Rita E. Gould
@ritakitty.bsky.social
Writer. Reader. Editor. Blogger. Frustrated cat owner. (She/her) #womenwritersnet Founder member of @womenwritersnet on Twitter. (Instagram: @ ritakitty.8; Twitter: @ritakitty8) Blog: anartfulsequenceofwords.com
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Was at the liquor store earlier today, and... what
December 27, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Was at the liquor store earlier today, and... what
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
'today’s sleeper hits emerge from an alchemical combination of influences: online enthusiasm, translation, design, political mood, bookseller advocacy and sheer serendipity.'
Fascinating article in @theguardian.com about what makes a book suddenly become a hit.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
Fascinating article in @theguardian.com about what makes a book suddenly become a hit.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
‘Suddenly, it was everywhere’: why some books become blockbusters overnight
Whether it’s through TikTok buzz, celebrity endorsements or good old-fashioned word of mouth, some titles enjoy a second, more powerful, life. But what unites them – and is there a formula for this ty...
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:45 PM
'today’s sleeper hits emerge from an alchemical combination of influences: online enthusiasm, translation, design, political mood, bookseller advocacy and sheer serendipity.'
Fascinating article in @theguardian.com about what makes a book suddenly become a hit.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
Fascinating article in @theguardian.com about what makes a book suddenly become a hit.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Continuing our theme of books being the best presents 😊, here's a list of recommendations from @the-independent.com culture staff.
Do you have a book that you gift more than any other?
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
Do you have a book that you gift more than any other?
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
December 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Continuing our theme of books being the best presents 😊, here's a list of recommendations from @the-independent.com culture staff.
Do you have a book that you gift more than any other?
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
Do you have a book that you gift more than any other?
www.independent.co.uk/arts-enterta...
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
And if you would like to know more about Beast by @luluallison.bsky.social check out our #AuthorInterview with her from September (find the posts on #WomenWritersNet
Bluemoose books you may wish to give this Christmas.
The Accidental Immigrants - Jo Mcmillan
The Orange Notebooks - Susanna Crossman
Beast - Lulu Allison
Celeste - Colette Snowden
Orca and Bird - Anna Chilvers
Magic & Merry Moosemass.
The Accidental Immigrants - Jo Mcmillan
The Orange Notebooks - Susanna Crossman
Beast - Lulu Allison
Celeste - Colette Snowden
Orca and Bird - Anna Chilvers
Magic & Merry Moosemass.
December 19, 2025 at 9:05 AM
And if you would like to know more about Beast by @luluallison.bsky.social check out our #AuthorInterview with her from September (find the posts on #WomenWritersNet
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
We've been sharing end of year lists of #bookrecommendations this week, and here's another fab one from @wwborders.bsky.social with the best books in (and on) translation
#booksintranslation #WomenWritersNet
wordswithoutborders.org/read/article...
#booksintranslation #WomenWritersNet
wordswithoutborders.org/read/article...
The Best Books in (and on) Translation We Read in 2025 - Words Without Borders
13 staff members, 11 countries, 9 languages: The WWB team recommends our favorite books in translation from 2025.
wordswithoutborders.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM
We've been sharing end of year lists of #bookrecommendations this week, and here's another fab one from @wwborders.bsky.social with the best books in (and on) translation
#booksintranslation #WomenWritersNet
wordswithoutborders.org/read/article...
#booksintranslation #WomenWritersNet
wordswithoutborders.org/read/article...
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
There were big changes for #WomenWritersNet in 2025, not least our leap across from X to here. Our new #authorinterview feature got off to a great start and our #skychats have been as stimulating and engaging as ever. A massive thank you to all our followers, old and new. See you next year!!
December 19, 2025 at 6:41 PM
There were big changes for #WomenWritersNet in 2025, not least our leap across from X to here. Our new #authorinterview feature got off to a great start and our #skychats have been as stimulating and engaging as ever. A massive thank you to all our followers, old and new. See you next year!!
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Everyone else go home — this is the year we secure ABOLISH ICE on a Chicago Snowplow
chicagoshovels.org
chicagoshovels.org
December 17, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Everyone else go home — this is the year we secure ABOLISH ICE on a Chicago Snowplow
chicagoshovels.org
chicagoshovels.org
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
December 18, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
I bought #Trespasses by @louisekennedy.bsky.social for a friend when it first came out but didn't get around to reading it myself until now.
What an incredible book. Beautifully written. Quietly devastating.
Anyone see the @channel4.bsky.social series? How did it compare? #WomenWritersNet
What an incredible book. Beautifully written. Quietly devastating.
Anyone see the @channel4.bsky.social series? How did it compare? #WomenWritersNet
December 15, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I bought #Trespasses by @louisekennedy.bsky.social for a friend when it first came out but didn't get around to reading it myself until now.
What an incredible book. Beautifully written. Quietly devastating.
Anyone see the @channel4.bsky.social series? How did it compare? #WomenWritersNet
What an incredible book. Beautifully written. Quietly devastating.
Anyone see the @channel4.bsky.social series? How did it compare? #WomenWritersNet
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
What are the books that you gift over and over?
Here's a list from @thebookerprizes.com judges and authors of their personal favourites. Some great ideas here.
thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-l...
Here's a list from @thebookerprizes.com judges and authors of their personal favourites. Some great ideas here.
thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-l...
The best books to gift this Christmas: Booker authors and judges share their recommendations | The Booker Prizes
This festive season, members of the Booker Prizes family reveal the books they are gifting this Christmas, and explain why they’ll leave a lasting mark well beyond the holidays
thebookerprizes.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:31 PM
What are the books that you gift over and over?
Here's a list from @thebookerprizes.com judges and authors of their personal favourites. Some great ideas here.
thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-l...
Here's a list from @thebookerprizes.com judges and authors of their personal favourites. Some great ideas here.
thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-l...
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
End of year #booklists can be very subjective but they do provide a good starting point for discussion. What do you think about this one from the BBC? Have you read many of these? What books are missing that you would put on your own best of 2025?
www.bbc.com/culture/arti...
www.bbc.com/culture/arti...
The Director to Flesh: The 25 best books of 2025
From a "richly atmospheric" novella to a "virtuosic" debut – this is the very best fiction of the year, as chosen by BBC journalists.
www.bbc.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:59 AM
End of year #booklists can be very subjective but they do provide a good starting point for discussion. What do you think about this one from the BBC? Have you read many of these? What books are missing that you would put on your own best of 2025?
www.bbc.com/culture/arti...
www.bbc.com/culture/arti...
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Hello everyone. It's @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social on the account this week. I'm a bit late starting today. I am so NOT organised for the celebrations to come. This photo is from last year.
Will anyone have time for writing this week or will it be last minute present shopping like me?
Will anyone have time for writing this week or will it be last minute present shopping like me?
December 15, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Hello everyone. It's @drhelenmtaylor.bsky.social on the account this week. I'm a bit late starting today. I am so NOT organised for the celebrations to come. This photo is from last year.
Will anyone have time for writing this week or will it be last minute present shopping like me?
Will anyone have time for writing this week or will it be last minute present shopping like me?
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
'When I die, I hope to think I have annoyed a great many people' - novelist and poet Sylvia Townsend Warner (1893-1978) also enthralled and delighted them: good to see a statue of her unveiled today in Dorchester @womenwritersnet.bsky.social @womenwriters.bsky.social @womenwritebloom.bsky.social
December 14, 2025 at 6:33 PM
'When I die, I hope to think I have annoyed a great many people' - novelist and poet Sylvia Townsend Warner (1893-1978) also enthralled and delighted them: good to see a statue of her unveiled today in Dorchester @womenwritersnet.bsky.social @womenwriters.bsky.social @womenwritebloom.bsky.social
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
What an excellent post for those writing period fiction.
(Thankfully that doesn't include me because I got all the answers wrong!)
#historicalfiction #WomenWritersNet
(Thankfully that doesn't include me because I got all the answers wrong!)
#historicalfiction #WomenWritersNet
Aristocratic, gentry and other titles are one of THE most common things that may writers of all periods get wrong - even those who pride themselves on their research. This is a super-helpful post: libertabooks.com/craft/histor...
Historical fiction: getting your aristocratic title right - Liberta Books
Aristocratic titles in historicals are often wrong. How to know which title to use for a historical character? Joanna Maitland has solutions
libertabooks.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:24 PM
What an excellent post for those writing period fiction.
(Thankfully that doesn't include me because I got all the answers wrong!)
#historicalfiction #WomenWritersNet
(Thankfully that doesn't include me because I got all the answers wrong!)
#historicalfiction #WomenWritersNet
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Great opportunity for all #womenwriters to polish the fabulous pitches you've definitely scribbled down over the year...
Good morning! I'm looking for pitches on any aspect of creative writing for Mslexia (@mslexia.bsky.social) Issue 109. Particularly interested in hearing from writers from diverse backgrounds :)! Please email maxine[@]mslexia.co.uk – by the end of the week would be great! ✨
December 9, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Great opportunity for all #womenwriters to polish the fabulous pitches you've definitely scribbled down over the year...
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Today's writing group prompt was to write a story about an Advent calendar...Each day there's another message behind the door - then the denouement on the 24th...
We've had #romance #crime #magic What would your story be?? #womenwriters #writingprompts
We've had #romance #crime #magic What would your story be?? #womenwriters #writingprompts
December 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Today's writing group prompt was to write a story about an Advent calendar...Each day there's another message behind the door - then the denouement on the 24th...
We've had #romance #crime #magic What would your story be?? #womenwriters #writingprompts
We've had #romance #crime #magic What would your story be?? #womenwriters #writingprompts
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
What would be your ideal book gift #womenwriters? To receive or give? I'm part of a bookish Secret Santa and am wondering what to send...
#bookgifts #secretsanta #favouritereads
#bookgifts #secretsanta #favouritereads
December 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM
What would be your ideal book gift #womenwriters? To receive or give? I'm part of a bookish Secret Santa and am wondering what to send...
#bookgifts #secretsanta #favouritereads
#bookgifts #secretsanta #favouritereads
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
We can never have enough beautiful scenes to reflect on - here's one to fuel your creativity #womenwriters
Good morning Bluesky. Pastels for miles. Enjoy the soft and gentle ebb and flow of this scene.
December 9, 2025 at 2:31 PM
We can never have enough beautiful scenes to reflect on - here's one to fuel your creativity #womenwriters
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Looking for a #writingretreat? I’m holding three in the Alps in 2026: in March, June and September. To learn more and to book: valeriavescina.com/teaching/wri... #writing #WritingCommunity #writingworkshop #holidays #writingcourse #writersretreat #writingadvice #writingtips #writerslife
December 9, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Looking for a #writingretreat? I’m holding three in the Alps in 2026: in March, June and September. To learn more and to book: valeriavescina.com/teaching/wri... #writing #WritingCommunity #writingworkshop #holidays #writingcourse #writersretreat #writingadvice #writingtips #writerslife
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Many congratulations, @brethertonwords.bsky.social! How fantastic to see The Fire in Their Eyes on the list! 👏👏👏 @breakthroughbook.bsky.social
Well, this is nice! The Fire In Their Eyes makes a Top 20 book pick in a holiday gift guide…
@breakthroughbook.bsky.social
#booksky #booksforchristmas #giftsforbookworms
@breakthroughbook.bsky.social
#booksky #booksforchristmas #giftsforbookworms
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Many congratulations, @brethertonwords.bsky.social! How fantastic to see The Fire in Their Eyes on the list! 👏👏👏 @breakthroughbook.bsky.social
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Hello #womenwriters 😊 Anne, here, hosting this week from Scotland/Ireland.
Where are you all following from?
And what are your writing (etc) plans for the week?
#writingcommunity #writinggoals
Where are you all following from?
And what are your writing (etc) plans for the week?
#writingcommunity #writinggoals
December 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Hello #womenwriters 😊 Anne, here, hosting this week from Scotland/Ireland.
Where are you all following from?
And what are your writing (etc) plans for the week?
#writingcommunity #writinggoals
Where are you all following from?
And what are your writing (etc) plans for the week?
#writingcommunity #writinggoals
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
I finished this book today, and loved it! Lives of the Dead mixes the (sometimes fatal-feeling) mundane days of early motherhood with retold fairy tales and somehow both draw out, ultimately, the innate power of women. Excellent writing and storytelling. #BookSky #WomenWriters
Thank you so much to @smokelong.bsky.social reviews editor @erinvachon.bsky.social and reviewer Emily Webber for this thoughtful review of my novella-in-flash, The Lives of the Dead (available from @adhocfiction.bsky.social and also Amazon) ❤️
"In The Lives of the Dead, the danger never fully goes away..." Emily Webber reviews Fiona McKay's novella-in-flash, The Lives of the Dead for SmokeLong. www.smokelong.com/review-the-l...
December 8, 2025 at 6:53 PM
I finished this book today, and loved it! Lives of the Dead mixes the (sometimes fatal-feeling) mundane days of early motherhood with retold fairy tales and somehow both draw out, ultimately, the innate power of women. Excellent writing and storytelling. #BookSky #WomenWriters
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Why we need indie presses. “There is too strong a need for books to be easily definable, to make marketing them as easy as possible, and I find that in itself makes me turn away. It creates a climate of dumbing down and patronizing readers.” lithub.com/life-giving-... #booksky #WritingCommunity
Life-Giving, Imaginative and Underfunded: Small Press Publishers in Crisis
A recent letter co-written and signed by small press publishers has highlighted the significant pressures they face, threatening them with closure and potentially damaging the literary ecosystem ir…
lithub.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Why we need indie presses. “There is too strong a need for books to be easily definable, to make marketing them as easy as possible, and I find that in itself makes me turn away. It creates a climate of dumbing down and patronizing readers.” lithub.com/life-giving-... #booksky #WritingCommunity
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
I mean, I did this course and look where I am now… can’t say anything else, really! Just DO IT! Well worth every penny!
Apply before end of Nov to get the self-edit course at the lowest price! jerichowriters.com/creative-writing-courses/self-editing-course/
December 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
I mean, I did this course and look where I am now… can’t say anything else, really! Just DO IT! Well worth every penny!
Reposted by Rita E. Gould
Evening all,
It’s @lizchampion.bsky.social on deck this week.
How are you? What are your writing plans this week? I’d love to hear.
#writing #writingcommunity
It’s @lizchampion.bsky.social on deck this week.
How are you? What are your writing plans this week? I’d love to hear.
#writing #writingcommunity
December 2, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Evening all,
It’s @lizchampion.bsky.social on deck this week.
How are you? What are your writing plans this week? I’d love to hear.
#writing #writingcommunity
It’s @lizchampion.bsky.social on deck this week.
How are you? What are your writing plans this week? I’d love to hear.
#writing #writingcommunity