Emily Devane

Grateful and happy to have a story on the shortlist of this year's BSSA Award. Thanks to the team for choosing it, and good luck to everyone on there with me 🍀.

@alison_1513 What a month you're having, Alison! Fabulous 🙏 x

Thrilled to be part of the Dinesh Allirajah Prize 2026

@Biggreenbooks @JoannaCannon Yes!

@DevaneEmily @JoannaCannon OMG. What a book!!

This morning I finished BURIAL RITES by Hannah Kent, which was first published in 2013. I closed the book about an hour ago, and since then I have been staring into space, trying to come to terms with the inside of my own head. This book is utterly brutal. In so many different ways. But it is also completely sublime, exquisitely written, and ... strangely intoxicating. I have experienced such an extreme physical reaction to the story, I think because the writing is so profound, and visceral. Also, because it's true. BURIAL RITES is inspired by the life of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, a servant who was condemned to death for the murder of two men, and the last woman to be executed in Iceland. Awaiting the date of her beheading (because this is how Iceland dealt with murderers in the 1800s), she is sent to live with a family on a remote farm, where a visiting priest is tasked with her absolution. As the narrative switches between Agnes and the priest, we gradually learn the truth behind Agnes's story. I knew how this book ended, because it's based on real life, but STILL I clung to the hope that somehow the conclusion would be different. I had grown so fond of Agnes and I was totally invested in her story, such is the power of Hannah Kent's writing. The last few chapters were some of the hardest I have ever read, but the most necessary. It was a small comfort to read that the site of Agnes's execution is now a memorial, and leading to it are paths decorated with plaques quoting lines from this novel. This book won countless awards, and quite rightly so. It's an absolute masterpiece and I have no idea why it took me so long to read it. If, like me, BURIAL RITES somehow passed you by, maybe it's still sitting on your shelf waiting for you, I would urge you to read it. I have Laura (justmereadingwithacupoftea on IG) to thank for heavily influencing me to pick up this book, and I am deeply grateful, because otherwise I would never have met Agnes. And I will remember her forever.

@alison_1513 @cwfcreatives Congratulations, Alison! 👏

Utterly thrilled to be shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize @cwfcreatives #CWprize

@bronwengwriter Congratulations, Bronwen! Love the cover 👌

I self-published my new novel and I'm very proud of it. It's well-written & has been professionally copy-edited. It features a mermaid, Climate Change, trauma, love & friendship. My book launch is tonight in Rye.

@BexBookaholic @JoannaCannon Can't wait to read this one! I know that feeling of a story wrapping itself around your heart... What a gorgeous review x

An Unlikely Visitor is an achingly beautiful reflection of all it is to be human and I cannot recommend it enough. Full review below. #booktwitter @JoannaCannon bookaholicbex.wordpress.com/2026/03/09/an-…

It's been so much fun reading your stories - and so difficult choosing our favourites... Here's the shortlist! 👇

@RocheJacques Just caught up with the news! Congratulations, Shelley. It's a wonderful story - I'm not sure how you managed to fit so many strands into it, and still achieve that sense of completeness. So good!

I'm still in shock at the news that my little story has won the Bath Flash Fiction Award! In celebration I return to the site of the initial inspiration. Might treat myself to the full Scotch 😋 bathflashfictionaward.com/.../1st-prize-…

@JoannaCannon ☺️

@DevaneEmily I most definitely will! X

So thrilled to finally be able to share this with you! Could that be possibly be Lewis peeping out from the cover of my next novel AN UNLIKELY VISITOR, which is published on the 4th June. This is a story for anyone who has lost someone, or has somehow lost their way. It's a celebration of love and friendship, and a reminder that the answer to the biggest questions can often be found in the smallest, and unlikeliest places. I can't wait to share it with you ❤️ A huge thank you to Luis Mendo for his amazing artwork, and to Elizabeth Day, Sarah Winman, Fern Britton & Joanna Glen for their very kind words. You can preorder now from your local bookshop, and if you'd like a special signed and dedicated copy, the following retailers will be able to organise that for you! All the links are in my IG bio (@drjocannon) Griffin Books Cardiff @ColesBooks @WELBooks @bertsbooks @BookaBookshop @PortyBooks @tealeavesandreads

@JoannaCannon Really looking forward to reading it! Do pop in and see us at The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley if you're ever up this way (we're mainly on insta these days) x

@DevaneEmily It really is!

@BexBookaholic Eurgghh, that's really not okay! You do a fab job of sharing bookish love, and you're absolutely right to say no x

Here's the thing lads. I am a 46 year old woman with a full time job, elderly parents to look after and a personal life to maintain. You may think I am a "rude cow" for not reviewing your book, but I'm prioritising for my own sanity. P.s. Insulting me doesn't help change my mind.

Last year we held our anthology launch in Bath, UK. This year, to enable more people to participate, we will hold our launch on Zoom! It should be fun, with a chance to ‘meet’ other flash writers from around the globe! You can read how to sub here: nationalflashfictionday.co.uk

@bookbound2019 That's amazing, Rachel! I'm on the last 100 pages... Really enjoying seeing how the sisters' story unfolds!

Paper sisters is in flipping amazing company!!!

It's me, talking micro fiction, how I fell in love with flash, and my favourite book(s). How could I possibly choose?! Send in your micros of up to 100 words by Feb 15 👇

@BexBookaholic They seemed so lovely on the show! Well, they're from Derby, after all... Looks like a popular event!

Highlight of today so far - seeing the brilliant Brian and Melvyn from #raceacrosstheworld

@JoannaCannon @BoroughPress I loved this book!

TEN YEARS today since Goats & Sheep was published, and Grace & Tilly ventured into the world for the very first time! Where did that decade go?! To celebrate, @BoroughPress has dropped the ebook price to just 99p (for a very limited time!) More importantly, this super affordable edition also contains the first chapter of my next novel AN UNLIKELY VISITOR which is published in June!

@paul_mc_veigh @AbbeyTheatre @BartaEdizioni @Lit_Ireland @BelTel Fantastic news - I still love that book!

‘The Good Son’ still making waves. Stage rights recently bought by @AbbeyTheatre & out in Italy this month translated by Valentina Vigilucci as ‘Il Bravo Figlio’ from @BartaEdizioni Thanks @Lit_Ireland. Thanks for this Áine Toner & @BelTel m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/books/bel…

This week’s interview is with microfiction comp judge David Swann. Read his advice on writing micros, his thoughts on which author he would go for a pizza with & much more. nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/index.php/news/

@JillMansell @JoannaCannon @BoroughPress Ooh, can't wait to read this! ☺️

Yes I’m still in bed, but I did race downstairs to collect the parcel that just thudded through my letterbox - and yes, it’s a proof of @JoannaCannon’s next book, out in June. Thank you so much, Jo and @BoroughPress. You know how much I admire your writing! X