iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

matchbook literary magazine

@matchbooklitmag.bsky.social

1.6K followers 894 following 165 posts

matchbook is an online literary journal that publishes one piece of short prose accompanied by an author's note every two weeks. matchbooklitmag.com

Posts Replies Media

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Ben Niespodziany 📚🎪 @neonpajamas.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

my tiny story about chili is up at @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social

Chilly Chili

by Benjamin Niespodziany

I asked the staff how many types of chili they have. Texas red, I said, of course. Cincinnati, I'm sure. Chile Verde, white chili, classic. But do you have Frito Pie as well? Am I missing any? Do you have any others? Are you out of any at the moment? Please, give it to me straight. Sir, said the shy employee, this is a Sweetgreen.

I wanted to scream. I could tell I was annoying him. I know it is, I said. I know it is, son, but I also know you have some chili back there. Stop lying to me.

He hesitated, started his sentence five times, then replied, I have some white chili my mom packed me for lunch that I didn't finish. How much? I asked. How much did she pack me or how much is left? He said.

No, I said, how much to take it off your hands? Your mom's chili is in demand, son. I'm begging you.

$4.42 will do, he said. I paid in pennies. He hated me. There was no one else around. He went in the back and brought out the chili. He told me to eat it there because he needed to bring home the Tupperware. I thanked him again and again. The chili was delicious. It didn’t need to be heated or seasoned. It didn’t need anything. It was perfect exactly how it was, in a Sweetgreen on a Tuesday evening, slightly buzzed, in love with the hell of the world, eating the last of a new friend's chili as he counted my pennies, his pennies. They're his pennies now.

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Ben Niespodziany 📚🎪 @neonpajamas.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

new story up on @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social about chili!

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

“I asked the staff how many types of chili they have. Texas red, I said, of course. Cincinnati, I’m sure. Chile Verde, white chili, classic…” - Go read this week’s story: “Chilly Chili” by @neonpajamas.bsky.social www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/niespodzi...

matchbooklitmag.com

Chilly Chili | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

“Last week, completely by accident, I traveled three days into the future…” - Check out Jeffrey Hermann’s ( @jeffreyhermann.bsky.social ) story “What’s the Weather Where You Are” on mb www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/hermann/w...

matchbooklitmag.com

What’s the Weather Where You Are? | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Patricia Q. Bidar @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

"...snap photos of each other in front of the world’s biggest metal dinosaur. send a postcard to the roadside stand man: we get it now, our initials in a flourish. rewrite our book of revelations in a gentle font." @lmariharris.bsky.social from the @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social archives

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Jeffrey Hermann @jeffreyhermann.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

New time travel micro up at the amazing @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

“Last week, completely by accident, I traveled three days into the future…” - Check out Jeffrey Hermann’s ( @jeffreyhermann.bsky.social ) story “What’s the Weather Where You Are” on mb www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/hermann/w...

matchbooklitmag.com

What’s the Weather Where You Are? | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

“in Nice, the drunk woman asks us the English word for the bird our two-year-old’s chasing. we say Pigeon…” - check out Adam Berlin’s ( @adamberlin.bsky.social ) essay, “HAVE IT,” on mb - www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/berlin/ha...

matchbooklitmag.com

HAVE IT | matchbook

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

“in Nice, the drunk woman asks us the English word for the bird our two-year-old’s chasing. we say Pigeon…” - check out Adam Berlin’s ( @adamberlin.bsky.social ) essay, “HAVE IT,” on mb - www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/berlin/ha...

matchbooklitmag.com

HAVE IT | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

“Flash on the driveway’s hot pavement, her white Chuck Taylors slap snap smack on Mom’s wood floors, green eyes gleaming, our hearts racing to see her again…” - an amazing new story by @amyavt.bsky.social is out now on mb. Check it out! www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/allen/my-...

matchbooklitmag.com

My Big Sister Charley’s a Bang Snap | matchbook

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Contributor Alyson Mosquera Dutemple (@swellspoken.bsky.social) welcomes her debut story collection “Marvelous Freaks of Nature!” this October from Cornerstone Press ! Preorders are available now! - go read “Hazardous to Sea Life” by Dutemple on matchbook: www.matchbooklitmag.com/dutemple

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Amy Allen @amyavt.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

What a thrill to be published with @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social !

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

“Flash on the driveway’s hot pavement, her white Chuck Taylors slap snap smack on Mom’s wood floors, green eyes gleaming, our hearts racing to see her again…” - an amazing new story by @amyavt.bsky.social is out now on mb. Check it out! www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/allen/my-...

matchbooklitmag.com

My Big Sister Charley’s a Bang Snap | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Amy Allen @amyavt.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Very excited about my new piece out today with @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/allen/my-...

matchbooklitmag.com

My Big Sister Charley’s a Bang Snap | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Pat Foran @pdforan.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

“… the one time I made a breathless midnight trip by bike to the security gate, he’d called ahead to have me turned away. But he was a pipe smoking man." and a whiff of Hai Karate @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social in @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/bidar/ces...

matchbooklitmag.com

C’est Une Pipe | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Matt Kendrick @mattkendrick.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

"In San Pedro, there was a particular pipe-smoking man whose tobacco was flavored with apple. His voice was layered like moist leaves" Love this from @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social. Great author's note too.

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Dan Crawley @danbillyc.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

"I can summon, still, my parents’ dark kitchen." My lord, this stunning piece of writing by @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social in @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social 💙💙💙

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Sara Hills @sarahillswrites.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

"His voice was layered like moist leaves. His theme was fall, you might say." Oof! What a wallop this micro packs! Stunning work from @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social in @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social ⚡

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Myna Chang @mynachang.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

"In a karate-themed advertisement of the 1970s, an average guy pats cologne to his jaw, and then is besieged by crazed females." Patricia's work always cuts to the quick. Read this, and don't skip the author's note at the end! @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Melissa Ostrom @melostrom.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

“His theme was fall, you might say.” Love this gem by @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social in @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social! 🔥

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

new story day!! “C’est Une Pipe” by @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social is out now on mb! have a read: www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/bidar/ces...

matchbooklitmag.com

C’est Une Pipe | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Matt Kendrick @mattkendrick.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

"Indignant for the men who now have nowhere, they spit arcs of toothpaste down to the street, shout ‘Solidarity with the dispossessed’ into the silence" So much story swirling together so cleverly in this tiny space. Great writing from @chriscottom.bsky.social

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Matt Kendrick @mattkendrick.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

"While I walk, I daydream: at the hands of some blurry environmental disaster, my landlord flees and leaves her tenants to their own devices" Such a powerful piece from @ellenkfee.bsky.social, tackling a weighty topic in such a nuanced way

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Matt Kendrick @mattkendrick.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

"Other times she sees the back of her head as it swivels 180 degrees until she comes face-to-face with her other animal selves: an octopus self, arms skimming the ocean floor" Brilliant micro from @susanllin.bsky.social - surreal and strange

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Chris Cottom @chriscottom.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

I'm so thrilled to be in matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

A new micro has hit MB! Check out “Annaliese Dreams of Her Long Lost Fiancé and the Night the Hostel Closed Forever” by @chriscottom.bsky.social - www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/cottom/an...

matchbooklitmag.com

Annaliese Dreams of Her Long Lost Fiancé and the Night the Hostel Closed Forever | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

“The Human Animal dreams in third person. In these dreams, she can be anyone, anything…” New work by @susanllin.bsky.social out now on MB! Go check it out! www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/lin/this-...

matchbooklitmag.com

This One Goes Out to All the Insomniacs | matchbook

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

“The Human Animal dreams in third person. In these dreams, she can be anyone, anything…” New work by @susanllin.bsky.social out now on MB! Go check it out! www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/lin/this-...

matchbooklitmag.com

This One Goes Out to All the Insomniacs | matchbook

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

in case you haven’t read yet…

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

ellen ✨ @ellenkfee.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

new work up at @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social 🌻

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

“…It’s easier for me to imagine a near future of climate collapse and abandoned rental properties than it is to imagine owning a house with a yard where I could make decisions for myself…” New work by @ellenkfee.bsky.social out now on MB! Go give it a read! www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/fee/what-...

matchbooklitmag.com

What to eat during an apocalypse | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

“Learning at nine years old that there was no such thing as a circus boat was more devastating to Dmytro than discovering a few years earlier that Santa Claus didn’t exist…” - Read “A Good Reason to Cry” by B. B. Garin www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/garin/a-g...

matchbooklitmag.com

A Good Reason to Cry | matchbook

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Last day!! Send us your stuff!

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

“Learning at nine years old that there was no such thing as a circus boat was more devastating to Dmytro than discovering a few years earlier that Santa Claus didn’t exist…” - Read “A Good Reason to Cry” by B. B. Garin www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/garin/a-g...

matchbooklitmag.com

A Good Reason to Cry | matchbook

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Submissions deadline is June 2 at midnight! That's about 57 hours left.

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Short/flash fiction, CNF, other strange things under 1k words. www.matchbooklitmag.com/guidelines Dare you.

A banner that reads “matchbook” at the top with “open for submissions” repeated the rest of the way down.

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

We open tonight at midnight, world!

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

"I'm four. My brother, Chris, is about two. We kneel at the foot of the carpeted stairs, stuck inside our waiting." New CNF: "Self-Portrait with Death" by Scott Garson www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/garson/se...

matchbooklitmag.com

Self-Portrait with Death | matchbook

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

In case you are interested: Submission open May 25 to June 2. Just sayin. www.matchbooklitmag.com/guidelines

matchbooklitmag.com

matchbook | Guidelines

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

The Village with All of the Flash Writers @heyflashvillage.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Today's flash journal interview is with Brian Mihok, matchbook's editor. It is an open and generous look into the journal's editorial process. more here: smokelong-quarterly.mn.co/posts/100224...

the header image of matchbook literary journal. it is black and grey text against a white background. "matchbook" is in big text across the page and under it are the words "Archive", " Guidelines", "mb+", "About" and "Awards"

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Our editor Brian Mihok aka @brainhawk.bsky.social answers some lit mag related questions at The Village, @smokelong.bsky.social's online community site! Link to interview: smokelong-quarterly.mn.co/posts/100224... To join The Village (free!): smokelong-quarterly.mn.co/share/htqjt4...

smokelong-quarterly.mn.co

SmokeLong Quarterly

This is the home of our communities: The SmokeLong Fitness year-round workshop The Village with All of the Flash Writers

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

"We see the yellow sign in the distance. 9:00 PM. One hour till close, but Cheryl—she works this shift—usually starts drinking around 9:30 and locks the doors by 9:45." New fiction: "Do You Have Friends in Dollar Land?" by Grace Crouthamel www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/crouthame...

matchbooklitmag.com

Do You Have Friends in Dollar Land? | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Sarah Turner @scturnerfiction.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

‘but at home I tell the bees that I'm scared the peace treaty won't be enough and the bees swoop and dive and thrum in the air while the wind rules the grass.’ This one hit me hard. Such a powerful, resonant story by @sagetyrtle.bsky.social @matchbook.bsky.social #shortstories #WritingCommunity

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Nathan Willis @nathanwillis.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

"The school had been leaving messages about Ellie’s jacket." I have a new story up today at @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social! Thanks to Brian Mihok for giving this one a home. www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/willis/cr...

matchbooklitmag.com

Crickets | matchbook

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

"The school had been leaving messages about Ellie’s jacket." New fiction: "Crickets" by Nathan Willis aka @nathanwillis.bsky.social www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/willis/cr...

matchbooklitmag.com

Crickets | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Patricia Q. Bidar @patriciaqbidar.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

...in one of the finest lit mags, @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social ! www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/gatford/t...

matchbooklitmag.com

The Fourth Law of Motion | matchbook

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Cole Beauchamp 🏳️‍🌈 📖 @nomad-sw18.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Oh this is so wonderful - the bees, the voice, the senselessness of war. @sagetyrtle.bsky.social in @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social "Bees, bees, she says and the bees make a whirlwind around her and she explains she's going to die. You have to invite them, Ollie, she says. Or they might take offense."

Reposted by matchbook literary magazine

Sage Tyrtle 🇨🇦 @sagetyrtle.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Please don't miss my story in the amazing @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social - if you like a) bees b) the UK c) crying you will love this one:

matchbook literary magazine @matchbooklitmag.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

"Granny invites the bees to her funeral. She stands behind our cottage, facing the velvet hills, the blueberry sky." New fiction: "Bees, Bees, You're Invited to My Funeral" by Sage Tyrtle aka @sagetyrtle.bsky.social www.matchbooklitmag.com/mb/tyrtle/be...

matchbooklitmag.com

Bees, Bees, You’re Invited to My Funeral | matchbook