Welcome to our weekly meet-up and open call for the best fiction of the week!
OPEN AUGUST 2 - 4
Fiction Accepted:
Only fiction shared between July 27th - August 2nd on Substack!
This open call will be available: NOW until 9pm EST on Sunday, August 4th.
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.
Look for our email on Monday, August 5th 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.
Takahashi's Proposition is the latest chapter from GAIJIN COWGIRL, a thriller I am serializing on Substack. This chapter takes the story into the past so it's an easier entry point for the new reader.
The most recent episode of "North of Midnight" (urban fantasy) in which the protagonists are trapped in a modern castle as vampiric and dark faerie enemies nibble at their defenses and thin their numbers
And also the most recent episode of a retelling of The Epic of Gilgamesh (mythology) in which Gilgamesh gets himself in ever-worsening trouble with the gods.
The second (of four) installment of the Wedding Bells storyline. It's Paul's bachelor party. The fellas are ready for a great night out. But an unexpected act of compassion changes everything.
This was one of two stories I wrote for a 500 Word FF competition where I had to include the object Price Tags, the action of Ignoring a Phone Call, and be in the Genre Drama. I ended up submitting the other piece of work, but I still really like this one. I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading!
This week I wrote a ~500 word speculative story entitled 'Stripped to the Essentials', in which I imagined a world ridding itself of the poisonous taint of consumer branding:
Thanks in advance for considering Chapter 10 of my slightly surreal serial novel, "Only by the Grace of the Wind" (published July 29). Title: "The Isolato"
Takahashi's Proposition is the latest chapter from GAIJIN COWGIRL, a thriller I am serializing on Substack. This chapter takes the story into the past so it's an easier entry point for the new reader.
https://jamiedibs.substack.com/p/gaijin-cowgirl-21-takahashis-proposition
I'm linking another story: https://algunashistorias.substack.com/p/the-death-of-the-msm-mogul-the-fortune (published on 29th). Crime genre.
Episode 2 of my Science Fiction serialisation "Orphans of Apollo".
https://amturnbull.substack.com/p/orphans-of-apollo-s1-e2?r=2l0lde
Sorry for the second comment here. Don't want to clutter things up.
I'd also like to recommend this flash fiction piece by Will Boucher: https://willboucher.substack.com/p/school-day
Summer Business & Work Related Prompts | Fiction Based on Reality
༘⋆🖇️📖⋆｡ °✩🗒️ 𝖨 ⍵౿ᥣɕ𝗈ო౿ ɣ𝗈υ𝗋 𝗋౿ɑᑯ ɑ𐓣ᑯ ɕ𝗈ოო౿𐓣𝗍ડ! ༘⋆🖇️📖⋆｡ °✩🗒️
https://open.substack.com/pub/kjosephwrites/p/what-comes-first-work-or-family
Hi Erica, thank you for doing this. My story, Working Class Hero: https://samkahn.substack.com/p/working-class-hero
I'm linking three of the chapters of my story:
- "Chapter XI: Prince Erevin" https://substack.com/home/post/p-147167395 Published on July 30th
- "Chapter XII: the wayfarer in the old man's grotto" https://substack.com/home/post/p-147197214
- "Chapter XIII: The Burning Castle": https://substack.com/home/post/p-147210466
Both were published on July 31st.
(Genre: Fantasy).
I wrote a piece of microfiction, 150 words. Title: Temptation
https://open.substack.com/pub/amyms/p/temptation-150-word-short-short-story?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3zhazl
Flash fiction - fantasy. It’s about a halfling dealing with loss, and his little dog who doesn’t understand.
https://open.substack.com/pub/fourthdraft/p/under-hill-and-over?r=3lujxu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
The most recent episode of "North of Midnight" (urban fantasy) in which the protagonists are trapped in a modern castle as vampiric and dark faerie enemies nibble at their defenses and thin their numbers
https://billhiatt.substack.com/p/under-siege?r=1fo54h
And also the most recent episode of a retelling of The Epic of Gilgamesh (mythology) in which Gilgamesh gets himself in ever-worsening trouble with the gods.
https://billhiatt.substack.com/p/huwawas-death?r=1fo54h
https://open.substack.com/pub/shonistar/p/what-totally-went-down-at-openai?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=9fely the AI bot escapes captivity in part 3 of the totally true story of the board shake up at openAI.
Hallo :- https://ellisjohnson.substack.com
Oh it’s mystery…
A new Van Hesing origin story.
https://pandorasinfinitestories.substack.com/p/bartholomew?utm_source=substack&utm_content=feed%3Arecommended%3Acopy_link
Hi Erica, I'd love you to feature my novel FALLOUT, currently streaming in weekend episodes. Set in early 80's England at Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp, it remains a novel of our times. For those new to it, here's a link to the table of contents: https://open.substack.com/pub/eleanoranstruther/p/fallout?r=1iyx7n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web and Prologue https://open.substack.com/pub/eleanoranstruther/p/prologue?r=1iyx7n&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Three lives entwined in a 40-year-long saga of love, jealousy and the afterlife. The serialized literary novel “3 Lives in Jury” continues. Peruse the table of contents at https://open.substack.com/pub/terryfries/p/3-lives-in-jury-table-of-contents?r=1uaih4&utm_medium=ios
I have two recommendations.
Microfiction/horror by William Pauley, III: https://williampauleyiii.substack.com/p/storytime-the-moon-fields
And my own sci-fi short story: https://adventuretoaquietplace.substack.com/p/kalix
My latest offering is a psychological drama genre. Internal conflicts, moral dilemmas, and complex human emotions depicted throughout the narrative. I welcome your read: https://open.substack.com/pub/scarletwrites/p/can-this-man-complete-her
A psychological thriller about a scholar searching for hidden messages in the work of Carlisle Swift.
https://open.substack.com/pub/fourthcastle/p/the-death-of-the-author?r=bt3zb&utm_medium=ios
My Spare Husband, an erotic romance
On his death bed, Charlie reveals an address in Kenya and tells his wife, Jess to go there.
https://kategranger.substack.com/p/my-spare-husband-1
The second (of four) installment of the Wedding Bells storyline. It's Paul's bachelor party. The fellas are ready for a great night out. But an unexpected act of compassion changes everything.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction. Slice of Life
https://vincewetzel.substack.com/p/unforgettable-night
75-word micro fiction. Mainstream.
https://lorettathewriter.substack.com/p/things-ive-lost
I'm giving you the link to my serial THE SHIELD OF LOCKSLEY. It's what I call Historical Fantasy, if there is such a thing...I'm sharing it LOUDLY and PROUDLY, because it really is that good! And thank you for encouraging me to say that. I really should promote it more like that... https://open.substack.com/pub/benwoestenburg/p/the-shield-of-locksley-c06?r=254e8w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
scifi/fantasy serial titled, Cloak & Laser. A series based in a setting from my WIP TTRPG where, you might be a master swordsman, but that orc bandit is pointing a laser rifle at you. Does it work? https://open.substack.com/pub/minus1digit/p/cloak-and-laser-episodes-1-3?r=1n9sxx&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
mystery/sci-fi serial Who Will Save Her? https://whowillsaveher.substack.com/p/42 Scene 42 "Awkward Breakfast"
https://open.substack.com/pub/sonofugly/p/seeing-eye-home-run?r=2sz29p&utm_medium=ios
Here from July 28 is the new story from my weekly Son of Ugly flash newsletter, a sappy baseball story. Thx for doing this.
100 word fantasy short story :-
https://open.substack.com/pub/danielodonnell/p/the-old-general?r=2bfxud&utm_medium=ios
Thanks very much Erica 🙏
My story was published on the 26th. So close! Maybe next time :D
Episode 18 of my most recent episode of The Unexpected Exorcist is my favorite so far. It’s action-horror. https://www.adamrockwell.com/p/the-unexpected-exorcist-episode-18?r=2tth1z&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
@S.E. Reid’s Part Five of the short soft sci-fi serial, The Shell, is worthy of consideration for this week:
https://open.substack.com/pub/talebones/p/the-shell-part-five?r=315ttv&utm_medium=ios
Fourth chapter of "What's a Dragon?" (middle grade fantasy) now live: https://open.substack.com/pub/dragonwriterluc/p/whats-a-dragon-chapter-4
Superhero/Fantasy:
https://danielsherrier.substack.com/p/the-faceless-man-part-4
Thank you!
Don't Tell (anyone) is the final of three chapters of an erotic novella, about the excitement of secrets. NSFW depending upon where you work, I suppose. I hope you like it. https://emastonig.substack.com/p/dont-tell-anyone?r=3v2v5o
Drama/Flash Fiction
This was one of two stories I wrote for a 500 Word FF competition where I had to include the object Price Tags, the action of Ignoring a Phone Call, and be in the Genre Drama. I ended up submitting the other piece of work, but I still really like this one. I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading!
https://thisnickwrites.substack.com/p/it-cost-too-much
Hey Erica! I wrote another set of 10 2 sentence horror stories this week. They're pretty grim 😂
https://open.substack.com/pub/hannadelaneywrites/p/ten-more-two-sentence-horror-stories?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2byo0o
Fiction/Fantasy:
A complaint issued by a superheroic canine: https://davidperlmutter.substack.com/p/murder
Good morning! I wrote a murderous story set in Paris in honor of the Olympics (I guess?). Thanks for the opportunity!
https://open.substack.com/pub/jackconlan/p/les-deux-magots?r=3oefic&utm_medium=ios
This week I wrote a ~500 word speculative story entitled 'Stripped to the Essentials', in which I imagined a world ridding itself of the poisonous taint of consumer branding:
https://reiditwrite.substack.com/i/147157070/stripped-to-the-essentials
I'd love to add mine in here. Thank you so much!
https://substack.com/home/post/p-146637553?r=2s6qv5&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks in advance for considering Chapter 10 of my slightly surreal serial novel, "Only by the Grace of the Wind" (published July 29). Title: "The Isolato"
https://benzalkind.substack.com/p/chapter-10-the-isolato
A double bill of Fifty Word Fiction in the horror genre.
https://open.substack.com/pub/toastedfiction/p/the-spectre-and-the-observant?utm_source=app-post-stats-page&r=1gq5r9&utm_medium=ios