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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 20h

Her son carefully lifted his ochre-stained hand from the cave wall and studied the outline. "That's me. My hand." He looked at the other hands. "Do you know all?" "Some are older than me." "That old?" "Hush you," she laughed. "We don't make these to be seen tomorrow, but because today, we live."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 24/09/2026

Dr. Dastard pressed the button. Nothing happened. "I cut the wires," Captain Clever said, "you won't rain death and destruction on the world today." "What? My rockets were going to fetch ice asteroids to crash them into the moon." "Why?" "To make an ocean, to let the moon experience tides too."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 22/09/2026

A spaceship landed in the park. A door dilated. An alien emerged with a chair, which they sat down on, backwards. "Look," they said, "we're not here, okay? You know why nobody contacts you? Because the write-up would be such a pain." They sighed. "Get your shit together, okay? We know you can."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 22/09/2026

** I have a (reprinted) story in "Unnamed Worlds 4: Pirates" which is freely available in an anthology of issues 1-4. Unnamed Worlds is a "minimal rules" magazine filled with inspiration for role-playing games. wightbred.itch.io/unnamedworlds **

wightbred.itch.io

Unnamed Worlds 1-4 by Wightbred

Custom worlds and techniques for tabletop roleplaying

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 21/09/2026

When a wizard dies, their spells unravel. But the pattern lingers a while. When Fitzglob died, other wizards swarmed his tower, trying to find his time-stopper room, which you exited as soon as you entered, no matter how long you spent inside. "Here! This room!" "Why?" "It has a reading chair!"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 17/09/2026

I died. I expected that. What I did not expect was to be greeted by a friendly librarian holding a large book. "Hello," they said. "I'm here to answer your questions." "Uh... What is the One Piece?" They checked the index of the book and opened it. "Do you want to read, or should I summarise?"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 16/09/2026

The entity drifted dreamlessly through space, as it had for aeons. It woke when it neared a star. Scanned for planets, life, signs of technology. Having found all, it analyzed and decoded radio emissions, then composed a message to send. "My hovercraft is full of feels." It resumed dormancy.

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 12/09/2026

Before the annual bonfire was lit, the witch checked it. Five fieldmice and one hedgehog were gently evacuated. Then there were the toxic things. Someone's hatred. Another's regrets. And pain. It was good they were discarded, but if you breathed the smoke... She drew them out, for safe disposal.

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 09/09/2026

"Here," the witch said. She gave her girlfriend a small pearl. "I made it for you." "What is it?" "A small blessing. It can make a small change to you. Just think of what you want and swallow it." "Could it give me wings?" "That's too big." Her girlfriend swallowed the pearl, and began to purr.

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 08/09/2026

"Come out and fight!" the knight called. "Very well," the dragon replied. "As the challenged party, I get to choose weapons. I choose pistols." "What? I have a lance and horse!" "I don't. Here is a matched set, pick one." "Those are cannons!" "Tomayto tomahto. Pick, or forfeit the challenge."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 06/09/2026

** This is your semiregular reminder that you can support me on: Patreon - www.patreon.com/MicroSFF Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/microsff (Supporters get one or two annotated monthly collections.) Or just keep sharing my stories, I really appreciate that too! **

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Get more from O. Westin on Patreon

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 06/09/2026

Another master came to see the swordmaster. "Let me watch you teach." He watched a lesson, then asked: "Where do they get their swords?" "Some have their own, others borrow a school sword, like this." "This is an exceptional sword!" "If you have a bad sword, you learn to fight it, not use it."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 04/09/2026

Opinion polls said hey were going to lose, unless someone had a genius idea. "You know the water company that put 'sugar free' on their label?" "All water is-" "But only one said so, implying..." "Genius!" "Who," said their candidate after losing, "put 'I do not eat human meat' on my posters?"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 02/09/2026

As I was crossing the river, a person ahead climbed the railing and jumped off the bridge. "Chat!" I said. "Why did they do that?" "People often jump off bridges because their friends do," Chat said. "Was that person your friend?" "I don't..." "You said you wanted friends." I threw the phone.

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Los Angeles Worldcon @laworldcon.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

You can follow all the finalists (or at least all the ones who have Bsky accounts) for the 2026 Hugo Awards right here with this starter pack. go.bsky.app/mR4XaC

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 01/09/2026

The first wave of teleporter pads were installed in places lots of people were already going to. The second wave were installed where previously only a few had been able to go. The third wave came with a guarantee you'd be the only one there. They're expensive, but the silence is priceless.

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 31/08/2026

** Many congratulations to all the winners - well deserved for some excellent work! **

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 28/08/2026

"What are the peasants' demands?" the king asked. "Fair taxes, stronger rights, fewer privileges for nobles." "Bollocks! Send knights out to disperse them." "They have dragons, sire." "What?" "The dragons claim a more equal society is more stable and prosperous." "They hoard countries now?"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 26/08/2026

The sage on the mountain greeted the visitor. "I have been to the witch in the forest," the visitor said, "and the swordmaster in the city., and asked their advice." "Concerning what?" "How to live a good life. Now I ask you." "Be kind. Be yourself. Keep learning." "That's what they said, too."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 25/08/2026

The smith tapped the sign hanging over the display table: "You bleed on it, you buy it" "Don't worry, I know how to- Oh! I didn't even notice!" The smith bandaged the customer's hand. "It's tasted you now, it knows it's yours." The customer paid for the knife. "Is it magic?" "Craft."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 24/08/2026

The first question the professor posed to her new invention, the consequenceometer, was: "If I can learn the consequences of decisions before deciding, will I be more decisive?" "No," the device said, "you will probe the consequences in ever greater depth, indecisive." She never used it again.

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 23/08/2026

The label said 'time machine'. "Does it work?" "Bah," professor Contretemps said. "It sends a message into the future, where it is reflected back, and receives it instantly." "Wow!" "Useless. You just see what you write." "Does the sender and receiver have to be in the same place?" "No. Why?"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 22/08/2026

"To prove you are a hero, you must slay a dragon." "They're all dead." "Well, then you must slay a dragonslayer." "They're also all dead." "Dragonslayerslayers?" "There's one left." "Great! Then-" "He's ninetyseven years old. Listen, I just want to help people." "I guess that'll have to do."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 21/08/2026

People, young and old, came to the witch for directions. "I seek adventure." "I seek wisdom." "I need a place to feel at home." "I feel like I need to cry, but I can't." The witch listened, and told all where to find what they sought. And the local library thrived. #CrossRepost

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 20/08/2026

Captain Clever tore Dr. Dastard's door open. He held a press release. "Is this true?" "Yes. I'm donating my fortune to things governments won't fund, like women's shelters and trans support." "Why?" "People call me a tech billionaire. Feh! I'm a villain, not a villainaire! And stop hugging me!"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 20/08/2026

"What's your body count?" the emperor said. The assassin almost choked on his tea. "Pardon?" "How many people have you killed?" "Also a personal question." "Either way, I'm sure mine is higher." "So?" "I'm sorry." "You don't say for what." The assassin stood. "But I'll let you live. Again."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 19/08/2026

The fairy presented the contract. "As discussed, you will get inner peace for the rest of your natural life, in exchange for your firstborn." "Correction," the boy said. "My father will get inner peace, in exchange for me, his firstborn." "Ah! You have siblings?" "And a mother." "Very well."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 18/08/2026

"Yoink!" the dragon said. "That's mine now." I took a breath to protest but was distracted by being able to take a breath. I took a few more, without a coughing fit. "You healed me?" "Pff. Why would I do that? I stole your cough for my hoard." "You hoard illnesses? I can help you find more!"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 13/08/2026

"I'm sure you know this," the swordmaster said, "but to be a good teacher, you must be a good listener." "Mm-hm," said the witch. "And if you are a good listener, people will talk to you." "Not all." "No. But those who nobody listens to..." "Yes." "It's... heavy." "You can send some to me."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 12/08/2026

** I'm reminded of this advent tale I wrote, one short tweet per day from 1st to 25th of December 2014. microsff.com/moa-and-the-... **

microsff.com

Moa and the lost sun – Micro SF/F

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 09/08/2026

Belle fell in love. When Beast realised, he raged, which made him realise he, too, had fallen. He could not, and would not, compete. He respected her choice. As the last petal fell from the Rose he sighed. His servant would not become human again, but would forever remain Library.

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 08/08/2026

The young hero, Chosen by Fate to save the world, studied the dragon dubiously. "And in its hoard is the legendary sword Grisntand?" "Yes," his old mentor said. "Which I need to slay the Demon King?" "Well, no. But I thought that since we're questing anyway... The museum would be delighted!"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 07/08/2026

"What did you call it?" one of the biologists said. "Bob," said the boy. "He's my friend." "I doubt 'he' is the-" "Never mind pronouns," the other biologist said. "This a new form of life!" "Nonsense, it's clearly a fungi!" "Actually," Bob said, "I'm a cheese." "And my friend!" "Indeed."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 02/08/2026

"People say it must be great to be so strong and free," said the werewolf, "but they don't trust you." "And wolves have their own packs," the witch said, "and you smell weird to them." "How did you know?" "We are many, us living in the between. All we can do is be ourselves, as well we can."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 01/08/2026

** As it's being discoursed: I do not use any generative AI (ChatGPT, Claude et. al.) at any stage in my writing process. I write because I enjoy writing. I enjoy the challenge of expressing an idea, or character, or setting in such short form and tell a story with them. It's all human made. **

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 30/07/2026

"Huh," said the dragon. "Would you care to explain?" "Yes, I'm not a princess all the time," said the milkmaid. "Only on bright spring days. Once they end, I turn back into me." "How come?" "Oh, I was bitten by a princess." "Again, how come?" "She couldn't help herself," the milkmaid grinned.

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 28/07/2026

... users can be found giggling, crying, or simply staring into the distance saying "Whoah..." We spoke to one, and asked how they feel about warnings that the practice is addictive: "I could stop, but I don't want to." Some experts say if reading was invented today it would be banned at once.

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 28/07/2026

** If you like what I do, you can support me on: Patreon - www.patreon.com/MicroSFF Ko-Fi - ko-fi.com/microsff Supporters get an annotated collection of stories once it twice per month. Or simply keep sharing my stories so they find new readers, that is also super helpful! **

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Get more from O. Westin on Patreon

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 27/07/2026

"What is the deal with knights anyway?" the dragon asked. "What do you see in them?" "I was told," the maiden said, "that they're very fit thanks to all training. And that I should admire men who are good at violence." "Hm. And do you?" "What else is there?" "Hah! I'll let my princess tell you!"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 26/07/2026

The message from the stars began with a sequence of numbers, but the rest took years to decode. Most was context to translate the message: "Those are the winning lottery numbers." The numbers matched the next draw after the message was first received. Now we received another sequence...

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 26/07/2026

A spaceship landed in the park. A door dilated and a distraught alien emerged. "What's happened to the library? It's gone! The one thing your civilization had going-" "They moved to a new building," a passer-by said. "Don't you have ways of finding these things out?" "Yes. I ask at the library."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 25/07/2026

"Excuse me," the man at the bar said, "but I couldn't help overhearing. Are you really saying you refuse to pick one?" "I don't see why I should have to." "It's a core part of one's identity!" "My gender and sexuality-" "Oh!" He looked relieved. "I thought you were talking about football teams."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 23/07/2026

"I'm bored," Zenon said. "Are we there yet?" "I told you," Odysseus growled, "to stop asking that." "Oh yeah? What are you going to do, somehow double the time we have left to go?" "Yes! Every time you ask! Just to spite you!" "Pfff. Are we there yet?"

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 22/07/2026

** To vote in the Hugo Awards, you need to be a member of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS). More info and how to register at the @laworldcon.bsky.social website: www.lacon.org/hugos/ **

lacon.org

The Hugo Awards – LAcon V

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Camestros Felapton @camestrosf.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Fan Writer 26✍️: Gotta Catch ‘Em All Hugo voting closes soon. If you are voting in the Hugos, please vote in the Fan Writer category! Here are the finalists in alphabetical order with links to their profiles: ➻ Jay Brantner (“Tar Vol”): Alex Brown : James Davis Nicoll: Roseanna Pendlebury: Jason…

camestrosfelapton.wordpress.com

Fan Writer 26✍️: Gotta Catch ‘Em All

Hugo voting closes soon. If you are voting in the Hugos, please vote in the Fan Writer category! Here are the finalists in alphabetical order with links to their profiles: ➻ Jay Brantner (“Tar Vol”): Alex Brown : James Davis Nicoll: Roseanna Pendlebury: Jason Sanford: Örjan Westin ("MicroSFF):

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 21/07/2026

** That's me! Many thanks to @camestrosf.bsky.social for his great write-ups of the finalists in this category. (Links to all in a reply to the quoted post.) Check them out, then go and fill out the Best Fan Writer category on your Hugo ballot. You have until 8/8 (8/8 for Americans). **

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 21/07/2026

I noticed a neighbour had set up a little library box in their front yard. I checked the books and saw they were all jumbled up. I had only moved a few when a net fell on me. "Gotcha! Oh..." "What's going on?" I asked. "There's a feral librarian around." "Ah. Catch, tag, feed, release?" "Yup."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 21/07/2026

I was waiting for my robot friend when a spell stranger came up to me. "Hi!" they said. "Um... hi?" "Oh, sorry." My phone pinged with a text from my friend: "Body's in for service, this is a loaner." "Oh!" I said. "Er... Is it nice?" "Can't wait to go back. This is..." "Not you?" "Not me."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 20/07/2026

The sword master nodded. "I see. Well, I'm not one to back down from a challenge. And what type of sword are you most interested in learning to use?" "One of those long ones with the elaborate guard." "A rapier? In human size, or your size?" "Does it matter?" said the dragon. "A bit, yes."

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Micro SF/F by O. Westin @microsff.com · 19/07/2026

** Camestros is doing a series of profiles of the Best Fan Writer finalists for the Hugos (I have updated my bio on my website in anticipation). Well worth checking out, especially if you're voting for the Hugo Awards and haven't already decided how to rank us. **

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