iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus

The Bloomin’ Onion | **SUBMISSIONS ALWAYS OPEN** @bloominonionlit.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

If you’re a writer, follow us. If you’re already following us, repost so others can too. If you’re already following and reposting, we love you and you’re awesome. 😘 If you’re already following and reposting and awesome, cool it already geez. Leave some for the rest of us. 💚

static.klipy.com

Minion Blowing a Kiss

ALT: Minion Blowing a Kiss

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. You can read a work of fiction, WRITTEN BY A REAL HUMAN (me), right now!

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Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus

The Bloomin’ Onion | **SUBMISSIONS ALWAYS OPEN** @bloominonionlit.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

OUT NOW: “Even in this Valley” by stephensnotepad.bsky.social is out now! You can read it using the link below. 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 www.thebloominonion.com/featured-sto...

thebloominonion.com

Featured Story #3 — The Bloomin' Onion

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

My short story is releasing this Saturday!

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

Excited to share that I've made the FS in @writingbattle.bsky.social! I was also fortunate enough to garner 4 special shout-outs for specific pieces of my story.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

A bit of good news for a semi-sour week: I made the "honorable mentions" for the Elegant Literature for the first time. Time to aim for the top ten and get published in this contest.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Difficult, meaning, at what point is my lack of writing "success" a skill issue vs. other writers being able to simply "kill it" in a way I am currently unable to?

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

I think, and this is solely for me, participating in writing contests at this point in my writing journey do more harm than they do good. To be continually told that "I can write well" but not well enough to stand apart from the other writers is a difficult thing to ponder.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

The existential crisis and mood swings that come desiring to be a writer should be studied. To go from "I can write" to "What is a word" is nothing short of jarring at even the best of times.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

So...I'm at work, and I get a video from my wife. One of my sons is swinging, cloth stuffed up his nose. Me: "Is that a tampon?" Spouse: "Yup, he hurt himself and that's all I had." I can never say she's not resourceful.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

So, I had the pleasure of waking up to a rejection today, only the rejection came with four recommendations on mags that might accept my piece. Well, thank you?

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

The discourse surrounding writing rules (especially those made up by peers) never fails to amuse me. Today's Rule: Using em-dashes within writing competitions (whether a couple or several) is cheating, regardless of the competition allowing it.

media.tenor.com

a close up of a man 's face with a beard

ALT: a close up of a man 's face with a beard

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Just received my first R of 2026. Onward!

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Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus

chmmagazine.bsky.social @chmmagazine.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Our next submission call is right around the corner. Check out our guidelines to learn more: bit.ly/3FZcgMA

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Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus

Odd Embers Writing Contest @oddembers.com · 17/12/2025

We're kindling a new flash fiction writing contest, with unique prompts to spark your creativity. Join us on January 30?

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Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus

Raphael van Lierop 🇨🇦 @raphlife.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is. GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart. But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.

Boromir from THE LORD OF THE RINGS, holding The One Ring. He thought he could use it for good, but everything done with the ring turns to evil. He was one of the mightiest warriors of middle earth, and he could not resist its powers. Others even mightier fell to the ring. Do you think you are stronger than them? The One Ring is generative AI.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Such an amazing story! Congratulations, friend.

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Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus

Exeter T. Stevens @exeterstevens.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

I am happy to announce that my Alternative History story won the 2025 Autumn Writing Battle competition.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

I'll take a HM. Great competition and fine outcome, albeit unexpected.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Here's the final result of my story! While this is my best performance, I'll say that the best is yet to come!

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

This was a nice surprise. My second time ever going to the final showdown!

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Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus

Chris Doty-Dunn @chrisdotydunn.com · 29/09/2025

Another story day for me! "Bad Advice" is available at @crepuscularmag.bsky.social today, and in 30 days if you don't subscribe (but you should it's cool over there).

patreon.com

September 29th: Bad Advice | Crepuscular Magazine

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

I'll never understand other writers crapping on peers (after contest results) in online forums.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

In other news, for my first Twisted Tournament writing comp, I received the following trophies: 1x Most Tension ⚡ 4x Most Surprising 😲 My story was ranked a 7.87 and with so much amazing talent around that site, I'll take what I can get and work toward greater.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

The swing from "I'm a capable writer." to "What is a word?" is honestly debilitating.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

A bummer of a result since this was my favorite story I've written in a while, but I'm excited to see feedback!

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Marketing and lobbying are two (of a few) industries that need to vanish. Tonight.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

About to hop on an Airbus and get shot through the sky!

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

NYC Midnight 100 Word Mircofiction Round 1 results? Ya boy is heading to round 2!

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Coming back from my first kettlebell wo. If you didn't know, the kettle is not to be trifled with.

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Reposted by Stephen, kin to Icarus

Chris Doty-Dunn @chrisdotydunn.com · 29/04/2025

It's new story day! Available for Crepuscular patrons today, my story "June 6, 1944" is the first queer thing I've sold, and the first (and probably only ever?) non-spec story.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Round 1 of @writingbattle.bsky.social results: My story, Where the Bleeding Heart Grows, received a "bumblebee" trophy for being Confidently Creative! And on a point for an early win, and I'm a happy camper.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Now all that said, I understand why that connection was missed, and I think Ed and Amanda had a fair critique of why the vision (and story overall) didn't land.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Amethyst *knows* what is happening, but allows Egret/others to keep Lita because emotions. Then, judges Erget when things go down. Amethyst doesn't connect inaction with culpability. That was the "what if" of the story.

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

In this one, the "what if" was the POV standing by and allowing the situation to occur. One "unconnected thread" was the vision - Amethyst moment of Sight. Those three lines happen within the realization of the climax Fires - the elder's home Grief/trust - Lita's betrayal Blood - the elder's

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Stephen, kin to Icarus @stephensnotepad.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

I absolutely adore Frieren and definitely wanted to pay homage to it with this piece!

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