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stevexisxok.bsky.social
Steve C
@stevexisxok.bsky.social
200 followers 72 following 100 posts
Fiction Editor: @okaydonkeymag.com
Co-person: @litmatchcollective.com
https://stevehasawebsite.com/
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stevexisxok.bsky.social
don't wanna be doompilled on AI or whatnot but when humans give 'wrong' answers there's still value in thinking about what they got 'wrong' and why

when ChatGPT et al is 'wrong' i see only void. so much nothing

Happy Saturday!
November 29, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reposted by Steve C
litmatchcollective.com
And here's chance #2

On Tuesday, Dec 2 5PM ET, chat with the Director of the dreamy and VERY generous residency that every writer should know

🔥How to better present ourselves to jurors
🔥What it means to have a brand or vision
🔥Who should actually be listed as a reference

+ whatever you wanna know
November 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Reposted by Steve C
litmatchcollective.com
Uh oh. Did you miss our November Residency Chat?😿

No prob. Here's a recap.

🏆to Jeff McMahon, Director of Operations at Willapa Bay AIR + @jrigamonti.bsky.social former Program Coordinator @cmwritershouse.bsky.social

Catch the whole convo + more tips + insights @ #treasure-chest in our Discord
If you missed November's Residency Chat, we discussed how funded residencies can feel out of reach for emerging writers. BUT we also learned how to work around that. TARGET YOUR APPS Some residencies, depending on source of funding and mission, intentionally create space for those without solid footing in academia or Writing Career (AKA most of us) PROVIDE CONTEXT We also learned that jurors want to know "how your work fits in the literary landscape and the world." In other words: Can we talk clearly about the lineage in which we write? And how our work engages the greater world? PITCH YOURSELF + YOUR WORK Jurors want to see "a smart cohesive image of yourself as an interesting and invested writer" who has a project that needs "a deep, immersive push," who can articulate "why it is worth supporting." In a way that's "Not too long and not self centered." In other words: Why would our work matter to anyone but us? Can we articulate that quickly, clearly, and convincingly? And keep applying! Jeff McMahon: In the cycle we just completed, a writer is going to be accepted after 2 previous rejections. Over several years their score improved with each application which I feel reflects their growth. They finally got there. Keep working. Try, and then try again. Justin Rigamonti: Keep applying def. If someone applied for three years in a row, we were MUCH more likely to give their app a second look.
November 26, 2025 at 4:17 PM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
maybe a consequence of years of libbing like: "Bush is dumb" and "Republicans can't grammar" ... as if those were the crimes
goodboy.bsky.social Good Boy @goodboy.bsky.social · 5d
Bluesky is full of those terrible libs who think correcting grammar makes them the smartest person in the room and The Onion's commitment to writing their headlines properly as they always have is like the perfect trap for them
November 24, 2025 at 7:47 PM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
🔥🔥🔥
antonhur.com Anton Hur @antonhur.com · 6d
A year later, I still think I wrote the single best take on Han Kang’s Nobel win. I especially loved taking this essay away from the New York Times and the Atlantic and giving it to @wasafirimag.bsky.social
We Have Arrived: Anton Hur on Han Kang’s Nobel Win
In this moving and revealing essay…
www.wasafiri.org
November 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
me watching Frasier again
derbren.bsky.social Irene @derbren.bsky.social · 7d
there is a kid on this bus being kept calm by “happy birthday” “itsy bitsy spider” and “the wheels on the bus” blasting out loud from an ipad.
November 22, 2025 at 7:44 PM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
You must immediately read this sweet gem of a poem by @okaydonkeymag.com poetry editor @carolenekurien.bsky.social

From Bennington Review issue 14
A poem by Carolene Kurien titled DEAR GERALD. I hope this poem finds you well. I believe if I read these words aloud they will land in your heart like pounding snow. When the leaves fell red in the dying times I held you very close, your arms slipping from me like an oiled baby, your breath like car exhaust on my cheek. I know now that to be unfavored by God is to be robbed of such touch. You must understand, Gerald, that I have always handled love’s leftovers coldly. I could have kept you at that patisserie a bit longer. I could have answered when you asked if I missed you or if it’s empty space I dislike. I have no regrets. In my dreams the sun breaks like yolk on your face. You are both sad and happy. I had nothing to do with either of it.
November 20, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Reposted by Steve C
surt.bsky.social
What's the crime? Enjoying a succulent, air-fried beet?
November 20, 2025 at 9:35 PM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
Disappointed that the Breaking Bad family isn't named the Bads.

Walter White = 🙄
Walter Bad = yes now we're cookin
November 20, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Reposted by Steve C
katewagner.wehwalt.net
this is insane lmao
parkermolloy.com Parker Molloy @parkermolloy.com · 10d
Someone found an mp3 of the creepy "Jailbait" song Olivia Nuzzi released when she was 16 🫣
November 19, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Reposted by Steve C
litmatchcollective.com
Want to learn more about landing a funded residency?

This Sunday is our Residency Chat! So bring ALL your questions.

In the meantime, check out www.pineywoodatlas.com
A great resource for emerging & unconventional residencies.
(All free, cheap, or will PAY you to go)
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
daydreaming about getting a beautiful bouquet of these for Valentine's... 🥲 i am a simple man
November 19, 2025 at 12:10 AM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
Yessss we are ALL now CHANG
November 18, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Reposted by Steve C
sarabandebooks.bsky.social
We've never been so proud to be misaligned! Your support keeps us doing the thing this administration sees as a threat and a disruption.
We could do this forever. Stay the course with us by making a tax deductible donation at the link in our bio! 🔥
"Your project to publish poetry unfortunately does not align with our priorities." —NEA Notice of Termination Sarabande is exceedingly proud to be misaligned with this administration's vision for the arts. We refuse to become demoralized, soft-pedal our values, or sell out our authors for federal funding. We know you share our values and determination. Help us bridge the gap left by the NEA with a recurring monthly donation or gift of any size.
November 17, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Steve C
xpsychoxlinguistx.bsky.social
c’mon okay donkey!! 🫏
chillsubs.bsky.social Chill Subs @chillsubs.bsky.social · 12d
It’s back 😏

Nominate Your Favorite Lit Mags of 2025 through this form ⬇️

www.chillsubs.com/best-lit-mag...

Let’s love on some editors, folks. They freakin’ deserve it!
Writers! Who are the best litmags of 2025? CHILL SUBS®
November 17, 2025 at 11:42 PM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
Breaking news: 83% of KISS KRUISE attendees are weirdly defensive no eye contact antisocial dorks. Love that they are true to themselves ⚡🧡
November 16, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Reposted by Steve C
litmatchcollective.com
Lesson 2 of 4 is live: On Situation vs Story pt. 2

How to:
- humanize character vs types
- generate consequences to make incidents matter
- break free from writing synecdoche for routine and 'activate' your narrative

(LMC members get 1 free month of FW)
www.theforeverworkshop.com/p/editor-ins...
November 14, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Steve C
oldenoughtosay.com
I’m sorry I just found out that in 1379, as in, 650 years ago, a baby girl was born in Yorkshire and named Diot Coke

history is a fucking joke lmao
November 13, 2025 at 10:50 PM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
This Sunday! In our Discord server!
litmatchcollective.com Lit Match Collective @litmatchcollective.com · Oct 28
Want to break hearts while landing zingers like “adorkable but hotkward?”

On Nov 16 at 8PM ET, chat and get craft-y with award-winning author @1demerith.bsky.social & @epochliterary.com editor @jrobertlennon.com about Meredith’s fizzingly witty, disarmingly tender short story “The Best Man.”
November 14, 2025 at 1:21 AM
stevexisxok.bsky.social
If a Canadian team ever won the World Series, Canada should get to keep baseball.
November 13, 2025 at 5:48 AM
Reposted by Steve C
okaydonkeymag.com
Have you ever wondered how...
• a literary magazine is run?
• decisions are made on submissions?
• to improve your chances of getting published by an established literary magazine?

Ask our editors (almost) anything by 11/30: forms.gle/NiBR9KQG2PHZ...

Answers coming in our January newsletter! 🫏
A graphic with a duotone, blurred pink/blue laptop in the background. Text reads, We're the Okay Donkey editors, ask us anything. Asterisk at the end of "ask me anything" points to, about OKD, by November 30. There are photos of the three editors, Carolene Kurien, Heidi Marjamäki, and Steve Chang.
November 11, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reposted by Steve C
litmatchcollective.com
Been feeling out the world of flash? There's no better guide🔥
kathyfish.bsky.social Kathy Fish @kathyfish.bsky.social · 20d
Hey friends, become an ANNUAL subscriber & get a spot in an EXCLUSIVE 90-minute flash workshop ($60 value) & my undying gratitude. Details below: ...https://open.substack.com/pub/artofflashfiction/p/fragmentary-flash-beauty-from-the?r=4e5y2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Fragmentary Flash: Beauty from The Broken
Photo by Riho Kitagawa on Unsplash
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Steve C
litmatchcollective.com
And when the medium is prose to build the fictive dream: what does it mean to hammer too hard and splinter it?
A photo of a Laurie Anderson quote on a wall. "For me the work process has been about gradually learning about materials and respecting their nature, learning not to hammer too hard on things that can easily splinter."
November 11, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by Steve C
okaydonkeymag.com
Okay Donkey is looking for a Social Media Associate focused on graphic design! This role pays a small honorarium (read: "independent lit mag"-sized). Apply with our super short form by Friday, November 14 for first consideration.

More details: forms.gle/E9MCaKzEAE1x...
Graphic with the Okay Donkey mascot donkey mocked up in a blank Instagram post. Text reads, Join the Okay Donkey team! Social Media Associate, apply by November 14.
November 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by Steve C
litmatchcollective.com
Don’t forget! Sunday, Nov 16, we’re diving into craft with Freund Prize winner and @lambdaliterary.org finalist @1demerith.bsky.social and EPOCH editor @jrobertlennon.com 🔥

Pre-game by reading “The Best Man” in @epochliterary.com or this scorcher in @therumpus.net:

therumpus.net/2022/06/13/r...
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM