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 to any one speculative fiction short story, serial chapter or anthology post from your Substack. Add a 1-2 sentence summary pitch for the post. This is your chance to creatively promote your work and talent. Try to link a post that you haven’t yet added to a previous pitch session.
Are you a reader? If there’s a story you enjoy, be sure to add a like and comment on the author’s Substack, but feel free to come back here and do the same.
Are you a Notes user? Spread the word by restacking the thread in a Note.
Be sure to 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:
Jack, a government agent, is sent undercover to a private medical company searching for misconduct; however, when he enters Elysium’s subconscious exploration trials, Jack receives more than he bargained for. (Thriller, horror, scifi)
In this two-part lyrical fantasy tale, a troubled acolyte on a mission to protect a prophesied future lands on a remote island and finds more than she bargained for.
The crew of the Herald have been contracted to recover vital data from a starship lost between stars 6 years ago. What they find is far more, and far worse, than 1s and 0s...
Two super attendants fix the mundane problems of their apartment building's bizarre and sometimes supernatural tenants. Join Hector and Vartan as they help fix things for automatons, vampires, and get transported to parallel dimensions in The Sunset Apartments! https://typewritermechanic.substack.com/p/sunset-apartments-7
Well done! Mr. Knight's definition of science fiction was, perhaps, a little too stringent. I think he was simply hitting the reject button out of habit. Someone else might have noticed that your story would be far less poignant in any other setting. The science fiction setting is necessary and shouldn't be viewed as simply a backdrop.
I got that he was turning into something cephalopod-ish because of the exposure of his eye to the tentacles, but then the daughter-in-law and the baby showing up made me wonder if there was a greater significance, like now he was contagious too? But I wasn't sure. I really enjoyed reading it tho!! :)
Yurik Stafferson, Department Head of Formerly Great Civilizations, wishes the illest possible future upon his former colleague - and uses precious magical resources to indulge his spite.
A heatproof restaurant cook has to rescue his aquatic girlfriend from a dark, sinister organization, but are they actually dating in the first place? Octave of Stars mixes action, faith, and fun into a savory treat for all ages. Completed serial novel posting twice a week as a multimedia experience.
Katrine Bertoli-Dunajoux is the daughter of an aristocratic winemaker and an oddity amongst both her family and the people of the Misty Valley. All she wants is to make wine, practice Grandfather's alchemy, and fantasize about the hidden castle across the valley from her home, but the prospect of an arranged marriage threatens to force unwanted change into her life. (Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery)
Mary Robin was a good girl, and she never lied. She was cheerful and helped anyone she would meet. While on summer vacation Mary Robin goes to visit the Fairies before school starts. Then Aliens attacked. Invasion Day: Fairy Ring, Posts Dec 2.
Vietnamese Gods revolves around our protagonist's quest to resurrect his wife. In the background, however, a War between two of the country's most powerful deities are brewing once again. Last time, the country was split in two. Although he couldn't bear half a thought for the War, it seems to have other plans for him. After all, he is the son of Saint Gióng, Vietnamese's God of War, Youth, and Strength.
Sāf-Cams collect data from the mandatory ii:Chips implanted in our foreheads. No one pays attention anymore. We just keep our eyes down, staring at our phones. The future is here.
On her old planet all they ever did was date. On her new planet marriage was contractual, short, and required. Both were frustrating, almost dystopic. Is there a third way?
Bigheart’s life as a lowly farm boy takes a predictable turn for the heroic when an ancient prophecy reveals him to be the chosen one who will overthrow the tyrannical Lord Gravedeath and restore peace to the realm. His father’s last words, “it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice,” will have absolutely no bearing on the story, but it seemed like a good thing to say in the moment. With a motley crew that includes a wizard with no powers, identical twins who the author usually forgets to write lines for, and a sarcastic and beautiful female character whose sole purpose is to sexually frustrate him, Bigheart must journey to the outer reaches of the realm to reach the Object of Great Power before Lord Gravedeath does - something that seems unlikely given the stunning incompetence of the latter.
If this sounds like every other adventure story you’ve ever read, then you got the joke and you’re ready to join the adventure. Subscribe to Adventure Story for free to get the next episode sent directly to your inbox.
Gearpunk clone of Eve (yes that one) flees murderous robots in an unwieldy airship.
Plus: a science IRL article from your ex-engineer author about a manmade UFO the US and Canada built in the 60’s trying to tap in to quantum energy fields.
A military pilot returns after miraculously surviving a plane crash with a fractured memory and what remained of his helmet camera and plane's black box.
Chapter 1 of the serialized middle grade sci-fi novel The Light Brigade:
When new kid in town Will finds himself in the midst of a sea of brainwashed middle schoolers, he has to join the Light Brigade to save them. But can he trust his new crew and the Man Upstairs who guides them with fortune cookie directions?
I just posted the latest in my serial anthology today. The found fiction is part of a larger narrative (this is episode 5), while the short story is stand alone. I'd love to hear what readers think about my short story.
The consequences of a night out reach farther than they ever believed. Four begin and only three are left at the end.
"Project Iterate" - A prisoner serving a life sentence for murder gets a chance to undo his crime through an experimental time-travel program. But when he discovers a painful secret from his past, he’s forced to consider whether not existing at all is the best solution.
Birthed from the convergence of ancient black magic and a cell phone accidentally dropped into a proton beam at CERN, a singularity straight out of Lovecraft's Eldritch Horrors is let loose upon the world(s).
Murata And Tomoe are two sellswords who find themselves serving two rival lords. Despite their love for each other, neither of them can defy their loyalties.
Flocks of foreign lovebirds have suddenly descended on provincial New Zealand, causing strident debates in the Eketahuna Community Board and the Bishop of Nelson to condemn the “Rash of Rushed Romances”. But the tractor truly encounters the ditch when a vicious Russian mobster sends representatives to Wellington in the hope of filching the secret of cracking cryptocurrency wallets from AMG, a small local software house. https://invasionlovebirds.substack.com/
A Father and his son travel to the last ship leaving earth:
"Father and Sun"
https://gibberish.substack.com/p/father-and-sun
This one made me cry!!
I loved this. Awesome story.
Thank you!
Solid story.👏
100% recommend!
An older sister explains to her brother how to be invisible properly.
https://indianamichael.substack.com/p/education
I haven’t read anything in the story, but this is a pretty cool pitch
Jack, a government agent, is sent undercover to a private medical company searching for misconduct; however, when he enters Elysium’s subconscious exploration trials, Jack receives more than he bargained for. (Thriller, horror, scifi)
https://bmaya.substack.com/p/project-blackwater?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web
The pitch that started it all. Legs for miles.
"The Sleeper, The Singer"
In this two-part lyrical fantasy tale, a troubled acolyte on a mission to protect a prophesied future lands on a remote island and finds more than she bargained for.
https://talebones.substack.com/p/the-sleeper-the-singer-part-one
Private security professional, Ricki, is hired to police a collective dream state, though she doesn't know it yet. https://open.substack.com/pub/jontoews/p/ricki?r=1asdvc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
An amazing pitch! I loved this one
A man woke up to the vacuum of the Moon and knew that something was wrong.
https://germanicuscaesar117.substack.com/p/hell-is-the-moon-flash-fiction
The crew of the Herald have been contracted to recover vital data from a starship lost between stars 6 years ago. What they find is far more, and far worse, than 1s and 0s...
https://reddoscarwrites.substack.com/p/the-derelict-or-the-suff-in-space
The descendant of an ancient god's champion goes in search of the deity who gave his family the power he rightfully deserves by blood.
Hope anyone who reads enjoys!
https://open.substack.com/pub/llford/p/the-righteous-one?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1v5vok
A flash fiction piece about a disgruntled middle-aged office drone who stumbles upon an ancient power: https://open.substack.com/pub/jamesrmarshall/p/primal-man?r=1eqm6v&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
A boy created a ghost by writing on the wall, and now, years later, it wants something from him. A Phantom-of-the-Opera-esque story.
https://irisshaw.substack.com/p/the-hollow-men-or-the-opera-ghost
Two super attendants fix the mundane problems of their apartment building's bizarre and sometimes supernatural tenants. Join Hector and Vartan as they help fix things for automatons, vampires, and get transported to parallel dimensions in The Sunset Apartments! https://typewritermechanic.substack.com/p/sunset-apartments-7
A love story. With asteroids.
https://aflashinthepan.substack.com/p/islands
Well done! Mr. Knight's definition of science fiction was, perhaps, a little too stringent. I think he was simply hitting the reject button out of habit. Someone else might have noticed that your story would be far less poignant in any other setting. The science fiction setting is necessary and shouldn't be viewed as simply a backdrop.
Thanks so much, that’s what I thought. Anyway, Ursula seemed to like it. Greater praise there could be none.
Flash fiction. Strange creatures emerge from the sea, and a government lockdown is put in place. https://open.substack.com/pub/linnhe/p/lockdown?r=24lshr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
I'm not sure what the heck was going on there at the end, but I enjoyed reading!! :)
Ooops...the intention was to disturb rather than confuse, thank you for both reading and commenting! :)
I got that he was turning into something cephalopod-ish because of the exposure of his eye to the tentacles, but then the daughter-in-law and the baby showing up made me wonder if there was a greater significance, like now he was contagious too? But I wasn't sure. I really enjoyed reading it tho!! :)
Oh, ok! That bit I did want to leave...just... hanging.... 🐙😱🤣
A wayward Musketeer sacrifices the one he loves most when he makes a deal with a devil to spare his own life.
https://joshtatter.substack.com/p/silver-and-snow?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
In a New Jersey tenement, a six-year-old boy accidently ingests three drops from the Cauldron of Inspiration. Welsh myth meets Looney Tunes.
https://speclectic.substack.com/p/the-bard-of-bayonne
"Jimmy Swann - A Red-Letter Day". Chapter #11.
Everything changed with the conversation with Robert. Robert had married and had a new-born son.
https://jamesron.substack.com/p/jimmy-swann-a-red-letter-day
An unexpected meeting gives a young woman the chance to walk around inside her mind--but what she finds will rattle her to her core.
Technically chapter 11 of my serial but a good entry point/fairly easy to stand alone.
https://blinkingblueline.substack.com/p/the-library
A cozy horror story - short and fun.🫣
“The Ugly cardigan” or the price of a writer’s success. Falls into the subgenre of magical realism.
https://open.substack.com/pub/kathrineelaine/p/the-ugly-cardigan?r=2rhgsy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
"Malefib*tch"
A fractured fairy tale with multiple endings about an evil witch and an occasionally sleeping princess.
https://www.yeoldetymenews.com/p/malefibitch
Yurik Stafferson, Department Head of Formerly Great Civilizations, wishes the illest possible future upon his former colleague - and uses precious magical resources to indulge his spite.
"I hope this letter finds you well."
https://robingeorge.substack.com/p/i-hope-this-letter-finds-you-well
Gracie hadn't had a holiday in years so she got an AI powered robot to help her plan. It was all going great until the bot had other ideas!
https://open.substack.com/pub/darkfables/p/holiday-bot-3000?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1i7kcs
A lonely man goes to a nightclub in search of a woman willing to take his virginity. He ends up getting a lot more than he bargained for.
https://edmundmuller.substack.com/p/the-catgirl-in-pink
A heatproof restaurant cook has to rescue his aquatic girlfriend from a dark, sinister organization, but are they actually dating in the first place? Octave of Stars mixes action, faith, and fun into a savory treat for all ages. Completed serial novel posting twice a week as a multimedia experience.
https://zmthomas.substack.com/p/oos-ep01
The first piece of a story about a man with an appointment at a shop with half-baked signage.
https://open.substack.com/pub/delartelle/p/1-arrival?
When fans become fanatics: https://davidperlmutter.substack.com/p/fandom
Journey beyond the fractal eclipse into the impermanent labyrinth and discover what the future holds for the Roamers.
https://withinthefractaleclipse.substack.com/p/chapter-1-the-infinite-desert
"The Castle on the Hill"
Katrine Bertoli-Dunajoux is the daughter of an aristocratic winemaker and an oddity amongst both her family and the people of the Misty Valley. All she wants is to make wine, practice Grandfather's alchemy, and fantasize about the hidden castle across the valley from her home, but the prospect of an arranged marriage threatens to force unwanted change into her life. (Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery)
https://talesofcalamityandtriumph.substack.com/p/the-castle-on-the-hill-ch-1
In a world rocked by the appearance of mysterious Rifts, a snarky elderly woman with a secret runs afoul of a mob boss. Part 1 of 2.
https://open.substack.com/pub/bridgetriley/p/the-rifter-part-i?r=9e3cr&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Titled “The Rifter”
Mary Robin was a good girl, and she never lied. She was cheerful and helped anyone she would meet. While on summer vacation Mary Robin goes to visit the Fairies before school starts. Then Aliens attacked. Invasion Day: Fairy Ring, Posts Dec 2.
https://open.substack.com/pub/loganhousepub/p/invasion-day-fairy-ring?r=20p573&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Vietnamese Gods revolves around our protagonist's quest to resurrect his wife. In the background, however, a War between two of the country's most powerful deities are brewing once again. Last time, the country was split in two. Although he couldn't bear half a thought for the War, it seems to have other plans for him. After all, he is the son of Saint Gióng, Vietnamese's God of War, Youth, and Strength.
https://open.substack.com/pub/vuphan/p/vietnamese-gods?r=2r7yk8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Short story: Abram the sword and Abram the human must work together as one to save their siblings from the empire, and meet their strange fate.
https://warthogreport.substack.com/p/the-swordsmen
Just a regular day in the office, yet still gritty, real and cinematic. Celebrate your achievement with a doughnut. https://open.substack.com/pub/reiditwrite/p/a-teardrop-implodes
Sāf-Cams collect data from the mandatory ii:Chips implanted in our foreheads. No one pays attention anymore. We just keep our eyes down, staring at our phones. The future is here.
ACCESS by Sharron Bassano https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/access
A thousand years ago, the Gondwanans conquered the northern hemisphere.
The World's Other Side is an alternate history serial novel.
https://open.substack.com/pub/theworldsotherside/p/1?r=7etwc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
"too much to do? Ever wish there could be two of you? Now there can! Is your life too much for just one person? Help is on the way!"
https://amyletter.substack.com/p/gretchagain
Whoops just realized this is the story I shared for the last pitch -- so here’s a different one:
Copied/Disembodied: 14 seconds in which a bot made of books turns on (and off)
https://open.substack.com/pub/amyletter/p/copied-disembodied?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
On her old planet all they ever did was date. On her new planet marriage was contractual, short, and required. Both were frustrating, almost dystopic. Is there a third way?
https://vonwriting.substack.com/p/contract-marriage-1
Bigheart’s life as a lowly farm boy takes a predictable turn for the heroic when an ancient prophecy reveals him to be the chosen one who will overthrow the tyrannical Lord Gravedeath and restore peace to the realm. His father’s last words, “it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice,” will have absolutely no bearing on the story, but it seemed like a good thing to say in the moment. With a motley crew that includes a wizard with no powers, identical twins who the author usually forgets to write lines for, and a sarcastic and beautiful female character whose sole purpose is to sexually frustrate him, Bigheart must journey to the outer reaches of the realm to reach the Object of Great Power before Lord Gravedeath does - something that seems unlikely given the stunning incompetence of the latter.
If this sounds like every other adventure story you’ve ever read, then you got the joke and you’re ready to join the adventure. Subscribe to Adventure Story for free to get the next episode sent directly to your inbox.
https://open.substack.com/pub/niccolohilgendorf/p/adventure-story-episode-9-a-serialized?r=1xrwaa&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Sherlock Holmes is baffled by a new client -- a man who claims to be a soldier, sent back from the future. "The Sign of War."
https://joshlieb.substack.com/p/sunday-drive-b10
Thanks, Brian!
Gearpunk clone of Eve (yes that one) flees murderous robots in an unwieldy airship.
Plus: a science IRL article from your ex-engineer author about a manmade UFO the US and Canada built in the 60’s trying to tap in to quantum energy fields.
https://open.substack.com/pub/scifirl/p/the-reclamation-of-evechapter-4-of?r=1w1z8s&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
A military pilot returns after miraculously surviving a plane crash with a fractured memory and what remained of his helmet camera and plane's black box.
https://talesofkarnum.substack.com/p/cataclysm
This is episode one of a dystopian serial fiction.
Chapter 1 of the serialized middle grade sci-fi novel The Light Brigade:
When new kid in town Will finds himself in the midst of a sea of brainwashed middle schoolers, he has to join the Light Brigade to save them. But can he trust his new crew and the Man Upstairs who guides them with fortune cookie directions?
https://teapotfulloftales.substack.com/p/light-brigade-chapter-1
Kolchak the Night Stalker fan fiction, with no connection whatsoever to 'A Christmas Story'.
https://randallhayes.substack.com/p/the-rake
I just posted the latest in my serial anthology today. The found fiction is part of a larger narrative (this is episode 5), while the short story is stand alone. I'd love to hear what readers think about my short story.
The consequences of a night out reach farther than they ever believed. Four begin and only three are left at the end.
https://open.substack.com/pub/reinacruzwrites/p/episode-5-happy-and-fortunate?r=y7t5u&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
They've learned to live with us, largely unseen, but everywhere. Yet, is that all?
One of my short stories that might make you a little uneasy.
The Pack
https://ericmartell.substack.com/p/the-pack
A “chosen one” meets his fate and awakens to a new reality. Part I of a new serial! https://open.substack.com/pub/rootsynthesis/p/20-realms-part-i-chosen-one?r=2xiwo&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Alannah wants, no, she deserves perspective. Hawali resort gives all travelers what they deserve.
https://open.substack.com/pub/zacharyroush/p/awakening?r=5bis7&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
"Project Iterate" - A prisoner serving a life sentence for murder gets a chance to undo his crime through an experimental time-travel program. But when he discovers a painful secret from his past, he’s forced to consider whether not existing at all is the best solution.
https://www.digitaldashshorts.com/p/project-iterate
Birthed from the convergence of ancient black magic and a cell phone accidentally dropped into a proton beam at CERN, a singularity straight out of Lovecraft's Eldritch Horrors is let loose upon the world(s).
https://rorschalk.substack.com/p/big-banging-black-holes-chptr-1
Murata And Tomoe are two sellswords who find themselves serving two rival lords. Despite their love for each other, neither of them can defy their loyalties.
https://open.substack.com/pub/blackinkstories0/p/a-chanced-duel-part-1?r=1p1lnd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Flocks of foreign lovebirds have suddenly descended on provincial New Zealand, causing strident debates in the Eketahuna Community Board and the Bishop of Nelson to condemn the “Rash of Rushed Romances”. But the tractor truly encounters the ditch when a vicious Russian mobster sends representatives to Wellington in the hope of filching the secret of cracking cryptocurrency wallets from AMG, a small local software house. https://invasionlovebirds.substack.com/