Presenting the latest anthology from Queer Sci Fi: “Clarity.”

Stories from the 2022 QSF Flash Fiction contest, all stories 300 words or less, all dealing in some way with the theme of “Clarity.”

Stories by authors like Steve Rasnic Tem and Mere Rain among others.

As someone who knows his way around a good flash fiction story I can vouch that crafting one is not easy. The writers here rose to the challenge.

It’s excellent, as are the other anthologies in this series: Bite-sized tales of fantasy, science-fiction, horror, the paranormal and a dash or two of romance thrown in for good measure.

Here are some ordering links:

Queer Sci-Fi: https://www.queerscifi.com

QSF (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/groups/210192115794407

QSF Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/queerscifi/

QSF: Twitter:https://twitter.com/queerscifi/

Clarity (noun)

Four definitions to inspire writers around the world and an unlimited number of possible stories to tell:

1) Coherent and intelligible

2) Transparent or pure

3) Attaining certainty about something

4) Easy to see or hear

Clarity features 300-word speculative flash fiction stories from across the rainbow spectrum, from the minds of the writers of Queer Sci Fi.

Series Blurb:

Every year, Queer Sci Fi runs a one-word theme contest for 300 word flash fiction stories, and then we choose 120 of the best for our annual anthology.

Non-Exclusive Excerpt:

From the Foreword

It’s hard to tell a story in just 300 words, so it’s only fair that I limit this foreword to exactly 300 words, too. This year, 312 writers took the challenge, with stories across the queer spectrum. The contest rules are simple. Submit a complete, well-written Ink-themed 300 word sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror story with LGBTQ+ characters.

For our ninth year and eighth anthology, we chose the theme “Clarity.” The interpretations run from an “Aha!” moment to the bubbling laughter of water to a private, life-changing realization. There are little jokes, big surprises, and future prognostications that will make your head spin.

I’m proud that this collection includes many colors of the LGBTQ+ (or QUILTBAG, if you prefer) universe—lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and asexual characters populate these pages—our most diverse contest yet. There’s a bit of romance, too—and a number of stories solidly on the “mainstream” side. Flash fiction is short, fun, and easy to read. You may not fall in love with every story—in fact, you probably won’t. But if you don’t like one, just move on to the next, and you’re sure to find some bite-sized morsels of flash fiction goodness. There are so many good stories in here—choose your own favorites.

We chose three winning stories, fiver judges’ choice picks, and one director’s pick, all marked in the text. Thanks to our judges—Angel Martinez, B.A. Brock, Ava Kelly, Lexi Ander, and J.M. Dabney—for selflessly giving their time, love, and energy to this project. And to Ryane Chatman too, for editing.

At Queer Sci Fi, we’re building a community of writers and readers who want a little rainbow in their speculative fiction. Join us and submit a story of your own next time!

Buy Links:

Universal Buy Link: https://www.otherworldsink.com/book/clarity/

Authors:

A Acosta – Stuck in the Space Elevator

A. B. Encarnacion – Arene, 27F Invisible

A.H. Lykke – Fresh

A.J. Clarke – Shinigami

Abbie Bernstein – Kids Know

Alden Loveshade – Clouds

Alex Blanc – Death by Siren

Alex Liddell – Telegram From the Netherland

Alex Silver – Smile

Alison J. McKenzie – Happy to Help

Allan Dyen-Shapiro – Oysters and Other Slimy Creatures

Alma Nilsson – Meet Me at the South Gate

Amanda Meuwissen – Willows

Andrea Stanet – Bathtub Gin

Anne Smith – A Glimpse

Anton Kukal – Detonation

Antonia Aquilante – Through the Glass

Avery Vanderlyle – Taking the Plunge

Barbara Krasnoff – Age Cannot Wither Her

Beáta Fülöp – The Unicorn Handler

Belinda McBride – The Choice

Blaine D. Arden – No Crime Unseen

C.T. Phipps – The Chase Was Enough

Camryn Burke – Burden of the Blurred

Caro Soles – The Truth Sayer

Catherine Yeates – Outpouring

Chloe Schaefer – Matthias

Crysta Coburn – The Ghost Maid

D.M. Rasch – Crystal Clear

Daria Richter – Make Me Real

Darrell Z. Grizzle – The Vampire and the Werewolf Priest

David Viner – The Best Solution

Derwin Mak – Software Update

Devon Widmer – Post-Apocalyptic Goo

Drew Baker – The Only Question I Could Ask

E. W. Murks – Earth Day

Elizabeth Hawxhurst – Inflection Point

Emmy Eui – Sunset

Gina Storm Grant – Clearing the Heir

Ginger Streusel – Lovers’ Letters

Gordon Bonnet – Refraction

Isa Reneman – The Furthest Horizon

Isabel McKeough – The Art of Not Blowing Up

Isobel Granby – Sea-Glass

Izzy Tyack – Magically Induced Clarity

J Sigel – Hindsight

J.S. Gariety – Bloom

Jaime Munn – Impulse

James Dunham – Brain of Theseus

Jamie Lackey – The Cursed Princess

Jamie Sands – Remote Working Gothic

Jana Denardo – Unexpected

Jane Suen – Bowls of Steaming Noodles

Jason Sárközi-Forfinski – ACAB

Jaymie Wagner – Harmony

Jendayi Brooks-Flemister – Heartsbeats

Jennifer Haskin – Cold Conviction

Jess Nevins – Stagecoach Mary Versus the Ghost of Cascade

Joe DeRouen – The World Around Her

Jordan Ulibarri – Franklin

Josie Kirkwood – The Blue Capsule Experience

Julie Bozza – Verity

K.L. Noone – The Unicorn’s Knight

K.S. Murphy – Looped

Kaje Harper – Beneath the Surface

Kayleigh Skye – Blue

Kim Fielding – Shared Language

Kiya Nicoll – The Satyr and the Wishing Pond

Kora Knight – Sunrise

Kris Jacen – Visus

Krystle Matar – My Poppy Fields Are Burning

Lloyd A. Meeker – Ruti’s Prayer

Lori Alden Holuta – Magic Mirror

M. X. Kelly – Muddy the Waters

Marie Victoria Robertson – As Foretold

Mary Kuna – Late Bloomer

Megan Baffoe – Ribbon Thread

Megan Diedericks – The Closet is Made of Mahogany

Megan Hippler – The Gift

Mere Rain – With Clear Eyes

Minerva Cerridwen – Secundum Artem

Monique Cuillerier – Through This Window

Nathan Alling Long – The Shadow of Doubt

Nathaniel Taff – The Gauntlet

Nicole Dennis – Orange Dust

Oskar Leonard – Murcorpio

Patricia Loofbourrow – There’s Something Weird About Joe

Phoebe Ching – The Killer Cupid

R.L. Merrill – The Sitter

Rainie Zenith – Crystal Clear

Raven Oak – Wrinkled

Rdp – Alice!

RE Andeen – Male Female Nonbinary Other

RE Carr – A Woman’s Reward

Rie Sheridan Rose – The Night Witch

Rin Sparrow – Never Alone

RL Mosswood – A Trick of the Nerves

RoAnna Sylver – The Face in the Mirror

Rob Bliss – PSI Ecstasy

Rory Ni Coileain – One Night in Troy

Sacchi Green – The Star Beast

Sage HN – Impact

Scott Jenson – Cycles

Sheryl Hayes – A Smoking Hot Proposal

Shirley Meier – Upon Reflection

SI CLARKE – If the Shoe Fits

Siri Paulson – Blood and Water

Stacy Noe – Demons Need Love Too

Stephen B. Pearl – Sad Reality

Stephen Dedman – Through a Glass Clearly

Steve Fuson – Translucent

Steve Rasnic Tem – The Man in the Mirror

T.J. Reed – New Memories

Terry Poole – A Grey Man

Tori Thompson – A Visage of Home

V. Astor Solomon – Blood Will Show Us Who We Are

W. Dale Jordan – Ascension

Warren Rochelle – Ghosts

William R. Eakin – Overcoming Entropy

Yoyoli – If Deliberate Avoidance Fulfills No Dream

About QSF:

Queer Sci Fi is the brainchild of J. Scott Coatsworth, a blog and website that’s all about LGBT characters in science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and horror fiction. We’re dedicated to promoting the inclusion of LGBT characters in these genres.

We started the site in January of 2014, with the intent to create a community for writers and readers of LGBT-themed speculative fiction. We post regular discussion topics, news, book announcements and reviews. We have an AWESOME Facebook discussion group, and a great admin team – Angel Martinez, Ben Brock, Ryane Chatman, and J. Scott Coatsworth.

Once a year, we put out a call for flash fiction submissions based on a single word theme, and get anywhere between two hundred and four hundred entries. Clarity is our eight annual anthology.

QSF Website: https://www.queerscifi.com

QSF Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/groups/210192115794407

QSF Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/queerscifi/

QSF Twitter: https://twitter.com/queerscifi/