A Small, Good Thing
@smallgoodpodcast.bsky.social
"A Small, Good Thing" is the podcast about short fiction. Interviews with writers, academics, publishers, and anyone who shares a passion for short stories.
Instagram: @smallgoodpodcast
https://linktr.ee/smallgoodpodcast
smallgoodpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram: @smallgoodpodcast
https://linktr.ee/smallgoodpodcast
smallgoodpodcast@gmail.com
New Episode!
Listen to @nicholasroyle.bsky.social talk about his latest short story collection “Paris Fantastique” (@confingopublishing.bsky.social), his passion for second-hand books and much more!
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/like...
Listen to @nicholasroyle.bsky.social talk about his latest short story collection “Paris Fantastique” (@confingopublishing.bsky.social), his passion for second-hand books and much more!
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/like...
November 13, 2025 at 10:07 AM
New Episode!
Listen to @nicholasroyle.bsky.social talk about his latest short story collection “Paris Fantastique” (@confingopublishing.bsky.social), his passion for second-hand books and much more!
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/like...
Listen to @nicholasroyle.bsky.social talk about his latest short story collection “Paris Fantastique” (@confingopublishing.bsky.social), his passion for second-hand books and much more!
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/like...
New episode tomorrow! @nicholasroyle.bsky.social is a writer of short stories and novels, the editor of the Best British Short Stories and founder of @nightjarpress.bsky.social! I had the pleasure of meeting him and talk about his beautiful short story collection “Paris Fantastique”. Stay tuned!
November 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
New episode tomorrow! @nicholasroyle.bsky.social is a writer of short stories and novels, the editor of the Best British Short Stories and founder of @nightjarpress.bsky.social! I had the pleasure of meeting him and talk about his beautiful short story collection “Paris Fantastique”. Stay tuned!
I’m speechless. This was so good! Thank you @carolynstock.bsky.social and thank you @nightjarpress.bsky.social!
November 1, 2025 at 10:20 AM
I’m speechless. This was so good! Thank you @carolynstock.bsky.social and thank you @nightjarpress.bsky.social!
Popped into the Small Publishers Fair @smallpublishers.bsky.social today, and this is what I got! What an incredible event! The fair is at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square. Entrance is free! If you’re in London, there’s still tomorrow: please go in and support the amazing work of small publishers!
October 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Popped into the Small Publishers Fair @smallpublishers.bsky.social today, and this is what I got! What an incredible event! The fair is at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square. Entrance is free! If you’re in London, there’s still tomorrow: please go in and support the amazing work of small publishers!
New Episode!
William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer and a true short story genius. In this episode, I get to chat about his life and works with Scott Setrakian, President of the William Saroyan Foundation.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/will...
William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer and a true short story genius. In this episode, I get to chat about his life and works with Scott Setrakian, President of the William Saroyan Foundation.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/will...
October 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
New Episode!
William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer and a true short story genius. In this episode, I get to chat about his life and works with Scott Setrakian, President of the William Saroyan Foundation.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/will...
William Saroyan was an Armenian-American writer and a true short story genius. In this episode, I get to chat about his life and works with Scott Setrakian, President of the William Saroyan Foundation.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/will...
“A transient moistening of the soul”… got to love Roland Barthes.
From Mythologies (1957).
From Mythologies (1957).
October 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
“A transient moistening of the soul”… got to love Roland Barthes.
From Mythologies (1957).
From Mythologies (1957).
The second part of the interview with @ailsacox.bsky.social is out today! In this episode, we discuss more famous pieces of short story writing advice. Listen here to find out of they are facts or fiction!
www.spreaker.com/episode/more...
www.spreaker.com/episode/more...
October 2, 2025 at 9:14 AM
The second part of the interview with @ailsacox.bsky.social is out today! In this episode, we discuss more famous pieces of short story writing advice. Listen here to find out of they are facts or fiction!
www.spreaker.com/episode/more...
www.spreaker.com/episode/more...
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Setrakian, President of the William Saroyan Foundation. William Saroyan’s books are very dear to me and I am looking forward to sharing this episode with everyone!
While you wait… here are other episodes you might like www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-sm...
While you wait… here are other episodes you might like www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-sm...
September 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Setrakian, President of the William Saroyan Foundation. William Saroyan’s books are very dear to me and I am looking forward to sharing this episode with everyone!
While you wait… here are other episodes you might like www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-sm...
While you wait… here are other episodes you might like www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-sm...
New episode!
Meet @ailsacox.bsky.social, short story writer and Professor Emerita at Edge Hill University (UK). In this episode, we discuss famous claims about short fiction and short story writing… are they facts or fiction?
Listen here to find out: www.spreaker.com/episode/the-...
Meet @ailsacox.bsky.social, short story writer and Professor Emerita at Edge Hill University (UK). In this episode, we discuss famous claims about short fiction and short story writing… are they facts or fiction?
Listen here to find out: www.spreaker.com/episode/the-...
September 11, 2025 at 9:17 AM
New episode!
Meet @ailsacox.bsky.social, short story writer and Professor Emerita at Edge Hill University (UK). In this episode, we discuss famous claims about short fiction and short story writing… are they facts or fiction?
Listen here to find out: www.spreaker.com/episode/the-...
Meet @ailsacox.bsky.social, short story writer and Professor Emerita at Edge Hill University (UK). In this episode, we discuss famous claims about short fiction and short story writing… are they facts or fiction?
Listen here to find out: www.spreaker.com/episode/the-...
New episode out!
Prof. Andrew Levy is the Edna Cooper Chair of English at Butler University (Indiana). In this episode, I get to ask him a few questions about his book The Culture and Commerce of the American Short Story, a true watershed in short story criticism!
www.spreaker.com/episode/the-...
Prof. Andrew Levy is the Edna Cooper Chair of English at Butler University (Indiana). In this episode, I get to ask him a few questions about his book The Culture and Commerce of the American Short Story, a true watershed in short story criticism!
www.spreaker.com/episode/the-...
August 21, 2025 at 7:24 PM
New episode out!
Prof. Andrew Levy is the Edna Cooper Chair of English at Butler University (Indiana). In this episode, I get to ask him a few questions about his book The Culture and Commerce of the American Short Story, a true watershed in short story criticism!
www.spreaker.com/episode/the-...
Prof. Andrew Levy is the Edna Cooper Chair of English at Butler University (Indiana). In this episode, I get to ask him a few questions about his book The Culture and Commerce of the American Short Story, a true watershed in short story criticism!
www.spreaker.com/episode/the-...
How does the short story contribute to our understanding of life and the world? To find out, I interviewed prof. Michael Basseler (Justus-Liebig University) author of An Organon of Life Knowledge: Genres and Functions of the Short Story in North America with @transcript-verlag.bsky.social
July 31, 2025 at 7:42 AM
How does the short story contribute to our understanding of life and the world? To find out, I interviewed prof. Michael Basseler (Justus-Liebig University) author of An Organon of Life Knowledge: Genres and Functions of the Short Story in North America with @transcript-verlag.bsky.social
Reposted by A Small, Good Thing
ICYMI: Last month, BAAS chair Michael Collins joined the A Small, Good Thing podcast to discuss the position of the short story in US culture & academic research.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/cont...
@smallgoodpodcast.bsky.social
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/cont...
@smallgoodpodcast.bsky.social
Contact Zones (with Michael Collins) - A Small, Good Thing
www.spreaker.com
July 18, 2025 at 10:46 AM
ICYMI: Last month, BAAS chair Michael Collins joined the A Small, Good Thing podcast to discuss the position of the short story in US culture & academic research.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/cont...
@smallgoodpodcast.bsky.social
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/cont...
@smallgoodpodcast.bsky.social
New episode!
Listen to amazing Heuijung Hur speak about her short story collection Failed Summer Vacation published in English by @scratchbooks.bsky.social!
www.spreaker.com/episode/fail...
Listen to amazing Heuijung Hur speak about her short story collection Failed Summer Vacation published in English by @scratchbooks.bsky.social!
www.spreaker.com/episode/fail...
July 12, 2025 at 10:21 AM
New episode!
Listen to amazing Heuijung Hur speak about her short story collection Failed Summer Vacation published in English by @scratchbooks.bsky.social!
www.spreaker.com/episode/fail...
Listen to amazing Heuijung Hur speak about her short story collection Failed Summer Vacation published in English by @scratchbooks.bsky.social!
www.spreaker.com/episode/fail...
Great short story collection here! Had the chance to meet the author Heuijung Hur las week. Stay tuned: interview coming out soon!
Thank you to Tom Conaghan at @scratchbooks.bsky.social for sending a copy of the book!
Thank you to Tom Conaghan at @scratchbooks.bsky.social for sending a copy of the book!
June 30, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Great short story collection here! Had the chance to meet the author Heuijung Hur las week. Stay tuned: interview coming out soon!
Thank you to Tom Conaghan at @scratchbooks.bsky.social for sending a copy of the book!
Thank you to Tom Conaghan at @scratchbooks.bsky.social for sending a copy of the book!
New Episode!
Listen to Michael J. Collin’s (King’s College, London) speak about short fiction and the need for human connections.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/cont...
Listen to Michael J. Collin’s (King’s College, London) speak about short fiction and the need for human connections.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/cont...
June 26, 2025 at 9:54 AM
New Episode!
Listen to Michael J. Collin’s (King’s College, London) speak about short fiction and the need for human connections.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/cont...
Listen to Michael J. Collin’s (King’s College, London) speak about short fiction and the need for human connections.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/cont...
Part two of the Lucia Berlin episode is out! Listen to Elizabeth Geoghegan discuss Lucia’s stories “A Manual for Cleaning Women,” “So Long,” and “Carmen”.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/part...
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/part...
June 13, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Part two of the Lucia Berlin episode is out! Listen to Elizabeth Geoghegan discuss Lucia’s stories “A Manual for Cleaning Women,” “So Long,” and “Carmen”.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/part...
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/part...
Don’t miss episode 3! Lucia Berlin: Laundromats and Missing Puzzle Pieces (with Elizabeth Geoghegan).
A special thank you to David Berlin and the LB estate for allowing me to use the clip of Lucia Berlin reading from “Angel’s Laundromat”
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/luci...
A special thank you to David Berlin and the LB estate for allowing me to use the clip of Lucia Berlin reading from “Angel’s Laundromat”
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/luci...
June 5, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Don’t miss episode 3! Lucia Berlin: Laundromats and Missing Puzzle Pieces (with Elizabeth Geoghegan).
A special thank you to David Berlin and the LB estate for allowing me to use the clip of Lucia Berlin reading from “Angel’s Laundromat”
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/luci...
A special thank you to David Berlin and the LB estate for allowing me to use the clip of Lucia Berlin reading from “Angel’s Laundromat”
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/luci...
New episode is out today!
For this two-part episode I had the privilege of discussing Lucia Berlin's collection A Manual For Cleaning Women with writer Elizabeth Geoghegan.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/luci...
For this two-part episode I had the privilege of discussing Lucia Berlin's collection A Manual For Cleaning Women with writer Elizabeth Geoghegan.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/luci...
May 29, 2025 at 7:15 AM
New episode is out today!
For this two-part episode I had the privilege of discussing Lucia Berlin's collection A Manual For Cleaning Women with writer Elizabeth Geoghegan.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/luci...
For this two-part episode I had the privilege of discussing Lucia Berlin's collection A Manual For Cleaning Women with writer Elizabeth Geoghegan.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/luci...
In episode 2, prof. Irwin Streight discusses unexpected links between Flannery O'Connor and popular singers and songwriters like Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, U2 and others.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/flan...
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/flan...
May 20, 2025 at 9:06 AM
In episode 2, prof. Irwin Streight discusses unexpected links between Flannery O'Connor and popular singers and songwriters like Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, U2 and others.
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/flan...
Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/flan...
New episode! Irwin Streight, author of "Flannery at the Grammys" for @upmississippi.bsky.social, discusses Flannery O'Connor's legacy on popular music and culture.
Listen here rb.gy/g5r7cn, or on all podcasting platforms!
Listen here rb.gy/g5r7cn, or on all podcasting platforms!
May 15, 2025 at 7:50 AM
New episode! Irwin Streight, author of "Flannery at the Grammys" for @upmississippi.bsky.social, discusses Flannery O'Connor's legacy on popular music and culture.
Listen here rb.gy/g5r7cn, or on all podcasting platforms!
Listen here rb.gy/g5r7cn, or on all podcasting platforms!
More “small, good things” are brewing… working on a new episode from the podcast room at Surrey Uni. Stay tuned!
Listen to the podcast here www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-sm...
Listen to the podcast here www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-sm...
May 9, 2025 at 12:49 PM
More “small, good things” are brewing… working on a new episode from the podcast room at Surrey Uni. Stay tuned!
Listen to the podcast here www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-sm...
Listen to the podcast here www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-sm...
Don't miss Episode 1 of "A Small, Good Thing"!
Listen here www.spreaker.com/episode/cat-... or on all major podcasting platforms.
Listen here www.spreaker.com/episode/cat-... or on all major podcasting platforms.
May 3, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Don't miss Episode 1 of "A Small, Good Thing"!
Listen here www.spreaker.com/episode/cat-... or on all major podcasting platforms.
Listen here www.spreaker.com/episode/cat-... or on all major podcasting platforms.
Episode 1 is out! Listen to Tom Conaghan, founder of @scratchbooks.bsky.social, talk about publishing short fiction, short story competitions, and much more!
Listen to episode 1 here rb.gy/uuoi1m or all major podcasting platforms!
Listen to episode 1 here rb.gy/uuoi1m or all major podcasting platforms!
May 1, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Episode 1 is out! Listen to Tom Conaghan, founder of @scratchbooks.bsky.social, talk about publishing short fiction, short story competitions, and much more!
Listen to episode 1 here rb.gy/uuoi1m or all major podcasting platforms!
Listen to episode 1 here rb.gy/uuoi1m or all major podcasting platforms!
📣 New Podcast! "Cat Scratches and DeLoreans: On Publishing Short Fiction (with Tom Conaghan)" on @Spreaker #bookclub #literaryfiction #shortfiction #shortstories
Cat Scratches and DeLoreans: On Publishing Short Fiction (with Tom Conaghan)
Meet Tom Conaghan, founder of Scratch Books! In this episode, I ask Tom what it takes and what it's like to run a publisher entirely dedicated to short fiction. Find out more about the origins of Scratch Books, their amazing publications and short story competition!
Works cited (in order of appearance):
John Cheever, “Reunion”, in A Vision of the World: Selected Stories, ed. by Julian Barnes (Vintage, 2021), pp. 199-203.
Reverse Engineering, ed. by Tom Conaghan (Scratch Books, 2022).
Reverse Engineering II, ed. by Tom Conaghan (Scratch Books, 2022).
Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space, trans by. Maria Jolas (Beacon Press, 1969).
Conversations with David Foster Wallace, ed. by Stephen J. Burn (University Press of Mississippi, 2012).
Yiyun Li, Wednesday’s Child (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2023).
Lydia Davis, “The Cornmeal”, in Can’t and Won’t (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2014), p.33.
Louis MacNeice, “Snow”, in Collected Poems (Faber&Faber, 2015).
Tessa Hadley, After the Funeral (Penguin, 2023).
Organisations mentioned:
Scratch A4: https://www.scratch-books.co.uk/scratcha4competition
The word factory: https://thewordfactory.tv/
City Lit: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/
Podcast intro and outro credits: Shield, Leroy, Taylor Holmes, and Robert W Service. The shooting of Dan McGrew. 1923. Audio. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, .
www.spreaker.com
May 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM
📣 New Podcast! "Cat Scratches and DeLoreans: On Publishing Short Fiction (with Tom Conaghan)" on @Spreaker #bookclub #literaryfiction #shortfiction #shortstories