Fiona McKay
@fionamckay.bsky.social
Writer | THE TOP ROAD (AdHoc Fiction 2023) | DRAWN AND QUARTERED (Alien Buddha Press 2023) | THE LIVES OF THE DEAD (AdHoc Fiction July 2025) | Words in places | Autistic + ADHD
Ally to 🏳️🌈 and 🏳️⚧️
Free 🇵🇸 and slava 🇺🇦
Ally to 🏳️🌈 and 🏳️⚧️
Free 🇵🇸 and slava 🇺🇦
Pinned
Fiona McKay
@fionamckay.bsky.social
· Sep 2
"In The Lives of the Dead, the danger never fully goes away..." Emily Webber reviews Fiona McKay's novella-in-flash, The Lives of the Dead for SmokeLong. www.smokelong.com/review-the-l...
Review: The Lives of the Dead by Fiona McKay - SmokeLong Quarterly
Reviewed by Emily Webber Fiona McKay’s novella-in-flash, The Lives of the Dead [Ad Hoc Fiction, 2025] draws us into Kate’s life as she stands on the brink of marriage and motherhood. Reading this coll...
www.smokelong.com
Thank you so much to @smokelong.bsky.social reviews editor @erinvachon.bsky.social and reviewer Emily Webber for this thoughtful review of my novella-in-flash, The Lives of the Dead (available from @adhocfiction.bsky.social and also Amazon) ❤️
What a lovely thing to do @marioaliberto3.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️
One thing I love to do is buy extra copies of my friends' books and give them to this little free library. Love imaging the lucky reader who discovers their next new fave author. @lumchanmfa.bsky.social @travisflatt.bsky.social @fionamckay.bsky.social
January 4, 2026 at 5:21 PM
What a lovely thing to do @marioaliberto3.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️
Delighted to be on this shortlist ❤️ Congratulations to all the other Shortlisters 🎉🎉🎉 and hugs to anyone on the longlist feeling a bit disappointed today 🫂🫂🫂
Ready for the New Year, we have announced the 2026 NIF award shortlist.,Congrats to all the authors. Final results out end Jan. The longlist was also full of excellent novellas. Best wishes for all of them & to everyone who entered. www.bathflashfictionaward.com/news/
a happy new year 2026 greeting with fireworks in the background
ALT: a happy new year 2026 greeting with fireworks in the background
media.tenor.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Delighted to be on this shortlist ❤️ Congratulations to all the other Shortlisters 🎉🎉🎉 and hugs to anyone on the longlist feeling a bit disappointed today 🫂🫂🫂
Reposted by Fiona McKay
Instead of sending Christmas Cards, we donated to Focus Ireland
Wishing all who celebrate, a Merry Christmas 🎄 And best wishes for 2026 🥳
Wishing all who celebrate, a Merry Christmas 🎄 And best wishes for 2026 🥳
December 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Instead of sending Christmas Cards, we donated to Focus Ireland
Wishing all who celebrate, a Merry Christmas 🎄 And best wishes for 2026 🥳
Wishing all who celebrate, a Merry Christmas 🎄 And best wishes for 2026 🥳
Instead of sending Christmas Cards, we donated to Focus Ireland
Wishing all who celebrate, a Merry Christmas 🎄 And best wishes for 2026 🥳
Wishing all who celebrate, a Merry Christmas 🎄 And best wishes for 2026 🥳
December 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Instead of sending Christmas Cards, we donated to Focus Ireland
Wishing all who celebrate, a Merry Christmas 🎄 And best wishes for 2026 🥳
Wishing all who celebrate, a Merry Christmas 🎄 And best wishes for 2026 🥳
Reposted by Fiona McKay
Hey hi what might you be doing on Saturday Dec 13 3pm EST/8pm BST? Want to launch a NiF with me? Hosted by @nomad-sw18.bsky.social and featuring @kathrynreese.bsky.social (and yes also me). It’ll be fun!
Preorder phx (US only) and ebook: jakethemag.com/books/
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Preorder phx (US only) and ebook: jakethemag.com/books/
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
November 28, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Hey hi what might you be doing on Saturday Dec 13 3pm EST/8pm BST? Want to launch a NiF with me? Hosted by @nomad-sw18.bsky.social and featuring @kathrynreese.bsky.social (and yes also me). It’ll be fun!
Preorder phx (US only) and ebook: jakethemag.com/books/
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Preorder phx (US only) and ebook: jakethemag.com/books/
us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
I’m delighted to have a NiF on this longlist!! Best of luck to all the other longlisters 🎉 and thanks to all @bathflashaward.bsky.social
Thanks to my @smokelong.bsky.social groups for feedback, and special thanks to @sarahillswrites.bsky.social and @shiramusicant.bsky.social for reading drafts ❤️
Thanks to my @smokelong.bsky.social groups for feedback, and special thanks to @sarahillswrites.bsky.social and @shiramusicant.bsky.social for reading drafts ❤️
Congratulations to all 27 writers on our 2026 Bath Novella-in-Flash Award longlist. And thank you to everyone who entered. So many good and inventive novellas were submitted. www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2025/12/novella-in-flash-2026-longlist/
Novella in flash 2026 Longlist
Congratulations to all the 27 authors who have made our Award long list for the 2026 Award (Final results in January, 2026) and huge thanks to all who entered.Author names are yet to be announced, …
www.bathflashfictionaward.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I’m delighted to have a NiF on this longlist!! Best of luck to all the other longlisters 🎉 and thanks to all @bathflashaward.bsky.social
Thanks to my @smokelong.bsky.social groups for feedback, and special thanks to @sarahillswrites.bsky.social and @shiramusicant.bsky.social for reading drafts ❤️
Thanks to my @smokelong.bsky.social groups for feedback, and special thanks to @sarahillswrites.bsky.social and @shiramusicant.bsky.social for reading drafts ❤️
Reposted by Fiona McKay
"I push down my girlhood when it threatens to rise in my throat"
Read this!! From @fionamckay.bsky.social in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social
Read this!! From @fionamckay.bsky.social in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social
Thanks to the lovely team at @doesithavepockets.bsky.social for publishing this story (may contain seagulls and anxiety!)
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
Fiona McKay — Does It Have Pockets
Civil Twilight
www.doesithavepockets.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:59 AM
"I push down my girlhood when it threatens to rise in my throat"
Read this!! From @fionamckay.bsky.social in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social
Read this!! From @fionamckay.bsky.social in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social
Reposted by Fiona McKay
“I lie there, my hand in his hand, and the shiver of early morning passes through me. I close my eyes, waiting for the gulls to drag me back to the surface, but …”
@fionamckay.bsky.social in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
@fionamckay.bsky.social in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
Fiona McKay — Does It Have Pockets
Civil Twilight
www.doesithavepockets.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:46 AM
“I lie there, my hand in his hand, and the shiver of early morning passes through me. I close my eyes, waiting for the gulls to drag me back to the surface, but …”
@fionamckay.bsky.social in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
@fionamckay.bsky.social in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
I can’t WAIT to read this!! @aniking.bsky.social is a phenomenal writer!
We are excited to announce our new author, Ani King! Ani's debut book, FAMILY NIGHT, a collection of flash fiction filled with magical realism, will be released in Fall 2026. Join us in welcoming Ani to MJP! @aniking.bsky.social @smokelong.bsky.social #flashfiction #debutauthor #magicalrealism
December 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I can’t WAIT to read this!! @aniking.bsky.social is a phenomenal writer!
It’s the nicest feeling in the world to see a post like this on the timeline! Thank you so much @nastasyaparker.bsky.social for these lovely words about The Lives of the Dead ❤️❤️❤️
I finished this book today, and loved it! Lives of the Dead mixes the (sometimes fatal-feeling) mundane days of early motherhood with retold fairy tales and somehow both draw out, ultimately, the innate power of women. Excellent writing and storytelling. #BookSky #WomenWriters
Thank you so much to @smokelong.bsky.social reviews editor @erinvachon.bsky.social and reviewer Emily Webber for this thoughtful review of my novella-in-flash, The Lives of the Dead (available from @adhocfiction.bsky.social and also Amazon) ❤️
December 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
It’s the nicest feeling in the world to see a post like this on the timeline! Thank you so much @nastasyaparker.bsky.social for these lovely words about The Lives of the Dead ❤️❤️❤️
www.peatsmokejournal.com/fall-2025-fl...
Gorgeous and devastating words by @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social 😭
Gorgeous and devastating words by @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social 😭
Dead Bodies of Water — Peatsmoke
Rosaleen Lynch Words I had to explain to you and for you made the past a cornucopia dream, one you try to capture at night, like a firefly trying to catch the light.
www.peatsmokejournal.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:01 PM
www.peatsmokejournal.com/fall-2025-fl...
Gorgeous and devastating words by @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social 😭
Gorgeous and devastating words by @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social 😭
Be careful what you wish for, in @nomad-sw18.bsky.social acutely observed piece about aspiration and envy, and getting what you wish for…
"“Careful you don’t get a reputation for being a b-i-t-c-h,” spells out Maggie."
This new #fiction from DIHP alum @nomad-sw18.bsky.social is so perfect it's painful in the very best way | www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/cole...
Art @anchalastudio.bsky.social
This new #fiction from DIHP alum @nomad-sw18.bsky.social is so perfect it's painful in the very best way | www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/cole...
Art @anchalastudio.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Be careful what you wish for, in @nomad-sw18.bsky.social acutely observed piece about aspiration and envy, and getting what you wish for…
Reposted by Fiona McKay
Check out this beauty from @fionamckay.bsky.social
'Civil Twilight' in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social
www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
'Civil Twilight' in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social
www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
Fiona McKay — Does It Have Pockets
Civil Twilight
www.doesithavepockets.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Check out this beauty from @fionamckay.bsky.social
'Civil Twilight' in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social
www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
'Civil Twilight' in @doesithavepockets.bsky.social
www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
Reposted by Fiona McKay
Masterful braiding by @fionamckay.bsky.social in this flash in DIHP.
"There is nothing the [gull] parents can do. They patrol the rooftops, hurling squawks of abuse at any human or animal threatening their kid. Watching from a distance. Powerless, really."
www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
"There is nothing the [gull] parents can do. They patrol the rooftops, hurling squawks of abuse at any human or animal threatening their kid. Watching from a distance. Powerless, really."
www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
December 1, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Masterful braiding by @fionamckay.bsky.social in this flash in DIHP.
"There is nothing the [gull] parents can do. They patrol the rooftops, hurling squawks of abuse at any human or animal threatening their kid. Watching from a distance. Powerless, really."
www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
"There is nothing the [gull] parents can do. They patrol the rooftops, hurling squawks of abuse at any human or animal threatening their kid. Watching from a distance. Powerless, really."
www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/fion...
Reposted by Fiona McKay
Fiona always gives a masterclass in building tension through everyday types of anxiety, this story is so gooood!
Thanks to the lovely team at @doesithavepockets.bsky.social for publishing this story (may contain seagulls and anxiety!)
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
Fiona McKay — Does It Have Pockets
Civil Twilight
www.doesithavepockets.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Fiona always gives a masterclass in building tension through everyday types of anxiety, this story is so gooood!
Reposted by Fiona McKay
Another stunner from the extraordinary storyteller who is @fionamckay.bsky.social ⬇️⬇️⬇️🐤
Thanks to the lovely team at @doesithavepockets.bsky.social for publishing this story (may contain seagulls and anxiety!)
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
Fiona McKay — Does It Have Pockets
Civil Twilight
www.doesithavepockets.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Another stunner from the extraordinary storyteller who is @fionamckay.bsky.social ⬇️⬇️⬇️🐤
Reposted by Fiona McKay
Yay, Fiona!
Thanks to the lovely team at @doesithavepockets.bsky.social for publishing this story (may contain seagulls and anxiety!)
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
Fiona McKay — Does It Have Pockets
Civil Twilight
www.doesithavepockets.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Yay, Fiona!
Reposted by Fiona McKay
Anxiety and noisy gulls from @fionamckay.bsky.social Fantastic
Thanks to the lovely team at @doesithavepockets.bsky.social for publishing this story (may contain seagulls and anxiety!)
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
Fiona McKay — Does It Have Pockets
Civil Twilight
www.doesithavepockets.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Anxiety and noisy gulls from @fionamckay.bsky.social Fantastic
Reposted by Fiona McKay
What gorgeous artwork for the December issue from Does It Have Pockets!
And amazing line up of issue buddies - diving into your stories soon @fionamckay.bsky.social @francinewitte.bsky.social @writesofkathryn.bsky.social @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @tombusillo.bsky.social
www.doesithavepockets.com
And amazing line up of issue buddies - diving into your stories soon @fionamckay.bsky.social @francinewitte.bsky.social @writesofkathryn.bsky.social @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @tombusillo.bsky.social
www.doesithavepockets.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:37 PM
What gorgeous artwork for the December issue from Does It Have Pockets!
And amazing line up of issue buddies - diving into your stories soon @fionamckay.bsky.social @francinewitte.bsky.social @writesofkathryn.bsky.social @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @tombusillo.bsky.social
www.doesithavepockets.com
And amazing line up of issue buddies - diving into your stories soon @fionamckay.bsky.social @francinewitte.bsky.social @writesofkathryn.bsky.social @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @tombusillo.bsky.social
www.doesithavepockets.com
Thanks to the lovely team at @doesithavepockets.bsky.social for publishing this story (may contain seagulls and anxiety!)
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
Fiona McKay — Does It Have Pockets
Civil Twilight
www.doesithavepockets.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Thanks to the lovely team at @doesithavepockets.bsky.social for publishing this story (may contain seagulls and anxiety!)
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
And thanks to @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness where it found its final form!
Two years into publication, it’s still amazing to see The Top Road @adhocfiction.bsky.social on its travels! Thank you @thewritelifeliz.bsky.social ❤️
Whoo-wee! Some great reading ahead of me. And the Sand and Gravel chapbook is soooo tiny and cute!
@themissourireview @fionamckay.bsky.social @travisflatt.bsky.social @sandandgravelpress.bsky.social
@themissourireview @fionamckay.bsky.social @travisflatt.bsky.social @sandandgravelpress.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Two years into publication, it’s still amazing to see The Top Road @adhocfiction.bsky.social on its travels! Thank you @thewritelifeliz.bsky.social ❤️
I’ve just finished reading this @travisflatt.bsky.social chapbook from @sandandgravelpress.bsky.social and my only complaint is that there are ONLY FIVE STORIES AND I WANT MORE!!!
November 11, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I’ve just finished reading this @travisflatt.bsky.social chapbook from @sandandgravelpress.bsky.social and my only complaint is that there are ONLY FIVE STORIES AND I WANT MORE!!!
Hey, come hear some readings tomorrow!! @travisflatt.bsky.social has a chapbook out and he will be reading along with friends (including me) to launch it!!
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Reading Nov. 2 at 3pm ET, celebrating my first chapbook "Five Stories" w/: @marioaliberto3.bsky.social , @aniking.bsky.social , @kleopatraolympiou.bsky.social , Katherine Plumhoff , @cbigs.bsky.social , @fionamckay.bsky.social , @thewritelifeliz.bsky.social www.sandandgravelpress.com/readings
Travis Flatt Chapbook Release 11/2 — SAND AND GRAVEL PRESS
www.sandandgravelpress.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Hey, come hear some readings tomorrow!! @travisflatt.bsky.social has a chapbook out and he will be reading along with friends (including me) to launch it!!
📚📚📚
📚📚📚
Reposted by Fiona McKay
I also loved this piece by @fionamckay.bsky.social in @trashcatlit.bsky.social for reasons below. That, and it nails that (unfortunately familiar) high alert feeling. Great ending (I'd be more specific, but spoiler). ❤️
Two spotlights today featuring heroes 🦝
We loved @fionamckay.bsky.social's tense, relatable piece, the way it blurs realism and something uncanny, the way it makes us think.
Striking use of prompts: Broken Down Car, Soldier, Old Book
Read here: trashcatlit.com/the-good-peo...
We loved @fionamckay.bsky.social's tense, relatable piece, the way it blurs realism and something uncanny, the way it makes us think.
Striking use of prompts: Broken Down Car, Soldier, Old Book
Read here: trashcatlit.com/the-good-peo...
October 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I also loved this piece by @fionamckay.bsky.social in @trashcatlit.bsky.social for reasons below. That, and it nails that (unfortunately familiar) high alert feeling. Great ending (I'd be more specific, but spoiler). ❤️
Reposted by Fiona McKay
www.sandandgravelpress.com/interviews Interview with @travisflatt.bsky.social up! November 2nd release party over zoom (link on website) featuring @marioaliberto3.bsky.social @aniking.bsky.social @cbigs.bsky.social @kleopatraolympiou.bsky.social @fionamckay.bsky.social and Lucas Flatt.
Interviews — SAND AND GRAVEL PRESS
www.sandandgravelpress.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:40 AM
www.sandandgravelpress.com/interviews Interview with @travisflatt.bsky.social up! November 2nd release party over zoom (link on website) featuring @marioaliberto3.bsky.social @aniking.bsky.social @cbigs.bsky.social @kleopatraolympiou.bsky.social @fionamckay.bsky.social and Lucas Flatt.