Welcome to our weekly meet-up and open call for the best fiction of the week!
OPEN NOVEMBER 1 - 2
Fiction Accepted:
Only fiction shared between October 26th - November 1st on Substack!
This open call will be available: NOW until 9pm EST on Saturday, November 2nd.
Self-promotion of your fiction is welcome!
Leave a link of the story in the comments. Please say the GENRE as well (if applicable).
Submit as many as you want, so long as they were written and shared during the window mentioned above.
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 but that can easily cause confusion for readers. So, I urge, nay INSIST, you only list ONE genre for your story. Using a “/” or “-” does not count as ONE genre and will be passed over for consideration. Some key exceptions are Sci-Fi, Cli-Fi, Spec-Fic, & Lit-Fic.
List of Popular Genre Fiction: Science-Fiction OR Sci-Fi / Literary Fiction OR Lit-Fic / Speculative Fiction OR Spec-Fic / Climate Fiction OR Cli-FI / Fantasy / Horror / Thriller / Romance / Historical / Mystery / Comedy / Folklore / Dystopian / Young Adult
This list is in no way “complete.” For instance, you may choose “Crime” in place of Mystery or “Suspense” in place of Thriller. There are hundreds of genres to choose from. A good source of research, if your story does not fit into one of the above commonly used fiction genres is this page.
Feel free to include “extra genres” in the Note area where you can say whatever you want about your story.
Look for our email on Monday, November 4th 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.
Note: Chapter 1: In the aftermath of a student's funeral, protagonist William Able struggles to explain the school's banning of novels, plays, and poetry to first-year teacher Lauren West.
Note: Blind set-up dates can be rough. But what happens when the date isn't so blind and involves an embarrassing "meet cute."
This story features one character from my Serial "The Intern" and another character from an early short Story "The End of the Road." All of my stories (except for flash fiction) take place within the same universe and characters often interact with one another from one story to the next.
Note: This is a quick story from my ongoing series where the narratives are built around the song titles of a given group or solo artist. This one features the soulful songs of The Isley Brothers getting transformed into a spooky, Horror tale... 😎
Note: I'm going for the lit fic genre from now on for my poetry. It doesn't fit into anything else. This one is the second instalment of the Kundalini collection.
Note: On the way to Kyron, a distant planet we've identified as being habitable, Jia Wei, of the vessel Zhongguo passes his days playing in the treetops and working in a massive vertical farm.
Notes: Additional genres include thriller, heist and literary fiction. This features graphic depictions of violence, and a suicide attempt, so if you struggle with reading about those topics or simply don’t want to, I understand.
Note: Step into a world of chaos, magic, monsters and bones. Welcome to TOOTH & NAIL—A dark fantasy novella. (The first season will be released bi-weekly.)
Note: In the aftermath of the publication of her dissertation, Amber Hollings has found herself caught in a deepening mystery, further entwining her fate with a powerful vampire with whom she has formed an unlikely bond. Romance with a touch of mystery and horror come together to weave this tale.
Note: This is the beginning of a small serial side project I’ve been working on, but it can present as a short story by itself. It’s not really horror at the moment, but the larger story arc will be. At present it’s a look into the mind of a woman you wouldn’t particularly want to meet.
(Also this is part of my regular newsletter so skip the text at the top, there’s a clear break with a graphic where the story starts!)
Note: Based on Shakespeare's famous line "Star-Crossed Lovers" from Romeo and Juliet, I wanted to write a story where constellations could actually keep two people connected. This is the Antagonists' perspective of the original story, but these are both stand alone stories and does not require the reader to know both perspectives together!
Note: Are you familiar with the idea of 'degrowth'? It's an idea we have a lot of experience with here in the old industrial Midwest; it leads to a lot of new ideas, some good and some unusual. Actually, most are unusual.
Note: It's hard to come up with excuses on the spot, especially when you're as honest as Emilie. (This is the end of part 2! If you want to read in chunks or haven't started reading the story, this is a good time to get on it!)
Story Title: Why Teach?: a novel
Writer: Peter Shull
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Serial
URL: https://substack.com/home/post/p-150873862
Note: Chapter 1: In the aftermath of a student's funeral, protagonist William Able struggles to explain the school's banning of novels, plays, and poetry to first-year teacher Lauren West.
Story Title: Waiting on a Train
Writer: Chris DeWitt (Dork Mansion Dispatch)
Genre: Fiction
Type: Micro/Flash
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/dorkmansiondispatch/p/dispatch-14-waiting-on-a-train?r=e4td0&utm_medium=ios
Story Title: What Would An Astronaut Do?
Writer: It Could Be Miles
Genre: Sci-Fi
Type: Flash Fiction (~ 400 Words)
URL: https://penumbrology.substack.com/p/what-would-an-astronaut-do
Note: A man finds himself living as a simple day laborer, but refuses to let his humble life rob him of hope and wonder.
Story Title: The Dome | Part 1 of 3
Writer: It Could Be Miles
Genre: Sci-Fi
Type: Short Serial
URL: https://penumbrology.substack.com/p/the-dome-part-1-of-3
Note: A man does what he can to make life bearable with the limited resources he has available to him in an off-world labor camp.
Story Title: Old Ways of the Road
Writer: It Could Be Miles
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Short Story
URL: https://penrosegulch.substack.com/p/old-ways-of-the-road
Note: An ailing man deals with a cancer diagnosis and a social cancer in the only way he knows how: in accordance with the Old Ways of the Road.
Story Title: Guard Your Man Well
Writer: It Could Be Miles
Genre: Fictionalized History
Type: Short Story
URL: https://penrosegulch.substack.com/p/guard-your-man-well
Note: A short portrait of a family and community living in the wake of an early 20th century mining disaster
Story Title: The Setup
Writer: Vince Wetzel
Genre: Lit-Fic
Type: Short Story
URL: https://vincewetzel.substack.com/p/the-setup
Note: Blind set-up dates can be rough. But what happens when the date isn't so blind and involves an embarrassing "meet cute."
This story features one character from my Serial "The Intern" and another character from an early short Story "The End of the Road." All of my stories (except for flash fiction) take place within the same universe and characters often interact with one another from one story to the next.
Story Title: Run the Titles: Volume Four
Writer: Chris J. Franklin
Genre: Horror/Humour
Type: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://chrisjfranklin.substack.com/p/run-the-titles-volume-four
Note: This is a quick story from my ongoing series where the narratives are built around the song titles of a given group or solo artist. This one features the soulful songs of The Isley Brothers getting transformed into a spooky, Horror tale... 😎
Story title: The Promise of Pain and Pleasure
Writer: Kathy Enriquez-Nguyen
Genre: Horror
Type: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/katartstrophy/p/the-promise-of-pain-and-pleasure?r=3q28y1&utm_medium=ios
Note: A beginning to a sexy night that turns into a gruesome nightmare
Story title: Detective
Writer: Oscar Ruto Chemelil of Oscar Ruto
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Short story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/oscarruto/p/detective?r=1of53q&utm_medium=ios
Note: Marriage survives only if we forget
Story title: Reunion
Writer: Gareth Marks (Pen Marks)
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Short Story
URL:
https://open.substack.com/pub/garethmarks/p/reunion?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3qfg1d
Note: a short story told entirely in dialogue, featuring two old friends from high school who are meeting up years later...
Story Title: Dronikus-Chapter One
Writer: markonewmanwriter (Hey, what’s that sound?)
Genre: speculative fiction/cli-fiction
Type: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/markonewman/p/welcome-to-dronikus-and-to-chapter
Note: Zola, in exile, on an island in a swamp, Dronikus for company.
Title: Kundalini Four to Six
Writer: Evelyn Brunswick
Genre: Lit-fic
Type: Poetry
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/inadifferentplace/p/kundalini-four-to-six?r=2s9hod&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Note: I'm going for the lit fic genre from now on for my poetry. It doesn't fit into anything else. This one is the second instalment of the Kundalini collection.
Story Title: Journey to Kyron 4
Writer: Shoni
Genre: Sci-fi
Type: Serial
URL: https://shonistar.substack.com/p/journey-to-kyron-4
Note: On the way to Kyron, a distant planet we've identified as being habitable, Jia Wei, of the vessel Zhongguo passes his days playing in the treetops and working in a massive vertical farm.
Story Title: Barn Broken
Writer: Tommy Green
Genre: Poetry
Type: Poetry
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/tommyjgreen2004/p/barn-broken?r=4k4m5l&utm_medium=ios
Note: Originally written for a sentence building exercise, but reimagined
Story Title: The Cabbie
Writer: Tommy Green
Genre: Horror
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/tommyjgreen2004/p/the-cabbie?r=4k4m5l&utm_medium=ios
Notes: Written for the “Microdosing - 60mg of a Nightmare” prompt by The Fiction Dealer.
Story Title: Jack of Diamonds
Writer: Tommy Green
Genre: Crime
Type: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/tommyjgreen2004/p/jack-of-diamonds?r=4k4m5l&utm_medium=ios
Notes: Additional genres include thriller, heist and literary fiction. This features graphic depictions of violence, and a suicide attempt, so if you struggle with reading about those topics or simply don’t want to, I understand.
Title: Weeping Willow
Writer: Tommy Green
Genre: Poetry
Type: Poetry
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/tommyjgreen2004/p/weeping-willow?r=4k4m5l&utm_medium=ios
Story Title: Tooth & Nail
Writer: A.C. Sanders
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Serial Fiction
URL: https://bonesamongthebriars.substack.com/p/beyond-the-iron-door
Note: Step into a world of chaos, magic, monsters and bones. Welcome to TOOTH & NAIL—A dark fantasy novella. (The first season will be released bi-weekly.)
Story Title: Jack-o'-lantern
Writer: Hanako Doerr (Back Pocket)
Genre: Lit-Fic
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://hanakodoerr.substack.com/p/jack-o-lantern
Note: A dad and his daughter and their pumpkin carving tradition
Story Title: Tangerine Trees and Marmalade Skies
Writer: Hanako Doerr (Back Pocket)
Genre: Lit-Fic
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://hanakodoerr.substack.com/p/tangerine-trees-and-marmalade-skies
Note: The beauty of newness
Story Title: Trinkets
Writer: Hanako Doerr (Back Pocket)
Genre: Lit-Fic
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://hanakodoerr.substack.com/p/trinkets
Note: A hoarder and his things
Story Title: A Whole Life
Writer: Hanako Doerr (Back Pocket)
Genre: Lit-Fic
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://hanakodoerr.substack.com/p/a-whole-life
Note: An entire life in 600 words
Story Title: The Man in the Window in the Apartment Next Door
Writer: Hanako Doerr (Back Pocket)
Genre: Lit-Fic
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://hanakodoerr.substack.com/p/the-man-in-the-window-in-the-apartment
Note: When you start to feel like you know someone because you see their life through your window
Story Title: I Must Love You Again
Writer: Rostislava Pankova-Karadjova (Airings)
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/rostislava/p/i-must-love-you-again?r=zcxsb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Story Title: Centenary Day 86: [ ] and Bailey
Writer: Andrew Horan
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Serial
URL: https://centenary.substack.com/p/day-86
Note: Centenary is a serial novel told in 100-word stories.
Story Title: Spotting
Writer: Dorechi
Genre: Horror
Type: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://letmepenyou.substack.com/p/spotting
Note: How far are you willing to go for your art?
Story Title: Mirror! Mirror!
Writer: Dorechi
Genre: Horror
Type: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://letmepenyou.substack.com/p/mirror-mirror
Note: Not everything is what it seems.
Story Title: Talk to Me
Writer: Iris Shaw
Genre: Horror
Type: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/irisshaw/p/talk-to-me?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2k3hnh
Story Title: God of the Wild
Writer: Nick Winney (The Why and the Why Not)
Genre: Folk Horror
Type: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/nickwinney/p/god-of-the-wild?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2fhpll
Note: This is a story based on a shocking crime that took place in 2023 and is set in Northumberland.
Story title: The Crow's Call
Writer: Safa H
Genre: Gothic fiction
type: Poetry
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/inkblotwriting/p/the-crows-call?r=4at1ty&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Note: A halloween poem..or so I've been told
Story Title: The hands of God
Writer: Safa H
Genre: literary fiction
type: flash fiction
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/inkblotwriting/p/the-hands-of-god?r=4at1ty&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Note: "A vast stone hand came into view, dust trailing beneath it's immobile fingers..."
Story Title: Bllacksunblinded
Writer: A.P. Murphy
Genre: Horror
Type: Short Story
URL: https://thestrangenesskit.substack.com/p/blacksunblinded
Note: Written for Macabre Monday Story Contest, 2nd place. Sci-fi angle on the campfire scary yarn.
Story Title: Showing Howard Hullman
Writer: Jeremy Harshman (Greyburne’s)
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://greyburnes.substack.com/p/showing-howard-hullman
Note: This is a very short story about the Wizard Jenkins, about whom you can find longer stories at my website, Greyburnes.com.
Story Title: The Art of Darkness (Part 3)
Writer: MaKenna Grace
Genre: Romance
Type: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/makennagrace/p/the-art-of-darkness-part-3?r=1vkyax&utm_medium=ios
Note: In the aftermath of the publication of her dissertation, Amber Hollings has found herself caught in a deepening mystery, further entwining her fate with a powerful vampire with whom she has formed an unlikely bond. Romance with a touch of mystery and horror come together to weave this tale.
Story Title: possession
Writer: little audventures/suchaeta
Genre: magical realism
Type: Short story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/suchaeta/p/possession?r=ildbx&utm_medium=ios
Hope you enjoy this little story “on belongings and belonging” :)
Story Title: Countdown
Writer: E.A. Colquitt
Genre: Folklore
Type: Micro-/Flash Fiction
URL: https://colquittwrites.substack.com/p/countdown
Note: a drabble for Halloween :)
Story Title: Red Sauce and Noodles
Writer: Bluebird Fiction/Matthew Gerrity
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/bluebirdfiction/p/red-sauce-and-noodles?r=3wh4fq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Short Story: How to Lose Your Soul in Three Easy Steps
Writer: Twyla Johnson
Genre: Magical Realism
Type: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/llalahwrites/p/the-apartment?r=4m6du6&utm_medium=ios
Title: The Last Testaments of One Arthur Willingscraft
Author: John Calvin
Genre: Horror
Short story
https://open.substack.com/pub/johnbcalvin/p/the-last-testaments-of-one-athur?r=2kb11f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
A Poe inspired tale made as a celebration for Halloween.
Story Title: Penguin Feet: A Halloween Pumpkin Story Writer: Irshaad Genre: Humor Type: Flash Fiction URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/unfinishedspeedwriting/p/penguin-feet?r=2qufyf&utm_medium=ios Note: A bit of humor that I hope makes you smile.
Title: Code Name: Twinkle
Writer: Hanna Delaney
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/hannadelaneywrites/p/code-name-twinkle?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2byo0o
Story Title: Pathological
Writer: Emily S Hurricane
Genre: Horror
Type: Short Serial
URL: https://emilyshurricane.substack.com/p/pathological
Note: This is the beginning of a small serial side project I’ve been working on, but it can present as a short story by itself. It’s not really horror at the moment, but the larger story arc will be. At present it’s a look into the mind of a woman you wouldn’t particularly want to meet.
(Also this is part of my regular newsletter so skip the text at the top, there’s a clear break with a graphic where the story starts!)
Also available in audio (produced by me, a human)
Story Title: Soft Targets
Writer: Sue Meredith Mann/ On the Road to Jericho: A Novel
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Serial
URL: https://ontheroadtojericho.substack.com/p/pretoria-1987-soft-targets-bd0
Note: South Africa burns. A bomb could be anywhere. Eleanor has a choice to make.
Writer: Precious Jane
Genre: Romance
Type: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/preciousjane/p/star-crossed-lovers?r=dszai&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Note: Based on Shakespeare's famous line "Star-Crossed Lovers" from Romeo and Juliet, I wanted to write a story where constellations could actually keep two people connected. This is the Antagonists' perspective of the original story, but these are both stand alone stories and does not require the reader to know both perspectives together!
Story Title: A Blessing And A Curse
Writer: Rob Mortell (Stories Have Power)
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Short Story
URL: https://robmortell.substack.com/p/a-blessing-and-a-curse-tales-and-treasure
Note: This is a short story connected to my novel Tales & Treasure.
Story Title: Mr. Mayor?
Writer: Thomas Foydel
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: Short Story
URL: https://falsechoices.substack.com/p/mr-mayor
Note: Are you familiar with the idea of 'degrowth'? It's an idea we have a lot of experience with here in the old industrial Midwest; it leads to a lot of new ideas, some good and some unusual. Actually, most are unusual.
Story Title: Family Matters
Writer: [I Can Hear Their Voices]
Genre: [Comedy/Drama]
Type: [Short Story]
URL: https://substack.com/home/post/p-151021201
Story Title: What's a Dragon? - Chapter 17
Writer: Dragon Writer Luc
Genre: Fantasy
Type: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/dragonwriterluc/p/whats-a-dragon-chapter-17
Note: It's hard to come up with excuses on the spot, especially when you're as honest as Emilie. (This is the end of part 2! If you want to read in chunks or haven't started reading the story, this is a good time to get on it!)
Story Title: Loot
Writer: Scott MacLeod/Son of Ugly
Genre: Noir
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/sonofugly/p/loot?r=2sz29p&utm_medium=ios
Note: Halloween Noir. A sweet heist.
Story Title: Elysian Field
Writer: Scott MacLeod/Son of Ugly
Genre: Sports
Type: Flash Fiction
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/sonofugly/p/elysian-field?r=2sz29p&utm_medium=ios
Note: Death at the Ballpark.