A. J. Ashworth – A. J. Ashworth

Maybe the Birds flies the nest

My new short story collection Maybe the Birds has been launched – and what a lovely event it was. Dr Kim Wiltshire at Edge Hill University very kindly invited me to hold an event at the Arts Centre, and that happened last week on the 21st October.

Me and Dr Kim Wiltshire, Reader in Creative Writing at Edge Hill University.

New collection

I’m delighted to say that my next short story collection – Maybe the Birds – is going to be published in 2025 by Gold SF, the feminist sci-fi/speculative fiction imprint at Goldsmiths Press.

Interview with Carmen Maria Machado

In September 2022, I interviewed American short story writer and memoirist Carmen Maria Machado for the journal Short Fiction in Theory and Practice.

Diane Cook interview

Diane Cook: Image from author’s website

I’m very excited to say I’ve just interviewed the American novelist and short story writer Diane Cook for the journal Short Fiction in Theory and Practice.

Carmen Maria Machado interview

As part of my role as Associate Editor of the journal Short Fiction in Theory and Practice, I interviewed American short story writer Carmen Maria Machado recently.

Story published

Very happy to say my story ‘Birthday’ has now been published by Fictive Dream.

New story being published

Delighted to announce that Fictive Dream has accepted a new short story of mine and will publish it in late September.

New services being offered

As well as writing, I’m now opening up to provide appraisal and mentoring services for fiction writers who might need it.

Best British Short Stories 2021

I’m delighted to announce that my short story ‘Leather’ has been selected for Best British Short Stories 2021.

Revisiting rejection

I have returned to the subject of rejection for The Literary Consultancy’s blog this month – thinking about how as writers we can start to try and see this in a more positive light.