January Reader Leo MacLeod is a storyteller, musician and author of two professional development books. He has been published in The Maine Review. His first piece for Five Minutes appears winter 2026. Get micros in to Leo and the rest of the January team.

"Cruz Loma" by @haleydirenzo.bsky.social, a writer and practicing attorney. Her work has appeared in Gone Lawn, Flash Fiction Magazine, Eunoia Review, and Panoply, among others.

January Reader @tammykomoff.bsky.social was a Eugie Foster Award Finalist. Her work will/has appeared in Uncharted, Abyss & Apex, & more. When not writing she’s usually found chasing after her semi-feral daughters while her husband tries to keep up. Get micros in to Tammy & the the January team!

"The Concert" by @yimiwriting.bsky.social, born in Shanghai, now pretends to settle in Northern California. She builds code by day and disassembles herself by night.

"Bug Lover" by Natalie Wong, Fall Contest 2024 (Flirt) Finalist in case you missed it

January Reader Marie Cloutier (she/her) writes about girlhood and womanhood and complicated loves and losses. Her work has appeared in Bending Genres, Dorothy Parker's Ashes, the Sheepshead Review and elsewhere. She is at work on a memoir on disenfranchised grief.

"Parallel Park" by @lpetersonwrites.bsky.social, a queer, disabled Minnesotan writer. They’ve published poetry in FLARE Magazine and fiction with Duck Prints Press; their debut novel is forthcoming.

"Announcement" by @aresjb.bsky.social. When not writing Ares shepherds data near the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. They are a novice gardener and make fantastic waffles.

Welcome January Reader Jackeline Fernandes, a writer based in a suburb outside of NYC. She enjoys reading and writing about dogs, ballet, and the outdoors. Get micromemoirs in to Jackeline and the rest of the January team: fiveminutelit.com/submissions

"Time to Rethink" by David Ledrick in case you missed it

The Double" by @yelenafurman.bsky.social in case you missed it

"Guppies" by Kathy Lynn Carroll in case you missed it

"Rent" by Wenna Li in case you missed it

TW: sexual assault. "This Fish" by Paula Finn in case you missed it

"Burning Plastic" by Deanna Davidson, who has a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Northridge. She writes dystopian, fantasy, and horror short stories, as well as poetry.

"End Credits" by Will Neuenfeldt, who studied English at Gustavus Adolphus College. His poems are published in Capsule Stories, Months to Years, and Red Flag Poetry.

"Flush" by Arianna Smith, Fall Contest 2024 Finalist, in case you missed it

This month's Submissions Spotlight: Twin Bird Review, publishing “work that captures our imagination and offers new perspectives on the world around us.” Check them out!

"Summer Stroll" by Julia Clebsch, who writes CNF and memoir. Julia has been published in Legacy, Five Minutes, and Lesbian Connection, and is a two-time WOW finalist and two-time reader at the Salem Literary Festival.

"What She Said" by Pamela Bloomfield in case you missed it

"Big Break" by Brian Cox in case you missed it

"Last Farewell" by Miguel Ángel Calvo, who worked for an insurance company for nearly three decades. He is a retiree who dedicates part of his time to writing.

Congratulations to our contributors who recently published elsewhere: Shoshauna Shy @caseymulliganwalsh.bsky.social K Roberts @wendymages.bsky.social @lpetersonwrites.bsky.social Catherine Lawrence, and Heather Maat. Read what and where in our December newsletter - 5minutes100words at Substack.

"Gray Hair" by Alyson Floyd, who writes short fiction and screenplays. Her work has previously appeared in Short Beasts.

"Afternoon Sun" by Debdutta Pal in case you missed it

"First Encounter" by @jackieseaberg.bsky.social, who lives and writes in New York’s Hudson River Valley.

Go read go read! 5minutes100words at Substack.

"Ciao Carlito!" by Dhanya Pai. Fueled by caffeine, playlists, and baking, Dhanya is Berlin-based and a lover of short stories and good food!

December Reader Jill Pabich lives in Salem with her two kids. She is an award-winning painter and has recently had written works published in Beyond Words literary magazine, Five Minutes, and the Heroic Care anthology. Get micromemoirs in to Jill and the rest of the team!

"Nursing Home" by Dawn Skorczewski in case you missed it

"kicked out '97" by @pagingdrjama.bsky.social, a trans masc professor of community organizing, creative writer, proud papa, and big time nerd.

Following years in journalism & corporate storytelling, December Reader Elita Suratman writes personal narratives rooted in identity, faith & belonging. Based in Georgia, she’s wrapping up her first cross-continent memoir, with excerpts published in Beautiful Things, Cutbank, Beyond Words, & more.

"Anxiety" by @jmorelli1230.bsky.social, a New Jersey high school English teacher who lives with her husband, cat, myriad yard pets, and a menagerie of stories inside her mind.

"Her Scale" by Huina Zheng, who either writes as an admission coach at work or writes for fun after work.

"Peels & Peals" by María Ordovás-Montañés in case you missed it

Reader @mandirapattnaik.bsky.social’s work appears in The Cincinnati Review, The Rumpus, BSF Anthology, Best Microfiction Anthology & more. Her writing has been listed in Wigleaf Top50 & longlisted in Commonwealth Prize. Get micros in to Mandira & the rest of the team: fiveminutelit.com/submissions

"Lubbock" by Tanya MacIntosh, who writes speculative fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She has lived in Toronto, Quebec City, Jerusalem, and Calgary where Gigi, her rescue dog, generously shares the house with her.

"Mint Milanos" by Lara Peterson, Fall Contest 2024 Finalist, in case you missed it

December Reader Louise Kaestner is a mature age writing student who enjoys reading, writing, volunteering and crochet. Currently, Louise is homeless and exploring the depths of their soul through mindfulness, kindness, meditation, critical thinking, and energetic expansion.

"Icebreakers" by Tiffany Kung for The Hallway, Five Minutes' high-school publication, in case you missed it

"The Editor" by Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer, a writer, educator, and spiritual director based in Philly. Her weekly Substack Journey With the Seasons shares creative prompts and spiritual practices.

"Check-in Karma" by Colby Loucks in case you missed it

December Reader David Margolin of Portland, Oregon, enjoys writing comedy as in “Table Manners” (R U Joking?), nostalgia as in “Teabags” (Memoir Magazine) & grim fare as in "Brain Raid” (Freedom Fiction Journal). Get micros in to David & the rest of the December team: fiveminutelit.com/submissions

"He'e" by Fenny H. Lin, an emerging writer who is exploring her voice in fiction and nonfiction. She is seeking ways to write for impact.

"Look at Me" by Aimee LaBrie in case you missed it

"Time with Teeth" by Caitlin Horrocks, author of the books Life Among the Terranauts, The Vexations, and This Is Not Your City. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

"To Say No" by James Shapiro, who writes at dawn in an old chair; during the day he happily teaches at a school in his home town of New York.

December Reader @susan.m.condon, 2024 recipient of the Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme, holds an MA in Creative Writing from DCU. Her writing has received numerous awards, including 1st prize in the Jonathan Swift Award. Her work appears in Washing Windows, Frazzled Lit & more.

"Better to Quit" by Andrew Salcman for The Hallway, Five Minutes' high-school cousin. Andrew is a ninth grader in the Bay Area who loves mountain bikes and everything related: trail building, repair, and riding the beautiful trails of California.

"Wide-Eyed" by Susanna Blagrove in case you missed it