Ben Pester
@benpester.bsky.social
Novel The Expansion Project (2025). Story collection Am I in the Right Place(2021). Other work in Granta, London Magazine, Hotel etc
Reposted by Ben Pester
wrote an article for @thebookseller.com outlining to the industry why small presses are the lifeforce & future of book production. Pls share esp w people who may not know what small press publishers do!
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Don’t invest in AI, invest in the future of the book
Why the publishing industry must back small presses, rather than LLMs.
www.thebookseller.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
wrote an article for @thebookseller.com outlining to the industry why small presses are the lifeforce & future of book production. Pls share esp w people who may not know what small press publishers do!
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
Reposted by Ben Pester
So pleased to see @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project has been shortlisted for the Nero Debut Novel Award. Richly deserved.
November 20, 2025 at 12:12 PM
So pleased to see @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project has been shortlisted for the Nero Debut Novel Award. Richly deserved.
Reposted by Ben Pester
After selecting a shortlist of six stories from thousands of entries, we are thrilled to announce Renesha Dhanraj as the winner of The London Magazine Short Story Prize 2025, for her story, ‘Black Cake’.
Read more here: thelondonmagazine.org/renesha-dhan...
Read more here: thelondonmagazine.org/renesha-dhan...
Renesha Dhanraj wins The London Magazine Short Story Prize 2025 - The London Magazine
The judges of The London Magazine Short Story Prize 2025 award first place to Renesha Dhanraj for her story, 'Black Cake'.
thelondonmagazine.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
After selecting a shortlist of six stories from thousands of entries, we are thrilled to announce Renesha Dhanraj as the winner of The London Magazine Short Story Prize 2025, for her story, ‘Black Cake’.
Read more here: thelondonmagazine.org/renesha-dhan...
Read more here: thelondonmagazine.org/renesha-dhan...
Reposted by Ben Pester
In honour of the eighteenth of November, here's my recent @irishtimes.com interview with Solvej Balle about seven books on the subject of being stuck in today's date.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Solvej Balle: ‘I thought that if I started to write this, I would spoil it’
Solvej Balle’s near-40-year project, On the Calculation of Volume, seems both outside time and yet immediately relevant
www.irishtimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:28 AM
In honour of the eighteenth of November, here's my recent @irishtimes.com interview with Solvej Balle about seven books on the subject of being stuck in today's date.
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Ah wow - really loved reading this review of The Expansion Project. I know these things are not for the author really but you have to say thanks when someone is writing at this level about your work. Incredible. So grateful.
New post on Ben Pester's 'The Expansion Project' and the contemporary office novel: lauriemcraeandrew.wordpress.com/2025/11/17/t...
The wrong angle, somehow: Ben Pester’s ‘The Expansion Project’
Tom Crowley – the central character of Ben Pester’s The Expansion Project – is having a bad day at the office. In fact, the badness has already started before he leaves the house, as he despairs at…
lauriemcraeandrew.wordpress.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Ah wow - really loved reading this review of The Expansion Project. I know these things are not for the author really but you have to say thanks when someone is writing at this level about your work. Incredible. So grateful.
Reposted by Ben Pester
We are delighted to share the shortlist of six stories for The London Magazine Short Story Prize 2025!
Congratulations to all shortlisted writers, and a huge thank you to our judges Gurnaik Johal, Ben Pester and CAA’s Erika Price.
Winners will be announced next week.
Congratulations to all shortlisted writers, and a huge thank you to our judges Gurnaik Johal, Ben Pester and CAA’s Erika Price.
Winners will be announced next week.
November 14, 2025 at 2:53 PM
We are delighted to share the shortlist of six stories for The London Magazine Short Story Prize 2025!
Congratulations to all shortlisted writers, and a huge thank you to our judges Gurnaik Johal, Ben Pester and CAA’s Erika Price.
Winners will be announced next week.
Congratulations to all shortlisted writers, and a huge thank you to our judges Gurnaik Johal, Ben Pester and CAA’s Erika Price.
Winners will be announced next week.
Reposted by Ben Pester
So pleased to see Nicola Barker's TonyInterruptor ('Strange & clever'), @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project ('That rare thing, unique') & @catherinelacey.bsky.social's The Möbius Book ('Thrilling') included in this 'Greatest Books of 2025' list.
www.telegraph.co.uk/books/author...
www.telegraph.co.uk/books/author...
The greatest books of 2025
Our critics review hundreds of books a year. Here are their favourites, from fiction and crime to memoir and history
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
So pleased to see Nicola Barker's TonyInterruptor ('Strange & clever'), @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project ('That rare thing, unique') & @catherinelacey.bsky.social's The Möbius Book ('Thrilling') included in this 'Greatest Books of 2025' list.
www.telegraph.co.uk/books/author...
www.telegraph.co.uk/books/author...
Reposted by Ben Pester
‘A dark & lucid novel, offering not a satire of office life but a horrific riff on our inability to be fully present – at work or at home.’
The Expansion Project by @benpester.bsky.social
review31.co.uk/article/view...
The Expansion Project by @benpester.bsky.social
review31.co.uk/article/view...
Scope Creep
Review 31 is an online literary review.
review31.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
‘A dark & lucid novel, offering not a satire of office life but a horrific riff on our inability to be fully present – at work or at home.’
The Expansion Project by @benpester.bsky.social
review31.co.uk/article/view...
The Expansion Project by @benpester.bsky.social
review31.co.uk/article/view...
Reposted by Ben Pester
Very much looking forward to this. It's a solid shortlist with some exceptional novels. Of course, I hope @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project takes the prize tonight. But whichever way it goes, I'm so pleased Ben was shortlisted for what is my favourite book prize.
The waiting is nearly over! Our judges - Mark Haddon, Megan Nolan, @simonokotie.bsky.social, and @asack.bsky.social - have read, deliberated and decided.
Winner announcement TONIGHT around 7.30pm🔥
Winner announcement TONIGHT around 7.30pm🔥
November 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Very much looking forward to this. It's a solid shortlist with some exceptional novels. Of course, I hope @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project takes the prize tonight. But whichever way it goes, I'm so pleased Ben was shortlisted for what is my favourite book prize.
I’ll be defying the national rail advice and travelling well North of Preston on Thursday. Cannot wait to see Rose and to talk about questionable reality, office nightmares, and more besides.
This Thursday, me & @benpester.bsky.social at Mount Florida books in Glasgow, won’t you join us please?
Glasgow loves please join me & @benpester.bsky.social at Mount Florida Books on the 6th of November to talk about the marvel that is The Expansion Project.
Everyone* is saying it’s going to be the real fireworks night
*No one is saying that. But it will be good
mountfloridabooks.com/products/the...
Everyone* is saying it’s going to be the real fireworks night
*No one is saying that. But it will be good
mountfloridabooks.com/products/the...
November 3, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I’ll be defying the national rail advice and travelling well North of Preston on Thursday. Cannot wait to see Rose and to talk about questionable reality, office nightmares, and more besides.
Yes to fiction that has a recovery period. Very grateful for this reading!
Last night I finished reading The Expansion Project by @benpester.bsky.social. Fair to say it was an odyssey of the imagination, a stretching of reality and truth. Going to need some time to digest it!
October 30, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Yes to fiction that has a recovery period. Very grateful for this reading!
Reposted by Ben Pester
'What I think is innovative in a novel is the drawing out of unexpected emotional reactions.'
@benpester.bsky.social talks to the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social's Barney Horner about his brilliant Goldsmiths Prize shortlisted novel, The Expansion Project.
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@benpester.bsky.social talks to the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social's Barney Horner about his brilliant Goldsmiths Prize shortlisted novel, The Expansion Project.
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
Ben Pester Q&A: “Feeling weird is essential”
The 2025 Goldsmith Prize-shortlisted author on the pleasure of generational differences and the value of messy literature
www.newstatesman.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
'What I think is innovative in a novel is the drawing out of unexpected emotional reactions.'
@benpester.bsky.social talks to the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social's Barney Horner about his brilliant Goldsmiths Prize shortlisted novel, The Expansion Project.
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@benpester.bsky.social talks to the @newstatesman1913.bsky.social's Barney Horner about his brilliant Goldsmiths Prize shortlisted novel, The Expansion Project.
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
My huge face in the New Statesman today
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@grantabooks.bsky.social @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@grantabooks.bsky.social @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
Ben Pester Q&A: “Feeling weird is essential”
The 2025 Goldsmith Prize-shortlisted author on the pleasure of generational differences and the value of messy literature
www.newstatesman.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:16 AM
My huge face in the New Statesman today
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@grantabooks.bsky.social @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@grantabooks.bsky.social @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
This is me having a good time
@benpester.bsky.social reading from The Expansion Project at the @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social shortlist event last night. A great evening.
October 23, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This is me having a good time
Reposted by Ben Pester
@benpester.bsky.social, Sarah Hall, @cdrose.bsky.social & @ericawgnr.bsky.social on stage last night @southbankcentre.bsky.social.
Colwill Brown, @yrsadaleyward.bsky.social & Charlie Porter contributed in virtual form.
Thanks to everyone for a stimulating evening of readings and discussion.
Colwill Brown, @yrsadaleyward.bsky.social & Charlie Porter contributed in virtual form.
Thanks to everyone for a stimulating evening of readings and discussion.
October 23, 2025 at 8:54 AM
@benpester.bsky.social, Sarah Hall, @cdrose.bsky.social & @ericawgnr.bsky.social on stage last night @southbankcentre.bsky.social.
Colwill Brown, @yrsadaleyward.bsky.social & Charlie Porter contributed in virtual form.
Thanks to everyone for a stimulating evening of readings and discussion.
Colwill Brown, @yrsadaleyward.bsky.social & Charlie Porter contributed in virtual form.
Thanks to everyone for a stimulating evening of readings and discussion.
really can’t wait for this
Glasgow loves please join me & @benpester.bsky.social at Mount Florida Books on the 6th of November to talk about the marvel that is The Expansion Project.
Everyone* is saying it’s going to be the real fireworks night
*No one is saying that. But it will be good
mountfloridabooks.com/products/the...
Everyone* is saying it’s going to be the real fireworks night
*No one is saying that. But it will be good
mountfloridabooks.com/products/the...
October 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
really can’t wait for this
Reposted by Ben Pester
Indie publishing is *vital*. If you are a reader and a lover of books, this is a cause that deserves your strong support. This is the pipeline for some of the best writing around.
We need your help. 💙 Salt is fighting to keep indie publishing alive — discovering new writers, nurturing voices that matter. Every pound helps us publish more books. Please donate or share today. #SupportIndie #KeepBooksAlive #Books #Writers #IndiePress
Donate to Keep Independent Publishing Alive – Support Salt Books 2026, organized by Christopher Hamilton-Emery
New books and reprints arrive daily at Salty Towers – and we'… Christopher Hamilton-Emery needs your support for Keep Independent Publishing Alive – Support Salt Books 2026
gofund.me
October 13, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Indie publishing is *vital*. If you are a reader and a lover of books, this is a cause that deserves your strong support. This is the pipeline for some of the best writing around.
Reposted by Ben Pester
From the archive, 2022: fiction by Ben Pester.
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’
granta.com/the-durhams-...
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’
granta.com/the-durhams-...
The Durhams | Ben Pester | Granta
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’ Fiction by Ben Pester.
granta.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
From the archive, 2022: fiction by Ben Pester.
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’
granta.com/the-durhams-...
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’
granta.com/the-durhams-...
This is an actual dream to be honest - I’m so grateful to the judges and so in admiration of the rest of the list.
#GoldsmithsPrize2025 Chair of Judges, @asack.bsky.social, on @benpester.bsky.social's 'unsettling' and 'very funny' novel.
October 10, 2025 at 11:22 AM
This is an actual dream to be honest - I’m so grateful to the judges and so in admiration of the rest of the list.
Manchester / Stockport friends - come to this I promise to be entertaining and i also much more easily promise that Nell Osborne and Sam Mills are the absolute business. come down. Have fun. cannot wait
TOMORROW NIGHT!
Sam Mills, Ben Pester and Nell Osborne join us in Stockport to discuss THE WATERMARK, THE EXPANSION PROJECT and GHOST DRIVER - three wildly exciting and inventive novels that playfully explore our existential fears of love, work and modern life. Hosted by Valerie O’Riordan. 💙📚
🎫👇🏻
Sam Mills, Ben Pester and Nell Osborne join us in Stockport to discuss THE WATERMARK, THE EXPANSION PROJECT and GHOST DRIVER - three wildly exciting and inventive novels that playfully explore our existential fears of love, work and modern life. Hosted by Valerie O’Riordan. 💙📚
🎫👇🏻
October 5, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Manchester / Stockport friends - come to this I promise to be entertaining and i also much more easily promise that Nell Osborne and Sam Mills are the absolute business. come down. Have fun. cannot wait
We are delighted to announce the #GoldsmithsPrize2025 shortlist.
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
October 3, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Ben Pester
Yes @benpester.bsky.social truly amazing and well deserved news❤️
We are delighted to announce the #GoldsmithsPrize2025 shortlist.
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
October 2, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Yes @benpester.bsky.social truly amazing and well deserved news❤️
Reposted by Ben Pester
Reposted by Ben Pester
‘The Expansion Project has echoes of texts such as Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go (for the institutional sci-fi) & the plays of Sarah Kane (for the howling emptiness bumping up against the mundane). But @benpester.bsky.social’s fiction is its own beast.'
The Expansion Project
The Expansion Project
‘This is not a cheerful book, but it is a funny one. The corporate attempt to suppress and compartmentalise human feeling is repeatedly shown to be laughable. But pain is non-compliant; its resistance to control is a kind of saving grace.’
Emily Berry on Ben Pester: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Emily Berry on Ben Pester: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Emily Berry · I am entirely made of wood: Ben Pester’s Surreal Scrutiny
One could say that Ben Pester’s Expansion Project is about a man who loses his mind at work, but that’s not really...
www.lrb.co.uk
September 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
‘The Expansion Project has echoes of texts such as Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go (for the institutional sci-fi) & the plays of Sarah Kane (for the howling emptiness bumping up against the mundane). But @benpester.bsky.social’s fiction is its own beast.'
The Expansion Project
The Expansion Project
Hahaha! My weirdness is now fully in the LRB my friends.
‘Many of his characters experience some version of being en route to work when they find themselves on the cusp of slipping through a portal into an alternate universe.’
Emily Berry on the absurd fictions of Ben Pester:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Emily Berry on the absurd fictions of Ben Pester:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Emily Berry · I am entirely made of wood: Ben Pester’s Surreal Scrutiny
One could say that Ben Pester’s Expansion Project is about a man who loses his mind at work, but that’s not really...
www.lrb.co.uk
September 18, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Hahaha! My weirdness is now fully in the LRB my friends.