Check out the webpage for our upcoming print anthology. We have added story teases from our twenty-seven amazing contributors to tantalise your readerly appetites🦝💜 trashcatlit.com/what-comes-t...

The paperback proof of our upcoming anthology is getting some last-minute editorial attention from Mary. She's ruthless! but also chonky so one could say, the proof is with the pudding 🦝😼 Not long now until the book can be in your cat's paws too!

Fab new literary awards from @monarch.gay and we are thrilled to send our two nominations. Good luck @nomad-sw18.bsky.social and @mikepiero.org 💜💜

September's newsletter is live 🦝 We've got subs, Trash Family stuffs from @cbigs.bsky.social @matgost.bsky.social @meproctor.bsky.social & @emilyrinkema.bsky.social, three quick reads from Genrepunk Award nominees and some autumnal ekphrastic writing prompts 🧡 trashcatlit.com/2025/09/22/h...

Announcing our noms for @genrepunkmag.bsky.social awards. Good luck Trash Family 🦝💜 @sophia-adamowicz.bsky.social @muchadoaboutnil.bsky.social @judepickledplum.bsky.social @heatherbooknook.bsky.social @supernaturalfeat.com @lmbayley.bsky.social @gtwriter.bsky.social @mrallanmiller.bsky.social

2nd spotlight and another awesome take on 'Morgue' 🦝 We loved @madeleinewrite.bsky.social's wrangling of the prompts into this creepy, cinematic noir with real heart and an MC we want more of. Prompts: Morgue/ Funeral Home, Ghost, Falling Read and listen here: trashcatlit.com/friday-night...

Today we have 2 stories that should be TV shows 🦝 We loved @muchadoaboutnil.bsky.social's reluctant hero figuring out his weird gift. This builds wonderfully to a chilling end. Prompts: Morgue/Funeral Home, Nightshift Worker, Unwanted Gift Read and listen here: trashcatlit.com/rubbernecker/

2nd spotlight is from @adlibby.bsky.social We love Adele's hermit flash and this historical piece is gorgeous. Beautiful language crashing into facts. Sadness blurring with joy. From prompts: During the First Day of..., Childhood Sweetheart, Fracture. Read here: trashcatlit.com/singapura-se...

Our penultimate day spotlighting and another superb Q&A. We loved @youcanandyouwill.bsky.social twisty piece - a Bond-esque feel at first - then it changes course, deliciously. The closing lines are a cracker. Prompts: Sleeper Train, Insomniac, Seeds Read here: trashcatlit.com/frisson-inte... 1/2

A second daily spotlight, this one from Scott 🦝 We loved this short-sharp bruising piece with its haunting ending. Amazing take on challenging prompts: During a Break Up, a Ghost, Dancing Read here: trashcatlit.com/phantom-pain/

First spotlight of the day from our latest issue 🦝 We loved @jupiterjonz.bsky.social imaginative take on a hoarder and the delicious rebelliousness of the two MCs. Feels both tech-modern and beautifully period. From prompts: The Future, Hoarder, Tickets Read here: trashcatlit.com/daylight-sav...

Check out the latest acquisitions to our Trash Family Portrait Gallery - our Prompted Stories contributors - the gallery is a delightful array of bin rogues you won't find anywhere else 🦝 trashcatlit.com/trash-family...

2nd spotlight today is from @iamagnat.bsky.social 🦝 We loved the quiet tension in this dystopia, the MCs poignant longing and how they find and embrace it unexpectedly. Such imaginative use of prompts: In the Future, Soldier, a Lie. Read here: trashcatlit.com/awakening/

1/2 spotlights from our new issue 🦝 We loved @cjpowerswrites.bsky.social cryptid POV - how they describe quilting is beautiful, the the tension builds and the final, majestic line. Amazing from prompts: Creative Retreat, Cryptid, Gargoyle. Read and listen here: trashcatlit.com/the-point-pl...

Second hero is from @francesgapper.bsky.social 🦝 We loved the pace of this cleverly structured piece, the superb characterisation and of course, a Trash Eagle - elevated. Very unexpected use of prompts: Building Remodel, Unlikely Hero, Firearm Read here: trashcatlit.com/into-stones-...

Two spotlights today featuring heroes 🦝 We loved @fionamckay.bsky.social's tense, relatable piece, the way it blurs realism and something uncanny, the way it makes us think. Striking use of prompts: Broken Down Car, Soldier, Old Book Read here: trashcatlit.com/the-good-peo...

Spotlight two of the day is from Borealice Winters. Trash Cat loves a quirky character - and Hubert is perfection. The beautiful language blurs into surrealism wonderfully. A lush journey from prompts: Creative Retreat, Cryptid, Mould Read and listen here: trashcatlit.com/huberts-mold/

First of two spotlights from the prompted stories issue 🦝 We loved the tension in @samlogan52.bsky.social's piece - the crawling sensation that this dystopia could happen, soon. Vivid imagery from prompts: Institution, Medial Professional, Uneaten Meal Read here: trashcatlit.com/cruel-and-un...

Today's spotlight is from repeat bin offender, @maireadwrites.bsky.social . She also did our Q&A🦝 We love the lush lyrical language in this piece, the glorious entomology used to tell of queer love. Read and listen here: trashcatlit.com/when-i-was-b... Q&A here: trashcatlit.com/2025/09/14/q...

Our second spotlight today 🦝 We loved the quiet tension in @leighaplin.bsky.social's piece, the sense of longing amidst danger, the beautiful connection to death and renewal. Read here: trashcatlit.com/when-the-riv...

First of two prompted story spotlights - this one from RM Soutar 🦝 We loved the depth to this uncanny piece, the exploration of grief and dementia, the vivid imagery. Read here: trashcatlit.com/albuquerque-...

2nd daily spotlight from our latest issue 🦝 We loved the tight breathlessness of this piece from @sclly21.bsky.social Every word so intentional, the emotional nostalgic tone is wonderful. Creative use of prompts: The Year You Were Ten, Cryptid, Needle Read here: trashcatlit.com/sasquatch-in...

Our first prompted stories spotlight of the day 🦝 We loved @jennyhart2001.bsky.social's dark exploration of love everlasting with startling imagery and emotional punch. Unexpected take on prompts: Following a Disaster, a Performer, a Tattoo Read here: trashcatlit.com/smaller-ghos...

Another spotlighted prompted story - and fantastic Q & A 🦝 We loved the grimy dystopia in @davidkmitchell.bsky.social's piece, the unfolding horror, the visceral ending 🍄 Remarkable use of: Sleeper Train, Corpse, Seeds Read here: trashcatlit.com/mulch/ Q & A here: trashcatlit.com/2025/09/11/q...

Up next we're spotlighting @pj-mccarthy.bsky.social's prompted flash🦝 We loved the strangeness of this from the outset, the characters' voices, the perfectly pitched humour - and the squirrels: bringing one of our favourite flash moments ever. Read here: trashcatlit.com/growing-pains/

Two more issue spotlights today, and first we have @theglencreed.bsky.social 🦝 We loved the beautiful collision of future tech and ballet in this emotive piece. A constrained SF flash from prompts: Laboratory, Nightshift Worker and Dancing 🩰 Read here: trashcatlit.com/phantom-rout...

Our second spotlight today is from @kawalker.bsky.social 🦝 We loved the structure of this one, and the cheery, bizarre mood of the MC in the conversational prose. Very imaginative use of prompts: Fairground, Hotel Cleaner and Tickets 🎫 Read here: trashcatlit.com/hope-amp-dis...

Our first of two spotlights today is from @lucimcummings.bsky.social 🦝 We loved the strangeness of this therapy session and the really beautiful solution to the MCs relatable issue. A creative use of tough prompts: A Medical Facility, Dog/s, Allergic Reaction Read here: trashcatlit.com/you-and-me/

Today's contributor spotlight comes with a side of Q & A 🦝 We loved @lauralnagle.bsky.social's contemporary ghost story, the MCs response, the light humour 👻 Read and listen here: trashcatlit.com/edwins-home/ Then get some writing wisdom from her excellent Q & A trashcatlit.com/2025/09/08/q...

Our second spotlight from the prompted stories issue 🦝 We loved the voice Joe gave the MC in this quirky crytozoological romp, the almost gleeful positivity. A fantastic take on the prompts - Forest, Cryptid and Strange Photos 📸 Read here: trashcatlit.com/flash/

Our first spotlight from our current issue 🦝 We loved Del's apocalypse, the humour in an unexpected interaction, the certainty of the MC. A clever interpretation of prompts - Underground, Enhanced Human and Infectious Agent 🦠 Read here: trashcatlit.com/the-first-ra...

Some news regarding winter subs 🦝

Our first print anthology is coming at the end of the month! 🦝 27 amazing short fictions that celebrate the theme of treasure in unexpected places. Proceeds of sale go to @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social Updates here: trashcatlit.com/what-comes-t... We can't wait to share What Comes to Light 💜

We pushed and we pushed and we have delivered a pair of delightful flashy collections 🦝🦝 Thirteen flash from all new Trash Family: trashcatlit.com/prompted-sto... Twelve flash from repeat bin offenders: trashcatlit.com/prompted-sto... A bumper read of amazing prompted stories - ENJOY!

Our last three teases - because it's COMING TOMORROW! 🦝 A woman has a profound encounter when her car breaks down 📕 Heroes don't always wear capes - occasionally they are winged 🪶 Stacey makes a gift basket full of remarkable things 🧸

Hubert doesn't like things that meander - and neither does his new friend 💛 Rebelling against a terrifyingly possible last meal 🍒 The grief of a breakup can feel like dancing alone 💔

COMING TOMORROW! 🦝 You never know who - or what - is watching 👀 Finding love and escape among the bugs 🪲 A strange visitor joins a final goodbye ⚱️

COMING THURSDAY 🦝 In this future, recycling is a whole other thing 🍄 When dead men do tell tales - to at least one unwitting janitor 💀 Someone isn't too keen on those home renovations 👻 A girl finds companionship with something unexpected 🍎

COMING THURSDAY 🦝 Dinnerware malfunction aboard a sleeper train 🥖 Two women defy the darkness for as long as they can 💡 Seems everyone has a camera these days 📸 Beware the sap and the goddamn squirrels 🌳

COMING THURSDAY 🦝 When you're not fawning over Patrick Swayze 🕺 A forbidden love story hermit crab style 💔 Breakfast and undesired company post-apocalypse 🐀 After a disaster, the dead can't let go 👻

COMING THURSDAY 🦝 Spooky noir in a unique club 👻 An exploration of loss and new life 🐿️ Advanced tech meets classic ballet 🩰 An unexpected allergy and cure 🤎

HERE THEY ARE! 25 contributors to the upcoming Prompted Stories issue. Split into new and existing Trash Family for your consumption. The issue will launch on Thursday 🦝 @leighaplin.bsky.social @madeleinewrite.bsky.social @lucimcummings.bsky.social @sclly21.bsky.social @adlibby.bsky.social 1/3

Fuelled by ice-cream, Trash Cat has now sent all notifications for the Prompted Pop-Up. It was the toughest yet - such a high standard of story, we're amazed and inspired by all of you 💜 We've a bumper 25 contributors and will reveal them all tomorrow. Don't miss it! 🦝

OK, so for the first time, we are not going to have an issue ready to launch on the 1st of the month! The prompted stories are so good, we are reading and reading to make the best decisions 🦝 Looking at the 3rd, maybe 4th September but this issue will be stonkingly good ❤️‍🔥

Our Ed is not being hyperbolic when she says these prompted stories are absolute bangers! The creativity and imagination is something else. This will be a really tough issue to curate 🙀

Thank you to everyone who took on the Prompted Stories challenge and subbed their flash. The bin is now closed and we will get straight to reading your treasured words 🦝 Check our pinned post for upcoming sub calls

Less than 8hrs now prompted pop-uppers! Don't miss bin collection like that annoying neighbour who has a disintegrating couch in their front yard! 🦝 Submission form at the bottom of this page: trashcatlit.com/prompted-sto...

Prompted Story Pop-Uppers - we're creeping closer to the bin lid shutting on subs. Get those stories polished up by 8pm tomorrow (BST). We know you can do it! 🦝💜

We've had over 30 submissions already for our Prompted Stories Pop-Up! You guys are amazing - some of those prompt combos were wicked challenging. Bin lid's open until 8pm on Tuesday (BST). Keep 'em coming, we love the engagement 🦝💜

WE ARE OPEN! The bin lid is up for your Prompted Stories until Tuesday 26th at 8pm (BST). Get lobbing 🦝 Link to the submission form is at the bottom of this page: trashcatlit.com/prompted-sto...