Farhana Shaikh 🍉
@farhanashaikh.bsky.social
✍️ Writer #Discoveries2023
📖 Publisher @DahliaBooks
Editor @theasianwriter
Writes, reads, eats 📚
Mainly posting #MondayBlues 📫
📖 Publisher @DahliaBooks
Editor @theasianwriter
Writes, reads, eats 📚
Mainly posting #MondayBlues 📫
Pinned
a picture of a penguin with the word hello on it
Alt: a picture of a penguin with the word hello on it
media.tenor.com
Hello writers, readers and fellow Blue-skiers.
I've taken a leap and decided to post on here but for the sake of consistency and my sanity, I will post #MondayBlues 📫 each week. A top line round up of Dahlia Books news, #writing opportunities and advice.
I've taken a leap and decided to post on here but for the sake of consistency and my sanity, I will post #MondayBlues 📫 each week. A top line round up of Dahlia Books news, #writing opportunities and advice.
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
Now that all the shortlist (barring my winners!) have been published, you can vote for your favourites in the PEOPLE'S PRIZE!!
You've got until the 31st Jan to cast your vote.
Vote for 3 stories.
The 2 stories with the most votes share the crown!!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
You've got until the 31st Jan to cast your vote.
Vote for 3 stories.
The 2 stories with the most votes share the crown!!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The Welkin Mini 2026 - PEOPLE'S PRIZE Voting Form
Vote for your favourite THREE stories from the Welkin Mini shortlist. You can vote for THREE stories. Each vote must be for a DIFFERENT story otherwise your entire vote won't be counted. Each vote is ...
docs.google.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Now that all the shortlist (barring my winners!) have been published, you can vote for your favourites in the PEOPLE'S PRIZE!!
You've got until the 31st Jan to cast your vote.
Vote for 3 stories.
The 2 stories with the most votes share the crown!!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
You've got until the 31st Jan to cast your vote.
Vote for 3 stories.
The 2 stories with the most votes share the crown!!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
Last night The Subtle Art of Short Fiction visited The Leicester Writers Club via a short story writing panel with contributors Farhana Shaikh, Jonathan Taylor and Mahsuda Snaith!
www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... #books📚💙 #editing
www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... #books📚💙 #editing
January 23, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Last night The Subtle Art of Short Fiction visited The Leicester Writers Club via a short story writing panel with contributors Farhana Shaikh, Jonathan Taylor and Mahsuda Snaith!
www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... #books📚💙 #editing
www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page... #books📚💙 #editing
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
The York Literature Festival program is now live! 28th February to 30th March. Check it out.
yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
York Literature Festival
yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 4:32 PM
The York Literature Festival program is now live! 28th February to 30th March. Check it out.
yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
Submissions to our anthology (up to 500 words on the theme of BRIDGES) & our Microfiction comp (up to 100 words, no theme) are now OPEN until 15 Feb. Our anthology editors & judges are poised ready! You can read more here: www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk
a cartoon duck is writing in a notebook with a pencil
ALT: a cartoon duck is writing in a notebook with a pencil
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Submissions to our anthology (up to 500 words on the theme of BRIDGES) & our Microfiction comp (up to 100 words, no theme) are now OPEN until 15 Feb. Our anthology editors & judges are poised ready! You can read more here: www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk
I'm doing an apprenticeship in Coaching. As part of my training I'm looking to coach three people who need support with a performance related goal (not life coaching). You'll need to commit to a monthly coaching call until July. If that's you, please get in touch. UK writers/book folk pref.
January 13, 2026 at 8:39 AM
I'm doing an apprenticeship in Coaching. As part of my training I'm looking to coach three people who need support with a performance related goal (not life coaching). You'll need to commit to a monthly coaching call until July. If that's you, please get in touch. UK writers/book folk pref.
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
The Subtle Art of Short Fiction hybrid event with panel of @farhanashaikh.bsky.social Mahsuda Snaith & Jonathan Taylor discussing short stories on Thursday 22 January from 7pm at Phoenix, 4 Midland St, Leicester LE1 1TG, details: leicesterwritersclub.com/2026/01/02/t...
The Subtle Art of Short Fiction – Club Event
For our next club event, we welcome Jonathan Taylor, Mahsuda Snaith and Farhana Shaikh for a panel discussion chaired by Siobhan Logan on Thursday 22nd January 2026, from 7-9pm at Phoenix Cinema an…
leicesterwritersclub.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM
The Subtle Art of Short Fiction hybrid event with panel of @farhanashaikh.bsky.social Mahsuda Snaith & Jonathan Taylor discussing short stories on Thursday 22 January from 7pm at Phoenix, 4 Midland St, Leicester LE1 1TG, details: leicesterwritersclub.com/2026/01/02/t...
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
They’re really pushing this narrative about the new CEO. If you want to believe women at HC have suddenly done the right thing, sure. But - Walliams’ editor/publisher was a woman, new head of kids dept & head of Corp Comms both women and new CEO all knew about this for 10+ years and did nothing.
There is nobody more than me who would like to say that a woman did the right thing about Walliams, but sorry, no.
December 21, 2025 at 10:51 AM
They’re really pushing this narrative about the new CEO. If you want to believe women at HC have suddenly done the right thing, sure. But - Walliams’ editor/publisher was a woman, new head of kids dept & head of Corp Comms both women and new CEO all knew about this for 10+ years and did nothing.
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
If you get some time over the next few weeks apply for this!
REMINDER - there is a fully funded bursary place available for my Six Month Writing Course in association with @gladlib.bsky.social The Deadline is 7th January.
www.gladstoneslibrary.org/event/the-si...
www.gladstoneslibrary.org/event/the-si...
(Sold Out) The Six-Month Writing Course with Kit de Waal - Gladstone's Library
Join Kit de Waal for a six-month journey into the art and discipline of storytelling, with two visits to the UK’s finest residential library.
www.gladstoneslibrary.org
December 21, 2025 at 1:09 AM
If you get some time over the next few weeks apply for this!
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
The UK has 160 black professors (25% are women) out of a total of 22,885.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) offers funding opportunities, 81% of awards go to white applicants, 1% to black.
The statistics are likely to discourage black scholars from pursuing academic/science careers.
Need action.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) offers funding opportunities, 81% of awards go to white applicants, 1% to black.
The statistics are likely to discourage black scholars from pursuing academic/science careers.
Need action.
December 15, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The UK has 160 black professors (25% are women) out of a total of 22,885.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) offers funding opportunities, 81% of awards go to white applicants, 1% to black.
The statistics are likely to discourage black scholars from pursuing academic/science careers.
Need action.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) offers funding opportunities, 81% of awards go to white applicants, 1% to black.
The statistics are likely to discourage black scholars from pursuing academic/science careers.
Need action.
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
An absolute highlight of a wild year to have COLD TOAST included in Republic of Consciousness Foundations's 'Best Small Press fiction of 2025' 💥
December 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
An absolute highlight of a wild year to have COLD TOAST included in Republic of Consciousness Foundations's 'Best Small Press fiction of 2025' 💥
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
RELEASE DAY FOR MOTHER KARMA @publishedbyjake.bsky.social!
I'm so excited to bring this story to you. I've seen some photos in the wild, and I would love it if you could share yours as your copies come in!
jakethemag.com/books/
Zoom launch Sat Dec 13 8pm BST/3pm EST: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
I'm so excited to bring this story to you. I've seen some photos in the wild, and I would love it if you could share yours as your copies come in!
jakethemag.com/books/
Zoom launch Sat Dec 13 8pm BST/3pm EST: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
December 2, 2025 at 2:33 AM
RELEASE DAY FOR MOTHER KARMA @publishedbyjake.bsky.social!
I'm so excited to bring this story to you. I've seen some photos in the wild, and I would love it if you could share yours as your copies come in!
jakethemag.com/books/
Zoom launch Sat Dec 13 8pm BST/3pm EST: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
I'm so excited to bring this story to you. I've seen some photos in the wild, and I would love it if you could share yours as your copies come in!
jakethemag.com/books/
Zoom launch Sat Dec 13 8pm BST/3pm EST: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
This would make a good Christmas present for anyone in your life interested in literary analysis or creative writing! I’m really enjoying it
🎄📚🎅📝⛄️
@flyonthewallpress.bsky.social @bradleybooks.bsky.social @farhanashaikh.bsky.social
🎄📚🎅📝⛄️
@flyonthewallpress.bsky.social @bradleybooks.bsky.social @farhanashaikh.bsky.social
December 1, 2025 at 12:52 PM
This would make a good Christmas present for anyone in your life interested in literary analysis or creative writing! I’m really enjoying it
🎄📚🎅📝⛄️
@flyonthewallpress.bsky.social @bradleybooks.bsky.social @farhanashaikh.bsky.social
🎄📚🎅📝⛄️
@flyonthewallpress.bsky.social @bradleybooks.bsky.social @farhanashaikh.bsky.social
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
Oxford University Press has chosen “rage bait” as its 2025 Word of the Year. The open-compound word, which beat out “biohack” and “aura farming,” goes back at least to 2002. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/a...
November 30, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Oxford University Press has chosen “rage bait” as its 2025 Word of the Year. The open-compound word, which beat out “biohack” and “aura farming,” goes back at least to 2002. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/a...
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
Writer internship for 18-25s ✍️ Apply now 👉 bit.ly/WEMTERNS
The ALCS WEMTerns internship programme closes 🚨 next Friday 🚨 What you need to apply: Answers to a couple of quick Qs about your writing and a written extract. 🤓📝
That's all! Get yours in by the 5th Dec.
The ALCS WEMTerns internship programme closes 🚨 next Friday 🚨 What you need to apply: Answers to a couple of quick Qs about your writing and a written extract. 🤓📝
That's all! Get yours in by the 5th Dec.
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Writer internship for 18-25s ✍️ Apply now 👉 bit.ly/WEMTERNS
The ALCS WEMTerns internship programme closes 🚨 next Friday 🚨 What you need to apply: Answers to a couple of quick Qs about your writing and a written extract. 🤓📝
That's all! Get yours in by the 5th Dec.
The ALCS WEMTerns internship programme closes 🚨 next Friday 🚨 What you need to apply: Answers to a couple of quick Qs about your writing and a written extract. 🤓📝
That's all! Get yours in by the 5th Dec.
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
No agent? No problem.
The 5th Edition of our Indie Press Guide is available to pre-order!
With over 750 editors to choose from, there's never been a better time to take control of your writing!
mslexia.co.uk/shop/indie-p...
#amwriting #amediting #writingcommunity #writers
The 5th Edition of our Indie Press Guide is available to pre-order!
With over 750 editors to choose from, there's never been a better time to take control of your writing!
mslexia.co.uk/shop/indie-p...
#amwriting #amediting #writingcommunity #writers
Indie Press Guide (5th Edition) - Shop : Mslexia, a magazine for women's writing and women who write.
Indie Press Guide (5th Edition) - Shop : Mslexia, a magazine for women's writing and women who write.
mslexia.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:46 AM
No agent? No problem.
The 5th Edition of our Indie Press Guide is available to pre-order!
With over 750 editors to choose from, there's never been a better time to take control of your writing!
mslexia.co.uk/shop/indie-p...
#amwriting #amediting #writingcommunity #writers
The 5th Edition of our Indie Press Guide is available to pre-order!
With over 750 editors to choose from, there's never been a better time to take control of your writing!
mslexia.co.uk/shop/indie-p...
#amwriting #amediting #writingcommunity #writers
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
Explore writing about our relationships with women with Jennifer Lee Tsai on 17 November, 5-7pm via Zoom. We will take inspiration from a range of poets including Isabelle Baafi, Katrina Naomi, Dzifa Benson, Degna Stone, and more! Visit the Salon to register. #amwriting
Mslexia Salon a magazine for women's writing and women who write.
Online events, writing surgeries and workshops for women writers. Join our vibrant online community.
mslexia.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Explore writing about our relationships with women with Jennifer Lee Tsai on 17 November, 5-7pm via Zoom. We will take inspiration from a range of poets including Isabelle Baafi, Katrina Naomi, Dzifa Benson, Degna Stone, and more! Visit the Salon to register. #amwriting
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
And I’m here.
Leicester’s Local Writers Fair.
Come along!
10am-3pm at Leicester Central Library, Bishop St, Leicester LE1 6AA
Leicester’s Local Writers Fair.
Come along!
10am-3pm at Leicester Central Library, Bishop St, Leicester LE1 6AA
November 1, 2025 at 9:44 AM
And I’m here.
Leicester’s Local Writers Fair.
Come along!
10am-3pm at Leicester Central Library, Bishop St, Leicester LE1 6AA
Leicester’s Local Writers Fair.
Come along!
10am-3pm at Leicester Central Library, Bishop St, Leicester LE1 6AA
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
The W&A Working-Class Writer's Prize 2025 is open for entries NOW!
Submit your writing within our one-month window to be in with a chance of winning.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/4opAzXS
Submit your writing within our one-month window to be in with a chance of winning.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/4opAzXS
November 1, 2025 at 1:37 PM
The W&A Working-Class Writer's Prize 2025 is open for entries NOW!
Submit your writing within our one-month window to be in with a chance of winning.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/4opAzXS
Submit your writing within our one-month window to be in with a chance of winning.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/4opAzXS
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
**ATTENTION WRITERS** This is your ONE MONTH warning. Entires open for the #WelkinWritingPrize 2026 on the 1st Dec. 100 words. Rolling subs. Free entry. Publication for shortlistees. Prizes for top 5.
November 1, 2025 at 11:01 AM
**ATTENTION WRITERS** This is your ONE MONTH warning. Entires open for the #WelkinWritingPrize 2026 on the 1st Dec. 100 words. Rolling subs. Free entry. Publication for shortlistees. Prizes for top 5.
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
Look what I found had come in the post when I got home ... this beauty from #DahliaBooks! 🦚
Congrats to the winners of the #LeicesterWrites Short Story Prize! Fantastic stories all round!👏
Thanks also @farhanashaikh.bsky.social for including one of mine in this fab anthology 🥰
Congrats to the winners of the #LeicesterWrites Short Story Prize! Fantastic stories all round!👏
Thanks also @farhanashaikh.bsky.social for including one of mine in this fab anthology 🥰
October 19, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Look what I found had come in the post when I got home ... this beauty from #DahliaBooks! 🦚
Congrats to the winners of the #LeicesterWrites Short Story Prize! Fantastic stories all round!👏
Thanks also @farhanashaikh.bsky.social for including one of mine in this fab anthology 🥰
Congrats to the winners of the #LeicesterWrites Short Story Prize! Fantastic stories all round!👏
Thanks also @farhanashaikh.bsky.social for including one of mine in this fab anthology 🥰
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
T' Curve, Leicester.
October 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM
T' Curve, Leicester.
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
Stunning piece by @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social
"She can’t take her children in the suitcase. Not the day the suitcase is full of forest fire, screeching firehawks, & trapped animals, hiding their young. Not the day the suitcase is full of an exploding mine..."
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/10/09/t...
"She can’t take her children in the suitcase. Not the day the suitcase is full of forest fire, screeching firehawks, & trapped animals, hiding their young. Not the day the suitcase is full of an exploding mine..."
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/10/09/t...
Thanks #MilkCandyReview for getting 'The Suitcase of Lost Belongings' out there! And thanks @corrineleith.bsky.social for the prompt and @fionamckay.bsky.social for the feedback to get there!
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/10/09/t...
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/10/09/t...
The Suitcase of Lost Belongings ~ by Rosaleen Lynch
She can’t take her children in the suitcase. They would fit if she emptied it. They could top and tail in the folds of the quilt she made of their clothes, but there’s not even enough room for thei…
milkcandyreview.home.blog
October 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Stunning piece by @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social
"She can’t take her children in the suitcase. Not the day the suitcase is full of forest fire, screeching firehawks, & trapped animals, hiding their young. Not the day the suitcase is full of an exploding mine..."
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/10/09/t...
"She can’t take her children in the suitcase. Not the day the suitcase is full of forest fire, screeching firehawks, & trapped animals, hiding their young. Not the day the suitcase is full of an exploding mine..."
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/10/09/t...
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
writershq.co.uk/online-writi...
I’m hosting today’s retreat. It’s free and we start at 10am! Come and join me… you can wear yr jammies all day and get GOLD STARS for writing a bazillion words! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #perfectsaturday
@writershq.bsky.social
I’m hosting today’s retreat. It’s free and we start at 10am! Come and join me… you can wear yr jammies all day and get GOLD STARS for writing a bazillion words! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #perfectsaturday
@writershq.bsky.social
Online writing retreats
Super-productive, super-friendly, super-free online writing retreats. Write thousands of words from the comfort of your own pyjamas.
writershq.co.uk
October 11, 2025 at 7:13 AM
writershq.co.uk/online-writi...
I’m hosting today’s retreat. It’s free and we start at 10am! Come and join me… you can wear yr jammies all day and get GOLD STARS for writing a bazillion words! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #perfectsaturday
@writershq.bsky.social
I’m hosting today’s retreat. It’s free and we start at 10am! Come and join me… you can wear yr jammies all day and get GOLD STARS for writing a bazillion words! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #perfectsaturday
@writershq.bsky.social
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
Excited to be supporting the W&A Working-Class Writers' Prize 2025 with the lovely people at @writersandartists.bsky.social and @ruppin.bsky.social
Find out more here: www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR CONTACTS
Find out more here: www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR CONTACTS
W&A Working-Class Writers' Prize 2025 | Writers & Artists
Find out about this year's W&A Working-Class Writers' Prize before it opens for entries on 1st November over on our
www.writersandartists.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Excited to be supporting the W&A Working-Class Writers' Prize 2025 with the lovely people at @writersandartists.bsky.social and @ruppin.bsky.social
Find out more here: www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR CONTACTS
Find out more here: www.writersandartists.co.uk/about-wa-wor...
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR CONTACTS
Reposted by Farhana Shaikh 🍉
📚 @wasafirimag.bsky.social x Tagore’s Salon
Join us for Writing Through Pain: On Labour and Literature
with writers Dur e Aziz Amna & Farah Ali
Oct 15 | 7PM | Brick Lane Bookshop
A conversation on illness, survival, and the work of writing.
🎟️ bricklanebookshop.org/product/tago...
Join us for Writing Through Pain: On Labour and Literature
with writers Dur e Aziz Amna & Farah Ali
Oct 15 | 7PM | Brick Lane Bookshop
A conversation on illness, survival, and the work of writing.
🎟️ bricklanebookshop.org/product/tago...
October 8, 2025 at 3:47 PM
📚 @wasafirimag.bsky.social x Tagore’s Salon
Join us for Writing Through Pain: On Labour and Literature
with writers Dur e Aziz Amna & Farah Ali
Oct 15 | 7PM | Brick Lane Bookshop
A conversation on illness, survival, and the work of writing.
🎟️ bricklanebookshop.org/product/tago...
Join us for Writing Through Pain: On Labour and Literature
with writers Dur e Aziz Amna & Farah Ali
Oct 15 | 7PM | Brick Lane Bookshop
A conversation on illness, survival, and the work of writing.
🎟️ bricklanebookshop.org/product/tago...