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Dr Helen Murray Taylor

@drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social
209 followers 217 following 159 posts

Memoir writer and novelist. Doctor and research scientist in a former life. My mental health memoir, love lay down beside me and we wept, published April 2025 with Unbound.

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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
I’m so disappointed that I am going to miss this #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview with @lilydunn.bsky.social because I’m travelling. But I will definitely catch up on it later. If you’re free this evening at 6pm why not come along. I am sure it will be fascinatin.
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
A6 #WomenWritersNet We're thrilled to be interviewing @lilydunn.bsky.social about her #Memoir #IntoBeing next week (Thurs, 22 Jan, 6pm GMT) as part of our ongoing #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview series.
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Thank you, Helen! I hope you'll like the novel. Meanwhile, yes, @lilydunn.bsky.social's #IntoBeing is superb. I couldn't recommend it more highly to writers and readers of #memoir.
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Sandy Bennett-Haber @sandybennett-haber.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
A3 #WomenWritersNet being part of a paid writing group is a real help. There is regular feedback, and it acts a bit like a 'gym membership' in terms of 'well I better do the work, I am paying either way.' This is the group I am part of. samblakebooks.com/writers-ink-...
samblakebooks.com
Writers Ink Online Writing Group
Writers Ink is a proven online writing coaching and mentoring community that I run with NLP and business coach, journalist Maria McHale. In Writers Ink we tackle all the mindset issues writers face…
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Are you new to #SkyChats or looking for guidance on how to attend tonight's #WomenWritersNet chat on #WomenWriters Looking Ahead (15 Jan, 6pm GMT)? Click the link below to read our how-to guide on chats. Our pro tip for tonight's chat? Refresh your page regularly to see new posts and comments!
womenwritersnetwork.com
How to Chat on Bluesky — Women Writers Network
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Only 1 hour to go till our @womenwritersnet.bsky.social #SkyChat on #WomenWriters Looking Ahead! Come join us for a lively discussion on preparing for the #Writing year while meeting fellow women writers. #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #WomenWritersNet
Image of white rectangle centered on wooden boards, overlaid with text that states: Join us for a #Skychat on Women Writers Looking Ahead on Thursday, 15 January, 6pm GMT. Follow #WomenWritersNet and @womenwritersnet for details.
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Today (16th Dec) as part of their celebration of #JaneAusten at 250 BBC Radio 4 is devoting a whole day of programmes to the author. Tune in shortly to hear Val McDermid and Kate Atkinson talk about when they first encountered her work. #WomenWritersNet #BBCRadio4 www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
bbc.co.uk
Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday on BBC Radio 4 and 4Extra with season of special programming
New programmes explore the life, legacy, and literary brilliance of one of Britain’s most beloved authors
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
We'll ask questions labelled Q1, Q2. Please answer using A1, A2. Be sure to make friends and keep chatting afterwards! #WomenWritersNet
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Welcome to Women Writers Chat! Please use the hashtag #WomenWritersNet in each of your posts so everyone can see your contributions.
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
I'll be hosting this with @nastasyaparker.bsky.social . We're looking forward to hearing everything that you have been up to writing-wise this year. Join us in 15 mins #WomenWritersNet
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Thank you, Stephanie, for chatting with us, and thank you to all who took part in tonight's #AuthorInterview. To find out about future events, make sure to follow us on Bluesky and the hashtag #WomenWritersNet. @brethertonwords.bsky.social @breakthroughbook.bsky.social
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Thanks @brethertonwords.bsky.social and @womenwritersnet.bsky.social for a great #AuthorInterview. The hour passed in a flash as usual. It was hard to keep up. Stephanie, you did a great job.
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Wow – you’re juggling a lot. And then, there’s the #publishing venture you’ve set up and run, @breakthroughbook.bsky.social. Can you tell us a little about it, @brethertonwords.bsky.social? #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview #booksky
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Welcome to our #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview series. Today, we're chatting with Stephanie Bretherton, author of the recently published novel, "The Fire In Their Eyes". @brethertonwords.bsky.social @breakthroughbook.bsky.social
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Starting soon!
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Join us today at 6pm BST for our next #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview. @valeriavescina.bsky.social will interview @brethertonwords.bsky.social about her award-winning new novel, The Fire In Their Eyes @breakthroughbook.bsky.social Come join us and get your questions ready.
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
I am thrilled to be able to post this news. I've got a new publisher for #lovelaydown: Wilton Square. The e-book is now available through them and we're hoping to get our hands on the original stock of hardbacks (still waiting for confirmation). But even better, the paperback is planned for 2026.
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Our next #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview will be on Thursday 23 October. We’re excited to hear all about Stephanie‘s book, The Fire In Their Eyes @brethertonwords.bsky.social Please join us. @valeriavescina.bsky.social will be hosting and everyone will have the chance to ask questions.
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Rita E. Gould @ritakitty.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
I'm looking forward to being one of the host's for this month's #WomenWritersNet #SkyChat on #WomenWriters and the #Writing Mindset! I'd love to hear what you have to say about this topic on Thursday, 16 October at 6pm BST!
Women Writers Chat 
Join us for a Skychat on Women Writers and the Writing Mindset on Thursday, October 16, 6pm BST.
Follow #WomenWritersNet and @womenwritersnet.bsky.social for details!
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Nick Ray @nicklifeafloat.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
10th October and it’s World Mental Health Day. Keep talking. Keep listening. Keep being kind (to yourself and others). We are Nature and I’ve found this is where I heal best. Love to you all.
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All On The Board @allontheboard.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Today is World Mental Health Day. It’s a day that should be every day of the year. You are worthwhile, and you deserve to be here. #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD25 #MentalHealth
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Ready to submit but swamped by listings? Writers' HQ have done the hard work for us. 5 of the best opportunities for writers this month. What's stopping you? #WomenWritersNet #blueskywriters #writingcompetitions
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
'Censorship is so 1984. Read for your rights.' There's loads of info about #BannedBooksWeek from @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social and @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social on their socials and websites. The chart in this graphic tells a very clear story and it's a sobering one.
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
The @merriam-webster.com feed is essential reading for anyone who loves words, enjoys a grammar tiff, and gets overexcited by obscure roots of common phrases. Is that just me? 😄 Also I now have the best apology for being late. #WomenWritersNet #amwriting #dictionarylover
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Lynne_SCILT @lynnescilt.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Come join authors from @scotbpocwriters.bsky.social for a panel discussion. Writing Scotland's Future: Perspectives from Writers of Colour takes place 15/10/25 #BlackHistoryMonth at @unistrathclyde.bsky.social The Ramshorn. Lunch provided. Register for your free place: tinyurl.com/Writing-Scot...
Promotional flyer for 'Writing Scotland's Future: Perspectives from Writers of Colour' event on Wednesday 15 October 2025 at The Ramshorn, 98 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EX.  Panel of writers of colour will comprise: Titilayo Farukuoye, Yasmin Hanif and Safina Mazher.  QR code in bottom right corner links to registration page.
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
What do you do when all you've ever wanted to do is write but your life is just too busy? Our very own Liz Champion is struggling with this dilemma. Read her Substack, Midlife without a Map. Touching, funny, honest. lizchampion.substack.com/p/my-life-is...
lizchampion.substack.com
My life is not working
I need to make a change
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Yesterday I received a real letter in the post from a 92-year-old friend of my dad's. He wrote to thank me for writing my memoir, love lay down beside me and we wept. Reviews are good for our profiles as writers but heartfelt thanks are good for our souls. 🧡 #WomenWritersNet
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Adjective order: And I thought French with its erratic rules was hard. I am glad I didn't have to learn English as a second language and that this comes naturally (although I do like to mess with it on purpose for effect). #grammarfun #WomenWritersNet www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/one-...
merriam-webster.com
Putting Adjectives in the Right Order
You do this without even thinking
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Women's Prize @womensprize.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Meet the Judges of the 2026 Women’s Prizes! A warm welcome to: Julia Gillard, @monaarshiwrites.bsky.social, Salma El-Wardany, Cariad Lloyd and Annie Macmanus, and Thangam Debbonaire, Roma Agrawal, Nicola Elliott, Nina Stibbe and Nicola Williams. #WomensPrize
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
This books looks excellent. I wish it had been available before I wrote #lovelaydown. It might have helped me through some of the tricky stuff around writing memoir. I did a lot of soul searching about memory, truth, and whether there was any value in sharing my story.
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Kerry Hadley-Pryce @kerryhp.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
My lovely publisher, Salt Publishing, @saltpublishing.com www.saltpublishing.com have big plans for the coming years, but indie publishers can always do with some help so please do buy a book from them, or help by sharing or donating to gofund.me/221f0c807
saltpublishing.com
Beautiful Books You Won’t Forget | Salt Publishing
Welcome to Salt, one of the UK’s great independent publishing houses. Since our founding in 1999, we have published some of the world’s foremost writers.
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
We love it that the Christopher Bland Prize recognises debut novelists and non-fiction writers over 50. Not all of us are spring chickens 😁 Now open for entries. #WomenWritersNet
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 28/09/2025
Last Thursday, @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social interviewed @luluallison.bsky.social about her new novel, "Beast", for our monthly @womenwritersnet.bsky.social #AuthorInterview. You can find it with the hashtag #WomenWritersNet. Helen's own #LoveLayDown was also recently released. Here's a review!
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
I'm really looking forward to chatting to @luluallison.bsky.social about her new novel #Beast published by @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social on Thursday night. Feel free to join in the chat over on our @womenwritersnet.bsky.social feed. It starts at 6 pm UK time. #authorinterview #WomenWritersNet
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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
I've just finished reading @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social's 'Love lay down beside me and we wept' - an important mental-health #memoir. Here's my 5-star review: valeriavescina.com/2025/08/26/r... #newbooks #newbook #bookreview
valeriavescina.com
Review of ‘Love lay down beside me and we wept’
love lay down beside me and we wept by Helen Murray TaylorMy rating: 5 of 5 starsAny one-liner for describing what this memoir is about would do it an injustice: it could not encompass its range. I…
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Lulu Allison @luluallison.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
I’m looking forward to this conversation with @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social and @womenwritersnet.bsky.social
Flyer for upcoming Bluesky conversation: 

Women Writers Network
Interviews Lulu Allison
 
As part of our #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview series on Bluesky, we'll be chatting with Lulu Allison about her recently published novel, Beast.
Where: @womenwritersnet.bsky.social
When: 25 September 2025 at 6pm BST
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
This is a fantastic thing to do. A great reading resource for anyone interested in #womenintranslation #WITMonth #WomenWritersNet
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
From 1 September, this will be our main home online. We’re migrating from Twitter/X and moving here to Bluesky. It’s exciting, and we look forward to many engaging conversations - including Bluesky chats! Thanks for finding us! #WritingCommunity
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Today, July 1 2025, is #publicationday for #lovelaydown in US and Canada. It's a few months later than originally planned but I am so thankful that it has finally happened. #mentalhealthmemoir #mentalhealthawareness #memoir #creativenonfiction #narrativenonfiction #newwriting
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
For anyone struggling with their mental health, help is available. Please reach out to organisations that offer support. In UK, the Samaritans phone line is 116 123 or online chat at www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-h...
samaritans.org
Contact Us
Contact Us
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Gail Aldwin @gailaldwin.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Just had a peek at Marc's website. Well worth checking out for anyone in search of inspiration for a cover design. mecob.co.uk
mecob.co.uk
Mecob | Book Cover Designer
Book cover designer and art director from UK. I create beautiful and award-winning book cover design for publishers everywhere. Let's collaborate!
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Q2 Can you give us a brief glimpse of love lay down without giving away too much? #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview #lovelaydown @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Put your contributions in the same threads as our questions and use our hashtag #WomenWritersNet to make sure we see your posts. #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview #lovelaydown
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Women Writers Network @womenwritersnet.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Welcome to the first of our brand new Bluesky interviews. Our guest today is Helen Murray Taylor, author of the recently-published memoir love lay down beside me and we wept. #WomenWritersNet #AuthorInterview @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social #lovelaydown
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Dr Helen Murray Taylor @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
I'm warming up my typing fingers. I think this will be as fast an hour as our #WomenWritersNet twitter chats.
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Breakthrough Books @breakthroughbook.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Today is #BookQuoteWednesday and the word of the day is CLIMB. Presenting Two Similar Looking Men With Umbilical Hernias by @zenabarrie.bsky.social. Illustration by Claire Robinson. #BookQW
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The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · 26/06/2025
Ukrainian novelist and war crimes investigator Victoria Amelina has posthumously won the Orwell Prize for Political Writing for her book Looking at Women, Looking at War (HarperCollins), dubbed “a powerful examination of women’s courage in resistance” 👇
ebx.sh
Victoria Amelina posthumously wins Orwell Prize for Political Writing a year after death aged 37
Ukrainian novelist and war crimes investigator Victoria Amelina has posthumously won the Orwell Prize for Political Writing for her book Looking at Women, Looking at War (HarperCollins).
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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
A strong first line, and strong writing throughout. I've just read this novel by @brethertonwords.bsky.social and can highly recommend it! #FirstLineFriday #newbooks #Books #BooksWorthReading #amreading
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Gail Aldwin @gailaldwin.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Perfect accompaniments for a journey on the Caledonian sleeper to Edinburgh. Looking forward to your Bluesky launch @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social hosted by @womenwritersnet.bsky.social on Thursday 26 June at 6pm.
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Valeria Vescina @valeriavescina.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
…and my copy of @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social’s Love Lay Down is now with me here in Switzerland! Looking forward to Helen’s interview on the @womenwritersnet.bsky.social channel! When? 26/6/2025 at 6 pm BST! #newbooks #memoir
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