Speculative Fiction Feasts

This month yielded a cornucopia of weird speculative fiction, including a micro piece from yours truly. I received an acceptance letter from my dream-dream-dreaaaaam market, so I’m looking forward to sharing that publication next year!

Flash Fiction Online: Paranormal Noir Edition

Editor: Jacob Baugher

Publication: Flash Fiction Online

Link: https://flashfictiononline.com/issues/october-2026/

Impressions: An outstanding ensemble of voices who give noir a fresh spin. High praise to the editor for the story selection and order, which tell as much of a story as each piece.

Food and Drink Pairing: Jello. Bonus points if there’s meat in the jello.

N-raptured

Editor: Justin C. Key

Publication: Apex Magazine

Link: https://www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/apex-magazine/n-raptured?view=apex-magazine

Impressions: If I could telepathically communicate with everyone in the United States, I would tell them to read this story.

Food and Drink Pairing: Saltines and American cheese.

Puddlejumping

Author: Parker M. O’Neill

Publication: Adventitious

Link: https://www.adventitious.net/stories/puddlejumping-parker-m-oneill/

Impressions: This is the second time this writer shows up on this month’s list, but to be fair, both stories made me cry.

Food and Drink Pairing: Pizza, mainly because this story makes me feel as gutted as the dog episode from Futurama.

Earthy

Author: Rebecca Halsey

Publication: WWPH Writes

Link: https://washingtonwriters.org/?mailpoet_router&endpoint=view_in_browser&action=view&data=WzM4LCJmNzkxYjhiNGUwMGMiLDAsMCwxOTQsMV0#prose

Impressions: An immersive piece that winks at the reader. This one made me hungry.

Food and Drink Pairing: Raw onion.

Cozy in the Apocalypse Anthology

Editors: Chun Hyon Lee and Naomi Simone Borwein

Publication: Angry Gable Press

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Cozy-Apocalypse-Chun-Hyon-Lee-ebook/dp/B0HKF96XBY?ref_=kfw_samples_getbook_card

Impressions: Cozy and weird is my ideal read during autumn, so this anthology really hit the spot for me!

Food and Drink Pairing: Apple cider and rum.

Auntie Four-Hearts

Author: Kaily Daida

Publication: Night Shades

Link: https://www.nightshadesmag.com/auntie-four-hearts/

Impressions: This story pivots around an old superstition related to a Japanese homophone. Also my first publication. 🙂

Food and Drink Pairing: Something that reminds you of your favorite auntie.