KM Elkes
@kmelkes.bsky.social
Author. Ginger. Potty mouth. #workingclasswriter Award-winning short fiction writer. Editing debut novel. Also writing tutor & editor.
http://linktr.ee/kmelkes
https://kmelkes.substack.com
http://linktr.ee/kmelkes
https://kmelkes.substack.com
Anyone wanting to learn more about short story writing, from initial ideas to submitting for publication, then take a look at this online Masterclass on December 9.
luma.com/czorgssu
luma.com/czorgssu
How to Write Short Stories
: a masterclass with Ken Elkes, Sanjida Kay, Joe Melia & Brontë Schiltz · Zoom · Luma
A 90-minute masterclass on writing compelling short stories — from first draft to final submission — with expert authors and an editor, including a live Q&A…
luma.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Anyone wanting to learn more about short story writing, from initial ideas to submitting for publication, then take a look at this online Masterclass on December 9.
luma.com/czorgssu
luma.com/czorgssu
"In just five paragraphs, this story distils an intense, ambiguous encounter between an emergency room nurse and an injured jockey into a layered and ambiguous meditation on vulnerability and masculinity, intimacy and maternal care, the real and the magical..."
kmelkes.substack.com/p/microdosin...
kmelkes.substack.com/p/microdosin...
Microdosing Fiction: My Jockey by Lucia Berlin
In this edition of Microdosing Fiction, I’m looking at the shimmeringly beautiful story My Jockey by Lucia Berlin.
kmelkes.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:36 AM
"In just five paragraphs, this story distils an intense, ambiguous encounter between an emergency room nurse and an injured jockey into a layered and ambiguous meditation on vulnerability and masculinity, intimacy and maternal care, the real and the magical..."
kmelkes.substack.com/p/microdosin...
kmelkes.substack.com/p/microdosin...
Rewriting Ideas on Editing - the latest FREE post on my Writing Talk Substack, about letting go of the binary idea of writing, then editing, and how there is a messy middle place of redevelopment, rewriting and re-visioning.
kmelkes.substack.com
kmelkes.substack.com
September 1, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Rewriting Ideas on Editing - the latest FREE post on my Writing Talk Substack, about letting go of the binary idea of writing, then editing, and how there is a messy middle place of redevelopment, rewriting and re-visioning.
kmelkes.substack.com
kmelkes.substack.com
Reposted by KM Elkes
Want to spend 90 minutes playing around with different voices?
Come join me next Saturday at 9 BST for "I Hear Voices" where we'll ponder the levels of voice, the constellation of tonal influences, and stuff like authenticity and balance:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
Come join me next Saturday at 9 BST for "I Hear Voices" where we'll ponder the levels of voice, the constellation of tonal influences, and stuff like authenticity and balance:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
I Hear Voices: Evoking Tone through Word Choice, Images and Style | MattKendrick.co.uk
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
August 30, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Want to spend 90 minutes playing around with different voices?
Come join me next Saturday at 9 BST for "I Hear Voices" where we'll ponder the levels of voice, the constellation of tonal influences, and stuff like authenticity and balance:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
Come join me next Saturday at 9 BST for "I Hear Voices" where we'll ponder the levels of voice, the constellation of tonal influences, and stuff like authenticity and balance:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
Reposted by KM Elkes
I loved the way you drew out your characters and made us care - with almost no backstory - and in such a tiny space of words :)
August 17, 2025 at 8:20 AM
I loved the way you drew out your characters and made us care - with almost no backstory - and in such a tiny space of words :)
Reposted by KM Elkes
Listened to this wonderful story this morning. So beautifully written.
Very happy indeed to have a short story commissioned by the BBC! Broadcast 3.45pm July 11th, on Radio 4 and Sunday 13th at 11.45pm
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Short Works, Snowbirds and Coyotes by KM Elkes
After the death of her husband, Betty drives south from Ohio to the Arizona desert.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 27, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Listened to this wonderful story this morning. So beautifully written.
Reposted by KM Elkes
Incredible storytelling by @kmelkes.bsky.social here 😮
Short Works - Snowbirds and Coyotes by KM Elkes - BBC Sounds
After the death of her husband, Betty drives south from Ohio to the Arizona desert.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 26, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Incredible storytelling by @kmelkes.bsky.social here 😮
Reposted by KM Elkes
And if you need more, here's (ahem) something from me - not from this summer, but I did my best to squeeze all the essence of summer into it - don't know how much longer it'll be available, so do listen if you get the chance 😉 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Short Works - After the Romans - BBC Sounds
A fabular vision of the Dark Ages. New short fiction by Jo Lloyd, read by Jacob Ifan.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 16, 2025 at 2:20 PM
And if you need more, here's (ahem) something from me - not from this summer, but I did my best to squeeze all the essence of summer into it - don't know how much longer it'll be available, so do listen if you get the chance 😉 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by KM Elkes
My 70s Gene Simmons story just dropped! Thank you @flashfictiononline.bsky.social and thanks to my @smokelong.bsky.social , @jdclappwrites.bsky.social and @kmelkes.bsky.social for earlier feedback and for generally enabling my foolishness! www.flashfictiononline.com/article/i-wa...
I Was Made for Loving You
The boys are staying overnight at their dad’s apartment for the first time. A perfect opportunity, I’m sure, for my ex to introduce them to his twenty-five-year-old tart.Flopped on my bed upstairs …
www.flashfictiononline.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
My 70s Gene Simmons story just dropped! Thank you @flashfictiononline.bsky.social and thanks to my @smokelong.bsky.social , @jdclappwrites.bsky.social and @kmelkes.bsky.social for earlier feedback and for generally enabling my foolishness! www.flashfictiononline.com/article/i-wa...
Looking forward to joining a roster of writing luminaries at the international Geneva Writers Conference in November. Hope to see some familiar faces there!
📚Registration is opening soon for the 2025 Geneva Writers conference and we are thrilled to announce our 18 guest instructors!
GWG members will get early access to tickets and exclusive discount rates. Join as a member to take advantage too.
Find out more: genevawritersgroup.wildapricot.org
GWG members will get early access to tickets and exclusive discount rates. Join as a member to take advantage too.
Find out more: genevawritersgroup.wildapricot.org
August 11, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Looking forward to joining a roster of writing luminaries at the international Geneva Writers Conference in November. Hope to see some familiar faces there!
Reposted by KM Elkes
Happy to share my August writing prompt on From the Bookshelf. Enjoy!
From the Bookshelf
August 2025
open.substack.com
August 1, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Happy to share my August writing prompt on From the Bookshelf. Enjoy!
The first instalment of my Microdosing Fiction series. The premise is simple: I take a short fiction text and provide some thought and insights on specific elements of craft. Big benefits from small amounts.
open.substack.com/pub/kmelkes/...
open.substack.com/pub/kmelkes/...
Microdosing Fiction 1: Mermaid In A Jar
Thoughts, insights and guidance for analysing great writing
open.substack.com
July 31, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The first instalment of my Microdosing Fiction series. The premise is simple: I take a short fiction text and provide some thought and insights on specific elements of craft. Big benefits from small amounts.
open.substack.com/pub/kmelkes/...
open.substack.com/pub/kmelkes/...
Reposted by KM Elkes
Congratulations to WestWord Prize 2025 winners @quickasaflash.bsky.social, @joycebingham.bsky.social, Charlie Swailes and everyone on the shortlist. Thank you for trusting me with your work — what a fantastic selection of stories! 🌟🌟🌟
westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...
westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...
WestWord Prize 2025 Winners
Read the winning and shortlisted stories
westword.substack.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Congratulations to WestWord Prize 2025 winners @quickasaflash.bsky.social, @joycebingham.bsky.social, Charlie Swailes and everyone on the shortlist. Thank you for trusting me with your work — what a fantastic selection of stories! 🌟🌟🌟
westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...
westword.substack.com/p/westword-p...
Reposted by KM Elkes
Our annual contest opens for submissions August 1st! This year's guest judge is Andrew Porter. Keep an eye out for our Q&A with Andrew soon.
Find more details about our contest here: pitheadchapel.com/larrybrown/
Find more details about our contest here: pitheadchapel.com/larrybrown/
July 22, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Our annual contest opens for submissions August 1st! This year's guest judge is Andrew Porter. Keep an eye out for our Q&A with Andrew soon.
Find more details about our contest here: pitheadchapel.com/larrybrown/
Find more details about our contest here: pitheadchapel.com/larrybrown/
Reposted by KM Elkes
Final shoutout to the workshop hosts who gave me so much to write about.
@kmelkes.bsky.social
@judehiggins.bsky.social
@shelleyr-j.bsky.social
@vanessageb.bsky.social
@farhanashaikh.bsky.social
and the readers, my God, so much to love and be inspired by.
Thank you FFF2025, I loved it 🌟
@kmelkes.bsky.social
@judehiggins.bsky.social
@shelleyr-j.bsky.social
@vanessageb.bsky.social
@farhanashaikh.bsky.social
and the readers, my God, so much to love and be inspired by.
Thank you FFF2025, I loved it 🌟
July 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Final shoutout to the workshop hosts who gave me so much to write about.
@kmelkes.bsky.social
@judehiggins.bsky.social
@shelleyr-j.bsky.social
@vanessageb.bsky.social
@farhanashaikh.bsky.social
and the readers, my God, so much to love and be inspired by.
Thank you FFF2025, I loved it 🌟
@kmelkes.bsky.social
@judehiggins.bsky.social
@shelleyr-j.bsky.social
@vanessageb.bsky.social
@farhanashaikh.bsky.social
and the readers, my God, so much to love and be inspired by.
Thank you FFF2025, I loved it 🌟
Reposted by KM Elkes
As Bookbanks new Ambassador I’d like to spread the word about this brilliant charity giving books with food at food banks.
Please share and support if you’re able :)
www.bookbanks.co.uk
Please share and support if you’re able :)
www.bookbanks.co.uk
July 20, 2025 at 5:24 AM
As Bookbanks new Ambassador I’d like to spread the word about this brilliant charity giving books with food at food banks.
Please share and support if you’re able :)
www.bookbanks.co.uk
Please share and support if you’re able :)
www.bookbanks.co.uk
Reposted by KM Elkes
You're invited to our Master Series interview and reading with Aimee Bender on August 9th! This event is free! And we'll be giving away lots of books. Sign up through the SmokeLong Shop by "purchasing" this event for $0 dolares!
www.smokelong.com/product/mast...
www.smokelong.com/product/mast...
July 16, 2025 at 2:13 AM
You're invited to our Master Series interview and reading with Aimee Bender on August 9th! This event is free! And we'll be giving away lots of books. Sign up through the SmokeLong Shop by "purchasing" this event for $0 dolares!
www.smokelong.com/product/mast...
www.smokelong.com/product/mast...
Reposted by KM Elkes
This is gloriously weird! Rockstars of flash writing together in @gooseberrypielit.bsky.social “If she is not present, he must go and find another one.”
@stillsquirrel.bsky.social @sarahillswrites.bsky.social @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social @jamesmontgomery.bsky.social
@stillsquirrel.bsky.social @sarahillswrites.bsky.social @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social @jamesmontgomery.bsky.social
From Issue 33, “The Third Best Dinner Set” by @stillsquirrel.bsky.social @sarahillswrites.bsky.social @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social @jamesmontgomery.bsky.social
July 12, 2025 at 10:20 PM
This is gloriously weird! Rockstars of flash writing together in @gooseberrypielit.bsky.social “If she is not present, he must go and find another one.”
@stillsquirrel.bsky.social @sarahillswrites.bsky.social @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social @jamesmontgomery.bsky.social
@stillsquirrel.bsky.social @sarahillswrites.bsky.social @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social @jamesmontgomery.bsky.social
Latest post on my Writing Talk Substack is about Picky Bits - quick and stress free writing ideas for those days when you can’t manage a bit plateful of writing time!
kmelkes.substack.com/p/an-assortm...
kmelkes.substack.com/p/an-assortm...
July 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Latest post on my Writing Talk Substack is about Picky Bits - quick and stress free writing ideas for those days when you can’t manage a bit plateful of writing time!
kmelkes.substack.com/p/an-assortm...
kmelkes.substack.com/p/an-assortm...
If you missed the original broadcast, you can find my BBC Radio story Snowbirds and Coyotes on BBC Sounds. Listeneers outside the UK, can hopefully find it on BBC.com or the BBC app.
Thanks to those who have listened and said kind things - I really appreciate it!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Thanks to those who have listened and said kind things - I really appreciate it!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 4 - Short Works
Original short works for radio.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 15, 2025 at 2:40 PM
If you missed the original broadcast, you can find my BBC Radio story Snowbirds and Coyotes on BBC Sounds. Listeneers outside the UK, can hopefully find it on BBC.com or the BBC app.
Thanks to those who have listened and said kind things - I really appreciate it!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Thanks to those who have listened and said kind things - I really appreciate it!
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Reposted by KM Elkes
Just listened while I had my lunch - really good, Ken - congratulations! Very moving ending.
July 15, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Just listened while I had my lunch - really good, Ken - congratulations! Very moving ending.
Reposted by KM Elkes
A quiet story, masterfully drawn, from @kmelkes.bsky.social Take a listen.
Very happy indeed to have a short story commissioned by the BBC! Broadcast 3.45pm July 11th, on Radio 4 and Sunday 13th at 11.45pm
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Short Works, Snowbirds and Coyotes by KM Elkes
After the death of her husband, Betty drives south from Ohio to the Arizona desert.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 15, 2025 at 11:08 AM
A quiet story, masterfully drawn, from @kmelkes.bsky.social Take a listen.
Reposted by KM Elkes
Many congratulations to all 5 of our 30th Award winners— 1st Alison Powell, 2nd Joseph Randolph, 3rd Sharon Telfer & highly commended Michelle Wright & Christine H Chen selected by judge Marie Gethins, bathflashfictionaward.com
a congratulations sign with hearts and stars
ALT: a congratulations sign with hearts and stars
media.tenor.com
June 29, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Many congratulations to all 5 of our 30th Award winners— 1st Alison Powell, 2nd Joseph Randolph, 3rd Sharon Telfer & highly commended Michelle Wright & Christine H Chen selected by judge Marie Gethins, bathflashfictionaward.com
Reposted by KM Elkes
Best Microfiction 2025 arrived! What an absolute thrill to be in here.
@bestmicrofiction.bsky.social
@bestmicrofiction.bsky.social
June 28, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Best Microfiction 2025 arrived! What an absolute thrill to be in here.
@bestmicrofiction.bsky.social
@bestmicrofiction.bsky.social