Will Willoughby
@willwilloughby.bsky.social
Writer • Maine Literary Award Winner • BOTN and Pushcart Nominee • Associate Editor @midlvlmag.bsky.social • Short story collection out on submission
Portfolio: www.willwilloughby.com
Escape room: www.riddlehaven.com
Portfolio: www.willwilloughby.com
Escape room: www.riddlehaven.com
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What’s that? You want me to pin an intro thread to my profile?
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By profession, I’m a copyeditor. Since 2023, I’ve been writing literary short fiction. I have a portfolio:
www.willwilloughby.com
I’m a husband and father. Our dog, Charlie, is a doofus.
1/16
#WritingCommunity
Fine:
By profession, I’m a copyeditor. Since 2023, I’ve been writing literary short fiction. I have a portfolio:
www.willwilloughby.com
I’m a husband and father. Our dog, Charlie, is a doofus.
1/16
#WritingCommunity
Reposted by Will Willoughby
So delighted to have a flash story in this tremendous issue of @pitheadchapel.bsky.social! And to share a masthead with @willwilloughby.bsky.social, a fellow Maine writer!
Our December issue is live! Read here: pitheadchapel.com/volume-14-is...
Words:
J. CONDRA SMITH
@rebecca-turkewitz.bsky.social
@willwilloughby.bsky.social
NICK REES GARDNER
MAX LIN
JASON FRALEY
Cover art:
DEEMS ORTEGA
Words:
J. CONDRA SMITH
@rebecca-turkewitz.bsky.social
@willwilloughby.bsky.social
NICK REES GARDNER
MAX LIN
JASON FRALEY
Cover art:
DEEMS ORTEGA
Volume 14, Issue 12
COVER ART BY deems ortega FICTION A Bestiary of Immortal Creatures by J. Condra Smith The Great Miss Valentina Speaks by Rebecca Turkewitz Mr. Palm Beach by Will Willoughby Awe by Nick Rees …
pitheadchapel.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:05 AM
So delighted to have a flash story in this tremendous issue of @pitheadchapel.bsky.social! And to share a masthead with @willwilloughby.bsky.social, a fellow Maine writer!
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Heads up managers. It's time to revisit an old friend.
We invite you to reread Company Policy, issue no.1 from MIDLVLMAG.
midlvlmag.com/issues/compa...
Literature matters. So do you.
We invite you to reread Company Policy, issue no.1 from MIDLVLMAG.
midlvlmag.com/issues/compa...
Literature matters. So do you.
December 2, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Heads up managers. It's time to revisit an old friend.
We invite you to reread Company Policy, issue no.1 from MIDLVLMAG.
midlvlmag.com/issues/compa...
Literature matters. So do you.
We invite you to reread Company Policy, issue no.1 from MIDLVLMAG.
midlvlmag.com/issues/compa...
Literature matters. So do you.
Reposted by Will Willoughby
“Mostly, though, he talked about her, talked about how much he’ll miss her, how much she meant to him. All of it’s true. Or at least true enough.”
@willwilloughby.bsky.social for @pitheadchapel.bsky.social pitheadchapel.com/mr-palm-beach/
@willwilloughby.bsky.social for @pitheadchapel.bsky.social pitheadchapel.com/mr-palm-beach/
Mr. Palm Beach
Will Willoughby Now that he’s dead, it’s time for my father to go. That’s how my mother says it, anyway. She calls me one afternoon in September, six months after he sauntered back into the kitchen…
pitheadchapel.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:35 PM
“Mostly, though, he talked about her, talked about how much he’ll miss her, how much she meant to him. All of it’s true. Or at least true enough.”
@willwilloughby.bsky.social for @pitheadchapel.bsky.social pitheadchapel.com/mr-palm-beach/
@willwilloughby.bsky.social for @pitheadchapel.bsky.social pitheadchapel.com/mr-palm-beach/
“Mr. Palm Beach” may be my weirdest story yet, but it’s a good kind of weird, I promise. What do you think?
Thanks to @kimmagowan.bsky.social and everyone else at @pitheadchapel.bsky.social for giving it a great home!
#AmWriting #ShortStories #MagicalRealism
pitheadchapel.com/mr-palm-beach/
Thanks to @kimmagowan.bsky.social and everyone else at @pitheadchapel.bsky.social for giving it a great home!
#AmWriting #ShortStories #MagicalRealism
pitheadchapel.com/mr-palm-beach/
Our December issue is live! Read here: pitheadchapel.com/volume-14-is...
Words:
J. CONDRA SMITH
@rebecca-turkewitz.bsky.social
@willwilloughby.bsky.social
NICK REES GARDNER
MAX LIN
JASON FRALEY
Cover art:
DEEMS ORTEGA
Words:
J. CONDRA SMITH
@rebecca-turkewitz.bsky.social
@willwilloughby.bsky.social
NICK REES GARDNER
MAX LIN
JASON FRALEY
Cover art:
DEEMS ORTEGA
Volume 14, Issue 12
COVER ART BY deems ortega FICTION A Bestiary of Immortal Creatures by J. Condra Smith The Great Miss Valentina Speaks by Rebecca Turkewitz Mr. Palm Beach by Will Willoughby Awe by Nick Rees …
pitheadchapel.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:07 PM
“Mr. Palm Beach” may be my weirdest story yet, but it’s a good kind of weird, I promise. What do you think?
Thanks to @kimmagowan.bsky.social and everyone else at @pitheadchapel.bsky.social for giving it a great home!
#AmWriting #ShortStories #MagicalRealism
pitheadchapel.com/mr-palm-beach/
Thanks to @kimmagowan.bsky.social and everyone else at @pitheadchapel.bsky.social for giving it a great home!
#AmWriting #ShortStories #MagicalRealism
pitheadchapel.com/mr-palm-beach/
Reposted by Will Willoughby
It's the crowd work that really makes a difference.
Read Matt Pacelli's short story "Is Your Coworker Going to Kill You?" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/matt-pacelli...
Read Matt Pacelli's short story "Is Your Coworker Going to Kill You?" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/matt-pacelli...
November 29, 2025 at 5:16 PM
It's the crowd work that really makes a difference.
Read Matt Pacelli's short story "Is Your Coworker Going to Kill You?" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/matt-pacelli...
Read Matt Pacelli's short story "Is Your Coworker Going to Kill You?" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/matt-pacelli...
Reposted by Will Willoughby
My awesome friend Michelle is starting a bookstore that will also function as a community space supporting kids and veterans! She’s got such a brilliant, detailed plan and more enthusiasm than anyone I’ve ever met - I’m excited to see it all come together. @bradymicheller.bsky.social
Donate to Help Launch The Brady Readery, an indie bookstore in MD, organized by Michelle Brady
The Brady Readery—a veteran and woman owned small business—will… Michelle Brady needs your support for Help Launch The Brady Readery, an indie bookstore in MD
gofund.me
November 29, 2025 at 1:36 PM
My awesome friend Michelle is starting a bookstore that will also function as a community space supporting kids and veterans! She’s got such a brilliant, detailed plan and more enthusiasm than anyone I’ve ever met - I’m excited to see it all come together. @bradymicheller.bsky.social
Reposted by Will Willoughby
November 28, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Reposted by Will Willoughby
We're chiming in today to announce our Best Small Fictions nominees! Congratulations and good luck everyone!
November 27, 2025 at 5:22 PM
We're chiming in today to announce our Best Small Fictions nominees! Congratulations and good luck everyone!
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Life on the Midlist is my free newsletter for writers and other chaos gremlins trying to build careers without selling their souls, joining a cult, or starting a podcast about productivity. Subscribe and let’s fail upwards together. www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
November 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Life on the Midlist is my free newsletter for writers and other chaos gremlins trying to build careers without selling their souls, joining a cult, or starting a podcast about productivity. Subscribe and let’s fail upwards together. www.ryantpozzi.com/midlist
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Huge thank you to @petermcallister.bsky.social and @katehorsleywriter.bsky.social over at @inkfishmagazine.bsky.social for this wonderful nomination. I so adore your gorgeous art-forward magazine!
And ICYMI here's the link to my story:
inkfishmag.com/what-moon-wo...
And ICYMI here's the link to my story:
inkfishmag.com/what-moon-wo...
Congratulations to our amazing authors - cheering you all on for this year's Pushcart Prize!
@juliabiggs.bsky.social @katrinanaomipoet.bsky.social
@dawnsteffler.bsky.social
@bsherm36.bsky.social
inkfishmag.com/awards/
@juliabiggs.bsky.social @katrinanaomipoet.bsky.social
@dawnsteffler.bsky.social
@bsherm36.bsky.social
inkfishmag.com/awards/
November 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Huge thank you to @petermcallister.bsky.social and @katehorsleywriter.bsky.social over at @inkfishmagazine.bsky.social for this wonderful nomination. I so adore your gorgeous art-forward magazine!
And ICYMI here's the link to my story:
inkfishmag.com/what-moon-wo...
And ICYMI here's the link to my story:
inkfishmag.com/what-moon-wo...
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Please join us in congratulating our Pushcart nominees! Good luck everyone!
November 22, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Please join us in congratulating our Pushcart nominees! Good luck everyone!
Many thanks to @pangyrus.bsky.social for including my story in this anthology!
shop.pangyrus.com/b/VMGmr
#AmWriting
shop.pangyrus.com/b/VMGmr
#AmWriting
Pangyrus 12: Left Unsaid
Pangyrus Literary Magazine, for its 12th print anthology, draws together works that play with the (large) parts of life where language fails, where truths aren't whole, where a crucial piece of inform...
shop.pangyrus.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Many thanks to @pangyrus.bsky.social for including my story in this anthology!
shop.pangyrus.com/b/VMGmr
#AmWriting
shop.pangyrus.com/b/VMGmr
#AmWriting
Reposted by Will Willoughby
My two short works featured today. Many thanks, Pangyrus editors!!
Susie, Do I Write You a Letter? and Siren | Pangyrus
Susie, Do I Write You a Letter? Susie, do I write you a letter, the way you did to Tom after he died? You asked me if I minded if you wrote him a letter and ...
www.pangyrus.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:53 PM
My two short works featured today. Many thanks, Pangyrus editors!!
Reposted by Will Willoughby
On the heels of a Spotlight Best Small Fictions win last year, I proudly present Stanchion's 2026 Best Small Fictions nominees!
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
November 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
On the heels of a Spotlight Best Small Fictions win last year, I proudly present Stanchion's 2026 Best Small Fictions nominees!
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
Congrats to Christina, Allison, Elizabeth, Jo & Kate! I'm so grateful these talented authors allowed me the privilege of publishing their work.
Reposted by Will Willoughby
What an incredible honor! Can’t wait for this story to come out in December. Thank you @vestalreview.bsky.social for believing in this one!
It's that time of year again—here are Vestal Review's 2025 Pushcart nominees, from our summer issue and our forthcoming one.
November 18, 2025 at 10:22 AM
What an incredible honor! Can’t wait for this story to come out in December. Thank you @vestalreview.bsky.social for believing in this one!
When a dozen just isn't enough.
Read Zoë Davis' short story "Donut Zombies" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/zoe-davis-do...
Read Zoë Davis' short story "Donut Zombies" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/zoe-davis-do...
November 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Be careful where you shop. You never know who might be working there.
Read Sarah R. New's short story "We Were Us" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/sarah-r-new-...
Read Sarah R. New's short story "We Were Us" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/sarah-r-new-...
November 15, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Be careful where you shop. You never know who might be working there.
Read Sarah R. New's short story "We Were Us" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/sarah-r-new-...
Read Sarah R. New's short story "We Were Us" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/sarah-r-new-...
Reposted by Will Willoughby
It's an honor to make top 10 in flash fiction and in the top 100 overall! Thank you for your work, Brecht, and thank you to our amazing writers and readers who make this possible.
The 2026 lit mag rankings are now available from my website! They include an overall ranking, as well as separate rankings for fiction, flash fiction, non-fiction and poetry. If you find these helpful, please show your support by liking & sharing 🙏
November 14, 2025 at 10:17 PM
It's an honor to make top 10 in flash fiction and in the top 100 overall! Thank you for your work, Brecht, and thank you to our amazing writers and readers who make this possible.
Reposted by Will Willoughby
The quiet in the storm lets you know it will be ok.
Read Lyz Pfister's poem "Sundays On Broadway" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/lyz-pfister-...
Read Lyz Pfister's poem "Sundays On Broadway" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/lyz-pfister-...
November 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The quiet in the storm lets you know it will be ok.
Read Lyz Pfister's poem "Sundays On Broadway" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/lyz-pfister-...
Read Lyz Pfister's poem "Sundays On Broadway" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/lyz-pfister-...
Reposted by Will Willoughby
We are thrilled to announce our PEN/Robert J. Dau Emerging Writer Nominations!
🌟"Where to Look" by Brian Lynch
🌟"The Blue Jays Are Imported" by Peter Alsante
🌟"Terminal Break" by Emily Drew
🌟"Eighth Place" by Sarai Abram
🌟"Where to Look" by Brian Lynch
🌟"The Blue Jays Are Imported" by Peter Alsante
🌟"Terminal Break" by Emily Drew
🌟"Eighth Place" by Sarai Abram
November 14, 2025 at 11:43 AM
We are thrilled to announce our PEN/Robert J. Dau Emerging Writer Nominations!
🌟"Where to Look" by Brian Lynch
🌟"The Blue Jays Are Imported" by Peter Alsante
🌟"Terminal Break" by Emily Drew
🌟"Eighth Place" by Sarai Abram
🌟"Where to Look" by Brian Lynch
🌟"The Blue Jays Are Imported" by Peter Alsante
🌟"Terminal Break" by Emily Drew
🌟"Eighth Place" by Sarai Abram
Reposted by Will Willoughby
Announcing my LATE FALL 2025 online poetry workshop! Registration just opened.
"In the Landscape of Contemporary Poetry" meets on Zoom Weds 6-8 PM Eastern Time.
It starts Dec 3 & runs for 6 classes (skipping Dec 24 and 31).
See my website christophercitro DOT com for more info & to register.
"In the Landscape of Contemporary Poetry" meets on Zoom Weds 6-8 PM Eastern Time.
It starts Dec 3 & runs for 6 classes (skipping Dec 24 and 31).
See my website christophercitro DOT com for more info & to register.
November 13, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Announcing my LATE FALL 2025 online poetry workshop! Registration just opened.
"In the Landscape of Contemporary Poetry" meets on Zoom Weds 6-8 PM Eastern Time.
It starts Dec 3 & runs for 6 classes (skipping Dec 24 and 31).
See my website christophercitro DOT com for more info & to register.
"In the Landscape of Contemporary Poetry" meets on Zoom Weds 6-8 PM Eastern Time.
It starts Dec 3 & runs for 6 classes (skipping Dec 24 and 31).
See my website christophercitro DOT com for more info & to register.
Brevity is the soul of wit, or whatever Shakespeare said...
Read Maddox Emory Arnold's short story "Small Talk" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/maddox-emory...
Read Maddox Emory Arnold's short story "Small Talk" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/maddox-emory...
November 13, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reposted by Will Willoughby
The streets are hungry, and they need to eat.
Read John Grochalski's poem "Incident on 49th Street (gig economy blues)" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
Read John Grochalski's poem "Incident on 49th Street (gig economy blues)" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
November 12, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The streets are hungry, and they need to eat.
Read John Grochalski's poem "Incident on 49th Street (gig economy blues)" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
Read John Grochalski's poem "Incident on 49th Street (gig economy blues)" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
November 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Reposted by Will Willoughby
aka "special customer" and they're always a problem.
Read John Grochalski's poem "chinaksi" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
Read John Grochalski's poem "chinaksi" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
November 11, 2025 at 2:22 PM
aka "special customer" and they're always a problem.
Read John Grochalski's poem "chinaksi" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...
Read John Grochalski's poem "chinaksi" in RETAIL HELL 2: Retail Never Sleeps, issue no.7 from MIDLVLMAG
Out now at midlvlmag.com/john-grochal...