Toby Litt
@tobylitt.bsky.social
Writer. Activist. Diarist. Head of Creative Writing at Southampton University.
https://tobylitt.wordpress.com/shop/
https://tobylitt.wordpress.com/shop/
Pinned
I was interviewed by Glenn Fisher for the Library of Lazy Thinking podcast.
Spoke about Soto Zen Buddhism, mainly.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Spoke about Soto Zen Buddhism, mainly.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Toby Litt
One of the best pieces of flash fiction I've ever read - and just left lying in the road.
#flashfiction #writingcommunity
#flashfiction #writingcommunity
November 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
One of the best pieces of flash fiction I've ever read - and just left lying in the road.
#flashfiction #writingcommunity
#flashfiction #writingcommunity
One of the best pieces of flash fiction I've ever read - and just left lying in the road.
#flashfiction #writingcommunity
#flashfiction #writingcommunity
November 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
One of the best pieces of flash fiction I've ever read - and just left lying in the road.
#flashfiction #writingcommunity
#flashfiction #writingcommunity
Creative Writers wanted: Call for abstracts
Stories of ‘Separation’ and ‘Gathering’ in Legal and Creative Imaginaries: a Legal Humanities and Creative Writing Workshop
1 and 2 July 2026, @unisouthampton.bsky.social
Deadline: Dec 1 2025.
#WritingCommunity
@law-and-humanities.bsky.social
Stories of ‘Separation’ and ‘Gathering’ in Legal and Creative Imaginaries: a Legal Humanities and Creative Writing Workshop
1 and 2 July 2026, @unisouthampton.bsky.social
Deadline: Dec 1 2025.
#WritingCommunity
@law-and-humanities.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Creative Writers wanted: Call for abstracts
Stories of ‘Separation’ and ‘Gathering’ in Legal and Creative Imaginaries: a Legal Humanities and Creative Writing Workshop
1 and 2 July 2026, @unisouthampton.bsky.social
Deadline: Dec 1 2025.
#WritingCommunity
@law-and-humanities.bsky.social
Stories of ‘Separation’ and ‘Gathering’ in Legal and Creative Imaginaries: a Legal Humanities and Creative Writing Workshop
1 and 2 July 2026, @unisouthampton.bsky.social
Deadline: Dec 1 2025.
#WritingCommunity
@law-and-humanities.bsky.social
Carys Davies in conversation with my colleague Carole Burns.
This is sure to be wonderful.
Free and online - booking details below.
www.southamptonartshumfest.co.uk/whats-on/wha...
This is sure to be wonderful.
Free and online - booking details below.
www.southamptonartshumfest.co.uk/whats-on/wha...
Southampton Arts and Humanities Festival 2025 - Whats-on
www.southamptonartshumfest.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Carys Davies in conversation with my colleague Carole Burns.
This is sure to be wonderful.
Free and online - booking details below.
www.southamptonartshumfest.co.uk/whats-on/wha...
This is sure to be wonderful.
Free and online - booking details below.
www.southamptonartshumfest.co.uk/whats-on/wha...
I was interviewed by Glenn Fisher for the Library of Lazy Thinking podcast.
Spoke about Soto Zen Buddhism, mainly.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Spoke about Soto Zen Buddhism, mainly.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
October 31, 2025 at 11:22 AM
I was interviewed by Glenn Fisher for the Library of Lazy Thinking podcast.
Spoke about Soto Zen Buddhism, mainly.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Spoke about Soto Zen Buddhism, mainly.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
I'm lucky enough to have read Dr Mary Jean Chan's FT Prince Memorial Lecture, which they'll be giving tomorrow evening - it's a stunning and moving piece of writing about grief and poetic form.
Book here to attend in person or online.
rb.gy/48jzge
Book here to attend in person or online.
rb.gy/48jzge
Forms of Grief: Elegiac Writing and Strict(er) Poetic Forms | F. T. Prince Memorial Lecture 2025
The School of Humanities is pleased to invite you to the 13th annual F. T. Prince Memorial Lecture, which will take place on Tuesday 28 October 2025 at 18:00 on the University of Southampton’s Avenue ...
www.southampton.ac.uk
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I'm lucky enough to have read Dr Mary Jean Chan's FT Prince Memorial Lecture, which they'll be giving tomorrow evening - it's a stunning and moving piece of writing about grief and poetic form.
Book here to attend in person or online.
rb.gy/48jzge
Book here to attend in person or online.
rb.gy/48jzge
Yes, very much looking forward to this.
Make your writing stand out! Join @tobylitt.bsky.social, prize winning author and Head of Creative Writing at @unisouthampton.bsky.social , for a workshop on finding your fictional voice.
12 Nov, 18:30–19:30 | Sir James Matthews Building
Tickets: bit.ly/UoSFindingYo...
#UoSArtsHumFest
12 Nov, 18:30–19:30 | Sir James Matthews Building
Tickets: bit.ly/UoSFindingYo...
#UoSArtsHumFest
October 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Yes, very much looking forward to this.
Can you recommend a really good video editor?
(Someone who is willing (for smallish but regular amounts of money) to edit videos and also post them to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc?)
(Someone who is willing (for smallish but regular amounts of money) to edit videos and also post them to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc?)
October 24, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Can you recommend a really good video editor?
(Someone who is willing (for smallish but regular amounts of money) to edit videos and also post them to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc?)
(Someone who is willing (for smallish but regular amounts of money) to edit videos and also post them to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, etc?)
Are you a writer fascinated by issues of law?
I've got a Call for Papers -
Stories of ‘Separation’ and ‘Gathering’ in Legal and Creative Imaginaries: a Legal Humanities and Creative Writing Workshop
(Spring/Summer 2026 (date tbc), University of Southampton)
Deadline 1 Dec 2025. DM me for more.
I've got a Call for Papers -
Stories of ‘Separation’ and ‘Gathering’ in Legal and Creative Imaginaries: a Legal Humanities and Creative Writing Workshop
(Spring/Summer 2026 (date tbc), University of Southampton)
Deadline 1 Dec 2025. DM me for more.
October 7, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Are you a writer fascinated by issues of law?
I've got a Call for Papers -
Stories of ‘Separation’ and ‘Gathering’ in Legal and Creative Imaginaries: a Legal Humanities and Creative Writing Workshop
(Spring/Summer 2026 (date tbc), University of Southampton)
Deadline 1 Dec 2025. DM me for more.
I've got a Call for Papers -
Stories of ‘Separation’ and ‘Gathering’ in Legal and Creative Imaginaries: a Legal Humanities and Creative Writing Workshop
(Spring/Summer 2026 (date tbc), University of Southampton)
Deadline 1 Dec 2025. DM me for more.
Reposted by Toby Litt
a huge honour for me; not half so deserved as @jupiterjonz.bsky.social wonderful writing
big thanks to
@tobylitt.bsky.social
big thanks to
@tobylitt.bsky.social
Congratulations to @jupiterjonz.bsky.social !
Looking forward to reading this piece from this brilliant writer.
Looking forward to reading this piece from this brilliant writer.
We have our winning entry and runners up for the @unisouthampton.bsky.social Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction -
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
October 7, 2025 at 10:01 AM
a huge honour for me; not half so deserved as @jupiterjonz.bsky.social wonderful writing
big thanks to
@tobylitt.bsky.social
big thanks to
@tobylitt.bsky.social
We'll soon be welcoming Dr Mary Jean Chan to University of Southampton to give our annual FT Prince Memorial Lecture.
In this 2025 F.T. Prince Memorial lecture, Dr Mary Jean Chan will explore the ways in which strict(er) poetic forms enable one's articulation of grief and loss.
In this 2025 F.T. Prince Memorial lecture, Dr Mary Jean Chan will explore the ways in which strict(er) poetic forms enable one's articulation of grief and loss.
October 7, 2025 at 8:12 AM
We'll soon be welcoming Dr Mary Jean Chan to University of Southampton to give our annual FT Prince Memorial Lecture.
In this 2025 F.T. Prince Memorial lecture, Dr Mary Jean Chan will explore the ways in which strict(er) poetic forms enable one's articulation of grief and loss.
In this 2025 F.T. Prince Memorial lecture, Dr Mary Jean Chan will explore the ways in which strict(er) poetic forms enable one's articulation of grief and loss.
Reposted by Toby Litt
Congratulations to @jupiterjonz.bsky.social !
Looking forward to reading this piece from this brilliant writer.
Looking forward to reading this piece from this brilliant writer.
We have our winning entry and runners up for the @unisouthampton.bsky.social Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction -
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
Results
We are delighted to announce the winner and runners up for the first Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction. Winner: ‘Hopeful Glimmer’ by Jupiter Jones. Jupiter Jones lives in Wales and wri…
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk
September 28, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Congratulations to @jupiterjonz.bsky.social !
Looking forward to reading this piece from this brilliant writer.
Looking forward to reading this piece from this brilliant writer.
Reposted by Toby Litt
We have our winning entry and runners up for the @unisouthampton.bsky.social Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction -
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
Results
We are delighted to announce the winner and runners up for the first Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction. Winner: ‘Hopeful Glimmer’ by Jupiter Jones. Jupiter Jones lives in Wales and wri…
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk
September 28, 2025 at 10:28 AM
We have our winning entry and runners up for the @unisouthampton.bsky.social Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction -
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
We have our winning entry and runners up for the @unisouthampton.bsky.social Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction -
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
Results
We are delighted to announce the winner and runners up for the first Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction. Winner: ‘Hopeful Glimmer’ by Jupiter Jones. Jupiter Jones lives in Wales and wri…
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk
September 28, 2025 at 10:28 AM
We have our winning entry and runners up for the @unisouthampton.bsky.social Philip Hoare Prize for Non-Fiction -
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
Congratulations to Jupiter Jones.
philiphoarecompetition.co.uk/results/
If you view your writing as work, then you'll be okay with using AI.
If you see it as essentially play, you won't.
Work can be delegated; play can't.
Why would you want something inhuman to have all your fun for you?
If you see it as essentially play, you won't.
Work can be delegated; play can't.
Why would you want something inhuman to have all your fun for you?
September 28, 2025 at 7:47 AM
If you view your writing as work, then you'll be okay with using AI.
If you see it as essentially play, you won't.
Work can be delegated; play can't.
Why would you want something inhuman to have all your fun for you?
If you see it as essentially play, you won't.
Work can be delegated; play can't.
Why would you want something inhuman to have all your fun for you?
Reposted by Toby Litt
If you were to ask me what is the most optimistic, uplifting story I've ever written, it's probably one called 'Grab My Hand'.
Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown).
You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social -
wordtheatre.org/weekly/
Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown).
You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social -
wordtheatre.org/weekly/
September 27, 2025 at 11:06 AM
If you were to ask me what is the most optimistic, uplifting story I've ever written, it's probably one called 'Grab My Hand'.
Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown).
You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social -
wordtheatre.org/weekly/
Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown).
You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social -
wordtheatre.org/weekly/
If you were to ask me what is the most optimistic, uplifting story I've ever written, it's probably one called 'Grab My Hand'.
Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown).
You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social -
wordtheatre.org/weekly/
Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown).
You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social -
wordtheatre.org/weekly/
September 27, 2025 at 11:06 AM
If you were to ask me what is the most optimistic, uplifting story I've ever written, it's probably one called 'Grab My Hand'.
Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown).
You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social -
wordtheatre.org/weekly/
Even more optimistic and uplifting when beautifully read by Olivia Williams (The Crown).
You can listen to it here, c/o @wordtheatre.bsky.social -
wordtheatre.org/weekly/
I'm seriously delighted to have a 14 line poem in Richard Skinner's 14 magazine.
Here's me looking seriously delighted.
Everything else I've read in it has been top.
richardskinner.weebly.com/14-magazine....
Here's me looking seriously delighted.
Everything else I've read in it has been top.
richardskinner.weebly.com/14-magazine....
September 25, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I'm seriously delighted to have a 14 line poem in Richard Skinner's 14 magazine.
Here's me looking seriously delighted.
Everything else I've read in it has been top.
richardskinner.weebly.com/14-magazine....
Here's me looking seriously delighted.
Everything else I've read in it has been top.
richardskinner.weebly.com/14-magazine....
My review of Tom Cox's charmingly cosy Everything Will Swallow You in today's The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
Everything Will Swallow You by Tom Cox review – a cosy state-of-the-nation yarn
This deeply comforting tale of record collecting, magical creatures and a lovingly knitted cardigan rambles across England
www.theguardian.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
My review of Tom Cox's charmingly cosy Everything Will Swallow You in today's The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
Happy that my novella, The Very Beautiful, was shortlisted for the Letter Review Prize.
Congratulations to the winners, Liv Hambrett and Jasmine Laws, and to the other shortlistees.
letterreview.com/the-letter-r...
Congratulations to the winners, Liv Hambrett and Jasmine Laws, and to the other shortlistees.
letterreview.com/the-letter-r...
The Letter Review Prize Winners January – March 2025 - The Letter Review
With enormous excitement today we bring to our reading and writing community the winners of The Letter Review Prize January - March 2025. This has been one of the most astonishingly difficult rounds w...
letterreview.com
September 8, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Happy that my novella, The Very Beautiful, was shortlisted for the Letter Review Prize.
Congratulations to the winners, Liv Hambrett and Jasmine Laws, and to the other shortlistees.
letterreview.com/the-letter-r...
Congratulations to the winners, Liv Hambrett and Jasmine Laws, and to the other shortlistees.
letterreview.com/the-letter-r...
Reposted by Toby Litt
Our new #FlashFiction #competition has launched. We're asking for <500 words about moments of #epiphany where attitudes/behaviours change for the greener – see www.greenstories.org.uk/flash-fictio... £1000 ($1200) worth of prizes. #writerslife #WritingCommmunity
Flash Fiction Competition: Epiphanies! - Green Stories Project
Green Stories is running a flash fiction competition for stories under 500 words on the theme of ‘epiphanies’. Deadline 27th August 2025. The writing competition invites writers to submit a story abou...
greenstories.org.uk
June 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Our new #FlashFiction #competition has launched. We're asking for <500 words about moments of #epiphany where attitudes/behaviours change for the greener – see www.greenstories.org.uk/flash-fictio... £1000 ($1200) worth of prizes. #writerslife #WritingCommmunity
The AI summary of a newsletter I just received reads -
'Emotional and spiritual truths are shared; consider paid subscription; support Gaza'
2025 in a single line.
'Emotional and spiritual truths are shared; consider paid subscription; support Gaza'
2025 in a single line.
August 1, 2025 at 11:51 AM
The AI summary of a newsletter I just received reads -
'Emotional and spiritual truths are shared; consider paid subscription; support Gaza'
2025 in a single line.
'Emotional and spiritual truths are shared; consider paid subscription; support Gaza'
2025 in a single line.
Reposted by Toby Litt
Can you think of good recent exceptions? i.e., Mainly third person non-fiction that doesn't read as dated. (Yes, Annie Ernaux, The Years.)
July 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Can you think of good recent exceptions? i.e., Mainly third person non-fiction that doesn't read as dated. (Yes, Annie Ernaux, The Years.)
I had a comment from one student on a non-fiction course I taught this year. 'Does it all have to be first person?'
A very good question, as a huge amount of narrative non-fiction has slid toward being highly focalised through a very present first person narrator. Even history.
A very good question, as a huge amount of narrative non-fiction has slid toward being highly focalised through a very present first person narrator. Even history.
July 8, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I had a comment from one student on a non-fiction course I taught this year. 'Does it all have to be first person?'
A very good question, as a huge amount of narrative non-fiction has slid toward being highly focalised through a very present first person narrator. Even history.
A very good question, as a huge amount of narrative non-fiction has slid toward being highly focalised through a very present first person narrator. Even history.
Question: Can you name a recent work of art (song, poem, film) that's about people being constantly on their phones?
I'm trying to identify the sub genre.
My small contribution (in collaboration with Vik Sharma) -
open.spotify.com/track/0T9e2F...
#doomscrolling #phone
I'm trying to identify the sub genre.
My small contribution (in collaboration with Vik Sharma) -
open.spotify.com/track/0T9e2F...
#doomscrolling #phone
We All Aglow
Vik Sharma, Toby Litt · SEA CREATURES · Song · 2025
open.spotify.com
June 30, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Question: Can you name a recent work of art (song, poem, film) that's about people being constantly on their phones?
I'm trying to identify the sub genre.
My small contribution (in collaboration with Vik Sharma) -
open.spotify.com/track/0T9e2F...
#doomscrolling #phone
I'm trying to identify the sub genre.
My small contribution (in collaboration with Vik Sharma) -
open.spotify.com/track/0T9e2F...
#doomscrolling #phone