Solidarity to all those academics entering the Bank Holiday weekend (like me) wondering if they will still have a job in October

It's a real bonus when a writer you admire turns out to be nice as a person (and most of the great ones are!)

Tomorrow! Don't miss this talk The Atkinson, Southport by brilliant Edge Hill Writing & EHU Nineteen PhD researcher, Julia Clayton, on 'The Fiction of Forgery'. Explore how faked, forged & entirely invented art has been immortalised in fiction, from antiquity to Ripley!
theatkinson.co.uk/events/the-fic…

TONIGHT!

Jennifer Belle and Rose Ruane will be here talking to Naomi Booth about SWANNA IN LOVE and BIRDING - two beautifully written, darkly funny and profoundly moving novels about unhealthy relationships.

Doors: 6.30, starts: 6.45

Tickets via link below and on the door

Thanks to Eleanor Wachtel for the intelligent and intuitive way she guides authors through their interviews. Indispensable.

I wrote an essay on the short story for Irish Times Books - online later this week, in the meantime in the paper here.

Nice surprise, K.F.S. Press in the Times.

As the number of redundancies increases, particularly in the humanities and creative subjects, and at post-92 institutes, we stand with those who jobs are at risk. These redundancies limit the quality and accessibility of Higher Education.
qmucu.org/qmul-transform…

SUBMISSIONS CLOSING SOON!
English submissions only.
📝 Fiction and Poetry: Calling all migrants.
📖 Non-Fiction, Reviews, Interviews: Open to everyone, themed submissions.
💰 £300 for cover art (Migrant artists)
💰 £100 for other selected submissions.
othersideofhope.com/submissions.ht…

I’m looking forward to this so much. It’s always so lovely to chat with folk about stories. Pop along online if you fancy… it will be lovely to see you!

A quick reminder that my latest story 'At Heart Centre' will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 tomorrow (Fri 26 Apr) at 3.45pm. Beautifully read by Seána Kerslake and produced by Michael Shannon and available afterwards on BBC Sounds. No Alibis Bookstore No Alibis Press bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00…

Creative Writing was pioneered Edge Hill University starting with the MA. Places available this autumn.

Why does Howard Shore's score for Lord of the Rings get me in the gut when I'm not that arsed about Tolkein? Thanks Georgia Mann!

Please, please if people would be able to sign this petition it will mean the world - the staff in English & CA are amazing, and the reason why I've come back for my MA & PhD 💜

Stop Redundancies of Creative Arts Lecturers at Edge Hill University chng.it/fVtWT9vWTg 💜

The future. Heard that one before.

the creative arts department at Edge Hill University is incredible - the way they are being treated is shameful and disgusting

Brilliant night @ EHU Arts Centre launching the Fiction Writers Network and celebrating Edge Hill Prize! ⁦Ailsa Cox⁩ ⁦Edge Hill Prize⁩ ⁦Kate Wilson⁩ ⁦Dr John D Rutter 🔶⁩ ⁦Saba Sams⁩ ⁦ElizabethBaines⁩ ⁦Dr Andrea Ashworth/AJ Ashworth⁩ ⁦Sarah Schofield⁩

If you’re thinking you’d enjoy a week of stimulating writing workshops, readings, debates and performances this summer among the best people then apply for the John Hewitt International Summer School Bursary. Closes 10th May.

Tomorrow! Saba Sams winner of Edge Hill Prize reading with me, Kim Wiltshire Dr John D Rutter 🔶 and the Fiction Writers' Network Edge Hill Writing. 6.30 Arts Centre Edge Hill University .

THIS THURSDAY! Still time to sign up for what promises to be a great conversation on Wollstonecraft, motherhood, and writing! Free, online, all welcome! Sign up in tweet: