Look at these gorgeous covers! A year of travel through novels and poetry.

Just finished this enthralling, hypnotic novella. Set in the Namibian desert, it charts the consequences of a woman's ill-fated decisions. Highly recommended @roadsongbooks.bsky.social

New novel approaching… Advance promo kicking into gear - what would your ‘fate’ be if you ventured to ask a supposedly haunted fortune machine? Saucy Sue in HARSH LANGUAGE has you covered…

Such a pleasure to take time re-reading and thinking about these special stories, each of which beguiles and haunts me in a different way. Thanks to Jonathan Gibbs @jonathangibbs.bsky.social for the opportunity to take part in A Personal Anthology. apersonalanthology.substack.com

Thanks for the love on this Beatle post. This is a story I wrote a while back about our mate Percy Thrillington. Very short, bit weird. Hope you like it. kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com/2025/05/07/o...

I'm doing an apprenticeship in Coaching. As part of my training I'm looking to coach three people who need support with a performance related goal (not life coaching). You'll need to commit to a monthly coaching call until July. If that's you, please get in touch. UK writers/book folk pref.

Recently subscribed to @extrateethmag.bsky.social and just received my first copy - a beautiful thing! Looking forward to reading

My story about Michael Haneke’s films and @peterbradshaw1.bsky.social originally published in Paris Fantastique @confingopublishing.bsky.social is now online at Barcelona Review www.barcelonareview.com/114/e_nr.html

Hi, I've wrote an essay on writing short fiction using poetry as a guide. Tis in this grand wee book from Fly On The Wall Press. Title: The Subtle Art of Short Fiction Ed: Isabelle Kenyon www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social @isabellekenyon.bsky.social

My very first piece of cnf today in the wonderful @frazzledlit.bsky.social . Please have a read about my cousin, Ashton & if you don't feel like reading, there's an audio of me narrating the piece. Thanks to brilliant editors, Jen and Laura. Check out the issue! www.frazzledlit.com/p/shooting-s...

Sunday morning reading. Short stories by @bradleybooks.bsky.social @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social

Just read this excellent novella by @dlgladwin.bsky.social - set in Eyam and Chatsworth during the 1666 Great Plague, it draws on history and folklore and has a brilliantly distinctive narrative voice @roadsongbooks.bsky.social

City Lit's 26-27 Malorie Blackman Scholarship for Unheard Voices is open for applications until 8 February 2026. More info at: www.citylit.ac.uk/malorie-blac...

On Thursday 15th January at 7pm (UK time) the live online launch of 'My Ear is Full of Milk,' a new anthology celebrating the life, work and legacy of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Subscribers already have an invitation. If you'd like to join them, email me via davidjcollard.wixsite.com/my-site

Currently reading. I was lucky enough to be the proofreader for Strange Pictures and the forthcoming Strange Buildings, but I'm reading this one for pleasure. And what a pleasure!

I’ve been thinking about this story recently as it’s two years since I sent it out for submission. I was so excited to see it in TLM. I’ve popped it here in case you’d like to read. It’s probably not one I’ve shared a lot on ye old Bluesky. thelondonmagazine.org/article/fict...

The online launch for Keshed is only a month away 😱 Anyone wanting to join the fun, pls email [email protected] and I'll get you on the list for when the email invites are sent out. @ortacpress.bsky.social @davidcollard.bsky.social @regretteruane.bsky.social in the house, don't miss it 👍

Can't wait for this!

Delighted to announce that we will be publishing _Richard Heart Julianne_ By @ronanhession.bsky.social Spring/Summer 2027. ‘In Richard Heart Julianne we enter the mindstream of Richard on his last day as he reflects on his life, his home city and his failed marriage to Julianne.' Brilliant!

Matt's website is a treasure trove of useful and inspiring advice. As an editor, he has made my writing immeasurably better. Do check out what he offers 👇

Highly chuffed to find that my @nightjarpress.bsky.social story 'Removals' is included in these recommendations by @datlow.bsky.social ellendatlow.com/2026/01/03/f...

Announcing Magic & Mechanics! Out on 12th March - featuring [prepare yourself] George Saunders, Claire-Louise Bennett, Colin Barrett, Mark Haddon, Camilla Grudova and Amber Medland! Preorder yours here: www.scratch-books.co.uk/product-page...

Good morning And what a lovely start to the year. Please Join @ronanhession.bsky.social talking to James Naughtie This Sunday 4th January on BBC Radio4 at 4pm. @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

In the Desert is available for e-book pre-order now from @cowboyjamboree.bsky.social. Any boosts are much appreciated! US: www.amazon.com/Desert-Barba... UK/Ireland: www.amazon.co.uk/Desert-Barba...

Currently reading. Can't switch off my copyediting brain, which is constantly wondering why they chose to lower case 'earth'

George Saunders: "Becoming a better artist, in my experience, is a matter of learning, over and over, what you *just plain like*, no reasons needed, and then doing that thing as if it’s all that matters."

‘“The Hands” moves from the slightly mysterious to the downright sinister’ - Anna Aslanyan reviews Paris Fantastique by @nicholasroyle.bsky.social for @thetls.bsky.social

London writers please boost: our workshop is always open to new members and anyone who would like help getting their novel over the line please get in touch

Copies available here! david-gaffney.sumupstore.com

Very happy to receive this in my stocking @deadinkbooks.bsky.social

Back to the ghost stories

If all you want for Christmas is new short stories from @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social Mark Haddon and (ahem) me Then check out The Essay on Radio 3 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week Three stories of winter journeys inspired by Schubert's Winterreisen www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Happy National Short Story Day to all who celebrate!

Has this ever been in doubt?

Thoroughly enjoyed talking about short stories on the radio yesterday. Managed to get in a couple of big plugs for Best British Short Stories @saltpublishing.com (The interview begins at 2:25:10) player.autopod.xyz/1127650

individuals who support the short story in the uk - list in 2025 anthology by @nicholasroyle.bsky.social - @prototypepubs.bsky.social @ailsacox.bsky.social @ggaffa.bsky.social @cathygalvin.bsky.social @jonathangibbs.bsky.social @johnnymains.co.uk @chrispower.bsky.social @tonywhite.bsky.social

This morning at 11 I will be talking about short stories on Mix 92.6, Hertfordshire's finest local radio station! mix926.com celebrating the upcoming National Short Story Day on 21 December #shortstories

Just found out I won’t have a job come January. As well as starting the regular job hunt, I thought I’d reach out here to see if anyone knew of any proofreading/editing/compliance opportunities. Or just opportunities! Apologies if this is gauche, but if you don’t shoot your shot, as the kids say 🎄

Best British Short Stories 2025 is here – the fifteenth volume of our landmark annual anthology. Edited by Nicholas Royle, it gathers the most exciting short fiction of 2024 from major names and brilliant new voices. A perfect festive gift for the reader in your life. #BBSS2025 #ShortFiction

Excited as a kid on Christmas Eve to be published again by Fictive Dream! 🎅🎄

I was fortunate enough this year to have three stories published on the web. I’ve put them below, if you’d like to see. I’m proud of all three in different ways. The first was ‘Orders of Magnitude’ published by Literally Stories in April. literallystories2014.com/2025/04/28/o...

Sunday morning short story reading @alicefwrites.bsky.social @ccrrll.bsky.social @scratchbooks.bsky.social @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social #shortstories

"the most fun I’ve had with a story all year" - huge thanks to @kieranstories.bsky.social for choosing my story 'Ghost Walks' and Best British Short Stories 2025 among his best reads of the year @saltpublishing.com

I’ve read some great stuff this year. These books are my ten favourites from the second half of 2025. I always like seeing these lists. I hope you like this one! Relaxing weekend, all. kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com/2025/12/12/o...

I’ve put a new piece of flash fiction on the blog. I’d love it if you gave it a read! I think this is the last story I’ll put up before 2026. Thanks all! kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com/2025/12/09/o...

Announcing The Scratch Winter Sale! For two weeks before our festive break buy all our titles with 25% off. For all the readers and writers in your life! www.scratch-books.co.uk/shop

If you are still looking for a "stocking filler" please bear in mind that "The Anechoic Chamber" is a slimline A-format paperback, so it fits snugly in a standard men's sock or the pocket of a winter coat. This also means savings on wrapping paper, postage, etc. and it's only £9.99.

If you see this please share (i.e. repost, not just like)! The Barbellion Prize is a unique award for writers with disabilities. We need to raise £20k to secure its future, so please make a donation, no matter how large, no matter how small, here: barbellionprize.org/donate/ Thank you!