Mixed Metaphors
@mixedmetaphors.bsky.social
He/him.
Novelette, There Are Infinite Universes and All of Them Are Boring, coming February from ELJ Editions:
https://elj-editions.com/there-are-infinite-universes-and-all-of-them-are-boring/
Editor-at-ease for fiction at @foofarawpress.bsky.social
Novelette, There Are Infinite Universes and All of Them Are Boring, coming February from ELJ Editions:
https://elj-editions.com/there-are-infinite-universes-and-all-of-them-are-boring/
Editor-at-ease for fiction at @foofarawpress.bsky.social
Pinned
🍩 Possible reasons Ted Braxhoven pushed an old woman out of the way to get the last free apple cider donut at Mae’s Apple Cider Donut Stand during the annual Zucchini Festival #StoryTime #Fiction
https://foofaraw.press/possible-reasons-ted-braxhoven-pushed-an-old-woman-out-of-the-way/
〄
https://foofaraw.press/possible-reasons-ted-braxhoven-pushed-an-old-woman-out-of-the-way/
〄
🍩 Possible reasons Ted Braxhoven pushed an old woman out of the way to get the last free apple cider donut at Mae’s Apple Cider Donut Stand during the annual Zucchini Festival
as witnessed in the viral video “Fat man pushes old woman for free donut,” viewed over six million times on YouTube
foofaraw.press
I've got a new flash up at @foofarawpress.bsky.social!
It's maybe funny? It's maybe a philosophical exploration of what moments of a life matter?
The title of the story is too long to fit into a single BlueSky post, which is one way of getting around lit mag word limits.
#writingcommunity
It's maybe funny? It's maybe a philosophical exploration of what moments of a life matter?
The title of the story is too long to fit into a single BlueSky post, which is one way of getting around lit mag word limits.
#writingcommunity
Forget about all the "X types of conflict" charts... these are the two plots.
Too much considering or not enough considering, those are your only options
Gentle reader, prepare yourself: there is every chance the girl will not take time to consider.
February 9, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Forget about all the "X types of conflict" charts... these are the two plots.
This is why I write all my books on scrolls.
February 8, 2026 at 12:32 AM
This is why I write all my books on scrolls.
Reposted by Mixed Metaphors
Hello. Here I am. I’m just a gay writer, standing in front of a big social media platform, asking everyone on it to love him. You can also find me on IG @theburningboy where I fandom out on #heatedrivalry.
February 6, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Hello. Here I am. I’m just a gay writer, standing in front of a big social media platform, asking everyone on it to love him. You can also find me on IG @theburningboy where I fandom out on #heatedrivalry.
A great essay by David Levinson on emotional stakes:
"The story is competent. It’s thoughtful. It’s even impressive. But it hasn’t decided—at a gut level—what it wants the reader to feel, and it hasn’t committed to making that feeling unavoidable."
lanceplot.substack.com/p/we-prefer-...
"The story is competent. It’s thoughtful. It’s even impressive. But it hasn’t decided—at a gut level—what it wants the reader to feel, and it hasn’t committed to making that feeling unavoidable."
lanceplot.substack.com/p/we-prefer-...
We Prefer Prose with More Tenacity
What editors are really saying when a story doesn’t move them
lanceplot.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:17 PM
A great essay by David Levinson on emotional stakes:
"The story is competent. It’s thoughtful. It’s even impressive. But it hasn’t decided—at a gut level—what it wants the reader to feel, and it hasn’t committed to making that feeling unavoidable."
lanceplot.substack.com/p/we-prefer-...
"The story is competent. It’s thoughtful. It’s even impressive. But it hasn’t decided—at a gut level—what it wants the reader to feel, and it hasn’t committed to making that feeling unavoidable."
lanceplot.substack.com/p/we-prefer-...
I do this thing where I have to use the same bookmark for the length of a book. So if I start a new book and grab a receipt or a torn piece of an envelope to hold my page, that's the bookmark I'm using until I'm done. It's a lot of pressure.
February 6, 2026 at 12:44 PM
I do this thing where I have to use the same bookmark for the length of a book. So if I start a new book and grab a receipt or a torn piece of an envelope to hold my page, that's the bookmark I'm using until I'm done. It's a lot of pressure.
Filbert!
February 5, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Filbert!
Reposted by Mixed Metaphors
In some multiplayer video games, instead of banning players, they silently group all the toxic players onto their own hell server.
I was going to say maybe we could do that with podcasts, but then I realized that's what we've effectively been doing for the last decade and this is the result.
I was going to say maybe we could do that with podcasts, but then I realized that's what we've effectively been doing for the last decade and this is the result.
February 5, 2026 at 4:04 PM
In some multiplayer video games, instead of banning players, they silently group all the toxic players onto their own hell server.
I was going to say maybe we could do that with podcasts, but then I realized that's what we've effectively been doing for the last decade and this is the result.
I was going to say maybe we could do that with podcasts, but then I realized that's what we've effectively been doing for the last decade and this is the result.
Jeff Bezos' decision to cut WaPo staff is not (just) that he's evil or dumb, but that he has what I think of as "CEO Brain."
I've seen CEO Brain even in very-good-at-their-job CEOs. It means even when they make good long-term strategy decisions, they get amnesia when it comes to short-term losses.
I've seen CEO Brain even in very-good-at-their-job CEOs. It means even when they make good long-term strategy decisions, they get amnesia when it comes to short-term losses.
February 5, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Jeff Bezos' decision to cut WaPo staff is not (just) that he's evil or dumb, but that he has what I think of as "CEO Brain."
I've seen CEO Brain even in very-good-at-their-job CEOs. It means even when they make good long-term strategy decisions, they get amnesia when it comes to short-term losses.
I've seen CEO Brain even in very-good-at-their-job CEOs. It means even when they make good long-term strategy decisions, they get amnesia when it comes to short-term losses.
Reposted by Mixed Metaphors
today ! David Scott Hay showcases seven indie books u should check out.
thanks to david & thanks to all u readers out there
xraylitmag.com/honest-blurb...
thanks to david & thanks to all u readers out there
xraylitmag.com/honest-blurb...
“HONEST BLURBS FOR DAMN GOOD INDIE BOOKS I DID NOT BLURB.” - David Scott Hay Recommends
I read. I write. Sadly, I’ve learned over the years that I am an awful reviewer. I can converse about books, but when I set out to write about them, the critique part of my brain devolves into grunts ...
xraylitmag.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:12 PM
today ! David Scott Hay showcases seven indie books u should check out.
thanks to david & thanks to all u readers out there
xraylitmag.com/honest-blurb...
thanks to david & thanks to all u readers out there
xraylitmag.com/honest-blurb...
With the Washington Post news, I guess I need to buckle down and subscribe to the New York Review of Books.
Are there other book review sites or journals that people recommend?
#booksky
Are there other book review sites or journals that people recommend?
#booksky
February 5, 2026 at 11:52 AM
With the Washington Post news, I guess I need to buckle down and subscribe to the New York Review of Books.
Are there other book review sites or journals that people recommend?
#booksky
Are there other book review sites or journals that people recommend?
#booksky
Every Galaxy A Circle by @pintsncupcakes.bsky.social is terrific. It's a story collection that is not always quite science fiction and not always quite horror while being both of those things in the best possible way.
💙📚 #BookSky
bookshop.org/p/books/ever...
💙📚 #BookSky
bookshop.org/p/books/ever...
Every Galaxy a Circle
Check out Every Galaxy a Circle - <p>An Intriguing Journey through the Cosmos of Human Experience</p><p></p><p>In <em>Every Galaxy a Circle</em>, Chloe N. Clark masterfully intertwines memories, ghost...
bookshop.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Every Galaxy A Circle by @pintsncupcakes.bsky.social is terrific. It's a story collection that is not always quite science fiction and not always quite horror while being both of those things in the best possible way.
💙📚 #BookSky
bookshop.org/p/books/ever...
💙📚 #BookSky
bookshop.org/p/books/ever...
It's Wally's 16th birthday today, everyone! Please wish him a happy birthday. Here's a video of him drinking water after running around the house. #shibainu
February 3, 2026 at 10:08 PM
It's Wally's 16th birthday today, everyone! Please wish him a happy birthday. Here's a video of him drinking water after running around the house. #shibainu
introduce yourself with the name your parents almost gave you
The joke in my family is I was almost named "Sally Puzzle" because it was @goldbrrg.bsky.social's favorite toy.
The joke in my family is I was almost named "Sally Puzzle" because it was @goldbrrg.bsky.social's favorite toy.
February 3, 2026 at 10:01 PM
introduce yourself with the name your parents almost gave you
The joke in my family is I was almost named "Sally Puzzle" because it was @goldbrrg.bsky.social's favorite toy.
The joke in my family is I was almost named "Sally Puzzle" because it was @goldbrrg.bsky.social's favorite toy.
I love physical books. I treat them like precious items, objets d'art. I would never dog-ear a page corner or break a spine. Also, I somehow manage to get peanut butter on all of them.
February 3, 2026 at 1:24 AM
I love physical books. I treat them like precious items, objets d'art. I would never dog-ear a page corner or break a spine. Also, I somehow manage to get peanut butter on all of them.
Reposted by Mixed Metaphors
Made a little starter pack of other some of our favorite litmags and writers we’ve published. I likely missed some folks, so if we’ve published you on the main site, let me know and I’ll add you. go.bsky.app/74Dr8KF
February 2, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Made a little starter pack of other some of our favorite litmags and writers we’ve published. I likely missed some folks, so if we’ve published you on the main site, let me know and I’ll add you. go.bsky.app/74Dr8KF
The February @foofarawpress.bsky.social zine is fantastic. Great stories and a harrowing cover by Brendan Loper. Also a review of @djpoissant.bsky.social's micro www.cincinnatireview.com/micros/heart/ (though the meandering review is as long as the story itself so you could just read that first).
February 2, 2026 at 12:09 PM
The February @foofarawpress.bsky.social zine is fantastic. Great stories and a harrowing cover by Brendan Loper. Also a review of @djpoissant.bsky.social's micro www.cincinnatireview.com/micros/heart/ (though the meandering review is as long as the story itself so you could just read that first).
It's always heartbreaking when a lit mag goes away, but it's also a reminder about how much human care and effort goes into making a space for art. Transience doesn't make something less beautiful.
Hey all, @beansbaker5.bsky.social here. After much deliberation, and many missed deadlines, we've decided to end submissions to JAKE indefinitely on Feb. 15th (two weeks from today). All open submissions will receive a response, and all announced/scheduled work will release, but we're winding down.
February 2, 2026 at 10:29 AM
It's always heartbreaking when a lit mag goes away, but it's also a reminder about how much human care and effort goes into making a space for art. Transience doesn't make something less beautiful.
Reposted by Mixed Metaphors
The Hoolet’s Nook is now accepting submissions! Send us your #microfiction and #shortpoetry by March 15.
We'd love it if you shared with fellow writers—it really helps us out! Thank you! 🦉❣️🙏
www.thehooletsnook.com/submissions....
#submissioncall #dribbles #drabbles #haiku #writersofbsky #amwriting
We'd love it if you shared with fellow writers—it really helps us out! Thank you! 🦉❣️🙏
www.thehooletsnook.com/submissions....
#submissioncall #dribbles #drabbles #haiku #writersofbsky #amwriting
February 1, 2026 at 11:06 AM
The Hoolet’s Nook is now accepting submissions! Send us your #microfiction and #shortpoetry by March 15.
We'd love it if you shared with fellow writers—it really helps us out! Thank you! 🦉❣️🙏
www.thehooletsnook.com/submissions....
#submissioncall #dribbles #drabbles #haiku #writersofbsky #amwriting
We'd love it if you shared with fellow writers—it really helps us out! Thank you! 🦉❣️🙏
www.thehooletsnook.com/submissions....
#submissioncall #dribbles #drabbles #haiku #writersofbsky #amwriting
Reposted by Mixed Metaphors
Postcard is still here but it's a one-person job and that one person just got real busy and life got in the way. Over the last month I've been steadily catching up on submissions. I'm getting back to the work of putting together an incredible 4th issue. Postcard is still open for submissions!
January 31, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Postcard is still here but it's a one-person job and that one person just got real busy and life got in the way. Over the last month I've been steadily catching up on submissions. I'm getting back to the work of putting together an incredible 4th issue. Postcard is still open for submissions!
Reposted by Mixed Metaphors
Who needs some witty cheer today? Here’s a story by my most favourite human
You’re going to want a donut afterwards, but don’t push anyone over in the process, ok? 🍩 📚
You’re going to want a donut afterwards, but don’t push anyone over in the process, ok? 🍩 📚
I've got a new flash up at @foofarawpress.bsky.social!
It's maybe funny? It's maybe a philosophical exploration of what moments of a life matter?
The title of the story is too long to fit into a single BlueSky post, which is one way of getting around lit mag word limits.
#writingcommunity
It's maybe funny? It's maybe a philosophical exploration of what moments of a life matter?
The title of the story is too long to fit into a single BlueSky post, which is one way of getting around lit mag word limits.
#writingcommunity
🍩 Possible reasons Ted Braxhoven pushed an old woman out of the way to get the last free apple cider donut at Mae’s Apple Cider Donut Stand during the annual Zucchini Festival #StoryTime #Fiction
https://foofaraw.press/possible-reasons-ted-braxhoven-pushed-an-old-woman-out-of-the-way/
〄
https://foofaraw.press/possible-reasons-ted-braxhoven-pushed-an-old-woman-out-of-the-way/
〄
January 30, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Who needs some witty cheer today? Here’s a story by my most favourite human
You’re going to want a donut afterwards, but don’t push anyone over in the process, ok? 🍩 📚
You’re going to want a donut afterwards, but don’t push anyone over in the process, ok? 🍩 📚
In this semi-ridiculous interview I very seriously recommend poems and stories by @ljabouttown.bsky.social, @judecook.bsky.social, and @upfromsumdirt.bsky.social.
January 29, 2026 at 10:30 PM
In this semi-ridiculous interview I very seriously recommend poems and stories by @ljabouttown.bsky.social, @judecook.bsky.social, and @upfromsumdirt.bsky.social.
Reposted by Mixed Metaphors
diane di prima
REVOLUTIONARY LETTER #14
REVOLUTIONARY LETTER #14
January 27, 2026 at 5:47 PM
diane di prima
REVOLUTIONARY LETTER #14
REVOLUTIONARY LETTER #14
I am extremely excited about working with @foofarawpress.bsky.social as "editor-at-ease." ("At-ease" means means I get coffee breaks.) It's a terrific lit mag with so much to offer.
I've been reading fiction subs and I have to say you are all incredible. Keep submitting!
foofaraw.press
I've been reading fiction subs and I have to say you are all incredible. Keep submitting!
foofaraw.press
January 29, 2026 at 8:01 PM
I am extremely excited about working with @foofarawpress.bsky.social as "editor-at-ease." ("At-ease" means means I get coffee breaks.) It's a terrific lit mag with so much to offer.
I've been reading fiction subs and I have to say you are all incredible. Keep submitting!
foofaraw.press
I've been reading fiction subs and I have to say you are all incredible. Keep submitting!
foofaraw.press
I've got a new flash up at @foofarawpress.bsky.social!
It's maybe funny? It's maybe a philosophical exploration of what moments of a life matter?
The title of the story is too long to fit into a single BlueSky post, which is one way of getting around lit mag word limits.
#writingcommunity
It's maybe funny? It's maybe a philosophical exploration of what moments of a life matter?
The title of the story is too long to fit into a single BlueSky post, which is one way of getting around lit mag word limits.
#writingcommunity
🍩 Possible reasons Ted Braxhoven pushed an old woman out of the way to get the last free apple cider donut at Mae’s Apple Cider Donut Stand during the annual Zucchini Festival #StoryTime #Fiction
https://foofaraw.press/possible-reasons-ted-braxhoven-pushed-an-old-woman-out-of-the-way/
〄
https://foofaraw.press/possible-reasons-ted-braxhoven-pushed-an-old-woman-out-of-the-way/
〄
🍩 Possible reasons Ted Braxhoven pushed an old woman out of the way to get the last free apple cider donut at Mae’s Apple Cider Donut Stand during the annual Zucchini Festival
as witnessed in the viral video “Fat man pushes old woman for free donut,” viewed over six million times on YouTube
foofaraw.press
January 29, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I've got a new flash up at @foofarawpress.bsky.social!
It's maybe funny? It's maybe a philosophical exploration of what moments of a life matter?
The title of the story is too long to fit into a single BlueSky post, which is one way of getting around lit mag word limits.
#writingcommunity
It's maybe funny? It's maybe a philosophical exploration of what moments of a life matter?
The title of the story is too long to fit into a single BlueSky post, which is one way of getting around lit mag word limits.
#writingcommunity
This isn't even the first article the NYT has printed theorizing why Harry Potter isn't as popular as it used to be. But the real answer is the same as it always has been.
Why do things fade? Time.
Why do things fade? Time.
Going to write an op-ed titled "Why isn't Twilight as popular with youths as perennial favorites like Dracula? The answer is simple: its philosophy of abstinence until marriage and traditional Christian life is out of fashion. The youths have fallen out of love with conservatism." Where is the NYT
January 29, 2026 at 1:17 PM
This isn't even the first article the NYT has printed theorizing why Harry Potter isn't as popular as it used to be. But the real answer is the same as it always has been.
Why do things fade? Time.
Why do things fade? Time.