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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

English barrister karaoke debacle. My adventure on Cape Cod. simonmichaelauthor.com/the-washasho...

Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Yesterday was publication day for The French Vendetta and I marked the event by giving a talk to the Stockport & District Society of Model Engineers. Who knew there were enough of them to have a Society? And a nicer bunch of gents you’d be hard to find. #HistoricalFiction #CrimeFiction #AmWriting

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Roberta’s Indie Book Finds @freeboostmarketing.com · 06/05/2026

Your review matters more than you think. It boosts visibility. It finds new readers. It keeps authors going. Take 2 minutes to leave one today. 📚 #SupportIndieAuthors

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Government change of position: authors’ copyright CAN’T be stolen by AI companies to train their LLMs. Well done @societyofauthors.bsky.social.

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

(3) ‘Er Indoors said “Yes” and we’re getting married. I was down on one knee (I’d dropped a fork under the table) and my intentions might have been misconstrued. But that still counts, right?

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

(2) The publishers must have looked at the #CharlesHolborne series, because they’ve now offered a multi-book contract for a present-day legal crime series set in the US (Charlie goes to America). And then…

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

(1) The start of 2026 has been special. After years of rejection of my spec fiction title What’s Left of Us (on the query letter and synopsis alone) two publishers read the full MS and both offered. 2 from 2. (Note to self: must improve pitching skills.) And then…

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The Crime Writers' Association @thecwa.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

From today, the Crime Writers Association will no longer be posting on X. The safety and wellbeing of our members is always our priority, and following ongoing concerns around user safety, privacy, and recent AI-related issues, we’ve decided to step back from active use of this platform.

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

I'll be appearing at the first ever Cheshire Crime Writers Festival - 2 days celebrating all things crime, literary, murder mystery, police procedural and cozy. 7- 8 Feb 2026 at Best Western Hotel, WA6 6HH. Discounted rates available until 31.10.25. thecuriouscatbookshop.co.uk/cheshire-cri...

thecuriouscatbookshop.co.uk

Cheshire Crime Writers Festival – The Curious Cat Bookshop

We are delighted to announce the first ever Cheshire Crime Writers Festival, the 2 day festival to all things literary crime, murder mystery, police procedural and cozy crime will take place on the Sa...

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Jamie Garwood @nexttotheaisle.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

@thedecentbrief.bsky.social just finished NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. Brilliant read as always #booksky

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Just a simple “Thank you” to those who’ve taken the trouble to review “The Fall Guy.” Less than 3 weeks since the audiobook came out, and over half a century of 5* reviews. You’re all lovely!

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

It'll be National Crime Reading Month in June, and most UK crime authors are involved. I'll be at the Lymm Literature Festival. #readingcrime

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

When you come back from a fab few days in Paris, and find this over your garden. “There’s no place like home… there’s no place like home.”

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

I found this very persuasive. Put simply, expecting reason to work with Trump is a waste of time. He will say anything - and be perfectly happy contradicting himself - to justify his actions. Emmanuel and Keir are on a hiding to nothing. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/u...

nytimes.com

Trump Uses Lies to Lay the Groundwork for Radical Change

Condoms for Gaza? Ukraine started the war with Russia? The president’s manipulations of the truth lay the groundwork for radical change.

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Audio drama is to be cut from Radio 3, the only platform for 90-minute full-length radio plays. Write or love radio drama? Then sign the petition supported by Equity, the Writers’ Guild and @societyofauthors.bsky.social Many great playwrights & screenwriters started on BBC drama. chng.it/RQhtxfyVK4

change.org

The world’s platform for change

Change.org is the world’s largest petition platform, using technology to empower more than 200 million users to create the change they want to see.

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Off tomorrow to newwritingnorth.com/event/screen... to meet TV movers and shakers (and many wide-eyed naïfs) armed with option promises, “The Brief” pitchdeck, an elevator pitch and unrealistic hopes. Wish me luck!

newwritingnorth.com

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

We get some gorgeous sunsets up here, but this one’s particularly lovely. Time for a G&T methinks.

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Thinking about a new T shirt. What do you think?

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The Crime Writers' Association @thecwa.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Published and Unpublished authors are invited to enter the Margery Allingham Short Mystery Competition. With a £500 cash prize, what do you have to lose? Deadline: 6.00pm February 28, 2025. Details here: buff.ly/4gN0sfG

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Oh, yes! I’d give a year’s book royalties to charity if @kitharringtonig.bsky.social were to play Charlie. Imagine Rumpole meets 1960’s Michael Caine! (But can he do Cockney?)

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Just caught Radio 4’s ‘Crossing Continents’ when the OH announced that she dislikes it or, more specifically, it’s title. “What’s the matter with it?" I ask, puzzled. “I feel sorry for all those cross incontinents. You wouldn't want a show to highlight your incontinence. No wonder they're cross.'

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

For those who asked (you're so sweet!) book 10, provisionally entitled "The Fall Guy", is finished, with @saperebooks.bsky.social and due for pre-order on Amazon on April 7th. And TV series hopes still alive.

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Elon Musk is inimical to democracy and I can't in conscience continue using his platform. I'm off to bsky.media, handle thedecentbrief.

bsky.media

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Simon Michael @thedecentbrief.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Hi. Elon and I are no longer on speaking terms. I give the bros 3 months max.

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