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penandpier.bsky.social
Pen & Pier
@penandpier.bsky.social
29 followers 37 following 15 posts
Pen & Pier is a society of writers based in SLO county who support each other’s creative efforts. We envision a community where authors of all levels create powerful stories that inspire and endure.
https://www.penandpier.com/
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penandpier.bsky.social
Pen & Pier @penandpier.bsky.social · Oct 4
Hello! It's Pen & Pier. We finally decided to join social media. Our group's been meeting regularly for 2 years. We do things like annual retreats, critique groups, in-person & online meetings. We're just a bunch of writers helping each other out. Come check out our website and join us on Discord.
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the whole story, it is in our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns', which you can preorder here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
A painting of the ocean at sunset with an island in the background and some coral in the foreground. Overlaid with text saying: Into the Depths By Michelle Dornish "I need to find a way out," Rachel whispered to herself, her heart fluttering with fear again. "Why are you in a rush?" The male voice startled her so much that she screamed aloud, but her shout didn't echo in the small space. In fact, the scream was soaked up by the coral so that the sound ended much sooner than she would have expected. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you maiden," the voice continued. Rachel spun toward the voice, toward the pool of water, and her eyes locked with the smiling, boyish face of a man with toned arms, resting on the edge of the coral. He set his chin on his folded arms, his wet hair long enough that he had to jerk his head slightly to move the dark strands from his eyes. She couldn't help but linger on his eyes, a startling shade of gray, not unlike a stormy sea. A sparkle of mirth in them that made her feel nervous. What was making him so happy exactly?
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the whole story, it is in our our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns' which you can preorder here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
A picture with mostly red text and three pencil drawn sailing ships. The text reads: The Best Captain in The World By Barbara Swihart Miller A competition ensues when two sea captains clash. Who will win? A humorous YA story. "Remember what happened to the last asshole, Strawberry? He ended up in Davie Jones' Locker!" The girls broke out in riotous laughter. " Don't be a fool!" Umbri protested. "No one has ever beaten Blurr! He is the fiercest pirate to ever sail the seas!" " He doesn't even have any facial hair! Goldie, back me up on this! He can't have been sailing for more than a year. I doubt he has even blooded his saber!" "Or fired his pistol!" "Either pistol!" Under neath in gray text it says: Excerpted from Rough Seas & Strange Yarns, a Pen & Pier anthology.
November 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
Get to know our writers: substack.com/home/post/p-...
Writing Consistently and Persistently: an Interview with Katherine Bonn
By Barbara Miller
substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
Get to know our writers: substack.com/home/post/p-...
Writing with Gratitude: an Interview with Barbara Swihart Miller
What is your name/pen name/name you are comfortable giving us?
substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:13 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
We are happy to announce our very first anthology is coming out on November 24th! Rough Seas & Strange Yarns captures short stories, poems, and visual art of fifteen Pen & Pier members, all focusing on the theme: Ocean. You can pre-order the eBook now www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY715J2...
Rough Seas and Strange Yarns: A Pen & Pier Anthology
Amazon.com: Rough Seas and Strange Yarns: A Pen & Pier Anthology eBook : Miller, Barbara: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:04 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
Get to know our writers: substack.com/home/post/p-...
A Dark Mind and Rapid Finger Clicks: Interview with Fantasy Author Michelle Dornish
By Barbara Miller
substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
Get to know our writers: substack.com/home/post/p-...
Interview with Author Kevin Carver
By Barbara Miller
substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:49 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
A little primer from us about editing: substack.com/home/post/p-...
An image of a checklist for editing. It has several bullet points. Behind each is a phrase to check for and avoid if possible. Those are: There is/There was (Especially at the start of description or action)' Seem/seemed, Just, Very, Thought, However, Adverbs (Generally words that end in -ly), Looked like, Then, Started, Feels/felt. On the bottom left corner is the Pen & Pier logo. On the bottom right a hand with a pen.
October 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
Check out a story by one of our members!
bsmbooks.bsky.social Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social · Oct 23
My short story, "The Perfect Mummy" is now available in a horror anthology by Dragon Soul Press! Come and check it out! www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...
October 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
Get to know our writers: substack.com/home/post/p-...
Interview With Fantasy Writer Siddhi
Interview questions by Ute and Barbara
substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:24 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
We recently had a productive and fun weekend together at our third writing retreat. You can read all about it here: www.penandpier.com/2025/10/sept...
A group of writers proudly displaying their bookbinding results at a craft place.
October 11, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Reposted by Pen & Pier
mdornish.bsky.social
I'm so excited! just got an email from the substack of @penandpier.bsky.social! Our writing group is a fledgling in the social media landscape, but love what we are putting out there! Find us!
penandpier.com
substack.com/@penandpier
www.facebook.com/groups/penan...
www.instagram.com/pen.and.pier/
Pen & Pier - Pen & Pier is a society of writers who support each other’s creative efforts. We envision a community where authors of all levels create powerful stories that inspire and endure.
Pen & Pier is a society of writers who support each other’s creative efforts. We envision a community where authors of all levels create powerful stories that inspire and endure.
penandpier.com
October 11, 2025 at 12:49 AM
penandpier.bsky.social
Pen & Pier to me is a place to hone my writing craft. I can tap into the experience and genius of the group to improve on my work. Whether I am getting or giving a critique, I always learn something!
–Michelle Dornish @mdornish.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
Writing is a multifaceted process of which I enjoy some parts, not all. Joining Pen & Pier helped me find folks with whom I can discuss all parts. Be it brainstorming, editing, publishing, or marketing. I'm in the trenches with friends who know exactly what I'm talking about @uteorgassa.bsky.social
October 8, 2025 at 9:33 PM
penandpier.bsky.social
Before I found Pen & Pier, I felt like I was alone in my writing. Finding a group of people who loved to world-build as much as I do has motivated me to finish what I start and even to branch out into unfamiliar genres. I love our community!
–Barbara Swihart Miller @bsmbooks.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 3:38 AM
penandpier.bsky.social
Hello! It's Pen & Pier. We finally decided to join social media. Our group's been meeting regularly for 2 years. We do things like annual retreats, critique groups, in-person & online meetings. We're just a bunch of writers helping each other out. Come check out our website and join us on Discord.
October 4, 2025 at 11:57 PM