Finnian Burnett
@finnwritesstuff.bsky.social
Cat person, writer, presenter, Star Trek fan. THE PRICE OF COOKIES, flash fiction collection. Novels repped by Stacey Kondla. Queer AF. Definitely not cool. They/them/tired. #flashfiction finnburnett.com
How is it I went from two weeks of nothing to be buried in work in the second week of January?
Oh. Because I did two weeks of nothing.
Got it.
Oh. Because I did two weeks of nothing.
Got it.
January 12, 2026 at 6:51 PM
How is it I went from two weeks of nothing to be buried in work in the second week of January?
Oh. Because I did two weeks of nothing.
Got it.
Oh. Because I did two weeks of nothing.
Got it.
Andrew and I are absolutely aces at not giving information, but doing so in an entertaining way.
Andrew Buckley & @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social reflect on the wins, lessons, and plot twists of the past year, and tease what’s ahead in 2026, from upcoming events to secret projects and more.
New year. New goals. Same love of story.
Listen now on the StoryCentric Podcast! tr.ee/B08H882tOe
New year. New goals. Same love of story.
Listen now on the StoryCentric Podcast! tr.ee/B08H882tOe
January 8, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Andrew and I are absolutely aces at not giving information, but doing so in an entertaining way.
Another article for Writer's Digest - this time on why your human words matter more than ever as AI seems to take over the literary world.
www.writersdigest.com/the-heart-of...
www.writersdigest.com/the-heart-of...
The Heart of Writing: Why Your Voice Still Matters in the Age of AI
Dr. Finnian Burnett explains why your writing voice matters in the age of AI...maybe even more than it's ever mattered before.
www.writersdigest.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Another article for Writer's Digest - this time on why your human words matter more than ever as AI seems to take over the literary world.
www.writersdigest.com/the-heart-of...
www.writersdigest.com/the-heart-of...
Haven't been Blueskying enough lately but was inspired to pop in to say I just read an incredibly brilliant piece on @fracturedlit.bsky.social by Sage Tyrtle. The use of surreal combined with all-too-frightening reality is uncanny and stunning.
fracturedlit.com/the-billiona...
fracturedlit.com/the-billiona...
The Billionaires Are Having a Party | Fractured
fracturedlit.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Haven't been Blueskying enough lately but was inspired to pop in to say I just read an incredibly brilliant piece on @fracturedlit.bsky.social by Sage Tyrtle. The use of surreal combined with all-too-frightening reality is uncanny and stunning.
fracturedlit.com/the-billiona...
fracturedlit.com/the-billiona...
My wife and I just had a conversation about how we forgot to buy cereal at the grocery store yesterday despite talking about it and making sure we wrote it on the list before we remembered that we did indeed drive to the grocery store yesterday, but left when we saw how packed the parking lot was.
December 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
My wife and I just had a conversation about how we forgot to buy cereal at the grocery store yesterday despite talking about it and making sure we wrote it on the list before we remembered that we did indeed drive to the grocery store yesterday, but left when we saw how packed the parking lot was.
Reposted by Finnian Burnett
Jane Austen used 'however' at the beginning of a sentence, and so can you.
December 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Jane Austen used 'however' at the beginning of a sentence, and so can you.
I think it’s safe to say my book of the year was “House on the Cerulean Sea.” I walked into an Indigo and said, “I want something magical, wholesome, and gay” and the employee delivered. In trying times, it’s nice to read something beautiful.
December 16, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I think it’s safe to say my book of the year was “House on the Cerulean Sea.” I walked into an Indigo and said, “I want something magical, wholesome, and gay” and the employee delivered. In trying times, it’s nice to read something beautiful.
Come hang out with some novella-in-flash writers including me!
2nd half readers at #WritersReading Novella-in-Flash special zoom Thu 7pm UK: @theliterarypig.bsky.social @jtblackie.bsky.social @lmbayley.bsky.social @debdanthewriter.bsky.social and featured reader, the inimitable @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social. Free ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/dubli...
December 16, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Come hang out with some novella-in-flash writers including me!
Always happy to be in any group with the brilliant and lovely Cole Beauchamp! Thanks to @bathflashaward.bsky.social for the nomination!
Big big thanks to @judehwriter2.bsky.social and @bathflashaward.bsky.social for nominating my story, The Inspection 🥰 And to @stillsquirrel.bsky.social for the workshop it originated in.
Delighted to be on the list for the @monarch.gay with flash buddy @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social
Delighted to be on the list for the @monarch.gay with flash buddy @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Always happy to be in any group with the brilliant and lovely Cole Beauchamp! Thanks to @bathflashaward.bsky.social for the nomination!
Reposted by Finnian Burnett
Writer’s block? Can’t finish a manuscript? Just need the support of a like minded group of writers?
Join our Sapphic Writing Academy!
We’re taking applications for the 2026-2027 classes, and we have have scholarships! Check our link in the comments.
#sapphicwritingprograms #gclswa
Join our Sapphic Writing Academy!
We’re taking applications for the 2026-2027 classes, and we have have scholarships! Check our link in the comments.
#sapphicwritingprograms #gclswa
a girl in a black shirt is writing on a piece of paper with a blue pen
Alt: A girl in a black shirt is writing on a piece of paper. She gets frustrated and scrunches up her paper.
media.tenor.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Writer’s block? Can’t finish a manuscript? Just need the support of a like minded group of writers?
Join our Sapphic Writing Academy!
We’re taking applications for the 2026-2027 classes, and we have have scholarships! Check our link in the comments.
#sapphicwritingprograms #gclswa
Join our Sapphic Writing Academy!
We’re taking applications for the 2026-2027 classes, and we have have scholarships! Check our link in the comments.
#sapphicwritingprograms #gclswa
Reposted by Finnian Burnett
I said it before, will say it again -- generative AI fetishizes "ideas" while sneering at effort, execution, and education. That, despite Gen-AI being built on and out of other people's effort, execution and education.
A.I. and the Fetishization Of Ideas
In writing and in dispensing my (very dubious, probably shady) writing advice, I am often keen to note that ideas are bullshit. Most writers treat them like precious gems when really, ideas are lik…
terribleminds.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I said it before, will say it again -- generative AI fetishizes "ideas" while sneering at effort, execution, and education. That, despite Gen-AI being built on and out of other people's effort, execution and education.
My wife and I are rewatching the Great British Bakeoff as a comfort thing and it reminds me of the versatility of “Cheers” as it sees to be a greeting, a goodbye, an acknowledgement of agreement, and sometimes, a fuck off. Definitely more useful than our “eh?”
December 9, 2025 at 2:03 PM
My wife and I are rewatching the Great British Bakeoff as a comfort thing and it reminds me of the versatility of “Cheers” as it sees to be a greeting, a goodbye, an acknowledgement of agreement, and sometimes, a fuck off. Definitely more useful than our “eh?”
Would love to see some folks here!
My latest newsletter: Writers Reading NIF Special featuring @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social - Booking open for Thursday 18th at 7pm, PLUS Novel course starting in February @DublinWriter
Writers Reading NIF Special featuring Finnian Burnett - Booking open for Thursday 18th at 7pm
Plus news of a new 6-Week Novel Course starting February
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Would love to see some folks here!
Home from my long stretch of travel and teaching. Loved being co-writer-in-residence with my bestie @abuckleyauthor.bsky.social at the AWCS cozy winter retreat. Taught a 3 day in person novella-in-flash class. Bet we see some incredible NIFs in the next couple of years!
December 6, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Home from my long stretch of travel and teaching. Loved being co-writer-in-residence with my bestie @abuckleyauthor.bsky.social at the AWCS cozy winter retreat. Taught a 3 day in person novella-in-flash class. Bet we see some incredible NIFs in the next couple of years!
Besties! So happy to have made the longlist!
The long list for The SmokeLong Grand Micro Contest 2025 is here! Congratulations and thank you to all who entered. The judging has been and continues to be extremely tough. www.smokelong.com/the-smokelon...
December 2, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Besties! So happy to have made the longlist!
Reposted by Finnian Burnett
Word of mouth is important to a book's success. So, if you'd like to see the authors who wrote your favourite stories commissioned to write more, please keep talking about all the #books you love.
October 14, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Word of mouth is important to a book's success. So, if you'd like to see the authors who wrote your favourite stories commissioned to write more, please keep talking about all the #books you love.
Absolutely loved this book “Straight Acting: The Hidden Queer Lives of William Shakespeare” by Will Tosh. Combined research with fanciful storytelling and made for a really entertaining read.
September 11, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Absolutely loved this book “Straight Acting: The Hidden Queer Lives of William Shakespeare” by Will Tosh. Combined research with fanciful storytelling and made for a really entertaining read.
I’ll be here! Hanging out as a participant in the October one and teaching a class on Emotional resonance in flash fiction in November.
3 workshops a day on the online Fest days. By @carrieetter.bsky.social @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social @lunchontuesday.bsky.social
David Swann,
Emily Devane, Heidi Clark, ShelleyRoches Jacques, Christopher Allen, Farhana Kalique + contest, readings. £35 a day.£90 for 3 days flashfictionfestival.com
David Swann,
Emily Devane, Heidi Clark, ShelleyRoches Jacques, Christopher Allen, Farhana Kalique + contest, readings. £35 a day.£90 for 3 days flashfictionfestival.com
September 8, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I’ll be here! Hanging out as a participant in the October one and teaching a class on Emotional resonance in flash fiction in November.
Me today: I should really work on this because it's due, but I'm going to work on this because it's easier and I'll get an endorphin rush from crossing it off my list
September 5, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Me today: I should really work on this because it's due, but I'm going to work on this because it's easier and I'll get an endorphin rush from crossing it off my list
I DID A THING! I bought plane tickets to Germany. I’ve never been - I’m going by myself but I’ll end up in Leipzig for a writing retreat. Thank you @offtopicpublishing.bsky.social for hosting something so cool.
September 4, 2025 at 12:11 AM
I DID A THING! I bought plane tickets to Germany. I’ve never been - I’m going by myself but I’ll end up in Leipzig for a writing retreat. Thank you @offtopicpublishing.bsky.social for hosting something so cool.
Happy that my flash fiction piece, "A Map of Unmitigated Fatness" has been accepted for the Flash Fiction Festival Anthology. It's been a bit of a flash dry spell during this time of getting my novel ready for submission so it feels good to have a win with a place I love so much.
August 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Happy that my flash fiction piece, "A Map of Unmitigated Fatness" has been accepted for the Flash Fiction Festival Anthology. It's been a bit of a flash dry spell during this time of getting my novel ready for submission so it feels good to have a win with a place I love so much.
Okay, Matt Kendrick compiling where you can find excellent flash fiction classes is the gift we didn't know we needed.
This month's round-up of freelance / indy workshops, courses and events, featuring brilliant-sounding stuff from @stillsquirrel.bsky.social @taniahershman.bsky.social @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @laurabesley.bsky.social...
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/sept-oct-2...
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/sept-oct-2...
Sept / Oct 25: Upcoming courses, workshops & events
Here’s what’s coming up from your your friendly neighbourhood freelancers, lit mags and awesome independents over the next couple of months.
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com
August 31, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Okay, Matt Kendrick compiling where you can find excellent flash fiction classes is the gift we didn't know we needed.
My wife and I are so heart-ready for another cat or dog (or both!) but we have so much upcoming travel. In the meantime, I love all of you posting pictures of your pets.
August 30, 2025 at 11:30 AM
My wife and I are so heart-ready for another cat or dog (or both!) but we have so much upcoming travel. In the meantime, I love all of you posting pictures of your pets.
I love to celebrate the joys of my writing community even when I feel like I’ve had a no-win week. But my small joy this week is that I managed to write about 1,000 words on my novel. For many of you, that’s nothing, but for me, it’s a huge win. What are your wins this week?
August 29, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I love to celebrate the joys of my writing community even when I feel like I’ve had a no-win week. But my small joy this week is that I managed to write about 1,000 words on my novel. For many of you, that’s nothing, but for me, it’s a huge win. What are your wins this week?
Just read a great piece on rejection by @sagetyrtle.bsky.social -one of my all-time favourite writers. A reminder that what we see on the outside isn’t always the full truth. Writing community is so important because talking to others about their struggles *and* joys can change our own self-doubt.
August 29, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Just read a great piece on rejection by @sagetyrtle.bsky.social -one of my all-time favourite writers. A reminder that what we see on the outside isn’t always the full truth. Writing community is so important because talking to others about their struggles *and* joys can change our own self-doubt.