From The Editor
Dear Sadists, Masochists, and Everyone In Between, Let’s talk about awards—the arbitrary yardsticks that turn art into a pissing contest. But hey, if the world wants a spectacle, who are we to deny it? We’ve sharpened our claws, choked down the mediocrity, and emerged with the rawest, bloodiest morsels of fiction this side of a six-dollar motel room. These stories weren’t chosen for their politeness or their ability to play nice with the literary crowd. They were picked because they punch you in the teeth, make you spit out blood, and leave you begging for more. The authors? They don’t write for validation; they write because they can’t not write. Because every word they scribble is a middle finger to mediocrity. Our picks for the Best Small Fiction Awards are pure dynamite, led by Alex Sinclaire’s Tenderness (Will Haunt You Forever) . This one isn’t just the best; it’s a ghost that lingers, breathing down your neck and daring you to flinch. Next, we have Judge Santiago’s Th...