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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · 15d

I was pleased to be asked to write an article for the Prep School Magazine - and have just received the latest issue with my article in it! The full magazine (complete with my contribution on page 35) can be found at heyzine.com/flip-book/PS...

Reposted by S J Baker

Jen Bowden @jenbowden12.bsky.social · 21d

I'm in @thebookseller.com today talking about how we can get more young people interested in publishing and writing careers.

Featuring @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social and her wonderful, articulate and passionate students.

www.thebookseller.com/comment/wide...

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Aug 30

Honoured to have taken part in this Northern Voices podcast with 6 of my students, discussing 'Calm', Beta reading and how young people in Hull feel about stereotypes of northerners and access to writing and publishing opportunities. With @jenbowden12.bsky.social
soundcloud.com/northern_voi...

Episode 93: Susan (S.J.) Baker with Betsy, Imogen, Madi, Lily, Bella and Zofia

This week's episode is something a little different, because as well as YA author Susan (S.J.) Baker, I'm also joined by six of her students – Betsy, Imogen, Madi, Lily, Bella and Zofia. We discuss ho

soundcloud.com

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Aug 10

Sad news in the last couple of weeks that Neem Tree Press has gone under. Like other NTP and Unbound authors, I'm now looking for new representation/publication - with the sequel to 'Calm' ready to go. #unbound #boundless #neemtreepress #yadystopia #authorlife

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Jun 17

Almost lost for words. It's the time of year when we say goodbye to Year 11 students - and one of them turned up at my door this morning with this cake! I confess that tears were shed. #teacherjoys #yadystopia #authorjoys #neemtreepress

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Jun 13

This from a teacher who's reading 'Calm' with her class, discussing the novel's premise (all passion suppressed by a drug in the water). Writing dystopias these days feels very relevant: what happens when we suppress all compassion, all empathy? Go Student 2!
#neemtreepress #yadystopias #authorlife

Reposted by S J Baker

Boundless for Booksellers @boundlessbookshops.bsky.social · May 19

Calm - @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social's dystopian YA thriller - is back in stock!

'A gripping examination of our human need to feel' - Kirkus starred review

Available in paperback from Macmillan (MDL) or your usual supplier (PB 9781911107934)

#Calm #YAbook #YAfiction #dystopianYA

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · May 9

Very random, but I find myself singing the first line of a certain song every time I log on to this app... Though I can't match the inimitable Ella!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAa4...

Blue Skies

YouTube video by Ella Fitzgerald - Topic

www.youtube.com

S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Apr 27

'Loveliest of trees, the cherry now/Is hung with blooms on every bough...' Springtime in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and it's gorgeous! #springtime #poetry #naturalworld #blueskypoetry

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Apr 26

Just read 'Small Bomb at Dimperley' and absolutely loved it. It was a Christmas present and it definitely goes on the 'will read this again' pile - it's humane, humorous, engaging, beautifully observed, convincing and moving. Highly recommended - I'll be hunting down more of her books!

S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Apr 22

Celebrating the US and Rest of the World launch of 'Calm' today! #neemtreepress #boundlesspublishing #booksky #blueskybooks #authormilestones #yadystopia #readingmatters

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Apr 21

'Calm' is published in the US and Rest of the World tomorrow: "A gripping examination of our human need to feel" (Kirkus Review).

#Booksky #authorlife #yadystopia #Blueskybooks #author #booklaunch

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Apr 18

'Calm' has its US and RoW launch on 22/04.
"Whilst aware of the danger of naïve idealism, I wanted to assert that – though evil exists and seems to flourish – people can retain compassion and humanity; they can make selfless choices; they can fight for what is right and good and true." (Author blog)

S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Apr 12

A real thrill to see this today - as a debut author, it still amazes me that my book is out there! #ya #dystopia #booksky #authorlife

Shellie Horst @millymollymo.bsky.social · Apr 12

Saturday - chill day. Found the perfect reading spot and here with the teen. Currently reading #ya Calm @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social (“no spoilers mum”)

Image shows Calm ya novel by S J Baker with a woodland back drop

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Apr 12

You have no idea how exciting it was to see this! Thank you - I do hope you enjoy it.

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Apr 5

'Calm' has made it to the local Oxfam bookshop! Somewhat bizarrely, it's labelled as 'History' - I know the world has a dystopian feel just now, but I don't think 'Calm' has become reality yet... #authormilestone #blueskybooks #yafiction #oxfambookshops #oxfam #yadystopia #booksky

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Mar 24

On Friday I stood in the school where I had been a student in the 1970s and talked with current students about my novel. I wonder what the teenage me, secretly nurturing an ambition to write, would have thought?
#booksky #yafiction #schoollibraries #authorvisits #yadystopia #authorlife

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Mar 3

Delighted to have been asked to write a blog for New2theScene, a website that supports new authors! www.new2thescene.co.uk/blog/s-j-bak...

S.J. Baker: YA novel

Author S.J. Baker tells of her origins. S.J. Baker journey to being an author. Becoming a first time author. How to write your first novel with S.J. Baker.

www.new2thescene.co.uk

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Mar 2

We teach this each year to our GCSE students. For some reason, it has been on my mind in recent days.

S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Feb 8

As a book-loving child growing up in Kent, a trip to London was a rare treat - and if I was lucky, we went to Foyles Bookshop - the biggest bookshop I'd ever seen. I could never have dreamt that half a century later, my son would find my own book on sale there. My heart is full!

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Jan 20

@ceciliabennett.bsky.social Thank you so much!

S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Jan 18

Delighted and somewhat reeling to learn that 'Calm' has been awarded a coveted Kirkus Star prior to its release in the US: #unbound #neemtreepress #yafiction #dystopia #kirkusstar #kirkusreviews

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Dec 21

Signing copies today in @waterstones.bsky.social in Hull - thank you for being so welcoming! #yafiction #yadystopia #authorlife #readingmatters

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S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Dec 19

One of my students today: "I've just read your book, Miss. It's sick." (I think that's a compliment).

S J Baker @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social · Dec 15

One of the challenges I've really enjoyed in writing 'Calm' and now working on its sequel is to try and conjure an abandoned countryside, left to itself for 15 years. Yesterday I was hunting synonyms for 'brambles' (there aren't many!).