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Vanessa Harbour

@nessharbour.bsky.social
812 followers 1.4K following 90 posts

Author. 📚♿️PhD. Academic. Programme Leader BA Creative Writing. Uni of Winchester. SoA. Always looking for the positive in a complicated life

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Reposted by Vanessa Harbour
Dr Elizabeth Mackintosh @drelizabethmac1.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I love this so much. I read that Dolly always wanted a pony growing up and whilst that never happened the love of horses never left. She once said I may look like a show pony but I’m workhorse! Our favourite books about horses, human strength & love @nessharbour.bsky.social #BeMoreDolly #KidLitUK
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Dr Elizabeth Mackintosh @drelizabethmac1.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Missed you @nessharbour.bsky.social @uniwinchester.bsky.social ❤️📚
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Leaf Journal: On Writing for Young People @leafjournal.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Our annual online conference 'On Writing for Young People' returns 5-6 Nov 2026. At this point, we warmly invite proposals from our wider community for topics they would like to present on at the conference, or a writing workshop they would like to run. Details: ojs.library.lancs.ac.uk/lj/conference
A line drawing of a tree growing out of a book, with the conference title.
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Hannah Sheppard @hannahlitagent.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
www.thebookseller.com/news/some-ed... The idea of this is horrifying. That editors would be that careless with someone else's work is appalling. And nothing of what follows is in any way intended to excuse or mitigate the damage done to authors if this has actually happened. ...
A screenshot of a bookseller article where literary agent Gordon Wise says he suspects some editors are putting confidential manuscripts into chat GPT to get summaries rather than reading the submission
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
What a wonderful roundup of children’s and ya books by @imogenrw.bsky.social It is joyous to see such an eclectic range
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Irish Literary Times @irishlittimes.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
“I get melancholy if I don't [write]. I need the company of people who don't exist.” ― William Trevor
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Curtis Brown Creative @cbcreative.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
We use suspense in fiction to get the reader on the edge of their seat and make it as difficult as possible for them to put the book down 📚 So what are some of the devices and tricks that a writer can deploy? Here are some tricks for building suspense in your novel:
curtisbrowncreative.co.uk
How to make your writing suspenseful
We often associate suspenseful writing with spooky, thrilling and chilling genres, particularly crime fiction, psychological thrillers, horror and supernatural novels. But actually the toolbox of…
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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 151: You don't need to describe characters in detail as soon as you introduce them. We don't tend to notice things all at once: we notice one or two main features first, then maybe add details later. Your characters can do the same. Let them learn as they go along.
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
When you’ve had a bad day at work but your grown up son sends you a photo of a message from one of his school friends where said friend is holding a picture of your novel that he’s got for his school. Good #authormoment #writercommunity #writing #kidslit @fireflypress
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
this is 💔 I spent yrs educating myself. Wrote many practice novels. Had the support of talented editors Then a greedy, lazy, cheap social media company & scrapes my work along with countless others for free from a pirate site that illegally provided my work & millions of others. #writers
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
There are small highs as an author like when a fellow author has spotted your books in Waterstones in Piccadilly. Very Happi-Ness!
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a little girl is dancing in front of a no smoking sign
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Late to the party but loving this so much
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
The garden is telling me spring is coming. There is sunshine. Love it! Makes all the other pressures tolerable. Time to #write
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
Spent this morning talking to 25+ classes from several schools as part of #worldbookday and #nationalcareersweek. Talking about the things I am passionate about - my portfolio career and the reality of being an author. Feeling grateful today
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
If ever there is a time with a need to escape into a good book that time is now. Time also for me to escape into #writing #books #reading
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a dog wearing glasses and a hoodie is sleeping on the floor reading a book
ALT: a dog wearing glasses and a hoodie is sleeping on the floor reading a book
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Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
I'm having a chat to someone who wants to get into editorial in children's books, preferably picture books but also early readers/chapter books. Basically younger kids, lots of pictures. I've been out of the biz for 5 years...any tips from anyone with more recent experience? #KidLitUK #PublishingUK
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Please read this by by #joelvin open.substack.com/pub/joelvin/...
open.substack.com
This endless 'fashion is fluffy' narrative is dangerous
Please join me in my anger and take action
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 23/02/2025
Love this. One of my fabulous colleagues talking to a lovely student about our #creativewriting degree youtube.com/watch?v=3pr_...
youtube.com
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Sometimes I use method writing. It’s been time to get out the embroidery silks as the main character in my WIP embroiders! I love doing research. #writing #creativewriting #writer #writingcommunity #research
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
When you meet with your mentor and they ask if you’ve thought about writing a motivational book 😳 she can’t mean me. I spent all last night panicking after giving a talk at an awards event that I was ‘too much’! Scuttles back under her rock 😂
media.tenor.com
a dog is hiding under a pink curtain next to a shelf with books on it .
ALT: a dog is hiding under a pink curtain next to a shelf with books on it .
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Judith Butler saying what we need to hear Trump is unleashing sadism upon the world. But we cannot get overwhelmed | Judith Butler www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Trump is unleashing sadism upon the world. But we cannot get overwhelmed | Judith Butler
Those who celebrate his defiance and sadism are as claimed by his logic as those who are paralyzed with outrage
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
Today this happened. The kitten sat on my back purring the whole time I pruned the roses in my garden. It was tiny and lost. It has since been reunited with owner. I am a dog person but I confess it was cute
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Last day of January. Thank goodness! Right now let’s get on with the rest of the year
media.tenor.com
a woman in a gold dress is dancing on a stage with the words `` let 's go !!! ''
ALT: a woman in a gold dress is dancing on a stage with the words `` let 's go !!! ''
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Writing, writing, writing tonight which makes for a very happi-Ness!
media.tenor.com
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
This 100%
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
It’s PLR statement day and I am feeling humble and grateful. The thought that so many wonderful people borrowed my books blows my mind. Libraries were my safe place as a teenager. They are still so important. Thank you #libraries and #librarians
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
So when you get bitterly cold at the Uni Open Day you come home and rewatch #TheSplitBarcelona for the sunshine and to be inspired by Abi Morgan’s brilliant writing as I am marking! #creativewriting #academiclife
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
Perfect afternoon escaping to the beach rather than marking. Cold but peaceful
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
First post on Substack. Could this be something new for 2025?
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
Wonderful morning sky
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Busy marking and so often I want to remind them of Mark Twain’s quote ‘Don’t tell me an old woman screamed. Bring her on and let her, SCREAM!’ Got to love a bit of dramatisation. I know telling also has its place but I do love living the story. #writing #editing #writingcommunity
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Leaf Journal' is a scholarly journal which publishes practice-based insights into creative writing for young people. They are currently welcoming submissions of articles for Volume 3 leafjournal.org/for-authors
leafjournal.org
For Authors | Leaf Journal
Leaf Journal, On Writing for Young People publishes practice-led and practice-based research on writing children's or YA literature.
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
Lovely friends please check out and follow @leafjournal.bsky.social I have the privilege to be on the Editorial Board. It is a brilliant journal and they are just coming over from THAT place #yaf #writers #academic Help them gain new followers
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
So in 2025 I am doing this as part of my academic role #aurora
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Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Where billionaires control the media, and their money determines: the truth, the state, the concept of free speech, the problem isn't truth, or state, or freedom of speech. Billionaires are the problem.
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
Following on from yesterday’s post. When #editing check for paragraphs that should be sentences and sentences that should be paragraphs. Checking for waffle that could written tightly or a sentence that could be expanded to a scene #writing #writingcommunity
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
‘Whatever story you want to tell, tell it at the right size.’ Richard Linklater. Are you forcing a novel into a short story or stretching a short story into a novel? #writing #writingcommunity #editing
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 04/01/2025
This is when I love living near my grandsons. It has started to snow so I met them outside to enjoy the snow in the dark. Being a grandparent is wonderful
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
‘I must change my life so I can live it, not wait for it.’ Susan Sontag Seems a sensible plan
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 22/12/2024
Thought provoking article on AI which engages with Kate Mosse’s article on the same #writers www.thebookseller.com/news/kate-mo...
thebookseller.com
Kate Mosse criticises new government proposal on AI: 'Opt-out solution won't work'
Kate Mosse has spoken out about the government’s new consultation on artificial intelligence (AI), saying the "opt-out proposal won’t work" as it puts too much burden on creatives to protect their wor...
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Are they trying to relive an episode of #westwing? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
What is a US government shutdown?
Here's how the US got to the brink of yet another funding lapse and what it means for Americans - and Trump.
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
This is the third time in two weeks I have been here. The #nhs is amazing. They are doing everything they can to keep me and my broken body going. Am so grateful for them and all who work for the NHS.
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
That gut wrenching moment when an idea from your latest WIP appears in a newish Netflix film. You know it is not identical of course and nothing is original. But still… #writing
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a little girl is making a funny face while holding a broom and making a funny face .
ALT: a little girl is making a funny face while holding a broom and making a funny face .
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
I think this an excellent idea
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
TGIF what a week. Deadlines moved and not in the right direction. It’s all fine!
media.tenor.com
a fluffy gray cat is sitting on a wooden table looking at the camera .
ALT: a fluffy gray cat is sitting on a wooden table looking at the camera .
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
1st December Christmas present 🎁 inspiration for readers who love #horses #adventure #WW2 My books #Flight and #Safe published by @fireflypress.bsky.social #kidslit #readingforpleasure
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Vanessa Harbour @nessharbour.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
A week full of meetings and an Open Day so I treated myself to something I shouldn’t eat on the way home!
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Catherine Friess @ Story Snug @storysnug.com · 30/11/2024
'Let your children read what they want – within reason, without pressure. Please don’t tell them you were reading weighty tomes at their age, it’s not helping. Resist that urge, relax your rules, let them read.' #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #amreading #childrensbooks #BookSky
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Kit de Waal @kitdewaal.com · 15/11/2024
Over 60? Writer? This is for you
bridportprize.org.uk
NEW! Never Too Late 60+ award - Bridport Prize
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SF Said @whatsfsaid.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Every single school should have a library & a librarian, to help every single child find the books that will make them readers, and give them all the lifelong benefits of literacy. Libraries & librarians change children's lives FOREVER! #literacy #libraries #librarians
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