Jo Bardsley
@jobardsley.bsky.social
I'm a queer writer & teacher in London. My wife and children are Black, I do their hair. I have worked in West Africa, Italy and the States. I'm the winner of the Queen Mary Wasafiri prize for new writing, which still hasn't quite sunk in.
I love it when I can put living writers on my school curriculum. I imagine them wondering why they've suddenly sold 100 copies in London.
November 21, 2025 at 8:21 AM
I love it when I can put living writers on my school curriculum. I imagine them wondering why they've suddenly sold 100 copies in London.
Reposted by Jo Bardsley
Jo Bardsley's micro-fiction 'A letter C' is a tale of deception and revenge which builds slowly.
@jobardsley.bsky.social
inksweatandtears.co.uk/jo-bardsley/
#Microfiction #InkSweatandTears #ShortStory
@jobardsley.bsky.social
inksweatandtears.co.uk/jo-bardsley/
#Microfiction #InkSweatandTears #ShortStory
November 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Jo Bardsley's micro-fiction 'A letter C' is a tale of deception and revenge which builds slowly.
@jobardsley.bsky.social
inksweatandtears.co.uk/jo-bardsley/
#Microfiction #InkSweatandTears #ShortStory
@jobardsley.bsky.social
inksweatandtears.co.uk/jo-bardsley/
#Microfiction #InkSweatandTears #ShortStory
Publication day! I'm sad I can't make it to the launch of @foldingrockmag.bsky.social 003, but it's beautiful!
November 13, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Publication day! I'm sad I can't make it to the launch of @foldingrockmag.bsky.social 003, but it's beautiful!
Reposted by Jo Bardsley
We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize!
🌟 Poetry: Flora Beagley for ‘Sutton Hoo’
🌟 Fiction: @jobardsley.bsky.social for ‘Iko of Benin, King's Diver’
🌟 Life Writing: Luke Liu for ‘Chair Tombs on the Hill’
www.wasafiri.org/news-and-eve...
🌟 Poetry: Flora Beagley for ‘Sutton Hoo’
🌟 Fiction: @jobardsley.bsky.social for ‘Iko of Benin, King's Diver’
🌟 Life Writing: Luke Liu for ‘Chair Tombs on the Hill’
www.wasafiri.org/news-and-eve...
Meet the 2025 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize Winners
We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize in Poetry, Fiction, and Life Writing.
www.wasafiri.org
October 31, 2025 at 12:07 PM
We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize!
🌟 Poetry: Flora Beagley for ‘Sutton Hoo’
🌟 Fiction: @jobardsley.bsky.social for ‘Iko of Benin, King's Diver’
🌟 Life Writing: Luke Liu for ‘Chair Tombs on the Hill’
www.wasafiri.org/news-and-eve...
🌟 Poetry: Flora Beagley for ‘Sutton Hoo’
🌟 Fiction: @jobardsley.bsky.social for ‘Iko of Benin, King's Diver’
🌟 Life Writing: Luke Liu for ‘Chair Tombs on the Hill’
www.wasafiri.org/news-and-eve...
Totally floored! I won the Wasafiri Prize for New Writing! I have won precisely 3 prizes in my ENTIRE LIFE - a poster competition in 1984, a set of Pyrex baking tins in 2009 and this! I am so honoured and amazed!
October 31, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Totally floored! I won the Wasafiri Prize for New Writing! I have won precisely 3 prizes in my ENTIRE LIFE - a poster competition in 1984, a set of Pyrex baking tins in 2009 and this! I am so honoured and amazed!
I went to visit the Houses of Parliament today. Best bit was the large security guard humming Sodapop as he scanned my bag
October 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I went to visit the Houses of Parliament today. Best bit was the large security guard humming Sodapop as he scanned my bag
Book related tragedy today - my lunch leaked over my brand new book. Serves me right for attempting to eat fish at work.
October 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Book related tragedy today - my lunch leaked over my brand new book. Serves me right for attempting to eat fish at work.
northerngravy.com/the-lake-by-...
Here is my story! It was the first one that got accepted anywhere!
Here is my story! It was the first one that got accepted anywhere!
The Lake by Jo Barsdsley – Northern Gravy
northerngravy.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:29 PM
northerngravy.com/the-lake-by-...
Here is my story! It was the first one that got accepted anywhere!
Here is my story! It was the first one that got accepted anywhere!
Reposted by Jo Bardsley
The longlists have been announced! And now it's time to celebrate! 🥳🎉
Join us, our two judges and Derby Poetry Festival at Derby Museums on 13th November where we will be revealing the winners of this year's Aurora Prize for Writing. 🥂
Tickets & see our longlists here 👉 bit.ly/AURORACEREMONY
Join us, our two judges and Derby Poetry Festival at Derby Museums on 13th November where we will be revealing the winners of this year's Aurora Prize for Writing. 🥂
Tickets & see our longlists here 👉 bit.ly/AURORACEREMONY
October 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The longlists have been announced! And now it's time to celebrate! 🥳🎉
Join us, our two judges and Derby Poetry Festival at Derby Museums on 13th November where we will be revealing the winners of this year's Aurora Prize for Writing. 🥂
Tickets & see our longlists here 👉 bit.ly/AURORACEREMONY
Join us, our two judges and Derby Poetry Festival at Derby Museums on 13th November where we will be revealing the winners of this year's Aurora Prize for Writing. 🥂
Tickets & see our longlists here 👉 bit.ly/AURORACEREMONY
I'm on the long list for this one - fingers crossed! The story has a really special setting for me, although it's on the other side of the world from the East Midlands
writingeastmidlands.co.uk/for-writers/...
writingeastmidlands.co.uk/for-writers/...
writingeastmidlands.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
I'm on the long list for this one - fingers crossed! The story has a really special setting for me, although it's on the other side of the world from the East Midlands
writingeastmidlands.co.uk/for-writers/...
writingeastmidlands.co.uk/for-writers/...
www.wasafiri.org/news-and-eve...
So proud to be selected for the shortlist!
So proud to be selected for the shortlist!
Announcing the 2025 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize Shortlists
We are pleased to share the shortlists for the 2025 Queen Mary Wasafiri New Writing Prize, judged by Anton Hur (Fiction), Noreen Masud (Life Writing)…
www.wasafiri.org
September 29, 2025 at 5:09 PM
www.wasafiri.org/news-and-eve...
So proud to be selected for the shortlist!
So proud to be selected for the shortlist!
Reposted by Jo Bardsley
• Jamila Fadhlaoui
• Tom Morgan
• @sarasherwood.bsky.social
• @jobardsley.bsky.social
• Mel Eagles
• Liam Nolan
• Michelle Penny
• Cadi Cliff
• Tom Morgan
• @sarasherwood.bsky.social
• @jobardsley.bsky.social
• Mel Eagles
• Liam Nolan
• Michelle Penny
• Cadi Cliff
September 12, 2025 at 12:07 PM
• Jamila Fadhlaoui
• Tom Morgan
• @sarasherwood.bsky.social
• @jobardsley.bsky.social
• Mel Eagles
• Liam Nolan
• Michelle Penny
• Cadi Cliff
• Tom Morgan
• @sarasherwood.bsky.social
• @jobardsley.bsky.social
• Mel Eagles
• Liam Nolan
• Michelle Penny
• Cadi Cliff
Reposted by Jo Bardsley
Issue 003: Undersong | Out 13.09
Something is rekindled in the grainy late-night livestreams of the Eras Tour. A fisherman wakes to sing back the dead. A disillusioned thirtysomething finds solace in piano renditions of the Beatles.
tinyurl.com/003Undersong
Something is rekindled in the grainy late-night livestreams of the Eras Tour. A fisherman wakes to sing back the dead. A disillusioned thirtysomething finds solace in piano renditions of the Beatles.
tinyurl.com/003Undersong
September 12, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Issue 003: Undersong | Out 13.09
Something is rekindled in the grainy late-night livestreams of the Eras Tour. A fisherman wakes to sing back the dead. A disillusioned thirtysomething finds solace in piano renditions of the Beatles.
tinyurl.com/003Undersong
Something is rekindled in the grainy late-night livestreams of the Eras Tour. A fisherman wakes to sing back the dead. A disillusioned thirtysomething finds solace in piano renditions of the Beatles.
tinyurl.com/003Undersong
Back to school, year 28. The kids I taught in my first year are now in their 40s
September 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Back to school, year 28. The kids I taught in my first year are now in their 40s
Researching for the novel, I just tried jellied eel for the first time. It's nice. You should try it.
August 22, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Researching for the novel, I just tried jellied eel for the first time. It's nice. You should try it.
I'm on the long list!
www.hastingsbookfest.org/2024-shortst...
www.hastingsbookfest.org/2024-shortst...
2025 Short story – short & longlist | Hastings Book Fest
www.hastingsbookfest.org
August 19, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I'm on the long list!
www.hastingsbookfest.org/2024-shortst...
www.hastingsbookfest.org/2024-shortst...
Went to Brighton Aquarium, several fish very interested in First Born. Anyone know why this might be?
August 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Went to Brighton Aquarium, several fish very interested in First Born. Anyone know why this might be?
Offspring 2: Carry on like that and you'll get a walking stick whupping!
Me: Who's been talking to you about walking stick whuppings?
Offspring 2: The ancestors told me on the toilet.
Me: Who's been talking to you about walking stick whuppings?
Offspring 2: The ancestors told me on the toilet.
August 11, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Offspring 2: Carry on like that and you'll get a walking stick whupping!
Me: Who's been talking to you about walking stick whuppings?
Offspring 2: The ancestors told me on the toilet.
Me: Who's been talking to you about walking stick whuppings?
Offspring 2: The ancestors told me on the toilet.
I'm very interested in eels lately. I read Graham Swit's Waterland, which has good eel action
August 2, 2025 at 5:12 AM
I'm very interested in eels lately. I read Graham Swit's Waterland, which has good eel action
Reposted by Jo Bardsley
I saw somebody on TikTok using the word 'slopper' as a slur for people who use ChatGPT, and that's a thing we should start doing.
July 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I saw somebody on TikTok using the word 'slopper' as a slur for people who use ChatGPT, and that's a thing we should start doing.
I swore I wouldn't write anything political here, but there is a Little People Big Dreams kids book about King Charles. Did someone change the meaning of 'Little' while I wasn't looking?
July 17, 2025 at 7:58 PM
I swore I wouldn't write anything political here, but there is a Little People Big Dreams kids book about King Charles. Did someone change the meaning of 'Little' while I wasn't looking?
Huzzah! On a long list!
crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/07/16/m...
Their feedback was lovely as well, really detailed and positive.
crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/07/16/m...
Their feedback was lovely as well, really detailed and positive.
May 2025 – Flash Long List
Congratulations to the following authors, who have made it onto the long list of our May 2025 Flash Fiction Writing Prize: Jo BardsleyDavid CairnieChris CottomAnne ElliotKathryn GoddardNigel HallJa…
crankedanvil.co.uk
July 16, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Huzzah! On a long list!
crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/07/16/m...
Their feedback was lovely as well, really detailed and positive.
crankedanvil.co.uk/2025/07/16/m...
Their feedback was lovely as well, really detailed and positive.