Lauren Collett
@laurencollett.bsky.social
Reader. Writer. Napper.
Pinned
Thrilled to share that I have won (!!) the @mslexia.bsky.social Short Story Prize 2024, as judged by the amazing @leoneross.bsky.social ! I have been entering this competition for YEARS. Don’t give up!! #amwriting
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Chloe Kelly’s goal celebration face is the exact look my sister used to give me behind our mum’s back when I was being told off
July 23, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Chloe Kelly’s goal celebration face is the exact look my sister used to give me behind our mum’s back when I was being told off
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Good morning.
It is Independent Bookshop Week.
If you are able please do support your local bookshop.
They pay their taxes and support the community!
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@grovebookshop.bsky.social
It is Independent Bookshop Week.
If you are able please do support your local bookshop.
They pay their taxes and support the community!
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@grovebookshop.bsky.social
June 14, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Good morning.
It is Independent Bookshop Week.
If you are able please do support your local bookshop.
They pay their taxes and support the community!
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@grovebookshop.bsky.social
It is Independent Bookshop Week.
If you are able please do support your local bookshop.
They pay their taxes and support the community!
@bookcornerhx.bsky.social
@sevenoaksbookshop.bsky.social
@forumbooks.bsky.social
@drakebookshop.bsky.social
@grovebookshop.bsky.social
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Well this couldn’t have come at a better time www.bbc.com/news/article...
Scientists at Loughborough University create 'world's smallest violin'
The violin is smaller than a human hair and has "laid the groundwork" for future research.
www.bbc.com
June 5, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Well this couldn’t have come at a better time www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Lauren Collett
This might be the absolute greatest reply we have ever received.
Thank you, Cookie Monster 📕🍪💙
Thank you, Cookie Monster 📕🍪💙
June 5, 2025 at 1:19 PM
This might be the absolute greatest reply we have ever received.
Thank you, Cookie Monster 📕🍪💙
Thank you, Cookie Monster 📕🍪💙
Reposted by Lauren Collett
“For every sinful thought, a swirl of escargot shell emerges on my skin.”
From sum of her PARTS by Laura Besley
@laurabesley.bsky.social
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/p/sum-of-her...
From sum of her PARTS by Laura Besley
@laurabesley.bsky.social
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/p/sum-of-her...
June 3, 2025 at 8:12 AM
“For every sinful thought, a swirl of escargot shell emerges on my skin.”
From sum of her PARTS by Laura Besley
@laurabesley.bsky.social
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/p/sum-of-her...
From sum of her PARTS by Laura Besley
@laurabesley.bsky.social
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/p/sum-of-her...
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Small Press Day is all about fostering links between shops and local creators to celebrate our amazing comics self-publishing scene and community. Register your event for #SmallPressDay 2025 here: smallpressday.co.uk/event-submis... We're looking forward to hearing from you!
June 3, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Small Press Day is all about fostering links between shops and local creators to celebrate our amazing comics self-publishing scene and community. Register your event for #SmallPressDay 2025 here: smallpressday.co.uk/event-submis... We're looking forward to hearing from you!
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Two of the brightest forces in the book world @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social and @booksupstairs.bsky.social combine on 18 June for the launch of Wendy's excellent new novel The Benefactors.
@jackielynam.bsky.social - let me know if you're around for this?
booksupstairs.ie/all-events/l...
@jackielynam.bsky.social - let me know if you're around for this?
booksupstairs.ie/all-events/l...
LAUNCH: The Benefactors| Wendy Erskine | Books Upstairs
We are delighted to present the Dublin launch of Wendy Erskine’s debut novel The Benefactors from 6.30pm on Wednesday 18th June. Sinéad Gleeson will do the honours introducing Wendy and officially lau...
booksupstairs.ie
May 26, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Two of the brightest forces in the book world @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social and @booksupstairs.bsky.social combine on 18 June for the launch of Wendy's excellent new novel The Benefactors.
@jackielynam.bsky.social - let me know if you're around for this?
booksupstairs.ie/all-events/l...
@jackielynam.bsky.social - let me know if you're around for this?
booksupstairs.ie/all-events/l...
Reposted by Lauren Collett
I'm absolutely thrilled to announce PRE-ORDERS are open for my new prose/poetry pamphlet, 'sum of her PARTS' which is an exploration of female body parts & how they are used/abused by those around them.
Massive thank you to Sarah @vpresslit.bsky.social for her care & expertise.
#writingcommunity
Massive thank you to Sarah @vpresslit.bsky.social for her care & expertise.
#writingcommunity
“often
when I reach for a rare
treat,
like M & S chocolate raisins, they’re
gone,”
From sum of her PARTS by Laura Besley
@laurabesley.bsky.social
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/p/sum-of-her...
when I reach for a rare
treat,
like M & S chocolate raisins, they’re
gone,”
From sum of her PARTS by Laura Besley
@laurabesley.bsky.social
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/p/sum-of-her...
May 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
I'm absolutely thrilled to announce PRE-ORDERS are open for my new prose/poetry pamphlet, 'sum of her PARTS' which is an exploration of female body parts & how they are used/abused by those around them.
Massive thank you to Sarah @vpresslit.bsky.social for her care & expertise.
#writingcommunity
Massive thank you to Sarah @vpresslit.bsky.social for her care & expertise.
#writingcommunity
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Our Short Story Award opens soon!
👀👀👀
We have free spots still available. Follow the link in the original post for the details. Snap em up little firebrand!
👀👀👀
We have free spots still available. Follow the link in the original post for the details. Snap em up little firebrand!
Submissions for our Short Story Award competition open soon! First prize is €1000, second prize €500, as well as a €300 third prize. Guest judge @nualaoconnor.bsky.social @jmcm.bsky.social and I cannot wait to read your words.
Send us your best!
Rules below:
open.substack.com/pub/authorjm...
Send us your best!
Rules below:
open.substack.com/pub/authorjm...
May 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Our Short Story Award opens soon!
👀👀👀
We have free spots still available. Follow the link in the original post for the details. Snap em up little firebrand!
👀👀👀
We have free spots still available. Follow the link in the original post for the details. Snap em up little firebrand!
Reposted by Lauren Collett
No aid has reached the starving people of Palestine.
Israeli forces continue to block access despite the imminent risk of literally mass mass death of babies & children.
Today we MUST make our voices heard - come if you can at 6PM to Parliament square & #fastforgaza #r4today
Israeli forces continue to block access despite the imminent risk of literally mass mass death of babies & children.
Today we MUST make our voices heard - come if you can at 6PM to Parliament square & #fastforgaza #r4today
✊URGENT ACTION NEEDED
⌛The UN says 14 000 babies are at risk of dying from starvation
🌍Tomorrow, 21 May, take part in a global fast for Gaza
🕯️At 6 PM we will gather in Parliament Square in London for a vigil.
🚫The UK Government must sanction Israel IMMEDIATELY
⌛The UN says 14 000 babies are at risk of dying from starvation
🌍Tomorrow, 21 May, take part in a global fast for Gaza
🕯️At 6 PM we will gather in Parliament Square in London for a vigil.
🚫The UK Government must sanction Israel IMMEDIATELY
May 21, 2025 at 6:04 AM
No aid has reached the starving people of Palestine.
Israeli forces continue to block access despite the imminent risk of literally mass mass death of babies & children.
Today we MUST make our voices heard - come if you can at 6PM to Parliament square & #fastforgaza #r4today
Israeli forces continue to block access despite the imminent risk of literally mass mass death of babies & children.
Today we MUST make our voices heard - come if you can at 6PM to Parliament square & #fastforgaza #r4today
Reposted by Lauren Collett
UK has one of the few supposedly left-wing governments around at the moment. Starmer should shining a light to show the whole world the benefits of inclusion, social protection and concern, and his communication people should be relentlessly putting out stories of achievement. Instead ....
May 16, 2025 at 8:23 AM
UK has one of the few supposedly left-wing governments around at the moment. Starmer should shining a light to show the whole world the benefits of inclusion, social protection and concern, and his communication people should be relentlessly putting out stories of achievement. Instead ....
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Thought for the day.
May 14, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Thought for the day.
Reposted by Lauren Collett
‘There’s a war on academia’: US faces brain drain of its brightest and best teachers and students
‘There’s a war on academia’: US faces brain drain of its brightest and best teachers and students
Europe may benefit as Trump’s campaign against Ivy League colleges is causing academics to consider emigrating
www.irishtimes.com
May 7, 2025 at 9:16 AM
‘There’s a war on academia’: US faces brain drain of its brightest and best teachers and students
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Great conversation on great short stories the short story is the trademark of this friendly short story club. Hosts have included @sophiehaydock.bsky.social @devaneemily.bsky.social @hanakhalique.bsky.social this month it will be a pleasure to host Tom Conaghan of @scratchbooks.bsky.social
WORD FACTORY SHORT STORY CLUB: Claire Carroll
An evening of discussion about her Scratch Books story, My Two Sons with publisher Tom Conaghan
www.eventbrite.co.uk
May 7, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Great conversation on great short stories the short story is the trademark of this friendly short story club. Hosts have included @sophiehaydock.bsky.social @devaneemily.bsky.social @hanakhalique.bsky.social this month it will be a pleasure to host Tom Conaghan of @scratchbooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Lauren Collett
"We ALL treat Reform like they're a new party, they very much aren't!
They are UKIP, into Brexit, into Leave, into Reform with the same leader!"
@maitlis.bsky.social on the danger of treating Reform as a fresh political force.
They are UKIP, into Brexit, into Leave, into Reform with the same leader!"
@maitlis.bsky.social on the danger of treating Reform as a fresh political force.
May 7, 2025 at 10:28 AM
"We ALL treat Reform like they're a new party, they very much aren't!
They are UKIP, into Brexit, into Leave, into Reform with the same leader!"
@maitlis.bsky.social on the danger of treating Reform as a fresh political force.
They are UKIP, into Brexit, into Leave, into Reform with the same leader!"
@maitlis.bsky.social on the danger of treating Reform as a fresh political force.
So excited to have a short story in the next issue of The Stinging Fly. Look at her, she’s a beaut! Looking forward to the launch at @ilfdublin.bsky.social 📚🥂
Here is the new cover in all its glory!🎪
The cover image 'Circus' is by photographer Ronan McCall', and the cover design is by Eimear Gavin.
The new issue will be available in May on our website, in all good bookshops and at the launch party at ILFDublin 🎉
The cover image 'Circus' is by photographer Ronan McCall', and the cover design is by Eimear Gavin.
The new issue will be available in May on our website, in all good bookshops and at the launch party at ILFDublin 🎉
April 30, 2025 at 5:13 PM
So excited to have a short story in the next issue of The Stinging Fly. Look at her, she’s a beaut! Looking forward to the launch at @ilfdublin.bsky.social 📚🥂
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Biggest insider trading market manipulation scheme in history.
They aren't even bothering to hide it.
They aren't even bothering to hide it.
April 10, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Biggest insider trading market manipulation scheme in history.
They aren't even bothering to hide it.
They aren't even bothering to hide it.
Reposted by Lauren Collett
I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
April 3, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
Reposted by Lauren Collett
2025 PRIZE NOW OPEN:
Calling writers of innovative fiction under 2k words!
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
Calling writers of innovative fiction under 2k words!
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
February 14, 2025 at 10:57 AM
2025 PRIZE NOW OPEN:
Calling writers of innovative fiction under 2k words!
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
Calling writers of innovative fiction under 2k words!
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
Reposted by Lauren Collett
🌸 We're welcoming Spring with the blossom of our new MARCH ISSUE 🌸
buff.ly/F8mYCJ4
Love and gratitude to our AMAZING contributors!
WORDS: Sophie Hoss, Dante Fuoco, Laetitia Keok, @eleanorfuller.bsky.social
ART: Kevin Bodniza
PLUS: Asa Drake reviews Megan Pinto
buff.ly/F8mYCJ4
Love and gratitude to our AMAZING contributors!
WORDS: Sophie Hoss, Dante Fuoco, Laetitia Keok, @eleanorfuller.bsky.social
ART: Kevin Bodniza
PLUS: Asa Drake reviews Megan Pinto
March 15, 2025 at 1:45 PM
🌸 We're welcoming Spring with the blossom of our new MARCH ISSUE 🌸
buff.ly/F8mYCJ4
Love and gratitude to our AMAZING contributors!
WORDS: Sophie Hoss, Dante Fuoco, Laetitia Keok, @eleanorfuller.bsky.social
ART: Kevin Bodniza
PLUS: Asa Drake reviews Megan Pinto
buff.ly/F8mYCJ4
Love and gratitude to our AMAZING contributors!
WORDS: Sophie Hoss, Dante Fuoco, Laetitia Keok, @eleanorfuller.bsky.social
ART: Kevin Bodniza
PLUS: Asa Drake reviews Megan Pinto
If anyone else hates the new iPhone email update as much as me, you can change it back easily pressing the “…” on the inbox top right corner and pressing this button. Phew!
February 28, 2025 at 9:22 AM
If anyone else hates the new iPhone email update as much as me, you can change it back easily pressing the “…” on the inbox top right corner and pressing this button. Phew!
Frazzled Lit is an exciting journal and I’m so pleased to be in the running for the next edition! ✨
PS LOVE IT when journals give updates to submitters like this - it’s so thoughtful and the effort is always appreciated 🙏
PS LOVE IT when journals give updates to submitters like this - it’s so thoughtful and the effort is always appreciated 🙏
The SHORT STORY longlist.
www.frazzledlit.com/p/bdc7535c-0...
Served in a bun, with ketchup!
Thanks to all who submitted and huge congratulations to those on this list!
It was tough to make these decisions and it's never easy to hand out rejections. Please come back again!
More soon!
www.frazzledlit.com/p/bdc7535c-0...
Served in a bun, with ketchup!
Thanks to all who submitted and huge congratulations to those on this list!
It was tough to make these decisions and it's never easy to hand out rejections. Please come back again!
More soon!
Frazzled Lit
Welcome to Frazzled Lit, the newest home for great prose, flash fiction, poetry and CNF! Subscriptions are free, but are not required to view our content. Click to read Frazzled Lit, a Substack public...
www.frazzledlit.com
February 27, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Frazzled Lit is an exciting journal and I’m so pleased to be in the running for the next edition! ✨
PS LOVE IT when journals give updates to submitters like this - it’s so thoughtful and the effort is always appreciated 🙏
PS LOVE IT when journals give updates to submitters like this - it’s so thoughtful and the effort is always appreciated 🙏
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Come to Literary Leicester, a brilliant free book festival for everyone. This year we have sessions on Writing as Activism, Paul Muldoon, @adamcsharp.bsky.social and The Rest Is History (as well as me). Did I say it was free? Yes it is. Link to my event and others below.
Please share :)
Please share :)
Select tickets – Kit de Waal: The Best of Everything – Sir Bob Burgess Building, Welford Road, University of Leicester
Join one of the UK's favourite authors, Kit de Waal, to launch THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, her new novel about the love that can st...
www.tickettailor.com
February 25, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Come to Literary Leicester, a brilliant free book festival for everyone. This year we have sessions on Writing as Activism, Paul Muldoon, @adamcsharp.bsky.social and The Rest Is History (as well as me). Did I say it was free? Yes it is. Link to my event and others below.
Please share :)
Please share :)
Reposted by Lauren Collett
Delighted that from next week, I’ll be media editor for @theguardian.com.
Huge questions wherever we look - changing consumption, online disruption, misinfo, the BBC’s future. And more than ever, so much power & politics at play.
Can’t wait to start - get in touch, let’s talk! Contacts in bio.
Huge questions wherever we look - changing consumption, online disruption, misinfo, the BBC’s future. And more than ever, so much power & politics at play.
Can’t wait to start - get in touch, let’s talk! Contacts in bio.
February 24, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Delighted that from next week, I’ll be media editor for @theguardian.com.
Huge questions wherever we look - changing consumption, online disruption, misinfo, the BBC’s future. And more than ever, so much power & politics at play.
Can’t wait to start - get in touch, let’s talk! Contacts in bio.
Huge questions wherever we look - changing consumption, online disruption, misinfo, the BBC’s future. And more than ever, so much power & politics at play.
Can’t wait to start - get in touch, let’s talk! Contacts in bio.