“We may use technical jargon in front of someone who isn’t familiar with it in an attempt to show off our membership in a powerful in-group. . . . Status signaling is a major part of what keeps corporate jargon going.”
Writer • Editor • Maine Literary Award Winner • Pushcart and BOTN Nominee • Maker of Escape Room Props (really) Portfolio: www.willwilloughby.com Escape room: www.riddlehaven.com Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/willwilloughby
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“We may use technical jargon in front of someone who isn’t familiar with it in an attempt to show off our membership in a powerful in-group. . . . Status signaling is a major part of what keeps corporate jargon going.”
If you’ve got a case of the Mondays, review this short video asap. youtu.be/HSbYUEaAwLI?...
Here's a simple way to disable AI mode in Google. I just did it, and I feel like a new, freshly showered woman! www.engadget.com/big-tech/how...
This happens to me sometimes, but I generally snap out of it when I realize my writing suffers. Without regular reading, my brain falters. Then I get back into it and wonder why I stopped. This time, my reading drought was broken by Ed Park's "An Oral History of Atlantis." Good stuff!
Thanks for the vote of confidence. 🙂 I’ve got a swell collection written. Waiting to see if one more piece gets accepted first. I’ve been busy with a new endeavor that I can’t discuss publicly yet. It’ll be fun. How’s your work coming? I’ll be first in line for preorders on your book. 👍
Happy b-day! 🙂
This photo includes two planets and a natural satellite: the Moon, Venus, and Earth (foreground). One nearby star (the Sun) is just out of frame in the lower right. It’s not bad for a phone camera, if you ask me.
Please join us in congratulating our Best of the Net 2026 Nominees! Good luck everyone!
Now's a good time to make some calls to say you've had enough. Because it's definitely enough. 5calls.org #NoKings
Good installment, as always!
ISS flying through Cassiopeia
Me to cashier: Hi, how are you? Cashier: Good, how are you? Me: Good, how are you?
Happy Friday or whatever, I guess
😁
If you change it to Whines-day, I can help you out 🤣
This is Leo. He is patiently waiting for this guy to throw the ball. Gonna be here a while. 13/10 (TT: twogoldenleos)
Happy Wins-day! On January 2, I sent my first query letter. Yesterday, I signed my debut book deal with Bloomsbury. Eight months. Fast on paper, but it didn’t feel fast while I was in it. There was waiting, doubt, and more back-and-forth than I care to remember. If you’re in it now, keep going!
So happy for you, Ryan! 🙌
Thanks, Leslie! We’ll just have to keep going with other things, I guess. 🙂
I have this one piece that's been rejected a dozen times now. After each rejection, I rewrite it and submit it elsewhere. I'm retiring it today. It's never going to work (not in its current form, anyway). Pour one out for the little fella. #AmWriting
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Huge thank you to Sundog Lit and Eric Rasmussen for really seeing this story and loving it as much as I do. It was a complete pleasure working with Eric and I totally love this lit mag! They are awesome!
The submission window is now open to short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and essays. Guidelines on the site. We're excited to see your work! 😍
Thanks for posting these—great stuff!💯
I have a new story set in a dinosaur theme park up at @flashfrog.bsky.social today. Thanks to @ericscottryon.bsky.social for giving this one such an awesome home. And I love Jayne Frisina's art. Check it out if you wanna. 🦕 🦖 flash-frog.com/2025/09/01/d...
Do you have a short story you're proud of and want to submit? Consider sending your piece to the Larry Brown Short Story Awards! Open now through October 31st. -First prize is $500. -Submission fee is $10 (or $5 for BIPOC writers) Full guidelines here: pitheadchapel.com/larrybrown
I wouldn’t blame you for thinking this rainbow is fake, but it’s real.
Rain in Maine (finally)
Some kitchen counters get cluttered with stacks of junk mail. Sometimes it’s 3D-printed skulls. #EscapeRooms #Riddlehaven
Giving compliments can feel awkward Give them anyway It makes the person feel good. It makes YOU feel good Make the world a brighter place
Just updated my site with a fuller bio, a contact page, and a form to receive a newsletter. (I blame @ryantpozzi.bsky.social for writing such an awesome newsletter that I just had to be one of the cool kids.) If you're interested, sign up on my site: www.willwilloughby.com #AmWriting
Reminder: this is tomorrow night! Please join me! ❤️ www.eventbrite.com/e/hannah-gri...
You can say you knew me back in the day! 🤣 But I can say the same. 👍 Seriously, thanks. I appreciate the positivity, especially as it gets increasingly harder to feel positive.
This is Remy. She has 50 other toys. But why play with those when you can steal your brother Benny's instead. 13/10 for both
Here’s the link to his newsletter. Good stuff! 👍 www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
Ryan was nice enough to boost my signal. (Thanks, Ryan!) You should follow him as well, especially you #writers out there. He’s always interesting, always friendly. He’s got a great newsletter too! @ryantpozzi.bsky.social
Thanks, Ryan! Much appreciated. 🙂
This is what all my whooping was about, btw. I hope you agree it’s worth a whoop or two. #AmWriting www.pointsincase.com/articles/for...
New piece up today on @pointsincase.com. www.pointsincase.com/articles/for... #WritingCommunity
Our semiannual (Fee) Free For All is back! Each and every August/February we roll up the paywall during the back half of the month to celebrate. Join us by sending your pockety-est #cnf, #fiction, #poetry, & #artwork <3 | www.doesithavepockets.com/subs Graphic @anchalastudio.bsky.social
The first story/craft essay goes out today, and we meet this coming Thursday! There's still time to sign up!
I know you’ve all been wondering when I’d update my website with placeholders for upcoming pieces. Wonder no longer! www.willwilloughby.com #WritingCommunity
I'm away all week and just now got access to Blsky, but hiii! Today is my book's birthday! 🥰 So grateful to everyone who pre-ordered. And deeply indebted forever to @stanchion.bsky.social, the BEST indie in the world. ♥️ www.stanchionzine.com/product-page...
I think I’ve written everything I can possibly write. That’s it. That’s everything. I just ran out of ideas just now. Stick a fork in me. Anyhoo, I’ll be back at it tomorrow, I guess. #AmWriting
Great stuff from @sarpsozdinler.bsky.social! #WritingCommunity
Thanks! 🙂
🙂
Just your random reminder that you can get one of the most best weirdest most fucked up collections of mini-fiction you'll find out there for a lousy 5 bucks. Amazon keeps telling us that we can't keep the price that cheap, and we say, Fuck you, Bezos. Power to the poor writers! ✊
I didn’t think to mention that I’ve also had my share of declined stories lately. Those don’t get a whoop, though. Those get a mumbled “okay, whatever” just before I submit them elsewhere. 😁
I forgot to mention that I have a Buy Me a Coffee page. No pressure, though. I've been sending out an occasional informal newsletter to folks who have supported me through the BMAC page or otherwise. It includes thoughts on writing, any updates, etc. buymeacoffee.com/willwilloughby 16/16
Can I get a whoop, please, for my fourth short story acceptance within a month or so? It'll likely see the light of day soon. Will post. Am psyched. #AmWriting
Re-upping this time lapse I made because I think it's neat. Is it not neat?
🚨 Life on the Midlist drops within the hour! This week’s topic: Traditional vs Indie Publishing. If you’ve ever debated whether to chase a book deal or strike out on your own, you’re not alone. I’ll break down how I decided which way to go. Check your inbox soon, or sign up at the link in my bio.
Just read it—good stuff! 👍
Exactly! 🙂
Got a nice acceptance for a short story and wanted to share an unsolicited observation. (What else is social media for?) It pays to submit to publications that mesh with your themes, style, etc. Take the time to read back issues. If it’s not a good fit, keep looking. #AmWriting
Congrats!
I was thinking the same thing about ironic usage, like using “a bit nippy” to mean “extremely cold.” 🙂
No pressure, then! 🤣
😁 Just checked with my day. It said it wouldn’t say no to “We love your piece and would like to publish it.” Clearly, my day is getting a little snarky. I’ll have a talk with it.
Uh, my day would like to have a word, please. 🤣 (Just kidding, of course. Thanks for the positivity. It’s important.)
Thanks! Hard to describe, I guess. It’s partly sad, partly absurd, a little metafictional. I’ll post again when it comes out—probably December.
Thanks!
Just got an acceptance for a short story that took me over a year to write. Phew! #AmWriting
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Congrats! What a great week! 🙂
😁
Huh. I had no idea this could happen. I get either a yes with no changes (or just a handful) or a nope (also with no changes, I guess). At any rate, that sucks. Sorry it happened!
My novella Terrestrial from @malarkeybooks.bsky.social is open for preorders now! Grateful to @joeyhedger.bsky.social who said some generous and smart things about it. malarkeybooks.com/store/terres...
Who among us wouldn’t like to just crawl underground right now?
Thank you, Marc, for everything you do! Curious about T being so willing to alienate his base. “I don’t want support” reminds me of “You won’t have to vote anymore.” Maybe it’s partly lack of impulse control, but it’s chilling to think he feels he doesn’t need his base. Does he think the fix is in?
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So pleased to share my micro "Playing Pretend" in Fictive Dream today! Huge thank you to Laura for giving it a home. ❤️
FROM THE ARCHIVE: This is another early publication credit. I was just figuring out what lit mags were all about. What I remember about this one is that my mother-in-law read it when it was published and said, "I don't understand a word, but I sure am proud!" www.thewordsfaire.com/theexhibitio...
Thanks so much! Best of luck to you as well! 🙂
The best part about publishing stories has been connecting with other writers and readers. There’s a #WritingCommunity out there willing to celebrate your wins and share theirs, not for ego but for solidarity. It’s heartening to see so much goodwill, especially in the pre-apocalypse. 15/16
I’ve known my wife, Kim, since we were kids. We’ve been married for over two decades now. We’d like to open an escape room. She’s the most creative person I know. I’m lucky. www.riddlehaven.com 14/16
“While I Have You” (Does It Have Pockets, 2024) is part of both the Shitty Job and the Business Jargon series. www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/will... 13/16
My short story “Visions and Revisions” (MIDLVLMAG, Summer 2024) is part of my Alienated Guy Has Shitty Job series. midlvlmag.com/will-willoug... 12/16
Having said that, the fourth movement will destroy you. 11/16 www.youtube.com/watch?v=cep8...
The second movement of Beethoven’s Ninth is every bit as good as the fourth. 10/16 youtu.be/a8FnmdNi-Xc?...
I’m uncomfortable with social media. And yet here I am. Why? Because there are decent, even compassionate, people out there. I’m sure you’re one of them. Thanks for being that way. It makes a difference. 9/16
I’m planning on co-authoring a novel—a kind of comedy sci-fi adventure. My realistic short-term plan is to have it made into a blockbuster movie starring Matt Damon so I can retire to a lake house in Maine. Probably around the Moosehead Lake area. Maybe Sebago. We’ll see. 8/16
My flash piece “The Projectionist” (Does It Have Pockets, February 2024) was nominated for Best of the Net. www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/will... 7/16
I’m going to keep writing. This isn’t determination or confidence. It’s compulsion. Since I’m here either way, I figure I should take the time to write something I’m proud of. I talk about my process in an (admittedly verbose) interview: www.mainewriters.org/events/2025-... 6/16
When I started writing again after a 20-year lapse, I didn’t realize there was such a supportive community out there. Now, when I see other #writers succeeding, I’m genuinely excited. I’m grateful for the positive comments I’ve received. So: If you like something a writer’s done, say so! 5/16
Twenty years ago, I stopped writing because I figured I wasn’t very good at it. Turns out I’m okay at it. I don’t think I’m a big deal. I’m just hanging on, really. I did, however, win a major award. Don’t forget that, buster. www.mainewriters.org/events/2025-... 4/16
My first published piece was “Splice.” I’m lucky and grateful that Epiphany picked it up. It gave me enough confidence to keep going. epiphanyzine.com/features/spl... In July 2023, I read an excerpt at Epiphany’s launch party in NYC. I’m bald as hell. 3/16
I’m proud of my short story “Downstream Benefits” (Pangyrus, 2024), which was nominated for a Pushcart and, in 2025, won a Maine Literary Award. It combines serious topics (depression, attempted suicide) with corporate satire. Why? Find out: www.pangyrus.com/fiction/down... 2/16
What’s that? You want me to pin an intro thread to my profile? Fine: By profession, I’m a copyeditor. Since 2023, I’ve been writing literary short fiction. I have a portfolio: www.willwilloughby.com I’m a husband and father. Our dog, Charlie, is a doofus. 1/16 #WritingCommunity
It’s a great feeling, isn’t it? Keep us updated. Looking forward to reading them. 👍
That's awesome, Ryan! Congrats! 😊
How about Unforgiven (1992)? Not sure how accessible it'd be to that age group, actually, but it's one hell of a movie. Good luck! 😊
Please do! I often hear that people have had bad experiences. Sometimes they’ll say “I can’t do those.” That’s the room’s fault, not yours. Most aren’t done well, sadly. We hope to fix that (clear, intuitive puzzles, adaptive difficulty).
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Can relate! I do some of my best work on my walks.
WHOOP! 🙌
My wife and I are planning to open an escape room. We just looked at a space that used to be a bank. Of course there’s a vault. How great would it be to give players one key, and then they spend an hour figuring out which box it opens? We’d call it Brute Force.
