Vicky MacKenzie

Hello Bluesky! I am looking for anyone who cares about/writes about/thinks about Rebecca West.

I've been on a 10 year mission to get her a blue plaque in London and am finally allowed to re-apply after it was last turned down.

I'd welcome help building a strong application.

Thank you 💙🙏

I’ve just seen an early cover design for my second novel and I am very excited! #EachLeafEachCurveOfStem #JohnRuskin🍃📚

For an act of resistance to the tyranny of algorithms, try the Marginalian newsletter—undistracted notes on the search for meaning, free, ad-free, AI-free, fully human since 2006: themarginalian.org/newsletter

The Barracks by John McGahern First published in 1963, The Barracks was John McGahern’s debut novel, written when he was in his late twenties. Now considered one of Ireland’s greatest authors, McGahern wrote about a world he kn…

'He had changed everything in her life and solved nothing: the first rush of the excitement of discovery, and then the failure of love, contempt changing to self-contempt and final destruction, its futile ashes left in her own hands.' #BookSky 💙📚

jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026/03/03/t...

Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly, longlisted for the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction.

We are so excited that Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly has been longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Congratulations to Rozie and all the longlisted authors!

Visit the @womensprize.bsky.social website to read more 📚

womensprize.com/revealing-th...

#Booksky #WomensPrize

My new novel BLACK BAG comes out next week and here are some readings I’m doing from it.

Submit — Banshee Press \uD83C\uDF84 The Banshee shop is now closed for the festive season! Any orders placed will be fulfilled in January 2026 \uD83C\uDF84

Submissions for issue 22 (autumn/winter 2026) are now open until 31 March! We’re looking forward to reading your short fiction, poetry, flash & essays ✨

bansheepress.org/submit

'For Thy Great Pain' featured on Coronation Street! Things I'm writing, things I'm reading, things I'm teaching...

My March Substack newsletter is now live, featuring two new writing workshops (one FREE to paid Substack subscribers) as well as waffling about my first book being discussed on Corrie! open.substack.com/pub/victoria...

Oh, it's beautiful! 🐴❤️

'For Thy Great Pain' featured on Coronation Street! Things I'm writing, things I'm reading, things I'm teaching...

My March Substack newsletter is now live, featuring two new writing workshops (one FREE to paid Substack subscribers) as well as waffling about my first book being discussed on Corrie! open.substack.com/pub/victoria...

Competition | HNS 2026 Conference, Maynooth Campus

Congratulations to my mentee Faith Cotter who has been shortlisted for the Historical Novel Society First Chapters Competition for her brilliant novel NO COWARD SOUL! So brilliant to see her writing recognised like this - and so deserved! hns2026.com/competition

We'll consider some of the key aspects of historical fiction: how and when to do research, what it’s okay to invent, and how to create convincing historical characters and dialogue. We’ll look at published examples and have some relaxed, lively discussions, as well as time for your own writing. 2/2

Teaching Experienced creative writing tutor offering mentoring and editing services. Also available for readings, Q&A sessions, workshops and residential courses.

I'm running a one-day online workshop on Writing Historical Fiction on Sat 16th May, 10.00am-4.00pm. More details on my website. Fee: £150, and writers at all levels welcome! Let me know if you've any questions. 1/2
victoriamackenzie.net/teaching/

Really looking forward to this! 📚💙 #HistFic #CreativeWriting
(And now I get to say - I'll be discussing my novel FOR THY GREAT PAIN - "as recommended on #CoronationStreet! "😂)

Woo hoo! Lovely news! 🥳

This sounds absolutely amazing!

Calling #poetry friends in #Cambridge
You're invited to Poetry of Care - readings from BYCATCH by @csmithpoet.bsky.social
Rock Road Library, CB1 7UG
Wednesday 25th February at 7.15pm
Book your free place here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-of-...

When is Peter Mandelson's birthday?

I'd say he's sweating now

Still from Coronation Street Tuesday 17th Feb 2026 showing two women discussing FOR THY GREAT PAIN HAVE MERCY ON MY LITTLE PAIN.

The most surreal experience. FOR THY GREAT PAIN was recommended in the women's prison library on Coronation Street tonight! 📚😍

A life goal achieved - one I didn't know I had! 😂

Still from Coronation Street Tuesday 17th Feb 2026 showing two women discussing FOR THY GREAT PAIN HAVE MERCY ON MY LITTLE PAIN.

The most surreal experience. FOR THY GREAT PAIN was recommended in the women's prison library on Coronation Street tonight! 📚😍

Copy of my book with the White Horse symbol of the Richard Jefferies Prize above it.

Absolutely thrilled to be Shortlisted for @rjaward.bsky.social! And in brilliant company. Lovely to have that white horse sticker on #GhostsoftheFarm. My farming women & their workers & families of all those decades ago, would be so proud! (As would younger me.) @chelseagreenbooks.bsky.social

Peter Mandelson issues secret notice demanding press leave him alone – read in full LATE on Friday evening, this notice was circulated from representatives of Peter Mandelson, via press regulator IPSO and the Press Association news…

NEW: Mandelson just sent a memo to UK newspapers via the press watchdog demanding they stop publishing his links to Epstein.

He cited clauses in the Editors code, designed to protect grieving families.

The memo was NOT to be published.

The National just said ‘fuck that’ & published it in full 👏

Bezos isn't destroying the Washington Post because it isn't profitable. He's destroying the Washington Post because he's calculated that a robust free press threatens the ability of his class to warp society around their interests

I'm doing a creative writing workshop at Lancaster Litfest on Sat 21st March on 'Writing Historical Fiction' (4-6pm). Apply by 28th Feb: litfest.org/workshops26/ ✒️😍

Delighted to be reading at Lancaster Litfest on Sunday 22nd March 2-3pm, in conversation with @alexwragge.bsky.social about all things historical fiction!

Sensing love to you, Rachel 🥰

So happy I read this wonderful book - in no small part thanks to your recommendation! 😍📖

Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban What a captivating, wryly humorous novel this is – a life-affirming read with none of the schmaltz or saccharine this description might suggest! It’s my book group’s current read, and I can’t wait …

From the archive for Russell Hoban, #BornOnThisDay in 1925, my thoughts on TURTLE DIARY.

A wry, piercingly perceptive exploration of different facets of loneliness & the fear of stepping outside one’s comfort zone in the maelstrom of middle age. #BookSky 💙📚

jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2025/04/20/t...