KM Elkes
@kmelkes.bsky.social
2K followers 1K following 83 posts
Author. Ginger. Potty mouth. #workingclasswriter Award-winning short fiction writer. Editing debut novel. Also writing tutor & editor. http://linktr.ee/kmelkes https://kmelkes.substack.com
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kmelkes.bsky.social
"In just five paragraphs, this story distils an intense, ambiguous encounter between an emergency room nurse and an injured jockey into a layered and ambiguous meditation on vulnerability and masculinity, intimacy and maternal care, the real and the magical..."
kmelkes.substack.com/p/microdosin...
Microdosing Fiction: My Jockey by Lucia Berlin
In this edition of Microdosing Fiction, I’m looking at the shimmeringly beautiful story My Jockey by Lucia Berlin.
kmelkes.substack.com
kmelkes.bsky.social
Rewriting Ideas on Editing - the latest FREE post on my Writing Talk Substack, about letting go of the binary idea of writing, then editing, and how there is a messy middle place of redevelopment, rewriting and re-visioning.

kmelkes.substack.com
Reposted by KM Elkes
mattkendrick.bsky.social
Want to spend 90 minutes playing around with different voices?

Come join me next Saturday at 9 BST for "I Hear Voices" where we'll ponder the levels of voice, the constellation of tonal influences, and stuff like authenticity and balance:

www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
I Hear Voices: Evoking Tone through Word Choice, Images and Style | MattKendrick.co.uk
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
kmelkes.bsky.social
Thanks Jo. It was certainly a new challenge writing for radio!
Reposted by KM Elkes
jolloyds.bsky.social
I loved the way you drew out your characters and made us care - with almost no backstory - and in such a tiny space of words :)
kmelkes.bsky.social
Really grateful for your kind words - and for listening to the story!
Reposted by KM Elkes
serrey.bsky.social
Listened to this wonderful story this morning. So beautifully written.
kmelkes.bsky.social
Thanks so much for listening and posting Kik
Reposted by KM Elkes
jolloyds.bsky.social
And if you need more, here's (ahem) something from me - not from this summer, but I did my best to squeeze all the essence of summer into it - don't know how much longer it'll be available, so do listen if you get the chance 😉 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Short Works - After the Romans - BBC Sounds
A fabular vision of the Dark Ages. New short fiction by Jo Lloyd, read by Jacob Ifan.
www.bbc.co.uk
kmelkes.bsky.social
Thanks so much for listening and the shout out Jo!
kmelkes.bsky.social
It found a home! Glad to have helped Angela.
kmelkes.bsky.social
Looking forward to joining a roster of writing luminaries at the international Geneva Writers Conference in November. Hope to see some familiar faces there!
genevawriters.bsky.social
📚Registration is opening soon for the 2025 Geneva Writers conference and we are thrilled to announce our 18 guest instructors!

GWG members will get early access to tickets and exclusive discount rates. Join as a member to take advantage too.

Find out more: genevawritersgroup.wildapricot.org
Reposted by KM Elkes
cherylpappas.bsky.social
Happy to share my August writing prompt on From the Bookshelf. Enjoy!
From the Bookshelf
August 2025
open.substack.com
kmelkes.bsky.social
The first instalment of my Microdosing Fiction series. The premise is simple: I take a short fiction text and provide some thought and insights on specific elements of craft. Big benefits from small amounts.

open.substack.com/pub/kmelkes/...
Microdosing Fiction 1: Mermaid In A Jar
Thoughts, insights and guidance for analysing great writing
open.substack.com
Reposted by KM Elkes
sarahillswrites.bsky.social
Congratulations to WestWord Prize 2025 winners @quickasaflash.bsky.social, @joycebingham.bsky.social, Charlie Swailes and everyone on the shortlist. Thank you for trusting me with your work — what a fantastic selection of stories! 🌟🌟🌟
westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...
WestWord Prize 2025 Winners
Read the winning and shortlisted stories
westword.substack.com
Reposted by KM Elkes
pitheadchapel.bsky.social
Our annual contest opens for submissions August 1st! This year's guest judge is Andrew Porter. Keep an eye out for our Q&A with Andrew soon.

Find more details about our contest here: pitheadchapel.com/larrybrown/
Reposted by KM Elkes
therelphian.bsky.social
Final shoutout to the workshop hosts who gave me so much to write about.
@kmelkes.bsky.social
@judehiggins.bsky.social
@shelleyr-j.bsky.social
@vanessageb.bsky.social
@farhanashaikh.bsky.social

and the readers, my God, so much to love and be inspired by.
Thank you FFF2025, I loved it 🌟
kmelkes.bsky.social
Good to see you Rachael - albeit briefly!
Reposted by KM Elkes
kitdewaal.com
As Bookbanks new Ambassador I’d like to spread the word about this brilliant charity giving books with food at food banks.

Please share and support if you’re able :)

www.bookbanks.co.uk
kmelkes.bsky.social
Thanks so much Elizabeth, appreciate it!
kmelkes.bsky.social
That’s galling. ☹️Unfortunately I think the BBC have changed or are changing their access to BBC Sounds for overseas listeners - something to do with licencing. I thought maybe it might be on BBC.com or the app, but clearly not easy to find…
BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business, Innovation, Climate, Culture, Travel, Video & Audio
Visit BBC for trusted reporting on the latest world and US news, sports, business, climate, innovation, culture and much more.
BBC.com
Reposted by KM Elkes
smokelong.bsky.social
You're invited to our Master Series interview and reading with Aimee Bender on August 9th! This event is free! And we'll be giving away lots of books. Sign up through the SmokeLong Shop by "purchasing" this event for $0 dolares!
www.smokelong.com/product/mast...