banner
LightNews
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford
@jmgatford.bsky.social
1.5K followers 460 following 850 posts
Write-abouter | editor | scriptwriter | fiction all over the shop | Shakespeare nerd | writing thoughts & workshops @ The Joy of Fixion https://www.jogatford.com https://fixioning.substack.com
www.jogatford.com
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 3d
Very last chance to book onto this weekend's Snapshot Story workshop! Learn how to transform an everyday moment into flash fiction (and fill in the missing pieces of all those those unfinished drafts and vignettes on your hard drive...):

flashfictionmagazine.com/the-snapshot...
The Snapshot Story
The Snapshot Story Discover the Hidden Flash Fiction Gold in Your Everyday Moments A two-session workshop that reveals how to transform ordinary observations into the compelling “snapshot&#82…
flashfictionmagazine.com
1
Reposted by Jo Gatford
failingwriters.bsky.social
The Failing Writers Podcast @failingwriters.bsky.social · 10d
May I alert you to a rather joyful £500 writing competition you perhaps didn’t know you needed in your life, but in fact absolutely do…?
www.failingwriterspodcast.com
#flashfiction
The Failing Writers Podcast - the world's bestest writing podcast ever... probably
The Failing Writers Podcast is a writing podcast for everyone who has ever wanted to write a book... then put the kettle on instead.
www.failingwriterspodcast.com
5 7
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 10d
Keep these away from Lou Wilson, no matter what he says @dimension20.bsky.social
emilyhughes.bsky.social
Emily C. Hughes @emilyhughes.bsky.social · 11d
no no the publishing industry is doing fine, why do you ask
A screenshot from Publisher's Lunch: Jennifer L. Armentrout and Hellmann's In a promotion designed for BookTok enjoyment, Jennifer L. Armentrout’s just-published THE PRIMAL OF BLOOD AND BONE is available in a special, limited-edition "garlic-scented copy, infused with Hellmann’s Garlic Aioli to create a one-of-a-kind, Craven-proof book." They explain: "This exclusive edition is printed with garlic-infused ink, designed to ward off Armentrout’s bloodthirsty monsters, the Craven. While humans may dread garlic breath, Hellmann’s has cleverly transformed this social faux pas into an unexpected – and delicious – form of supernatural protection."
1
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 12d
Thanks so much, Matt!
1
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 12d
All the flashy things! Including my Snapshot Story workshop on 11-12 Oct: flashfictionmagazine.com/the-snapshot...
1 5
Reposted by Jo Gatford
mslexia.bsky.social
Mslexia @mslexia.bsky.social · 12d
Just a reminder to all you poets out there...

Our 2025 Poetry Pamphlet Competition is open!

mslexia.co.uk/competitions...

By this time next year, we could be sharing about your launch reading! 🎉
Women's Pamphlet Competition 2025 - Poetry (Pamphlet) - Competitions : Mslexia, a magazine for women's writing and women who write.
Women's Pamphlet Competition 2025 - Poetry (Pamphlet) - Competitions : Mslexia, a magazine for women's writing and women who write.
mslexia.co.uk
1
Reposted by Jo Gatford
jmcm.bsky.social
Jennifer McMahon @jmcm.bsky.social · 12d
Submissions to Issue 4 of @frazzledlit.bsky.social are now OPEN for the whole of October!
www.frazzledlit.com/p/come-on-in...
Come on in, and join the Frazz Family!
We are OPEN for submissions!
www.frazzledlit.com
4 2
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 12d
So proud to have a story in this wonderful collection - such a worthy cause and a treasure trove of flash. Thanks for all your hard work @taniahershman.bsky.social!
taniahershman.bsky.social
Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈 @taniahershman.bsky.social · 12d
It's publication day for FUEL ebook—with 75 prizewinning flash fictions plus TWELVE bonus flash stories not in the print book! It's a great read *and* all profits go to UK fuel poverty charities. The print book raised over £4k; winter is coming, help us raise more: www.fuelflash.net/product/fuel...
The cover of the FUEL ebook, with a large photo of a yellow petrol pump, below which are the words FUEL: An Anthology of prize-winning flash fictions raising funds to fight fuel poverty, edited by Tania Hershman. There is a banner across the top right hand corner which says "Ebook with 12 Bonus Prize-Winning Stories!"
1 6
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 14d
I have a horrendous life-adminy meeting this afternoon and as a special treat my brain refused to let me sleep from 2-6am, but on the plus side my subconscious mapped out an entire one-act play, drafted a poem, and came up with a great Christmas present idea for my friend.
4
Reposted by Jo Gatford
ghangaji.bsky.social
jin @ghangaji.bsky.social · 15d
i think about this post every time i watch a movie
tweet that reads: Lady behind me at The Thing screening last night to her partner "why are they shooting at the dog?" and her partner says very firmly "have you never seen a film before? You watch it and information is revealed"
54 1.6K 6K
Reposted by Jo Gatford
fiddlehd.bsky.social
The Fiddlehead @fiddlehd.bsky.social · 17d
Disability: The Revolution!

Special Issue Call for Submissions, Deadline November 30, 2025

If you identify as disabled and would like to answer this call, please submit! We would love to hear from you.

See the full call and instructions on how to submit here: thefiddlehead.ca/revolution
A purple graphic for The Fiddle’s special Summer 2026 disability issue. At the top of the graphic is The Fiddlehead’s logo. Below is a purple image with two transparent light purple circles overlapping like a Venn diagram. On top of this, in white, is the work Revolution. Below is the text: call for submissions from disabled writers. Deadline November 30, 2025. Thefiddlehead.ca/revolution
1 15 20
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 15d
This is how all jokes should be told.
brainmage.bsky.social
Take the clown statue and get out! WE DON'T HAVE ANY KIDS!!! @brainmage.bsky.social · Oct 3
I've edited a video! Of some of my standup! Like you're supposed to when you're a comedian!
Please enjoy "My jokes are good, actually, and here are the reasons why".

Shares/fawning praise etc obviously appreciated x

www.youtube.com/watch?v=s93X...
My jokes are good, actually, and here are the reasons why.
YouTube video by Guy Kelly
www.youtube.com
3
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 15d
Oh that’s good to know, thanks!
1
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 15d
To the mosquito who bit me on the SHIN last night: who fucking raised you? I’m not trying to tell you how to do your job but that is just a terrible choice for everyone involved.
1 7
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 16d
Flash fiction folk! I'm running a FREE Ask, Write, Repeat drop-in session with Flash Fiction Magazine today (online @ 5pm BST / 9am PDT).

Bring me your craft questions, your publishing puzzles, and join in with guided exercises and prompts: flashfictionmagazine.com/event/ask-wr...
Ask, Write, Repeat with Jo Gatford (FREE)
Join us for a dynamic two-hour session where you’ll get answers to your burning writing questions AND put pen to paper with guided exercises. Bring your craft questions, publishing puzzles, o…
flashfictionmagazine.com
2 1
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 17d
That’s so kind of you, thank you.
1
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 19d
Thank you buddy
1
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 19d
Thanks for reading
1 1
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 19d
Thank you!
1
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 19d
I was explaining universal basic income to my kid yesterday and Oh! The Things We Would Do…
mbrobergmoffitt.bsky.social
Mattslew Batberg-Mothfit (any/all) @mbrobergmoffitt.bsky.social · 19d
Neurodivergent folks should all be paid a stipend to do things we like to do, and the world would end up benefiting from it.
otsumamiboy.bsky.social
Lupita Nihongo @otsumamiboy.bsky.social · 19d
The thing about being neurodivergent is that I Like It. What I don’t like is that the world imposes numerous taxes on me for being like this.

I don’t view it as a Me problem.
1 17
Reposted by Jo Gatford
zackpolanski.bsky.social
Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 20d
We need to change everything.

Step 1 - join.greenparty.org.uk
35 250 670
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 19d
A little teaser warm-up exercise for my Snapshot flash workshop (11-12th October) over at Flash Fiction Magazine…

flashfictionmagazine.com/authors-only...
A Story Within a Snapshot by Jo Gatford
There’s a treasure trove of story inspiration to be found in thrift stores and antique markets, and I often use this kind of creative scavenging practice for writing prompts as it perfectly embodie…
flashfictionmagazine.com
1 3
Reposted by Jo Gatford
aaronburch.bsky.social
Aaron Burch @aaronburch.bsky.social · 21d
this is the only "the fight to make men read again" content that shouldn't be deleted
grackle.space
Nathan Edwards @grackle.space · 21d
dudes rock
Tumblr post from every-lemon Sep 8 so my spouse is part of a weirdly intense but mostly benign men's workout group that meets at like, 5:30am outside every day, even in winter. they do a lot of burpees and lugging cinder blocks up hills and stuff. they take turns leading the workouts and tomorrow is his turn. I asked what he was planning. he handed me a sheet of William Carlos William poems from a large stack he'd printed. I said "what" and he explained, helpfully, "it's a William Carlos William themed workout." I asked what inspired it and he said "l've been planning this for months." Follow up tumblr post every-lemon Sep 9 it was a smash hit. a dozen guys showed up (more than usual). spouse brought a red wheelbarrow and they took turns bringing cinder blocks up the hill with it. then they broke up in teams and did a relay with an "icebox" (cooler filled with 40lbs of ice). at the end he opened the cooler to reveal it was full of beach plum lacroix and all the guys cheered. they drank sparkling water as he read 'approach of winter' out loud. he was home by 6:30am.
2 4 25
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 21d
Oh, whiplash!
1
jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 21d
Although as an antidote I got to send out some acceptances for Thread lit mag today so, yknow, balance.
1