Ian Johnson
@youcanandyouwill.bsky.social
Trying (trying, very trying) writer/Dad/runner. Words in @trashcatlit.bsky.social @apricotpress.bsky.social @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social @freeflashfiction.bsky.social etc. 2026 Best of the Net nominee.
🚨 Woop woop 🚨. Pleased this is out in the world - thanks to fine folk at @literarygarage.bsky.social !!!
Today's flash is a dark, gritty and stylishly voiced story from
@youcanandyouwill.bsky.social . It takes a bit of neo-noir, combines it with sweaty Southern gothic & a bit of pulp violence.
Head over to the Garage to check it out:
literarygarage.com/hot-and-cold...
🎸📚
@youcanandyouwill.bsky.social . It takes a bit of neo-noir, combines it with sweaty Southern gothic & a bit of pulp violence.
Head over to the Garage to check it out:
literarygarage.com/hot-and-cold...
🎸📚
Hot and Cold on a Long Taut Road | Literary Garage
literarygarage.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:11 PM
🚨 Woop woop 🚨. Pleased this is out in the world - thanks to fine folk at @literarygarage.bsky.social !!!
Trash Cat are the absolute best - send them your tabby gear, you won't regret it!
It's coming...
The feline takeover is almost upon us.
We want your cat flash - between 100 and 1000 words - for our call. Any genre. Deadline is 14th December.
All the info and image prompts here:
trashcatlit.com/call-for-cat...
The feline takeover is almost upon us.
We want your cat flash - between 100 and 1000 words - for our call. Any genre. Deadline is 14th December.
All the info and image prompts here:
trashcatlit.com/call-for-cat...
November 18, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Trash Cat are the absolute best - send them your tabby gear, you won't regret it!
Reposted by Ian Johnson
It's coming...
The feline takeover is almost upon us.
We want your cat flash - between 100 and 1000 words - for our call. Any genre. Deadline is 14th December.
All the info and image prompts here:
trashcatlit.com/call-for-cat...
The feline takeover is almost upon us.
We want your cat flash - between 100 and 1000 words - for our call. Any genre. Deadline is 14th December.
All the info and image prompts here:
trashcatlit.com/call-for-cat...
November 18, 2025 at 11:46 AM
It's coming...
The feline takeover is almost upon us.
We want your cat flash - between 100 and 1000 words - for our call. Any genre. Deadline is 14th December.
All the info and image prompts here:
trashcatlit.com/call-for-cat...
The feline takeover is almost upon us.
We want your cat flash - between 100 and 1000 words - for our call. Any genre. Deadline is 14th December.
All the info and image prompts here:
trashcatlit.com/call-for-cat...
Reposted by Ian Johnson
Part 1 of a short story about teacher stress and the horrors of the English education system. It's very close to my heart. I'd love it if you gave it a gander (or badger) and let me know your thoughts!
open.substack.com/pub/sophiaad...
open.substack.com/pub/sophiaad...
Black, White and Red All Over
A short story about stress, trauma and recovery (part 1)
open.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Part 1 of a short story about teacher stress and the horrors of the English education system. It's very close to my heart. I'd love it if you gave it a gander (or badger) and let me know your thoughts!
open.substack.com/pub/sophiaad...
open.substack.com/pub/sophiaad...
Reposted by Ian Johnson
If you've had a great experience with our wee magazine - as a subber, reader or anything else - we'd love you to consider nominating us for @chillsubs.bsky.social Community Favourites awards. Takes just a mo and deadline is 5th December 🦝💜
www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
Best Lit Mag Awards - Chill Subs
Welcome to Chill Subs' 3rd annual Community Favorites Best Lit Mag Awards! Vote for your favorite literary magazines and celebrate the publications that make our community thrive.
www.chillsubs.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:02 PM
If you've had a great experience with our wee magazine - as a subber, reader or anything else - we'd love you to consider nominating us for @chillsubs.bsky.social Community Favourites awards. Takes just a mo and deadline is 5th December 🦝💜
www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...
Reposted by Ian Johnson
We're so excited to share our first print anthology, available to purchase for only £9/ $11.50 🦝
Please consider grabbing a copy - we're raising money for
@WildlifeTrusts
and have 27 truly exceptional short fictions for you to enjoy on actual paper 💜
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
Please consider grabbing a copy - we're raising money for
@WildlifeTrusts
and have 27 truly exceptional short fictions for you to enjoy on actual paper 💜
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
September 28, 2025 at 1:06 PM
We're so excited to share our first print anthology, available to purchase for only £9/ $11.50 🦝
Please consider grabbing a copy - we're raising money for
@WildlifeTrusts
and have 27 truly exceptional short fictions for you to enjoy on actual paper 💜
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
Please consider grabbing a copy - we're raising money for
@WildlifeTrusts
and have 27 truly exceptional short fictions for you to enjoy on actual paper 💜
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
Like buses, my second bit of gear published today. Prompts are fun pistoljimpress.substack.com/p/twofer-joy...
Twofer Joy by Ian Johnson
from Nails in the Coffin: a Pistol Jim Press series
pistoljimpress.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Like buses, my second bit of gear published today. Prompts are fun pistoljimpress.substack.com/p/twofer-joy...
Thrilled to be an Underbelly barnacle on this lush thing. Autumnal melancholia lies within both from super talented folk I know, and will for sure get to know. Plus, a niche comfort/small victory from me!
I’m thrilled to share Issue 5 of Underbelly Press!
Our website (in bio) features a PDF copy to download or read as a flipbook: underbellypress.wixsite.com/home/copy-of...
Our website (in bio) features a PDF copy to download or read as a flipbook: underbellypress.wixsite.com/home/copy-of...
November 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Thrilled to be an Underbelly barnacle on this lush thing. Autumnal melancholia lies within both from super talented folk I know, and will for sure get to know. Plus, a niche comfort/small victory from me!
Tremendous story by @laurabesley.bsky.social
I am absolutely delighted to have a new story out - Love (a journey) - with Fictive Dream. Huge thanks to editor Laura whose dedication to short fiction is phenomenal.
#fiction #flashfiction #amwriting #writingcommunity
#fiction #flashfiction #amwriting #writingcommunity
"After we sign the divorce papers, my soon-to-be ex-husband and I decide to go for lunch." Love (a journey) by Laura Besley @laurabesley.bsky.social #flashfiction #readingcommunity #writingcommunity. Please click on the link and enjoy fictivedream.com/2025/11/07/l...
November 7, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Tremendous story by @laurabesley.bsky.social
Reposted by Ian Johnson
There are 27 short fictions in our print anthology - two of them deal beautifully with stories of escape 🦝
If these teases tempt you, you can grab a copy for less than £10!
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
What Comes to Light by @quickasaflash.bsky.social 💜
Thin Place by @justine1902.bsky.social 💜
If these teases tempt you, you can grab a copy for less than £10!
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
What Comes to Light by @quickasaflash.bsky.social 💜
Thin Place by @justine1902.bsky.social 💜
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 PM
There are 27 short fictions in our print anthology - two of them deal beautifully with stories of escape 🦝
If these teases tempt you, you can grab a copy for less than £10!
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
What Comes to Light by @quickasaflash.bsky.social 💜
Thin Place by @justine1902.bsky.social 💜
If these teases tempt you, you can grab a copy for less than £10!
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
What Comes to Light by @quickasaflash.bsky.social 💜
Thin Place by @justine1902.bsky.social 💜
@earlgreysnail.bsky.social Hi Ashley, fellow word slugger here (Ian - legit, not a bot). Can I contact you about something?
November 4, 2025 at 10:28 AM
@earlgreysnail.bsky.social Hi Ashley, fellow word slugger here (Ian - legit, not a bot). Can I contact you about something?
Reposted by Ian Johnson
I'm thrilled to reveal the cover of Underbelly Press Issue 5 ahead of its release this Saturday (8 November)! Less than a week to go...
A huge thank you to the wonderfully talented D.C. Nobes whose stunning shot is the cover for this issue.
Teasers for Issue 5 coming soon!
A huge thank you to the wonderfully talented D.C. Nobes whose stunning shot is the cover for this issue.
Teasers for Issue 5 coming soon!
November 3, 2025 at 12:03 PM
I'm thrilled to reveal the cover of Underbelly Press Issue 5 ahead of its release this Saturday (8 November)! Less than a week to go...
A huge thank you to the wonderfully talented D.C. Nobes whose stunning shot is the cover for this issue.
Teasers for Issue 5 coming soon!
A huge thank you to the wonderfully talented D.C. Nobes whose stunning shot is the cover for this issue.
Teasers for Issue 5 coming soon!
Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for wallaby.
October 31, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for wallaby.
Reposted by Ian Johnson
Like your story-reads with a smidge, or even a pantwetting load, of laughs? Our print anthology has 3 corking tales to whet your giggle-box.
With 24 other amazing reads inside - grab one.
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
Teases from @mrallanmiller.bsky.social @youcanandyouwill.bsky.social & Shayla Felix
With 24 other amazing reads inside - grab one.
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
Teases from @mrallanmiller.bsky.social @youcanandyouwill.bsky.social & Shayla Felix
October 29, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Like your story-reads with a smidge, or even a pantwetting load, of laughs? Our print anthology has 3 corking tales to whet your giggle-box.
With 24 other amazing reads inside - grab one.
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
Teases from @mrallanmiller.bsky.social @youcanandyouwill.bsky.social & Shayla Felix
With 24 other amazing reads inside - grab one.
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
Teases from @mrallanmiller.bsky.social @youcanandyouwill.bsky.social & Shayla Felix
As the youth would say, I believe, yas queen. Some familiar brilliant writers and new ones (to me) to explore. Cannae wait man, pet.
Short Fiction
Amy Leacy ☆ @deniseb.bsky.social ☆ Derek Jennings☆ @emyrpayne.bsky.social ☆Heather Walker ☆ Ian Johnson☆ John Storey☆ @jupiterjonz.bsky.social ☆ @darkonelf.bsky.social ☆ @lozzawriting.bsky.social ☆ @madeleinewrite.bsky.social ☆ Rebecca Tiger ☆ Scott MacLeod☆ @tednorthodox.bsky.social ☆
Amy Leacy ☆ @deniseb.bsky.social ☆ Derek Jennings☆ @emyrpayne.bsky.social ☆Heather Walker ☆ Ian Johnson☆ John Storey☆ @jupiterjonz.bsky.social ☆ @darkonelf.bsky.social ☆ @lozzawriting.bsky.social ☆ @madeleinewrite.bsky.social ☆ Rebecca Tiger ☆ Scott MacLeod☆ @tednorthodox.bsky.social ☆
October 29, 2025 at 12:06 PM
As the youth would say, I believe, yas queen. Some familiar brilliant writers and new ones (to me) to explore. Cannae wait man, pet.
Reposted by Ian Johnson
We’re excited to announce the incredible contributors for Issue 5: AUTUMN!
Huge thanks to everyone who submitted & supported Underbelly Press in shaping our first themed issue. It's bursting with stunning pieces, each offering a unique take on autumn. Release date coming soon!
Huge thanks to everyone who submitted & supported Underbelly Press in shaping our first themed issue. It's bursting with stunning pieces, each offering a unique take on autumn. Release date coming soon!
October 29, 2025 at 11:38 AM
We’re excited to announce the incredible contributors for Issue 5: AUTUMN!
Huge thanks to everyone who submitted & supported Underbelly Press in shaping our first themed issue. It's bursting with stunning pieces, each offering a unique take on autumn. Release date coming soon!
Huge thanks to everyone who submitted & supported Underbelly Press in shaping our first themed issue. It's bursting with stunning pieces, each offering a unique take on autumn. Release date coming soon!
Reposted by Ian Johnson
Want your reading chops round something uncanny and yet agonisingly relatable?
Yeah, so we have that in our print anthology - and another 24 stories to boot.
Raising money for charity, go grab a copy...
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
1/2
Yeah, so we have that in our print anthology - and another 24 stories to boot.
Raising money for charity, go grab a copy...
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
1/2
October 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Want your reading chops round something uncanny and yet agonisingly relatable?
Yeah, so we have that in our print anthology - and another 24 stories to boot.
Raising money for charity, go grab a copy...
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
1/2
Yeah, so we have that in our print anthology - and another 24 stories to boot.
Raising money for charity, go grab a copy...
mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
1/2
A-reading and a-editing (and a-posing) in local book fortress @litandphil.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM
A-reading and a-editing (and a-posing) in local book fortress @litandphil.bsky.social
Reposted by Ian Johnson
I'm taking a break from my latest "impossible" jigsaw to read the stories again in print.
Thanks again to @therelphian.bsky.social for working so hard to get this fantastic anthology out!
Get yours at: mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
#shortfiction
Thanks again to @therelphian.bsky.social for working so hard to get this fantastic anthology out!
Get yours at: mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
#shortfiction
October 1, 2025 at 11:33 AM
I'm taking a break from my latest "impossible" jigsaw to read the stories again in print.
Thanks again to @therelphian.bsky.social for working so hard to get this fantastic anthology out!
Get yours at: mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
#shortfiction
Thanks again to @therelphian.bsky.social for working so hard to get this fantastic anthology out!
Get yours at: mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
#shortfiction
Year. Made. Yah boy in print. Thank you @therelphian.bsky.social @trashcatlit.bsky.social for this fine artefact. Impress your friends and save a badger mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
October 1, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Year. Made. Yah boy in print. Thank you @therelphian.bsky.social @trashcatlit.bsky.social for this fine artefact. Impress your friends and save a badger mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
If you have the means, I just want to speak up for the feedback option on this comp. The thoughtful notes I received on a short kickstarted a purple patch where my redrafted piece was accepted by 6 publications, and made me more mindful in my writing generally.
It's Deadline Day, people!
You have until midnight tonight (GMT) to send us your most dazzling stories. Our judges are already raring to get reading...
Quick!
#writing #reading #WritingCommunity
You have until midnight tonight (GMT) to send us your most dazzling stories. Our judges are already raring to get reading...
Quick!
#writing #reading #WritingCommunity
September 30, 2025 at 9:37 AM
If you have the means, I just want to speak up for the feedback option on this comp. The thoughtful notes I received on a short kickstarted a purple patch where my redrafted piece was accepted by 6 publications, and made me more mindful in my writing generally.
Reposted by Ian Johnson
My story in this anthology (Happy Birthday, You Geriatric POS) will change your life, and the other 26 are somehow MORE vital. Even if you hate yourself, it's for charity... do you hate animals? Why? Get it at mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
September 28, 2025 at 1:45 PM
My story in this anthology (Happy Birthday, You Geriatric POS) will change your life, and the other 26 are somehow MORE vital. Even if you hate yourself, it's for charity... do you hate animals? Why? Get it at mybook.to/WhatComesToL...
Reposted by Ian Johnson
Check out the webpage for our upcoming print anthology. We have added story teases from our twenty-seven amazing contributors to tantalise your readerly appetites🦝💜
trashcatlit.com/what-comes-t...
trashcatlit.com/what-comes-t...
What Comes to Light 2025
Edited by JP Relph Coming late September 2025 is our first print anthology to raise funds for UK charity, The Wildlife Trusts. The theme for this submission call was Treasure in Unexpected Places, …
trashcatlit.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Check out the webpage for our upcoming print anthology. We have added story teases from our twenty-seven amazing contributors to tantalise your readerly appetites🦝💜
trashcatlit.com/what-comes-t...
trashcatlit.com/what-comes-t...
Reposted by Ian Johnson
The paperback proof of our upcoming anthology is getting some last-minute editorial attention from Mary. She's ruthless! but also chonky so one could say, the proof is with the pudding 🦝😼
Not long now until the book can be in your cat's paws too!
Not long now until the book can be in your cat's paws too!
September 23, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The paperback proof of our upcoming anthology is getting some last-minute editorial attention from Mary. She's ruthless! but also chonky so one could say, the proof is with the pudding 🦝😼
Not long now until the book can be in your cat's paws too!
Not long now until the book can be in your cat's paws too!