I made the shortlist! After a tough week both writing-wise and personally, this was so great to hear. Now for the final bout of waiting! Congrats to the other titles as well 💜

*squints at her inbox crickets* So you're telling me in order to keep getting writing responses, I have to keep sending writing out? 🤯 guess I know my weekend plans, getting back into the submission game for that sweet dopamine hit, even with the Rs. Feliz Friday, friends!

Me 🤝 Welkin Longlist 🤩

I've finally decided on a pen name. Introducing myself, now known as Emorra Oteca! Curious how to pronounce it? "It's like ephemera, but get the eff out." - a clever poet. (EM-er-uh, FYI. I made up the name and pronunciation when I was a kid, and I'm stickin' to it!) 👋

My silly little story is out at Rat Bag! I hardly ever write lighthearted or comedy but one night I couldn't sleep while a storm was going, and here we are!

A hilarious story by a wonderful writing buddy. If you need a chuckle today, this is it!

Changed my handle because I'm not quite sure at the moment who I am. xx

Ah!! What an honor to be nominated! <3 thank you so much

Got a job offer today, which means I won't have to sell my house slash lose everything. Small victories!

Gotta say, depression is a vicious little hamster wheel. It takes a break, makes you think maybe things are okay, or going to be, and then all of a sudden it starts its creaky stupid run again and won't shut up. Sigh.

That's me submitted! My thanks to the anonymous benefactor who allowed me enter NQW since I still don't have a job. Quite like my story, so here's hoping🤞 Go Team Amanda! (With my respects to Ed, I also wrote him a story but it was too big for 500 words) Time to wait impatiently for the vague posts!

*Shania twain voice* Let's go, girls

In the last week I've written a new drabble and sent out 5 submissions. Small accomplishments overall, but considering I was so depressed and blank at the end of last year I didn't know if I'd do anything at all this year, I'm actually quite proud. Little sparks of creativity are coming back!

Procrastinated cleaning inside my house by shoveling 5 driveways in the neighborhood, and now the sun is organically melting everything. I can't decide if this is a win or not. At least it got me outside and moving a bit? Now off to vacuum and figure out this writing test for a possible job...

"We spend a lifetime looking for the stairs that go nowhere, but hope they actually go everywhere." A beautiful piece by a talented writer and wonderful human being.

I have some specific and lengthy resolutions for next year, but what they really boil down to is creating just to create (and try new mediums!), and being nicer to myself (physically and mentally). Happy New Year and see y'all in 2026 💜 be kind, be safe

babe are you ok you’ve barely touched last year’s resolutions & now you’re making more ambitious new ones

This came out a few days ago, but the second issue of Twist Magazine dropped with a ton of wonderful stories, including my second-place 500 story. It's great to be among such talented company. Download the issue here: aiwl.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/TWIST+MAGAZI...

"She didn’t know why, beyond the fact that she felt sad and alone in the body-breaking kind of way, where it was all too big to fit, and the next moment was impossible and inevitable and deeply, deeply dangerous." Read the rest of @lyss-b.bsky.social's story here:

My first Pushcart nomination! I am beyond grateful and honored. Thank you so much @paranoidxtree.bsky.social for loving my story as much as I did 💚

Alas, no placement for me BUT this vague tweet was my story and that's honestly just as exciting 😊

One of my favorite stories by one of my favorite people. So happy Loxley found its home ❤🦇 @beingcam.bsky.social

Final Twist results, came in 22nd overall. My main goal was not to DNF any rounds so I'm pleased. My scores were higher than I expected and I'm very grateful for the 4 extremely thoughtful feedbacks in my 250, which needed more words. Enjoyed this comp-- hope I find a job soon so I can play again!

Couple contest results are trickling in. Surprised and pleased that I placed 2nd in the first round of Twist (500 words)! Tbh this was my strongest story by far and I don't expect to keep this pace, but I'm still quite happy my story was well-received. Planning to expand and submit this one out 🤞🏻

Still on a break, but got some exciting news for my first time entering @notquitewrite.com! Thanks babes, this podcast is so fun ❤️

going on a little break. take care of yourselves <3

My story "Pink Witches" is out today! A sweet, simple story about a grandmother and granddaughter, and one of the first times I've written spec. I'm so happy this found such a great home <3

Love this description--Alluma is absolutely a powerful badass. Check out why below! and Happy Halloween to all who celebrate 🎃🦇🐈‍⬛

My horror story "The Martyr" is out today at Suddenly, and Without Warning! This was from the 1st round of last year's NYCM500. The object was 'trail mix' and I immediately thought of a literal trail. I enjoyed writing this and I'm glad it has a home! www.suddenlyandwithoutwarning.com/the-martyr/

Caturday, duo edition! My cats get along for the most part but are not bonded, so it's rare to get pictures of them together, unless you count ones where there's a blur of black as Minnie leaves 😂. But here at a few peaceful moments I've caught over the years!

Went to "Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns" at the Botanic Gardens. I'm always impressed with any art, and this was no different. Very cool to see some carvings in progress as well. Too bad I can only show a couple pictures.

Back to TBT/making an archive. "Baking Memories" was published earlier this year in Bright Flash Literary Review. Originally written for last year's NYCM's 500 contest, 2nd round. Since this year's 2nd round was last weekend, it felt apt to post this one today. brightflash1000.com/2025/04/03/b...

Today I was surprised with Eeyore crocs (Eeyore is my fave; my feelings about crocs are more complicated) and an acceptance from one of my fave places for one of my fave stories! As long as I don't focus on my lack of job/interview requests and other real life scaries, I'm a very happy Melissa!

Hooray! First round and first place! Wasn't sure how it would fare since it leaned more drama than romance, but that kinda seems to be a sweet spot for me? Well that's two contests coming up this weekend, and debating a third. Decisions decisions...

Read my little story online here! I'm still so happy this found such a perfect home. One of the few stories that I wrote without prompts and/or a deadline, just a growing appreciation of nature coupled with a growing heartbreak over how we treat it. Go hug a tree today 💚

It's hereee! It was an absolute dream working with @paranoidxtree.bsky.social and I could not be more excited to see it all come together. It's possible my entire neighborhood heard me squeal when it showed up today. Such a huge thank you to everyone who worked on this. I hope readers enjoy!

Currently taking suggestions for messy stories you love, or craft essays/books/podcasts/what-have-you on writing stories that don't get wrapped up in a nice little bow. Thanks!

Happy Gotcha Day to my kittens! Five years ago I made the best decision ever. They hid behind the storage bins (or under the drawer) for about a day before they started coming out to play. After about a week I opened the room to the rest of the house, and now here we are! 🤍🖤💗

I am so bad at bluesky, hopefully third time I repost this correctly. My story "Opening the Attic" is free for everyone today! Based a little on depression, and a little on my aunt actually playing in the unfinished attic and always talking fondly about it. Hope you enjoy!

TBT to "Accident Prone," my second-ever acceptance, a micro at 101words about revenge. This was originally written for a 'breadcrumbs' theme. I wrote three micros for that theme and two have homes. Perhaps I should revisit the third? 101words.org/accident-pro...

Sent off more applications but I'm too discouraged to continue. Instead, I'm going to see if I can finally get some headway into a story that's been sitting in my WIP for two years but refuses to leave my head. Gotta feel accomplished, somewhere? This job market is absolutely brutal.

Caturday, silly edition. They are goofballs. And sometimes they are also just shaved. Apparently I can only add 4 photos so there will be several of these posts so I can show off my beautiful, ridiculous dorks.

The reason I always have laundry piles on my couch is so Charlie can have the comfiest naps. 100%. No other reason, definitely not due to laziness and a dislike of tedious folding.

Very excited to have received an HM and Phoenix Judge's Choice in Twisted Teams! (Even more excited someone on my team took first, which means I get some $ as well!) I plan to expand this story and really love my characters/idea, so this was a happy surprise. Excited to get revising!

This is my last peer WB and I was a bit hem-haw about this story (but it's one of my favorite genres), so I'm pleased to see it got 7 points and is heading to the Final Showdown. Good luck to all the Ravens on Sunday. (Reposted to cover one of the images so it's not labeled Adult Content, lol)

Caturday, meet my kitties! Charlie is the white/grey, he's my needy baby. Minnie is sweet and independent, although lately she's been asking for more scritchies. They mostly get along except when Charlie takes playtime to 200. I love them so much. Approx. 7 & 6 years old, respectively.

TBT to one of my fave stories & this lovely note: It almost never happens that I immediately make a decision to say yes without further feedback from my associate editors but yours is so lovely and touching, I didn’t want to pass on it or keep you waiting Enjoy! www.chicagowrites.org/write_city/1...

Throwback Thursday! (This is me trying to be active.) My story "Daisy, Maybe" won the 2023 Gold Scribes Prize, one of my fave accomplishments. Fun fact: this story was also my very first acceptance, at the sadly defunct Microfiction Monday Magazine. Enjoy! www.fairfieldscribes.com/issue-34.html

That's me!