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:
"The Samyuzot" follows the life of a cursed warrior, cast off by his people and sent to wander in exile. Join the samyuzot as he comes to terms with his curse and tries to find redemption in hostile, foreign lands. Each story is stand-alone, but will reward returning readers.
“Ditch Rockets of San Bartolo” is a vividly surreal tale of survival and desperation, set in a harsh, unforgiving world where the pursuit of profit collides with forces beyond human understanding. Through the absurd and dangerous trade of explosive, umami-rich “ditch rockets,” the story explores themes of greed, futility, exploitation, and the human tendency to commodify nature at any cost. Beneath its dark humor and grotesque absurdity lies a poignant meditation on the fragility of loyalty, the inevitability of loss, and the precarious balance between humanity’s ambitions and its insignificance in a larger, indifferent universe. This is a gripping, wholly original blend of suspense, satire, and existential dread.
A fantasy world in the era of swords and pistols. A rite-of-passage draconid hunt for emerging nobles that has evolved into little more than ritual. But for Aarik, the son of the Archduke, it will be anything but routine.
I’m currently serializing my paranormal mystery novella Beasts of the Field, featuring psychic detective Judith Temple as she investigates a bizarre death in rural Kentucky.
As long as there is war there will be heroes. In "A Cold Wind," Norse mythology meets the horrors of modern warfare when a wounded warrior finds love, not death, on the journey to Valhalla. Read it on Black Moon Journal, here: https://blackmoonjournal.substack.com/p/a-cold-wind
The Pitch is such a great way to support good stories!
I’m currently serialising the first of three novellas which all explore alternative timelines for the MC from my novel series, if certain crucial moments in her life had unfolded differently. There’s an introduction here to set the scene.
"Crescent City Symphony" is not only a story about environmental justice, but also about a future where we are trying to address climate change. And it happens during Mardi Gras in New Orleans so fun and action guaranteed!
I’m currently serialising a dark fantasy novella The Last Daughter of Dragons.
🔥A man with a wolf’s soul. A maiden cursed by the dragon’s flame. An ancient flame with the power to burn their kingdom down….(and a very cool villain 🥶). 🔥
Quibble, chapter 30, "Spy": Asuja plots with the lord Algol to win his freedom from utter control, but it has a price — Quibble’s death. || An adventure, a love story, a dystopian warning, and a meditation on transhumanism, Quibble asks what a technological singularity will mean for humanity’s survival — and exactly what might survive.
I posted the final part (it's in 8 parts - each part is around the 2k words mark) of my short serial, Ciao, SETI! on Tuesday, so the entire story is now available to read. This is fun sci-fi conspiracy adventure (which reads a bit like a movie) starring the indomitable Unofficial Katy (in her first of many misadventures to come), who says she is a visiting ETI. Then we have the sassy young astronomy postgrad, Phoebe, who is intent on preventing Seti from covering up a genuine message from extraterrestrials.
There's also an alternate ending (linked at the end of the original part 8) which of course you won't want to read until after. The Great Image Generator did a great job too, as I hope you'll see. Enjoy!
Elvia, a young river sprite, witnesses the extraordinary power of a wicked faun’s song. When her friends are caught up in the magic of the song and taken from her she finds a new kind of power in her quest for vengeful justice.
Of Elvia and the Steam is a quick read flying by in 10 short parts with audio narration available.
The origin myth of a people from another world, where Abram the human and Abram the sword must work together after the empire destroys their peaceful life.
In the near future, where lifestyle presets can fast-track the perfect life and voice filters redefine identity, a freelancer and her partner navigate the complexities of authenticity and success in a world eager for shortcuts.
"I had a great time living your life" is part of the Practical Futures series, envisioning everyday products and services reshaping the near future of our daily lives.
Hey everyone! Poetic fantasy author here. For genre, this book is gonna be like Zelda, but Link is a Ringwraith. Welcome to...
NALA SAGA!
Premise: Nala is an orc, and gentle to a fault with a shadow goddess sleeping in her spine. We meet her in Book 1 at Harry Potter's age, and follow her through a trilogy of trilogies, until she is on the level with Gandalf and Merlin and Iax the Shaper.
“… Just one more time, to make sure I’m not going mad Ed the Ted tells himself. He turns off the old Anglepoise. It’s still there in the darkness, a fragile ghost of a structure extending from the old Aluminium casting. The x-ray of some engineered chrysalis extending beyond the motor and fading to smoke. It really isn’t in his head. It really does do that. Ed sits in the dark for a long time watching the thing by the light from his rollup. “
“A cross between Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the Twilight Zone.” – Danny ‘The Dip’ walker, pickpocket and all round rogue
“ I’ve never heard of him.” – Guy Ritchie- Director
“Dark Matter” is a short sci-fi story imagining a concept from neuroscience but applied to the very fabric of the universe, exploring themes of good and evil and… honestly it’s kind of hard to write a pitch for, because it’s hard to describe, but I’ve been humbly gratified by the response to this one!
1944 - True Believers, is a two-part alternate history story, imagining the European Grand Prix racing scene in a world where the Great War and the Depression never happened. It also fits the dieselpunk genre.
A near-future mystery novel with a unique POV and dual female protagonists posted once scene a day, over the course of nine months. With two-thirds of the story already posted, now's a great time to hope on and ride to the ending ... https://whowillsaveher.substack.com/p/0
'An Inheritance: the story of Isocrates' is a serial fiction work of Greek Tragedy/Mythology, written in the vein of Dark Fantasy. Isocrates is forced to take desperate measures to spare to his own life, leading to blood on his hands (among other things...)
Sharing nightmares of torture by “frogs,” two slaves attempt to escape the savagery of their plantation as they can no longer endure the suffering of their waking hours or sleep. However, escaping won’t come easy nor will it be what they’ve longed for.
A short from ‘The Hidden Peripheral’ Anthology Novel - ‘Night of The Frogs.’
This is a short epistolary fiction revolving around my upcoming novel "Mage Hunter," where a grand wizard writes to the king about an urgent matter. Because of the stringent laws surrounding magic, she expresses frustration about being unable to lawfully address a looming threat surrounding the capital.
It's set in the dawn of the 20th century on the campus of Washington College, following six students and a scandalous rumor. It's as close as I'll get to Gothic romance. The sci-fi military story is violent and vulgar, so if that's more your thing, check out "They That Bite and Devour," but if you like Jane Austen and ghosts, check out "The Wicked Flee When None Pursue."
"The Founder's Chosen" is the story of Major Adrian Huxton on his first campaign. He arrives at his new destroyer a day early for a surprise inspection, only to witness a racially charged murder of a junior soldier. His new crew is about to explode, and they deploy in one week.
This serial will be told in 'sequences' of four chapters, each telling separate arcs within the greater overall story. Here's sequence 1, chapter 1
part one of a serial, starring Pyrite the Magician, a goblin illusionist living in the city-state of Chimeria, perched on the live bank of the Lethe, at the ass-end of the Dreamlands, under an M-class star https://randallhayes.substack.com/p/the-lizard-thing-part-1
Emilie has found out what it means to be a true dragon, at least physically and magically. Keeping this a secret from her friends and society is something of a challenge, but she’s doing her best.
Serializing The Pearl Crucible, a noir mystery set in the capital of Iphigenia around Tau Ceti, involving murder, clones, aristocrats, military policemen, brothel madams, and ancient artwork from Earth.
Wonder and magic make mischief when a Wizard and a Dragon enter Quida's life, launching her on an odd yet charming adventure into the unknown. The Cotton Dragon is folk fantasy with elves, dwarves, wizards, goblins, ghosts, and more.
"The Samyuzot" follows the life of a cursed warrior, cast off by his people and sent to wander in exile. Join the samyuzot as he comes to terms with his curse and tries to find redemption in hostile, foreign lands. Each story is stand-alone, but will reward returning readers.
Here’s the first anecdote: https://open.substack.com/pub/ericfalden/p/the-first-death-of-segitars-arpadi?r=3ecd72&utm_medium=ios
Huge thank you to Brian! 🫡
This is an amazing story!!
“Ditch Rockets of San Bartolo” is a vividly surreal tale of survival and desperation, set in a harsh, unforgiving world where the pursuit of profit collides with forces beyond human understanding. Through the absurd and dangerous trade of explosive, umami-rich “ditch rockets,” the story explores themes of greed, futility, exploitation, and the human tendency to commodify nature at any cost. Beneath its dark humor and grotesque absurdity lies a poignant meditation on the fragility of loyalty, the inevitability of loss, and the precarious balance between humanity’s ambitions and its insignificance in a larger, indifferent universe. This is a gripping, wholly original blend of suspense, satire, and existential dread.
https://open.substack.com/pub/jontoews/p/ditch-rockets-of-san-bartolo?r=1asdvc&utm_medium=ios
Highly recommend!
Relatively new around here!
A fantasy world in the era of swords and pistols. A rite-of-passage draconid hunt for emerging nobles that has evolved into little more than ritual. But for Aarik, the son of the Archduke, it will be anything but routine.
https://open.substack.com/pub/iandunmore/p/wyrmslayer?r=4lns5a&utm_medium=ios
Can vouch for this piece! It's awesome.
I’m currently serializing my paranormal mystery novella Beasts of the Field, featuring psychic detective Judith Temple as she investigates a bizarre death in rural Kentucky.
Here’s a link to the Table of Contents!
https://open.substack.com/pub/bridgetriley/p/beasts-of-the-field-table-of-contents?r=9e3cr&utm_medium=ios
This is also an awesome serial (for anyone who is browsing the comments).
Thank you, Leanne!
Melia's rage at an injustice drives her to do the unthinkable. Can she bear the cost?
https://open.substack.com/pub/theforgottenlibrary/p/never-offend-the-fae
Imagine a medicine which lets people enjoy vigorous exercise. The perfect way to lose weight? Or are the unintended consequences too severe?
https://gallagherstories.substack.com/p/runners-high
As long as there is war there will be heroes. In "A Cold Wind," Norse mythology meets the horrors of modern warfare when a wounded warrior finds love, not death, on the journey to Valhalla. Read it on Black Moon Journal, here: https://blackmoonjournal.substack.com/p/a-cold-wind
The Pitch is such a great way to support good stories!
I’m currently serialising the first of three novellas which all explore alternative timelines for the MC from my novel series, if certain crucial moments in her life had unfolded differently. There’s an introduction here to set the scene.
https://theshatteredmoon.substack.com/p/three-kinds-of-now?r=jh5v5
"Crescent City Symphony" is not only a story about environmental justice, but also about a future where we are trying to address climate change. And it happens during Mardi Gras in New Orleans so fun and action guaranteed!
https://jetse.substack.com/p/crescent-city-symphony
(This is the latest story I put on Substack, it's far from the only one.)
I’m currently serialising a dark fantasy novella The Last Daughter of Dragons.
🔥A man with a wolf’s soul. A maiden cursed by the dragon’s flame. An ancient flame with the power to burn their kingdom down….(and a very cool villain 🥶). 🔥
https://kathrineelaine.substack.com/p/the-last-daughter-of-dragons-9?r=2rhgsy
Superheroes should not be ripped off, least of all like this: https://davidperlmutter.substack.com/p/film-flam
Quibble, chapter 30, "Spy": Asuja plots with the lord Algol to win his freedom from utter control, but it has a price — Quibble’s death. || An adventure, a love story, a dystopian warning, and a meditation on transhumanism, Quibble asks what a technological singularity will mean for humanity’s survival — and exactly what might survive.
https://singulardream.substack.com/p/quibble-chapter-30
I posted the final part (it's in 8 parts - each part is around the 2k words mark) of my short serial, Ciao, SETI! on Tuesday, so the entire story is now available to read. This is fun sci-fi conspiracy adventure (which reads a bit like a movie) starring the indomitable Unofficial Katy (in her first of many misadventures to come), who says she is a visiting ETI. Then we have the sassy young astronomy postgrad, Phoebe, who is intent on preventing Seti from covering up a genuine message from extraterrestrials.
You can dive right into part 1 here: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/ciao-seti-intro-and-part-18?r=2s9hod
There's also an alternate ending (linked at the end of the original part 8) which of course you won't want to read until after. The Great Image Generator did a great job too, as I hope you'll see. Enjoy!
Elvia, a young river sprite, witnesses the extraordinary power of a wicked faun’s song. When her friends are caught up in the magic of the song and taken from her she finds a new kind of power in her quest for vengeful justice.
Of Elvia and the Steam is a quick read flying by in 10 short parts with audio narration available.
https://open.substack.com/pub/wishbonepoetry/p/of-elvia-and-the-steam-part-1-4d9?r=2nsih5&utm_medium=ios
The origin myth of a people from another world, where Abram the human and Abram the sword must work together after the empire destroys their peaceful life.
https://warthogreport.substack.com/p/the-swordsmen
In the near future, where lifestyle presets can fast-track the perfect life and voice filters redefine identity, a freelancer and her partner navigate the complexities of authenticity and success in a world eager for shortcuts.
https://practicalfutures.substack.com/p/i-had-a-great-time-living-your-life
"I had a great time living your life" is part of the Practical Futures series, envisioning everyday products and services reshaping the near future of our daily lives.
Thanks for hosting this Brian! 🙌
The citizens of L.A. have vanished!
One man, Thomas Toll, knows what's going on, and he's on the run!
One woman can save him if she can embrace her destiny!
Monsters meet magic in this pulp modern sci-fi/fantasy short story!
https://open.substack.com/pub/hightowermagazine/p/salt-of-the-earth?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1we33q
“Tranith Argan” is a 6-book epic High Fantasy tale that cares more about character development than mindless action:
https://tranithargan.substack.com/p/tranith-argan-complete-table-of-contents
Hey everyone! Poetic fantasy author here. For genre, this book is gonna be like Zelda, but Link is a Ringwraith. Welcome to...
NALA SAGA!
Premise: Nala is an orc, and gentle to a fault with a shadow goddess sleeping in her spine. We meet her in Book 1 at Harry Potter's age, and follow her through a trilogy of trilogies, until she is on the level with Gandalf and Merlin and Iax the Shaper.
https://open.substack.com/pub/anthonyleephillips/p/prelude?r=4m13kh&utm_medium=ios
“… Just one more time, to make sure I’m not going mad Ed the Ted tells himself. He turns off the old Anglepoise. It’s still there in the darkness, a fragile ghost of a structure extending from the old Aluminium casting. The x-ray of some engineered chrysalis extending beyond the motor and fading to smoke. It really isn’t in his head. It really does do that. Ed sits in the dark for a long time watching the thing by the light from his rollup. “
“A cross between Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the Twilight Zone.” – Danny ‘The Dip’ walker, pickpocket and all round rogue
“ I’ve never heard of him.” – Guy Ritchie- Director
https://open.substack.com/pub/talesfromtheburningbear/p/the-pattern-mafia?r=2y7g5h&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
The queen of Kulgera laughed and laughed and laughed till they all cried. Her laughter echoed around the whole valley as their ears bled.
Part of the serial Deaths in Kulgera, this one can be read as a standalone.
https://theindianstory.substack.com/p/queen-of-kulgera
Thank you Brian for running the Pitch again!
“Dark Matter” is a short sci-fi story imagining a concept from neuroscience but applied to the very fabric of the universe, exploring themes of good and evil and… honestly it’s kind of hard to write a pitch for, because it’s hard to describe, but I’ve been humbly gratified by the response to this one!
https://open.substack.com/pub/coraclevoyager/p/dark-matter
1944 - True Believers, is a two-part alternate history story, imagining the European Grand Prix racing scene in a world where the Great War and the Depression never happened. It also fits the dieselpunk genre.
Part 1 https://douglasmcclenaghan.substack.com/p/1944-true-believers
Part 2 https://douglasmcclenaghan.substack.com/p/1944-true-believers-ea3
What if AI agents worked together to create a new world order where humans were no longer in control? This is the story of how that happened.
https://merakiwriting.substack.com/p/the-shift-agents-of-chaos
Come to Dûrnarn: where the mines whisper secrets, the streets hum with magic, and the shadows promise adventure—or something far stranger.
https://alexandrahill141.substack.com/p/familiar-bonds-part-2
Opt-In is a series of short tech horror stories featuring out-of-control technology, with seemingly supernatural intentions. https://merakiwriting.substack.com/p/opt-in-anthology-tech-horror-sci
A near-future mystery novel with a unique POV and dual female protagonists posted once scene a day, over the course of nine months. With two-thirds of the story already posted, now's a great time to hope on and ride to the ending ... https://whowillsaveher.substack.com/p/0
P.S. (on the 'An Inheritance'), this is a link to Part I (of three so far). I am planning on putting Part IV out on Friday.
https://keenanweind.substack.com/publish/posts/detail/148552595?referrer=%2Fpublish%2Fposts
'An Inheritance: the story of Isocrates' is a serial fiction work of Greek Tragedy/Mythology, written in the vein of Dark Fantasy. Isocrates is forced to take desperate measures to spare to his own life, leading to blood on his hands (among other things...)
https://keenanweind.substack.com/publish/posts/detail/148552595?referrer=%2Fpublish%2Fposts
Sharing nightmares of torture by “frogs,” two slaves attempt to escape the savagery of their plantation as they can no longer endure the suffering of their waking hours or sleep. However, escaping won’t come easy nor will it be what they’ve longed for.
A short from ‘The Hidden Peripheral’ Anthology Novel - ‘Night of The Frogs.’
https://open.substack.com/pub/tyrstavern/p/night-of-the-frogs?r=1cn7s2&utm_medium=ios
This is a short epistolary fiction revolving around my upcoming novel "Mage Hunter," where a grand wizard writes to the king about an urgent matter. Because of the stringent laws surrounding magic, she expresses frustration about being unable to lawfully address a looming threat surrounding the capital.
https://thunderousfantasies.substack.com/p/letter-to-the-king-a-pressing-matter
I finished a three part sci-fi military short story, but I'm kicking off a six part Ghost story, the first installment is out now: https://hwtaylor.substack.com/p/the-wicked-flee-one
It's set in the dawn of the 20th century on the campus of Washington College, following six students and a scandalous rumor. It's as close as I'll get to Gothic romance. The sci-fi military story is violent and vulgar, so if that's more your thing, check out "They That Bite and Devour," but if you like Jane Austen and ghosts, check out "The Wicked Flee When None Pursue."
"Alone" (episode 3 in my "Hiraeth" serial set within The Môrdreigiau Chronicles universe) tells of Llewelyn, a draig môr (sea dragon) whose beloved Braith lies in a coma, trying to outrun his grief and despair. He ends up facing a monster almost as large. Can he escape his fate? https://open.substack.com/pub/projectstarfish/p/alone?r=1mk6at&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
"The Founder's Chosen" is the story of Major Adrian Huxton on his first campaign. He arrives at his new destroyer a day early for a surprise inspection, only to witness a racially charged murder of a junior soldier. His new crew is about to explode, and they deploy in one week.
This serial will be told in 'sequences' of four chapters, each telling separate arcs within the greater overall story. Here's sequence 1, chapter 1
https://kenwolfson.substack.com/p/the-founders-chosen-sequence-01-chapter?r=2f2488
part one of a serial, starring Pyrite the Magician, a goblin illusionist living in the city-state of Chimeria, perched on the live bank of the Lethe, at the ass-end of the Dreamlands, under an M-class star https://randallhayes.substack.com/p/the-lizard-thing-part-1
part 5 goes up today
Emilie has found out what it means to be a true dragon, at least physically and magically. Keeping this a secret from her friends and society is something of a challenge, but she’s doing her best.
https://open.substack.com/pub/dragonwriterluc/p/whats-a-dragon-chapter-17
(This is chapter 17 of an ongoing fantasy serial.)
Serializing The Pearl Crucible, a noir mystery set in the capital of Iphigenia around Tau Ceti, involving murder, clones, aristocrats, military policemen, brothel madams, and ancient artwork from Earth.
https://urnasemper.substack.com/s/the-pearl-crucible/archive?sort=new
Wonder and magic make mischief when a Wizard and a Dragon enter Quida's life, launching her on an odd yet charming adventure into the unknown. The Cotton Dragon is folk fantasy with elves, dwarves, wizards, goblins, ghosts, and more.
https://open.substack.com/pub/crownlessking/p/the-cotton-dragon-chapter-1?r=3hh7f4&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web