Sign in

Stephen Kelman

@stephenkelman.bsky.social
133 followers 130 following 79 posts

Author of the novels Pigeon English (Booker Prize shortlist, AQA GCSE set text) and Man on Fire. New stuff on the way.

PostsRepliesMedia
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Yet everyone is wetting themselves over The Odyssey.
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
👊❤️
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Loved this, @questingvole.bsky.social.
100
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I’m a Caravaggio fanboy, but Artemisia’s version is so much better than his: emotionally more truthful, and technically superior (just compare the blood).
172
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
BILL RYAN @faceyouhate.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I know she was a worldly woman and no kind of shrinking violet, but i still don't like the idea of Dolly Parton listening to "Piss Up a Rope."
7256
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
Dun Jun @clustertuck.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
-why is it the ONLY unforgivable sin?" And then she told me, "I finally figured it out. The Holy Ghost is that part of God that lives in everybody, and the way you sin against it is by not loving everybody with all your heart, for exactly who they are."
youtube.com
Dolly Parton - Travelin' Thru [Official Music Video]
YouTube video by NettwerkMusic
194038739
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
Dun Jun @clustertuck.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
RIP Dolly Parton ❤️ Here's a lovely Dolly story: We worked together on "Transamerica." She told me that the bible passage that used to puzzle her the most was, "the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." She said, "How the heck do you sin against the Holy Ghost, and-
183177701
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
Dr. Peter Paul Rubens @peterpaulrubens.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Both a dog and a cat have spotted you from inside Samuel van Hoogstraten's amazing View Down a Corridor, 1662. Not to mention the parrot in its cage! But the people are oblivious.
527055
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Beautifully done.
001
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Glad to hear it. All OK here.
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
✊
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Brilliant writing as ever. Hope you’re having a good day today.
110
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 07/06/2026
“Far right groups prey on it”: Olivia Laing on the weaponisation of loneliness
theguardian.com
“Far right groups prey on it”: Olivia Laing on the weaponisation of loneliness
A decade after The Lonely City was first published, the writer reflects on what’s changed – and how the feelings that drove them to write their bestseller are key to understanding our turbulent politics
510237
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
“You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes.
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
I was sent this today by the tutor of a girl who is taking an exam on my novel Pigeon English. I often doubt the value of my work, but to have my intentions understood so clearly, and my words valued so highly, is a beautiful validation.
Screenshot of an X post about the interpretation of the line “I like your feet” from the novel Pigeon English.
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
🫂
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Absolute lads.
100
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
😍
100
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
Shakespeare and Company @shakespeareandcompany.com · 09/04/2026
On the other hand, the books we sell you will go on working pretty much forever… www.wired.com/story/amazon...
wired.com
Amazon Pulls Support for Perfectly Fine Older Kindles
In an email to customers, Amazon announced that it would be ending service for Kindle devices older than the 2012 edition. Those devices will lose access to the Kindle Store.
913835
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
I broke a leg just looking at this.
020
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
The last Glen Baxter I shared, 22 hours ago. Just found out he has died. Love to all who loved him. His taste for the absurd and the melancholy spoke to me deeply, and made me smile often. A true original.
A Glen Baxter picture of a hand dipping into a goldfish bowl with the caption “He 
was a firm believer in convenience foods.”
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
That’s an instant add to my watchlist, ta.
100
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
I’d also like a convention established whereby, once the accused finally admits or is found guilty of their crimes, reports must include a statement along the lines of ‘they had consistently and strenuously denied the allegations, right up until the moment at which they were proved to be lying.’
110
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
My first thought: ‘happy birthday, fucknut.’
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Thank you.
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
❤️
000
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
Weeping Bank @weepingbank.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
We are so pleased that our upcoming #WeepingBank events are now featured on LibraryOn events page, sitting alongside the fantastic range of activities happening in libraries across the country. See what you can discover at libraryon.org
011
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Thank you @theguardian.com for publishing this piece on my mother and Alzheimer’s:
011
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
I wrote this about Alzheimer’s for The Guardian:
theguardian.com
‘There is one story we never tell’: will old family photos bring joy to my ailing mother – or remind us of dark secrets?
As Alzheimer’s tightens its grip, we have started making our way through the hundreds of albums in my childhood home. But some are too painful to revisit
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Thank you.
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Thank you.
010
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
womensartbluesky.bsky.social @womensartbluesky.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Japanese artist Narumi Takada's 2021 textile piece, "Stepping on Fresh Snow" with snow created using punch needle and straight/satin stitches for the boot and paw prints #Womensart
Textile artwork showing what realistically resembles a boot print in snow surrounded by a dog's paw prints
0505124
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Impressive that you wore socks to get married.
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
👊❤️
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Bang on.
120
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
Mial Pagan @mialp.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Abbey Theatre St Albans' 'It's A Wonderful Life' is... wonderful! Talented cast, assured direction & great effects - you'll know what I mean when you see the play... Different to the film but just as moving & a fine start to the Christmas season. www.abbeytheatre.org.uk/whats-on/its...
abbeytheatre.org.uk
It's a Wonderful Life
Based on the classic film
021
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Nothing can beat the thrill of discovering that King Cnut’s son was called Hartha Cnut.
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
You’re welcome! I’ll shout about Greg’s work at every opportunity!
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
The cover design itself is by Greg Heinimann at Bloomsbury, my favourite book designer. Check out his Insta for more genius.
121
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
❤️
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
And this campaign to get more diverse books into schools is worth a look:
Campaign by student to get more diverse books into schools.
000
Reposted by Stephen Kelman
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
I wrote this on banning books for The Guardian:
theguardian.com
A former Tory councillor tried to ban my novel Pigeon English. Why should pupils suffer because of him?
My book, which draws on my upbringing on a diverse and deprived Luton council estate, has been used as a GCSE text. But one man objected to its profane language and depictions of violence and sexual b...
142
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
I wrote this on banning books for The Guardian:
theguardian.com
A former Tory councillor tried to ban my novel Pigeon English. Why should pupils suffer because of him?
My book, which draws on my upbringing on a diverse and deprived Luton council estate, has been used as a GCSE text. But one man objected to its profane language and depictions of violence and sexual b...
142
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
I like the idea that the settlement will lead to a drop-off in the quality of the wraps in the company canteen, and Sunak will spend half his time there getting worked up about grainy hummus.
020
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
👊❤️
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Satan gets more vindictive the longer you make him wait for you.
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
When I’m running Hollywood I’ll pass a decree that all rediscovered unfinished movies can only be completed using sock puppets.
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
Very sorry to hear about this.
000
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
👊❤️
010
Stephen Kelman @stephenkelman.bsky.social · 03/08/2025
Just saw this. Resisted the temptation to read it.
110