Sign in

Maggie Womersley

@maggiewomersley.bsky.social
514 followers 672 following 513 posts

Writer - Young Adult, NA, Middle Grade/ Winner of Cheshire Novel Prize for Kids 2023/ Undiscovered Voices Deputy Chair/ CNP 2024 Judge/ Likes Spooky stuff, quirky brain science, making dolls and doll houses (don't judge me).

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 15/08/2026
It’s the SUV tyranny: where have all the normal family cars gone? | Coco Khan
theguardian.com
It’s the SUV tyranny: where have all the normal family cars gone? | Coco Khan
They rule the roads and, in their wake, even old-style saloons have been supersized. It’s an illusion of consumer choice, says writer and podcaster Coco Khan
2926666
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Too good not to share.
030
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Sure, he was great in Jurassic Park, but I loved Sam first in Reilly, Ace of Spices - my first Famous Person crush (after Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, obvs). It was largely his extremely neat hair, but also the Mac. TV series written by the Great Troy Kennedy Martin, and based on a true story.
010
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Oh yes! I have been wanting to say this ever since the first time I heard it spoken - then the advertisers got hold of it.
010
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
I knew it wasn't just me being a baby! I literally feel like there is a furnace deep in my core that is like something out of Mordor. www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
bbc.co.uk
Why women are more affected by hot weather than men
Why are women’s bodies impacted by heat differently to men’s?
020
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
I’m wondering how kidlit authors will respond to ban on social media for their past and future books? All the plots that rely on protagonists being on social media will be obsolete, presumably. No more teen influencer wannabes, or vital clues or even annoying older sibs on the gram?
000
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
A news story to make your day. (Well, it made mine!) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
I wrote a poem about my son - years later it appeared on his exam
Emily Cullen says she couldn't believe it when her son told her about the poem, which she had written seven years earlier.
1116
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Still coming down from the high of last week's Undiscovered Voices launch party. If you're an agent looking for exciting new voices in #kidslit, check out the UV website and download the winning novel extracts. @louiestowell.bsky.social did an amazing job as Hon Chair. @uvcompetition.bsky.social
151
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Proud to present the cohort of 2026! 😊
010
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Indeed.
010
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
As someone with Face Blindness who writes about Super Recognition, this blew my mind a little bit today. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... #faceblindness #hyperfamiliarity #superrecogniser #facialrecognition
bbc.co.uk
The woman whose rare condition means she recognises everyone
Jenny Parry has been diagnosed with a condition known as hyperfamiliarity for faces.
000
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
I saw this! And thought, good things can happen.
000
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Christina🌊🌊 @sassycc.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
The one who stays is the HERO.. .
33379621842
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Maddie @madrigal.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The prehistoric cave horses call to me, yearning to live a 21st century life (but insist fire must still be present)
2364
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Today I am FINALLY going to visit the Waterstones comics pop up dammit! But first...many other bookshops. For it is the first day that the new Loki editions can be found out in the world!
5541
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
hookland.bsky.social @hookland.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Phantom trains thrum the rails. Unseen hands switch points in abandoned signal boxes. Our infrastructure is haunted not only by its disasters, but misremembered golden ages. Ghosted by long dead lives and a nagging sense that something has been lost. – George Kindred, Haunted Hookland
726141
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
hookland.bsky.social @hookland.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Of all animals in that collective wooden bestiary called pew end, my favourites are avatars of the Queen of Owls. Whether Fethrower or Owlpad, they manifest her mysteries. They give her eyes, give her carved eyes. They make even a church part of her kingdom. – Dr. M. Benn, 1982
437258
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
So delighted for Claire - a well-deserved winner and also an @uvcompetition.bsky.social finalist! Go Claire!!! @claire.l.gordon.writes www.thebookseller.com/news/teacher...
thebookseller.com
Teacher wins 2026 Rooker Prize for middle-grade fantasy opener
Cheltenham-based primary school teacher Claire Lincoln Gordon has been awarded the 2026 Rooker Prize, a story-opening competition launched at Lewes Football Club in 2022 and sponsored by Hachette UK, ...
020
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
My dad had this set when I was growing up and me and all more siblings read them - and then a few years ago he sold them in an auction without telling us. Gutted.
010
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
@karabeecroft.bsky.social
010
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Tim Worthington @outonbluesix.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Top Of The Box - the story behind every single released by BBC Records And Tapes. I'm told it's as funny as it is informative and frankly I'll take that. Paperback or Kindle from here! timworthington.org/books/top-of...
timworthington.org
Top Of The Box
Top Of The Box by Tim Worthington – the story behind every single released by BBC Records And Tapes.
032
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Yes, exactly. I think it's because people secretly enjoy the opportunity of having a dig at the 'popular ones' They love you till they hate you, or something like that.
000
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
When I was asked to step-up and take on the organisation of UV 26, I thought it would be a fun way to give back, I had no idea! So worth it though on Saturday when we had our 12 shortlisted authors all together. Now you can read their amazing work too. Visit undiscoveredvoices.com to download.
000
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Undiscovered Voices @uvcompetition.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
It's a busy month for #UV24 debuts hitting the shelves 👏 Today it's the turn of Cinders and Stars, a stunning YA fantasy by Esther Scherpenisse. Congratulations and happy publication day, Esther 🥳 bookfinity.com/book/Cinders... @scbwi.bsky.social
041
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Undiscovered Voices @uvcompetition.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
These 12 remarkable story openings make up the latest Undiscovered Voices anthology - available to download or order from undiscoveredvoices.com from tomorrow. Thanks again to amazing panel of judges, team of readers and our fabulous honorary chair @louiestowell.bsky.social 🙏
undiscoveredvoices.com
Undiscovered Voices | Discover New Talent
Undiscovered Voices is an initiative by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) British Isles to help fresh, new voices in children’s literature find agents, publishers and ult...
055
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Undiscovered Voices @uvcompetition.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Delighted to announce our #UV26 WINNERS!! 👏🥳🙌 @cmundywrites.bsky.social @rburrows.bsky.social @ivy-lin.bsky.social, Monica Gutierraz, Caroline Wigg, Zoe Dixon, Kirsty Hammond, Alicja Bagier, Claire Gordon, Dominic Yoboue, Claire Mowat and Alana Warbrick CONGRATULATIONS on your amazing stories ❤️
567
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Undiscovered Voices @uvcompetition.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
We told you April was going to be a busy month 😅 Congratulations and happy publication day to #UV24 alumnus Louise Austin whose hilarious debut Alex Abbott is [Un]dead is out today 👏
052
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... normally I’m a sucker for miniature things, but I could get on board with this.
bbc.co.uk
Peterborough man creates supersized household objects
He lives in his home among huge objects including a giant pencil, clothes peg and a 13-amp plug.
000
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle... I love this so much. But I think the Andrews doth protest too much.
theguardian.com
From Andrew Tate to Mountbatten-Windsor, my first name has been dragged through the mud. Can a global community of ‘Drews’ help change that?
The ‘Council of Andrews’ started as a bit of fun – but has led to friendships, financial help and even fiances…
000
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
www.bbc.com/travel/artic... This sounds amazing! Can we have this in the UK please?
bbc.com
The Easter crime wave sweeping Norway
Visitors to Norway during Easter might find the streets emptier than usual, thanks to the nation's cherished Eastertime obsession: retreating to isolated cabins to binge crime fiction.
010
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
When the history books look back at the burning questions that occupied the minds of early 21st century humankind, this one surely will be up there in the Top 5. Comparing Dark Chocolate to Cadburys is like comparing water to wine, right? thttps://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zc6sxg8
bbc.co.uk
Is dark chocolate good for you? - BBC Bitesize
How the BBC show Just One Thing tested the healthy chocolate theory
010
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Just heard that my son’s sec. school is running a comp for the best poster designed using AI. They recently hosted an A.I. company who provided workshops to staff on using A.I. in PowerPoint. They are now offering a ‘deal’ to the pupils to use their version of A.I. at a discount. I feel queasy #AI
2113
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
So sad to hear this! Jenni had the most wonderful voice that was instantly recognisable; like listening to golden syrup with a splash of lemon juice mixed in for vim. I interviewed her once at her home for a TV show and she was absolutely charming and very welcoming. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Dame Jenni Murray: Former BBC Woman's Hour host dies at 75
She was the Radio 4 programme's longest-serving presenter, having left in 2020 after 33 years.
120
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Ooh yes, I like the sound of this.
030
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Tom Cox @dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I love Joe McLaren’s jacket art for my 2018 short story collection Help The Witch but when you remove the text from it and see the whole thing in widescreen there is a whole other level of beauty to it. blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...
Joe McLaren's wonderful cover art for my book Help The Witch, featuring a hair and a branch-handed tree man. Joe also did the cover art for my books Villager, 1983 and Everything Will Swallow You, and has just sent me an exciting sketch for the cover for my upcoming second short story collection (which I'm planning to self-publish, as a limited edition)
823833
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Dr Francis Young @drfrancisyoung.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Today is publication day for ‘Fairies: A History’ - so I’ve written a special free post over on ‘All Old Strange Things’ to celebrate 📚🧚 open.substack.com/pub/drfranci...
1024972
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
I feel like the BBC are pushing this Lying Author narrative a bit too far now. I believe many 'debut' authors leave a trail of self-published, half-finished, 'academic text-books' in the wake of the first book they get trad-published. industry,https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj32vx61x6lo
bbc.co.uk
The Salt Path author Raynor Winn confirms she wrote secret first book
Raynor and Moth Winn published a book they hoped would help get them out of debt, the BBC confirms.
270
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Love this show.
000
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
If we made the green energy transition this war would be unthinkable and these authoritarians wouldn’t be in power — not in the US, not in Iran, not in Saudi Arabia, not in Russia. Hydrocarbons are killing our freedom and just plain killing us.
520269358469
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
I would like to walk with crows. Any crows out there want to go for a walk today? I’ll bring flapjack.
110
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Undiscovered Voices @uvcompetition.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Congratulations to Undiscovered Voices 2024 winner @johoward.bsky.social who has signed with @joannamoult.bsky.social at Skylark Literary Agency. Very excited to see what the future brings for you, Jo 👏
051
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Undiscovered Voices @uvcompetition.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
The wait is almost over for the #UV26 longlist announcement 🙌 Watch this space for news very, very soon... We know UV really does help writers' dreams come true. The first crop of #UV24 books are out this spring. Congratulations Louise Austin, @thatstephendaly.bsky.social and Esther Scherpenisse 👏
Three authors, Louise Austin, Stephen Daly and Esther Scherpenisse, pose smiling, each holding a copy of their new books
163
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Undiscovered Voices @uvcompetition.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
The #UV26 longlist is live at undiscoveredvoices.com/longlist 🙌 More than 250 of you entrusted us with your stories and the standard was very high - it was a thrill to read them. The longlist was chosen by our judges for their originality and quality of writing. Congratulations all 👏
043
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Adam Christopher @adamchristopher.me · 13/03/2026
Well isn’t that a splendid piece of Doctor Who news to wake up to!
4085748
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Excited to announce the @uvcompetition.bsky.social longlist over on our website today! Huge congratulations to all the #kidslit writers who made it. We loved reading ALL the stories so much - loads of variety, laughs and great writing.
030
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
This is all great stuff - when a school has a budget to pay visiting authors and storytellers, or to put up a lovely new library in a garden shed. One sad story I heard this week was of a school in a deprived area that timetables an inset day every World Book Day, so that they don't have to do it.
000
Maggie Womersley @maggiewomersley.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Funny/Not Funny www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
theguardian.com
I challenged ChatGPT to a writing competition. Could it actually replace me?
In week two of Rhik Samadder’s diary, our resident AI skeptic put his reputation on the line
000
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
The Carnegies @carnegiemedals.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
The Shortlist for the #Carnegies2026 Medal for Writing is here! 📖 With subversive storytelling, reimagined folklore, and inventive verse and chronology, this shortlist has a story for everyone. 📚 Congratulations to the talented writers. carnegies.co.uk/2026-shortlists-ann…
12515
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Patrick Ness @patricknessbooks.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
I truly can’t tell you how delighted I am that the first Lizards book has been shortlisted for the @carnegiemedals.bsky.social I love writing these books sooooooo much; they’re just pure joy for me. Plus Tim Miller’s hilarious illustrations, it’s just utter pleasure. Made my day.
2518
Reposted by Maggie Womersley
Rose Ruane @regretteruane.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
The most folk horror of holidays continues with Black Shuck’s paw marks on the door of Blytheburgh church
A heavy old church door with dark black mark across the wood
7773