Submissions for our Short Story Award competition open soon! First prize is €1000, second prize €500, as well as a €300 third prize. Guest judge @nualaoconnor.bsky.social @jmcm.bsky.social and I cannot wait to read your words.
Send us your best!

Rules below:

open.substack.com/pub/authorjm...

But I couldn’t find a #place -mat, the dinner tables full and there’s no room for me to sit.

Is there anybody out there looking out for me?
Just say you want me, just say you need me.
Is there anybody looking out for me? Does anybody need me?
-The Jester, Badflower
#vss365

“If only we could be strangers again.”
-Collateral beauty

Soft heart given so freely,
grows weak without a love to feed it,
so many look at such soft hearts as pillows or plush.
but they are a fire that burns and needs fed, and if you mistake it too much for plush, and abuse it, it will burn you to protect itself.

#thoughts #poem #heart

#crisscross #pucker
#vss365

It was in that moment Kevin realized the disappearances, and the strangeness of the place was not because of a supernatural predator, but rather a very tangible #Slithy individual, and likely someone he knew.

#WIP #vss365

A portmanteau word from Lewis Carroll. Mix slimy and lithe, resulting in an unpleasant combination of false, calculating, underhanded, two-faced graceful nimble sneak.
Your #vss365 #Prompt word is #slithy

Brad smiled as he looked at Kevin.
“So how are things with Sarah?” he asked.
“let’s not go down that #rabit-hole.” Kevin replied, Brad sensed kevin’s stress and raised his eyebrow and shook his head. “your loyalty, while admirable, is unnecessary for that cheater.
don’t hide your feelings.”
#Vss365

Everything seemed right and in place. but something was off, something that felt very #Cloak -and-Dagger to Tom.
the position of the clock just moments earlier read 12:05 but upon a second glance it read 7:11.
and where there was once light pouring in the windows, there was now darkness.
#vss365

Well trying out @bsky.app we’ll see how this goes!