'A truth in art is that whose contradictory is also true.’ (Oscar Wilde)
WRITER POET ACADEMIC
'A truth in art is that whose contradictory is also true.’ (Oscar Wilde)
Blurring Truth and Fiction
I am a Dutch fiction author, writing in English, living in Belgium. Next to a writer, I am a senior lecturer and academic.
I hold a PhD in literary studies and am an alumna of Faber Academy London. I teach literature, poetry, and creative writing at Maastricht University, the most international university in the Netherlands.
I love to cross borders in my writing too. I take to heart Oscar Wilde’s words that 'A truth in art is that whose contradictory is also true.’ My stories mix fiction with truth, are character- and event driven, fast-paced yet imbued with poetic rhythms and sounds.
I love to write and read ambiguous stories and poems, which are open to interpretation, inviting us to consider multiple perspectives; never settling down on one meaning.
My debut novel Fake Fish has been published by Sparsile Books LTD (UK, Glasgow, 2024). Sparsile Books is an independent publisher, specialising in literary fiction and high-quality non-fiction.
I am currently working on my next novel and a composition collection of short stories.
Awards and Recognition
My short stories have among others, appeared in Burningword Literary Journal (LA), Litbreak Magazine (NY), Flash Fiction Magazine (NY), and Low Hanging Fruit (California). I am an essayist for The Independent Publishing Magazine, named as one of the top 50 creative writing resources by Reedsy. In addition, I am the founder and editor of the Telling Stories Magazine. In 2025, I started the Maastricht University Creative Writing Summer School.
I have been honoured with the following prizes and nominations
- Scotland's Book Week Debut Showcase 2024
- Winner of the Short Story of Belgium Competition 2025
- PageTurner Award 2025 Finalist
- Best Small Fictions Nominee
- Shortlisted Flash Fiction Magazine Competition 2025 (top 10)
ACADEMIC & NON-FICTION BOOKS
Click on the images to purchase or download the books
I had the honour of translating this beautiful collection of personal stories. Forthcoming January 15. 2026 with Maastricht University Press
Short Stories & Poems
My short stories have, amongst others, appeared in Litbreak Magazine (NY), Burningword Literary Journal (LA), Low Hanging Fruit (California), and Flash Fiction Magazine (NY).
I am the winner of the Short Stories of Belgium Competition 2025. In addition, my work was nominated for Best Small Fictions (2024 edition) awarded by Altcurrent Press in the category of microfiction and shortlisted in the top 10 of the Flash Fiction Magazine Competition in Spring 2025.
Recent Short Fiction and Poems
- A Day by the River. The Brussels Times Magazine, Winter 2025.
- Dread. In Low Hanging Fruit (third edition)
- Fisher-Price Guilt. In Flash Fiction Magazine (Shortlisted)
- Anthology of poems, short stories and reviews of my work. Special Issue of Low Hanging Fruit
- Book Deal. In Low Hanging Fruit (first print edition)
- Tripping. In Burningword Literary Journal.
- Wrong Time. In 101 Words Magazine
- Doppelgänger. In Flash Fiction Magazine.
- Flea Show. In Low Hanging Fruit.
- Wide Angle Perspective. In LitBreak Magazine.
- Exposition. In Flash Fiction Magazine.
- The Stuff Stories Are Made Of. In Mosaiek Magazine (Print only).
- Several poems and prose pieces. In Stephenson, P. & Wyatt, S. (eds.), Letters in Lockdown. An Anthology. Maastricht: Maastricht University Press.
- Several poems. In Stephenson, P., Wyatt, S. & Parkinson, J. (eds.), Quarantine Spring. Maastricht: Maastricht University Press.
Essays on Literature & Creative Writing
Find Your Literary Voice: Or how not to get overwhelmed by the command to be authentic
How to Create Captivating Characters: On the importance of complexity, (inter)action, and caring
Find Your Literary Voice: Or how not to get overwhelmed by the command to be authentic
The Importance of Narrative Structure: Or how not to kill the ducks
How to Create Captivating Characters: On the importance of complexity, (inter)action, and caring
Find Your Literary Voice: Or how not to get overwhelmed by the command to be authentic
How to Create Captivating Characters: On the importance of complexity, (inter)action, and caring
How to Create Captivating Characters: On the importance of complexity, (inter)action, and caring
Developing a Successful Publishing Strategy: How to Run the Stairs and Catch Your Breath on the Land
Developing a Successful Publishing Strategy: How to Run the Stairs and Catch Your Breath on the Land
Developing a Successful Publishing Strategy: How to Run the Stairs and Catch Your Breath on the Land
Developing a Successful Publishing Strategy: How to Run the Stairs and Catch Your Breath on the Land
Why Authors Should Listen to Readers: About the importance of reading reader reviews
Developing a Successful Publishing Strategy: How to Run the Stairs and Catch Your Breath on the Land
How to Get Writing Inspiration: About spitting in your hands and the importance of just watching
How to Get Writing Inspiration: About spitting in your hands and the importance of just watching
Developing a Successful Publishing Strategy: How to Run the Stairs and Catch Your Breath on the Land
How to Get Writing Inspiration: About spitting in your hands and the importance of just watching
A 'True' Story about Inspiration
Why every writer should consider writing shorts: A re-evaluation of an underrated genre
The Art of Not Losing It: Performing in Public as a Writer
The Art of Not Losing It: Performing in Public as a Writer
Why every writer should consider writing shorts: A re-evaluation of an underrated genre
The Art of Not Losing It: Performing in Public as a Writer
Why every writer should consider writing shorts: A re-evaluation of an underrated genre
Why every writer should consider writing shorts: A re-evaluation of an underrated genre
Why every writer should consider writing shorts: A re-evaluation of an underrated genre
Using Social Media as a (Female) Author: Or How to Swim with Sharks
Using Social Media as a (Female) Author: Or How to Swim with Sharks
Why every writer should consider writing shorts: A re-evaluation of an underrated genre
Going Beyond My Mother Tongue: Writing Fiction in Another Language
Using Social Media as a (Female) Author: Or How to Swim with Sharks
Going Beyond My Mother Tongue: Writing Fiction in Another Language
I write who I am? The problem with Identity Politics in Publishing
Using Social Media as a (Female) Author: Or How to Swim with Sharks
Going Beyond My Mother Tongue: Writing Fiction in Another Language
Creative Writing Teaching
I am deeply passionate about fiction. I love to teach creative writing and cultural and literary theory, which I have been doing for nearly two decades at Maastricht University.
I believe that honing one's creative writing skills leads to a deeper understanding and enjoyment of literature, and vice versa.
In my courses and workshops, I thus combine hands-on creative practices with theoretical insights.
My flagship courses are
Creative Writing Summer School
This full-time, two-week course focuses on the craft of creative writing with a focus on the short story.
The course is open to everyone, regardless of experience, age, or background (not just for university students). The only requirement is that you have a good command of English.
You will learn mostly by doing. We will work together in a small, selective setting with a maximum of 12 participants.
Each course day starts with a short seminar followed by a creative writing workshop. After lunch, there will be a peer feedback session and another workshop.
In addition, you will receive one-on-one feedback and tailored guidance throughout the course. This includes both advice on how to take your writing to the next level as well as on how to get published.
For students, it might be interesting to know that you can earn 4 ECTS by completing the course.
More information about the course and how to sign up.
Contact Me
Workshops, lectures, and talks
If you consider booking me for a creative writing workshop or course, or if you want to invite me for a lecture, talk, or signing session, feel free to reach out: josje.weusten@maastrichtuniversty.nl
Press
I am more than happy to make time to talk about my novel Fake Fish, creative writing, literature and/or poetry. Feel free to drop me a line:
