✊🏿 Paid opportunities for Black LGBTQIA+ writers and journalists! The @thelovetankcic.bsky.social Phil Samba @idiosyncraticxl.bsky.social is joining @WeAreQueerAF.com as our Black History Month UK guest editor Details in 🧵 or apply now 👇 www.wearequeeraf.com/black-histor...

One week to go before submissions close for this year’s Short Story Prize. Judged by Gurnaik Johal, Ben Pester and CAA’s Erika Price, the winning stories will receive cash prizes and publication in The London Magazine. More details here: thelondonmagazine.org/short-story-...

This is incredible news. Alaa & his family have suffered greatly for his imprisonment. Hope he will be able to come to the UK & be reunited with his mum, sisters & son. @freealaa.bsky.social

#KeirStarmer in today’s Sun: this piece is excellent, reframes the flag & patriotism into a strong point about nation-building. This is exactly what is needed at this fractious moment. Starmer should have gone on TV & read all these words immediately after that London march.

This online non-fiction workshop with @wendypratt.bsky.social looks really good 👇

Are her Christian clothes made of sackcloth and hair?

There’s a joke in there somewhere about Colombian marching powder but I can’t quite hoover it up. What a pity that Britain is obliged to take this awful person back.

I dunno folks… this seems like a slippery slope heading nowhere good. Why would #Oxford — supposedly the highest of high echelons — do this when #AI is wreaking havoc across the worlds of academe and letters?

A reminder that ultra conservative Catholics hold sway in the global Church. Pope Leo is proving an able counterweight, with his broadly progressive actions so far, but expect he gets vigorous opposition from dinosaurs like this guy. It explains why the #CatholicChurch is so slow to reform.

An entirely legit employment practice IMHO

#Israel cancels itself www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

#BrianEno is a gentleman, a diamond geezer, a mensch. Tonight’s #TogetherForPalestine concert at #Wembley was a tour de force of truth-telling, life-affirming shared humanity. This is the poem Eno read:

What Da Pope says. # Gaza

These dummies clearly aren’t getting good legal advice. Dead people can’t sue for defamation. Media outlets reporting this are either fools or disingenuous or both. #CharlieKirk

Wasafiri and Tagore's Salon are delighted to be co-hosting an event with writers Dur e Aziz Amna and @farah-ali.bsky.social, titled Writing Through Pain: On Labour and Literature. When: Wed, 15 October, 7pm Where: @bricklanebookshop.bsky.social, London Tickets: £6 buff.ly/tfcYH33

📣 Applications are OPEN for BCLT Translators-in-Residence 2026! ✨ We're offering two BCLT translation residencies for UK-based literary translators. Find out more: www.uea.ac.uk/groups-and-c... #LiteraryTranslation #Translation #CallForTranslators

Built in the 13th century. So that mosque stood for 800 years with every sort of person from every place and every religion in the world passing through Gaza century after century, only for it to be blown up by some shithead loser sitting behind a computer that we probably paid for.

If you read past the catchy headline, this is a good piece on challenges facing the arts.

“Oh, don’t worry about that... it’s not the Black Death – our neighbour is just a patriot” From the new Private Eye, in shops now.

Waiting to see what the free speech culture warriors make of this.

If you have a few quid & value tertiary education for Gazans whose entire education system, from kindergarten to university, has been destroyed, please support this effort. It’s terrible that it’s up to individuals to help like this but … #Gaza

“community ends with unity” It’s a bit twee but, in the gaping void of any other progressive leadership from Government, this sends a powerful message countering the racism & xenophobia of the thugs who took over the city last weekend. Thank you @london.gov.uk!

If someone’s not mourning the death of Robert Redford in a manner that’s consistent with your views, make sure you set up a database, call their employer, and get them fired.

Why my UN commission concluded Israel committing genocide in Gaza www.channel4.com/news/why-my-...

“Political violence ends conversation and invites war; its rejection is paramount to a functioning democracy and a free society.” #TaNahisiCoates on the assassination of #CharlieKirk. An excellent piece.

A lovely cultural event in London NW1 on 6 October for your calendar. Contribute to a #Gaza fundraiser and enjoy some new playwriting. 👇

As a South African, I feel so proud of Judge Navi Pillay for her human rights work at the highest level.. From her early career in #Apartheid SA, to the tribunals on #Rwanda to this work on #Israel & #Palestine, her skill, moral courage & clarity is an inspiration. www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

We know the #HouseOfLords is a flawed institution, crammed with political cronies, toffs & bishops BUT they do such good work on difficult topics like #AssistedDyingBill. I am grateful that learned & thoughtful debate on this issue is happening. It’s a good counterweight to Parliament.

Very sad to hear #RobertRedford has died. A life very well lived & an immense legacy. May he rest in peace. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c0...

This is a wonderful story! Bernardine Evaristo is SUCH a force for good, not only writing brilliant books & teaching students of writing but also uplifting other writers all over the place. And Maureen Duffy is a great choice to receive this prize. 📚📚📚

A fantastic job going at @quakerunoffice.bsky.social in Geneva. If you have experience in human rights, check it out.

This below is an urgent call to action after Saturday’s violent rabble rousing in central London. I, too, do not have answers as to how to combat this worrying rise of far-right activity, simmering since the summer. Government are in appeasement mode; there is a huge leadership vacuum.

While the fash are running amok in central London today, genteel Bath has this….. 👇

The Royal Literary Fund are offering grants to writers facing financial difficulties. If you're currently experiencing difficulties, such as an illness or unexpected bill, you might be eligible to receive support.

The deadly violence of a sniper’s bullet is headlining today in the US & everywhere but it’s only a day since this piece investigated #IDF snipers casually eliminating a whole family in #Gaza. A crime that’s being perpetrated regularly in Gaza & the #WestBank. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

There’s lots of attention on #Epstein & his victims but here’s another cracking story that’s closer to home: the ongoing saga of the women abused by #AlFayed at #Harrods and their struggle for justice. Nice one @sianushka.bsky.social www.opendemocracy.net/en/al-fayed-...

While the chattering classes are focused on the Prince of Darkness & his downfall, an actual eugenicist & pronatalist seems to be working in cognito in Whitehall. Great story by @hopenothate.org.uk investigations.hopenothate.org.uk/andrew-sabis...

Realise it’s The North but surely this incident of political violence should be top news today, as opposed to a shooting in the US? This is the reality of polarising politics in a country where 2 MPs have been murdered in the last decade. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Lovely jobs going with a great charity. Z2K really punches above its weight in supporting & advocating for people on low incomes. @z2ktrust.bsky.social

Journo Resources is a great place to find jobs and training opportunities. Check them out, whether or not you’re eligible for this freebie offer. @journoresources.org.uk

Paid 18-month opportunities! RTYDS is looking for 3 mid-career working class directors for their Fair Play Associate Artistic Director Residencies at Leeds Playhouse, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Bristol Old Vic. Info: bit.ly/45a8P0V Deadline: Thu 18 Sep, 10am

⏰ Scholarship reminder! The Breakthrough Scholarship for Memoir & Narrative Non-Fiction Writers of Colour closes soon. This scholarship will award one budding memoir or narrative non-fiction writer of colour a place on our online Writing Memoir & Narrative Non-Fiction course! ✍️ Apply by 14 Sept:

When even the Goths are stirring out of their black-painted bedrooms to organise for Palestine, you know the culture war has taken a turn. gothsforpalestine.bandcamp.com/album/goths-...

Interesting take on #AngelaRayner & her genuine support for the #Grenfell families. I hope Rayner finds a way back into front-line politics. We need her perspective, her authenticity and her skills. observer.co.uk/news/columni...

The far-right will pop up elsewhere like a vicious hydra but this is good news amidst the current mood of pandering to the fuckers. @hopenothate.org.uk

“The war in Gaza … is intricately linked to developments in South Africa playing out on university campuses, in courtrooms and in how the country is viewed on the international stage.” A robust editorial from the Daily Maverick. www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...

If you’ve ever wondered how “Scaramouche” translates into Zulu, check out this new version of the world’s best rock opera. All cudos to the Ndlovu Youth Choir. youtu.be/gbljPQbxtTQ?...

South African cartoonist Zapiro is not holding back here. #Gaza @dailymaverick.co.za