In Clayton James's creepy story Rob and Paula are sceptical of their town council's unsettlingly bizarre new waste management system. Reader comment: "Absurdist, but also unsettling, a bit like Thomas Ligotti in that way." www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/08/the-...

In Luke John Spiby's story, Archie applies to be the Queen's poison checker, but doesn't expect her to be so flirtatious. "Love it!" "The humor was Python-esque—funny in absurd way." "I’ve never seen anything like it. Archie was so relatable! Thank you!" www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/08/in-p...

You won't read a more characterful story than Burger Burning Bonanza by Ashley Lemley: "Funny and fun--lively regional humor." "It is completely unique, and multi-layered, but it absolutely reminds me of Mark Twain’s early work. I absolutely love it!!!" www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/burg...

A psychologist in a mental asylum laments the lack of progress in his most confounding patient, Corny Bird. Reader comment on Grant Brown's story: "Oy! Sooooooo creepy! Very well done!" www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/mist...

Mister Hands by Grant Brown

Short stories hand-picked from authors around the world. Submissions accepted. Humour, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and everyday life.

fictionontheweb.co.uk

I saw The Devil Wears Prada 2. This had fun nods to the original, especially with some of the old character dynamics, but then went its own way, and ended up feeling a little more forced & less focussed. Mixed messages about whether billionaires will save or doom us (spoiler alert: it's the latter).

Delighted to have an email from @charliefish.bsky.social letting me know that my story 'Big Boat' will feature in Fiction on the Web on Sept 14! 'Big Boat' is a trans+ cyberpunk story set on the world's largest ship – a haven for the immortal elite, whose staff work to fulfill their every need...

Watched Spider-Man Brand New Day at the cinema. I stopped being excited about MCU movies after Endgame. Nevertheless, this was very entertaining, and I liked the message that there's nothing heroic in trying to go it alone (which is in counterpoint to the previous movie's endnote).

Enter Karin J. Robinson's magical world in this very British story. Reader comments: "Mesmerizing!" "I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Gareth's solution was a complete surprise, and has been haunting me long after I finished reading." www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/a-sp...

Cris Aboobaker's debut publication was very popular with readers! "It is obvious that this writer has immense talent for writing and a great imagination." "Oh my Gosh! I can’t even….great ending!" "'Blade Runner' meets 'Bartleby the Scrivener.'" www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/delu...

My August newsletter for Fiction on the Web Patreon members includes an audiobook, a free critique offer, the drawback of feedback, and more. Become a patron of the literary arts by joining on Patreon for $3 a month. www.patreon.com/charliefish/...

August update - audiobook, free critique, the drawback of feedback, and more | Fiction on the Web and Charlie Fish

Welcome to new members Hayduke Irish, Cris Aboobaker, Wei Bo - and welcome back Rick Taliaferro. Fiction on the Web submissions are now clos

patreon.com

Nora is coming up to her 16th birthday, and her demanding mother has got her an extreme gift. Reader comment on Wajad R. Basha's story: "Unexpectedly graphic ending for something that started with such seeming innocence. Unexpected is good, though." www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/the-...

Reader comments on Lisa Meltzer Penn's thoughtful story about a piece of chalk: "I love this story. It is a memorable lesson…given by a memorable teacher!" "Brilliant. I love this." www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/this...

Reader comments on Benaissa Bouhaja's anti-romance: "Ohhhh! The ending is brutal! In a good way. Thank you for this terrific story!" "A great illustration of appearance versus reality." www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/a-ve...

A Veneer of Perfection by Benaissa Bouhaja

Short stories hand-picked from authors around the world. Submissions accepted. Humour, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and everyday life.

fictionontheweb.co.uk

Reader comment on Hayduke Irish's refreshingly original fantasy story inspired by the myth of Medusa: "Excellent world building. Thank you for the enchanting story." www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/ther...

There Is No Evil Just Animals Surviving As Long As They Can by Hayduke Irish

Short stories hand-picked from authors around the world. Submissions accepted. Humour, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and everyday life.

fictionontheweb.co.uk

Rewatched Armageddon. When a world-ending asteroid approaches, a roughneck drilling crew is recruited by NASA to save the world. Super cheesy. Has anyone played a Michael Bay drinking game - a shot every time there's an explosion? Just made me want to watch the far superior Independence Day again.

Rewatched Phone Booth. Arrogant publicist is trapped in a phone booth and targeted by serial killing sniper. I remember this as a cool quirky thriller, and it is indeed, albeit a bit blunt. Could only have been made in 2002.

I read filmmaker Werner Herzog's memoir Every Man For Himself and God Against All. Possibly the man's greatest talent is myth-making - to the extent that it's impossible to distinguish truth from legend. But there's no denying his impressive output. Entertaining and inspiring.

New UK-based science fiction magazine Corollary SF is OPEN to submissions for its first issue. 1,500-4,000 words. Founded by a former Fiction on the Web Associate Editor! corollarysf.com

Home - Corollary SF

Corollary SF is an online science fiction magazine publishing stories that explore the consequences of speculative ideas, technologies, societies and perspectives.

corollarysf.com

Lynne Barrett wrote a brilliant article: litmagnews.substack.com/p/what-edito... As an editor that gives feedback on every rejection, this rang true: "Paradoxically, the more an editor writes in a letter, the more likely there is to be some phrase that burns the writer’s sensitive soul."

What Editors Want: The Ultimate Guide for Writers Submitting to Literary Magazines

"A magazine editor is a person who enjoys bringing new writing to the world..."

litmagnews.substack.com

I read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Always fascinating to finally read a classic. The plot is brilliantly conceived, and at its height the scary scenes and their philosophical implications are satisfyingly spine-tingling. Wordy by modern standards - he does go on about how much he is suffering.

Saw Odyssey at the cinema. Felt grand in the way of the old 50s/60s epics. Want to rewatch this at IMAX. The themes felt like commentary on modern USA/right-wing West: "Zeus' law (aka treat strangers kindly) is dying" "the bad guys were us all along!" Good movie.

Watched Moulin Rouge with the family. Grand and scrappy romantic melodrama by Baz Luhrmann about a penniless writer who falls in love with a prostitute with a heart of gold. Lots of energy, joyfully anachronistic music. Ewan MacGregor is a shouty singer.

Word of the day: kayfabe. The conspiracy of self-deception between professional wrestlers and their audience that the scripted events and characters are completely authentic. It is taboo to "break kayfabe" even when going about their personal lives. I feel like this is how Trump supporters persist.

I learned today that there's a plural word in English, that turns into a singular word when you add an "s".

Michael Nolan tells a tall tale about Tommy O'Brien, who was so enamoured of limericks he could express himself no other way. "A delightful story with a light touch and a nice flow. Tommy really comes alive." "What a charming story." www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/the-...

The Limerist by Michael Nolan

Short stories hand-picked from authors around the world. Submissions accepted. Humour, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and everyday life.

fictionontheweb.co.uk

Excited to have received an acceptance from @charliefish.bsky.social this morning! It will be my third appearance in Fiction on the Web & 1st since they became a paying market. Lots of stories pending the next few months, all listed here: cliffaliperti.com/publications/

Reader comments on Robert Villanueva's literary comedy story: "What a fun read! Seems like you’ve invented the short story slam!" "You had me hooked from the get go." "Great fun!!" www.fictionontheweb.co.uk/2026/07/love...

Love and Betrayal in The First Person Past Perfect Tense by Robert Villanueva

Short stories hand-picked from authors around the world. Submissions accepted. Humour, crime, sci-fi, fantasy, horror and everyday life.

fictionontheweb.co.uk

Rewatched The Loved Ones. Perfectly pitched Australian horror movie about a creepy father-daughter pair with the unusual shared hobby of kidnapping eligible bachelors. Darkly funny, and the brain-boiling is real nightmare fuel. Recommended to horror fans.

The Smart Search List of the Day is: Mainstream Short Stories feat. @charliefish.bsky.social et al. https://duotrope.com...

Smart Search List of the Day

The Smart Search List of the Day is: Mainstream Short Stories feat. @charliefish.bsky.social et al. https://duotrope.com/search/smart/fiction/mainstream-short-stories-he6Yeujf

duotrope.com

Introduced The Big Lebowski to my 15-year-old daughter. Slacker and his bowling buddies get caught up in a rich family's criminal shenanigans, but the Dude just wants his rug back. I very much enjoyed the rewatch. Daughter's verdict? Weird. But it certainly kept her attention.