"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one." – George R. R. Martin
A haunting and disturbing tale of a man who talks with an AI about the troubles in his life.
“Hi! I’m Claudia” by Delilah S. Dawson (2025) — 4,443 words (about 18 minutes for the average reader)
Published in Uncanny magazine issue #64, May 2025.
Eleanor, fearing for her safety, hides her organs around the house to keep them safe from her abusive girlfriend Severine.
“Vivisection” by Anjali Sachdeva (2025) — 4,916 words (about 20 minutes for the average reader)
Published in Uncanny magazine issue #64, May 2025.
Told from the perspective of a networked inorganic family, this is a story of its interaction with a human who crash lands on their planet. A tale of family and friendship told from a unique perspective.
“We, the Fleet” by Alex T. Singer (2025) — 7,700 words (about 31 minutes for the average reader)
Published in Clarkesworld magazine issue #224, May 2025.
Here are the winners as announced last night!
“The Four Sisters Overlooking the Sea” by Naomi Kritzer (13,673 words)
“Stitched to Skin Like Family Is” by Nghi Vo (4,517 words)
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!
Once again I am reviewing the stories in the latest issue of a magazine I subscribe to. All stories are available to read online for free by clicking on the story title. If you like what you read from a particular magazine, I highly encourage you to subscribe. It is very inexpensive and helps support short speculative fiction writers and publications.
“The Diner at the Intersection of Duty and Despair” by John Chu (7,422 words) — Two chosen one participants work to save a bridge that holds worlds together. Oh, and they have a prior relationship, too. (My rating: 3/5)
“When He Calls Your Name” by Catherynne M. Valente (10,219 words) — A woman’s husband is drawn away by a beauty who is not all that she seems to be. Let’s just say that fans of Dolly Parton will especially appreciate this supernatural exploration of power, relationships, and cheating. (My rating: 5/5)
“Finer than Silk, Brighter than Snow” by Shveta Thakrar (2,385 words) — A laundress learns ancient tales from a snake who turns out to be a demon. A straightforward fairy tale about the value of story. (My rating: 3/5)
“The Garden” by Emma Törzs (5,096 words) — A god or undead person trapped in the city due to running water in the canals watches her neighbor water her garden during a drought. A little flat. I felt like it could have said more. (My rating: 3/5)
“Whalesong” by Daniel H. Wilson (7,038 words) — A mother and son confront each other on a research trip to observe the Great Convergence of whales. A touching story of how a mother and son can misunderstand each other their whole lives. (My rating: 5/5)
“The Terrarium” by Jordan Taylor (3,995 words) — An heir to a lord who is in love with another young man let’s loose fairy moths. A heartbreaking story of learning to deal with change. (My rating:4/5)
“The Best Way to Survive a Tiger Attack” by A.W. Prihandita (1,495 words) — A young girl who was mentally abused by her nanny who she sees as a tiger, does her best to behave. Explores the mixed up emotions that arise in such situations. (My rating: 3/5)
Average rating per story: 3.71
“Why Don’t We Just Kill the Kid in the Omelas Hole” by Isabel J. Kim (3,190 words or 13 minutes to read), published in Clarkesworld magazine issue #209, February 2024.
This story addresses more deeply the issues only hinted at in the original story “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula K. Le Guin.
My choice for Best Short Story, if I had a vote, would be “Stitched to Skin Like Family Is” by Nghi Vo. It is a kick ass story with action and emotion that goes deep, punching you right in the gut. Amazing!
“We Will Teach You How to Read | We Will Teach You How to Read” by Caroline M. Yoachim (2,832 words or 12 minutes to read), published in Lightspeed magazine issue #168, May 2024.
A unique side-by-side storytelling format.
“Three Faces of a Beheading” by Arkady Martine (4,139 words or 18 minutes to read), published in Uncanny magazine issue #58, May/June 2024.
Discusses the tool of storytelling and how it affects how we understand history.
“Stitched to Skin Like Family Is” by Nghi Vo (4,517 words or 18 minutes to read), published in Uncanny magazine issue #57, March/April 2024.
A Chinese expert seamstress searches for her brother after she stops receiving letters from him. A story of love, dedication, and family.
“Marginalia” by Mary Robinette Kowal (7,488 words or 30 minutes to read), published in Uncanny magazine issue #56, January/February 2024.
The daughter of a former baron’s maid saves his life by killing a giant snail with salt. A tale of class and the vast chasm between different classes.