Will Willoughby
@willwilloughby.bsky.social
Writer • Maine Literary Award Winner • BOTN and Pushcart Nominee • Associate Editor @midlvlmag.bsky.social • Short story collection out on submission
Portfolio: www.willwilloughby.com
Escape room: www.riddlehaven.com
Portfolio: www.willwilloughby.com
Escape room: www.riddlehaven.com
Pinned
What’s that? You want me to pin an intro thread to my profile?
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By profession, I’m a copyeditor. Since 2023, I’ve been writing literary short fiction. I have a portfolio:
www.willwilloughby.com
I’m a husband and father. Our dog, Charlie, is a doofus.
1/16
#WritingCommunity
Fine:
By profession, I’m a copyeditor. Since 2023, I’ve been writing literary short fiction. I have a portfolio:
www.willwilloughby.com
I’m a husband and father. Our dog, Charlie, is a doofus.
1/16
#WritingCommunity
Many thanks to @pangyrus.bsky.social for including my story in this anthology!
shop.pangyrus.com/b/VMGmr
#AmWriting
shop.pangyrus.com/b/VMGmr
#AmWriting
Pangyrus 12: Left Unsaid
Pangyrus Literary Magazine, for its 12th print anthology, draws together works that play with the (large) parts of life where language fails, where truths aren't whole, where a crucial piece of inform...
shop.pangyrus.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Many thanks to @pangyrus.bsky.social for including my story in this anthology!
shop.pangyrus.com/b/VMGmr
#AmWriting
shop.pangyrus.com/b/VMGmr
#AmWriting
Reposted by Will Willoughby
My two short works featured today. Many thanks, Pangyrus editors!!
Susie, Do I Write You a Letter? and Siren | Pangyrus
Susie, Do I Write You a Letter? Susie, do I write you a letter, the way you did to Tom after he died? You asked me if I minded if you wrote him a letter and ...
www.pangyrus.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:53 PM
My two short works featured today. Many thanks, Pangyrus editors!!
Reposted by Will Willoughby
On the heels of a Spotlight Best Small Fictions win last year, I proudly present Stanchion's 2026 Best Small Fictions nominees!
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
November 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
On the heels of a Spotlight Best Small Fictions win last year, I proudly present Stanchion's 2026 Best Small Fictions nominees!
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
Reposted by Will Willoughby
What an incredible honor! Can’t wait for this story to come out in December. Thank you @vestalreview.bsky.social for believing in this one!
It's that time of year again—here are Vestal Review's 2025 Pushcart nominees, from our summer issue and our forthcoming one.
November 18, 2025 at 10:22 AM
What an incredible honor! Can’t wait for this story to come out in December. Thank you @vestalreview.bsky.social for believing in this one!
When a dozen just isn't enough.
Read Zoë Davis' short story "Donut Zombies" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/zoe-davis-do...
Read Zoë Davis' short story "Donut Zombies" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/zoe-davis-do...
November 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Be careful where you shop. You never know who might be working there.
Read Sarah R. New's short story "We Were Us" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/sarah-r-new-...
Read Sarah R. New's short story "We Were Us" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/sarah-r-new-...
November 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Be careful where you shop. You never know who might be working there.
Read Sarah R. New's short story "We Were Us" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/sarah-r-new-...
Read Sarah R. New's short story "We Were Us" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/sarah-r-new-...
Reposted by Will Willoughby
It's an honor to make top 10 in flash fiction and in the top 100 overall! Thank you for your work, Brecht, and thank you to our amazing writers and readers who make this possible.
The 2026 lit mag rankings are now available from my website! They include an overall ranking, as well as separate rankings for fiction, flash fiction, non-fiction and poetry. If you find these helpful, please show your support by liking & sharing 🙏
November 14, 2025 at 10:17 PM
It's an honor to make top 10 in flash fiction and in the top 100 overall! Thank you for your work, Brecht, and thank you to our amazing writers and readers who make this possible.
Reposted by Will Willoughby
The quiet in the storm lets you know it will be ok.
Read Lyz Pfister's poem "Sundays On Broadway" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/lyz-pfister-...
Read Lyz Pfister's poem "Sundays On Broadway" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/lyz-pfister-...
November 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The quiet in the storm lets you know it will be ok.
Read Lyz Pfister's poem "Sundays On Broadway" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/lyz-pfister-...
Read Lyz Pfister's poem "Sundays On Broadway" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/lyz-pfister-...
Reposted by Will Willoughby
We are thrilled to announce our PEN/Robert J. Dau Emerging Writer Nominations!
🌟"Where to Look" by Brian Lynch
🌟"The Blue Jays Are Imported" by Peter Alsante
🌟"Terminal Break" by Emily Drew
🌟"Eighth Place" by Sarai Abram
🌟"Where to Look" by Brian Lynch
🌟"The Blue Jays Are Imported" by Peter Alsante
🌟"Terminal Break" by Emily Drew
🌟"Eighth Place" by Sarai Abram
November 14, 2025 at 11:43 AM
We are thrilled to announce our PEN/Robert J. Dau Emerging Writer Nominations!
🌟"Where to Look" by Brian Lynch
🌟"The Blue Jays Are Imported" by Peter Alsante
🌟"Terminal Break" by Emily Drew
🌟"Eighth Place" by Sarai Abram
🌟"Where to Look" by Brian Lynch
🌟"The Blue Jays Are Imported" by Peter Alsante
🌟"Terminal Break" by Emily Drew
🌟"Eighth Place" by Sarai Abram
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Announcing my LATE FALL 2025 online poetry workshop! Registration just opened.
"In the Landscape of Contemporary Poetry" meets on Zoom Weds 6-8 PM Eastern Time.
It starts Dec 3 & runs for 6 classes (skipping Dec 24 and 31).
See my website christophercitro DOT com for more info & to register.
"In the Landscape of Contemporary Poetry" meets on Zoom Weds 6-8 PM Eastern Time.
It starts Dec 3 & runs for 6 classes (skipping Dec 24 and 31).
See my website christophercitro DOT com for more info & to register.
November 13, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Announcing my LATE FALL 2025 online poetry workshop! Registration just opened.
"In the Landscape of Contemporary Poetry" meets on Zoom Weds 6-8 PM Eastern Time.
It starts Dec 3 & runs for 6 classes (skipping Dec 24 and 31).
See my website christophercitro DOT com for more info & to register.
"In the Landscape of Contemporary Poetry" meets on Zoom Weds 6-8 PM Eastern Time.
It starts Dec 3 & runs for 6 classes (skipping Dec 24 and 31).
See my website christophercitro DOT com for more info & to register.
Brevity is the soul of wit, or whatever Shakespeare said...
Read Maddox Emory Arnold's short story "Small Talk" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/maddox-emory...
Read Maddox Emory Arnold's short story "Small Talk" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/maddox-emory...
November 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reposted by Will Willoughby
The streets are hungry, and they need to eat.
Read John Grochalski's poem "Incident on 49th Street (gig economy blues)" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
Read John Grochalski's poem "Incident on 49th Street (gig economy blues)" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
November 12, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The streets are hungry, and they need to eat.
Read John Grochalski's poem "Incident on 49th Street (gig economy blues)" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
Read John Grochalski's poem "Incident on 49th Street (gig economy blues)" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
November 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Will Willoughby
aka "special customer" and they're always a problem.
Read John Grochalski's poem "chinaksi" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
Read John Grochalski's poem "chinaksi" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
November 11, 2025 at 2:22 PM
aka "special customer" and they're always a problem.
Read John Grochalski's poem "chinaksi" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
Read John Grochalski's poem "chinaksi" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Physician, heal thyself.
Read Charles J. March III's flash CNF "A Bright Idea" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/charles-j-ma...
Read Charles J. March III's flash CNF "A Bright Idea" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/charles-j-ma...
November 10, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Physician, heal thyself.
Read Charles J. March III's flash CNF "A Bright Idea" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/charles-j-ma...
Read Charles J. March III's flash CNF "A Bright Idea" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/charles-j-ma...
Happy FlashGiving, @smokelong.bsky.social!🦃
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 8, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Happy FlashGiving, @smokelong.bsky.social!🦃
Reposted by Will Willoughby
It's no secret I've struggled with motivation and gotten behind lately so it's worth a little celebrating that I just finished writing next Tuesday's edition of Life on the Midlist and it's only Friday.
Sign up, quick, before the weekend wipes your brain and you forget: www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
Sign up, quick, before the weekend wipes your brain and you forget: www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
Life on the Midlist | Discover Realities of Traditional Publishing — Ryan T. Pozzi
Explore authentic stories from a midlist author about publishing, querying, and the truths behind making it in the book industry, delivered every Tuesday.
www.ryantpozzi.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:48 AM
It's no secret I've struggled with motivation and gotten behind lately so it's worth a little celebrating that I just finished writing next Tuesday's edition of Life on the Midlist and it's only Friday.
Sign up, quick, before the weekend wipes your brain and you forget: www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
Sign up, quick, before the weekend wipes your brain and you forget: www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
I’ll work on a clever caption for this photo. In the meantime, enjoy. I’ll keep you updated.
November 6, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I’ll work on a clever caption for this photo. In the meantime, enjoy. I’ll keep you updated.
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Here's the front + back of Issue 20, which is at the printer now + will be published on Nov 25th.
Running a independent print lit mag that doesn't rely on donations, grants, or fees is getting so much harder.
Please consider pre-ordering a copy. Just a tenner.
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
Running a independent print lit mag that doesn't rely on donations, grants, or fees is getting so much harder.
Please consider pre-ordering a copy. Just a tenner.
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
November 5, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Here's the front + back of Issue 20, which is at the printer now + will be published on Nov 25th.
Running a independent print lit mag that doesn't rely on donations, grants, or fees is getting so much harder.
Please consider pre-ordering a copy. Just a tenner.
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
Running a independent print lit mag that doesn't rely on donations, grants, or fees is getting so much harder.
Please consider pre-ordering a copy. Just a tenner.
www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Turns out “Downstream Benefits” is listed as a distinguished story in this year’s Best American Short Stories. So honored and grateful.
October 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Turns out “Downstream Benefits” is listed as a distinguished story in this year’s Best American Short Stories. So honored and grateful.
Reposted by Will Willoughby
November 1, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Really happy to have this story find a place in The Bluebird Word after three-and-a-half years of (much-deserved) rejections and (much-needed, sometimes drastic) rewrites. thebluebirdword.com/the-original...
The Original Real Housewife of New Jersey - The Bluebird Word
A young boy's father teases his mother about her spaghetti dinner. A bit of mayhem ensues. Then, family and boyhood lessons are learned.
thebluebirdword.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Really happy to have this story find a place in The Bluebird Word after three-and-a-half years of (much-deserved) rejections and (much-needed, sometimes drastic) rewrites. thebluebirdword.com/the-original...
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Our November issue is live! Read here: pitheadchapel.com/volume-14-is...
Words:
NINA Y. MORAGON
HAL WRIGHT
@meliseliz.bsky.social
RACHEL EPHRAIM
MAGGIE LEVANTOVSKAYA
@mooninabucket.bsky.social
JENNY CHU
CAROL ROSE LITTLE
Cover art:
SUSAN POLLET
Words:
NINA Y. MORAGON
HAL WRIGHT
@meliseliz.bsky.social
RACHEL EPHRAIM
MAGGIE LEVANTOVSKAYA
@mooninabucket.bsky.social
JENNY CHU
CAROL ROSE LITTLE
Cover art:
SUSAN POLLET
Volume 14, Issue 11
COVER ART BY SUSAN POLLET FICTION CABBAGE SOUP WEEK BY NINA Y. MORAGON ONE OF GOD’S FAVORITES BY HAL WRIGHT CREEPS BY MELISSA BENTON BARKER THE NEED IN HER EYES BY RACHEL EPHRAIM NONF…
pitheadchapel.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Our November issue is live! Read here: pitheadchapel.com/volume-14-is...
Words:
NINA Y. MORAGON
HAL WRIGHT
@meliseliz.bsky.social
RACHEL EPHRAIM
MAGGIE LEVANTOVSKAYA
@mooninabucket.bsky.social
JENNY CHU
CAROL ROSE LITTLE
Cover art:
SUSAN POLLET
Words:
NINA Y. MORAGON
HAL WRIGHT
@meliseliz.bsky.social
RACHEL EPHRAIM
MAGGIE LEVANTOVSKAYA
@mooninabucket.bsky.social
JENNY CHU
CAROL ROSE LITTLE
Cover art:
SUSAN POLLET
Reposted by Will Willoughby
WE ARE LIVE
MIDLVLMAG presents issue no. 7
RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps
Available now at midlvlmag.com. Link in our bio.
Happy Halloween Managers
MIDLVLMAG presents issue no. 7
RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps
Available now at midlvlmag.com. Link in our bio.
Happy Halloween Managers
October 31, 2025 at 11:21 PM
WE ARE LIVE
MIDLVLMAG presents issue no. 7
RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps
Available now at midlvlmag.com. Link in our bio.
Happy Halloween Managers
MIDLVLMAG presents issue no. 7
RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps
Available now at midlvlmag.com. Link in our bio.
Happy Halloween Managers
Reposted by Will Willoughby
October 31, 2025 at 6:48 PM