Mark Abdon

"Feeling like someone has scooped out our guts, we decide to call it a night, not even checking to see if you're inside."

Hey thanks for reposting - I'd missed this the first time around. Love the mood of this piece, and if I knew my stages of grief better, those too, I bet.

🙋‍♂️ - Think it was this line that got me: "please focus on what a f***-up/loser/hack writer I am in real life." And I was like, man, that guy needs a hug or a high-five or something.

Much less worried now. Plus you graciously published one of my stories after that haha.

As of 2026, here are some of the places I'd be most jazzed to have stories appear:

- BOOTH (hometown)
- Harvard Review (reader)
- Image (faith)
- McSweeney's (humor)
- Florida Review (many kind rejections)

About to hit my 3-year anniversary of when I started submitting stories out into the world. I secretly love the process.

My "Dream Publication" list sure has changed! I think I started with the typical 'whatever is most prestigious.'

What's your Top 5? Mine's below, with a one-word (explanation)

New Source of Joy: When a lit mag that previously published YOU now publishes one of your STUDENTS!

Now doubly grateful to @jmwwjournal.bsky.social, @socalwritergirl.bsky.social, and Juliet Way-Henthorne!

Late gratitude post to @porcupinelit.bsky.social, @theoffingmag.bsky.social, @thirdcoastmagazine.com, and Red Rock Review for some good news in December!

RIP: my 10-month rejection streak I had going. My wife could have made a person in that window. I, by contrast, made a stack of 100 rejections.

Alright #writers, #writing, #litmags – I'm about to set up the Submittable account for our university lit mag. Advice for a total newbie as we get this thing up and running?

Ha! No worries! Totally get it - I’m on bsky avoiding grading right now!

*Patiently waits for SSL nomination for 'Best American Cover Letters' anthology*

*Falls into a pit of old episodes of Frasier upon finding out that 'Best American Cover Letters' isn't a thing*

Ah yes! 'The Ask' was on the list too.

a man in a suit is blowing his nose in front of a snl banner Alt: a man in a suit is blowing his nose in front of a snl banner

Whew! Nothing to get the blood pumping like a @havehashad.com submission.

New teaching gig comes with free cookies at every department meeting 💪

But also comes with an 80 minute commute. Each way.

So who has a great podcast about writing they'd like to recommend? Could cover any aspect of writing!

Aaaand I will forever picture you reading SSL submissions in cut-off jean shorts.

Image description A graphic that reads: About the Poets, Bethany Jarmul. Bethany Jarmul is an Appalachian writer, poet, writing coach, and workshop instructor. She’s the author of a poetry collection, Lightning Is a Mother and a memoir, Take Me Home. Her work has been published in more than 100 literary magazines including Rattle, Brevity, and Chestnut Review. Her writing was selected for Best Spiritual Literature and Best Small Fictions, and nominated for the Pushcart Prize and The Best of the Net. Connect with her at bethanyjarmul.com or on social media: @BethanyJarmul. Further text reads: Hear Bethany share selected poems on Motherhood, faith, and caregiving over zoom January 11, 7pm EST - Free.

New bio to share: Bethany Jarmul.

We'd love to have you with us in January. Registration is free via the link in the next post (so as to avoid suppression of this one!)

@bethanyjarmul.bsky.social @nancyhuggett.bsky.social

Shares welcome

My favorite this year was - "Well, I hated writing coming into your course. Now I hate it less, I guess."

💪

That's... a lot of stairs. Thanks, but not thanks. However, did you know a flock of stairs is called a flight?

Whoa dang. Maybe not. $399 on eBay, eh?

I think that you’ve got what it takes….

I think @adroitjournal.bsky.social does some secondary and undergrad-specific calls. I want to say their current contest is only open to undergrad and younger...

Hmmm... yes. That's better than "BeTrothchee". Simpler too. Let's go with yours.

a cartoon of homer simpson with a monkey in his mind ALT: a cartoon of homer simpson with a monkey in his mind

Grade 37 more essays?

Or I could alphabetize that bag of limes over there...

Thanks, brain.

Heartened to find this thoughtful piece by the editor of Christianity Today on the danger of deportation without due process.

I’d like to congratulate Cezarija Abartis for First Place in the index. Alphabetically, there’s nobody better. Know when you’re beaten, you know?

Kurt Vonnegut quote encouraging creativity for its own sake

Sounds familiar...

"In the bathroom you blushed at the backsides of bawdy dames. Who were those people, black-and-white and glamorous?

Maybe they’re bent on revenge, like ghosts (all that remains of young lives, now parody, glued to the stalls)."

RIP, Buca.

"There was the unpredictable ember of anger he set alight in me that heated everything I did in the weeks and months and, yes, even the years after I had to learn to be without him."

Whew! This one takes quite a turn before the end! New @thewritelifeliz.bsky.social up at @mrbullbull.bsky.social.

Cheers from Indianapolis–also-not–Los-Angeles! 🍻

Mark Abdon Writes | Stories Discover Mark Abdon's captivating fiction, insightful non-fiction, and expert editing services. Connect with an acclaimed writer and enhance your literary journey.

Well it only took me several years... but finally got around to making a writerly website.

markabdonwrites.com