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Hollie McNish

@holliemcnish.bsky.social
1.9K followers 6 following 125 posts

Follow for poetry, random thoughts and new discoveries because poetry and the world is endlessly fascinating and I know nothing. On tour now: www.holliepoetry.com/livedates

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Reposted by Hollie McNish
Shetland Library @shetlandlibrary.bsky.social · 19/07/2025
We were delighted to have @michaelpedersen.bsky.social and @holliemcnish.bsky.social pop in to see us! #SuperSheltie is demonstrating with his wee hooves the amount of delight #ThisMuch
michael pedersen hollie mcnish meet Super Sheltie - held by hollie - and marghie our librarian
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The Cosmic Shambles Network @cosmicshambles.com · 18/08/2025
Announcing 6 special guests for each night of #NineLessons inc @helenczerski.bsky.social, @garwboy.bsky.social, Julia Shaw, Jakko Jakszyk, @holliemcnish.bsky.social, @funsizesuze.bsky.social + plenty more (with more to come of course!) Hosted by @robinince.bsky.social cosmicshambles.com/ninelessons
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Late night poem: En route back from a London gig. A woman needs the loo on the train. There’s no loo. She tried to piss on the platform. She’s drunk. Staff tell her she’ll be fined £500 if she does. She waits and pisses on the train seat. Just sits and pisses. Smiling. Laughing.
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
So excited to be in London for this today! £5 with a wee glass of wine and two of my favourite writers and comedian @waterstones Islington ❤️
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Richard Kemp @richardmskemp.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
❤️ @holliemcnish.bsky.social
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Reposted by Hollie McNish
Fox Lane Books 🦊 @foxlanebooks.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Out Oct ‘25 VIRGIN by @holliemcnish.bsky.social💥 In this eagerly awaited poetry collection, Hollie McNish explores the impact of a single word on her life with her trademark mix of humour, fury and compassion Pre-order now to get a #SIGNED & dedicated copy✍️ 👉 www.foxlanebooks.co.uk/product-page...
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Reproductive rights are under attack! Take 2 mins to write to your MP TODAY to demand that abortion is decriminalised. action.goodlawproject.org/decriminalis...
action.goodlawproject.org
Ask your MP to put reproductive rights into law
The right to make decisions about our families and bodies is not protected by law. The 1967 Abortion Act allows people to seek abortion under certain circumstances but abortion otherwise remains a cri...
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
If you like to have sex, please sign this : you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/de...
you.38degrees.org.uk
Decriminalise abortion and make it a protected human right.
Women’s rights are under threat from the far right. Nigel Farage just called our current abortion provisions “utterly ludicrous” – and others in power are paying attention. A vote in Parliament could ...
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Reposted by Hollie McNish
Richard Kemp @richardmskemp.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Hollie McNish (@holliemcnish.bsky.social) talks more about this in her book Lobster. Absolutely spot on!
Tweet from Hollie McNish. She says, "From now on I am referring to single mothers as double mothers because they do double the work and their relationship status is irrelevant x"
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
last year i got asked to do a gig for a private members group in a castle and i asked what the fee and expenses were and they said the lady of the house would be more than happy to give me a private guided tour of the castle.
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Just searched 'are sore breasts normal before period'? It said yes due to peak progesterone levels but will subside when those levels normalise' and I was wondering who decided which week was the 'normal' personality week of the cycle? It's like saying Spring is normal and the other seasons aren't?
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
❤️ 5 in 6 boys think andrew tate is a prick ❤️
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
ROME! I've just realised that a reading I'm doing next week, Thursday May 29th John Cabot University is open to the public. If you know anyone who fancies a little poetry from me, I'd love you to share this event. Sign up here: calendar.johncabot.edu/event/spoken... and bring ID on the day. xx
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Michael Pedersen @michaelpedersen.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
This time next week I’ll be talking to the literary giant Stephen Fry at @hayfestival.bsky.social. Tonight I’m talking to the equally lustrous @valmcdermid.bsky.social at @portybooks.bsky.social (which can be streamed online). Swooning to a croon. 💜💙❤️‍🔥 Come join: www.michaelpedersen.co.uk/events
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
It takes me two cups of tea to write about 50 poems. I’m much more water-efficient than AI poetry x
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Gracias! Xxx
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Dear @teamlabouruk.bsky.social . I am leaving the party because of your stance on Gaza. If you can renew the membership without the membership number, why can’t I leave without it? Please make this an option. And please stop selling arms to Israel
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
❤️❤️❤️
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
driving around a supermarket car park for five minutes to find a space to save five seconds of walking
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
This morning my daughter went on her phone, laughed a lot at a message from her friend and sent me a cute meme about a kitten. Just sharing this for some balance.
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
For anyone going into the GCSE Unseen poetry exam, here’s some advice from a poet. Good luck! ❤️ youtu.be/Mt2Y6nSysZQ?...
youtu.be
GCSE Unseen Poetry advice from a poet
YouTube video by Hollie McNish
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Ebony Elizabeth Thomas @ebonyteach.blacksky.app · 10/05/2025
The reason why I cry listening to these old songs isn't because I want to return to the past. It's through music that I get to bear witness to all my past selves. I can see the girl and woman I used to be. She doesn't know I'm there. I know my future self is here, right now, watching these tears.
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Leah @leahplotz.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
I’ve many attempts to find the words to express my <3 for #libraries. A declaration of love but also a plea for their very existence and I’ll continue trying but for now, @holliemcnish.bsky.social caught all my feels:
A poem about libraries by Hollie McNish
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 04/05/2025
Just updated my shop on @bookshop.org with my most loved novels. If you fancy some recommendations, check it out: uk.bookshop.org/lists/my-mos...? All purchases support indie bookshops and authors
uk.bookshop.org
My Most Loved Novels
I've only recently got back into reading fiction and these have been my favourite novels so far. I've loved every one of them for all sorts of reasons. I've just started reading fantasy and science fi...
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Anna Baverstock @annabav.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Great discussion of a fabulous poem @holliemcnish.bsky.social ‘Arguing in the Headmaster’s office.’ Made me think about how we can be sexist when we have conversations around how we dress. We need to change this and ensure our ‘judgement’ is equitable… Thankyou as ever @bedsidereading.bsky.social
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
My brilliant publicist Lilly has made a link to all the indie bookshops currently selling pre-order signed copies of my next collection. Support the indies. They pay tax and are beautiful: geni.us/VirginSigned
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
RIP Virginia Giuffre. So sad. "The Queen poured millions of pounds into her son’s civil suit against Giuffre, The Daily Telegraph reported. And, as Andrew’s income is not enough to cover the £12 million ($16.3 million) settlement, she will reportedly be helping to cover those costs too."
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
It's almost a year away but Hackney Empire stalls are selling swift. There are some gorgeous front row dress circle seats free, which is my favourite spot of the theatre. Good view, no worries of being accidentally spat on x www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/holli...
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
You can now pre-order signed and dedicated copies of my new poetry collection from one of my favourite bookshops. 💐 www.theportobellobookshop.com/978034912744...
theportobellobookshop.com
Virgin, Hollie McNish (Signed & Dedicated Edition preorder)
Virgin snowVirgin mojitosVirgin motherVirgin MaryVirgin: one little six letter word that holds such incredible power. The power to...
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Quick plead not to say ‘you are a woman now’ when your daughter starts her period
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
If you are a writer and a mother, my biggest piece of practical career advice is not to take too many tips on how and where to write from those who aren't also mothers
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
summary of USA news katy perry back on earth safe, smiling billionaires avoiding tax genocide continues
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Great conversation on Woman’s Hour right now about shame and sending nudes. Listen back if you can. X
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Sometimes when I’m reading about war I replace the word ‘soldier’ with ‘teenage boy’ so I remember exactly how tragic this shit is
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
What I wrote when I realised that every single sx scene i ever saw on screen in my teens, every scream of pleasure, every yess and ohh and that’s it (except dirty dancing) was scripted by an older man.
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Emma Purshouse @emmapurshouse.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Myself and @bigstevepoet.bsky.social are both doing a support slot for @holliemcnish.bsky.social in Ludlow at the Assembly Rooms tonight (9th April). If you are in the area why not get yourself a ticket. There were a few left when I looked yesterday...but not many...not many at all. Better rehearse!
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Today is my first weekend off work in months. I’m sewing my summer dresses and cooking all day for my kid and friends and realised I’m basically a tradwife just without the husband part
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Reposted by Hollie McNish
Brian Cutts @briancutts.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
A sound suggestion from poet @holliemcnish.bsky.social
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Daily reminder we live on a planet where giraffes actually exist. Sometimes I forget that.
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
I’m en route to Rome to read poems to university literature students who may possibly tell me they know more about poetry than me. That only happened once but it stuck with me and I didn’t take another uni gig for four years. Then I got asked to go to Rome and I got over myself
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
today i found a dead rat in my garden. i suddenly felt like 'this is why people don't live alone', in case they end up having no-one to help lift a dead rat with. then my friend came and got it for me. and that's why it's ok if you live alone, even if you find a dead rat, because friends
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Tickets are now on sale for my gig at the UK's most northerly arts centre in Shetland... Tell you Shetland friends cos I have none! Thur 17 July tickets.shetlandarts.org/sales/catego... with Michael Pedersen and Roseanne Watt All other gigs up at : www.holliepoetry.com/livedates
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Today I learnt that there is a specific word in Turkish for moonlight shining on water (gumusservi) and it made me feel more beautiful
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
My new book is officially announced @thebookseller.com and the tour is on sale www.holliepoetry.com/livedates and I am preparing for this week's tour by doing what I always do; making sure all my kid's school uniform is washed for when we get back. See you in Southampton or Bath! x
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Final two days of editing the next collection. I always read poetry before editing any poem. To get my brain in gear and to learn from writers skilled in whatever I’m working on. This morning it’s Ada Limon, who is so brilliant at capturing snapshots of childhood
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Some advice for touring poets. If you can, gig in venues that feed you. My top picks are Oran Mor in Glasgow, Mac Arts in Galashiels and Tolmen Centre in Constantine, where Barbara cooks you a homemade meal and dessert and you roll onto stage happy ❤️
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
I was today years old when I discovered robin's eggs are blue. Just in case you also didn't know. I'm on the final edits of my next book and found the line 'as sure as sky is blue' which was very, very lazy, boring simile so I looked up other blue things. Robin's eggs were my favourite find. x
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Thank you to everyone who came to the last run of gigs. And to Laurie Bolger for the amazing support. If you don't know Laurie Bolger's poetry, check her out. If you want to try your hand at poetry and don't know where to start, she runs a weekly drop in! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creati...
eventbrite.co.uk
The Creative Writing Breakfast Club Sunday 30th March 2025
Join writer Laurie Bolger for Creative Writing Breakfast Club, a chance to get scribbling from the comfort of your own space via Zoom.
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
I once fancied a guy at school who didn't fancy me back. I got really good grades, did my hair really well, made my eyelashes look lovely and fluttery, played sports, kept in good shape, wore lovely clothes. And he still didn't fancy me. That's it, that's where the story ends.
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Hollie McNish @holliemcnish.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
A poem for anyone who wakes with kids sprawling over them. By Tahmina Ali ❤️
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