A deeply emotionally evocative classic Russian tragedy.
A Gentle Spirit by Fyodor Dostoevsky (1876) — 16,000 words (about 64 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in 1876,
A Gentle Spirit by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Tag: short fiction
Message in a Vessel by V.G. Harrison
A vampire on the moon attempts to save mankind.
Message in a Vessel by V.G. Harrison (2023) — 4,900 words (about 20 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Apex magazine issue #135, January 2023.
Blank Space by Delilah S. Dawson
When an innocent girl falls for a bad boy with tattoos, all is not as it seems.
Blank Space by Delilah S. Dawson (2023) — 4,745 words (about 19 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Uncanny magazine issue #51, March/April 2023.
The Music of the Siphorophenes by C.L. Polk
A lovely story of overcoming secrets and pain.
The Music of the Siphorophenes by C.L. Polk (2023) — 9,232 words (about 37 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Uncanny magazine issue #53, July/August 2023.
The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry
It seems that no matter how far back you go, there have always been problem children.
The Ransom of Red Chief by O. Henry (1907) — 4,150 words (about 17 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in The Saturday Evening Post, 6 July 1907.
The United Systems of Goodwill Concert Series and the Greatest Performance of All Time by James Van Pelt
This feels like a cosmic version of Live Aid or We Are the World
The United Systems of Goodwill Concert Series and the Greatest Performance of All Time by James Van Pelt (2023) — 1,258 words (about 5 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Lightspeed magazine issue #158, July 2023.
The Narrative Implications of Your Untimely Death by Isabel J. Kim
This is an inside look at a reality show of the future. I don’t think I’d be participating in this one.
The Narrative Implications of Your Untimely Death by Isabel J. Kim (2023)
Originally published in Lightspeed magazine issue #152, January 2023.
The Relationship of Ink to Blood by Alex Langer
A clerk for the ruling fascists presides over a warehouse of the personal effects and paperwork of the government’s victims with whom he can converse.
The Relationship of Ink to Blood by Alex Langer (2023) — 4,700 words (about 19 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Apex magazine issue #138, May 2023.
Timelock by Davian Aw
An unusual story told in the second person.
Timelock by Davian Aw (2023) — 5,620 words (about 23 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in Clarkesworld magazine issue 202, July 2023.
“Ain’t Houses, Ain’t Names” by Nino Cipri
This one may take you back to that old high school crush.
“Ain’t Houses, Ain’t Names” by Nino Cipri (2023) — 3,340 words (about 13 minutes for the average reader)
Originally published in The Sunday Morning Transport, 16 July 2023.