Veronique Kootstra

The Edinburgh @writershq.bsky.social Retreat is in full swing with an amazing bunch of writers! Loving the soothing tap-tap-tap sound of fingers on keyboards.

Edinburgh Writers’ Retreat - Writers' HQ No distractions. No excuses. Just writing.

There are only two more Writers’ HQ Edinburgh Retreats left in 2025! There are a few tickets left for this Sunday or get your place for November (or come to both!). @writershq.bsky.social

writershq.co.uk/whq-event/ed...

a close up of a man 's face with his mouth open . ALT: a close up of a man 's face with his mouth open .

I didn’t know 🙈 I did mention it this morning at our online Write Along 😁. Love the prompt and @fictionalsarah.substack.com sentence…

Looking to get your words into the world but completely overwhelmed by a billionty-hundred-squundred competitions and submission listings? WELL LOOK NO FURTHER. We have distilled a whole bunch of literary opportunities for your glorious self.

writershq.co.uk/5-competitio...

Chuffed to have hit the submit button with still an hour to go! @bathflashaward.bsky.social

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.

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

Apply for the New Writers Awards Applications for the New Writers Awards are now open!

There are only 24hrs left until the deadline klaxon sounds for our New Writers Awards 2026. Get in touch with any questions or queries you might have! ✒️

Portobello Book Festival begins at the end of next week, running from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th October! 📚🥳

We’ll be along at Portobello Library with a book stall and you can check out the festival’s programme here: portobellobookfestival.com/2025/09/05/t...

@portybookfest.bsky.social

📣ANNOUNCEMENT:
We are currently accepting #ShortStory pitches for our digital magazine. Please note that the pitch should indicate that the story includes an aspect of #MentalHealth.

Submit a pitch via the form on our homepage.

#JournoRequest

inspirethemind.org

Also, very lacking in editing work (and this always makes me happy!) so if you're got a piece of flash or a short story you'd like me to look at, I'll give you 10% off if you get in touch by the end of the day:

www.mattkendrick.co.uk/short-fictio...

The Edinburgh @writershq.bsky.social Retreat is in full swing! As always, an amazing bunch of writers. Just had lunch in the lovely garden at Tribe Porty. If fancy a day of writing, along with caffeine, snacks and lunch, you can get your ticket for next month here: writershq.co.uk/edinburgh-wr...

If you want to escape the Fringe for a day to focus on your own creative musings and write, there are still a few spaces left at this Sunday’s Writers’ HQ retreat at Tribe Porty. Book your ticket here: writershq.co.uk/whq-event/ed...

The View from The Women's Prize with a photo of the five judges at the final judging dinner. And tag line 'I've judged many competitors over years but none with the profile and heft of The Women's Prize...'

My first proper post on Substack. All about judging The Women's Prize this year.

a man wearing sunglasses smiles and says " see you there " ALT: a man wearing sunglasses smiles and says " see you there "

The next @writershq.bsky.social Edinburgh Retreat is this Sunday! What better way to kick off June with a day of uninterrupted writing.

There will be plenty of caffeine, snacks and lunch is provided too. Book your place here: writershq.co.uk/whq-event/ed...

a man wearing sunglasses smiles and says " see you there " ALT: a man wearing sunglasses smiles and says " see you there "

The next @writershq.bsky.social Edinburgh Retreat is this Sunday! What better way to kick off June with a day of uninterrupted writing.

There will be plenty of caffeine, snacks and lunch is provided too. Book your place here: writershq.co.uk/whq-event/ed...

Busy couple of cultural weeks with music as a through-line:

A film by a musician.

Music by a musician.

A stage musical based on a film.

Ceramics by a musician.

#jackwhite #glasgowfilmfestival #nickcave #wildrose

The deadline for filling out the Government consultation on AI and copyright is 25 Feb. I very much recommend! It's kind of intimidating at first glance, but @alcs-uk.bsky.social have created a handy guide & you don't have to fill in every question! ipoconsultations.citizenspace.com/ipo/consulta...

Wonderful bunch of writers at today’s Edinburgh @writershq.bsky.social Retreat. It’s gone very quiet except for the soothing tap-tap-tap sound as everyone is busy working on their projects.

I’m Alan Partridge as Best Picture Nominees #Oscars2025 
A thread:

Some brilliant writerly folk have signed up for Sunday's Art & Flash, a repeat of Mon's session. Come join us if you can. There will be a badass chef, floating heads, and an uncanny garden, all for your delectation and inspiration. #ekphrastic #writingworkshop

www.anikacarpenter.com/ekphrastic-w...

Picture of writers sitting at a table working on their works in progress.

Picture of a selection of pastries and fruit.

Amazing group of writers at the first Edinburgh @writershq.bsky.social retreat of 2025! Projects discussed, goals set and plenty of caffeine and snacks to keep us going until lunch.

Yibo Wangyibo GIF ALT: Yibo Wangyibo GIF

For those of you who may have a micro or two going spare, don’t forget that our micro comp is open till the 15 Feb: www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/index.php/co...

Bristol Short Story Prize now open for stories of up to 4000 words, judged by prize-winning novelists and a literary agent. Also winning stories published.

Link below

Please share.

bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk

The Whispering Gallery An Anthology of Quiet Horrors Open call for submissions We want your slow burners, your creeping dread, your atmospheric hauntings, your weird and your unsettling. Mood over gore. Chills over spatter. 500-2,500 words

Earlier this year, I floated the idea of editing a "Quiet Horror" anthology.
People seemed to love the idea. Well, it's happening...
We open for submissions in the new year. I can't wait to read your stories.
More details:
matgost.substack.com/p/submission...
Please share far and wide!!!

a cartoon of a girl sitting at a desk with a laptop and the words " write pages today scott " on the bottom ALT: a cartoon of a girl sitting at a desk with a laptop and the words " write pages today scott " on the bottom

Submissions to our anthology on the theme of SEASONS (up to 500 words) and entries to our Micro Fiction Competition (no theme, up to 100 words) are now open. For more details pls click on the link: nationalflashfictionday.co.uk

Is that in Room 237? I need to rewatch it. I can’t remember if there were two typewriters at the exhibition. I need to check my other pictures 😃

a close up of a man 's face with a red background and a smile on his face . ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a red background and a smile on his face .

If you think the typewriter image in my banner is a bit basic and boring, please know that it’s the actual, screen-used ‘All work and no play…’ prop from The Shining, which was exciting to see at the Kubrick exhibition at the Design Museum.