Jo Gatford
@jmgatford.bsky.social
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
https://www.jogatford.com
https://fixioning.substack.com
New workshop! An end-of-year braindump to untangle all the messy parts of your creative journey, figure out your flow, explore what's *actually* working for you, and ask:
> Where are you (creatively) right now?
> How did you get here?
> Where are you headed next?
www.jogatford.com/the-creative...
> Where are you (creatively) right now?
> How did you get here?
> Where are you headed next?
www.jogatford.com/the-creative...
November 24, 2025 at 1:27 PM
New workshop! An end-of-year braindump to untangle all the messy parts of your creative journey, figure out your flow, explore what's *actually* working for you, and ask:
> Where are you (creatively) right now?
> How did you get here?
> Where are you headed next?
www.jogatford.com/the-creative...
> Where are you (creatively) right now?
> How did you get here?
> Where are you headed next?
www.jogatford.com/the-creative...
Fuck Black Friday! Support indie publishers and bookstores! A collection or chapbook makes an excellent Christmas present...
These guys create beautiful books and are such a big part of the literary ecosystem — if we want small publishing to exist we have to keep it alive!
These guys create beautiful books and are such a big part of the literary ecosystem — if we want small publishing to exist we have to keep it alive!
To everyone who’s bought a book from us recently: thank you.
We’re reaching for just 10% of our subscribers and followers to buy a book from us, which would sustain our work in a big way.
If you haven’t yet, and you can, we’d love your support.
brokensleepbooks.com
We’re reaching for just 10% of our subscribers and followers to buy a book from us, which would sustain our work in a big way.
If you haven’t yet, and you can, we’d love your support.
brokensleepbooks.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Fuck Black Friday! Support indie publishers and bookstores! A collection or chapbook makes an excellent Christmas present...
These guys create beautiful books and are such a big part of the literary ecosystem — if we want small publishing to exist we have to keep it alive!
These guys create beautiful books and are such a big part of the literary ecosystem — if we want small publishing to exist we have to keep it alive!
Well, this is a lovely thing. Thank you so much @stanchion.bsky.social!
On the heels of a Spotlight Best Small Fictions win last year, I proudly present Stanchion's 2026 Best Small Fictions nominees!
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
November 20, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Well, this is a lovely thing. Thank you so much @stanchion.bsky.social!
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Small press books make great gifts. Pass it on!
Check out beautifully written & well designed books from @thirtywestph.com, @cowboyjamboree.bsky.social, @malarkeybooks.bsky.social, @sundresspub.bsky.social & Stanchion. Support small businesses & give the readers in your life something new! Win-win.
Check out beautifully written & well designed books from @thirtywestph.com, @cowboyjamboree.bsky.social, @malarkeybooks.bsky.social, @sundresspub.bsky.social & Stanchion. Support small businesses & give the readers in your life something new! Win-win.
November 19, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Small press books make great gifts. Pass it on!
Check out beautifully written & well designed books from @thirtywestph.com, @cowboyjamboree.bsky.social, @malarkeybooks.bsky.social, @sundresspub.bsky.social & Stanchion. Support small businesses & give the readers in your life something new! Win-win.
Check out beautifully written & well designed books from @thirtywestph.com, @cowboyjamboree.bsky.social, @malarkeybooks.bsky.social, @sundresspub.bsky.social & Stanchion. Support small businesses & give the readers in your life something new! Win-win.
Reposted by Jo Gatford
I'm editing an anthology about unlikable characters and seeking work from younger writers, 15-21. If you know of one such writer who might want to submit their work for consideration, please share this call for submissions: audacity.substack.com/p/acquired-t...
Acquired Tastes: A Call for Submissions
For younger writers, ages 15-21
audacity.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I'm editing an anthology about unlikable characters and seeking work from younger writers, 15-21. If you know of one such writer who might want to submit their work for consideration, please share this call for submissions: audacity.substack.com/p/acquired-t...
Her middle name is “oof” and she’s gonna make you feel all the things.
Congratulations, wonderful @pleomorphic2.bsky.social - ordered and can’t wait to read!!! ❤️🪷🫂
Congratulations, wonderful @pleomorphic2.bsky.social - ordered and can’t wait to read!!! ❤️🪷🫂
Preorder link for physical and ebook for Mother Karma by Sumitra Singam (who is she?) @publishedbyjake.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Her middle name is “oof” and she’s gonna make you feel all the things.
Congratulations, wonderful @pleomorphic2.bsky.social - ordered and can’t wait to read!!! ❤️🪷🫂
Congratulations, wonderful @pleomorphic2.bsky.social - ordered and can’t wait to read!!! ❤️🪷🫂
Reposted by Jo Gatford
I can’t believe how stupid everything is
November 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM
I can’t believe how stupid everything is
Reposted by Jo Gatford
28 pieces of writing spanning the first 5 years of Stanchion and including 5 new pieces from the likes of @toddedillard.bsky.social @jmgatford.bsky.social & @fbereaud.bsky.social. Cover art & photograph by me. Help celebrate reputable indie lit & keep this good thing going for 5 more years. 🖤🤍❤️
Here's the front + back of Issue 20, which is at the printer now + will be published on Nov 25th.
Running a independent print lit mag that doesn't rely on donations, grants, or fees is getting so much harder.
Please consider pre-ordering a copy. Just a tenner.
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
Running a independent print lit mag that doesn't rely on donations, grants, or fees is getting so much harder.
Please consider pre-ordering a copy. Just a tenner.
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
November 6, 2025 at 1:48 AM
28 pieces of writing spanning the first 5 years of Stanchion and including 5 new pieces from the likes of @toddedillard.bsky.social @jmgatford.bsky.social & @fbereaud.bsky.social. Cover art & photograph by me. Help celebrate reputable indie lit & keep this good thing going for 5 more years. 🖤🤍❤️
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Best bookstore sign of the year…
October 13, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Best bookstore sign of the year…
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Join SmokeLong for a mysterious month between November and December we’ve christened Promptember! We’ll be meeting several times a week online with live write-in and open mic events at various times to suit participants around this spinning globe, 100% free.
www.smokelong.com/ready-for-pr...
www.smokelong.com/ready-for-pr...
October 6, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Join SmokeLong for a mysterious month between November and December we’ve christened Promptember! We’ll be meeting several times a week online with live write-in and open mic events at various times to suit participants around this spinning globe, 100% free.
www.smokelong.com/ready-for-pr...
www.smokelong.com/ready-for-pr...
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...
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 “snapshotR…
flashfictionmagazine.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:16 PM
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...
flashfictionmagazine.com/the-snapshot...
Reposted by Jo Gatford
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
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
October 3, 2025 at 1:13 PM
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
www.failingwriterspodcast.com
#flashfiction
Keep these away from Lou Wilson, no matter what he says @dimension20.bsky.social
no no the publishing industry is doing fine, why do you ask
October 3, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Keep these away from Lou Wilson, no matter what he says @dimension20.bsky.social
All the flashy things! Including my Snapshot Story workshop on 11-12 Oct: flashfictionmagazine.com/the-snapshot...
October 1, 2025 at 12:23 PM
All the flashy things! Including my Snapshot Story workshop on 11-12 Oct: flashfictionmagazine.com/the-snapshot...
Reposted by Jo Gatford
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! 🎉
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
October 1, 2025 at 10:16 AM
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! 🎉
Our 2025 Poetry Pamphlet Competition is open!
mslexia.co.uk/competitions...
By this time next year, we could be sharing about your launch reading! 🎉
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Submissions to Issue 4 of @frazzledlit.bsky.social are now OPEN for the whole of October!
www.frazzledlit.com/p/come-on-in...
www.frazzledlit.com/p/come-on-in...
Come on in, and join the Frazz Family!
We are OPEN for submissions!
www.frazzledlit.com
October 1, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Submissions to Issue 4 of @frazzledlit.bsky.social are now OPEN for the whole of October!
www.frazzledlit.com/p/come-on-in...
www.frazzledlit.com/p/come-on-in...
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!
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...
October 1, 2025 at 10:42 AM
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!
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.
September 29, 2025 at 12:53 PM
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.
Reposted by Jo Gatford
i think about this post every time i watch a movie
September 28, 2025 at 2:42 AM
i think about this post every time i watch a movie
Reposted by Jo Gatford
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
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
September 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
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
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
This is how all jokes should be told.
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...
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
September 28, 2025 at 11:06 AM
This is how all jokes should be told.
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.
September 28, 2025 at 9:24 AM
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.
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...
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
September 27, 2025 at 11:45 AM
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...
Bring me your craft questions, your publishing puzzles, and join in with guided exercises and prompts: flashfictionmagazine.com/event/ask-wr...
I was explaining universal basic income to my kid yesterday and Oh! The Things We Would Do…
Neurodivergent folks should all be paid a stipend to do things we like to do, and the world would end up benefiting from it.
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.
I don’t view it as a Me problem.
September 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I was explaining universal basic income to my kid yesterday and Oh! The Things We Would Do…
Reposted by Jo Gatford
September 22, 2025 at 8:27 PM