Victoria Lynn Smith
I write short stories, essays, and articles. My first collection of short stories will be published in February 2027 by Cornerstone Press at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. You can follow me on Instagram: victorialynnsmith_writing
I grew up in southern Wisconsin about ten miles from the shores of Lake Michigan. But family trips to its shores were infrequent. Instead we headed west or north to much smaller lakes to swim and boat. Because we vacationed in Gordon, Wisconsin, every summer, I probably saw as much or more of Lake Superior than Lake Michigan.
I moved to Superior to attend the University of Superior-Wisconsin and after graduating, I stayed, married, and raised two sons. Now, I spend time with my four grandchildren, and I like to take them on what we call “adventures,” most of which involve Lake Superior. Lake Superior is part of my internal landscape. Its moods inspire, awe, and entertain me. As the geese fly, I live about four blocks from the shores of Lake Superior, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
I’m a member of Lake Superior Writers, Wisconsin Writers Association, and Write On, Door County. I’m a contributing writer for Northern Wilds, an outdoor magazine serving communities along the North Shore of Minnesota. In 2025, I joined the editorial staff of Pink Panther Magazine, a biannual magazine that celebrates women writers and artists.
When I’m not writing or spending time with my family, I like to read, quilt, embroider, bike, and walk my two standard poodles. Several summers ago I took a paddle boarding lesson and bought a paddle board. Luckily, for me, it’s a five-minute drive to Superior Bay.
I also like to visit independent bookstores and small-town post offices when I travel.
Author’s bio: Victoria Lynn Smith lives near Lake Superior, a source of inspiration, happiness, mystery, and weather worthy of Gothic tales. She writes short stories and essays. She also writes for Northern Wilds, an outdoor magazine serving communities along the North Shore of Minnesota. She is a member of the editorial staff for Pink Panther Magazine. She is a Hal Prize fiction winner. Her work has appeared in Brevity Blog, 8142 Review, Hive Avenue Literary Journal, Persimmon Tree, 45th Parallel, Rathalla Literary Review, Bullshit Lit, and Mason Street Review, among others. When she travels, she loves to visit local post offices and independent bookstores. Her dream is to visit Copenhagen and Sweden. Her first collection of short stories will be published in February 2027 by Cornerstone Press at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. More at: https://writingnearthelake.org/. Instagram: victorialynnsmith_writing
Writing Near the Lake 
Gosh Sugar! Can’t wait to read Charlie’s adventure! (I’m supposed to be fixing dinner!)
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Gosh Sugar! Can’t wait to read Charlie’s adventure! (I’m supposed to be fixing dinner!)
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Hello third cousin! Yost Yost was also my great-great-grandfather. John Yost was my great-grandfather and his son Lester was my grandfather. I stumbled across the essay you wrote that was published by MPR and I was pleased to have much of my knowledge of Yost Yost confirmed from your branch of the family. I have been trying (off and on) to figure out how to get in touch with you since then, and today I found your blog. If you’re willing I’d enjoy corresponding over e-mail to compare family history notes. Either way, merry Christmas and a happy new year to you!
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Hi Jason, I definitely would enjoy emailing you to discuss family history! I have a lot of information that you might be interested in because Fred Smith, who was Yost Yost’s grandson wrote up a nice little family history. And a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too! How did you find my article on the MPR site? It was fun writing for that site. I wrote a total of three articles. Hope you’re staying warm today!
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Vicki, Great website! Thanks for sharing it this morning. You’ve been quite productive in just a couple short years. I’m impressed!!!
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Thank you, Cindy. My blog is eclectic, but it gives me a place to write about many different things.
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Someone sent me a story you had written about my Great Grandmother, Malene Fylling. What a wonderful surprise…I would love to talk sometime! All of these women helped to shape and form me into the person I am today…I’m also an awesome grandma!😊❤️ If I do say so myself!😁
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Hi Karen. My mother-in-law Audrey loved her Great-Grandmother Malene Fylling. Which one of Malene’s children was your grandma?
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Karen, I sent you an email with my cell # if you ever want to chat about the Fyllings. Then I realized my email might have gone to your spam.
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Inga was my grandmother, Genevieve was my mother. I remember singing around the Christmas tree and I still know one of the old Norwegian songs! Lutefisk and lefsa is still a tradition. I didn’t get your phone number but would love to visit with you! Not sure how to go about it?
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Hi Karen, email me at nanasternk@yahoo.com
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What a coincidence. I’m new to both Brevity Blog and WordPress and stumbled on your contributions to both. I’ll be following your posts with great interest.
Mike Byrnes & my sidekick, Watts Nexx
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