Francesca Leader
@mooninabucket.bsky.social
Winner of Southeast Review’s 2023 World’s Best Short-Short Story Contest, 2025 Best Small Fictions. Lapsed scholar/ Pun Perpetrator/ Montana Expat. Words in HAD, Wigleaf, Stanchion, Five South, etc.
https://mooninabucket.com
https://mooninabucket.com
Pinned
What I published in 2024 (a thread, in installments, since I don’t know how else to do it in bsky lol): 7 stories, 38 poems, 2 pieces of CNF, and 6 pieces of visual art (reprints excluded). My production this year was less than 2023, but I won a prize, and received 5 award nominations. ⬇️
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Jack Gilbert 💙
January 19, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Jack Gilbert 💙
Reposted by Francesca Leader
My anaconda, don’t want none, unless, you overuse commas, hun.
January 14, 2026 at 3:32 PM
My anaconda, don’t want none, unless, you overuse commas, hun.
My first flash fiction of the year is up in the debut issue of Dodo Eraser 🤗 (link below) If you’d like to join the zoom launch party tonight (where I’ll be reading, along with luminaries like @neonpajamas.bsky.social, @tomsnarsky.bsky.social, and @alinaetc.bsky.social), there’s still time to RSVP 🤗
January 14, 2026 at 2:20 PM
My first flash fiction of the year is up in the debut issue of Dodo Eraser 🤗 (link below) If you’d like to join the zoom launch party tonight (where I’ll be reading, along with luminaries like @neonpajamas.bsky.social, @tomsnarsky.bsky.social, and @alinaetc.bsky.social), there’s still time to RSVP 🤗
Reposted by Francesca Leader
I just got a VM from Publishers Clearing House saying I’m a winner. That’s hysterical. Do most people even know what that is anymore?
Might as well have called and told me I got invited onto the Johnny Carson Show.
Might as well have called and told me I got invited onto the Johnny Carson Show.
January 9, 2026 at 8:22 PM
I just got a VM from Publishers Clearing House saying I’m a winner. That’s hysterical. Do most people even know what that is anymore?
Might as well have called and told me I got invited onto the Johnny Carson Show.
Might as well have called and told me I got invited onto the Johnny Carson Show.
Writers just starting out, I know it feels like getting published (anywhere) is the hardest thing, but there’s actually something even harder that you’ll face once you gain some recognition:
Knowing when to refuse an offer of publication for a work that just isn’t ready yet.
Knowing when to refuse an offer of publication for a work that just isn’t ready yet.
January 9, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Writers just starting out, I know it feels like getting published (anywhere) is the hardest thing, but there’s actually something even harder that you’ll face once you gain some recognition:
Knowing when to refuse an offer of publication for a work that just isn’t ready yet.
Knowing when to refuse an offer of publication for a work that just isn’t ready yet.
First rejjie of 2026 is a form rejection from the Adroit Journal. I sent them a packet of what I believe are the best poems I’ve ever written. It wasn’t their cup of tea, and that’s ok—every award-winning thing I’ve ever written was form-rejected at least a few times. #keepgoing
January 8, 2026 at 6:57 PM
First rejjie of 2026 is a form rejection from the Adroit Journal. I sent them a packet of what I believe are the best poems I’ve ever written. It wasn’t their cup of tea, and that’s ok—every award-winning thing I’ve ever written was form-rejected at least a few times. #keepgoing
What the fox/dog/bear is going on here lol
January 7, 2026 at 5:03 PM
What the fox/dog/bear is going on here lol
Facebook Marketplace find of the week … 🙃
January 5, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Facebook Marketplace find of the week … 🙃
Cheers to the 10 fabulous litmags that published 16 pieces of my writing in 2025 🤗 I spent a lot less time writing, and a lot more time living, in 2026, and I liked it. You probably won’t see more 50-piece publication years for me. Still and all, proud and grateful 💕 🙏
January 1, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Cheers to the 10 fabulous litmags that published 16 pieces of my writing in 2025 🤗 I spent a lot less time writing, and a lot more time living, in 2026, and I liked it. You probably won’t see more 50-piece publication years for me. Still and all, proud and grateful 💕 🙏
Reposted by Francesca Leader
![Comic. [Banner: Mathematical Society: 2025 Meeting.] PERSON 1 with bun: Any other new developments from the year to cover before we wrap? PERSON 2: Oh, the teens picked a new funny number. PERSON 3 with short hair: Aww, I’m glad to hear they’re still doing that. PERSON 4 with ponytail: I’ll add it to the list. [List: 23 (skidoo!; 42; 69; 420; 1,337; 58,008; [circled]: 67]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreig43e2u4zzpifhq6fbf2iwplmva2lt5rokfg5uws5dysbe55up6wa@jpeg)
December 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Grateful to @somewordslit.bsky.social for my final publication of 2025, “Spoons”🙏 This kicka$$ new litmag’s message board format gives the most appealing early internet vibes - check them out! 😊 Direct link below 👇
December 26, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Grateful to @somewordslit.bsky.social for my final publication of 2025, “Spoons”🙏 This kicka$$ new litmag’s message board format gives the most appealing early internet vibes - check them out! 😊 Direct link below 👇
Reposted by Francesca Leader
I have not stared at nearly as many mysterious portraits in castles by candlelight as I hope.
December 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I have not stared at nearly as many mysterious portraits in castles by candlelight as I hope.
Reposted by Francesca Leader
![[tweet by R. Gatwood] I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus so I blackmailed them for more presents.
#vss](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kpd7ehn5yiszxeosv6o4b3cc/bafkreihydkm6gahj7ef6h4zxdb3l6ijjvcyb4fpouodu6x5hwzltft2eem@jpeg)
Reposted by Francesca Leader
To those who celebrate, hope your Christmases are merrier than the ones in this microfiction.
![[tweet from Nanoism] Christmas Eve was the night Santa didn't come. I mean, he didn't come every night, but Christmas Eve was the night it mattered.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kpd7ehn5yiszxeosv6o4b3cc/bafkreid3hzx3dqiedckklnl5fusto426m2td6jybbn6acex2no7x2lufly@jpeg)
December 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM
To those who celebrate, hope your Christmases are merrier than the ones in this microfiction.
I’d never seen the wonderful concrete poem “Needles” by @brianbilston.bsky.social (2nd image) when I wrote my own tree-shaped poem in 2023, or when @streetcakemag.bsky.social published it last March. I love Brian’s piece, and I love mine, too. We all dip our cups in the same stream🌲 ♥️ 🕯️ 🤗
December 23, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I’d never seen the wonderful concrete poem “Needles” by @brianbilston.bsky.social (2nd image) when I wrote my own tree-shaped poem in 2023, or when @streetcakemag.bsky.social published it last March. I love Brian’s piece, and I love mine, too. We all dip our cups in the same stream🌲 ♥️ 🕯️ 🤗
Really looking forward to reading for the Dodo Eraser launch event in January. Reach out to Travis Shosa on IG or the other place to RSVP, or visit the litmag’s website—link below ⬇️ 🤗
December 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Really looking forward to reading for the Dodo Eraser launch event in January. Reach out to Travis Shosa on IG or the other place to RSVP, or visit the litmag’s website—link below ⬇️ 🤗
Got several signed poetry chapbook orders out this morning, and making another run tomorrow if you’d like one. Hit me up! 😊 🥰 Still enough time to get it to you in time for the holidays. $10 includes shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S. 🙏 🕯️ ✨
December 14, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Got several signed poetry chapbook orders out this morning, and making another run tomorrow if you’d like one. Hit me up! 😊 🥰 Still enough time to get it to you in time for the holidays. $10 includes shipping to anywhere in the continental U.S. 🙏 🕯️ ✨
Solo pancake breakfast at IHOP. Because a single mom who works like a lumberjack should be able to eat like one 😊 #selfcaresaturday
December 13, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Solo pancake breakfast at IHOP. Because a single mom who works like a lumberjack should be able to eat like one 😊 #selfcaresaturday
Reposted by Francesca Leader
OK, I wasn't expecting this 🤯
- I travelled to Rwanda in August
- I wrote an essay about it in September
- I started submitting in October
- Only 3 lit mag responses in, and it's an acceptance from
@chicagoqreview.bsky.social !
What a way to end the year 🥳🥂
- I travelled to Rwanda in August
- I wrote an essay about it in September
- I started submitting in October
- Only 3 lit mag responses in, and it's an acceptance from
@chicagoqreview.bsky.social !
What a way to end the year 🥳🥂
December 13, 2025 at 11:01 AM
OK, I wasn't expecting this 🤯
- I travelled to Rwanda in August
- I wrote an essay about it in September
- I started submitting in October
- Only 3 lit mag responses in, and it's an acceptance from
@chicagoqreview.bsky.social !
What a way to end the year 🥳🥂
- I travelled to Rwanda in August
- I wrote an essay about it in September
- I started submitting in October
- Only 3 lit mag responses in, and it's an acceptance from
@chicagoqreview.bsky.social !
What a way to end the year 🥳🥂
Still time before the holidays! Signed copies of my poetry chapbook to anywhere in the continental U.S. available for $10 including shipping. I’ll send you one on my post office run tomorrow if you DM me in the next 20 hours or so 😉
December 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Still time before the holidays! Signed copies of my poetry chapbook to anywhere in the continental U.S. available for $10 including shipping. I’ll send you one on my post office run tomorrow if you DM me in the next 20 hours or so 😉
Reposted by Francesca Leader
Reposted by Francesca Leader
"Praeludium and Allegro in the Style of Daniel W. Foster," in 3:AM Magazine. My David Foster Wallace story, replete with footnotes.
www.3ammagazine.com/3am/praeludi...
www.3ammagazine.com/3am/praeludi...
Praeludium and Allegro in the Style of Daniel W. Foster – 3:AM Magazine
My whole life I’ve been a fraud. I have come to accept this with the help of writer Daniel W. Foster and violinist Friedrich “Fritz” Kreisler, the latter of whom (in 1905, hoping to draw attention to ...
www.3ammagazine.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:37 PM
"Praeludium and Allegro in the Style of Daniel W. Foster," in 3:AM Magazine. My David Foster Wallace story, replete with footnotes.
www.3ammagazine.com/3am/praeludi...
www.3ammagazine.com/3am/praeludi...
Reposted by Francesca Leader
End-of-year wrap-up thread. Two stories published, a few mentions of note.
December 12, 2025 at 3:35 PM
End-of-year wrap-up thread. Two stories published, a few mentions of note.
Reposted by Francesca Leader
Who is keeping Danish butter cookies in business? They are tolerable, but does anyone love these cookies? Their sole purpose to me seems to be to remind people during the holidays of how much they like other cookies more and should be grateful for those varieties. It’s like a sweet, clumpy sawdust.
December 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Who is keeping Danish butter cookies in business? They are tolerable, but does anyone love these cookies? Their sole purpose to me seems to be to remind people during the holidays of how much they like other cookies more and should be grateful for those varieties. It’s like a sweet, clumpy sawdust.
Reposted by Francesca Leader
December 9, 2025 at 7:32 PM