Melissa Llanes Brownlee
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social
Native Hawaiian writer living in Japan
https://www.melissallanesbrownlee.com/
Bitter over Sweet https://tinyurl.com/5hd7u63r
Hard Skin http://tinyurl.com/yc53
Kahi&Lua http://tinyurl.com/3ryfzvwh
https://www.melissallanesbrownlee.com/
Bitter over Sweet https://tinyurl.com/5hd7u63r
Hard Skin http://tinyurl.com/yc53
Kahi&Lua http://tinyurl.com/3ryfzvwh
Pinned
TONIGHT at 7pm EST, @lumchanmfa.bsky.social will be in conversation with @deeshaphilyaw.bsky.social to celebrate the launch of BITTER OVER SWEET, hosted by @avitusbcarle.bsky.social! buff.ly/CtKtA0k
Can't make it? Get BITTER OVER SWEET right here! buff.ly/3pPOviA
@susanschulman.bsky.social
Can't make it? Get BITTER OVER SWEET right here! buff.ly/3pPOviA
@susanschulman.bsky.social
I’m still buzzing from my awesome book launch!! Thank you Deesha Philyaw for being a part of it and for your wonderful questions and @avitusbcarle.bsky.social for being an amazing host. Thank you to everyone who came and thank you to my friends who helped and supported me ❤️❤️❤️
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
I've always admired the story selections I've read in #Mondettes.
What a special feeling to find my story from @lit-namjooning.bsky.social in it this month! Thank you so much Shome Dasgupta and @mattkendrick.bsky.social 💚
What a special feeling to find my story from @lit-namjooning.bsky.social in it this month! Thank you so much Shome Dasgupta and @mattkendrick.bsky.social 💚
This month's #Mondettes picked by
Shome Dasgupta
⚡Ten wonderful flash fictions
🔍Ten splashes of analysis as to why Shome made these brilliant picks
🪴Three fantastic prompts to get you writing
mondettes.substack.com/p/november-2...
Shome Dasgupta
⚡Ten wonderful flash fictions
🔍Ten splashes of analysis as to why Shome made these brilliant picks
🪴Three fantastic prompts to get you writing
mondettes.substack.com/p/november-2...
November 2025
Ten stories picked by Shome Dasgupta
mondettes.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I've always admired the story selections I've read in #Mondettes.
What a special feeling to find my story from @lit-namjooning.bsky.social in it this month! Thank you so much Shome Dasgupta and @mattkendrick.bsky.social 💚
What a special feeling to find my story from @lit-namjooning.bsky.social in it this month! Thank you so much Shome Dasgupta and @mattkendrick.bsky.social 💚
You all!! I have the BEST PEOPLE in my life!! Thank you @gilloshaughnessy.bsky.social for your insightful and wonderful words!!
(@mynachang.bsky.social she mentions your amazing interview too 🥰)
@sfwp.bsky.social
@susanschulman.bsky.social
(@mynachang.bsky.social she mentions your amazing interview too 🥰)
@sfwp.bsky.social
@susanschulman.bsky.social
⚡️Fast Flash Review: Bitter Over Sweet by Melissa Llanes Brownlee. A stunning read. Plus, Melissa writes in Hawaiian Pidgin Creole & English, this book is a masterclass on authentic own voice writing. Unmissable.
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @smokelong.bsky.social @sfwp.bsky.social
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @smokelong.bsky.social @sfwp.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 6:28 AM
You all!! I have the BEST PEOPLE in my life!! Thank you @gilloshaughnessy.bsky.social for your insightful and wonderful words!!
(@mynachang.bsky.social she mentions your amazing interview too 🥰)
@sfwp.bsky.social
@susanschulman.bsky.social
(@mynachang.bsky.social she mentions your amazing interview too 🥰)
@sfwp.bsky.social
@susanschulman.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
⚡️Fast Flash Review: Bitter Over Sweet by Melissa Llanes Brownlee. A stunning read. Plus, Melissa writes in Hawaiian Pidgin Creole & English, this book is a masterclass on authentic own voice writing. Unmissable.
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @smokelong.bsky.social @sfwp.bsky.social
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @smokelong.bsky.social @sfwp.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 6:21 AM
⚡️Fast Flash Review: Bitter Over Sweet by Melissa Llanes Brownlee. A stunning read. Plus, Melissa writes in Hawaiian Pidgin Creole & English, this book is a masterclass on authentic own voice writing. Unmissable.
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @smokelong.bsky.social @sfwp.bsky.social
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @smokelong.bsky.social @sfwp.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
Bookmail!! Can’t wait read this gorgeous collection by the talented @lumchanmfa.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️
November 18, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Bookmail!! Can’t wait read this gorgeous collection by the talented @lumchanmfa.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️
“I…I’m sorry! I don’t know!” she faltered.
“Are you a witch to claim such knowledge?” the storyteller silked. The villagers muttered and shifted, their voices gathering momentum.
It was never clear who hurled the first stone.
Damn… @pleomorphic2.bsky.social in @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social
“Are you a witch to claim such knowledge?” the storyteller silked. The villagers muttered and shifted, their voices gathering momentum.
It was never clear who hurled the first stone.
Damn… @pleomorphic2.bsky.social in @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social
Super chuffed to have my flash up at @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social featuring an enigmatic storyteller and his doubting ex-wife. This story was much rejected, so thank you @davidestringel.bsky.social for believing in it 🙏🏾
www.bloodhoneylit.com/fiction/the-...
www.bloodhoneylit.com/fiction/the-...
the fable of the storyteller and his witch — Blood+Honey
by Sumitra Singam “It was never clear who hurled the first stone. The flinty piece of rock hit her on the head, leaving a dark bloom of blood.”
www.bloodhoneylit.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:25 AM
“I…I’m sorry! I don’t know!” she faltered.
“Are you a witch to claim such knowledge?” the storyteller silked. The villagers muttered and shifted, their voices gathering momentum.
It was never clear who hurled the first stone.
Damn… @pleomorphic2.bsky.social in @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social
“Are you a witch to claim such knowledge?” the storyteller silked. The villagers muttered and shifted, their voices gathering momentum.
It was never clear who hurled the first stone.
Damn… @pleomorphic2.bsky.social in @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
Super chuffed to have my flash up at @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social featuring an enigmatic storyteller and his doubting ex-wife. This story was much rejected, so thank you @davidestringel.bsky.social for believing in it 🙏🏾
www.bloodhoneylit.com/fiction/the-...
www.bloodhoneylit.com/fiction/the-...
the fable of the storyteller and his witch — Blood+Honey
by Sumitra Singam “It was never clear who hurled the first stone. The flinty piece of rock hit her on the head, leaving a dark bloom of blood.”
www.bloodhoneylit.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Super chuffed to have my flash up at @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social featuring an enigmatic storyteller and his doubting ex-wife. This story was much rejected, so thank you @davidestringel.bsky.social for believing in it 🙏🏾
www.bloodhoneylit.com/fiction/the-...
www.bloodhoneylit.com/fiction/the-...
I want tamarind-soaked flesh, briny and sour. Isn’t that what you want too?
Maybe I want a salad. Maybe I want you to savour me down to my empty shell. Maybe I want to keep hiding inside this recipe.
GORGEOUS 😍😍😍
@pleomorphic2.bsky.social and @kathrynreese.bsky.social in @manyworlds.place ❤️❤️❤️
Maybe I want a salad. Maybe I want you to savour me down to my empty shell. Maybe I want to keep hiding inside this recipe.
GORGEOUS 😍😍😍
@pleomorphic2.bsky.social and @kathrynreese.bsky.social in @manyworlds.place ❤️❤️❤️
Hermit crabs about crab curry? Metaphor for queer love? Collabs? @kathrynreese.bsky.social and I have another one in @manyworlds.place and are pumped for you to read it (beware the prawn heads) 🦀 🍤 🏳️🌈 manyworlds.place/issue-10/sum...
This Recipe Is a Hiding Place by Sumitra Singam, Kathryn Reese - manywor(l)ds :: place
You want my crab curry recipe? The one I have to hide from my strictly vegetarian mother? The stink of death is in that curry. And more onions than you can imagine, and tamarind pulp. Still want it?
manyworlds.place
November 17, 2025 at 7:53 AM
I want tamarind-soaked flesh, briny and sour. Isn’t that what you want too?
Maybe I want a salad. Maybe I want you to savour me down to my empty shell. Maybe I want to keep hiding inside this recipe.
GORGEOUS 😍😍😍
@pleomorphic2.bsky.social and @kathrynreese.bsky.social in @manyworlds.place ❤️❤️❤️
Maybe I want a salad. Maybe I want you to savour me down to my empty shell. Maybe I want to keep hiding inside this recipe.
GORGEOUS 😍😍😍
@pleomorphic2.bsky.social and @kathrynreese.bsky.social in @manyworlds.place ❤️❤️❤️
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
Hermit crabs about crab curry? Metaphor for queer love? Collabs? @kathrynreese.bsky.social and I have another one in @manyworlds.place and are pumped for you to read it (beware the prawn heads) 🦀 🍤 🏳️🌈 manyworlds.place/issue-10/sum...
This Recipe Is a Hiding Place by Sumitra Singam, Kathryn Reese - manywor(l)ds :: place
You want my crab curry recipe? The one I have to hide from my strictly vegetarian mother? The stink of death is in that curry. And more onions than you can imagine, and tamarind pulp. Still want it?
manyworlds.place
November 17, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Hermit crabs about crab curry? Metaphor for queer love? Collabs? @kathrynreese.bsky.social and I have another one in @manyworlds.place and are pumped for you to read it (beware the prawn heads) 🦀 🍤 🏳️🌈 manyworlds.place/issue-10/sum...
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
The prawn heads are the best bit! 🦐🍤🦐
Hermit crabs about crab curry? Metaphor for queer love? Collabs? @kathrynreese.bsky.social and I have another one in @manyworlds.place and are pumped for you to read it (beware the prawn heads) 🦀 🍤 🏳️🌈 manyworlds.place/issue-10/sum...
This Recipe Is a Hiding Place by Sumitra Singam, Kathryn Reese - manywor(l)ds :: place
You want my crab curry recipe? The one I have to hide from my strictly vegetarian mother? The stink of death is in that curry. And more onions than you can imagine, and tamarind pulp. Still want it?
manyworlds.place
November 17, 2025 at 7:46 AM
The prawn heads are the best bit! 🦐🍤🦐
Thank you so much @pitheadchapel.bsky.social for the nomination! Congratulations everyone and good luck!!
We're proud to announce our nominations for Best Microfiction 2025! Please join us in congratulating these stellar writers. Good luck everyone!
November 17, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Thank you so much @pitheadchapel.bsky.social for the nomination! Congratulations everyone and good luck!!
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
We're proud to announce our nominations for Best Microfiction 2025! Please join us in congratulating these stellar writers. Good luck everyone!
November 16, 2025 at 7:16 PM
We're proud to announce our nominations for Best Microfiction 2025! Please join us in congratulating these stellar writers. Good luck everyone!
weekly ukulele video 🥰❤️ (November 17, 2025 - it’s a rerun ❤️)
youtu.be/y8SrVIph71U
youtu.be/y8SrVIph71U
weekly ukulele video 🥰❤️ (November 17, 2025 - it’s a rerun ❤️)
YouTube video by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
youtu.be
November 16, 2025 at 11:17 PM
weekly ukulele video 🥰❤️ (November 17, 2025 - it’s a rerun ❤️)
youtu.be/y8SrVIph71U
youtu.be/y8SrVIph71U
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
“I never used to be so easy, my abyss hidden under fake layers of self-confidence, self-delusion, fake tan fanta orange, camouflaged bright. Recently, the layers have begun to recede with the waxing of the moon…”
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social in Twisted Tongue Press twistedtonguepress.com/fiction/thre...
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social in Twisted Tongue Press twistedtonguepress.com/fiction/thre...
Three shots of tequila, clear, spicy, no lime, and I’m vomiting up the dark. – Twisted Tongue Press
twistedtonguepress.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:13 PM
“I never used to be so easy, my abyss hidden under fake layers of self-confidence, self-delusion, fake tan fanta orange, camouflaged bright. Recently, the layers have begun to recede with the waxing of the moon…”
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social in Twisted Tongue Press twistedtonguepress.com/fiction/thre...
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social in Twisted Tongue Press twistedtonguepress.com/fiction/thre...
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
Check it out: @lumchanmfa.bsky.social and @poeticmoni.bsky.social were both published in the first issue of Twisted Tongue Press! buff.ly/8nximdM
BITTER OVER SWEET: buff.ly/2mJmRtc
ROADMAP: buff.ly/EgGyHMy
@susanschulman.bsky.social
BITTER OVER SWEET: buff.ly/2mJmRtc
ROADMAP: buff.ly/EgGyHMy
@susanschulman.bsky.social
Issue 1 – Twisted Tongue Press
Cover photograph by Magapls
buff.ly
November 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Check it out: @lumchanmfa.bsky.social and @poeticmoni.bsky.social were both published in the first issue of Twisted Tongue Press! buff.ly/8nximdM
BITTER OVER SWEET: buff.ly/2mJmRtc
ROADMAP: buff.ly/EgGyHMy
@susanschulman.bsky.social
BITTER OVER SWEET: buff.ly/2mJmRtc
ROADMAP: buff.ly/EgGyHMy
@susanschulman.bsky.social
Wonderful news to wake up to!! Thank you @claudineliterary.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️
Announcing our (first!) Pushcart Prize nominees! 🐈⬛🏆🐈⬛
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @aniking.bsky.social @tiffmzlee.bsky.social @freybytheway.bsky.social @dianelp.bsky.social @ezhang77.bsky.social
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @aniking.bsky.social @tiffmzlee.bsky.social @freybytheway.bsky.social @dianelp.bsky.social @ezhang77.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Wonderful news to wake up to!! Thank you @claudineliterary.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
Announcing our (first!) Pushcart Prize nominees! 🐈⬛🏆🐈⬛
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @aniking.bsky.social @tiffmzlee.bsky.social @freybytheway.bsky.social @dianelp.bsky.social @ezhang77.bsky.social
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @aniking.bsky.social @tiffmzlee.bsky.social @freybytheway.bsky.social @dianelp.bsky.social @ezhang77.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Announcing our (first!) Pushcart Prize nominees! 🐈⬛🏆🐈⬛
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @aniking.bsky.social @tiffmzlee.bsky.social @freybytheway.bsky.social @dianelp.bsky.social @ezhang77.bsky.social
@lumchanmfa.bsky.social @aniking.bsky.social @tiffmzlee.bsky.social @freybytheway.bsky.social @dianelp.bsky.social @ezhang77.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
New newsletter today! No raccoons (I know WUT???), but a few book recommendations (including “Bitter Over Sweet” by @lumchanmfa.bsky.social, “Lives of the Dead” by @fionamckay.bsky.social, and “Skin Thief” by @sillysyntax.bsky.social)
buttondown.com/mxaniking/ar...
buttondown.com/mxaniking/ar...
Whoops! It’s November!
Hi folks, Thanks for sticking with me and my barely regular newsletter updates! I had all the plans to send something super cool last month, especially since...
buttondown.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:40 PM
New newsletter today! No raccoons (I know WUT???), but a few book recommendations (including “Bitter Over Sweet” by @lumchanmfa.bsky.social, “Lives of the Dead” by @fionamckay.bsky.social, and “Skin Thief” by @sillysyntax.bsky.social)
buttondown.com/mxaniking/ar...
buttondown.com/mxaniking/ar...
weekly talk story about my zoom launch, @clmporg.bsky.social, and new micros…
www.melissallanesbrownlee.com/talk-story/2...
www.melissallanesbrownlee.com/talk-story/2...
Bitter Over Sweet Zoom Launch Awesomeness, Featured in CLMP and New Micros — Melissa Llanes Brownlee
Thank you to everyone who attended my book launch!! It was so awesome! I am still in awe that I was able to talk to Deesha Philyaw about Bitter over Sweet! Like seriously! And I am so grateful to Avit...
www.melissallanesbrownlee.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:35 AM
weekly talk story about my zoom launch, @clmporg.bsky.social, and new micros…
www.melissallanesbrownlee.com/talk-story/2...
www.melissallanesbrownlee.com/talk-story/2...
Apparently a few of you are, so without further ado, here is the cover of my forthcoming NiF Mother Karma. It’s a wee piece of my heart, and I hope you’ll all love this family as much as I do 🧡🧡🧡. Cover art @nmals.bsky.social Publisher @publishedbyjake.bsky.social Forthcoming in December
November 13, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
Apparently a few of you are, so without further ado, here is the cover of my forthcoming NiF Mother Karma. It’s a wee piece of my heart, and I hope you’ll all love this family as much as I do 🧡🧡🧡. Cover art @nmals.bsky.social Publisher @publishedbyjake.bsky.social Forthcoming in December
November 13, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Apparently a few of you are, so without further ado, here is the cover of my forthcoming NiF Mother Karma. It’s a wee piece of my heart, and I hope you’ll all love this family as much as I do 🧡🧡🧡. Cover art @nmals.bsky.social Publisher @publishedbyjake.bsky.social Forthcoming in December
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
Flash fiction "Tough Guys" by Myna Chang
“She shoves my tie aside, taps a button mid-chest with the blade, tap tap tap. Who is this bitch? She’s grinning again, all teeth, and she smells like copper, like old pennies…”
www.bloodhoneylit.com/fiction/toug...
“She shoves my tie aside, taps a button mid-chest with the blade, tap tap tap. Who is this bitch? She’s grinning again, all teeth, and she smells like copper, like old pennies…”
www.bloodhoneylit.com/fiction/toug...
tough guys — Blood+Honey
by Myna Chang “She shoves my tie aside, taps a button mid-chest with the blade, tap tap tap . Who is this bitch? She’s grinning again, all teeth, and she smells like copper, like old pennies…”
www.bloodhoneylit.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Love this gem from @claudiamonpere.bsky.social in @necessaryfiction.com ❤️❤️❤️
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
November 13, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Love this gem from @claudiamonpere.bsky.social in @necessaryfiction.com ❤️❤️❤️
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
"What’s autumn?"
"... her soft white hands, tipped in a tasteful nude, she would later tell my mom."
“Leaves fall?”
Avon Calling You an Autumn When You Know You Are Summer by @lumchanmfa.bsky.social in Bitter Over Sweet, from @sfwp.bsky.social
"... her soft white hands, tipped in a tasteful nude, she would later tell my mom."
“Leaves fall?”
Avon Calling You an Autumn When You Know You Are Summer by @lumchanmfa.bsky.social in Bitter Over Sweet, from @sfwp.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 3:54 AM
"What’s autumn?"
"... her soft white hands, tipped in a tasteful nude, she would later tell my mom."
“Leaves fall?”
Avon Calling You an Autumn When You Know You Are Summer by @lumchanmfa.bsky.social in Bitter Over Sweet, from @sfwp.bsky.social
"... her soft white hands, tipped in a tasteful nude, she would later tell my mom."
“Leaves fall?”
Avon Calling You an Autumn When You Know You Are Summer by @lumchanmfa.bsky.social in Bitter Over Sweet, from @sfwp.bsky.social
Reposted by Melissa Llanes Brownlee
Just finished BITTER OVER SWEET by @lumchanmfa.bsky.social 🌺🐛
Let Melissa take you to Hawaii, the real Hawaii, with all its grit and beauty! Highly recommend this flash collection 💫
Let Melissa take you to Hawaii, the real Hawaii, with all its grit and beauty! Highly recommend this flash collection 💫
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Just finished BITTER OVER SWEET by @lumchanmfa.bsky.social 🌺🐛
Let Melissa take you to Hawaii, the real Hawaii, with all its grit and beauty! Highly recommend this flash collection 💫
Let Melissa take you to Hawaii, the real Hawaii, with all its grit and beauty! Highly recommend this flash collection 💫