Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction | Updates

Stained Glass Lives: Flash Fiction, Prose Poetry and Short Stories

Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 06:28:23 -0400

Stained Glass Lives is 'a sumptuous banquet of love, death, betrayal... authentic and moving.' —Louise Stokes 'Wonderful images that engage all of the reader's senses.' —Debbi Vosey.

In these crystalline fragments of lives interrupted, a Pushcart Prize nominee presents a kaleidoscope of human experience—each story a shard of colour in a larger mosaic of love, loss, and survival.

From ghostly visitations to visceral revenge, from tender family moments to brutal betrayals, these stories capture the prismatic nature of human relationships. A frail widow confronts her mortality. A mercenary shop assistant harbours dark ambitions. A taxi driver witnesses the city's hidden stories. Each character stands at the intersection of light and shadow, where ordinary lives fracture into extraordinary moments.

Written with unflinching honesty and lyrical precision, these tales explore the power of distorted thought, the strength of women's voices, and the beautiful brutality of everyday life. Like light through stained glass, each story transforms the ordinary into something radiant and revelatory.

Perfect for readers who savour the brief but powerful stories of Lucia Berlin, Carmen Maria Machado, and Helen Oyeyemi.

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Publications in Literary Magazines

Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:01:29 -0500

Published in Literary Magazines 2025

First Love, Orbis, September 2025

Red Telephone Boxes, London Grip September 2025

Selkie Wife, The Lake, June 2025

Ghost Garden, Eye to the Telescope (SFPA), April 2025

Prelude: Houses within Houses - The Broken Spine, March 2025

What you conjured – Neologism Poetry Journal - April 2025

The Art of Concealment - Dream Catcher - Summer 2025

Sorry, Earth - Bournemouth Journal, September 2025

Breathing Space - Poet's Choice, September 2025

False Harvest - Zoetic Press, NonBinary Review 2025

City Girl – Eunoia Review March 2025

Furry Raspberries - Coffin Bell (Pushcart Prize nomination, 2025)

Dawn - Poetese March 2025 (Pushcart Prize nomination, 2026)

River Styx - 7th-Circle Pyrite February 2025

Hypothermia's Final Warm Embrace - Tales from the Moonlit Path February 2025

The Support Group Meets in Sandra’s Kitchen - 34 Orchard

Menopause Monsters - Horror Writers Association (HWA) Poetry Showcase XII, October 2025

Published in Literary Magazines Pre-2025

Apples and Chamomile – Boston Literary Magazine

Heedful Nights – Storgy

Colour Blind - The International Short-Short Story Magazine

Traces and View from a High Window – Nine Muses Poetry

Trapped – Flash Fiction North

Yours – The Drabble

The Thief and Chloe – Scribble, Park Publications

Lamb's Tails - HWA Poetry Showcase X:

Her Bravest Day - Under Her Eye, Black Spot Books

Ghost Breath and Stay Dead – The Horror Zine Magazine 2022

Before Crime and Punishment and the History of Tom Jones – Reflex Fiction

Role Reversal – Potato Soup Journal

Waste Paper Love – Muddy River Poetry Review

Teacher – Listen Chamber Magazine

Dreaming Epidermis – Tales from the Moonlit Path

Reflections from an Epicure – Scarlet Leaf Review

Roadkill – The Blue Nib

Teacher – listen – Horla

After the will was read – Ariel Chart

Anxiety- Paragraph Planet

Confessions – 100 words

Reminisce – Microfiction Monday

Survival of an Empath – Dark Winter Literary Magazine

Peace- Fresher Press

Locked-In With Dreams, Sea Burial, Humming and The Light of Conscience – Pen of the Damned

Sea Burial – Sirens Call Publications

Seventh Stage – 101 Words

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Pushcart Prize nomination

Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

I am honoured and delighted to be nominated for a second time for the Pushcart Prize for poetry. Poetose Press nominated by poem Dawn. Thank you to Meia and the team there.

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Pushcart Prize Nominee for 2025!

Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Some news I'm still processing: One of my poems has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize! Thank you to the editors at Coffin Bell for this honour. #amwriting #PushcartPrize

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Book Club Discussion Topics for Doctor Emma-Jane Glass!

Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Discussion Topics:

How does Emma-Jane's experience as Drew's captive change her as a person and a therapist? Do you think she emerges stronger or more damaged?
Discuss the ethical implications of Emma-Jane wanting to continue treating Drew after her abduction. Should therapists ever treat someone who has victimized them?
How does the novel explore themes of obsession, control, and psychological manipulation?
What do you think motivated Drew to abduct Emma-Jane? Was it purely revenge or something more complex?
How does the novel portray the impact of grief and trauma, particularly through the characters of Drew, Vanessa, and Emma-Jane?
Discuss the parallels between Emma-Jane and Drew. Do you think they are more alike than they initially appear?
What role does Lucy play as Emma-Jane's friend and colleague? How does their relationship evolve throughout the story?
How effective is the author's use of multiple perspectives and timelines in building suspense and revealing character motivations?

(5) ‪#‎psychologicalthrillerbooks‬ – Explore | Facebook

#PsychThriller #PsychologicalSuspense #DarkFiction #MindbendingBooks #ThrillerBooks #SuspenseReads #DomesticNoir #PsychologicalHorror

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Book Club Discussion Topics for Distorted Days and the lovely Doris!

Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Discussion Topics:

How does Doris's relationship with alcohol evolve throughout the story? What role does it play in her life and relationships?
Discuss the theme of betrayal in the novel. How do different characters experience and cope with betrayal?
How does Doris's relationship with her mother change over the course of the story? What factors contribute to this change?
Explore the symbolism of the colour red in the novel. How is it used to represent different emotions and events?
How does the library serve as a sanctuary for different characters in the story? What does it represent for them?
Discuss the various forms of love portrayed in the novel (romantic, familial, friendship). How do they impact the characters' lives?
How does Doris's sense of self-worth and identity evolve throughout the story?
Explore the theme of forgiveness in the novel. Which characters struggle with forgiveness and why?
How does the author use flashbacks and memories to develop the characters and plot?
Discuss the role of mental health in the story, particularly in relation to Doris, Colleen, and Irene.

#WomensLit #LiteraryFiction #BookClubRead #WomenWriters #ReadWomen #BookClubPicks #ReadingWomen #WomenReaders

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Book Club Discussion Topics for Rachel's Garden

Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Discussion Topics:

How does Rachel's relationship with nature and gardening evolve throughout the story? What role does the garden play in her journey?
Discuss the impact of Rachel's parents' deaths on her life choices and relationships. How does their legacy influence her actions?
Explore the theme of domestic abuse in the novel. How does Rachel's experience with Adam shape her character development?
Analyse the symbolism of the garden rooms. What does each room represent, and how do they reflect Rachel's emotional state?
Discuss the moral implications of Rachel's final actions against Adam. Do you feel her choices were justified?
How does the setting of Maple Cottage and the surrounding woods contribute to the atmosphere of the story?
Examine the role of female friendships in the novel, particularly Rachel's relationships with Jen and Shirley.
Discuss the theme of fertility and motherhood in the story. How does Rachel's desire for a child impact her decisions?
Analyse the character of Ollie. How does his involvement complicate Rachel's situation, and what does he represent in the story?
Explore the use of plants and nature as both healing and destructive forces in the novel. How does this duality reflect Rachel's journey?

#SuspenseReads #DomesticNoir

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Now available on Spotify and other stores.

Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The audiobook of Distorted Days, narrated by the actress Liz May Brice, is available from Audible, AND these stores:

#audiobooks #audio

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Fantastic Literary Giveaway!

Louise Worthington - author of psychological fiction — Fri, 6 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Click here to enter! Good Luck.

https://booksweeps.com/giveaway/literary-historical-book-club-fiction/

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