Ruth Brandt
@ruthabrandt.bsky.social
Writer & creative writing tutor.
Words: Fly on the Wall Press, Bridport Prize 2018, Bristol Short Story, Litro, The Phare, Ellipsis Zine, Fictive Dream, Aesthetica Creative Writing Anthology and other lovely folk ...
website: www.Ruth@ruthbrandt.co.uk
Words: Fly on the Wall Press, Bridport Prize 2018, Bristol Short Story, Litro, The Phare, Ellipsis Zine, Fictive Dream, Aesthetica Creative Writing Anthology and other lovely folk ...
website: www.Ruth@ruthbrandt.co.uk
Thoroughly enjoying working with a great group of writers at HF Holidays Abingworth Hall. Wonderful hospitality, foid and views of the South Downs.
October 27, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Thoroughly enjoying working with a great group of writers at HF Holidays Abingworth Hall. Wonderful hospitality, foid and views of the South Downs.
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
I've been away but September's excellent episode of Sherry's Shorts has played on! Listen Again to cracking stories from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social, Nazifa Islam, Cynthia Rogerson & me with the link⬇️. It's all change on Friday with a new show so catch this one now. www.mixcloud.com/invernesshr/...
Gather round yer...er...phone, folks, for the September episode of Sherry's Shorts on @highlandhradio.bsky.social. Titled 'Tricky Talks' & featuring dynamite stories by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social Nazifa Islam, Cynthia Rogerson & me. Click the Listen Again link & enjoy www.mixcloud.com/invernesshr/...
October 15, 2025 at 7:14 AM
I've been away but September's excellent episode of Sherry's Shorts has played on! Listen Again to cracking stories from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social, Nazifa Islam, Cynthia Rogerson & me with the link⬇️. It's all change on Friday with a new show so catch this one now. www.mixcloud.com/invernesshr/...
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
Does anyone have any good examples of polyphonic flash fiction / short stories (from several voices / perspectives) or flash that uses head-hopping / shifting perspective (like my piece in the link below)? Your own or others. Pieces that are freely available online. Thanks in advance!
October 11, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Does anyone have any good examples of polyphonic flash fiction / short stories (from several voices / perspectives) or flash that uses head-hopping / shifting perspective (like my piece in the link below)? Your own or others. Pieces that are freely available online. Thanks in advance!
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
This month's round-up of courses, workshops and events from your friendly neighbourhood freelancers:
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/oct-nov-25...
Includes stuff from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @megpokrass.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @stillsquirrel.bsky.social
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/oct-nov-25...
Includes stuff from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @megpokrass.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @stillsquirrel.bsky.social
Oct / Nov 25: 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.
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 12:18 PM
This month's round-up of courses, workshops and events from your friendly neighbourhood freelancers:
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/oct-nov-25...
Includes stuff from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @megpokrass.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @stillsquirrel.bsky.social
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/oct-nov-25...
Includes stuff from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @megpokrass.bsky.social @retreatwest.bsky.social @stillsquirrel.bsky.social
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
Don't forget--there are 2 ways to listen to Sherry's Shorts on Friday: via the Listen Anytime link ⬇️ & *live* at 12 noon UK time on hhr.scot. Catch the tense 'Mountain Sunrise' by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social & the stunning 'Stupid Lovely Confidence' by Nazifa Islam + 2 more gems by Highland writers! 😁
Gather round yer...er...phone, folks, for the September episode of Sherry's Shorts on @highlandhradio.bsky.social. Titled 'Tricky Talks' & featuring dynamite stories by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social Nazifa Islam, Cynthia Rogerson & me. Click the Listen Again link & enjoy www.mixcloud.com/invernesshr/...
September 19, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Don't forget--there are 2 ways to listen to Sherry's Shorts on Friday: via the Listen Anytime link ⬇️ & *live* at 12 noon UK time on hhr.scot. Catch the tense 'Mountain Sunrise' by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social & the stunning 'Stupid Lovely Confidence' by Nazifa Islam + 2 more gems by Highland writers! 😁
Honoured to have my story 'Mountain Sunrise' included in @uksherka.bsky.social 's Sherry's Shorts on @highlandhradio.bsky.social this month.
Gather round yer...er...phone, folks, for the September episode of Sherry's Shorts on @highlandhradio.bsky.social. Titled 'Tricky Talks' & featuring dynamite stories by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social Nazifa Islam, Cynthia Rogerson & me. Click the Listen Again link & enjoy www.mixcloud.com/invernesshr/...
September 13, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Honoured to have my story 'Mountain Sunrise' included in @uksherka.bsky.social 's Sherry's Shorts on @highlandhradio.bsky.social this month.
Write Away! Writing Retreat – 28-30 Nov, Woking
Weekend of thinking about your writing and talking to other writers? Suitable for all. Feedback includes:
“Excellent tuition & a brilliant weekend. I also love your choice of venue.”
Any questions or to book, please ask.
Weekend of thinking about your writing and talking to other writers? Suitable for all. Feedback includes:
“Excellent tuition & a brilliant weekend. I also love your choice of venue.”
Any questions or to book, please ask.
Ruth Brandt Writer and Creative Writing Tutor in Surrey
Ruth Brandt is a Prize winning Writer and Creative Writing Tutor in Surrey. She runs Courses and Workshops in Surrey, South of England & Italy that covers Fiction, Poetry, Short stories, Flash Fiction...
ruthbrandt.co.uk
August 27, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Write Away! Writing Retreat – 28-30 Nov, Woking
Weekend of thinking about your writing and talking to other writers? Suitable for all. Feedback includes:
“Excellent tuition & a brilliant weekend. I also love your choice of venue.”
Any questions or to book, please ask.
Weekend of thinking about your writing and talking to other writers? Suitable for all. Feedback includes:
“Excellent tuition & a brilliant weekend. I also love your choice of venue.”
Any questions or to book, please ask.
Heading home after a fabulous few days @edfringe. Saw some fantastic shows including Cadel, Lungs on Legs @cadeltheplay, Anthem for Dissatisfaction @skelpielimmerproductions, Alright Sunshine @wonder_fools_online and Glenn Moore comedian @glennrogermoore 🎭🤣
August 8, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Heading home after a fabulous few days @edfringe. Saw some fantastic shows including Cadel, Lungs on Legs @cadeltheplay, Anthem for Dissatisfaction @skelpielimmerproductions, Alright Sunshine @wonder_fools_online and Glenn Moore comedian @glennrogermoore 🎭🤣
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
August 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
A NEW newsletter giving a round up of upcoming courses and events run by freelance creative writing tutors. Well worth a peruse!
ICYMI, a new newsletter for freelanc-y writing events.
So many wonderful-sounding things from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @hanakhalique.bsky.social @alinaetc.bsky.social @stillsquirrel.bsky.social @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social @ruthabrandt.bsky.social @susmitab.bsky.social
So many wonderful-sounding things from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @hanakhalique.bsky.social @alinaetc.bsky.social @stillsquirrel.bsky.social @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social @ruthabrandt.bsky.social @susmitab.bsky.social
I **may** have started a new newsletter 🧐
This is for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date with upcoming flash / short-fiction courses, workshops & events being offered by all your friendly neighbourhood freelancers, lit mags & awesome independents.
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/from-the-c...
This is for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date with upcoming flash / short-fiction courses, workshops & events being offered by all your friendly neighbourhood freelancers, lit mags & awesome independents.
fromthecoursesmouth.substack.com/p/from-the-c...
August 1, 2025 at 6:24 AM
A NEW newsletter giving a round up of upcoming courses and events run by freelance creative writing tutors. Well worth a peruse!
Gosh, what an amazing read @tomkinsdeb.bsky.social Deborah Tomkins's Aerth! Looking forward to discussing it with the NiFTY gang on Mon.
July 3, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Gosh, what an amazing read @tomkinsdeb.bsky.social Deborah Tomkins's Aerth! Looking forward to discussing it with the NiFTY gang on Mon.
So wonderful to take my time re-reading @laurabesley.bsky.social 's remarkable Sum of Her Parts. Many congratulations Laura on this thought-provoking collection. So many have stayed with me.
July 2, 2025 at 4:13 PM
So wonderful to take my time re-reading @laurabesley.bsky.social 's remarkable Sum of Her Parts. Many congratulations Laura on this thought-provoking collection. So many have stayed with me.
This year's Italian Writing Retreat at Hotel Leone, Montelparo is going rather splendidly. Great group of writers producing fab work. Plus swimming and enjoying Italian food and wine.
June 30, 2025 at 8:38 PM
This year's Italian Writing Retreat at Hotel Leone, Montelparo is going rather splendidly. Great group of writers producing fab work. Plus swimming and enjoying Italian food and wine.
Art Inspired Writing, 26-28 September, @westdean.ac.uk
Delighted to be returning to inspirational West Dean. The course investigates how paintings can be used to inspire stories and poetry. Feedback includes:
"I enjoyed it immensely and have come home feeling inspired and buzzing with ideas."
Delighted to be returning to inspirational West Dean. The course investigates how paintings can be used to inspire stories and poetry. Feedback includes:
"I enjoyed it immensely and have come home feeling inspired and buzzing with ideas."
Art Inspired Writing | West Dean
Explore ways paintings can be used to stimulate ideas for stories, characters and poems. Suitable for writers of all levels.
www.westdean.ac.uk
June 9, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Art Inspired Writing, 26-28 September, @westdean.ac.uk
Delighted to be returning to inspirational West Dean. The course investigates how paintings can be used to inspire stories and poetry. Feedback includes:
"I enjoyed it immensely and have come home feeling inspired and buzzing with ideas."
Delighted to be returning to inspirational West Dean. The course investigates how paintings can be used to inspire stories and poetry. Feedback includes:
"I enjoyed it immensely and have come home feeling inspired and buzzing with ideas."
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
"The lad is hot-headed. The lad is cool. He idolises Thatcher. He idolises Sartre’s philosophy"
Wonderful use of parallelism to create juxtaposition and rhythmical intensity in this brilliant piece from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
Wonderful use of parallelism to create juxtaposition and rhythmical intensity in this brilliant piece from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
Delighted to have my dark flash fiction 'The Hot-Headed Lad' in the current Meniscus Literary Journal. This piece started life in @mattkendrick.bsky.social's Lyrical Writing course - Highly Recommended as are all of Matt's excellent courses!
Current Issue
Current Issue
www.meniscus.org.au
June 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
"The lad is hot-headed. The lad is cool. He idolises Thatcher. He idolises Sartre’s philosophy"
Wonderful use of parallelism to create juxtaposition and rhythmical intensity in this brilliant piece from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
Wonderful use of parallelism to create juxtaposition and rhythmical intensity in this brilliant piece from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
Delighted to have my dark flash fiction 'The Hot-Headed Lad' in the current Meniscus Literary Journal. This piece started life in @mattkendrick.bsky.social's Lyrical Writing course - Highly Recommended as are all of Matt's excellent courses!
Current Issue
Current Issue
www.meniscus.org.au
June 3, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Delighted to have my dark flash fiction 'The Hot-Headed Lad' in the current Meniscus Literary Journal. This piece started life in @mattkendrick.bsky.social's Lyrical Writing course - Highly Recommended as are all of Matt's excellent courses!
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
😬😬😬
Apparently this is now in just three days time.
I am... apprehensive / burying my head in the sand / slightly excited / slightly stressed / exhausted / super grateful to everyone who is supporting me...
Mostly that last one - blown away by all the support I've had from the writing community 🙏
Apparently this is now in just three days time.
I am... apprehensive / burying my head in the sand / slightly excited / slightly stressed / exhausted / super grateful to everyone who is supporting me...
Mostly that last one - blown away by all the support I've had from the writing community 🙏
Day 4: "Do a challenge for charity"
😬😬😬
In 4 weeks, I'm attempting to "scale Ben Nevis" by climbing the stairs 517 times.
Pretty sure I'll get nowhere near that number. But hopefully I'll at least get part of the way.
If you'd like to sponsor me, you can do so here: forms.gle/UfJtT7aEdWS4...
😬😬😬
In 4 weeks, I'm attempting to "scale Ben Nevis" by climbing the stairs 517 times.
Pretty sure I'll get nowhere near that number. But hopefully I'll at least get part of the way.
If you'd like to sponsor me, you can do so here: forms.gle/UfJtT7aEdWS4...
April 29, 2025 at 11:06 AM
😬😬😬
Apparently this is now in just three days time.
I am... apprehensive / burying my head in the sand / slightly excited / slightly stressed / exhausted / super grateful to everyone who is supporting me...
Mostly that last one - blown away by all the support I've had from the writing community 🙏
Apparently this is now in just three days time.
I am... apprehensive / burying my head in the sand / slightly excited / slightly stressed / exhausted / super grateful to everyone who is supporting me...
Mostly that last one - blown away by all the support I've had from the writing community 🙏
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
"It’s the phone she uses for her bookkeeping clients, utility companies, friends. Its number is the one she taught her son when he was four in case he ever got lost or worried. In case he needed her. Their emergency umbilical cord."
Brilliant micro from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
Brilliant micro from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
ICYMI we're currently featuring The House Phone by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social as part of today's #MicroMonday#4 #microfiction. Please follow the link and enjoy fictivedream.com/2025/04/28/m...
April 28, 2025 at 4:54 PM
"It’s the phone she uses for her bookkeeping clients, utility companies, friends. Its number is the one she taught her son when he was four in case he ever got lost or worried. In case he needed her. Their emergency umbilical cord."
Brilliant micro from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
Brilliant micro from @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
Inspiration from Experience - 16-18 May, West Dean College
Still some places left on this course looking at how life's experiences can be used as the basis of fiction and creative nonfiction. And of course, @westdean.ac.uk is such a wonderful place to relax into creativity!
Still some places left on this course looking at how life's experiences can be used as the basis of fiction and creative nonfiction. And of course, @westdean.ac.uk is such a wonderful place to relax into creativity!
Creative Writing – Inspiration from Experience | West Dean
Through a series of exercises with plenty of feedback, learn how to turn life’s experiences into engaging fiction and non-fiction.
www.westdean.ac.uk
April 28, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Inspiration from Experience - 16-18 May, West Dean College
Still some places left on this course looking at how life's experiences can be used as the basis of fiction and creative nonfiction. And of course, @westdean.ac.uk is such a wonderful place to relax into creativity!
Still some places left on this course looking at how life's experiences can be used as the basis of fiction and creative nonfiction. And of course, @westdean.ac.uk is such a wonderful place to relax into creativity!
Delighted to have my flash The House Phone included in @fictivedream.bsky.social's MicroMonday this week alongside @kiptain.bsky.social's Morning Reflections. Many thanks!
Today, we're delighted to bring you MicroMonday #4 with The House Phone by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social and Morning Reflections by Kip Knott @kiptain.bsky.social #microfiction #MicroMonday. Please follow the link and enjoy fictivedream.com/2025/04/28/m...
April 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Delighted to have my flash The House Phone included in @fictivedream.bsky.social's MicroMonday this week alongside @kiptain.bsky.social's Morning Reflections. Many thanks!
What a wonderful piece, Kip. "When I step outside, a dying fragment of fog shivers at my feet, its shadow steaming and shrinking in the strengthening morning light." And killer final sentence! @fictivedream.bsky.social
So proud to be part of MicroMonday #4 at @fictivedream.bsky.social. Click the link below to check out the other micro by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social in this edition. I’m debating whether or not to look in the mirror at all today. Monday reflections can be startling! fictivedream.com/2025/04/28/m...
April 28, 2025 at 1:35 PM
What a wonderful piece, Kip. "When I step outside, a dying fragment of fog shivers at my feet, its shadow steaming and shrinking in the strengthening morning light." And killer final sentence! @fictivedream.bsky.social
An Easter Saturday sunset in Treyarnon Bay Cornwall. Happy Easter 🐣
April 20, 2025 at 6:47 PM
An Easter Saturday sunset in Treyarnon Bay Cornwall. Happy Easter 🐣
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
One year ago today we feat. Let the Plate Lie by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social #oneyearagotoday #shortstory #writingcommunity. If you missed it the first time, here’s another chance (please follow the link) fictivedream.com/2024/03/10/l...
March 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
One year ago today we feat. Let the Plate Lie by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social #oneyearagotoday #shortstory #writingcommunity. If you missed it the first time, here’s another chance (please follow the link) fictivedream.com/2024/03/10/l...
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
We've come to the end of another #flashfictionfebruary. Our sincere thanks to the stellar line up @sudhab.bsky.social @jtstories.bsky.social @sfreligh.bsky.social @bsherm36.bsky.social @lumchanmfa.bsky.social @francesgapper.bsky.social @grahammort.bsky.social @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
March 1, 2025 at 9:45 AM
We've come to the end of another #flashfictionfebruary. Our sincere thanks to the stellar line up @sudhab.bsky.social @jtstories.bsky.social @sfreligh.bsky.social @bsherm36.bsky.social @lumchanmfa.bsky.social @francesgapper.bsky.social @grahammort.bsky.social @ruthabrandt.bsky.social
Reposted by Ruth Brandt
Great character & setting in this @fictivedream.bsky.social flash by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social. You will get swept away by the wild wind and fury of this teenage protagonist and her 'totally stupid' family on this crazy wild ride of a story.
"Arms and legs. How difficult can arms and legs be? Left arm forward, right leg forward..." If a Lamb Knew How to Play Hopscotch by Ruth Brandt @ruthabrandt.bsky.social #microfiction #flashfiction #flashfictionfebruary. Please follow the link and enjoy fictivedream.com/2025/02/10/i...
February 15, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Great character & setting in this @fictivedream.bsky.social flash by @ruthabrandt.bsky.social. You will get swept away by the wild wind and fury of this teenage protagonist and her 'totally stupid' family on this crazy wild ride of a story.