Here we are, post happy hour, floating in our above-ground pool and listening to "The Real Slim Shady," yet the haters insist the American Dream is somehow unachievable...

Our final spotlight from our plant-loving summer issue is from Clara Cooke 🦝 We loved how three different relationships are connected through the magnolia, creating layered story and emotionally resonant stories. Read here: trashcatlit.com/the-small-th...

When my husband and I were in grad school, we lived on cheap pizza deals. At one point, we ordered delivery and the guy handed it to us and said, “The last time was 6 weeks ago. We figured you guys moved!” It took a long time to work up the courage to go there again! 😂

“Deep.” —Stephen King, probably, if he had read or knew about Submarines by @mikeandrelczyk.bsky.social. We have a few signed copies left, and these also come with three bonus zines. On sale still for $15. malarkeybooks.com/store/submar...

We're beyond excited to have the chance to sit down with @lizdebeerwriter.bsky.social to chat about her new book, "Farewell to Emptiness." Join us for some conversation & a few bonus stories. <3 #literarycommunity www.doesithavepockets.com/features/l-d...

This morning, I got an acceptance that made me elated because the piece was so hard to write. I felt that elation for about 2 minutes before my student loan servicer emailed me about the government’s new, Draconian re-payment programs. 😐 #writesky #studentloans #writing

**ALERT** Nationwide Book Banning Bill Republicans Senators have drafted S. 4925, a companion to the House's HR 7616 bill. Thank you, as always, to @heykellyjensen.bsky.social from @bookriot.bsky.social for sounding the alarm. Yes, you can do something about this. Please consider taking action.

Our "vacation" is done! Time for more submissions: www.doesithavepockets.com/subs #litmags #literarycommunity

We are looking for more heartache submissions over at @brokenheartslit.bsky.social as we just posted the last one in our inbox this morning. Send something quick before I have to share my own heartbreak next week. For now here's the latest from Chris Lihou: brokenheartsliterary.com/2026-heartbr...

Very pleased to have another 75-word story up at @paragraphplanet.bsky.social today (15 July) paragraphplanet.com/published.ph... #flashfiction #microfiction #VSS365

STREETS OF NASHVILLE is still out there, y'all, and still as good (I think) as the day it was published, 15 April 2025. Check out this great review that just appeared in APPALACHIAN JOURNAL 53.4 (Summer 2026). Special thanks to editor Jessica Cory and, particularly, reviewer Julia Franks!

Last call! Today is the final day to submit in this submission window. Flash micro poetry, mix and match. We can’t wait to read your work. templeinacity.com/submit-writi...

what’s the Odyssey about? I’m so glad you asked

ICYMI…

Reading my way through the heat wave. Just got these in from @twolinespress.com! What is everyone reading right now? #booksky #writesky #books

There's a fresh new micro up for you at @hfr.bsky.social right now. Hope you’ll run your gimlet eye across it heavyfeatherreview.org/2026/07/14/1...

"Snapshot" by writer, photographer, and retired teacher Ann Fischer, who lives in a Toronto Artscape community. Her writing appears in anthologies and literary magazines; her photos in galleries across Ontario.

Submissions open AUGUST 1-31st Theme: Agency vs Determinism Details: epistemiclit.com/submissions/

The complete list is here, btw. It's a lovely collection of flash! I may be biased though, because it's got pieces by some people I like a whole lot.

Banning books is bad, plus volunteering and a link to join @authorsabb.bsky.social - did you know illustrators, translators, and narrators are invited to join too? #MondayBlogs #FreedomToRead kristinhoulihan.com/2026/07/12/b...

North Carolina is experiencing an extreme drought. We’ve lost most of our garden, alongside several shrubs. The only thing thriving are my Tango Cosmos. Come autumn, I’ll dye textiles with these dried blossoms and feel grateful for this burst of happiness. 🧡💛 #gardensky #plantsky #naturaldyer

Today's spotlight is a flash by Lucienne Cummings @lucimcummings.bsky.social🦝 We loved the two voices in this piece, how the MC compares herself to the fruit, and her fabulous transition. Reader Kathy: "I love the circularity, the movement to joyful description" trashcatlit.com/the-apple-tr...

We're back spotlighting pieces in the summer issue - today, @jeanniemarschall.bsky.social with her immersive prose-poem 🦝 We loved the unashamed adoration of plantlife here, of trees and time and connection. It encapsulates celebration of Plantae. Read here: trashcatlit.com/a-thousand-a...

In honor of Taco Bell doing more in response to the cyclospora outbreak than our federal government, figured I'd reshare this Taco Bell poem so generously published by @havehashad.com, my first (but hopefully not last) skull. www.havehashad.com/hadposts/whe...

Here's the four calls we still have before the end of the year 🦝 Our Prompted Stories challenge coming soon... trashcatlit.com/call-for-pro... Our first Halloween Horror call... trashcatlit.com/call-for-bio... 1/2

Both of these are fantastic but “That Winter” is especially good! 😱 #writesky

Heatwave broke *just* enough to take this monster on a long walk. Clearly she didn’t enjoy it one bit. #dogs #dogsky #poodle

new flash up at milk candy review! milkcandyreview.home.blog/2026/07/09/c...

This is closing in a few hours, so hurry up! (midnight EST) bulbregion.com/Submissions

Thank you @jhhwriter.bsky.social for featuring "Bait" in the latest issue of Gooseberry-pie.com gooseberry-pie.com/bait/?fbclid...

Read today’s issue @gooseberrypielit.bsky.social with work by @jacqdoyle.bsky.social Jinjia Grace Hu Lynn Kozwolski @benstarr.bsky.social Fortune Cookie @andreamarcusa.bsky.social @judydarley.bsky.social @semurphy.bsky.social Kathleen Latham Nasta Martyn gooseberry-pie.com/issue-44/

PSSSSST! Five days left to submit. templeinacity.com/submit-writi...

The light is on for Robert Allen! @robertallenpoet.bsky.social 💡 “Manic Haibun” paints a lyrically rich picture of a mind under strain and set ablaze. Read Robert’s gorgeous poetry over at the site!

Raised in The ATL and rooted in SC Lowcountry @queenesther.bsky.social is a NYC based generative performing artist, producer & TED Speaker who applies an unconventional theatricality to orig. songs & stagecraft, constructing worlds infused w/ historical truths & an unapologetic Blackness.

For this midweek spotlight, we have @angelajoynes.bsky.social with her micro Bloodroot 🦝 We loved how tight and purposeful this story was, how white space did so much and dark plants sang. Reader Leigh said: "Dark, precise, pared-down" Read and listen here: trashcatlit.com/bloodroot/

"The Crossing" by Andrei Romanov, a Romanian-born writer & historian based in Portugal. He is author of the award-winning Masters of the Ocean Sea, and his work is held by major research libraries in the US and UK. "The Crossing" won our INHERITANCE contest, judged by @salenacasha.bsky.social.

Today we are spotlighting @chrisdotydunn.com with People Always Look for Each Other 🦝 We loved the quiet, building menace in this speculative short, the imaginative "traps". Reader Leigh said "strong imagery and a beauty of a mic drop from the narrator" trashcatlit.com/people-alway...

“It only takes one.” My new piece on @theprideroars.bsky.social is for anyone who has ever queried. theprideroars.blogspot.com/2026/07/are-...

Hey! I have a paragraph up at www.paragraphplanet.com ... the average grocery cart holds six cubic feet of stuff, including a brindled dog thanks to @paragraphplanet.bsky.social for selecting this

June was pretty crazy, and I’m in a good lull before it gets busy again. I’ve been using this time to finish some fiber arts projects! Fellow knitters, what are you making in in this heat? 🧶 #knitsky #shawlknitters #knit

Stoked to be a part of Sick Of Being Sick Zine Issue 001 @coinoppress.bsky.social! Can't wait to share it with everyone! Here is a list of contributors!

I'm so disillusioned, I almost don't even care who gets the FIFA Peace Prize next year

Back to spotlighting our summer issue - today it's @carlottadale.bsky.social with The Tree of Endless Night 🦝 We loved how grounded we were in the LA setting, the potted neighbourhood history adding authenticity, and the MCs journey through unusual conversation. trashcatlit.com/the-tree-of-...

"Backpacking" by Jill Suttie, a writer and contributing editor for UC Berkeley's Greater Good magazine, where she writes about the science of prosocial behavior and emotion. "Backpacking" is the winner of our INTO THE WILD contest, judged by Amita Basu.

Also big thanks to Cathy Ulrich at Milk Candy for publishing this piece after it was NQAd so many places I almost gave up on it: milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/11/20/n...

The Broken Hearts Literary Gallery is looking for stories for August and September. Submit a micro or poem up to 50 words and an origianl image that represents your heart ache. See link to submit below.

Update re my short story collection. All stories chosen. Front cover ready. Just got to finish tweaking three stories, then start at the beginning for the final (final 🤪) copywriting and it’s done!!! Thanks to @mollybreakfast.bsky.social for such capable and inspirational editing. 🥰

Our art & hybrid gallery this month comes from Sarah Carson who takes another look at the disavowed tome *I Kissed Dating Goodbye* with gorgeous erasure #poetry| www.doesithavepockets.com/artandhybrid...