Linda M. Bayley
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lmbayley.bsky.social
Linda M. Bayley
@lmbayley.bsky.social
Different rubber duckies, same writer. @lmbayley at the other place. For now, this account only follows writers, editors, and lit mags. I like my echo chambers cozy!

I recognize and respect all pronouns. Mine are she/her.
What would I do with $200 from @smokelong.bsky.social? Writing classes and books from independent publishers, obvs!
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 7, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Woot! Look what just downloaded itself to my Kobo! Happy official release day, @lumchanmfa.bsky.social !
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 AM
This story by @shiramusicant.bsky.social has been nominated by @welkinprize.bsky.social for a Pushcart, and I am thrilled beyond words. This was my very favourite of all the shortlisted entries this year!!

#microfiction #flashfiction

www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-stori...
Unreliable Narrators | MattKendrick.co.uk
www.mattkendrick.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:50 AM
To the stranger who helped me when my mom fell down in the Ross Dress for Less, thank you. This is Jesus-level stuff, and I wish I knew your name.
October 23, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Reposted by Linda M. Bayley
October 25th! Join us and Sage Tyrtle for this special 2-hour webinar/workshop. www.smokelong.com/product/spec...
October 22, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The cabbie who kindly wrote down the name of the Tamil musician he was listening to while he drove me home. #beautifulordinarypeople (It was A.R. Rahman, if you want to hear something beautiful.)
October 21, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by Linda M. Bayley
Good news, everyone! Literary Namjooning's first ever flash reading and open mic's happening soon! Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

#namjooning #namjooningbutliterary
October 13, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Reposted by Linda M. Bayley
Do you have "Fear of Physics"? Let me cure you at my Zoom writing workshop, When Physics & Fairy Tales Collide, Mon Oct 20 7-9pm UK! We'll play with weird & wonderful physics words, celebrate female physicists and invent particles! Pay-what-you-can available: app.tickettailor.com/events/tania...
October 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Yes! Sometimes the Almost is way better than the Actually There. Read all about it in this story by @kdiannerule.bsky.social today in @fictivedream.bsky.social .

fictivedream.com/2025/10/10/t...
The Almost
by Kelli Dianne Rule Chugchug-chugchug-chugchug-chugchug. The exhaust, the grumble, the cough, the rumble. The reliability of the laboring machine. I pull up twenty minutes early to my first stop j…
fictivedream.com
October 10, 2025 at 11:10 AM
"But it’s like that game where someone asks you not to think of an elephant, and there it is in your brain—the elephant. There they are—everyone I hate."

I don't hate this story by @jaimegill.bsky.social ... I freaking love it. And @anchalastudio.bsky.social 's art is brilliant as usual!
"Fake it ‘til you make it, Tony says, though I’m not sure that works when the it is inside you."

Sharp as an incisor, a phenomenal #fiction #mustread from @jamiegill.bsky.social | www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/jaim...

Art @anchalastudio.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
"the susurrus, I know the word susurrus ’cause that was on Who Wants to be a Millionaire this week, so anyway I remember the susurrus..." Wow. I'm just knocked back in my seat this morning by @jennystalter.bsky.social , whose story is now out in @fictivedream.bsky.social .
"So, this lady’s looking at me with more desperation than I’ve ever seen in someone’s eyes..." Divine Intervention by Jenny Stalter @jennystalter.bsky.social #flashfiction #shortstory #writingcommunity. Please click on the link and enjoy fictivedream.com/2025/10/05/d...
October 5, 2025 at 12:55 PM
"Fascist regimes have classic, telltale traits, like vilifying immigrants, adopting patriotic symbolism of their nation’s glorious past, embracing a narrow definition of masculinity and family values, and striving for economic and diplomatic self-sufficiency."
October 4, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Reposted by Linda M. Bayley
Accurate.
October 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Linda M. Bayley
This is happening next week on Tuesday (7pm BST) or Saturday (9am BST) - still time to join 👇
Really looking forward to my "Story Shapes" workshop in October where I'm going to get writers writing Cinderella narratives against the clock and crafting stories across different sized bits of paper.

7th Oct 7pm BST or 11th Oct 9am BST.

www.mattkendrick.co.uk/live-worksho...
October 3, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Linda M. Bayley
I wrote a raw piece about my experience commuting to work… it’s foul, but it’s 100% true. Thanks to @mrbullbull.bsky.social for giving my gritty CNF a home!
"The rain doesn’t want you to dawdle at the end of the workday. The rain is your bully. It will piss in your Cheerios. It has one mission—purge the streets." @johannah.bsky.social mrbullbull.com/newbull/flas...
September 28, 2025 at 1:17 PM
@sagetyrtle.bsky.social !! Congratulations!
Thrilled to announce our nomination for Best of the Net 2026: America, Flooding by Sage Tyrtle @sagetyrtle.bsky.social #flashfiction #BestoftheNet. If you missed it the first time, here's another chance...Please click on the link and enjoy fictivedream.com/2024/11/29/a...
September 27, 2025 at 9:58 AM
I am so excited and grateful!!
September 26, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Join me and other fabulous writers tomorrow for what's bound to be a wonderful couple of hours! www.tickettailor.com/events/dubli...
Select tickets – Writers Reading - Quarterly Zoom Reading Event
Writers Reading - Quarterly Zoom Reading Event, Multiple dates and times - Got a book to promote, or would you like to read us your latest published story? Come along and let us hear your work. You ca...
www.tickettailor.com
September 24, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Reposted by Linda M. Bayley
"Nobody wants to be around you if you’re just gonna dwell on this well stuff."
Things People Have Yelled Down to Me, a Person Trapped Alone at the Bottom of a Well
1. Are you sure you’re really trapped? You don’t look that trapped. 2. But you’re too smart to be trapped in a well. 3. Yeah, I was trapped in a we...
buff.ly
September 20, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by Linda M. Bayley
Your monthly reminder:

Keep writing. When no one cares, persist. When things appear to be crumbling, keep at it. When it's difficult, push through. When you feel alone, listen to the stories in your blood. Just write. The world needs your stories.
September 9, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Just read this story by @glennorgias.bsky.social in @smokelong.bsky.social and was startled by the relentless language.
#flashfiction #flashinthefeed
September 7, 2025 at 11:11 AM