Writer of very odd children's books. Hobbies include travel, LARP and scuba diving. Addicted to volcanoes and trying new things. @franceshardinge.bsky.social

United Kingdom
Joined June 2012
Just to reiterate, I am NOT on Facebook. If you come across (or are approached by) a Facebook account pretending to be me, they're an imposter. They should be distrusted and reported.
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Frances Hardinge retweeted
Every now and again I go back to this passage from Chesterton and it just gets better each time
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I'm somewhat sorry I missed this, but I was at a candlelit, murder-themed concert in a cemetery. London for all your weirdness needs.
I’ve been in London Fields tonight, watching the first ever Lime Bike joust - here’s a thread of my best shots:
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"An embroidered globe made in 19thc US when girls were allowed at last to learn geography. The school couldn’t afford globes so the girls stitched their own, sewing down the boundaries of their New World. The globes were only 5” high" via @ sewingmatters & @ Sirensongs #womensart
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Here’s some video I shot while @jabberworks was decorating the window of @octaviabookshop in Cirencester on Saturday. (Music by Mark Allen.)
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We’ve lost an icon. Margaret Hamilton, a computer science pioneer best known for her work at MIT leading development of the flight software for the Apollo missions to the moon, has died at 90. Read about her legacy via MIT News: news.mit.edu/2026/margaret-h…
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C. S. Lewis on why you NEED to read old books. This has never been more vital than it is today
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Of all the pigeons awarded the Dickin Medal, the Imperial War Museum recognised Gustav as the greatest to have served his country during WW2. Gustav even had a ‘wife’ named Betty, who was also active in the National Pigeon Service. Let's explore: (🧵)
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The White Mouse cocktail takes its name from SOE agent Nancy Wake. Saffron gin, lemon, rosemary honey and champagne: a sharp toast to the woman the Gestapo never caught...
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Last weekend, had a fantastic time at the Neev Literature Festival. (Photos taken before the arrival of the happy, buzzy, book-enthused crowds.) Wonderful to meet the young readers, the organisers and all the other delegates!
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These may be ugly and weird-looking, but for the first time ever I have edible peaches on my tree! (They're less green than they appear in the photo.) There are more still on the tree, plus others that have been claimed by gravity and wildlife.
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"This will appeal to readers who like an intense reading experience which will make them think ... and worthy of English study for the sheer quality of the writing." Traitors' Nest (13+/11+/YA) by @FrancesHardinge Order and Immerse yourself: lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/…
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Just returned from a week in New York, to coincide with the publication of TRAITORS' NEST in the US! Many thanks to @ABRAMSbooks for taking such good care of me, and the wonderful @BooksofWonder for hosting the launch! It's been many years since I visited this lovely bookshop...
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Ha muerto el Major Oak. Quienes lleváis años conmigo sabéis cuántas veces os he hablado de este viejo roble de Sherwood, ligado para siempre a la leyenda de Robin Hood. Quizá tenía 800 años, quizá 1.000, quizá más. Cuando nosotros llegamos, él ya llevaba allí una eternidad. Sería fácil decir que lo mató el cambio climático, pero no sería verdad. Su edad extrema, el deterioro de sus raíces, la compactación causada por millones de visitantes y los últimos años de calor y sequía fueron apagándolo poco a poco. En 2025 apenas tuvo hojas. Esta primavera ya no despertó. No será talado. Permanecerá en Sherwood y, muerto, seguirá dando vida al bosque. Nosotros tuvimos el privilegio de coincidir con él en el tiempo. Adiós, viejo Major. Gracias por casi mil años. 🌳
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I popped into Sainsbury’s last week to buy an onion and today they asked me to review that onion so I have as I want to help other people buying onions. It hasn’t gone live yet though 😕
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Some people dream of stardom and millions, whereas this right here is my lifetime ambition
It does not matter if the crow brings you a twig instead of something shiny; it came to you to propose an exchange. It likely found nothing better, or perhaps that twig is actually a precious gift. What matters is that the crow interacted with you, and you with it, establishing a connection.
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If you get this sort of direct message, it’s a sign that an account’s been hacked. Don’t click the link!
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ICYMI, there's a limited edition version of TRAITORS' NEST with sprayed edges only to be found in independent bookshops. I've just received my own copy, and I can't stop admiring it. Isn't it pretty? Look at the magpie feather!
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