We have our winning entry and runners up for the @unisouthampton.bsky.social Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction - Congratulations to Jupiter Jones. philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/

We have our winning entry and runners up for the @unisouthampton.bsky.social Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction - Congratulations to Jupiter Jones. philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/

If you view your writing as work, then you'll be okay with using AI. If you see it as essentially play, you won't. Work can be delegated; play can't. Why would you want something inhuman to have all your fun for you?

If you were to ask me what is the most optimistic, uplifting story I've ever written, it's probably one called 'Grab My Hand'. Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown). You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social - wordtheatre.org/weekly/

If you were to ask me what is the most optimistic, uplifting story I've ever written, it's probably one called 'Grab My Hand'. Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown). You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social - wordtheatre.org/weekly/

I'm seriously delighted to have a 14 line poem in Richard Skinner's 14 magazine. Here's me looking seriously delighted. Everything else I've read in it has been top. richardskinner.weebly.com/14-magazine....

My review of Tom Cox's charmingly cosy Everything Will Swallow You in today's The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...

Happy that my novella, The Very Beautiful, was shortlisted for the Letter Review Prize. Congratulations to the winners, Liv Hambrett and Jasmine Laws, and to the other shortlistees. letterreview.com/the-letter-r...

Our new #FlashFiction #competition has launched. We're asking for <500 words about moments of #epiphany where attitudes/behaviours change for the greener – see www.greenstories.org.uk/flash-fictio... £1000 ($1200) worth of prizes. #writerslife #WritingCommmunity

The AI summary of a newsletter I just received reads - 'Emotional and spiritual truths are shared; consider paid subscription; support Gaza' 2025 in a single line.

Can you think of good recent exceptions? i.e., Mainly third person non-fiction that doesn't read as dated. (Yes, Annie Ernaux, The Years.)

I had a comment from one student on a non-fiction course I taught this year. 'Does it all have to be first person?' A very good question, as a huge amount of narrative non-fiction has slid toward being highly focalised through a very present first person narrator. Even history.

Question: Can you name a recent work of art (song, poem, film) that's about people being constantly on their phones? I'm trying to identify the sub genre. My small contribution (in collaboration with Vik Sharma) - open.spotify.com/track/0T9e2F... #doomscrolling #phone

Alfred Brendel, two memories - as an audience member. I saw him only once, on 29 May 1992, in an all Mozart recital. This was held in the Spanelski Sal in Prague Castle, as part of the Prague Spring music festival.

Next week in Southampton with @tobylitt.bsky.social !

My paranormal romance novel, up and free on Wattpad, but only for a little longer - Jeane Jonson and her family inherit a haunted house – a house haunted in a very special, very beautiful way - a way that could either destroy or wildly transform their whole world. www.wattpad.com/story/900292...

You have until midnight to enter. @bridportprize.bsky.social

On Philip Hoare's birthday, and to celebrate his life and career, not least teaching at @unisouthampton.bsky.social , we're launching the Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction. It's free to enter with £300 to the winner. Non-fiction of up to 500 words on any subject. philiphoarecompetition.co.uk

On Philip Hoare's birthday, and to celebrate his life and career, not least teaching at @unisouthampton.bsky.social , we're launching the Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction. It's free to enter with £300 to the winner. Non-fiction of up to 500 words on any subject. philiphoarecompetition.co.uk

Today 'Sea Creatures' my collaboration with Vik Sharma is out on streaming platforms. I wrote the words; Vik the music. I'm really pleased at how it's sounding. open.spotify.com/album/7oviJ4...

Today 'Sea Creatures' my collaboration with Vik Sharma is out on streaming platforms. I wrote the words; Vik the music. I'm really pleased at how it's sounding. open.spotify.com/album/7oviJ4...

Let's help -

Toby Litt, this year's Flash Fiction judge, shares his top 10 flash fiction tips! Head to bridportprize.org.uk/news/toby-litts-top-ten-flash-fiction-tips/ Submission deadline for flash fiction entries is 31 May - just over 30 days to go! @tobylitt.bsky.social #FlashFiction

It is.

Tour dates for FAIR are trickling out, full tour announcement soon. Check out this wicked flyer for the Southampton date @octoberbooks.bsky.social with @tobylitt.bsky.social 💙 💛 ❤️

Yet each man kills the thing he loves.

Yet each man kills the thing he loves.

I'll be hosting a free Creative Writing Taster event @unisouthampton.bsky.social, Avenue Campus, 30th April, doors at 6.30pm. Start at 7pm. It's for anyone interested in firing up or intensifying their writing. Booking here. Numbers are limited - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-w...

I'll be hosting a free Creative Writing Taster event @unisouthampton.bsky.social, Avenue Campus, 30th April, doors at 6.30pm. Start at 7pm. It's for anyone interested in firing up or intensifying their writing. Booking here. Numbers are limited - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-w...

No only did Meta use my books to train AI, they somehow turned me into Zadie Smith. #Meta

No only did Meta use my books to train AI, they somehow turned me into Zadie Smith. #Meta

Last chance to join @tobylitt.bsky.social & @writereralk.bsky.social for an online course designed to fit into your busy life while keeping your project moving forward. Get guidance, break through creative blocks, and make progress on your work. 📅 17-21 March 2025 🔗 www.arvon.org/writing-cour...

I was delighted to be asked by Eleanor Anstruther to join the 8 Questions club. I’ve written strangely little on my approach to Substack, and sometimes haven’t much thought about it, so it was good to be forced to formulate. eleanoranstruther.substack.com/p/8-question...

I'm looking to commission a cover for a middle grade supernatural adventure, 'POSSESSIONS: The Books Against Ravenglass'. The artist will need to read the book and respond with something cool. Please spread the word, and share your work below if you'd like to put yourself forwards. No AI.

I'm looking to commission a cover for a middle grade supernatural adventure, 'POSSESSIONS: The Books Against Ravenglass'. The artist will need to read the book and respond with something cool. Please spread the word, and share your work below if you'd like to put yourself forwards. No AI.

I was delighted to be asked by Eleanor Anstruther to join the 8 Questions club. I’ve written strangely little on my approach to Substack, and sometimes haven’t much thought about it, so it was good to be forced to formulate. eleanoranstruther.substack.com/p/8-question...

An updated interview I did with Aladsair at Sleepy Orange. Success, publishing, the environment and being/not being a New Puritan. Hailing A New Puritan - Toby Litt open.substack.com/pub/alasdair...

Tix are flying out for this - the single best line-up I've ever had for a work event, with the writers of two of the best books of 2024 and what's set to be one of the best of 2025, Naomi Booth's Raw Content. Hosted and chaired by yours truly. PAYF. www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/lee...

I was planning my Arvon Masterclass on pacing this afternoon. Got quite excited, as it isn't something I've taught exactly like this before. Still places available for Friday. Why don't you join us? www.arvon.org/writing-cour... @arvonfoundation.bsky.social

I was planning my Arvon Masterclass on pacing this afternoon. Got quite excited, as it isn't something I've taught exactly like this before. Still places available for Friday. Why don't you join us? www.arvon.org/writing-cour... @arvonfoundation.bsky.social

Looking to cut that novel down to size? Or build up that short story into something with volume? I'll be addressing these, and other questions of pacing, for @arvonfoundation.bsky.social this coming Valentine's Day. Places still available -- www.arvon.org/writing-cour... #writingcommunity

Looking to cut that novel down to size? Or build up that short story into something with volume? I'll be addressing these, and other questions of pacing, for @arvonfoundation.bsky.social this coming Valentine's Day. Places still available -- www.arvon.org/writing-cour... #writingcommunity

In a few weeks, I will be lecturing on Book Reviews, What are they and do they matter? Interested in hearing your thoughts on this, especially if you're a writer who feels a review changed things for them, or a lack of reviews. #writingcommunity #bookreviews

In a few weeks, I will be lecturing on Book Reviews, What are they and do they matter? Interested in hearing your thoughts on this, especially if you're a writer who feels a review changed things for them, or a lack of reviews. #writingcommunity #bookreviews

What is getting published anyway? awritersdiary.substack.com/p/blank-7f5?...

Copilot appears in Word; I move to Scrivener.

Copilot appears in Word; I move to Scrivener.

Marking - I'm going in. Wish me luck. And suggest good music.

Marking - I'm going in. Wish me luck. And suggest good music.