imaginarybeasts is a free webzine which publishes short stories and art; each 'book' centers around a theme; blah blah I think you all already know this. The second book is out, and the theme was 'Love Stories'! (And actually, I have a whole post waiting to be written, once I sort out my thoughts, about how I tried to come up with something to submit but I am apparently incapable of writing anything that would qualify as a love story.) If you would like to participate, the next theme will be cyberpunk, and you can sign up on the community (the post is locked to members).
I actually recommend that you read the whole zine this time, because I seemed to go through it very quickly. Maybe the stories tended shorter than normal? I don't know, but I do think it's worth it. Regardless, my particular favorites:
The Bridge and the Abyss by
aefallen. Not quite a love story in the usual sense of the term, but I loved the narrator's voice. Also, anything set in historical Venice during the carnival is automatically awesome.
Flight of the Bumblebee by
startredder. I'm not generally a fan of the "I'm going to stalk you until you realize you really love me" genre, but this one was funny and sweet, and with such interesting characters that I liked it anyway.
Sacrifice by
yachiru. This one reminded me of a Greek myth. I felt a little iffy about the beginning, but oh, that ending totally makes up for anything.
Love Like Ink by
kittu9. If you read only one, it HAS to be this one. The language is gorgeous, the concept is genius: a woman with a library for a lover! Oh my god! I love this story
so much.
Elevator Music by
seraphitus. Gorgeous descriptions of modern London in the rain, and I think if I knew anything at all about music I would have liked this even more.
Pygmalion by
tarigwaemir. A gender-switched retelling of the Pygmalion myth set in Regency London; these characters broke my heart.
The Fish and The Bird by
inshore. A piece of art instead of a story, but
oh this is so very pretty. I wish I could draw like that.
You can read all the stories and see all the art
here.
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