It was twenty years ago today. I can’t remember how it happened.

Edited by novelist and short story writer @nicholasroyle.bsky.social, Manchester-based @nightjarpress.bsky.social publishes limited edition single short-story chapbooks by individual authors. Browse and buy their titles at #smallpublishersfair25, London, Fri 24 / Sat 25 Oct smallpublishersfair.co.uk

Lovely review of Best British Short Stories 2025 up at @manchesterreview.bsky.social @saltpublishing.com www.themanchesterreview.co.uk?p=13063

Remarkable essay in the form of marker posts, a haunting record of a walk through landscape, encountering nature, human activity & industrial archeology & recording evidence of personal endurance & the menace of nationalism & reflecting grief for a lost friend.

Whenever I come across child-killers’ literature in book exchanges, I take it away – and recycle it.

Very happy see my story ‘Helium’ in here alongside so many great stories and writers. Many thanks to @nicholasroyle.bsky.social and @saltpublishing.com and @fictivedream.bsky.social

On a TGV, running a slight delay, which could affect my connection. SNCF have emailed me, saying they’ve booked me on the next one should that be the case. Just sitting here, watching the French countryside fly past, trying to imagine that happening in the UK.

About time too @mjohnharrison.bsky.social

Every morning, the dustbins would form a semi-circle under her apartment just off the Champs-Elysées & serenade her. Did this image make it into Paris Fantastique? Oui ou non? Pre-order from @confingopublishing.bsky.social for free b&w photo postcards.

Weary traveller entering suspiciously smart-looking charity shop in Chelsea: Hi. Do you not sell books? Volunteer (half amused, half confused): Books? Not at the moment.

Did anyone else not receive the emergency alert who wanted to receive it?

Thank you to @dustynewrose.bsky.social for new Paris Fantastique-themed profile pic.

What a difference a single word can make.

Paris Fantastique, follow-up to London Gothic & Manchester Uncanny, announced for 6 Nov, now available to pre-order from @confingopublishing.bsky.social at special price of £9.50 + p&p & with three free b&w postcard photos taken by the author www.confingopublishing.uk/shop

I spoke to Liam Nolan for @deadinkbookshop.bsky.social about @nightjarpress.bsky.social & he wrote it up here deadinkbookshop.com/blogs/requir...

Read one of the new run of Nightjars last night. David Gaffney is one of my favourite short story writers. ‘Flight Paths’ feels like a puzzle. I don’t know if I want it to click completely. I particularly loved the dialogue. Big up Stockport too. @ggaffa.bsky.social @nicholasroyle.bsky.social

Huge thanks to Rob Redman for originally publishing 'Ghost Walks' in @thefictiondesk.com and to @nicholasroyle.bsky.social for selecting the story for the forthcoming Best British Short Stories anthology.

Amazingly, one of my short stories made it into this anthology — thanks to @saltpublishing.com and the editor @nicholasroyle.bsky.social for picking it up. You can preorder at discount of 25% to the end of July

Tonight! Help us celebrate the launch of Sightings by David Bevan, with images by Maya Sharp, at the Saul Hay gallery. David will be discussing the book with @nicholasroyle.bsky.social. Starts 7.30 p.m. Free entry/glass of wine.

Come and join us for the launch of Sightings by David Bevan, with images by Maya Sharp, on Wednesday 23 July at the Saul Hay gallery. David will discuss the book with @nicholasroyle.bsky.social. Starts 7.30 p.m. Free entry/glass of wine but RSVP: www.confingopublishing.uk/event-list

HORROR WRITERS' DAY at Chorlton Library! 👻✍ 📅 Aug 23 (11-3pm) 📍 Chorlton Library, M21 9PN ✍ Writing Workshop w/ Andy Murray @mrgeetsromo.bsky.social 📚 Panel, Readings & Q&A with Andy, @bronteschiltz.bsky.social & @nicholasroyle.bsky.social 🎟️Free but RSVP www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/horror-wri...

Two chaps in gents at St Pancras. Man 1: I had the prostrate thing recently. Now you’re 60 you get it every two years. Man 2: I did the bowel cancer thing. I think it was bowel cancer. You stick the stick in your turd.

Cloud fish

Two men in Lycra on racing bikes in Salford. Man 1: two of the best things I ever did. Man 2: yeah? Man 1: one, giving up fags. Man 2: yeah, me too. Man 1: two, giving up gear.

At a Mike Nelson show, you never know if a programme dropped on the floor is part of the work or just a programme dropped on the floor. Great new installation, Humpty Dumpty, at @fruitmarket.bsky.social

Long boat on the Mississippi.

My wife wanted to go, but I wasn’t having any of it.

Really pleased to see this out! Big thanks to Ian at FFF for publishing it (give them a follow, if you don’t already). Also, thanks to @nicholasroyle.bsky.social for providing an excellent photo to accompany the story.

I was on this Avanti train the other day.

If brevity is the soul of wit, can we agree this is a joke? @thetls.bsky.social

Films watched in May. The Audition new to me & v good. Others all as good as I remembered from decades ago except Bunny Lake is Missing, which I probably wouldn’t see again.

Two splendid anthologies from Paladin, from 1987 (left, cover by Neil Breedon) & 1989 (design by Ted Bernstein).

New Boy (1996, left), New Boy (2017, right).

Short story writers, do not fall into the trap of thinking that your short story collection is a full-length book. No blame for this absurdity lies with Lucy Scholes. Standfirsts are traditionally written by sub-editors. Assuming they employ them at new Tortoise-owned @observeruk.bsky.social

Until AI learns to distinguish between different people with the same name, I’m not sure I can take it seriously.

So much for Graham Greene having nothing suitable for Darklands in 1989 🤔 www.theguardian.com/books/2025/m...

I'll be at Didsbury Library on Wednesday as part of this free event alongside @cazengland.bsky.social @nicholasroyle.bsky.social @cmacwritescrime.bsky.social and @caimhmc.bsky.social talking about the ways that Manchester has inspired our writing. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester...

Older gentleman having just left car boot getting to grips with purchase.

Bargains galore on my son’s vintage stall. Get on down to Princess May Car Boot. RIBA Stirling Prize shortlisted flats (right rear) a bonus.

I honestly did.

I may not love these novels unreservedly, but I do like their covers by George Underwood.

Books read in April.

Films seen in April. All for second or third time apart from Niagara, which I don’t think I’ll be watching again.

Just listened to this while walking around Cringle Park. It’s a powerfully imagined & deftly executed story of sorrow, survival & mistaken identity. Excellent work by writer Marie Crook, also @richardvhirst.bsky.social @levyoldlibrary.bsky.social