Denise Bayes
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deniseb.bsky.social
Denise Bayes
@deniseb.bsky.social
270 followers 290 following 240 posts
Flash fiction and short story writer. Free Flash. Ellipsis zine. 100 Word Story. Firewords.Roi Faient. NFFD Anthology. Temple in a City. Thin Skin. Flash Amiga.
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deniseb.bsky.social
Lovely to be part of this joyful edition @templeinacity.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Reposted by Denise Bayes
templeinacity.bsky.social
For those who can’t bear to click on links, welcome to a sneak preview of our JOY special popup edition contributors. This little slice will be out soon which in our speak is between hours and days. But you’ll be the first to know, we promise.
templeinacity.com/joy/
Some of the work here is just a few words. Or just the right words. Sometimes nonsense words or nonsense use of words. Words to make you smile or laugh or feel, for a moment, the warmth of a friendly sun, the touch of a loving breeze, the touch of another being, human or animal, equally in the dark, equally looking for strength to keep going. That moment can fuel the next moment, and the next. It doesn't need anything else. It just is. Please let this issue wash over you. Let it give you some relief amid the burdens of being alive, with all that trying. Don't ask it to be anything but what it is, then give yourself that same kindness. We hope you find joy, here and everywhere you can. Contributors Karen Baumgart, Denise Bayes, Jessica Coles, Kristin Houlihan, Patrick Johanneson, Rachel Abbey McCafferty, Kathryn Reese, Slawka G. Scarso, Sumitra Singam, Karen Walker
November 12, 2025 at 3:43 PM
deniseb.bsky.social
Thank you for all the inspiration and incredible feedback this year. I was scared to join @smokelong.bsky.social . I was wrong!
smokelong.bsky.social SmokeLong Quarterly @smokelong.bsky.social · 6d
It's FlashGiving! Follow @smokelong.bsky.social if you don't already, then like and share this post to get your name in the hat to win $200 holiday money. Deadline is midnight ET, November 26th! Winner chosen randomly on Nov 27th. Please tag @smokelong.bsky.social so that we know you've posted!
November 8, 2025 at 10:56 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
Exciting to be part of this excellent edition of @underbellypress.bsky.social Beautiful production
underbellypress.bsky.social Underbelly Press @underbellypress.bsky.social · 6d
I’m thrilled to share Issue 5 of Underbelly Press!

Our website (in bio) features a PDF copy to download or read as a flipbook: underbellypress.wixsite.com/home/copy-of...
New Release Issue 5 08 November Underbelly Press In the background is a yellow circle. In the middle of the circle is the Issue 5 cover, it reads: Issue 5, Autumn 25 Underbelly Press at the top and below a crisp picture of orange maple leaves in the foreground and a blurred blue-green background.
November 8, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Reposted by Denise Bayes
underbellypress.bsky.social
Going Underground by @deniseb.bsky.social

'The wrapped parcel nestles deep in his coat pocket. He treads with care as he heads back down the steps to the underpass. Stale urine fills his nostrils while traffic roars around the ring road above them.'
Issue 5 Teasers Frost is tinging the leaves on the pavement with silver when Claude leaves at the end of his shift. The wrapped parcel nestles deep in his coat pocket. He treads with care as he heads back down the steps to the underpass. Stale urine fills his nostrils while traffic roars around the ring road above them. Going Underground Denise Bayes Text is on a black background. Underbelly Press logo in the top right corner. In the background is an image of an orange leaf.
November 5, 2025 at 12:03 PM
deniseb.bsky.social
Excited for this! Thank you for the support @underbellypress.bsky.social
underbellypress.bsky.social Underbelly Press @underbellypress.bsky.social · 16d
Short Fiction
Amy Leacy ☆ @deniseb.bsky.social ☆ Derek Jennings☆ @emyrpayne.bsky.social ☆Heather Walker ☆ Ian Johnson☆ John Storey☆ @jupiterjonz.bsky.social ☆ @darkonelf.bsky.social ☆ @lozzawriting.bsky.social ☆ @madeleinewrite.bsky.social ☆ Rebecca Tiger ☆ Scott MacLeod☆ @tednorthodox.bsky.social ☆
October 29, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Reposted by Denise Bayes
thin-skin.bsky.social
10 days to go until submissions for Issue 5 close. Get those literary gems to us ASAP!
October 14, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Reposted by Denise Bayes
templeinacity.bsky.social
Every day is a good day to remember this. @deniseb.bsky.social
templeinacity.com/flash-fictio...
Temple in a City
Temple in a City literary journal, Denise Bayes fiction
templeinacity.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:13 PM
deniseb.bsky.social
'I swallowed injustice with my breakfast.'
Beautiful writing in this piece.
lost-balloon.com/2025/09/03/b...
Butter by Annabelle Taghinia
The platter with the tea trembled in my hands. The teaware was glass, our finest, translucent rosebuds rising out of the sloping sides, rounded and gentle under cupped hands. If I dropped it, my sk…
lost-balloon.com
September 20, 2025 at 6:59 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
Bottoms up to @quickasaflash.bsky.social for this amusing and clever hermit crab tale. Love it
www.neitherfishnorfoul.com/issue-5-ohal...
Issue 5 O’Halloran/Recipe For Birthday Cake — Neither Fish Nor Foul
www.neitherfishnorfoul.com
September 13, 2025 at 4:54 PM
deniseb.bsky.social
Love afternoon tea. Love lemon cake. Love this sharp little tale
www.neitherfishnorfoul.com/issue-5-gill...
Issue 5 Gill/Afternoon Tea In Mandalay — Neither Fish Nor Foul
www.neitherfishnorfoul.com
September 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Denise Bayes
templeinacity.bsky.social
This little @deniseb.bsky.social flash tiptoes toward the ember of trust in ourselves and each other then lights it up. A gorgeous reminder of how else we can be. Let it warm you.
templeinacity.com/flash-fictio...
Temple in a City
Temple in a City literary journal, Denise Bayes fiction
templeinacity.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Denise Bayes
templeinacity.bsky.social
Look here, folks, this little gem will remind you it’s not too late, we can trust and rely on ourselves and each other. A little ray of goodness to rekindle the warmth we sometimes forget we carry.
September 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
deniseb.bsky.social
Thank you for publishing this story that is very special to me. It was great to work with you. @templeinacity.bsky.social
templeinacity.com/flash-fictio...
Temple in a City
Temple in a City literary journal, Denise Bayes fiction
templeinacity.com
September 10, 2025 at 4:23 PM
deniseb.bsky.social
This is so haunting and beautiful. I loved this piece in @templeinacity.bsky.social
templeinacity.com/fiction-june...
Temple in a City
Temple in a City literary journal, June Gemmell
templeinacity.com
September 6, 2025 at 10:33 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
This is a must read from @fionamckay.bsky.social The end gave me shivers.
September 6, 2025 at 6:56 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
Thank you for sharing my writing @thin-skin.bsky.social and thank you for the inspiration @smokelong.bsky.social
thin-skin.com/flash-fictio...
A Bar at the Folies-Bergère by Manet - Thin Skin
Suzon looks out at the cackling crowds. Friday night is always busy here. Conversation bounces from the ceilings. The whine of a singer warbles from the stage. Men order bottles of champagne for their...
thin-skin.com
September 2, 2025 at 5:48 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
A slightly surreal start to your reading day. A slightly startling start to your reading day. Congratulations on a standout piece of writing inspired by 10 @sagreene1.bsky.social
September 2, 2025 at 5:46 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
Matt is such a generous teacher, providing thoughtful well prepared lessons and priceless critiques. Can't wait for this session on voices.
mattkendrick.bsky.social Matt Kendrick @mattkendrick.bsky.social · Aug 20
For anyone who's interested, I'm teaching a workshop in a couple of weeks (2nd Sep) called "I Hear Voices." It's all about:

levels of voice
what defines voice
vocab, imagery, description, style
authenticity, appropriation, consistency

Should be lots of fun!!

www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
I Hear Voices: Evoking Tone through Word Choice, Images and Style | MattKendrick.co.uk
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
August 21, 2025 at 11:58 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
Thank you for publishing my story @paragraphplanet.bsky.social
August 19, 2025 at 8:06 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
Beautiful edition with flash, poetry and art combined into a fabulous new litmag.
templeinacity.bsky.social Temple in a city @templeinacity.bsky.social · Jun 17
It’s live! Please dig into our roots, featuring great work by 21 contributors. Flush with flash, poetry, hybrid and a lil art. Some bonus author interviews for an inner peek into how the work gets done.
templeinacity.com/explore-the-...
Content page of debut temple in a city issue, Roots.
August 16, 2025 at 6:56 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
'Freed of the shellac smothering the rest of her life.'
Beautiful writing by @nomad-sw18.bsky.social
The things Shauna never knows, the things she does trampset.org/the-things-s...
The things Shauna never knows, the things she does
by Cole Beauchamp
trampset.org
August 10, 2025 at 5:56 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
A date for the diary...
freeflashfiction.bsky.social Free Flash Fiction @freeflashfiction.bsky.social · Jul 23
FFF Competition Twenty-Nine
Ends 23/8/25 at 10pm

Flash fiction between 100 / 300 words
1 Winner £150.00
2 Highly Commended £70.00
3 Shortlisted £60.00
£3.95 via PayPal or Stripe
£2.65 via BACS
Judge: Amy Photiou

#writingcompetitions #flashfiction

freeflashfiction.com/current-comp...
July 23, 2025 at 11:04 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
Look Noèmi!! Superstar
jamesmontgomery.bsky.social James Montgomery @jamesmontgomery.bsky.social · Jul 21
🌟 I finally got to meet three of my favourite flash writers, chat and hear them reading their dazzling work in person: @sharontelfer.bsky.social, @timcraig.bsky.social and @itssonoemi.bsky.social.
July 23, 2025 at 11:02 AM
deniseb.bsky.social
A new litmag that is encouraging to new writers and existing writers.
templeinacity.bsky.social Temple in a city @templeinacity.bsky.social · Jul 6
If you know an emerging writer or secret writer or shy writer or any kind that has words or art they keep to themselves, please share this link with them. Everything thrives when experience and emerging hang out together. This world belongs to us all.
templeinacity.bsky.social Temple in a city @templeinacity.bsky.social · Jul 6
We’d really love to help new writers of any age emerge. If you’re just starting out in this sweet and crunchy little world please trust youself and submit to us and others. There are a LOT of nos but zero yesses if you don’t try. So… templeinacity.com/submit-writi...
July 7, 2025 at 8:48 AM