Francesca Brooks
@francescabrooks.bsky.social
Lecturer in Old English at University College Cork. Writer of poetry & prose. Early Medievalist, Late Modernist, Feminist. Author of 'Poet of the Medieval Modern'. Find more of my writing at https://francescabrooks.com/
Pinned
Very much looking forward to this academic year - I'm pleased to say that I'm joining University College Cork as Lecturer in Old English with the Department of English & Digital Humanities!
I can't wait for what lies ahead.
I can't wait for what lies ahead.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
On Wednesday 26 November, join us at 6.30pm at Manchester Poetry Library, where @francescabrooks.bsky.social and Martin Kratz will be introducing the life and work of Lynette Roberts, after Carcanet's recent publication of her Collected Poems.
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Poets Who Stopped: Lynnette Roberts
Join us as we explore the life and work of poet Lynnette Roberts, delving into why she stopped writing and the impact of her legacy.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
On Wednesday 26 November, join us at 6.30pm at Manchester Poetry Library, where @francescabrooks.bsky.social and Martin Kratz will be introducing the life and work of Lynette Roberts, after Carcanet's recent publication of her Collected Poems.
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
This week's Substack: an excerpt from Francesca Brooks' article 'A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts', published in our recent PN Review 285, September - October 2025.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts by Francesa Brooks
PN Review 285, September - October 2025
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This week's Substack: an excerpt from Francesca Brooks' article 'A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts', published in our recent PN Review 285, September - October 2025.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
A terrific selection here. Includes one poem and a mention of the newly expanded collected Lynette Roberts from Carcanet.
I chose seven poems from new books I’ve been enjoying recently. They’re quite wintry and Welsh substack.com/home/post/p-...
Pinks #38: A Crop of Frost
A week of poems from books I'm enjoying
substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:02 PM
A terrific selection here. Includes one poem and a mention of the newly expanded collected Lynette Roberts from Carcanet.
With a paper from the wonderful Phoebe MacIndoe (who I taught in her very first year of undergrad studies, & who continues to be brilliant!).
Are you up for some more palaeographical excitement? Then ready yourself for next Tuesday's seminar in London's Senate House where we can offer you not one but two scintillating papers featuring new research from early career scholars.
Register here:
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Register here:
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Early Career Researcher Papers
ies.sas.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:53 AM
With a paper from the wonderful Phoebe MacIndoe (who I taught in her very first year of undergrad studies, & who continues to be brilliant!).
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
On Wednesday 26 November, join us at 6.30pm at Manchester Poetry Library, where @francescabrooks.bsky.social and Martin Kratz will be introducing the life and work of Lynette Roberts, after Carcanet's recent publication of her Collected Poems.
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Poets Who Stopped: Lynnette Roberts
Join us as we explore the life and work of poet Lynnette Roberts, delving into why she stopped writing and the impact of her legacy.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
On Wednesday 26 November, join us at 6.30pm at Manchester Poetry Library, where @francescabrooks.bsky.social and Martin Kratz will be introducing the life and work of Lynette Roberts, after Carcanet's recent publication of her Collected Poems.
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Very sorry to be in Manchester this week & missing this - do go if you're in Cork!
On Wednesday @ucc.ie are hosting an amazing FREE event w/ poets @deanbrowne.bsky.social & @rosamundtaylor.bsky.social. Dean's debut collection After Party is published by @picadorbooks.bsky.social and Rosamund's verse novel Filly by @bansheepress.bsky.social
www.eventbrite.ie/e/poets-dean...
www.eventbrite.ie/e/poets-dean...
Poets Dean Browne and Rosamund Taylor in conversation
UCC School of English & Digital Humanities presents a reading and discussion with two exceptional young Irish poets
www.eventbrite.ie
November 25, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Very sorry to be in Manchester this week & missing this - do go if you're in Cork!
This will be a very enjoyable follow up to the @carcanet.bsky.social launch event tonight. Come & explore Lynette Roberts's writing in more depth, through discussion & writing exercises led by Martin.
If you sign up it's possible to join online, if getting to the MPL doesn't work!
If you sign up it's possible to join online, if getting to the MPL doesn't work!
On Wednesday 26 November, join us at 6.30pm at Manchester Poetry Library, where @francescabrooks.bsky.social and Martin Kratz will be introducing the life and work of Lynette Roberts, after Carcanet's recent publication of her Collected Poems.
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Find out more:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-who-...
Poets Who Stopped: Lynnette Roberts
Join us as we explore the life and work of poet Lynnette Roberts, delving into why she stopped writing and the impact of her legacy.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 9:29 AM
This will be a very enjoyable follow up to the @carcanet.bsky.social launch event tonight. Come & explore Lynette Roberts's writing in more depth, through discussion & writing exercises led by Martin.
If you sign up it's possible to join online, if getting to the MPL doesn't work!
If you sign up it's possible to join online, if getting to the MPL doesn't work!
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Chaucer in the Age of Medievalism needs you! In the wake of our conference, we are now preparing a collective volume and seeking additional chapters to complement the proceedings. Please share widely!
#medievalsky
modmed.hypotheses.org/8517
#medievalsky
modmed.hypotheses.org/8517
Appel à articles : Chaucer in the Age of Medievalism
Following the Chaucer: Here and Now exhibition (2023–2024) at the Bodleian Library, the conference Chaucer in the Age of Medievalism—sponsored by the Modernités médiévales association and the New Chau...
modmed.hypotheses.org
November 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Chaucer in the Age of Medievalism needs you! In the wake of our conference, we are now preparing a collective volume and seeking additional chapters to complement the proceedings. Please share widely!
#medievalsky
modmed.hypotheses.org/8517
#medievalsky
modmed.hypotheses.org/8517
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
On Monday 1 December at 6pm, join archivist Stella Halkyard at the Lit & Phil Library in Newcastle, where she will be reading from and discussing her recent Carcanet book, Library Lives.
Tickets are 'pay as you wish', and can be booked here:
www.litandphil.org.uk/event/a-book...
Tickets are 'pay as you wish', and can be booked here:
www.litandphil.org.uk/event/a-book...
A Bookworm in the Library | An illustrated talk by Stella Halkyard - The Lit & Phil
Monday 1st December | 6pm. A Bookworm in the Library […]
www.litandphil.org.uk
November 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
On Monday 1 December at 6pm, join archivist Stella Halkyard at the Lit & Phil Library in Newcastle, where she will be reading from and discussing her recent Carcanet book, Library Lives.
Tickets are 'pay as you wish', and can be booked here:
www.litandphil.org.uk/event/a-book...
Tickets are 'pay as you wish', and can be booked here:
www.litandphil.org.uk/event/a-book...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Join us at the Dublin Small Press Fair on November 28th for a discussion on Independent Publishing with:
🌠 Will Dady from @renardpress.com
🌠Eimear Ryan from @bansheepress.bsky.social
🌠Brendan MacEvilly from Holy Show
🌠and chaired by our very own Nidhi Zak / Aria Eipe
🌠 Will Dady from @renardpress.com
🌠Eimear Ryan from @bansheepress.bsky.social
🌠Brendan MacEvilly from Holy Show
🌠and chaired by our very own Nidhi Zak / Aria Eipe
November 13, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Join us at the Dublin Small Press Fair on November 28th for a discussion on Independent Publishing with:
🌠 Will Dady from @renardpress.com
🌠Eimear Ryan from @bansheepress.bsky.social
🌠Brendan MacEvilly from Holy Show
🌠and chaired by our very own Nidhi Zak / Aria Eipe
🌠 Will Dady from @renardpress.com
🌠Eimear Ryan from @bansheepress.bsky.social
🌠Brendan MacEvilly from Holy Show
🌠and chaired by our very own Nidhi Zak / Aria Eipe
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Next Tuesday, join us online at 7pm for the launch of A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts.
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts: Carcanet Online Launch
Join us to celebrate the online book launch of A Letter to the Dead: Collected Poems by Lynette Roberts, hosted by Francesca Brooks.
www.carcanet.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Next Tuesday, join us online at 7pm for the launch of A Letter to the Dead by Lynette Roberts.
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
Editors Patrick McGuiness and Charles Mundye will hold an evening of reading and discussion around the new collection.
For information and tickets, see here:
www.carcanet.co.uk/events/a-let...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
CFP: www.northampton.ac.uk/research-blo... Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present, a 2 day workshop (15-16 June 2026) 🗃️Please share - and submit an abstract!
Call For Papers: Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present | UON
Centre for Historical Studies, University of Northampton, UK Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 June 2026 Nostalgia, defined most simply as a wistful or...
www.northampton.ac.uk
November 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
CFP: www.northampton.ac.uk/research-blo... Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present, a 2 day workshop (15-16 June 2026) 🗃️Please share - and submit an abstract!
This book is a treat from start to finish, and the perfect Xmas gift for bookworms & archive fanatics.
⭐Discount Spotlight: Library Lives by Stella Halkyard🏫
Carcanet's monthly discount has launched! This month, enjoy 20% off a selection of books from our Lives and Letters collection by using the code LETTERS20 at our website checkout:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017437...
Carcanet's monthly discount has launched! This month, enjoy 20% off a selection of books from our Lives and Letters collection by using the code LETTERS20 at our website checkout:⬇️
www.carcanet.co.uk/978180017437...
November 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
This book is a treat from start to finish, and the perfect Xmas gift for bookworms & archive fanatics.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
wrote an article for @thebookseller.com outlining to the industry why small presses are the lifeforce & future of book production. Pls share esp w people who may not know what small press publishers do!
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Don’t invest in AI, invest in the future of the book
Why the publishing industry must back small presses, rather than LLMs.
www.thebookseller.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
wrote an article for @thebookseller.com outlining to the industry why small presses are the lifeforce & future of book production. Pls share esp w people who may not know what small press publishers do!
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Congratulations to @jamesosullivan.bsky.social @luiciolfi.bsky.social @eireidium.bsky.social and @mtu.ie colleagues including @marygalvin.bsky.social and Susan Rea of MTU Nimbus 🤩 - Minimal Curation is funded by @researchireland.ie #COALESCE
UCC and MTU to partner on 'Minimal Curation', a digital sociocultural heritage project funded by @researchireland.ie under its COALESCE scheme.
www.ucc.ie/en/dah/news/...
@ucc.ie @mtu.ie @luiciolfi.bsky.social @eireidium.bsky.social @marygalvin.bsky.social @uccresearch.bsky.social
www.ucc.ie/en/dah/news/...
@ucc.ie @mtu.ie @luiciolfi.bsky.social @eireidium.bsky.social @marygalvin.bsky.social @uccresearch.bsky.social
UCC and MTU to partner on digital sociocultural heritage project | University College Cork
Learn, Study and Research in UCC, Ireland's first 5 star university. Our tradition of independent thinking will prepare you for the world and the workplace in a vibrant, modern, green campus.
www.ucc.ie
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Congratulations to @jamesosullivan.bsky.social @luiciolfi.bsky.social @eireidium.bsky.social and @mtu.ie colleagues including @marygalvin.bsky.social and Susan Rea of MTU Nimbus 🤩 - Minimal Curation is funded by @researchireland.ie #COALESCE
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
I really enjoyed my research fellowship (back in 2022). Fabulous collections, wonderful archivists and librarians, and a brilliant city.
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
📣Our UofG Library Visiting Research Fellowships are now open for applications!
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
November 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I really enjoyed my research fellowship (back in 2022). Fabulous collections, wonderful archivists and librarians, and a brilliant city.
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
I really enjoyed my research fellowship (back in 2022). Fabulous collections, wonderful archivists and librarians, and a brilliant city.
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
📣Our UofG Library Visiting Research Fellowships are now open for applications!
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
November 15, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I really enjoyed my research fellowship (back in 2022). Fabulous collections, wonderful archivists and librarians, and a brilliant city.
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Apply if there's something you'd like to work on (I'll happily share my application materials if that would be helpful).
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Up to £2,500 for 2-4 weeks in 2026. Open to postdoctoral researchers, or those with comparable records of research.
📣Our UofG Library Visiting Research Fellowships are now open for applications!
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
November 15, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Up to £2,500 for 2-4 weeks in 2026. Open to postdoctoral researchers, or those with comparable records of research.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Just tossing this back into TLs to start the day w/some brightness and fun-- 1 post (+ pretty manuscript image!) per chapter below for my forthcoming book on medieval manuscripts, design, and media.
Here’s the US distributor link, KENNEDY2026 will work here too for 20% off! But don't stop now!
Follow this thread to find out what you get for your CAN/USD!
Follow this thread to find out what you get for your CAN/USD!
Illuminating Media
Reveals the hidden power of medieval manuscript decoration and its lasting influence today. The overlooked art of late medieval English manuscript illumination—its initials, borders, and non-figurativ...
press.uchicago.edu
November 14, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Just tossing this back into TLs to start the day w/some brightness and fun-- 1 post (+ pretty manuscript image!) per chapter below for my forthcoming book on medieval manuscripts, design, and media.
Just read and loved 'What Remains'!
November 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Just read and loved 'What Remains'!
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
"Bullaun Press, founded by Bridget Farrell in 2021, is the first Irish publisher to focus exclusively on literature in translation, and their selections are already making waves".
In praise of small presses: Ireland's indie publishers celebrated
Ahead of the inaugural Dublin Small Press Fair this November, co-founders Tim Groenland and Éireann Lorsung salute a golden age for independent publishing in Ireland.
www.rte.ie
November 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
"Bullaun Press, founded by Bridget Farrell in 2021, is the first Irish publisher to focus exclusively on literature in translation, and their selections are already making waves".
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
It was great to write this blog post for the @guildmedmak.bsky.social and to give readers a little glimpse into my creative-critical practice, as my 'ecocreative' translations turn from storms 🌧 and ice ❄ to heat and fire 🔥 via the OE poem on The Phoenix #medievalsky.
As the weather gets colder, warm the cockles of your creative-critical heart by reading our new Meet a Medievalist Maker blog post by @jamespaz.bsky.social, which is filled with fiery reflections on his 'ecocreative' process🔥
Read more by following the link below👇
Read more by following the link below👇
Meet a Medievalist Maker: James Paz — The Guild of Medievalist Makers
www.guildmedmak.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM
It was great to write this blog post for the @guildmedmak.bsky.social and to give readers a little glimpse into my creative-critical practice, as my 'ecocreative' translations turn from storms 🌧 and ice ❄ to heat and fire 🔥 via the OE poem on The Phoenix #medievalsky.
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
Really enjoyed chatting with @kellyfaircloth.bsky.social about all things dirtbag medievalism, and delighted that the article is out now at Nat Geo: www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Why are we so obsessed with the medieval right now?
From burning castles to swords and magic and velvet gowns, medievalism has taken over 21st century pop culture.
www.nationalgeographic.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Really enjoyed chatting with @kellyfaircloth.bsky.social about all things dirtbag medievalism, and delighted that the article is out now at Nat Geo: www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Reposted by Francesca Brooks
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.
This week's Substack: an excerpt from Francesca Brooks' article 'A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts', published in our recent PN Review 285, September - October 2025.
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/pnreview...
Subscribe to PNR:
www.pnreview.co.uk/subscribe
A Quest for the Camaldolese Grail in the footsteps of Lynette Roberts by Francesa Brooks
PN Review 285, September - October 2025
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:42 PM
You can read an excerpt from my recent PN Review essay about Lynette Roberts's medievalism, her encounter with the manuscript known as the Camaldolese Grail, and my own quest to follow in her footsteps, on the PN Review substack.