Ian Critchley
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iancritchley.bsky.social
Ian Critchley
@iancritchley.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.1K following 480 posts
Writer and Editor | Winner Hammond House, HISSAC | Stories in Best British Short Stories, Mechanics Institute Review, Structo, Lighthouse, Litro, Fiction Desk and others | Short story chapbook published by Nightjar Press

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Ian Critchley @iancritchley.bsky.social · Feb 5
Delighted to say my short story chapbook 'Removals' is now available to buy from the Nightjar Press website, alongside a new story by Alison Moore. Such a thrill to be part of this brilliant series of stories

nightjarpress.weebly.com
Front cover of short story chapbook 'Removals' by Ian Critchley published by Nightjar Press
Reposted by Ian Critchley
thin-skin.bsky.social
And we're looking for new readers! If you'd like to join our reading team or just want to know what it entails, please get in touch at info@thin-skin.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
ortacpress.bsky.social
Happy publication day to the deep, dark, beautiful ride that is Keshed by Stu Hennigan.

We’re incredibly proud to be publishing this bold, uncompromising novel.

Congratulations @stuhennigan.bsky.social, and thanks to @turnarounduk.bsky.social, Jack Smyth, Tom and Jaime Witcomb and Alex Billington.
February 12, 2026 at 10:13 AM
iancritchley.bsky.social
An honour to attend last night's launch of @adrianwoolfson.bsky.social's important new book @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
Front cover of On the Future of Species by Adrian Woolfson. Yellow background with a semi pixellated picture of a bird
February 12, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
kieranstories.bsky.social
A new short story I posted at the start of this month. Link below if you’d like to take a look - cheers! kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com/2026/02/03/o...
On new short fiction: Farmacia
A new piece of short fiction titled ‘Farmacia’.
kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:08 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
polyscribe70.bsky.social
Really honoured to return to the wonderful @fictivedream.bsky.social with a new story, Creatures of Our Time. Just now and then, the muse needs toning down a bit to become credible fiction…
fictivedream.bsky.social Fictive Dream @fictivedream.bsky.social · 6d
"Her body, small, slender, the skin very pale, belied the age I’d guessed she must be." Creatures of Our Time by Mike Fox @polyscribe70.bsky.social #shortstory #fiction #readingcommunity. Please click on the link below and enjoy fictivedream.com/2026/02/08/c...
February 8, 2026 at 11:38 AM
iancritchley.bsky.social
Rereading this. I remember being blown away by it when I first read it in my 20s.
The Course of the Heart by M John Harrison, the Flamingo paperback edition from 1993. Cover image is abstract in shades of red and orange
February 8, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
roadsongbooks.bsky.social
I write under the name Alan Edward Roberts and I released my fourth fiction book at the end of last year, Gentle November. Gentle November is a novella about an inexplicable duo who set off on holiday to Namibia leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

Please buy Gentle November. £10.99UK
February 7, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
polyscribe70.bsky.social
Really delighted to return to this fantastic show for a chat about my forthcoming collection and novella from Ballerini Book Press Thanks so much to Hannah for this kind opportunity. hannahkate.net/north-manche...
North Manchester FM: Hannah's Bookshelf, Saturday 7 February, 2-4pm - Hannah Kate
Join me on Saturday at 2pm on North Manchester FM for a Pick and Mix episode of Hannah’s Bookshelf. Here’s what’s coming up on this week’s show… An interview with Catherine Lundoff… I first interviewe...
hannahkate.net
February 6, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
kieranstories.bsky.social
New short story on the blog. A Roman holiday. If you have time for a story today, I’d really appreciate you taking a chance on this one. Cheers all kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com/2026/02/03/o...
On new short fiction: Farmacia
A new piece of short fiction titled ‘Farmacia’.
kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
jolloyds.bsky.social
Forgive me banging on about this story again - but should you wish to download it, today's the last day (from link below, or Spotify, Apple, etc) - then it's only available on BBC Sounds

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
BBC Radio 4 - Drama of the Week - Available now
Available episodes of Drama of the Week
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
adrianwoolfson.bsky.social
Review of my forthcoming book ‘On the Future of Species’ in today’s Guardian

www.theguardian.com/books/2026/f...
On the Future of Species by Adrian Woolfson review – are we on the verge of creating synthetic life?
A genomic entrepreneur’s guide to the coming revolution in biology raises troubling questions about ethics and safety
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:56 AM
iancritchley.bsky.social
Very much looking forward to this
stuhennigan.bsky.social Stu Hennigan @stuhennigan.bsky.social · 10d
FINAL CALL FOR KESHED ONLINE LAUNCH TOMORROW.

Anyone wants adding to the zoom invite list for the event online with @davidcollard.bsky.social @regretteruane.bsky.social pls email GetKeshed@gmail.com ASAP. I'm gonna check it one more time after work so get em in quick if you've not got one yet.
February 4, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
andyhumphrey11.bsky.social
Fantastic! Many thanks for posting this.
frostzonestories.bsky.social Frost Zone Stories @frostzonestories.bsky.social · 11d
Second story in the TOC spotlight:
"Good Jeans" by Andrew Humphrey @andyhumphrey11.bsky.social

Frost Zone Stories 3 eBook may be ordered, releasing March 3.
Paperback will be available around the same time.

books2read.com/u/mvgvoJ
cover of Frost Zone Stories book 3 on left: black cover FROST ZONE in white, below which is a green oval shape with type, S T O R I E S. Image is black and white antique etching of woods and stream into which a troll-like figure has been added in the shadows and a tall, thin man with slouchy top hat, pirate boots, long black coat, and skeleton face and hands. He is scattering stars to the ground atop a tiny hare. On the right: Andrew Humphrey "Good Jeans" The woman waits for me to continue speaking. Her name is Edith Bell. She is a retired psychologist. I don't want her to know that I know this. Her expression sharpens. "You look familiar". ... He was a good dad. Despite ... everything. A great one, actually, from my perspective. To others, he was a monster. Frost Zone Stories Book 3, Spring 2026
February 3, 2026 at 9:16 PM
iancritchley.bsky.social
What an amazing story this is. And an unexpected name check for Thomas the Tank Engine!

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Boy swims four hours in rough seas to save mother and siblings off Western Australia
The 13-year-old attempted to kayak back to shore to get help, but the vessel took on water, forcing him to swim
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
davidcollard.bsky.social
Today sees publication of 'My Ear is Full of Milk,' a new anthology of writing about Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy featuring 37 writers, including myself. Order direct from Broken Sleep books: www.brokensleepbooks.com/product-page...
The cover of 'My Ear is Full of Milk: an anthology of writing for Laurel and Hardy'. Me in my 'Sons of the Desert fez, supplied by Fez-o-Rama in California. https://fez-o-rama.com/ They produce these fezzes twice a year, and for one week only, to mark the birthdays of Oliver Hardy (18th January) and Stan Laurel (16th June).
January 31, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
jmcm.bsky.social
I'm thrilled to have a new story in New Irish Writing in the Irish Independent @independent.ie newspaper today, if you'd care to pick up a copy!
January 31, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
bentufnell.bsky.social
Excited to have a story in the new issue of @the4facedliar.bsky.social
Thanks to Roisin and everyone at the magazine!
the4facedliar.bsky.social The Four Faced Liar @the4facedliar.bsky.social · 15d
Ben Tufnell's short story "The Middle Floor" was selected as Highly Commended by judge Roisín O’Donnell. Read more below about Ben's upcoming work, and check out "PARADISE" at the link! Follow Ben on Instagram: ben_tufnell & Blusky: @bentufnell.bsky.social
www.influxpress.com/paradise
January 31, 2026 at 8:34 AM
iancritchley.bsky.social
This year's favourite birthday gift: a subscription to the British Library's Tales of the Weird series
Cover of Bird of Ill Omen: The Gothic Tales of Catherine Crowe, part of the British Library's Tales of the Weird series. Cover shows a crow in the foreground and a castle on a mountain in the background, all in hues of red and black
January 31, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
michaelpedersen.bsky.social
26/03: London you gallus lovers. Here’s a launch event with all the thrills. Me & Hollie McNish at Book Bar hosted by It’s Hardback Out Here. A coddle of lushes. Come zest with our gang 💛💜💙💚

🎫: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ihoh-prese...
January 31, 2026 at 6:44 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
kieranstories.bsky.social
“There is Tupelo, Mississippi. But there is another Tupelo, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.” This is a new story inspired by my recent reading of Peter Guralnick’s Last Train to Memphis. I hope you like it, regardless of your Elvis persuasion. kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com/2026/01/30/o...
On new flash fiction: Tupelo
There is Tupelo, Mississippi. But there is another Tupelo, somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.  Here, Elvis celebrates – in his own way – turning seventy. He lies back in his barber ch…
kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:05 PM
iancritchley.bsky.social
Finally getting around to reading this. Not sure why it's taken me so long #shortstories
Front cover of A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders. White and yellow text on a blue background with images of people swimming/drowning
January 30, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
kieranstories.bsky.social
New story titled ‘The Eligibility of Different Homes and the Households that Occupy Them’. This is a typically wordy snippet from Ofgem’s guidelines on the delivery of the ECO4 scheme (ending soon). I’d love it if you gave this story a read. kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com/2026/01/21/o...
On new flash fiction: The Eligibility of Different Homes and the Households that Occupy Them
A new piece of flash fiction titled ‘The Eligibility of Different Homes and the Households that Occupy Them’.
kieranstorieswriter.wordpress.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:38 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
sjkenyon.bsky.social
Look at these gorgeous covers! A year of travel through novels and poetry.
flyonthewallpress.bsky.social Fly on the Wall Press @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social · 24d
It's time to introduce our 2026 list: our year of travel. This year we're bringing readers journeys across continents - from Zimbabwe to Latvia, Tanzania to Slovenia

www.flyonthewallpress.co.uk/product-page...

#books📚💙 @arathimenon.bsky.social @zahirrawrites.bsky.social @johnironmonger.bsky.social
January 21, 2026 at 11:53 AM
iancritchley.bsky.social
Just finished this enthralling, hypnotic novella. Set in the Namibian desert, it charts the consequences of a woman's ill-fated decisions. Highly recommended @roadsongbooks.bsky.social
Front cover of Gentle November, a novella by Alan Edward Roberts. Image shows a desert landscape with a few animals and in the foreground a lion attacking another animal, an antelope or similar
January 19, 2026 at 3:30 PM