Debra Daniel

Debra Daniel

@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Writer of flash fiction and poetry, singer.

207 followers167 following112 posts

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Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

What an absolute delight to discover two of my titles on this long list. Thanks to the judging panel for including my work. I am thrilled. Fingers crossed as the process continues. @smokelong.bsky.social

SmokeLong Quarterly@smokelong.bsky.social

Please help us celebrate the Long List for the 2025 SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction (The Smokey)! www.smokelong.com/the-smokelon...

smokelong.comThe SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction – The Long List - SmokeLong QuarterlyOur 14 judges have been hard at work over the last few days—and the last few months—narrowing down the field in our now-annual competition, The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction (The Smokey)...
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

I am overjoyed to find my title here. Fingers crossed for yhe short list to come. Congrats to the other flashers and thanks to @bathflashaward.bsky.social

bathflashaward.bsky.social@bathflashaward.bsky.social

Congrats to everyone Longlisted In our 34th Award.There’s been a delay but our very patient judge now has the list. Final results out mid/November this time www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2026/10/3567...

bathflashfictionaward.comLong List, 34th Award, October 2026Congratulations to all the authors who have made our Award long list (titles listed below) and huge thanks to all who entered.Author names are yet to be announced, so while it is fine to share that…
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Amazing way to start the day. Big congrats to all nominees. Thanks to @natflashfictionday.bsky.social You can find these stories in anthologies Mudlarking and Monsoon.

Cole Beauchamp 🏳️‍🌈 📖@nomad-sw18.bsky.social

Congrats to all the nominees 🥳 🎉 🎊 Esp @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social & @quickasaflash.bsky.social my London flash buddies, and @erinbondo.com @debdanthewriter.bsky.social @nivenaudrey.bsky.social @robwaltonwriter.bsky.social @sfreligh.bsky.social @dawnwriter.bsky.social @marthawrites.bsky.social

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

www.craftliterary.com/craft-award-... I am thrilled to announce that I am one of the finalists for Craft Literary Award for Excellence for my story, “In Our Backyard I Watch a Bear.” Thanks to the editors for this honor. @craftliterary.com

craftliterary.com2026 CRAFT Award for Excellence - CRAFT2026 CRAFT Award for Excellence February 9 – April 12, 2026 $5,000 Awarded Thank you to all who submitted work to the 2026 CRAFT Award for Excellence. We are delighted to publish the winners and edito...
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Happy to be included. Looking forward to the festival!

flashficfestuk.bsky.social@flashficfestuk.bsky.social

Excited that the 2025 Flash Fiction Festival Anthology Is now published ready for this year’s festival where it will be launched with readings! We’re back to red again. It’s the first of the new rainbow series www.flashfictionfestival.com/published-no...

flashfictionfestival.comPublished now! Flash Fiction Festival Anthology Vol Eight.We’re thrilled that the Flash Fiction Festival Anthology, Vol Eight, the first volume of the second rainbow series of anthologies compiled by Jude Higgins and Diane Simmons is now published b…
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

So many amazing stories.

Sara Hills@sarahillswrites.bsky.social

Just now catching up with all the beauties that didn't come in on my reading shifts. Congrats to everyone who paddled along in 2026. 🎉🎉🎉 — Reading for FlashFlood the past 6 years has been an honor & I will miss it. Do read for a journal if you can; it grows your craft & keeps the community afloat.❤️🙏

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Such great character development in so few words.

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

The Write-In: 'Lost Everything' by J. Rob Turner #nffd2026

dlvr.it'Lost Everything' by J. Rob TurnerLOST! TELEPHONE NUMBER of the most perfect person, a gift to me on the Weeks Footbridge near campuson July 4, 2009. The giver is a clerk somewhere at Harvard and I am the one she said was looking the wrong direction, the one who stuttered a little, “No, the fireworks sp-parkle like jewels in your eyes.” You touched my hand. I just lost my mind and can’t remember. It starts with a “7". I have tried several so far. Please. Muskles@gmail.com
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

My second story from The Write-in. For this prompt you could not repeat any words. Thanks @natflashfictionday.bsky.social

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

The Write-In: 'Maisie Loved Her Doorbell Camera' by Debra A Daniel #nffd2026

dlvr.it'Maisie Loved Her Doorbell Camera' by Debra A DanielShe bought it when burglars were sweeping the subdivision, stealing electronics, tearing big screen televisions right off walls, rummaging through personal intimate belongings nobody was ever supposed to see. Fearing victimhood, our paranoid friend installed protection. There’d be warning if someone sinister approached. Defenseless damsel would have time for double-locking valuables, hiding unmentionables, grabbing baseball bat. At first, Second Sight, aptly named, posted generic messages. Person. Cat. Motion. Then more detailed descriptions followed. Man walking. Woman pushing stroller. Dog peeing. Technology proved its worth. Alarmed single female could rest easier. Robbers undetected. Whew. Soon though, re-dubbed Nosy Neighbor, got smarter. Poodle burying bone. Mail carrier rough-tossing package. Next door bachelor’s loser ex snooping. Teenage yard boy leaning upon rake thinking about losing virginity after prom. Did anyone really need know all that? Certainly not this lady minding only individual business. Still dealing with such particular info remained doable until rechristened Scary Stalker ventured too close. Details coming from inside. Picking your nose? Aren’t you putting on extra pounds? Four glasses of wine? Miss M had enough. Ripping out device, hammer-banging, throwing into garbage. Done. Looters. Pillagers. Thieves. Who cares?

Debra Daniel reposted

National Flash Fiction Day
@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

The Write-In: 'Maisie Loved Her Doorbell Camera' by Debra A Daniel #nffd2026

dlvr.it'Maisie Loved Her Doorbell Camera' by Debra A DanielShe bought it when burglars were sweeping the subdivision, stealing electronics, tearing big screen televisions right off walls, rummaging through personal intimate belongings nobody was ever supposed to see. Fearing victimhood, our paranoid friend installed protection. There’d be warning if someone sinister approached. Defenseless damsel would have time for double-locking valuables, hiding unmentionables, grabbing baseball bat. At first, Second Sight, aptly named, posted generic messages. Person. Cat. Motion. Then more detailed descriptions followed. Man walking. Woman pushing stroller. Dog peeing. Technology proved its worth. Alarmed single female could rest easier. Robbers undetected. Whew. Soon though, re-dubbed Nosy Neighbor, got smarter. Poodle burying bone. Mail carrier rough-tossing package. Next door bachelor’s loser ex snooping. Teenage yard boy leaning upon rake thinking about losing virginity after prom. Did anyone really need know all that? Certainly not this lady minding only individual business. Still dealing with such particular info remained doable until rechristened Scary Stalker ventured too close. Details coming from inside. Picking your nose? Aren’t you putting on extra pounds? Four glasses of wine? Miss M had enough. Ripping out device, hammer-banging, throwing into garbage. Done. Looters. Pillagers. Thieves. Who cares?
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Here’s my story sent to The Write-In. Thanks to the editors for letting it out into the world. @natflashfictionday.bsky.social

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

The Write-In: 'My Father Brings Home the Roots and Bark from a Sassafras Tree' by Debra A Daniel #nffd2026

dlvr.it'My Father Brings Home the Roots and Bark from a Sassafras Tree' by Debra A Daniel“We’ll make tea,” he says, “like my grandmother did.” He’s cleaning off the dirt. “Sassafras tea tastes like root beer.” “Beer makes you drunk,” I say. “Girls aren’t supposed to be drunk. I could get arrested and thrown into the clinker.” “That won’t happen. The clinker is for hardened criminals,” my grandmother says. “Ladies don’t call it the clinker,” my mother says. “Ladies call it the correctional facility.” My grandmother huffs. “The clinker is more refined than hoosegow or slammer.” “Or joint.” My father’s voice sounds like a movie bad guy. My grandmother almost laughs. My mother flares her nostrils.  “We’ll make sassafras tea like fancy English people,” my father says.  “Sassafras tea will poison you,” my grandmother says. “You’ll die frothing from the mouth, gargling on spit.” “Ladies don’t spit,” my mother says, “and they only gargle in private. Refined people never die that way.” My father puts the roots and bark into boiling water. “Now everything simmers,” he says. The water bubbles. It smells spicy and woody. “Let it seep,” my father says. I wait to drink danger. “I won’t witness the imbibing of impolite liquids,” my mother says and leaves. My grandmother wrings her hands. Finally the tea is ready. He pours two cups, adds honey, stirs.  My father and I take the tiniest of sips. Then we twinkle-eye each other. We both grab our throats, plunge backwards, crumple to the floor, and lie still like we’re dead from tea. My grandmother leans over us like a vulture. She wants to be mad with both of us fake-dying right in front of her eyes, but she isn’t. Now we’re laughing, my father and I. Even my grandmother. We forget to finish the tea which didn’t taste that good anyway.
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Oh, happy day. My flash will be appearing at 4:15 EDT, 21:15 BST. Flash along with the flood.

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

Amended post: Clear your diaries! Saturday is National Flash Fiction Day! Read with us & write with us! FlashFlood will publish a flash every five or ten minutes and our Write-in will publish a prompt on the hour every hour!

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Great news. I’ll be bobbing along in the flood with my story, “My Sister Begs for a Canary She Won’t Even Love” at 21.15 BST which is 4.15 EDT. Hop In the water is fine. Many thanks to the editors at @natflashfictionday.bsky.social

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

Gonna have to do a new thread! Stories received from the following so far:Netherlands, Japan, Ireland, Cambodia, Spain, UAE, Australia, France, USA, Turkey, Nigeria, UK, Canada, India. Greece, New Zealand, Cyprus & South Korea! Subs close 25/4! flashfloodjournal.blogspot.com/p/submission...

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Getting ready to read lots of flashy stories. Send in your work.

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

Entries to our microfiction comp close on 15/2. This week Diane Simmons interviews another of our judges Debra A. Daniel @debdanthewriter.bsky.social — read about her experience on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’, her prizewinning NIF & much more: www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/index.php/ne...

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Deadline is coming! Send in your work.

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

Submissions to our anthology (up to 500 words on the theme of BRIDGES) & our Microfiction comp (up to 100 words, no theme) are now OPEN until 15 Feb. Our anthology editors & judges are poised ready! You can read more here: www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

It was a great day.

flashficfestuk.bsky.social@flashficfestuk.bsky.social

More thanks to @lettybutler.bsky.social @debdanthewriter.bsky.social @bsherm36.bsky.social @itssonoemi.bsky.social for reading fantastic stories & @scooterwriter.bsky.social for judging the ‘slow prose’ festival contest from @judehwriter2.bsky.social’s prompts. We’relooking out for your entries!

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Not for me, but big congrats to all ye on the list.

The Welkin Press@welkinpress.bsky.social

DRUM ROLL!!!! 🥁🥁🥁 It gives me great pleasure to announce the SPARKLING longlist for the Welkin Writing Prize 2026. Congratulations to all the writers on this list. And commiserations to everyone else. The standard was incredibly high: www.mattkendrick.co.uk/welkin-prize...

mattkendrick.co.ukWelkin News | MattKendrick.co.ukA writing prize open to all forms of narrative prose, be that flash fiction, short-short, vignette, haibun, hermit crab, prose poem or work that sits outside such labels.
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Big congrats to all.

Linda M. Bayley@lmbayley.bsky.social

Congratulations to everyone who made this list! I'm not on it, sadly, despite sending my very best work -- thrice! But since I know my very best work is very good, it follows that the stuff I'll get to read on the shortlist is going to be FREAKING AMAZING. I can't wait!

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Send them in. We are waiting.

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

Our microfiction judges @daveswann.bsky.social @debdanthewriter.bsky.social @devaneemily.bsky.social & @joannacampbell.bsky.social are looking forward to reading your micros (up to a 100 words, no theme). Cash prizes & publication 😊Comp closes 15 Feb: www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

I’m looking forward to reading with this group and hearing their stories. See you there. @dublinwriter.bsky.social

Debbi Voisey@dublinwriter.bsky.social

2nd half readers at #WritersReading Novella-in-Flash special zoom Thu 7pm UK: @theliterarypig.bsky.social @jtblackie.bsky.social @lmbayley.bsky.social @debdanthewriter.bsky.social and featured reader, the inimitable @finnwritesstuff.bsky.social. Free ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/dubli...

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Thrilled to see two of my titles here. Congratulations to my fellow listees.

bathflashaward.bsky.social@bathflashaward.bsky.social

Congratulations to all 27 writers on our 2026 Bath Novella-in-Flash Award longlist. And thank you to everyone who entered. So many good and inventive novellas were submitted. www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2025/12/novella-in-flash-2026-longlist/

bathflashfictionaward.comNovella in flash 2026 LonglistCongratulations to all the 27 authors who have made our Award long list for the 2026 Award (Final results in January, 2026) and huge thanks to all who entered.Author names are yet to be announced, …

Debra Daniel reposted

Linda Daunter
@lindadaunter.bsky.social

Can I cross that bridge and bridge the gap between rejection and acceptance? #WritingCommunity

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

Submissions to our anthology (up to 500 words on the theme of BRIDGES) & our Microfiction comp (up to 100 words, no theme) are now OPEN until 15 Feb. Our anthology editors & judges are poised ready! You can read more here: www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk

Debra Daniel reposted

Suzanne (writing as S A Greene)
@sagreene1.bsky.social

And this on the day that @smokelong.bsky.social ‘Promptember’ begins! Thank you, Smokelong.

SmokeLong Quarterly@smokelong.bsky.social

It's FlashGiving! Follow @smokelong.bsky.social if you don't already, then like and share this post to get your name in the hat to win $200 holiday money. Deadline is midnight ET, November 26th! Winner chosen randomly on Nov 27th. Please tag @smokelong.bsky.social so that we know you've posted!

Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Short list, here I am! Congrats to all fellow listers.

bathflashaward.bsky.social@bathflashaward.bsky.social

www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2025/10/31st... Hot on the heels of the Longlist here’s the shortlist of 20 as selected by judge @kazbarwrites.bsky.social for our 31st Award. Congratulations to all!

bathflashfictionaward.com31st Award Short ListHuge congratulations to the twenty authors who have made our 31st Award short listAuthor names are yet to be announced, so while it is fine to share you are on the short list, please do not identif…
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Yes, indeed! I have a title here. Thanks to the readers. Thanks to Bath Flash Fiction Award for brightening a dreary, rainy day.

bathflashaward.bsky.social@bathflashaward.bsky.social

www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2025/10/oct-... Very late in the day but at last our Oct 2025 Longlist. Congratulations to all. And apologies for the delay

bathflashfictionaward.comOct 2025 Long ListCongratulations to all the authors who have made our Award long list and huge thanks to all who entered.Author names are yet to be announced, so while it is fine to share that you are on the long l…
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Looking forward to this!

Laura Besley@laurabesley.bsky.social

SEPTEMBER In the Dark Eyes of the Rabbit - Winner of the Bath Novella-in-Flash Award - by @debdanthewriter.bsky.social #published by @adhocfiction.bsky.social Live author Q&A on Monday, 15th Sept. #fiction #flashfiction #writingcommunity #novellainflash bookshop.adhocfiction.com/index.php?ma...

bookshop.adhocfiction.comAd Hoc Fiction, Short Short Fiction PressAd Hoc Fiction : - Books ecommerce, open source, shop, online shopping, store, book, bookshop, chap book, chapbook, flash fiction, micro fiction, sudden fiction, poetry prose, short short story, pres...
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Delighted to find my title here on the list. Congratulations to all the writers and many thanks to @bathflashaward.bsky.social Fingers crossed for the next announcement.

bathflashaward.bsky.social@bathflashaward.bsky.social

Many Congratulations to the 50 writers on our 30th Award longlist and a big thank you to all who entered. Emails to confirm are being sent now & short list out next week www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2025/06/june-2025-long-list/

bathflashfictionaward.comJune 2025 Long ListCongratulations to all the authors who have made our Award long list and huge thanks to all who entered.Author names are yet to be announced, so while it is fine to share that you are on the long l…
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Thanks for including my story. @natflashfictionday.bsky.social

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

The Write-In: 'Skin Flicks, Voted Best Tattoo Parlor in Town' by Debra A. Daniel #nffd2025

dlvr.it'Skin Flicks, Voted Best Tattoo Parlor in Town' by Debra A. DanielCoy sits behind the reception desk. “You sure you want a tattoo?” he says.  “Hell, yeah,” the woman says. She juts her chin forward and narrows her eyes. “I want a whole sleeve, but I’ll start with something simple like a chameleon or a woodpecker.” Coy looks at her. Gray hair, wrinkles, knotty blue veins. “Neither of those is simple,” he says, “not if they’re done right. You don’t know much about tattoos.” “As long as you do, we’ll be fine. I do know I like yours, especially the anaconda  winding around your neck,” the woman says. “Ironic. Wry. In your face.” Coy scratches his head. This woman could be his grandmother. Maybe great-grandmother. She’s ancient. Skin like hers would be paper thin. Probably a bleeder. He imagines tying a tourniquet about her arm to stop some god-awful hemorrhage. “Does anyone know you’re here or that you’re wanting to permanently inject ink into your body?” Coy can’t help but notice that she smells like cake. “Can I call someone to take you home?” “I don’t answer to anyone, young man. I’m the boss of me,” she says, “an if I want to tattoo one hell of an anaconda on my neck, then that’s my prerogative. If you won’t do it, I’ll go to Inkblots.” She turns to leave. Coy flinches. Barb over at Inkblots would grab the old woman’s money, slap some god-awful smudge of a broken heart on her shoulder and sleeve her up with clichéd designs and bleed her of hundreds of dollars.  “Wait,” Coy says. He walks around the desk to stand with the woman who smells like someone he wishes he remembered.  “We’ll start with cornflowers,” he says, “Then around your arm, we’ll twine a vine with heart-shaped leaves as green as early spring.”
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

Here’s my story from the National Flash Fiction Day Flash Flood. #nffd25

National Flash Fiction Day@natflashfictionday.bsky.social

FlashFlood: 'While Reading My Story about a Girl Fishing with Her Father to My Own Father, He Drums His Fingers' by Debra A. Daniel #nffd2025

dlvr.it'While Reading My Story about a Girl Fishing with Her Father to My Own Father, He Drums His Fingers' by Debra A. Daniel“Put a gun in it,” he says. He exhales a cigarette breath even though he hasn’t smoked in months. “It’s not that kind of story,” I say. “It’s about family connection.” “Without a gun, you won’t get a movie deal,” he says. “When you put a gun in a story, someone gets hurt or dies.” I reach for his hand to stop his galloping fingers. I look into his eyes. Most of him is still there. The opinionated part, at least. He gives me his that’s-the-way-it-is look. “If the story’s up to snuff, someone has to die,” he says. “It makes readers care.” Our hands let go of each other. “My stories aren’t about death,” I say. “Yes, they are. What happens to the fish?” I sigh. My hands hold each other.  “Don’t you care about them?” he says. “I do,” I say. “I’ll revise it so they catch and release.” Now his fingers on both hands drum. “Cop out,” he says. I take a deep breath. “It isn’t about fish. It’s supposed to show the father and daughter casting out and reeling each other back. It’s a metaphor for holding onto something elusive.” “Malarkey,” he says. “Add a gun.” I clasp my hands as if prayer could help. “No gun,” I say. “If it’s there certain things will happen.” I give him my own that’s-the-way-it-is look. He raises both hands. “If you put a fish in the story, nobody has to catch it. If you put in a cigarette, nobody has to smoke,” he says. “You’re the writer. Fix it so nobody uses the gun.” My father—sitting in a wheelchair, stale breath, his fingers drumming—leans toward me. “You can still control your story,” he says. I nod and drum along with him. --- Debra A.Daniel has published two novellas-in-flash, A Family of Great Falls and The Roster (AdHoc Fiction), Woman Commits Suicide in Dishwasher (novel), and two poetry chapbooks, The Downward Turn of August and As Is. She’s a Pushcart and Best Short Fictions nominee. She won The Los Angeles Review short fiction prize, received the SC Arts Commission Poetry Fellowship, the Guy Owen Poetry Prize, and awards from the Poetry Society of SC. Work has been longlisted and shortlisted in many contests and has appeared in: Snow Crow, Legerdemain, LA Review, Smokelong, Kakalak, Inkwell, Southern Poetry Review, Tar River, and others.
Debra Daniel
@debdanthewriter.bsky.social

How absolutely incredible to see my two titles moving forward to the Smokey shortlist. My heart is aflutter. Many thanks to the judging panel. Congrats to all these writers. #flash #flashfiction

SmokeLong Quarterly@smokelong.bsky.social

Announcing the outrageously good shortlist for The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction 2025, aka The Smokey. Please feel free to celebrate but please do not identify your story as judging is still in progress. www.smokelong.com/the-smokelon...

smokelong.comThe SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction — The Shortlist - SmokeLong QuarterlyThank you to everyone who has sent work to The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction, or as we affectionately call it The Smokey. Our team of 14 judges from seven countries around this troubled ...