“Wild Ground” author Emily Usher (Emily Usher) recommends books about the complex ebbs and flows of familial relationships. buff.ly/4eyZbJ7

Today is a good day. I’m delighted we have a Labour government and that Chris Murray will be the new MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh (where I live).

Gutted about this though.

The appointment of James Timpson as Minister of State for Prisons is going to make a huge difference to people’s lives.

Encouraging to see prisons on the agenda in Sir Keir Starmer’s first press conference as Prime Minister. We have created a dedicated page on our website to help explain the prison overcrowding crisis and how it can be solved: howardleague.org/why-are-prison…

I was born and spent my childhood in social housing. It's so significant that Angela Rayner is the new Housing Secretary. The job has existed 20yrs and she's the first incumbent with personal experience of social housing. She knows how vital it is. Ideal qualification for the job

Yes I will like every tweet I see that praises Bukayo Saka.

Excellent Tour de France stage today.

In London for a few days. Went to a lovely party at London Review Bookshop to celebrate ten years of JM Originals and to launch HAN SMITH - here’s a photo of the back of some people’s heads.

Good Morning, Berlin!

Delighted to be judging the Royal Society of Literature V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize this year. Looking forward to reading all your entries.

In true, obstinate Yorkshire fashion, I’m going to confound your 3 book rule and offer 4, all of which move me in their own ways. Russ Litten

✍️ The V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize is open for submissions! Apply for a chance to win £1000 and have your story published in Prospect Magazine online and in the RSL Review. Judges this year: Tash Aw, Tania Hershman, Fiona Mozley Closing 13 September: bit.ly/VSPP

Our fiction slot is WIDE OPEN for Issue 21. We've had Sophie Mackintosh, Rebecca Watson and AK Blakemore write for TF before. We're looking for a fantastic short story, no more than 5,000 words. Deadline is Wed 15 Aug. All entries to [email protected]

A reminder that our short story prize is open. Enter on the site here: galleybeggar.co.uk/short-story-pr… We're looking forward to reading your story!