Emily Garside

Sent the redraft of this off today, and this one was hard work- a lot to juggle a lot of 'what if' in terms of what to put in. It's also consumed my life the last two months- and I feel like we should be honest about the work/time/headspace writing books takes.

Hopes Heated Rivalry will boost numbers at Cardiff Devils ice hockey matches The global hit TV show is having a positive effect on the game, say Welsh teams.

And an accompanying article...

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Thanks Sarah! (hilariously most hockey friends were at the hockey when it was on!)

Waterstones 25% Off Books Coming Soon Pre-order now with code: FEB26 17-20 February Online Only

Pre-order 'Rainbow Wales: Queer icons past and present' by @emilygarside.bsky.social online at @waterstones.bsky.social now for 25% off 📚

Use code FEB26

Offer ends 20th February!

www.waterstones.com/book/rainbow...

I was on BBC Wales Today ...er yesterday talking all things Heated Rivalry and Hockey. Always great to be able to bring together my work and something I love (and yes talk about hockey)

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Even worse, I'd always (and for the first time) had the best experiences with this dentist, but this receptionist clearly went to the GP receptionist school of customer service.

It's not news that dentists are a nightmare, but being told you can't have an appointment until April because 'next financial year' and 'being in pain doesn't get you an appointment' really does illustrate how they truly don't care.

Catherine O’Hara was the TV mom we needed Catherine O’Hara was more than an actor to many: she was a “TV Mom”. Particularly to the queer community. On more than one occasion, she played a character that made it clear we were we…

A piece for @thequeerreview.com about Catherine O'Hara and how she was the 'TV Mom' that all us queer kids needed

thequeerreview.com/2026/02/04/c...

About 25 different signed books, in two tall stacks. Included is, Bobbi Brown, Jim Kerr from Simple Minds, Mary Earps, Freddie Flintoff, Ruby Tandoh and Mark Billingham

A closer look at one of the two stacks of books.

The second stack of books, showing a clearer picture of the titles. Included are Ben Elton, Val McDermid, Bradley Wiggins, Malala and Chris Hadfield

Here are two stacks of SIGNED books.

A lot of them aren't on my website any more, cos I usually take books off there when i'm down to one or two copies, in case of emergencies.

Anyway, if you're interested in any of them, let me know & maybe we can do a deal?

Rainbow Wales | UWP

and you can buy it here,
www.uwp.co.uk/book/rainbow...

This big rainbow book is out in May. I'd LOVE to come and talk about it in different places.

So if you know any LGBTQ+ groups/events.

Or a School/College/Uni perhaps.

Or your workplace for a Pride event.

Or, of course, a bookshop you think would enjoy it... Let me know.

January... What I've been reading, watching and doing

Trying a new thing on the blog...rounding up 'stuff I've been reading/watching/doing' once a month...

thenerdynotebook.substack.com/p/january

Meanwhile, for the playwrights out there- introductions to self-producing as well as the super practical 'formatting your play' (and tips and tricks for making it submission-ready)
www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/london-pla...

I've got a whole host of workshops for playwrights (and those just interested in theatre) coming up.

I teach a lecture series that offers an 'introduction' to different theatre genres, maybe for those of us whose education was...lacking in those areas.

Schitt'S Creek GIF ALT: Schitt'S Creek GIF

First big rejection of the year where ironically I was praised for the contribution my existing writing has made....even though the same scheme rejected me on the basis of those projects previously.

a close up of a man 's face with a #schitts creek logo in the corner ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a #schitts creek logo in the corner

I'm gonna do an old school shady vague-post...

But when you can't help but be cynical that someone's 'coming out' announcement is about to be followed by a 'book annoucement'

260131 Heated Rivalry, Queer Sports Romance, and Activism  | Bishopsgate Institute Using Heated Rivalry and its screen adaptation as a central case study, the session places queer hockey romance within a longer LGBTQIA+ history of sport,

Still at the cottage? I know I am.

I had a lot of thoughts (still do) about Heated Rivarly as a Queer hockey fan. How does it sit with queer hockey fans? is it a force for activism?

Join me @bishopsgateinst.bsky.social to talk queer hockey!

www.bishopsgate.org.uk/whats-on/act...

While January is about 3 months long, it will soon be LGBTQ+ history month, and if you'd like a speaker for a work or community event, I can help!

I specialise in bringing 'history' into the everyday culture, living memory and filling in the gaps of Queer history.

emilygarside.com

Won't you THINK OF THE CARS THOUGH STEVEN (as that suitably 'twitter' enough?

Look, I cannot be the only one who, every time I hear Davos in the news, immediately thinks of a Doctor Who villain. And it's all very serious and all, but also maybe at this point, Davros is a better option.

While January is about 3 months long, it will soon be LGBTQ+ history month, and if you'd like a speaker for a work or community event, I can help!

I specialise in bringing 'history' into the everyday culture, living memory and filling in the gaps of Queer history.

emilygarside.com

Emily Garside on Heated Rivalry & queer TV’s potential to create real-world change Contains spoilers It’s been a moment since a TV show was almost unavoidable in both media discussions and memeification, but it’s currently impossible to miss “the gay hockey show” aka …

I wrote about all things Heated Rivalry for @thequeerreview.com on the Queer joy, hope for change and where all of it sits as a queer hockey fan...

thequeerreview.com/2026/01/13/e...

Like everyone, I've been thinking a LOT about Heated Rivalry and as a Queer hockey fan, I had a lot to say on where it sits uncomfortably, and where there's real possibility for change (and the respect we should put on players)

thenerdynotebook.substack.com/p/heated-riv...

260131 Heated Rivalry, Queer Sports Romance, and Activism  | Bishopsgate Institute Using Heated Rivalry and its screen adaptation as a central case study, the session places queer hockey romance within a longer LGBTQIA+ history of sport,

Are you still at the Cottage?

Join me and @bishopsgateinst.bsky.social for an exploration of Heated Rivalry, Hockey Romance and what that can tell us about queer media, and it's activist side...

www.bishopsgate.org.uk/whats-on/act...

Had I forgotten this place existed? yes yes I had...

Super excited to have this out in the world!

260131 Heated Rivalry, Queer Sports Romance, and Activism  | Bishopsgate Institute Using Heated Rivalry and its screen adaptation as a central case study, the session places queer hockey romance within a longer LGBTQIA+ history of sport,

Are you still at the Cottage?

Join me and @bishopsgateinst.bsky.social for an exploration of Heated Rivalry, Hockey Romance and what that can tell us about queer media, and it's activist side...

www.bishopsgate.org.uk/whats-on/act...

Emily Garside on Heated Rivalry & queer TV’s potential to create real-world change Contains spoilers It’s been a moment since a TV show was almost unavoidable in both media discussions and memeification, but it’s currently impossible to miss “the gay hockey show” aka …

I wrote about all things Heated Rivalry for @thequeerreview.com on the Queer joy, hope for change and where all of it sits as a queer hockey fan...

thequeerreview.com/2026/01/13/e...

Like everyone, I've been thinking a LOT about Heated Rivalry and as a Queer hockey fan, I had a lot to say on where it sits uncomfortably, and where there's real possibility for change (and the respect we should put on players)

thenerdynotebook.substack.com/p/heated-riv...

Emily Garside on Heated Rivalry & queer TV’s potential to create real-world change Contains spoilers It’s been a moment since a TV show was almost unavoidable in both media discussions and memeification, but it’s currently impossible to miss “the gay hockey show” aka …

Hockey fan @emilygarside.bsky.social on Heated Rivalry & queer TV’s potential to create real-world change #heatedrivalry thequeerreview.com/2026/01/13/e...