Julie Duffy Writing (& stuff)

I’m Julie Duffy, a writer and the host of StoryADay.org – a creative writing challenge that happens each May (and yes, you’re invited).

I write short stories and novels (cosy mysteries set in my native Scotland and speculative fiction — that often has a mystery at its heart).

I write articles and courses to help other writers get their creative groove on, and I speak to writers’ groups and conferences about creativity, short story writing, self- and e-publishing, and social media. Want me to speak to your group? Contact me.

CONTENT WARNING: This is my personal space on the web. It contains lots of me, since approximately 1996. I am not particularly restrained or business-like here, but if you want to work with me, you’ll certainly get to know who I am, here.

Start with the blog.

You can follow my posts for fellow writers on

Or would you like to read one of my books?

Books About Writing

Handbook of Magazine Article Writing from Writer's Digest Books (Contributor) — The Handbook of Magazine Article Writing, Writer’s Digest Books (Contributor)

StoryADWeek Season 1 - 13 Lessons & Writing Prompts for Short Fiction Writers — StoryAWeek Season 1 – 13 Lessons & Writing Prompts for Short Fiction Writers

StoryAWeek Season 2 - 13 More Lessons & Writing Prompts for Short Fiction Writers — StoryAWeek Season 2 – 13 More Lessons & Writing Prompts for Short Fiction Writers

StoryAWeek Season 3 - 13 More Lessons & Writing Prompts for Short Fiction Writers — COMING SOON StoryAWeek Season 3 – 13 More Lessons & Writing Prompts for Short Fiction Writers

StoryAWeek Season 4 - 13 More Lessons & Writing Prompts for Short Fiction Writers — COMING SOON StoryAWeek Season 4 – 13 More Lessons & Writing Prompts for Short Fiction Writers

Breaking Writer's Block — Breaking Writers’ Block – a short handbook for blocked creative

Becoming a Better Writer — Becoming A Better Writer – A short handbook for the motivated writer

Writing & Releasing a Short Story Collection

StoryADay Vol 1 - 31 writing prompts from the StoryADay May Challenge — StoryADay Vol 1 – 31 writing prompts from the StoryADay May Challenge

StoryADay Vol 2 - 31 more writing prompts from the StoryADay May Challenge — StoryADay Vol 2 – 31 more writing prompts from the StoryADay May Challenge

StoryADay Vol 3 - 31 more writing prompts from the StoryADay May Challenge — StoryADay Vol 3 – 31 more writing prompts from the StoryADay May Challenge

Short Stories

This is my sandbox blog, where I share what I learn about writing and other stuff about my life as a human, a mother, an ex-pat, a cook, a gardener, a knitter, and all the rest. (I don’t talk about being a wife much, because my husband’s a bit shy.)

Welcome!