edited by David Steffen Content note (click for details) Content note: parental loss, wounds, face scars When the mediums arrive, I don’t notice their scars. It’s their machine that grabs my attention, all pointed glass bulbs, copper wires, and metal rods. Like a four-foot square vacuum tube radio. I rub the belt buckle hidden in … Continue reading DP Fiction #105: “In the Shelter of Ghosts” by Risa Wolf
edited by David Steffen Someone began sending hand-written spellcrafted postcards out of DC in July of 2024. Those postcards made the rounds for a good nine months, under the radar, scarcely observed. That was, until the rash of good health, the proliferation of wealth, and the sudden uptick in good living coupled with a grand … Continue reading DP Fiction #104: “Like Ladybugs, Bright Spots In Your Mailbox” by Marie Croke
In Loving Memory of Mikko SteffenBorn November 1, 2007Adopted May 24, 2008Died May 8, 2023 This is the story of a dog who has been a part of our family for fifteen years and connected all of the other dogs we’ve ever had. This is the story of a miracle dog who beat the odds … Continue reading In Loving Memory of Mikko Steffen
edited by David Steffen I’m seeing me in hospice. My mother. That me. No. She. I have to remember. She’s in hospice, and I’m her son. I’m a son going to see his dying mother. I can do this. It’s not so hard to pretend. There are others. They aren’t me. Every me is someone … Continue reading DP FICTION #103A: “Every Me Is Someone Else” by Andy Dibble
edited by Ziv Wities Diamondback v. Tunnelrat et. Axeteeth Parish Court of Quan, 3rd District Ignatious P. Fizzlewig, Esq. Presiding Cite as: Diamondback V. Tunnelrat, 245 3rdPar (1107) The case before us concerns questions of property, ownership, and personhood. It also concerns the sale of an ear. The plaintiff is one Mr. Trawler A. Diamondback, … Continue reading DP FICTION #99B: “Diamondback V. Tunnelrat” by Nick Thomas
edited by David Steffen From: sisyphus.ephyra@hadescorp.com To: human_resources@hadescorp.com Hi HR, Just letting you know: I moved the artwork “Higher, Faster, Boulder” from the ground floor lobby up to the Second Floor Cafeteria as per Asset Movement Request #5340 from Asset Management, could you please let me know why it’s been moved back to the ground … Continue reading DP FICTION #98A: “Re: Your Stone” by Guan Un
All Diabolical Plots stories published in 2022. For our most recent stories, click here! Issue 94 – December 2022 “Midwifery of Gods: A Primer for Mortals,” by Amanda Helms Long have midwives passed on their knowledge of birthing: proper positioning, how to turn a babe, breathing techniques, and so on. Some guides, such as Kailiona’s … Continue reading 2022 Stories
written by David Steffen It has been a very eventful year, both for Diabolical Plots and for me specifically. A Diabolical Plots story was a Nebula finalist for the second time: “For Lack of a Bed” by John Wiswell. In the longer list of Hugo Award nominations, Diabolical Plots was on the longer list of … Continue reading 2022 Retrospective and Award Eligibility
by David Steffen In Loving Memory of Violet SteffenBorn November 24, 2007Adopted December 20, 2012Died April 26, 2022 This is the story of a gentle loving dog who lived a long happy life with her family. This is the story of Violet the lavender merle Pomeranian. Violet’s Life Bringing Her Home Our papillon Aria passed … Continue reading In Loving Memory of Violet Steffen
So what happened was, I’m back from clicker training Ms. Jordan’s dogs over on Dexter, sitting on the porch with a mojito, thinking how fucked up it is that the Old West Side Association stealth-planted tulips in our garden (because the yard looked so shitty without them, I guess—sorry for having a rental in your … Continue reading DP FICTION #88A: “Timecop Mojitos” by Sarah Pauling
