Portia Holdsworth

Historical fiction writer & Book Coach in Scotland. Former arts magazine editor & columnist. Shortlisted @iaminprint historical comp '25
insta @portiaholdsworth

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@bluepencil_edit Were only the top 50 notified, or should all entrants have received an email?

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@AliandTrevor @cbcreative @pollyrowena @lisette_auton @clotimms I've had the same problem, did you find a resolution?

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

Wonderful news to have started my day with - my historical short story, set in Lisbon in the 1970s, has been longlisted for the HWA Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Comp! Huge thanks to the judges. Building a career as a writer is hard, getting news like this makes such a difference.

[Historia – the HWA @HistoriaHWA]

Here are the longlisted authors and stories for the 2025 HWA Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Competition.
It’s run annually by the Dorothy Dunnett Society and the HWA.
There are 25 stories longlisted.
Follow this thread to see them all 1/7
#HWADDSS

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

I was delighted to be Highly Commended on the shortlist for I Am Writing Historical Fiction over the summer 🌞📖. It has been a wonderful few months in book news for me, many thanks to all involved!

[I Am In Print @IAmInPrint]

Judge Thérèse Coen thoroughly enjoyed being whisked back in time to choose the I Am Writing Historical Fiction winners. Our thanks go to Thérèse, and huge congratulations to these impressive titles and their talented scribes.

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@florchien Thanks Florence!

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@ALFootWrites This sounds brilliant!

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@amsunshine_ oo love the vibes on this one!

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@glimmer_ann Thanks Ann!

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

Aaand I'm out. ✌️

[James O'Brien @mrjamesob]

"And now you can't even block me on Twitter..."

[lindsay littleson @ljlittleson]

The 'bookshops are suddenly cool' chat on the tv this morning feels a bit strange to all of us (clearly very cool people) who have adored bookshops forever.

[Neil Renic @NC_Renic]

Writing Editing

[Dr. Maya C. Popa @MayaCPopa]

Hermione Lee (on Woolf):

[Mikael @mikael_jibril]

“Nature does not rush, yet everything is accomplished.”

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@The_Globe Juliet 🌹 Thousands of people write to her in Verona every year, 'Juliet balconies' are named for her, her name is synonymous with love. Everybody knows her story, whereas plenty only know the name, rather than plot, of characters like Hamlet and Macbeth.

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@ThistleHotels I hope at the very least Penny will be getting her money back for this stay. Outrageous situation, totally unacceptable response from management. Fighting for access is exhausting. The disabled community stands with you, Penny. Hope you still enjoy tomorrow. X

[Penny Batchelor - Author @penny_author]

1. I’m in tears. #DissbilityTwitter pls help me call out @ThistleHotels & @agoda. I booked a wheelchair accessible room in March for my London trip to speak at @WomensPrize tomorrow. arrived in taxi to find there’s 8 steps to get in & there’s no wheelchair accessible room free.

[Sky 🃋 @daughterwound]

Lady Macbeth trending because she came up on a GCSE exam and the youths are absolutely buzzing about it… the future is bright. Shakespeare is cool again like it’s enough to make you cry.

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@KatieA_M Go Lila! 👏🧜‍♀️

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@hatteatime Ah, congratulations!! (On both!)

[Portia Holdsworth @peholdsworth]

@prize_novel Brilliant, thank you!