Some of My Favorite Very Short Stories
The vss365 and scififri writing challenges, which I post on Substack Notes, are fun little activities that allow me to sprout small tales in unique ways. Below are some of my recent favorites with short explanations. Be sure to check out the other Very Short Stories posts for more: One, Two, Three, and Four.
Consequences
A vss365 story built around the word exhaustion
The ferals raged, screaming and showing no signs of exhaustion.
From the tower, Rick saw other mad prisoners frothing at the mouth as they repeatedly tried scaling the electric fence.
"Yeah," he said to the other guards, "putting chemicals into the insane wasn't smart."
The Wreck of Abdu the Poacher
A vss365 story based around the word flinching
It all led up to this. Abdu was unflinching during a famine as a child, a civil war, and recently against park wardens who had threatened him with life in jail. And now, in the face of a most ironic death, the poacher was stoic as Jabari the Ape loaded its gun.
Don’t Push a Psi Agent
A vss365 story built around the word experiment
Righteous anger tapped into years of prodding, tests, experiments, and pain. Rookie Psi Agent Kelly de Sousa didn’t know how strong her telekinetic abilities were nor how long she could maintain them, but she didn’t care. Those space pirates who boarded the ISV Bull Run were about to regret their decision.
The Looming Future
A vss365 science fiction tale built around the word unearthly
There was something- something about the pre-mission briefing that Xies couldn’t place. The peacefulness of the prairie, the fresh air; it was beautiful yet he felt an unearthly feel - though he was on Seti Prime - when he remembered the combat to come.
The Grunt’s Lament
A vss365 science fiction story built around the word domestic
Keni’s shoulders could carry his whole gear, but sagged as he sat and remembered.
“Why didn’t I hold her when she pressed that book in my hand as I deployed out? What made me kill that girl? How come the domestic life never made sense but combat did?”
It was all too much.
Buy My Books
Looking for psychological military science fiction? Read about the adventure of veteran Brendan Murphy as he tries to keep peace between Earth and a mysterious alien race known as the Sabia. Read the Fallen series today! Please remember to leave a review once you are done. Reviews are the lifeblood of independent creators, and using these links helps me too via the affiliate program!
And I am editing the fourth book presently.
Or check out my humorous Savannah Paranormal Detective Agency short stories.
Other Independent Book Promotions
Pneumanauts by C.J.W. Armstrong (interviewed in a March 2025 podcast episode) - Paperback and Hardcover for Sale
We never made it to the Moon.
In 1969, when alien objects anchored themselves in Earth’s orbit, humanity braced for the end—an end that hasn’t yet come. After a brief period of hysteria, the world regained its bearings and slowly returned to its status quo. These Big Dumb Objects, however, still loom overhead, waiting to unleash their wrath upon the Earth.
Seven years after the objects’ arrival, teenagers Kirk, Roland, and Louis set off in a stolen van to hunt for answers to half-formed questions about their purpose, place, and existence in a universe much stranger than previously thought. All the while, an intangible clock ticks down. Rumors abound of an attempted first contact, and only God knows what will happen if the BDOs finally open up.
As the “spirit sailors” drive West across the Canadian prairie, confrontations with the past expose old wounds. Coming of age in an time of stagnation isn’t easy--and it isn’t any easier when the people you’re counting on are exactly the ones standing in your way.
The Librarian's Secret by Maggie O’Connor - Free Cozy Fantasy Prequel Novel
England’s Most Famous Ghost by Grant Kelly - Free Book
Until Next Time
Next time, I will start sharing the Savannah Paranormal Detective Agency 3 all throughout the month of October. First section drops next Wednesday.
As always, please leave a comment with any questions, reviews, thoughts, whatever about Fallen, Risen, Dormition, An Odd Pilgrimage, The Savannah Paranormal Detective Agency or whatever else I have discussed. I promise to reply!
These are cool, Patrick. But what’s even cooler is how consistent your commitment to new indie authors has been. We salute you, sir.