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
We're Starting to Write a Book
A Writer's Diary enters the New Year with a new project and a new sound.
open.substack.com
New Year, New Writer's Diary.
This year, I'm going - with my subscribers' help - to draft a writing manual (working title is 'The Page: On Drafting').
I'll be podcasting and writing about it on my Substack.
Together, hopefully, we can write our books.
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
This year, I'm going - with my subscribers' help - to draft a writing manual (working title is 'The Page: On Drafting').
I'll be podcasting and writing about it on my Substack.
Together, hopefully, we can write our books.
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Reposted by Toby Litt
Our graduates write books — published by the likes of @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social, @grantabooks.bsky.social, Peninsula Press — set up their own magazines and journals, edit others (The White Review, RIP), do PhDs, and also become primary school teachers. All good things.
Just a reminder that the round 1 deadline for applications to our MA Writing programme at the @royalcollegeofart.bsky.social is 12.00 on Monday 19 January.
Do what you need to do, but make sure you get your application in.
Do what you need to do, but make sure you get your application in.
January 17, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Our graduates write books — published by the likes of @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social, @grantabooks.bsky.social, Peninsula Press — set up their own magazines and journals, edit others (The White Review, RIP), do PhDs, and also become primary school teachers. All good things.
Reposted by Toby Litt
If you're a writer, how and where do you write? What's your posture like? How's your spine holding up?
Any advice for others?
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Any advice for others?
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
If not, we can't begin
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:15 PM
If you're a writer, how and where do you write? What's your posture like? How's your spine holding up?
Any advice for others?
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Any advice for others?
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
If you're a writer, how and where do you write? What's your posture like? How's your spine holding up?
Any advice for others?
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Any advice for others?
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
If not, we can't begin
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:15 PM
If you're a writer, how and where do you write? What's your posture like? How's your spine holding up?
Any advice for others?
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Any advice for others?
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Reposted by Toby Litt
This book sounds great and I want to read it immediately
I said I'd share the link when the The Guardian posted my review of Elizabeth McCracken's whipsmart writing manual, A Long Game: How to Write Fiction. (Following their publication of an extract.)
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken review – here’s how to really write your novel
The novelist and writing tutor delivers bracing advice that demolishes familiar ‘stick to what you know’ nostrums
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:39 PM
This book sounds great and I want to read it immediately
Look, I'm here, rather than working.
How do you cope with/limit/work through the distraction of your screens?
Today's diary entry way over yonder on Substack.
On Distraction and Overcoming It
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
How do you cope with/limit/work through the distraction of your screens?
Today's diary entry way over yonder on Substack.
On Distraction and Overcoming It
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
On Distraction and Overcoming It
or Giving In to It
open.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Look, I'm here, rather than working.
How do you cope with/limit/work through the distraction of your screens?
Today's diary entry way over yonder on Substack.
On Distraction and Overcoming It
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
How do you cope with/limit/work through the distraction of your screens?
Today's diary entry way over yonder on Substack.
On Distraction and Overcoming It
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Reposted by Toby Litt
I said I'd share the link when the The Guardian posted my review of Elizabeth McCracken's whipsmart writing manual, A Long Game: How to Write Fiction. (Following their publication of an extract.)
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken review – here’s how to really write your novel
The novelist and writing tutor delivers bracing advice that demolishes familiar ‘stick to what you know’ nostrums
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:18 AM
I said I'd share the link when the The Guardian posted my review of Elizabeth McCracken's whipsmart writing manual, A Long Game: How to Write Fiction. (Following their publication of an extract.)
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
Today's entry in the diary is on the Ghosts of the Desk.
Who haunts yours?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Who haunts yours?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
On the Ghosts Haunting Your Writing Space
Even if you don't know they're there
open.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Today's entry in the diary is on the Ghosts of the Desk.
Who haunts yours?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Who haunts yours?
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
I said I'd share the link when the The Guardian posted my review of Elizabeth McCracken's whipsmart writing manual, A Long Game: How to Write Fiction. (Following their publication of an extract.)
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken review – here’s how to really write your novel
The novelist and writing tutor delivers bracing advice that demolishes familiar ‘stick to what you know’ nostrums
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:18 AM
I said I'd share the link when the The Guardian posted my review of Elizabeth McCracken's whipsmart writing manual, A Long Game: How to Write Fiction. (Following their publication of an extract.)
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
So, here it is -
www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...
I was very glad to be asked to review Elizabeth McCracken's A Long Game by @theguardian.com
No spoilers, but they should be publishing what I wrote soon.
Here's a taster - just the right kind of thing to read if you're starting a new piece of fiction.
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
No spoilers, but they should be publishing what I wrote soon.
Here's a taster - just the right kind of thing to read if you're starting a new piece of fiction.
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
Dreaming of writing your novel this year? Rip up all the rules!
After 35 years of teaching fiction writing, the prize-winning author shares her wisdom. First tip? Don’t write what you know…
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:21 PM
I was very glad to be asked to review Elizabeth McCracken's A Long Game by @theguardian.com
No spoilers, but they should be publishing what I wrote soon.
Here's a taster - just the right kind of thing to read if you're starting a new piece of fiction.
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
No spoilers, but they should be publishing what I wrote soon.
Here's a taster - just the right kind of thing to read if you're starting a new piece of fiction.
www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
New Year, New Writer's Diary.
This year, I'm going - with my subscribers' help - to draft a writing manual (working title is 'The Page: On Drafting').
I'll be podcasting and writing about it on my Substack.
Together, hopefully, we can write our books.
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
This year, I'm going - with my subscribers' help - to draft a writing manual (working title is 'The Page: On Drafting').
I'll be podcasting and writing about it on my Substack.
Together, hopefully, we can write our books.
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
We're Starting to Write a Book
A Writer's Diary enters the New Year with a new project and a new sound.
open.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 9:12 PM
New Year, New Writer's Diary.
This year, I'm going - with my subscribers' help - to draft a writing manual (working title is 'The Page: On Drafting').
I'll be podcasting and writing about it on my Substack.
Together, hopefully, we can write our books.
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
This year, I'm going - with my subscribers' help - to draft a writing manual (working title is 'The Page: On Drafting').
I'll be podcasting and writing about it on my Substack.
Together, hopefully, we can write our books.
open.substack.com/pub/awriters...
Reposted by Toby Litt
Ongoing decimation of British universities part 252:
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Ongoing decimation of British universities part 252:
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
RIP Martin Parr.
I have a story, from the one time I met him. At the Port Eliot Festival. It gave, eventually, the secret to his genius.
We were standing under a tree, chatting, and I was asking him about how he worked? How he got people enough at their ease that they'd forget he was there?
I have a story, from the one time I met him. At the Port Eliot Festival. It gave, eventually, the secret to his genius.
We were standing under a tree, chatting, and I was asking him about how he worked? How he got people enough at their ease that they'd forget he was there?
December 8, 2025 at 6:44 PM
RIP Martin Parr.
I have a story, from the one time I met him. At the Port Eliot Festival. It gave, eventually, the secret to his genius.
We were standing under a tree, chatting, and I was asking him about how he worked? How he got people enough at their ease that they'd forget he was there?
I have a story, from the one time I met him. At the Port Eliot Festival. It gave, eventually, the secret to his genius.
We were standing under a tree, chatting, and I was asking him about how he worked? How he got people enough at their ease that they'd forget he was there?
Reposted by Toby Litt
"For the overwhelmed poet, this poetic artifice is deeply enabling, allowing what was previously unspeakable to finally be spoken."
'the overwhelmed poet'!
This year's FT Prince Memorial Lecture by Dr Mary Jean Chan was outstanding.
You can watch it here -
youtu.be/LO3gjO0I0s4?...
'the overwhelmed poet'!
This year's FT Prince Memorial Lecture by Dr Mary Jean Chan was outstanding.
You can watch it here -
youtu.be/LO3gjO0I0s4?...
F. T. Prince Memorial Lecture 2025: Dr Mary Jean Chan ¦ University of Southampton
YouTube video by Humanities Southampton
youtu.be
December 1, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"For the overwhelmed poet, this poetic artifice is deeply enabling, allowing what was previously unspeakable to finally be spoken."
'the overwhelmed poet'!
This year's FT Prince Memorial Lecture by Dr Mary Jean Chan was outstanding.
You can watch it here -
youtu.be/LO3gjO0I0s4?...
'the overwhelmed poet'!
This year's FT Prince Memorial Lecture by Dr Mary Jean Chan was outstanding.
You can watch it here -
youtu.be/LO3gjO0I0s4?...
"For the overwhelmed poet, this poetic artifice is deeply enabling, allowing what was previously unspeakable to finally be spoken."
'the overwhelmed poet'!
This year's FT Prince Memorial Lecture by Dr Mary Jean Chan was outstanding.
You can watch it here -
youtu.be/LO3gjO0I0s4?...
'the overwhelmed poet'!
This year's FT Prince Memorial Lecture by Dr Mary Jean Chan was outstanding.
You can watch it here -
youtu.be/LO3gjO0I0s4?...
F. T. Prince Memorial Lecture 2025: Dr Mary Jean Chan ¦ University of Southampton
YouTube video by Humanities Southampton
youtu.be
December 1, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"For the overwhelmed poet, this poetic artifice is deeply enabling, allowing what was previously unspeakable to finally be spoken."
'the overwhelmed poet'!
This year's FT Prince Memorial Lecture by Dr Mary Jean Chan was outstanding.
You can watch it here -
youtu.be/LO3gjO0I0s4?...
'the overwhelmed poet'!
This year's FT Prince Memorial Lecture by Dr Mary Jean Chan was outstanding.
You can watch it here -
youtu.be/LO3gjO0I0s4?...
Reposted by Toby Litt
At COP30 in Belém do Pará, more than 50,000 people made history with a clear, unified message:
“It is time to bury fossil fuels and build a clean, just future.”
Today, we symbolically laid fossil fuels to rest. ✊
“It is time to bury fossil fuels and build a clean, just future.”
Today, we symbolically laid fossil fuels to rest. ✊
November 15, 2025 at 8:42 PM
At COP30 in Belém do Pará, more than 50,000 people made history with a clear, unified message:
“It is time to bury fossil fuels and build a clean, just future.”
Today, we symbolically laid fossil fuels to rest. ✊
“It is time to bury fossil fuels and build a clean, just future.”
Today, we symbolically laid fossil fuels to rest. ✊
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