Very pleased to be on this list - spaces still available for my next group coached programme doing the Artist's Way online Monday evenings from 15 September. Quote Courses Mouth to catch late access to the Early Bird price instead of full price.

Not been around much due to *stuff* but v looking forward to coaching my next Accompanied Trip along the Aritst's Way for all blocked, disentchanted, stuck creative dreamers starting 15 September. Early bird price extended until Sunday 24 August. All info in link below. Come join us!

Thanks for everything all you lovely writers and readers. You made running The Propelling Pencil a JOY! 💛

Ooh! Not been v good at the socials lately and missed this. Thanks Matt for re-sharing!

Best kind of social media post there is! Well done to our winners and shortlisters and longlisters and entrants and readers and guest judge @judehwriter2.bsky.social You're all superstars! Thanks for all your support.

Ooh - I was at the actual NFFD live event yesterday and missed sharing this. Hope people have enjoyed it!

Great news to be sharing after a long slog of a week! Happy Bank Holiday, writers. The stories on this list are fab, just like their friends on the longlist - it's all so subjective, so hurrah to those that made it and better luck next time to those who didn't. You're all superstars!

Well done to all who entered - thanks for sharing your brilliant stories. Congrats to those who feature on the longlist and commiserations to those whose stories weren't selected - the Readers enjoyed reading all of them. Please don't give away which story is yours as judging continues!

For any writing chums who aren't yet aware and are either flash fiction fans of flash-curious, this is the place to be this summer. A whole weekend of tiny tales and wallowing in the most original, kind and generous community. Only a few places left www.flashfictionfestival.com

My abiding passion is unlocking people's creativity, in whatever form. Come and join us for this one - it's going to be awe-inspiringly inspiring!

Thank you thank you thank you! You're all amazing. See you for our longlist announcement mid-May!

Ready, get set... GO!! No time for dilly dallying. Time to get busy and send us your stories before it's too late!

Good luck if you're running #londonmarathon or #manchestermarathon today. Everyone else - you have until midnight tonight to enter our charity flash fiction competition and raise money for @cftrustuk.bsky.social. £5 or free to enter. £5 for Reader feedback, £170 in prizes. What are you waiting for?

Still time (until midnight) to send a story under 300 words to the Flash Flood. Am delighted my story Clint Eastwood is a Mermaid will be featuring. Thanks Flood Editors!

Chop chop people! Send us your <500 word stories and do some good with your writing at the same time! (Obvs do your @natflashfictionday.bsky.social Flash Flood subs first because they're our besties and they close tonight, but after you've done that, send your stories to us!)

Entries coming in thick and fast. Make sure your stories are in the mix! The more you send the more money we raise for @cftrustuk.bsky.social

It's such an honour to run this competition every Spring and Autumn. Please share far and wide and send us your stories. If you need some inspiration you can read past winners here thepropellingpencil.com/past-competi...

Want to boost your writing game and free this Saturday? there's only one place to be. See you there!

Hurrah! New free online writing retreat on 28 March. Come and join us, whatever you're writing. 10am-4pm GMT. Details are here forms.gle/GikDGYqY7A9M...

Hey tell your writer pals - our charity flash fiction competition is open and our lovely generous discerning readers are standing by! They'll even give you some feedback for an extra fiver. Who could resist?

Last change to grab your free online writing retreat space for TOMORROW! don't put it off - come and write in the confidence-inspiring magical space online. See you then!

Hello - come and join me and other writers next Saturday for free to write your socks off. 10am-4pm GMT. Hope to see you then.

Come and join me!

Grab your spot while you can, people. Write yourself the happiest of new years xx

Holy moly! Booking is now open. Can't wait (Actually I can. I could really do with the Christmas break but you get what I mean. Hope to see you online or in actual person in Jan!)

Serious strategic error - started unpacking many mementoes of life from my parents' house without a plan (or any space) to stow them away. Including (get this) To keep. Baby shoes. Well worn. Thank you. I'm here all week.

Really looking forward to this. Stand by for more info soon!

If you're looking to treat yourself to some creative inspiration for Christmas, you might enjoy doing the Artist's Way with me and a small group of fellow-travellers starting 13 Jan. Monday evenings for 13 weeks. It's an amazing trip. Details ⬇️

Always think of @guyduncan.bsky.social on 1 December and our first collection for the Terence Higgins Trust at Berkeley Square. Sending love and light once more 💛

Do we think Keanu was so slow off the mark he had to take option 8 on his own name 😂👏🏼

Best bits of being EIC of The Propelling Pencil continued... We could do with some new followers here in the blue sky so if you follow me here and are short fictiony - or just general writing-y, pop over to @proppencil.bsky.social and give us a wee follow too 💗

On the 1st of January, the #Curae prize for writer-carers opens for a second time. The demise of twitter is making it harder to get the word out, so do share! thecuraeprize.uk There are around 7 million unpaid carers in the UK alone & Curae shines a light on the role & much more. #carers #writing

This was a joy to host. Thanks @stephaniecarty.bsky.social and good luck to your wonderful novel!

Hi hello how you doin' to anyone who's followed me after a mad flurry of Starter Packing. I write flash and longer fiction and am the founder and EIC of @proppencil.bsky.social I'm also a creative coach and run regular trips along The Artist's Way. Next trip Jan25. Stand by!

@juliaruthsmith.bsky.social paging JRSMITH! Hello! Have emailed you but can’t message you here so sorry for broadcast 😂 Will stop shouting now. Pls check your gmail 👍🏼

TFW when you press SEND on something you love but don’t know if it’s right. Oh but having done it feels brilliant 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Hello - trying to wean myself off the other place. Please send writerly friends my way so I'm not lonely here. Also artists - I like artists. And people into cooking. And making of all sorts. Academics too, I suppose?

Hey - all the Propelling Pencil news over here. Hurrah.

Doing my very head in on a self-inflicted writing deadline. I don’t understand me!

For all the flash fiction crowd here, our Spring charity flash competition is open! £170 in prizes, Proceeds to Shelter. 500 word limit, £5 or free to enter. @jmgatford.bsky.social is our fabulous guest judge Details thepropellingpencil.com/spring-2024-...

Thanks so much for giving this story a new life, Ian!

Wee story from me. Thanks for shortlisting, Matt!

What a collection of bobby-dazzlers these Propelling Pencil charity flash competition winning stories are! Hurrah for their authors and all who submitted, longlisted, shortlisted, read, judged and generally supported. It's a wonderful thing to be the creator of something so pure and joyful.

Happy Diwali - sending love and light from my family to yours 🕉️🎆

It's Coachathon day & you can book a 45min session for just £40. Get clarity on your goals, creative practice or professional development. Book now and have your session in the next week. All in a good cause supporting the Microloan Foundation. coachathon.microloanfoundation.org.uk/coaches/audr...

Hi pals, I'm participating in Coachathon tomorrow, a 24hr charity coaching event. I have a few sessions still available (£40/45mins) in aid of The Microloan Foundation supporting women in Africa set up businesses. You can book here coachathon.microloanfoundation.org.uk/coaches/audr...

Hey big news in small story land! Our Charity Flash Competition shortlist is now published. Well done to those whose stories are there. But a special 'sorry and please try again' to those that didn't progress. We loved them all. It was a tough choice.

Hurrah! We have a longlist. Such great stories - and I'm only sorry there has to be a cut-off. Thanks to all who entered, read or supported us in any way. Can't wait for the shortlisting!

Last chance to book your space on this two-hour online editing workshop this afternoon. Described by Thursday's attendee as "excellent value for money" and full of top tips. Who could resist?

If you're writing this weekend and would like to flex your editing skills on your short fiction - there are spaces available for this 3pm (BST) session tomorrow hosted by yours truly. Sign up here www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/7167592451...