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

Wouldn't she be delighted to unwrap them on Christmas day?!

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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

Thanks Helen, that's helpful! I really just want to write at the top of all my emails I'M A NICE PERSON! but that's probably not professional!

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

2) should I let the other agents, the ones who didn't specifically ask for that kind of update, that three agents are currently considering my full novel?

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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 · 04/09/2025

When he needs a boost, Will writes with what he refers to in his mind, with capitals, as His Pen: the first thing he ever stole. He'll jot a list or an appointment and remember that thrill behind his sternum. Remind himself why he keeps doing this. #WriteCBC

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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 · 20/07/2025

What an amazing Creator God we have to design this 🤩

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

I love this!! Please tell us EXACTLY how it goes!!

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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

Sorry to hear that! I fear mine might meet the same end, when really I just want readers for it! I like it and think others will too! And I never expected to make money from it, so why not just make it free and accessible to all! I'm still mulling logistics and interest, though!

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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

How did you know about my jeans and my peeing?!

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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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Katie Holloway @katiehwrites.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

The sun had been pressing its sticky hands over Jo all day, and the top floor of the Natural History museum isn't any cooler as she stomps about looking for that bloody gemstone. 'Is this the best day ever, Mum?' Another sweaty hand. 'Absolutely!' She replies. #WriteCBC

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Reposted by Katie Holloway

Dr Lindz McLeod - THE MISEDUCATION OF CAROLINE BINGLEY 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

Thanks Sumitra! It's so good to do something with tangible results!!

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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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