My story "Secret Light" is in Writers Resist. www.writersresist.com/2025/12/24/s...

My story "Marco Polo" was published today by Breath and Shadow, a small publication featuring writers with disabilities. In my visual art, I sometimes use these same images: medical technology, ancient carvings and cows. Seeing it in black and white makes me want to make a collage.

Little Key Press nominated my story "Lucky Dragon" for a Pushcart Prize. I know those Pushcart nominations are like the longest of the long, long lists, but it's still a thrill. I wrote the story to the book's prompt, and fell in love with my character, a sentient claw machine.

I use a timer when I'm at my work table. Twenty minutes on and at least an hour off. I have a different schedule for writing, but for standing, cutting and pasting work, twenty minutes is my limit. Yesterday I pushed myself way past the time limit and lost a day's work today. So, here's a reminder.

Audre Lourde with a hat tip to Rob Brezny.

This is just me talking to myself. I've been looking for inspiration in all the wrong places. Picasso said, "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working."

Love doesn't just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.

Thanks, Scott!

The event for the CLAW MACHINE anthology is on Tuesday, June 26 at 7 pm PT, 10 pm ET. www.instagram.com/p/DLDgqMUyij6/

We're having an online reading for the CLAW MACHINE anthology next Tuesday, June 24 at 10:00 pm ET, 7:00 pm PT. The official book release happened last week in Portland, OR, and I'm looking forward to hearing the other authors read their work. linktr.ee/mariannexenos

Happy Pride Month. To celebrate, here's Lady Fred modeling a copy of WRITTEN WITH PRIDE published by Not a Pipe Publishing. My short story "Doomcookies and Donuts" is included. The story is set in the late 80s in Central Square Cambridge, and involves friendship, trauma and tap dancing.

I'm working on a story that has a Greek dance. As a kid, we danced the syrtos and the kalamatiano, but I'm still doing research. I love this video because the lead dancer is the pirate, and sometimes when he yells, "Opa!" everybody replies, "Argh!" youtu.be/KZ5h5B7ChpQ?...

Cassocks are red Conclaves are dope Wake up babe we got a

Flipping through my copy of The Amphibian Literary and Art Journal. Design and illustration by the editor, Anna Potter. My story "Furies Unlimited" is included.

The kickstarter is live today! I'm excited to be in this anthology with a group of wonderful authors. Elizabeth Mitchell is a joy to work with. Link in the next comment.

“This is going to be great television,” he remarked. “I will say that.”

Mark Rothko, Untitled (Yellow and Blue) #standwithukraine

Here's the first page of my story "Furies Unlimited" in The Amphibian Literary and Arts Journal. Illustration and design by Anna Potter -- thank you, Anna!

My story "Furies Unlimited" is included in The Amphibian, a gorgeous literary magazine featuring art, poetry and stories. Some of my stories feel like puppies in search of a good home. This particular puppy has honey-colored wings, and I'm glad it went to live with The Amphibian.

I'm looking forward to the webinar at Writing the Other.

COME ON JUST THROW THE FUCKING RING INTO THE FIRE FRODO WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS SHIT

According to the government, LGBTQ is now LGB. They're eliminating the rainbow one color at a time. There would be no Stonewall without transgender people. h/t Badly Licked Bear

I made a goal to send out more stories this winter, and had fourteen stories in the mail in January. Now those stories are coming back, and I'm on the longest rejection streak of my life! My reward is two chocolates for every rejection.

Three years ago I published my first short story -- ever -- in THE FUTURE FIRE. Today's a happy writer-versary.

Shooooot! We thought for sure the rain would keep ya’ll away, but we were dead wrong! Thanks for another baller day!!! We literally have the best followers, customers, and fans out there. We’re feeling the love.

I finally finished my story about Derketo. The plot is basically: a shapeshifting mermaid goddess walks into a karaoke bar in the Florida Keys. It's also about mothers and daughters and a charming one-winged crow. I'll let you now if it finds a home. Image by Thalia Took.

Compassion combined with action. This woman gives me hope.

Don't pray for me, Sister 'Nita. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAlr...

Three years ago Frances Pai sent me chocolate truffles for my rejection jar. My rule was two chocolates per story rejection. This week I published a story, received a rejection, and was a finalist for an award I really wanted to win. Chocolate is complicated. Chocolate is a writerly skill.

My story, "The Messenger," is in the new issue of NonBinary Review. The theme is "Rituals." www.zoeticpress.com/issue-38-rit...

This was a pet project of mine; I remember coming across these posts after the fact and being so sad that I'd missed this moment! But now all of Ursula's generous and brilliant answers are up on her site for all to read. (I'm also so curious if anyone who wrote in has since been published!)

The whole post by @wiswell.bsky.social is great, but I particular liked this snippet. johnwiswell.substack.com/p/why-write-...

For @simpulse.bsky.social -- gray sky with an owl. Image: "Minerva," collage, Marianne Connolly

I'm trying this again. Dropping my website and looking forward to connecting with friends. www.mariannexenos.com

Last week Nina Kiriki Hoffman and I read stories as part of "Dragon Moon Dreaming," an online Art Forum via Gallery A3. The video is now available on Vimeo. Thanks, Nina! vimeo.com/868552602