Matt Kendrick
@mattkendrick.bsky.social
Writer | editor | teacher | joyful Ninja Turtle | chronically ill
Words: Craft Literary, Best Small Fictions, Best Microfiction, Wigleaf Top 50
Website: https://www.mattkendrick.co.uk/
Craft newsletter: https://prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com/
Words: Craft Literary, Best Small Fictions, Best Microfiction, Wigleaf Top 50
Website: https://www.mattkendrick.co.uk/
Craft newsletter: https://prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com/
That sounds great! And yes, stamina. I have none which is my publications are few and far between, but I like to think they're more exciting for everyone as a result 😂
November 28, 2025 at 1:08 PM
That sounds great! And yes, stamina. I have none which is my publications are few and far between, but I like to think they're more exciting for everyone as a result 😂
I find it so hard when I run the Welkin Prize. The problem is that there is too much good stuff competing for a limited amount of space.
November 28, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I find it so hard when I run the Welkin Prize. The problem is that there is too much good stuff competing for a limited amount of space.
That's exciting about the contract - a printed work or something online? Understand about running out of puff. I feel we all have periods like that - the need to replenish the creative well?
November 28, 2025 at 12:36 PM
That's exciting about the contract - a printed work or something online? Understand about running out of puff. I feel we all have periods like that - the need to replenish the creative well?
I think that's part of the issue - keeping up with the changes in what lit mags are looking for, which lit mags exist, which ones have closed. I also think it would be nice to change the dynamic - having lit mags compete for a story means we do away with the R word and puts more value on the work?
November 28, 2025 at 10:54 AM
I think that's part of the issue - keeping up with the changes in what lit mags are looking for, which lit mags exist, which ones have closed. I also think it would be nice to change the dynamic - having lit mags compete for a story means we do away with the R word and puts more value on the work?
Which I suppose make submitting a necessary evil - although you could always self-publish? But I wonder whether we're all still slightly snooty about that? Don't know. I've self-published essays about my illness that have had far more readers than a lot of my published fiction.
November 28, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Which I suppose make submitting a necessary evil - although you could always self-publish? But I wonder whether we're all still slightly snooty about that? Don't know. I've self-published essays about my illness that have had far more readers than a lot of my published fiction.
Part of me wonders whether we need a new system - a universal portal where writers upload stories and select 5 or 6 lit mags they would like to consider their work. Then, those lit mags can dip in and ask to publish a piece if they want it rather than the other way around.
November 28, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Part of me wonders whether we need a new system - a universal portal where writers upload stories and select 5 or 6 lit mags they would like to consider their work. Then, those lit mags can dip in and ask to publish a piece if they want it rather than the other way around.
I also feel this. But I think it's more to do with the energy involved. It takes so much time and so often ends in a no. I suppose it comes back to why do we write. I mostly write for me, so I don't really feel the need for it.
November 28, 2025 at 10:38 AM
I also feel this. But I think it's more to do with the energy involved. It takes so much time and so often ends in a no. I suppose it comes back to why do we write. I mostly write for me, so I don't really feel the need for it.
You'd hope that one day they might give more attention to looking for solutions to chronic illnesses in general, things that cause the quality of life to be lessened rather than things that cause the quantity of life to be lessened. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel like that's going to be soon 😶
November 27, 2025 at 5:31 PM
You'd hope that one day they might give more attention to looking for solutions to chronic illnesses in general, things that cause the quality of life to be lessened rather than things that cause the quantity of life to be lessened. Unfortunately, it doesn't feel like that's going to be soon 😶
Exactly - people can be SO ill yet think they're "toughing" it out, society almost has that expectation.
How am I still alive? Sometimes I ask myself exactly that very question 😂 I mean, I have some white blood cells just not many. My doctor's advice - I should "shield" for the rest of my life...🙃
How am I still alive? Sometimes I ask myself exactly that very question 😂 I mean, I have some white blood cells just not many. My doctor's advice - I should "shield" for the rest of my life...🙃
November 27, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Exactly - people can be SO ill yet think they're "toughing" it out, society almost has that expectation.
How am I still alive? Sometimes I ask myself exactly that very question 😂 I mean, I have some white blood cells just not many. My doctor's advice - I should "shield" for the rest of my life...🙃
How am I still alive? Sometimes I ask myself exactly that very question 😂 I mean, I have some white blood cells just not many. My doctor's advice - I should "shield" for the rest of my life...🙃
Oh no - "the premonition of a cold" 😬 - I live in constant fear of those as I have no white blood cells 🤪
November 27, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Oh no - "the premonition of a cold" 😬 - I live in constant fear of those as I have no white blood cells 🤪
It's like a merry-go-round, isn't it? Where each segment of the merry-go-round is a new symptom (wearily shakes head). What do they say - change is as good as a cure? 😂
November 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
It's like a merry-go-round, isn't it? Where each segment of the merry-go-round is a new symptom (wearily shakes head). What do they say - change is as good as a cure? 😂
That's so lovely of you. Unfortunately, I often have to push through because money doesn't earn itself and there's not really any financial support available for the undiagnosed (and precious little for the diagnosed). I'm definitely luckier than many though, and I do enjoy what I do ❤️
November 27, 2025 at 11:51 AM
That's so lovely of you. Unfortunately, I often have to push through because money doesn't earn itself and there's not really any financial support available for the undiagnosed (and precious little for the diagnosed). I'm definitely luckier than many though, and I do enjoy what I do ❤️
Thanks so much. It was really fun to ponder Cathy's great questions.
November 26, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Thanks so much. It was really fun to ponder Cathy's great questions.
Thanks so much for reading and sharing, Kathryn. That's really kind of you.
November 26, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Thanks so much for reading and sharing, Kathryn. That's really kind of you.
Thank you so much for reading and sharing 🙏
November 26, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Thank you so much for reading and sharing 🙏
Thank you! You're very kind.
November 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Thank you! You're very kind.
Thank you so much, Cole. Such a lovely comment 🙏
November 26, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Thank you so much, Cole. Such a lovely comment 🙏