What if sports were the only thing keeping a society together? The Cog that Spins the Wheel is a dystopian sci-fi action-sports story for the modern age. Imagine Rollerball meets Formula One racing on the moon. Slam an energy drink, place your bets, and throttle out.
This story emerged from a prompt from Substack's very own inspirational instigator, Miguel S. (aka The Fiction Dealer) - "Paint the Walls: An apartment comes with a strange clause: You must paint the walls every three months."
Horror literature isn't my natural ecosystem, but folks seemed to think this one was fairly Halloweeny. But me being me, I had to give it kind of a happy ending (of course the happiness depends on perspective).
I write daily microfictions based on prompts, mostly SpecFic. I’ve been particularly having fun with urban fantasy. Currently doing a Halloween writing event so lots of horror, but usually my stories run the spectrum from grim to cosy.
“At first the planet seemed perfect. Exactly what the mission had been looking for - an unspoiled cradle for humanity after hundreds of years of space travel. Then they saw the buildings…”
I once kissed my wife and received a static shock on my lips. This event inspired the opening paragraphs of my flash fiction, A Kiss of Magic, a tale told from the perspective of a hapless familiar as he witnesses a powerful woman take control of the night and so much more!
In my traditional offbeat fashion, I suddenly decided I'll pitch my Spec Fic Index: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/spec-fic-index?r=2s9hod which is the pinned index file for the dedicated spec fic section on my Substack, as opposed to the Katrina series and the Unofficial Katy series (which have their own sections). So this is where you can find the links to my standalone spec fic, which include all the previous stories I've done for Lunar Awards. It also contains the index for my Immigration Control collection, which focuses primarily on 'contact' stories, many of which are told from the ETI's point of view (that's a running theme through my spec fic actually - I must see someone about it lol), and 'what must the aliens think of us, and all the hurt that we have done', which starts with the prologue here: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/event-day-a-channelled-message?r=2s9hod - you can follow the links at the end to navigate through the collection.
All Alphonse wants is a vacation, a good glass of bourbon, and someone to spend the night with; he gets all that and more: he spends the night with some thing that desires more than what he has to offer.
Eyes & Ears is a dystopian future tale about AI and surveillance. It was originally going to be a horror story, but little of the original remains, except for one scene based on an experience I had a few years ago.
Inspired by another story about a dystopian world created by some technological advances. My take is . . . hopefully less dystopian? It's a hard problem.
What if sports were the only thing keeping a society together? The Cog that Spins the Wheel is a dystopian sci-fi action-sports story for the modern age. Imagine Rollerball meets Formula One racing on the moon. Slam an energy drink, place your bets, and throttle out.
https://ipatterson.substack.com/p/the-cog-that-spins-the-wheel
This is so imaginative.
Thanks Corey 🙏. I hope you’ll keep reading and let me know what you think!
I think I will!
The Witching Walls
This story emerged from a prompt from Substack's very own inspirational instigator, Miguel S. (aka The Fiction Dealer) - "Paint the Walls: An apartment comes with a strange clause: You must paint the walls every three months."
Horror literature isn't my natural ecosystem, but folks seemed to think this one was fairly Halloweeny. But me being me, I had to give it kind of a happy ending (of course the happiness depends on perspective).
https://jeannine85f.substack.com/p/the-witching-walls
This is such a fun story!
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!
The horse she rides is as white as snow: https://davidperlmutter.substack.com/p/slim-slow-slider
The Girl in the Window
I wanted to express the fear and isolation from living in strange times...
https://klynng.substack.com/p/the-girl-in-the-window
Haunting.
The Release of Zebul
https://open.substack.com/pub/wendycockcroft/p/the-release-of-zebul?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=7vbsc
A security guard sees a myth come to life—but not in a good way.
Written for one of Bradley Ramsey's prompts for the First Indulgence.
I write daily microfictions based on prompts, mostly SpecFic. I’ve been particularly having fun with urban fantasy. Currently doing a Halloween writing event so lots of horror, but usually my stories run the spectrum from grim to cosy.
Here’s a sample from the writing event: https://open.substack.com/pub/leeronheywood/p/an-ideal-cradle
“At first the planet seemed perfect. Exactly what the mission had been looking for - an unspoiled cradle for humanity after hundreds of years of space travel. Then they saw the buildings…”
And here’s one of my typical works: https://open.substack.com/pub/leeronheywood/p/give-a-hand
“When dealing with a condition like rheumatism it’s normal to feel frustration, grief, even fear. Many people try all sorts of cures.
Very few turn to demonology. But Agnus had been working on this quilt for over fifty years.”
https://open.substack.com/pub/alexdearden/p/how-i-named-my-son-after-a-samurai?r=551v16&utm_medium=ios
True story of how I named my son after a samurai. Despite his mum’s many objections 😅
Sorcery, tomfoolery, and a headless angry ghoul:
JEWEL IN THE HEAD
https://mechanicalpulp.substack.com/p/jewel-in-the-head?r=2as5ww
It starts with a kiss, but this bewitching story is anything but romantic.
https://open.substack.com/pub/coreydaneevanswrites/p/a-kiss-of-magic?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2ej8d2
I once kissed my wife and received a static shock on my lips. This event inspired the opening paragraphs of my flash fiction, A Kiss of Magic, a tale told from the perspective of a hapless familiar as he witnesses a powerful woman take control of the night and so much more!
The Release of Zebul
https://open.substack.com/pub/wendycockcroft/p/the-release-of-zebul?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=7vbsc
Written for one of Bradley Ramsey's prompts, it's the story of a security guard who sees a myth come to life—but not in a good way.
In my traditional offbeat fashion, I suddenly decided I'll pitch my Spec Fic Index: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/spec-fic-index?r=2s9hod which is the pinned index file for the dedicated spec fic section on my Substack, as opposed to the Katrina series and the Unofficial Katy series (which have their own sections). So this is where you can find the links to my standalone spec fic, which include all the previous stories I've done for Lunar Awards. It also contains the index for my Immigration Control collection, which focuses primarily on 'contact' stories, many of which are told from the ETI's point of view (that's a running theme through my spec fic actually - I must see someone about it lol), and 'what must the aliens think of us, and all the hurt that we have done', which starts with the prologue here: https://inadifferentplace.substack.com/p/event-day-a-channelled-message?r=2s9hod - you can follow the links at the end to navigate through the collection.
A horror-tinged take on Hansel and Gretel, from poor Gretel's prespective!
https://ehlau.substack.com/p/the-witch-of-the-gingerbread-house
(Thanks for this space to pitch!)
All Alphonse wants is a vacation, a good glass of bourbon, and someone to spend the night with; he gets all that and more: he spends the night with some thing that desires more than what he has to offer.
Read Brood here: https://zacharyroush.substack.com/p/brood-complete?r=5bis7
This was inspired by the 17-year emergence of cicadas last year. And also, this sound (listen before reading!) https://listeninginnature.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-pharaoh-of-cicadas.html#:~:text=People%20describe%20the%20song%20as,volume%20level%20at%20the%20end.
Eloise is haunted by the violence of her childhood. When she tries to find closure, she unearths a ghost of a different kind. https://theforgottenlibrary.substack.com/p/cycles-of-haunting
Eyes & Ears is a dystopian future tale about AI and surveillance. It was originally going to be a horror story, but little of the original remains, except for one scene based on an experience I had a few years ago.
https://douglasmcclenaghan.substack.com/p/eyes-and-ears
"Illegible"
Inspired by another story about a dystopian world created by some technological advances. My take is . . . hopefully less dystopian? It's a hard problem.
https://gallagherstories.substack.com/p/illegible