"The John Lewis Christmas Advert of Authors." Historical fiction/SFF Author. PhD Creative Writing (Science Fiction)/Lecturer. ME/CFS, late diagnosed ADHD. He/Him. Liverpool-based. Rep’d by Liverpool Literary Agency https://linktr.ee/mikehollowshttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mvkpbk5skl23I will be presenting my MSc Psychology in Education research related to teaching Creative Writing at this year's NAWE Online Conference with @nawewriters.bsky.social on Sat 14th November. #NAWEConf2026 Grab a membership here: https://www.nawe.co.uk/writing-in-education/nawe-conference/booking.html15 Sep 2026 13:12 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkpbk5skl23https://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mvkpbk5skl23I will be presenting my MSc Psychology in Education research related to teaching Creative Writing at this year's NAWE Online Conference with @nawewriters.bsky.social on Sat 14th November. #NAWEConf2026 Grab a membership here: https://www.nawe.co.uk/writing-in-education/nawe-conference/booking.html15 Sep 2026 13:12 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvkpbk5skl23https://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mukeo5pjlh2cHearing a lot about people submitting stories that have been written with AI for z, y, and z reasons, and it seems like an interesting discussion. I think it comes down to the age old idea that coming up with the idea is the work. But writing is process and creativity. Ideas are easy. Thoughts?02 Sep 2026 16:37 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mukeo5pjlh2chttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mukcedl3ic2kWhy does every single AI poster have a paint splash banner across the middle? 😅02 Sep 2026 15:56 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mukcedl3ic2khttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3muhdj2o27s2tI’ve started getting phone calls that leave a voice note saying ‘add my number on WhatsApp’ from a voice I don’t recognise. Anyone else had these?01 Sep 2026 11:39 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3muhdj2o27s2thttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mtlpe6rrxb2g£51m on Ezri Konsa?! Are you serious? I'll support him now as a Gooner, of course. But honestly I thought he was one of the worst defenders I've seen in the Premier League, always looked out of position and confused by high tempo, plus we have a bunch of quality defenders. Oh well. What do I know?21 Aug 2026 11:56 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlpe6rrxb2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3msdrqgdqsm2zIn an update to this. I got a call yesterday from a lovely and very apologetic member of the recruitment team. Apparently they had over 100 applicants, 23 of whom clicked the disability guarantee box, 12 of those, including me, met the essential requirements and unfortunately they had to make a cut. [contains quote post or other embedded content]05 Aug 2026 14:52 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3msdrqgdqsm2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mrscxph6y32xI've also just realised I clicked on the be considered for disability confident interview scheme, which means that you are guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria. So why wasn't I granted an interview? [contains quote post or other embedded content]29 Jul 2026 16:13 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrscxph6y32xhttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mrscje75ay2xI've just received another job application rejection (or should I say failure to progress to the next stage) for which I had all of the essential and diserable criteria and more. I just don't get it. And there's no way to get feedback. AITA?29 Jul 2026 16:05 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrscje75ay2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mr5w573hfw2sWait, do we like Clarkson again because he sells *checks notes*... beer? I wish I could monetise being a buffoon as much as these guys.21 Jul 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr5w573hfw2shttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mq2qosztk52gYou are the establishment, you absolute muppet.07 Jul 2026 13:49 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq2qosztk52ghttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3moktk5fkws2sTime for a little venting (though I'm not sure if anyone will read this). For several years I've been trying to find a permanent position lecturing in creative writing. I've had some great opportunities as a freelancer working with lovely people and lovely students, but in this economy... 1/18 Jun 2026 12:32 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3moktk5fkws2shttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3moktk5fkws2sTime for a little venting (though I'm not sure if anyone will read this). For several years I've been trying to find a permanent position lecturing in creative writing. I've had some great opportunities as a freelancer working with lovely people and lovely students, but in this economy... 1/18 Jun 2026 12:32 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3moktk5fkws2shttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mmtcqkbja52fAnother day, another job application. Well, I say that, but lecturing positions have been few and far between recently. It's just incredible how long it takes to write a personal statement and fill in the application, and then when you don't get shortlisted it's heartbreaking.27 May 2026 10:35 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmtcqkbja52fhttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mmac234bf22jWe did it! [contains quote post or other embedded content]19 May 2026 21:02 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mmac234bf22jhttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mm7fltoce32eI'm considering offering an online creative writing course through my website alongside my mentoring. What would you be looking for that would set me apart from the myriad creative writing courses out there? You can find my credentials at www.michaelhollows.com Any thoughts welcomed! #Writing https://www.michaelhollows.com19 May 2026 12:33 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm7fltoce32ehttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mlxvbbx4wk2jAll set up at Chester Literature Festival at the @storyhouselive.bsky.social16 May 2026 12:52 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlxvbbx4wk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mlvf2pm7zn2mJust looking through The Guardians 100 Best Novels of All Time, and it's the same old, same old. The lack of genre fiction and any imagination is quite astounding. What would you add to the list? Gotta be Guards! Guards! by Sir Terry for me. Also surprised not to see The Book Thief by Zuzak.15 May 2026 12:57 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlvf2pm7zn2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mlobllmgu22fDoes anyone want me to teach them writing? I just found out I didn’t make it to interview for a position I was fairly confident I would get an interview for and for which I had all the essential requirements and more. So…12 May 2026 17:06 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlobllmgu22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mldzep6lic24Some good news [contains quote post or other embedded content]08 May 2026 15:13 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mldzep6lic24https://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mldcwf2dwv23What depressing news to wake up to. One of the problems is that many people haven't got the Labour party they thought they were voting for. He shouldn't have tried to copy Reform policy, but to show them for the charlatans and grifters that they are.08 May 2026 08:31 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mldcwf2dwv23https://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mlbble246b24You can tell the world is really messed up at the moment. There are so many 'competitions' pushed on social media to win extravagant things like mansions and motorhomes. All of them are pay to enter so they are making a fortune.07 May 2026 13:01 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlbble246b24https://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mlb7yau24l2eTherapeutic and Reflective Writing – 2 Last year I studied on the Professional Writing Academy's Therapeutic and Reflective Writing course. It was an excellent addition to my MSc in Psychology in Education, bridging this with my writing tuition. The staff were lovely and supportive as I've come to… http://michaelhollows.com/2026/05/07/therapeutic-and-reflective-writing-2/07 May 2026 12:33 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlb7yau24l2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3mlb7v7p7hv23Anywhere around Tower Hill for a nice dinner tomorrow night? [contains quote post or other embedded content]07 May 2026 12:31 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlb7v7p7hv23https://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3ml43chljk326Taking my partner to London for her birthday this weekend. Despite it being my home town, it's been a hot minute. We've got a few things planned, but I'm looking for cool indie bookshops, cute bakeries, and good coffee. Please send your recommendations!05 May 2026 11:26 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml43chljk326https://bsky.app/profile/mikehollows.bsky.social/post/3ml3xnqxopx22Latest in house hunting saga: Went to view a house at 3pm Friday with Yopa. Loved it. There was one other offer, but too low. Offered asking price via text (as advised) at 4pm. House goes Sold STC so think, oh good. Find out this morning they didn't get my texts and accepted the other offer.05 May 2026 10:21 +0000at://did:plc:bc7srreyw45oi2tevhouiz2o/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml3xnqxopx22