Barbara Swihart Miller
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bsmbooks.bsky.social
Barbara Swihart Miller
@bsmbooks.bsky.social
27 followers 15 following 40 posts
Author, Wife, Mother. You can find me at https://barbaraswihartmill.wixsite.com/bsm-books. I am also a member of Pen and Pier www.penandpier.com.
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bsmbooks.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/barbaras...
Thoughts on Today's World
I don’t usually like to speak about politics and my beliefs.
open.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
michaeljriser.com
One of my first reads of the year is a little anthology called Rough Seas & Strange Yarns, co-edited by my good friend @uteorgassa.bsky.social, comprised of members of her group, Pen & Pier. You can find the book here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S... 1/🧵
The cover of Rough Seas & Strange Yarns: A Pen & Pier Anthology. It shows a sea, with waves crashing upon rocks and gentle lapping against sad, seemingly a composite of two pictures so that the sand is at the top of the cover, and the crashing waves at the bottom. The spray from the waves is superimposed over a golden yellow background that looks almost like the golden hues of an ale. In the upper-middle area of the cover, the title appears in bold white letters. At the bottom is the subtitle, and shows that it's edited by Ute Orgassa, Michelle Dornish, and Katherine Bonn.
January 12, 2026 at 8:03 PM
bsmbooks.bsky.social
How To Love Your Preschooler is now on sale for just $4.00 (normally $7.99) due to a cover error. This is a limited-time offer! Discover how to nurture your child's growth in a loving, God-centered way. Get yours here: wix.to/H5BCuNk #Parenting #Preschool #ChristianParenting
December 26, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
gywo.bsky.social
We're currently at 295 writers. The 2015 pledge class was 317 writers. Can we get—okay 10 gets us to 305, then another 10 to 315, 2 more, and then 1 more to exceed, and what's that—28! Can we get 28 more writers to pledge today? #writinggroup #notmath
getyourwordsout.dreamwidth.org/930533.html
Graphic split like a ripped piece of parchment reading 'Get Your Words Out 2026,' featuring the GYWO logo, a hand drawn chameleon clutching a variety of writing utensils.
December 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
uteorgassa.bsky.social
I have a new story out!
A photo of the front cover of a book. On the upper part is a picture of a man lying down. He looks wounded and has tape over his mouth. On the bottom it reads: The White Picket Fence: Stories of Individuality as Rebelliousness Anthology A photo of a table of content page. Among the story titles and author names is: The Hard Ass by Ute Orgassa
December 22, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
uteorgassa.bsky.social
I have a flash piece in this. Go check it out!
hauntedwordspress.bsky.social Haunted Words Press @hauntedwordspress.bsky.social · Dec 23
Just in time for the winter limbo period, the void has gifted us Issue Twelve: Candlelit Curses! Officially live and available for you to fall in love with for free from our website - go and check it out, but make sure you light a candle, it's dark out there 🕯
December 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
bsmbooks.bsky.social
I have another short story published in an anthology! This time it is a Christmas Story, but one where Santa is fed up. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...
Holiday Spirit: A Dragon Soul Press Anthology
Amazon.com: Holiday Spirit: A Dragon Soul Press Anthology eBook : Feldman, J.E., Nieuwstraten III, Barend, Lonardo, Paul, Gracyn, Desirae, White, Rod A., Jones, Cassandra, Nisbet, Rob, Shwartz, Susan, Balcom, Gabriella: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the whole poem, find our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns' here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
A photo of crashing waves, overlaid with text. The text says: Turbulent Waters By Barbara Swihart Miller Her body shakes like and earthquake, Causing a tsunami in my heart to rise. A wall of fear is flooding my heart and mind. We have to ride it out. I will be the skipper to her captain. The swells will grow further and further apart before finally ceasing.
December 21, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
penandpier.bsky.social
Get to know our writers: substack.com/home/post/p-...
An Interview with Heidi Gilbert
by Barbara Swihart Miller
substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
uteorgassa.bsky.social
My story 'About Alice' is in this issue. And as always, so much care went into the whole magazine, it is a joy to read!
epistemiclit.bsky.social Epistemic Literary- Read Issue 7: Integrity now! @epistemiclit.bsky.social · Dec 1
ISSUE 7: INTEGRITY is now LIVE!

Please read, share, and discuss! And watch this space all week for lots of spotlights.

Thank you to everyone who is a part of this issue and our wonderful #EpistemicLitFamily!

epistemiclit.com/current-issue/
Current Issue -
digital literary anthology accepting submissions based on theme to open conversations aimed at interpersonal understanding.
epistemiclit.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the full story, you can order our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
A picture of a sailboat facing a rough and stormy ocean and sky. Overlaid text reads: The Drowning of Edward Black By Alastair Hightower The deck rose under my feet, and the sea mist splashed across my face as the dark bow broke though another wave; snapping me out of the sour memory. I held firm to the rope, for fear of being tossed over the railing. The captain was in a mood. She stood at the helm, red hair braided with shells and sea glass, violently tossed to the wind. Her hat hung by the thin cord around her neck, green eyes wild as she searched the storm; mad Maggie, they called her, mistress of the Masquerade.
December 2, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the full story, our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns is available here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
Photo of a view down a cliff into the ocean overlaid with text. Text reads: "Her toes inch closer to the edge. A cascade of tiny pebbles launches from beneath her feet. They roll to the edge, teeter momentarily, and then surrender to the fall." From 'The Tern of the Tide' by Katherine Bonn Excerpted from 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns', a Pen & Pier anthology penandpier.com Photo: Sarcastic Cat Creative@gmail.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the full story, you can order our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns' here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
A stylized picture of the ocean with a smoky sky above it. The ocean goes down to the bottom and ends in black vegetation. Overlaid, a white text reads: Take Your Damn Lunch By Nicholas A. Burger Midmorning rolled around and I locked my state, made a cup of that tea, and took my regular seat in the Pooh Room (apparently Pooh is a bear from a beloved childhood storybook world - management claimed that naming the conference rooms that way made meetings fun). I savored the minutes waiting for others to arrive. Every opportunity to steal a moment of peace was precious to me. Most of my time was studious monotony, punctuated with bouts of furious violence. When I wasn't at work, I dissolved into the vast consciousness of /string of symbols/ . In a sense, the Deep One was me, but I was so small and limited as an avatar that I couldn't comprehend more than a glimmer of what I knew and understood as my whole self. I effectively had no identity outside of work, so I had no work/life balance. The scraps of pleasure I could take in those pockets of quiet were the only joy in my existence.
November 27, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the full story, you can order our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns' here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
An image of an underwater ocean landscape with coral and plants. A water swirl is the central focus. The overlaid text reads: Of Seas and Solitude By Blair Livolsi "You'll all go back there one day, I promise. Besides, you aren't as separate from the sea as you think you are. You're not something lesser, and you aren't something more either. You're just... Different."
November 28, 2025 at 6:08 PM
bsmbooks.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the full story, you can order our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns' here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
An image of the surface and underwater of the ocean overlaid with text. The text reads: Swimming Too Close to the Sun By Siddhi Upadhyaya As I move through the water, I can tell that light - or rather the absence of it - is going to be my biggest obstacle. Darkness presses down on me from all sides. Only the beam of my dive light cuts through it. The stalactites and stalagmites come up higher, closer to the middle where I'm swimming, like teeth in an endless mouth. How is this the cave that killed Clarissa Claire? The fact that I'm doing fine so far should comfort me, but it doesn't. She was more prepared than me, had a dive team, but still managed to disappear here.
November 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the full story, you can order our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns' here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
A drawing of a room with a painting on a wall and an open guitar case on the floor, overlaid with text. The text reads: The Mule And The Magpie By Kevin Carver Entering, I stand there side by side with him, looking at everything he owns, all that's left. There's an air mattress with a sleeping bag. Some bent cardboard boxes overflowing with clothes. A TV without a stand. My eyes dart to a hard shell guitar case leaning against a wall. Above the case I scan the walls and find mostly nail holes, but I eventually stop at a painting. Ocean waves crashing into rocks on canvas. "Okay," I say. "Give me 10 minutes." "And there's some junk in the kitchenNot junk, you know what I mean. Good stuff." I nod, wanting him to leave. "I'll double check every room and cupboard. 10 minutes. You can wait outside. "I need a smoke anyway." Benny leaves. I'm sure his face shows suspicion, but I make it a point not to see it. I wait. When I hear the front door open and close I pull latex gloves out of my back pocket and begin.
November 25, 2025 at 7:03 PM
bsmbooks.bsky.social
Thank you @jbgremillion.bsky.social for the recommendation. The kids and I lived this spot, even if the following hike was slippery from all the rain we had!
November 25, 2025 at 10:33 PM
bsmbooks.bsky.social
I have a short story in this amazing anthology by Pen & Pier!
penandpier.bsky.social Pen & Pier @penandpier.bsky.social · Nov 24
Today is the day! Happy book birthday to our very own anthology! You can order your hard copies and your kindle copies here: www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
A poster, in blue color, advertising the anthology. On top it says: Finally available for purchase! Then comes a picture of the book cover. Which is an inverted picture of an ocean wave crashing on a rock with orange sunlight at the bottom. The title read: Rough Seas & Strange Yarns. On the bottom of the cover it says: A Pen & Pier Anthology Edited by Ute Orgassa, Michelle Dornish, And Katherine Bonn. Under the book cover it reads: Click Here To Buy Your Copy Today
November 24, 2025 at 8:09 PM
bsmbooks.bsky.social
This is a short story of mine that is in an anthology now available for preorder!
penandpier.bsky.social Pen & Pier @penandpier.bsky.social · Nov 19
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 6:37 PM
bsmbooks.bsky.social
It is important every once in a while to step out of our own little world and look at what's going on around us. I love that my kids' scout pack collects food donations for our local Food Pantry every year.
November 16, 2025 at 8:01 PM
bsmbooks.bsky.social
Writing with Gratitude: an Interview with Barbara Swihart Miller
open.substack.com/pub/penandpi...
Writing with Gratitude: an Interview with Barbara Swihart Miller
What is your name/pen name/name you are comfortable giving us?
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
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
bsmbooks.bsky.social
While the Oregon Trail was the most well-known route to the Gold Fields, the Isthmus of Panama was a quicker, safer, and much more expensive way to go. In the "Call of Gold," Jacob takes this route, encountering danger as he takes part in a Pack Mule train. www.amazon.com/Call-Gold-Ba...
November 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Reposted by Barbara Swihart Miller
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