Some pics from the fantastic #ShortStorySeptemberFestival held over the weekend! Organised by the indefatigable Farhana Shaikh of Dahlia Publishing, with in-person events on Saturday, and online events on Sunday. Lovely to see/meet old friends and new, and to come away with so much inspiration 😊

Don't miss this #WritingWorkshop opportunity -- @hanakhalique.bsky.social is such a wonderful teacher, you'll learn ALL THE THINGS.

Really looking forward to teaching 'The 60 Minute Writer' this term! 😊 It's an 11-week in-person evening course at City Lit, a relaxed, informal rolling programme for writers of all levels! Starts Mon 22nd September, at 7:40-8:40pm. More info here: share.google/nVw18ngPRKrf...

So lovely to meet Hamza Jahanzeb last night at the launch of his gorgeous book, The Rise and Rise of Chappell Roan 💜 Congratulations to the nicest man in the industry, and thanks to everyone at Kew Bookshop for putting on such a beautiful evening. Lovely to meet Javairya, Stephanie and Gurkiran too!

For anyone who missed out last night, I'll also be teaching this again on Saturday 9-10.30 am BST. Still time to sign up if you're interested: www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...

It was a good day for book mail… @jankaneen1.bsky.social @hanakhalique.bsky.social

Loved the Raymond Antrobus event at the Southbank Centre the other night, to celebrate the launch of his memoir, The Quiet Ear. Hosted by Nadeem Islam and Rose Ayling-Ellis, with performances from Chris Fonseca and Dame Evelyn Glennie. There was so much love in the room! Looking forward to reading 😊

International law is fiction.

Book post is the best post! Especially when it's this gorgeous 😍 Thanks again @judehwriter2.bsky.social (arrived earlier this week), looking forward to digging in! 🐦

Was early for a voice over job today in Gravesend, so I went exploring nearby and came across this statue of Pocahontas! Found out that she died in Gravesend and was buried here, in St George's Church (exact location of grave unknown). 🤍

This year's 3rd and final Flash Fusion anniversary workshop will be held on Sunday at 10-11.30am BST, we'll be looking at unusual sources for inspiration and editing tips! 🧐 For more info & booking link, see below. Looking forward to seeing some of you there! 💛 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Friends I have a piece up in a dream journal @jmwwjournal.bsky.social today about the relentlessness of motherhood (and a public toilet sign). Hope you’ll read. Thanks @kbonilla.bsky.social for seeing something in it 🧡🧡🧡

We're collecting some info for future projects. If you've participated in a SmokeLong workshop (and maybe even if you haven't), please take a few minutes and reply to our survey. It's anonymous. fx4n25ehm8e.typeform.com/to/A78qM4SM

*Help needed!!* Looking for flash that fully embraces the dreamscape, especially pieces that do interesting things with time (jumping about, going round in circles, exploring alt timelines etc.) - who has examples for me, either your own or ones from others? Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

‪My #CraftArticle for August is on strategies for pacing yourself as a writer as well as how to deal with writing troughs and what we think of as success: prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com/p/embracing-...

Art & Flash, 18th August 11am or 8pm BST This month's artist creates 'acoustic installations that use nature & the rhythms of everyday life to investigate the relationship between sound, space and movement.’ #ekphrastic #writingworkshop 🔗 www.anikacarpenter.com/ekphrastic-w...

Want opportunities to learn more and write flash? I highly recommend this #WritingWorkshop:

“We have 6,000 UNRWA trucks. Half carry lifesaving food and medicine, just hours from Gaza,” our Louise Wateridge says to NPR. “They could enter today — if there were political will.” Warehouses outside #Gaza are full. Inside, people are hungry. Let aid in.

Upcoming courses, workshops & events from your friendly neighbourhood freelancers, lit mags and awesome independents: fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/upcoming-c... Features stuff from @stillsquirrel.bsky.social @hanakhalique.bsky.social @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social @pleomorphic2.bsky.social

📣 Last call for @susmitab.bsky.social 's workshop, which is *TONIGHT!* Spaces available for both remaining workshops, but probably best to DM Susmita asap of you want to attend tonight's one. For more info/to book, see: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... and: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flash-fusi...

Raymond Antrobus, Ocean Vuong, Sayaka Murata, Nikita Gill, and more... The Southbank Centre's Summer and Autumn/Winter bookish line-up looks 🔥 and I am getting in the spirit! #bookpost 📚 ❤️

Flash inspired by Mughal miniature paintings on 31 July 7:30-9 pm by Susmita (me!) Links to book below. Do come along and explore new prompts and ideas!

Workshop 3/3 will be on using unusual ideas and editing tips, on Sunday 10 August 🎉 This summer we’re celebrating Flash Fusion's 1st birthday with online writing workshops with the editors, and the next one is Susmita's, this Thurs 31st! More info & tks, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flash-fusi...

ICYMI, a new newsletter for freelanc-y writing events. So many wonderful-sounding things from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @hanakhalique.bsky.social @alinaetc.bsky.social @stillsquirrel.bsky.social @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social @ruthabrandt.bsky.social @susmitab.bsky.social

So lovely to see old friends and new at this year's @flashficfestuk.bsky.social! Thank you so much again to Jude, Diane and co. (won't tag you all in case that's a bit overwhelming!). So happy to be invited back as a presenter, loved all the workshops I attended and all the chats/fun in between 💙

An invaluable resource from the priceless @mattkendrick.bsky.social 🌟 Do check it out and subscribe, and do contact him to add your news too 👇

Ekphrastic fantastic resources from the multi-talented @stillsquirrel.bsky.social, with extra prompts and recs this month! 👇

Some great-looking workshops with @hanakhalique.bsky.social @coffeeandpaneer.bsky.social and @susmitab.bsky.social

Gutted I can’t make any of these dates. @coffeeandpaneer.bsky.social @susmitab.bsky.social and @hanakhalique.bsky.social run such brilliant workshops. Grab a spot if you can.

3/5 inspiring workshops: @kathyfish.bsky.social, @kazbarwrites.bsky.social, @vanessageb.bsky.social, David Swann, @susmitab.bsky.social, @karjon.bsky.social, Nancy Stohlman, @hanakhalique.bsky.social...

✍️ Excellent and varied workshops from @shelleyr-j.bsky.social, @sagreene1.bsky.social, @hanakhalique.bsky.social, @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social, @judehwriter2.bsky.social and Damian Dressick. Thank you!

Well that's a wrap for @flashficfestuk.bsky.social ! Amazing workshops w @kathyfish.bsky.social on The sound of #flashfiction & @hanakhalique.bsky.social on #Hybrids Forgot to bring my phone today, so many peeps I didn't get pics with, but here's @tiptreejen.bsky.social belting it out last night 🎶

What do cover versions, cronuts & cocapoos have in common? They all involve some kind of transformation/hybridity! 😉 On my way to the Flash Fiction Festival for a weekend of panels and workshops, including my own: Transforming Tales. Looking forward to seeing some of you there!

We’re at the @flashficfestuk.bsky.social this weekend - come and say hello 💕

It's our 1st birthday today! 🎂 Flash Fusion was launched on 15 July last year, and we’re celebrating with 3 writing workshops with the editors, including @susmitab.bsky.social's on 31 July. All workshops will be online, recorded, discounts available. More info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flash-fusi...

📣 New review alert! 📚 It was a pleasure to review the brilliant and beguiling debut short story collection by Gaia Holmes, He Used to Do Dangerous Things, published by @commapress.bsky.social. You can read it (and more) on the @wordfactoryuk.bsky.social website: thewordfactory.tv/review-of-he...

Novelists, don't miss this! August 2! www.smokelong.com/product/comp...

Sad I missed the launch, but I am SO excited to pick up my copy soon! And how fabulous is this cover?! 😍

Flash Fusion’s 1st birthday is on the way! 🥳 Launched @ Flash Fiction Festival last year on 15 July, we’re celebrating this year with workshops with the editors, starting with Anita's... All w/shops will be held on Zoom, recorded, discounts available. More info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flash-fusi...

'But she is bold on a highlighted page.' Day 10: From 2021, I love the imagery and language in 'The New Scarf' by @hanakhalique.bsky.social @smokelong.bsky.social #ArchiveChallenge

I was super chuffed to have this little story published in the wonderful @bansheepress.bsky.social last year and now it's up on their website! Written in a @sfreligh.bsky.social workshop #FlashFiction

Want to brush up on your characters and point of view? Join me for this #WritingWorkshop: Week 1: Building Dynamic Characters Week 2: The Psychology of POV Week 3: Unreliable Narrators & Voice Week 4: Bringing It All Together – POV as Your Story’s Engine www.alexandrawriters.org/store/p798/u...

A brilliant anthology and three exciting workshops lined up to celebrate its anniversary 🎉

It’s a year since the publication of Flash Fusion: An anthology of flash fiction & conversations on craft by South Asian writers, & we’re celebrating in style Workshops to be held via Zoom & recorded for participants. Discounts available. Details & booking info: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flash-fusi...

Ohmygosh! Thrilled to see my name on the @Wigleaf.bsky.social Top 50 Longlist! Thank you to @pitheadchapel.bsky.social for publishing "Watching Home Decorating Shows In The Hospital Waiting Room." And thank you @samanito.bsky.social, @laughingyeti.bsky.social‬, & all the readers!

I love this news! 😍Congratulations to Claudia Wair, and thanks again to @smokelong.bsky.social for inviting me to run that workshop 😊 You can read Claudia's beautiful, braided flash fiction, 'Watching Home Decorating Shows in the Hospital Waiting Room', here: share.google/BDppSHcdB37H...

Had a fab time at the @scratchbooks.bsky.social event last night with Tom Conaghan and co. Loved being a reader for this competition, and seeing friends old and new. Congratulations to all six brilliant shortlistees, and the winner! 👏🏽

Eid Mubarak! Hope you're all having a lovely day, and much love to those who are not. Keep thriving, keep resisting, and keep raising your voice for the voiceless and oppressed. 🤍 ️✊🏽 #EndtheGenocide #Free 🇵🇸 🇸🇩 🇾🇪 🇨🇩

Went to see Nigel Kennedy play Vivaldi's The Four Seasons (and more) at the Royal Festival Hall last night... and I still have goosebumps! What a legend, and full of such lovely energy 😊

"The school was hit and caught fire while we were inside." A girl who survived an Israeli air strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza was interviewed moments after the attack, which killed members of her family.