Nicholas Claro
@nicholas-claro.bsky.social
Author of THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE (Roadside Press, 2025) • WSU MFA • Fiction Reader for Write or Die • Editor • Teacher • Wichita, KS
Loved your story so much, Dawn. Thanks so much for trusting me with your work!
My first story of 2026 is up in Necessary Fiction! Thank you so much EIC @shimmer.bsky.social Himmer and guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for picking my story.
This week's fiction is "Just Another Saturday Night" by @dawnsteffler.bsky.social, selected by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/just...
January 23, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Loved your story so much, Dawn. Thanks so much for trusting me with your work!
“The redhead had laughed because everyone else was laughing, but he also scanned the cafeteria, hoping David wasn’t in earshot.”
Dawn’s story really jumped out at me. I love her writing and this story so much. Give this a read!
Dawn’s story really jumped out at me. I love her writing and this story so much. Give this a read!
This week's fiction is "Just Another Saturday Night" by @dawnsteffler.bsky.social, selected by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/just...
January 21, 2026 at 6:11 PM
“The redhead had laughed because everyone else was laughing, but he also scanned the cafeteria, hoping David wasn’t in earshot.”
Dawn’s story really jumped out at me. I love her writing and this story so much. Give this a read!
Dawn’s story really jumped out at me. I love her writing and this story so much. Give this a read!
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
This week's fiction is "Just Another Saturday Night" by @dawnsteffler.bsky.social, selected by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/just...
January 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM
This week's fiction is "Just Another Saturday Night" by @dawnsteffler.bsky.social, selected by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/just...
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
This week's featured fiction is an excerpt from THE MORGUE KEEPER by Ruyan Meng, selected by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/the-...
January 14, 2026 at 2:35 PM
This week's featured fiction is an excerpt from THE MORGUE KEEPER by Ruyan Meng, selected by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/the-...
I love Lauren’s work and I am so thrilled to share this everyone!
This week's story, selected by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Don't Come Looking For Me" by Lauren Osborn. necessaryfiction.com/stories/dont...
January 7, 2026 at 3:51 PM
I love Lauren’s work and I am so thrilled to share this everyone!
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
He looked at the dead dog, Cherry. She was off the road, on a pile of leaves that were composting against the fence. She was stretched out, mouth open. There was nothing wrong with her, except she was dead.
Every story @glennorgias.bsky.social writes is a stunner... @necessaryfiction.com
Every story @glennorgias.bsky.social writes is a stunner... @necessaryfiction.com
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Waiting to say goodbye." by Glenn Orgias. necessaryfiction.com/stories/wait...
December 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
He looked at the dead dog, Cherry. She was off the road, on a pile of leaves that were composting against the fence. She was stretched out, mouth open. There was nothing wrong with her, except she was dead.
Every story @glennorgias.bsky.social writes is a stunner... @necessaryfiction.com
Every story @glennorgias.bsky.social writes is a stunner... @necessaryfiction.com
“The responsibility of the dog had fallen to the man even though he’d never asked for, nor wanted, a dog. Because the last thing he wanted was more responsibility when he felt daunted by responsibility.”
I loved Glenn’s story from the first amazing sentence to the last. Give this one a read!
I loved Glenn’s story from the first amazing sentence to the last. Give this one a read!
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Waiting to say goodbye." by Glenn Orgias. necessaryfiction.com/stories/wait...
December 17, 2025 at 2:48 PM
“The responsibility of the dog had fallen to the man even though he’d never asked for, nor wanted, a dog. Because the last thing he wanted was more responsibility when he felt daunted by responsibility.”
I loved Glenn’s story from the first amazing sentence to the last. Give this one a read!
I loved Glenn’s story from the first amazing sentence to the last. Give this one a read!
“But Denis felt he knew even less about Liz than when they’d first met. He couldn’t recall where they’d met, either. What the circumstances were or if there was ever any talk about an elusive destiny?”
Loved this story by Patrick Dacey!
Loved this story by Patrick Dacey!
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Hunter's Depressed" by Patrick Dacey. necessaryfiction.com/stories/hunt...
December 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
“But Denis felt he knew even less about Liz than when they’d first met. He couldn’t recall where they’d met, either. What the circumstances were or if there was ever any talk about an elusive destiny?”
Loved this story by Patrick Dacey!
Loved this story by Patrick Dacey!
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Hunter's Depressed" by Patrick Dacey. necessaryfiction.com/stories/hunt...
December 10, 2025 at 2:38 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Hunter's Depressed" by Patrick Dacey. necessaryfiction.com/stories/hunt...
Loved this story and was so pumped to publish @brettbbl.bsky.social !!!
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Pioneer Spirit" by
@brettbbl.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/pion...
@brettbbl.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/pion...
December 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Loved this story and was so pumped to publish @brettbbl.bsky.social !!!
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "I Can Show You Baby" by Sophie Hoss. necessaryfiction.com/stories/i-ca...
November 26, 2025 at 2:21 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "I Can Show You Baby" by Sophie Hoss. necessaryfiction.com/stories/i-ca...
This piece by @madelineanthes.bsky.social is so, so good.
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Vixen" by
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
@madelineanthes.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/vixen/
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This piece by @madelineanthes.bsky.social is so, so good.
Man, this piece jumped right out to me while reading submissions for @necessaryfiction.com Give this short, devastating piece a read!
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Yellow Gifts" by
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
@claudiamonpere.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/yell...
November 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Man, this piece jumped right out to me while reading submissions for @necessaryfiction.com Give this short, devastating piece a read!
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
Thanks @turnandwork.com for including my short story “Acts of Service” on their short list! ☺️@necessaryfiction.com @nicholas-claro.bsky.social
The shortlist continued (2/2)
Fiction from:
Kim Weldin @kimhartweldin.bsky.social in @necessaryfiction.com
Pamela Painter @pamelapainter.bsky.social in Milk Candy Review
Hal Wright in @pitheadchapel.bsky.social
All the links here:
Fiction from:
Kim Weldin @kimhartweldin.bsky.social in @necessaryfiction.com
Pamela Painter @pamelapainter.bsky.social in Milk Candy Review
Hal Wright in @pitheadchapel.bsky.social
All the links here:
The Shortlist for November 7, 2025 - Turn & Work
This week: nonfiction by blog faves Francesca Leader and Rachel Dorn, and fiction from Kim Weldin, Pamela Painter, and Hal Wright
www.turnandwork.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Thanks @turnandwork.com for including my short story “Acts of Service” on their short list! ☺️@necessaryfiction.com @nicholas-claro.bsky.social
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
If you're in our area, NF fiction editor @bookbent.bsky.social will be coming to town next week for an event.
The @portersqbooks.bsky.social events email is always welcome in my inbox, but especially so when my pal @bookbent.bsky.social is included. Hope to see some of you on 11/12!
Lacey N. Dunham, author of The Belles, and Laura Venita Green, author of Sister Creatures
This event will take place at our CAMBRIDGE store. We offer validated parking in the lot on Roseland St. behind Lesley's University Hall. See parking details below.
portersquarebooks.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
If you're in our area, NF fiction editor @bookbent.bsky.social will be coming to town next week for an event.
Love this story and it was amazing to work with you, Kim!
My short story “Acts of Service” out on @necessaryfiction.com Thanks to guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social for selecting this story and editing it with care.
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Acts of Service" by
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
November 5, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Love this story and it was amazing to work with you, Kim!
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Acts of Service" by
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
November 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
This week's story, chosen by guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social, is "Acts of Service" by
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
@kimhartweldin.bsky.social. necessaryfiction.com/stories/acts...
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
Submissions are open until July 20 for guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social to select some stories for fall.
Necessary Fiction Submission Manager
necessaryfiction.submittable.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Submissions are open until July 20 for guest editor @nicholas-claro.bsky.social to select some stories for fall.
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
From June 21 until July 20, @nicholas-claro.bsky.social will be selecting some stories for us to publish in fall. We look forward to reading what he discovers! Guidelines will be visible here when submissions open on Saturday:
Necessary Fiction Submission Manager
Necessary Fiction Submission Manager Powered By Submittable - Accept and Curate Digital Content
necessaryfiction.submittable.com
June 18, 2025 at 2:18 PM
From June 21 until July 20, @nicholas-claro.bsky.social will be selecting some stories for us to publish in fall. We look forward to reading what he discovers! Guidelines will be visible here when submissions open on Saturday:
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
It’s #FridayReads time! Let’s boost all signals and help readers find awesome books. Repost this and let us know what to repost for you. Me? I have a creepy tale about friendship, vengeance, old gods, and monsters from the deep.
“Stunningly visceral.” — NYT
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...
“Stunningly visceral.” — NYT
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...
November 22, 2024 at 3:44 PM
It’s #FridayReads time! Let’s boost all signals and help readers find awesome books. Repost this and let us know what to repost for you. Me? I have a creepy tale about friendship, vengeance, old gods, and monsters from the deep.
“Stunningly visceral.” — NYT
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...
“Stunningly visceral.” — NYT
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316...
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
This was my first ever flash CNF piece (!), and I was really, really hoping you all would pick it up at Hobart. I remember trying to nail the voice here.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane, my dude!
Thanks for the walk down memory lane, my dude!
30: a kinda cool thing about editing journals for so long is how often I can dig through the archives and find early work from a writer I've come to love. I just a couple weeks ago read @barrettbowlin.bsky.social in this year's Best American Mystery & Suspense... and here he was on Ho back in 2015!
Katamari by Barrett Bowlin
From where our junior high is in Arkansas, the trip from the back door of the band room to Royals Stadium is four hours' long, and the trumpeters and trombone players and I spend the entire time nappi...
www.hobartpulp.com
November 21, 2024 at 3:27 AM
This was my first ever flash CNF piece (!), and I was really, really hoping you all would pick it up at Hobart. I remember trying to nail the voice here.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane, my dude!
Thanks for the walk down memory lane, my dude!
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
Hey hi hello, we’re happy to be here with y’all! We’re ready to keep highlighting the diversity of our region and fighting for a better South.
November 18, 2024 at 7:51 PM
Hey hi hello, we’re happy to be here with y’all! We’re ready to keep highlighting the diversity of our region and fighting for a better South.
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
Exciting news over here today!!!
April 26, 2024 at 3:01 PM
Exciting news over here today!!!
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
You know what would make great lunch-break reading? Split Lip's brand new NOVEMBER ISSUE! https://buff.ly/2Z36noR
Split Lip Magazine
Split Lip Magazine is a voice-driven literary journal with a pop culture twist. We publish online monthly and in print. Poetry, fiction, memoir, flash, reviews, interviews, art.
buff.ly
November 15, 2024 at 6:05 PM
You know what would make great lunch-break reading? Split Lip's brand new NOVEMBER ISSUE! https://buff.ly/2Z36noR
Reposted by Nicholas Claro
"This is the netherworld of the uncanny, and I think it’s definitive of the moment we’re living in now, where the past both promises and threatens to return, while the future always seems just out of reach, or else it seems like it’s already arrived and somehow we’ve missed it."
Talkin' BERLIN WALL and end of Empire at @vol1brooklyn.bsky.social with Avinash Rajendran! @whiskeytit.bsky.social
www.vol1brooklyn.com/2024/11/01/t...
www.vol1brooklyn.com/2024/11/01/t...
Trash Alchemy & Wasteland Portals: A Conversation with David Leo Rice
At the start of the pandemic, Arundhati Roy, the author who introduced much of my country to the Booker Prize, declared that “historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and i…
www.vol1brooklyn.com
November 16, 2024 at 5:21 PM
"This is the netherworld of the uncanny, and I think it’s definitive of the moment we’re living in now, where the past both promises and threatens to return, while the future always seems just out of reach, or else it seems like it’s already arrived and somehow we’ve missed it."