In December, I recommended fifteen (15) stories. I took a week or so off of new story recs around holidays.
Something that has just recently occurred to me is that the places I suggest have open periods for submission. I try to suggest only paying outlets (unless it’s one I love for other reasons or an author I just love.) Consider submitting to one of the magazines in this post.
A Pothos, Once Freed by Sarah Grace Tuttle was published at Ivy Lit in November.
A pothos lives in a glory, a pothos struggles for fresh air.
Small Wonders published:
Everybody Comes to the Velociraptor’s by Timothy Mudie in November.
I was super tickled by this story from the POV of a velociraptor running a bar.
Loving the Alien is the Easiest Thing in the World by Elijah J. Mears in December.
Love comes in all forms.
When Eve Chose Us by Tia Tashiro was published at Diabolical Plots in November.
This publishing at the same time Plur1bus is on is an interesting coincidence. Very interesting. And sad.
Your Impossible Voice published The Ants by Holly Lyn Walrath.
This flash piece reads like poetry.
Marías Mazahuas by Fausto Guadarrama López, originally written in the Mazahua language Translated from the Spanish by Earl Shorris and Sylvia Sasson Shorris was published at Words Without Borders.
The indigenous Mazahua (maz-a-wa) people have traditionally lived in Central Mexico. In recent years, however, they have been migrating to cities, often for economic reasons. The poem below, about that migration, was originally written in the Mazahua language.
Inner Worlds published in August:
What to Do When A Demon is Talking Shit at You by Cindy Phan
I love the voice (I always love the voice in Cindy’s stories). The author’s note is also excellent.
The Shift Room by Mary Wanjiru
How has work been defined in your life? How has your work changed you?
Soul Cakes by Catherine McCarthy
A story of grief and acceptance.
The Deadlands published:
For Those Who Stay Buried by Amanda Cecelia Lang in July.
A story of a woman torn apart.
Not a Bird by Ellen Romano in November.
Sometimes our deceased loved ones visit us in ways we don’t expect.
Everlasting By Daniel Oluremi in July.
On this last day of the year, of course I end with a Deadlands story, a story of endings.
kaleidotrope published “Follow My Instructions, I Promise This Won’t Hurt” by Akis Linardos.
A doctor changes their body and *your* body from meat to synthetic.
Re-runs of an Eerie Sun by Emmie Christie was published at Disabled Tales in September.
The ups and downs of life.
Haven Spec published Vinyl Wisdom by P.A. Cornell in 2022.
Punk isn’t dead. AI will never understand.
I hope you enjoy these stories! Keep following me here, on social media, and my newsletter for more great short story recommendations!