Sign in

Jo Gatford

@jmgatford.bsky.social
1.6K followers 478 following 1.1K posts

Write-abouter | editor | scriptwriter | fiction all over the shop | Shakespeare nerd | writing thoughts & workshops @ The Joy of Fixion www.jogatford.com fixioning.substack.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
My body is ready for autumn layers but climate change says no.
A picture of an 17th century Delft tile depicting a blue painting of a figure in a broad brimmed hat and long coat, shown from the back.
020
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Unspeakably excited to receive a lovely bunch of stories for judging... Good luck, everyone!
020
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
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-...
A promo image for the Writing the Five Senses workshop with Jo Gatford.  Pale purple swirls on a dark purple background with white text that says: 10 & 11 October 6pm BST at Flash Fiction Magazine.
000
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Tomorrowwww! Join me for an hour of music loving story writing…
031
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
So so so excited for this!
020
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
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)
A white sketch-style illustration of a pair of headphones with a long wiggly wire against a dark blue background. Overlaid text says: The Story in a Song flash fiction workshop, 30 September 7pm (BST) at jogatford.com
022
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
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
jogatford.com
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...
000
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Stayed up too late last night writing about sentient goo and got jumpscared by the dog appearing out of nowhere in full STALK mode.
030
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
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...
fixioning.substack.com
Fill Up Your Senses
Six 'Story in a Song' Writing Prompts
130
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
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.
140
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Thanks to the ever-wonderful @uncertainstories.com for this Q&A about my story, Perfect Circle: www.uncertainstories.com/inside-stori...
A sketch-style greyscale image of a photo of author Jo Gatford on brown background with the letters Q&A in large white font to the side. A quote from the Uncertain Stories Q&A with Jo Gatford: "I'm continually fascinated by just how much you can do with just a page or two."
171
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
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...
A promo image for the Litro Masterclass "Rescue the Draft" with Jo Gatford. An image of Jo Gatford with text that says: Diagnose where a story loses force — then cut, sharpen, and rebuild. You'll leave with a diagnosis of your own draft plus a concrete revision plan. Thursday 17 Sept, 6pm UK
021
Reposted by Jo Gatford
The Welkin Press @welkinpress.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
"First Photograph of the Moon — John William Draper, 1840" by @jmgatford.bsky.social www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
mattkendrick.co.uk
First Photograph of the Moon — John William Draper, 1840 | MattKendrick.co.uk
141
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Over the freakin *moon* for this (and no I will NOT be apologising for the pun). Thank you so much, Matt!
1110
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
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 👇
121
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
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
luma.com
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.
033
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
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)?
7115
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
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...)
120
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
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-...
bathflashfictionaward.com
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…
0239
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Love "the same smallsome girl" and that last line and just ALL this sumptuous language.
231
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Yes, yes, yes, more joy in flash! Especially like this.
141
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Holy wow
254
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
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.
1123
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Matt Kendrick @mattkendrick.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
This month's #FromTheCoursesMouth features brilliant-sounding things from @stillsquirrel.bsky.social @jmgatford.bsky.social @smokelong.bsky.social @rgvaughan.bsky.social @bendinggenres.bsky.social @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @marthawrites.bsky.social: fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/august-sep...
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com
August / September 26: Upcoming courses, workshops & events
Here’s what’s coming up from your your friendly neighbourhood freelancers, lit mags and awesome independents over the next couple of months.
196
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The fact they had the tarps ready...
010
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Poets (and scientists) love the moon, but how does the moon feel about it? Delighted to have my weird little micro on the @welkinpress.bsky.social shortlist! 🌒📸
6265
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Forever my favourite place to be published ❤️ @stanchion.bsky.social
152
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Who’s in the work-in-progress trenches right now? Need a little camaraderie? A good ol’ angsty vent? A kick up the motivational butt? Come along to my fortnightly hangout on Weds 29th July, 6pm (BST) to shoot the writing shit with a handful of lovely writers: www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
A graphic of a stack of paper against a dark blue background with overlaid text that says: In the writing trenches
042
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Last call for today’s workshop! Gonna be closing up bookings an about an hour…
000
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Heyyyyy my Unfuck Your Writing workshop (AKA “The Great Unfuckening”) is happening TOMORROW, Saturday 25th July at 2pm (BST). Be there or stay fucked, I guess? 🤷‍♀️ www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
A promo image for the Unfuck Your Writing workshops on 25 July 2026 2pm BST with Jo Gatford. Text on light blue background with an image of a crumpled up piece of paper. Behind the test is an image of lots of torn pieces of paper.
020
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
This is me tromping through the woods talking to myself because I’m running my UNFUCK YOUR WRITING workshop on Saturday and apparently the algorithm demands face-based content 🤪 🤡 🤦‍♀️ So if you’re feeling creatively stuck or meh or arg, come and get unfucked with me: www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
052
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
P.S. If you book a place and still want to be entered into the prize draw I will refund you if you win!
000
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
OOooohhh! I have a micro on the shortlist! And am deeply in love with a whole load of those story titles... Can't wait to read 'em all. Thanks, lovely @welkinpress.bsky.social readers and judges!
9353
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
So. Um. Some exciting news that I haven't been able to scream about for the past 6 months but now... <deep breath> LOOOOOK, IT'S MY FACE! www.bbc.co.uk/writers/blog...
2101
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Hey folks, I’m giving away one free place on my Month of Stories course in August for a writer on a low income (or otherwise couldn’t afford the full shebang). Click below to enter your details and I’ll pick a winner at random on 27th July! www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
A promo image of graphics of notebooks and post it notes and a pen against a dark purple background. Text says: a month of stories
006
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Do you want to see one of my favourite books? Let me show you one of my favourite books... (and a hypothesis on why objects are more human than most humans) The Joy of Catalogues: fixioning.substack.com/p/the-joy-of...
fixioning.substack.com
The Joy of Catalogues
Part 1 of probably a lot
000
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Did I spend waaaay too much time making this video? Yes. Was I supposed to be writing? Also yes. But could AI procrastinate like this? I think not. Anyway, join me for the UNFUCK YOUR WRITING workshop on 25 July and let’s find more (human) ways to create stuff: www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
063
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Kizzia Mildmay @kizzia.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Well this sounds brilliant and I’m in. Any of my fellow writerly pals want to join too?
121
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Draft and edit 4 new pieces of flash fiction in a month — with weekly writing exercises, craft insights, personalised feedback from a professional editor, a community forum, and end-of-month sharing showcase! Join me for A Month of Stories, starting 3rd Aug: www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
An image showing graphics of overlapping notebooks, lined paper pages and a pen, set against a dark purple background. Overlaid text says: A Month of Stories
132
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Jason Hazeley @jasonhazeley.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
‘Difficult decisions’ is almost always code for ‘punching down’. Fucking STOP IT. The arts sector in the UK is worth £8.5bn per year. That is (just numerically, quite apart from anything else) a FUCKING PRIORITY, you flailing cretins.
priority.you
619354
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Perfect Circle, @uncertainstories.com's new anthology, is out now — featuring my (titular!*) story along with pieces by Eva Carson, @daveyfrankel.bsky.social, @kathyhoyle.bsky.social, @lynseymay.com & Lauren O’Donoghue, beautifully illustrated by Lucy Scott: www.uncertainstories.com/books/anthol...
The cover of the Uncertain Stories anthology Perfect Circle, showing a surrealist image depicting set of steps filled with rainwater, letters falling like rain, and birds flying aboveA greyscale image of broken eggshells (illustrated by Lucy Scott) and an excerpt of Jo Gatford's story Perfect Circle: I ruined the pancakes. Not just the first, but every single one: a series of misshapen full moons. I slid them from the pan right down the dog's gullet while the baby patted my leg, singsonging 'uh oh, mama' around his thumb. Maybe I should have known then. Before then. felt it in every turn on humid bedsheets the night before. Should have heard it in the baby's morning whimper. Should have seen it in the heat-ripple white concrete as we rolled up to the security gates.
1101
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Stanchion @stanchion.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Next 4 books. @real-immirage.bsky.social @kiklodge.bsky.social @spencerfleury.bsky.social
173
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Feeling a bit creatively meh? I have a workshop for you! Unfuck Your Writing — a practical breakdown of how to unlearn stagnant writing habits, follow your creative instincts, and reclaim your flow. Tues 25 July, 2pm BST (replay available): www.jogatford.com/workshops-co...
A blue promo image saying: unfuck your writing. 25 July 2pm BSTA beige promo image saying: a workshop for stuck writers, tired writers, burnt out writers, screaming into the void writers
022
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Oh wow, the loveliest news to discover this morning! Thanks for publishing my little 6 word love story @gooseberrypielit.bsky.social and thank you to @sudhab.bsky.social and the @wigleaf.bsky.social readers for including my piece. Now to trawl this treasure trove of stories... :D
4160
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
It’s not just poets in love with the moon.
030
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Zack Polanski at the British Chambers of Commerce conference asks, If we can always find money for wars Why can't we always find money to end inequality
49472129
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
“Dolphins” my mosaic ass
A mosaic floor featuring the Brighton coat of arms: two sea creatures that are quite clearly dogfish but are apparently dolphins. Above, a fancy knight’s helmet being gnawed on by two more “dolphins”. Below, a scroll that says in deo fidemus
370
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
On the hottest day of the year, instead of going to the beach like an insane person, I spent the afternoon in a nice, quiet, *cool* basement museum beneath Brighton Town Hall.
An old police station sign - a cuboid lamp in Tardis blueAn 1830s police cell with manacles hanging on the wall, a grim looking cot bed and piss bucket. A semi-circular barred window is above the bed. The walls are painted an off yellow and the floor is brown concrete.
070
Reposted by Jo Gatford
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Today's mermaid mood is wearing as little clothing as possible.
A 17th century delft tile depicting a naked person wading in water holding some kind of shell?
021
Jo Gatford @jmgatford.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
New story outlining course kicking off in Sept for anyone who's sick of traditional plotting techniques. Instead, we’re gonna grow our ideas organically, collaboratively, and however your creative brain works best. Plus personalised feedback & mentoring from me :) www.jogatford.com/has-it-got-l...
A cartoon pair of legs hanging down from the top right corner against a dark green background. Text says: has it got legs? a 4-week outlining programme
000