Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
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taniahershman.bsky.social
Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
@taniahershman.bsky.social
3.3K followers 630 following 940 posts
Queer writer of odd things. 10th book, "It's Time", a hybrid chronomemoir, out now. Permissioner, founder of Unbox Your Words. She/they 🏳️‍🌈 www.taniahershman.com; https://taniahershman.substack.com/; https://www.instagram.com/tania_hershman_writes
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taniahershman.bsky.social
Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈 @taniahershman.bsky.social · Oct 1
It's publication day for FUEL ebook—with 75 prizewinning flash fictions plus TWELVE bonus flash stories not in the print book! It's a great read *and* all profits go to UK fuel poverty charities. The print book raised over £4k; winter is coming, help us raise more: www.fuelflash.net/product/fuel...
The cover of the FUEL ebook, with a large photo of a yellow petrol pump, below which are the words FUEL: An Anthology of prize-winning flash fictions raising funds to fight fuel poverty, edited by Tania Hershman. There is a banner across the top right hand corner which says "Ebook with 12 Bonus Prize-Winning Stories!"
taniahershman.bsky.social
Honoured to be this year's @bridportprize.bsky.social flash fiction judge! Send me your word-shapes of 250 words & under, the pieces you think only you might love, that might be “too strange” or “not quite enough…” There are no rules! bridportprize.org.uk/the-competit... #flashfiction
Screenshot of the Meet the Judges page from the Bridport Prize with a black and white photograph of a woman with very short hair grinning, and the following text: "Tania Hershman Flash Fiction Judge Line Break Tania Hershman is a queer writer of odd things, the author of three collections of short stories and flash fiction, four books of poetry and two hybrid books. Tania’s creative-non-fiction hybrid book on Time is forthcoming from Guillemot Press. Tania is editor of Fuel: An Anthology of First-Prize-Winning Flash Fictions Raising Funds to Fight Fuel Poverty, offers monthly writing prompts/provocations/exercises through Unbox Your Words – Give Yourself Permission to Play on Substack, and has a PhD in creative writing inspired by particle physics.  www.taniahershman.com Instagram: @tania_hershman_writes “What I am always looking for is a voice that grabs me right from the first words so that I have no choice but to carry on reading. This might be a character, or a narrator, but what I want is freshness of language. No need for long fancy words or complicated plots, just write what only you can write in the way you want to write it. And send me the pieces you think only you might love, that might be “too strange” or “not quite enough…” There are no rules!” Tania Hershman, Flash Fiction Judge What I wish someone had told me when I was starting out: That everyone does it differently, this writing thing. That there definitely isn’t “one way” to write, and that each writer probably has more than one way. You find what works for you, and no-one else can tell you what you “should” or “shouldn’t” do. There are no rules! When I’m stuck, this is what helps me move forward: I don’t ever think of myself as “stuck”, I call it a “creative pause”, and for me that really is how it feels. I don’t write every day, sometimes a few weeks will go by. I let it be, I don’t feel bad about it. I feed myself – by reading, watching TV, films, going for a walk. "
November 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM
taniahershman.bsky.social
What a fabulous @allusionistshow.bsky.social episode, where @suchmayer.bsky.social and @helenzaltzman.bsky.social talk candidly about language, about queerness, about permission & the magic of naming things - some of my favourite topics. Very much looking forward to reading your new book, So!
November 17, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
bookshop-org-uk.bsky.social
Last call! Looking to clear some much needed shelf space? Trade your pre-loved books and earn Bookshop.org store credit!

Use code BOOKSHOP25 on Bookloop to get a 15% trade boost before midnight tonight! bookloop.webuybooks.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 9:20 AM
taniahershman.bsky.social
My Unbox Your Words posts are for anyone writing in any shape - fictions, poems, non-fic, hybrids - to encourage you to go beyond labels & genres & write what you want in the way you want to write it! And this month, the inspiration is Aunt Energy ☺️ taniahershman.substack.com/p/unbox-your...
taniahershman.bsky.social Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈 @taniahershman.bsky.social · 1d
In this month's Unbox Your Words writing prompt & exercise, we're celebrating... aunts! If you're not a subscriber and £3.50/month is a struggle, you can subscribe for free - so why not try it & inject some auntie energy in your writing! taniahershman.substack.com/p/unbox-your... #amwriting
Excerpt from my latest Unbox Your Words writing prompt & exercise: "There’s something about aunts, isn’t there? They’re often fierce, intrepid, someone you can talk to precisely because they aren’t one of your parents. An aunt may be biologically related or may not. As they say in an article on Blavity called “5 TV Characters Who Gave Rich Auntie Energy, Inspiring Us All to Live Unapologetically”: “In television shows, auntie energy is marked by independence and freedom. These women often are childfree, unmarried, well-educated and successful in their profession. Each character that falls under the archetype dismantles pre-existing stereotypes of womanhood. Among Black women, there’s always been love for the rich auntie energy.” Let’s meet a few aunts (and great aunts) in fiction and in reality: On leaving the house by Frankie McMillan (from Eddie Sparkle’s Bridal Taxi) For years my great aunts never left the house – they could be waylaid by a man on the street, be blown off course and away from safe waters – but that all changed when..."
November 17, 2025 at 12:44 PM
taniahershman.bsky.social
In this month's Unbox Your Words writing prompt & exercise, we're celebrating... aunts! If you're not a subscriber and £3.50/month is a struggle, you can subscribe for free - so why not try it & inject some auntie energy in your writing! taniahershman.substack.com/p/unbox-your... #amwriting
Excerpt from my latest Unbox Your Words writing prompt & exercise: "There’s something about aunts, isn’t there? They’re often fierce, intrepid, someone you can talk to precisely because they aren’t one of your parents. An aunt may be biologically related or may not. As they say in an article on Blavity called “5 TV Characters Who Gave Rich Auntie Energy, Inspiring Us All to Live Unapologetically”: “In television shows, auntie energy is marked by independence and freedom. These women often are childfree, unmarried, well-educated and successful in their profession. Each character that falls under the archetype dismantles pre-existing stereotypes of womanhood. Among Black women, there’s always been love for the rich auntie energy.” Let’s meet a few aunts (and great aunts) in fiction and in reality: On leaving the house by Frankie McMillan (from Eddie Sparkle’s Bridal Taxi) For years my great aunts never left the house – they could be waylaid by a man on the street, be blown off course and away from safe waters – but that all changed when..."
November 16, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
natflashfictionday.bsky.social
We are very excited to reveal our guest editor & theme for our 2026 anthology! Submissions open on 1 Dec & close on 15 Feb 2026. Our microfiction comp judges will be announced next week! www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/index.php/an...
November 14, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
bridportprize.bsky.social
🗞️ NEWSFLASH 🗞️

Our competition is officially open!

All need-to-knows at bridportprize.org.uk
November 15, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
taniahershman.bsky.social
If there's anyone in your life (or maybe you!) who enjoys odd, uncategorizable, playful writing, I have some copies of my new book, 'It's Time', and a few of my other books - hybrid, poetry, short stories - in my online shop that I'd be happy to sign & post worldwide! taniahershman.com/shop/
Shop – Tania Hershman
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taniahershman.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:06 PM
taniahershman.bsky.social
If there's anyone in your life (or maybe you!) who enjoys odd, uncategorizable, playful writing, I have some copies of my new book, 'It's Time', and a few of my other books - hybrid, poetry, short stories - in my online shop that I'd be happy to sign & post worldwide! taniahershman.com/shop/
Shop – Tania Hershman
Showing all 9 results
taniahershman.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
goldsmithspress.bsky.social
The Path of Most Resistance: Poems on Women in Science is out now. The full video of Jessy reading a selection of poems from this collection is up on our YouTube channel!

@goldsf.bsky.social @jessyrandall.bsky.social

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC60...
November 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
taniahershman.bsky.social
Such a gorgeous piece! gooseberry-pie.com/when-my-moth...
November 13, 2025 at 11:27 AM
taniahershman.bsky.social
Having a rest today, a "creative pause", something I love doing & which feels very necessary - yesterday was intense!
taniahershman.bsky.social Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈 @taniahershman.bsky.social · 5d
I've just written 2500 words of my novel-in-progress in the past hour, which is unheard of for me! You know when it feels like it's not coming *from* you but coming *through* you? Never experienced anything quite like this. I'm feeling like I'm on the home stretch, I can almost see the end now. Wow!
November 13, 2025 at 11:17 AM
taniahershman.bsky.social
I've just written 2500 words of my novel-in-progress in the past hour, which is unheard of for me! You know when it feels like it's not coming *from* you but coming *through* you? Never experienced anything quite like this. I'm feeling like I'm on the home stretch, I can almost see the end now. Wow!
November 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
kitdewaal.com
Look at this great fund. £200 for really small charities to spend on boring things. Easy, quick to apply.

Link below.

Please share :)
Boring Fund | Christina Poulton
Applications now open! £200 grants available for small charities, CICs and voluntary groups towards some of those boring but hard-to-fund costs.
www.christinapoultoncreative.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
perversemag.bsky.social
PERVERSE 9E is out today! This week features poems by Phoebe Gilmore, Philip Gross, Philip Chijioke Abonyi, Linda Black and Ellie Li. Read all five poems from this section here: perverse.substack.com/p/perverse-9e
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 AM
taniahershman.bsky.social
Tonight! Why not come join us and warm up that writing muscle?! It's going to be fun... (there may be elephants...)
www.tickettailor.com/events/tania...
taniahershman.bsky.social Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈 @taniahershman.bsky.social · 9d
Join me for my Zoom Writing Muscle Workout tomorrow (Sun) evening 7-8pm UK: 3 writing exercises in 60 mins to warm up your writing muscle, whatever shape you write in! Free & pay-what-you-can available, if you can't come live you'll get the recording afterwards: www.tickettailor.com/events/tania...
Screenshot of booking page for my Unbox 1-Hour Writing Muscle Workout Nov 2025, with cream text on khaki at the top, and a picture of a cartoon sloth lifting a weight.
November 9, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
thepaulconnolly.bsky.social
Here's a brilliant starter pack of Hybrid Writers from the great @taniahershman.bsky.social Please follow and repost if you can #booksky #writingcommunity
November 9, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
lgbthm.bsky.social
The theme for LGBT+ History Month UK 2026 is ‘Science and Innovation’. The new badge is available from our website (lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/shop/).
Find out more about the month and our five figures at: lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/lgbt-history...

#LGBTQIA
#LGBTplusHM
#lgbthm26
Graphic promoting the the theme of LGBT+ History Month UK 2026: Science and innovation. it includes the five figures for the year: Barbara Burford, a medical researcher who established NHS equality and diversity guidelines Charles Beyer, a locomotive engineer and a founding member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers Elke Mackenzie, a botanist who researched lichens in Antarctica Jemma Redmond, a biotechnologist who developed 3D bioprinters to create tissues and organs Robert Boyle, a founder of modern chemistry and of the modern scientific method
November 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
taniahershman.bsky.social
Join me for my Zoom Writing Muscle Workout tomorrow (Sun) evening 7-8pm UK: 3 writing exercises in 60 mins to warm up your writing muscle, whatever shape you write in! Free & pay-what-you-can available, if you can't come live you'll get the recording afterwards: www.tickettailor.com/events/tania...
Screenshot of booking page for my Unbox 1-Hour Writing Muscle Workout Nov 2025, with cream text on khaki at the top, and a picture of a cartoon sloth lifting a weight.
November 8, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
jonathangibbs.bsky.social
‪There's still time to sign up for @pippagoldschmidt.bsky.social's A Personal Anthology, her pick of and introduction to a dozen favourite short stories.

Hitting inboxes at 2pm. Sign up here:

apersonalanthology.substack.com/about
apersonalanthology.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:11 PM
taniahershman.bsky.social
I *love* this idea!
November 6, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
fruitjournal.bsky.social
Hi writing folks! We've just migrated to bluesky and thought we should introduce ourselves. We're an online queer literary journal, we've been going since 2019 and we love writing that is daring and innovative.

We're looking to be connected to the writing community here, so please follow and RT! 🍎🍇
November 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
debialper.bsky.social
Bursary time! Please apply if you're eligible and join me and @emmadarwinwriter.bsky.social in January. 👇
jerichowriters.bsky.social Jericho Writers @jerichowriters.bsky.social · 12d
Did you know...? Our best-selling Self-Edit Your Novel course now boasts ✨more than 100✨ published authors among its alumni! Quite the achievement for course leaders Debi Alper and Emma Darwin.
November 5, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
lindzmcleod.bsky.social
I spent over a year of my life writing this collaborative craft book with eleven other (fantastic! talented! good-looking!) writers.

"Sometimes a story emerges fully formed in your mind, and sometimes it’s an onion, requiring several ‘peels’ to get to the real, eye-watering heart of the matter."
The cover of the book is a vintage, slightly foxy red, with white font beside a large black and white ampersand.
November 5, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Reposted by Tania Hershman 🏳️‍🌈
bestmicrofiction.bsky.social
Folks, we are now OPEN until December 15th! Lit mag editors, please send us your 5 nominated stories! Judged by Diane Seuss. @dseuss.bsky.social www.bestmicrofiction.com

#FlashFiction #Microfiction #LiteraryMagazines #Author #Writers #Writing #ShortStory #WritingCommunity #WritingAndBooks
Best Microfiction
The Best Microfiction anthology series provides recognition for outstanding literary stories of 400 words or fewer.
www.bestmicrofiction.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:54 PM