Horror Tree is a valuable resource for authors of speculative fiction, with news and information about publishers and markets. They also post writers’ stories in the editor’s weekly column, Trembling With Fear. That’s where you’ll find my short story “Faithful,” a tale of technology being used in the wrongest way possible.
David Bowie always fascinated me, so I thought it was about time I worked him into a story. Not that I ever wanted to have sex with Bowie, but that’s the fun of science fiction– if it’s done right, almost anything can happen. This short story was published In October 2018 in issue 14 of Riggwelter, one of my favorite online journals.
by DL Shirey
ROBIN: What I miss most about Edward is his kiss. The sandpaper grit of unshaved whiskers around his lips. Feeling the corners of his mouth pull up in a smile before inviting in my tongue. A thousand subtleties that foretold a mood, not for Edward, but for the lovemaking to follow. I could tell, simply by his kiss, if he was going to be playful or forceful or passive in bed. The tension in his lips. The way his tongue danced. And the degree of pressure between our mouths.
His kiss cannot be reproduced. That’s why I don’t kiss when I Couple, even though the men I’m with look exactly like my husband.
Hope all of you in the USA had a nice Thanksgiving. For those elsewhere in the world, it’s a holiday where we binge on food a day before we binge on shopping. I’m thankful for all of you who check out The Short List regularly. It is for you that we’ve added another 21 new journals, culled away some deadwood (may they rest in peace) and inched the list closer to 1,000 entries.
Among our November newbies is The Brasilia Review and Synaeresis, listed in our “countless” section. Over the last few months, a couple writers have asked about this category and why there is no exact word count associated with the 18 journals listed there. It’s because they don’t list a hard word count. But when reviewing the publications (as all good writers should do before submitting), it becomes obvious that the stories they publish are short, well below the limits that got them on The Short List in the first place.
If you read these monthly posts, then you know my fondness for highlighting journals based solely on a random association of titles. This month it’s feathers. Check out Peregrine, Roadrunner Review and Southern Quill.
Happy shopping writing.
What events would occur in the preliminary phases before time travel was perfected? To me, the electronic transmission of messages through time would be developed before a living creature or an object crossed that threshold. At least that’s the premise for this short story. Published in September 2018 by Theme of Absence Magazine, they were also quite kind to do an author interview.
by DL Shirey
Dear Ersei,
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This will sound strange coming from me, but after tomorrow you will never see me again. The funny thing is you may be reading this while I sleep in bed beside you.
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The rumors of Time Capsule are true. Messaging can now be sent backwards in time. Not forward yet, as I understand it.
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That’s the thing about all this time technology frap, it’s impossible to verify. I may be pounding out words that go no place except to the guys in TT.
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They may be reading this now and having a good laugh. Joke’s on me. Enjoy yourselves, belkholes.
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Ever wake up not knowing where you are? The character in this story does and the good folks at Fiction On The Web bring you the tale.
Writing thank you notes is a lost art, one I only found after marrying my wife. Sometimes it’s a point of conflict between us, as this story shows. Published in Gravel, September 2018.
by DL Shirey
My wife holds her mouth a certain way when I don’t pay full attention to something she said: lips parted, jaw unhinged, bottom teeth standing out like white-helmeted soldiers. These troops mass at the border between impatience and anger as Lynn waits for my response. Breakfast is over, the last of the coffee poured, I am half-listening, half-reading the newspaper. More the second than the first.
A few weeks late posting the publishing news for this toothy story. Scarlet Leaf Review notified me of the acceptance, but the actual publishing date got lost in the mail. Anyway, this flash fiction made their September issue. Hope it makes you smile.
