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
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...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
RESTITUTION by Tamar Shapiro (@regalhouse.bsky.social). Reviewed by @emhall47.bsky.social.
Restitution – Necessary Fiction
necessaryfiction.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
RESTITUTION by Tamar Shapiro (@regalhouse.bsky.social). Reviewed by @emhall47.bsky.social.
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
Thank you for publishing my review of Restitution, @necessaryfiction.com ! And thanks for the copy of this wonderful novel, @regalhouse.bsky.social
RESTITUTION by Tamar Shapiro (@regalhouse.bsky.social). Reviewed by @emhall47.bsky.social.
Restitution – Necessary Fiction
necessaryfiction.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Thank you for publishing my review of Restitution, @necessaryfiction.com ! And thanks for the copy of this wonderful novel, @regalhouse.bsky.social
RESTITUTION by Tamar Shapiro (@regalhouse.bsky.social). Reviewed by @emhall47.bsky.social.
Restitution – Necessary Fiction
necessaryfiction.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
RESTITUTION by Tamar Shapiro (@regalhouse.bsky.social). Reviewed by @emhall47.bsky.social.
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
There's still time to sign up for @pippagoldschmidt.bsky.social's A Personal Anthology, her pick of and introduction to a dozen favourite short stories.
Hitting inboxes at 2pm. Sign up here:
apersonalanthology.substack.com/about
Hitting inboxes at 2pm. Sign up here:
apersonalanthology.substack.com/about
apersonalanthology.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:11 PM
There's still time to sign up for @pippagoldschmidt.bsky.social's A Personal Anthology, her pick of and introduction to a dozen favourite short stories.
Hitting inboxes at 2pm. Sign up here:
apersonalanthology.substack.com/about
Hitting inboxes at 2pm. Sign up here:
apersonalanthology.substack.com/about
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Acts of Service" by
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Acts of Service" by
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
If you're in our area, NF fiction editor @bookbent.bsky.social will be coming to town next week for an event.
The @portersqbooks.bsky.social events email is always welcome in my inbox, but especially so when my pal @bookbent.bsky.social is included. Hope to see some of you on 11/12!
Lacey N. Dunham, author of The Belles, and Laura Venita Green, author of Sister Creatures
This event will take place at our CAMBRIDGE store. We offer validated parking in the lot on Roseland St. behind Lesley's University Hall. See parking details below.
portersquarebooks.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
If you're in our area, NF fiction editor @bookbent.bsky.social will be coming to town next week for an event.
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
My short story “Acts of Service” out on @necessaryfiction.com Thanks to guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for selecting this story and editing it with care.
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Acts of Service" by
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
November 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
My short story “Acts of Service” out on @necessaryfiction.com Thanks to guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for selecting this story and editing it with care.
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Acts of Service" by
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Acts of Service" by
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
THE RED WIND HOWLS by Tsering Döndrup, translated by Christopher Peacock (@columbiaup.bsky.social). Reviewed by Mia Carroll. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/the-...
November 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM
THE RED WIND HOWLS by Tsering Döndrup, translated by Christopher Peacock (@columbiaup.bsky.social). Reviewed by Mia Carroll. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/the-...
THE RED WIND HOWLS by Tsering Döndrup, translated by Christopher Peacock (@columbiaup.bsky.social). Reviewed by Mia Carroll. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/the-...
November 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM
THE RED WIND HOWLS by Tsering Döndrup, translated by Christopher Peacock (@columbiaup.bsky.social). Reviewed by Mia Carroll. necessaryfiction.com/reviews/the-...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
Writing Advice from My Teachers booksbywomen.org/writing-advi... by Diane Josefowicz
Writing Advice from My Teachers - Women Writers, Women's Books
My new book, Guardians & Saints, is a collection of stories about care as a process of give-and-take that’s shot through with ambivalence. My characters are students and teachers, doctors and patients...
booksbywomen.org
November 2, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Writing Advice from My Teachers booksbywomen.org/writing-advi... by Diane Josefowicz
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
if you've never read it, here's one of the best stories i've been lucky enough to publish (by @mikemeginnis.bsky.social, with an intro from @mdbell79.bsky.social!)
www.hobartpulp.com/web_features...
www.hobartpulp.com/web_features...
from the archives: "Navigators" from Hobart 12 by Mike Meginnis
Mike Meginnis's "Navigators" is one of my favorite short stories, one I've reread at least once a year since it first appeared in Hobart's 12th print issue in 2011. It begins in media res, after Joshu...
www.hobartpulp.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:53 PM
if you've never read it, here's one of the best stories i've been lucky enough to publish (by @mikemeginnis.bsky.social, with an intro from @mdbell79.bsky.social!)
www.hobartpulp.com/web_features...
www.hobartpulp.com/web_features...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
hey, we've got a cool 1-day Zoom workshop in nonfiction running through Rutgers in 2 weeks (Nov 15). $10 for Camden residents and Rutgers students, $60 for everyone else. Full details here
www.eventbrite.com/e/cooper-str...
www.eventbrite.com/e/cooper-str...
Cooper Street Workshop: Mapping Place in Creative Nonfiction
3-hour long virtual workshop on Saturday, November 8 for new and experienced writers alike.
www.eventbrite.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:14 PM
hey, we've got a cool 1-day Zoom workshop in nonfiction running through Rutgers in 2 weeks (Nov 15). $10 for Camden residents and Rutgers students, $60 for everyone else. Full details here
www.eventbrite.com/e/cooper-str...
www.eventbrite.com/e/cooper-str...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
Happy Halloween! 🎃👻🖤 Here's every spooky story @necessaryfiction.com published this month in one thread. Kicking things off was "Rainmaker" by
@daisyravenel.bsky.social necessaryfiction.com/stories/rain...
@daisyravenel.bsky.social necessaryfiction.com/stories/rain...
Rainmaker – Necessary Fiction
necessaryfiction.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Happy Halloween! 🎃👻🖤 Here's every spooky story @necessaryfiction.com published this month in one thread. Kicking things off was "Rainmaker" by
@daisyravenel.bsky.social necessaryfiction.com/stories/rain...
@daisyravenel.bsky.social necessaryfiction.com/stories/rain...
Reposted by Necessary Fiction
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
October 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Amazon is helping fund a $300 million build of a ballroom for the White House.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.
Independent bookstores are donating to food banks and organizations that help with food insecurity.
They are not the same.