Jolene McIlwain
@jolenemcilwain.bsky.social
Writer ✏️| SIDLE CREEK (Melville House) NPR & Library Journal Best Books of 2023📕 | Outside Kid 🌿| Motocross Fan 🏁 | HipCamp | Gardener 🪴| Scuba Mom 🤿 | www.jolenemcilwain.com
Pinned
Muddy Myst - Hipcamp in Kittanning, Pennsylvania
Eco-Campsites and Recreation Area located in the heart of Western Pennsylvania! The site is in a great location, only a 12 minute drive from Buttermilk Falls and the Rails to Trails Bike Path that run...
www.hipcamp.com
I help my son run this spot… Visit us!!! www.hipcamp.com/en-US/land/p...
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
📚 We are excited to announce the books representing Pennsylvania in the 2025 Great Reads from Great Places program:
With or Without You by @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social (youth title) and Sidle Creek by @jolenemcilwain.bsky.social (adult title)!
Learn more here: www.psu.edu/news/univers...
With or Without You by @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social (youth title) and Sidle Creek by @jolenemcilwain.bsky.social (adult title)!
Learn more here: www.psu.edu/news/univers...
May 22, 2025 at 2:29 PM
📚 We are excited to announce the books representing Pennsylvania in the 2025 Great Reads from Great Places program:
With or Without You by @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social (youth title) and Sidle Creek by @jolenemcilwain.bsky.social (adult title)!
Learn more here: www.psu.edu/news/univers...
With or Without You by @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social (youth title) and Sidle Creek by @jolenemcilwain.bsky.social (adult title)!
Learn more here: www.psu.edu/news/univers...
February 1, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
The 2024 Best Small Fictions is available in print (@altcurrent.bsky.social)!
Stories by @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social, @jolenemcilwain.bsky.social, @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social,
and…
My flash, LIKE REAL WOMEN DO!
Thanks to the editors @okaydonkey.bsky.social!
altcurrentpress.com/2025/01/22/b...
Stories by @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social, @jolenemcilwain.bsky.social, @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social,
and…
My flash, LIKE REAL WOMEN DO!
Thanks to the editors @okaydonkey.bsky.social!
altcurrentpress.com/2025/01/22/b...
Best Small Fictions 2024
102 Flash Stories by 101 Authors
altcurrentpress.com
January 24, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The 2024 Best Small Fictions is available in print (@altcurrent.bsky.social)!
Stories by @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social, @jolenemcilwain.bsky.social, @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social,
and…
My flash, LIKE REAL WOMEN DO!
Thanks to the editors @okaydonkey.bsky.social!
altcurrentpress.com/2025/01/22/b...
Stories by @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social, @jolenemcilwain.bsky.social, @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social,
and…
My flash, LIKE REAL WOMEN DO!
Thanks to the editors @okaydonkey.bsky.social!
altcurrentpress.com/2025/01/22/b...
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
A Mini 1000 explainer. Starts tomorrow! mini1000.substack.com/p/mini-1000-...
Mini 1000 Starts Tomorrow
A few notes before we begin.
mini1000.substack.com
January 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
A Mini 1000 explainer. Starts tomorrow! mini1000.substack.com/p/mini-1000-...
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Really loved going a little longer on boundaries and process with the smart and talented @scarletteharris.bsky.social
I interviewed my almost-birthday twin @jamiattenberg.bsky.social about her creative practice thecreativeindependent.com/people/autho... via @thecreativeindependent.com
On establishing boundaries
Author Jami Attenberg discusses only sharing parts of yourself, remaining curious to the world, and not answering every email.
thecreativeindependent.com
December 20, 2024 at 1:15 PM
Really loved going a little longer on boundaries and process with the smart and talented @scarletteharris.bsky.social
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Raise your hand if you’re joining nearly 10,000 other writers in this winter’s Mini 1000.
Starts Jan 3, 5 days of us writing 1000 words a day with letters from me (and some special guests!) It’s free and fun and it’ll kick your writing year into gear. 💪
mini1000.substack.com/p/the-next-m...
Starts Jan 3, 5 days of us writing 1000 words a day with letters from me (and some special guests!) It’s free and fun and it’ll kick your writing year into gear. 💪
mini1000.substack.com/p/the-next-m...
Announcing The Next Mini 1000
January 3-7, 2025.
mini1000.substack.com
December 20, 2024 at 7:31 PM
Raise your hand if you’re joining nearly 10,000 other writers in this winter’s Mini 1000.
Starts Jan 3, 5 days of us writing 1000 words a day with letters from me (and some special guests!) It’s free and fun and it’ll kick your writing year into gear. 💪
mini1000.substack.com/p/the-next-m...
Starts Jan 3, 5 days of us writing 1000 words a day with letters from me (and some special guests!) It’s free and fun and it’ll kick your writing year into gear. 💪
mini1000.substack.com/p/the-next-m...
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
🚨🚨🚨My new novel, THE DREAM HOTEL, will be released by Pantheon in March 2025. It follows a woman who is under surveillance for a crime she has yet to commit. Cover design by the incomparable Jack Smyth. Find out more & pre-order at the link in bio.
October 24, 2024 at 4:43 PM
🚨🚨🚨My new novel, THE DREAM HOTEL, will be released by Pantheon in March 2025. It follows a woman who is under surveillance for a crime she has yet to commit. Cover design by the incomparable Jack Smyth. Find out more & pre-order at the link in bio.
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Kelly is teaching right this moment so she will not see me celebrating that The Book of Love just went to press for its 4th printing :)
Love to see Kelly's book on this list from People of their picks which made the NYT Top 100:
"It’s unputdownable and a ton of fun."
!
people.com/people-book-...
"It’s unputdownable and a ton of fun."
!
people.com/people-book-...
See Which PEOPLE Book Picks Also Made New York Times' Top 100 of 2024
The New York Times released their top 100 lost of books for 2024. These 29 books that also made PEOPLE's Picks pages are as captivating as they are inspiring.
people.com
December 4, 2024 at 8:02 PM
Kelly is teaching right this moment so she will not see me celebrating that The Book of Love just went to press for its 4th printing :)
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Good advice here!
New blog post: I recently asked writers what tips they had for finishing stories. Here's what the replies were. If you responded, you're probably mentioned here somewhere! anneolearyblog.wordpress.com/2024/12/04/h...
How do you finish stories? your Answers
A while back, I posed a question to my fellow writers: how do you finish stories? What tips do you have to help get a story from a mess of ideas in a Folder of Doom to a finished piece that can be …
anneolearyblog.wordpress.com
December 5, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Good advice here!
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
THE GARDEN on the Best Books of 2024 list at Vanity Fair!! www.vanityfair.com/style/story/...
21 Best Books of 2024 to Read Right Now
The novels and nonfiction we couldn’t stop thinking about this year—and in a year like this one, that’s saying something.
www.vanityfair.com
November 26, 2024 at 6:10 PM
THE GARDEN on the Best Books of 2024 list at Vanity Fair!! www.vanityfair.com/style/story/...
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Ahh, it's here! What an honor to be in this episode! I'm so honored and delighted my story has been paired with two fantastic poems and poets! 😍 Huge thanks to @podcastmicro.bsky.social and @bathflashaward.bsky.social, where my story was first published. ❤️ #FlashFiction #Podcast
Order up: the boat's in the boathouse, it's good like gold teeth, it's spiked marinara and milkshakes. We hope you're hungry; Micro's coming in hot ft. Sara Hills, Parker Logan, and Billy Collins. Out now, wherever you get your podcasts. micropodcast.org
November 29, 2024 at 12:26 PM
Ahh, it's here! What an honor to be in this episode! I'm so honored and delighted my story has been paired with two fantastic poems and poets! 😍 Huge thanks to @podcastmicro.bsky.social and @bathflashaward.bsky.social, where my story was first published. ❤️ #FlashFiction #Podcast
ICYMI A piece from Pat Foran up at @reckonreview.bsky.social
December 2, 2024 at 12:53 PM
ICYMI A piece from Pat Foran up at @reckonreview.bsky.social
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Hi to my new friends here! By way of introduction, I'm quite proud of my newsletter, which now has over 8,300 subscribers. Here's one of my most popular posts, published a few months ago. Hope you enjoy! open.substack.com/pub/artoffla...
"Frisson": The Aesthetic Chills We Get from Great Art
what it feels like to be alive
open.substack.com
November 26, 2024 at 8:41 PM
Hi to my new friends here! By way of introduction, I'm quite proud of my newsletter, which now has over 8,300 subscribers. Here's one of my most popular posts, published a few months ago. Hope you enjoy! open.substack.com/pub/artoffla...
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Hey friends, this will be my FINAL 3-in-90 live workshop for many months and I have great things planned! Join us THIS Saturday, Dec. 7th from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time for "Writing with Courage & Conviction." Register here: 💙
www.fastflashworkshops.com/WebSeminarRe...
www.fastflashworkshops.com/WebSeminarRe...
December 1, 2024 at 3:17 PM
Hey friends, this will be my FINAL 3-in-90 live workshop for many months and I have great things planned! Join us THIS Saturday, Dec. 7th from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time for "Writing with Courage & Conviction." Register here: 💙
www.fastflashworkshops.com/WebSeminarRe...
www.fastflashworkshops.com/WebSeminarRe...
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Tomorrow (Monday)
Join us over at @brownbaglit.bsky.social at 12 pm EST online for Visual Stories, Personal Truths: a conversation on graphic memoirs with @kelceyervick.bsky.social
@alka.bsky.social
@jesselkercheval.bsky.social
www.brownbaglit.com/events
Join us over at @brownbaglit.bsky.social at 12 pm EST online for Visual Stories, Personal Truths: a conversation on graphic memoirs with @kelceyervick.bsky.social
@alka.bsky.social
@jesselkercheval.bsky.social
www.brownbaglit.com/events
December 2, 2024 at 3:05 AM
Tomorrow (Monday)
Join us over at @brownbaglit.bsky.social at 12 pm EST online for Visual Stories, Personal Truths: a conversation on graphic memoirs with @kelceyervick.bsky.social
@alka.bsky.social
@jesselkercheval.bsky.social
www.brownbaglit.com/events
Join us over at @brownbaglit.bsky.social at 12 pm EST online for Visual Stories, Personal Truths: a conversation on graphic memoirs with @kelceyervick.bsky.social
@alka.bsky.social
@jesselkercheval.bsky.social
www.brownbaglit.com/events
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
grateful to fellow cofounders @briangresko.bsky.social and @amyshearn.bsky.social please consider following @writingco-lab.bsky.social for upcoming classes and events:
Hello! We are the Writing Co-lab, an artist run online teaching cooperative!
November 28, 2024 at 1:27 PM
grateful to fellow cofounders @briangresko.bsky.social and @amyshearn.bsky.social please consider following @writingco-lab.bsky.social for upcoming classes and events:
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Submissions to our anthology on the theme of SEASONS (up to 500 words) and entries to our Micro Fiction Competition (no theme, up to 100 words) are now open. For more details pls click on the link: nationalflashfictionday.co.uk
a cartoon of a girl sitting at a desk with a laptop and the words " write pages today scott " on the bottom
ALT: a cartoon of a girl sitting at a desk with a laptop and the words " write pages today scott " on the bottom
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2024 at 10:11 AM
Submissions to our anthology on the theme of SEASONS (up to 500 words) and entries to our Micro Fiction Competition (no theme, up to 100 words) are now open. For more details pls click on the link: nationalflashfictionday.co.uk
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Check out all of Matt's free resources - loads of helpful tips & articles, from one of the most generous writers you'll ever meet!
#flashfiction #shortfiction
@mattkendrick.bsky.social
#flashfiction #shortfiction
@mattkendrick.bsky.social
My December #WritingCraft article is a round-up of everything I've published over the last 5 years. If I've counted correctly, there are about 50 resources in total; feeling quite proud to see it all in one place. Hope it's useful!
prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com/p/everything...
prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com/p/everything...
Everything Everywhere All In One Place
I’ve been writing these craft articles for quite a while now.
prattlefogandgravelrap.substack.com
December 2, 2024 at 12:11 PM
Check out all of Matt's free resources - loads of helpful tips & articles, from one of the most generous writers you'll ever meet!
#flashfiction #shortfiction
@mattkendrick.bsky.social
#flashfiction #shortfiction
@mattkendrick.bsky.social
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Editing services on sale for anything booked & paid for by 12/31. It’s a good gift idea for writers in your life & you’d be helping someone struggling. OR, if you want to donate a couple bucks to my Venmo, that’s fine too. I don’t have the option of pride anymore. @Beth-Gilstrap-2.
November 23, 2024 at 2:03 PM
Editing services on sale for anything booked & paid for by 12/31. It’s a good gift idea for writers in your life & you’d be helping someone struggling. OR, if you want to donate a couple bucks to my Venmo, that’s fine too. I don’t have the option of pride anymore. @Beth-Gilstrap-2.
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
"The concept of The Fine Line is that most exciting flash—and art in general—happens on a razor’s edge"—SmokeLong EIC, Christopher Allen. Join him for this live Zoom workshop on Dec 15 and find some ways to get to that sharp, compelling prose.
November 26, 2024 at 12:57 PM
"The concept of The Fine Line is that most exciting flash—and art in general—happens on a razor’s edge"—SmokeLong EIC, Christopher Allen. Join him for this live Zoom workshop on Dec 15 and find some ways to get to that sharp, compelling prose.
Thankful for a little spot of time in the coffee shop this gray and cold and blustery day. Holiday decorations and great latte! #amwriting #findyourspot #write
November 22, 2024 at 8:28 PM
Thankful for a little spot of time in the coffee shop this gray and cold and blustery day. Holiday decorations and great latte! #amwriting #findyourspot #write
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
We can build the #literaryfiction community beyond the starter packs.
Here’s how: First, hit the like button, reply with #literaryfiction, and most importantly, hit the REPOST button.
Then, follow each other back. The easiest way to do so is to follow everyone who reposts.
Here’s how:
Here’s how: First, hit the like button, reply with #literaryfiction, and most importantly, hit the REPOST button.
Then, follow each other back. The easiest way to do so is to follow everyone who reposts.
Here’s how:
November 20, 2024 at 3:31 PM
We can build the #literaryfiction community beyond the starter packs.
Here’s how: First, hit the like button, reply with #literaryfiction, and most importantly, hit the REPOST button.
Then, follow each other back. The easiest way to do so is to follow everyone who reposts.
Here’s how:
Here’s how: First, hit the like button, reply with #literaryfiction, and most importantly, hit the REPOST button.
Then, follow each other back. The easiest way to do so is to follow everyone who reposts.
Here’s how:
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
Don Chaon describes my dream read in his blurb for @amystuber.com 's collection, SAD GROWNUPS: "Smart, funny, spooky, and melancholy." Life's been a blur the last few months, but now I'm looking forward to finally digging in to these stories by a writer I've long admired. 💙
November 21, 2024 at 6:45 PM
Don Chaon describes my dream read in his blurb for @amystuber.com 's collection, SAD GROWNUPS: "Smart, funny, spooky, and melancholy." Life's been a blur the last few months, but now I'm looking forward to finally digging in to these stories by a writer I've long admired. 💙
Reposted by Jolene McIlwain
I've been waiting for this craft book by @sfmontgomery.bsky.social . I don't know of another one like it, and her work is always a treat.
Introducing Nerve! This craft book shares my experiences as a disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent writer and features ways to unlearn ableist craft advice, strategies for developing a disabled writing practice...
November 21, 2024 at 9:36 PM
I've been waiting for this craft book by @sfmontgomery.bsky.social . I don't know of another one like it, and her work is always a treat.
Just sitting here in our cabin in the woods reading @lizmoorebooks.bsky.social ‘s #thegodofthewoods So far, so great…
November 21, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Just sitting here in our cabin in the woods reading @lizmoorebooks.bsky.social ‘s #thegodofthewoods So far, so great…