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POETRY
The Crown I See by E. H. Lau of Hatching Stories [Free Verse]
The crown I see, (1st Line)
MICRO/FLASH FICTION
The Devil is in the Detail by Feasts and Fables of Just Write, Right [Literary Fiction]
… slump into a whiskey-sodden, post-fornication coma and the awakening is ruder than the bedroom antics that preceded it. (Any Line)
Brock Sticks The Landing by Aaron Martinez of Aaron Martinez [Comedy]
Down the aisle, past the weed whackers and hedge trimmers and rototillers, idling in front of the lawn mowers, stands a gently swaying Brachiosaurus. (First Line)
SHORT STORY
Yudit by Bridget Riley of Naptime Novelist [Historical Fiction]
The general might slaughter a widow, but he would never turn away a whore. (First Line)
Svanhvit by Corey Evans of Corey’s Story Stack [Fantasy]
But as fast as he was for his age, he was no match for the speed of a Valkyrie. (Any line)
Friday After Eleven by Jim Cummings of All Day Long [Literary Fiction]
Her hair tickles my nose and she says fun, flirty things that I’ll never remember. (Any Line)
Beneath Ashen Skies by L.G. Wells of Ink & Shadows [Horror]
One more set before the fire dies,
Beneath these ashen skies. (Any Line)
SHORT SERIAL
Karma [State of Grace, chapter 10] by palmisanocj@yahoo.com of CJ Palmisano's Roads Taken [Literary Fiction]
Right about the same time the principal handed Grace her diploma., Lorraine learned about her daughter’s graduation. (Any Line)
SERIAL
Beasts of the Bastille [Part 1] by A.P. Murphy of The Strangeness Kit and Honeygloom of Honeygloom [Historical Fiction]
When you were taken away from us, I lived a while alone with father but he wearied me with his eternal complaining by day and his unwanted attentions at night, and so I soon left that place never to return. (First Line)
DIRECTORY OF SERIALS
Hey ya’ll,
The Summer is almost upon us and I’m excited because it’s always the second half of the year that seems to fly by what with all the events happening at Top in Fiction. And this year we have 3 major ones that will all be published in 2027! Not to mention the 2nd TiF Press anthology coming this Fall!
In other news, I’ve been toiling away on a super secret project. I wish I could say more but until it’s in Beta and some select few people are testing it properly, I can’t even tell you the code name it’s going by! But if it all does according to plan, all will be revealed during the TiF Summit 2027! Till then…
I just want to remind everyone that in about 3 weeks the summit sign-up begins. And shortly after that the first of three writing events! “11” is all I’m willing to tell you about this next event but once all is revealed I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Especially, those who enjoy writing mystery or historical fiction.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS
TiF Summit 2027 Sign-Up (June 15th - August 15th) - Would you like to join us and read your fiction on a Substack Live? You can rewatch many of those Voices here. The quick and easy sign-up to let me know you’re interested begins mid-June but if you’d like to let me know earlier (June 1st) join our Discord here.
Right now I’m looking to fill 75 spots (a 50% increase). Don’t miss out!
SUBSCRIBER UPDATES
Consider becoming a MONTHLY subscriber and you’ll help us reach our goal of paying for exclusive short stories right here on Top in Fiction that you can read early before it is made available to everyone else.
Paid Monthly Subscribers will get early access to the TiF Story Story of the Month, for a period of two weeks, after which time the story will then be made available to all subscribers. Writers will be paid from the monthly subscribers.
- Erica Drayton, Editor-in-Chief 😈
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Thank you so much, TIF team, for selecting "Karma." It's a true honor! 💜
Thank you so much, Erica. This means a lot to me.