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On Writing: Perspective
"So much for Objective Journalism. Don't bother to look for it here — not under any byline of mine; or anyone else I can think of. With...

Gnerphk
Jul 202 min read


On Writing: Essential Story Elements
In grade-school English, you were probably taught about plot, theme, rising and falling action, the climax, and so on. And that was...

Gnerphk
Jun 221 min read


On Writing: Relatable Characters
On rare occasions, we'll publish something that's twisted around, upside-down, back to front, or that's missing important parts —...

Gnerphk
Jun 152 min read


Had Is Not Your Enemy
I've seen it countless times. Some seminar lecturer or junior college teacher says, "The past perfect tense is a sign of bad writing."...

Gnerphk
May 42 min read


Chatting with AI About AI Content
First, let me say, DON'T DO IT! Don't submit AI-generated content to SFS. We strive to publish quality flash science fiction here at...
Jim Dutton
Apr 196 min read


And Is Your Enemy
Yes, you read that right: "And" is your enemy. So too are "or", "but", and all those commaed lists half a mile in length. Anything that...

Gnerphk
Mar 292 min read


September Theme Prompt: The Bogeyman Cometh
Write a science fiction story in which the villain or antagonist is an artificial intelligence. This Halloween, there's a lot of scary...
Jim Dutton
Sep 15, 20245 min read


The Joys of a Small Publication
So many writers are nervous about submitting their stories, afraid of being judged, afraid of putting their work out there and being told...

Gnerphk
Aug 10, 20242 min read


False Simultaneity
"Pulling on his pants, he rushed to the door when the doorbell rang, fumbling with the latch." That's an example of False Simultaneity: ...

Gnerphk
May 9, 20243 min read


How To Write For Sci-Fi Shorts: A Primer
Image Copyright 2023 - SFS Publishing LLC Writing for periodicals is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s also not for the faint of heart,...

Gnerphk
Nov 28, 20234 min read
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