Francesca Leader

What I published in 2024 (a thread, in installments, since I don’t know how else to do it in bsky lol): 7 stories, 38 poems, 2 pieces of CNF, and 6 pieces of visual art (reprints excluded). My production this year was less than 2023, but I won a prize, and received 5 award nominations. ⬇️ 1/

Been submitting this wacky, hyper-specific overshare of a 3-page poem that I love so much for over a year now—only to dream mags, which is part of why it took so long. So glad I persevered. It’ll be out in @upthestaircase.bsky.social on November 1st! 😃

Ruin a book by adding a word Orlando, Florida

What happens when I go out on a humid day without my leave-in conditioner 😆 Happy Saturday 🦁

Meiko Kaji (star of Lady Snowblood) struttin' through the subway in the 1970s.

Ever stumble on an old pic of yourself and wonder why TF you hated it so much? I mean, there’s nothing I don’t love now about this selfie I took in 2022. It makes me almost want to grow my hair long one more time, before it all goes gray 😆 🩵

"In life, they both conserved their best love for cats and gardens—stylish broads, or selfish bitches, depending when you met them, and what kind of animal you were." We welcome the brilliant Francesca Leader (@mooninabucket.bsky.social) to The Bulb Region with a breathless, multi-layered piece. 👇

For @tomsnarsky.bsky.social’s #smallpoemsunday, a beautiful little piece from @awordsmithie.bsky.social , found in her collection “Purl.” 🫒 💚

This heartbreaking CNF by @mooninabucket.bsky.social from the @pitheadchapel.bsky.social archives took my breath away with its raw details and depth of emotion. Parenthood is truly the scariest hood you'll ever go through. #archivechallenge pitheadchapel.com/when-my-daug...

I’ve got an appointment in half an hour, you guys - what do I do?? 😸 😻

For #smallpoemsunday, the first poem I ever published (Haiku Journal, 2021). Good for a cloudy day like this one 😊 Thanks, as ever, to @tomsnarsky.bsky.social 🙏 🌧️

You guys, my son made a forktopus at camp, and I’m kind of in love with it 🐙 😆 💕

If you sit next to me on a plane looking like this, I WILL talk to you 😂

Found this in my teen daughter’s bedroom— should I be worried? 😅

From "Note on Two Napkins," published in Wigleaf, 2016.

Elated to have three (3!!) pieces accepted by the lovely @sarpsozdinler.bsky.social for two upcoming releases in the @bulbregion.bsky.social ! Çok teşekkür ederim, Sarpcim! 🤗 🤗

Poeming for the Haikuists in my $10 thrifted Karl Lagerfeld last night. This job really does take me to some of the nicest clubs—and, more importantly—the best bathrooms, in the city 😆 💕

Stone Circle Replay Wednesday poem: "Thoughts, in the Bath, on Trees & Bears" by Francesca Leader (@mooninabucket.bsky.social) stonecirclereview.com/thoughts-in-...

A little Bert Meyers, for #smallpoemsunday @tomsnarsky.bsky.social

For @tomsnarsky.bsky.social’s #smallpoemsunday, a 1000+ year old poem by Ono no Yoshiki, from the kokinshuu, that still slaps. (Arthur Waley translation) It was, in fact, this poem—discovered in middle school—that set me on the path to studying Japanese as well as (eventually) writing

Bluesky launched in February 2023 as an invite-only platform. As of June 2026, we have 45 million users. For reference, that's almost the population of Argentina. Thank you for being here with us 💙 Here’s to the next 45 million accounts.

Been a while since I nabbed a fiver 😊 I wasn’t feeling very well on last evening’s walk, but I kept going, and finding this on the way back was my reward 5️⃣ 🍀 💕

My parents never photographed me with a frog when I was little, but I can assure you that I’ve been making amphibians late for things since the ‘80s 😂 🐸 (P.S. - No animals were harmed in the making of this image - only momentarily startled, and perhaps lastingly annoyed 😉)

Happy Birthday, Francesca! May this new year bring you joy and peace:) Sidenote: I just read Lost Dog, Beagle vibes the other day. Loved it passionfruitreview.com/lost-dog-bea...

47 years old today. Mother of one adult and two soon-to-be adults. I’ve written and published some things I’m proud of. I’ve held onto my job in a time of extreme duress. I’ve found a partner who loves me the way I always deserved. So many reasons for gratitude.

My intelligence is All-Natural, Grass-Fed, Free-Range, Organic, Macrobiotic, Homeopathic, Bioavailable, Biodegradable, PFAS- and Paraben-Free, Delicious, Nutritious, and—most importantly—HUMAN.

"The first time we have sex after the baby, my husband tells me, 'I’m not attracted to big girls.'” - from @lauraleighwrite.bsky.social's story, "Circe," in our May/June issue:

I am clingy AF and I will never change 🌱 🌧️ 💕

On your birthday, you are allowed to write as many bird poems as you please.

For Small Poem Sunday, something published in @miniskirtmag.bsky.social in December 2024, with thanks, as always, to @tomsnarsky.bsky.social 🩵