Kelsey Down
@kelseydown.bsky.social
Author & Editor | US to UK | Words in the minnesota review, Nashville Review & Storm Cellar | Pronouns: she/her
Secret door disguised by a bookcase, then a reading nook with more bookcases and a cozy chair
August 4, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Secret door disguised by a bookcase, then a reading nook with more bookcases and a cozy chair
My 8 year old places four frozen croissants on a baking sheet, slides the baking sheet into the oven, and closes the oven door.
“I’m a professional baker,” she announces. Then she flounces outside to scoot on the back patio.
“I’m a professional baker,” she announces. Then she flounces outside to scoot on the back patio.
July 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
My 8 year old places four frozen croissants on a baking sheet, slides the baking sheet into the oven, and closes the oven door.
“I’m a professional baker,” she announces. Then she flounces outside to scoot on the back patio.
“I’m a professional baker,” she announces. Then she flounces outside to scoot on the back patio.
I’m about a year behind, but The Bear s03e08 absolutely bowled me over
July 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I’m about a year behind, but The Bear s03e08 absolutely bowled me over
Reposted by Kelsey Down
The answer is write more, unfortunately
April 26, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The answer is write more, unfortunately
Anyone from the #writingcommunity know of any stories — published in the last 10 years — that use first-person direct address in the same manner as Daniel Orozco’s ‘Orientation’?*
*i.e., reads like one character (the narrator) speaking to another character (the reader)
*i.e., reads like one character (the narrator) speaking to another character (the reader)
March 9, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Anyone from the #writingcommunity know of any stories — published in the last 10 years — that use first-person direct address in the same manner as Daniel Orozco’s ‘Orientation’?*
*i.e., reads like one character (the narrator) speaking to another character (the reader)
*i.e., reads like one character (the narrator) speaking to another character (the reader)
Read my Mormon pioneer folk horror short story recently published in the minnesota review!
#writingcommunity #litmags #shortfiction #horror
track.smtpsendmail.com/9032119/c?p=...
#writingcommunity #litmags #shortfiction #horror
track.smtpsendmail.com/9032119/c?p=...
In the Pool of Siloam | the minnesota review | Duke University Press
track.smtpsendmail.com
December 26, 2024 at 10:34 PM
Read my Mormon pioneer folk horror short story recently published in the minnesota review!
#writingcommunity #litmags #shortfiction #horror
track.smtpsendmail.com/9032119/c?p=...
#writingcommunity #litmags #shortfiction #horror
track.smtpsendmail.com/9032119/c?p=...
Just remembered I have a new story coming out next month, possibly my personal favorite so far — a short folk horror tale influenced by my Mormon pioneer heritage 👀
November 13, 2024 at 8:41 PM
Just remembered I have a new story coming out next month, possibly my personal favorite so far — a short folk horror tale influenced by my Mormon pioneer heritage 👀
It’s not
Hey
How is your wip going?
How is your wip going?
November 13, 2024 at 8:14 PM
It’s not
Reposted by Kelsey Down
I feel naive, and I feel exhausted.
November 6, 2024 at 5:34 AM
I feel naive, and I feel exhausted.
Reposted by Kelsey Down
at a certain point you get tired and then stay that way for the rest of your life.
September 25, 2024 at 8:51 PM
at a certain point you get tired and then stay that way for the rest of your life.
I need a special browser extension that allows me to google random shit for my stories without later getting targeted ads for things I have zero interest in
February 19, 2024 at 12:16 PM
I need a special browser extension that allows me to google random shit for my stories without later getting targeted ads for things I have zero interest in
My seven-year-old’s rules for writing:
1. Start writing.
2. Write some more.
3. Keep on writing.
4. Just keep going.
5. Keep writing.
6. Don’t give up.
7. Just write until you’re done!
#writingcommunity #authors
1. Start writing.
2. Write some more.
3. Keep on writing.
4. Just keep going.
5. Keep writing.
6. Don’t give up.
7. Just write until you’re done!
#writingcommunity #authors
November 27, 2023 at 10:03 PM
My seven-year-old’s rules for writing:
1. Start writing.
2. Write some more.
3. Keep on writing.
4. Just keep going.
5. Keep writing.
6. Don’t give up.
7. Just write until you’re done!
#writingcommunity #authors
1. Start writing.
2. Write some more.
3. Keep on writing.
4. Just keep going.
5. Keep writing.
6. Don’t give up.
7. Just write until you’re done!
#writingcommunity #authors
Another, for good measure…
November 22, 2023 at 4:21 PM
Another, for good measure…
Continued: texts from my mother apologizing for her dream self
November 22, 2023 at 4:18 PM
Continued: texts from my mother apologizing for her dream self
Texts my mother sends me to apologize for things she did in her dreams: a thread
November 22, 2023 at 4:15 PM
Texts my mother sends me to apologize for things she did in her dreams: a thread
Submitting a story to a couple of lit mags: £6.
Getting a rejection and an acceptance for the same story on the same day: priceless.
Getting a rejection and an acceptance for the same story on the same day: priceless.
November 14, 2023 at 7:52 PM
Submitting a story to a couple of lit mags: £6.
Getting a rejection and an acceptance for the same story on the same day: priceless.
Getting a rejection and an acceptance for the same story on the same day: priceless.
Reposted by Kelsey Down
"Stop killing people" pretty much sums up my politics these days, whether we're talking genocide, covid, the environmental/healthcare/housing crisis, food insecurity, police brutality, lack of disability rights, attacks on LGBTQ+ folx, no access to reproductive medical care, etc etc etc. Just stop.
October 28, 2023 at 8:58 PM
"Stop killing people" pretty much sums up my politics these days, whether we're talking genocide, covid, the environmental/healthcare/housing crisis, food insecurity, police brutality, lack of disability rights, attacks on LGBTQ+ folx, no access to reproductive medical care, etc etc etc. Just stop.
My sister has just published her debut novel—a spooky, sarcastic yet earnest, smart YA. I am so proud and I think everyone should read it!
www.amazon.co.uk/Here-Lies-Ol...
www.amazon.co.uk/Here-Lies-Ol...
Here Lies Olive: Amazon.co.uk: Anderson, Kate: 9781635830910: Books
Buy Here Lies Olive by Anderson, Kate (ISBN: 9781635830910) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
October 25, 2023 at 7:48 AM
My sister has just published her debut novel—a spooky, sarcastic yet earnest, smart YA. I am so proud and I think everyone should read it!
www.amazon.co.uk/Here-Lies-Ol...
www.amazon.co.uk/Here-Lies-Ol...
What are your long-term writing goals and aspirations, *not* including hitting a bestseller list?
Big and small goals welcome.
#WritingCommunity #Authors
Big and small goals welcome.
#WritingCommunity #Authors
October 18, 2023 at 3:23 PM
What are your long-term writing goals and aspirations, *not* including hitting a bestseller list?
Big and small goals welcome.
#WritingCommunity #Authors
Big and small goals welcome.
#WritingCommunity #Authors
✨i’m just a girl✨
✨In the world ✨
✨In the world ✨
October 15, 2023 at 6:04 AM
✨i’m just a girl✨
✨In the world ✨
✨In the world ✨
Born in NC, grew up in TN, but both my parents are non-Southerners.
I say “gonna”!
I say “gonna”!
I need a break from *waves at everything* so uh some low stakes debate (for science!)
Southerners how do you say “fixing to?” & where are you from
I say fixin’ta & i picked it up in upstate SC & GA
(If you reskeet I can collect more data, again, FOR SCIENCE!)
Southerners how do you say “fixing to?” & where are you from
I say fixin’ta & i picked it up in upstate SC & GA
(If you reskeet I can collect more data, again, FOR SCIENCE!)
October 13, 2023 at 6:48 AM
Born in NC, grew up in TN, but both my parents are non-Southerners.
I say “gonna”!
I say “gonna”!
There aren’t many meals I can just whip up at the drop of a hat—my husband is the chef—but I make a damn good spaghetti bolognese, even when I have to use slightly different ingredients (because England)
October 9, 2023 at 4:58 PM
There aren’t many meals I can just whip up at the drop of a hat—my husband is the chef—but I make a damn good spaghetti bolognese, even when I have to use slightly different ingredients (because England)
Looking for a great UK literary mag to subscribe to.
What are your faves??
#Authors #WritingCommunity
What are your faves??
#Authors #WritingCommunity
October 7, 2023 at 7:26 PM
Looking for a great UK literary mag to subscribe to.
What are your faves??
#Authors #WritingCommunity
What are your faves??
#Authors #WritingCommunity
Get to know your mutual…list ten things that you’re into:
1. Chestnuts
2. Birds
3. A24 movies
4. Jigsaw puzzles
5. Watercolor
6. Trees & foliage
7. Coffee mugs & teacups
8. Cats
9. Family lore
10. Patterns in nature
1. Chestnuts
2. Birds
3. A24 movies
4. Jigsaw puzzles
5. Watercolor
6. Trees & foliage
7. Coffee mugs & teacups
8. Cats
9. Family lore
10. Patterns in nature
Get to know your mutuals… list 10 things you’re into:
The wind at night while walking
Ancient trees
Roses, especially in late summer and fall
Delicious wine but not terrible wine
Most gin
Giant cups of coffee
Oversized coats
tteokbokki
Hand-pulled Chinese noodles
Abandoned space ship stories
The wind at night while walking
Ancient trees
Roses, especially in late summer and fall
Delicious wine but not terrible wine
Most gin
Giant cups of coffee
Oversized coats
tteokbokki
Hand-pulled Chinese noodles
Abandoned space ship stories
Get to know your mutuals... List 10 things you're into
Working out
Gardening/plants
Physics
History
Sex/Attention
Growth
D&D
Animation
Star Trek
Food
Working out
Gardening/plants
Physics
History
Sex/Attention
Growth
D&D
Animation
Star Trek
Food
October 7, 2023 at 9:25 AM
Get to know your mutual…list ten things that you’re into:
1. Chestnuts
2. Birds
3. A24 movies
4. Jigsaw puzzles
5. Watercolor
6. Trees & foliage
7. Coffee mugs & teacups
8. Cats
9. Family lore
10. Patterns in nature
1. Chestnuts
2. Birds
3. A24 movies
4. Jigsaw puzzles
5. Watercolor
6. Trees & foliage
7. Coffee mugs & teacups
8. Cats
9. Family lore
10. Patterns in nature
Living in a new country that speaks your language is like living in the uncanny valley—so similar in so many ways, but there are all these little differences (different font on road signs! different packaging on familiar products! door handles that turn a different way!)
September 25, 2023 at 6:24 PM
Living in a new country that speaks your language is like living in the uncanny valley—so similar in so many ways, but there are all these little differences (different font on road signs! different packaging on familiar products! door handles that turn a different way!)