iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 19h

I wish they hadn't sprayed Roundup outside. Three days later, I can still smell it & maybe I have a cold all of a sudden, or maybe the fatigue and sore throat are psychosomatic. Or maybe it's the Roundup. I'd rather have weeds. #WeedsPlease!

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Reposted by Nancy Freund

European Writers Salon @saloneurope.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Enjoyed Madrid and want more? Or perhaps you missed out and want to see what all the fuss is about? Come to PARIS in November with us for 2 days of writing, reading and exploration.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Long shot here. I took this crazy reflection picture of a beautiful small square #painting in a #madrid gallery window on #calledeatocha. A bunch of bodies. Maybe 10x10. I keep wishing I’d gone in to ask for details. Anyone know the gallery’s name??? Or artist? Or anything? Thank you.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Interesting convo at the @saloneurope.bsky.social in Madrid - as a #writer, how do you deal with #distraction? Ideas: Pomodoro Method. Or: embrace it, Agatha Christie's method, write by dictation while you do something else. Do dishes. Go for a walk. Play a YouTube tutorial in the background.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Great chat today w/a Cambridge CW MSt student re PhD's. Conclusion was you've gotta pin down 4 strands in advance. 1) PROJECT (form & content) 2) supervisor 3) institution 4) location. We talked for 90 minutes, but this was the gist of it. I coulda used this info when I started researching! #write

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

ENSFR is a welcoming, enriching community of short story writers and readers across Europe & UK... wonderful line-up of events! I've attended two of their conferences in person - both magical.

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Reposted by Nancy Freund

Novelicious @novelicious.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

If it doesn’t come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don’t do it. CHARLES BUKOWSKI #amwriting

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

"Talent could give you nothing. Without work, talent is only talent, promise, not product." -- @alexanderchee.bsky.social Chee on being a student of #AnnieDillard. In @themorningnews.org. In other words, per Britney, you better work, bitch.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Posting beautiful b day pics for my husband and goddaughter and asking the internet for weasel scat images because life is #absurd. Good news is I think it’s rabbits.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

"It was a private thing to be alive. He understood this now." - Artie in Elizabeth Strout's The Things We Never Say. An interesting novel.

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Reposted by Nancy Freund

Fiction Writing Tips @fictionwritingtips.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Art never responds to the wish to make it democratic; it is not for everybody; it is only for those who are willing to undergo the effort needed to understand it. – Flannery O’Connor #WritingCommunity #WritersCommunity #WritersQuotes #WritingQuotes #WritersCafe #FlanneryOConnor

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

"The best drink in existence is the pan-galactic gargleblaster, the effect of which is like having your brain smashed down by a slice of lemon wrapped around a large, gold brick." --Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I don't actually want to experience this, but I love the words that describe it.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Can't wait to run a little literary #fragmentation session in Madrid for @saloneurope.bsky.social! Last night I had #teaching dreams about my supplies & timing & engagement. Back in the day, I loved teaching. Today I'm loving my fragmenting heroes & PhD. #AliSmith #EimearMcBride #JennyOffill.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

In a short story I wrote that a student had a sticker on their laptop saying 42>420. Can I just ask whether anyone here has any idea what that refers to? Thanks.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Renting, not (yet?) buying. Hope is still a little bit alive?

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Just got this new school year's "Freshers isn't just for freshers" email from #Brunel. Going back to school as a "mature (!) student" is such a delight. Last year the email about where to get my Halloween costume was particularly fabulous. And as always, a little #absurd.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

You've made the book hoarder (and ink-pen annotator) in me very happy. Radical act!

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

"Broken down kitchen, top of the stairs Can I mix in w/your affairs? Share a smoke, make a joke Grasp & reach for a leg of hope Words to memorize, words hypnotize Words make my mouth exercise Words all fail the magic prize Nothing I can say when I'm in your thighs" - Violent Femmes, Add It Up

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

If you've read #Martyr! Watch Dua Lipa's insightful interview w/Kaveh Akbar. If you haven't read it, watch anyway! It's a gorgeous, funny, intense, intelligent, generous book. So is their conversation. #addiction #immigration #Iranian-Americans, #LGTBQ, #art, #death. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mktt...

youtube.com

Martyr!: Dua & Kaveh Akbar On Addiction, Art & Exile

YouTube video by Service95

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Excellent session @saloneurope.bsky.social. #Writing the ordinary in extraordinary/difficult times w/@deborahzafer.bsky.social. We read an extract of this story by Brecht de Porteere @brechtdp.bsky.social. I then read it in full immediately. The Rest Is Silence. WOW. hudsonreview.com/2025/05/the-...

hudsonreview.com

The Rest Is Silence | The Hudson Review

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

2 1/2 years now, every month since our short story week w/@DavidGaffney & KJ Orr @arvonfoundation.bsky.social. Last night they workshopped a new hermit crab CNF I'd written after the @hapi-conference.bsky.social on #fragmentation & now I can't wait to work on it more. Love this group. #Mojo.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

I just read #BarbaraKingsolver's #DemonCopperhead. Fabulous friends pointed me to their podcast conversation about it. Pure gold! They're discussing 100 books here. I will definitely dive in for MORE. Jay & Stacey are amazing. www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCCL...

youtube.com

Kingsolver’s Conversation with Dickens: Demon Copperhead

YouTube video by Between The Covers Podcast

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Not sure a Facebook video will show on BlueSky, but this is a nice little synesthesia lesson from Mayim Bialik. She's great! But for what it's worth, "unicorn" is totally white. Everyone knows that. www.facebook.com/MissMayim/vi...

facebook.com

Video

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

NOT a pointless post - for me this is BIG. I managed to put contacts in my eyes. My 5th round of trying (after 3 prior failures at the optometrist's). @teonipassereau.bsky.social gave me advice & then I found a GOOD youtube & 1st try, GOT IT. I can see! & I feel v empowered. #KeepAsking #KeepAtIt

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Evidently I am the #phoenix #deatharchetype. Sounds about right. Fascinating stuff. Sometimes writing a book HAS to be about the rabbit holes. For me anyway. And no, it's NOT procrastination. :-) www.deatharchetypes.com/result?code=...

deatharchetypes.com

I’m the phoenix. What are you? Take the test and find your type.

Death is not the end.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

I join the world mourning the loss of Dolly Parton - absolute gem of a human being. What she did for #literacy, #books, #women & #music!! But I just learned we also lost #TimCurry. What that guy did for big, bold, joyful #LIFE. #RockyHorror www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCZD...

youtube.com

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - Sweet Transvestite Scene (3/5) | Movieclips

YouTube video by Movieclips

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The #fragmentation @hapi-conference.bsky.social finished in Bristol a week ago. Incredibly rich & inspiring. A friend asked about Lucy Durneen's #poetry - I shared this stunner #lyricessay from Sweden. It's #grief, #depth. #astrophysics #sky #love #tea #olives & MORE. www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWLS...

youtube.com

Morgonpoesi med Lucy Durneen

YouTube video by Litteraturcentrum Kvu

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Half an hour from now is my 9th Brunel PhD supervision, discussing my novel's development. A year ago I hadn't even started & now I'm fully IN IT, absolutely loving being in it. You think your life's rolling forward a certain unchangeable way - think again. #DoTheThing. #KeepAskingKeepAtIt.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I think the internet is swamped with eclipse pics. Hampstead Heath was a party! I want to show you but I can't seem to process anything. SOOO slow! But I brought a box lid and an egg poacher up there. And a vodka vanilla thing in a can. Made friends. It was fun. #eggpoacher #mcguyver

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Big soulless mall. Chain store w/character. AllSaints. I buy a dress, 20% off for signing up for the newsletter. I open their email, find a Spotify playlist, discover 80's Cleaners from Venus who distributed chiefly by mailed cassette. Love. Amazed I've arrived here: open.spotify.com/track/1p8Fz4...

open.spotify.com

Summer in a Small Town

The Cleaners From Venus · Under Wartime Conditions · Song · 1984

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

For my last book, she was the first agent I was encouraged to query - by both my US & UK networks. My novel wasn't right for her, but I still (and NOW) have a huge soft spot for her. Thanks for sharing this. "Lovely" is wonderful.

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Reposted by Nancy Freund

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

'Danish teenagers will have to make an oral defence of their written essays to combat AI cheating, the government has announced.' Piloting this for 2nd year undergraduate research essays this year, though NB it's not just policing: also develops key oral skills. 1/2

theguardian.com

Danish pupils will have to orally defend essays in attempt to combat AI cheating

Government introduces several measures, including monitoring of computers, for pupils aged 16 to 19

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

A good article about facing a #type1diabetes diagnosis & having to change your plans & expectations for your life & your #pregnancy. I was type 1 BEFORE pregnancy & this still hit home big time.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Researching various lizards by size and landed on a photo page of iguanas in Florida people's toilets. I'm scarred for life. And yes, I've had a snake in the shower and a frog in the toilet there already. Yikes.

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Reposted by Nancy Freund

European Writers Salon @saloneurope.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Meet us in Paris! We’re hosting an open mic and two writing workshops in a cosy, welcoming cafe space and in the city beyond. All are welcome. The weekend’s theme is ‘My Self in Other Cities and takes place over two days. You can join as much or as little as you like. It includes:

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

The #WorldCup was a joy! Much needed contrast to the USA's division, conflict & corruption. Congrats to #Spain! Now the after-chatter buzzkill is again anger, doom, depression, lies & politics. I'm gonna try to remember Norway. Gratitude, gamesmanship. Respect. #Row And Obvs #England. #ClassAct

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

This interview w/#MickJagger feels like an amazing conversation *I* somehow got lucky enough to experience personally. He's an outstanding intellect. The #writing! Music & performing at the center of it all. #davidmarchese, this is SO GREAT. Thank you. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEb1...

youtube.com

Mick Jagger Can’t Name One Good Thing About Getting Older | The Interview

YouTube video by The Interview

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

You go to one #WorldCup match in real life and all the socials change your alogrithm hugely. I'm enjoying the football football football interlude. Not QUITE ready to get back to books and diabetes just yet, though both are always also important. C'mon #England!

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

“That’s what I’m fucking talking about.” You get to the figure skater’s quote and feel it. Excellent essay for our fourth of july, birthday 250, and this pivotal moment in history. Because yeah, the pivot is happening. TY Rebecca Solnit. www.facebook.com/share/18g5aJ...

facebook.com

Facebook

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Great essay on how the World Cup's like a great American sleepover with the cousins we love but don't normally get to see because our parents are fighting. It's a good read! open.substack.com/pub/derekpen...

open.substack.com

All Y'All: The World Cup and the Great American Sleepover

To the world who reminded us of who we can be:

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Congrats to the new journal @rindandroot.bsky.social, I "met" through @saloneurope.bsky.social. Debut today! I'm in it! So pleased to see this piece, Cartoon Dogs, find its home here. I'm on page 34. I think it's my lucky number. Gorgeous #collage there with my #writing too. Primarily #pink.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

“I’m not bothered at all to learn I’m pure fiction… I don’t seem to age…” @megshaffer you’ve done it again! I’m 35 pgs into The Book Witch and hooked.

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

"And you may say to yourself - my God, what have I done?" Yesterday I did it - PhD 9-month review panel progressed me! In an EWS @saloneurope.bsky.social salon I said "No idea what I'm doing, sometimes -- do it anyway." NOW I can say year one's done. And so far, success! youtu.be/5IsSpAOD6K8?...

youtu.be

Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (Official Video)

YouTube video by Talking Heads

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Nancy Freund @nancyfreund.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

My PhD 9-month review is today. Less than 3 hours from now. And the gardener has just begun a major project below my window, with hired help, tractors, trimmers, and every noisy machine known to man. I'm reminding myself that all good things in my life arrive through a little absurdity. #WishMeLuck

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