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Cetera Magazine

@ceteramagazine.bsky.social

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Every Thursday, we publish original short stories that challenge, comfort, and hopefully astonish. Account run by Natalia Emmons. Open for submissions. Find us at ceteramagazine.com Check out our podcast: Worlds Without Warning

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Marketa @marketadowling.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Great news that my story WOE TO YOU BUILDING TOMBS will be published in @ceteramagazine.bsky.social in November. It will be my 10th publication this year 🎉. There may be cake.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Brian hasn’t thought about Lindy in years. Then he finds her obituary in the afternoon paper. Read "The Afternoon Paper," our newest contemporary short story by Adrienne Weiss with artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/the-afternoo...

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"The Afternoon Paper" by Adrienne Weiss

Brian hasn’t thought about Lindy in years. Then he finds her obituary in the afternoon paper.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

As a child, she ate flowers from her great-aunt’s garden. Decades later, she learns who they were planted for. Read "Nasturtiums," a new short story by @jonnegroni.bsky.social (who also did the artwork). Edited by Natalia Emmons. www.ceteramagazine.com/nasturtiums/

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"Nasturtiums" – A Literary Short Story By Jon Negroni

As a child, she ate flowers from her great-aunt’s garden. Decades later, she learns who they were planted for.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A data analyst’s uncanny social instincts earn her an invitation to a billionaire’s mysterious island retreat. Read "Goddess Class," a new sci-fi #shortstory by Carmen Clarke (@wayofdeeptime.com) with artwork by Jon Negroni (@jonnegroni.bsky.social) www.ceteramagazine.com/goddess-class/

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"Goddess Class" by Carmen Clarke

A data analyst’s uncanny social instincts earn her an invitation to a billionaire’s mysterious island retreat.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

A woman travels 10,000 years to find her missing lover. Instead, she finds crabs. Read or listen to "Carcinization" by Danielle Wilfand, with artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social: www.ceteramagazine.com/carcinization/ #ShortStory #ScienceFiction #DisabilityFiction #FreeToRead

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"Carcinization" by Danielle Wilfand

A woman travels 10,000 years to find her missing lover. Instead, she finds crabs.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

After her husband dies, a widow starts meeting the versions of him who lost her instead. Read our listen to "Pete," our new speculative short story by Jeremy Morris with artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social: www.ceteramagazine.com/pete/

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"Pete" – A Speculative Short Story by Jeremy Morris

After her husband dies, a widow starts meeting the versions of him who lost her instead.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

When an immortal tyrant begins to die, the whole kingdom must decide what it owes him. Read or listen to "We All Must Attend the Deathbed of the Lich," a dark fantasy #shortstory by @yavin4.bsky.social, with artwork and narration by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/we-all-must-...

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"We All Must Attend the Deathbed of the Lich"

When an immortal tyrant begins to die, the whole kingdom must decide what it owes him.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Just two more days before we close submissions for our third poetry issue, “After the Fire, the Garden.” Read our guidelines and how to submit here: www.ceteramagazine.com/themed-poetr...

$Themed Poetry Call: "After the Fire, the Garden" Deadline: August 20, 2026 Cetera Magazine's third digital poetry issue turns toward aftermath. Toward the altered ground left behind by rupture. And the strange forms of life that begin there. "After the Fire, the Garden" is an issue about what grows after devastation. We're interested in poems that understand renewal as complicated and unsentimental and achingly alive. The fire may be literal or symbolic. Ecological disaster, family fracture, illness, exile, political violence, spiritual crisis, heartbreak, inheritance, collapse. The garden does not promise that everything has been healed. It is merely what takes root in damaged soil.$

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Today we finally get to release the audio version of "The Day Hikaru Died," a science fiction short story by Frances Koziar. You can listen to it here or check out our podcast, Worlds Without Warning, to download it. www.ceteramagazine.com/the-day-hika...

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The Day Hikaru Died – A Sci-Fi Story by Frances Koziar

When a caregiving robot learns to feel, love becomes the one system she cannot control.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Twenty minutes before closing, a man walks into a bar to tell the bartender he's just been uninvited from his best friend's wedding. Read an excerpt of "Please Respect Our Decision" by @jonnegroni.bsky.social. Full story available for our paid members. www.ceteramagazine.com/please-respe...

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"Please Respect Our Decision" by Jon Negroni

He got the text this afternoon. Now it's last call, and he needs to say it out loud to someone.

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Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Just one week left before we close submissions for our third #poetry issue. Our theme this quarter is "After the Fire, the Garden." We want your gnarly little poems so please visit our submission guidelines page if you'd like to contribute. #submissions www.ceteramagazine.com/themed-poetr...

ceteramagazine.com

Themed Poetry Call: "After the Fire, the Garden"

Cetera Magazine’s third digital poetry issue turns toward aftermath. Submissions now open. Deadline: August 20, 2026.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Trapped inside an alien warehouse, a soldier radios the one person who might keep him sane. Read "And Yet, So Far Away," our new sci-fi short story by Kevin Cronin, with artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/and-yet-so-f...

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"And Yet, So Far Away" by Kevin Cronin

Trapped inside an alien warehouse, a soldier radios the one person who might keep him sane.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Our short story this week is "Berm People" by Maurice Martin, a climate/dystopian tale about a world where people must take shelter from endless wind. A roofer decides one day to sabotage the privileged half of that shelter. Artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/berm-people/

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"Berm People" by Maurice Martin

In a world of endless wind, a roofer plots to kill the privileged half of his shelter.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Her husband walked off one winter night and didn't come back. Months later, a box arrives. Read "The Bones" by John Cohle, a literary short story that might challenge the way you view memory loss and cryptic reconnection. Artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/the-bones/

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"The Bones" by John Cohle

Her husband walked off one winter night and didn't come back. Months later, a box arrives.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

A quiet roommate. A house that always smells of bleach. A suspicion that refuses to stay buried. “Bleach" by Nora Ray (@noraraywrites.bsky.social) starts as psychological horror and ends somewhere even more unsettling. Read it now: www.ceteramagazine.com/bleach/ artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social

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"Bleach" by Nora Ray

A woman is sure her quiet roommate isn't human. She's almost right.

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nora ray @noraraywrites.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

read my new horror story "Bleach" in @ceteramagazine.bsky.social

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

In a world where fever can be sold like a drug, Jimmy makes one last deal with the customer he’d rather forget. Read "105.9°," a speculative short story by Conner Martin with artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social. www.ceteramagazine.com/105-9/

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"105.9°" by Conner Martin

In a world where fever can be sold like a drug, Jimmy makes one last deal with the customer he’d rather forget.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

"Heartbroken and desperate, Mara discovers two ways to rewrite her past: one scientific, one magical, both dangerous." Read “Branches” by Karly Foland, with artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/branches/

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"Branches" by Karly Foland

Heartbroken and desperate, Mara discovers two ways to rewrite her past: one scientific, one magical, both dangerous.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

"A reluctant heir and an anxious graduate student confront the cost of being found." Read “The Heir” by Artemy Kalinovsky, with artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/the-heir/

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"The Heir" by Artemy Kalinovsky

A reluctant heir and an anxious graduate student confront the cost of being found.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

“After her neighbor dies, Rachel becomes obsessed with the ruined house across the street. And the man waiting inside it.” Read “The Griefing” by Erin Mayes, with artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social. . www.ceteramagazine.com/the-griefing/

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"The Griefing" by Erin Mayes

After her neighbor dies, Rachel becomes obsessed with the ruined house across the street. And the man waiting inside it.

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Stacey Lounsberry @sglounsberry.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

My new story came out a few days ago in Cetera, the mag that's like opening up a box of assorted chocolates. "Kids Eat Free" by Stacey Lounsberry www.ceteramagazine.com/kids-eat-free/ @ceteramagazine.bsky.social #writingcommunity #amwriting #writersky

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"Kits Eat Free" by Stacey Lounsberry

A tiny pet funeral becomes a strange, funny journey through grief and motherhood.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Blind and overlooked, Lucy Victoria learns to read the world around her. And waits to find out if anyone will choose to read her back. Read or listen to "The Closure of St. Jerome's Home for Foundlings" by Tamsin Liddell right here. Artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social, edits by Natalia Emmons.

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The Closure of St. Jerome's Home for Foundlings

Blind and overlooked, Lucy Victoria learns to read the world around her. And waits to find out if anyone will choose to read her back.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Two insomniacs grow closer one 3am text at a time, while the wrong relationship slowly makes the right one impossible to ignore. Read or listen to "Texts After 3," a new contemporary romance short story by @jonnegroni.bsky.social. Edited by Natalia Emmons, artwork by Jon Negroni.

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Texts After 3 – A Romantic Short Story by Jon Negroni

Two insomniacs grow closer one 3am text at a time, while the wrong relationship slowly makes the right one impossible to ignore.

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Mimi is drafting 🍉✨ @miravlevywrites.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

I’m published! Super stoked to debut my short story “The Stranger in Apartment 3A, First Floor.” Thank you so much to the team at Cetera Magazine for the opportunity ❤️ #writingcommunity

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

A dead girl haunts her old apartment’s new tenant, only to discover grief can trap the living and the dead alike. Read or listen to "The Stranger in Apartment 3A, First Floor" by @miravlevywrites.bsky.social. Artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/the-stranger...

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"The Stranger in Apartment 3A, First Floor" by Mirav Levy

A dead girl haunts her old apartment’s new tenant, only to discover grief can trap the living and the dead alike.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

This week's new short story is "Notch: The Lost Years" by Patricia Caspers. Part Magical Realism, part Queer Coming-of-Age, and totally unexpected. Edits and artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/notch-the-lo...

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Notch: The Lost Years

She spent thirty years learning to trust the part of herself she couldn’t explain to anyone.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

A god of cold is dragged from extinction to retrieve a stolen child. He has no idea what the child is capable of. "Cold Genius" is a new fantasy short story by Daria Agad that expands the King Arthur aria. Edited by Natalia Emmons and Jon Negroni. Artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social

ceteramagazine.com

A god of cold is dragged from extinction to retrieve a doomed child.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Special thanks to our editors Natalia Emmons and Jon Negroni (@jonnegroni.bsky.social). Artwork for the issue is by Jon Negroni.

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Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Our poets: Colin Punt @colinbikesbooks.bsky.social Micke Van Zyl Linlang Zhao Kenneth Pobo @djpoet.bsky.social Benjamin Macnair MF Charles Harper Obstfeld Ro Novak Erin Jamieson Paul Hostovsky

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Our first poetry issue is officially live and free to download. "The Things That Survive Us "collects 11 poems from 10 poets, each one documenting a different aspect of afterlife in real life. www.ceteramagazine.com/cetera-poetr...

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Cetera Poetry #1 – The Things That Survive Us

Every poem in this issue arrives carrying its own weather. Some carry the hush of a kitchen after midnight, or the shape of a shoreline where the water keeps its counsel. Some move through childhood t...

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Kasey Soska @kcsoska.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Thrilled to share my dark fiction story, The Big Black Square, which was published today in @ceteramagazine.bsky.social. A woman returns to her hometown, where an unusual building has been constructed. No one will tell her a thing about it. Peep the incredible artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

A woman returns home to a town reshaped by a black cube that promises happiness and delivers something else. Read or listen to "The Big Black Square," a new short story by Kasey Soska for free. Edited by Natalia Emmons. Artwork by @jonnegroni.bsky.social www.ceteramagazine.com/the-big-blac...

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The Big Black Square

In every reflection, I saw a happier version of myself—and I finally understood why.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Find more of LeRoy's work here: ejleroy.weebly.com

ejleroy.weebly.com

Site last updated: January 21, 2026

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Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

A vampire on his death bed meets a young girl who tests both his patience and his religion. Read or listen to "Starving for Salvation" by E.J. LeRoy for free. Edited by Natalia Emmons. Artwork by Jon Negroni. www.ceteramagazine.com/starving-for...

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Starving for Salvation

“Yes, child,” Matty said, forcing himself to open his eyes again, “I am a vampire.”

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Jon Negroni @jonnegroni.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

my newest short story is called "Second Run" and I do hope you read it because it centers around a dollar theater

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

A woman in her 30s leaves her corporate job to go work at her hometown movie theater, and she can't seem to figure out why. "Second Run" is a new literary short story by @jonnegroni.bsky.social and is free to read now. Art by Jon Negroni. Edited by Natalia Emmons. www.ceteramagazine.com/second-run/

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“I’m fine,” I told everyone. It was easier than saying anything else.

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Jon Negroni @jonnegroni.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

If you have a poem that fits this themed call, we want to read it! We're putting together our first digital issue of the magazine and have four poems already in the wings. I'm already starting illustration for the artwork, it's gonna be a good time.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

We're now accepting poetry submissions for our inaugural digital issue, which will be centered around the theme: "The Things That Survive Us." Check out our submission guidelines for more info: www.ceteramagazine.com/submit-to-ce...

ceteramagazine.com

We're always looking for fresh voices and untold stories.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

We're approaching the anniversary of our first published short story for the magazine. Check out "To Feel Like a Person Again" (with audio version included) written by @jonnegroni.bsky.social and edited by Natalia Emmons: www.ceteramagazine.com/to-feel-like...

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To Feel Like a Person Again

A haunting tale of love, loss, and the hopeless desire to do it all over again.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

A former mercenary struggles to lead a rag-tag team of soldiers across a colonized planet that is desperate to kill them. We're thrilled to share our first sci-fi short story by author C. Inanen, now available to read or listen to below! www.ceteramagazine.com/hanh-tinh-th...

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Hành Tinh Thu Doesn’t Welcome You

Some planets tell you when you're not welcome.

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Jon Negroni @jonnegroni.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

My short story "The Empathy Gig" is the 40th story/poem to be published on @ceteramagazine.bsky.social! This is a speculative romance about a world where dating apps have been replaced with "heart drones" that manipulate people's emotions while they're on dates. It's weird I guess!

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The Empathy Gig

She’s paid to nudge couples closer. This time, the feelings nudge back.

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Jon Negroni @jonnegroni.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

i wrote a gentrification horror story where a broke copywriter invents fake families for a redevelopment company and then watches them become real. definitely not based on a true story, for sure! it's called LITTLE GOOD PEOPLE and hey look at that you can read it for free!

ceteramagazine.com

Little Good People

She was paid to invent the perfect neighbors. Now she can't prove who's real.

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Jon Negroni @jonnegroni.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

The Caller Isn't Human #inktober #art #procreate

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

#ShortStory #BodyHorror #SpeculativeFiction #FreeToRead

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Jon Negroni @jonnegroni.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

wrote a body horror story for @ceteramagazine.bsky.social about what happens when you can literally sell your feelings to strangers "A disgraced influencer sells her emotions as consumable flavors. But the technology under her tongue has plans of its own." It's weird! Enjoy!

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The Petals Beneath Her Tongue

A disgraced influencer sells her emotions as consumable flavors. But the technology under her tongue has plans of its own.

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Stina Spirit Leicht @stinaleicht.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

holy crap. apparently ireland passed a living wage for artists. this is something every country should have—particularly in the states.

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Jon Negroni @jonnegroni.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

It's horror month at Cetera Magazine, so this week I'm publishing a short story I've been dreading to share for deeply personal reasons. But I'm so glad it's finally out! Here's "Housekeeping for the Dead" (with an audio version where partway through I start crying!) @ceteramagazine.bsky.social

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Housekeeping for the Dead

Seven rooms. Seven deaths. I have to clean up all of them.

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Jon Negroni @jonnegroni.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Horror month at @ceteramagazine.bsky.social continues with a bonus short story just for our members! "The Ghost Census" follows a nonbinary necromancer named Kye who is tasked with counting the votes for if humanity gets to continue another century. And the ones placing the votes are the dead...

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The Ghost Census

Every hundred years, the dead cast their votes. And the living wait to see if they still deserve tomorrow.

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

artwork for Thursday's story and it's an emotional one

Cetera Magazine @ceteramagazine.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

perfect way to kick off our horror month.

The trees hated me. Or maybe it was the wind. Or the frost in the air that tried to mimic the texture of my grandmother’s breath when she used to say my name in the dark—Irenka, a name I shed like old skin when I left Greyport, Mass behind. When I stopped being hers. When I let my throat fill with Cambridge vowels and university syllables. But the trees were watching me now, bending low and splitting open their own bark. I should not have come back.