iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Re-reading these small, exquisite stories of a Surrey village by Louis de Bernières. Came out in 2009, originally published in Punch, Independent, The Times etc. Could be another era. Would they even get into print now?

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

In the mornings when the light was new and innocent we'd go in search of sea to touch its blessed foam, its sacred hem Engrossed in this stunning collection from @martinadalton.bsky.social. Gorgeous poems of landscape and memory, sparse and deep.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Plots that move in mysterious ways without ever losing momentum. Luminous stories, stretching the form. A stellar collection from our special Niamh @niamhmaccabe.bsky.social

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

From the Seurat and the Sea exhibition at the Courtauld: 'You don't feel the technique at all. All the awkward aspects of the craft disappear and only the benefit of light and harmony remains.' The Holy Grail described...

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Frabjous birthday surprise from my wife! Back in the dark mists of time my mum auditioned to be a soloist in the Morley College Choir. The tiny man in specs and a raincoat, sitting anonymously at the back, transpired to be Gustav Holst. He approved her voice.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Just finished this fine collection by @grahammort.bsky.social. Spacious, involving storytelling, but with great momentum - every detail takes the narrative forward. I always read for pleasure, but you can't help but learn from writing like this.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Frabjous pre-birthday present from my lovely wife. 1st edition, 1st print signed copy of Julian Barnes' very engrossing final book. Julian, if you're out there somewhere, I've no words to thank you enough (and am secretly hoping your pen will start to itch again soon!).

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

My beloved Thames. Not my local patch, but photo (colour, incidentally) courtesy of my wife. The Thames gives you so much to write about.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Think I might have put this up before. Anyway, Happy Christmas. (My wife says I should have smiled at the end😀).

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

The builders renovating our local community centre are impressionists.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Such an interesting perspective, Richard. Reminds me of this one by my friend Geoff Staden.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

This morning, Richmond park. Three does stepped in front of me, followed by this chap. It being rutting season, I was keen not to offend...

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

Epstein's The Visitation. Standing near it's hard to believe she's not a living being with a soul.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

Loved this quirky, engaging collection by @jolloyds.bsky.social. Vivid, relatable characters and original sentences on every page. Jo is very much her own writer, but if you enjoy the stories of, say, Penelope Fitzgerald or Carys Davies, I'm sure you'll enjoy these.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Margery Kempe and Dame Julian of Norwich share the narrative in this exquisite novel by @vickymackenzie.bsky.social Contrasting medieval lives, each with the same intent, their circumstances and inner worlds rendered with deep insight and authenticity. A wonderful book.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Rare in my experience to find two biographies so in accord. Both sympathetic, both insightful. A fascinating and unusual life (a story is on the way...).

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Was there ever a more persuasive writer than Penelope Fitzgerald? I'm back to this biography for the third time. What it would be to hear Charlotte Mew reading The Farmers Bride, at the Poetry Bookshop, circa 1919. I have @poemsonthetube.bsky.social to thank for discovering the sublime Miss Mew.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Inspired by @jolloyds.bsky.social, here are some vintage woodworking tools courtesy of Carreras Ltd, cigarette card manufacturers. From a set of 50 - made me remember making a bow saw once...

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Huge thanks to Joe Darlington and Manchester Review of books for this stunning review of my collection Things Grown Distant, still available from @confingopublishing.bsky.social manchestereviewofbooks.wordpress.com/2024/10/15/t...

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Really enjoying this collection by @seanbirnie.bsky.social. Original perspectives, singular voice, darkness leavened by humour - what's not to like?

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

Several weeks after finishing I find I'm still assimilating this dark masterpiece by @kerryhp.bsky.social. Read in episodes (from behind a metaphorical sofa), a brilliant, chilling story of gradual entanglement, of being subsumed by untoward circumstance. Read it if you dare!

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Just finished this engrossing collection from @david-bevan.bsky.social published by @confingopublishing.bsky.social. There's a quiet intimacy about David's writing - subtle, understated characters, hewn from their surrounding environment, almost merging with it. Will be re-reading, without doubt.

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Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Still some copies of my collection Things Grown Distant available from @confingopublishing. Here's my favourite review: manchestereviewofbooks.wordpress.com/2024/10/15/t...

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