The Molotov Cocktail Magazine is one of my favorite short fiction venues. There's something about the tone of the stories they publish and those they select as winners in their quarterly contests that appeals to me personally. Something about the emotional exploration of mostly awful happenings that I enjoy. Perhaps it's my hopeful misanthrope lurking … Continue reading Best-of-the-Net 2021 Nomination!
Category: Short Stories
So That Light Carries Through
The nice folks at Janus Literary invited me to submit for their Editor's Showcase and fortunately, they liked this piece that I sent over. It's a creepy little nugget about the lengths people will go to hurt each other. About 1000 words of pure, unsettling darkness. Click here or below: https://www.janusliterary.com/2021/06/22/chris-panatier-so-that-light-carries-through/
“Reveals the Wicked” Wins Molotov Cocktail’s Flash Villain Contest
I rarely miss The Molotov Cocktail's contests because the themes are a ton of fun and the Top Ten are always tremendous reads. My story, "Reveals the Wicked," took first this time. "Reveals the Wicked" at Molotov Cocktail Magazine Image by The Molotov Cocktail Magazine
The Skin of Aquila Cadens
I've got a new short story up at Metaphorosis about an audacious plan to save humanity and a scientist who must cope with failure twenty-five light years from home. This is a purely sci-fi story, so not my usual spooky flash-fare, but there is some dreaminess to it. I hope you enjoy it. A scientist … Continue reading The Skin of Aquila Cadens
Snakeins
A little off the wall, underwater spooky bit of flash for your Halloween. _____________________________________________________ SNAKEINS Joseph considered the sonar readout on his heads-up display, trying to figure the most efficient route through the debris field. He chinned the comm just behind the helmet’s regulator and spoke into it, “I’m picking up a patch about two … Continue reading Snakeins
Following Walls
My short flash story "Following Walls" recently placed 4th in Molotov Cocktail Magazine's Flash Odyssey contest. All of their stories are so great, with a feel that is so distinct to this magazine. FOLLOWING WALLS at Molotov Cocktail
Molotov Cocktail’s Prize Winners Anthology Vol. 5
The Molotov Cocktail publishes a unique brand of short fiction that, to me at least, stands out from the crowd. Most is horror tinged, but always with emotional heft, and a solid dose of heart. In addition to their regularly scheduled issues, they also run four themed-contests a year and then publish an anthology with … Continue reading Molotov Cocktail’s Prize Winners Anthology Vol. 5
Warden of the Sun
My short story "Warden of the Sun" recently placed 4th in Molotov Cocktail's FLASHPOCALYPSE contest. Many good stories in this one. WARDEN OF THE SUN at Molotov Cocktail
The Eighth Fathom in Metaphorosis
Do you love octopuses? Me too. This is a story of octopuses of questionable origin and the belief systems that drive them. You can read it at Metaphorosis or simply listen to their podcast (narrated by me), both at the link. THE EIGHTH FATHOM at Metaphorosis
When Billionaires Flee to Proxima b
Who doesn't love billionaires?!!?! A short bit of humor up at DEFENESTRATION MAG that might just include the answer to why you die a little bit whenever you go on Twitter. WHEN BILLIONAIRES FLEE TO PROXIMA b