Jason Arthur
@jasonarthur.bsky.social
Associate Publishing Director at Granta Books. Late of the parishes of Routledge, Jonathan Cape, Vintage and William Heinemann.
Very excited to go see Ira Sachs's Peter Hujar's Day, with Ben Wishaw as Hujar. Almost as excited as I am to be publishing @andrew-durbin.bsky.social's magisterial dual biography of Hujar & Paul Thek.
THE WONDERFUL WORLD THAT ALMOST WAS: A Life of Peter Hujar and Paul Thek (April 2026)
THE WONDERFUL WORLD THAT ALMOST WAS: A Life of Peter Hujar and Paul Thek (April 2026)
November 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Very excited to go see Ira Sachs's Peter Hujar's Day, with Ben Wishaw as Hujar. Almost as excited as I am to be publishing @andrew-durbin.bsky.social's magisterial dual biography of Hujar & Paul Thek.
THE WONDERFUL WORLD THAT ALMOST WAS: A Life of Peter Hujar and Paul Thek (April 2026)
THE WONDERFUL WORLD THAT ALMOST WAS: A Life of Peter Hujar and Paul Thek (April 2026)
‘A dark & lucid novel, offering not a satire of office life but a horrific riff on our inability to be fully present – at work or at home.’
The Expansion Project by @benpester.bsky.social
review31.co.uk/article/view...
The Expansion Project by @benpester.bsky.social
review31.co.uk/article/view...
Scope Creep
Review 31 is an online literary review.
review31.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
‘A dark & lucid novel, offering not a satire of office life but a horrific riff on our inability to be fully present – at work or at home.’
The Expansion Project by @benpester.bsky.social
review31.co.uk/article/view...
The Expansion Project by @benpester.bsky.social
review31.co.uk/article/view...
Very much looking forward to this. It's a solid shortlist with some exceptional novels. Of course, I hope @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project takes the prize tonight. But whichever way it goes, I'm so pleased Ben was shortlisted for what is my favourite book prize.
The waiting is nearly over! Our judges - Mark Haddon, Megan Nolan, @simonokotie.bsky.social, and @asack.bsky.social - have read, deliberated and decided.
Winner announcement TONIGHT around 7.30pm🔥
Winner announcement TONIGHT around 7.30pm🔥
November 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Very much looking forward to this. It's a solid shortlist with some exceptional novels. Of course, I hope @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project takes the prize tonight. But whichever way it goes, I'm so pleased Ben was shortlisted for what is my favourite book prize.
Nice to see Mariana Enriquez's A Sunny Place for Shady People picking up a World Fantasy Award (for Best Collection).
locusmag.com/2025/11/worl...
locusmag.com/2025/11/worl...
World Fantasy Awards Winners
The World Fantasy Awards winners for works published in 2024 were presented during the 2025 World Fantasy Convention, held October 30 – November 2, 2025 in Brighton, UK. The Life Achievement …
locusmag.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Nice to see Mariana Enriquez's A Sunny Place for Shady People picking up a World Fantasy Award (for Best Collection).
locusmag.com/2025/11/worl...
locusmag.com/2025/11/worl...
Reposted by Jason Arthur
'Combines aspects of classic horror such as Stephen King or Clive Barker, with elements more usually found in authors like Roberto Bolano or William Burroughs.'
#MarianaEnriquez' Our Share of Night is No 1 in The Quietus' 25 best pieces of #Horror Fiction of the 21st Century
buff.ly/C4B49ZM
#MarianaEnriquez' Our Share of Night is No 1 in The Quietus' 25 best pieces of #Horror Fiction of the 21st Century
buff.ly/C4B49ZM
October 31, 2025 at 9:00 PM
'Combines aspects of classic horror such as Stephen King or Clive Barker, with elements more usually found in authors like Roberto Bolano or William Burroughs.'
#MarianaEnriquez' Our Share of Night is No 1 in The Quietus' 25 best pieces of #Horror Fiction of the 21st Century
buff.ly/C4B49ZM
#MarianaEnriquez' Our Share of Night is No 1 in The Quietus' 25 best pieces of #Horror Fiction of the 21st Century
buff.ly/C4B49ZM
Pleased, but not entirely surprised, to see Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez at # 1 in this excellent list.
Authors Catriona Ward, Michael Cisco, Greg F. Gifune & Leila Taylor join tQ writers Sean Kitching and Mat Colgate to bring you what they consider to be the best novels, short stories and graphic novels in the genre
The 25 best pieces of #Horror Fiction of the 21st century so far…
buff.ly/C4B49ZM
The 25 best pieces of #Horror Fiction of the 21st century so far…
buff.ly/C4B49ZM
October 31, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Pleased, but not entirely surprised, to see Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez at # 1 in this excellent list.
'Absorbing blend of mystery, psychological confusion & corporate over-reach...Megan Nolan, one of the @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social judges, described The Expansion Project as a “magnificently destabilising rendering of work life...Disturbing, funny & deeply odd”'
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
Ben Pester Q&A: “Feeling weird is essential”
The 2025 Goldsmith Prize-shortlisted author on the pleasure of generational differences and the value of messy literature
www.newstatesman.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:13 PM
'Absorbing blend of mystery, psychological confusion & corporate over-reach...Megan Nolan, one of the @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social judges, described The Expansion Project as a “magnificently destabilising rendering of work life...Disturbing, funny & deeply odd”'
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
'A freeform – & very funny – play on everything from art & authenticity to cancel culture. Fans of [Nicola] Barker’s distinctive brand of literary comedy will not be disappointed. Newbies, welcome to the party.'
TonyInterruptor
www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainmen...
TonyInterruptor
www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainmen...
The Page-turners, Heartbreakers, and Big-Idea Books of Autumn 2025
The fall reads that everyone will be talking about
www.marieclaire.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 4:39 PM
'A freeform – & very funny – play on everything from art & authenticity to cancel culture. Fans of [Nicola] Barker’s distinctive brand of literary comedy will not be disappointed. Newbies, welcome to the party.'
TonyInterruptor
www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainmen...
TonyInterruptor
www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainmen...
Reposted by Jason Arthur
My huge face in the New Statesman today
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@grantabooks.bsky.social @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@grantabooks.bsky.social @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
Ben Pester Q&A: “Feeling weird is essential”
The 2025 Goldsmith Prize-shortlisted author on the pleasure of generational differences and the value of messy literature
www.newstatesman.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:16 AM
My huge face in the New Statesman today
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@grantabooks.bsky.social @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
@grantabooks.bsky.social @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social @newstatesman1913.bsky.social
Liadan Ní Chuinn's Every One Still Here
‘Extraordinary’ Guardian
‘Astonishing’ Sunday Times
‘Phenomenal’ Observer
‘Utterly brilliant’ Daily Mail
‘Deserves to be considered among the best Irish books of the 21st century’ Irish Times
‘Phenomenal' Lucy Caldwell
'A properly exciting writer' Max Porter
‘Extraordinary’ Guardian
‘Astonishing’ Sunday Times
‘Phenomenal’ Observer
‘Utterly brilliant’ Daily Mail
‘Deserves to be considered among the best Irish books of the 21st century’ Irish Times
‘Phenomenal' Lucy Caldwell
'A properly exciting writer' Max Porter
BIG NEWS 📚🎉
We couldn't be happier to see this year's shortlist for 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards!
Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year: Every One Still Here by Liadan Ní Chuinn (The Stinging Fly Press)
You can vote now
www.irishbookawards.ie/nominee/ever...
We couldn't be happier to see this year's shortlist for 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards!
Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year: Every One Still Here by Liadan Ní Chuinn (The Stinging Fly Press)
You can vote now
www.irishbookawards.ie/nominee/ever...
October 24, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Liadan Ní Chuinn's Every One Still Here
‘Extraordinary’ Guardian
‘Astonishing’ Sunday Times
‘Phenomenal’ Observer
‘Utterly brilliant’ Daily Mail
‘Deserves to be considered among the best Irish books of the 21st century’ Irish Times
‘Phenomenal' Lucy Caldwell
'A properly exciting writer' Max Porter
‘Extraordinary’ Guardian
‘Astonishing’ Sunday Times
‘Phenomenal’ Observer
‘Utterly brilliant’ Daily Mail
‘Deserves to be considered among the best Irish books of the 21st century’ Irish Times
‘Phenomenal' Lucy Caldwell
'A properly exciting writer' Max Porter
Reposted by Jason Arthur
@benpester.bsky.social, Sarah Hall, @cdrose.bsky.social & @ericawgnr.bsky.social on stage last night @southbankcentre.bsky.social.
Colwill Brown, @yrsadaleyward.bsky.social & Charlie Porter contributed in virtual form.
Thanks to everyone for a stimulating evening of readings and discussion.
Colwill Brown, @yrsadaleyward.bsky.social & Charlie Porter contributed in virtual form.
Thanks to everyone for a stimulating evening of readings and discussion.
October 23, 2025 at 8:54 AM
@benpester.bsky.social, Sarah Hall, @cdrose.bsky.social & @ericawgnr.bsky.social on stage last night @southbankcentre.bsky.social.
Colwill Brown, @yrsadaleyward.bsky.social & Charlie Porter contributed in virtual form.
Thanks to everyone for a stimulating evening of readings and discussion.
Colwill Brown, @yrsadaleyward.bsky.social & Charlie Porter contributed in virtual form.
Thanks to everyone for a stimulating evening of readings and discussion.
So pleased to see that Liadan Ní Chuinn, author of the brilliant Every One Still Here, has been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award (Newcomer of the Year).
Shortlist unveiled for the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards www.rte.ie/culture/2025...
Shortlist unveiled for the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards
Cecelia Ahern, Donal Ryan, Oscar-winning actor Brenda Fricker, John Banville, RTÉ presenter Miriam O'Callaghan and former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are among the authors on the shortlist for this year's ...
www.rte.ie
October 23, 2025 at 7:30 AM
So pleased to see that Liadan Ní Chuinn, author of the brilliant Every One Still Here, has been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award (Newcomer of the Year).
It’s been a fab week for book events. Sayaka Murata wowed a huge crowd at the wonderful Ps & Gs church in Edinburgh on Monday. Thanks to the brilliant @argonautbooks.bsky.social for that.
October 23, 2025 at 7:13 AM
It’s been a fab week for book events. Sayaka Murata wowed a huge crowd at the wonderful Ps & Gs church in Edinburgh on Monday. Thanks to the brilliant @argonautbooks.bsky.social for that.
@benpester.bsky.social reading from The Expansion Project at the @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social shortlist event last night. A great evening.
October 23, 2025 at 7:05 AM
@benpester.bsky.social reading from The Expansion Project at the @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social shortlist event last night. A great evening.
Reposted by Jason Arthur
#GoldsmithsPrize2025 Chair of Judges, @asack.bsky.social, on @benpester.bsky.social's 'unsettling' and 'very funny' novel.
October 10, 2025 at 9:45 AM
#GoldsmithsPrize2025 Chair of Judges, @asack.bsky.social, on @benpester.bsky.social's 'unsettling' and 'very funny' novel.
Reposted by Jason Arthur
From the archive, 2022: fiction by Ben Pester.
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’
granta.com/the-durhams-...
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’
granta.com/the-durhams-...
The Durhams | Ben Pester | Granta
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’ Fiction by Ben Pester.
granta.com
October 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
From the archive, 2022: fiction by Ben Pester.
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’
granta.com/the-durhams-...
‘We have this space and we have permission to summon each other into it. Sibspace.’
granta.com/the-durhams-...
Another sold-out event for Mariana Enriquez on her UK tour. This one at @foylesforbooks.bsky.social and chaired by the brilliant @akblakemore.bsky.social.
October 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Another sold-out event for Mariana Enriquez on her UK tour. This one at @foylesforbooks.bsky.social and chaired by the brilliant @akblakemore.bsky.social.
Reposted by Jason Arthur
We are delighted to announce the #GoldsmithsPrize2025 shortlist.
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
October 3, 2025 at 11:51 AM
@goldsmithsprize.bsky.social judge Megan Nolan on @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project:
'A magnificently destabilising rendering of work life which is both familiar and totally foreign...Disturbing, funny and deeply odd, this is a novel for the ages, but especially ours'
'A magnificently destabilising rendering of work life which is both familiar and totally foreign...Disturbing, funny and deeply odd, this is a novel for the ages, but especially ours'
We are delighted to announce the #GoldsmithsPrize2025 shortlist.
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
October 3, 2025 at 9:36 AM
@goldsmithsprize.bsky.social judge Megan Nolan on @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project:
'A magnificently destabilising rendering of work life which is both familiar and totally foreign...Disturbing, funny and deeply odd, this is a novel for the ages, but especially ours'
'A magnificently destabilising rendering of work life which is both familiar and totally foreign...Disturbing, funny and deeply odd, this is a novel for the ages, but especially ours'
The Expansion Project (and @benpester.bsky.social) in good company here.
Goldsmiths Prize 2025 shortlist
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Goldsmiths Prize 2025 shortlist
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Sarah Hall and Charlie Porter among writers on ‘genre-defying’ Goldsmiths prize shortlist
The £10,000 award, whose judges include Mark Haddon and Megan Nolan, recognises ‘mould-breaking’ fiction
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The Expansion Project (and @benpester.bsky.social) in good company here.
Goldsmiths Prize 2025 shortlist
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Goldsmiths Prize 2025 shortlist
www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Reposted by Jason Arthur
Yes @benpester.bsky.social truly amazing and well deserved news❤️
We are delighted to announce the #GoldsmithsPrize2025 shortlist.
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
October 2, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Yes @benpester.bsky.social truly amazing and well deserved news❤️
Yay! Thrilled to see @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project on the @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social 2025 shortlist.
Congratulations, Ben (and all the other shortisted authors).
Congratulations, Ben (and all the other shortisted authors).
We are delighted to announce the #GoldsmithsPrize2025 shortlist.
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
Congratulations to our six brilliant novelists!
Find out more about the shortlist: www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-p...
October 2, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Yay! Thrilled to see @benpester.bsky.social's The Expansion Project on the @goldsmithsprize.bsky.social 2025 shortlist.
Congratulations, Ben (and all the other shortisted authors).
Congratulations, Ben (and all the other shortisted authors).
Where better to host an event for Mariana Enriquez's new book than a chapel in a Victorian cemetery. Thank you Storysmith in Bristol for hosting, and @chrispower.bsky.social for orchestrating an excellent conversation.
Somebody is Walking on Your Grave
Somebody is Walking on Your Grave
October 1, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Where better to host an event for Mariana Enriquez's new book than a chapel in a Victorian cemetery. Thank you Storysmith in Bristol for hosting, and @chrispower.bsky.social for orchestrating an excellent conversation.
Somebody is Walking on Your Grave
Somebody is Walking on Your Grave
‘The Expansion Project has echoes of texts such as Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go (for the institutional sci-fi) & the plays of Sarah Kane (for the howling emptiness bumping up against the mundane). But @benpester.bsky.social’s fiction is its own beast.'
The Expansion Project
The Expansion Project
‘This is not a cheerful book, but it is a funny one. The corporate attempt to suppress and compartmentalise human feeling is repeatedly shown to be laughable. But pain is non-compliant; its resistance to control is a kind of saving grace.’
Emily Berry on Ben Pester: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Emily Berry on Ben Pester: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Emily Berry · I am entirely made of wood: Ben Pester’s Surreal Scrutiny
One could say that Ben Pester’s Expansion Project is about a man who loses his mind at work, but that’s not really...
www.lrb.co.uk
September 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
‘The Expansion Project has echoes of texts such as Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go (for the institutional sci-fi) & the plays of Sarah Kane (for the howling emptiness bumping up against the mundane). But @benpester.bsky.social’s fiction is its own beast.'
The Expansion Project
The Expansion Project