Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Melissa Jornd

@melissajorndwrites.bsky.social

130 followers 240 following 31 posts

I like to write, and I like to cuddle my cats. There's an 80% chance I'll post my cats more than my writing. Social media makes me awkward. Hi! she/her

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Aug 17

That's me!

NYC Midnight @nycmidnight.bsky.social · Jul 24

We’re happy to announce that we will be publishing the top 3 stories from last year’s 500-word Fiction Challenge! First up is the 3rd place story, “Tomorrow, Today,” by Melissa Jornd (Streamwood, IL, USA) at bit.ly/4mb16qa. Original illustration by Yevgenia Nayberg. Enjoy!

Tomorrow, Today — nycmidnight

Tomorrow is the last day of your life. But that's tomorrow. Length: 500 words Year: 2024

bit.ly

2 1 11

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 12h

Went to "Night of 1,000 Jack-o-Lanterns" at the Botanic Gardens. I'm always impressed with any art, and this was no different. Very cool to see some carvings in progress as well. Too bad I can only show a couple pictures.

Giant pumpkin with the cover of R.L. Stine's "Say Cheese and Die! " carved into it and lit from within.

Giant carved pumpkin with Snoopy in his pilot helmet and goggles, on top of his house that has "Snoopy vs the Red Baron" written on it.

Giant carved pumpkin of a female with Dia de Los Muertos Catrina skeleton face, long wavy hair and a hat with flowers.

Photo of a man working on a giant pumpkin carving; one carved pumpkin sits on top of an uncarved pumpkin and the carver is making spider-looking legs to go between the two.

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 1d

Back to TBT/making an archive. "Baking Memories" was published earlier this year in Bright Flash Literary Review. Originally written for last year's NYCM's 500 contest, 2nd round. Since this year's 2nd round was last weekend, it felt apt to post this one today.
brightflash1000.com/2025/04/03/b...

Baking Memories

By Melissa Jornd Frank stands inside the dispensary while a scruffy man with a ginger beard and pin-filled lanyard explains the different options, from oils and resin to drinks and cookies— “Cookie…

brightflash1000.com

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 4d

Today I was surprised with Eeyore crocs (Eeyore is my fave; my feelings about crocs are more complicated) and an acceptance from one of my fave places for one of my fave stories!
As long as I don't focus on my lack of job/interview requests and other real life scaries, I'm a very happy Melissa!

Front/top design of theEeyore crocs. Blue base, with plastic eyes. There are fuzzy ears and a bit of black hair for the mane. They are on my feet and I'm standing on sand-colored tiles.

Back strap of the Eeyore crocs that include a small bit of black hair and a pink bow for the tail.

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 7d

That's so fetch! Can't wait

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 9d

Hooray! First round and first place! Wasn't sure how it would fare since it leaned more drama than romance, but that kinda seems to be a sweet spot for me? Well that's two contests coming up this weekend, and debating a third. Decisions decisions...

Screenshot of NYCMidnight contest results, showing Melissa's story in first.

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 10d

Thank you so much!

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 13d

Read my little story online here!

I'm still so happy this found such a perfect home. One of the few stories that I wrote without prompts and/or a deadline, just a growing appreciation of nature coupled with a growing heartbreak over how we treat it. Go hug a tree today 💚

Paranoid Tree Press @paranoidxtree.bsky.social · 14d

New issue alert! It has multiple sets of wings and eyes and creepy crawlies. Just in time for fall.

Full story here: www.paranoidtree.com/read/vol-57

1 6

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 14d

Thank you so much! And I agree, the art is just beyond amazing. 💜

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 14d

It's hereee! It was an absolute dream working with @paranoidxtree.bsky.social and I could not be more excited to see it all come together. It's possible my entire neighborhood heard me squeal when it showed up today. Such a huge thank you to everyone who worked on this. I hope readers enjoy!

The front cover of a zine with the piece title, writer and artist names, and artwork with a tree, mushrooms, and a bug

Inside of the zine including a writing snippet and information on submitting to Paranoid Tree

The unfolded zine with the entire story and artwork

A poorly-lit image of the writer's bio that talks about her cats, and behind the zine is one of the cats, Charlie.

1 1 3

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 17d

Currently taking suggestions for messy stories you love, or craft essays/books/podcasts/what-have-you on writing stories that don't get wrapped up in a nice little bow. Thanks!

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 27d

Happy Gotcha Day to my kittens! Five years ago I made the best decision ever. They hid behind the storage bins (or under the drawer) for about a day before they started coming out to play. After about a week I opened the room to the rest of the house, and now here we are! 🤍🖤💗

1 2

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 27d

I am so bad at bluesky, hopefully third time I repost this correctly. My story "Opening the Attic" is free for everyone today! Based a little on depression, and a little on my aunt actually playing in the unfinished attic and always talking fondly about it. Hope you enjoy!

Crepuscular Magazine @crepuscularmag.bsky.social · 28d

"Opening the Attic" by Melissa Jornd is free to read today!

www.patreon.com/post...

Opening the Attic
Melissa Jornd
There’s activity—pipes groaning, lights buzzing, floorboards protesting—but I assume it’s downstairs stuff.

2 6

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · 29d

TBT to "Accident Prone," my second-ever acceptance, a micro at 101words about revenge. This was originally written for a 'breadcrumbs' theme. I wrote three micros for that theme and two have homes. Perhaps I should revisit the third?
101words.org/accident-pro...

Accident Prone - 101 Words

Just an accident, my mother tells the doctor wrapping my arm in a cast. You know kids. He smiles and […]

101words.org

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Sep 9

You go girl! Woo!

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Sep 9

Sent off more applications but I'm too discouraged to continue. Instead, I'm going to see if I can finally get some headway into a story that's been sitting in my WIP for two years but refuses to leave my head. Gotta feel accomplished, somewhere? This job market is absolutely brutal.

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Sep 6

Caturday, silly edition. They are goofballs. And sometimes they are also just shaved. Apparently I can only add 4 photos so there will be several of these posts so I can show off my beautiful, ridiculous dorks.

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Sep 5

Currently trying not to cancel plans that are 2 hours away, I feel this in my soul.

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Sep 5

The reason I always have laundry piles on my couch is so Charlie can have the comfiest naps. 100%. No other reason, definitely not due to laziness and a dislike of tedious folding.

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Sep 5

Very excited to have received an HM and Phoenix Judge's Choice in Twisted Teams! (Even more excited someone on my team took first, which means I get some $ as well!) I plan to expand this story and really love my characters/idea, so this was a happy surprise. Excited to get revising!

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Sep 5

This is my last peer WB and I was a bit hem-haw about this story (but it's one of my favorite genres), so I'm pleased to see it got 7 points and is heading to the Final Showdown. Good luck to all the Ravens on Sunday. (Reposted to cover one of the images so it's not labeled Adult Content, lol)

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Sep 4

No throwback Thursday today. Panic attacks instead. Unemployment is terrifying. Job hunting is *hard*. And exhausting. Will try to continue to grow my archive next week. Please send some good luck my way, if you have any to spare. I'm treading water, but the water is winning.

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Sep 3

They are my life 🥰

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Aug 30

On the other hand, you need to see KPop Demon Hunters 🙂

1 1

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Aug 30

Caturday, meet my kitties! Charlie is the white/grey, he's my needy baby. Minnie is sweet and independent, although lately she's been asking for more scritchies. They mostly get along except when Charlie takes playtime to 200. I love them so much. Approx. 7 & 6 years old, respectively.

1 4

Melissa Jornd @melissajorndwrites.bsky.social · Aug 29

Thank you!