The Pitch is a monthly discussion thread of the best science fiction and fantasy on Substack, as recommended by the authors themselves. Here’s how it works:
Are you an author? Head to the comments and add a link and a 1-2 sentence summary pitch for a speculative fiction short story, serial chapter or anthology post from your Substack. This is your chance to creatively promote your work and talent.
Are you a reader? Add likes and comments on the authors’ Substacks. Feel free to come back here and do the same.
Spread the word and restack the thread in a Note. Share outside of Substack on Reddit, Hacker News, X, Instagram, Facebook and in any other relevant forum interested in science fiction and fantasy. This exposes everyone’s stories to a wider audience of readers. The best link to use for sharing is as follows:
I’d like to share my ongoing speculative fiction mystery serial Down in the Holler.
Judith Temple, a hyper-logical software developer, has little patience with uncertainty and imprecision, but the apparently psychic visions she’s experiencing have turned into something she can no longer ignore. When Judith finds herself drawn into a decades-old missing person cold case in rural Kentucky, she must learn to use both her analytical mind and her newfound ability (skill? gift? curse? delusion?) to find the mysterious woman reaching out to her.
As the shadows of war loom ever closer, a young family must decide: what are they willing to sacrifice for a chance of safety? What are they willing to lose for one another’s inner peace?
A short story (sub-2000 words) of high fantasy that I published here last week.
I’m sharing my Sci-fi flash fiction series “The Gravediggers of Orpheus”. Nice and short chapters, 500 words or less.
When the selfless crew of Gravediggers find a pregnant survivor among the dead civilians of the war-torn planet Orpheus, they are forced to choose a side and join the brutal war.
"Victor Toledo wants to get paid to extract the petrochemical riches of Titan. Dr. Feroza Merchant wants to protect the moon’s native mechanoid lifeforms. The robot dragons want to eat the humans’ space suits right off them."
This is Chapter 2 from Ship of Fools, my satire about a science reporter coming to grips with conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and anti-science beliefs. The novel is set in some not-too-distant future with a moon colony and portals to an alternate universe. This particular chapter won't seem that sci-fi, except for the bizarre theory of how the moon landing "hoax" was accomplished. Ben Himmelstein's description of the theory begins in this chapter and continues in Chapter 4, which drops tomorrow. https://larryhogue.substack.com/p/ship-of-fools-chapter-2?r=1hfx9
I'd like to share my space-based serial Destination Europa, currently on Chapter 5 of 20-ish:
The R.G. Leifr, flagship of the FSS colonisation fleet, is en route to Europa with a hundred and twenty souls on board. Yet as Jupiter draws closer, tensions are rising and odd things are beginning to happen. Habitat engineer Aquilla O’Neill has to navigate the fraught relationship between Earther and Martian factions, as well as his own secret mission — and his own broken heart. Can he find the answers he needs, and will the Leifr arrive at its destination?
I would like to share my SF short story 'Diary of the Last Days of Sun' (~2800 words)
An atmospheric, introspective work of speculative fiction that explores the fragile nature of humanity and the enduring strength of familial bonds in a world that exists between two apocalypses.
In the Zagros Mountains of Ariana, where the coveted haoma plant flourishes, Omid, a Median drover, and Azita, a Gutian tribeswoman, grapple with loyalties and ambitions amid rising tensions between the grieving satrap of Media and the Gutian nomads accused of murdering his daughter.
My latest SF short story (it's around 14k words in total, split into 6 very readable (if I say so myself) parts - previous and next are linked in each part) is now completely available for your delightful reading pleasure. Start here with my intro and part 1: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/the-end-of-space-station-fifteen?r=2s9hod
...in which a sassy young archivist is analysing some found footage and comes to some disturbing (and prohibited by the powers-that-be) conclusions regarding the ongoing catastrophe which has forced the surviving remnants of humanity to subsist in a collection of orbiting space stations.
As well as an intriguing cameo by the central character in much of my Substack's playful ramblings, I think this is a highly entertaining sci-fi romp in the classic tradition (it gets a bit knowingly postmodern in that sense), complete with a bit of espionage thrown in for good measure. I found some intriguing images on Unsplash to go with it too. Enjoy (or else!).
The adventures are just beginning! This is the first story of an emerging series on davidjace.com
Astro is an experimental canine astronaut. He and his handler, Mark, fly on new space ships and test out new technology. This time, Astro is flying solo, and for the longest test flight of his career, on the first interstellar ship built by Earth, to the closest potentially Earthlike planet, 4.2 light years and 6 months away! An interstellar storm alters Astro, and he spends the trip learning to deal with his changed body and mind, and learning the ship. When he accidentally cancels his preprogrammed return flight, he will do whatever it takes to get back to Mark.
In which I reveal the truth about the events of Dracula based on a dream that I definitely actually had and a very true existent book with perfectly normal representations of mythology. Also featuring a backstory for the dragon from Beowulf (who is simultaneously Dracula's father and past life).
In which K'Pra, devout Brother of the Order of La, must decide what to do about an elf who has unknowingly discovered the truth about its, and K'Pra's, existence.
I’m drafting a dark fantasy novel on my private Substack featuring magic, murder, and mystery. There will be vampires and dragons involved. Would be thrilled if you joined to read the serial novel!
My main reasoning is that I only want subscribers to be able to read my early drafts. The problem is that Substack removes it completely from any sort of leaderboards, even from my profile, so discovery becomes a slight issue. It all depends on what your goals and priorities are. Hope that helps!
"The Glaciermen" – Serial Novel, 38K words so far, about half done, posted every Tuesday.
Begin the thrilling adventure of a boy’s survival after a plane crash on the ice sheet of Southern Greenland, where man is not the apex predator, and an ancient evil holds the secret to survival. A science team searches a long-frozen airline crash for clues to unlock the mysteries hidden in DNA, but discovers something much more sinister underneath the ice. "The Thing” meets “Apocalypto.”
If I may be so bold (only because I forgot to mention it the first time) I also wanted to mention that Katrina (my main character, her serial starts on Sunday!) has finished her DEXOS thing (Department for Exo-Studies in her parallel world Cambridge), and all the sci-fi fans will definitely, she believes, love the final two parts in particular.
So many great reads on this thread! I am going to pitch my Plastic Girl audiobook. I'm narrating. I'm posting a chapter a week, starting with the prequel novella. Here is one way I describe the trilogy:
Surviving the climate apocalypse is just the beginning for one lonely girl. Eva, one of Earth's last remaining children, and a new species will take evolution and the fate of humanity to mind and body-altering levels in this eco-punk hybrid of Lord of the Flies and The Thing.
I've started posting chapters of my epic fantasy novella, The Emperor's Dream.
Inspired by my travels in East Asia and now making my home in Southeast Asia, it's the story of a disgraced clan chief seeking to protect his homeland from those who would take it for themselves.
So come along for the ride in a world brimming with the magic of nature.
This was a short story I wrote for Lunar Awards that ran over budget in both time and word count. I expect to see a lot of great stories in this comment section. Mine is a look into one of humanity's potential futures, where colonists relish in ancient Earth's culture and technology, but there are perils.
Ooh, this is fun! I have a WIP short story that I'd like to introduce. It's has all the good stuff like sci-fi, space, friendship, and betrayal.
When an astronaut is sent to explore an alien world devoid of atmosphere, he must fight a breach of more than just spacetime to survive. All he has at his disposal is a portal called the "Looking Glass".
I'm taking a break from editing Book 2 to share the latest instalment of "A Grail for Eidothea" from The Môrdreigiau Chronicles series. In this one, our heroine is engaged, sort of (again, for those of you reading along), there's a moment worthy of a K-Drama, a fight scene and a robbery. It's action packed!
The series is an alternate history romantasy set at the close of the Napoleonic Wars. With sea dragons and Arthurian elements for good measure. Because why not.
Thanks for doing this, Brian!
I’d like to share my ongoing speculative fiction mystery serial Down in the Holler.
Judith Temple, a hyper-logical software developer, has little patience with uncertainty and imprecision, but the apparently psychic visions she’s experiencing have turned into something she can no longer ignore. When Judith finds herself drawn into a decades-old missing person cold case in rural Kentucky, she must learn to use both her analytical mind and her newfound ability (skill? gift? curse? delusion?) to find the mysterious woman reaching out to her.
https://open.substack.com/pub/bridgetriley/p/down-in-the-holler-table-of-contents?r=9e3cr&utm_medium=ios
“The Hearth and the Spear.” —
As the shadows of war loom ever closer, a young family must decide: what are they willing to sacrifice for a chance of safety? What are they willing to lose for one another’s inner peace?
A short story (sub-2000 words) of high fantasy that I published here last week.
https://open.substack.com/pub/ericfalden/p/the-hearth-and-the-spear?r=3ecd72&utm_medium=ios
I’m sharing my Sci-fi flash fiction series “The Gravediggers of Orpheus”. Nice and short chapters, 500 words or less.
When the selfless crew of Gravediggers find a pregnant survivor among the dead civilians of the war-torn planet Orpheus, they are forced to choose a side and join the brutal war.
https://open.substack.com/pub/kathrineelaine/p/the-gravediggers-of-orpheus-6?r=2rhgsy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
"Victor Toledo wants to get paid to extract the petrochemical riches of Titan. Dr. Feroza Merchant wants to protect the moon’s native mechanoid lifeforms. The robot dragons want to eat the humans’ space suits right off them."
PETROLEA chapter 1 https://open.substack.com/pub/theworldsotherside/p/petrolea-ch1
Robot dragons! I love the variety here. 🤖🤖🤖
Me too! Off to read!
Thanks again, Brian!
This is Chapter 2 from Ship of Fools, my satire about a science reporter coming to grips with conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, and anti-science beliefs. The novel is set in some not-too-distant future with a moon colony and portals to an alternate universe. This particular chapter won't seem that sci-fi, except for the bizarre theory of how the moon landing "hoax" was accomplished. Ben Himmelstein's description of the theory begins in this chapter and continues in Chapter 4, which drops tomorrow. https://larryhogue.substack.com/p/ship-of-fools-chapter-2?r=1hfx9
I'd like to share my space-based serial Destination Europa, currently on Chapter 5 of 20-ish:
The R.G. Leifr, flagship of the FSS colonisation fleet, is en route to Europa with a hundred and twenty souls on board. Yet as Jupiter draws closer, tensions are rising and odd things are beginning to happen. Habitat engineer Aquilla O’Neill has to navigate the fraught relationship between Earther and Martian factions, as well as his own secret mission — and his own broken heart. Can he find the answers he needs, and will the Leifr arrive at its destination?
https://open.substack.com/pub/coraclevoyager/p/mission-europa
Thank you Brian! ✨
What happens when a mercenary, a prostitute and a teenage girl go on a quest?
I'd like to share chapter 1 of my upcoming fantasy novel.
It also serves as a short story in its own right. This is The End Of The Line featuring Valmir and Jessalyn who some people may recognise from prompt quest 1! https://open.substack.com/pub/hannadelaneywrites/p/the-end-of-the-line?r=2byo0o&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I expect your novel to go bestseller status and be made into a movie, at which point you can continue to blame me. 😉
I would like to share my SF short story 'Diary of the Last Days of Sun' (~2800 words)
An atmospheric, introspective work of speculative fiction that explores the fragile nature of humanity and the enduring strength of familial bonds in a world that exists between two apocalypses.
https://dereklaporte.substack.com/p/diary-of-the-last-days-of-sun
Thanks all!
“Zagros”
A mythohistorical Iranian fantasy novel
In the Zagros Mountains of Ariana, where the coveted haoma plant flourishes, Omid, a Median drover, and Azita, a Gutian tribeswoman, grapple with loyalties and ambitions amid rising tensions between the grieving satrap of Media and the Gutian nomads accused of murdering his daughter.
https://talesfromthebazaar.substack.com/p/zagros-chapter-1
My latest SF short story (it's around 14k words in total, split into 6 very readable (if I say so myself) parts - previous and next are linked in each part) is now completely available for your delightful reading pleasure. Start here with my intro and part 1: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/the-end-of-space-station-fifteen?r=2s9hod
...in which a sassy young archivist is analysing some found footage and comes to some disturbing (and prohibited by the powers-that-be) conclusions regarding the ongoing catastrophe which has forced the surviving remnants of humanity to subsist in a collection of orbiting space stations.
As well as an intriguing cameo by the central character in much of my Substack's playful ramblings, I think this is a highly entertaining sci-fi romp in the classic tradition (it gets a bit knowingly postmodern in that sense), complete with a bit of espionage thrown in for good measure. I found some intriguing images on Unsplash to go with it too. Enjoy (or else!).
The adventures are just beginning! This is the first story of an emerging series on davidjace.com
Astro is an experimental canine astronaut. He and his handler, Mark, fly on new space ships and test out new technology. This time, Astro is flying solo, and for the longest test flight of his career, on the first interstellar ship built by Earth, to the closest potentially Earthlike planet, 4.2 light years and 6 months away! An interstellar storm alters Astro, and he spends the trip learning to deal with his changed body and mind, and learning the ship. When he accidentally cancels his preprogrammed return flight, he will do whatever it takes to get back to Mark.
https://www.davidjace.com/p/one-giant-leap-for-dogkind?r=3n06ng
Adventure Story: a loving parody of the fantasy genre written in script format. https://open.substack.com/pub/niccolohilgendorf/p/adventure-story-episode-1?r=1xrwaa&utm_medium=ios
In which I reveal the truth about the events of Dracula based on a dream that I definitely actually had and a very true existent book with perfectly normal representations of mythology. Also featuring a backstory for the dragon from Beowulf (who is simultaneously Dracula's father and past life).
https://warthogreport.substack.com/p/revealed-the-truth-behind-dracula-854
"While Mr. Grey takes fiddling lessons and files taxes for an eyeless witch who lives at the bottom of a well, what's Honeydew up to?"
I'm sharing an episode from the current season of my fairy tale - In Different Color.
https://open.substack.com/pub/samrake/p/honeydew-appetizer?r=32fu8f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Thanks, Brian! I just posted a new 2,000 word story yesterday.
"A luxury cruise ship on an interplanetary voyage. One of the AI pilots has gone bonkers. But which one?"
The Ship Who Snored. https://speclectic.substack.com/p/the-ship-who-snored
Ohh, I have a luxury interplanetary cruise ship story, too!! #reading
In which K'Pra, devout Brother of the Order of La, must decide what to do about an elf who has unknowingly discovered the truth about its, and K'Pra's, existence.
https://indianamichael.substack.com/p/the-thoughts-of-kpra
Werewolves in Space is the opening chapter of my WIP which turned into Book of Lycaon. Enjoy!
https://open.substack.com/pub/scvickers/p/werewolves-in-space?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3qcfmg
I’m drafting a dark fantasy novel on my private Substack featuring magic, murder, and mystery. There will be vampires and dragons involved. Would be thrilled if you joined to read the serial novel!
https://open.substack.com/pub/havek/p/the-erosion-of-all-things-sacred?r=ozytx&utm_medium=ios
HI Winston, your Substack is private. Is that intentional?
Yeah!
Um, say more? Wondering if it might be a good choice ditto ditto.
My main reasoning is that I only want subscribers to be able to read my early drafts. The problem is that Substack removes it completely from any sort of leaderboards, even from my profile, so discovery becomes a slight issue. It all depends on what your goals and priorities are. Hope that helps!
Yes that does help! Thanks for explaining!
"The Glaciermen" – Serial Novel, 38K words so far, about half done, posted every Tuesday.
Begin the thrilling adventure of a boy’s survival after a plane crash on the ice sheet of Southern Greenland, where man is not the apex predator, and an ancient evil holds the secret to survival. A science team searches a long-frozen airline crash for clues to unlock the mysteries hidden in DNA, but discovers something much more sinister underneath the ice. "The Thing” meets “Apocalypto.”
https://xaviermacfarlane.substack.com/p/manuscript-preview-the-glaciermen
"The Thing" meets "Apocalypto". That's a great combo! Thanks for sharing, Xavier.
If I may be so bold (only because I forgot to mention it the first time) I also wanted to mention that Katrina (my main character, her serial starts on Sunday!) has finished her DEXOS thing (Department for Exo-Studies in her parallel world Cambridge), and all the sci-fi fans will definitely, she believes, love the final two parts in particular.
Part IV, which you can find here: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/welcome-to-dexos-part-iv?r=2s9hod
is all about interstellar travel, the Fermi Paradox, and the Zoo Hypothesis,
and Part V, which is here: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/welcome-to-dexos-part-v?r=2s9hod
is about the 'SETI coverup' about all those ETI signals they received (like the famous Wow signal, a decipherment of which is included in part 5).
She really hopes you will enjoy it!
Sharing a sci-fi story I wrote last month, in which a linguist discovers that some words, and some memories, are better kept buried.
https://irisshaw.substack.com/p/lindenmemoria
So many great reads on this thread! I am going to pitch my Plastic Girl audiobook. I'm narrating. I'm posting a chapter a week, starting with the prequel novella. Here is one way I describe the trilogy:
Surviving the climate apocalypse is just the beginning for one lonely girl. Eva, one of Earth's last remaining children, and a new species will take evolution and the fate of humanity to mind and body-altering levels in this eco-punk hybrid of Lord of the Flies and The Thing.
https://monsteroftheweek.substack.com/publish/podcasting/s/plastic-girl-audiobook
Hey Jessica, I think the link is for a private page. Did you mean to post this link:
https://monsteroftheweek.substack.com/p/plastic-girl-evolution-chapter-1
Kudos to you for narrating your own story! I did two of my own short stories and it's a fun experience, but a lot of work.
I've started posting chapters of my epic fantasy novella, The Emperor's Dream.
Inspired by my travels in East Asia and now making my home in Southeast Asia, it's the story of a disgraced clan chief seeking to protect his homeland from those who would take it for themselves.
So come along for the ride in a world brimming with the magic of nature.
https://open.substack.com/pub/widerworlds/p/the-emperors-dream-chapter-one?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3tb715
*These are first drafts, published here on Substack for those who want to see the creative process as the story unfolds.
In the fantastic realm of Anthropomorph, it's not easy being a cop: https://davidperlmutter.substack.com/p/they-are-ours
This was a short story I wrote for Lunar Awards that ran over budget in both time and word count. I expect to see a lot of great stories in this comment section. Mine is a look into one of humanity's potential futures, where colonists relish in ancient Earth's culture and technology, but there are perils.
https://open.substack.com/pub/unaddressed/p/this-is-how-the-google-earthers-did?r=dj4ex&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Ooh, this is fun! I have a WIP short story that I'd like to introduce. It's has all the good stuff like sci-fi, space, friendship, and betrayal.
When an astronaut is sent to explore an alien world devoid of atmosphere, he must fight a breach of more than just spacetime to survive. All he has at his disposal is a portal called the "Looking Glass".
Part 1: https://kanwarpsplaha.substack.com/p/the-breach-part-1
I'm taking a break from editing Book 2 to share the latest instalment of "A Grail for Eidothea" from The Môrdreigiau Chronicles series. In this one, our heroine is engaged, sort of (again, for those of you reading along), there's a moment worthy of a K-Drama, a fight scene and a robbery. It's action packed!
The series is an alternate history romantasy set at the close of the Napoleonic Wars. With sea dragons and Arthurian elements for good measure. Because why not.
https://open.substack.com/pub/projectstarfish/p/18-ungentle-negotiations?r=1mk6at&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web