Patience Mackarness

Completely gorgeous piece by @claudiamonpere.bsky.social

Issue 5 of Thin Skin - showcasing work by older writers - out now!

Wonderful, congratulations!

Wow! Love it, so haunting!

"There’s a new energy rising and we’re ready to bring the whole miserable lot down – our shitty prefab concrete blocks and blocked toilets, our Trabis smoking oily exhaust like they’re on fire." Fabulous atmosphere in this one from @nomad-sw18.bsky.social

Beautiful

Dark blue ring with white letters, sky blue centre with red

'As my body segments, pairs of hairy legs sprouting from each one, spiracles to breathe breathe breathe your oily-sweet pheromones' Fabulous story from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social

Thank you @gooseberrypielit.bsky.social !

What a great workshop, I really enjoyed it. Beautiful handouts too😍

This link didn't work for me, but I got to the story by a different route and loved it!

Such a buzzing, inspiring weekend (so far) with @saloneurope.bsky.social ! Big thanks to @deborahzafer.bsky.social and the team for bringing it all together. Last night's event with Balsam Karam, Philippe Marczewski, and @kitdewaal.com was completely awesome.

Readers at the event posing for a photo

Kit de Waal about to give a reading, sitting in a chair at a distance with rows of listeners on either side

Crowd listening to a reading with a floor to ceiling window in the background

People chatting in a lounge in mid century style

Impeccable vibes at #EWSBrussels2025 ✨

Thank you to all our readers, especially to our surprise guest @kitdewaal.com

Thank you, Charlotte! Love yours too!

Thank you! X

Super happy to be in this issue - congrats to all!

Thank you, Charlotte!

So good! Congratulations @dawnsteffler.bsky.social

Beautiful piece from @claudiamonpere.bsky.social !

Thank you, Sherri!

'Dance with the Tambourine Man' is up at @thesunlightpress.bsky.social today! Born in a @smokelong.bsky.social workshop, inspired by the landscapes and history of Bahrain - and of course by Bob Dylan.
bit.ly/3UgYF9M

The Bright Jars of Our Bodies by Sara Hills When we run out of nice things to say to each other, Gil and I watch TV like we’re each just a brain in a jar, sitting side by side. Except instead of brains we’re hearts. And by hearts, I mean sex…

A stunner from @sarahillswrites.bsky.social

flash-frog.com/2025/07/28/t...

And @fionamckay.bsky.social read brilliantly!

I was lucky enough to hear @fionamckay.bsky.social read from the book at the Festival last night!

ISSUE 17: MARCH 2018 Something About the Romans By Evan Massey On the porch, the radio plays old tunes. Sometimes our heads bob. I’m on the top step. Below me, Bianca sits behind my little sister, Tia, braiding her hai…

'Our history teacher once said that the Romans would grow their hair during times of mourning ... The clippers hum loud in my hand.'

On Day 14 of @smokelong.bsky.social 's Archive Challenge, Evan Massey's 'Something About the Romans'. brilliantflashfiction.com/2018/03/31/i...

ISSUE 15: SEPTEMBER 2017 Three Summer Flights By Tim Love As usual, Dad collected her after breakfast on Sunday and drove her to Dunstable downs. The hillside was already full of families. “You first, Tracy.” S…

‘Without warning a glider filled her vision, flying very low and fast. She would always remember the wide wings, the silent surprise.’

For Day 13 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge, ‘Three Summer Flights’ by @timlovewriter.bsky.social from brilliantflashfiction.com/2017/09/30/i...

@anchalastudio.bsky.social the tagging didn't work first time, sorry!

ISSUE 29: MARCH 2021 Footprints in Fine White AshBy Michael Kozart The day Darlene pulled up to Jack’s, she was facing a night in a shelter or the car. She had searched the county for an affordable room. Rents were soa…

From 2021, the stunning ‘Life Lessons’ by Anne Anthony. 3rd story down in a great line-up. Day 11 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge brilliantflashfiction.com/2021/03/31/i...

ISSUE 22: JUNE 2019 Here We Are on Planet Earth By Meg Pokrass Today we are tanning near each other on bright red beach towels on the sand at Hendri’s beach. This time I don’t let my mind worry too much ab…

'Do you know what kind of trouble you’re asking for? How old are you girls? Blythe laughs, a terrible little snarly sound, a baby warthog..' A gem from 2019 by @megpokrass.bsky.social
on Day 10 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge.
brilliantflashfiction.com/2019/06/30/i...

JANUARY 2023 We’ve Always Been Dying to DanceBy Kate Axeford It was too late for the grandkids when the dancing kicked off, but our party began long ago. 100 seconds to midnight, and it’s D-I-S-C-O. We lit up a…

Sometimes an intriguing story sends you straight to Wikipedia in search of an artist you've never heard of. 'The Rocket Man' by Lorette Luzajic (second story down in a fine lineup).
brilliantflashfiction.com/2023/01/31/j... on Day 9 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge