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Gita Ralleigh

@gitaralleigh.bsky.social

3.5K followers 5.7K following 990 posts

Writer/Poet/Lecturer/ex-doctor. Kids: The Destiny of Minou Moonshine 🐘 The Voyage of Sam Singh 🦜 @zephyrbooks.bsky.social Poetry: Siren 🧜🏽‍♀️ @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social A Terrible Thing 🧝🏽‍♀️ (Bad Betty Press) https://linktr.ee/gitaralleigh

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · Aug 6

First post! I'm a poet, writer and ex-doctor born to Indian immigrant parents in London. More: gitaralleighauthor.wordpress.com
Here mostly to check in on the world without being sucked into a vortex of despair and to post my daily word count for accountability. ⌨️

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 1d

😍😍😍

Piu DasGupta 🐒🐍💫 @piudg.bsky.social · 1d

Adventure awaits! The next book in the Snakestone Cycle, The Golden Monkey Mystery, is out in January 2026!

🐒💍🐍✨✨

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 1d

I am eternally in your debt for alerting me to this entire thread…

Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Roxane Gay @roxanegay.bsky.social · 2d

Libra season is upon us. My power is now infinite and fall has finally fallen. Crisp and clear today. Praise Beyoncé.

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Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Philip Nel @philnel.bsky.social · 2d

Harold and the Purple Crayon is a manifesto for human creativity disguised as a children's book. I wrote about it.
blog.oup.com/2025/10/turn...

Turn off AI. Pick up a crayon.

Google Gemini offers “a new way to bring your imagination to life.” Adobe Firefly promises “The ultimate creative AI solution.” And Craiyon invites you to “Create AI Art.” Don't believe the tech hype.

blog.oup.com

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 2d

😢💯

Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Samira Ahmed @samiraahmed.bsky.social · 2d

"Rather, I’m bitter at a publishing industry model that seems weirdly averse to selling the majority of books it puts out..."

That sound you hear is a million authors nodding their heads vigorously and maybe crying a little.

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 2d

A book is being marketed with mayo-scented ink. Jealous? Me? | David Barnett

With the rise of TikTok and two-tier marketing budgets, something’s off in the world of publishing (and it’s not just the aroma), says author David Barnett

www.theguardian.com

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 2d

I've been published by 3 presses on this list and enjoyed books by many more.
If you're interested in commenting on or joining a roundtable on the future of small presses in the UK, link to the form is here: #smallpresspublishing #indiepublishing #ukpublishing
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 2d

Amazing-thanks for sharing this!!

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 2d

Yes! On Kishōtenketsu story structure and as a Ghibli fan I am finding it fascinating!!

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 2d

First week back teaching creative writing to my brilliant students @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social !! And I am reading this fascinating craft book:

Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird by Henry Lien

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 2d

Amazing-cannot wait to read!!🤩

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 2d

🎉🎉🎉 So thrilled to see this recognition for the wonderful Sita Brahmachari! Her latest ‘Phoenix Brothers’ is a poignant, funny and very timely story of teenage refugees. global.oup.com/education/pr...

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 2d

And there’s lots to celebrate-check out the wonderful #DiverseBookAward #DBAAward winners!

www.instagram.com/thediversebo...

Marianne Doherty @mariannedoherty.bsky.social · 2d

With the IBC Excluded Voices report making for sober reading this week, let’s use #KidsBooksFriday to celebrate brilliant books from global majority writers.
#KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

www.inclusivebooksforchildren.org/excluded-voi...

Book cover for Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe

Book cover for Nush and the Stolen Emerald by Jasbinder Bilan

Book cover for Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past by Maisie Chan

Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Read A Little Poetry @readalittlepoem.bsky.social · 3d

Today’s poem is selected by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha as part of the 20th anniversary of Read A Little Poetry.

“The End of Exile” appeared in Customs by Solmaz Sharif, published by Graywolf Press, 2022. Shared here with deep gratitude.

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Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Kyle Lukoff @kylelukoff.bsky.social · 3d

www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...

‘They didn’t even read the book’: How children’s authors are being canceled over Palestine

Authors tell of book bans, cancellations and harassment – ‘they’re trying to disconnect us from our stories’

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

eileen chengyin chow @chowleen.bsky.social · 4d

I, however,
Have such meagre power,

Clutching at a
Moment,

While you control
An hour.

But your hour is
A stone.

My moment is
A flower.

-Langston Hughes, "Poet to Bigot"
#everynightapoem As ever.

I have done so little
For you.
And you have do little
For me.
That we have good reason
Never to agree.

I, however,
Have such meagre power,
Clutching at a
Moment,
While you control
An hour.
But your hour is
A stone.
My moment is
A flower.
-Langston Hughes, "Poet to Bigot"

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Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Brick Lane Bookshop @bricklanebookshop.bsky.social · 3d

📚 Wasafiri x Tagore’s Salon

Join us for Writing Through Pain: On Labour and Literature
with writers Dur e Aziz Amna & Farah Ali

Oct 15 | 7PM | Brick Lane Bookshop

A conversation on illness, survival, and the work of writing.
🎟️ buff.ly/aZDPuvd

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 3d

The industry - including publishing, bookselling, the educational and charitable sector - really needs to work harder.
Just 35 books (1.3%) featured south Asian main characters, while 12.5% of children in English nursery /primary schools have south Asian heritage
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...

‘Catastrophic decline’ in Black representation in children’s books

A report by charity Inclusive Books for Children found that of the 2,721 books surveyed, only 51 featured a Black main character, down by 21.5% since 2023

www.theguardian.com

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 3d

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/a...

MacArthur Foundation Announces 2025 ‘Genius Grant’ Winners

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

Alom Shaha @alomshaha.bsky.social · 4d

#kidlitUK #UKKidLit Children’ Books People! You might find this report on “Own Voice representation in the creation of UK children’s books” interesting / enraging. HT @clairelinney.bsky.social

Excluded Voices report

Is UK publishing diverse? Read the Excluded Voices report, our latest research into the number of Own Voice authors and illustrators creating children’s books.

www.inclusivebooksforchildren.org

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

It’s wonderful-lucky kids!!

Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

A true classic!! 🖤

Betsy Bird @fuse8.bsky.social · 6d

Today we are discussing our fourth abecedarian picture book on the @fuse8nkate.bsky.social podcast and our second Gorey. This is a "cult classic" picture book, best beloved by older children who read it and felt like they were getting away with something. 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/06/f...

Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey

Today we are discussing our fourth abecedarian picture book on the podcast and our second Gorey. This is a

afuse8production.slj.com

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

Beautiful poetry post today from
@brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
#ukpoets #poetrysky

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Reposted by Gita Ralleigh

#DVpit - Diverse Voices Pitch @dvpit.bsky.social · 5d

TOMORROW (Oct 8th) is #DVpit! Any unagented Marginalized writer or artist seeking out representation is invited to participate from 8AM - 8PM ET!
Please make sure you review our rules & guidelines before the event: dvpit.carrd.co#faq

#writersky #booksky #artistsky #weneeddiversebooks

#DVPit Rules
-#DVpit (Diverse Voices Pitch) is a Bluesky event for marginalized creators that have been historically underrepresented in publishing to pitch their work to agents & editors
-Post your pitch on Bluesky on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2025
between 8AM ET - 8PM ET
-Only post once per hour (6 max pitches per project)
-Must have a polished, query ready manuscript or art portfolio.
-Pitch must include the #DVpit hashtag (illustrators pitching their art must use the #DVArt hashtag)
-A like from an agent = a query request
-A repost from an editor = interest in submission once you've signed with an agent
-A like from an editor = editor who takes unagented submissions
-Please do not like or repost a pitch if you are not an agent or an editor. Support other creators by replying to their pitch or
quote-reposting their pitches
-Visit dvpit.carrd.co for more detailed guidelines.

#DVpit 2025 has 70+ Agents & Editors committed to participate & boost marginalized creators from the following literary agencies and publishers:
Andrea Brown Lit
Ash Literary
Azantian Literary Agency
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
Folio Literary Management
Gallt & Zacker Literary
Gelfman Schneider Literary
Hachette
Grand Central Publishing
Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Harper Collins
Harlequin
Hanover Square
HG Literary
Inked in Gray Press
Jill Grinberg Literary
Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency
Macmillan
Feiwel & Friends
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Roaring Brook Press
Saturday books
Wednesday books
Mad Woman Literary
Neighborhood Literary
New Leaf Literary & Media
Open Book Literary
Page Street Publishing
Park, Fine & Brower
Penguin Random House
Ballantine
Berkley
Delacorte
Labyrinth Road
Penguin Workshop
Viking
Root Literary
Simon & Schuster
Aladdin
Atheneum
Atria
McElderry
Sheldon Fogelman Agency
Sourcebooks
Stonefruit Studio
Triada US
Writers House
Zando

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Gita Ralleigh @gitaralleigh.bsky.social · 4d

Also this old time banger:

youtu.be/9kFvprbvd9I?...

SOHO ROAD UTTE - SARDARA GILL - OFFICIAL VIDEO

YouTube video by Moviebox Record Label

youtu.be

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