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The Cosmic Background

@thecosmicbgr.bsky.social

890 followers 1.1K following 39 posts

🚀 SF/F Magazine 👻Flash Fiction + Poetry 👁️Closed for Submissions 📒 Stories are Free to read NOW Editor Sam Asher https://bsky.app/profile/samasherwriter.bsky.social https://www.thecosmicbackground.com https://linktr.ee/thecosmicbgr

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Sep 2

Hellllooooo from the static! It is fundraising season for many spec mags out there. We are doing things a little differently with a small gofundme to help us into 2026.

We are already at $2 and just need a little boost to help us to our goal of $2400 👻

www.gofundme.com/f/support-th...

Donate to Support The Cosmic Background's Diverse Voices, organized by Sam Asher

For two years, The Cosmic Background has been the world's premier venue for f… Sam Asher needs your support for Support The Cosmic Background's Diverse Voices

www.gofundme.com

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Sep 8

Link here and in our bio: www.thecosmicbackground.com/stories/elis...

Elise Stephens -- Suspension

Content warning: Miscarriage and depression If the proper balance of sorrow (tears) and hope (blood) are mixed in the correct quantity and potency, then for one hour the donor may glimpse the lost ...

www.thecosmicbackground.com

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Sep 8

This story is the first of our stories sought specifically from writers of Palestinian descent. Elise Stephens is smart, and articulate, and brave. She is talented, witty, and a spectacular writer.

Check out "Suspension" by Elise Stephens @elisestephens.bsky.social

Check out "Suspension" by Elise Stephens

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Reposted by The Cosmic Background

Diabolical Plots @diabolicalplots.com · Sep 2

Hi!
Have you ever wanted to chat with David Steffen, (aka the weird gremlin known dor Diabolical Plots, Submission Grinder, and Long List Anthology)?
there is a lottery signup to do just that online with Flights of Foundry, session on September 26th!
flights-of-foundry.org/lottery/

Limited Seating Sessions – Flights of Foundry

flights-of-foundry.org

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Reposted by The Cosmic Background

Fantasy Magazine @fantasymagazine.bsky.social · Sep 2

are you ready for some big news?

WE ARE OPEN

for BIPOC subs for issue 100!

and we are celebrating with a special theme: Transition, Migration, and Borders: Movement in, and of the Body

💖for those of us who find home in liminal spaces💖

find out more here:

psychopomp.com/fantasy-maga...

Fantasy Magazine Guidelines - PSYCHOPOMP.COM

updated September 2, 2025

psychopomp.com

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Sep 2

YOU are the gem💎

Marguerite Sheffer @mlensheffer.bsky.social · Aug 26

@thecosmicbgr.bsky.social is a gem of a magazine: a great place to read and send your weird stories! Consider supporting them ❤️

🌌💡

Sam Asher @samasherwriter.bsky.social · Aug 26

It's officially fundraising time over at @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social, and we're doing things a little differently this year.

Help a pro-paying, deeply-progressive, 100% human magazine continue to thrive. We'll love you for it.

gofund.me/ca0c2b7d

The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Sep 2

lol we are at $2K not $2 but you know…that extra money will help with editing 🤣

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Sep 2

Aww shucks. What he said 😭

Ignyte Award-Nominated Writer/Editor LP Kindred @lpkindred.bsky.social · Sep 2

@thecosmicbgr.bsky.social is having a @gofundme.com campaign to support its third year of publication.

At $.10/word, The Cosmic Background pays authors of flash and poetry to share their work on the website

www.gofundme.com/f/support-th...

Donate to Support The Cosmic Background's Diverse Voices, organized by Sam Asher

For two years, The Cosmic Background has been the world's premier venue for f… Sam Asher needs your support for Support The Cosmic Background's Diverse Voices

www.gofundme.com

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Sep 2

Donate to Support The Cosmic Background's Diverse Voices, organized by Sam Asher

For two years, The Cosmic Background has been the world's premier venue for f… Sam Asher needs your support for Support The Cosmic Background's Diverse Voices

www.gofundme.com

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Jun 24

Artwork by the amazing @nivnotes.bsky.social ❤️

The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Jun 24

STORYTIME! Yes, we are a little behind on uplifting the latest stories we've published but that just means we can REMIND YOU THEY ARE AWESOME!

Check out "Burn it Down" by Beth Dawkins @bethwrites.bsky.social :
www.thecosmicbackground.com/stories/beth...

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Reposted by The Cosmic Background

Cthulhuville @cthulhuville.bsky.social · May 7

Check out our review of Anya F. Bloom's short story in @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social! I enjoyed it!

Also, if you're not familiar with The Cosmic Background, their site design and overall vibe are really unique.

(McKenzie)

cthulhuville.com/2025/05/06/t...

The Cosmic Background: “By the Spine”

A fun take on the theme that everyone has a story, but a little heavy-handed in that Bloom has taken the idea as literally as possible.

cthulhuville.com

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Reposted by The Cosmic Background

Sam Asher @samasherwriter.bsky.social · May 9

Reminder to everyone that if you email submissions to @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social instead of using our Moksha, ain't nobody reading those.

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Reposted by The Cosmic Background

Sam Asher @samasherwriter.bsky.social · May 22

Locus is a vital part of our industry. If you enjoy @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social then know that they're a vital resource to us, and basically every other pro and semi-pro paying magazine. Support them if you can!

Locus Magazine @locusmag.bsky.social · May 22

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!
We have 9 days to reach our fundraising goal & we have a LONG way to go!!

Be the reason that the Locus lights stay on! Help us out at igg.me/at/locusmag2025. We are so grateful for your support!

Fundraiser link in bio #sff #scifi #fantasy #booksky

text: 9 days left to reach our fundraiser goal, we need you ! Indiegogo and Locus logos and Cluso alien

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Reposted by The Cosmic Background

Sam Asher @samasherwriter.bsky.social · May 4

Okay, I'm no longer hospitalized, and @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social is open. Hurrah.

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · May 2

Hey everyone. Sorry for the delay in opening submissions. Our editor is in the hospital. We need a few to get him healthy and settled. We will announce our new opening date very soon. Thanks for your patience.

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Ignyte Award-Nominated Writer/Editor LP Kindred @lpkindred.bsky.social · May 2

Hey folks,
Unfortunately @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social won't open today because editor @samasherwriter.bsky.social is in the hospital with pharyngitis, disallowing from eating and drinking for 48 hours so malnutrition and dehydration. For sure updating the sub window when crisis averts. Love on him pls

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Mar 12

We are closed for the moment! But hold tight to those hats and glasses and short stories! We will see you May 1!

Sam Asher @samasherwriter.bsky.social · Mar 4

@thecosmicbgr.bsky.social is closed until May 1st. All submissions will receive replies by April 1st -- if for some reason you haven't heard from us by then, please feel free to hassle me in whichever way you see fit. I like to be hassled with cake.

The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Feb 14

Hell yes!

Vanessa Fogg @vanessafogg.bsky.social · Feb 14

ICYMI, I posted my latest short fiction recs! With stories from @clarkesworldmagazine.com @strangehorizons.bsky.social @uncannymagazine.bsky.social @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social @unchartedmag.bsky.social --

itsajumble.blogspot.com/2025/02/shor...

Short fiction recs! December 2024--January 2025.

This cold February I offer you a mix of stories from the old year and the new. Some are dark; some speak of loss and disaster and warn of ...

itsajumble.blogspot.com

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Jan 21

Spread the word👇🏽

Sam Asher @samasherwriter.bsky.social · Jan 21

Okay, I've earmarked a couple hundred bucks from @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social's Kickstarter to just give to a writer who needs/deserves it. Give me suggestions.

I know I'm a white guy saying this, but no white guys. Sorry other white guys. We already get enough.

Reposted by The Cosmic Background

Sam Asher @samasherwriter.bsky.social · Jan 18

At some point probably in early Feb, @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social will close for a couple weeks to get everything caught up and ready to go for our post-Kickstarter existence. Submissions have been slowing down a little (only 5 today so far, is everyone okay?), but heads up just in case.

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Jan 21

Reposted by The Cosmic Background

Kai Delmas @kaidelmas.bsky.social · Jan 16

3 hours left for @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social Kickstarter. We've already funded but barely. It would be great to get a few more backers and there are some great rewards available for those that support us.
kck.st/3VMaSEy

The Cosmic Background: Year Two

A pro-paying magazine of speculative flash fiction.

kck.st

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The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Jan 16

Hell yes 🙌🏽

Psychopomp @psychopomp.com · Jan 15

Announcement:

Psychopomp is relaunching Fantasy Magazine

WELCOME BACK, FANTASY!

full details here:

psychopomp.com/fantasy-maga...

the promo cover of Fantasy Magazine shows a women in the grass with a glowing sky behind her. The text says Returning June 2025 Fantasy Magazine

The Cosmic Background @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social · Jan 16

We did it! We still have 11 hours to go, so grab those fortune teller cards and books and swag while you can!

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Sam Asher @samasherwriter.bsky.social · Jan 14

For folks looking to nominate for awards, @swantower.bsky.social's 'Ten Minutes' in @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social is the best piece of speculative flash fiction published anywhere in 2024. It's a pitch-perfect example of writing speculative flash.

www.thecosmicbackground.com/stories/mari...

Marie Brennan -- Ten Minutes

Meditation is difficult when I’m distracted. But my teacher eventually got it through my head that mindfulness isn’t mindlessness, achieving perfect, blank emptiness; it’s about being aware. Sometimes...

www.thecosmicbackground.com

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