Bill Merklee

Recommended viewing on Netflix: The Man in the High Castle.

Our spotlight today is from @bmerklee.bsky.social 🦝

We loved how this very relatable story takes a surprise turn and there is not a word out of place. Accomplished, tight writing.

Read and listen here:
trashcatlit.com/empty-nest/

Believing the book of Revelation is true should preclude one from serving in government or the military.

Sure, let’s blow up shit for Jesus. Makes all the sense in the world.

Grateful to @trashcatlit.bsky.social for reprinting my story “Empty Nest” in this fab issue!

That was fantastic, Myna!

I guarantee all this shit is raining down on Minnesota because Tim Walz had the balls to call Trump and his minions “weird”.

Judge’s report for 2026 novella-in-flash award. We had over eighty entries since July when the ninth yearly novella in flash award opened. Thank you to everyone who trusted their work to the competition. Many congratulations to the three winners…

My novella-in-flash -- If Bluebirds Fly -- has been highly commended in the 2026 Bath Novella-in-Flash competition. Congratulations to all the winners! www.bathflashfictionaward.com/2026/02/judg...

Just four more days until this issue launches! 🦝

@jaimegill.bsky.social uses a tension building structure to show how life is often far worse than the movies

@bmerklee.bsky.social's MC deals with a lost relationship but ends up with something considerably more intense

a congratulations great job sign with two hands clapping . ALT: a congratulations great job sign with two hands clapping .

Congratulations to the 3
Winners of our 2026 novella in flash award! 1st prize Victoria Melekian, runners up @bsherm36.bsky.social & @joannacampbell.bsky.social & highly commended @fionajanemack.bsky.social
@fionamckay.bsky.social & Bill
Merklee
www.bathflashfictionaward.com/category/win...

Just once, when Mike Johnson quotes the Bible to justify some government BS, I wish someone in the room would shout, “SO WHAT?”

Thank you, Trent.

Message in a Bottle I am the last remaining U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. I am 119 years old.

We're working on exciting new fiction for March 1 but can't stop savoring this beauty from @bmerklee.bsky.social.
You can't live 119 years and not have secrets!
doric-literary.com/2026/02/01/m...

Pretty sure he means white male Americans.

Movie poster for Open Range, in honor of Robert Duvall.

Tonight’s feature presentation.

Poster for the film “Harold & Maude.”

Tonight’s feature presentation.

This story’s gonna stay with me awhile.

Larry David

Matt, thank you!

Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey (The Beatles)

Trump stiffing contractors? Who could have seen that one coming?

Make Dust Our Paper by Bill Merklee naql   CC Make Dust Our Paper Paulie didn’t claim his father’s body. Told the hospital to do whatever. Hung up and remained still in his kitchenette, like he might become one of the...

Second story out this month, marking the return of Anti-Heroin Chic. Thanks to EIC James Diaz for having me back. heroinchic.weebly.com/blog/make-du...

Thank you!

Message in a Bottle I am the last remaining U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. I am 119 years old.

Thrilled to have a new, longer story up at Doric Literary. Many thanks to editor Dave Gregory. doric-literary.com/2026/02/01/m...

Never mind the jobs you had, tell me 5 classes you took in college:
1. African-American Literature
2. Intro to Shakespeare
3. News writing
4. Intro to Film
5. Surrealism

Two doric columns frame a blue field with the following text written in white: Doric Literary "I am the last remaining U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. I am 119 years old." "Message in a Bottle" Bill Merklee

Coming February 1 to Doric Literary: @bmerklee.bsky.social channels Vonnegut in this absorbing adventure telling the story of life on a US Navy Destroyer in 1942.

Good riddance.

For Alex Pretti Because his last words were for a woman; because he asked, are you okay, are you okay; because he had learned to say it by standing each night beside the dying; because sometimes he held their hands; because he had lived only as long as the scent of childhood in an album; because he was a son; because he sang once; because of all of it, because of all of it, because of all of it, tell it, tell the story: a breath has left; a country is dying; and a man laid his face on its pavement today as though he were listening to a patient's heart— even then, even at the ending— to do what he was there to do: heal. —Joseph Fasano

for Alex Pretti