Remember when I said earlier I was glad there hadn't been a spark between us when we shook hands? Well, it must have just been on a temporary loo break or something because energy is now throbbing in the small space between us. Once again, I can't look away from him. Heat pulses through the hand he's holding. There's a look in his eyes too that I've never noticed before. And his pupils are rapidly dilating. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Socially awkward Chloe West prefers to live very much within the border of her own tiny comfort zone. The last thing she wants to do is go on a traditional Glasgow Subcrawl, but she's determined to be a good friend . . . even if it means she's a stressed mess the whole day. But let's not forget the following points . . . 🥂 The self-appointed subcrawl coordinator is determined to force fun on them whether they like it or not 🥂 Chloe's ex is going to turn up at any moment, possibly with his new girlfriend in tow 🥂 And, Liam, the guy who has always rubbed Chloe up the wrong way? Well, *he's* already there... Can she make it through this nightmare unscathed and complete the subcrawl? And will she find something unexpected in the process?

Wilmuh Tremblerod knew from a young age that she would become the world's greatest playwright. Unfortunately, the world, and her talent (or lack of it) disagreed. Until one day, Linus, a young and relatively untrained muse finds her in a bar and inspires her to great things. Of course, she isn't the person he intended inspiring, but everyone makes mistakes. With the subsequent loss of Linus' powers, Willmuh's ability to write compelling and mesmerising plays runs out of control and an alarming number of people decide that Wilmuh has become some literary god, meaning that her very creativity becomes a danger to the world. When a competition is announced to find the kingdom's greatest entertainers, Wilmuh chooses to use her new-found talents to seal her place in history. But with rival entertainers and people in authority rallying against her, Wilmuh may find it harder to achieve than she first thought, and her troupe of wayward and strange thespians may not be able to stop the world from falling under her accidental-spell. And there are faeries, too. But watch out for them, they're really shady. Contains a gratuitous and shameless parody of a Doctor Who episode. I'm not even sorry.

Rise...or be bound forever. Upon nearing adulthood, citizens of Aegia face the choice to risk it all. For some, it's all about the glory, and living up to their family name. For others, it's an offer of security, of knowing where their next meal is coming from. And so they make the choice to enroll in one of several Academies, where they are taught the ancient texts, the history of the realm, and the sacred runes handed down by the gods themselves. At the end of their time there, they face a series of tests to be sorted into two castes: 𝗔𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀, the elite rulers, advance to the top positions in their field, deciding what is built, what is destroyed, where taxes go...and who lives and dies. And 𝘀𝘆𝗹𝗿𝗮, the servants bound by magic to their Aelaris. Seen as little more than an appendage and status symbol, they spend their days following their Aelaris and living for their demands, completely devoted and content in their role. The bond is considered sacred. It prevents the Aelaris from ever harming their sylra while ensuring the sylra is happy to serve. It is the Rite of Ascension that determines who belongs where, a process that measures worth and potential, through the power of the gods. Rian Argon-son has always believed he was destined to join the ranks of the Aelaris, working tirelessly to prove himself worthy. Meanwhile his nemesis Ileana, born into wealth and privilege, has always seen herself as a true heir to power. Their rivalry has simmered in all their time at the Academy, and now the final testing is upon them. They may be both top of their class, but ultimately the Rite of Ascension will decide everything. Both have prepared. Neither are ready. Cover by @Merlyn_Fereira

Festivus time is here! By golly! After an avoidably unfortunate incident involving an unnecessarily large cat, with an odd way of choosing its prey, a lazy ogre, and a decision against getting knees cold, a set of brothers, long since thought gone from the world, set out to bring their itinerant feline home before things get really, really messy. Unfortunately, the Festive Boys can't stop themselves from following their Festivus instincts and the village of Drippings on the Lea have no understanding of what's coming. With a reluctant queen, an even more reluctant witch, who isn't really a witch at all, a permanently confused farmer with a rabid fear of thinking, and a reindeer called Civilolph, who has no idea why he's pulling a haywain, the villagers of Drippings on the Lea attempt to get in on a little Festivus miracle, even if they have to fight for it. Deck the halls, not your neighbours!

Freddy's wife is gone, and nothing makes sense anymore. He decides to make breakfast, but is out of bread. On his way to the store, he steps into the past-his old dog, his childhood home, his father's anger-all waiting for him. He meets a beautiful woman who offers to help him. They search for what is real as she takes him home, only to discover the house on fire.

A collection of stories centered around The Institute of Molecular Science and Genetic Alteration, the cyberpunk megacity Pel'Drissia, and a ragtag bunch of escaped test subjects. Our subjects are test-tube babies created in the Institute's labs, their home was sterile containment chambers and the tortures inflicted upon them by their white-coat parents. Some of these subjects hatched a plan to escape; some of them even managed to survive, thanks to the arcane abilities The Institute gifted them with. A final twist of the dagger, that freedom could only be bought with currency made by their captors. But they've survived, and escaped to Pel'Drissia. Some made it easily, others not so much. And now, it is up to them to learn how to exist in a city that doesn't believe they exist. This is not a single story with a single, appreciable through line, these stories are flashes in the pan of the characters' life; memories half-forgotten and wounds that ache too much to recall. Embark on the journey, live with the characters, and they will show you who they are through the tears they shed and the bleeding they've done. Stories involving Corvus tend to deal with identity fracturing, mistaking control for care, power fantasies, and watching someone deeply broken do everything he can to be better; even when he fails. Stories involving Svartr tend to include themes of survivor's guilt, unwanted strength, and a living weapon trying to be anything but.

Briar Black isn't used to the domestic life. She's used to guns, violence, and ruthlessness. But after meeting Léna, the most beautiful woman she's ever laid her eyes on, she picked up the most unexpected job for a woman in her profession: being a nanny to a feisty little girl whose gorgeous mother is running a mysterious business. It's funny how life turns out, isn't it? Briar has no idea how she got here, but she is slowly learning to enjoy the ride. Unicorn stickers, keeping her other life a secret, tantrums, more secrets and romantic tension with her new boss, and all. ...Wait, what was that last bit?

Where the evil Queen of Hearts and the eccentric Mad Hatter fall in love. Based on the "Alice in Wonderland" franchise, particularly the classic books "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll. +0+0+0+0+ An Open Novella Contest 2026 entry. Prompt 44. "May I have this dance?" "Seriously? Right now, in this situation?"

Ten years ago, something went wrong at Camp Mercy. It was written off. Forgotten. Buried beneath paperwork and silence. Now the camp is open again, just for the summer and a small group of counselors arrive believing they've signed up for an easy job. Campfires. Late nights. Inside jokes. A chance to leave real life behind for a while. They're wrong. When violence erupts, it's clear this isn't random. Someone is watching. Someone remembers. And the past refuses to stay quiet. As fear spreads and trust fractures, the counselors are forced to confront an unsettling truth: survival isn't about innocence, it's about choices. About who spoke up. Who stayed silent. And who paid the price.

It's Halloween night in a quiet little town, and the party at the old mansion promises fun, chaos... and secrets. But when screams pierce the night, the celebration turns deadly. Two people are found dead, and the police already have their eyes on six guests in particular. As the mansion is locked down, each of the six is questioned. Everyone has a story, anyone could be hiding something. Jealousy, obsession, past grudges... nothing is off the table. The suspects: the host, the best friend, the ex, the outsider, the athlete, and the younger brother-all have motives, all have secrets. The answers aren't clear, and the tension is rising. With every chapter, you'll uncover clues, witness the suspects' truths, and feel the suspense mounting. Who do you think did it?