Sophie Cleverly 💀

I once had a lady tell me that instead of getting vaccines you should just inject water into your veins 😬😬

We used to get videos and images from people who liked making videos and images. AI means we can now get them from people who dislike making videos and images. This doesn’t feel like an improvement.

So grateful to my colleagues for the work that has gone into this crucial report and proud of my tiny part in it. All schools should have a well stocked library and qualified librarian. The difference it makes to children’s learning and wellbeing is immeasurable. #KidLitUK #KidLit #SchoolLibraries

Anyway, I hope that's helpful and I'm always happy to answer questions as an Author/Often Library Helper 😆

And just to clarify, none of these things replace an actual librarian, because they are worth their weight in gold and you can really see the difference in schools that are able to have one!

- Have a look around for local authors! While authors ought to be paid for events (bills, ouch 😅) we may be able to help encourage reading in other ways, e.g. recommending good new books, donating spare copies, letters or signed posters for the library etc (could be by email if post too expensive!)

- It's good to make it as much of a welcoming environment as possible. If you can fundraise for new furniture etc, great - if not then just fresh displays and some occasional volunteer help to tidy and fix up shelves etc can make a big difference

- Get a barcode scanner if you can. Easy to use and kids love using them!
- You could appoint some Student Librarians to help with tidying books and checking them in and out for people
- Scholastic book fairs can be a good way to get new books for the school

Just from past experience of helping schools with this stuff, here are some ideas for schools that have libraries but not a librarian (and I really wish they all had one):

- Definitely get hold of some library software. It massively helps to keep track of books and see what's actually being read

Great news about school libraries! But I also hope they'll consider how important librarians are (and at the very least some kind of cataloguing software). I've visited schools that have basically dead libraries because there is no one able to run them and no way to assess what is popular or useful.

Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that could transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC

“An emotional research team became tearful as they described how data shows the disease was slowed by 75% in patients.”

What an absolutely incredible, joyous achievement for everyone involved. Hurrah for science and scientists! www.bbc.com/news/article...

Amazing!

My mum used to say I was like the Princess and the Pea because I was really sensitive and would be bothered by tiny things or complain about the feel of things being minorly wrong 😅😅 I wonder why 🤔

Bloody Barnes Crime Writing Festival - "It's Murder on the Green". Save the date: February 6-8 2026. An exciting new festival of crime at The OSO Theatre on the Green, Barnes. Bringing murder, mystery and mayhem to the gentlefolk of Barnes.

London! I will be visiting on Sunday 8th February 2026 to discuss writing crime and mystery for kids at this brand new festival @osoartscentre 🔎 Tickets go on sale on 1st November, check their website for more details! 😁

A pile of copies of my book The Violet Veil Mysteries - A Case of Misfortune on a starry background.

Look who's back in print! We had a bunch of issues after a cyber attack on the printers and a new giant warehouse caused this book to mysteriously disappear for a while, but Violet is now back on the case 🤞

uk.bookshop.org/a/2621/97800...

Good article for people who think that authors make a lot of money from their books. Generally speaking, we do not. I think social media and pieces like this are widely available, so folks should understand authors aren’t rolling in the dough, but I still encounter those who think we’re all rich.

Post from "The Rundown" July 18 at 5:30 PM · DuckDuckGo has introduced a new feature allowing users to filter out AI-generated images from search results, addressing growing concerns over synthetic content overwhelming authentic visuals online. The filter can be activated through a dropdown in the Images tab, search settings, or by using a dedicated AI-free domain: noai.duckduckgo.com. The system relies on curated blocklists, including uBlockOrigin’s Huge AI Blocklist, to detect and suppress AI-generated imagery. While not perfect, it significantly reduces synthetic content visibility. This move sets DuckDuckGo apart from competitors like Google and Bing by giving users direct control over their exposure to AI-generated material. Source: TechCrunch

DuckDuckGo has added a feature to filter out AI images from search results.

My kingdom for a KPop Demon Hunters DVD with: behind the scenes featurettes with interviews with the voice actors and singers and storyboarders and animators, plus commentary, a sing-along version, and dance tutorials, and animated bloopers. I want the full Lord of the Rings DVD treatment please.

The GLP team with placards at Trans Pride London

We’re at London Trans Pride!

Today and every day we stand with trans people 🏳️‍⚧️

Such a good idea! My kid has a chart where we can stick on pictures of the schedule for the day but my to list is usually scattered over various pieces of paper. I've got Ed to draw me a schedule on holiday before 🤣 perhaps we need to try the whiteboard system too

Wait, I need this 😆

Ozzy Osbourne Farewell Show Was The Highest-Grossing Charity Concert Of All Time On July 5, Ozzy Osbourne put on a farewell concert, performing as a solo artist and with Black Sabbath for the last time in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, UK. Billed as the “Back To The Beginning”...

Ozzy going out after raising $190 million for sick kids and a Parkinson’s cure is metal AF.

I'd love to meet the 4% of people who really don't know whether werewolves exist or not. Just agonising over it every full moon

An Interview With SF Said A remarkable book is being released in the U.S. today. Tyger by SF Said won the British Book Award for Children’s Fiction Book of the Year when it was published in the U.K. in 2023…

"When I was a child, my favourite books were the ones that took me seriously as a reader; the ones that were honest, and didn’t try to soften or simplify the truth, even when they dealt with difficult things. So that’s the kind of book I always want to write myself."
dailybulldog.com/arts/an-inte...

Gatekeep Tea, Girlboss Hot Chocolate

Cover for my book The Violet Veil Mysteries - A Case of Misfortune

A Case of Misfortune update! The book has been out of print for a while due to an unfortunate combo of a cyber attack at the printers and a new warehouse for the publishers with new systems. But a reprint has now been ordered and hopefully the book will be available again next month🔮

Photo of the LGBTQIA bookcase in Wonderland Bookshop.

Support LGBTQ+ creators and have pride in your shelf.

An IKEA plushie shark hanging off an octopus peg dryer in unsettling blue light. A giant shark shadow looms over them.

The ominous moment when the bathroom nightlight comes on and you forgot you were drying a Blåhaj

Instagram keeps telling me to do it and I refuse 😆 I don't have a clue why a picture would need a song. It's like walking round the National Gallery but you stop in front of a painting and it suddenly blasts you with 30 seconds of Shake It Off

PUblic service reminder for authors: the PLR deadline is 30th June. Just got a nudge email from my agent so I am nudging you all. Do NOT leave it to the last minute cos then there's no chance to talk to anyone about any questions cos they're all flat out! #KidLItUK #AuthorSky

Bystanders traumatised after autistic woman asked “what’s the worst that can happen?” Bystanders have reportedly been left “traumatised” after overhearing an autistic woman answering the question “what’s the worst that can happen?” The question, which was reportedly intended to be rhet...

“She started by pointing out the unsecured building tools resting precariously on some scaffolding and went on from there. By the time she got to ‘the melting icecaps releasing deadly prehistoric diseases,’ I had a full-blown anxiety disorder.”