The five stories discussed this time around all deal with the idea of being seen, whose stories get told and how, and who has access to resources and power.

These five stories all deal with the monstrous in one way or another, but like the best monster stories, they’re also about far more than that–exploring love, grief, insecurity, hope, and the human condition.

Welcome to the first Words for Thought of the new year! It feels like an appropriate month to discuss stories about the power of belief and hope for the future. Even though the road to better things can sometimes be a dark one, hope is one of humanity’s defining characteristics—the ability to look ahead and believe in a future that is fundamentally different and more positive than now.

Words for Thought Short Fiction Review November 2022

Welcome to another Words for Thought! As we head into cooler weather, it seems like the perfect moment for a little reflection. These five stories examine the notion of self: the true self, the hidden self, alternative selves, and what the idea of self even means. Sometimes these reflections are melancholy, but they are hopeful too, and they all contain questions worth asking. Who am I? Who might I be? Happy reading!