JY Saville
@jysaville.bsky.social
Writer, reader, northerner. Not necessarily in that order.
See also https://jacquelinesaville.substack.com/ and https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/jysaville
See also https://jacquelinesaville.substack.com/ and https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/jysaville
I notice that a fair few listeners to @gidcoe.bsky.social have decided to keep the lights up until Candlemas, so it’s not just me open.substack.com/pub/jacqueli...
What if we kept all the Christmas cheer going?
January hasn't always been such a bleak month
open.substack.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:23 PM
I notice that a fair few listeners to @gidcoe.bsky.social have decided to keep the lights up until Candlemas, so it’s not just me open.substack.com/pub/jacqueli...
Reposted by JY Saville
there have been better days to launch an ambitious project to fund original scripted audio comedy from the likes of joel & ben (pictured), but it’s been in the diary for ages. please take a look at our store: Leadmojo.co.uk/smelt
January 19, 2026 at 10:18 AM
there have been better days to launch an ambitious project to fund original scripted audio comedy from the likes of joel & ben (pictured), but it’s been in the diary for ages. please take a look at our store: Leadmojo.co.uk/smelt
For those who might be interested, Ilkley Oxfam bookshop had a near full set of PG Wodehouse’s Blandings books this afternoon. Newest paperback editions, in the classic literature section.
January 16, 2026 at 6:19 PM
For those who might be interested, Ilkley Oxfam bookshop had a near full set of PG Wodehouse’s Blandings books this afternoon. Newest paperback editions, in the classic literature section.
Idly reading a book from 1866 which talks about a golden crested wren and a blue titmouse being things to spot in January, and honestly this makes the goldcrest and bluetit sound so much more fairytale and wonderful than they already are.
(I think I may have turned into Fotherington Thomas)
(I think I may have turned into Fotherington Thomas)
January 5, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Idly reading a book from 1866 which talks about a golden crested wren and a blue titmouse being things to spot in January, and honestly this makes the goldcrest and bluetit sound so much more fairytale and wonderful than they already are.
(I think I may have turned into Fotherington Thomas)
(I think I may have turned into Fotherington Thomas)
Reposted by JY Saville
📣📣📣LEEDS LIT FEST EVENT CALL OUT 2026📣📣📣
Are you a writer, performer, publisher or event promoter? Do you want to be part of LLF2026? Please fill in our short form to submit your event idea but read the guidance notes in the form first.
Deadline - Sun 1 Feb.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Are you a writer, performer, publisher or event promoter? Do you want to be part of LLF2026? Please fill in our short form to submit your event idea but read the guidance notes in the form first.
Deadline - Sun 1 Feb.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Leeds Lit Fest 2026 Event Proposals
Leeds Lit Fest 2026 will run from Saturday 6 June to Sunday 14 June. If you'd like to propose an event for this year's programme, please complete this form. We will consider all of the proposals we re...
docs.google.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:01 PM
📣📣📣LEEDS LIT FEST EVENT CALL OUT 2026📣📣📣
Are you a writer, performer, publisher or event promoter? Do you want to be part of LLF2026? Please fill in our short form to submit your event idea but read the guidance notes in the form first.
Deadline - Sun 1 Feb.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Are you a writer, performer, publisher or event promoter? Do you want to be part of LLF2026? Please fill in our short form to submit your event idea but read the guidance notes in the form first.
Deadline - Sun 1 Feb.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Someone at Tesco has clearly been listening to the Lee-Ann's Spare Fridays xmas episode opening: "there comes a point in December when mince pies become acceptable as a breakfast item and it would be foolish not to take advantage of that..."
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
December 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Someone at Tesco has clearly been listening to the Lee-Ann's Spare Fridays xmas episode opening: "there comes a point in December when mince pies become acceptable as a breakfast item and it would be foolish not to take advantage of that..."
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Reposted by JY Saville
Had a lot of fun working with Leesa Morris on this, a comic festive disaster story about a working-class woman's first Christmas with her fiancé's middle-class parents. Her observations of rituals and manners from sausage rolls eating to present opening are a yuletide delight 🐝🎄🐝🎄🐝🎄
How I Ruined a Middle-Class Christmas
Her family scoff sausage rolls, love a bit of tinsel, and open their presents when they get up. His eat tiny amounts of Thorntons, colour-co-ordinate, and – yes, we are in Hell – wait until after dinn...
thebeemagazine.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Had a lot of fun working with Leesa Morris on this, a comic festive disaster story about a working-class woman's first Christmas with her fiancé's middle-class parents. Her observations of rituals and manners from sausage rolls eating to present opening are a yuletide delight 🐝🎄🐝🎄🐝🎄
Reminded me of your jumper @mikeachim.bsky.social
Dazzle Ships in Drydock, Liverpool, 1919, painting by Edward Wadsworth. Dazzle camouflage was created in WW1 to protect British ships from German artillery, making it difficult to estimate speed and direction. Wadsworth supervised design of camouflage patterns. #NorthernArt
December 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reminded me of your jumper @mikeachim.bsky.social
With Skipton named Happiest Place to Live, and Christmas round the corner, it's the perfect time to listen to the festive episode of my sitcom Lee-Ann's Spare Fridays.
Skipton's not the happiest place to go Christmas shopping, but that's probably Gina's fault creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Skipton's not the happiest place to go Christmas shopping, but that's probably Gina's fault creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Episode 7: Festive family fun by Lee-Ann's Spare Fridays
Lee-Ann and her almost-friend Douglas are going on a Christmas
shopping trip with Gina, Richard and Jasmine. Even though she has no plan or timetable, surely Lee-Ann can manage to buy one present for ...
creators.spotify.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:36 AM
With Skipton named Happiest Place to Live, and Christmas round the corner, it's the perfect time to listen to the festive episode of my sitcom Lee-Ann's Spare Fridays.
Skipton's not the happiest place to go Christmas shopping, but that's probably Gina's fault creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Skipton's not the happiest place to go Christmas shopping, but that's probably Gina's fault creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Ran across a note from 2022, when I was researching for my Hexham book festival commission, and I needed to share:
John Wallis in the Natural History and Antiquities of Northumberland (1769) referred to a jellyfish as ‘the large loco-motive Sea Nettle’
Thanks. As you were.
John Wallis in the Natural History and Antiquities of Northumberland (1769) referred to a jellyfish as ‘the large loco-motive Sea Nettle’
Thanks. As you were.
December 1, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Ran across a note from 2022, when I was researching for my Hexham book festival commission, and I needed to share:
John Wallis in the Natural History and Antiquities of Northumberland (1769) referred to a jellyfish as ‘the large loco-motive Sea Nettle’
Thanks. As you were.
John Wallis in the Natural History and Antiquities of Northumberland (1769) referred to a jellyfish as ‘the large loco-motive Sea Nettle’
Thanks. As you were.
Just scrolled past something I can’t find again, which I think was suggesting Black Friday ought to be a celebration of goth. I would very much be behind this idea.
Come on 6Music, you know it makes sense.
Come on 6Music, you know it makes sense.
November 28, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Just scrolled past something I can’t find again, which I think was suggesting Black Friday ought to be a celebration of goth. I would very much be behind this idea.
Come on 6Music, you know it makes sense.
Come on 6Music, you know it makes sense.
Reposted by JY Saville
I'll be pulling down the shutters on the crossword shop at the end of Sunday, so get your bespoke puzzle orders in now! NOW I SAY!
Is there a crossword person in your life? Would you like to get them a unique gift? PERHAPS FOR CHRISTMAS?
Well maybe a bespoke quiz or cryptic crossword would fit the bill, on any theme, of any size, by the author of [counts on fingers] more than 900 published crosswords, i.e. Me. Give me a shout!
Well maybe a bespoke quiz or cryptic crossword would fit the bill, on any theme, of any size, by the author of [counts on fingers] more than 900 published crosswords, i.e. Me. Give me a shout!
November 21, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I'll be pulling down the shutters on the crossword shop at the end of Sunday, so get your bespoke puzzle orders in now! NOW I SAY!
Reposted by JY Saville
One of the things people don’t realise is that only about 15% (at most) of food price paid at the till goes to the farmer in the most ‘advanced’ versions of this food system
There is some evidence that on average farmers actually subsidise such system with their free or sub cost labour
There is some evidence that on average farmers actually subsidise such system with their free or sub cost labour
“92% of [UK] farmers think the greatest threat to the long-term growth of British farming is the government.” While farmers go bankrupt, “Food prices have risen by around 37% in the last five years.” Who is this serving? Without small farmers, we have no food, no nature & environment, no security.
November 20, 2025 at 1:35 PM
One of the things people don’t realise is that only about 15% (at most) of food price paid at the till goes to the farmer in the most ‘advanced’ versions of this food system
There is some evidence that on average farmers actually subsidise such system with their free or sub cost labour
There is some evidence that on average farmers actually subsidise such system with their free or sub cost labour
Reposted by JY Saville
My great-grandad was a piano tuner from Huddersfield. He was conscripted into the army during the First World War, and had an awful time. After I found out a bit about what he went through, I wrote a short story. I thought today might be a good day to share it. richarddsmyth.com/2025/11/09/n...
New short story: ‘FP Number Two’
The sky shivers with fever and there are devils on the roofs of the public houses.
richarddsmyth.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
My great-grandad was a piano tuner from Huddersfield. He was conscripted into the army during the First World War, and had an awful time. After I found out a bit about what he went through, I wrote a short story. I thought today might be a good day to share it. richarddsmyth.com/2025/11/09/n...
Reposted by JY Saville
Is there a crossword person in your life? Would you like to get them a unique gift? PERHAPS FOR CHRISTMAS?
Well maybe a bespoke quiz or cryptic crossword would fit the bill, on any theme, of any size, by the author of [counts on fingers] more than 900 published crosswords, i.e. Me. Give me a shout!
Well maybe a bespoke quiz or cryptic crossword would fit the bill, on any theme, of any size, by the author of [counts on fingers] more than 900 published crosswords, i.e. Me. Give me a shout!
November 3, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Is there a crossword person in your life? Would you like to get them a unique gift? PERHAPS FOR CHRISTMAS?
Well maybe a bespoke quiz or cryptic crossword would fit the bill, on any theme, of any size, by the author of [counts on fingers] more than 900 published crosswords, i.e. Me. Give me a shout!
Well maybe a bespoke quiz or cryptic crossword would fit the bill, on any theme, of any size, by the author of [counts on fingers] more than 900 published crosswords, i.e. Me. Give me a shout!
Reposted by JY Saville
🚨 LAST CHANCE! 🚨 Writers in West Yorkshire, want to break into screenwriting? The Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme is your shot. Masterclasses, mentoring & industry networking. Apps close MIDNIGHT Sunday 5 Oct. Apply now 👉 https://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/the-mayors-script-diversity-programme/
October 3, 2025 at 10:31 AM
🚨 LAST CHANCE! 🚨 Writers in West Yorkshire, want to break into screenwriting? The Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme is your shot. Masterclasses, mentoring & industry networking. Apps close MIDNIGHT Sunday 5 Oct. Apply now 👉 https://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/the-mayors-script-diversity-programme/
Reposted by JY Saville
Applications for the Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme close midnight Sunday 5 Oct. Free masterclasses, mentoring & networking for West Yorkshire writers ready to break into film & TV. Apply now:
The Mayor's Script Diversity Programme - Screen Yorkshire
www.screenyorkshire.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Applications for the Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme close midnight Sunday 5 Oct. Free masterclasses, mentoring & networking for West Yorkshire writers ready to break into film & TV. Apply now:
Reposted by JY Saville
I am to be let out, and poked until I speak. My first talk in AGES - please do come along, if you're in the north-east. Books, birds, all that sort of thing. www.nhsn.org.uk/events/richa...
Richard Smyth: A Nature Writer at Large
An evening with nature writer Richard Smyth in the NHSN Council RoomRichard Smyth is one of the UK's busiest nature writers. His most recent book, The Jay, the Beech and the Limpetshell: Finding Wild ...
www.nhsn.org.uk
September 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I am to be let out, and poked until I speak. My first talk in AGES - please do come along, if you're in the north-east. Books, birds, all that sort of thing. www.nhsn.org.uk/events/richa...
Reposted by JY Saville
By and large publishing can only pay advances that are not enough for authors to live on.
Authors therefore require other means to support their writing.
Publishing needs more voices from marginalised communities.
Which communities have the means to support their writing?
Not the marginalised ones.
Authors therefore require other means to support their writing.
Publishing needs more voices from marginalised communities.
Which communities have the means to support their writing?
Not the marginalised ones.
September 27, 2025 at 11:49 AM
By and large publishing can only pay advances that are not enough for authors to live on.
Authors therefore require other means to support their writing.
Publishing needs more voices from marginalised communities.
Which communities have the means to support their writing?
Not the marginalised ones.
Authors therefore require other means to support their writing.
Publishing needs more voices from marginalised communities.
Which communities have the means to support their writing?
Not the marginalised ones.
Reposted by JY Saville
What was the first book you remember loving as a child? Have your reading habits changed since childhood? Are there any books you return to, time and time again? 📚
September 15, 2025 at 2:35 PM
What was the first book you remember loving as a child? Have your reading habits changed since childhood? Are there any books you return to, time and time again? 📚
Reposted by JY Saville
Applications are open for The Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme, a course designed to help writers from underrepresented groups pivot into screenwriting. 👉 Find out more and apply here: https://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/the-mayors-script-diversity-programme/
September 15, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Applications are open for The Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme, a course designed to help writers from underrepresented groups pivot into screenwriting. 👉 Find out more and apply here: https://www.screenyorkshire.co.uk/the-mayors-script-diversity-programme/
Reposted by JY Saville
I've been writing a weekly serial for the past four years and it's reaching its conclusion in the next couple of months. Seemed like a good moment to re-introduce it!
Check it out if you're into crime fiction, science fiction and fantasy mash-ups.
open.substack.com/pub/simonkjo...
Check it out if you're into crime fiction, science fiction and fantasy mash-ups.
open.substack.com/pub/simonkjo...
What is Tales from the Triverse all about?
Let me tell you a story
open.substack.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:55 AM
I've been writing a weekly serial for the past four years and it's reaching its conclusion in the next couple of months. Seemed like a good moment to re-introduce it!
Check it out if you're into crime fiction, science fiction and fantasy mash-ups.
open.substack.com/pub/simonkjo...
Check it out if you're into crime fiction, science fiction and fantasy mash-ups.
open.substack.com/pub/simonkjo...
Yes this is a naff photo of a kingfisher, but importantly *I saw a kingfisher* which is very exciting.
September 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Yes this is a naff photo of a kingfisher, but importantly *I saw a kingfisher* which is very exciting.
@claireymary77.bsky.social no more In Our Time with Melvyn! Loads of back catalogue to go at but it won’t be the same without him.
September 3, 2025 at 6:51 PM
@claireymary77.bsky.social no more In Our Time with Melvyn! Loads of back catalogue to go at but it won’t be the same without him.
Reposted by JY Saville
Did a thread. TL/DR give all your money to refugees please and fuck that other lot.
I've done most of my Great North Run training this summer along the North Sea coast. I love the North Sea. I love it (I've always loved it) but it's a monster. (1/?)
September 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Did a thread. TL/DR give all your money to refugees please and fuck that other lot.