Necessary Fiction
@necessaryfiction.com
A webjournal publishing short fiction, book reviews, a weekly newsletter, & whatever else happens at http://www.necessaryfiction.com. Doing our best since 2009.
Posts by http://shimmer.bsky.social.
Posts by http://shimmer.bsky.social.
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
THE SALVAGE by Anbara Salam (@tinhouse.bsky.social). Reviewed by Court Ludwick. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/the-...
November 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
THE SALVAGE by Anbara Salam (@tinhouse.bsky.social). Reviewed by Court Ludwick. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/the-...
THE SALVAGE by Anbara Salam (@tinhouse.bsky.social). Reviewed by Court Ludwick. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/the-...
November 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
THE SALVAGE by Anbara Salam (@tinhouse.bsky.social). Reviewed by Court Ludwick. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/the-...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
had the enormous pleasure of collaborating with my colleagues at The Sewanee Review on a full-issue tribute to the life & work of Brad Watson, which we built around the complete text of his final, unfinished novel thesewaneereview.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:47 PM
had the enormous pleasure of collaborating with my colleagues at The Sewanee Review on a full-issue tribute to the life & work of Brad Watson, which we built around the complete text of his final, unfinished novel thesewaneereview.com
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Vixen" by
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
November 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Vixen" by
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
Friends! I am teaching a workshop in December that I am so excited about! I’ve been writing and writing about domestic fabulism forever, but I’ve never actually fashioned a workshop around it before. I think this is going to be so much fun - I hope you’ll join!
No Place Like Home: Writing Domestic Fabulism with Amber Sparks
Learn to write domestic fabulism with author Amber Sparks. Transform ordinary home and family stories with fantastical elements in this online seminar.
writingworkshops.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Friends! I am teaching a workshop in December that I am so excited about! I’ve been writing and writing about domestic fabulism forever, but I’ve never actually fashioned a workshop around it before. I think this is going to be so much fun - I hope you’ll join!
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
This piece by @madelineanthes.bsky.social is so, so good.
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Vixen" by
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This piece by @madelineanthes.bsky.social is so, so good.
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
I'm editing an anthology about unlikable characters and seeking work from younger writers, 15-21. If you know of one such writer who might want to submit their work for consideration, please share this call for submissions: audacity.substack.com/p/acquired-t...
Acquired Tastes: A Call for Submissions
For younger writers, ages 15-21
audacity.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:23 PM
I'm editing an anthology about unlikable characters and seeking work from younger writers, 15-21. If you know of one such writer who might want to submit their work for consideration, please share this call for submissions: audacity.substack.com/p/acquired-t...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
I have a story out today!! So thrilled it is out with Necessary Fiction :) Huge thank you to @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for accepting this story!
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Vixen" by
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
November 19, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I have a story out today!! So thrilled it is out with Necessary Fiction :) Huge thank you to @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for accepting this story!
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
You can preorder As If the US version now. Out in June 2026 with FSG us.macmillan.com/books/978037...
November 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM
You can preorder As If the US version now. Out in June 2026 with FSG us.macmillan.com/books/978037...
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Vixen" by
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
November 19, 2025 at 2:28 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Vixen" by
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
Solstice submissions are open for a few more days. Folklore! Snow! Wild creatures! Cabin fever! Coffee with a little something extra in it, perhaps, to soften the dark hours until a late dawn?
We've just opened submissions on a brief call for short solstice writing. Let's see what happens!
Necessary Fiction - Winter Solstice: Points of Light
When the winter solstice approaches and days contract, I often return to seasonal rereads — Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Nina MacLaughlin's Winter Solstice, essays by Kathleen Jamie, or the fictio...
necessaryfiction.submittable.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Solstice submissions are open for a few more days. Folklore! Snow! Wild creatures! Cabin fever! Coffee with a little something extra in it, perhaps, to soften the dark hours until a late dawn?
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
cover! synopsis! preorder! out in feb!!
"Blending autofiction with fantasy, meta with magic, and earnestness with absurdity, 𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘢 presents a recognizable but also magical world where we ask, if nothing is real, then why not have as much fun as possible?"
autofocusbooks.com/store/p/tacoma
"Blending autofiction with fantasy, meta with magic, and earnestness with absurdity, 𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘢 presents a recognizable but also magical world where we ask, if nothing is real, then why not have as much fun as possible?"
autofocusbooks.com/store/p/tacoma
November 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
cover! synopsis! preorder! out in feb!!
"Blending autofiction with fantasy, meta with magic, and earnestness with absurdity, 𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘢 presents a recognizable but also magical world where we ask, if nothing is real, then why not have as much fun as possible?"
autofocusbooks.com/store/p/tacoma
"Blending autofiction with fantasy, meta with magic, and earnestness with absurdity, 𝘛𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘢 presents a recognizable but also magical world where we ask, if nothing is real, then why not have as much fun as possible?"
autofocusbooks.com/store/p/tacoma
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN by Lynne Sharon Schwartz (Eastover Press). Reviewed by Abigail DeWitt. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/a-st...
November 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM
A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN by Lynne Sharon Schwartz (Eastover Press). Reviewed by Abigail DeWitt. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/a-st...
A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN by Lynne Sharon Schwartz (Eastover Press). Reviewed by Abigail DeWitt. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/a-st...
November 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM
A STRANGER COMES TO TOWN by Lynne Sharon Schwartz (Eastover Press). Reviewed by Abigail DeWitt. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/a-st...
Do pay attention to the submission guidelines for this — we're open to surprises, but this call is particular in what we're looking for.
We've just opened submissions on a brief call for short solstice writing. Let's see what happens!
Necessary Fiction - Winter Solstice: Points of Light
When the winter solstice approaches and days contract, I often return to seasonal rereads — Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Nina MacLaughlin's Winter Solstice, essays by Kathleen Jamie, or the fictio...
necessaryfiction.submittable.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Do pay attention to the submission guidelines for this — we're open to surprises, but this call is particular in what we're looking for.
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
Just learned that my former professor, friend, and mentor Stephanie Vaughn, has died. For those unaware, Stephanie's book SWEET TALK is one of the greatest American story collections, up there with the likes of JESUS' SON. This is the justly famous intro of her story "Dog Heaven"
November 14, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Just learned that my former professor, friend, and mentor Stephanie Vaughn, has died. For those unaware, Stephanie's book SWEET TALK is one of the greatest American story collections, up there with the likes of JESUS' SON. This is the justly famous intro of her story "Dog Heaven"
We've just opened submissions on a brief call for short solstice writing. Let's see what happens!
Necessary Fiction - Winter Solstice: Points of Light
When the winter solstice approaches and days contract, I often return to seasonal rereads — Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Nina MacLaughlin's Winter Solstice, essays by Kathleen Jamie, or the fictio...
necessaryfiction.submittable.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
We've just opened submissions on a brief call for short solstice writing. Let's see what happens!
Get your warm hats and your lanterns ready.
In a couple of days I'm going to open a quick, experimental call for very short, solstitial submissions at @necessaryfiction.com, something I've wanted to do for the past couple of years but didn't quite get it together. Further details TK.
November 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Get your warm hats and your lanterns ready.
Hope to see some of our local friends here shortly!
BOSTON! CAMBRIDGE! See you tomorrow (Wed) night at @portersqbooks.bsky.social with my friend Laura Venita Green! Discussion will include genre-blending fiction and the terror of creepy dolls. Details at the link: portersquarebooks.com/event/2025-1...
a doll is laughing with the words " ha ha ha " above it
ALT: a doll is laughing with the words " ha ha ha " above it
media.tenor.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Hope to see some of our local friends here shortly!
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
"Crow's angry with me after my indulgent breakfast.
'I know, I know,' I tell him as the rain picks up and I start moving again." I'm thrilled to have "Yellow Gifts" in @necessaryfiction.com. Huge thanks to @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for all the love he gave it, and to editor Steve Himmer.
'I know, I know,' I tell him as the rain picks up and I start moving again." I'm thrilled to have "Yellow Gifts" in @necessaryfiction.com. Huge thanks to @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for all the love he gave it, and to editor Steve Himmer.
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
November 12, 2025 at 8:56 PM
"Crow's angry with me after my indulgent breakfast.
'I know, I know,' I tell him as the rain picks up and I start moving again." I'm thrilled to have "Yellow Gifts" in @necessaryfiction.com. Huge thanks to @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for all the love he gave it, and to editor Steve Himmer.
'I know, I know,' I tell him as the rain picks up and I start moving again." I'm thrilled to have "Yellow Gifts" in @necessaryfiction.com. Huge thanks to @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for all the love he gave it, and to editor Steve Himmer.
Congrats to contributor @jfkane.bsky.social!
Fonseca is on two(!) Kirkus best of 2025 lists: Best Fiction and Best Historical Fiction! #penelopefitzgerald www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2025...
November 12, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Congrats to contributor @jfkane.bsky.social!
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
Man, this piece jumped right out to me while reading submissions for @necessaryfiction.com Give this short, devastating piece a read!
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
November 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Man, this piece jumped right out to me while reading submissions for @necessaryfiction.com Give this short, devastating piece a read!
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
November 12, 2025 at 2:26 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
BOSTON! CAMBRIDGE! See you tomorrow (Wed) night at @portersqbooks.bsky.social with my friend Laura Venita Green! Discussion will include genre-blending fiction and the terror of creepy dolls. Details at the link: portersquarebooks.com/event/2025-1...
a doll is laughing with the words " ha ha ha " above it
ALT: a doll is laughing with the words " ha ha ha " above it
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
BOSTON! CAMBRIDGE! See you tomorrow (Wed) night at @portersqbooks.bsky.social with my friend Laura Venita Green! Discussion will include genre-blending fiction and the terror of creepy dolls. Details at the link: portersquarebooks.com/event/2025-1...