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Ellen Forkin

@ellenforkin.bsky.social

470 followers 630 following 320 posts

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

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Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 11d

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

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.

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Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 1d

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

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.

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Reposted by Ellen Forkin

Orkney Library & Archive @orkneylibrary.bsky.social · 5d

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

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

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Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 6d

This is adorable! 😍

Reposted by Ellen Forkin

The Poetry Society @poetrysociety.org.uk · 6d

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.

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

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Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 7d

Thank you so much, June! 😄✨

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 7d

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

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Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 7d

Happy Launch Day to this awesome podcast! 👻🖤

Haunted UK Fiction (Podcast) @hauntedukfiction.bsky.social · 7d

It's launch day! Haunted UK Fiction is a passion project by past collaborators Steven Holloway (The Haunted UK Podcast) and Melissa West (The Skylark Bell podcast), a pair with a shared love of storytelling, music, and quality content. New story out later today, stay tuned! linktr.ee/hauntedukfic...

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 8d

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!

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

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 8d

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

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

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Reposted by Ellen Forkin

Haunted UK Fiction (Podcast) @hauntedukfiction.bsky.social · 10d

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...

Episode 05 - Rattle Chains by Ellen Forkin

open.spotify.com

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Reposted by Ellen Forkin

Elliott & Thompson @eandtbooks.bsky.social · 9d

🌊 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

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Reposted by Ellen Forkin

Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 9d

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

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.

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Reposted by Ellen Forkin

Nuala O'Connor @nualaoconnor.bsky.social · 9d

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...

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Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 9d

I loved this book so much! 😊✨

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 10d

Thank you, this means a lot! ✨

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 10d

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

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 10d

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

Exciting Book News!

Read about my upcoming collection of short stories inspired by Orkney folklore…

ellenforkin.co.uk

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Reposted by Ellen Forkin

Haunted UK Fiction (Podcast) @hauntedukfiction.bsky.social · 10d

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! 👻

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Reposted by Ellen Forkin

Roger Patulny @rpatulny.bsky.social · 11d

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

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · Sep 2

I have a poem published in Issue 9 of @ausauthora.bsky.social The theme was ‘Cracks’, and at the time I was waking up extremely early in the morning, so naturally I wrote poems about dawn. Hope you enjoy it! #Poem #PoetrySky #PoetryCommunity

www.authora.net/issue-9/elle...

A white background with grey writing.

Before Dawn
Ellen Forkin
The blue-dark of the not-quite dawn
The day ahead a yawning
Silent scream-song-gargle-sigh
The maw of possibilities
Blinking with the softness of first light
Do not stare-nor close your eyes
Glance out from the safety of the lightbulb Let colour wash over you, and begin

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Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 10d

Thank you, Roger! 😄

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 11d

Thank you, Olivia! 😊

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 11d

Thank you, Julian! 😄

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Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 11d

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

Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 11d

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Ellen Forkin @ellenforkin.bsky.social · 15d

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

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