The Milk House
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
Literary journal of rural writing and experience, edited by @penofryandennis.bsky.social
Pinned
Announcement!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
Announcement!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
November 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Announcement!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
We can now share which entries @jamesgwriter.bsky.social has selected as Best Essay and Best Short Story in the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Visit themilkhouse.org to read or listen to both entries and lend your vote for the overall prize of $500!
This week on #TheMilkHouse: a man returns to where he grew up with unsettled business on his mind.
Enjoy "A Good Visit Home" by @dantamblyn.bsky.social.
www.themilkhouse.org/a-good-visit...
Enjoy "A Good Visit Home" by @dantamblyn.bsky.social.
www.themilkhouse.org/a-good-visit...
A Good Visit Home by Dan Tamblyn – The Milk House
A return to the past brings back some unresolved business, in Dan Tamblyn's short story "A Good Visit Home."
www.themilkhouse.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:37 AM
This week on #TheMilkHouse: a man returns to where he grew up with unsettled business on his mind.
Enjoy "A Good Visit Home" by @dantamblyn.bsky.social.
www.themilkhouse.org/a-good-visit...
Enjoy "A Good Visit Home" by @dantamblyn.bsky.social.
www.themilkhouse.org/a-good-visit...
His mostly bald head bobbled as he talked
and the halting words waited like the holes
to be threaded...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Baling Hay with Glen" by Joseph Powell.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/baling-hay-w...
and the halting words waited like the holes
to be threaded...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Baling Hay with Glen" by Joseph Powell.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/baling-hay-w...
www.themilkhouse.org
November 6, 2025 at 11:11 AM
His mostly bald head bobbled as he talked
and the halting words waited like the holes
to be threaded...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Baling Hay with Glen" by Joseph Powell.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/baling-hay-w...
and the halting words waited like the holes
to be threaded...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Baling Hay with Glen" by Joseph Powell.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/baling-hay-w...
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
a hunting trip for brothers turns into a comment on mortality, in the short story "Bug" by John Whittier Treat.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/bug-by-john-...
a hunting trip for brothers turns into a comment on mortality, in the short story "Bug" by John Whittier Treat.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/bug-by-john-...
Bug by John Whittier Treat – The Milk House
An annual camping trip causes one brother to start thinking about what lies ahead of them, in "Bug" by John Whittier Treat.
www.themilkhouse.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:50 AM
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
a hunting trip for brothers turns into a comment on mortality, in the short story "Bug" by John Whittier Treat.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/bug-by-john-...
a hunting trip for brothers turns into a comment on mortality, in the short story "Bug" by John Whittier Treat.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/bug-by-john-...
Every so many years I stumble onto a poetry collection that makes me excited about the possibilities of language again.
#ThisMuchVery by @hiramlarew.bsky.social has surprising turns, a unique voice, and is a celebration without a hint of sentimentality.
Highly recommended.
#ThisMuchVery by @hiramlarew.bsky.social has surprising turns, a unique voice, and is a celebration without a hint of sentimentality.
Highly recommended.
October 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Every so many years I stumble onto a poetry collection that makes me excited about the possibilities of language again.
#ThisMuchVery by @hiramlarew.bsky.social has surprising turns, a unique voice, and is a celebration without a hint of sentimentality.
Highly recommended.
#ThisMuchVery by @hiramlarew.bsky.social has surprising turns, a unique voice, and is a celebration without a hint of sentimentality.
Highly recommended.
Cover Reveal Alert!
The Milk House is delighted to unveil the cover of its latest project – the 2026 Best in Rural Writing Anthology.
Coming this winter!
The Milk House is delighted to unveil the cover of its latest project – the 2026 Best in Rural Writing Anthology.
Coming this winter!
October 22, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Cover Reveal Alert!
The Milk House is delighted to unveil the cover of its latest project – the 2026 Best in Rural Writing Anthology.
Coming this winter!
The Milk House is delighted to unveil the cover of its latest project – the 2026 Best in Rural Writing Anthology.
Coming this winter!
The shortlists for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is live!
Congrats to the 10 shortlisted authors selected by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social. He had tough choices to make!
And thanks to everyone who submitted. You deserve credit for lifting the rural voice.
www.themilkhouse.org/2025-best-in...
Congrats to the 10 shortlisted authors selected by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social. He had tough choices to make!
And thanks to everyone who submitted. You deserve credit for lifting the rural voice.
www.themilkhouse.org/2025-best-in...
2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest: Shortlist – The Milk House
The 2025 Best in Rural Writing Shortlist includes five essays and five short stories by writers from around the world.
www.themilkhouse.org
October 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The shortlists for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is live!
Congrats to the 10 shortlisted authors selected by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social. He had tough choices to make!
And thanks to everyone who submitted. You deserve credit for lifting the rural voice.
www.themilkhouse.org/2025-best-in...
Congrats to the 10 shortlisted authors selected by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social. He had tough choices to make!
And thanks to everyone who submitted. You deserve credit for lifting the rural voice.
www.themilkhouse.org/2025-best-in...
Announcement:
Tuesday, October 15th (tomorrow) the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest shortlist, as chosen by judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, will be announced on The Milk House website at 1pm GMT/ 8am EST.
Stop by for the results!
Tuesday, October 15th (tomorrow) the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest shortlist, as chosen by judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, will be announced on The Milk House website at 1pm GMT/ 8am EST.
Stop by for the results!
October 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Announcement:
Tuesday, October 15th (tomorrow) the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest shortlist, as chosen by judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, will be announced on The Milk House website at 1pm GMT/ 8am EST.
Stop by for the results!
Tuesday, October 15th (tomorrow) the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest shortlist, as chosen by judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, will be announced on The Milk House website at 1pm GMT/ 8am EST.
Stop by for the results!
Reposted by The Milk House
It's great to see that #BarnGothic, my upcoming memoir about the dairy industry (November 13th), is listed in @foodtank.bsky.social's Fall Recommended Reads!
foodtank.com/news/2025/10...
foodtank.com/news/2025/10...
Your Fall Reading List for a Better Food Future
Covering everything from soil to supper, these 26 inspiring books on food, farming, and climate are must-reads this fall.
foodtank.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
It's great to see that #BarnGothic, my upcoming memoir about the dairy industry (November 13th), is listed in @foodtank.bsky.social's Fall Recommended Reads!
foodtank.com/news/2025/10...
foodtank.com/news/2025/10...
Drawn to their sad songs
rolling across the yard like leaves,
I lingered in soft eyes, gazes
never wavering from his window...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Grieving Horses" by Julie H. Fonte.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/grieving-hor...
rolling across the yard like leaves,
I lingered in soft eyes, gazes
never wavering from his window...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Grieving Horses" by Julie H. Fonte.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/grieving-hor...
Grieving Horses by Julie H. Fonte – The Milk House
"The last thing I expected / turning into the gravel drive / were four red manes bowing / over a split rail fence..." Julia H. Fonte
www.themilkhouse.org
October 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Drawn to their sad songs
rolling across the yard like leaves,
I lingered in soft eyes, gazes
never wavering from his window...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Grieving Horses" by Julie H. Fonte.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/grieving-hor...
rolling across the yard like leaves,
I lingered in soft eyes, gazes
never wavering from his window...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Grieving Horses" by Julie H. Fonte.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/grieving-hor...
Reposted by The Milk House
Reading more submissions this evening for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Found another few pieces that I just love! 🤩
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
#Judging #Fiction #NonFiction
Found another few pieces that I just love! 🤩
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
#Judging #Fiction #NonFiction
October 2, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Reading more submissions this evening for the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Found another few pieces that I just love! 🤩
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
#Judging #Fiction #NonFiction
Found another few pieces that I just love! 🤩
@themilkhouse.bsky.social
#Judging #Fiction #NonFiction
Reposted by The Milk House
The 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is now closed. Thanks for another incredible turnout of submissions.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
October 1, 2025 at 6:04 PM
"Yet there it was,
transferred to my palm like one of those
crazy decalcomanias she adorns herself with..."
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Dead Owl and Other Poems" by J.R. Solonche.
Read them here: www.themilkhouse.org/dead-owl-and...
transferred to my palm like one of those
crazy decalcomanias she adorns herself with..."
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Dead Owl and Other Poems" by J.R. Solonche.
Read them here: www.themilkhouse.org/dead-owl-and...
Dead Owl and Other Poems by J. R. Solonche – The Milk House
Yet there it was, / transferred to my palm like one of those / crazy decalcomanias she adorns herself with..."Dead Owl and Other Poems"
www.themilkhouse.org
September 25, 2025 at 11:16 AM
"Yet there it was,
transferred to my palm like one of those
crazy decalcomanias she adorns herself with..."
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Dead Owl and Other Poems" by J.R. Solonche.
Read them here: www.themilkhouse.org/dead-owl-and...
transferred to my palm like one of those
crazy decalcomanias she adorns herself with..."
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "Dead Owl and Other Poems" by J.R. Solonche.
Read them here: www.themilkhouse.org/dead-owl-and...
What he feels, he acts upon;
What determines truth describes consequence....
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "The Sugars of Existence by Benjamin Green.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-sugars-o...
What determines truth describes consequence....
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "The Sugars of Existence by Benjamin Green.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-sugars-o...
The Sugars of Existence by Benjamin Green – The Milk House
"What he feels, he acts upon; / What determines truth describes consequence...." The Sugars of Existence by Benjamin Green.
www.themilkhouse.org
September 18, 2025 at 8:36 AM
What he feels, he acts upon;
What determines truth describes consequence....
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "The Sugars of Existence by Benjamin Green.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-sugars-o...
What determines truth describes consequence....
This week on #TheMilkHouse: "The Sugars of Existence by Benjamin Green.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-sugars-o...
The 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is now closed. Thanks for another incredible turnout of submissions.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
September 16, 2025 at 12:38 PM
The 2025 #BestinRuralWriting Contest is now closed. Thanks for another incredible turnout of submissions.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
Good luck to all who have entered! The shortlist announcement is expected for late October/early November.
This week on #TheMilkHouse: A young woman has some tough choices on a farm left in her care.
Read "Flystrike" by Pearl Benjamin, #shortlisted for the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org/flystrike-by...
Read "Flystrike" by Pearl Benjamin, #shortlisted for the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org/flystrike-by...
Flystrike by Pearl Benjamin – The Milk House
A young woman is forced into action on a farm. Enjoy "Flystrike" by Pearl Benjamin, shortlisted in the 2024 Best in Rural Writing contest.
www.themilkhouse.org
September 11, 2025 at 9:33 AM
This week on #TheMilkHouse: A young woman has some tough choices on a farm left in her care.
Read "Flystrike" by Pearl Benjamin, #shortlisted for the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org/flystrike-by...
Read "Flystrike" by Pearl Benjamin, #shortlisted for the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org/flystrike-by...
Less than a week to go!
The deadline for the 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest is Monday, September 15th (midnight GMT).
Get your entries in! Judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social is looking forward to them!
themilkhouse.org/contest
The deadline for the 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest is Monday, September 15th (midnight GMT).
Get your entries in! Judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social is looking forward to them!
themilkhouse.org/contest
September 9, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Less than a week to go!
The deadline for the 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest is Monday, September 15th (midnight GMT).
Get your entries in! Judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social is looking forward to them!
themilkhouse.org/contest
The deadline for the 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest is Monday, September 15th (midnight GMT).
Get your entries in! Judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social is looking forward to them!
themilkhouse.org/contest
"I’ve been here for decades among all sorts of hardwoods,
eight evergreen species, innumerable shrubs,
not on the Main. But in truth, I was born in the suburbs..."
This week on #TheMilkHouse: the poem "Education" by Sydney Lea.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/education-by...
eight evergreen species, innumerable shrubs,
not on the Main. But in truth, I was born in the suburbs..."
This week on #TheMilkHouse: the poem "Education" by Sydney Lea.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/education-by...
Education by Sidney Lea – The Milk House
"Old times, but not so old that as darkness slunk in / the man had to hold his metal lantern..." Education by Sydney Lea
www.themilkhouse.org
August 21, 2025 at 12:07 PM
"I’ve been here for decades among all sorts of hardwoods,
eight evergreen species, innumerable shrubs,
not on the Main. But in truth, I was born in the suburbs..."
This week on #TheMilkHouse: the poem "Education" by Sydney Lea.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/education-by...
eight evergreen species, innumerable shrubs,
not on the Main. But in truth, I was born in the suburbs..."
This week on #TheMilkHouse: the poem "Education" by Sydney Lea.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/education-by...
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
A character might have found an opening for a new life in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/agata-and-th...
A character might have found an opening for a new life in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/agata-and-th...
Agata and the Mice by Peyton Ellas – The Milk House
A woman looks for a new start in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org
August 14, 2025 at 9:12 AM
This week on #TheMilkHouse:
A character might have found an opening for a new life in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/agata-and-th...
A character might have found an opening for a new life in "Agata and the Mice" by Peyton Ellas, shortlisted in the 2024 #BestinRuralWriting Contest.
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/agata-and-th...
The #RuralLitBookClub is meeting online this Sunday, August 10th, 6pm GMT/1pm EST to discuss #ThisIsHappiness by Niall Williams.
Come along for a fun chat!
www.themilkhouse.org/rural-lit-bo...
Come along for a fun chat!
www.themilkhouse.org/rural-lit-bo...
Rural Lit Book Club: This is Happiness by Niall Williams – The Milk House
Some discussion questions to consider for the Rural Literature Book Club on This is Happiness by Niall Williams.
www.themilkhouse.org
August 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The #RuralLitBookClub is meeting online this Sunday, August 10th, 6pm GMT/1pm EST to discuss #ThisIsHappiness by Niall Williams.
Come along for a fun chat!
www.themilkhouse.org/rural-lit-bo...
Come along for a fun chat!
www.themilkhouse.org/rural-lit-bo...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: An old man gets a chance at another adventure, in Dennis McFadden's short story "The Escapee's Lover."
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-escapees...
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-escapees...
The Escapee’s Lover by Dennis McFadden – The Milk House
An old man gets another taste of life, as well as insight into someone else's, in Dennis McFadden's short story "The Escapee's Lover."
www.themilkhouse.org
August 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM
This week on #TheMilkHouse: An old man gets a chance at another adventure, in Dennis McFadden's short story "The Escapee's Lover."
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-escapees...
Read it here: www.themilkhouse.org/the-escapees...
A big thanks to @agriland.bsky.social for featuring a story on the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting contest, co-sponsored with @dailyyonder.bsky.social!
Agriland is a great news source for those in rural Ireland, and we're grateful they've given us coverage.
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Agriland is a great news source for those in rural Ireland, and we're grateful they've given us coverage.
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Submissions Sought for 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest | Agriland
It is always particularly exciting to see writing from farmers and those from rural environments...
www.agriland.ie
August 6, 2025 at 1:28 PM
A big thanks to @agriland.bsky.social for featuring a story on the 2025 #BestinRuralWriting contest, co-sponsored with @dailyyonder.bsky.social!
Agriland is a great news source for those in rural Ireland, and we're grateful they've given us coverage.
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Agriland is a great news source for those in rural Ireland, and we're grateful they've given us coverage.
www.agriland.ie/farming-news...
Thanks to @dailyyonder for sharing a piece on why the #BestinRuralWriting Contest matters and what's at stake when stories about rural life aren't told.
Get your entries in by September 15th for judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
dailyyonder.com/best-in-rura...
Get your entries in by September 15th for judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
dailyyonder.com/best-in-rura...
Best in Rural Writing Contest Shows the Value of Rural Stories
The 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest is accepting submissions until Sept. 15, 2025, offering an important platform for rural writers.
dailyyonder.com
July 29, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Thanks to @dailyyonder for sharing a piece on why the #BestinRuralWriting Contest matters and what's at stake when stories about rural life aren't told.
Get your entries in by September 15th for judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
dailyyonder.com/best-in-rura...
Get your entries in by September 15th for judge @jamesgwriter.bsky.social.
dailyyonder.com/best-in-rura...
This week on #TheMilkHouse: An old eccentric in a small town holds secrets that no one guessed.
Enjoy "Johnny's Coming!" by Gwyl Weatherford.
www.themilkhouse.org/johnnys-comi...
Enjoy "Johnny's Coming!" by Gwyl Weatherford.
www.themilkhouse.org/johnnys-comi...
Johnny’s Coming! by Gwylym Ford – The Milk House
One never knows what will dig up the past, in Gwylym Ford's story "Johnny's Coming!," shortlisted for the 2024 Best in Rural Writing Contest.
www.themilkhouse.org
July 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
This week on #TheMilkHouse: An old eccentric in a small town holds secrets that no one guessed.
Enjoy "Johnny's Coming!" by Gwyl Weatherford.
www.themilkhouse.org/johnnys-comi...
Enjoy "Johnny's Coming!" by Gwyl Weatherford.
www.themilkhouse.org/johnnys-comi...
Two months left to enter the 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest!
In partnership with @dailyyonder.bsky.social and judged by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, the #writingcontest is accepting fiction and nonfiction under 7,000 words.
Deadline: September 15th
To enter: themilkhouse.org/contest
In partnership with @dailyyonder.bsky.social and judged by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, the #writingcontest is accepting fiction and nonfiction under 7,000 words.
Deadline: September 15th
To enter: themilkhouse.org/contest
July 17, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Two months left to enter the 2025 Best in Rural Writing Contest!
In partnership with @dailyyonder.bsky.social and judged by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, the #writingcontest is accepting fiction and nonfiction under 7,000 words.
Deadline: September 15th
To enter: themilkhouse.org/contest
In partnership with @dailyyonder.bsky.social and judged by @jamesgwriter.bsky.social, the #writingcontest is accepting fiction and nonfiction under 7,000 words.
Deadline: September 15th
To enter: themilkhouse.org/contest