Top in Fiction is the place where fiction lives, but it’s also the place where a community of fiction writers and readers come together every week to share in our mutual love (and respect) of fiction. Please read the guidelines as some things may have changed and check HERE for further explanation on these guides, if needed.
OPEN FEBRUARY 14 - 15
Guidelines:
Only fiction shared between February 8th - February 14th on Substack!
This post will be open from NOW until 9pm EST on Saturday, February 15th.
Self-promotion of your fiction is welcome!
Use the TEMPLATE FOR RECOMMENDATION below when submitting a story.
Submit NO MORE THAN 2 stories! This is a strict rule that will be enforced.
TEMPLATE FOR RECOMMENDATION
Copy/Paste in the Comments Section. Anyone who does not use the template will be passed over for selection.
Story Title: Writer: [Name on Substack] Publication Name: [Substack Name Ex.: Erica Drayton Writes] Genre: [Choose 1 ONLY] See List Here Category: [Choose 1: Comic/Cartoon, Poetry, Micro/Flash Fiction, Short Story, Short Serial, or Serial] URL: [Must be a Substack URL] Extra: Tell us about your story in three sentences or less.
Tune in to the next TiF Weekly, Live! on Monday, February 17th! You never know what new gems you’ll discover. All we ask in return is that you share Top In Fiction to your email list and Restack the post on Monday in Substack Notes.
The time to share fiction LOUDLY AND PROUDLY is now!
Extra: I'm nominating this story because I believe it is the best-written story to come out this week. It is a hard-hitting satire/social commentary. Warning: graphic violence--- but for good reason
Extra: A man who thinks that things which are ugly are bad and things which are beautiful are good is forced to confront his bias in a violent but ultimately cathartic way.
Extra: A serial story told from two POVs: that of a boy who becomes a military spy & assassin; that of a girl who becomes an empress, and the brief intersections of their lives. Set in a world reminiscent of imperial Rome and its colonies.
Extra: The MCIU, Memory Crime Investigation Unit, uses utopian threats to crack down on transgressors infiltrating the United Memory States of America.
Extra: Bessie Thompson, a fighter pilot in an alternate version of WWII, must fly a mission to drop the first nuclear weapon on Berlin in an attempt to stop an eldritch monstrosity the Nazis unleashed from devouring the world.
Extra: In order to save the world, Markus and his partner Derek must use a machine to send their consciousness back to the sinking of the Titanic. The designer must survive the disaster, or the entire world will come to an end.
Extra: A poem from that lonely, hopeless time when you’re 22 and you cannot imagine that two days later you’ll meet someone who’ll change your life forever.
Extra: A convicted murderer is subjected to an experimental AI-driven mind control procedure that promises her freedom—at the cost of her darkest thoughts.
Extra: A group of disgraced ex-soldiers is recruited into a covert militia to enforce a leader’s political agenda, but not all are convinced of the cause.
Extra: The other genre is humour - this is a comedy sci-fi movie taking the piss out of stuff like Don't Look Up! This episode, however, is a Chekov-esque masterpiece, effortlessly switching from laugh out loud funny to serious and profound philosophy. It's beautiful, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. The Pearl & Dean adverts however carry a trigger warning. Spoilers not allowed.
Note: Pt. 3 recap in the link. One thing I’d say about this one is the section titled “2022: Randy” is one of the realest things I’ve written. I’m proud of it and I hope you enjoy it.
Extra: Sleep, Dearie, Sleep is a historical epistolary horror in which progress, modernity and reason are confounded by ancient, forgotten realities. This is Episode 4.
Story Title: Sometimes It's Just Lovely and Simple
Writer: Kimberly Kisner
Publication Name: Kimberly's Writing Fiction with the Door Open
Genre: Magical Realism
Category: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://writingwiththedooropen.substack.com/p/sometimes-its-just-lovely-and-simple
Extra: A story challenge written in ten minutes. Enjoy a quick glimpse into Twyla's cosy world and end with a smile at the hinted-soon-to-be romance.
Story Title: 483
Writer: J.J. Walker
Publication Name: After Dusk
Genre: Horror
Category: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/jjwalkerwrites/p/483?r=e3mmu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Extra: A short horror story about the things we keep locked up.
PART 4 BY PAPAL DECREE -- CHAPTER 34: THE ROMAN WAR
Ben Woestenburg
SCRIBBLER -- A PORTAL TO FICTION
MAGIC REALISM/FICTION
SERIAL
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/benwoestenburg/p/warriors-saturday?r=254e8w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Every Saturday, I'm taking a random number between 1 and 52, and posting it.
Story Title: The Wound Channel
Writer: Zani D. & Emil Ottoman
Publication Name: Burnt Tongue
Genre: Spec Fiction
Category: Short Story
URL: https://emilottoman.substack.com/p/the-wound-channel
Extra: I'm nominating this story because I believe it is the best-written story to come out this week. It is a hard-hitting satire/social commentary. Warning: graphic violence--- but for good reason
Story Title: Screen Time
Writer: A.P. Ward
Publication Name: A.P. Ward's LitFic
Genre: Literary Fiction
Category: Flash Fiction
URL: https://apward.substack.com/p/screen-time
Extra: A man who thinks that things which are ugly are bad and things which are beautiful are good is forced to confront his bias in a violent but ultimately cathartic way.
Story Title: One door closes
Writer: Sue Meredith Mann
Publication Name: On the Road to Jericho
Genre: Literary Fiction
Category: Serial
URL: https://ontheroadtojericho.substack.com/p/38-western-desert-1997-desert-misadventures
Extra: Are they driving to Siwa? Or are they in a bad Hollywood movie?
Story Title: One door closes
Writer: Sue Meredith Mann
Publication Name: On the Road to Jericho
Genre: Literary Fiction
Category: Serial
URL: https://ontheroadtojericho.substack.com/p/39-cairo-1997-one-door-closes
Extra: Cairo has captured Eleanor's soul. But its still time to move on.
Story Title: Repent in Fire
Writer: Maisie Archer
Publication Name: It's Always Personal
Genre: horror
Category: flash fiction
URL: https://substack.com/home/post/p-156999050
Extra: All Hallow's Eve demands a sacrifice.
Story Title: Centenary Book Two: Gene — Stories 26 - 30
Writer: Andrew Horan
Publication Name: Centenary
Genre: Fiction
Category: Serial
URL: https://centenary.substack.com/p/centenary-book-two-gene-stories-26
Extra: This week, they’re speed dating at Living Well Towers.
Story title: Sunset Song
Writer: Alastair Muirhead
Publication Name: The Heather and the Quill
Genre: Literary
Category: Poetry
URL: https://alastairmuirhead.substack.com/p/sunset-song
Story Title: Empress & Soldier, Chapter 14:3
Writer: Marian L Thorpe
Publication Name: History & Imagination.
Genre: Speculative Fiction - Alt History
Category: Serial
URL: https://mlthorpeauthor.substack.com/p/empress-and-soldier-chapter-14-part-64e?r=6c058
Extra: A serial story told from two POVs: that of a boy who becomes a military spy & assassin; that of a girl who becomes an empress, and the brief intersections of their lives. Set in a world reminiscent of imperial Rome and its colonies.
Story Title: Désiré
Writer: E.K. MacPherson
Publication Name: Ether Nothings
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Category: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://ekmacpherson.substack.com/p/desire
Extra: Two lost souls connect on a nighttime stroll in the Big Easy.
Story Title: Something Primordial Stirs: Chapter 22
Writer: Mark Jarret
Publication Name: Holles Street
Genre: Literary Fiction
Category: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/m402/p/22-something-primordial-stirs?r=1ujboa&utm_medium=ios
Extra: A mug of elephantine tea stirs the memory of a primordial spirit who walks the streets of London.
tory Title: Utopian Threats: Chapter 19
Writer: Mark Jarret
Publication Name: DarkLight
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Category: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/mjporter/p/19-utopian-threats?r=1ujboa&utm_medium=ios
Extra: The MCIU, Memory Crime Investigation Unit, uses utopian threats to crack down on transgressors infiltrating the United Memory States of America.
Story Title: Running with the hunt
Writer: A.P. Murphy
Publication Name: The Strangeness Kit
Genre: Horror
Category: Flash Fiction
URL: https://thestrangenesskit.substack.com/p/running-with-the-hunt
Extra: A folk-horror fable about the Great Wild Hunt and dangerous dreams
Story Title: Gelatinous Puddle
Writer: K.M. Bennett
Publication Name: Scary Spines Serial Fiction
Genre: Horror
Category: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/scaryspines/p/gelatinous-puddle?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2f5zv2
Extra: Amelia discovers strange slime in her new house. As she tries to put her life together after a breakup, unseen forces seem to be against her.
Story Title: Judgement Day
Writer: Daniel O’Donnell
Publication Name: Dans Deliberations
Genre: Horror
Category: Micro Fiction
URL: https://danielodonnell.substack.com/p/judgement-day?r=2bfxud
Extra: Dangerous beliefs
Story Title: To The End
Writer: Bradley Ramsey
Publication Name: The Writer's Journey
Genre: Horror
Category: Flash Fiction
URL: https://bradleyramsey.substack.com/p/to-the-end
Extra: Bessie Thompson, a fighter pilot in an alternate version of WWII, must fly a mission to drop the first nuclear weapon on Berlin in an attempt to stop an eldritch monstrosity the Nazis unleashed from devouring the world.
Story Title: Chaos Theory
Writer: Bradley Ramsey
Publication Name: The Writer's Journey
Genre: Sci-Fi
Category: Flash Fiction
URL: https://bradleyramsey.substack.com/p/chaos-theory
Extra: In order to save the world, Markus and his partner Derek must use a machine to send their consciousness back to the sinking of the Titanic. The designer must survive the disaster, or the entire world will come to an end.
Story Title: Science fiction
Writer: Cameron Scott
Publication Name: Verse
Genre: Science Fiction
Category: Serial
URL: https://cameronscott.substack.com/p/station-2-14-chapter-three
Extra: Voss takes Ley to meet a friend that will help her enter the games.
Story Title: Burning the Candle
Writer: John Coon
Publication Name: Strange New Worlds
Genre: Science Fiction
Category: Short Story
URL: https://newworlds.substack.com/p/burning-the-candle
Extra: Adrian's long day at the office takes an unexpected, frightening turn that forces him to question the nature of reality and his own existence.
Story Title: Like God
Writer: Rostislava Pankova-Karadjova
Publication Name: Airings
Genre: Poetry
Category: Poetry
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/rostislava/p/like-god?r=zcxsb&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Extra: A poem from that lonely, hopeless time when you’re 22 and you cannot imagine that two days later you’ll meet someone who’ll change your life forever.
Story Title: Tetrachrome
Writer: Jim Minns
Publication Name: Reality Dispatch
Genre: Science fiction
Category: Short Story
URL: https://jimminns.substack.com/p/tetrachrome
Extra: A convicted murderer is subjected to an experimental AI-driven mind control procedure that promises her freedom—at the cost of her darkest thoughts.
Story Title: Thanks of a Grateful Nation
Writer: Jim Minns
Publication Name: Reality Dispatch
Genre: Lit-Fic
Category: Short Story
URL: https://jimminns.substack.com/p/thanks-of-a-grateful-nation
Extra: A group of disgraced ex-soldiers is recruited into a covert militia to enforce a leader’s political agenda, but not all are convinced of the cause.
Story Title: Episode 7: The Galley
Writer: Chris Lynch
Publication Name: The Amazing Adventures of Tortoise & Gecko
Genre: Fantasy
Category: Serial
URL:
https://tortoiseandgecko.substack.com/p/episode-7
Extra:
Tortoise gets lost while exploring the ship and asks for help from a horned man.
Story title: Pinko Commie Superbunker (part 5/7)
Writer: Evelyn K. Brunswick
Publication name: In A Different Place
Genre: Sci-Fi
Category: Short Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/inadifferentplace/p/pinko-commie-superbunker-part-57?r=2s9hod&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Extra: The other genre is humour - this is a comedy sci-fi movie taking the piss out of stuff like Don't Look Up! This episode, however, is a Chekov-esque masterpiece, effortlessly switching from laugh out loud funny to serious and profound philosophy. It's beautiful, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. The Pearl & Dean adverts however carry a trigger warning. Spoilers not allowed.
Story Title: 20913411546519.si
Writer: Ashley T.K.
Publication Name: Ashley T.K.
Genre: Sci-Fi
Category: Short Story
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/atkthegroovyking/p/20913411546519si?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2482ee
Extra: A super intelligence tries to convince a guard to free it.
Story Title: Runaways
Writer: Jennifer James
Publication Name: Adventure To A Quiet Place
Genre: Romance
Category: Short Story
URL:https://adventuretoaquietplace.substack.com/p/runaways
Extra: Noir/Cyberpunk/Action. Two people just trying to find home.
Story Title: A Frog, A River, A Hero, An Apple
Writer: Leeron Heywood
Publication Name: Writing From Weird
Genre: Fantasy
Category: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://leeronheywood.substack.com/p/a-frog-a-river-a-hero-an-apple?r=3179c5
Extra: A fairytale hero negotiates with a Machiavellian frog. Is it better to brave the hungry river or risk a gullet that has strings attached?
Story Title: Whispers of Chantry Flats
Writer: Alexander Blaine
Publication Name: Dark Fiction Bodega
Genre: Horror
Category: Short Story
URL: https://alexanderblaine.substack.com/p/whispers-of-chantry-flats
Extra: Two college students breathe new life into the urban legend of Iris Ward and the haunted trail of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Story Title: Serial Assembler of Words
Writer: Victor Jimenez
Publication Name: A Serial Assemblage of Words
Genre: Horror
Category: Short Story
URL: https://serialassemblerofwords.substack.com/p/serial-assembler-of-words
Extra: Cosmic Horror with writers of sorts
Story Title: Better Late
Writer: J. Kyle Turner
Publication Name: A Fictionalized Account
Genre: Science Fiction
Category: Flash Fiction
URL: https://jkyleturner.com/p/better-late
Extra: A short love story about libraries and time travel.
Story Title: Mac the God
Writer: Cobol
Publication Name: Synopsys
Genre: Mythological fiction
Category: Short fiction
URL: https://synopsys.substack.com/
Extra: Chess player is given all the time in the world to play his game until he meets his match who doesn't need as much time to beat him.
Story Title: Skyline (part one)
Writer: Michael Arturo
Publication Name: Michael Arturo
Genre: Magical Realism
Category: Short Series
URL: https://michaelarturo.substack.com/p/skyline
Extra: A century after the race to the sky, a blind drifter enters the life of an architect struggling to leave his mark on New York’s skyline.
Title: Miss Vanderlinden’s Valentine
Writer: Michael Arturo
Publication Name: Michael Arturo
Genre: Literary Fiction
Category: Flash Fiction
URL: https://michaelarturo.substack.com/p/miss-vanderlindens-valentine
Extra: A woman trapped in a cruel love affair with an indifferent and manipulative man doesn’t let Cupid’s arrow go to waste.
Story Title: Candy Crush
Writer: Jean Marie Bauhaus
Publication Name: Through a Glass, Darkly
Genre: Horror
Category: Short story
URL: https://jeanmariebauhaus.substack.com/p/candy-crush
Extra: Revenge is sweet. A Valentine-themed romantic horror comedy.
Story Title: Wild Times at the Ruby Slipper (pt 4)
Writer: Chris DeWitt (Dork Mansion Dispatch)
Genre: Literary Fiction
Type: serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/dorkmansiondispatch/p/dispatch-22-wild-times-at-the-ruby?r=e4td0&utm_medium=ios
Note: Pt. 3 recap in the link. One thing I’d say about this one is the section titled “2022: Randy” is one of the realest things I’ve written. I’m proud of it and I hope you enjoy it.
Story Title: My Bloody Valentine
Writer: FranB
Publication name: Tales at Twilight
Genre: Humour
Category: Flash fiction
url: https://substack.com/home/post/p-157075052?source=queue
Extra: A dinner for two that Emily and boyfriend, Hugo, will never forget.
Story Title: Sleep, Dearie, Sleep
Writer: Jean Marie Bauhaus
Publication Name: Through a Glass, Darkly
Genre: Historical Horror
Category: Short Serial
URL: https://jeanmariebauhaus.substack.com/p/sleep-dearie-sleep-episode-four
Extra: Sleep, Dearie, Sleep is a historical epistolary horror in which progress, modernity and reason are confounded by ancient, forgotten realities. This is Episode 4.
Story title: Changeling
Writer: M. Anne Avera
Publication Name: manic phase writing
Genre: Horror
Category: Short serial
URL: https://writeranneavera.substack.com/p/short-story-changeling?r=1grrn9
Extra: Thea confronts her boyfriend, Eliot, who has slept with her best friend for over a year.
Story Title: Love is a Snow-Lettered Word
Writer: M.P. Fitzgerald
Publication Name: Graphomania
Genre: Sci-Fi
Category: Short story
URL: https://mpfitzgerald.substack.com/p/snow-is-a-four-lettered-word
Extra: “Did the Donners know it was Valentine's Day when a mother boiled shoes for her kids to eat?” A story of amputation and synthetic replacements
Story Title: Breaking Free
Writer: Sharron Bassano
Publication Name: 🌿Leaves
Genre: Literary Fiction
Category: Micro/Flash Fiction
URL: https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/breaking-free
Extra: They decide to make a run for it. "We're going to be fine. We can do this!"
Story Title: Late Night Phone Call
Writer: Sharron Bassano
Publication Name: 🌿Leaves
Genre: Literary fiction
Category: Micro/Flash Fiction -100 words
URL: https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/late-night-phone-call
Extra: It's one in the morning. "I really need you, baby..."
Story Title: Come Down
Writer: Elisabeth Grace Foley
Publication Name: The Second Sentence
Genre: Historical
Category: Flash Fiction
URL: https://secondsentence.substack.com/p/come-down
Extra: When daydreams meet reality on the WWII home front.
Story Title: The One True Portrait of the Living Jesus Christ
Writer: Elie Lichtschein
Publication Name: Hebrew Horror
Genre: Horror
Category: Short Story
URL: https://hebrewhorror.substack.com/p/the-one-true-portrait-of-the-living
Extra: An electrician visits a barn in Vermont whose owner claims to have a bizarre portrait of Jesus painted during his lifetime.
Story Title: The Simulator (Redux)
Writer: J. Paul Hickey
Publication Name: The Cutting Edge
Genre: Sci-Fi
Category: Short Story
URL:https://jpaulhickey.substack.com/p/the-cutting-edge-the-simulator-redux
Extra: This is a flight of fantasy for anyone who believes reality is fake news.
Story Title: What's a Dragon? Chapter 32 - Corrections
Writer: Dragon Writer Luc
Publication Name: The Dragons' Den
Genre: Fantasy
Category: Serial
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/dragonwriterluc/p/whats-a-dragon-chapter-32
Extra: Some people have made some incorrect assumptions, and it's time to fix that.
Story Title: Silhouettes
Writer: P.K. Anthony
Publication Name: P.K. Anthony
Genre: Horror
Category: Short Story
URL: https://pkanthonypub.substack.com/p/silhouettes?r=37581s
Extra: A dystopian tale in a version of the world in which fatal decisions leave permanent physical traces.
Story Title: The Getaway
Writer: P.K. Anthony
Publication Name: P.K. Anthony
Genre: Historical Fiction?
Category: Short Story
URL: https://pkanthonypub.substack.com/p/the-getaway?r=37581s
Extra: A Wild West heist goes wrong, and the escape is on.
Story title: PUSH
Writer: Keith Long
Publication Name: Loser’s Fiction
Genre: Literary
Category: Flash Fiction
URL: https://open.substack.com/pub/losersflashfiction/p/push?r=3517l8&utm_medium=ios
Notes: I don’t know what genre this is.