iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Thoroughly enjoyed this chat with David. Grab yourself a glass of wine or a cup of tea and spend an hour in our company. You won’t regret it. Thanks for joining me, @daithitoms.bsky.social

142 0

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Jackie Lynam worked in public libraries for 30 years so she knows a thing or two about what makes them so vital. Jackie talked to me on the second episode of Stories. Songs. Seasons. the podcast. Check out the full episode here: open.spotify.com/s/Z7MFTb8

010 0

Reposted by Tom Shiels

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

still over ten minutes to enter. "Guess How Many Books I Sell Today". Nearest guess wins a book of their choice, up to about a tenner. Reply with your guess before 1.00pm (and please repost). GOOD LUCK!

375 0

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I’m going to try 23. Hope it’s more!

010 0

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Episode two of Stories. Songs. Seasons. the podcast is now live and our guest is the wonderful Jackie Lynam. In the episode we talk about The Hothouse Flowers, @ronanhession.bsky.social’s work, growing up in Catholic Ireland and so much more. Tune in here: open.spotify.com/episode/0r3m...

open.spotify.com

Jackie Lynam - 'something cool will happen today'

Stories. Songs. Seasons. · Episode

011 0

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...

010 0

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.’

041 0

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

What a game. You’re in my neighbourhood. Are you coming or going?

010 0

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 💚

001 0

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. 💚

000 0

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

Thanks so much. We’re down to the last four now. 🎉

010 0

Reposted by Tom Shiels

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

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

111 0

Reposted by Tom Shiels

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 💚

012 0

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

012 0

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...

storiessongsseasons.substack.com

Stories. Songs. Seasons.

Stories.

000 0

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

I adore this picture of Seamus, and the quote too!

010 0

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

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. 💚

053 0

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. 💚💚💚

000 0

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...

storiessongsseasons.substack.com

Stories. Songs. Seasons.

Stories.

011 0

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? 💚

011 0

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.

000 0

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.

000 0

Reposted by Tom Shiels

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...

storiessongsseasons.substack.com

Stories. Songs. Seasons.

Stories.

021 0

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

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!

020 0

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...

storiessongsseasons.substack.com

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

Stories.

0109 0

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

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.

020 0

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

For the first time, I've added audio, a reading of the piece to live alongside the words. This is something I hope to be better at as time goes on! Your support here would mean a lot, have a read or a listen, subscribe, or tip on Ko-Fi. It all helps. ko-fi.com/itstomshiels

ko-fi.com

Support Tom Shiels

000 0

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...

storiessongsseasons.substack.com

Tell me there'll be Saturdays

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

110 0

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.

030 0

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...

storiessongsseasons.substack.com

Introducing... Stories. Songs. Seasons.

Reflective essays on memory, music, and place.

000 0

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

A lovely relative sorted us out with this bumper pack recently. It makes the day brighter.

120 0

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

Thank you. My mum was only 55. Far too young. The shock takes longer to dissipate than expected. I’m sorry too for your loss. One day at a time, as they say.

110 0

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...

open.substack.com

So Hard to Beat... Christy Moore, Lisdoonvarna

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

032 0

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

32 years younger husband to be precise. ☺️

110 0

Reposted by Tom Shiels

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.

193 0

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

This exact thing happened to me regularly when working in hospitality when I first moved to Leeds. That was about eight years ago, and I thought that then it would have been a thing of the past.

161 0

Reposted by Tom Shiels

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!

0133 0

Tom Shiels @itstomshiels.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

The bag you’ve yet to pay to put on the plane. Madness!

000 0

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.

100 0

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.

120 0

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

020 0

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?

160 0

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...

open.substack.com

Dialann #4: A while handling, altogether

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

000 0

Reposted by Tom Shiels

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

8168126 0