Gillian Stern Profile Banner
Gillian Stern Profile
Gillian Stern

@gillybethstern

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'In middle age, there is mystery, there is mystification'. Editor of fiction, Ghostwriter. Book Doctor. Mother. Violinist. Outdoor Swimmer. Rep Eugenie Furniss.

Joined May 2011
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
My friend died on Thursday from #COVID19 . And I keep thinking that when this is all over, he & I will meet for lemon sodas in ‘my’ cafe as we did for years, to share novels & Leonard Cohen & we will discuss how he died during the lockdown, he was one of the numbers on the news.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Lottie Blue meeting her great great grandmother in Florida. Jeanette is a Holocaust survivor. Lottie will be her age is 2124.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
We have found this little dog alone and wondering about Totteridge Common, London N20 Twitter please do your thing. #LostDog
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
@hellothisisivan I de-iced someone else’s car this morning.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
@dinosofos Contrast to this brilliant homemade one posted on here a while ago.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
Please DM me if your child needs help with History or Politics A Level re-sits; any Creative Writing element of English or re-writing Personal Statements. We would like to offer our combined help as a family. #alevels2020 Please RT @NickyAACampbell @ShelaghFogarty @DavidLammy
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
It’s impossible to explain what this novel did for me.. I wrote to her aged 15 to try and explain. She wrote back and understood. And this may be why my whole life since has been devoted to literature. #JoanDidion
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
Two novels I edited pre-sale are lead titles next year for two major-league publishers. The memoir I ghosted recently is an official best-seller. Makes me very happy. Sometimes, there are days like this.. #Background #Ghosting #Editing
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
We will be welcoming Maisie into our family today... #puppylove
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Thrilled to introduce you to Lottie Blue Leibowitz…
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
Have you ever seen a more dreamlike gift. In a rare & unintended moment of disclosure I mentioned something of my past. He was listening and heard me and then this and - sometimes, sometimes - I feel deeply appreciated in my professional life for being me #CreativeCollaborations
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
When you work at the desk by the window waiting for Youngest to come home and he comes home...
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
What’s the Met’s advice to men? I can’t find it anywhere #SarahEverard
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
I'm about to throw it all in. As a freelance editor & ghost of BESTSELLERS, PRIZE WINNERS, I help fuel this industry. And yet, no invitations to summer parties, any parties, book awards. And the fees my colleagues and I are being offered are at an all time low. And no-one cares.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
Fair to surmise from the press coverage today that we are more engaged by the people on a Titanic jaunt than the 750 - 750 - people on this boat?
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
Tomorrow, I’m heading for my cafe and I’m going to sit down and order two lemon sodas and while I drink mine, I will listen to the Leonard Cohen song my friend and I both loved most 🍋
@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
My friend died on Thursday from #COVID19 . And I keep thinking that when this is all over, he & I will meet for lemon sodas in ‘my’ cafe as we did for years, to share novels & Leonard Cohen & we will discuss how he died during the lockdown, he was one of the numbers on the news.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
Just got my first vaccine - disclosure: I had open heart surgery and have a rare condition, Anomalous Pulmonary Venus Drainage - so I’m feeling kind of overwhelmed with gratitude all over again and again and again. Thank you #NHS #AstraZeneca
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
28 years of love and fun and joy. About to take up his first diplomatic posting in Beijing, so these are precious days together. #Oldest
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
9 years
@matthaig1 Me too. And look what happened today! http://t.co/AWvv0kfLnY
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
That’s #Oldest & #DaughterinLaw & #Maisy So that makes me…….!!!!!!
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
9 months
Inspired by @Phoebe_A_Morgan , who inspires me a lot, I’m also offering a free critique of your first three chapters - literary fiction . Please DM me. Last year I placed 5 - 5! - debut novelists with top agents. One went on to secure a 7 - 7! - figure deal.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
Lottie Blue is one today and I’m in Beijing to celebrate with her!
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 months
I have an idea. One day a year, the publishing industry celebrates all us #freelancers who day in, day out, fuel the industry. It doesn't have to be a big thing. Maybe @thebookseller could feature some of us and the roles we play, how we too shape things. Thoughts?
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
Update. Little dog reunited with his family. Thanks to all for RTs.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
I’ve had the best birthday ever - thanks to our new family member. #Maisie
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
Shared copies of my 12, 20-question General Knowledge Quizzes for 9 & 10 year olds to well over 2,000 families & teachers & they seem to be going down well. I'd love to share them some more. Be in touch if you'd like a set. Please RT @ShelaghFogarty @matthaig1 @RevRichardColes
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
@NickyAACampbell @bbc5live Happy birthday Maxwell. Through the thwump of your tail and your deep brown eyes, you patiently taught me how to love dogs.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Update. Lottie Blue. 💙 Hat knitted by @cindyfried 💙cardigan via @NickyAACampbell 💙
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
Barry, Barry she called. You can come in. And into my kitchen walked #BarryHumpries He said, I won’t disturb you and headed into the garden where the kids were playing. He kicked a ball around with them, and then came in for fish fingers. He was beyond charming.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
30 years today of laughter - and marriage - with my very patient and adorable husband.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
My wonderful Dad. 86 today. He taught me all I needed to know - kindness, socialism and how to carve the Eiffel Tower out of a banana. #Inspiration
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
So, was coming to #LBF tomorrow but instead I shall be at my swimming friend Maurice's funeral. Maurice and I wait(ed) outside the pool together at 6.30 am every morning for years & years and I adored him. He was 90. Every lap I swim will be his for a long time to come.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
5 months
Still, after all these years, a thrill to have a leaning tower of proofs and ‘finished copies’. (Many of these I’ve worked on).
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
And like that, I am restored.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
7 years
Any 18-25 year old first-time #Labour voter who wants a free critique of their novel-in-progress? I'll do it as a thank-you @UKLabour
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
First batch of homemade - by my wonderful 12-year-old neighbour, Audrey - biscuits, to be delivered to our local GP/Vaccination centre tomorrow. We’ve set up a rota on our road to bring some sweetness and gratitude to our frontline staff and volunteers #COVID19 @ShelaghFogarty
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
My sister & I fan-girled @Emmabarnett this morning as we passed her along the canal and she was charming, gracious and luminescent and we completed our #moonwalk training energised and full of the joys of sister-sisterhooded.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Publishers!! Agents!! Prize Ceremony organisers!! I work on, edit, ghost very many of your books, discover new writers that I send your way. I champion your books, your authors. And yet. And yet. Why do you never invite me to your summer - or any - parties? #FreelanceDespair
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Never want to leave here…
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Anyone else have difficulty recognising their car? I carefully, patiently, de-iced someone else’s this morning. #TooManyAdverbs
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
8 years
@TrumpDraws These never fail to make me laugh. But cynically and in a profoundly unhappy way.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
Extremely distressed that I can’t get any slot AT ALL - for my frail, house-bound 89-year-old-mother-in-law, a loyal @Ocado customer, spending thousands of pounds over the years. People up & down my road get deliveries every week. All I get is platitudes from customer service.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
In the past few months I have placed five debut writers - edited/mentored by me - with leading agents. I can help you with that extra fairy dust that will make your manuscript sparkle.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Four generations. My Dad, Oldest, Me & Lottie Blue #Joy
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
Stop whatever you are doing and read this… Trust me. It’s magnificent. @TrampPress
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
5 years
13 novels for the bar-mitzvah boy. Despite word from elsewhere that fiction is dead, it’s alive & well in Finchley.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
5 years
I jumped into a cab back in the day up in Stoke and the driver and I got around to Neil Diamond (as you do) and he started singing Song Sung Blue. Turns out he was the UK's most popular ND tribute act at the time and we went round the block so he could sing me I Am..I Said.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
Lost for words at how emotional this made me last night. There’s a story behind this stunning novel and my love for @MaddieMortimer in real life, way off and beyond any page, is joyful and endless. @picadorbooks @rcwlitagency @waterstones
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Still schlepping the joy. #LottieBlue
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
7 years
A perfectly layered tweet.
@agnesfrim
Agnes
7 years
Shout out to the woman who brought paint samples to the #Hockney
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
6 years
Happy birthday #NHS70 I received pioneering 12-hour open-heart surgery back in the day, heart-stopped, blood frozen, life suspended until Mr Bonham-Carter sewed me up. 5 scars, 3 children later, swimming 80 lengths front-crawl outdoors, I am grateful every single day of my life.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
Some years ago an author asked to drop her manuscript off at my house. She arrived, I asked her in, made coffee etc. we were chatting away for about twenty mins when she gasped. My husband is in the car, can he come in. Of course, I said. She went to the front door……
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
One more. Great-Grandma - my Mum! - meeting Lottie Blue. Very special moment 💜
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 months
Despite EDITING one of the shortlisted titles and ASKING to be invited, I’m not there because I was told there wasn’t room. This is how the publishing industry treats #freelancers and truly, it’s deplorable.
@WomensPrize
Women's Prize
3 months
Set your alarms! On Thursday 13th June from 6:45pm join us live for the announcements of the winners of the 29th Women's Prize for Fiction and the inaugural Women's Prize for Non-Fiction! Watch here:
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Insane view from our B & B @hayfestival
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
5 months
Special yesterday celebrating two novelists I discovered’ (uncovered?) 20 years apart. According to @bookbrunch I’m a Literary Scout & in her speech @elliekeel1 #TheFour referred to me as an ‘unsung hero’ of publishing. Thank you for the ❤️ @sfletcherauthor #TheNightInQuestion
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
6 months
This is - courtesy of my cousin @Passamezzo - our great aunt Tubby, in Spain during the 1930s, fighting the fascists. You can feel her strength.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
My General Knowledge quizzes for Years 5 & 6 are available for children everywhere. Please DM for a set. Please RT @NickyAACampbell @rachelburden @ShelaghFogarty @DavidLammy @eliistender10 @RobBiddulph
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
Early birthday swim. Thank you for all the lovely happy wishes ❤️
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
5 years
This. This is a heartbreaking work of staggering genius. Drop everything, read it as soon as you can.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
Today is all about eating chocolates @NickyAACampbell
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
9 months
Thanks for all your replies to my reading-three-chapters offer. As soon as I’ve finished reading to this little bundle of joy and after she goes back to Beijing on the weekend (before moving to Addis Ababa in Feb), I will reply to you all.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
Be very hugely excited. I have proofs to share. This. The most stunning debut I’ve read for about a hundred years. #GirlA @abigailsdean ⁩ ⁦ @Phoebe_A_Morgan ⁩ ⁦ @mushenska
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
5 months
Do WHATEVER you can to get a proof of #HeyZoey by @SarahCrossan I am savouring every page and never ever want it to end @BloomsburyBooks @amy_donegan (coffee stains, my own)
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
8 years
Thrilling! You too can enjoy stories & killer insights from this 'simple country parson' @RevRichardColes @wnbooks
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
I now have my 12 General Knowledge Quizzes for Year 6 children up and ready to go. Please DM me your email (I will follow you back). Please RT etc...
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
As an editor of fiction, I’d have a few plot points to discuss with #DominicCummngs
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
1 year
Took a day off… #FreelanceFreedom
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
Twelve years later, new glasses. Thoughts?
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
This. This. This. Trust me. Breathtaking. I never ever ever ever want it to end @4thEstateBooks @mattclacher @BlkLibraryGirl @everyone
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
@DeborahMeaden Take the bus from Princess Street to The Pentlands - 30 mins away. Glorious walking.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Thank you so much for your happy reaction to the birth of Lottie Blue Leibowitz. Here’s #Youngest holding her for the first time #Joy
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
1984. Women’s Officer. My life was an ongoing campaign for safer streets and an end to violence against women. We marched. We got lights put up. We educated, debated, discussed. We were briefly hopeful. And tonight 37 years later, a candle for #SarahEverard
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 months
Let's hear it for the #Freelancers who FUEL the publishing industry and are busy #freelancing at this very moment for the very people who are about to receive awards! #BritishBookAwards
@FMcMAssociates
FMcM
4 months
Philip Jones of @thebookseller reminds us of why the UK book market continues to grow, and why books will always survive the challenges of a changing industry. #BritishBookAwards
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
5 months
I couldn’t do more championing & helping women writers - passionately & joyfully - yet as a freelancer, despite editing several long & shortlisted novels over the years, I’ve never been invited to the @WomensPrize party. I even asked to be invited. And you know what. It hurts.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
5 years
Oh @SarahCrossan This is ELECTRIFYING. I literally - literally - cannot put it down. @BloomsburyBooks @AlexandraPring #HereIsTheBeehive
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
Oh sometimes this crushing invisibility - my soul in your books and everyone, everyone else lavishly praised - is incredibly tough. I know. I know. Don't @ me. #Ghostwriter #Editor #ShouldHaveBeenAViolinist
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
My lovely 12 year old neighbour, Audrey, made me this. It’s one of my books #Ghostwriting cake. #Birthday
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
1978. Youth Orchestra. When I met my husband’s parents for the first time, they showed me this as my husband was in the orchestra. Funny thing was, I am in it too. He was cellos and 16. I was violins and 12. Worlds apart.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
18 months apart. #Oldest
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Favourite printed mountain of the year.. The 2022 Longlist @LucyCavColl #FictionPrize @PFDAgents #JudgingJoy
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
10 years
Here it is again. Get ready. http://t.co/QpNML4AbHm
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
Working with @NickyAACampbell - and Maxwell - on his stunning, emotionally upending memoir has been a privilege, a joy and a highlight of my long editorial career. #OneOfTheBest #OneoftheFamily @HodderBooks You’ll know what I’m feeling @ShelaghFogarty @rachelburden
@thebookseller
The Bookseller
4 years
. @NickyAACampbell joins the @HodderBooks family, with his memoir on family, adoption, mental health and "miracle dog" Maxwell, with One of the Family! See more about the "very special book" here:
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Oldest gazing at his newborn brother, 23 years ago. Oldest’s newborn gazing at her father, 23 years later. #TheCircleofLife
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Post editing, this week I’ve placed two as-yet-unpublished novelists with leading agents. I am confident both will be published. This makes me very happy #FreelanceSatisfaction
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
Absolutely extraordinary that us #ghostwriters aren’t mentioned here. Beyond. We are the ones that carry the burden of the ‘memorists’ with almost no support from the industry, as witnessed here.
@thebookseller
The Bookseller
2 years
Following the publication of Prince Harry's Spare, some members of the publishing industry have called for more support for authors who write memoirs. Read here:
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 months
I cried. And then I danced into my study. Back to the day job now, I guess. @gnickodonnell @FGGLabour @sarahsackman
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
Privileged to have worked with @LuciaOC_ on her forthcoming blistering new book #MyBodyKeepsYourSecrets . Her beautiful, immersive writing flowing through the page, taking you right along with it, is something to behold. @SusieLiterature @PressIndigoThe @emma_a_paterson
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
5 years
Best bus stop?
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
2 years
The first hardback I bought. He signed it in London and I cried at the magnitude of meeting him. #SalmanRushdi #TheSatanicVerses
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
6 years
Actually today was only about beauty.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
6 years
Read read read to your children. Because later when you see a pile like this next to their bed, you know it was good
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
9 years
@matthaig1 He said sorry and I told him thank you. His vision of equality made me get back out there this election & I will never look back.
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
10 years
Bra-nil and Ger-many. #Editing
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
Friday Night #ChallahMaking
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
4 years
We are honouring the memory of Fani Lindeman who perished in Theresienstadt in 1944, aged 71. May her memory be a blessing. #yellowcandle
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@gillybethstern
Gillian Stern
3 years
And he’s off. Enroute via via via and a LOT of quarantining - to Beijing. First long-term diplomatic posting. Sadness has been overtaken by excitement (for now). A new adventure for our family (and my daughter-in-law is still here until July) #NewChapter
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