As usual, life gets in the way of writing, which includes blogging and even reading. Pshew, life, go away. (I kid). But I have had some time to listen to a few really good stories lately, and I thought I would share them with you so you can get your good, weird short fiction on.

Spells for Going Forth by Day by V.G. Campen

This story was published by Metaphorosis Magazine. If you don’t know them, you should definitely check them out. Their tagline is “beautifully made speculative fiction” and they are right on target. I have yet to read a story from them that was not meaningful and gorgeously executed. Spells for Going Forth by Say by V.G. Campen is no exception. It is the story of a grown woman and her adventures with her childhood friend Anubis, who happens to be hanging out in the New Jersey salt marsh. The story is super short, but packs in so much about letting go, childhood and growing up, death, and faith. It is fully immersive, pulling the reader into Anubis’ world without being heavy handed. At the same time it balances the modern and the mythic in a way that felt like floating through the story. As a note, the narration is gorgeous, so if you prefer listening on a commute, this is a perfect option.

Keeping House by Sarah Day

Oh pseudopod, pseudopod. Yet again, you nailed the creeping horror faced by women. Keeping House by Sarah Day (narrated by Kat Day) was a gut punch for the modern woman. It tells the story of a woman who moves in with her boyfriend and suddenly hears the siren call of housework. Of course there are darker and darker layers involving spirits and monsters of a sort. But the basic dread of housework — that feeling of obligation to it and responsibility that falls unevenly on women was the real terror.

In general, I consider myself a feminist in a feminist relationship. But over the years, our equality has shifted. I decided to stay home with the kids because he had higher earning potential. Staying home meant more and more housework fell on me. Even now, I have three loads of laundry that need to be folded, and another that needs to be ran through the machines. I feel this pressing, nagging from the housework. This story captures that dread so very well.

And that’s all I have for you right now. I know there are tons of good stories out this month, but I am way behind on my reading. Feel free to share the ones I shouldn’t miss.