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
nightjarpress.bsky.social
Paired with David Rose’s Heimat next month: Murder by the late Paul Green.
February 19, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
guyware.bsky.social
12 stories about death and dying, you say? And 25% of pre-orders with the code FEB26?
What more could you ask for?
@saltpublishing.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
kieranstories.bsky.social
Great news! I have a new story out with Blood+Honey in March. Thanks to EIC David for picking it up. Really excited to share. It’s a wild one. Four pictorial clues below @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social
The cover of Tatler in a February presumably in the 1980s or very early 90s. Prince Charles: “Is (he) too sexy for his own good?” Under the Greenwood Tree by Shakespeare from As You Like It: “Under the greenwood tree Who loves to lie with me, And turn his merry note Unto the sweet bird's throat, Come hither, come hither, come hither: Here shall he see No enemy But winter and rough weather. Who doth ambition shun And loves to live i' the sun, Seeking the food he eats, And pleased with what he gets, Come hither, come hither, come hither: Here shall he see No enemy But winter and rough weather.” An antique ad for Colman’s Mustard. Tebbit/Thatcher in Spitting Image.
February 15, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
nightjarpress.bsky.social
One of four new Nightjars coming in March.
February 18, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by Ian Critchley
ashleystokes.bsky.social
Thrilled to announce that I have a new business, The Ghosting Company, offering writing services to anyone with a message or story they need to tell.

If you have an idea, we have a book.

theghostingcompany.com
Expert Ghostwriting Services for Books & Business | The Ghosting Company
Expert and experienced ghostwriting services for novels, non-fiction, autobiographies, celebrities, creatives and businesses.
theghostingcompany.com
February 18, 2026 at 12:28 PM
iancritchley.bsky.social
Sunday morning reading
Cover of Departure(s) by Julian Barnes. Cover image is the painting Evening by Howard Hodgkin, swathes of green and black earth with a pinkish sky
February 15, 2026 at 10:21 AM
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 · 11d
"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 · 15d
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 · 15d
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 · 20d
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