So, that's 4 books launched this Autumn. Only 2 more that I have been working on to come out before Xmas! The MA Creative Writing course anthology (19th Dec) and The British Fantasy Society Journal (20th Dec), then perhaps I could put my feet up for a bit. #fiction #poetry #folktales #nonfiction

4 books. My literary harvest this autumn. A Fantasy novel, a poetry collection, an academic monograph, and an anthology. And I still don't feel I am 'doing enough'!

Getting my Von on. On the day Guillermo del Toro's much anticipated 'Frankenstein' is premiered it seemed apt to share this. Performing my commission 'Mary Shelley Unbound' in St Peter's Bournemouth (where she's buried alongside her husband's heart) on her birthday #frankenstein #gothic #maryshelley

Call for Submissions Goldendark is looking for short fiction for the forthcoming anthology of thrutopian fiction. · No more than 2000 words in length. · Original, unpublished short fiction with a tangible ‘thrutopian’ &/or Goldendark flavour. · Deadline: 30 April 2026 FFI: www.goldendark.co.uk

Polish your battle-axes and fill your tankards with foaming ale and join us to celebrate the launch of The British Fantasy Society Journal Winter issue, which explores the theme of War in Fantasy. Taking place on 20th December 8pm (GMT). Register FREE here: www.eventbrite.com/e/bfs-journa...

I have been beavering away on the Winter issue of the British Fantasy Society Journal, which I'm the editor of. It is a special issue on 'War in Fantasy' with a fantastic array of international scholariship. It will be launched on 20th December with an online launch showcase. Details tbc.

Book launch! A mad dog #POTUS47 exploits a nuclear winter created by the eruption of a supervolcano to invade and seize vital assets. He enlists monstrous allies. His shocktroops battle with rebel insurgents. #fiction #fantasy #vikings #bikers #norsemythology #climatecrisis #ragnarok #thrutopia

Call for Submissions: Race in Fantasy - for the BFS Journal (Summer 2026). Send the Abstract (200 words) with a bio to the Editor by 20th March. Completed articles will be due in by 1st May. Send to: [email protected] Image: The Green Knight (2021) #abstract #CFP #fantasy #race

I now have 2 books from Routledge: one as the sole author, and one as contributor. #reaearch #writing #publishing #REF

To celebrate the launch of my new book on The Nature of Fantasy I am giving a talk tomorrow (Tuesday 21st October) on campus at Arts University Bournemouth. Free to register and attend. Refreshments available. Register FREE. #booklaunch #fantasy #publishing www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-nature...

My Mast Year. Books out this Autumn. #writing #writingcommunity #publishing #fiction #poetry #nonfiction #folktales #fantasy #ecology

My latest book, 'English Folk Tales volume II' is out today in hardback from The History Press. I have a couple of stories in it. Doesn't it look nice? #books #writing #publishing #storytelling #folktales

Out on 29th October from bookstores. #fantasy #fiction #vikings #bikers #ragnarok #climatecrisis #thrutopia

A talk about my new non-fiction book, The Nature of Fantasy. Hope you can come along to the talk I am giving on it at Arts University Bournemouth. Open and free to all. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-nature...

I have 4 books coming out this autumn from different publishers (Routledge; The History Press; Goldendark), 5 if you include the Journal I edit for The British Fantasy Society (special issue on 'War in Fantasy' due out in Dec). #writer #publishing #writingcommunity #fantasy #ecology #poetry #fiction

Published on Monday 22nd September with a special launch showcase featuring poets and musicians. My new poetry collection, Erth Praze, celebrates the natural world and our place within it. #poetry #nature #ecology #environment #landscape

Published 23rd September! The culmination of lots and lots of hard work, and a lifetime of reading and writing Fantasy. It is good to see it finally in the light of day. Free Open Lecture on 21st October at Arts University Bournemouth about the themes of the book. Register here: lnkd.in/e8WmyBZs

My book on The Nature of Fantasy is launched today! Lots and lots of hard work. A lifetime of reading and writing Fantsy. Good for it to see the light of day. #fantasy #academic #research #bookopening #publication #routledge #ecology #nature

The proof has arrived! #fantasy #publishing #apocalypse #norsemythology #vikings #bikers #ragnarok #thrutopia #climatecrisis

Announcing the launch of my new Fantasy novel, Thunder Road - a kick-ass adventure story, a Viking/Biker mash-up, and a thrutopian thrillride. It is published on 29th October here in Dorset with live rock music & book-themed cocktails. Are ready to Ragnarok? #fantasy #fiction FFI: goldendark.co.uk

The hour is late ... Welcome to Goldendark. #publishing #ecology #environment #climatecrisis #fantasy #sciencefiction #speculativefiction #ecofiction

Here is the reveal of the banner for Goldendark. #publishing #smallpress #fantasy #sciencefiction #weirdfiction

Some of my poetry books from over the last three decades. #poetry #publishing #writing

The latest issue in my role as editor. Packed full of great content! Join the British Fantasy Society and get your greens today! #fantasy #writing #publishing

Book Launch! #poetry #nature #ecology #dorset #earth #environment

My first 2 issues as editor. #fantasy #writing #publishing

The hour is late, but a glimmer of light remains in the gloaming. We need stories that address the severe challenges of our time while providing the vital vitamin of hope. Stories of fierce beauty, courage, and defiance. Welcome to Goldendark. FFI: goldendatk.co.uk #publishing #thrutopian #books

A sample of the amazing artwork created by Luke Oram for the Lob Barleycorn strip we co-created, which was published last month by The British Fantasy Society. Can you spot the sources we based 'The Guizers' on here? #folklore #comics #mythology

The first Lob Barleycorn strip has now been published in the BFS Journal. Written by me and illustrated by Luke Oram. #comics #art #fantasy #folklore #mythology

Cover reveal! My research monograph for Routledge, The Ecological Imaginary in Literature and Other Media, is published this September. Pre-order your copy direct from Routledge for a discount: lnkd.in/eGtZ_PA7 #publishing #research #ecology #fantasy #writing #environment #nature #academia #ref

My new piece on walking the River Bride, Dorset, has now been published by the brilliant Little Toller press. I hope you enjoy & feel inspired to join us for the peaceful protest at Bridehead organised by Right to Roam on July 5th. See their site for details. www.littletoller.co.uk/the-clearing...

@rjbarker.bsky.social Hi RJ, want to be featured in the next issue of the BFS Journal? I am looking for authors to interview for my series, 'In Conversation With...'

A reading of my article by the brilliant Robin Duncan for the British Fantasy Society. Written as part of my PhD at the University of Leicester it draws upon extensive field research in the Scottish Borders. #folklore #Scotland #mythology #ballad #literature #research #fairy youtu.be/JRNRZhxQ5Cs?...

You are cordially invited to the virtual launch party for BFS Journal #26! Join us on midsummer night around the digital hearth for an evening of literary celebration as we unveil our latest issue. #fantasy #ecology #nature #literature #academic Register FREE here: www.eventbrite.com/e/bfs-journa...

Can a rainforest coauthor a song? Harken to this inspiring immersion into a fascinating project - Robert Macfarlane, musician Cosmo Sheldrake, & lawyers Giuliana Furci and César Rodríguez-Garavito venture high into an Ecuadorean cloud forest to explore the idea of an ecosystem being a legal entity.

Join us for our annual Earth Day symposium. Ecopoet Helen Moore will talk about her inspiring international project; Harry Whitehead will give an exclusive preview of his forthcoming ecothriller; & MA CreativeWriting students ArtsUniversityBournemouth, will share their words. #EarthDay Register FREE

The latest issue of Panorama: the journal of travel, place, and nature is out. The Theme is 'Fire' and it features a range of different contributions from a wide, international cross-section of writers, including the New Nature Writing pieces I selected for my section. Read here: panoramajournal.org

Happy 200th Anniversary George MacDonald! And happy launch day for the shiny new BFS Journal, which I have been working on with a team of fabulous contributors for months. And the hard copy (which all full British Fantasy Society members receive) is here! Tonight we are wetting the baby's head! 🥳🥳🥳

The BFS Journal is ready for a relaunch! Let's meet the new regular feature contributors... KEVAN MANWARING is BFS JOURNAL EDITOR 🧵⬇️

Join us for 'Narratives in Motion,' our virtual event on taking place today at 5pm GMT! This exclusive online event is perfect for new students ready to explore an MA in Creative Writing, Film Practice or Photography 🙌 Secure your virtual spot today 👉 aub.streamgo.live/narratives-i....

Meet our amazing international Special Feature Writers, exploring the works of George MacDonald and Literary Fantasy. I shall be hosting this launch showcase.1 Join us to raise a toast on Tuesday, 10th December, 7pm GMT. Register FREE here: britishfantasysociety.org/events-calen...

Booker Prize-winning Tasmanian author Richard Flanagan argues we need to take our bearings from a compass of hope, not despair. www.theguardian.com/books/2024/n...

Barry Lopez, in this luminous essay in which he describes metaphoric living in wild places, epitomizes what I feel is my MO too: 'The experience delivered me into the central project of my adult life as a writer, which is to know and love what we have been given, and to urge others to do the same.'

Resistance is fertile. Don't be assimilated.

If you use Microsoft Word, read this!

Want to get published? For payment? We are looking for academic articles exploring 'nature in Fantasy'. See the CFP below...

A lovely word. Blake put it as follows: 'He who kisses a joy as it flies, lives in Eternity's sunrise.' William Blake

The British Fantasy Society Journal winter issue, published next month, combines regular and special features that celebrate both the bicentenary of Scottish visionary writer, George MacDonald (1824-1905) and the broad church of the Fantasy community. FFI: britishfantasysociety.org/events-calen...

In this blog I discuss my approach to taking over the BFS Journal, which I have turned into a peer-reviewed journal with a team of excellent writers and academic contributions. #researchimpact #writing #knowledgeexchange #publicengagement #creativity #blog britishfantasysociety.org/celebrating-...

A lovely sunny field trip to Lyme Regis today with the BA Creative Writing students. We found some tributes at Mary Anning's grave.