🔔‼️ correction: the author of this story is Camsyn Clair!! Not sure if Camden is an autocorrect hallucination or if I mistyped. Apologies either way! 🫶

The whole issue works well together, and you can read all the stories in it here: www.flashfictiononline.com/issues/octob...

You can buy the issue here: www.flashfictiononline.com/product-cate...

& you can support FFO by becoming a Patron here: www.patreon.com/cw/flashfict...

"Mushroom Aesthetic" by Aggie Novak, meanwhile, tells the story or a foraging influencer who finds much more than she bargained for on her latest mushroom excursion, and who accidentally brings home something best left untouched in the hopes of profiting from it

It's an aching and sharp read, that in the middle of this nightmare there needs to be time for joy or else it's not really worth surviving. It's grounded in past loss and really does a lot in a short space. Very much recommended!

But the story explores how that isn't really enough, that they've lost sight of each other, trying to remain optimistic while ignoring reality and missing out on the chance to spend time with each other and experience joy or love. And they have to choose how they'll move forward

My favorite of the bunch is probably "Woodsong" by Arthur H. Manners, which finds a father and son trapped in an endlessly looping forest where monsters come out at night. They've been trapped for years, and are losing hope, despite that all of their energy is reserve for just surviving

I’m pretty proud of this little drowned world ghost story over in @flashfictiononline.bsky.social :)

www.flashfictiononline.com/article/drow...

Cover art is “Always Plant Zinnias” by Jeanie Tomanek. We worked with her previously for our Jan 2025 winter folklore issue. Check out her wonderful artwork on her Instagram page:

www.instagram.com/everywomanar...