What is the best story you have read that was published in 2025 by someone who frequents the Authors’ Hangout?

[lovecraft68]

I think the last couple of pages of this thread proved a point.

 

[Actingup]

RESET BUTTON

So - and I should have been much more explicit here - what I was hoping for was at least a paragraph about why you like the story you chose.

I mentioned 'Treehouse Rules' by @Rollinbones. I want to single out the use of cut-through language right at the start:

-----

Best Friends Forever Act. 1985.

Registered Valentine's Day, 14 February 1985.

Volume one.

Section 1. Best Friends Forever Act. 1985. Don't be a cunt.

a) A friend must not be a cunt to another friend.

b) Ever.

c) Not even over boyfriends and girlfriends or music.

Section 2. Best Friends Forever Act. 1985. Other people being cunts.

a) A friend does not let any other person be a cunt to their friend.

b) If a friend brings their friend's attention to the fact that another person is being a cunt to them, the first friend may limit or suggest appropriate action but must accept anything that the second friend does in their protection. If bitches get stitches, you can't hate on your friend for it.

c) If a person uses friendship to manipulate a friend into hurting someone by misusing this section, then the friend is absolved from all obligations under the act. Refer to section 1.

----

And then the story opens properly with a beautiful, lyrical line that puts all the above into context:

Have you ever loved somebody like muscle memory? That's how it felt every time she rang.

This is a brilliant setup. It puts the author totally in command of the story and the language in which it will be told. It tells us the social class of the MCs, they they are good-hearted and committed to each other. And it tells us about their values and awareness of the world around them. Lastly, of course it gets the reader's attention. If you read on, you do it on the author's terms, but you'll likely be reading on.

The story riffs on the Best Friends Forever Act right through, and right at the end, we get a little nod to those who might have been put off by the language but kept reading anyway:

Cunt - For the purpose of this act, 'Cunt' does not refer to beautiful lady parts. A cunt is a person who is knowingly cruel to another person for their own personal benefit.

Those rules wouldn't be bad for this forum, IMHO

 

[FrancesScott]

It tells us the social class of the MCs, they they are good-hearted and committed to each other. And it tells us about their values and awareness of the world around them.

In this Australian code, like Navajo Talkers?

But otherwise, this type of analysis is helpful.

 

[Actingup]

In this Australian code, like Navajo Talkers?

You mean the use of the 'c-word' in that way?

Here's (UK) band The Police in 1981:

Billy's joined the National Front
He always was a little runt
He's got his hand in the air with the other cunts
You've got to humanize yourself

So maybe UK/Australian English code.

 

[FrancesScott]

You mean the use of the 'c-word' in that way?

Here's (UK) band The Police in 1981:

Billy's joined the National Front
He always was a little runt
He's got his hand in the air with the other cunts
You've got to humanize yourself

So maybe UK/Australian English code.

No, I meant the amount of info you derived from the first few sentences.

 

[Actingup]

No, I meant the amount of info you derived from the first few sentences.

Oh, ok. Well, in my reading, they're happy to use very sweary language with each other, so they haven't been well brought up but are used to calling a spade a spade - it smells a lot like a rural or semi-rural setting. The context of the Act suggests that they're lively, smart, and being educated, so they're going to school or have gone to school together and reflecting on the experience. The language is affectionate and binds them to looking out for each other, and they've seen some bad human behaviour. From the title, we get that this is a childhood friendship that has grown over the years, and then that's reinforced by the 'muscle memory'. That's my take on it, anyway.

 

[FrancesScott]

Oh, ok. Well, in my reading, they're happy to use very sweary language with each other, so they haven't been well brought up but are used to calling a spade a spade - it smells a lot like a rural or semi-rural setting. The context of the Act suggests that they're lively, smart, and being educated, so they're going to school or have gone to school together and reflecting on the experience. The language is affectionate and binds them to looking out for each other, and they've seen some bad human behaviour. From the title, we get that this is a childhood friendship that has grown over the years, and then that's reinforced by the 'muscle memory'. That's my take on it, anyway.

My take was maybe you brought some cultural understanding to it that is less accessible to others. Not a criticism. Many of my favorite authors are not American (many are as well).

 

[Erozetta]

I mentioned Fossil Hunter by WhiteTailDarkTip. The recommendation is because he managed to capture the elements of (a potentially poly) romance, action/adventure, sci-fi, comedy, and noir seamlessly in a single story. The main character, Daniel is a demon on Earth, a cop to his kind, tasked with bringing the unruly to heel. In his mission, he encounters the seductive and cunning Elspeth, a sex expert and shape shifting succubus. Or so he, and she, assumes.

The chemistry between Elspeth and Daniel hits a running start. It's not instant love, it's instant lust, until she tries to feed from him and he realizes she's not just some human barfly he happened across.

What ensues is house arrest, the building of a relationship, detective work, therapy, and excitement.

It's just a fun romp that has little smatterings of tone from things like Hitchhiker's Guide, Indiana Jones, and Torchwood with just a touch of modern day pop culture.

In short: It's a fun read with interesting and witty characters, a well developed setting, and it never takes itself too seriously. It's lighthearted with depth of both plot and characters, which can be hard to accomplish. It also doesn't shy away from the eroticism and sensuality that is naturally present between the two main characters.

Disclaimer: I beta read it and consider WTDT a writing friend as we discuss writing and life off site. But I've also read it twice since he published it.

 

[Actingup]

My take was maybe you brought some cultural understanding to it that is less accessible to others. Not a criticism. Many of my favorite authors are not American (many are as well).

I didn't take it as a criticism - all good. I think that you're right that there's an implicit cultural understanding, and I think it would be interesting to get others' take on where they perceive the story to be after reading the first paragraphs. That's something that I've struggled with myself in writing - do you set a very definite place and time at the start of the story, or do you let the reader insert their own cultural understandings as an overlay? I tried the latter path in my recent choir story, and it kind of worked, but then people got tripped up by language and place issues as they kept reading.

 

[redgarters]

It honestly felt like experiencing a Ghibli movie in text form, and that's only the first third of the story. I could go on but you said not a full literary review.

This! Damselfly reads like a vibrant movie, and each scene adds something new to her world - a world that's intrestingly skewed from ours just so. I want to add one more thing - there are three main characters in that story, and two great love stories. Damselfly herself is no less important as a character than the other two. She's brilliantly written and she makes the story soar.

 

[FrancesScott]

I didn't take it as a criticism - all good. I think that you're right that there's an implicit cultural understanding, and I think it would be interesting to get others' take on where they perceive the story to be after reading the first paragraphs. That's something that I've struggled with myself in writing - do you set a very definite place and time at the start of the story, or do you let the reader insert their own cultural understandings as an overlay? I tried the latter path in my recent choir story, and it kind of worked, but then people got tripped up by language and place issues as they kept reading.

I think it’s hard to cater for every reader. Some people will immediately get the scenario and wonder why you are spelling it out. Others will need their hands holding. I suppose it’s about balancing the two.

 

[FrancesScott]

Thanks for the new responses. The intent is that we learn something from others.

 

[filthytrancendence]

Okay, I'll try...

*Peeks over the bar to make sure everybody's put the knives away*

I've been a little reluctant to start reading other AH'ers stuff for reasons too boring to explain, but I'll be breaking that trend in the coming months because...

I read Mom, Sex, Gus and Rock-N-Roll by @NotWise last week and it's great. He was worried about the content not going over well, and I suppose that was justified given the sadly low rating, but that's 90% of why I read it in the first place. There's a sense of place in the setting that did a lot for me, even though it was very subtle. I did 3 years living/working in a ski town, and the vibes of existing in that kind of space as a working class person in America were immaculate in the story. Zelda is a transfixing character, and very evocative of some people I've known. The sense of dread she creates, is aware of, and attempts to cover with being the life of the party to varying degrees of success feels real to me in a way that's difficult to even explain. Grace's role as her minder and the complex dynamic between them, equally so.

In short, it nails some really hyper-specific things that I appreciate personally, and that's a fun thing to find. It's inspired a lot of thought and reflection for my own work, and I appreciate that.

 

[NotWise]

Okay, I'll try...

*Peeks over the bar to make sure everybody's put the knives away*

I've been a little reluctant to start reading other AH'ers stuff for reasons too boring to explain, but I'll be breaking that trend in the coming months because...

I read Mom, Sex, Gus and Rock-N-Roll by @NotWise last week and it's great. He was worried about the content not going over well, and I suppose that was justified given the sadly low rating, but that's 90% of why I read it in the first place. There's a sense of place in the setting that did a lot for me, even though it was very subtle. I did 3 years living/working in a ski town, and the vibes of existing in that kind of space as a working class person in America were immaculate in the story. Zelda is a transfixing character, and very evocative of some people I've known. The sense of dread she creates, is aware of, and attempts to cover with being the life of the party to varying degrees of success feels real to me in a way that's difficult to even explain. Grace's role as her minder and the complex dynamic between them, equally so.

In short, it nails some really hyper-specific things that I appreciate personally, and that's a fun thing to find. It's inspired a lot of thought and reflection for my own work, and I appreciate that.

Thanks for the comment!. Great job of not giving the story away, too. But I think I should add this warning.

Mom, Sex, Guns and Rock-n-Roll is not for everyone. If you're interested in the story, then you might read the WIWAW essay first. It's short.

The reader's rating has battled back a little. It's now in a dead heat for my lowest-rated story--a distinction it wears with pride.

 

[FrancesScott]

Okay, I'll try...

*Peeks over the bar to make sure everybody's put the knives away*

I've been a little reluctant to start reading other AH'ers stuff for reasons too boring to explain, but I'll be breaking that trend in the coming months because...

I read Mom, Sex, Gus and Rock-N-Roll by @NotWise last week and it's great. He was worried about the content not going over well, and I suppose that was justified given the sadly low rating, but that's 90% of why I read it in the first place. There's a sense of place in the setting that did a lot for me, even though it was very subtle. I did 3 years living/working in a ski town, and the vibes of existing in that kind of space as a working class person in America were immaculate in the story. Zelda is a transfixing character, and very evocative of some people I've known. The sense of dread she creates, is aware of, and attempts to cover with being the life of the party to varying degrees of success feels real to me in a way that's difficult to even explain. Grace's role as her minder and the complex dynamic between them, equally so.

In short, it nails some really hyper-specific things that I appreciate personally, and that's a fun thing to find. It's inspired a lot of thought and reflection for my own work, and I appreciate that.

This is what I had in mind

 

[AG31]

Well, some of us here have posted, and I think others may agree but not publicly, that there is a me, me, me culture here. I see a lot of the "Enough about me, let's talk about you, what do you think about me" here.

I see this sentiment a lot, but I can't remember seeing evidence of its truth.

I think it's generally out of line to second guess what another AH member "meant" by what they wrote.

TOTALLY agree!!!

 

[AwkwardMD]

Okay, I'll try...

*Peeks over the bar to make sure everybody's put the knives away*

I've been a little reluctant to start reading other AH'ers stuff for reasons too boring to explain, but I'll be breaking that trend in the coming months because...

I read Mom, Sex, Gus and Rock-N-Roll by @NotWise last week and it's great. He was worried about the content not going over well, and I suppose that was justified given the sadly low rating, but that's 90% of why I read it in the first place. There's a sense of place in the setting that did a lot for me, even though it was very subtle. I did 3 years living/working in a ski town, and the vibes of existing in that kind of space as a working class person in America were immaculate in the story. Zelda is a transfixing character, and very evocative of some people I've known. The sense of dread she creates, is aware of, and attempts to cover with being the life of the party to varying degrees of success feels real to me in a way that's difficult to even explain. Grace's role as her minder and the complex dynamic between them, equally so.

In short, it nails some really hyper-specific things that I appreciate personally, and that's a fun thing to find. It's inspired a lot of thought and reflection for my own work, and I appreciate that.

Everything I've ever read from NotWise was similarly enthralling.