Sign in

Lillie E. Franks

@lilliekoi.bsky.social
703 followers 267 following 1.4K posts

@onyxaminedlife on Twitter. Chicago trans woman/entity/entities. She/her or they/them. A short story writer and all around pretentious person. Weird jokes, political rants, some positivity. Friendly!

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
June Gemmell @junegemmell.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Oooh, beautiful, moving, gorgeous prose. 💙
163
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
New one up at Hex Literary! Is this story me working through my childhood reaction to reading The Sneetches? …Maybe!
192
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Marmaduke cartoons with Thomas Ligotti captions
182
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Today I had a nightmare where I couldn't juggle so when I woke up, I decided to take up juggling again. #mypersonality
170
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I don't want to tell you much more about this story other than that it's called Paul Bunyan, Superspy
141
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Enjoy a short silly one based on my observations of how children draw rainbows!
041
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
New York Times columnists seeing the right wing enact right wing policies: What are they? A bunch of progressives?
020
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Seán Padraic Birnie always does cool stuff, but this might be my favorite from him yet
121
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
This collection has a story from me that started out as a version of the shapeshifter's chase and pretty quickly became it's own extremely different thing! www.amazon.com/dp/B0HBRCLSHP
amazon.com
Ogerog Annual: Dawson, Korey, Bartlett, Matthew M., Hall, Coy, Hampton, Viggy Parr, Beauchamp, Richard, Kaplan, Jo, Warra, Brooke, Ellis, Stephanie, Fleming, Liam, Trifan, Matthew: 9798188774981: Amaz...
Ogerog Annual [Dawson, Korey, Bartlett, Matthew M., Hall, Coy, Hampton, Viggy Parr, Beauchamp, Richard, Kaplan, Jo, Warra, Brooke, Ellis, Stephanie, Fleming, Liam, Trifan, Matthew] on Amazon.com. *FRE...
021
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Sasha Brown @sashabrown.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
this is so good! oh man, voice! It's so clever, I love this piece. @nightshadesmag.bsky.social continues to have extremely good taste in weird shit.
3154
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Anneke @ernerker.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
My very weird story about cottaging, Brighton in the 1960s, numbers stations, Polari, the deep scattering layer, Punch and Judy, and the experience of being profoundly alienated from your own desires, even as you find yourself the object of others’, is up now on @ergot.bsky.social.
A Punch and Judy show, with Brighton’s ruined West Pier in the background
33012
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Welcome to the femboy mafia. You stick with us, you’ll be a maid man
0132
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
The Vampire Bridget 👩‍🎤 @bridgetgordon.gay · 01/06/2026
advance praise from fellow poets @deerea.rs @neilhilborn.bsky.social @lilliekoi.bsky.social for my debut chapbook THE REST IS UP TO YOU, LOVE find the notes tomorrow
a bookstagram-style post titled “praise for: THE REST IS UP TO YOU, LOVE by Bridget Gordon.” three small blurbs below.

eri lucia kapling, auhor of MARROW
Gordon's masterful use of form and function throughout the collection show the breadth of her talents, dancing between blackout poems and tankas and impassioned indentations to create evocative structure for every page.

Neil Hilborn, author of THE FUTURE and OUR NUMBERED DAYS
[Gordon's] got a perspective, a distinct voice, and [she's] got a ton of talent, and most poets can't say the same

Lillie F Franks, Chicago author and poet
[Gordon] write[s] with a lot of rich imagery and also I really like the humor that a lot of [her] poems have. I was particularly into the Notes saga and I really liked Chronomancy and Math Problems!
2103
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
The Cincinnati Review @cincinnatireview.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
"I’m a head with a buzz cut, rolling past, trying not to stall in the road on the way to my university astronomy class, when I’m compelled to stop and check on my body." In today's miCRo by @nbrogdonwrites.bsky.social, the mental and the physical are at odds. Link in thread.
Quote from Brogdon (featured in post caption): white type on a gray background.Nicole Brogdon, a white woman with a wavy dark bob and glasses, smiles.
174
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Corey Farrenkopf @coreyfarrenkopf.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
You want to read the most unique take on a Kaiju story I’ve read in a while??? Well, if so, check out @sashabrown.bsky.social’s new one, Trevor is Hungry, over in @smallwondersmag.com!!! smallwondersmag.com/piece/trevor...
smallwondersmag.com
Trevor is Hungry - Small Wonders
He isn’t even the worst boyfriend I’ve had. Worst boyfriend is easy. Have I not told you this story?
1207
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Nic McConnell @mcconnell.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
A class at my kids’ school put up little statements about the good they want to do in the world and I was over the moon about this one - then I learned they meant to say “teach people in jail” which is also good!
214237414018
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Ani King (they/them) @aniking.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Delighted to have two poems in @bloodhoneylit.bsky.social! Please check out repetitive stress injuries and (i am begging you to) let my people go. CW for rep stress inj: references to losing a queer loved one to addiction
6157
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Another banger!
121
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Socrates, feeling slightly bored: Smells like virtuedawg in here
081
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Emily Rinkema @emilyrinkema.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Thanks to @jhhwriter.bsky.social and @gooseberrypielit.bsky.social for giving Eunice a home...and sorry to all the chickens of the world.
072
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Elena Zhang @ezhang77.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Excited to have a prose poem in the latest issue of Menace! www.menace-mag.com/the-myth-ele...
menace-mag.com
The Myth — M E N A C E
13113
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Rat Bag @ratbaglit.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Today's story is "After Horse" by Mari Harrison. @javajnkie.bsky.social #ratbag #ratbaglit #litmag #literarymagazine #micro #micros
open.substack.com
After Horse
By Mari Harrison
033
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
I wonder which of these characters is the villain in this ninja movie
140
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
These stories are strong on their own but I really like the way they fit together. Both magic, but opposite magics; a magic of holding on and a magic of letting go
242
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Luke Burns @lukevburns.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
In last week's letter @jamesfolta.com & I rounded up great writing by Jesse Eisenberg in @newyorker.com, @lilliekoi.bsky.social and @seanmcgowan.bsky.social in @pointsincase.com, & Shea Socrates in @havehashad.com Plus a few words on the passing of the great Glen Baxter Check it out & subscribe ⬇️
062
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
The Vampire Bridget 👩‍🎤 @bridgetgordon.gay · 06/04/2026
got permission to talk about this soooo my debut full-length poetry collection, IF YOU KNOW THE COLOR OF THEIR EYES IT ALREADY TOO LATE, will be published in Fall 2026 by Raging Opossum Press!!!!!!
a screenshot of a Gmail message from Raging (O)possum Press, to ‘me’, sent at 1:38:

Hey, Bridget!

All great, thank you! Now that this is all out of the way, we can start getting to the fun stuff (planning events, edits, etc etc etc!) I'm going to share the final draft with my team and we will let you know whatever small notes we have.

For when you can start telling people....... go right ahead and spread the word to all you please :)

Samuel Plauchéif you know the color of their eyes it's already too late

(poems)

Bridget Gordon
165211
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
RedruM @dorsalstream.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
The horse op-ed is an instant classic. I can't tell you how much joy this piece gives me. It should be taught in every introductory writing class in no small part because the horse arguments are so compelling. "I have noticed that human children get to eat cake. But I am bigger than the children."
I Work Very Hard, And I Would Like To Try Cake

By A Horse

Hello. I am a horse. I work very hard at my job of being a horse. When humans say move the heavy thing, I move the heavy thing. When humans sit on top of me and pull on my head, I carry them where they want to go. The main food the humans give me is hay and oats. But I am thinking it would be nice to have a different food.

I am thinking I would like to try cake.

Yes, yes. Cake. I know all about it. When humans eat cake, it is in glad times. It is the food for a celebration, such as when a woman becomes 47. I have seen cake on the Fourth of July. When humans have a cake, they stand around it and clap hands and smile and say happy birthday at each other. Sometimes there are beautiful markings on a cake, such as balloons or a pink shape.

Sometimes the top of a cake is on fire and a boy must blow on the fire with mouth wind. This is the scariest cake. I do not want this kind. But I will eat any other cake. Any cake that is not the fire cake that tries to kill the boy.

Please understand: I do not get money for doing work. I do not get to go inside the house. All I am either doing my horse job or standing in my pen or eating food off the floor. I always do these things. But I have never once gotten cake and I would like it very much.

I have noticed that human children get to eat cake. But I am bigger than the children. I am more helpful to the farm. Children do not move the heavy things like me or let anyone ride on them. And yet they get cake. Maybe the humans will realize this. Maybe they will say, "You  know who deserves cake? That horse. That horse whose back we are always on."

Every day I dream about what it will be like if I get to eat cake. Here is what will happen. First, I will walk to the cake and putt my nose at it like hrrfff to make and stomping my hooves to make sure it is not a snake. Then I will trot in a circle to show that I am a horse and I am large. After that, I will nuzzle the cake to …
266176826052
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
This story is such a joy. Just deeply fun to read.
121
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Maybe if instead of offering extra time on tests, we offered children with ADHD extra hits from the Hitting Stick, we'd see less of them
000
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
This anthology has a flash from me in it, an adaptation of the Grimm’s fairy tale “Sweetheart Roland”, or ATU 1119 ”The Ogre Kills Their Own Child”, if you’re a pervert. Don’t worry too much if you haven’t read it!
031
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
The story of trans athletic sport bans in a clause
160
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Suddenly and inexplicably recovered the will to do comedy articles again, so here’s my first in a while! “No, son. Trogai’ele’uvalill isn’t the magic word. That’s a simple invocation of flame, and as you can see, I dispel it easily by calling the North wind.” www.pointsincase.com/articles/no-...
pointsincase.com
No, Son, Rash’kar’lagratar Isn’t the Magic Word
No, son. That is magic as speaking it will hurl back any unclean shades which try to approach you.
062
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
This is remarkable
040
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
“If you want to understand the Trinity, look no further than the humble clover!” said St Patrick. “Because it’s 3 and 1?” “Yes, and also because sometimes, you can find a rare, better clover with a fourth part. God is just like that, but don’t write down that I said so.”
230
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
This is amazing
000
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
This is one of the best combinations of tagline and title I’ve ever seen. Phew! Problem solved!
140
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
My friend does very sweet, very tender gay poems!
032
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Rich people claiming the right to not be perceived accurately has been the engine of so much of modern politics
040
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
I like a piece that doesn’t care what you make of it
130
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Sarah Tuttle @niais.cryptoanarchy.network · 11/03/2026
I can't raise a red enough flag for the way states are attacking trans people in this moment. It is extremely bad, and escalating quickly (and relatively quietly)
3172100
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
This absolutely rocks
142
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Trash Cat Lit @trashcatlit.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
We're sharing @jaimegill.bsky.social's flash today and celebrating his birthday! 🦝 We love the imaginative structure used, and how tension builds like a movie until that smashing last line. Read and listen to a stunning reading here: trashcatlit.com/this-is-not-... Happy Birthday Jaime 🎂 1/2
1133
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 07/03/2026
Staff at the nation’s largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility have placed bets on which detainee will be the next to die by suicide, according to new reporting from the Associated Press based on 911 calls and detainee accounts.
motherjones.com
At Largest ICE Detention Camp, Staff Bet on Detainee Suicides, AP Reports
Camp East Montana has received several 911 calls in the span of five months about immigrants trying to harm themselves.
59792636006
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
New Flash Fiction Review (subs closed) @nffr.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
"the claw machine now offers babies for prizes. limited-edition grow-in-water ones that you can take home." Read The Claw Machine by @nadiaborn.com in Issue 40 of #NFFR. Wonderfully weird, beautifully written. newflashfiction.com/the-claw-mac...
newflashfiction.com
The claw machine by Nadia Born | Issue #40
now offers babies for prizes. limited-edition grow-in-water ones that you can take home. no special instructions.
094
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Stephen Granade @granades.com · 02/03/2026
Sapphic Mecha Jousting
2107
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Trans girls flirting:
000
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
Real unforgettable sentence from our president here
211
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Addison Zeller @addisonzeller.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Up today at Michigan City Review, three stories, courtesy of a true and perennial mensch: Bobby Vanecko mcrb.neocities.org/ThreeStories...
0155
Lillie E. Franks @lilliekoi.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
I love the macabre playfulness of this one
010
Reposted by Lillie E. Franks
Nonbinary Themperor @nonbinarythemperor.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
As of this morning, it’s literally illegal in Kansas to be be trans and HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE This is fucking unreal. I’ve been to Kansas & known Kansans. Our trans siblings deserve better and for us to not look away. If this stands, it will one day happen to YOU.
014444