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
It's called defecation. Maybe you've turd of it.
It's called etymology. Maybe you've word of it.
They're called seed pods. Maybe you've burred of it.
October 7, 2026 at 10:35 PM
It's called defecation. Maybe you've turd of it.
LAST CALL for "Has It Got Legs?" — my new 4-week novel outlining course for anyone who's tired of formulaic plotting methods.
So, if you keep telling yourself *this is the year* you finally get started on that story… well, let’s make it happen!
Starts 12 Oct: www.jogatford.com/has-it-got-l...
So, if you keep telling yourself *this is the year* you finally get started on that story… well, let’s make it happen!
Starts 12 Oct: www.jogatford.com/has-it-got-l...
Has It Got Legs? A 4-Week Story Outlining Course — JO GATFORD
Has It Got Legs is a story outlining programme for anyone who's sick of traditional, formulaic plotting techniques (hey there, neurodivergent writers!).
Explore the possibilities of your narrative w...
www.jogatford.com
October 7, 2026 at 1:29 PM
LAST CALL for "Has It Got Legs?" — my new 4-week novel outlining course for anyone who's tired of formulaic plotting methods.
So, if you keep telling yourself *this is the year* you finally get started on that story… well, let’s make it happen!
Starts 12 Oct: www.jogatford.com/has-it-got-l...
So, if you keep telling yourself *this is the year* you finally get started on that story… well, let’s make it happen!
Starts 12 Oct: www.jogatford.com/has-it-got-l...
My body is ready for autumn layers but climate change says no.
October 5, 2026 at 1:55 PM
My body is ready for autumn layers but climate change says no.
Unspeakably excited to receive a lovely bunch of stories for judging... Good luck, everyone!
Thank you everyone who entered our 34th Award. We’re very busy now & will be back in a couple of weeks with the longlist!
Bathflashfictionaward.com
Bathflashfictionaward.com
Animated Thank You Message
ALT: Animated Thank You Message
static.klipy.com
October 5, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Unspeakably excited to receive a lovely bunch of stories for judging... Good luck, everyone!
A week today I'm running a two-part flash fiction intensive called *Writing the Five Senses* with a heap of generative exercises and sensory detail techniques.
Come and see, smell, hear, taste and, uh, get touchy with me?
More info & booking: flashfictionmagazine.com/writing-the-...
Come and see, smell, hear, taste and, uh, get touchy with me?
More info & booking: flashfictionmagazine.com/writing-the-...
October 3, 2026 at 3:57 PM
A week today I'm running a two-part flash fiction intensive called *Writing the Five Senses* with a heap of generative exercises and sensory detail techniques.
Come and see, smell, hear, taste and, uh, get touchy with me?
More info & booking: flashfictionmagazine.com/writing-the-...
Come and see, smell, hear, taste and, uh, get touchy with me?
More info & booking: flashfictionmagazine.com/writing-the-...
Tomorrowwww! Join me for an hour of music loving story writing…
Less than one week until my next story generating workshop full of music-inspired exercises, techniques, and a specially curated writing playlist…
The Story in a Song — Weds 30 Sept 7pm (UK)
www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
(P.S. The session will also be recorded if you can’t make it live)
The Story in a Song — Weds 30 Sept 7pm (UK)
www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
(P.S. The session will also be recorded if you can’t make it live)
September 29, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Tomorrowwww! Join me for an hour of music loving story writing…
So so so excited for this!
One week and one day till our 34th Award ends on Sunday Oct 4th at midnight GMT. £1460 prize fund. Double and triple entries reduced. Results out by end of Oct. Judge award winning writer & teacher @jmgatford.bsky.social
Bathflashfictionaward.com/enter
Bathflashfictionaward.com/enter
Fiery Glowing Number 1
ALT: Fiery Glowing Number 1
static.klipy.com
September 27, 2026 at 10:32 AM
So so so excited for this!
Less than one week until my next story generating workshop full of music-inspired exercises, techniques, and a specially curated writing playlist…
The Story in a Song — Weds 30 Sept 7pm (UK)
www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
(P.S. The session will also be recorded if you can’t make it live)
The Story in a Song — Weds 30 Sept 7pm (UK)
www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
(P.S. The session will also be recorded if you can’t make it live)
September 24, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Less than one week until my next story generating workshop full of music-inspired exercises, techniques, and a specially curated writing playlist…
The Story in a Song — Weds 30 Sept 7pm (UK)
www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
(P.S. The session will also be recorded if you can’t make it live)
The Story in a Song — Weds 30 Sept 7pm (UK)
www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
(P.S. The session will also be recorded if you can’t make it live)
Hey writers — if you want to write a thing but can't get started on the thing because you don't know what the thing is supposed to look like and/or the 5-act structure makes you want to stab things then you should do my thing instead:
www.jogatford.com/has-it-got-l...
Starts 12 Oct
www.jogatford.com/has-it-got-l...
Starts 12 Oct
Has It Got Legs? A 4-Week Story Outlining Course — JO GATFORD
Has It Got Legs is a story outlining programme for anyone who's sick of traditional, formulaic plotting techniques (hey there, neurodivergent writers!).
Explore the possibilities of your narrative w...
www.jogatford.com
September 23, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Hey writers — if you want to write a thing but can't get started on the thing because you don't know what the thing is supposed to look like and/or the 5-act structure makes you want to stab things then you should do my thing instead:
www.jogatford.com/has-it-got-l...
Starts 12 Oct
www.jogatford.com/has-it-got-l...
Starts 12 Oct
Stayed up too late last night writing about sentient goo and got jumpscared by the dog appearing out of nowhere in full STALK mode.
September 22, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Stayed up too late last night writing about sentient goo and got jumpscared by the dog appearing out of nowhere in full STALK mode.
How do you get a reader to really *feel* what’s going on in a scene / your character’s head / the world of your story?
Specificity. Authenticity. And just a smidge of the unexpected when it comes to sensory detail.
fixioning.substack.com/p/fill-up-yo...
Specificity. Authenticity. And just a smidge of the unexpected when it comes to sensory detail.
fixioning.substack.com/p/fill-up-yo...
Fill Up Your Senses
Six 'Story in a Song' Writing Prompts
fixioning.substack.com
September 20, 2026 at 12:50 PM
How do you get a reader to really *feel* what’s going on in a scene / your character’s head / the world of your story?
Specificity. Authenticity. And just a smidge of the unexpected when it comes to sensory detail.
fixioning.substack.com/p/fill-up-yo...
Specificity. Authenticity. And just a smidge of the unexpected when it comes to sensory detail.
fixioning.substack.com/p/fill-up-yo...
I know for a fact (cos I'm lucky enough to have already read it!) this is going to be a stellar book by an extremely talented writer (and all round lovely human). Can't wait.
Been sitting on this news for months but can spill at last!! My literary memoir TONGUE TIDE will be published by Verve Books! 🥳I honestly could not be happier right now - they are the absolute perfect publisher for my story.
Grateful to my amazing agent Abi Fellows for getting this deal! 🤩
Grateful to my amazing agent Abi Fellows for getting this deal! 🤩
September 16, 2026 at 11:04 AM
I know for a fact (cos I'm lucky enough to have already read it!) this is going to be a stellar book by an extremely talented writer (and all round lovely human). Can't wait.
Thanks to the ever-wonderful @uncertainstories.com for this Q&A about my story, Perfect Circle: www.uncertainstories.com/inside-stori...
September 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Thanks to the ever-wonderful @uncertainstories.com for this Q&A about my story, Perfect Circle: www.uncertainstories.com/inside-stori...
My “Rescue the Draft” workshop is happening this week — Thurs 17th Sept @ 7pm (BST) — bring along your jankiest story and let’s see if we can’t do a little emergency surgery…
www.litromagazine.com/masterclasse...
www.litromagazine.com/masterclasse...
September 14, 2026 at 9:52 AM
My “Rescue the Draft” workshop is happening this week — Thurs 17th Sept @ 7pm (BST) — bring along your jankiest story and let’s see if we can’t do a little emergency surgery…
www.litromagazine.com/masterclasse...
www.litromagazine.com/masterclasse...
Reposted by Jo Gatford
"First Photograph of the Moon — John William Draper, 1840" by @jmgatford.bsky.social
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
First Photograph of the Moon — John William Draper, 1840 | MattKendrick.co.uk
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
September 1, 2026 at 4:52 PM
"First Photograph of the Moon — John William Draper, 1840" by @jmgatford.bsky.social
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
Over the freakin *moon* for this (and no I will NOT be apologising for the pun).
Thank you so much, Matt!
Thank you so much, Matt!
Announcing the WelkinPress Best Small Fiction nominations for 2026:
@gilloshaughnessy.bsky.social
@thisisguan.bsky.social
@jmgatford.bsky.social
@melissafitz.bsky.social
@authorgreene.bsky.social
Links to their brilliant pieces below 👇
@gilloshaughnessy.bsky.social
@thisisguan.bsky.social
@jmgatford.bsky.social
@melissafitz.bsky.social
@authorgreene.bsky.social
Links to their brilliant pieces below 👇
September 8, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Over the freakin *moon* for this (and no I will NOT be apologising for the pun).
Thank you so much, Matt!
Thank you so much, Matt!
Hey writerfolk! Some new workshops coming up if you need an autumnal kick in the ol’ inspiration…
📕 Stuck on a story draft?
📗 Looking for some generative writing prompts & exercises?
📙 Want to hone your craft with descriptive techniques?
📘 Need help plotting out a new idea?
Gotcha covered 👇
📕 Stuck on a story draft?
📗 Looking for some generative writing prompts & exercises?
📙 Want to hone your craft with descriptive techniques?
📘 Need help plotting out a new idea?
Gotcha covered 👇
September 8, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Hey writerfolk! Some new workshops coming up if you need an autumnal kick in the ol’ inspiration…
📕 Stuck on a story draft?
📗 Looking for some generative writing prompts & exercises?
📙 Want to hone your craft with descriptive techniques?
📘 Need help plotting out a new idea?
Gotcha covered 👇
📕 Stuck on a story draft?
📗 Looking for some generative writing prompts & exercises?
📙 Want to hone your craft with descriptive techniques?
📘 Need help plotting out a new idea?
Gotcha covered 👇
Hey writers, my lil fortnightly "In the Writing Trenches" online hangout is tonight at 6.30pm BST if you fancy chatting about your WIP wth a bunch of truly lovely writerly folk: luma.com/fixioning
The Joy of Fixion Workshops & Hangouts · Events Calendar
View and follow events from The Joy of Fixion Workshops & Hangouts on Luma. Workshops and hangouts for creatives who want to find their flow, follow the joy, and 'fix' their fiction.
luma.com
August 25, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Hey writers, my lil fortnightly "In the Writing Trenches" online hangout is tonight at 6.30pm BST if you fancy chatting about your WIP wth a bunch of truly lovely writerly folk: luma.com/fixioning
Flash fiction hive mind, may I crowdsource your brain please?
What's your favourite hermit crab story (or an example you think makes particularly clever use of the form)?
What's your favourite hermit crab story (or an example you think makes particularly clever use of the form)?
August 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Flash fiction hive mind, may I crowdsource your brain please?
What's your favourite hermit crab story (or an example you think makes particularly clever use of the form)?
What's your favourite hermit crab story (or an example you think makes particularly clever use of the form)?
If a draft isn’t working, don’t rewrite it yet. Instead, write down these three things:
#1: What does the main character want?
(Try to differentiate between the surface level, immediate stuff and get down to their deep desires and unconscious wishes. And think about *why* they want this thing...)
#1: What does the main character want?
(Try to differentiate between the surface level, immediate stuff and get down to their deep desires and unconscious wishes. And think about *why* they want this thing...)
August 12, 2026 at 2:50 PM
If a draft isn’t working, don’t rewrite it yet. Instead, write down these three things:
#1: What does the main character want?
(Try to differentiate between the surface level, immediate stuff and get down to their deep desires and unconscious wishes. And think about *why* they want this thing...)
#1: What does the main character want?
(Try to differentiate between the surface level, immediate stuff and get down to their deep desires and unconscious wishes. And think about *why* they want this thing...)
So, so excited to be judging the next @bathflashaward.bsky.social (deadline 4 Oct). I want to read your flashes! www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2026/08/q-a-...
Q & A with Jo Gatford, Judge 34th Award
Jo Gatford is an award-winning writer, editor and mentor. Her short fiction has been selected for the Wigleaf Top 50, Best Small Fictions, Best Microfictions, and published in 70+ anthologies and l…
www.bathflashfictionaward.com
August 10, 2026 at 12:12 PM
So, so excited to be judging the next @bathflashaward.bsky.social (deadline 4 Oct). I want to read your flashes! www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2026/08/q-a-...
Love "the same smallsome girl" and that last line and just ALL this sumptuous language.
🫀🫁🦴
WINNER of the Body Prize, "Dear Walt Whitman" by
@sarahillswrites.bsky.social
A lyrical, emotionally taut gem of a micro in epistolary form:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
WINNER of the Body Prize, "Dear Walt Whitman" by
@sarahillswrites.bsky.social
A lyrical, emotionally taut gem of a micro in epistolary form:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
Dear Walt Whitman | MattKendrick.co.uk
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
August 10, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Love "the same smallsome girl" and that last line and just ALL this sumptuous language.
Yes, yes, yes, more joy in flash! Especially like this.
🌻🌈😀
WINNER of the Joy Prize, "Spring, Seven Years Later" by
Amy Luxton
Such a beautifully-crafted and evocative scene the swells towards a wonderful realisation of happiness:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
WINNER of the Joy Prize, "Spring, Seven Years Later" by
Amy Luxton
Such a beautifully-crafted and evocative scene the swells towards a wonderful realisation of happiness:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
Spring, Seven Years Later | MattKendrick.co.uk
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
August 10, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Yes, yes, yes, more joy in flash! Especially like this.
Holy wow
🏛️🏰📜
WINNER of the History Prize, "Outside a Vet’s Office: Boston, 9/11/2001" by @sfreligh.bsky.social
A brilliantly-rendered microcosm that projects outwards in such a tragic way towards global events:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
WINNER of the History Prize, "Outside a Vet’s Office: Boston, 9/11/2001" by @sfreligh.bsky.social
A brilliantly-rendered microcosm that projects outwards in such a tragic way towards global events:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
Outside a Vet’s Office: Boston, 9/11/2001 | MattKendrick.co.uk
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
August 10, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Holy wow
Producing a lit mag of such consistent high quality (& with such enthusiasm) is a huge feat of literary love. Not to mention creating a platform for so many fantastic books over the past few years.
Thank YOU for publishing The Woman's Part and putting so much into the lit community.
Thank YOU for publishing The Woman's Part and putting so much into the lit community.
Officially announcing the end of Stanchion Magazine, providing context as to why, answering some questions, and saying thank you.
🖤🤍
www.stanchionzine.com/post/the-end...
🖤🤍
www.stanchionzine.com/post/the-end...
August 7, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Producing a lit mag of such consistent high quality (& with such enthusiasm) is a huge feat of literary love. Not to mention creating a platform for so many fantastic books over the past few years.
Thank YOU for publishing The Woman's Part and putting so much into the lit community.
Thank YOU for publishing The Woman's Part and putting so much into the lit community.