HIRAETH PUBLISHING’S
OCTOBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
Ou allez-vous, conteurs et conteuses?
If there is a trend uniquely disturbing to writers and purveyors of the printed word, it’s the decline of reading in this country. This decline affects our very lifeblood, whether we tell stories or sell them. It even has an effect on non-fiction—textbooks, newspapers, online editorial essays, specific reading such as Aristotle, Buchwald, Toynbee, Sowell, and suchlike. If reading should fail, our stories and ideas and concepts will not be told. Perhaps after death…after all, Van Gogh never sold a painting in his life, but try to buy “Sunflowers” now.
Most of us, however, are not Van Gogh, and only a few of us are marginally even a simple Gogh. The rest of us…try. But there are good stories out there. “The Women” by Kristin Harrah is a j’accuse against the Johnson and Nixon presidencies for continually sending more and more men (yeah, and nurses, which is what the novel is about) into what was essentially a meat-grinder. Too many graves at Arlington hold hamburger, thanks to those two presidents. And there’s Ward Just, Kurt Vonnegut, CJ Cherryh…yeah, I could make a list, and so could you. But could our children, our grandchildren?
We know—or should be aware of—the statistics on reading and math at grade level. It’s not that high school sophomores are reading “See Spot Run. Run, Spot, Run.” But sometimes ya gotta wonder how close that is to some of their reading levels. So if your livelihood depends on the ability of people to read with comprehension and to do math even as simple as balancing a checkbook or checking account, you may be in trouble.
There are some positive trends—charter schools, programs for the gifted (soon to be deleted in New York City, btw), library activities, school choice, and so on. Let’s hope they’re not too little and too late.
In the meantime…when was the last time any of you parents attended a school board meeting and spoke your mind? Just sayin’.
THIS IS A NEWSLETTER, SO NOW WE MUST RETURN TO OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING…
MAJOR CHANGE IN PRICES FOR THE MARTIAN WAVE AND THE FIFTH DI…
We discontinued both publications this past year—it was time, after two decades. Now we’d like to clear some back stock. As of now, copies of print editions are $3.00 each, and digital copies are $1.99 each. Just go to the Shop and do a search for The Martian Wave and/or The Fifth Di. If you haven’t already read the stories, they’re still good, right? So don’t let the publication dates get in your way. Order two or three different issues; after all, you only pay postage for one.
Here's the Shop link (shop early, shop often; the Holiday season is just around the bend. www.hiraethsffh.com/shop
New guidelines for Shelter of Daylight are posted at: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/shelter-of-daylight
The new submissions address is shelterdaylight@yahoo.com
New guidelines for Cosmic Crime Stories are posted at: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/cosmic-crime-stories-guidelines
The new submissions address is cosmiccrimestories@yahoo.com
JUPITER’S EYE
Jupiter’s Eye is a digest of science fiction and fantasy and (very few) darker short stories, poems, and art. It is published in April, August, and December. In general, there will be three stories, three poems, three illustrations, and one article in each issue, so competition will be intense. Editors are the Hiraeth Staff. We look forward to seeing your work. Guidelines are posted here: www.hiraethsffh.com/jupiter-s-eye-guidelines
ELDER THINGS EXPEDITIONS: See New Releases below.
DRABBLE CONTEST: Drabble Harvest #14 will be published later this month.
NEW DRABBLE CONTEST IS NOW OPEN
The theme is Alien Guide Book for Visitors. Guidelines are here. READ AND HEED THEM! PLEASE!
FLASH DIGEST OCTOBER 2025 …will be released later this month.
WE ARE STILL OPEN TO SUBMISSIONS FOR MEDITATIONS: a Minimalist Poetry Anthology for Christians. We are looking for haiku and tanka written in the spirit of Christian love and peace. It is imperative that contributors read the guidelines.
Guidelines are posted and may be read here: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/meditations
DIGITAL STORE REMINDER
We have two digital stores, one for PDFs, the other for ePubs. This is the link to our digital store: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/digital-store Come check out our titles! We add more each month! And we are not nearly as expensive as that place run by Bezos.
COLOR INTERIOR ART
Printing in color can be prohibitively expensive. However, the current issues of Drabble Harvest #13 and the Summer (July) Illumen both feature color interiors. You’re invited to check them out. We expect to continue this process with Drabble Harvest, Illumen, and a few other publications, such as Flash Digest.
SCIFAIKUEST AUGUST 2025 ONLINE EDITION
Edited by t.santitoro
This edition is available on our site. It is not the same as the print edition. Come read and enjoy! Here’s the link: https://www.hiraethsffh.com/scifaikuest-online
STORE SALES:
Next up, and at the risk of being somewhat repetitive, because we want our storytellers and poets to be read, and our artists to be seen:
THERE’S A SALE GOING ON!!!
IT’S STILL GOING ON!!!
BUY ALL THE BOOKS YOU WANT AND
USE THIS 20% DISCOUNT CODE:
BOOKS2025
THIS DISCOUNT CAN BE USED AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WISH, SO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!
GO TO OUR SHOP AT WWW.HIRAETHSFFH.COM
NO MASKS, NO WAITING, AND WE NEVER CLOSE!
LASTLY, BOOKS MAKE GREAT HOLIDAY AND BIRTHDAY PRESENTS…
NEW RELEASES: WHAT’S NEW?
ELDER THINGS EXPEDITIONS
The latest in a series of Lovecraftian anthologies, in this volume, we put aside the history of the Southern Lands and look into its legends and stories as related by H. P. Lovecraft and others over the last 100 years. Whether the accounts herein contained are actual true recollections is a matter of debate. There have been multiple oceanic ventures that ended in tragedy unexplained. The volume is broken into three parts: Past, Present, and Future. The Past and Present accounts may or may not be true. It is difficult to verify, as few of the principals survived. As for the Future, well, that's something else. We'll let you decide.
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Stories
Gauss Expedition Artifact 384 – Leatherbound Logbook (Damaged) by J. Edward Tremlett
The Final Voyage of the Good Ship Goshawk, or The Lure of Greed by Ian Ableson
The Grimm by Jason Cordova
Errant Voyage by Herika R. Raymer
Horror Under the Roof of the World by Ross Killey
Sentient Echoes by Frances Meredith
The Cold Ones by Richard Cartwright
Heartbeat of the Heavens by S. A. Lewis
Inside Madness by Mia Dalia
Trail of Tears A Vignette by Matthew Anthony Allair
It’s Warm Down Here by John Morey
Thawed by Olin Wish
The Lost City of Elders by R. Kyle-Hannah
The Confrontation by Richard Cartwright
Which Can Eternal Lie by Mike Adamson
Alone in Its Vastness by Lee Clark Zumpe
Ruins of the Elders by R. Kyle-Hannah
The Closing by Richard Cartwright
The Cruel Empire by Sal Ciano & Peter Rawlik
Illustrations
Illo by Richard E. Schell
Antarctic Explorer by Was diese
About the Creators
PRINT: ELDER THINGS EXPEDITIONS | Hiraeth Publishing
PDF: ELDER THINGS EXPEDITIONS | Hiraeth Publishing
EPUB: ELDER THINGS EXPEDITIONS | Hiraeth Publishing
L'ARTÉFACT MALÉFIQUE BY HERIKA R. RAYMER
Etienne Laurent is a Locater, he finds cursed objects for a client known only as 'The Collector'. He locates them, secures them, and ensures they are delivered to her museum of cursed objects. Each target presents its own challenges and dangers. Join the Locator as he travels the States in pursuit of the next 'l'objet malefique'.
PRINT: L'ARTEFACT MALEFIQUE by Herika R. Raymer | Hiraeth Publishing
PDF: L'ARTEFACT MALEFIQUE | Hiraeth Publishing
EPUB: L'ARTEFACT MALEFIQUE | Hiraeth Publishing
THE REBELLION BY CELINE ROSE MARIOTTI
For juveniles, young adults, and experienced readers:
Ginger Thompson, a precocious little girl who fights for her rights, is constantly battling with her teacher, Sister Agatha. Together with her grandfather and her Dad’s Robot, she started their own school. Her friends became students there, which did not sit well with Sister Agatha. Ginger and the Robot then befriend two aliens from Neptune, who also become students at the new school. Finally Sister Agatha takes Ginger to court, where the rebellion is at last resolved…but what will happen to Ginger’s new school?
PRINT: REBELLION by Celine Rose Mariotti | Hiraeth Publishing
PDF: REBELLION by Celine Rose Mariotti | Hiraeth Publishing
EPUB: REBELLION by Celine Rose Mariotti | Hiraeth Publishing
IN THE HANDS OF MORPHEUS BY SHAWN VIMISLICKY
Dark and fantastic poetry that will take you beyond the magic and the Gothic and into worlds where you have to negotiate your way through the darkness. So hold up those lighters, turn the pages, and find your way to the dreams of Morpheus. But will you find your way out?
PRINT: IN THE HANDS OF MORPHEUS by Shawn Vimislicky | Hiraeth Publishing
PDF: IN THE HANDS OF MORPHEUS by ShawnVimislicky | Hiraeth Publishing
EPUB: IN THE HANDS OF MORPHEUS by ShawnVimislicky | Hiraeth Publishing
ILLUMEN AUTUMN 2025
23RD ANNIVERSARY ISSUE!
Illumen is a quarterly digest of science fiction and fantasy poetry, including traditional as well as minimalist forms such as haiku, haibun, empat perkataan, cinquains, and others, as well as more traditional formats for poetry, such as rhyming and free verse and experimental.
23rd Anniversary Issue!
In This Issue:
Alan Ira Gordon
Svetlana Rostova
Elena Lucia Perez
Sandy DeLuca
Richard E. Schell
And many more!
Cover art “Moon Maid” by Richard E. Schell
PRINT: ILLUMEN Autumn 2025 | Hiraeth Publishing
PDF: ILLUMEN Autumn 2025 | Hiraeth Publishing
EPUB: ILLUMEN Autumn 2025 | Hiraeth Publishing
SPACEPORTS & SPIDERSILK OCTOBER 2025
Spaceports & Spidersilk features science fiction and fantasy for ages 9 to 99. It presents adventures on other planets and in imaginary worlds. Inside these pages you’ll find visitors from other worlds, dragons, magic, and strange friends.
Stories
The Multidimensionality of Bakkie Venster by Aryan Kaganof
Master Alfie’s Shop of Weird and Wacky Things by Bernadette Harris
Progression by Norma Jean Lipert
Lexie and the Jacks by Denise Richardson
The Black Water Adventure by J. S. Apsley
Mysterious Uncle Augustine by Wendy Adams
Poetry
Halloween Nights by Nico Martinez Nocito
My House on Mars by Lisa Timpf
The Frost Giant by Brian Rosenberger
To Look Human by Lauren McBride
A Fantastical Alphabet by Erica Chester
Moms in Space by Debbie Feo
Good Morning! by Jono Mischkot
Illustrations
Fatted Squash by Vonnie Winslow Crist
One Easter by Vonnie Winslow Crist
PRINT: SPACEPORTS & SPIDERSILK October 2025 | Hiraeth Publishing
PDF: SPACEPORTS & SPIDERSILK October 2025 | Hiraeth Publishing
EPUB: SPACEPORTS & SPIDERSILK October 2025 | Hiraeth Publishing
ICYMI:
PARABNORMAL MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2025
Stories
Scattered Messages by R. C. Capasso
Remote Viewing Hit by Cynthia Gallaher
Snatched Ghosts by Laura Nettles
Encounter at Nub Knoll by Bill M. Tracer
L’Anse Aux Mort by Stephen Gousie
Ma No Umi by Jess Simms
The Beech Grove Cemetery by Dave Hangman
Not Your Average Haunting by Rianna Martorano
Welcome to Miss Blue’s by K. E. Redmond
Poems
Old Ghost by AA Alhaji
Jack the Ripper by G. O. Clark
Madhouse by Alan Hardy
The Waiting Shadow by Koror Kipkorir Emmanuel
Articles
Hugo Haas’s Bait: A Bedeviled Man’s Search for the Devil by Denise Noe
Exploring the occult, magic, and mysticism with Lettice Galbraith… by Sonali Roy
In Your Dreams by Palmer Fitzgerald
Treating the eerie atmosphere and the supernatural elements in The Ghost Pirates by William Hope Hodgson by Sonali Roy
Illustrations
Walking Nightmare by Warren Muzak
Ascension by Warren Muzak
Nature’s Demon by Sonali Roy
United and Reunited by Sonali Roy
Ordering links:
PRINT: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/parabnormal-magazine-september-2025
PDF: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/parabnormal-magazine-september-2025-1
EPUB: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/parabnormal-magazine-september-2025-2
COSMIC CRIME STORIES SEPTEMBER 2025
Crimes of some form will be with us as long as there are laws to break. Technology helps solve those crimes. But those solutions will always be found by the ones who get down and dirty—the detectives. Come see what the future holds for the dark side of law & order.
Novelettes
Nudger by David Castlewitz
Short Stories
Unkilling by Stephen Kramer Avitabile
Checkers by Barbara Candiotti
Flash Fiction
You Heard What You Wanted to Hear by Tyree Campbell
The Evil That Men Do… by Tyree Campbell
Illustrations
Skull Collector by Sandy DeLuca
Ordering Links:
PRINT: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/cosmic-crime-stories-september-2025
PDF: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/cosmic-crime-stories-september-2025-1
EPUB: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/cosmic-crime-stories-september-2025-2
SHELTER OF DAYLIGHT SEPTEMBER 2025
Shelter of Daylight features uplifting stories and poems in the genres of science fiction and fantasy. Although some may start out down, they all finish in the sunlight at the end.
Features
Dune Reviewed by Lee Clark Zumpe
Short Stories
Chavon the Apostate by Jay Litwicki
Ordained by Enchantment by Lee Clark Zumpe
Door of Opportunity by Tom Howard
Poetry
Pumpkin Revisited by Sharmon Gazaway
If It’s Not Too Late by Richard E. Schell
The Distended Lawn by Ray Greenblatt
Black Hole by David Stephenson
Illustrations
The Dragon’s World by Sonali Roy
In the Morning by Sandy DeLuca
Ordering links:
PRINT: SHELTER OF DAYLIGHT September 2025 | Hiraeth Publishing
PDF: SHELTER OF DAYLIGHT September 2025 | Hiraeth Publishing
EPUB: SHELTER OF DAYLIGHT September 2025 | Hiraeth Publishing
THE EDIBLE ZOO BY DAVID C. KOPASKA-MERKEL
The Edible Zoo features poetry for younger readers about combinations of animals and other food. For example, a horse-radish sandwich; a hot dog; a wood-chuck. These and other animals are presented in amusing recipes designed to make children (yes, and adults) laugh. Just wait till you find out what happens to lions and rhinos and bears, oh my! With color illustrations by Valerie Bodell.
Ordering links:
PRINT: EDIBLE ZOO by David C. Kopaska-Merkel | Hiraeth Publishing
PDF; EDIBLE ZOO by David C. Kopaska-Merkel | Hiraeth Publishing
EPUB: EDIBLE ZOO by David C. Kopaska-Merkel | Hiraeth Publishing
THE END OF INNOCENCE
A Yoelin Thibbony Rescue
Swept up in the interstellar slave trade, Yoelin Thibbony decides to go after the hierarchs involved as well as rescue as many children as she can who have been captured and put to forced labor. Along the way, she moves step by step closer to the hierarch at the top of the trafficking chain. Her suspicions grow after she opens a camp to put slavers themselves to work, for what she learns through interrogations sickens her. But now she has to know for sure who is at the top, even though the knowledge could well ruin her life forever.
PRINT: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/the-end-of-innocence-by-tyree-campbell
PDF: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/the-end-of-innocence-by-tyree-campbell-1
EPUB: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/the-end-of-innocence-by-tyree-campbell-2
POSTSCRIPTS FROM SPACE by TERRIE LEIGH RELF
Terrie Leigh Relf loves sending and receiving postcards from the four corners of the universe—and beyond! Postcards tell a story. They are mementos from friends and family—and from total strangers—and provide a glimpse into life’s journeys, observations, and adventures.
Sometimes an additional message is needed. Thus: Postscripts From Space.
PS. Here are some added notes on postcards from space, found aboard a derelict craft that crashed on an arid, lifeless world. The OSPS (Outer Space Postal Service) has delivered these messages to Terrie, who now presents them to you. This is what it is like out there.
PRINT: POSTSCRIPTS FROM SPACE by Terrie Leigh Relf | Hiraeth Publishing
PDF: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/postscripts-from-space-by-terrie-leigh-relf-1
EPUB: www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/postscripts-from-space-by-terrie-leigh-relf-2
Without further ado, then: browse, read, buy, enjoy. If you have any questions or comments, send them to us at hiraethsubs at yahoo dot com. See you in November!
Tyree Campbell
Storyteller and Managing Editor
October 2025