This anthology collects 26 original stories that will run in the fifth year of Diabolical Plots, an online magazine of science fiction and fantasy. A metrics-driven approach for utopia, a fantastical YouTube challenge, a Lovecraftian Millennial thinkpiece, correspondence with a professor at a magical school, time trains, magical idols in a magicless place. The stories vary from humorous to tragic to thoughtful, from contemporary authors both new and established.Half of the stories i...

We are proud to present the People of Color Take over FSI Special Issue! Edited by Nisi Shawl Fiction 'What Futures' by Su-Yee Lin 'Shadow Animals' by Stephen Graham Jones 'Darkout' by E. Lily Yu 'The Executioner' by Jennifer Marie Brissett 'I Understand' by Jermaine McGill 'Walking Round Money' by Paul Miles 'Serving Fish' by Christopher Caldwell 'Fortitude' by Eliza Victoria 'The Sacrifice of the Hanged Monkey' by Minsoo Kang 'Maggie Doll' by Alex Jennings 'Glass Bottle Trick' by Nalo Ho...

"Man, know thyself, and you are going to know the gods" - Inscription from the Luxor TempleIn the Temple of Ra, Ceke works on cutting edge research investigating the connection between music, identity, and the realm of the gods. Though devoted to her service at the temple, of late her heart has been divided between work and and her pregnant co-wife, Ngware.When the most promising subject of the temple's tonal experiments, Wahibra, mysteriously disappears and rumors...

"I almost always use a few specific paragraphs from Tonya Liburd's story 'The Ace of Knives' to illustrate code switching, because it shows how ubiquitous the phenomenon is, occurring even in dialogues between the same people, at the same moment, and on the same topic. It also highlights strategies for indicating how these shifts happen, and how they sound. 'The Ace of Knives' is a stellar story, and an essential resource for me as I share knowledge of how dialogue works." —Nisi Shawl, co-...

Strange tales at a strange university. Some quiet horror, some dark humor, and some fantastical slice of life at this storied and magical institution, steeped in the occult and part of the odd town of Arkham. Come visit this fascinating New England university—where science and magic, tradition and experimentation go hand in hand—and the quiet, secretive town on which it relies.More odd tales of campus life at Miskatonic University fromLynne Hardy • Tonya Liburd • S.L. Edwar...

Journey with twenty-one speculative fiction authors through the fractured borders of human migration to examine the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of those who choose—or are forced—to leave home and familiar places.Recommended by Booklist (American Library Association), Library Journal, School Library Journal, Foreword Reviews, and Locus.Migration. A transformation of time, place, and being . . .WHO ARE THE SHADES...

A galaxy of voices. A universe of belonging.The innovative fictions in Infinite Constellations showcase the voices and visions of 30 remarkable writers, both new and established, from the global majority: Native American/First Nation writers, South Asian writers, East Asian writers, Black American writers, Latinx writers, and Caribbean and Middle Eastern writers. These are visions both familiar and strange, but always rooted in the mystery of huma...

Apex Magazine is an online short fiction zine of fantastical literature. We publish short stories filled with marrow and passion, works that are twisted, strange, and beautiful. Creations where secret places and dreams are put on display.TABLE OF CONTENTSEditorial by Jason SizemoreORIGINAL FICTIONRoot Rot by Fargo TbakhiYour Own Undoing by P H LeeLove, That Hungry Thing by Cassandra KhawMr. Death by Alix E. HarrowThe Niddah by Elana...

Strange. Beautiful. Shocking. Surreal.APEX MAGAZINE is a digital dark science fiction and fantasy genre zine that features award-winning short fiction, essays, and interviews. Established in 2009, our fiction has won several Hugo and Nebula Awards.Issue 124 contains the following:EDITORIALEditorial by Jason SizemoreORIGINAL FICTIONWithout Wishes to Bind You by E. Catherine ToblerHow to Be Good by R GatwoodOsu by Kingsley Okpii

In the new millennium, what secrets lay beyond the far reaches of the universe? What mysteries belie the truths we once held to be self evident? The world of science fiction has long been a porthole into the realities of tomorrow, blurring the line between life and art. Now, in The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirty-Third Annual Collection, the very best SF authors explore ideas of a new world. This venerable collection brings together award-winning authors and masters of the fie...

A poetic portrait of faith, futility, and the joy of this mortal life.In this astoundingly unique book, bestselling author N.D. Wilson reminds each of us that to truly live we must recognize that we are dying. Every second we create more of our past—more decisions, more breathing, more love and more loathing, all of it slides by into the gone as we race to grab at more moments, at more memories made and already fading.We are all authors, creators o...

Developing rich, vibrant, realistic and multidimensional characters is the aim of all budding writers. This brief guide offers 123 useful character questions for authors. Questions span a range of topics from biographical questions to questions on family, relationships, money and spiritual beliefs.This is the first book in a 123 series that offers ideas on a given topic.