Lauren Kardos
@lkardos.bsky.social
dc via apollo, pa | she/her | words @ Best Microfiction, Bending Genres, Lost Balloon, Milk Candy Review, Flash Fiction Online, Cold Signal, hex literary & more | http://www.laurenkardos.co/
honored my fight club story made the finalist list. grateful to Milk Candy Review for giving it a home and @smokelong.bsky.social for the ever-supportive workshop space
The results of this year's SmokeLong Workshop Prize are finally here! We have 11 wonderful finalists. And (drumroll):
Third Prize winner: @allisonfieldbell.bsky.social
Second Prize: @travisflatt.bsky.social
First Prize: @katehorsleywriter.bsky.social ⭐
www.smokelong.com/the-smokelon...
Third Prize winner: @allisonfieldbell.bsky.social
Second Prize: @travisflatt.bsky.social
First Prize: @katehorsleywriter.bsky.social ⭐
www.smokelong.com/the-smokelon...
The SmokeLong Workshop Prize — Finalists and Winners! - SmokeLong Quarterly
We’re behind. We know! The problem with The SmokeLong Workshop Prize competition is that the stories are all good. Choosing winners is like choosing a favorite child. This is famously bad parenting. B...
www.smokelong.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:09 AM
honored my fight club story made the finalist list. grateful to Milk Candy Review for giving it a home and @smokelong.bsky.social for the ever-supportive workshop space
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️pop 🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️pop 🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
January 31, 2026 at 1:12 AM
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️pop 🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
🕯️pop 🕯️
🕯️ 🕯️
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
I see what generative AI can do and I think, *this* is what we’re destroying the environment, economy, and our brains for?
January 29, 2026 at 10:31 PM
I see what generative AI can do and I think, *this* is what we’re destroying the environment, economy, and our brains for?
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
ICYMI we're open for submissions of contemporary #shortstories #flashfiction #microfiction and #translations #callforsubmissions. Please click on the link below for our guidelines... fictivedream.com/submission-g...
January 24, 2026 at 10:45 AM
ICYMI we're open for submissions of contemporary #shortstories #flashfiction #microfiction and #translations #callforsubmissions. Please click on the link below for our guidelines... fictivedream.com/submission-g...
honored to be on this list!
The SmokeLong Workshop Prize Long List just went live. It has been a mountain of great work. We received just over 400 entries from our workshop participants in 2025. Congratulations to all! www.smokelong.com/the-smokelon...
The SmokeLong Workshop Prize — The Long List - SmokeLong Quarterly
Each year, SmokeLong hosts The SmokeLong Workshop Prize competition, a free-to-enter competition for anyone who’s participated in a SmokeLong workshop. To date, our workshop participants (past and cur...
www.smokelong.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:13 AM
honored to be on this list!
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
This month's #Mondettes picked by @iamchrisscott.bsky.social
⚡Ten wonderful flash fictions
🔍Ten splashes of analysis as to why Chris made these brilliant picks
🪴Three fantastic prompts to get you writing
mondettes.substack.com/p/january-2026
⚡Ten wonderful flash fictions
🔍Ten splashes of analysis as to why Chris made these brilliant picks
🪴Three fantastic prompts to get you writing
mondettes.substack.com/p/january-2026
January 2026
Ten stories picked by Chris Scott
mondettes.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:49 PM
This month's #Mondettes picked by @iamchrisscott.bsky.social
⚡Ten wonderful flash fictions
🔍Ten splashes of analysis as to why Chris made these brilliant picks
🪴Three fantastic prompts to get you writing
mondettes.substack.com/p/january-2026
⚡Ten wonderful flash fictions
🔍Ten splashes of analysis as to why Chris made these brilliant picks
🪴Three fantastic prompts to get you writing
mondettes.substack.com/p/january-2026
oh, that last line 🥺
Today's shortlisted story is "Pattern" by
David Anson Lee. A micro that uses anadiplosis to such great effect:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
David Anson Lee. A micro that uses anadiplosis to such great effect:
www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
Pattern | MattKendrick.co.uk
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
January 18, 2026 at 1:36 AM
oh, that last line 🥺
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
I know things are frightening right now, but don't forget to share people's art alongside all the news! I feel like I haven't seen much of the writing community getting traction on the TL lately but art has never been more important
January 17, 2026 at 5:18 PM
I know things are frightening right now, but don't forget to share people's art alongside all the news! I feel like I haven't seen much of the writing community getting traction on the TL lately but art has never been more important
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
This takes five minutes, is weirdly cathartic and provides you with a wide variety of ways to say 'I do not want this dog shit grey goo generating technology fucking up my user experience and I'm frankly amazed that you all think hammering yourselves in the groin is the move here.'
Discord is doing a public consultation about whether or not to include genAI. Go tell them we don’t want it!!!
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
#BookSky #SkyWriters #WritingCommunity
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
#BookSky #SkyWriters #WritingCommunity
January 10, 2026 at 5:11 PM
This takes five minutes, is weirdly cathartic and provides you with a wide variety of ways to say 'I do not want this dog shit grey goo generating technology fucking up my user experience and I'm frankly amazed that you all think hammering yourselves in the groin is the move here.'
this hurt a lot this week. another hit for my corner of Appalachia.
let it be known the Block family would rather kill the free press than support workers’ rights.
let it be known the Block family would rather kill the free press than support workers’ rights.
My first for @dropsitenews.com: after a grueling three-year strike, workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette returned to work in victory. This week, the 240-year-old paper’s wealthy owners decided to shut it down. open.substack.com/pub/dropsite...
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to Shutter After Workers Held Longest Strike in the History of U.S. Newspapers
Block Communications just closed its Pulitzer Prize–winning newspaper, but its workers hope to keep local journalism alive, with their strike paper in hand and support from residents and officials
open.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:07 AM
this hurt a lot this week. another hit for my corner of Appalachia.
let it be known the Block family would rather kill the free press than support workers’ rights.
let it be known the Block family would rather kill the free press than support workers’ rights.
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
lol sorry but women need to be meaner to men in 2026
January 9, 2026 at 3:14 AM
lol sorry but women need to be meaner to men in 2026
felt great to delete my goodreads today. anyone else on @pagebound.bsky.social? loving it so far!
January 9, 2026 at 2:48 AM
felt great to delete my goodreads today. anyone else on @pagebound.bsky.social? loving it so far!
my heart needed to read this today. the latest from @sagetyrtle.bsky.social in @fracturedlit.bsky.social
DREAM LITMAG REALIZED! This is the VERY exciting acceptance I got in November, I've been sending my work in to @fracturedlit.bsky.social for FIVE YEARS! This piece starts, "You are a billionaire’s new, about-to-turn-19 wife..."
fracturedlit.com/the-billiona...
#FlashFiction #FlashLit
fracturedlit.com/the-billiona...
#FlashFiction #FlashLit
The Billionaires Are Having a Party | Fractured
fracturedlit.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:54 AM
my heart needed to read this today. the latest from @sagetyrtle.bsky.social in @fracturedlit.bsky.social
here, but lurking. reading, writing, grieving for/from DC.
January 8, 2026 at 1:39 AM
here, but lurking. reading, writing, grieving for/from DC.
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
honored to receive a Best Microfiction nomination! thank you @thesunlightpress.bsky.social 💛☀️
In January 2026, The Sunlight Press will celebrate its 10th year! We couldn't do it without your support. Thank YOU!
Find out more about our year end news and Microfiction nominees in our latest Editors' Note.
bit.ly/4oQjPs9
Find out more about our year end news and Microfiction nominees in our latest Editors' Note.
bit.ly/4oQjPs9
December 15, 2025 at 11:04 AM
honored to receive a Best Microfiction nomination! thank you @thesunlightpress.bsky.social 💛☀️
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
I’m always saying the same shit and I mean it every time. In the age of soulless AI slop, nothing matters more than your voice, so write/create whatever makes you happy. Make it weird. Make it dark. Make it queer. Make it surreal, diverse, sexy. Make it political as fuck. Do YOU.
December 13, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I’m always saying the same shit and I mean it every time. In the age of soulless AI slop, nothing matters more than your voice, so write/create whatever makes you happy. Make it weird. Make it dark. Make it queer. Make it surreal, diverse, sexy. Make it political as fuck. Do YOU.
a big old bummeroo rejection today for the NiF manuscript. help me treat myself with a trip to the library and my local indie. what are your favorite novellas and novellas-in-flash? want to go the filling my creative cup with fantastic art route
December 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
a big old bummeroo rejection today for the NiF manuscript. help me treat myself with a trip to the library and my local indie. what are your favorite novellas and novellas-in-flash? want to go the filling my creative cup with fantastic art route
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
December 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
One of the many reasons AI can't produce good writing is it can't hate its own writing. It can't think to itself "Maybe I'm illiterate" during the writing process. And that's essential
and lo! a new @aniking.bsky.social flash just dropped over at scaffold. give this badass weirdie a read www.scaffoldlit.com/microwriting...
an angel came to me by ani king — scaffold literary magazine
prose poetry
www.scaffoldlit.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
and lo! a new @aniking.bsky.social flash just dropped over at scaffold. give this badass weirdie a read www.scaffoldlit.com/microwriting...
i will take a one acceptance and one personal rejection kinda day 😼
December 9, 2025 at 1:32 AM
i will take a one acceptance and one personal rejection kinda day 😼
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
December 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!
Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Lauren Kardos
It's been an amazing run, and now here I am. The last stop on the book tour!
DC friends, would love to go out with a bang, hug you all, sign a few books, and celebrate the end of the semester! Please come if you're free? ❤
peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/first-...
DC friends, would love to go out with a bang, hug you all, sign a few books, and celebrate the end of the semester! Please come if you're free? ❤
peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/first-...
Hannah Grieco for First Kicking, Then Not
A young woman transforms after an unspeakable loss. A recent divorcee discovers a new life. An aging mother fears losing everything she loves, while another abandons her children at Starbucks. Firs…
peoplesbooktakoma.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
It's been an amazing run, and now here I am. The last stop on the book tour!
DC friends, would love to go out with a bang, hug you all, sign a few books, and celebrate the end of the semester! Please come if you're free? ❤
peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/first-...
DC friends, would love to go out with a bang, hug you all, sign a few books, and celebrate the end of the semester! Please come if you're free? ❤
peoplesbooktakoma.com/event/first-...
this @aimee-bender.bsky.social flash shared in @smokelong.bsky.social’s fitness prompt this week has me feeling some kind of way. give “Organs” a read if you haven’t yet. haunting and gorgeous on so many levels.
www.smokelong.com/stories/orga...
www.smokelong.com/stories/orga...
Organs - SmokeLong Quarterly
Los Angeles is pelted by torrential rains the same week my father is admitted to the hospital with too much fluid in his legs. You cannot safely empty them slowly, explains the doctor, as they hook hi...
www.smokelong.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:25 PM
this @aimee-bender.bsky.social flash shared in @smokelong.bsky.social’s fitness prompt this week has me feeling some kind of way. give “Organs” a read if you haven’t yet. haunting and gorgeous on so many levels.
www.smokelong.com/stories/orga...
www.smokelong.com/stories/orga...