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Darren Simpson

@darrensimpson44.bsky.social

160 followers 130 following 240 posts

Author of SCAVENGERS, THE MEMORY THIEVES, FURTHERMOOR and THIRST. Vivid, unruly fiction for older children and teens. www.darrensimpsonwrites.co.uk

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · May 12

[1] My new book #THIRST will be published by @pushkinpress.com on 11 Sept. It's a teen folk horror about a malevolent river worshipped for generations by the village of Maimsbury. I can't wait for you all to get swept away with Gorse and Faye. This gorgeous cover's by Natalie Smillie. ->

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 2d

My better half and I went to see @divinecomedyhq.bsky.social last night. If you're only familiar with the likes of "National Express" and "Alfie", I promise you've barely scratched the surface. Witty, moving and beautifully crafted songs. Highly recommended.

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 3d

Signed copies of #THIRST now available on the top floor (snuggled cosily alongside SJ Wills and Liz Hyder) at @WaterstonesNG.🩸 Get 'em while they're hot. @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 4d

If you get a chance to see the #Radiohead x #Nosferatu mash-up that's doing the rounds in indie cinemas, BTW, I recommend it highly. 📽🩸

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 5d

Signed copies of #THIRST are now available at Shelf Editions and Lark Books in Lincoln. Beautiful indie bookshops well worth your time. 📚♥️

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 5d

Fun times at #LincolnBookFestival today. Really enjoyed giving folky scares in a public library, and even got to meet some sword dancers! (Thanks to Sarah Tagholm for this photo.)

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 6d

I wouldn't say no! Thanks so much for the offer. Shall I DM you?

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 6d

Thanks so much for visiting Maimsbury, Mark!

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 7d

This is like nothing else. #WhenWeCeaseToUnderstandTheWorld by Benjamin Labatut offers ceaselessly rolling pieces that blend fiction and fact while exploring the toll taken by science, progress and obsession on individual scientists and on humanity as a whole. Fascinating stuff.

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 8d

Left a heap of signed copies of #THIRST at #TheRabbitHole in Brigg. Do check out this wonderful Lincolnshire bookshop. It's a cosy warren packed to the rafters with books of all kinds, and its owners, Nick and Mel, are absolute legends. 📚♥️ @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

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Reposted by Darren Simpson

Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 10d

This is my Lokifesto #KidsConf #UKkidlit #edusky lokibooks.com/lokifesto/

A poster of a manifesto about reading, by Loki, with 6 points on reading "bad" books, short books, comics, audioooks, webcomics and fanfic, plus not finishing bad books cos life is too short.

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Reposted by Darren Simpson

School Reading List @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social · 10d

Teachers! Grab FREE downloadable PDF reading activities, games, reading lists, reading challenges, posters, wallpapers and much more on School Reading List's TES page. ⬇️📖✨

🔗

www.tes.com/teaching-res...

#freeresources #edutwitter #teachersofx

School Reading List's Shop - TES

The School Reading List recommends children's, teen and YA books to teachers, parents, librarians and schools in the UK.

www.tes.com

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 12d

Celebrating the genius of @natsmillie.bsky.social with close-ups of some of my fave details from #THIRST's front and back cover. I'm particularly fond of the riverweeds and rats. Check out more of Natalie's stellar work via www.nataliesmillie.com

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 12d

Time seriously flew while reading David Mitchell's #TheBoneClocks. Characters and tales interlock across time and place to tell a broader story that’s as much realism vs fantasy as it is good vs evil. The Bone Clocks is eclectic and ambitious, and always entertaining.

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 13d

"Simpson winds up the tension expertly, as one horrific revelation follows another. But there’s more..." I adore this @booksforkeeps.bsky.social review of #THIRST:
booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/thirst
It gets right to the beating heart of the novel. Thank you to Clive Barnes for such insightful words.

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 14d

Took a while to fit this in, but I've posted on my blog about #THIRST's launch and a busy but brilliant fortnight.
darrensimpsonwrites.co.uk/2025/09/25/thirst-is-out
Have a gander. There's plenty more THIRST action to come...🩸 @pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 15d

One thing I'll never get used to is taking my kids to school open evenings and seeing my books in the school library. ♥️

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 15d

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 16d

Just spotted that #THIRST is one of #SchoolReadingList's top titles for the autumn term! 🎉 Thanks so much, @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social. 🤓 You can find their full (and very fine) list at schoolreadinglist.co.uk/new-book-rel....
@pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 16d

When the sky looks like ripples in a lake.

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 17d

If any other #teachers or #librarians would like these treats for their classroom or library copy of #THIRST, simply DM me and I'll get them in the post for you. 👍

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 17d

Folk horror thrills for teens. Just the thing as the dark draws in.
#THIRST is out now. Find out more at pushkinpress.com/book/thirst

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 18d

finding fine company amongst other authors/illustrators, and getting to meet the lovely folk who waited so patiently in the drizzle to have me sign books after my #THIRST event. There's a whole further day of goodness to come. If you're in Lincs, get yourself to Normanby Hall today! It's FREE!

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 18d

[1] A few pics from #NoLimits yesterday. What a glorious happening this free festival is! Personal highlights include Matt Goodfellow's hilarious/insightful talk, meeting Pushkin-crony Liz Hyder in person, sharing green-room sarnies with a panto dame, learning of Normanby Hall's albino peacock ->

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Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 20d

Bah. Tell you what. If you like, you can DM me an address and I'll post a signed bookplate plus some THIRST goodies to you. Hope that helps. 👍

Darren Simpson @darrensimpson44.bsky.social · 20d

If you're treating yourself to #THIRST, order from @fiveleavesbooks.bsky.social and I'll make it worth your while by SIGNING and DEDICATING your very own copy!✒️ Simply leave a request when you order from fiveleavesbookshop.co.uk/product/thir.... Go on. You deserve it.♥️
@pushkinchildrens.bsky.social

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