Allison Renner

WHAT?!?! This is amazing!!

And it would be a lie to say the relationship was anything more than “just cuz.” We met because, in a city of transients, we were two people far from the same home. I avoided his type in high school but ignored the red flags in a new location. I wanted someone who didn’t spend sixty hours a week on campus, someone who didn’t need me to review their essay, someone who didn’t think I drank too much.

Let's end our rewind of 93 & Me with our old pal, CNF. Shall we? "Engagement, April 2010" by @allisonwrites.bsky.social explores ideas about love & relationships, a universal topic if I've ever heard one. Take a moment for your own exploration & read it now!
www.roifaineantpress.com/post/engagem...

That's some helpful insight. My bracket knowledge is restricted to March Xness so seed talk is over my head. Better do some research before I submit my bracket! I usually choose based on my personal taste and/or a whim

(yes i meant trash talking myself 😔)

Is it too early to start trash talking?

Because I'm pretty sure I won't make it past round one, DEFINITELY not past round two. This is going to be *A COMPETITION*!!!

We interrupt your doom scrolling of our endless fascist nightmare to bring you some words.

93 & Me is live. It's a lot like the genetic tracing service in the way that it's not like that at all. Tell your favorite conspiracy theorist.

www.roifaineantpress.com

#writingcommunity

We stay up late every night, drinking beer at a new-to-us bar or downing six-packs at home. We play Guitar Hero and watch episodes of Friends—even though I prefer Seinfeld—or anything on the Food Network. We pretend our opinions matter, pontificating about meat and cheese and toppings on our Burger Blog. It’s just an excuse to go out, take pictures of our food, and eat something greasy to soak up the beer.

Of all the worthwhile things to ponder, what love is, what it isn't, and how it stacks up to our collective sitcom promises top the list.

Do all that and more 1/25 with Allison Renner @allisonwrites.bsky.social's fantastic CNF "Engagement, April 2010"

A Red Hood Editor's note: depicts dark themes.

I always love a twist on a fairy tale, and "A Red Hood" by
@jmorelli1230.bsky.social in @thehooletsnook.bsky.social is an instant favorite!
www.thehooletsnook.com/current-issu...

Slippery Memories by Liz deBeer When an Adirondacks Park Campsite sign flashes past our station wagon, Daddy says, “Used to hike there with my pals.” Pauses. “Some never returned home from the war.” I inch...

The ending of "Slippery Memories" took my breath away! Read the story by @lizdebeerwriter.bsky.social at @thehooletsnook.bsky.social
www.thehooletsnook.com/current-issu...

Something in the Water by Suzanne Hicks Everyone’s chatting and forking lunch into their mouths, but I can’t take my eyes off the fish tank behind the bar, remembering the lake back home, watching hooks pulled from...

Love this from @suzannehicks.bsky.social in @thehooletsnook.bsky.social: "Everyone’s chatting and forking lunch into their mouths, but I can’t take my eyes off the fish tank behind the bar, remembering the lake back home, watching hooks pulled from jaws..."
www.thehooletsnook.com/current-issu...

Washed Away by Allison Renner When my grandmother died, I went with her. I floated just behind, through the ceiling and over the roof. As she surged toward the sea, I took one last glance down at the lush...

“As she surged toward the sea, I took one last glance down at the lush treetops, wishing I could reach for her so she’d know she didn’t have to make this journey alone.”

@allisonwrites.bsky.social in @thehooletsnook.bsky.social

Thank you for sharing! 💜 And thank you SO MUCH for your help with countless revisions!

Aww this brightened my day - thank you!!! I admire your writing so much and am grateful we're friends!

Please help us welcome five new readers to our 2026 Short Story/Flash Fiction reading team! Joining returning readers Elena, Victoria, Kaleena, Aysha, and Kim (and SS/FF editor @egreenberg.bsky.social ), please say hello to Blake, Elaina, Allison, Nirica, and Gina!

The Sky is a Neighborhood — Ghost Parachute It’s dark here, no sunrise or sunset, just murky, muddled atmosphere. We’re told to stay quiet, keep our eyes down, do as we should and nothing will happen. We’re in our beds when we hear the banging ...

Read "The Sky is a Neighborhood" written by @allisonwrites.bsky.social and illustrated by Brett J Barr.

"It’s dark here, no sunrise or sunset, just murky, muddled atmosphere. We’re told to stay quiet, keep our eyes down, do as we should and nothing will happen."

tinyurl.com/5bc94bfs

Picking winners for our #GIVEAWAY TONIGHT so you still have time to comment with your favorite (or most hated, why not!) required reading.

BONUS: If you win, I'll read the book/essay/poem you commented with. As someone who hated required reading... this raises the stakes.

YES can't wait for this one!

This was on my shortlist based on the song alone - had no clue what to write about, so I can't wait to read this essay!

Was hoping someone would pick this so I can call them out in mine!

"Desmond Child, who produced the album, got the idea for the title after hearing the Bush song "Glycerine". Child misheard the title as "Kiss the Rain". When he was told the correct title, he decided to use "Kiss the Rain"..."

A copy GREEN LIGHT: A GATSBY CYLE, sticker, postcard, and pages from Gatsby.

To enter: reply with your favorite assigned reading. Was it a novel, poem, essay?

Two winners will be randomly selected around July 30. One winner will get a prize package from me & one will get a prize package from @allisonwrites.bsky.social

cc: @alienbuddhapress.bsky.social

Honestly best thing in my life right now and I'm not even embarrassed about that

I sent it to the email on your website - let me know if you get it and/or need any other scans of it!

Giveaway alert! 2 autographed copies of GREEN LIGHT + postcard, sticker, & a Gatsby page to create found poetry.

Reply with your favorite assigned reading. Multiple entries allowed on different platforms (FB, IG, Twitter, BlueSky).

Two winners will be randomly selected 7/30

I was NOT a Dawson's Creek watcher but saw that in my research and figured I'll need to find the episode/clip, just for my knowledge.

Also - thank you for sharing that! I've been asking people what they think/feel about my song and using responses to help shape my essay so this is helpful!

Loooooove the @marchxness.bsky.social community! Even when we end up duking it out in the bracket

I'll have access to a good scanner (aka not my shaky hands taking pics) tomorrow so I'll send it along after that!

Do you still play? I can scan it for you!

It was my number one so I'm thrilled to have it! Hope to do it justice, and can't wait to see what you pick if your name comes up 🤞

Pulling out my middle school diaries for this one

I can't WAIT. This song had a chokehold on me. I had the sheet music to play on my flute in middle school band - time to dust that off.