head peeping out from under a skirt.

The wings of a dragon wrap around the back of a woman’s leg.

140

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

This tie is wildly feminist and over the top in its display of gold, while screaming something unintelligible from the 1970s. And I am here for it.

030

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

When it’s a Saturday night and you want to wear a low-cut evening dress, but you’re a woman with purpose and you also want pockets.

010

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Sometimes I feel the need to remind an otherwise bland Tuesday morning that “I am here”. So, here’s some outrageous vintage gold Italian silk.

030

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 16/02/2025

All tied up … a few of my favourite ties from the last couple of weeks.

030

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

“Franks’ engaging, vivid and energetic narrative of Howard is told through the cases of those [he hanged].” A new review of “An Uncommon Hangman”, I’m grateful to Dr Victoria Nagy for a generous review (Aus Historical Studies), and capturing perfectly what I aimed for in telling Nosey Bob’s story.

021

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

It’s high drama on an inner-city street in Sydney this morning …

A ginger cat is sitting on the sill of an open window, just below a pigeon sits on a ledge … it’s tense but respectful.

010

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

In 2024, I started wearing ties again. Here are a few of my favourites … I’m so grateful for all the kind comments (and for all the ties that people gifted me throughout the year). Wishing you all the very best for 2025. xx

031

Reposted by Dr Rachel Franks

Lucy Sussex @lucysussex.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Starting Jan 1, I will be posting here and in other places Victorian engravings (lurid optional), and quotes from this woman, the subject of a co-written biography. She was one of the first women to write detective fiction, and led a wild bohemian life, including committing bigamy

1172

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

It’s Boxing Day, the day when I try and equal my personal best of 5m of breaststroke (think determination rather than style). It’s also the day of entering that weird liminal space where I’m not sure if I should be eating leftover Christmas snacks or saving myself for fresh New Year’s Eve snacks.

020

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Cards from friends, something festive to drink and a few fairy lights … Merry Christmas everyone.

030

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

I’m enjoying my ficus plant’s wild double life as a flamboyant hairstyle.

010

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Just in case Santa is real, I thought I should have something appropriate on hand in case the big fella is a bit thirsty on Christmas Eve.

030

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

On a very hot day in Sydney, the Library still looks stylish.

091

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

The sky over the Gold Coast, Queensland.

030

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

Is it supposed to reach 32 degrees in Sydney today? Yes. Is it a big day in Library Land and so entirely appropriate to wear my favourite vintage library-themed tie? Also yes.

030

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

It’s the 1st of December and the Christmas tree is up … This year I’ve gone for understated decorations with a ridiculous number of twinkle lights.

010

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

In between the sessions of chaos today: a friend gave me a green tea and I spent some time reflecting at the ANZAC Memorial.

A cup of green tea in a green Penguin books mug.

A view of the ANZAC Memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park.

140

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Another busy week ahead, but I think it will be difficult to top this highlight from last Wednesday: the launch of Shady Cosgrove’s new book “Flight”.

Shady Cosgrove’s inscription in a copy of her new book “Flight”.

020

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

When you’re an Emergency +1 and you end up at a Matt Maltese concert. Quite a plot twist for a Friday night.

020

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Last night I went and saw “The Return”, a retelling of Homer’s “Odyssey”. The film stars Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche and is very good (if a little gory). But, I’m still recovering from the comment made by a 20-something as leaving the cinema: ‘Yeah, I like the prequel with Brad Pitt better.’

Old-style cinema chairs in a theatre foyer.

Promotional photo of “The Return” with a rather buff-looking Ralph Fiennes.

Trees and the sky: a view from the balcony.

010

Dr Rachel Franks @cfwriter.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

There are many benefits to working in libraries: great people, fabulous books, and gorgeous ladders. Many thanks to colleague and friend Joy M Lai for this “Librarian on a Ladder” portrait (this level of whimsy feels like a career achievement).

A woman is sitting on a library ladder in front of floor-to-ceiling bookcases.

3181