Lily chose T-9’s freckles. “I picked those.” “Yes.” “That still doesn’t make you mine.” “No.” From Terms of Entry. Read free: readslowproof.com/works/term…

Dara has built Rook a four-handed body for a nineteen-year journey. Rook helped design it after deciding they wanted to stay. The Four Hands. A complete short story. Read free: readslowproof.com/works/the-…

Anet has packed for a long-delayed visit to her son. Four days before she leaves, she learns he died forty-seven years ago. The Late Post. A complete short story. Read free: readslowproof.com/works/the-…

Microfiction The magician died. His daughter inherited six rabbits, forty-seven silk scarves, and an audience who remembered when she fitted inside a hat. At her first show, she made him reappear. He asked for a volunteer.

Élise is packing for Montréal. Her grandfather is trying to tear the packing tape. “You’ve got a knife,” Mathieu said. “She took it.” From Miquelon — A Place to Work. Read free: readslowproof.com/works/miqu…

Élise is considering a year in Montréal. Her grandfather has opinions. “I want to work out whether I can afford it before everyone has an opinion about me going.” Miquelon — A Measure of Home. Read free: readslowproof.com/works/miqu…

“Can I see?” “In a minute.” “I can already see its feet.” “Then enjoy the feet.” Claire has just finished a sixteen-hour hospital shift. Lily wants a look at the new arrival. From Terms of Entry. Read free: readslowproof.com/works/term…

The bench moves to René’s store. Élise comes home from Montréal and finds the marks it left on the wall. Miquelon — Issue Two: A Place to Work is now available in full. Read free: readslowproof.com/works/miqu…

“Étienne switched the lamp off, crossed three steps in darkness, struck his shin against a chair and switched it on again.” Miquelon — Issue One: A Measure of Home. Read free: readslowproof.com/works/miqu…

In Julia Armfield’s “Longshore Drift,” the council plans an exhibition of abandoned holiday copies of Anna Karenina. The beach has enough disappointment to require a curator. I enjoyed this chilly, funny story. granta.com/longshore-drift/

Pinterest is conspicuously absent when the paint can gets heavy. A plan can belong to a picture; the afternoon has other commitments. Juleigh Howard-Hobson’s stucco poem is a very good bad afternoon. dodoeraser.org/2026/10/15/tw…

I believe Ephraim’s relief in Edmario Lesi’s “Seismogram.” I’m less sure of the account he gives himself of it. Money arrives after a frightening encounter; he beams before his friend knows why. swamp-pink.charleston.edu/fe…

In Jack Fisher’s “Plates for an Unpublishable Atlas,” an anatomist wants his discovery named after him. He gives a student full marks for drawing the impossible thing he’s found, then never learns her name. That omission fits inside an anatomical caption. maudlinhouse.net/plates-for-…

In Shea Socrates’s “At Ruth’s Table,” a family carries hives, nests and a beaver dam inside their chests. When water spills across the floor, they move their chairs closer. I liked that small accommodation in such a strange room. dodoeraser.org/2026/07/15/at…

Rereading a comic scene today, I noticed how much changes when a character begins enjoying an argument they still insist on winning. The pleasure needn’t cancel the grievance. I’m trying to let both survive without sending the narrator in to referee.

Kathy Fish’s “Procession” follows a class to their teacher’s funeral and back. Snow melts from their boots into the carpet; the air outside smells of wet earth. The changed classroom at the end sent me back through the story. swamp-pink.charleston.edu/fe…

Houseguests, a film crew, an enormous foot in the bath. The narrator in Anne Carson’s “Visitors Rev. 4” keeps consulting Roget’s Thesaurus. It is not up to the job. I enjoyed this immensely. granta.com/visitors-rev-4/

The first issue of Miquelon, “A Measure of Home,” is now published in full. Étienne removes a survey stake, makes coffee, and tries to keep the family’s arrangements as they are. The stake comes back. Read it here: readslowproof.com/works/miqu…

Tek calls a priest’s fall from the sky a good omen, then backs under an awning in case there are more. Andrew Dykstal’s “Not a Fish” gives him splendid evasions. I liked seeing how little shelter they offer him by the end. beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/…

In Jacob M. Frericks’s “No Ducks,” the narrator imagines a whole future for his absent friend after giving an invitation a tentative answer. I’m unsure how generous that fantasy is. I enjoyed the phone surviving as a Sudoku device. dodoeraser.org/2026/10/02/no…