kara oakleaf
@karaoakleaf.bsky.social
reader of all the things, writer of a few things. assistant professor and wrangler of other bookish things in the dmv. words at karaoakleaf.com
Pinned
kara oakleaf
@karaoakleaf.bsky.social
· Dec 2
New Flash Fiction Review (subs closed) (@nffr.bsky.social)
New Flash Fiction Review is an online magazine devoted to flash fiction. Read more: https://newflashfiction.com
nffr.bsky.social
very surprised and grateful to see this little story win the 2025 new flash fiction review prize!
the whole @nffr.bsky.social issue is phenomenal and i’m so glad to be in such good company 🥰
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
the whole @nffr.bsky.social issue is phenomenal and i’m so glad to be in such good company 🥰
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
lots of bookish things up for auction to support minnesota (and just a good list of resources that could use your donations if you aren’t bidding on anything here) ❤️🩹
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:42 PM
lots of bookish things up for auction to support minnesota (and just a good list of resources that could use your donations if you aren’t bidding on anything here) ❤️🩹
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Reposted by kara oakleaf
Finally got a chance to read this prize-winning story by @karaoakleaf.bsky.social and it is absolutely phenomenal. I literally covered my mouth with my hands at the end & realized I was holding my breath.
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
Body as a Single-Family Home | Issue #39
My ribcage must be the foyer, all high ceilings and wasted space and a place for the air to circulate. Small voices echoing off the walls of my lungs.
newflashfiction.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Finally got a chance to read this prize-winning story by @karaoakleaf.bsky.social and it is absolutely phenomenal. I literally covered my mouth with my hands at the end & realized I was holding my breath.
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
Reposted by kara oakleaf
We will be open for submissions 1 to 15 Jan. For inspiration, read our winning stories from last issue by @karaoakleaf.bsky.social @emilyrinkema.bsky.social @belindarowe.bsky.social @jaimegill.bsky.social @theodora.bsky.social @kathrynsilverhajo.bsky.social
newflashfiction.com/issue-39/
newflashfiction.com/issue-39/
Issue 39: 2025 New Flash Fiction Prize | New Flash Fiction Review
Featuring new work by Belinda Rowe, Jaime Gill, Emily Rinkema, Theodora Sutcliffe, Kara Oakleaf, Leigh Ann Ruggiero, Kathryn Silver-Hajo, Brigid M. Hughes, and Jess Richards
newflashfiction.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:24 PM
We will be open for submissions 1 to 15 Jan. For inspiration, read our winning stories from last issue by @karaoakleaf.bsky.social @emilyrinkema.bsky.social @belindarowe.bsky.social @jaimegill.bsky.social @theodora.bsky.social @kathrynsilverhajo.bsky.social
newflashfiction.com/issue-39/
newflashfiction.com/issue-39/
“I asked Dad once, What goes on in Olive’s head? He said, Believe whatever thing seems nicest.”
leigh ann ruggiero’s “iron shoes” in @nffr.bsky.social 🤍
newflashfiction.com/iron-shoes/
leigh ann ruggiero’s “iron shoes” in @nffr.bsky.social 🤍
newflashfiction.com/iron-shoes/
Iron Shoes | Issue #39
My parents, Olive, and I arrive at Uncle Don’s Memorial cookout after a day spent laying flowers at graves.
newflashfiction.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:05 PM
“I asked Dad once, What goes on in Olive’s head? He said, Believe whatever thing seems nicest.”
leigh ann ruggiero’s “iron shoes” in @nffr.bsky.social 🤍
newflashfiction.com/iron-shoes/
leigh ann ruggiero’s “iron shoes” in @nffr.bsky.social 🤍
newflashfiction.com/iron-shoes/
Reposted by kara oakleaf
The long hallways of my arms, where sometimes, I swear I can feel their footsteps, where I look down and expect to see the skin rise up, something pushing against me from the inside." Brilliant unforgettable winning [email protected] @nffr.bsky.social
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
Body as a Single-Family Home | Issue #39
My ribcage must be the foyer, all high ceilings and wasted space and a place for the air to circulate. Small voices echoing off the walls of my lungs.
newflashfiction.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:40 AM
The long hallways of my arms, where sometimes, I swear I can feel their footsteps, where I look down and expect to see the skin rise up, something pushing against me from the inside." Brilliant unforgettable winning [email protected] @nffr.bsky.social
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
Reposted by kara oakleaf
‘…knowing they were safe, that they were surrounded only by their own histories.’
Beautiful, heartbreaking framing to this prize-winning @nffr.bsky.social story from @karaoakleaf.bsky.social 🏠
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
Beautiful, heartbreaking framing to this prize-winning @nffr.bsky.social story from @karaoakleaf.bsky.social 🏠
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
Body as a Single-Family Home | Issue #39
My ribcage must be the foyer, all high ceilings and wasted space and a place for the air to circulate. Small voices echoing off the walls of my lungs.
newflashfiction.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
‘…knowing they were safe, that they were surrounded only by their own histories.’
Beautiful, heartbreaking framing to this prize-winning @nffr.bsky.social story from @karaoakleaf.bsky.social 🏠
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
Beautiful, heartbreaking framing to this prize-winning @nffr.bsky.social story from @karaoakleaf.bsky.social 🏠
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
“My Uncle Louie beat a man to death with his bare hands, the same hands that now hold my baby in the living room of my newly dead grandmother’s house.”
been reading through the @nffr.bsky.social issue this week and man, @emilyrinkema.bsky.social’s piece is a stunner. ♥️
been reading through the @nffr.bsky.social issue this week and man, @emilyrinkema.bsky.social’s piece is a stunner. ♥️
Thrilled to have my story “Bare Hands” in @nffr.bsky.social! So many great stories by incredible writers in this issue. Honored to be among them! newflashfiction.com/bare-hands/
Bare Hands | Issue #39
My Uncle Louie beat a man to death with his bare hands, the same hands that now hold my baby in the living room of my newly dead grandmother’s house.
newflashfiction.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:32 PM
“My Uncle Louie beat a man to death with his bare hands, the same hands that now hold my baby in the living room of my newly dead grandmother’s house.”
been reading through the @nffr.bsky.social issue this week and man, @emilyrinkema.bsky.social’s piece is a stunner. ♥️
been reading through the @nffr.bsky.social issue this week and man, @emilyrinkema.bsky.social’s piece is a stunner. ♥️
Reposted by kara oakleaf
This is one of the most damning arguments against AI and one of the most damning indictments of the university admins who gleefully jumped on this bandwagon without once thinking about the long-term damage it might cause. Everyone should read this.
I finally got around to reading this. You should read it too.
"We are exporting the very labor of teaching and learning—the slow work of wrestling with ideas, the enduring of discomfort, doubt and confusion, the struggle of finding one’s own voice."
www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
"We are exporting the very labor of teaching and learning—the slow work of wrestling with ideas, the enduring of discomfort, doubt and confusion, the struggle of finding one’s own voice."
www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
AI is Destroying the University and Learning Itself
Students use AI to write papers, professors use AI to grade them, degrees become meaningless, and tech companies make fortunes. Welcome to the death of higher education.
www.currentaffairs.org
December 4, 2025 at 8:35 PM
This is one of the most damning arguments against AI and one of the most damning indictments of the university admins who gleefully jumped on this bandwagon without once thinking about the long-term damage it might cause. Everyone should read this.
very surprised and grateful to see this little story win the 2025 new flash fiction review prize!
the whole @nffr.bsky.social issue is phenomenal and i’m so glad to be in such good company 🥰
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
the whole @nffr.bsky.social issue is phenomenal and i’m so glad to be in such good company 🥰
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
New Flash Fiction Review (subs closed) (@nffr.bsky.social)
New Flash Fiction Review is an online magazine devoted to flash fiction. Read more: https://newflashfiction.com
nffr.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 1:09 AM
very surprised and grateful to see this little story win the 2025 new flash fiction review prize!
the whole @nffr.bsky.social issue is phenomenal and i’m so glad to be in such good company 🥰
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
the whole @nffr.bsky.social issue is phenomenal and i’m so glad to be in such good company 🥰
newflashfiction.com/body-as-a-si...
“This is precisely how it is every Tuesday. The egg. The soldiers. Mrs White in a fluster.”
beautiful story from @mattkendrick.bsky.social in milk candy review 💔
beautiful story from @mattkendrick.bsky.social in milk candy review 💔
Thrilled to have a new story out today with the wonderful Milk Candy Review that features eggs, soldiers, silence and absent suns. Hope you'll give it a read:
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/11/20/n...
milkcandyreview.home.blog/2025/11/20/n...
Nothing certain ~ by Matt Kendrick
The day the sun forgets to rise, Mr White sits down for breakfast at precisely twelve minutes past seven. This is in the dining room. It is Tuesday. His Tuesday breakfast is a soft-boiled egg opene…
milkcandyreview.home.blog
November 21, 2025 at 12:43 PM
“This is precisely how it is every Tuesday. The egg. The soldiers. Mrs White in a fluster.”
beautiful story from @mattkendrick.bsky.social in milk candy review 💔
beautiful story from @mattkendrick.bsky.social in milk candy review 💔
"In cutting literature programs, universities...are dismantling the intellectual infrastructure that enables young people, and particularly the least advantaged, to become critical subjects capable of engaging with the all-too-many systems of power around them."
lareviewofbooks.org/article/lite...
lareviewofbooks.org/article/lite...
Literature Is Not a Vibe: On ChatGPT and the Humanities | Los Angeles Review of Books
Rachele Dini discusses OpenAI’s “A Machine-Shaped Hand” and an academic sector in crisis.
lareviewofbooks.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:45 PM
"In cutting literature programs, universities...are dismantling the intellectual infrastructure that enables young people, and particularly the least advantaged, to become critical subjects capable of engaging with the all-too-many systems of power around them."
lareviewofbooks.org/article/lite...
lareviewofbooks.org/article/lite...
look at this little piece of wonderful news in the midst of all the mess. ♥️
Today, a coalition of seven charitable foundations announced the launch of the Literary Arts Fund, a historic philanthropic investment of at least $50 million to strengthen the nonprofit literary arts field in the U.S.
October 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
look at this little piece of wonderful news in the midst of all the mess. ♥️
“She laughs and her short red hair is an inkblot in the starlight, and you love her and miss her more than you thought was possible, all your feelings driven by this new wild blood. Was this yours, this brain full of such fierce fire?”
@ambersparks.bsky.social in short story long 💜
@ambersparks.bsky.social in short story long 💜
New Short Story, Long Day! New Amber Sparks Day!
It's @ambersparks.bsky.social on SSL day!
(w/ some new fave story art from @philmcandrew.bsky.social!)
It's @ambersparks.bsky.social on SSL day!
(w/ some new fave story art from @philmcandrew.bsky.social!)
"Your Life in Parties" by Amber Sparks
"...your retirement party, the one they threw for you at the atrocious Italian restaurant. Surprise!, they all yell, which is so awkward because this isn’t a surprise party...."
ashortstorylong.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 12:56 AM
“She laughs and her short red hair is an inkblot in the starlight, and you love her and miss her more than you thought was possible, all your feelings driven by this new wild blood. Was this yours, this brain full of such fierce fire?”
@ambersparks.bsky.social in short story long 💜
@ambersparks.bsky.social in short story long 💜
Reposted by kara oakleaf
This is what democracy looks like! A people united will never be defeated. We want federal forces out of DC NOW! #WeAreAllDC #FreeDC
September 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This is what democracy looks like! A people united will never be defeated. We want federal forces out of DC NOW! #WeAreAllDC #FreeDC
“Because the taste of mangoes clings to your teeth like a hymn. Because the boy on the bus folded his laughter into a paper crane & left it on your seat.”
an absolutely perfect tiny story in @trampset.bsky.social ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
trampset.org/reasons-to-s...
an absolutely perfect tiny story in @trampset.bsky.social ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
trampset.org/reasons-to-s...
Reasons to Stay Alive When the World Burns
by Oladosu Michael Emerald
trampset.org
September 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
“Because the taste of mangoes clings to your teeth like a hymn. Because the boy on the bus folded his laughter into a paper crane & left it on your seat.”
an absolutely perfect tiny story in @trampset.bsky.social ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
trampset.org/reasons-to-s...
an absolutely perfect tiny story in @trampset.bsky.social ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
trampset.org/reasons-to-s...
🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
Not a surprise that they canceled creative fellowships, but the NEA’s new priorities are…odd?
August 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
Reposted by kara oakleaf
Last night DC neighbors showed up at a police checkpoint at 14th & V ST. NW with handwritten signs warning drivers to avoid the block.
After realizing that the community was successfully diverting all traffic, agents packed up the checkpoint and left. #WeKeepUsSafe
After realizing that the community was successfully diverting all traffic, agents packed up the checkpoint and left. #WeKeepUsSafe
People cheer as some federal agents get in their cars and leave.
NY plates on their cars.
NY plates on their cars.
August 14, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Last night DC neighbors showed up at a police checkpoint at 14th & V ST. NW with handwritten signs warning drivers to avoid the block.
After realizing that the community was successfully diverting all traffic, agents packed up the checkpoint and left. #WeKeepUsSafe
After realizing that the community was successfully diverting all traffic, agents packed up the checkpoint and left. #WeKeepUsSafe
Reposted by kara oakleaf
"The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green."
Happy Lottery day to you and yours.
Happy Lottery day to you and yours.
June 27, 2025 at 12:38 PM
"The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green."
Happy Lottery day to you and yours.
Happy Lottery day to you and yours.
Reposted by kara oakleaf
Thanks to the generous sponsors for my stair climb challenge, I have free spots for low-income writers on all my upcoming #WriteBeyondTheLightbulb courses.
Details about the courses: www.mattkendrick.co.uk/courses-work...
Sign up to the "lottery": docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Details about the courses: www.mattkendrick.co.uk/courses-work...
Sign up to the "lottery": docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
May 11, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Thanks to the generous sponsors for my stair climb challenge, I have free spots for low-income writers on all my upcoming #WriteBeyondTheLightbulb courses.
Details about the courses: www.mattkendrick.co.uk/courses-work...
Sign up to the "lottery": docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Details about the courses: www.mattkendrick.co.uk/courses-work...
Sign up to the "lottery": docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
“in this big house full of small suites, the loneliness of motherhood dissipates, mostly, and the safety net needed to create art becomes visible, connective.”
@amiesouzareilly.bsky.social w/a perfect mother’s day essay about isolation, creativity, & the small moments of community we all need. ♥️
@amiesouzareilly.bsky.social w/a perfect mother’s day essay about isolation, creativity, & the small moments of community we all need. ♥️
I wrote about art monsters and loneliness and motherhood for @literaryhub.bsky.social
@amiesouzareilly.bsky.social reflects on “the art monster,” fairytales, and women’s loneliness.
May 11, 2025 at 5:18 PM
“in this big house full of small suites, the loneliness of motherhood dissipates, mostly, and the safety net needed to create art becomes visible, connective.”
@amiesouzareilly.bsky.social w/a perfect mother’s day essay about isolation, creativity, & the small moments of community we all need. ♥️
@amiesouzareilly.bsky.social w/a perfect mother’s day essay about isolation, creativity, & the small moments of community we all need. ♥️
Reposted by kara oakleaf
Every book published in the United States is sent to the Library of Congress. Also, if you are under 16 you cannot use the reading room or order books.
Reporter: The president fired the Librarian of Congress. Why?
Leavitt: There were quite concerning things she had done at the Library of Congress in the pursuit of DEI and putting inappropriate books in the library for children.
Leavitt: There were quite concerning things she had done at the Library of Congress in the pursuit of DEI and putting inappropriate books in the library for children.
May 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Every book published in the United States is sent to the Library of Congress. Also, if you are under 16 you cannot use the reading room or order books.
Reposted by kara oakleaf
Dr. Carla Hayden has more sense of American history, better bureaucratic understanding & capability, and a stronger sense of justice in her little pinky finger than everyone in the Trump administration & all those aiding and abetting that administration.
May 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Dr. Carla Hayden has more sense of American history, better bureaucratic understanding & capability, and a stronger sense of justice in her little pinky finger than everyone in the Trump administration & all those aiding and abetting that administration.
Reposted by kara oakleaf
Shocked & grateful (thank you Stillhouse Press for giving my book a chance ❤️)
May 9, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Shocked & grateful (thank you Stillhouse Press for giving my book a chance ❤️)
all i can think is chicago pope, thursdays on nbc.
May 8, 2025 at 5:43 PM
all i can think is chicago pope, thursdays on nbc.