This month's short story recommendations has turned into a bit of a Clarkesworld special. It is quite unintentional, though, I guess I was catching up on their publications through part of the month. Also, Clarkesworld just consistently publishes some great stories. First, though, the one recommendation that is not a Clarkesworld story. Ootheca by Mário … Continue reading Short Story Recommendations – June 2026
Tag: Reading
Short Story Recommendations – May 2026
Another month has gone by, and it is, once again, time for some short story recommendations. We start with one of my favorite magazines, Flash Fiction Online (FFO), but following that, every story was one I read in the "Best of World SF 3" anthology, and if you are interested in reading science fiction stories … Continue reading Short Story Recommendations – May 2026
Short Story Recommendations – April 2026
Another month, another round of short story recommendations. First off, a story from one of my go-to magazines when I need something very short and very good, Flash Fiction Online. The Oil King by Bree Wernicke (Flash Fiction Online) This story takes place in a sleepy little mining town that has all but died out … Continue reading Short Story Recommendations – April 2026
Short Story Recommendations – March 2026
Love Letter by George Saunders (The New Yorker) I listened to this story in the The New Yorker Fiction Podcast where it was read by David Sedaris, and I must admit that Sedaris' excellent narration of the story might also have affected how I feel about the story. Still, as Sedaris also mentions in his … Continue reading Short Story Recommendations – March 2026
Story Recommendations – February 2026
All right, it is technically March. And it’s not because I forgot to hit post or anything… Honestly, it’s not. Well, maybe a little. Anyway, here they are, the February short story recommendations… in March. I Met You on the Train by J.R. Dawson (Uncanny) This is a familiar little tale about a person who … Continue reading Story Recommendations – February 2026
2025 Recap and 2026 Goals for My Writing
January has come to an end, and so it is probably the very last moment to do a 2025 recap post while it is still remotely relevant. So, without further delay, here it is, my year in writing along with my ambitions for the year to come. Reading: Maybe not the obvious place to start … Continue reading 2025 Recap and 2026 Goals for My Writing
Story Recommendations – January 2026
Righ, so this was meant to be my final post of 2025, but somehow, I never got around to doing those last edits and pressing "Publish" in time. I'm sure all of you have survived the wait, though. So here are the story recommendations for December/January. Loneliness Universe by Eugenia Triantafyllou (Uncanny): The story starts … Continue reading Story Recommendations – January 2026
Short Story Recommendations – November 2025
It’s time for another round of short story recommendations. I’m doing thing a bit differently this time, or rather, more like I used to back when I started doing these reviews way back. I’ll be recommending both old and new stories, and I’ll be including stories from a wider array of magazines rather than just … Continue reading Short Story Recommendations – November 2025
Short Story Recommendations – May 2025
Redo by Brigitte Winter (Podcastle/ New Year, New You: A Speculative Anthology of Reinvention): A fresh but disturbing take of the age-old SF trope of time travel. From the start, it’s clear that the MC is stuck in a less-than-ideal relationship, being severally subdued by her dominating and inconsiderate husband. Things starts to take a … Continue reading Short Story Recommendations – May 2025
Reading list for 2025
In enjoy reading. That shouldn't really come as a big surprise to anyone. I am a writer after all. I've never really been structured about my reading, though. When it comes to writing, I strive to apply the principles of deliberate practice: praticing with a specific goal in mind, doing target exercises, getting feedback, trying … Continue reading Reading list for 2025
Toby Backman 