This is an excellent collection of wide-ranging essays. My contribution looks at what Tolkien's creative process can offer writers today.

jamesworrad.com/2025/09/23/e... Quick notes about my day out to EdgeLit

I was on the road promoting WRITING THE MAGIC last week, but in case you missed our launch events - it's OUT NOW! Thirteen fantastic essays on the craft of writing fantasy fiction. Link in the thread, as well as a link to the podcast Lucy Holland and I did to promote it (if you missed the panels).

Back in Derby! Just passing the QUAD building, where I'll be for Edge-Lit tomorrow. It's starting to feel like a home away from home.

If you haven't got your hands on a copy of WRITING THE MAGIC already, you can read an excerpt from RJ Barker's essay at The Fantasy Hive today: You Do Not Need to Know How to Write a Book (Or How to Embrace Ignorance and Run with It). fantasy-hive.co.uk/2025/09/writ...

Ta-ra, Liverpool. Back on the train again, heading down to Derby for Edge-Lit tomorrow. I'll be running a workshop on using play and experimentation in your writing, then launching WRITING THE MAGIC after lunch. It's not too late to grab a ticket!

Great book, this.

Just picked up my author’s copy of Writing The Magic, sent to me by Dead Ink Books. Always get a kick out of seeing me words in ink; this time an essay rather than a story. Some wonderful authors in this one. If you want to write fantasy you could do a lot worse than check this book out.

As an editor who often has to deal with dialogue, I'm just going to say that the Tyler Robinson 'confession' text exchange is one of the worst attempts at writing a young voice that I've seen. Dude.

Going to write some stuff then later on it's a trip to Liverpool and @deadinkbooks.bsky.social to see @dancoxon.bsky.social and Alex Pheby for a sold out launch of 'Writing the Magic.'

More photos of Trump's state visit with the royal family.

Packing my bag to head north tomorrow. Our launch event for WRITING THE MAGIC in Liverpool on Thursday is sold out, but you can also catch us at Edge-Lit in Derby on Saturday (link in thread below). See you on the road!

I'm back on The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed alongside Lucy Holland, chatting about our new book WRITING THE MAGIC, worldbuilding, Ursula K. Le Guin, and so much else besides. I'll add links in the thread below to Spotify and Apple, but you should be able to find it wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks for the reminder, Amazon! I'd totally forgotten this was out on Thursday.

Only just over a week until Edge-Lit in Derby! Of my fine friends, who will I be seeing there? (If you're thinking of coming to my workshop at 10.30, note that you need to sign up on the day - so be sure to get there for doors opening, we have limited spaces.)

I like the way that Event Horizon opens with a manned Moon base in 2015. Man, those were optimistic times.

Only a week to go until we launch WRITING THE MAGIC in #Liverpool. It would be great to see some of you there - tickets are still available (see thread). Join me, RJ Barker and Alex Pheby as we pull back the curtain on the #fantasy genre - plus an extended Q&A, signings and general chitchat!

It's peak MAGA that they're responding to this by upping the rhetoric another notch, like that isn't what got us here in the first place. Is America great yet?⁹

He massively admires Tommy Robinson... He was with Tommy Robinson the previous evening... Tommy Robinson gave him the flags... But this is a grassroots movement apparently

Kirsty's wonderful and you should absolutely sign up for this.

Oh yes, we're doing this on Saturday 25th October at MCM Comic Con in London. Join me, RJ Barker, Alex Pheby and Juliet E. McKenna, as we discuss how to build fantasy worlds and our new book of essays, WRITING THE MAGIC (out September 18th).

BUT THAT IS NOT ALL! On the 18th of September I'll be at @deadinkbooks.bsky.social in LIVERPOOL for the launch of WRITING THE MAGIC edited by @dancoxon.bsky.social. deadinkbookshop.com/products/sep...

I'm back on The Tiny Bookcase again today, chatting to Ben and Nico about writing, compiling anthologies, the lasting appeal of Iain Banks, and everything in between. I'll drop a link in the thread below, but it's available from all good podcast providers. Please give it a listen!

Only 10 days until we launch WRITING THE MAGIC in Liverpool. Grab a ticket now, and join me, RJ Barker and Alex Pheby at the Dead Ink Bookshop - link in the thread below.

A look behind the art of crime writing awaits in the fascinating Writing The Murder - Edsays On Writing Crime Fiction edited by Dan Coxon & Richard www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/9/...

Nigel Farage is the biggest charlatan in British political history. And here's what his constitutents in Clacton really think:

Crime writing time!

A look behind the scenes of crime writing in the very informative Writing The Murder - Essays On Writing Crime edited by Dan Coxon and Richard V Hirst www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/9/...

I'll be here, teaching a short workshop on using experimentation and play in your writing, and launching WRITING THE MAGIC. Come join us in Derby!

Please share this far and wide! We need your support this week to continue publishing a pro paying magazine of horror fantasy dark science weird speculative fiction. With six days left, join our parade of 96 backers so far! kck.st/4mIkEm1

Hello Evening Crowd - it’s Crime Fighting ahem Crime Writing Time!

Jamie Raskin, "They only want to protect free speech that they agree with" JR then demolishes Farage, ending with "You might want to think twice before you let Nigel Farage Make Britain Great Again"

Lovely review of our previous title in the Writing... series, WRITING THE MURDER, ahead of the publication of WRITING THE MAGIC later this month. "I would strongly recommend this for writers, reviewers and also fans of the genre." www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/9/...

Loving every minute of this. No more than he deserves

New Review - a look behind the curtain of crime fiction from various crime writers I highly recommend Writing The Murder - Essays On Crafting Crime Fiction edited by Dan Coxon & Richard V Hirst www.runalongtheshelves.net/blog/2025/9/...

The load-bearing myth at the heart of UK politics is that the politicians and media are tolerant and decent and working people are knuckle-dragging bigots, but it's actually completely the other way around.

For the evening crowd! My brand-new ghost(ish) story on the theme of 'Linen' can now be heard on The Tiny Bookcase, sandwiched between stories by talented hosts Ben and Nico. Listen to all three stories! Links to all major podcast providers below: pod.link/1524142040/e...

When Nico and Ben invited me onto The Tiny Bookcase, I couldn't say no. Such a great podcast (winner of a British Fantasy Award, dontcha know). Here we are with our three stories, all written to the prompt 'Linen'. We hope you enjoy your stay at the Spectrum Park Hotel! pod.link/1524142040/e...

# 229- Acclaimed writer and editor Dan Coxon (@dancoxon.bsky.social) joins Ben and Nico, with all three writing to the prompt 'Linen'. Listen here: pod.link/1524142040/e... Pre-Order Writing The Magic: deadinkbooks.com/product/writ... #shortstory #SF #fantasy

Good Morning Blue Sky! Hope you’re all ok? Today I’m currently reading Writing The Murder Essays on Crafting Crime Fiction edited by Dan Coxon and Richard V Hirst. What are you reading at the moment?

Only 3 weeks until we launch WRITING THE MAGIC at the Dead Ink Bookshop in #Liverpool! If you're thinking of coming along then grab a ticket now, as the shop has limited space. Join me, RJ Barker and Alex Pheby - plus I'll be bringing along a genuine magical artifact to answer your questions...

September and October are going to be busy with these two beauties. Writing the Magic is out on 18th September, Unquiet Guests on 30th October. Both from Dead Ink Books. I fully intend to earn my Christmas break this year.

I guess this isn't the time to admit that I've never read The Stand.

Just a reminder that next month we're launching Writing the Magic at the Dead Ink Bookshop in #Liverpool! Join me, RJ Barker & Alex Pheby as we discuss worldbuilding, writing, and all things fantastical. Details and tix via link. deadinkbookshop.com/products/sep...

Join me, Claire Fuller, Will Maclean and Ally Wilkes at Waterstones Islington on Tuesday, 28 October, as we discuss Unquiet Guests, short stories, and all things haunted! Tickets below: www.waterstones.com/events/unqui...

This is great.

The Edge-Lit schedule is out! Join me at 10.30 for a workshop on using play and experimentation in your writing, then at 1.30 we have our Writing the Magic launch - me, RJ Barker, Charlotte Bond, Juliet E McKenna and JL Worrad discussing how we craft fantasy stories and answering all your questions.

Halloween comes early this year! We'll be launching Unquiet Guests, my haunted house anthology, at Waterstones Argyle Street (Glasgow) on Wednesday 29th October. Joining me will be contributors Kirsty Logan and Will Maclean. Tickets available now - link in the thread. #glasgow

Glasgow folk! We'll be launching my haunted house anthology, Unquiet Guests, at Waterstones Glasgow - Argyle Street, on Wednesday 29th October! Join me, Kirsty Logan and Will Maclean as we start Halloween early. Tickets available now! www.waterstones.com/events/celeb...