Erin Bondo

@erinbondo

Canadian writer in Scotland (via Denmark (got lost on the way home (sorry mom))) | Pushcart nominated | Placed/listed: BFFA, Bridport Prize, Welkin Prize, others | Tha mi ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig | She/Her erinbondo.com

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Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jun 21

Late night walk on the longest day of the year #HappySolstice

A photograph of the night sky at 11:26pm on the summer solstice – the sky is still bright enough to see clouds and the outlines of trees, and the sky is reflecting off the loch.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jun 13

me, this morning: ooh, what if I wrote something for *all 25* write-in prompts #nffd2026 😍 me, 8 hours later: ....well, that's one done 🫠 (slow writers/editors unite!)

Green badge graphic with a yellow star surrounded by the text 'The Write-In, Prompt 0, National Flash Fiction Day 2026'

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jun 12

The @natflashfictionday.bsky.social 2026 anthology officially launches tomorrow! So pleased to receive my contributor's copy featuring my piece 'Doggerland (or, 10,000 years ago there were no migrant boats crossing the English Channel)' 🥰 Order 👉 www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/index.php/bo...

A photograph of a white woman's hand holding up the National Flash Fiction Day Anthology 2026 titled 'Mudlarking', edited by Karen Jones and Sharon Telfer.

A photograph of the opening paragraph of my flash piece 'Doggerland (or, 10,000 years ago there were no migrant boats crossing the English Channel)' published in the National Flash Fiction Day Anthology 2026. The excerpt reads:

"We walk and we walk: life heavy on backs, in footprints of before-comers, Sun-following across space uncounted. 'Across way-land,' says Muetter mine, but then 'no-no, land-span,' scoffs Papa. Many glarings and sighings and grumble-mutters as Sun peaks and falls. Day soon gone, I myself swallow ache-foot and burr-belly. Papa himself chew-spits birch-tar into hand mine. 'Belly-trick,' winks Papa..."

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jun 1

Yesterday I subbed something on the very last day of a submission window, so today I thought I'd shake things up and get in on the very first day...only to find out that @mattkendrick.bsky.social is a maverick and opened it a day early! Close anough 😅 #TheWelkinGenrePrize @welkinpress.bsky.social

Bright red round entry badge for the Welkin Writing Prize with the text 'Cosmic Chronicler' in white surrounded in gold stars.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· May 20

So pleased this little story is finally out in the world! 'The End of Spring' started in @jeanettesheppard.bsky.social's ekphrastic workshop for @natflashfictionday.bsky.social in 2025 and found a home in WestWord's charity anthology Dislocation: Stories about Home in aid of St. Mungo's. Link below!

Photograph of a white woman's hand holding a green book titled Dislocation: Stories about Home in aid of St. Mungo's (edited by Amanda Saint). The cover is illustrated with a white line sketch of the parts of a home (door, rood, windows, etc.) dislocating from a soft orange glow in the centre.

A photograph of the beginning of my flash story "The End of Spring" in the Dislocation anthology. The excerpt reads: "IT'S LATE MAY IN Renfrew County and the asparagus patch is a forest of florid green. We giants lurk around its edges, snapping off tiny tree spears and eating them raw behind the garden shed when Daddy isn't looking, gnawing the sinewy stalks until earth-bitter juices drip down our chins, taking turns making sour faces at each other - a dual competition of who can both eat and suffer the most. Soon we'll be armed with a dull paring knife, instructed to deliver a generous portion to Mrs Kostka up Peggs Lane, to make sure our baskets return laden with homemade perogies: the fresh ones, like she promised, not..."

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· May 2

We have an ongoing problem with people using the wrong bins in our building, unclear if it's a don't know or don't care situation. One neighbour has aggressively labelled everything, while I prefer the time-honoured 'Canadian kindness' approach (subtext: don't put your crap in my rubbish bin!!)

Photo of a plastic Tesco shopping bag filled with glass and plastic bottles with a note taped to it that reads: "IF YOU'RE THE PERSON WHO CONFUSED OUR BIN FOR RECYCLING...No worries! Here's where you can recycle it instead: PLASTIC - blue bins around the end of the building. GLASS - public glass recycling beside [name redacted] Play Park (5 min. walk). Thanks for recycling! 😊

Photo of a plastic Tesco shopping bag filled with glass and plastic bottles sitting on the cement floor of a communal bin room.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Apr 21

me: I'm going to get so much writing done while cat sitting in the Highlands, basically a retreat the cat: lol, lmao even

A woman is lying on a bed with a laptop on her knees and taking a picture of her reflection in a mirror across the room. A light orange tabby is standing on her chest demanding scritchies and preventing her from working.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Apr 4

New words up in SEXTET Issue III: Offerings! Read 'Methods of Divination' at the link below 👇 And if you're in the Glasgow area, swing by @sixfootgallery.bsky.social and listen to myself & other contributors read our pieces at the Listening Station 🎧 sextet.co.uk/erin-bondo/

Screenshot showing an excerpt from 'Methods of Divination' by Erin Bondo:

The day after, we begin.

We turn our faces to the cockcrow sky, weigh the wind in our palms, inhale lightning - one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi - and exhale thunder.

We swig and swirl at teas and coffees and wines...[click link in post for more!]

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Apr 4

me, a former academic, zooming in on JC's crotch: one is immediately struck by the theocratic symbolism of his junk – his manhood, if you will – being propped up by a tiny cross. In this essay, I will...

A screenshot of @joolia.bsky.social's post with the text 'this is weird' above a screenshot of a US Homeland Security tweet. The original tweet features an image of Jesus on the cross with the text of Luke 23:46 overlaid ('Father into thy hands I commend my spirit'). Above the text, a small white cross has been placed near Jesus's crotch. The text of the tweet above the image reads: Luke 23:46 On this solemn day, we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice our Savior made for all humanity. Trust in God's plan.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Mar 25

Just got an acceptance that requires audio, and since my flat has no closets, it's audio-bed-fort building time again, baby! Sometimes being a grown-up is okay, actually.

Photo of an open laptop and part of a woman's leg inside a blanket fort. A bedsheet is stretched over the bedframe and propped up with pillows, a yoga bolster and poster tubes, with fairy camping lights casting a cozy glow.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Mar 11

Ok full disclosure, I have never actually tried chicken salt, but I hope this captures its ✨️essence✨️💃

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Mar 9

I found this on the bed beside me this morning in lieu of my partner – an 'emergency banana' in case I woke up before he got back from the gym and needed sustenance. Living with chronic illness sucks, but at least my partner has a sense of humour about it 😅

A photo of a banana with a post-it note stuck on it that reads 'Pull in emergency' with an arrow pointing at the stem.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jan 22

In local news, the recently arrived carpark squirrels have discovered they can free climb the side of our building to access any window of their choosing (and, to my unending Canadian confusion, they don't do screens on windows this side of the pond??!) Just look at that face. Plotting.

A grey squirrel casually clinging to the side of a white pebbledash building facade while cheekily smiling at the camera and (I can only presume) plotting to turn my underwear drawer into a nest. Or something.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jan 21

Since all the Canucks in my feed are suddenly talking about the War of 1812 for no reason whatsoever, I have to share the lesser known and maybe most Canadian-coded event that took place during the burning of Washington. (yes I know Cockburn was English, no I won't hold that against him)

A screenshot from a Wikipedia article that reads as follows: The day after the destruction of the White House, Rear Admiral Cockburn entered the building of the D.C. newspaper, the National Intelligencer, intending to burn it down. However, several women persuaded him not to because they were afraid the fire would spread to their neighboring houses. Cockburn wanted to destroy the newspaper because its reporters had written so negatively about him, branding him the "Ruffian". Instead, he ordered his troops to tear the building down brick by brick, and ordered all the "C" type destroyed "so that the rascals can have no further means of abusing my name".

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jan 21

Pick up the nearest book. Turn to page 42, post the second sentence. "Kate is convinced of this; convinces herself." – from @fionamckay.bsky.social 's stellar NIF The Lives of the Dead 🙌

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jan 15

OoOooh, now it's *double* adult content, must be a real steamy one 👀👀😅

Screenshot of Sumitra's Bluesky posts trying to link to a new flash story that Bluesky mods are hiding and flagging as 'Adult Content' (tee hee)

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jan 1

I feel both too old and too uncool for 'based' to be my word for 2026, but you know what, let's gooo 😎 (^see? distinctively un-based elder millenial behaviour)

A screenshot of a GIF frame with a turquoise fade background and the heading Merriam Webster Your 2026 Word followed by the word 'based'

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Dec 25

Okay I did it, please clap! (I would, but I can no longer feel my hands and feet 🥹)

A picture of a man and a woman swimming in the North Sea on Christmas Day, taken from Embo Beach. The woman is a complete wimp and jumping up to avoid a wave and the man looks like he's swimming in the sea in July (because apparently Highlanders are just built different!)

A picture of a man and a woman swimming in the North Sea on Christmas Day. They are smiling and waving at the person taking the picture back on Embo Beach, but I can assure you they cannot feel any of their limbs at this point.

A zoomed out picture of a man and two woman swimming in the North Sea on Christmas Day with waves rolling into the beach in the foreground. The woman in the middle is also about to be hit by a wave. She will not be impressed.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Dec 25

Currently girding my loins with homemade croissants while talking a big talk about joining my partner and his family for their traditional Christmas day dip in the North Sea for the first time 😳🌊

Heaped rack of freshly baked homemade croissants in various wonky shapes and sizes.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Dec 11

Once more unto the breach, dear friends! #WelkinPrize @welkinprize.bsky.social

Round entry badge for the Welkin Writing Prize with a green cosmic background and the text 'Astronomer of Words' in white surrounded by colourful stars.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Nov 19

Summer's okay and all, but I do love that crisp cold of a sunny day this time of year (not pictured: my enormous blanket of a jacket and scarf wound up to my eyeballs, I'm not a masochist)

Blue sky with fluffy white clouds and a low late afternoon sun peaking out from behind a stone bridge spanning the Union Canal.

A white swan on the Union Canal cruising up to the edge of the towpath to see if I have any snackies to share (sadly, I did not)

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Aug 1

Cat sitting in the Highlands (literally and figuratively)

A light orange cat sleeps curled up on a person's lap

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jun 8

Renewed my membership to the @bathflashaward.bsky.social Last Minute Club! 💪

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Apr 29

1 down, 171 to go! Manifesting a Liberal sweep across the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario so I can go to bed before 5am UK time 🤞🇨🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #cdnpoli

Photograph of an iPad in a dark bedroom playing the CBC News live YouTube feed of the Canadian election results.

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Mar 10

There is more information in her Dad's public Facebook post (screenshots of relevant excerpt + full post attached) www.facebook.com/share/p/1692...

Screenshot of an excerpt of a public Facebook post by Paul Burke, Becky Burke's father, which reads:

"On February 26th, Becky attempted to cross the Canadian border for the next leg of her journey. Unfortunately, due to an incorrect visa, she was denied entry into Canada. When she tried to return to the US, she was refused re-entry and classified as an "illegal alien." Despite being a tourist with no criminal record, she was handcuffed and taken to a detention facility in Tacoma, Washington."

Screenshot of a public Facebook post by Paul Burke, Becky Burke's father, which reads:

"Urgent Appeal: Help Bring Becky Home

Our daughter Becky, a 28-year-old British tourist, has been caught up in the recent immigration crackdown in the US. What was meant to be a life-changing four-month backpacking trip across North America has turned into a nightmare. Becky has now been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for over ten days, with no clear timeline for her release.

On February 26th, Becky attempted to cross the Canadian border for the next leg of her journey. Unfortunately, due to an incorrect visa, she was denied entry into Canada. When she tried to return to the US, she was refused re-entry and classified as an "illegal alien." Despite being a tourist with no criminal record, she was handcuffed and taken to a detention facility in Tacoma, Washington.

Becky's current conditions are deeply concerning. She is sharing a cell, surviving on a diet of cold rice, potatoes, and beans (she is vegan), and has limited access to phone calls. Visitors are restricted to speaking through a glass screen via telephone. All her possessions have been confiscated, and she feels isolated and desperate to come home.

We are doing everything we can. Our local MP has contacted David Lammy's office, and we are in touch with the British Consulate in London and San Francisco. An American friend is helping by sending funds to her inmate account so she can buy basic necessities like tea and milk. However, progress has been slow, and we urgently need more support.

We are asking for your help. Please share Becky's story widely through your networks. We hope to connect with experts, legal professionals, or anyone who can offer advice or assistance. Becky is a kind, adventurous young woman who simply wants to return home to her family.

Thank you for your support."

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Feb 2

Living life on the edge as always (lol ok not really, but gotta get my kicks in where I can!) @bathflashaward.bsky.social

The Last Minute Club Badge for the Bath Flash Fiction Award February 2025

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Jan 2

Post the cover of the first book you are reading in 2025.

Photograph of the book cover for 'A Writer's Diary' by Virginia Woolf

Erin Bondo@erinbondo· Nov 27

Show us a picture on your phone that has your energy that isn't a selfie.