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Ellen Forkin

@ellenforkin.bsky.social

I’m a chronically ill artist, writer and poet living in beautiful Orkney with a passion for folklore, myth and magic. Visit my website: www.ellenforkin.co.uk

468 Followers  |  630 Following  |  321 Posts  |  Joined: 13.11.2024  |  2.2074

Latest posts by ellenforkin.bsky.social on Bluesky

A digital drawing of a goblin holding a cupcake. She is very seriously looking down it. She has frizzy hair, a pointed hat and stones hanging off her dress. Signature: Ellen Forkin.

A digital drawing of a goblin holding a cupcake. She is very seriously looking down it. She has frizzy hair, a pointed hat and stones hanging off her dress. Signature: Ellen Forkin.

We take cake very seriously in this house, much like Zinag here, who likes a quiet contemplation of cake appreciation before tucking in! I’ll be enjoying extra-special cakes today as it’s my birthday 🥳 Deeeeelicious! #Birthday #Cake #ArtSky

08.10.2025 05:12 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0
A photo of a window painting of Meg and Mog. A witch on a broomstick, a cat, an owl and a moon and stars

A photo of a window painting of Meg and Mog. A witch on a broomstick, a cat, an owl and a moon and stars

Photos of a window painting of Meg and Mog. A witch on a broomstick, a cat, an owl and a moon

Photos of a window painting of Meg and Mog. A witch on a broomstick, a cat, an owl and a moon

If you go down to Stromness Library today, you can see Stephanie's superbly spooktacular window painting of Meg and Mog, from the brilliant books by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pieńkowski. 🧙‍♀️🐈‍⬛🦉🧹🌙

#LoveLibraries #Halloween

03.10.2025 09:35 — 👍 198    🔁 29    💬 6    📌 2

This is adorable! 😍

02.10.2025 08:58 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
The official graphic for National Poetry Day 2025 on the theme of 'Play'. It's an 8-bit, pastel background of a cherry blossom tree against a blue sky with books being thrown into the air. In large, alternating pink and blue text in the centre of the image, it reads: National Poetry Day / 02.10.2025 / PLAY

The official graphic for National Poetry Day 2025 on the theme of 'Play'. It's an 8-bit, pastel background of a cherry blossom tree against a blue sky with books being thrown into the air. In large, alternating pink and blue text in the centre of the image, it reads: National Poetry Day / 02.10.2025 / PLAY

It's National Poetry Day! We'll be celebrating all day - stay tuned to our socials so you don't miss a thing 👀🎉

Wherever you are, The Poetry Society wishes you a very happy National Poetry Day in the company of poetry.

02.10.2025 08:01 — 👍 13    🔁 5    💬 1    📌 1

Thank you so much, June! 😄✨

02.10.2025 04:36 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Thanks so much, Carmella! It still doesn’t feel real! 😄💛

02.10.2025 04:35 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Happy Launch Day to this awesome podcast! 👻🖤

01.10.2025 08:40 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A photo of Ellen and her Dad, Nick, sat on a rock by the sea.

A photo of Ellen and her Dad, Nick, sat on a rock by the sea.

This particular poem ‘Dry-Stane Dyke’ means a lot to me, as it was inspired by my wonderful Dad, who for many years was a dry-stone waller. I’m proud of his legacy of stone, the patience, the skill, the care he took with each wall, that is so true of his character also. He really is an amazing man!

01.10.2025 05:48 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A photo of Ellen smiling, holding the book Stonework, in front of a bookcase.

A photo of Ellen smiling, holding the book Stonework, in front of a bookcase.

My gorgeous contributor’s copy of Stonework has arrived and as you can see I’m so delighted with it! This book is so beautiful - definitely one to treasure! #Poem #Poet #PoetrySky

01.10.2025 05:48 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
Preview
Episode 05 - Rattle Chains by Ellen Forkin

Listen to Rattle Chains, an eerily haunting tale that spans centuries written by the brilliant @ellenforkin.bsky.social and available on the Haunted UK Fiction podcast.

open.spotify.com/episode/7uS0...

28.09.2025 13:39 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
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🌊 Introducing… #TheApothecaryByTheSea by @beewyld.bsky.social!

From the award-winning author of All My Wild Mothers: a lyrical, tender story of creating a wild #apothecary garden on the Scottish archipelago of #Orkney...

With beautiful illustrations by Adam Clarke🌼
Out 30 April
#garden #gardening

29.09.2025 12:24 — 👍 6    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 2
A poster of a manifesto about reading, by Loki, with 6 points on reading "bad" books, short books, comics, audioooks, webcomics and fanfic, plus not finishing bad books cos life is too short.

A poster of a manifesto about reading, by Loki, with 6 points on reading "bad" books, short books, comics, audioooks, webcomics and fanfic, plus not finishing bad books cos life is too short.

This is my Lokifesto #KidsConf #UKkidlit #edusky lokibooks.com/lokifesto/

29.09.2025 11:07 — 👍 153    🔁 78    💬 10    📌 14
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FLASH WRITERS! I'm judging the Allingham Flash Fiction Comp and it's been extended!

The deadline extended to Sunday, 12 Oct at 23:59 / 11:59 pm. Applies to both on-line and postal submissions. All other competition rules and guidelines remain in effect; see www.allinghamfestival.com/fiction-poet...

29.09.2025 10:17 — 👍 11    🔁 11    💬 0    📌 0

I loved this book so much! 😊✨

29.09.2025 11:00 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Thank you, this means a lot! ✨

28.09.2025 15:11 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

This is so, so lovely! Thank you for sharing! 📖✨

28.09.2025 15:10 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Exciting Book News! Read about my upcoming collection of short stories inspired by Orkney folklore…

It still feels surreal but you can read all about my upcoming book, including its new shiny title, and join me at the beginning of this publishing journey! #Orkney #Folklore #Book #BookSky #WritingCommunity

28.09.2025 14:31 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 1
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The Haunted UK Fiction Podcast has already released 7 fantastically creepy original paranormal stories, each crafted by different incredibly talented writers. From host trains and theatre ghosts to werewolves, vampires, curses, and haunted houses... we have it all! 👻

28.09.2025 13:20 — 👍 2    🔁 1    💬 1    📌 0

Nice work Ellen, good way to start the day with a dawn poem #Poem #PoetrySky #PoetryCommunity

28.09.2025 01:42 — 👍 4    🔁 2    💬 1    📌 0

Thank you, Roger! 😄

28.09.2025 07:19 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Thank you, Olivia! 😊

27.09.2025 15:14 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Thank you, Julian! 😄

27.09.2025 12:19 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Thank you! I think Hughbo the Copinsay Broonie is pretty up there - he’s got seaweed for hair!

27.09.2025 12:18 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
A painting of a raven flying on a bright blue sky. Dark purple words read: Exciting news! The Orcadian are publishing my book! Ellen Forkin.

A painting of a raven flying on a bright blue sky. Dark purple words read: Exciting news! The Orcadian are publishing my book! Ellen Forkin.

It’s dream-come-true time! The lovely Orcadian are publishing my collection of Orkney folklore inspired short stories - the book will be out for Autumn 2026! I can’t wait and I’m super busy creating the colour illustrations for it! #BookSky #Orkney #WritingCommunity #Folklore #ShortStories

27.09.2025 12:00 — 👍 26    🔁 9    💬 6    📌 1
A colour digital drawing of a goblin wrapped up in a red blanket reading a big yellow book. Signature: Ellen Forkin.

A colour digital drawing of a goblin wrapped up in a red blanket reading a big yellow book. Signature: Ellen Forkin.

It’s getting into cosy season and the goblins are all for it! Snuggly blankets, hot drinks, chocolate and a good book - what more could a little goblin heart hope for? #Autumn #ArtSky #FantasyArt #BookSky #FeelingCosy

24.09.2025 07:04 — 👍 20    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

I’m sure it’s on its way to being perfect pretty soon! Saying that, I’ve started rewriting a beginning for a story twice today and feel nowhere closer to getting it right - writing is a tricky business! 😅

23.09.2025 16:10 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Don't forget, @womenwritersnet.bsky.social community: today is the final day for entering @mslexia.bsky.social's 2025 Fiction Competition! #writing #writers #womenwriters #WritingCommunity

22.09.2025 08:41 — 👍 3    🔁 2    💬 0    📌 0
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Open for Entries - Competitions : Mslexia, a magazine for women's writing and women who write. Open for Entries - Competitions : Mslexia, a magazine for women's writing and women who write.

Our 2025 Fiction Competitions close one week from today! ⏰

mslexia.co.uk/competitions...

Running through your editing checklist? Check out Kirsty Logan's workshop '13 Steps to the Perfect Edit' in the Salon's Showcase events mslexia.co.uk/salon/events/

#AmWriting #WritingCommunity

15.09.2025 15:29 — 👍 7    🔁 1    💬 0    📌 0
Preview
Rattle Chains – A Ghost Story Listen to my ghostly tale ‘Rattle Chains’ on the Haunted UK Fiction podcast…

See my blog about ‘Rattle Chains’ appearing on an episode of the Haunted UK Fiction podcast! #GhostStory #Blog #Podcast

20.09.2025 13:54 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Thanks so much, Alec! 👻

18.09.2025 06:14 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

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