Jan Carson @JanCarson7280 Twitter profile

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Jan Carson

3 months

Happy publication day to my eighth book. Godspeed the little horse as they canter their way unto bookshelves up and down the land #quicklywhiletheystillhavehorses

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

My lovely dad passed away in the early hours of this morning. I’m so grateful for the amazing team in the ICU in Coleraine who allowed us to sit with dad right to the end. Thanks for all your messages. They’re so appreciated even if I can’t get back to you all. What a man.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

1 year

If you’re Irish and not up for an Oscar you really ought to be questioning yourself right now.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

7 months

Today I read my 300th book of the year. Nobody needs to read 300 books in a year but if you’d like to prioritise reading in 2024 here are a few tips which might help

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Fed up doing nothing. I’m going to pull together a gig next Sunday evening. Northern Irish writers reading the work of Ukrainian writers to raise some money and show our love. Can you save the date and I’ll send info through as I nail details. RT please

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

1 year

Welcome to Belfast City airport where access to the closest train station involves a quarter mile trek down an uneven path with a dual carriageway thundering past your elbow then 83 steps. Why are we so consistently shit at the basic stuff here?

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

In a coffee shop and I’ve Just watched a man surreptitiously remove a canister of squirty cream from his bag and top up the cream on his hot chocolate, then hide the canister under the table when a barista walked past. He looks very pleased with himself. Crime of the century.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

After two weeks in ICU my father has emerged back on to a normal ward demanding the next Inspector Morse book in the series and for his gladioli plants to be moved into the sun... so thankful to have normal dad back again.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

*It's not the end of the world but #TheRaptures is finally here. Happy publication day to my 7th book, both the hardest and easiest thing I've ever written. Please be kind to Hannah and the good folk of Ballylack. *Full disclosure, it could well be the end of the world.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Ah, Northern Ireland where the neighbour who “absolutely wasn’t stopping” has now been here for one hour and thirty seven minutes

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Every single night.... can’t keep my eyes open. Totally exhausted. Turn the light out. Wide awake for hours and hours. Anybody else?

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Just got the nicest letter from a complete stranger who listened to my @BBCRadio4 story "Beans" about the lack of fresh food in food banks and started a scheme in the allotments she's part of, gathering up surplus produce to distribute through local food banks. People are great

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

1 year

Possibly the happiest photo I’ve ever shared. Very first day ever, in almost twenty years of writing, where I get to write at my own desk in my study. So worth all the hard work to get to here

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

This has been the hardest secret to keep. Delighted that my wee story about an NI car picnic in the rain had made the #BBCNSSA shortlist with such a rake of talented writers. It’ll air on @BBCRadio4 on Tues 3:30pm Thanks for all your lovely comments folks.

BBC Front Row

@BBCFrontRow

4 years

We are delighted to announce this year's #BBCNSSA shortlist! Caleb Azumah Nelson - Pray Jan Carson - In the Car With the Rain Coming Down Sarah Hall - The Grotesques Jack Houston - Come Down Heavy Eley Williams - Scrimshaw Find out more here:

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Just received an email from a festival saying “they do not normally offer author fees because of several objective reasons.” My mortgage payment’s due tomorrow and I’m going to try telling the bank I can’t pay them because of several objective reasons. Gah.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Here’s a Dad update. 8 weeks since he left ICU. A month since he got out of hospital. A wee reminder of how amazing the NHS is.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

I have a suspicion that the SSE is playing music specific to the age group they’re currently vaccinating. I’m 41 and i got a lot of Beautiful South. I heard the 35-40s are getting the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Anyone confirm or dispel this theory?

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

630 people are currently watching Anne Enright in conversation with @rickoshea @CuirtFestival maybe we need to seriously rethink how we do literary festivals in the future. There must be a lot of people watching here who couldn’t have made it to the physical event.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

It’s my five year anniversary of quitting the day job and going full freelance writer. Literally the best decision I ever made.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Delighted to let you know we have a fantastic line up of Northern Irish writers reading the words of their fellow writers from Ukraine @LyricBelfast 8:30pm Sunday 6th. Booking info coming as soon as we can get the box office up and running. Thank you all for your support

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

This is my Christmas present to myself - a tiny wee rural writing retreat and I am fully intending to enjoy every second of it

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Having a wee cry in the corner of a coffee shop. Nice reviews are one thing but it’s so heartening and humbling when the reviewer absolutely gets what you were trying to accomplish with a book. Thank you all. Especially this wee blessing from @MarianKeyes in @IrishTimesBooks

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

I have completely lost all desire to do anything except read and sleep. I honestly think humans might be evolving towards requiring a winter hibernation period every year.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Big thank you to everyone who crossed their fingers and toes for me. I got the thing I wanted desperately. Super pleased/honoured/excited to be writer in RESIDENCE for Université de Lorraine IN France from October 2022 - January 2023. Merci Beaucoup mes amis

ARIEL

@Ariel_ul_

2 years

Avec près de 30 candidatures pour la quatrième édition du projet ARIEL, le jury a eu de quoi s’occuper ces dernières semaines ! Son vote fut sans appel cette année : Jan Carson l’emporte avec 45 points. (1/3)

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Making some new Christmas Eve memories. Took my parents back to where they met and did all their courting. We found their initials still carved in a tree 45 years later.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

5 years

Best thing that happened today - seeing Poirot. Close second - winning EU Prize for Literature for Ireland (bit of a puddle right now folks, but thank you for all the incredible support)

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

8 months

How’s your day going? A complete stranger just came up to me while I was writing in Cafe Nero and presented me with a gift card to say thank you for all the books. What a nice way to start the weekend.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

5 years

This is my new project for 2020. I’m reading all 66 Agatha Christie crime novels and writing a piece of fan fiction about each at the back of the book once finished. Then I’ll drop the books for people to find at different public spots with clues

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

For the millionth time- if you’re asking an artist to do some work for you please address the subject of payment in your initial approach. I’m so fed up replying yes I’m free, I can do that but are you going to pay me for it?

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Today I spent half an hour sitting in a jacuzzi, read two entire books and wrote the first 500 words of fiction I’ve managed in the 3 months since Dad died. I clearly needed a holiday.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Pretty delighted about this wee bit of news. Mainly because I get to share a shortlist with such a stellar list of writers and also get to go to a nice party #TheRaptures

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

11 months

sharing the best news today. I have an American publisher for my next two books @ScribnerBooks who publish some of my all time favourite writers. I’ll be working with the brilliant Emily Polson. So grateful for all @spinningkates hard work finding me an American publishing home

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Your annual reminder that your book can be absolutely astounding and still not make anyone's best of 2020 or most anticipated of 2021 list. Books aren't onions. They don't go off if they're not read within a certain period. A great book will still be great ten years from now.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

1 year

Monday morning, in a coffee shop, trying to write a sex scene whilst a guy at the next table prays very loudly over another guy… peak East Belfast

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Just your annual gentle reminder that if you're approaching an artist with some work you'd like them to do for you please mention a fee in the initial approach. Going to keep posting this periodically until I no longer have to send out "can I enquire if there's a fee?" emails

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Have just had the publishing industry explained to me by a man with 8 unpublished poetry collections. Best to walk away sometimes

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

6 years

This bit makes all the hard work worthwhile. #TheFireStarters proofs have arrived and they’re absolutely stunning

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

If I don’t get to a book festival soon I am going to don a laminated pass, stand in my back yard and read aloud to the wheelie bin, then present myself with a bespoke tote bag and drink a load of cheap red wine.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Picnicking in Heaven/Jardins du Luxembourg this lunchtime. Look at that light

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

I love Jon Snow. Once I talked to him for half an hour, mistakenly thinking he was my friend Heather's dad and he just sat and listened to me talking about my family and was really nice.

Jim Burke

@Barcajim3

4 years

That moment when you've had enough of their shit

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

New month. New projects. This is my first day on staff at Queen’s. For the next year I’ll be working part time at the university with a group of amazing academics who are researching how Dementia is depicted in fiction. Exciting times.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

11 months

Very excited to reveal the stunning cover for book no. 8, my new short story collection Quickly, While They Still Have Horses coming from @doubledayukbooks April 24. Another gorgeous design from Irene Martinez Costa Proofs available in a few weeks. #Quickly

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Eight years today, my first book landed on my desk. Feeling incredibly lucky to have made a life out of writing these last few years. 7 books, umpteen countries, far too many amazing people and experiences to count.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Sending a new book out into the world this morning. Hoping it finds the right publisher and doesn't fall flat on its face.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

It’s my birthday. Please shower me with adulation or alternatively just hold off on sending work-related emails for twenty four hours. Either option will be equally well received.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Totally exhausted but very grateful that after eight extremely long weeks Dad finally got out of hospital today.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

My annual January reminder that putting your food (any food, even toast) in a bowl, instantly makes it about 40% more comforting. Here are my four favourite bowls

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Welcome to the world book number six. What a beautiful looking article #TheLastResort You can preorder from your favourite indie. Coming your way April 1st

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Bookshelves in my dining room/study before and after 15 months of working from home.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Very excited to finally be able to say this novel, completed on 1st Nov 2018, is now a real thing and tomorrow morning we’ll be revealing the amazing cover design. I think it might be my favourite book cover yet. #TheRaptures

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Some other difficult things are happening right now but here’s the cover of my next novel #TheRaptures and it is a truly beautiful thing.

Transworld Books

@TransworldBooks

3 years

The dizzyingly inventive, darkly funny + moving new novel from award-winning @JanCarson7280 is out in Feb 22 + we're delighted to reveal its stunning cover. The Raptures explores how tragedy will both unite + tear a small community apart. Pre-order now:

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

1 year

Possibly the most beautiful thing you’ll see today - 15 years of reading, organised by genre. Will update when the bookshelves arrive

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Had to break the news to the small niece tonight that Shakespeare did not write Hamilton. Ten seconds later she asked “what about Mamma Mia?”

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

So proud of myself for making it through the last 10 days reasonably intact. I couldn’t actually taste it but this may be the nicest coffee I’ve ever had. Back in bed now totally wiped out but a huge thank you to everyone who helped me survive the worst fortnight of my life.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Sorry for the delay folks. You can now book to join us online from anywhere in the world or donate via this link for our #WritersForUkraine event @LyricBelfast on Sunday

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

It’s publication day for #TheLastResort I shall be celebrating by doing the exact same thing I do everyday but I did raise a wee toast to the world’s most depressing caravan park last night. Thanks to everyone who helped get these stories out into the world

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Behold, I am officially an academic now (sort of)

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

1 year

You have to love an early morning Belfast taxi driver. I got a 10 minute pep talk en route to the Europa and left him shouting across the road “don’t be nervous about your speech Love. You’ll be grand.” Washington DC bound.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

This is my favourite part of publication day… getting the old gang together again. I think I’ve now produced about a foot of books.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

A gazillion lovely French people turned up at the most beautiful church in Toulouse to hear Didier Sandre, of the Comédie-Française read the first chapter of #LesLanceursDeFeu and it was one of the best moments of my writing life so far.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

7 months

2. Read for pleasure. You don’t have to read books which feel like a relentless slog. You don’t have to read recently published or Irish or trendy books. Read books which actually interest you.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Yay. We won a prize. Well done team #TheFireStarters @DoubledayUK @FionaBooks @al_youell @spinningkates @fiodhnanig @RachAC @MWLiterary

Glyn Morgan

@GR_Morgan

4 years

This year's Red Tentacle for Best Debut Novel goes to The Fire Starters by Jan Carson. @JanCarson7280 @TheKitschies #Kitschies

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

I found this bumble bee stone on the beach at Ballycastle this morning and it is now my favourite thing

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

This morning I get to see my dad in hospital for the first time in 6 weeks. That is all.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Apparently no women writers of any significance have emerged from the north of Ireland…

Hugo Brady Brown

@AodhBC

3 years

@JanCarson7280 It's interesting that people like Paul Muldoon, Derek Mahon and even Seamus Heaney put Northern Ireland on the cultural map, but no women writers of any significance have emerged. Is this because of the fundamentally hard nature of Ulster society?

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

This wee snap just dropped into my inbox and made my day. Big thanks to Heather Morris for capturing the moment a very smiley @NicolaSturgeon bought #TheRaptures Lovely to see Hannah and the crew have made it across the pond and even better to see politicians supporting writers

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Oh my goodness. What a thing to wake up to. A hundred million thanks to @MarianKeyes for these kind and generous words and getting my week off to a killer start x #TheRaptures

Marian Keyes

@MarianKeyes

3 years

Oh LADS! I've your 1st book of 2022 for yiz! #TheRaptures by @JanCarson7280 is ORIGINAL and COMPELLING. Young girl in an evangelical family, it's about faith & fear & being 'other' Set in a tiny town, the gimlet eye she brings to the stifling/comforting dynamics is CHEF'S KISS!

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

7 months

1. Never leave the house without a book on your person. You never know when you might have ten minutes or two hours to fill.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Two pages in Libération this morning. The French seem to like their authors looking furious #LesLanceursDeFeu

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Got a first glimpse of the gorgeous Italian cover for #TheFireStarters out with Giulio Perrone Editore. Is this not the most Italian thing you’ve ever seen? Totally class.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

That thing about April being the cruelest month is utter bollocks. On top of everything else I now have Covid. It’s fair to say I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself this morning

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

5 years

Dear lit programmers, a quick reminder: no panel should have more than 3 writers, no literary event need be any longer than 90 minutes max and it is perfectly acceptable to stop a writer once they’ve gone over their allocated time slot. Thank you, every audience member ever.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

7 months

4. Borrow books from libraries (writers get money every time you take out a book). Buy from charity bookshops so your money’s going to a good cause. Swap books with friends. All great and ethical ways to read on a budget.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

I can’t believe it’s taken so long but I had my first piece of writing translated into Irish today and it’s definitely made my week.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Three chapters into an incredibly disjointed novel, struggling to make sense of it. Just read the back blurb more carefully and realised it’s actually a short story collection.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

11 months

The best editorial note I ever received was “I can see what you’re doing here Jan, so please don’t do it.” If you’re showing not telling -and you probably should be- best to avoid the following hideously overdone tropes…

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Annual reminder that it is 14 years today since I got paid for my first ever published story. Here’s the cheque, still uncashed, because it cost $2.75 to cash and I only got paid 3 bucks. Writing’s a long game folks. Don’t be rushing.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

5 years

After 5 years and 4 books I finally have a book you can buy at the airport and it’s a really nice feeling. #TheFireStarters @DublinAirport

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Sorry for the swearing but can you RT the living shit out of this please. 370 seats available and I’d like them all gone by the end of tomorrow. Online booking for live streaming coming soon. NI writers come out and show your solidarity.

Lyric Theatre Belfast

@LyricBelfast

2 years

@JanCarson7280 Booking available now at -

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Belfast standing with our friends and colleagues in Ukraine last night #writersforUkraine ⁦ @LyricBelfast ⁩

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Thank you all for your warmth and generosity. Never been more proud to be part of the Northern Irish arts community. Donation link on the @LyricBelfast website is still open if you didn’t get a chance to be with us for #writersforukraine tonight

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

7 months

11. Bonus extra advice. Talk about the books you’ve loved to anyone who’ll listen. Enthusiastic readers willing to proselytise make more enthusiastic readers and, in doing so, help writers to keep publishing books. Thank you.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Delighted to reveal the cover for #TheLastResort my series of linked short stories set in a Ballycastle caravan park and first read on @bbcradio4 Published on April 1st and available to pre-order from all good bookstores soon. Big thanks to Irene Martinez for the gorgeous design.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

1 year

Sending novel no.4/book no.9 out into the world this afternoon. I’ve spent a whirlwind 6 months immersed in Lough Neagh. Crossing my fingers this one lands and you all get to meet Marion and Robert-John in a few year’s time.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Spending Christmas by myself but it’s ok because I’ve got the very best company

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Have some wise words from Shirley Jackson

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

… here we go. It’s publication week for #TheRaptures and the first review landed this morning. Enormously grateful for Justine Carberry for this careful and incredibly generous reading in the Sunday Independent this morning. @sorchajudge

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

I’m going to give a talk about Agatha Christie in Italy. Seriously. I did not make this up.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

There's absolutely no shame in writing a short novel folks. That is all.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Best @NOALIBISBOOKS sign yet

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

This is the face of a very happy author because @NOALIBISBOOKS have already sold the stack of #TheRaptures I signed 10 days ago. A rake more signed now.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

4 years

Has anyone got a handy "Top 10 safe films to watch with your elderly, conservative parents which won't make you want to claw your own eyes out" list lying around? Please help or I'll be watching Death in Paradise all Christmas. (they have Netflix, Sky and Prime)

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

2 years

Some lovely news to wake up to #TheRaptures is in great company here

Writers' Week

@WritersWeek

2 years

Listowel Writers' Week is excited to announce the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year, 2022, shortlist... #LWW2022 #KerryGroup #prize #Novel #Writing #novels #writer #words #bookstore #readers #Irish #Literary

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 months

In other news …. Today’s the 7 year anniversary of quitting my job and going “full time” as a writer. Only regret, not walking away from it all a few years earlier.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Just sent off an application for a thing I desperately want. Please cross all your fingers and toes for me. Merci.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

Off to buy a rake of lottery tickets... #LesLanceursDeFeu the French translation of #TheFireStarters has just been longlisted for its 2nd major French literary prize today #PrixFemina fair to say I'll be cracking open the champagne tonight

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

6 months

I’ve read a lot of nature writing recently and the vast majority of it seems to be written by white middle or upper class people with seemingly endless amounts of free time. Can anyone point me in the direction of alternative voices in this area?

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

6 years

Absolutely delighted to finally let you know that my next novel #TheFireStarters has found a home with the good folks @DoubledayUK and will be published early 2019.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

3 years

I couldn’t be happier if I won the Booker. Brother with ladder appeared. Excavated attic. Finally found the bastardly alarm. Replaced batteries. After ten straight days of chirping it has finally shut up. Things are surely looking up folks.

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Jan Carson

@JanCarson7280

8 months

Ladies, gentlemen and horses, proofs are upon us. Real thing coming April 2024. Book No. 8 is out in the world and I can’t wait for you all to read these shorts. #Quickly

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