Michael Pershan's Avatar

Michael Pershan

@mpershan

math teacher, writer substack: pershmail.substack.com website with links to publications etc: michaelpershan.com

1,339
Followers
339
Following
2,042
Posts
03.07.2023
Joined
Posts Following

Latest posts by Michael Pershan @mpershan

there should be a whole new system of numbers based on there being a number between every number: one twone two thrwo three throur four fourve five sive six sevix seven eiven eight nieght nine teine ten elen eleven tweven twelve thirlve thirteen throurteen fourteen fourveteen fifteen siveteen etc

11.03.2026 02:48 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Future Guidelines hex publishes flash literary fiction and prose poetry with speculative elements. We welcome the surreal, the weird, and the uncanny. Scare us, surprise us, take us to space. Show us how ...

Peeps, social media is fickle and volatile.

hex is steadfast.

Click here, and sign up for our email list to stay apprised of future openings.

Speaking of which...

Mark your calendars for March, 20th at noon. See you then ๐Ÿ˜ˆ

10.03.2026 18:07 ๐Ÿ‘ 33 ๐Ÿ” 12 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 3

Similar feelings towards "sluice"

11.03.2026 00:55 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I just don't like the way it sounds.

11.03.2026 00:55 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Ugh fine I'll look up the word "diaphanous."

11.03.2026 00:55 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 3 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

It's certainly seems to be that Lish favored work that sounded sharp when read aloud. From Sam Lipsyte in the NYer.

11.03.2026 00:25 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

It definitely has rhythm! I found it pretty charming in small doses and it reminds me of Barthelme at times. What's the thought about his being an early creative writing teacher?

11.03.2026 00:10 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Haha this is a scene in a very jewish Allegra Goodman novel I just read.

10.03.2026 01:27 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Oh, Kid Gloves is on this one too. So a third single, please.

10.03.2026 00:51 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I like the new song very much. I very badly need a second single.

10.03.2026 00:34 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I don't want to make everything all the time all about jewishness but I do wonder if this has something to do with that.

09.03.2026 23:59 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1
Post image

The funniest thing about Gordon Lish cutting 70% of Carver's drafts is his own writing is voicey plotless vibing and (to me) fun but impossible to actually get through.

09.03.2026 23:34 ๐Ÿ‘ 11 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 4 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Super duper grateful to be part of this! Thank you for the beautiful issue. And the art is superb, Anne.

09.03.2026 23:13 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

"Now I was taking off in a coffin with wings, a Cessna 182 with a goddam propeller..."

When we say 'pockety,' this is what we mean: stunning, breath taking, breath-giving. Pockety new fiction from @mpershan.bsky.social | www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/mich...

Art @anchalastudio.bsky.social

09.03.2026 21:37 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Is this a stupid joke? Yes.

09.03.2026 19:21 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

I'm still out here hustling for my story "Tandem Jump" in the amazing @doesithavepockets.bsky.social. It's about other things but it's also about trying to talk to another person when there's a lot of wind (not easy). www.doesithavepockets.com/fiction/mich...

06.03.2026 16:35 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 3 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Psyched to have a new story at @theforge.bsky.social today, about hosting Jesus for dinner ๐Ÿฅฃ

09.03.2026 13:47 ๐Ÿ‘ 38 ๐Ÿ” 12 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 6 ๐Ÿ“Œ 3
I Didnโ€™t Mean to Change My Mind
I Didnโ€™t Mean to Change My Mind YouTube video by Prism Shores - Topic

This next Prism Shores album is going to be something special. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRgf...

09.03.2026 02:33 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I've had this one since 2020 so it might just be time soon.

08.03.2026 21:09 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Possibly, though obviously it's not ideal. I also have a work computer.

08.03.2026 20:38 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

That's just another way of saying I need a new aptop.

08.03.2026 20:29 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Besides for the battery my computer keyboard is increasingy unabe to type ""s.

08.03.2026 20:28 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I loved the "hermit crab" structure, the way you wove together anaysis/memoir, and you've maybe convinced me that "Stud City" works in the novella.

08.03.2026 20:21 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

Really loved this!

08.03.2026 00:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 8 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

By color is very much not my thing...I kind of like the variety/chaos.

08.03.2026 14:35 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I think around here we've got some light organization (e.g. same authors together) but most books are just on a shelf.

08.03.2026 12:59 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Tempted to finally read Ferrante so I can read the Bookmarked about Ferrante.

08.03.2026 00:10 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I've loved all three of the BOOKMARKED books I've read -- Burch's, Evenson's (on Carver), and Steve Almond (on Stoner). This combo lit analysis and memoir is perfect and has a cool way of sneaking past my guardrails and leaving an emotional impact. I'd read 10000 more books like these.

08.03.2026 00:05 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Post image

Really loved this!

08.03.2026 00:00 ๐Ÿ‘ 8 ๐Ÿ” 2 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

No judgement but do litmags actually get people paying for editorial comments?

06.03.2026 22:40 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0