Fancy writing something a little different this week? www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/the-sha...

This is such a good idea for a workshop! Join @dublinwriter.bsky.social as you navigate tough times through the prism of creativity www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...

A huge congratulations to our shortlist! westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...

A huge congratulations to our shortlist! westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...

Have I mentioned our brand new flash contest? For folklore inspired stories up to 400 words. Closing tomorrow 23:59 westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...

ICYMI - start your week right with this stonking story!

I’m so thrilled to see my quiet little story, “Handle with Care”, out in the world! A thousand thanks to @rfpress.bsky.social for believing in it. Thanks also to @retreatwest.bsky.social for giving me the prompt and to @ruralunease.bsky.social for helping me get it polished! 💕🙏

I hope lots of you are using this final weekend to polish your modern takes on fairytales and fables for our brand new competition westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...

I hope lots of you are using this final weekend to polish your modern takes on fairytales and fables for our brand new competition westword.substack.com/p/folktale-f...

See our Hermit Crab Prize judge in action!

I've just made my submission? Who else is getting a last minute entry in today?

Each edition of Westword is free to read but did you know as a paid member there is so much more to access? From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be! westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...

And we're really excited to be hosting our first poetry workshop this month! Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have. Sunday 27th April 1pm - 3pm (BST) www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?

Each edition of Westword is free to read but did you know as a paid member there is so much more to access? From free competition entries to craft articles and Zoom workshops, there's a plethora of inspiration to keep your writing the best it can be! westword.substack.com/p/subscripti...

Wonderful news for our longlisted writers! Congratulations to everyone who recognises their title www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...

Wonderful news for our longlisted writers! Congratulations to everyone who recognises their title www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/opening...

The shortlist for @retreatwest.bsky.social’s 2025 Hermit Crab Prize is here! Congratulations to all the writers listed! I can’t wait to read your words 😍 open.substack.com/pub/westword...

Congratulations to the talented writers on the shortlist! westword.substack.com/p/shortlist-...

Last day to enter your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor. www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...

Yay, I have a short story in this by @retreatwest.bsky.social alongside these fabulous writers!

What is your favourite twist ending? Have you ever tried writing one? www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/gotcha-...

What aspects of writing craft would you like to see covered over the next few months?

And we're really excited to be hosting our first poetry workshop this month! Join Pauline Sewards whatever experience you have. Sunday 27th April 1pm - 3pm (BST) www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?

We're excited to be running a new generative workshop this weekend. 90 minutes of weather related prompts to add tension and electric passages of descriptions to your writing. 🌦️⛈️❄️ www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?

Deadline extended! Due to technical difficulties over the weekend, we are giving you an extra week to submit your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor. New deadline: 13th April www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...

Excited to have my story "Dancing into the Fire" published in WestWord's @retreatwest.bsky.social ILLUSION edition. I wrote it after a trip to the Swedish Arctic circle - no surprise it features extreme cold ❄️ open.substack.com/pub/westword...

"Music strums through him, the tapping foot of the banjo player like his glorious heart." I love all the amazing sensory details (and perfect last lines!) in this story by @nomad-sw18.bsky.social in @retreatwest.bsky.social 💙💙💙

Edition 8 of WestWord has arrived. Six beautiful stories by Lucy Stubbings Lorraine Collins Cole Beauchamp @nomad-sw18.bsky.social JoAnneh Nagler Susan Wigmore and Sharon Boyle @sharon54.bsky.social westword.substack.com/p/edition-8-...

Deadline extended! Due to technical difficulties over the weekend, we are giving you an extra week to submit your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor. New deadline: 13th April www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...

Deadline extended! Due to technical difficulties over the weekend, we are giving you an extra week to submit your opening lines for a chance to win an editorial report from a professional editor. New deadline: 13th April www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...

What aspects of writing craft would you like to see covered over the next few months?

Last 2 hours!

Can you imagine Jurassic Park without the rain? In the Heat of the Night without the humidity? Exactly. Weather can add a new layer of depth and texture to your storytelling. Join Martha Lane on Sunday 13th April for 90 minutes of meteorological prompts www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?

It's deadline day! Your last chance to enter your novel opener and win feedback from a professional editor. www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...

Fancy winning a review from a professional editor to help you take your novel the next level? Submit the opening lines of your manuscript before the 6th April! www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...

Fancy winning a review from a professional editor to help you take your novel the next level? Submit the opening lines of your manuscript before the 6th April! www.retreatwest.co.uk/opening-line...

Congratulations to @joycebingham.bsky.social on this little stunner (first written in our Flash Focus course) www.neitherfishnorfoul.com/issue-3/brea...

Last 90 minutes!

It's deadline day! Just a few hours left to send us your treasures! westword.substack.com/p/deadline-d...

Always a pleasure to be part of the daily flash fiction on @paragraphplanet.bsky.social. 75 words, including the title. My piece, "Smoke Rings" is there now. www.paragraphplanet.com

It's deadline day! Just a few hours left to send us your treasures! westword.substack.com/p/deadline-d...

Two days left to get your entries in! Make us cry, make us laugh. Give us goosebumps!! westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...

This will be so good. Martha's workshops are always packed with prompts and challenge your writing. Get booked 🦝

Two days left to get your entries in! Make us cry, make us laugh. Give us goosebumps!! westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...

📢It's officially klaxon time!!📢 There are only three days left to get your entries into this year's WestWord Prize. 1,000 words £10 entry fee £400 top prize Enter before 31st March westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...

Who's writing this weekend? I've had an actual idea! Whether I'll keep it inside a tight flash or let it sprawl is still to reveal itself!

📢It's officially klaxon time!!📢 There are only three days left to get your entries into this year's WestWord Prize. 1,000 words £10 entry fee £400 top prize Enter before 31st March westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...

Can you imagine Jurassic Park without the rain? In the Heat of the Night without the humidity? Exactly. Weather can add a new layer of depth and texture to your storytelling. Join Martha Lane on Sunday 13th April for 90 minutes of meteorological prompts www.tickettailor.com/events/retre...?

SIX DAYS!

Some lovely Tuesday news!! A massive congratulations to our First Chapter winners 🎉 www.retreatwest.co.uk/blog/winter2...