iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Historia – the HWA @historia-hwa.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

👑📚They're out! The HWA Crown Awards 2026 longlists have been announced. Historia has information about all 36 books, their publishers, and the judges’ comments. Go to historiamag.com/hwa-crowns-2026-longlists #HWACrowns26

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 16/09/2026

Oh, how exciting to see this longlisted! 🤩 I loved proofreading this one – huge congratulations to @historylauren.bsky.social 🙌 #HWACrowns26 #MargaretBeaufort 💙📚

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 13/09/2026

‘Do not defer it. What is right to be done cannot be done too soon.’ – by which Jane Austen probably didn’t mean sharing another great read-along thread from @trungles.com, this time of ‘Emma’, but it feels appropriate! 😊 #BookSky 💙📚

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 13/09/2026

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a highly entertaining, live-posted read-along thread of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ must be in want of sharing. #BookSky 💙📚

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 03/09/2026

Great post! I really love the last bullet point: 'If you don’t want to get mired in it, write about normal people.' 😄

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 31/08/2026

I've been introducing my husband to @robinhobb.bsky.social's fabulous Farseer trilogy via the wonderful narration by @joeeyre.bsky.social (who will hopefully be commissioned to narrate the later books too...!🤞). We're now on book 3, 'Assassin's Quest'. #BookSky💙📚🪐 #MondayReads #RealmOfTheElderlings

Audiobook cover of 'Assassin's Quest' by Robin Hobb, book three of the Farseer trilogy, which is the first set of books in the Realm of the Elderlings series.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 31/08/2026

Great to see this out in the world – it was a really fascinating book to get to work on. The scope is incredible, overturning many misconceptions, and I learned a lot.

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

National Book Tokens @nationalbooktokens.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Did you know? August is Women in Translation Month #WITMonth 🌍 To celebrate, we're sharing just a few of our team's favourite works of kaleidoscopic fiction from talented women writers all across the globe 📚 🎉 Which titles would you add to this list? Let us know 💬

A stack of fiction books to celebrate women in translation month. The books are coordinated by colour, displayed in a rainbow stack. Titles include Of Cattle and Men by Ana Paula Maia, Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa, Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi, The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada, Chéri by Colette and more.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 26/08/2026

Thank you! I'm still a bit dazed! You can join as an Entry member and upgrade later when you're ready – they've got useful guides to help you gauge level, which is based on hours of in-house/freelance experience and CPD. They also suggest a level if they think you've applied for one too low/high.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 25/08/2026

Absolutely over the moon to share that I'm now an Advanced Professional member of @the-ciep.bsky.social! Huge thanks to all my clients, my wonderful referees, and to CIEP for approving my membership upgrade (and so speedily too!). This news has made my day! 🙌 🥳 #Proofreader #Copyeditor #CIEP #CPD

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 24/08/2026

I’ve already read @emilyrcwilson.bsky.social’s brilliant translation of ‘The Odyssey’, which I absolutely loved, so I’m now reading her translation of ‘The Iliad’ – it’s very different in tone, but I’m really enjoying it! Love all the translation notes too – so interesting! #MondayReads #BookSky 💙📚🏺

A paperback copy of ‘The Iliad’ by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 17/08/2026

‘Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent’ by Judi Dench, from interviews with Brendan O’Hea. She explains the way Shakespeare wrote lines shows us how to read, understand, perform. Great anecdotes from her own performances. This is how Shakespeare should be taught – fascinating and funny! #booksky 💙📚

An e-reader being held up, showing the cover of ‘Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent’ by Judi Dench.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 17/08/2026

I just discovered Word’s Read Aloud can’t pronounce ‘copyediting’ (there’s an influence on the first i from ‘indict’) or ‘repurposing’ (reaper-posing) – and it always reads ‘No.’ (with a full stop) as ‘number’, which can make for confusing character dialogue…!

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/08/2026

I remember my whole class playing it together once, even though we knew it was banned – so we had to be careful the teacher on duty during break didn't figure out what we were playing...! The only game with 'red' in the name that we played was Red Letter, but that's quite different! 😄

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/08/2026

No. I looked it up and it sounds similar to a game I knew as British Bulldog, which was banned at my primary school! (Reminds me of how the first name I knew for tig/tag was ‘sticky toffee’, particularly for the ‘off-ground’ version, but no one else ever seemed to know that name!)

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

isabeltranslates @isabeltranslates.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

😍 #xl8 #literarytranslation 🌐

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

isabeltranslates @isabeltranslates.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

😍😍😍 #xl8 #literarytranslation 🌐

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 29/07/2026

Welcome back! Glad the time away helped. It'll be lovely to have #MondayReads again – a few people tried to keep it going (and I feel you should see this lovely post from @bookishsff.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/book...) but it was never quite the same.

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Christopher Hughes MBE @chrislinguist.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I look forward to a time when English students are proud to learn another language; when learning another language is a step into an exciting new world; when being "good at languages" is not unusual or elitist. Because languages are for everyone, in everything, and everyone enjoys the benefits.

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Translators Aloud @translatorsaloud.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

There couldn't be a more perfect time to re-share this wonderful dramatic mini reading (complete with improvised costumes) from Book 1 of Homer's The Odyssey by the translator @emilyrcwilson.bsky.social. buff.ly/Kff4NNy #theodyssey #emilywilson #translation

youtu.be

Emily Wilson's dramatic mini reading from Homer's The Odyssey - Book 1

Book 1 (First posted on May 15, 2020) Characters featured: Narrator; Athena, with mighty spear, and in disguise, with sunglasses; Telemachus, in Phillies hat. This is the first video in the mini…

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Bookish Scifi & Fantasy @bookishsff.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

So, have you seen Nolan's The Odyssey yet? And did you think "wow, there are loads of interesting and badass women in this tale but I wish we knew their stories"? We got you... #SFF #GreekMythology #Odyssey

The movie poster for the odyssey, featuring Odysseus yelling while a big wooden horse burns in the background

A pile of books all inspired and exploring the women of the Iliad and Odyssey:
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood;
The silence of the girls by pat barker;
A thousand ships by natalie haynes;
Circe by Madeline miller;
Clytemnestra by costanza casati;
Clytemnestra's bind by Susan c Wilson; last song of Penelope and House of odysseus by claire north;
Divine might by Natalie haynes;
Mythica by emily hauser;
Vile lady villains by Danai christopoulou

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 11/06/2026

This was a fascinating book to work on, uncomfortably eye-opening.

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

My latest books cartoon for @theguardian.com

A cartoon in which the speech bubbles are categorised by colour.

Panel 1: A man cooks dinner for a woman who is looking at his bookshelves.
He calls from the kitchen"I hope you're not judging me on my bookshelves?" (Blue)
She replies "Haha, no!" (Orange)

Panel 2: She takes a book off the shelf and asks
"Have you read all of these?" (Blue)
He replies "Of course!" (Orange)

Panel 3: she leafs through the book and asks
"Can I borrow this?' (Blue)
He replies "Sure, I love lending my books!" (Orange)

The key below explains that Blue represents a question and orange represents a lie.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 15/05/2026

No cats were harmed in the making of this dish... Really interesting thread on what 'katsu' actually means (love a good #WordNerd moment!).

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 12/05/2026

I've just bought my ticket for this year's CIEP conference 😊 I'll be logging in from the Highlands – is anyone else joining online too? #CIEP2026

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Brian Bilston @brianbilston.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Today’s poem is called ‘Wild Weekend’.

Wild Weekend

Sunday – and the squirrels are lazing in their branches,
the sheep are congregating for morning service,
and the bears are sleeping off their sore heads.

The sloths are taking things slow, the hippos are wallowing,
the cats are curling up on the newspaper in front of the television.
The alpacas will spend the day in their fluffies.

Not everyone is taking it easy. The deer are up already
for a walk around the park. The ducks are planning a trip
across the lake. The salmon have gone wild swimming.

The snails are pottering about the garden, while the crows
scan its aisles for materials and prepare for an afternoon of DIY.
The pigeons have split up: some are hanging around

the shopping centre, others will head over to the cricket.
The lions are having an old friend over for dinner, the camels
are baking, the spiders are browsing their webs, and the humans…

the humans are wondering where the weekend has gone,
and questioning the natural order of things.

Brian Bilston

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

A cartoon for #IndieBookstoreDay, which is tomorrow! Get out to your local bookstore! www.indiebound.org/

Title: Specialist delivery services available from local bookshops

A chart showing the services folowing this structure:
G. Genre
H. How To order
M. Method of Delivery

G. Romance
H. A trusted servant dispatched with a secret letter
M. A brooding Aristocrat on a Black horse

G. Murder-mystery
H. A telephone call from within a locked room
M. A bookseller/ gentleman detective

G. Science fiction
H. A robot bearing a holographic Message
M. Teleported from an orbital data platform

G. Horror
H. Screams. Awful, bloodcurdling screams.
M. An evil thing. Horrible beyond Comprehension

G; Fantasy
H. Runes engraved on an enchanted Elven sword
M. A postal goblin Riding on a talking raven

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Tom Gauld @tomgauld.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

my latest books cartoon for @theguardian.com

Two hooded figures with lamps approach a moonlit, isolated cottage.
A woman answers the door.
We have come for the child, says the hooded figure
So soon? she asks
It is time, says the hooded figure.
The woman is distraught. We should never have got him a library card!
What is done cannot be undone, says the hooded figure
We couldn’t see the harm! We just wanted him to enjoy reading!
For most, it ends there, says the hooded figure, turning away and walking into the wilderness
Oh lord, What have I done! says the woman,
the child walks past her and out into the darkness with them.
Do not cry mother.
I am a writer now.

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Solaris Books @solarisbooks.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

🎉30K giveaway book bundle! #💙📚 Inc @rhiannonagrist.bsky.social @aptshadow.bsky.social @voidcricket.bsky.social @lavanya.bsky.social @neuvel.net @csecooney.bsky.social @authortrmoore.bsky.social @shoutoutmapes.bsky.social US/CAN/UK/IE only. Like, repost, follow & drop a🌟in the comments! Ends 24/4

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

Brian Bilston @brianbilston.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Today’s poem is called ‘Job Interview with a Cat’.

Job Interview with a Cat

Tell me, what is it about this position that interests you?
The warmth, perhaps? The security?
Or the power you must feel by rendering me useless?
Feel free to expand if you wish.

I see you have had experience of similar positions.
Can you talk about a time when you got somebody’s tongue?
Or were set amongst the pigeons?
Tell me about a time you’ve had to deal with a difficult situation –
for instance, have you ever found yourself in a bag?
If so, how were you let out of it?

How would you feel if you had to walk on hot bricks?
What about a tin roof of similar temperature?
With reference to any of your past lives,
has curiosity ever killed you?

Finally, where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
In the same position? Or higher up to catch the sunlight?
What’s that? You would like to be where I am now?
Oh, it appears you already are.

Brian Bilston

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 13/04/2026

Absolutely. Her writing's so compelling. I felt quite a void after finishing the Wolf Hall trilogy, and I suspect it'll be the same after this one too!

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 13/04/2026

Morning! I’m reading ‘A Place of Greater Safety’ by Hilary Mantel (from @4thestatebooks.bsky.social), currently in the years leading up to the French Revolution.

Overhead view of a paperback copy of ‘A Place of Greater Safety’ by Hilary Mantel. The cover art shows the French flag against a grey backdrop, with smoke-like smudges around the edges.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 03/04/2026

Thanks! I only shared my link for inspiration (via some recommended reads), but you can still get to the regular home page from there, and it’s the same search function 😊 Happy reading and good luck, everyone! 📚

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 03/04/2026

Treat yourself to a book this Easter (any book!) from @bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social and you could win a £400 gift card to spend on even more books, ebooks or gift cards – all while supporting indie bookshops from the comfort of your sofa 😊🙌 uk.bookshop.org/shop/nicolab... #BookSky 💙📚 #UKGiveaway 🎁

A graphic of a pile of cards with text that reads: Win a £400 Bookshop.org gift card! Buy a book 3–6 April to enter.

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 02/04/2026

Is there a chance that this will be broadcast in cinemas too? 🤞

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Reposted by Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚

isabeltranslates @isabeltranslates.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Literary translator pals: a new competition, in honour of the late, great David Bellos. For unpublished samples. More details here: janklowandnesbit.co.uk/prize #xl8 #literarytranslation 🌐

janklowandnesbit.co.uk

Translation Prize

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 10/03/2026

“A handbag?!” Free theatre! 😊🎭 @nationaltheatre.org.uk’s The Importance of Being Earnest is available on YouTube from 12 March for a week! 🙌 #TheatreAtHome

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 10/03/2026

Catching up on @laurapoole.bsky.social’s ‘The Art of the Query’ webinar for @the-ciep.bsky.social and enjoying the enthusiasm and positivity! 😊 Great examples of how the editor–author relationship should always be collaborative, never combative. 🙌 #CPD

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Nicola Bigwood | Proofreader & Copyeditor | Former Translator ✍️📚 @nicolabigwood.uk · 22/02/2026

Ooh, thank you! (Honestly, the timing of seeing his post today after finishing your book yesterday was perfect: it meant I knew about the u/v switch, uu, thorn, etc. so I understood more than I would’ve done otherwise!)

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