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.
My work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions (2024 edition) awarded by Altcurrent Press in the category micro-fiction.
My short stories have appeared in Litbreak Magazine (NY), Flash Fiction Magazine (NY), and Low Hanging Fruit (California).
I am a regular essayist for The Independent Publishing Magazine and the founder and editor of
Telling Stories Magazine
My debut novel Fake Fish will be published by Sparsile Books LTD (UK, Glasgow) on November 14, 2024.
Sparsile Books is an independent publisher, specialising in literary fiction and high-quality non-fiction.
I love stories, which are both character- and event-driven, which are fast-paced yet imbued with poetic rhythms and sounds.
Most of all, I love ambiguous stories, open to interpretation, inviting us to consider multiple perspectives; never settling down on one meaning.
Striving for this in my own writing, I take to heart Oscar Wilde’s words that
'A truth in art is that whose contradictory is also true.’
I am currently working on my next novel and a composition collection of short stories.
A varied group of characters in an increasingly dystopian world have to deal with ‘deep fakes’ distorting their very sense of reality. In a world drowning in a deluge of falsehoods, “Fake Fish” confronts the insidious rise of false news, and unmasks the far-reaching consequences that extend beyond mere headlines. With an unflinching gaze, this novel exposes the alarming impact of deceit on a global scale, as personal and national reputations crumble, and the very fabric of truth is torn apart. As the story unfolds, the characters navigate the treacherous landscape of a society where nothing can be trusted. “Fake Fish” is a timely exploration of the fragility of reality in an age where truth is being swallowed by technology.
Think Atwood meets Tarantino.
You can pre-order my book globally on Amazon
Better yet, support your local (independent) bookstore and ask them to order your copy.
Product details
"Truth with a twist: Literary debut plays with fact and fiction (...) Weusten's novel is a real page-turner, albeit one that sticks in the mind once you've finished."
(The Observant)
"Josje’s writing invites us into layered worlds where the lines between truth and fiction blur. Through her art, she addresses timely concerns, such as the societal effects of misinformation, while emphasizing the timeless need for genuine human connection. (...) Her rapid-paced storytelling keeps us on our toes and swiftly turning every page."
(Low Hanging Fruit Literary Magazine)
"I simply had to continue reading. Out of curiosity for the fate of the intriguing characters, for the sharp observations, the subtle irony, and most definitely for its commanding writing style" (Prof Jan de Roder, professor of literature and jury member of the Constantijn Huygens Prize and the PC Hooftprize.
My short stories have amongst others appeared in Litbreak Magazine (NY), Burningword Literary Journal (LA), Low Hanging Fruit (California), and Flash Fiction Magazine (NY).
My work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions (2024 edition) awarded by Altcurrent Press in the category of microfiction.
Recent Short Fiction
Short stories are an often overlooked and undervalued genre. In this essay, I reassess short stories as a comprised genre open to experimentation, forcing you to hone your writing skills in ways that longer narrative forms do not. I argue that because of its experimental and fragmentary form, the short story can be particularly useful for the artistic articulation of riven topics related to trauma and abuse.
Read the full essay to find out why I think you should give them a try as an (aspiring) writer? With tips on how to get started.
This essay deals with the question of how to navigate social media as a (female) writer, drawing on research on the online author persona and my own experiences. Read it here.
About writing literature beyond your "first' culture and language. Drawing on the work of amazing authors such as Chinua Achebe and Kazuo Ishiguro and my own experiences, I explore whether such a practice always has to lead to less literary diversity, as some literary critics, writers and publishers have claimed. Read it here.
A must-read for publishers on how to foster inclusivity and diversity without limiting the imagination of authors to write about characters which are not like them. Read here
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 t
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
Maastricht(NL)
Maastricht(NL)
Passa Porta Book Shop, Brussels
On Fake Fish and the poem One Art by Elisabeth Bishop from which I took inspiration.
More information and tickets here
Passa Porta Book Shop, Brussels
Estuary Park
Royal Theatre, Heerlen. https://www.parkstadprimadonna.nl/
Estuary Park
Glasgow, TBA
University of the Third Age, U3A. More information and tickets here.
Glasgow, TBA
George Watson College, Edinburgh
Creative Writing Workshop for Students from the George Watson College
George Watson College, Edinburgh
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:
I am more than happy to make time to talk about my forthcoming novel Fake Fish, creative writing, literature and/or poetry. Feel free to drop me a line:
Copyright © 2024 josjeweusten.co.uk - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.