EMAIL CUT OFF? CLICK HERE TO OPEN IN BROWSER.
Any errors seen below such as typos, miss-labeling of genre or category, wrong link, wrong person mentioned, etc. please state the error in the comments and I will update immediately. Mistakes can happen. I am only human.
POETRY
Clowns of Babylon - 10/9/25 [Fantasy]
MICRO/FLASH FICTION
By the Shadows of Stories - 10/5/25 [Speculative Fiction]
The Hunt - 10/10/25 [Literary Fiction]
SHORT STORY
F*ck*ng Waste - 10/7/25 [Literary Fiction]
Chasm - 10/6/25 [Horror]
Scones, Tea, and Good Intentions - 10/4/25 [Fantasy]
What’s in a Name? - 10/8/25 [Science Fiction]
Demon of Dreams - 10/7/25 [Horror]
Aluk Chula, PI: The Internment Case - 10/5/25 [Historical Fiction]
NEW VOICES
Optimization - 10/6/25 [Science Fiction]
Me and my fickle wheel. - 10/6/25 [Fantasy]
You’ll go, then I’ll go - 10/9/25 [Speculative Fiction]
The Digital Heart - 10/8/25 [Science Fiction]
The Send Us Your Fiction Database is a comprehensive list of all stories recommended each week! Use it to find even more fiction to read!
Top in Fiction News
I recently wrote a “Re-Introduction” post about Top in Fiction that you can read here. In it i put a poll looking to rename where we house every single recommendation that has been made over every single 3-day weekend (Friday - Sunday) since March 2025. Ever since I introduced filling in a form for recommendations instead of putting them in the comments of our weekly Friday posts I knew I wanted to make it a searchable database so no one felt left out. Just because a story isn’t selected for this email doesn’t mean all the stories don’t have a way to be discovered. And any new readers (and lovers) of fiction would never be starving for something to read. The Database has over 2,000 stories and we add nearly 50+ every week!
With that said, we received nearly 100 votes on the 5 options for a new name for our Database (Formerly known as Send Us Your Fiction. I know, terrible name!). However, we ended up with a TIE! So, I’m doing a revote with JUST the two name options this time. Please select your favorite. I am hoping to DOUBLE the number of voters on this one!
The poll is open for JUST 7 days so vote early! One vote per subscriber. I hope to announce the new name next week!
TiF Press News
You may not be aware but we currently have two amazing members of our community writing for TiF Press either exclusively or via cross-posting! I’ve vowed to do better about sharing their efforts on a more regular basis as they are producing content regularly already!
’s ReviewStack
I’m sure you have all seen his work, reviewing fiction, on his Substack Notes, but did you know his reviews can also be found over on TiF Press? See them all here! I just love the images he creates to go along with each of them, too.
’s Bits of Book Marketing
Learn something new, tips and trips, for how to make marketing your work that much easier. Each read is short, sweet, and easily digestible. Why not get started here, today!
EVENTS UPDATE
All events listed below can also be found on our Calendar of Events page.
Inanimate Objects [A TiF Disruption Event] - Monday, September 15th to Wednesday, October 15th - The next TiF Press writing event is happening and if you see what’s happening with the Eye See You event, then you’ll want to get in on this one! As per usual you can opt to enter the contest or just write a story to participate in the event which is happening on Friday, October 31st for Halloween. More information such as word count length, theme, and submissions link as well as sponsors and promotional illustration can be found HERE!
Pentober 2025: 31 days. 31 prompts. Ink, paper, and terror—all written by you. Share your progress by tagging
on Substack Notes!Day of Thanks (Nov 24): A chance to give thanks to the writers and stories that inspired you in 2025. More info coming November 17th.
Secret Santa Plot-Swap (Dec 22): Exchange story ideas as gifts, and see how another writer brings yours to life. More info coming November 10th.
HELP WANTED - (New Section)
This is a new section I’m going to be testing out in these weekly emails. Its purpose, at the moment, is meant to seek volunteer assistance from the community. So, only if you are skilled and able to spare the time should you reach out to TiF Team via DM.
DESIGN
I am looking for someone to design the banner for our new Database name. The name is obviously pending as the voting for it has just opened. I’d like an official banner to just consist of a font and maybe some non-obtrusive imagery in the background. I’m not the best at creating these graphics (perhaps you’ve seen my handiwork around) so I’ve learned to lean on those far more skilled than myself in these matters.
ARCHIVIST
As we near the end of the year there is a lot of back-log that needs to be properly catalogued and requires someone with a few minutes/hours a week to devote to helping me organize it all. Also, ability to use Adobe and editing PDFs is a plus.
- , Editor-in-Chief 😈
If you enjoyed any of these stories, please consider sharing this post everywhere:
The whole concept of your Substack is such a gift to the writing community!
Thanks so much for the inclusion. I always love reading the pieces you select!