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Eek, ‘Bereft of Reason’ is published by V.Press tomorrow! Signed copies are available from my website!

Snow globe on an iceberg? Yes please!

The 4th annual 500-word Fiction Challenge kicks off at 11:59 PM (NY time) tonight, May 29th, and registration is still open! Participants will have 48 hours to write a story no longer than 500 words based on a genre, action, and object assignment. Learn more at nycmidnight.com/500. Happy writing!

We planted a new meadow and orchard last autumn. At the moment it’s five saplings, a scattering of meadow annuals and a lot of horticultural grit. One day, however…

Hey friends, have you used poetic forms or devices in your flash fiction? I'm writing about this now and I'd LOVE to include some more published examples. Thanks!

Some really wonderful suggestions in this thread already. Who else has flash ficiton that makes use of poetical forms or devices? Do share! I got so inpired by this that I made one of my lists. Free to download, you can find it here under "Poetical Techniques": mattkendrick.co.uk/resources#st...

Beautiful everyday Ladybird things Telephone, 1970 Artist: Harry Wingfield (Second Picture Book)

In addition to reading this, please make sure an adult is always watching your kids at the pool or beach - always, like every second, drowning happens so so quickly

When we first moved to London in the early 90s, summers were great. Regularly in the mid-20s. High 20s was occasional. Nights were rarely muggy. When we left in 2022, temps were regularly 30+ for weeks, nights in the 20s. Our bedroom was a furnace for months. Our cities are not fit for this.

I will remind myself in the dark days of the North East in winter how good it is to not be in London in the summer anymore.

Well that statement from the Commonwealth Foundation is a masterclass in saying nothing.

The legend @cmatbaby.bsky.social said a lot more in her acceptance speech than what RTÉ are reporting. (Video posted by Lisa McLoughlin on Instagram - www.instagram.com/reel/DYnTKR3...) #Speirgorm

People in the right also get furious at how long it takes them to untangle the wire next time they use the appliance and blame the appliance for being a stupid thing that no one should reasonably be expected to deal with.

Need to buy me a trans flag badge to display my allyship and confuse the genital checkers in toilets. Anyone recommend a trans-owned business I can buy from? 🏳️‍⚧️

You’re not alone. Our trained LGBTQIA+ volunteers are here to listen to any concerns you may have as a result of the revised EHRC guidance being laid before parliament. We’ve supported the community through trials and tribulations for over 50 years, and we’re here for you today.

Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Trans rights are human rights.

I really like these tax cuts on days out and activities because a cost of living crisis also increases the cost of having a life and we should be helping everyone to access joy. Also free buses for kids in August? Genius. My parents wouldn’t have seen me for DAYS if I’d had free buses.

Look at the difference. Six months, give or take. A wet winter and cold spring and yet here we are. Eventually there will be lots of height as well as colour and the ponds will be tucked away.

While the new half of the garden establishes itself, it’s helpful to remind myself what a difference a few years makes. Here’s part of the ‘old’ garden. Nothing but scrubby grass three years ago. Dug over and sparsely planted with tiny cheap perennials. Now…

There a little voice inside my head when I see people ripping the piss out of alleged AI writing that says: what if you’re all wrong and a real person wrote this in good faith? And is here, reading this?

Been thinking about this and seriously think it’s a possible solution for competitions with big money prizes. Put it in the T&Cs that if shortlisted you have to show date stamped earlier drafts. We’d all get in the habit of keeping them if we knew it was a requirement.

As a professional writing competition reader (as in it’s a regular job I get paid for) I live in fear of not spotting AI. As a writer I think I need to start saving separate drafts instead of overwriting them, just in case I need to prove my authorship. What a hot mess.

Deadlines for some good competitions coming up - polish your stories with feedback from @mattkendrick.bsky.social @bridportprize.bsky.social closes 31 May (might be a tight squeeze, check w Matt) @bathflashaward.bsky.social closes 7 June @freeflashfiction.bsky.social closes 23 June

Alien: And how did you run out of water? Earthling: Machines drank it. Alien: Machines. Earthling: We had to feed machines the water. Aliens: So the machines were holding your planet hostage for water. Earthling: No, we made the thirsty machines. They worked for us. Alien: End communication.

Immigration make Britain brilliant

Gorgeous cover from @joannacampbell.bsky.social and fabulous title from @rachaeldunlop.com brilliant story. Can't wait for everyone to read this year's anthology and many thanks to @sharontelfer.bsky.social for being such an excellent co-editor.

I always delete and repost when I spot a typo. If anyone has already commented I let them know, I think that’s a basic courtesy. It’s really not a lot of effort.

I’ve been sitting on this news for a while, and am beyond thrilled to be able to share that my story inspired the title for this year’s NFFD anthology. A proper bucket list achievement. Thank you @joannacampbell.bsky.social for this stunning cover art. It’s perfect.

For everyone asking for a Reform councillor leavers tracker

This is the 'Dad' equivalent of that Tom Holland 'Umbrella' video.

I listened to an ex MP speak a few years ago and he said something that has stuck with me. The Brexit ref was akin to asking people 'Are you happy with how things are?' And the answer for most people was 'Fuck no.' And that's why Leave won. But nothing got better. And now we're stuck in this loop.

Oh, I’ve realised I’ve been assuming that Starmer would step down and not contest a leadership election. Am I wrong?

Please fill my timeline with Eric Morecambe

If memory serves, the challenger who kicks off a leadership election rarely wins through. On that basis, go for it Wes, be the first to step up to the plate.

My first thought was razor blade.

A fellow Labour Party member once described Wes Streeting to me as Zippy from Rainbow if he'd been radicalized by Mumsnet. which is a very specific set of references but also disturbingly accurate.

Replacing Starmer with Wes Streeting is like taking The Two Ronnies off and putting Hale and Pace on instead, when what people actually want is Morecambe and Wise back

Why is it still winter though

Wes Streeting supports the Cass Report and Palantir's UK govt contracts. Either he lacks the critical thinking skills to evaluate the evidence/arguments against them, or he ignores these things for ideological or other reasons. Either one makes him unfit to be PM in my view. (Not going to debate it)

Do you know the difference between your 'right brain' and 'left brain'? Is it really true that we create with one and analyse with the other? Here, @debialper.bsky.social explains why the distinction, though imperfect, can be extremely useful when you're writing or polishing a novel...

Design legend Margaret Calvert is 90 today. Look at that cake! If you've ever admired a road, rail or metro sign in Britain it's likely she had something to do with it. One of Britain's design heroes - happy birthday to her. Photo by: @oshgallerylondon (IG) Cake by: mybaker.co

Reform UK Resigned, lost seat, sacked. Since the local elections 2026 Lost Seat Mike Morris Clarence Mitchell Resigned Daniel Devaney Stuart Prior Jay Cooper Suspended Ashley Monk Jo Monk Ben Rowe #ReformShitshow

If you see a book being offered 'free' online, please do not support the fraud by downloading it. Books are freely available through libraries, and authors in the UK and Ireland receive a lending rights payment for these library loans. Thanks. 2/2

What a lovely start to the week. Swallows (I assume?) skimming over the River Derwent. I didn’t catch the ones swooping inches from my face. Sound on for the freshest, most relaxing Monday morning vibe ever. 🐦🪶

The creator of today’s Spelling 🐝 has neither whited sepulchres nor chitted potatoes.

What a lovely start to the week. Swallows (I assume?) skimming over the River Derwent. I didn’t catch the ones swooping inches from my face. Sound on for the freshest, most relaxing Monday morning vibe ever. 🐦🪶

This was a delight to judge. Congratulations to the winners, three really standout pieces. And to all the shortlisted writers - polish them up and send them out again!

We’re in the process of getting rid of all our evil spy Alexa devices and replacing them (as budget allows) with Sonos speakers. The assistant voice on the Sonos is DELICIOUS, all warm and sonorous. Discovered today it’s Giancarlo Esposito. In my kitchen, being affable.

We’re in the process of getting rid of all our evil spy Alexa devices and replacing them (as budget allows) with Sonos speakers. The assistant voice on the Sonos is DELICIOUS, all warm and sonorous. Discovered today it’s Giancarlo Esposito. In my kitchen, being affable.