iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

It must be awesome being a celebrity. "Here's a shit load of money, a bunch of free clothes and jewellery, and all you have to do is, well, nothing." Dream job.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

🎃 happy October! 🎃 Now we're officially in spooky season, spook up your TBR with The Ones We Fear, a chilling tale of witchcraft, monsters, and the scariest thing of all: Humans. Available from @srlpublishing.bsky.social starting at just £3.99 for the ebook: srlpublishing.co.uk/product/the-...

The cover of The Ones We Fear by Robert Welbourn with the wording:

"emotional, desperate, shocking and beautiful"

We always want to protect the ones we love. They don't always need it.

"a witch story told amazingly"

"I loved the eerie, ethereal and dream-like quality"

"leaves you feeling unsettled long after the final page"

"an atmospheric, compelling read"

Out now

srlpublishing.co.uk

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

My next newsletter is coming tomorrow! Fun fact: if you're worried about spam, don't be. Tomorrow will be the 12th email I've sent in a year. Definitely not spam. Please subscribe?

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Last day at the day job! My temp contract is ending today, and I don't have anything to go into which is a little scary but also kinda exciting. Something will come up soon I'm sure. In the meantime: I write.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Join me on Buttondown! I'm going to be using socials less and Buttondown much more in the future. Subscribers will be the first to read excerpts from upcoming books, they'll be the first to learn exciting news, and they'll have chances to win free copies of my books. buttondown.com/RobertWelbourn

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

A feeling I'm sure all writers can relate to: I have a book coming out next year, which means I'm trying to force myself to respond to the edits and not just write a whole new book instead.

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SRL Publishing @srlpublishing.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

It falls to Mabel to bail out failing estate Dorrage Hall, coming up with a series of ingenious wheezes, including selling erotic art Bailiffs threaten, claimants circle, and an almighty row brews Can Mabel sort out the family’s biggest mess yet? Pre-order now, publishes 10/11

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

"Here are the books x celebrity loves" Fuck off Fuck offffff Fuck all the way off. Celebrities are just people, who fucking cares what they like? I'm much more interested in my neighbours and friends and colleagues, actual people who live in the actual world.

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Blue Poppy Publishing @bluepoppypub.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

... and the selling

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I really hope this is someone at the BBC purposely misgendering Streeting because he's a transphobic piece of shit.

A screenshot of a BBC sub headline which refers to Wes Streeting as 'she'.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Thank you so much @catapultbooks.bsky.social for the ARC of The Ruiners by Ellena Savage, I can't wait to dive into this one. Publishing December 2026, it's the story of a lost 29 year old Australian waitress who, receiving an unexpected inheritance, buys a run down house on a Greek island.

The cover of The Ruiners by Ellena Savage.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Can you imagine being such a joyless freak? My last interview was literally in a coffee shop; I brought water and bought a big ol' hot chocolate. Life is rough enough as it is, stop being such a whiny little bitch about something so incredibly insignificant.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I feel this so hard. As a kid I used to ask for extra homework. As an adult I spend the vast majority of my non-work time writing. And I wonder why I'm so stressed and anxious all the time 🤔

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Eric Smith @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I think the most “adult who was in a gifted and talented program as a kid” thing I could have done to myself was become an author. Just giving myself endless homework and a need for people to be proud of me forever.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie is equal parts hilarious and excruciatingly uncomfortable. I loved it.

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Musa Okwonga @okwonga.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This AI discourse is amazing. "We've created this very dangerous thing, based largely on the mass theft of labour, that we should stop developing" - okay, so that means that you should be treated like social and economic vandals, not revered as sages on podcasts.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Reading the September bookseller; there are 16 jobs listed, 15 based in London. The other can be done in either Sheffield or London. Bangin'.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Thinking about blurbs is a bit like when someone asks you your favourite song: I cannot think of a single author in existence.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Just seen a video on Instagram from a prominent literary agent saying not to put comps in your query letter. We've officially reached the point where there is no general advice for querying agents, because every single one has a completely unique set of requirements.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I finished Sweetbitter Song this morning. Overall I enjoyed it; it's a bit long and repetitive, but it's very interesting to see a female POV of the Odysseus story. But now I feel like I need to watch Nolan's The Odyssey again, even though I know it's a hot mess.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Isn't it beautiful 😍 So excited to begin this read-through.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Weird that Robert Eggers is pivoting from horror to Romeo and Juliet. Completely unnecessary too.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Isn't it beautiful 😍 So excited to begin this read-through.

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Misha Grifka Wander @mishagw.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Ancillary Review is looking for more editors! Message me if you're interested in copy-editing, dev editing, or graphics creation for a Hugo finalist magazine of spec fic criticism! It's volunteer-based and fits with your schedule <3

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Joe Lo Truglio is a genuine comedic actor.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I found out this morning that Andy Williams died earlier this month too, just 48. Absolutely tragic.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

If you're excited for the new Carrie series, boy do I have a book for you! The Ones We Fear available now from @srlpublishing.bsky.social: srlpublishing.co.uk/product/the-...

If you're excited for:

The poster for the new Carrie adaptation by Mike Flanagan.

You should read:

The cover of The Ones We Fear by Robert Welbourn.

15 year old Alex loves football, hates school, and is confused by girls.

There's one particular girl he's drawn to, but Janet is the school weirdo, living on the edge of Deerborn with her mum in a ramshackle house.

When a child goes missing, the accusing fingers of the Deerborn villagers fall on Janet and her mother. Rumours have swirled for years about the strange and disturbing things they do behind closed doors.

Alex doesn't believe the accusations and is desperate to protect Janet, to make sure she's safe.

But Alex doesn't know who Janet really is. Alex doesn't know what Janet is capable of.

We always want to protect the ones we love. They don't always need it.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I'm reading a book about Greek mythology and this is my summation thus far:

A screenshot of a man saying 'cause they rapin everybody out here'

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory has passed away aged just 45. Far too young. Fuck cancer.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The words every author loves to hear ❤️

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

A day late due to travelling, here's my Caturday entry. A beautiful little girl I met in Pals, a small mountain village in Catalonia. I stopped to say hello, she immediately clawed her way up onto my shoulder purring her little head off. Beautiful little lady.

A grey and white cat sitting on the shoulder of a white man in grey shorts and a burgundy and red t shirt.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I will promote anything that promotes Shirley Jackson.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Whether you like it or not, I think we can all agree The Godfather is the most overrated film.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I gave this book 3 stars in the end. It's good and readable but a bit lacking in depth. Honestly, I just got the feeling the main character was depressed more than anything, and the story only really spoke to him as opposed to an entire culture.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Dear @mikeflanaganfilm.com, I've just read you're adapting The Mist after Carrie. How about The Ones We Fear next? Heavily influenced by Carrie and Firestarter, I reckon you'd love it. I can send you a digital copy this second! srlpublishing.co.uk/product/the-...

Little did he know, there were so many more beautiful days to come, days that would feel without end, days that made him happy to be alive. And so many awful events he'd wish he weren't.

The Ones We Fear Robert Welbourn

We always want to protect the ones we love. They don't always need it.

THE ONES WE FEAR

Out now!

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Following the madness of House of Leaves, I'm thrilled to be reading a 'normal' book. Who Will Remain is a story of race, toxic masculinity and peer pressure in British Pakistani culture in Birmingham. I'm 2/3 and it's funny, sad, scary, devastating, and yet full of hope. I'm really enjoying it.

The cover of Who Will Remain by Kasim Ali.

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sdebar.bsky.social @sdebar.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

When – and quite frankly, why? – did 'stop killing children' become so political

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

4 soon to be 5 books in and emailing with my publisher never gets old. I love you @srlpublishing.bsky.social ❤️

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I was just pleasantly reminded I'm on this wonderful Starter Pack of amazing bookish people in the north. Seriously, check it out, there are some gems on here. In fact, 100% of it is gems. go.bsky.app/81ue7ZW

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I should have marked it lower because the last time I went to the beach for a week I read 8 books. Today is day 6 and I've read one book.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Finished House of Leaves. 2.5/5. So much of it is absolutely amazing, mind blowing, a pleasure to read and an experience I'm glad I lived through. Unfortunately so much of it is absolutely hot garbage that should never have been printed because it's a wasted of time.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I've submitted a complaint to the BBC about this absolutely disgusting article and you should too: Complaints | Contact the BBC share.google/kXezFZFP5Bjf...

A screenshot of the BBC app showing an absolutely disgusting headline defending Israel and promoting genocide.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Oh to be a fly on the wall as Ed Sheeran realises the only people on his side are scumbags.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I don't know who's more pathetic: People who create AI porn accounts on Instagram Or People who follow them.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I'm 100 pages into House of Leaves and let me tell you one thing the endless discourse doesn't address: It's kinda boring.

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Robert Welbourn @robertwelbourn.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Going away for a week today and only taking one book. ONE BOOK!? I hear you cry. Yes, just one book. Because it's time...

The cover of House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski.

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Wole Talabi | Preorder THE FIST OF MEMORY @wtalabi.com · 12/09/2026

Same goes for authors. You don't have to buy expensive hardcovers of our books. You can request them from your local library, tell your book clubs about them, read and review on netgalley, share and repost covers and quotes. These are things I'm encouraging people to do for THE FIST OF MEMORY.

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