iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I've not been here much, but I wanted to pop by to say how excited I am that I'm now represented by the wonderful agent Lucy Morris at Curtis Brown! We'll be sending out my debut novel, a cosy romance, in due course! 🤩

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

I haven't been on Bluesky much, but thought I'd update my writing friends on what I've been up to this year! Finished writing my novel, started querying, received five full manuscript requests from agents, two of which have declined with positive feedback! So... let's see what 2026 brings!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Excellent Christmas present idea: Take something belonging to a loved one, something they use often and will keep saying, 'Have you seen my...?' Wrap it up and put it under the tree. When they open it, they'll be utterly delighted!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Question about querying agents (UK). Some asked to be let know if another agent has requested a full manuscript. I let those ones know at my first full request. 1) should I let them know that now three agents have requested the full, or is that a bit pushy?

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

We're going on holiday soon to a static caravan. I'm tempted to bring my air fryer. I've never felt more British.

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

I thought that an external keyboard would boost my novel writing productivity, so I bought this on Vinted for £4. Turns out it does this the entire time it's plugged in… Not sure that's going to be THAT productive… 🤦🏻‍♀️

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Reposted by Katie Holloway

Writers’ HQ @writershq.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

We're asking the hard questions: like how do you keep writing over the summer holidays without DYING (no hyperbole) writershq.co.uk/writers-surv... Featuring: @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @matgost.bsky.social @kathyhoyle.bsky.social @katiehwrites.bsky.social

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

7yo: We've got our end of term party soon! Me: Fun! What will you do at it? Him: Probably party work, like soduko and stuff. We can't party ALL day! (Said like this is a good thing) He's more like me than I think!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Last year my novella-in-flash 'Cups of Tea at the End of the World' shortlisted for the @bathflashaward.bsky.social Since, I've struggled to find a publisher for it. I think it's too niche. SO I'm thinking of serialising it and publishing on substack. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

My seven- year-old's ‘swear word’ of choice recently has been BUM CHEEKS! But he's just switched it up to NOSTRILS!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

I'm pretty certain we won't reach 1000 hours outside this year (probably any year!) BUT every one of these coloured squares represents an hour of family time where all four of us were in nature together. No screens. Just the sky and us. I know we'll reap the benefits of that!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

"Romance novels are unfeminist!" "Romance novels promote lust!" And other things I've heard... Here's my response: open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...

open.substack.com

Are Romance Novels Unhelpful?

Tl;dr: yes... and no.

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Reposted by Katie Holloway

Lindz McLeod - THE MISEDUCATION OF CAROLINE BINGLEY is out now! @lindzmcleod.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

This is 40! And to celebrate my continuing existence, I'd like to offer ten free query edits to anyone planning to dive into the trenches. RT and like to enter, and I'll pick ten people tomorrow. Tell your friends! (and yes, my impersonations of art are unrivaled)

A white person with blonde curly hair and round glasses, wearing a dark leather jacket, standing in front of a pastel-coloured John Bellany drawing of a suspicious-eyed bearded man in a large trenchcoat

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

My favourite litmag has had one of my stories for considerably longer than the two-day rejection I usually get. So I keep opening my email hoping NOT to have received a Submittable notification!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Now that my kids are 7 and 9, here are some tips I've picked up: 1) Buy more cheese. You will always get through more cheese in a week than you think you will. 2) Trust God. He'll equip you for what comes up, and aside from Tip 1, you can't control much of that.

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Hands up, who's heard someone say that becoming a writer has ruined reading for them? Here's my post pushing back against that! Enjoy! open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...

open.substack.com

Why Writing Hasn't Ruined Reading for Me

And how you, fellow writer, can keep your love of reading alive, too!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Somebody just wished me a ‘lonely weekend’. I know it was a typo, but honestly it sounds quite appealing!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Whoever came up with the name for this stickers brand doesn't have kids!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Four weeks until the end of term and my kids will be on summer holidays! I feel torn between longing for a rest for us all and some good time together, and from the feeling of 'oh no, I've only got four weeks to cram on all the writing I want to get done!'

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

I recon I might get a blissful half an hour with this combo!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Yesterday I shared this post; it's my Pushcart-nominated story 'I Once Swallowed a Rollercoaster' plus a look behind the scenes at how and why I wrote it. I hope it's helpful! open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...

open.substack.com

Behind a Prize-Winning Story: I Once Swallowed a Rollercoaster

Part Two in my series dissecting my prize-winning stories

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Look! Look! The harvest is happening!!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

My watch broke, but I hate looking at my phone all the time. So at the moment I'm carrying this around with me!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Who is the right beta reader for your book? How many beta readers is ideal? How do you avoid being ghosted by your betas? I cover all this and more in my latest post! I hope it’ll be helpful to you, fellow writers! open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...

open.substack.com

How to get the best from your beta readers

How to find, keep, and best utilise beta readers, while keeping everyone happy!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

I'm 444 pages into Dune. Really enjoying it. Can't help noticing parallel plot points with The Lion King! #BookSky

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Saturday, at a Bible conference: Lord, help me to be more vulnerable and open about my weaknesses with the women I minister to. Monday: Hi all, I have to cancel our Bible study this morning because my son was sick in the night. Pray for me, I'm terrified of vomit! #answeredprayer

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

@cbcreative.bsky.social #WriteCBC Mavis creaked the inn door. The man took up more space than his size warranted, night rain dripping from him like it was fleeing. He thrust an arm through the gap, gripped the jamb. His worn leather sleeve showed scars, heralding stories Mabel didn't want to hear.

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

1/2 My 7yo needs fillings on two of his adult molars. It will involve going to a different town and him being sedated, which feels so scary for my youngest baby! The dentist told me it is because of hypomineralisation, which was likely caused by trauma during pregnancy or labour.

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

I'm sure you're all dying to know what I read in May, so here's my little video round-up, with teeny book reviews! open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...

open.substack.com

What I Read in May 2025

Seven diverse titles!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I liked Bluesky at first, but something's changed! Is it who I'm following, something I've tapped on, or has the space changed? It's moany and political now. I know we need to be informed of world affairs, and a place to talk about it. But I just wanted to come here to talk about stories!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 27/05/2025

Here's my low-stakes conspiracy theory: Often, after I've bought something on Vinted, I then get a buyer for a thing I've had up for a while. I'm pretty sure the algorithm is set to keep the money in the system. What's yours? 👇🏻

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

On our after-dinner walk this evening, my husband and I took it in turns to make up a story. 7yo praised me because mine had more adjectives 😁

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Does everything you read/write have to be ‘important’? What do you think? Here's my post on the subject! open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...

open.substack.com

Does Everything You Read/Write Have to be Important?

And what is 'important' anyway?

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Starting to get a bit of feedback on my novel dribbling through from beta readers. I'm obviously disappointed it's not a resounding “I finished the whole thing in 24 hours because it was so brilliant!” but I'm really encouraged that the first few chapters are readable and enjoyable at this stage!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

The weather has taken a turn for the chilly, and with that I've got a hankering for a different type of read… a book that starts with a map! Who recognises this one? #Booksky

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Yesterday I had a video call with the editor I'm working with at a Christian publishers. The book I'm working on hasn't got the green light just yet, but it was SO good to chat face to face about it. And she PRAYED at the end of the meeting! So different to secular publishing. Highly recommend!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

I've just opened my emails to two short story rejections and some encouragement and edits from the editor of the nonfiction project I'm working on. A mixed bag, this writing lark!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

This is the post I'm most excited about yet! Here I share my prize-winning flash fiction story ‘I Never Intended to Visit the Circus’ and unpack how I wrote it and what makes it work. I hope it'll be helpful to many writers! open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...

open.substack.com

Behind a Prize-Winning Story: I Never Intended to Visit the Circus

Part One in my series dissecting my prize-winning stories

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Woohoo! My first 100 subscribers on Substack! Come and join in the bookish and writerly fun!!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Writer friends! I'm ready!! Is anybody up for being a beta reader of my 77k cosy romance novel? I'm after constructive criticism! Please and thank you 🤩

media.tenor.com

spongebob squarepants is smiling and saying `` i 'm ready ! i 'm ready ! '' .

ALT: spongebob squarepants is smiling and saying `` i 'm ready ! i 'm ready ! '' .

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

My main crop potatoes are chitted and ready to plant! I'm so loving growing my own veg! First harvest in a few weeks, I think, of my new potatoes! 🤩

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

If my neighbours are going to talk about me, I'd much rather they said things like ‘Have you heard that woman talk to her plants?’ than ‘That woman is so unfriendly!’

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Need a break from writing, but, like, a PRODUCTIVE break? Here's my two-minute read, listing my favourite podcasts for writers. Enjoy! open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...

open.substack.com

My Favourite Podcasts for Writers

Call it productive procrastination

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Story prompt in the wild! I spotted this CD of 20 Romantic Classics by the side of the road... maybe like it had been thrown out of a car window? #WritingCommunity

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

A picnic sounds fun, until you realise it's making more packed lunches. But only that, but you've got to make one for every member of your family, AND they have higher expectations.

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 07/05/2025

I think I've invented air fryer smores cookies!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

OK #WritingCommunity what are your tips for finding your perfect literary agent? I'm not quite there yet, but starting to think about it!

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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Is it worth entering writing competitions? What makes it worth it, and how can you give yourself the best chance of success? This is what I've briefly tackled in my latest Substack post: open.substack.com/pub/loseyour...

open.substack.com

Is Entering Writing Competitions Worth It?

The answer: yes and no!

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