Oliver Sharpe

Absolute pleasure to go to The Last Picture House in Davenport, Iowa. Such a great cinema, set up by film-makers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. Signed well wishes from Sam Raimi and props from Heretic - such a treat. Great showings too.

#thelastpicturehouse

Me. Embracing that Iowa lifestyle.

I picked up Joe Abercrombie’s new book, The Devils, at a Hog Festival in Illinois. Random? Perhaps. But the comb’s worked well for me so far.

@joeabercrombie.com #TheDevils

Yes. I was surprised, when I first started studying history, how dissimilar Old English is to Middle. While some words survive, it does feel far removed.

Language is probably the most positive thing the Normans brought England. It almost makes up for oppressive rule and an end to elected kingship.

I strongly feel there should be a place for this in the Olympics.

I’m searching for the Anglo-Saxon to describe the Newberry Library in Chicago, where I was able to pick up @hanavideen.bsky.social ‘s The Word Hord

Perhaps the swyðost library I’ve been to outside London

I visited Chicago’s @PoetryFound today. Difficult to imagine a more beautifully executed reading space.

The grand dome at the Chicago cultural centre is something to behold.

The ghoulishly beautiful Picture of Dorian Grey by Ivan Albright.

Wandering @artinstitutechi.bsky.social ’s incredible collection, this dark gem caught my eye. Executed for the 1945 movie adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s 1891 novel. The painting has aged better than its subject.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the Royal Albert Hall. It sounded as good as it looks. #yeahyeahyeahs #royalalberthall

I made some pretty special #Eurovision cookies. I’ve been working on them for 3 and a half hours. Can you spot the flags?

#EurovisionSongContest

A pleasure to attend the @fleetstquarter.bsky.social #festivalofwords, getting to nose around Stationers’ Hall was a real treat (just tucked away from Fleet Street), they’ve scheduled some great talks across the week with still some left to catch today.

The Beltane Fire Festival, Edinburgh. A fire earth-fire union overlooking the city. #Beltane

My first Beltane Fire Festival on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill. A reimagining of ancient Celtic rituals to celebrate the summer’s start with processions, fires, and a fertility and earth-fire union. #Beltane

Gustavo has been kindly helping me with the edits today. It’s more of a tacit support, admittedly, but welcome all the same. #gustavosharpe #WritingCommunity #catinspiration

I was confused by the strange noises emanating from the wardrobe while I tried to write. When I opened it…Gustavo #WritingCommunity #catinspiration #writingbuddy

Gustavo has been providing key writing support this week - true his interests often stray at meal times - but there’s no breaking our routine.

#WritingBuddy #CatInspiration

Possible new crime fighter on the streets of London. “Super Q”?

It was a real pleasure to see the work being done by Ailsa Bathgate @gill-lewis.bsky.social Elizabeth Kellingley and @booksonthehill.bsky.social to promote dyslexia friendly books. Such a great initiative. I will definitely help to spread the word.

#LBF25

Huge thanks to @ljross.bsky.social and @jdkirk.bsky.social at @amazonkdp.bsky.social stand for providing such great insight

#LBF25

Absolute pleasure to hear Dan Houser talk about his new project with @absurdventures.bsky.social A Better Paradise. Inspirational to hear about his cross-media project.

#LBF25

Day 2 at the London Book Fair 2025. Feels like I need two or three versions of myself to get around everything.

#LBF25

Haha thanks, Lindsay. They’re into books too it seems.

Excellent panel discussion from Orna Ross, Ethan Ellenberg, Caroline Hardman, and Lindsay Jones. If I wasn’t already, I’m now fully clued up on Literary Agents.

@littlehardman.bsky.social @lindseyjonesr.bsky.social #londonbookfair

Trials, opportunities and the pitfalls of publishing. Really interesting stuff from Sarah Burton, Philip Womack, Penny Batchelor and Mark Edwards.

@philipwomack.bsky.social @pennyauthor.bsky.social @markedwardsauthor.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social

Excellent pro tips and insight from Lucy Pearse and Abiola Bello at The London Book Fair.

@simonandschuster.bsky.social #londonbookfair

Great talk on the writer’s journey with a lively Q&A from Alice Mcllroy and Sarah May.

@faberacademy.bsky.social #londonbookfair2025

Really great opening keynote by Rose Sandy on finding your author archetype…I suspect I’m a “story fountain” - if that doesn’t sound too conceited?

@rosesandy.bsky.social #londonbookfair

If you look long enough into The Voidz, maybe Julian Casablancas looks back at you.

@thevoidz.bsky.social #TheVoidz

Since my visit to Transylvania I’ve developed a strong taste for rare meat and an aversion to garlic. I’ve no idea what this could mean, any suggestions why?

“Enter freely and of your own free will.” Bram Stoker’s Dracula