edited by Kel Coleman and David Steffen ‘08 is looking at me like ‘08 always looks at me. Like he can’t believe what he’s seeing. Like I’ve hurt someone or killed someone very close to him. That look on his face makes me sick. His name tag has our name scratched out on it, then … Continue reading DP FICTION #84B: “Coffee, Doughnuts, and Timeline Reverberations” by Cory Swanson
edited by Kel Coleman Sometimes, and I’m stressing the sometimes, wishes muttered within my hearing come true. I’ve invested in a good set of earbuds, noise-cancelling headphones, and have an over-spilling jar of earplugs, yet accidents still happen. “Wish you’d always be my Dasher,” this young guy in a neon orange slouch hat says and … Continue reading DP FICTION #83B: “Delivery For 3C at Song View” by Marie Croke
Shanna’s father was psychic on paper. The first time she saw it, Shanna was eight and Dad sent her to the corner store with a list: skim milk barbeque chips Wait ten extra seconds after the light changes at Canal Street and Vine. toilet paper cereal (no sugar!) It wasn’t that Shanna thought anything would … Continue reading DP FICTION #81B: “Lies I Never Told You” by Jaxton Kimble
The moment the semi-transparent eggshell of bright crimson rippled to life around a tall man down the sidewalk, Abigail knew she was in trouble. Given the hustle and bustle at the end of the workday, personal force fields brushing together was perfectly understandable. The resulting brief shimmers of violet or blue were common and easily … Continue reading DP FICTION #81A: “Forced Fields” by Adam Gaylord
edited by Ziv Wities Jaffa Cakes: 4/10 The Jaffas haven’t aged well. The orange jelly went runny while the box sat trapped in the trunk of that abandoned car sunk in the ditch. A whole ant colony died glorious chocoholic deaths trying to carry them off. There’s all these little antennas sticking out of the … Continue reading DP FICTION #79B: “A Guide to Snack Foods After the Apocalypse” by Rachael K. Jones
edited by Kel Coleman Content note(click for details) Content note: abuse The week I moved into my old family home, the brick one that sat like a triple-layered cake at the end of the street, I spent each day and into the night repainting every wall. Mint living room, yellow bathroom, pink bedroom. I chose … Continue reading DP FICTION #78A: “Fermata” by Sarah Fannon
Editor-In-Chief and Publisher David Steffen is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Diabolical Plots, LLC which publishes Diabolical Plots and The Long List Anthology Series. He is also the co-founder and administrator of The Submission Grinder. Editors Chelle Parker is a queer, trans, disabled professional editor, book reviewer, and dog parent living in Ottawa, Canada, where … Continue reading Staff
edited by David Steffen and Ziv Wities At sunrise, I spy on the humans as they arrive. They mill around on the black sand beach; their children splash in the pea-green waves. So many children, born of their brief lives, shorter than those of the elves, shorter by far than mine. The humans clutch their … Continue reading DP FICTION #71B: “Unstoned” by Jason Gruber
written by David Steffen Hello! This is one of those posts where I declare what is eligible for speculative fiction awards (such as the Hugo and Nebula and Locus) and in what category from Diabolical Plots offerings. Semiprozine Diabolical Plots itself is eligible for the Hugo Award for Best Semiprozine. Editor (Short Form) David Steffen … Continue reading Diabolical Plots 2020 Award Eligibility
It’s Tony Roomba’s last day on Earth. After two years of working undercover as a vacuum cleaner bot on this boondock planet, he is finally heading home to the Gamma Sector, but his final day is full of challenges. He has to get out of the apartment undetected; has to reach the extraction point in … Continue reading DP FICTION #70B: “Tony Roomba’s Last Day on Earth” by Maria Haskins
