Myr

Something that popped out of the data about our Secret Author Contest in July: Participating in the contest nets some strong engagement for all involved. I'm looking the data and trying to make it more useful and have ways to act on it to improve everyone's experience. This includes exploring fundamental changes to the layout and look of the site as we go into the future. A snapshot of the test server with some mockups of possible new front page designs for the site: Mobile screen view:

Most likely replacing though, with the changes coming with the forum software upgrades, it might not be apples to apples comparison. And yes, it would be tied to preferences. This will always be available. It is the default update feed for the site and shall be in the future. There isn't any AI in our software, and I don't see that in the near future either. The software will just use data points you provide. It might do new things with that data. I used a feed as an example. But maybe if you don't visit the site for a couple weeks, you'll get an email (if you allow those), that says, "Hey, we see you haven't visited in a while. Here are 5 of the newest stories in your favorite genre you can check out" OMG... someone gets it! Yay! I've explained that a few times over the years when people complained about high views on their story and low views on the chapter. yes, preferences will be tied to this stuff for the most part. You could also set your favorite genres to "none"

As you signed on to the site today, you were asked to fill in your favorite genre, second favorite genre, and third favorite genre. For a certain age group, you were no doubt cursing at the surprise. Sorry about that. Everyone else is probably wondering why. Every Saturday morning, I collect our stats on active members, Premium Subscribers, etc. As we get ready to move to the new forum software, I am working to set up our data collection and usage to better serve our members. In marketing terms, we are segmenting. Yesterday, I ran 2 years of visitor data (no personal information, just numbers) through AI to analyze whether any trends existed. There was a lot of interesting stuff in there. Like the Secret Author contest event last summer, drove significant traffic and engagement. We also saw significant movement in the Fall anthology. It also recommended several steps we can take to better understand our traffic. I updated the code to better understand our traffic and added more details from you, as members. In this case, your stated genre preferences. I will now get this as part of the weekly report that shows me people's weighted genre preference. What are we doing with it? Nothing right now. We are just starting to collect the data. What will we do with it? We'll use it as part of what they call content discovery. For example, if you like Westerns, you might get a sidebar that has the newest Westerns on it. While someone else might get Historicals. The purpose would be to make it easier to find things you like. We can also use it promote certain things. Like, hey, there are a bunch of people that love Sci-Fi, writers, here's an untapped audience. I will emphasize that no personal information is involved. We're just trying to understand what people like and provide more of it more easily.

Back again for another Anthology Flashback. In honor of the upcoming Poetry Anthology 2026: Choices, we are doing a flashback to 2013: Whispers in the Dark Poetry Anthology. Let us know if you are going to have an entry for March 30th's 2026 Poetry Anthology: The 2013 Anthology:

Top Read General Fiction Since Deep Dive 8 Top 10 Most Read General Fiction - Coming of Age Follows the personal growth and development of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. "growing up" The Cockney Canuck by Dodger Temporary Hold Gap Year by Mark Arbour Complete A to Z by Parker Owens Complete Adam Blake by CLJobe Complete Paternity by Mark Arbour Complete Into the fields of Summer by gabz2000 Long-Term Hold An English Teen, Circumcised in the USA by Riley Jericho Complete Walls by Carlos Hazday Complete Kept Boy to Made Man by empath Complete Swing for the Fences by LittleBuddhaTW Complete Top 2 Most Read General Fiction - Culinary Fiction Stories centered around food, cooking, or restaurant culture, gaining interest for their unique settings Essence of Life by W_L Complete Cooking Classes by chris191070 Complete Top 1 Most Read General Fiction - Dark Academia Gothic-inspired fiction set in academic institutions, blending intellectualism, murder, and aesthetic dread. Jude by E K Stokes Complete Top 10 Most Read General Fiction - Drama Stories with serious tone Cards on the Table by Headstall Long-Term Hold Dichotomy of Love by Mrsgnomie Complete CDMX by Carlos Hazday Complete Jay's Loelife by Mrsgnomie Complete Endings by Headstall Complete Sidewinder by Headstall Complete Kept Boy to Made Man by empath Complete Stockroom Secrets by Mark Ponyboy Peters Complete Cross Country - Full of Surprises by Roe St. Alee Complete Swing for the Fences by LittleBuddhaTW Complete Top 10 Most Read General Fiction - Experimental Stories that explore new directions and don't fit into an existing genre or several genres. My Best Friend’s Brother Dylan Was Supposed to Be Straight by StoriesByTroy Complete Serenity by Albert1434 Complete The Straight Gym Bro Brad Who Lets Me Crash at His Place by DanXWrites Temporary Hold My Bully Invited Me To His Hotel Room by StoriesByTroy Complete His Girlfriend Doesn’t Know by DanXWrites Temporary Hold His Beautiful Boy by CasualWanderer82 Complete The Neighbor Across the Window by StoriesByTroy Complete My Ex's Brother Drew by DanXWrites Temporary Hold Men Of Honor by CasualWanderer82 Complete My Straight Friend Jake by StoriesByMattVane Temporary Hold Top 10 Most Read General Fiction - Family Drama Focuses on interpersonal relationships within families, exploring themes of love, conflict, and personal growth. The Freshmen by Mark Arbour Complete The Cockney Canuck by Dodger Temporary Hold Gap Year by Mark Arbour Complete Paternity by Mark Arbour Complete Black Widow by Mark Arbour Complete 9.11 by Mark Arbour Complete Not just another Summer by Robert Hugill Complete Learned to Lie by Krista Complete Peace of Amiens by Mark Arbour In Process A Good Place by Mark Ponyboy Peters Complete Top 10 Most Read General Fiction - Prompt Flash fiction and short fiction started from a story prompt Friends First by Renee Stevens Complete Timothy’s Terrible Prompt Stories by Timothy M. Long-Term Hold Noah's New Plan by Rob Colton Complete Manny Needs a Nanny by Lee Wilson Complete The Boy on the Porch by Lee Wilson Complete Only Prompts by Mikiesboy Temporary Hold Promptings from Valhalla by Valkyrie Complete The Last Boys in Clinton by Lee Wilson Complete C Shorts by C. When Long-Term Hold A prompt a week by comicfan Long-Term Hold Top 10 Most Read General Fiction - Rich Boy A very common early gay fiction trope of gay boy from a rich family does his thing. Common conflict is the lose everything because you're gay. Opposite trope of , can do it because you are rich. The Freshmen by Mark Arbour Complete Gap Year by Mark Arbour Complete Paternity by Mark Arbour Complete Black Widow by Mark Arbour Complete 9.11 by Mark Arbour Complete Mickey by Connectwriter Complete Flux by Mark Arbour Complete Boss Nanny by Mrsgnomie Complete Streak by Mark Arbour Complete The Brilliant Boy Billionaire by Altimexis Complete

The ship rolled to port as the pilot carefully checked the controls. The passenger, sitting where the copilot would usually sit, didn’t turn green inside his space suit. The pilot considered this a good thing, as it had happened with his last guest. Unfortunately for the pilot, this guest was considered so vital that he was given orders from the very top of the chain of command. It wasn’t something he wanted to dwell on at all. “Ship is 5 by 5, over,” he said, keying the mic.

Most of the stuff in the flash collection ties to this world.

The ship was rocked so violently by the impact that sixteen-year-old Valin Sturgis was thrown out of his bunk and across the room. The display lights all blinked out at once, leaving the room in complete darkness. A few moments later, the emergency lighting kicked in, leaving the room bathed in bright red light. The boy stared blinking at the ceiling in confusion. He sat up quickly when he heard the computer's voice. "Emergency lighting is now activated. Hull breach in the adjace

Top Read Fantasy Stories Since Deep Dive 8 Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Alternate History Story takes place in alternate version of history, such as what if the Nazi's won "The Man in the High Castle" by Phillip Dick. Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card Mine! by Cia Complete Of Pride and Power by W_L Complete Fortitude by Cia Complete The Merge: Through a System of Control by astroguy In Process Goon by dkstories Complete Dawn of Tears by dkstories Complete The Flamekeepers of Delta Psi Theta by Kelevra Long-Term Hold The Spirit of the Plum Blossom Tree (TSPBT) by Kong Wen Hui Long-Term Hold Confessions of a Gay Supervillain by Jason D. Karl Complete Raising a Rebel by W_L Long-Term Hold Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Anthropomorphic Fantasy Animals take on human qualities - The Narnian Chronicles, most animated movies Storm Wolf: Tranquil waters by RedMoon Complete Pig-Boy and The Insectorator by Biff Spork Complete Microwave Dave's Bad Days by Lee Wilson Complete Connor and the Wolves by Yeoldebard Complete The Storm Wolf: Gathering Clouds by RedMoon Temporary Hold Half a broken Wing by Celian Temporary Hold If Furniture Could Talk by Lee Wilson Complete Primal Park by astone2292 Complete Glamourhammer by Jack Poignet Temporary Hold Hotel Room 606 by Lee Wilson Complete Top 3 Most Read Fantasy - Arcanepunk Magic and Science existing side-by-side - The games Torchlight, League of Legends, and Fables 2 & 3 all have Arcanepunk elements Tests of Blood by dkstories Complete The Christmas Elf & I by P. E. Knapp Complete Be careful what you wish for by Gary L Complete Top 2 Most Read Fantasy - Arthurian stories tied to fantastic elements side of King Arthur, Merlin. Ex: The Crystal Cave, The Once and Future King, Merlin The Lost Key to Avalon by Jeff Burton In Process Ilinot by LemonSoda Complete Top 0 Most Read Fantasy - Assassin sub-genre of fantasy tied to assassin's and eliminating political enemies in generally a non-modern world. Ex Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Apprentice No stories Top 5 Most Read Fantasy - Cozy Fantasy Cozy fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy literature that emphasizes comfort, warmth, and a sense of safety, often in contrast to the high-stakes drama or gritty realism found in many traditional fantasy stories. It typically features low-conflict narratives, charming characters, and a focus on everyday life, relationships, or small-scale adventures rather than epic battles or world-ending threats. Think of it as a literary equivalent to curling up with a warm blanket and a cup of tea—it's meant to feel inviting and soothing. Common themes include friendship, community, personal growth, and finding joy in the simple things. It's Always Something by Ticklishboy30 Temporary Hold The Flower Thief and Other Tales of Yalda by Page Scrawler In Process The Amulet Of Darkness by Ticklishboy30 Complete Lovesquatch: A Culinary Cryptid Romcom by Rafy Complete Legends by Ticklishboy30 Complete Top 9 Most Read Fantasy - Crossworlds/Portals characters from the real world find their way into another, magical world, through a portal of some kind and often find themselves involved in a struggle to save this world or characters within it. Classic example would be ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’. and Alice in Wonderland. Often exploring themes of identity, escape, and discovery. Broken Path, Starless Tail by Cia Long-Term Hold We All Go A Little Mad Sometimes, Charlie Boone! by Geron Kees Complete There's A Strange Partridge in My Pear Tree, Charlie Boone! by Geron Kees Complete It's Just a Matter of Time, Charlie Boone! by Geron Kees Complete Welcome to Redwaters by Hardianarcher Temporary Hold Corrupting the Innocent by kbois Complete Widderkin Interlude by Palantir In Process Green Lightning by Aditus Complete All Hallows Eve Adventure by Cia Complete Top 7 Most Read Fantasy - Demon Urban Fantasy is a modern-world supernatural sub-genre where demons operate—often secretly—within contemporary cities, influencing crime, politics, magic, or everyday life. These stories blend fast-paced action and gritty urban atmosphere with occult intrigue, demonic bargains, and characters who navigate both human and infernal threats. Rich Boy: Awakening by dkstories Complete Rich Boy: Growing Pains by dkstories Complete Welcome to Redwaters by Hardianarcher Temporary Hold The Theocracy - The Blackened Cross by ValentineDavis21 Abandoned Rich Boy: Inheritance by dkstories Abandoned The Demon's Realm. by E K Stokes In Process Two Worlds Collide by Forgottenrealms Long-Term Hold Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Dragon Fantasy Stories centered around dragons - ex: Joust, Dragon Riders of Pern Gone Away, Gone Ahead by Mawgrim Complete The Kandric Saga by Kyle Aarons Long-Term Hold To the Weyr by Mawgrim Complete Threadfall by Mawgrim Complete Spirit of Fire by Stellar Complete The Rider's Pride by dkstories Complete Clown Wyrm by Adam Andrews Johnson Complete Empty, Open, Dusty, Dead by Mawgrim Complete Broadswords by Disjecta Membra Complete The Return to Benden by Mawgrim Complete Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Fairy Tales Typically short stories of folklore and legends featuring fantasy creatures. Often tales of allegory. Suspicious Seaweed by Thirdly Complete Darkest Days (The Wild Hunt) by Jack Poignet Complete Raising a Rebel by W_L Long-Term Hold Glamourhammer by Jack Poignet Temporary Hold The Golosina, the Forgotten Land and the Skurkene by J92 Complete The Snake's Lover by Refugium Complete The Golden Bird by Refugium Complete The Fear of Fairies by Refugium Complete The Six Swans by Refugium Complete The Princess Who Danced with Fairies by Refugium Complete Top 0 Most Read Fantasy - Fairycore Aesthetic-driven fantasy focusing on magical forests, fae courts, and forbidden romance. No stories Top 1 Most Read Fantasy - Flintlock fantasy settings with first gen guns. example - Fable III, Greedfall, Mistborn Blood Money by Yeoldebard Complete Top 3 Most Read Fantasy - Gaslamp Generally speaking, this particular realm of fantasy employs either a Victorian or Edwardian setting. Same timeframe as Steampunk, but with a focus on fantasy elements, often featuring manners, intrigue, and old-world charm. Ex: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Van Helsing Fortitude by Cia Complete Diamond Eyes by ValentineDavis21 Abandoned A Grave So Haunting by solemnity Temporary Hold Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - General Fantasy Has fantastic story elements and story has not yet been updated with a more specific sub-genre. The Light at the End of the Tunnel by kbois Complete The Case of the Short, Short Prince by Geron Kees Complete The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X In Process Z is For Zombie by Geron Kees Complete Gone Away, Gone Ahead by Mawgrim Complete Widderkin by Palantir Complete The Reluctant Consort by lilansui Complete Touch: A survival story. by Rhythminthemind Long-Term Hold In Flames by Sasha Distan Complete Crossing the Moon by HinderToyBL Complete Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Grimdark Grimdark is a subgenre of speculative fiction with a tone, style, or setting that is particularly dystopian, amoral, or violent. Also referred to as "anti-Tolkein" where might makes right. Ex: A Song of Ice and Fire The Kandric Saga by Kyle Aarons Long-Term Hold The Mantis Variant - Book One by Adam Andrews Johnson Complete The Mantis Synchronicity - Book Five by Adam Andrews Johnson Complete The Mantis Continuum - Book Four by Adam Andrews Johnson Complete The Mantis Equilibrium - Book Two by Adam Andrews Johnson Complete The Mantis Corruption - Book Three by Adam Andrews Johnson Complete Diamond Eyes by ValentineDavis21 Abandoned The Witcher is Kind of Gay by Thorn Wilde Long-Term Hold Fledgling by lawfulneutralmage Complete Pandemonium by frozenphenix Complete Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - High/Epic Fantasy takes place in a fictional fantasy world. The future of this world is in the hands of a hero or group of heroes who must undertake quests and battle evil. A classic example of this genre would be 'Lord of the Rings'. The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X In Process The Kandric Saga by Kyle Aarons Long-Term Hold Tests of Blood by dkstories Complete A Wizard's War by TeamStilinski Temporary Hold The Blue Moon by Lupus Complete The Brotherhood by The Writer X Complete Widderkin V. O. E. by Palantir Complete The Nextworld Invasion and the Death of Magic by Adam Andrews Johnson Complete The Shadowy Path by Lupus Complete Beyond the Crags by Kyle Aarons Long-Term Hold Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Historical Fantasy usually set in a historically accurate period of this world, but where magical creatures or supernatural forces exist. Examples: Clash of the Titans, Pirates of the Caribbean series Of Pride and Power by W_L Complete A Journey to Egypt by Albert1434 Complete Light Bringer: Fireborn by Jack Poignet Complete Unicorn Quests by Cia Complete The House Sitter by Bill W Complete The Court of Ghosts by Stephen Wormwood Complete Raising a Rebel by W_L Long-Term Hold Unchained by lawfulneutralmage Complete Res Publica Christiana by W_L Long-Term Hold Zaidu by Aditus Complete Top 2 Most Read Fantasy - Lost World Usually a story where the prehistoric still thrives. Such as King Kong or Journey to the Center of the Earth. Snow? Never heard of it! by Kileoli Complete The Demon's Realm. by E K Stokes In Process Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Low Fantasy takes place in a real world setting with magical elements. Though elements such as werewolves, vampires, and ghosts have their own sub-genres in Paranormal. Examples: Harry Potter Love in the Shadows by astone2292 Complete Rising in the Shadows by astone2292 Complete Shadow‘s Reach (Halloween Noir) by Jack Poignet Complete Spirit of Fire by Stellar Complete Harry Potter and the Parliament of Dreams by Myr Long-Term Hold Harry Potter and the Sword of Gryffindor by dkstories Complete Dust in the Basement by Celian Complete Gillygate by Invnarcel Long-Term Hold Connor and the Wolves by Yeoldebard Complete Light Bringer: Fireborn by Jack Poignet Complete Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Magical Realism Blends magical elements with realistic settings and situations, creating a sense of wonder within the ordinary. Ink and Flowers by Celian Temporary Hold Noah's Adventure by AquariusGuy In Process Someone Is Stealing Christmas Wishes, Charlie Boone! by Geron Kees Complete Dust in the Basement by Celian Complete Somewhere to Go by astroguy In Process The Last Laugh by Celian Complete The Obsidian Order: Prince of Shadows by vanalas Complete Bell(e)s in the Woods by Celian Complete Sparkling Water by Thirdly Complete Gone to Hell by northie Complete Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Medieval Fantasy set in a medieval society on Earth with knights, Kings and Queens, epic quests and legendary characters such as King Arthur. May also include wizards and magic. Arcum Nights by mastershakeme Complete Of Pride and Power by W_L Complete The Roaming Sea by mcarss Complete Deeds of Their Past by mcarss Complete Strength of Fate by mcarss Complete Somewhere to Go by astroguy In Process Broadswords by Disjecta Membra Complete Shadows of Consequence by mcarss Complete Starfall by dragonthusiast Complete The Lesser Evil by ObicanDecko Complete Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Mythic Fantasy New spins on old stories - Think Percy Jackson and the Olympians or American Gods A Wizard's War by TeamStilinski Temporary Hold The Nextworld Invasion and the Death of Magic by Adam Andrews Johnson Complete Light Bringer: Fireborn by Jack Poignet Complete Blades of Ashes by lilansui Temporary Hold The Spirit of the Plum Blossom Tree (TSPBT) by Kong Wen Hui Long-Term Hold Darkest Days (The Wild Hunt) by Jack Poignet Complete Dragon's Roar by Xfighter1984 Long-Term Hold Winter Haven's Dyrpath by Cia Complete The Sons of Memory by Stefan Complete Warrior Children: Legendary Three by Vaughn Edward Long-Term Hold Top 1 Most Read Fantasy - Progression Fantasy Fantasy stories where protagonists grow stronger over time, often influenced by RPGs, cultivation novels, or game mechanics. The Adventures of Wishbone by Yeoldebard Complete Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Science Fantasy set after the decline and fall of a technological society, either on Earth or other planets. Often dystopian. May include aliens or remnants of technology the characters perceive as magical. The Case of the Short, Short Prince by Geron Kees Complete Traded Goods by Yeoldebard Complete The Black Aura by Lee Wilson Complete Ark II by R. Eric Complete Someone Is Stealing Christmas Wishes, Charlie Boone! by Geron Kees Complete Doctor Noonan-Martin, Miracle Worker? by Lee Wilson Complete The Merge: Through a System of Control by astroguy In Process Life is Like a New Suit of Clothes, Charlie Boone! by Geron Kees Complete The Christmas Elf & I by P. E. Knapp Complete Avery Junior, Mentalist Extraordinaire by Lee Wilson Complete Top 3 Most Read Fantasy - Sword and Planet Fantasy-like swashbuckling set in Sci-fi worlds. ex Treasure Planet The Case of the Short, Short Prince by Geron Kees Complete Re-Emergence by Kyle Aarons Long-Term Hold Dragon's Desire by Wicked Witch Long-Term Hold Top 1 Most Read Fantasy - Sword and Sandal Bronze Age Fantasy worlds that typically have Greek or Roman empire themes. Examples: 300, Clash of the Titans, Gladiator (if it had fantasy creatures or magic) The Sons of Memory by Stefan Complete Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Urban Fantasy real world and fantasy world collide. Typically full range of magical, vs specific creatures like Werewolves, Vampires, and Ghosts, which are part of the Paranormal genres - Examples of Urban Fantasy: Artemis Fowl, Percy Jackson, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Morningstar: The Malaise by Headstall Complete Running with the Pack by WolfM Complete Into the fields of Summer by gabz2000 Long-Term Hold Oregon in the Fall by drown Long-Term Hold Wolf in the City by Laura S. Fox Complete Higher Education by WolfM Complete Timber Pack Chronicles by Rob Colton Complete Enforcer by Rob Colton Complete GFD 12: Blood Ties by Comicality Author Passed Away Shadow‘s Reach (Halloween Noir) by Jack Poignet Complete Top 1 Most Read Fantasy - Wuxia Martial arts focused fantasy, often taking place in alternate history China. Raising a Rebel by W_L Long-Term Hold

This one stands alone, though the problems are similar in nature. Magic always has a cost of some sort. The more powerful magic in my world requires a bond to stabilize things. I wrote many story chunks trying to work out how the magic functions.

The sixteen-year-old boy shifted uncomfortably in the large chair as he waited for the man before him to finish his speech. The slight smile plastered on the teen’s face did not quite reach his eyes. The man, who continued to drone on undisturbed, took little notice of the leader to whom he was supposedly speaking. As best as the boy could tell, he seemed to be looking at the wall above and behind his head. The man finally stopped his monotonous rumbling. “Is there anything else o

Nope