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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · 6d

Thrilled to be Highly Commended in this year's HWA short story contest!

My story this year has some elements based on an old family story about a hobo working for a traveling preacher. Thrilled to be able to keep that little story alive through fiction!

Announcement of highly commended stories. "Poacher turned Gamekeeper" by Alex Edwards. "We Bring Miracles" by Joseph Dragovich.

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · 15d

Really pleased to be long listed again this year.

I don't usually write fiction and the Dorothy Dunnet competition is a great opportunity to do it!

Historia – the HWA @historia-hwa.bsky.social · 15d

Announced today!
Find out which writers are on the longlist for the HWA Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Competition in Historia at historiamag.com/hwaddss-longlist-2025.
25 #histfic authors are through to the next round of judging.
Congratulations, all, and best of luck!
#HWADDSS25

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Aug 15

Grimma Wormtongue is a Lord of the Rings character that sounds like a Harry Potter character.

Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Aug 12

My article for @nytimes.com is in French!

It's the first time anything I've written has been translated.

www.ledevoir.com/societe/scie...

That feels like a writer achievement unlocked.

#writing #writesky

Quand la NASA s’est retrouvée prise dans la guerre des colas

En 1985, Coca-Cola et PepsiCo se sont affrontés jusqu’à la Maison-Blanche pour envoyer le premier soda dans l’espace.

www.ledevoir.com

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Jul 29

Thanks! That's one of the most surprising things I learned while researching this. The cola wars were partisan, especially when Carter was very close to Coca Cola.

Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Jul 29

Check out my piece in the @nytimes.com about the 1980s cola space race.

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/29/s...

Worked with some great editors and a spoke with interesting people while I was working on this. Really pleased to see this published.

#space #nasa #spaceshuttle #challenger

When Coke and Pepsi Fought for Soft Drink Supremacy in Space

www.nytimes.com

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · May 1

www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/...

Come see where the Hawkhurst Gang went on trial if you're in #chichester on a Thursday morning!

#smuggling #c18th

Historic Chichester Guildhall opens to public

The Guildhall is located in Priory Park in the West Sussex city of Chichester.

www.sussexexpress.co.uk

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Dec 30

As a writer, you're going to do things that are a waste of time.

Do them anyway.

Send that pitch, write that piece outside your niche, research that crazy obscure subject.

It will probably come to nothing, but you'll learn something and it might be amazing.

#writingcommunity

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Dec 28

It's a real honor that Lou Ferrante endorsed my book!

When a former mobster and bestselling author likes your book, it really means something!

amzn.eu/d/h1tPRU1

#booksky #histbookchat 🗃️ #kent #sussex #smuggling.

Meticulously researched with a brisk writing style that does not allow you to put the book down. It should be made into a television series.
- Lou Ferrante. Bestselling Author and Broadcaster

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Dec 22

Still time to get the book delivered for Christmas!

Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Dec 19

I get it, you don't know what to buy your dad/uncle/grandpa for Christmas.

Get him my book if he likes crime!*

*Reading about crime, not doing crime. Actually, get it for him if he likes doing crime too.

www.amazon.co.uk/Hawkhurst-Co...

🗃️ #histbookchat #smuggling #kent #sussex

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Dec 22

Hey thanks! Glad you enjoyed the podcast.

It's interesting because that was recorded before the election and Bluesky got big. Little did I know how popular this place would get!

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Dec 19

I get it, you don't know what to buy your dad/uncle/grandpa for Christmas.

Get him my book if he likes crime!*

*Reading about crime, not doing crime. Actually, get it for him if he likes doing crime too.

www.amazon.co.uk/Hawkhurst-Co...

🗃️ #histbookchat #smuggling #kent #sussex

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Dec 3

My book is in an archive. The historian circle of life is complete.

Really great to see it stocked so close to where it takes place!

#booksky #histbookchat #authorsky

Screenshot of tweet showing my book in the Kent Archives.

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Nov 17

Thanks!

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Nov 17

This is it right?

amzn.eu/d/eVuN7Us

Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2025: The best advice on how to write and get published (Writers' and Artists'): Amazon.co.uk: TBD: 9781399411783: Books

Buy Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2025: The best advice on how to write and get published (Writers' and Artists') 118 by TBD (ISBN: 9781399411783) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

amzn.eu

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Nov 17

My stupid fan theory: #tropico is the Anno game that can't be made because none of the years in the 20th century add up to 9.

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Nov 17

I had never heard of that one before. Thanks for the tip! I'll grab a copy.

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Nov 15

Hey whatever gets you writing!

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Nov 15

I was in the UK ten years before I realized the Pudsey had nothing to do with Remembrance Day.

Like I thought he was some sort of friendly cartoon war wounded.

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Nov 15

Anyone in the #writingcommunity know of a good lit mag that takes historical fiction submissions?

I've got a story: 3500 words, takes place in 1910s, book-club fiction. Long-listed for the Dorothy Dunnet award.

Not necessarily looking to get paid, just to get a clip.

#historicalfiction #writing

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Nov 11

Starting a #tropico game and playing a leader where I try to make people's lives better, even though I don't have to, feels like an act of rebellion right now.

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Oct 20

I did a straw poll on my other account on where people found their last history book.

The takeaway for me is:

A book finds you, you don't find a book.

Marketing is important for authors. Who knew?

#booksky #authorsky

History Clippings @historyclippings.bsky.social · Oct 19

Question for all the people who read history books:

Where/how did you find out about the last non-fiction history book you read?

#booksky

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Oct 14

Lukewarm take on the War on Drugs is also a bad take on the Hawkhurst Gang...

www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/2462744...

Banning things sends them underground

Cllr Paul Donovan from Wanstead Village ward on why he doesn't agree with banning drugs or tobacco.

www.guardian-series.co.uk

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Oct 12

Two satellite images of Eastern Ukraine:

August, 2022 and August 2024

The brown streak in the second picture is the front.

The war's destruction is visible from space.

#ukraine 🇺🇦

from the NOAA JSTAR mapper.
www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/mapper/

satellite image of eastern Ukraine, August 2022

satellite image of eastern Ukraine, August 2024, showing brown streak of destruction from the fighting.

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Joe Dragovich @joedragovich.bsky.social · Sep 25

My short story, Purity, got long-listed in the HWA Dorothy Dunnet Short Story Competition

Really honored to be there with some great #histfic writers!

#HWADDSS24

www.historiamag.com/hwa-dd-ss-20...

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