Patience Mackarness
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patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Patience Mackarness
@patiencemackarness.bsky.social
180 followers 170 following 50 posts
Writer, grandmother, tree-hugger. Born in Hampshire, now in rural Brittany, with pitstops along the way in Leeds, Portugal, Wales, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Liverpool. I write flash fiction and other things.
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patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Issue 5 of Thin Skin - showcasing work by older writers - out now!
November 8, 2025 at 6:08 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
"There’s a new energy rising and we’re ready to bring the whole miserable lot down – our shitty prefab concrete blocks and blocked toilets, our Trabis smoking oily exhaust like they’re on fire." Fabulous atmosphere in this one from @nomad-sw18.bsky.social
nomad-sw18.bsky.social Cole Beauchamp 🏳️‍🌈 📖 @nomad-sw18.bsky.social · Oct 7
In the mood for nostalgia? Thrilled to have my East Berlin story published by @doesithavepockets.bsky.social

"Jan has no time for their cotton-candy happiness. His father disappeared 5 years ago. No Stasi shadows, no neighbours with a grudge. Just gone.
www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/cole...
Cole Beauchamp — Does It Have Pockets
1989: Every day is the same in East Berlin, until it’s not
www.doesithavepockets.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:31 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
'As my body segments, pairs of hairy legs sprouting from each one, spiracles to breathe breathe breathe your oily-sweet pheromones' Fabulous story from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 5:32 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Thank you @gooseberrypielit.bsky.social !
September 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Such a buzzing, inspiring weekend (so far) with @saloneurope.bsky.social ! Big thanks to @deborahzafer.bsky.social and the team for bringing it all together. Last night's event with Balsam Karam, Philippe Marczewski, and @kitdewaal.com was completely awesome.
September 14, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Reposted by Patience Mackarness
saloneurope.bsky.social
Impeccable vibes at #EWSBrussels2025 ✨

Thank you to all our readers, especially to our surprise guest @kitdewaal.com
Readers at the event posing for a photo Kit de Waal about to give a reading, sitting in a chair at a distance with rows of listeners on either side Crowd listening to a reading with a floor to ceiling window in the background People chatting in a lounge in mid century style
September 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Super happy to be in this issue - congrats to all!
September 11, 2025 at 8:56 PM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Beautiful piece from @claudiamonpere.bsky.social !
claudiamonpere.bsky.social Claudia Monpere @claudiamonpere.bsky.social · Aug 27
So grateful for 2026 Best of the Net nomination for "Papier-Mâché Sestina" published in Centaur. Many thanks, @lynnmundell.bsky.social. Here's the story:
centaurlit.com/papier-mache...
Papier-Mâché Sestina by Claudia Monpere | Centaur
centaurlit.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:06 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
'Dance with the Tambourine Man' is up at @thesunlightpress.bsky.social today! Born in a @smokelong.bsky.social workshop, inspired by the landscapes and history of Bahrain - and of course by Bob Dylan.
bit.ly/3UgYF9M
Dance with the Tambourine Man - The Sunlight Press
He looked like he was at the wrong party. He loved Bob Dylan, said "Isis" was the song that led him into archaeology.
bit.ly
August 6, 2025 at 5:19 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
A stunner from @sarahillswrites.bsky.social

flash-frog.com/2025/07/28/t...
The Bright Jars of Our Bodies by Sara Hills
When we run out of nice things to say to each other, Gil and I watch TV like we’re each just a brain in a jar, sitting side by side. Except instead of brains we’re hearts. And by hearts, I mean sex…
flash-frog.com
July 31, 2025 at 4:10 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
And @fionamckay.bsky.social read brilliantly!
bathflashaward.bsky.social bathflashaward.bsky.social @bathflashaward.bsky.social · Jun 30
The Lives of the Dead by Fiona McKay @fionmckay.bsky.social
runner-up in our 2025 novella in flash award is now up for preorder at AdHocFiction.com at a 25% discount until publication day on July 6th
A wonderful read! Launched at flashfictionfestival.com
July 19, 2025 at 6:24 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
'Our history teacher once said that the Romans would grow their hair during times of mourning ... The clippers hum loud in my hand.'

On Day 14 of @smokelong.bsky.social 's Archive Challenge, Evan Massey's 'Something About the Romans'. brilliantflashfiction.com/2018/03/31/i...
ISSUE 17: MARCH 2018
Something About the Romans By Evan Massey On the porch, the radio plays old tunes. Sometimes our heads bob. I’m on the top step. Below me, Bianca sits behind my little sister, Tia, braiding her hai…
brilliantflashfiction.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
‘Without warning a glider filled her vision, flying very low and fast. She would always remember the wide wings, the silent surprise.’

For Day 13 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge, ‘Three Summer Flights’ by @timlovewriter.bsky.social from brilliantflashfiction.com/2017/09/30/i...
ISSUE 15: SEPTEMBER 2017
Three Summer Flights By Tim Love As usual, Dad collected her after breakfast on Sunday and drove her to Dunstable downs. The hillside was already full of families. “You first, Tracy.” S…
brilliantflashfiction.com
July 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
From 2021, the stunning ‘Life Lessons’ by Anne Anthony. 3rd story down in a great line-up. Day 11 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge brilliantflashfiction.com/2021/03/31/i...
ISSUE 29: MARCH 2021
Footprints in Fine White AshBy Michael Kozart The day Darlene pulled up to Jack’s, she was facing a night in a shelter or the car. She had searched the county for an affordable room. Rents were soa…
brilliantflashfiction.com
July 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
'Do you know what kind of trouble you’re asking for? How old are you girls? Blythe laughs, a terrible little snarly sound, a baby warthog..' A gem from 2019 by @megpokrass.bsky.social
on Day 10 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge.
brilliantflashfiction.com/2019/06/30/i...
ISSUE 22: JUNE 2019
Here We Are on Planet Earth By Meg Pokrass Today we are tanning near each other on bright red beach towels on the sand at Hendri’s beach. This time I don’t let my mind worry too much ab…
brilliantflashfiction.com
July 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Sometimes an intriguing story sends you straight to Wikipedia in search of an artist you've never heard of. 'The Rocket Man' by Lorette Luzajic (second story down in a fine lineup).
brilliantflashfiction.com/2023/01/31/j... on Day 9 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge
JANUARY 2023
We’ve Always Been Dying to DanceBy Kate Axeford It was too late for the grandkids when the dancing kicked off, but our party began long ago. 100 seconds to midnight, and it’s D-I-S-C-O. We lit up a…
brilliantflashfiction.com
July 3, 2025 at 3:42 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
On Day 8 of @smokelong.bsky.social ‘s Archive Challenge - Hit and Run by Shoshauna Shy brilliantflashfiction.com/2018/01/31/i...
ISSUE 16: JANUARY 2018
HIT & RUN By Shoshauna Shy I wondered what kind of “closure” did Jean think she was going to get? YOU ARE FEMALE & DRIVE A RED CAR. YOU RAN OVER MY CAT ON WINGRA STREET MAY 18TH. PLEASE CAL…
brilliantflashfiction.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
DAY 7 of smokelong.bsky.social ‘s Archive Challenge.’Black against the Blue’ by Melissa Goode (4th story down in this issue of Brilliant Flash Fiction) brilliantflashfiction.com/2017/01/31/i...
SmokeLong Quarterly (@smokelong.bsky.social)
Dedicated to bringing the best flash narratives to the web, by widely published authors or those new to the craft. Est.2003. Paying up to $150. www.smokelong.com. No Trump supporters.
smokelong.bsky.social
July 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
@smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge Day 6.
A blast of Shakespeare in 'Act One, Scene 5' by @rajivmote.bsky.social , published by Brilliant Flash Fiction in 2022.

5th story down in a great lineup.

brilliantflashfiction.com/2022/06/30/j...
JUNE 2022
Gorilla vs DogsBy David M. Rubin “Yooo! All dirty mongrels and mangy curs to the basement!” That’s what I call them cause they’re actually dogs. “You know I mean business, so get off your asses and…
brilliantflashfiction.com
June 30, 2025 at 4:46 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Delighted to get an acceptance from the wonderful @gooseberrypielit.bsky.social after several tries! Thank you, Jeff!
June 29, 2025 at 10:08 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
For the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge Day 5, a haunting piece: 'You' by Madhumita Roy in Brilliant Flash Fiction.

brilliantflashfiction.com/2014/06/30/i...
ISSUE 2: JUNE 2014
You By Madhumita Roy My monologue is directed at You. Because You sit on the other side of the desk with a smirk on your face, which makes You resemble my cat, Ludo, when she smiles. New research c…
brilliantflashfiction.com
June 29, 2025 at 7:46 AM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Another dip into past stories at Brilliant Flash Fiction, for @smokelong.bsky.social 's Archive Challenge. Here's a darkly funny tale from @downith.bsky.social . 'Confession is Good for the Soul'.

Read it (13th story down) at brilliantflashfiction.com/2018/01/31/i...
ISSUE 16: JANUARY 2018
HIT & RUN By Shoshauna Shy I wondered what kind of “closure” did Jean think she was going to get? YOU ARE FEMALE & DRIVE A RED CAR. YOU RAN OVER MY CAT ON WINGRA STREET MAY 18TH. PLEASE CAL…
brilliantflashfiction.com
June 28, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Patience Mackarness
nomad-sw18.bsky.social
Thank you to the editors at @trampset.bsky.social for publishing this story. It's from a @smokelong.bsky.social Fitness prompt where the only requirement was that people get naked...

@patiencemackarness.bsky.social @emilyrinkema.bsky.social @pennypriddy.bsky.social

trampset.org/the-things-s...
June 27, 2025 at 2:44 PM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
On Day 3 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge, here's a heartbreaker, 'The End' by Alan Balkema - second story down. The first story is excellent too!.

brilliantflashfiction.com/2014/04/01/i...
ISSUE 1: MARCH 2014
W E I G H T By Dawn Lowe I saw a Good Samaritan beside the road and stopped the car. He held a sign: SPACE SUIT FOR SALE He was old, thin and wasted. The space suit lay in the dust at his feet, whi…
brilliantflashfiction.com
June 27, 2025 at 10:07 PM
patiencemackarness.bsky.social
Day 2 of the @smokelong.bsky.social Archive Challenge, and my personal foray into the back catalogue of Brilliant Flash Fiction. Here's a beautiful piece,The Wild Birds by @karenschauber.bsky.social

brilliantflashfiction.com/2018/06/30/i...
ISSUE 18: JUNE 2018
The Wild Birds By Karen Schauber Cormorants swoop and dive-bomb into the salty water, their trajectory stealthy and deep. The ravenous dog looks on, the birds out of reach. He paces back and forth,…
brilliantflashfiction.com
June 26, 2025 at 5:34 AM