Welcome to 69FOP

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone that submitted a story. I've enjoyed reading all of them - the good, the bad, the very bad, the ugly... If we’ve accepted your work, great, send more.

If you haven't seen your story posted or received a response to your submission, it will show up at a later date.

The biggest problem I'm encountering with the stories we've received is that a majority read like first (or even rough) drafts. Errors in spelling and punctuation, as well as obvious plot problems and silly technical errors should ALWAYS be cleaned up by the final draft.

I strongly recommend getting a copy of Strunk and White’s Elements of Style and reading it cover to cover. Everyone can benefit from a sound knowledge of the mechanics of writing, and this gem of a book gives a concise and entertaining review of the basics.

Also, we’re on the lookout for good “flash fiction” – stories with less than 1000 words.

So study up, keep sending, and, above all, keep writing.

--Constant Thorne

What are some of your favorite short stories?

Constant says, "I’ll show you mine if you’ll show me yours …"

“The Professor’s Teddy Bear” - Theodore Sturgeon
“With Delicate Mad Hands” - James Tiptree Jr.
“Puppet Show” – Fredric Brown
“Skin” - Roald Dahl
“Timmy Gobel’s Bug Jar” – Michael Libling
“The Sin Eaters” – Sherman Alexie
“The Big Space Fuck” - Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
“A Toy For Juliette” - Robert Bloch
“Born of Man and Woman” – Richard Matheson
“Calcutta. Lord of Nerves” – Poppy Z. Brite
"Slit" - Richard Laymon
"The Prowler in the City at the Edge of the World" - Harlan Ellison
"Of Love, Hate, and the Beautiful Junkyard Sea" - Mort Castle

Rycke says, "Excuse me while I whip this out...