Specul8 Publishing
@specul8.bsky.social
Specul8 Publishing: where TC Phillips turned his oddball ideas into a haven for Aussie and Kiwi writers who love all things weird, wild, and wonderfully speculative. Strange minds welcome. Sanity optional. Visit us at www.specul8.com.au
Want a fun-filled, family-friendly holiday activity to do with the kids on Christmas break? Well, you're in the wrong place buddy...
If, however, you feel like lending your voice to our Knives, Nightmares & Neon podcast, we'd love to have you! =
www.specul8.com.au/knives-night...
If, however, you feel like lending your voice to our Knives, Nightmares & Neon podcast, we'd love to have you! =
www.specul8.com.au/knives-night...
December 11, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Want a fun-filled, family-friendly holiday activity to do with the kids on Christmas break? Well, you're in the wrong place buddy...
If, however, you feel like lending your voice to our Knives, Nightmares & Neon podcast, we'd love to have you! =
www.specul8.com.au/knives-night...
If, however, you feel like lending your voice to our Knives, Nightmares & Neon podcast, we'd love to have you! =
www.specul8.com.au/knives-night...
Don't go stepping on our blue suede shoes, cause we're introducing Hail to the King, Baby: An anthology of Elvis impersonator-themed speculative fiction.
Get your fried peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwiches ready, folks! Things are gonna get All Shook Up.
www.specul8.com.au/submissions
Get your fried peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwiches ready, folks! Things are gonna get All Shook Up.
www.specul8.com.au/submissions
November 7, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Don't go stepping on our blue suede shoes, cause we're introducing Hail to the King, Baby: An anthology of Elvis impersonator-themed speculative fiction.
Get your fried peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwiches ready, folks! Things are gonna get All Shook Up.
www.specul8.com.au/submissions
Get your fried peanut butter, bacon and banana sandwiches ready, folks! Things are gonna get All Shook Up.
www.specul8.com.au/submissions
Happy Halloween kids! It's your good ol' Uncle Henley Hackenslash, and we're just DYING to share our new cover for Knives, Nightmares & Neon: An 80s Slasher Anthology.
Oh, but the fun and gruesome games don't stop there, we're also cooking something else up for y'all!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kVw...
Oh, but the fun and gruesome games don't stop there, we're also cooking something else up for y'all!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kVw...
Knives, Nightmares & Neon: An 80s Slasher Anthology Cover Reveal and Special Announcement
YouTube video by Specul8 Publishing
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Happy Halloween kids! It's your good ol' Uncle Henley Hackenslash, and we're just DYING to share our new cover for Knives, Nightmares & Neon: An 80s Slasher Anthology.
Oh, but the fun and gruesome games don't stop there, we're also cooking something else up for y'all!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kVw...
Oh, but the fun and gruesome games don't stop there, we're also cooking something else up for y'all!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kVw...
Hey kids! It's your good ol' Uncle Henley Hackenslash, and we're DYING to share our new cover for Knives, Nightmares & Neon: An 80s Slasher Anthology this Halloween.
But the fun and games don't stop there, we're also cooking something else up for y'all!
But the fun and games don't stop there, we're also cooking something else up for y'all!
October 14, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Hey kids! It's your good ol' Uncle Henley Hackenslash, and we're DYING to share our new cover for Knives, Nightmares & Neon: An 80s Slasher Anthology this Halloween.
But the fun and games don't stop there, we're also cooking something else up for y'all!
But the fun and games don't stop there, we're also cooking something else up for y'all!
Check out our final Flash Fiction Challenge winner for 2025! The Compiler by Natascha Rijsdijk.
Don't forget, all winning entries will also be available in our inaugural Christmas Annual coming in November!
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #writersoftheworld #shortstory
Don't forget, all winning entries will also be available in our inaugural Christmas Annual coming in November!
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #writersoftheworld #shortstory
'The Compiler' by Natascha Rijsdijk | Specul8 Publishing
Elena stared at the lines of code cascading down her screen. At first, it was normal—syntax checks, error logs, memory leaks. Then the colours shifted. Orange lines bled into blue, rearranging …
www.specul8.com.au
October 10, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Check out our final Flash Fiction Challenge winner for 2025! The Compiler by Natascha Rijsdijk.
Don't forget, all winning entries will also be available in our inaugural Christmas Annual coming in November!
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #writersoftheworld #shortstory
Don't forget, all winning entries will also be available in our inaugural Christmas Annual coming in November!
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #writersoftheworld #shortstory
Are you hanging out for today's big release?
Well, we may not be a Showgirl, but our editor does look good in orange ostrich feathers. PLUS - we've got our own release!
Go back to the beginning with our 10th Anniversary rerelease of our inaugural journal.
www.specul8.com.au/product/spec...
Well, we may not be a Showgirl, but our editor does look good in orange ostrich feathers. PLUS - we've got our own release!
Go back to the beginning with our 10th Anniversary rerelease of our inaugural journal.
www.specul8.com.au/product/spec...
October 2, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Are you hanging out for today's big release?
Well, we may not be a Showgirl, but our editor does look good in orange ostrich feathers. PLUS - we've got our own release!
Go back to the beginning with our 10th Anniversary rerelease of our inaugural journal.
www.specul8.com.au/product/spec...
Well, we may not be a Showgirl, but our editor does look good in orange ostrich feathers. PLUS - we've got our own release!
Go back to the beginning with our 10th Anniversary rerelease of our inaugural journal.
www.specul8.com.au/product/spec...
Every story has a beginning...
Ours started back in 2015, with the release of the inaugural issue of Specul8: Central Queensland Journal of Speculative Fiction.
On October 3rd, 2025, we're going right back to the start.
Ours started back in 2015, with the release of the inaugural issue of Specul8: Central Queensland Journal of Speculative Fiction.
On October 3rd, 2025, we're going right back to the start.
September 27, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Every story has a beginning...
Ours started back in 2015, with the release of the inaugural issue of Specul8: Central Queensland Journal of Speculative Fiction.
On October 3rd, 2025, we're going right back to the start.
Ours started back in 2015, with the release of the inaugural issue of Specul8: Central Queensland Journal of Speculative Fiction.
On October 3rd, 2025, we're going right back to the start.
Check out our latest flash fiction challenge winning entry, The Final Step by S L Jones!
This is our 2nd last story for 2025's challenge, check out our final prompt for your last chance to get in on the action
#flashfiction #specul8challenge #shortandsweet
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
This is our 2nd last story for 2025's challenge, check out our final prompt for your last chance to get in on the action
#flashfiction #specul8challenge #shortandsweet
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
'The Final Step' by S L Jones | Specul8 Publishing
The floor hums beneath my boots, a low vibration as the airlock cycles. Ahead, the bay doors peel apart, revealing Earth in all its fragile, impossible beauty. White storms coil over vast blue …
www.specul8.com.au
September 26, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Check out our latest flash fiction challenge winning entry, The Final Step by S L Jones!
This is our 2nd last story for 2025's challenge, check out our final prompt for your last chance to get in on the action
#flashfiction #specul8challenge #shortandsweet
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
This is our 2nd last story for 2025's challenge, check out our final prompt for your last chance to get in on the action
#flashfiction #specul8challenge #shortandsweet
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
Massive congratulations to Beverley Young for her tale “For Those Who Will Follow”, the winner of Specul8’s latest #FlashFiction challenge!
Check it out below. Who knows? You might be next. There are only 2 more challenge prompts left for this year!✍️
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/fo...
Check it out below. Who knows? You might be next. There are only 2 more challenge prompts left for this year!✍️
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/fo...
'For Those Who Will Follow' by Beverley Young | Specul8 Publishing
They were close now, their fetid smell carried on the biting wind; stale tobacco, rum-soaked sweaty bodies, unused to contact with soap and water. The wolf could smell something else, their lust for …
www.specul8.com.au
September 11, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Massive congratulations to Beverley Young for her tale “For Those Who Will Follow”, the winner of Specul8’s latest #FlashFiction challenge!
Check it out below. Who knows? You might be next. There are only 2 more challenge prompts left for this year!✍️
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/fo...
Check it out below. Who knows? You might be next. There are only 2 more challenge prompts left for this year!✍️
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/fo...
Our editor has a soft spot for a little Sherlock, and this latest flash fiction challenge-winning entry was right up his alley.
Check it out, Watson, the game is afoot!
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/a-...
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #sherlockholmes
Check it out, Watson, the game is afoot!
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/a-...
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #sherlockholmes
'A Study In Betrayal' by M.P. Norman | Specul8 Publishing
It was Christmas Eve, and the storm rattled the windows of 221B Baker Street. Holmes stood by the fireplace, his tall figure flickering in the firelight. Across the room, our case sprawled across a …
www.specul8.com.au
August 29, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Our editor has a soft spot for a little Sherlock, and this latest flash fiction challenge-winning entry was right up his alley.
Check it out, Watson, the game is afoot!
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/a-...
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #sherlockholmes
Check it out, Watson, the game is afoot!
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/a-...
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #sherlockholmes
Roll up, roll up! Read our latest flash fiction challenge winner from Adelaide author Gabi Evans!
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #ghoststories
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #ghoststories
'Roll Up, Roll Up!' by Gabi Evans | Specul8 Publishing
The villa was supposed to be empty.Mia stood at the edge of the crumbling stone steps, the overgrowth parting just enough to reveal what remained of the once-grand estate. Ivy choked the crumbling …
www.specul8.com.au
August 14, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Roll up, roll up! Read our latest flash fiction challenge winner from Adelaide author Gabi Evans!
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #ghoststories
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #ghoststories
Think fast. Write faster. Can you craft a killer tale in 300-500 words? Submit at www.specul8.com.au
August 12, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Think fast. Write faster. Can you craft a killer tale in 300-500 words? Submit at www.specul8.com.au
Who's HUNGRY for some tasty flash fiction goodness with a little itty bit of cannibalism? 😋🍴🙍♂️
I know you are you beautifully twisted miscreants. Read our latest flash fiction winner, 'Stay Inside' by Shakeel Roa
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #cannibal
I know you are you beautifully twisted miscreants. Read our latest flash fiction winner, 'Stay Inside' by Shakeel Roa
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #cannibal
'Stay Inside' by Shakeel Roa | Specul8 Publishing
She calls to him from further down the bunker. Hidden by shadows. “You know w-w-we can’t leave! It’s not safe yet!” They had lost track of how long they had been here many years ago. Or at least …
www.specul8.com.au
August 1, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Who's HUNGRY for some tasty flash fiction goodness with a little itty bit of cannibalism? 😋🍴🙍♂️
I know you are you beautifully twisted miscreants. Read our latest flash fiction winner, 'Stay Inside' by Shakeel Roa
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #cannibal
I know you are you beautifully twisted miscreants. Read our latest flash fiction winner, 'Stay Inside' by Shakeel Roa
#flashfiction #shortandsweet #specul8challenge #cannibal
Merry Xmas in July! As a present for you all, here's the cover reveal for our inaugural Christmas Annual - featuring the winning entries of the Flash Fiction Challenge!
You too can get in on the action, as challenges are still running fortnightly until October 8th!
www.specul8.com.au/specul8-flas...
You too can get in on the action, as challenges are still running fortnightly until October 8th!
www.specul8.com.au/specul8-flas...
July 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Merry Xmas in July! As a present for you all, here's the cover reveal for our inaugural Christmas Annual - featuring the winning entries of the Flash Fiction Challenge!
You too can get in on the action, as challenges are still running fortnightly until October 8th!
www.specul8.com.au/specul8-flas...
You too can get in on the action, as challenges are still running fortnightly until October 8th!
www.specul8.com.au/specul8-flas...
It's time for a little less conversation and a little more action!
This book promises to be as big as the King himself. Don't go stepping on our blue suede shoes, cause we're introducing Hail to the King, Baby: An anthology of Elvis impersonator-themed fiction.
Submissions open December 2025
This book promises to be as big as the King himself. Don't go stepping on our blue suede shoes, cause we're introducing Hail to the King, Baby: An anthology of Elvis impersonator-themed fiction.
Submissions open December 2025
July 19, 2025 at 1:52 AM
It's time for a little less conversation and a little more action!
This book promises to be as big as the King himself. Don't go stepping on our blue suede shoes, cause we're introducing Hail to the King, Baby: An anthology of Elvis impersonator-themed fiction.
Submissions open December 2025
This book promises to be as big as the King himself. Don't go stepping on our blue suede shoes, cause we're introducing Hail to the King, Baby: An anthology of Elvis impersonator-themed fiction.
Submissions open December 2025
Need a quick hit of good ol' flash fiction? Check out our latest Flash Fiction Challenge winner, 'A Hole in the Ground' by Samuel Landy! 🧟
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/a-...
#flashfiction #quickreads #zombie #specul8challenge
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/a-...
#flashfiction #quickreads #zombie #specul8challenge
'A Hole In The Ground' by Samuel Landy | Specul8 Publishing
“It’s just a hole,” Mum said again. She’d been saying it since we started digging. It’s just a hole in the ground.”It didn’t bother me. We were both in shock. I couldn’t hold it against Mum for …
www.specul8.com.au
July 18, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Need a quick hit of good ol' flash fiction? Check out our latest Flash Fiction Challenge winner, 'A Hole in the Ground' by Samuel Landy! 🧟
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/a-...
#flashfiction #quickreads #zombie #specul8challenge
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/a-...
#flashfiction #quickreads #zombie #specul8challenge
Hello Specul8ors! It's your good ol' Uncle Henley Hackenslash here.
Don't forget we're DYING to see your most WICKED tales. Give us some GARISHLY GRUSOME GORE and SADISTIC SCREAMS. And don't forget the STABBY-STABBY!
www.specul8.com.au/submissions
Don't forget we're DYING to see your most WICKED tales. Give us some GARISHLY GRUSOME GORE and SADISTIC SCREAMS. And don't forget the STABBY-STABBY!
www.specul8.com.au/submissions
July 11, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Hello Specul8ors! It's your good ol' Uncle Henley Hackenslash here.
Don't forget we're DYING to see your most WICKED tales. Give us some GARISHLY GRUSOME GORE and SADISTIC SCREAMS. And don't forget the STABBY-STABBY!
www.specul8.com.au/submissions
Don't forget we're DYING to see your most WICKED tales. Give us some GARISHLY GRUSOME GORE and SADISTIC SCREAMS. And don't forget the STABBY-STABBY!
www.specul8.com.au/submissions
Okay Specul8ors, let's play a game...
Say you’re trapped in an '80s horror flick — think big hair, fog machines, and a killer with a boombox full of bad vibes. 👻🔪
What are your RULES to SURVIVE? Drop your answers below
Say you’re trapped in an '80s horror flick — think big hair, fog machines, and a killer with a boombox full of bad vibes. 👻🔪
What are your RULES to SURVIVE? Drop your answers below
July 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Okay Specul8ors, let's play a game...
Say you’re trapped in an '80s horror flick — think big hair, fog machines, and a killer with a boombox full of bad vibes. 👻🔪
What are your RULES to SURVIVE? Drop your answers below
Say you’re trapped in an '80s horror flick — think big hair, fog machines, and a killer with a boombox full of bad vibes. 👻🔪
What are your RULES to SURVIVE? Drop your answers below
Sick of doomscrolling your way through your phone? Why not do yourself a favour and swap out all the ragebait and the bleak state of current affairs for a few moments of blissful reprieve by delving headfirst into some micro-doses of creative fiction?
"The Last Strike" by Etienne Lombard | Specul8 Publishing
The hammer trembled in Marcus's weathered hands as he raised it above the glowing steel. Forty years of striking iron, and still his heart raced at the sight of metal kissed by fire—orange-white and …
www.specul8.com.au
July 4, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Sick of doomscrolling your way through your phone? Why not do yourself a favour and swap out all the ragebait and the bleak state of current affairs for a few moments of blissful reprieve by delving headfirst into some micro-doses of creative fiction?
Want another dose of flash fiction goodness? Check out our latest challenge winner, "The Keeper" by Stephen Herczeg.
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
'The Keeper' by Stephen Herczeg | Specul8 Publishing
“Been a keeper for fifty years and I ain’t seen nothin’ so strange as that night,” the Old Man said drinking deep from his beer.He told this story every night, mostly to tourists that found their …
www.specul8.com.au
June 20, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Want another dose of flash fiction goodness? Check out our latest challenge winner, "The Keeper" by Stephen Herczeg.
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
Think Fast. Write Faster. It’s Flash Fiction Time! 🖋️💣
Can you tell a knockout story in just 300-500 words? Specul8 is back with a brand-new image prompt designed to spark brilliance—or chaos. Either way, we want to see what you've got!
#FlashFiction #WritersOfTheWorld #MicroFiction #CreativeWriting
Can you tell a knockout story in just 300-500 words? Specul8 is back with a brand-new image prompt designed to spark brilliance—or chaos. Either way, we want to see what you've got!
#FlashFiction #WritersOfTheWorld #MicroFiction #CreativeWriting
June 18, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Think Fast. Write Faster. It’s Flash Fiction Time! 🖋️💣
Can you tell a knockout story in just 300-500 words? Specul8 is back with a brand-new image prompt designed to spark brilliance—or chaos. Either way, we want to see what you've got!
#FlashFiction #WritersOfTheWorld #MicroFiction #CreativeWriting
Can you tell a knockout story in just 300-500 words? Specul8 is back with a brand-new image prompt designed to spark brilliance—or chaos. Either way, we want to see what you've got!
#FlashFiction #WritersOfTheWorld #MicroFiction #CreativeWriting
Ahoy thar maties! Cast yer scraggly pyrate eye over at our latest flash fiction winner!
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
'The Reluctant Pyrate' by Steven Lowe | Specul8 Publishing
A wooden chest filled to the very top with golden coins, shining and shimmering. "Aharr!" cried Redbeard the Pyrate. "That’s what oi loike to see! Gold! Lovely gold!’ He turned to his faithful Mate, …
www.specul8.com.au
June 5, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Ahoy thar maties! Cast yer scraggly pyrate eye over at our latest flash fiction winner!
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
www.specul8.com.au/s/stories/th...
Submissions now open at www.specul8.com.au/submissions
June 1, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Submissions now open at www.specul8.com.au/submissions
Check out our latest flash fiction challenge winner below!
Think you’ve got what it takes? Your story could be next, shining on our site and wrapped up in our very first Christmas Annual!
#FlashFiction #Specul8Challenge #WritersOfTheWorld #MicroFiction #CreativeWriting #ShortAndSweet
Think you’ve got what it takes? Your story could be next, shining on our site and wrapped up in our very first Christmas Annual!
#FlashFiction #Specul8Challenge #WritersOfTheWorld #MicroFiction #CreativeWriting #ShortAndSweet
'The Heart Left Behind' by TJ Wickham | Specul8 Publishing
The heart-shaped planchette hypnotised Clara. Her fingertips traced the cold, burnished gold etchings carved into dark ebony—intricate lines curling like wind around distant celestial bodies.Matt …
www.specul8.com.au
May 8, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Check out our latest flash fiction challenge winner below!
Think you’ve got what it takes? Your story could be next, shining on our site and wrapped up in our very first Christmas Annual!
#FlashFiction #Specul8Challenge #WritersOfTheWorld #MicroFiction #CreativeWriting #ShortAndSweet
Think you’ve got what it takes? Your story could be next, shining on our site and wrapped up in our very first Christmas Annual!
#FlashFiction #Specul8Challenge #WritersOfTheWorld #MicroFiction #CreativeWriting #ShortAndSweet