iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Episode one of my new podcast Stories. Songs. Seasons. has just landed and we’ve got a belter of a first guest. Richard Walters talks to me about LYR, discovering Tom Waits, the piece of music that made him cry in a supermarket, and so much more. Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/1R2B...

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I’m back on BBC Upload this Saturday (1 August). Tune in across BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio Humberside or stream live on BBC Sounds from 6pm. I'll be talking to Hannah about the good old VHS tape, and reading from the piece 'Internet killed the video star.’

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

We've only gone and done it! Pre-orders for the limited edition of Stories. Songs. Seasons. are now sold out. Thank you all for the incredible support so far. There's still plenty of tickets left for the live event in Leeds in December, more on that in the coming weeks and months. Grá Mór 💚

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Just four of these pre-order limited editions left now. Be sure to grab one today if it sounds like something you’d be interested in. 💚

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Dr Valentina Bold @valbold.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

This opportunity will not hang about! Sounds like a super book:

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Happy Wednesday, people. We seem to be stuck at seven pre-orders left of Stories. Songs. Seasons. Can you help make it unstuck? If you're interested in this first, limited, signed and numbered edition grab yours today. If you know people who are into this kind of work, please share. Grà Mór 💚

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

For anyone who has ever felt they've been shaped by a place, a song, or a person - this is the book for you. And there's just seven limited edition, signed, and, numbered pre-orders left. Get yours here: storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...

Stories. Songs. Seasons.

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

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There's only seven of these limited edition, signed, and numbered pre-orders left. If it sounds like your cup of tea then be sure to grab one today. 💚

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Just nine of these left to go now. Can we shift them this weekend? All support appreciated. 💚💚💚

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

We’re at 11 now. Getting so close to this being sold out. Get yours here: storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...

Stories. Songs. Seasons.

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Just 12 limited edition pre-order copies left of my upcoming book. Will you help me get it over the line? 💚

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Happy Friday, everyone. I’ve set myself the modest target of getting three new pre-order supporters for my upcoming collection of essays this weekend. Will you be one of them? 💚 Please share if you can.

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

@siobhanmcelduff.bsky.social Hey Siobhán, I've just sent you a short email. I hope you received it but if it's gone into spam will you give me a shout? All the very best.

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Marc de Faoite @marcdefaoite.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

@itstomshiels.bsky.social has a collection of reflective essays on memory, music, and place storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...

Stories. Songs. Seasons.

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

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This Saturday, I’ll be joining Hannah Sackville-Bryant on BBC Upload to talk about the essay “Tell me there’ll be Saturdays”. Catch it live on BBC Radio Leeds, Sheffield, York, or Humberside, from 6pm-8pm or on the BBC Sounds app. Looking forward to it!

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

This has just got real. Stories. Songs. Seasons. collection available to pre-order now. Out December 2026. And if you’re in Leeds, tickets for the live event are available to pre-order now. All info and links here: storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/stories-so...

Stories. Songs. Seasons. (Live event + collection pre-order).

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

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A setlist from a gig l did with my band "Far From Havana" 22 years ago this summer. It was an outdoor gig and it rained so heavily the audience watched from their cars and beeped their horns in place of clapping. We were as dreadful as our name suggests but we thought we had made it.

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

A short piece about Saturday's in the 90s - local football, Saturday night TV, and that feeling of belonging that technology seems to be eroding. storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/tell-me-th...

Tell me there'll be Saturdays

The death of Saturday night TV, hipster stomping grounds, and custard creams.

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

I’ve got bacon for sandwiches in the pan, lamb shoulder slow cooking in the oven, lemon cheese cake chilling in the fridge next to an Easter egg. Now I just need some good songs on and the day is complete. Happy Easter Sunday.

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

My Substack has had a bit of a face lift. Find out more here and follow along for news of what’s coming between now and the end of the year. storiessongsseasons.substack.com/p/introducin...

Introducing... Stories. Songs. Seasons.

Reflective essays on memory, music, and place.

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

From the archive, I spoke to Christy Moore a few years ago about the song Lisdoonvarna. Have a read… open.substack.com/pub/itstomsh...

So Hard to Beat... Christy Moore, Lisdoonvarna

"I assumed I’d sing it once and let it off, but it has persisted."

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Ryan Shirlow @ryanshirlow.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

I’ve had the potato thing a few times, but it was sort of good natured and it stopped when I asked for it stop. I know sometimes people want to feel they can relax and joke around, but if someone doesn’t find it funny, then it needs to stop.

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Nathan @nwylabour.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

If you want there to be more people like Alan Bennett in 21st century Britain, provide funding for local authority arts programmes and restore BBC and Arts Council funding to what it once was!

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Shame on Aer Lingus, what kind of price is this for a “saver” flight to Belfast from Leeds and back this weekend?! This is before you even add a bag.

A screenshot of an airline booking page through Aer Lingus from Leeds to Belfast and back, this weekend, with the grand total of £1094.16 before bags are added.

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Yorkshire Tea’s sponsorship of Simon Armitage’s ‘Shed’ podcast is genius. I’m up at the kettle every time he asks his guest “shall we have a cup of tea?” And of course, having no Punjana or Barry’s, it’s always Yorkshire.

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

“Do try to be alive to things all day, not bored or superior to others or critical or clever or full of notions and opinions. Remember that life is eternally passing - for others as for yourself and they too have to endure it in the lonely cell of themselves” - John McGahern, 1961

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

A few days after my mum’s funeral in Nov, I had an 8 hr ferry journey ahead of me. I was mooching about Waterstones and came across this wonderful book by @seamas.bsky.social. Serendipity. Can’t quite believe I’d never come across his work before, with us both being from Derry. The book is a tonic.

The front cover of Séamas O’Reilly’s book Did Ye Hear Mammy Died?

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

What does going to the dentist and Gregory Campbell making an arse of himself have in common? open.substack.com/pub/itstomsh...

Dialann #4: A while handling, altogether

Brat spring, it's only words, and turning 37

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Kit de Waal @kitdewaal.com · 07/02/2026

I’m an Ambassador for this brilliant charity, Bookbanks, giving away books with food parcels at food banks. There are two part-time jobs going for Regional Leads in London and East Anglia. Link below. Please share far and wide :)

bookbanks.co.uk

Get Involved — Bookbanks

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

A throwback to being in my happy place back in September 2021. An Grianán Fort, County Donegal.

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

@jenhoganjourno.bsky.social writes: “Children are starting junior infants lacking many of the very basic skills we would have taken for granted 10 years ago, such as how to have a conversation, how to play with toys, how to pretend, how to focus on a task for more than two minutes.” Terrifying.

Mark @deirbhilesdaddy.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Reposted by Tom Shiels

54 years ago today ,the British Parachute regiment invaded Derry's Bogside and murdered 14 men and boys .The murderers are protected by their government and the PPS. The murderers LIED to two inquires,still no justice.

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Gaia Vince @wanderinggaia.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

A huge scandal playing out

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

My better half has written the first guest post over on my Substack. She’s a brilliant writer. Go see for yourself. open.substack.com/pub/itstomsh...

Aiste #8: 2026 is the new 2016

A guest post from Amy Billett

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Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

I can’t believe the news today, I can’t close my eyes and make it go away. How long must we sing this song? open.substack.com/pub/itstomsh...

Dialann #2: It's hard to rage against the machine

Sometimes it's just hard to find the words

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

This piece is available on Substack for another week or so before it gets archived. This is an important one to me so if you have a spare five minutes I’d love it if you read it. open.substack.com/pub/itstomsh...