Toby Litt

@tobylitt.bsky.social

Writer. Mentor. Activist. I teach Creative Writing at Southampton University. https://awritersdiary.substack.com/

Hey, let's qwerty like it's 1999 - Tomorrow, at 10am, for @arvonfoundation.bsky.social, I'll be explaining what I think works to find an audience, form a community and not degenerate into a clickbait frenzy. www.arvon.org/writing-cour...

Masterclass: Substack | A sympathetic space | Arvon

Since the living death of Twitter, Substack has become the main platform for writers to connect with readers – and to get paid for it. From George Saunders and Joyce Carol Oates to Camilla Grudova and Alexander Chee, they’ve all migrated to this more sympathetic space. There from the early days, Toby Litt has developed a large and still-growing following for his Writer’s Diary. The first year was even published in book form by Galley Beggar Press. For each of the following years, Toby has reinvented his Substack as a resource for writers of all levels. He’s currently putting up A Complete Guide to POV. This kind of intense, long-term relationship with a specific readership is what many writers hope for, and one he can help you develop. In this Masterclass, Toby will share with you his key insights (Whatever you do don’t sound like AI) and give his best advice (Be timely – a repost on exactly the right day will outperform a great post just any day). You will come away with a host of tips and ideas for how to grow your own, dedicated audience – and how to keep it growing. Is this session for me? Our masterclasses are regularly attended by writers who: Are hungry for fresh thinking, stimulus and new ways into their writing Are looking to keep up or boost their writing momentum Have time constraints and can’t always commit to the live experience Are wanting to try something new Enjoy taking things at their own pace Are looking to develop a regular writing habit Are looking for a supportive environment in which to open up creatively What will I gain? A two hour writing workout – at your pace Two hours of inspiring tuition from the finest writers at work today Two hours to focus on your writing with guidance from experienced Arvon tutors Two hours of craft, technique and writing prompts Two hours that will propel your writing forward Support from friendly Arvon hosts Becoming part of an inclusive creative community Access to the recording afterwards How does it work? The Masterclass will be delivered via Zoom webinar, so you can take the session at your own pace, without the pressure of having your video or camera on. You can contribute via the chatbox with your tutor and other writers attending the session. Sessions are also recorded so if you are unable to attend live, you will have access to the recording afterwards. Masterclasses can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Just translate the UK time to your local time zone. Why Arvon? Arvon is a not-for-profit charity that has been running since 1968. At Arvon, everyone who crosses the door of one of our writing houses is a writer – no matter what their age or writing experience – and all are welcome. For more information About Arvon - Home of Creative Writing since 1968 - Arvon

arvon.org

Intrusive Copilot now popping up everywhere in Word for Mac. Switching to Pages - for as long as that's AI-summary free. Last time this happened, I realised I just had to write on blank pieces of paper. (Recycled.)

Intrusive Copilot now popping up everywhere in Word for Mac. Switching to Pages - for as long as that's AI-summary free. Last time this happened, I realised I just had to write on blank pieces of paper. (Recycled.)

Anyone interested in buying my flat - the place I wrote my novels Corpsing, deadkidsongs and Ghost Story. It is a great place to live and work - high up, overlooking Southwark Park at the back and with glimpses of Tower Bridge and the Gherkin at the front. www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/det...

Jamaica Road, Bermondsey SE16, 3 bed flat for sale, £375,000 - Zoopla

3 bed flat for sale in Jamaica Road, Bermondsey SE16, selling for £375,000 from Alex & Matteo Estate Agents. See property details on Zoopla or browse all our range of properties in Jamaica Road, Bermo...

zoopla.co.uk

POV: You sit down to keep writing your novel and then you start to scream. Why? Most likely because there's something not quite working with the Point of View. Maybe you chose First Person Present Tense, and now you can't do a flashback?

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POV: You sit down to keep writing your novel and then you start to scream. Why? Most likely because there's something not quite working with the Point of View. Maybe you chose First Person Present Tense, and now you can't do a flashback?

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What's your favourite pencil - the best you've every owned? Today's diary entry on Substack covers the practicalities of writing with pencils. (Yay, write upside down, hanging from a tree.)

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What's your favourite pencil - the best you've every owned? Today's diary entry on Substack covers the practicalities of writing with pencils. (Yay, write upside down, hanging from a tree.)

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Our graduates write books — published by the likes of @fitzcarraldoeds.bsky.social, @grantabooks.bsky.social, Peninsula Press — set up their own magazines and journals, edit others (The White Review, RIP), do PhDs, and also become primary school teachers. All good things.

Jeremy Millar@jeremymillar.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Just a reminder that the round 1 deadline for applications to our MA Writing programme at the @royalcollegeofart.bsky.social is 12.00 on Monday 19 January. Do what you need to do, but make sure you get your application in.

A black-and-white photograph by Sadie Stein of Susan Sontag, sitting at her desk; she is wearing a bear suit.

I said I'd share the link when the The Guardian posted my review of Elizabeth McCracken's whipsmart writing manual, A Long Game: How to Write Fiction. (Following their publication of an extract.) So, here it is - www.theguardian.com/books/2026/j...

A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken review – here’s how to really write your novel

The novelist and writing tutor delivers bracing advice that demolishes familiar ‘stick to what you know’ nostrums

theguardian.com