iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

I’ve gone a bit quiet on here - rejections of books I’ve written for my kids felt weirdly personal. Gave up, I thought, but today had an out-of-the-blue email. Had a short horror story accepted under a pseudonym for a very significant podcast. Crikey! #amwriting #writingcommunity

080

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

About 5 years ago, I wrote a short monologue for Sherman Theatre. Steffan Rhodri performed it, brilliantly. I did another then, that Jordan Bernarde did a similarly ace job with. Short plays about Dads. I’ve written them into one, full length piece (monologue based) - cont…

100

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

@noscoredraws.com I mean, you’ll be doing an “after 25 long years” design soon for Coventry’s promotion, right? #PUSB 🙏

120

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Maybe thinking of taking this as a maybe! #AmQuerying

030

Reposted by Rick Allden

Vlle Nomad @vlle.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

What happens when you put together a witch who can barely light a candle with a dragon turned cat by a dyslexic sorceress, and send them to compete in Supernatural Throne Dating - S.T.D - contest? 💥Sixteen magical singles, one crown, zero common sense.💥 #QuestPit #A #F #Q

2269

Reposted by Rick Allden

Heather Carter @hlcarterauthor.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

CRIMSON PEAK X PHANTASMA Trapped in a ghostly limbo with no memory, John & Alloson must solve the mystery of Radfield Hall before a murderous prophecy claims their souls, parting them forever. -Possession -200-y/o nightly ball -Spice -Demonic lion #QuestPit #A #AG #H #R #OS SOON

a dark staircase background. White text that reads: AN EDITOR'S GUIDE TO ECHOES OF RADFIELD HALL BY HEATHER CARTER. ON SUBMISSION SOON. AGENTS KATRINA LEMAIRE AND MARISA CORVISIERO OF CORVISIERO LITERARY AGENCY

a background with stairs and a peeling blue wall with images of four book and movie covers (The Mirror by Nora Roberts, The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall, Crimson Peak, and Phantasma by Kaylie Smith). White text that reads: ECHOES OF RADFIELD HALL. Trapped in a ghostly limbo with no memories, Alloson and John must escape a haunted house that comes to life nightly with two-hundred-year-old ball. As their love grows, the time loop deteriorates and the house rages. They must solve the mystery of Radfield Hall before violent entities, possession, and a murderous prophecy claim their souls for darkness & part them forever. 98,000 words. Dual POV. Adult Gothic Romance. On Submission Soon. Agents: Katrina Lemaire & Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

a dark staircase background with two columns of white text with a scrolling vertical divider between them. Column one: THEMES. ADULT GOTHIC ROMANCE, AMNESIA, GHOSTS, NIGHTLY 19TH CENTURY BALL, TIME TRAVEL/LOOP, HORROR AND ROMANCE, POSSESSION, CURSED BOOK WRITTEN IN BLOOD, SPICE. COMPS: CRIMSON PEAK (GUILLERMO DEL TORO FILM), PHANTASMA (KAYLIE SMITH), THE MIRROR (NORA ROBERTS), THE SPIRIT COLLECTION OF THORNE HALL (J. ANN. THOMAS)

A DARK STAIRCASE BACKGROUND WITH WHITE TEXT:
OPENING LINES:
I drifted on a strange sea between worlds. If I once knew light, it had long abandoned me to a dark, feral nightmare. I ran through the shadowy plane, screaming until I collapsed, succumbing to the burn in my limbs. The hazy edges and echoing rumbles filtered through what should’ve been a harsh line between the living and the realm of the dead.

13413

Reposted by Rick Allden

emma @writingorca.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Four paintings. Nine thieves. One last job. A world that gave up on them, now needs them to save it. 🎨 art heists + criminal found family 👾 near-future cyberpunk 🎱 illegal magic 🧩 puzzles/riddles 👻 grief + haunting the narrative #QuestPit #SFF #T #Q

collage of colourful neon escalators, city buildings, old oil paintings, a grey metal wall in fog, black humanoid creatures, and helmeted masked guards.

44314

Reposted by Rick Allden

J.J. Phillips | #SCBWI #KidLit @jjphillipsyo.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

12yo Catch doesn’t know magic. The Acolytes hunting him for his meteorite wand don’t care. At Alpine—a spy school for wizards—he must master spell-hacked spycraft to stop them from enslaving Guardian Spirits & seizing the Minerals of Power. NEVERMOOR X AMARI X ANDOR #QuestPit #MG #F #AmQuerying

25223

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

🎇#QuestPit 🎇 #MG #AmQuerying #Fantasy Labyrinth X Narnia To find her parents, Emily enters the world they vanished into - only to discover a princess who wants her friendship forever…and is prepared to erase every reason for Emily to leave #AgentsGuide #AgentGuide

142

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

I guess this is common? When I first entered the trenches, and joined BlueSky, I thought my #amquerying letters were good. I'd just written two books so they'd be the easy bits. Sent them everywhere. I'm at that moment where the penny's dropped. Crikey. How did I ever...crikey.

220

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

One last post #WritingCommunity - hasn’t been seen too much so probably not great, but I like it! #AmWriting

000

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

Alright then - for any #revpit #writingcommunity that may be interested. I've assumed this is mine (and it rings true if not!) - so I've tried to improve my query letter following this advice! The old, pre-edited is on the left (and if it's not I'll delete and repost!) - the other is on the right.

010

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

I don’t know who I’m aiming this at or why I’m so compelled to write it, but here we are 😀 I’m 77% convinced this is mine. #Revpit And, if it’s not, it DEFINITELY applies!

030

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Lucky enough to be selected for #revpit #10queries. Didn’t really know what to expect, and wasn’t sure what I’d get from reading expert but ‘example-less’ reviews/thoughts. It was SO helpful - common themes jumped out & real-life examples of what good looks like. Thanks SO much to all involved!

190

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

99% sure I’ve seen feedback for my query and pages now on #revpit #10queries. And, if I’m wrong, I’m following the advice anyway - rang too true!

1160

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Loving the #Revpit #10Queries so far. Not question but comment, I wish there was a way - a checkbox maybe - of letting the agent/publisher know you’re happy to be told “this is nowhere near.” Maybe I’m in a minority but it’d save me time if I knew I was delusional. BIG responsibility tho I guess!!

2100

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

New followers! Hi! I’ve been writing scripts for years but now, post kids, I’ve written two books aimed at 9-12. Querying them both, simultaneously, which is probably stupid, but it means I can have no charges of bias levelled against me. Especially by the worst one. #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity

160

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Wasn’t sure what I expected from my first #Revpit #10Queries - but how helpful is all of this?! Brilliant help for the #amquerying #amwriting #writingcommunity!!

091

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Birthday yesterday - I’ve given myself, for now but I think I’m sticking to it, a YEAR of trying to get my two MG books placed. Today it’s #RevPit #10queries- VERY excited that so many great people are putting their time and expertise in. Probably about to find out a year is INCREDIBLY optimistic 😀

2110

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

TW: Grief No idea if this is any good - no-one's read it - but, as it's October, I've written a VERY short ghosty/grief thing. Do please share/tell me if it is any good - 'thirsty' I think the kids call it 😀 #AmWriting #AmQuerying #WritingCommunity

242

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

Hi! My new #AgentsGuide for Moontide, my #MG Adventure Mystery (that I assure you has nothing to do with my Goonies love…) 41k words AND a hamster in a hat 🐹 🤫Secret societies 💰Smugglers 🏴‍☠️Pirate lore 🗡️Kidnap 🫂Found Family #amquerying #writingcommunity #AgentGuide #LitAgent

040

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Hiya! A new #AgentGuide for the MG fantasy adventure I wrote for my daughter 🎠Weird fair 🤫Secret societies 👶Kids outwitting adults 🪠Mole with plunger hat 🫂Found Family All feedback welcomed! Nice messages will be printed & stuck to fridge #amquerying #MG #agentsguide #litagent

010

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Full request turned into a rejection, BUT, I have to say, it’s given me a MASSIVE boost 😀 #amquerying #writerscommunity

Part of an agent’s response to my manuscript - “I would definitely be interested in seeing this again in the future. I highly considered it.”

031

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Jumping on the #AgentsGuide train - woo woooo! This is for my MG Adventure Mystery (that I assure you has nothing to do with my Goonies love…) 🤫Secret societies 💰Smugglers 🏴‍☠️Pirate lore 🗡️Kidnap 🫂Found Family #amquerying #writingcommunity

030

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Crikey - first time I’ve queried a book - thought I’d just have people at the door - but nooo - there’s comps, trying to convey personality in a pitch, trying to HAVE a personality & then somehow, from somewhere, I need to find time to buy a cat. #amquerying #writerscommunity

240

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Right then - started an #amwriting blog on my website - because I CHOOSE TO LIVE 20 YEARS BEHIND EVERYONE ELSE. Just in case anyone is interested in the writing stuff. www.rickallden.com/post/writing...

Laptop at night, with a teddy in the coffee cup

030

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Boom! Done! Off round the agents now - drop me a message if you fancy a read 😀 Blurb below #amwriting

131

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

Have added a couple more of the Welsh to this. Probably bigger packs out there now but gimme a shout if you want an add. go.bsky.app/Hd6LsNA

000

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Have written a play - fatherhood, mental health and such - but funny, hopefully, too. #FathersDay and all that so sharing a bit. Couple of swears , mind but he is drunk. Looking to film, cast, release etc soon

010

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Written a book - undoubtedly going to spend 17 fruitless years trying to get it published BUT if I put little snippets about like this, maybe make some plasticine toys and get OpenAI to write a review or two, it can seem like a real thing #amwriting

Excerpt from an unpublished book - by me

001

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

WEIRD reading a first book back - some bits are rubbish and need scrubbing, and some bits give you a little nudge & whisper “this might just be alright y’know”.

030

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Bob Mortimer fans - episode two of Last One Laughing has some PRIME BM bits

000

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Finished my first children’s book! Yay! Did it for my daughter - doubt it’ll get published so I’m getting a copy professionally bound for her. I’m going to be using Bookprinting UK - their comms have been great so far - have any #amwriting folk here used them?

150

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

The Offer - drama mini-series about the making of The Godfather is absolutely outstanding. Not sure how known in UK. Only heard of it because I’d just read Robert Evans’ autobiography. On Paramount - Matthew Goode & Juno Temple incredible - all casting bang on. Ace. www.imdb.com/title/tt1311...

imdb.com

The Offer (TV Mini Series 2022) ⭐ 8.6 | Biography, Crime, Drama

1h | TV-MA

473

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

If I could draw like this, I’d do it once, use it to wallpaper the house, the car and my face & march the streets shouting “I DID THIS! I DID! ME!”

110

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Very much my “with” and “without” coffee faces

A Japanese desert that starts as a smiley face and ends as a horror-like grin

011

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Have obviously hit the age But Absolute game CHANGER

130

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Got Discovery+ free with Sky Dipped a toe Incredible!

Thumbnails for “Meet the Rees-Moggs” and “Vinnie Jones in the Country”

030

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

This looks fantastic - have just added me & the one play at mo. #amwriting

011

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

6) Super unleaded 7) the toaster defrost button 8) coffee amount per cafetière 9) card handling fees 10) Frogspawn

010

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

So hard for things to hit the heights of expectation & none higher than that. How did they pull that off? Incredible. #GavinAndStacey

050

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Probably a bit classless & not the done thing, but every time I have a bit of a writing block or a sense of futility, I go to my folder of positive feedback screenshots for a bit of a boost. This one was a biggie - dropped my phone when I saw it 😀 #scriptsky #scriptskyuk

A Rob Brydon tweet saying nice things about my script

290

Reposted by Rick Allden

Geoff Norcott @geoffnorcott.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

Massive away win for the little fella.

573583999607

Rick Allden @rickallden.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

If we start the petition now, I reckon we might just be in time to get a This Country 2025 Christmas special. Imagine.

041