The Cosmic Background

Artwork by the amazing @nivnotes.bsky.social ❤️

Drawing of a plushie named Snuggles.

STORYTIME! Yes, we are a little behind on uplifting the latest stories we've published but that just means we can REMIND YOU THEY ARE AWESOME!

Check out "Burn it Down" by Beth Dawkins @bethwrites.bsky.social :
www.thecosmicbackground.com/stories/beth...

The Cosmic Background: “By the Spine” A fun take on the theme that everyone has a story, but a little heavy-handed in that Bloom has taken the idea as literally as possible.

Check out our review of Anya F. Bloom's short story in @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social! I enjoyed it!

Also, if you're not familiar with The Cosmic Background, their site design and overall vibe are really unique.

(McKenzie)

cthulhuville.com/2025/05/06/t...

Reminder to everyone that if you email submissions to @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social instead of using our Moksha, ain't nobody reading those.

Locus is a vital part of our industry. If you enjoy @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social then know that they're a vital resource to us, and basically every other pro and semi-pro paying magazine. Support them if you can!

Okay, I'm no longer hospitalized, and @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social is open. Hurrah.

Hey everyone. Sorry for the delay in opening submissions. Our editor is in the hospital. We need a few to get him healthy and settled. We will announce our new opening date very soon. Thanks for your patience.

Hey folks,
Unfortunately @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social won't open today because editor @samasherwriter.bsky.social is in the hospital with pharyngitis, disallowing from eating and drinking for 48 hours so malnutrition and dehydration. For sure updating the sub window when crisis averts. Love on him pls

We are closed for the moment! But hold tight to those hats and glasses and short stories! We will see you May 1!

Hell yes!

Spread the word👇🏽

At some point probably in early Feb, @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social will close for a couple weeks to get everything caught up and ready to go for our post-Kickstarter existence. Submissions have been slowing down a little (only 5 today so far, is everyone okay?), but heads up just in case.

The Cosmic Background: Year Two A pro-paying magazine of speculative flash fiction.

3 hours left for @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social Kickstarter. We've already funded but barely. It would be great to get a few more backers and there are some great rewards available for those that support us.
kck.st/3VMaSEy

Hell yes 🙌🏽

We did it! We still have 11 hours to go, so grab those fortune teller cards and books and swag while you can!

We did it! We still have 11 hours to go, so grab those fortune teller cards and books and swag while you can!

Marie Brennan -- Ten Minutes Meditation is difficult when I’m distracted. But my teacher eventually got it through my head that mindfulness isn’t mindlessness, achieving perfect, blank emptiness; it’s about being aware. Sometimes...

For folks looking to nominate for awards, @swantower.bsky.social's 'Ten Minutes' in @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social is the best piece of speculative flash fiction published anywhere in 2024. It's a pitch-perfect example of writing speculative flash.

www.thecosmicbackground.com/stories/mari...

Friendly reminder @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social is closing out the last two days of its kickstarter campaign for year 2 of the magazine. And we need your help. For those who don't know, The Cosmic Background is a magazine born of @samasherwriter.bsky.social grief at the closure of Daily Science Fiction.

a man with long blonde hair and the word victory on his face . ALT: a man with long blonde hair and the word victory on his face .

@thecosmicbgr.bsky.social just squeezed over our Kickstarter goal with 60 or so hours left. Since Masters of the Universe has always been my favorite movie, I'd like to take this moment to announce:

The Cosmic Background: Year Two A pro-paying magazine of speculative flash fiction.

Ever wonder what the great and powerful forces of The Cosmic Background have to say about your future? Now’s your chance. In exchange for your generosity, the mysterious Zoltar Machine residing in the place between channels will send you two cards that reveal the special future awaiting you. 🔮

Fortune teller cards kickstarter reward

Only 3 days to go and we are $100 from our goal!
If I had to predict the future…I’d say we’re going to make it!
If you’re not so sure, maybe you’d be interested in The Cosmic Background Fortune Teller Cards!

If we get just 10 folks to pledge $10 for these cards, year two is officially underway!

Thank you!

I’m so excited to see another year of killer stories from @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social. They’re so close!!! Let’s make it happen!

The Cosmic Background: Year Two A pro-paying magazine of speculative flash fiction.

If anyone's planning on backing @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social's Kickstarter who hasn't already done so, we're still $900 away with 3 days left. Now is the time! Help us bring you more amazing fiction throughout 2025.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...

When I'm reading for @thecosmicbgr.bsky.social I don't read cover letters at all until I've read the story. Seriously. My ideal cover letter as an editor is:

'Dear Sam,

Please find enclosed my submission, 'Blah Blah', which is 'X' words.

Best,
*Your Name*.

That's it. Promise.

Beth Dawkins -- Burn it Down Samantha poured tea into a cup for Snuggles, and then one for each of her “guests.” That included me. Water rushed out of the pot and spilled onto the plastic table. The sound of her pouring burrowed...

@thecosmicbgr.bsky.social has such a fun fucking story for you today by @bethwrites.bsky.social.

www.thecosmicbackground.com/stories/beth...

If you want more like this, back our Kickstarter! 20% to go with 4 days left.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...

The Cosmic Background: Year Two A pro-paying magazine of speculative flash fiction.

Let's make 2025 a little better because it needs some help already.

This is not another disaster - just the amazing new collection written by editor-in-chief @samasherwriter.bsky.social signed and personalized in literally any fashion you choose. All of the Kickstarter books will be from Sam's personal stash of advance author copies.

Pile of books of "Really Shockingly Bad Things and Other Stories"

Hey all! We had some delays in energy pushing our kickstarter since one of our team is out in Los Angeles (sending love to our LA fam!) BUT reality is we got 5 MORE DAYS TO GO WITH OUR KICKSTARTER and only $1200 away from our goal.

So a highlight for you...Signed, Really, Shockingly Bad Things!

For all our friends and community in Los Angeles impacted by the fires. 👇 mutual aid and resources. We ❤️ you LA.