A. J. Ashworth
@ajashworth.bsky.social
Short story writer. Maybe the Birds (Gold SF/Goldsmiths Press, 2025). Somewhere Else, Or Even Here (Salt). Dr.
Pinned
Audio recording of Maybe the Birds – A. J. Ashworth – Short Story Writer
ajashworth.com
Thanks to Neil Warren for this audio recording of me reading the title story from my new collection 💛 ajashworth.com/audio-record... @goldsf.bsky.social @goldsmithspress.bsky.social
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
David Rose's new story in @exactingclam.bsky.social (you'll need a pen and paper to work out the hidden message, oh yes)
www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-19...
www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-19...
Dali and the Lobster | Exacting Clam
www.exactingclam.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:31 AM
David Rose's new story in @exactingclam.bsky.social (you'll need a pen and paper to work out the hidden message, oh yes)
www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-19...
www.exactingclam.com/issues/no-19...
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
It's such a treat to talk with others about writing and I was delighted to have this talk with Richard. I was surprised to find I had something to say about AI and writing, and the video game of Caroline Clark 👇🎮
Write what you know or write what you don't? On the @fictionable.bsky.social #podcast Caroline Clark tells us she's certain of one thing – she's making it up
Catch it at www.fictionable.world/podcasts/car...
#books #reading #writing #fiction #comics #ShortStories #translation #blog
Catch it at www.fictionable.world/podcasts/car...
#books #reading #writing #fiction #comics #ShortStories #translation #blog
November 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM
It's such a treat to talk with others about writing and I was delighted to have this talk with Richard. I was surprised to find I had something to say about AI and writing, and the video game of Caroline Clark 👇🎮
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
A Personal Anthology, by Ailsa Cox
open.substack.com/pub/apersona...
open.substack.com/pub/apersona...
A Personal Anthology, by Ailsa Cox
Each time I’ve prepared a new edition of Writing Short Stories, I’ve referred to some different texts from writers I haven’t mentioned before.
open.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:16 PM
A Personal Anthology, by Ailsa Cox
open.substack.com/pub/apersona...
open.substack.com/pub/apersona...
Thanks to Neil Warren for this audio recording of me reading the title story from my new collection 💛 ajashworth.com/audio-record... @goldsf.bsky.social @goldsmithspress.bsky.social
Audio recording of Maybe the Birds – A. J. Ashworth – Short Story Writer
ajashworth.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Thanks to Neil Warren for this audio recording of me reading the title story from my new collection 💛 ajashworth.com/audio-record... @goldsf.bsky.social @goldsmithspress.bsky.social
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
Good to see @goldsf.bsky.social @ajashworth.bsky.social "Maybe the Birds" featured!
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@unamccormack.bsky.social
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@unamccormack.bsky.social
Don’t invest in AI, invest in the future of the book
Why the publishing industry must back small presses, rather than LLMs.
www.thebookseller.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Good to see @goldsf.bsky.social @ajashworth.bsky.social "Maybe the Birds" featured!
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
@unamccormack.bsky.social
www.thebookseller.com/comment/dont...
@unamccormack.bsky.social
Many thanks to Gus Gresham for this fab review of Maybe the Birds 💛 everybodysreviewing.blogspot.com/2025/11/revi... @goldsf.bsky.social @goldsmithspress.bsky.social
Review by Gus Gresham of "Maybe the Birds" by A. J. Ashworth
This short story collection by A. J. Ashworth is a rewarding read, each story like a piece of mysterious treasure from a dug-up pirates’ che...
everybodysreviewing.blogspot.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Many thanks to Gus Gresham for this fab review of Maybe the Birds 💛 everybodysreviewing.blogspot.com/2025/11/revi... @goldsf.bsky.social @goldsmithspress.bsky.social
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
We're open for submissions of #shortstories #flashfiction #microfiction and #translations. Please click on the link for our guidlesines #callforsubmissions fictivedream.com/submission-g...
November 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
We're open for submissions of #shortstories #flashfiction #microfiction and #translations. Please click on the link for our guidlesines #callforsubmissions fictivedream.com/submission-g...
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
Absolutely this. Apply what you know to what you learn and you'll make something that's personal and unique
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
November 12, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Absolutely this. Apply what you know to what you learn and you'll make something that's personal and unique
Ah I love Under Milk Wood - ‘I must put my pyjamas in the drawer marked Pyjamas’ ❤️
They’re running Under Milk Wood as originally broadcast, for the first time, this weekend on R4 Extra. Obviously, it’s brilliant. And I highly recommend a listen. It still sounds amazing; truly timeless. The most dated bit is the credits - but, oh, those character names.
November 8, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Ah I love Under Milk Wood - ‘I must put my pyjamas in the drawer marked Pyjamas’ ❤️
Congrats @cdrose.bsky.social - fantastic news ❤️
@cdrose.bsky.social is the 2025 Goldsmiths Prize winner!!! So, so well deserved ❤️🏆 Read WE LIVE HERE NOW! @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Congrats @cdrose.bsky.social - fantastic news ❤️
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
Here’s the cover for LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD: THE NINE LIVES OF MURIEL SPARK, out 16 April with @sceptrebooks.bsky.social
Preorder here: lnk.to/LikeaCatLove...
Please share! The book doing well means I can write another (and fulfil my dream of owning a pizza oven), so it’s pretty serious
🐈⬛ 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛
Preorder here: lnk.to/LikeaCatLove...
Please share! The book doing well means I can write another (and fulfil my dream of owning a pizza oven), so it’s pretty serious
🐈⬛ 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛
November 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Here’s the cover for LIKE A CAT LOVES A BIRD: THE NINE LIVES OF MURIEL SPARK, out 16 April with @sceptrebooks.bsky.social
Preorder here: lnk.to/LikeaCatLove...
Please share! The book doing well means I can write another (and fulfil my dream of owning a pizza oven), so it’s pretty serious
🐈⬛ 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛
Preorder here: lnk.to/LikeaCatLove...
Please share! The book doing well means I can write another (and fulfil my dream of owning a pizza oven), so it’s pretty serious
🐈⬛ 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
We publish *imaginary* research abstracts!
The Journal of Imaginary Research is now accepting submissions of new short fictional pieces. Click to read:
Why Abstract fiction?
The theme
How to get started
What to submit to us
What *not* to submit
journalofimaginaryresearch.home.blog/2025/10/28/c...
The Journal of Imaginary Research is now accepting submissions of new short fictional pieces. Click to read:
Why Abstract fiction?
The theme
How to get started
What to submit to us
What *not* to submit
journalofimaginaryresearch.home.blog/2025/10/28/c...
Call for Abstracts – Journal Of Imaginary Research Volume 11
The Journal of Imaginary Research is now accepting submissions of new short fictional pieces for our annual volume produced each November to celebrate Global Academic Writing Month. We pu…
journalofimaginaryresearch.home.blog
October 29, 2025 at 9:38 AM
We publish *imaginary* research abstracts!
The Journal of Imaginary Research is now accepting submissions of new short fictional pieces. Click to read:
Why Abstract fiction?
The theme
How to get started
What to submit to us
What *not* to submit
journalofimaginaryresearch.home.blog/2025/10/28/c...
The Journal of Imaginary Research is now accepting submissions of new short fictional pieces. Click to read:
Why Abstract fiction?
The theme
How to get started
What to submit to us
What *not* to submit
journalofimaginaryresearch.home.blog/2025/10/28/c...
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
Thanks so much to Foreword Reviews for this review of Maybe the Birds!https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/maybe-the-birds/ @unamccormack.bsky.social @goldsf.bsky.social @goldsmithspress.bsky.social 💛
Review of Maybe the Birds
Maybe the Birds: Women’s instincts and memories are alchemical in A. J. Ashworth’s unnerving speculative collection "Maybe the Birds". In one tale, a school shooting survivor carves mementos mori for ...
www.forewordreviews.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Thanks so much to Foreword Reviews for this review of Maybe the Birds!https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/maybe-the-birds/ @unamccormack.bsky.social @goldsf.bsky.social @goldsmithspress.bsky.social 💛
Thanks so much to Foreword Reviews for this review of Maybe the Birds!https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/maybe-the-birds/ @unamccormack.bsky.social @goldsf.bsky.social @goldsmithspress.bsky.social 💛
Review of Maybe the Birds
Maybe the Birds: Women’s instincts and memories are alchemical in A. J. Ashworth’s unnerving speculative collection "Maybe the Birds". In one tale, a school shooting survivor carves mementos mori for ...
www.forewordreviews.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Thanks so much to Foreword Reviews for this review of Maybe the Birds!https://www.forewordreviews.com/reviews/maybe-the-birds/ @unamccormack.bsky.social @goldsf.bsky.social @goldsmithspress.bsky.social 💛
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
For the afternoon crew: "The Guide" by @ajashworth.bsky.social available to read online; new collection MAYBE THE BIRDS out now from @goldsf.bsky.social!
"The Guide" by @ajashworth.bsky.social available to read now on MIT Reader!
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
A.J. Ashworth: ‘The Guide’
Across millennia, a cave painter and a son confront the shadows of creation and loss. A story from A.J. Ashworth’s new collection “Maybe the Birds.”
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
October 23, 2025 at 12:48 PM
For the afternoon crew: "The Guide" by @ajashworth.bsky.social available to read online; new collection MAYBE THE BIRDS out now from @goldsf.bsky.social!
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
And @ajashworth.bsky.social's fantastic new collection of speculative short stories, MAYBE THE BIRDS, is out now from @goldsf.bsky.social!
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Maybe the Birds
www.gold.ac.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:14 AM
And @ajashworth.bsky.social's fantastic new collection of speculative short stories, MAYBE THE BIRDS, is out now from @goldsf.bsky.social!
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
"The Guide" by @ajashworth.bsky.social available to read now on MIT Reader!
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
A.J. Ashworth: ‘The Guide’
Across millennia, a cave painter and a son confront the shadows of creation and loss. A story from A.J. Ashworth’s new collection “Maybe the Birds.”
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
October 23, 2025 at 6:12 AM
"The Guide" by @ajashworth.bsky.social available to read now on MIT Reader!
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/a-j-ashworth...
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
Brilliant night at The Arts Centre Edge Hill for the launch of AJ Ashworth’s Maybe The Birds - fantastic reading from Andrea!
October 21, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Brilliant night at The Arts Centre Edge Hill for the launch of AJ Ashworth’s Maybe The Birds - fantastic reading from Andrea!
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
And wonderful readings at the launch of AJ Ashworth’s Maybe The Birds at EHU Arts Centre in the first half from Prof Ailsa Cox, Elizabeth Baines and John D Rutter.
October 21, 2025 at 10:21 PM
And wonderful readings at the launch of AJ Ashworth’s Maybe The Birds at EHU Arts Centre in the first half from Prof Ailsa Cox, Elizabeth Baines and John D Rutter.
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
It’s a triple release day, with Common by
Nikolai Duffy, Maybe the Birds by @ajashworth.bsky.social, and Virus is a Language by Chris Hables Gray all publishing today!
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
@unamccormack.bsky.social @jennashworth.bsky.social @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social @mitpress.bsky.social
Nikolai Duffy, Maybe the Birds by @ajashworth.bsky.social, and Virus is a Language by Chris Hables Gray all publishing today!
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
@unamccormack.bsky.social @jennashworth.bsky.social @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social @mitpress.bsky.social
October 21, 2025 at 12:02 PM
It’s a triple release day, with Common by
Nikolai Duffy, Maybe the Birds by @ajashworth.bsky.social, and Virus is a Language by Chris Hables Gray all publishing today!
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
@unamccormack.bsky.social @jennashworth.bsky.social @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social @mitpress.bsky.social
Nikolai Duffy, Maybe the Birds by @ajashworth.bsky.social, and Virus is a Language by Chris Hables Gray all publishing today!
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
@unamccormack.bsky.social @jennashworth.bsky.social @goldsmithsuol.bsky.social @mitpress.bsky.social
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
In my new interview with author A.J. Ashworth, she talks about "Maybe The Birds," her second collection of speculative fiction and realist short stories.
paulsemel.com/exclusive-in...
📖🐦🦜🐦⬛
paulsemel.com/exclusive-in...
📖🐦🦜🐦⬛
Exclusive Interview: "Maybe The Birds" Author A.J. Ashworth · paulsemel.com
Exclusive Interview: "Maybe The Birds" Author A.J. Ashworth \ In which she talks about her second collection of speculative fiction stories.
paulsemel.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:05 PM
In my new interview with author A.J. Ashworth, she talks about "Maybe The Birds," her second collection of speculative fiction and realist short stories.
paulsemel.com/exclusive-in...
📖🐦🦜🐦⬛
paulsemel.com/exclusive-in...
📖🐦🦜🐦⬛
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
A podcast has just been released of my story 'Feather Girls' read by MyAnna Buring: wordtheatre.org/weekly/
Weekly Stories · WORDTheatre
wordtheatre.org
October 12, 2025 at 7:51 AM
A podcast has just been released of my story 'Feather Girls' read by MyAnna Buring: wordtheatre.org/weekly/
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
And Maybe the Birds, a fantastic collection of short stories by AJ Ashworth, out now from @goldsf.bsky.social!
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
September 13, 2025 at 2:12 PM
And Maybe the Birds, a fantastic collection of short stories by AJ Ashworth, out now from @goldsf.bsky.social!
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
Hilary Mantel championed emerging writers - a new prize in her memory will help them get published
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
Hilary Mantel championed emerging writers - a new prize in her memory will help them get published
Judged by Maggie O’Farrell, Ben Miles and Chigozie Obioma, the Hilary Mantel prize will recognise emerging talent, and pay tribute to the Wolf Hall author’s legacy
www.theguardian.com
September 21, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Hilary Mantel championed emerging writers - a new prize in her memory will help them get published
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/s...
Reposted by A. J. Ashworth
Exclusive to Short Fiction in Theory and Practice @intellectbooks.bsky.social
Children under occupation: Conflicts, camps and agential identity in Ghassan Kanafani’s Palestine’s Children: Returning to Haifa and Other Stories | Intellect
This article closely analyses four stories of Ghassan Kanafani from his collection of short stories titled Palestine’s Children: Returning to Haifa and Other Stories (2000), translated by Barbara Harl...
intellectdiscover.com
August 30, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Exclusive to Short Fiction in Theory and Practice @intellectbooks.bsky.social