Michelle Dornish
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mdornish.bsky.social
Michelle Dornish
@mdornish.bsky.social
220 followers 360 following 69 posts
Writer of Fantasy novels and short stories of various genres
Member of Pen & Pier --> https://www.penandpier.com/
Special education teacher
PhD student who aspires to be a school psychologist
Wife of 7 years
Mother of a four-year old boy and a 6 mo. old
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
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
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
penandpier.bsky.social
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 5:59 PM
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
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
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
penandpier.bsky.social
If you want to read the full story, you can preorder the digital copy of our anthology 'Rough Seas & Strange Yarns' for one more day and then order both digital and hard copy, starting tomorrow! www.amazon.com/Rough-Seas-S...
Image of waving kelp in the ocean overlaid with text. The text reads: The Sacrifice By ute Orgassa The steady rain lasted all night. Imogen woke in the early morning hours to a bone-marrow-freezing scream. It was followed by faint splashing. Then quiet, underscored only by the constant tapping of raindrops on the roof. There was no going back to sleep after that. Imogen tried to convince herself that it had been a dream, a nightmare, but she knew better. The Creature was awake again, after all those years, preying, finding victims in the night. It was filled with wrath and hunger. Imogen understood both. It used to be a god. It used to be worshipped, celebrated, plied with offerings of good fish and the occasional land animal. It used to have its own day. Not anymore. Gray text in the lower right corner reads: Photo:: sarcastic.cat.creative@gmail.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:36 PM
mdornish.bsky.social
After a year of working hard with my writing fam @penandpier.bsky.social the anthology is finally on its way!!
Thanks to everyone in P&P who helped make this possible!!
A picture of the "order placed" screen on Amazon showing that a copy of Rough Seas and Strange Yarns" will be sent to Michelle Dornish on Saturday November 29th.
November 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
mdornish.bsky.social
Omg! I recognize that byline 🥰
penandpier.bsky.social Pen & Pier @penandpier.bsky.social · 4d
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 7:11 PM
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
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
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
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
mdornish.bsky.social
I'm in this! Also helped put the book together! Very proud of this collaboration with my writing family at @penandpier.bsky.social
penandpier.bsky.social Pen & Pier @penandpier.bsky.social · 21d
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 10:14 PM
mdornish.bsky.social
A strangely familiar name this week on the @penandpier.bsky.social channel!!
November 4, 2025 at 4:44 PM
mdornish.bsky.social
This week is National School Psychologist week and I need to give a shout out to every school psychologist I have worked with in my last decade as a special educator. Each of you has inspired me to pursue my own doctorate and become a school psychologist myself!
#SchoolPsychWeek #NASP #Capella
November 4, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
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
mdornish.bsky.social
www.writingbattle.com/join-battle I joined the upcoming Autumn Short Story Battle with writers from around the world. Get Ready to Battle on Oct 26, 2025! @writingbattle.bsky.social
#flashfiction #writingprompts #writerslife #WritingCommunity #writersofbluesky

Join the Battle and Learn More
Writing Battle — Write. Read. Win.
Write. Read. Win. A competitive writing platform for storytellers around the world. Receive oodles of feedback. Join the most supportive writing community on the web. You up for the chal...
www.writingbattle.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
mdornish.bsky.social
I agree! I feel like every year this event gets better and better!
Counting the days till next year already!
October 11, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
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
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
uteorgassa.bsky.social
Fun times with fellow writers! @bsmbooks.bsky.social @mdornish.bsky.social @kevincarver.bsky.social @katherinebonn.bsky.social @katelynsweigart.bsky.social @journey-on.bsky.social , among others.
October 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM
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
Reposted by Michelle Dornish
ellenhopkins.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 4:29 PM
mdornish.bsky.social
www.writingbattle.com/join-battle I joined the upcoming Fear Flash Fiction Battle with writers from around the world. Get Ready to Battle on Oct 5, 2025! @writingbattle.bsky.social
#flashfiction #writingprompts #writerslife #WritingCommunity #writersofbluesky

Join the Battle and Learn More
Writing Battle — Write. Read. Win.
Write. Read. Win. A competitive writing platform for storytellers around the world. Receive oodles of feedback. Join the most supportive writing community on the web. You up for the chal...
www.writingbattle.com
October 4, 2025 at 12:21 AM
mdornish.bsky.social
Hey y'all!
My writing group is publishing an anthology and I am so stoked! We are currently looking for ARC readers. If you like short stories of various genres then please fill out this survey! Looking at end of 2025 for our release!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
September 26, 2025 at 5:29 AM
mdornish.bsky.social
Hanging out with @uteorgassa.bsky.social and @kevincarver.bsky.social at our Pen&Pier writing conference this weekend in SLO and 5 Cities! Got to make a book last night. Today is writing and marketing!
September 20, 2025 at 11:27 PM
mdornish.bsky.social
Check out this amazing anthology of modern mummy stories! I am reading some rave reviews, and I happen to know at least one of the stories is to die for! @uteorgassa.bsky.social, talking about you!

excavatinghorror.com/2025/08/15/m...
Modern Mummies (2025)
At the beginning of the year, I noticed that Cat Eye Press was soliciting stories for a new collection. The theme was “modern mummies” and I have to admit that I was skeptical until I r…
excavatinghorror.com
August 16, 2025 at 1:55 AM
mdornish.bsky.social
It's August, my baby is 2.5 months old, and I'm back at it with #furiousfiction with no trouble on the WC this time! *gasp*
Feeling closer to normal every day!
August 3, 2025 at 7:34 AM
mdornish.bsky.social
If anyone can help this family it would be much appreciated. So terrible that this is happening to so many people in our country right now 😒
www.gofundme.com/f/aid-a-deta...
Donate to Aid a Detained Family in Need, organized by Tiff Buckman
My previous student, from a 'More Intensive' special day class in SLO County, has been take… Tiff Buckman needs your support for Aid a Detained Family in Need
www.gofundme.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:35 PM
mdornish.bsky.social
Got some good news! Paragraph Planet accepted my submission. This Monday they will be posting my 75 words, a captured moment with my newborn.
www.paragraphplanet.com
Creative writing website for authors and readers. 75 words, changing daily. Submit your paragraph today.
A flash fiction website for writers and readers. One 75 word tale published daily. Plus author interviews and writing group map
www.paragraphplanet.com
July 12, 2025 at 8:46 PM