Online magazine for flash and short fiction. Chill Subs 2024 Community Favourites Flash Fiction #7 https://trashcatlit.com/ Still on X @TrashCatLit Editor: JP Relph @therelphian.bsky.social Read Stories: https://trashcatlit.com/treasured-words/https://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3ml6cli7pgc2vToday's story spotlight is from @jhtomen.bsky.social 🦝 We loved the way the prompts were used in this one, and the voice of the main character is perfect. A relatable tale for many, we imagine. A deplorable crime that will have you smiling, read and listen here: https://trashcatlit.com/hardboiled-and-heartless/06 May 2026 08:41 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml6cli7pgc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3ml3z6e7hok2hOur first spotlight of the latest issue is from @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social 🦝 We loved the brevity and beauty in this prose poem, hinting at how fleeting memories can be. The child's POV adds emotional depth and a gentle understanding. Read here: https://trashcatlit.com/my-incomplete-collection-of-miniature-weather-events/05 May 2026 10:48 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml3z6e7hok2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkwqebbrck2vAnd just like that, the Spring Prompted Stories Pop-Up is available for your reading pleasure 🦝 Nineteen imaginative and creative flash created from prompts. We love it, you'll love, go get it 💜 https://trashcatlit.com/prompted-stories-pop-up-spring-2026/ 1/303 May 2026 08:27 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkwqebbrck2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mku65z5o7s2vOur final teases - the Prompted Story Pop-Up goes live tomorrow! 🦝 In @madeleinewrite.bsky.social's Not All Heroes Wear Pants, a touching memorial to Brenda takes an unexpected turn In Southend Fallout, Zoe @meanerharker.bsky.social gives us an overwhelmed lifeguard and an unexpected rescuer02 May 2026 07:56 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mku65z5o7s2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mksferbcxs2vOur penultimate teasers for the upcoming Prompted Stories issue 🦝 In Blank Space, @tracierenee.bsky.social crams story into her flash that seethes with the strain of a relationship In A Second Too Long, @terri-rose.bsky.social takes us on a chilling journey to find the truth of a terrible act01 May 2026 14:59 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mksferbcxs2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkrrvalg5c2vOur charity print anthology, containing 27 incredible short fictions, is cheap as fancy chips for the month of May! 🦝 Grab yourself a copy or treat someone who loves wordage - all sales benefit UK charity, The Wildlife Trusts🦡 🦊🦉🦋 https://mybook.to/WhatComesToLight01 May 2026 09:11 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkrrvalg5c2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkrpb3xrss2vComing in two days, a stellar Prompted Stories issue 🦝 In The Seven of Cups, A.J @scribblerotoole.bsky.social MC browses treasure and contemplates something a little decadent In Tea at Brigham Hall, Beth @bsherm36.bsky.social takes us for a lovely cuppa where things are not what they seem01 May 2026 08:24 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkrpb3xrss2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkpyua2kik2vWe're teasing our upcoming issue with a doubler from the fabulous @jennyhart2001.bsky.social In Blood Storm, anticipation and tension collide as an annual event approaches In The Influence of the Metonic Cycle on Werewolves and Their Lovers, we get a taut love affair with bite30 Apr 2026 16:10 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkpyua2kik2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkp6hz2vuc2vMore teasings for the Prompted Stories pop-up 🦝 In The Foundling, Clara Cooke gives us an MC subjugated by her people, waiting for darkness In My Incomplete Collection of Miniature Weather Events, @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social uses sharp, sparse poetic prose to show us fleeting memories30 Apr 2026 08:18 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkp6hz2vuc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mknitj7iuc2mOur Prompted Stories issue comes on the 3rd May 🦝 In The Gift, rj cannon gives us a special relationship that is threatened by family differences In Nightmare Off Air, @kawalker.bsky.social shows us behind the scenes of bad dreams, and finds things aren't working as they should29 Apr 2026 16:18 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknitj7iuc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkmpg6pbck2mKeeping the teases of our Prompted Stories issue coming until 3rd May 🦝 In Ash and Ghosts, Allie Olvera gives us mesmerising, heart punching floetry filled with torment In They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, @adlibby.bsky.social immerses us in character and impending loss, beautifully29 Apr 2026 08:43 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkmpg6pbck2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mklfve65522bWe highly recommend @sophia-adamowicz.bsky.social writing - always atmospheric and beautifully described. "The Brink blends historical and eldritch folk horror in a queer tale of awakening while exploring a darkly hungry Derbyshire Peak District" Preorder now! https://ruadanbooks.com/product/the-brink/ 1/228 Apr 2026 20:20 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mklfve65522bhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkkvoslxns2bTwo more teasers for our coming issue (live 3rd May) 🦝 In Alice Should Have Known Better, @hayleyshucker.bsky.social makes us breathless with her blistering lovesick prose In Little Bee, Kathryn Kulpa @writesofkathryn.bsky.social gives us a child hiding from loss and guilt in her lyrical beauty28 Apr 2026 15:30 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkkvoslxns2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkk5lynvrs2bThis issue launches 3rd May - here's some tempting tidbits 🦝 In A Matter of Principle, @pj-mccarthy.bsky.social gives us family tension and exploration from a child's POV In Hardboiled and Heartless, @jhtomen.bsky.social shows us the most terrible crime and its impact on two innocent souls28 Apr 2026 08:19 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkk5lynvrs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkih46secs2bOur first teaser for the upcoming Prompted Stories issue is from our brilliant guest reader, Ian Johnson @youcanandyouwill.bsky.social 🦝 In A Shimmer on the River, we're immersed in a desperate battle between honesty and winning, and the love of a father doing the best he can. Coming 3rd May27 Apr 2026 16:04 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkih46secs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkhqfgjucc2bTHEY'RE HEEEEERE! 🦝 Our 18 contributors to the upcoming Prompted Stories issue for Spring. A delicious mix of existing and new Trash Family. We can't wait to share their stories... @madeleinewrite.bsky.social rj cannon, Clara Cooke @meanerharker.bsky.social @adlibby.bsky.social 1/327 Apr 2026 09:17 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkhqfgjucc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mkfwz62nqc2aAfter some intense days, we've sorted our Spring Prompted Story Pop-Up 🦝 Thanks @youcanandyouwill.bsky.social for the excellent assistance. All notifications now sent - we so appreciate everyone's interest in TCL 💜 We have 19 flashes for the issue, coming May, and a contributor reveal tomorrow! https://media.tenor.com/5TjZDdb35n8AAAAC/rambley-the-raccoon-rambley.gif?hh=336&ww=39126 Apr 2026 16:10 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkfwz62nqc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mk6qmghs6c25Thank you to everyone who worked their prompts into a story for the pop-up, we admire your hard work and imagination 🦝 Trash Cat and guest reader, Ian will be making decisions and we'll start getting notifications out in the next few days.23 Apr 2026 19:27 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk6qmghs6c25https://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mk5nlest4s2iIt's the final countdown! Prompted subs close at 8pm tonight (BST). Our guest reader and contributor for this issue is Ian Johnson @youcanandyouwill.bsky.social - here's what he did last year with the prompts: on a Sleeper Train, an Insomniac, and Seeds. Enjoy 🦝 https://trashcatlit.com/frisson-interruptus/23 Apr 2026 09:00 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk5nlest4s2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mk3bwxwuws2iWe're excited to see Prompted Stories land in the bin - you still have until 8pm (BST) tomorrow to lob one at us 🦝 Here's what Andrew Monge @muchadoaboutnil.bsky.social did in 2025 with the prompts: A Morgue/ Funeral Home, Nightshift Worker, an Unwanted Gift trashcatlit.com/rubbernecker/22 Apr 2026 10:27 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3bwxwuws2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mjyou3qn4k2rThere are two more days in our Prompted Stories submission window - get cracking! 🦝 Here's what the fabulous Gill O'Halloran @quickasaflash.bsky.social did in 2024 with the prompts: a Storage Facility, a Demon, and a Found Camera Go get inspired! https://trashcatlit.com/get-thee-beside-me-satan-we-need-a-selfie/21 Apr 2026 09:40 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjyou3qn4k2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mjw7mrjnek2oWe almost forgot April is Trash Cat Lit's 2nd birthday! Two years since we were birthed from a bin desperate for treasures. It's been a cracking ride so far, thank you to everyone who submits and supports this wee mag. We will be mostly eating snacksies today 🦝 Stay Trashy 💜20 Apr 2026 10:02 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjw7mrjnek2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mjtx73zzfs2hIf you missed our Spring Pop-Up call, here's what's coming next 🦝 Our Summer General submissions open 1st-14th June for Flash (100-750) and Shorts (up to 2000). There's a theme of GREEN BIN STORIES and a mood board to offer inspo: trashcatlit.com/summer-mood/19 Apr 2026 12:26 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjtx73zzfs2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mjtso654jc2hTHE BIN IS OPEN! You can submit your prompted stories between now and 8pm on the 23rd April (BST). Scroll down this page for the link: https://trashcatlit.com/prompted-pop-ups-2026/ We're excited to read what the prompts delivered 🦝19 Apr 2026 11:05 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjtso654jc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mjpb4s3nf224We're opening Prompted Stories subs a little earlier - for the fast flashers chomping at the bin bit! You can now lob your work in from NOON on the 19th until 8pm on the 23rd April (BST). The link will be at the bottom of this page: https://trashcatlit.com/prompted-pop-ups-2026/ See you then 🦝17 Apr 2026 15:40 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjpb4s3nf224https://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mjjney6vcc24As we tick tick down to our submission window for your prompted stories, here's what Adele Evershed @adlibby.bsky.social did in 2024 with the prompts: In the Year You Were Ten, a Botanist, and Strange Photos. https://trashcatlit.com/the-diary-of-a-reluctant-spectroscopist/15 Apr 2026 10:04 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjjney6vcc24https://bsky.app/profile/trashcatlit.bsky.social/post/3mjegtqcszc24Glorious, vivid writing as always from T-Fam @quickasaflash.bsky.social. Two very different flashes here for your reading pleasure. Grab snacks and get stuck in 🦝 [contains quote post or other embedded content]13 Apr 2026 08:23 +0000at://did:plc:zifhynssihmr6m6mvkao4a42/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjegtqcszc24