New story out! A little bit fairy tale, a little bit fantasy, a little bit S & S (that’s sword & sorcery, not ska & sorcery). Check out the latest issue of BAFFLING magazine from Neon Hemlock Press with my story “Horn, Heart, Seed” and work from Divya Kernan, Morgan Wilson, Nigel Faustino, Avra Margariti, Megan Baffoe, Caro Jansen & Gillian Knox.
This is my 8th original story published this year, not counting several reprints, and although you’d think my ego would be glowing at radioactive levels, I’m afraid that the same critical faculty that makes one a good editor keeps it dampened down to tolerable levels. Which is why it’s always wonderful to hear positive feedback.
Author N.M. Whitley featured “Slowsand” in their most recent newsletter and had this to say:
“Mr. Schrift comes at me backward through the dirt, which I understand doesn’t make sense.” Yes, it’s Joe Koch in ergot., sense-making is not, strictly speaking, the main priority. The narrator ruminates, obsesses, over the multiple appearances of this Mr. Schrift, as well as over their job, and while they (our narrator) seem more concerned with the former, as a reader I personally was left to wonder more about the latter. What is this work that must be done, the work their grandfather also did? It involves “near-liquid sediment”, “silt sucking”, “miasmic fluid”. But it feels like the more info we receive the less we understand, like the universe is taunting us, playing in our faces like haha we gave you all the clues. “He must not trust me not to sleep.” Joe Koch is a writer who trusts his readers. Let’s not disappoint, shall we?
Every month N.M. collects and recommends new short fiction online with close attention to the weird. You can peruse the archives or subscribe here to get your short fiction fix: https://buttondown.com/shortstoryrex/archive/short-story-rex-june-2025/
It’s a helpful boost each time someone posts about a story, or sends me a message about what spoke to them in some way, or leaves a comment or review. Writing feels a lot like tossing out a message in a bottle. I’m always glad to know a message has hit the shore instead of remaining lost at sea. If you’ve taken the time to say something, whether it’s kind or critical, thank you for engaging with my work! You’re the best.
Here’s the new one again: “Horn, Heart, Seed” in Baffling Magazine, Issue 20
Follow here to get links to new stories as they’re published, as well as news of upcoming book releases and events. Seriously, this is the best way not to lose touch in our ever-shifting social media landscape! I won’t spam you, and I’ll only post when I have something worthwhile to share.
Horrorsong 