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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 2h

such an honor to receive this generous blurb from Melissa Faliveno @mlfaliveno.bsky.social, who grew up in the Upper Midwest and understands the stories in ASK ME ABOUT THE MONEY in ways unique to our sense of living in this particular region. Preorders available for the next month.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Debut story collection prize. EastOver Press is seeking manuscripts from writers who have not published another full-length book in any genre. Amy Hempel is the guest judge and the selected manuscript receives $2000 and publication. More info: eastoverpress.com/submit/

eastoverpress.com

Submit - EastOver Press

EastOver Prize for Debut Story Collection EastOver Press is open for submissions to the EastOver Prize for a Debut Story Collection. Guest judge Amy

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I was floored to receive such a generous blurb from a writer I've long admired. Mary Miller's work - stories in particular -are some of the stories that got me into writing short fiction all those years ago. ASK ME ABOUT THE MONEY is out on Nov 3. Preorders are available wherever books are sold.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I'm not afraid of snakes, but they showed up in my dream last night. In my dream, I remember thinking how odd it was that snakes were here because I'm not afraid of them. I thought, "Why are they here? I'm not afraid of them." Maybe that wasn't a dream-dream, but a waking dream.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

a pleasure to chat the folks at Midwest Writers Room (Chapter Break) about my forthcoming collection ASK ME ABOUT THE MONEY. Thanks to Kenneth Humphrey and Luella Schmidt @luellaschmidt.bsky.social for the great questions! #shortstories #fiction #midwestwriters www.youtube.com/watch?v=7apv...

youtube.com

Chapter Break - Keith Lesmeister, September 2026

YouTube video by Midwest Writers Room

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

we've published some great stories at Cutleaf as of late, but I'm late in posting about them. Most recent by Jack Morton, Cynthia Zhang, Cameron Carter, and Kasimma. @czwrites.bsky.social @cameronccarter.bsky.social cutleafjournal.com/genre/fiction

cutleafjournal.com

Fiction - Cutleaf Journal

Cutleaf is an online journal which published short fiction weekly along with literary nonfiction and poetry

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Here's an interview with Amber Caron @fullstopmag.bsky.social in which we talk about pickup hoops, fathers and sons, writing what you *don't* know, and revising one's work. "Ask Me About the Money" is available for preorder and officially out in November. www.full-stop.net/2026/09/15/i...

full-stop.net

Keith Pilapil Lesmeister

I was conscious of where it might fit appropriately and naturally. I’ve played enough basketball to know that you can’t force a shot.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I feel fortunate to have received this generous blurb from Nora Lange, whose writing I admire so much. My story collection comes out in two months! Preorders are still available, if you're interested, anywhere books are sold. Or directly through the publisher: www.uwsp.edu/school-of-hu...

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Reposted by Keith Pilapil Lesmeister

terryhorstman @terryhorstman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I'm sitting out this editorial cycle of @underreviewlit.bsky.social, but the great @jasonmccall4.bsky.social is filling in for me as nonfiction editor and submissions are OPEN! Send in your work! They're going to do a great job and the issue will be fab! www.underreviewlit.com/submit-open

underreviewlit.com

Submit - Open — The Under Review

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

the other day, someone asked if I'd set out to write a collection of stories that coalesce thematically around $$. The answer is no, I did not. In fact, it took many weeks of staring at the stories to realize what I had. Like those nonsensical posters from the 90s, where if you stare long enough...

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

this will be my first time attending Printers Row. Any tips/suggestions? Are there any offsite events? Cool places to check out?

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

are there offsite events at Printers Row? If so, where might one find a list of those events?

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I rec'd the kindest note from a stranger who happened to read my story "The Boxing Match" in the latest issue of the North American Review. Print journals live on! I'm not sure for how long, but I'm glad to know they're still out there and people, other than me, still read them.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

here's the cover of my forthcoming collection (Nov 26)! The book features: working class characters, soft criminals, DIY aficionados, coupon cutters, garage sale hunters, cash-is-king philosophers, and anyone who might drive thirty miles to use a fifty-cent coupon. Preorder in link below.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

"Short story writers are exactly what artists are supposed to be: Clear-eyed, realistic, fiercely independent, and at peace with their place at the margins of a culture that only occasionally, unpredictably, looks their way." -Jess Row

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I'm not in this issue, but I enjoy promoting lesser known lit journals, such as this fabulous new issue of Clackamas Lit Review. As fall submission season rolls around, consider a subscription to a lit journal -- an excellent way to show support in this age of slim budgets and AI bullshit.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

positively smitten by these sunflowers. Only my second year growing them. They're great for soil regeneration and attract birds and pollinators. Planted near forty and they're going strong. Happy August. #sunflower

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

#tbt found this 2012-13 issue of @ninthletter.bsky.social that I purchased at a book fair at Mission Creek in Iowa City. To this day, Mary Miller remains one of my favorite short story writers, so it was a real treat to find this story in this issue when I first purchased it all those years ago.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

A new short story in North American Review. It's about a reunion of two acquaintances who haven't seen each other in decades. They meet up to settle a dispute. In the story, I was able to work in a lyric from a Bob Dylan tune: "Helpless as a rich man's child." Thanks to the editors at NAR!

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

i purchased a copy of the Beloit Fiction Journal. A perfect summer read. #readshortstories

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

grateful that @aaronburch.bsky.social shared his "full blown kink" publicly while using my book (preorder) as an example. Love this, Aaron. Thank you!

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

very excited that my forthcoming story collection ASK ME ABOUT THE MONEY is now available for preorder. If interested, you can check out more info here: www3.uwsp.edu/english/corn...

www3.uwsp.edu

Books - Cornerstone Press | UWSP

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I'm not sure if I've ever seen anything quite like what I just witnessed with Spurs-Knicks. And on so many levels. Kinda shocked, but not surprised, if that makes sense. Wow.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

so cool to see @blairpub.bsky.social restart New Stories from the South. And so honored to have @lisawv.bsky.social's story from Cutleaf featured in the venerated anthology among so many other GREAT short story writers.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

#tbt miss these guys. Midwest Gothic published my very first short story, in this issue, 14 years ago this spring. They also published my debut story collection 4 years later. I wouldn’t be who I am today w/o their support. MG had a great run and their impact on the lit world is still felt today.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

In honor of short story month, I'd love to hear your recommendations for best/favorite short story you've read in the past few months. Please feel free to link to the story or journal or collection. #readshortstories

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

a flash piece published today at JMWW. Thanks to the editors for giving this one a home. It's dedicated to anyone who spent an unusual amount of their childhood at garage sales.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

It's not even noon and I'm already looking forward to the Twolves-Nugs game 5 matchup. Watching McDaniels work the Nugs into physical and psychological exhaustion has been nothing short of genius. We'll see how it goes w/o Ant and Donte...

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Reposted by Keith Pilapil Lesmeister

Stanchion @stanchion.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Open.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

If you enjoy reading and talking about short stories, this is the substack for you.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Gobert played a helluva game, but overall the Twolves looked out of it, like they took themselves outta the game, esp in the 4th. Silly fouls, lapses on defense. They didn't have that drive to win. Anyway, regardless, the @nuggets.bsky.social & @mntimberwolves.bsky.social should be a GREAT series.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

the frantic first quarter pace of the Heat-Hornets game is off the charts. This is why people don't watch the regular season #nba but will tune in for the playoffs. So far, it's a sloppy game, but high intensity and fun to watch.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

People commenting on Raven Johnson going to the Fever don't understand how sports work. It's about winning on the court. The court is its own, immediate space, devoid of politics, history, or bad blood. There is only the here and now and winning. An example:

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

#wnba should demand more money. Their game is objectively better than the NBA game. The men's game is full of foul grifting, too many threes, zero team offense, among so many other issues, including the dunk. The dunk -- and the three-point line -- have ruined the NBA.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

ICYMI: this story, published on 1/1/26, takes place over Easter weekend. It's a highway romance marked by cheap motels, Old Style, and a three-song piano concert in the Old Market in Omaha. One song is by the inimitable @dawestheband.bsky.social.

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Reposted by Keith Pilapil Lesmeister

Barrett Bowlin @barrettbowlin.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

A huge, huge thanks to @roxanegay.bsky.social and @therumpus.net for publishing my autoerotic-asphyxiation, porn-in-a-Little-Free-Library short story. (Seriously, I owe those people a lot of beer.) It's called "Hell Is the Absence of God's Love," & I hope you dig it. therumpus.net/2026/04/02/h...

therumpus.net

Hell Is the Absence of God’s Love - The Rumpus

We watch the neighbors and the high schoolers as we sip cold gin at the window. There's the widow from the other side of the loop who chuckles while she takes an old Playgirl calendar and a paperback ...

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

I'm stepping away from my editorial role at Cutleaf, for this year, but we have three excellent guest fiction editors: Monic Ductan, @arahko.bsky.social, and @karammck.bsky.social -- fiction cap is 500 and we're getting close to that mark. If you're thinking of sending work, now is the time...

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

remember when people used to cup their hand under a spigot of running water and then drink out of their own hand?

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

a new story that came out earlier this month. Still available to read online. It's about friendship, marital woes, and NICUs.

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

It's such a joy to see this story (originally pub'd in Cutleaf) selected for Best of the Net 2026. Congrats, @kirakh.bsky.social!

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Sunday morning read w @fbereaud.bsky.social. His debut novel is structurally inventive, propulsive, heartbreaking, hilarious. The title tips its hand: A Question of Family. Wonderful debut!

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Keith Pilapil Lesmeister @keithlesmeister.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

haven't posted yet this month -- AWP/travel, etc -- but posted quite a few reviews in Feb of some GREAT short stories published in @brownhoundpress.bsky.social Short Story, Long, @fracturedlit.bsky.social, and @mrbullbull.bsky.social Check them out here: read-short-stories.com

read-short-stories.com

Read Short Stories

Short Story Reviews

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Reposted by Keith Pilapil Lesmeister

Casey Stegman @caseystegman.com · 18/03/2026

Your heart will break. You will shed a few tears. And—most of all—your faith in love and the human spirit will be renewed. Buy @barbarabyar.bsky.social’s IN THE DESERT www.cowboyjamboreemagazine.com/in-the-deser...

cowboyjamboreemagazine.com

In the Desert

OUT NOW!

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