Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mike Fox

@polyscribe70.bsky.social

220 followers 140 following 540 posts

Short story writer, delinquent poetry reader. Fictive Dream, The Lonely Press, Confingo, Fragmented Voices, Structo, Nightjar Press, Salt Publishing, Exacting Clam polyscribe.co.uk

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · Jun 19

Huge thanks to Joe Darlington and Manchester Review of books for this stunning review of my collection Things Grown Distant, still available from @confingopublishing.bsky.social manchestereviewofbooks.wordpress.com/2024/10/15/t...

2 9

Reposted by Mike Fox

Sagging Meniscus @saggingmeniscus.bsky.social · 10h

Thanks to Michael Hughes, currently appearing in #houseofguinness and author of COUNTRY, for reading this passage from THE COAST OF EVERYTHING by Guillermo Stitch.

Preorder the novel at https://thecoastofeverything.com.

Michael Hughes Reads From Guillermo Stitch's THE COAST OF EVERYTHING

Thanks to Michael Hughes, currently appearing in #houseofguinness and author of COUNTRY, for reading this passage from THE COAST OF EVERYTHING by Guillermo S...

youtu.be

3 4

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 9h

Fantastic, I love Emily Brightman. I went to the AP Society 25th anniversary in August, and managed to get his journals and collected reviews. To say the least he was opinionated, so using Nicholas Jenkins' neutrality as a filter was a clever idea.

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 10h

Without doubt, Trapnel spoke for Powell himself. Also when he asserted that the reader, like the author, needs talent.

1 1

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 1d

Wonder if other writers of a certain age have this experience? You write a story set well within living memory, and suddenly it's deemed 'historical' (and therefore harder to place).

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 2d

I heard her speak only a couple of months ago at the Anthony Powell Society. Great spirit and humour. RIP Jilly.

Reposted by Mike Fox

Eibhlís Carcione @eibhliscarcione.bsky.social · 4d

Children In Read is now LIVE! The largest signed book auction in the world. All proceeds are in aid of @childreninread.bsky.social
Delighted to have three signed spooky books with bookmarks in the bidding!
www.jumblebee.co.uk/childreninre... 📚✍️✨

5 10

Reposted by Mike Fox

Rosanna McGlone @rosannamcglone.bsky.social · 4d

A busy week! Really looking forward to delivering a #free #poetry #workshop at The Rabbit Hole, a fab indie bookshop, in Brigg. Can't wait to meet local poets 😁 @caitymay16.bsky.social @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social #Lincolnshire #NELincs #Brigg #poets #poetrycommunity

1 11 11

Reposted by Mike Fox

Ailsa Cox @ailsacox.bsky.social · 6d

Yes, we kept on going! Many thanks to @smallgoodpodcast.bsky.social and to @cdrose.bsky.social @saraheschofield.bsky.social @robertsheppard.bsky.social and all the other writers that sprung to mind as I was nattering away.

A Small, Good Thing @smallgoodpodcast.bsky.social · 6d

The second part of the interview with @ailsacox.bsky.social is out today! In this episode, we discuss more famous pieces of short story writing advice. Listen here to find out of they are facts or fiction!

www.spreaker.com/episode/more...

3 8

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 6d

Even better then. It can be so meaningful to get this sort of affirmation when we invest a lot in a piece of writing. I'm delighted for you, Peter.

1 1

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 6d

Well done, Peter - your stellar year continues!

1 2

Reposted by Mike Fox

Small Publishers Fair @smallpublishers.bsky.social · 7d

Small Publishers Fair returns to London's Conway Hall later this month, with 66 UK & international publishers, a special exhibition, and readings & talks.

Fri 24 & Sat 25 October (11am-7pm)
FREE, all welcome
Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL

Further details:
smallpublishersfair.co.uk

Promotional card for the 2025 Small Publishers Fair, with a full list of the 66 participating artists and publishers. Full details at https://smallpublishersfair.co.uk/publishers-2025/

6 11

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 8d

Brilliant news and a brilliant story, David. I remember it well. Congratulations!

1 2

Reposted by Mike Fox

david-bevan.bsky.social @david-bevan.bsky.social · 8d

Very happy see my story ‘Helium’ in here alongside so many great stories and writers. Many thanks to @nicholasroyle.bsky.social and @saltpublishing.com and @fictivedream.bsky.social

1 7 22

Reposted by Mike Fox

Eibhlís Carcione @eibhliscarcione.bsky.social · Jul 15

Delighted my dark summer tale The Summer Visitor is featured in today’s Irish Examiner as part of its summer-themed writing series. ✍️🌞🖤
www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/ar...

7 22

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 8d

Indeed. I normally let my characters evolve and the story follows. Somehow they stayed just beyond focus this time. Many, many drafts...

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 8d

It's horrible, isn't it? I tried to create a sense of distance in the narrative, but it seems to have kept the characters from really coming forward in the way I'd hoped.

1 1

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 8d

I suspect that will often be the case going forward...

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 8d

Thank you so much, Laura.

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 8d

We have a vine in our road and the crop has been positively mediterranean. They now co-exist with pre-christmas berries, which is strange indeed.

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 8d

Well done, Ian - celebration called for!

1 1

Reposted by Mike Fox

Rosanna McGlone @rosannamcglone.bsky.social · 9d

Thrilled to have sent a pdf of The Making of a Poem to an American former poet laureate, & emeritus professor at a major university. If you're interested in The Process of Poetry why not buy yours here? rosanna-mcglone.sumupstore.com/product/the-... #Australian #Oz #poets #poetrysky #drafting

Book front cover, black with white circle containing handwritten draft of a poem with corrections, centre red wattle, below title The Making of a Poem, in white and endorsement in white on left hand side, author in red Rosanna McGlone.

1 4 5

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 9d

Me too. I think ultimately we have to. I always find it a quandary when to stop working on a story that continues to raise doubts. Thanks for your interest, Rosanna.

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 9d

Absolutely, Rosanna. A marvellous piece of writing.

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 9d

One writer friend read an earlier draft, but I tend to trust myself, in that I don't like sending things out I'm not happy with. I've tried something slightly different but don't think it quite works, alas, Rosanna.

Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social · 10d

My longest short story, 7.5K words, three years or more in draft and too many rewrites to even guess. And still that horrible feeling that it hasn't come to life...

2 5