Welcome to our weekly meet-up and open call for the best fiction of the week!
OPEN SEPTEMBER 20 - 21
Fiction Accepted:
Only fiction shared between September 14th - September 20th on Substack!
This open call will be available: NOW until 9pm EST on Saturday, September 21st.
Self-promotion of your fiction is welcome!
Leave a link of the story in the comments.
Submit as many as you want, so long as they were written and shared during the window mentioned above.
NO self-promotion of your work (including in the form of links) in the TiF Monday Issues. Anyone who does so will forfeit their stories from being featured in future issues. All self-promotion should happen in these “Send Us Your Fiction!” weekly emails ONLY!
TEMPLATE FOR RECOMMENDATION
Copy/Paste in Comments Section. Anyone who does not use the template will be passed over for selection.
Story Title: Writer: [Substack Name] Genre: [See NOTE below] Type: [Choose 1: Poetry, Micro/Flash Fiction, Short Story, Short Serial, or Serial] URL: [Must be a Substack URL] Note: If you’d like to say a little something about your recommendation/self-promotion for anyone who happens upon this comments section in search of something new to read.
Genre can often be difficult to pin down or explain. And, if given the opportunity, we’d likely choose 3+ genres to try and explain our story which can cause confusion for readers. So, I urge, nay INSIST, you only list ONE genre for your story. Feel free to include “extra genres” in the Note area where you can say whatever you want about your story. If you include more than one genre in area for Genre I will pass over your recommendation for another.
Look for our email on Monday, September 23rd where the Top In Fiction list will appear in your inbox! You never know what new gems you’ll discover. All we ask in return is that you share Top In Fiction to your email list and Restack the post on Monday in Substack Notes.
Notes: This entry received an Honorable Mention in NYC Midnight. Readers are split on whether they "got" the twists in thr story. I wrote the story deliberately this way, but realize it is not a great strategy for winning contests as it is too open to interpretation. Would love more people to weigh in on what they think happened!
A fantasy story about a mystical encounter between Christianity and Buddhism. Might need to have a little bit of christian and buddhist knowledge, a bit of irony of "American Gods", a bit of understanding of digital gaming, virtual reality and AI to get what it's trying to express.
Note: An unpublished cut-up novel that I wrote way back in 1999-2002, assembled in 2003, re-edited into a small set of poems in 2024, and then finally published this week. Also includes some notes on the cut-up method for those wanting to explore the form in more depth in their own work.
Note: I think many of us know the famous Shakespearean line “star-crossed lovers”. Well, I wanted to incorporate magic to create a world where constellations can actually help two lovers who are forced to be apart. Enjoy <3
Note: This is a Regency-set alternate history romantasy (the one genre is sooo hard, Erica, but I’ll live!!) involving Arthurian quests and sea dragons. Published today so hopefully within the scope. Or if I should be posting last week’s. Being a day ahead makes the cut off tricky for me to determine.
Note: The President of the Federated Minervan Republics, the United Nations' greatest astropolitical adversary, sits down with a local food journalist. Raked by an all-consuming scandal but thus far still standing, President Abawi doesn't know that he's about to make the biggest mistake of his life.
Notes: Trigger Warning (TW) for foul language and some off-color remarks. Chapters 32 - 37 were published in the eligible time window. While AI is used to illustrate my custom chapter images, AI was not used anywhere in the writing of this novel. Thank you for the opportunity to connect with readers seeking bold, stylish fiction.
Note: Centenary is a serial novel set in Living Well Towers and unfolding in (almost) daily 100-word stories. Day 68, linked here, published on Friday Sept 20. During the week I published Days 64 through 68. Thanks for your consideration.
Note: not mine, but a recommendation of one that I’m enjoying here on the ‘Stack (so I hope I’ve copied all the info correctly for the publication and author! Hard to double check on the app before posting the note)
Description: journal entries from Clari Roberts, the aunt and mentor to the protagonist in my upcoming novel, Shattered, book one in the FORGED Series, to be released later this year. This is a character profile, so I also explain more about Clari’s role and how she was inspired.
Note: I write a mix of essays on things I care about and short pieces of fiction. This is the longest yet. I'm working on the craft, so I welcome constructive criticism & feedback! Also ... not sure about the genre. There's a bit of evil involved, but it's not really a "horror story." Feel free to correct my categorization.
Note: I published this in the lit mag I run and as soon as I read it, I was swept into the world of this grieving man trying to move on for his daughter’s sake. Loved the hermit crab style of using the daughter’s homework to reveal the story.
Note: There is a link to the first chapter, or first serial post, in each chapter of the story. If you like historical fiction, thrillers and fantasy, you will like Theda's Time Machine. Thank you!
Note: I am just stating as a writer and I am proud of this story. I have been collecting story ideas in my notebook for over 10 years; it was only recently that I gathered the courage to convert them into stories and share them publicly. I am looking for genuine feedback, encouragement and visibility for my work. Thanks!
I don't do contests. Some might be legit, but enough aren't that I just abandoned them altogether. Here's a good metric: We don't really know bestsellers or screenwriters who got their shot from a contest. Write, put it out in the world, query agents, work on the writing. It's easy AF to self publish now. You don't need some editor who never wrote a book themselves to tell you you came in 138th place.
Story title: Endless Tower
Writer: Elliot Kessler
Genre: LitRPG
Type: Short story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/elliotkessler/p/endless-tower?r=3hegzw&utm_medium=ios
Note: I’ve published two novels and two novellas on Amazon. I’m the author of the Fossil saga, the sequels of which I am currently working on.
Story Title: A Whisper in the Dark
Writer: Amyms
Genre: Horror, Speculative
Type: Flash Fiction (500 words)
URL:
https://open.substack.com/pub/amyms/p/do-you-understand-this-story?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3zhazl
Notes: This entry received an Honorable Mention in NYC Midnight. Readers are split on whether they "got" the twists in thr story. I wrote the story deliberately this way, but realize it is not a great strategy for winning contests as it is too open to interpretation. Would love more people to weigh in on what they think happened!
Story Title: When the tangible challenges the intangible - part I
Writer: Sogni
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Short Story
URL: https://sogni.substack.com/p/when-the-tangible-challenges-the
A fantasy story about a mystical encounter between Christianity and Buddhism. Might need to have a little bit of christian and buddhist knowledge, a bit of irony of "American Gods", a bit of understanding of digital gaming, virtual reality and AI to get what it's trying to express.
Story Title: IN DAYS OF VAST DARING
Writer: SCRIBBLER -- THE GOLDEN YEARS
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Novella
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/benwoestenburg/p/throwback-thursday-133?r=254e8w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
A fantasy story with linked parts for THROWBACK THURSDAY
Story Title: Karma of Kulgera
Writer: The Indian Story
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Serial (can be read as standalone)
URL: https://theindianstory.substack.com/p/karma-of-kulgera
Note: Born of their blood, sweat and tears, Karma was cure and curse for the whole community of Karmetha.
Story Title: Freedom
Writer: Dans Deliberations
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Micro Fiction
URL: https://danielodonnell.substack.com/p/freedom?r=2bfxud
Note: A 100 word story about our hero fighting back against the horrors of war. Hope you enjoy
Story Title: Notes From The Sea
Writer: Dick Whyte / @ForgottenPoets
Genre: Experimental
Type: Poetry
URL: https://forgottenpoets.substack.com/p/notes-from-the-sea-20032024
Note: An unpublished cut-up novel that I wrote way back in 1999-2002, assembled in 2003, re-edited into a small set of poems in 2024, and then finally published this week. Also includes some notes on the cut-up method for those wanting to explore the form in more depth in their own work.
Story Title: Calf's foot
Writer: Oscar Ruto Chemelil
Genre: Tragicomedy
Type: Short Story
URL:https://open.substack.com/pub/oscarruto/p/calfs-foot?r=1of53q&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Note: I write stories inspired by random articles I find on Wikipedia.
Story Title: The Real Vivarium
Writer: Friends of Mine by Ivan J. Kirk
Genre: Psychological fiction
Type: Short Story
URL: https://friendsofmine.substack.com/p/the-vivarium
Note: A woman tries to overcome her grief and phobias in one ill-advised swoop. Creepy, horror-adjacent.
Story Title: Star-Crossed Lovers - Part I
Writer: @preciousjane (Precious Jane)
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Type: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/preciousjane/p/star-crossed-lovers-part-i?r=dszai&utm_medium=ios
Note: I think many of us know the famous Shakespearean line “star-crossed lovers”. Well, I wanted to incorporate magic to create a world where constellations can actually help two lovers who are forced to be apart. Enjoy <3
Story Title: The Ghost Diaries: Episode II
Writer: Strange New Worlds (John Coon)
Genre: Comedy-horror
Type: Serial
URL: https://newworlds.substack.com/p/the-ghost-diaries-episode-ii
Note: Episode II of an 8-episode serial chronicling a ghost's efforts to rid himself of an obnoxious family that's moved into the house he haunts.
Title: Love and Poetry and Farewells
Writer: Ken Wolfson
Genre: Light and fluffy science fiction!
Type: Short story
URL: https://kenwolfson.substack.com/p/love-and-poetry-and-farewells?r=2f2488
Title: No More Yielding
Writer: Iris Shaw
Genre: Free verse
Type: Poetry
URL: https://irisshaw.substack.com/p/no-more-yielding
Story Title: These Hands
Writer: Ginger Bea
Genre: Lyric, Spiritual
Type: Poem
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/gingerreadswrite/p/these-hands?r=4878oa&utm_medium=ios
Title: Submerged
Writer: Danielle from The Lotus
Genre: Free Verse
Type: Poetry
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/neptunedanielle214/p/submerged?r=2kb11f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
A friend of mine that does some beautiful poetry that you should check out.
Curse of the Gugliametti
by me, I'm Tom
Genre - help me out on this I couldn't find a category for just fiction
Short Story
https://falsechoices.substack.com/p/curse-of-the-gugliametti
You'll especially enjoy this if you've lived in Boston or know the city well
Thanks everyone!
Story Title: Adventures in Everlund - Daring, Darian and Disappearances
Writer: Dungeon Mistress
Genre: LitRPG
Type: Serial
URL: https://studyofthemistress.substack.com/p/adventures-in-everlund-854?r=43ls5x
Welcome to our Stag Campaign Serial novel. Book 1 is complete, and we are releasing 2 chapters per week of book 2.
Story Title: Chapter 5: Silver Threads
Writer: The Môrdreigiau Chronicles
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/projectstarfish/p/5-silver-threads?r=1mk6at&utm_medium=ios
Note: This is a Regency-set alternate history romantasy (the one genre is sooo hard, Erica, but I’ll live!!) involving Arthurian quests and sea dragons. Published today so hopefully within the scope. Or if I should be posting last week’s. Being a day ahead makes the cut off tricky for me to determine.
Story Title: Photographic Echoes
Writer: Outside the Therapy Room by Rolando Andrade
Genre: Free Verse
Typе: Poetry
URL:https://open.substack.com/pub/rolandoandrade/p/photographic-echoes-a-pair-of-poems?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=20ov80
Note: These poems were the result of one of my walks, during which I took photos that accompany and inspire the poems
Story Title: An Interview with Mint Abawi
Writer: WAYBOUND
Genre: Science Fiction
Type: Short Story
URL: https://waybound.substack.com/p/an-interview-with-mint-abawi
Note: The President of the Federated Minervan Republics, the United Nations' greatest astropolitical adversary, sits down with a local food journalist. Raked by an all-consuming scandal but thus far still standing, President Abawi doesn't know that he's about to make the biggest mistake of his life.
Story Title: It’s not that bad, being dead.
Writer: Sandolore Sykes “In the Inversion Field”
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Short Story
URL: https://sandolore.substack.com/p/its-not-that-bad-being-dead
Note: Eerie and intimate, this is a story of a character who briefly inhabited me.
Story Title: Juniper Falls
Writer: PodFiction by Nikolas Allen
Genre: Lit Fiction
Type: Serial
URL: https://nikolasallen.substack.com/
Notes: Trigger Warning (TW) for foul language and some off-color remarks. Chapters 32 - 37 were published in the eligible time window. While AI is used to illustrate my custom chapter images, AI was not used anywhere in the writing of this novel. Thank you for the opportunity to connect with readers seeking bold, stylish fiction.
Story Title: Centenary, Day 68: Anne, Sturdivant, and [ ]
Writer: Andrew Horan
Genre: Upmarket
Type: Serial
URL: https://centenary.substack.com/p/day-68-anne-sturdivant-and
Note: Centenary is a serial novel set in Living Well Towers and unfolding in (almost) daily 100-word stories. Day 68, linked here, published on Friday Sept 20. During the week I published Days 64 through 68. Thanks for your consideration.
Story Title: Return to Hades, Part 3
Writer: Daniel Sherrier
Genre: Superhero
Type: Short Serial
URL: https://danielsherrier.substack.com/p/return-to-hades-part-3
Note: This three-part story is also part of the ongoing "Terrific" series of superhero stories. Thank you!
Story Title: The Firefly Catcher
Writer: @bridgetriley
Genre: Romance
Type: Short Story
URL: https://bridgetriley.substack.com/p/the-firefly-catcher
Note: Set at the tail end of World War II. Based on a true story.
Story Title: A Shiver in the Air
Writer: @jeanmckinney
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Short story
URL: https://blackmoonjournal.substack.com/p/a-shiver-in-the-air
Note: Secrets and bargains in the dark of the night.
Story Title: The frontier land towards Night
Writer: @jenniferjames2
Genre: Horror
Type: Short story
URL: https://adventuretoaquietplace.substack.com/p/the-frontier-land-towards-night
Note: Five men take shelter in an abandoned mine and discover they are not alone. Contains mild language and violence.
Title: A Crowd
Writer: A.P. Murphy at TheStrangenessKit
https://thestrangenesskit.substack.com/
Genre: Fable
Type: Microfiction
URL: https://thestrangenesskit.substack.com/p/a-crowd
Note: Develops from a string of microfiction experiments based on random inputs, placed together based on tone and theme. Ongoing thing...
Story Title: What's a Dragon? - Chapter 11
Writer: Dragon Writer Luc
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/dragonwriterluc/p/whats-a-dragon-chapter-11
Note: This feels a little different when you actually know what's going on outside your house.
Story Title: Child of Light, Chapter 2
Writer: @dianahannay
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Type: Serial
URL: https://fickleandwhimsy.substack.com/p/child-of-light-ch-2
Note: Child of Light, Chapter 2: A Bookseller Is Never Late reveals more about our protagonist, though there's still much she—and we—don't yet know.
Title: The Time Witch Part 22
Author: @tellmeamystery
Genre: cozy mystery
Type: serial
URL:https://open.substack.com/pub/tellmeamystery/p/the-time-witch-part-22?r=3o0pm0&utm_medium=ios
Note: not mine, but a recommendation of one that I’m enjoying here on the ‘Stack (so I hope I’ve copied all the info correctly for the publication and author! Hard to double check on the app before posting the note)
Title: Revealing the Unexpected Guardian: Beyond Teacher, Gardener, Baker
Writer: @cbmason
Type: short fiction
URL: https://cbmason.substack.com/p/revealing-the-unexpected-guardian
Description: journal entries from Clari Roberts, the aunt and mentor to the protagonist in my upcoming novel, Shattered, book one in the FORGED Series, to be released later this year. This is a character profile, so I also explain more about Clari’s role and how she was inspired.
Story Title: The Rain It Raineth
Writer: Maximilian Hart
Genre: Realistic?
Type: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/maximilianhart/p/the-rain-it-raineth?r=lutdo&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Note: I write a mix of essays on things I care about and short pieces of fiction. This is the longest yet. I'm working on the craft, so I welcome constructive criticism & feedback! Also ... not sure about the genre. There's a bit of evil involved, but it's not really a "horror story." Feel free to correct my categorization.
Story Title:
Writer: Ruth Brandt
Genre: Lit Fiction
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://westword.substack.com/p/year-6-maths-sats-practice-paper
Note: I published this in the lit mag I run and as soon as I read it, I was swept into the world of this grieving man trying to move on for his daughter’s sake. Loved the hermit crab style of using the daughter’s homework to reveal the story.
Story Title: Rake
Writer: Jimmy Doom
Genre: Crime Fiction
Type: Short Story
https://jimmydoom.substack.com/p/rake
Story Title: Theda's Time Machine, Chapter 23 "Incendium"
Writer: Alison Bull
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Type: Serial
URL: https://thedastimemachine.substack.com/p/incendium-ch23-alison-bull-thedas-time-machine
Note: There is a link to the first chapter, or first serial post, in each chapter of the story. If you like historical fiction, thrillers and fantasy, you will like Theda's Time Machine. Thank you!
Story Title: Short Cake
Writer: Scott MacLeod/Son of Ugly
Genre: Noir
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/sonofugly/p/short-cake?r=2sz29p&utm_medium=ios
Note: Wall Street Revenge Tale
The Legend of the Bone Crushers
Michael Serrur (@mserrur)
Genre: Horror
Type: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://michaelserrurauthor.substack.com/p/the-legend-of-the-bone-crushers-a
A Sign from Above
Michael Serrur (@mserrur)
Genre: Suspense
Type: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://michaelserrurauthor.substack.com/p/a-sign-from-above-a-story-in-60-seconds
Story Title: The Memory Sculptor
Writer: Harsh Munjal
Genre: Science-Fiction
Type: Short Story
URL: https://harshmunjal.substack.com/p/the-memory-sculptor?r=axagv
Note: I am just stating as a writer and I am proud of this story. I have been collecting story ideas in my notebook for over 10 years; it was only recently that I gathered the courage to convert them into stories and share them publicly. I am looking for genuine feedback, encouragement and visibility for my work. Thanks!
Story Title: A Pact of Thieves Chapter 1
Writer: Rob Mortell - Stories Have Power
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Serial
URL: https://robmortell.substack.com/p/a-pact-of-thieves-chapter-1
Note: This is the first chapter in a new adventure fantasy serial
Story Title: Sneakers on Marble
Writer: Jimmy Gardner
Genre: Horror
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/cleanchaos/p/sneakers-on-marble?r=287ik&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Note: This was my first-round submission for the NYC Midnight 500-word fiction competition, written from a given prompt.
Thank you for doing this every week! I'm always excited to see what's out there.
NYC Midnight is a contest factory. Save your money.
Noted. I would love any recs for others if you know of some. I, admittedly, don’t know much about the scene. This was my first
I don't do contests. Some might be legit, but enough aren't that I just abandoned them altogether. Here's a good metric: We don't really know bestsellers or screenwriters who got their shot from a contest. Write, put it out in the world, query agents, work on the writing. It's easy AF to self publish now. You don't need some editor who never wrote a book themselves to tell you you came in 138th place.
Heard. Definitely makes sense
Story Title: “To Kill a King”
Writer: Marble Black
Genre: Speculative/Thriller
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/marbleblack/p/to-kill-a-king?r=3bd0w6&utm_medium=ios
Note: This URL is a piece of the introduction within the novel. The overall story is a lgbtq romance between two men in a small town near El Paso, TX.
Story Title: The AIrt Critic
Writer: @PrestonPairo
Genre: Tall Tale
Type: Short Story
URL: https://substack.com/home/post/p-149078860?r=3blr20&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Note: A story about what it means to be original.
Title: The Lost and the Veil
Writer: Tracy
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/wyrdplay/p/the-lost-and-the-veil-part-2-of-3?r=1m0hyj&utm_medium=ios
Note: This is Part 2 of a 3-part story check out Part One, and Part 3 will be posted in October.
Story Title: SEARCH: Those Still Standing & Those About To Fall [Finale Part Two]
Writer: Toasted Fiction with Chris Patrick
Genre: Science-Fiction
Type: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/toastedfiction/p/search-those-still-standing-and-those-edd?r=1gq5r9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Note: This is the Season One finale to my serial, concluding the story.
Story Title: The Error
Writer: Elise Gilmore
Genre: Romance, fantasy
Type: Flash Fiction
URL:https://micromancemagazine.substack.com/p/the-error
Story Title: Rescue Me
Writer: G. Lynn Brown
Genre: Romance
Type: flash fiction
URL:https://micromancemagazine.substack.com/p/rescue-me