Piker Press — Weekly Journal of Arts and Literature
March 16, 2026

Short Fiction

Short stories published in Piker Press, a weekly journal of arts and literature.

1,823 articles — page 18 of 61


The Purple Bucket List by Dan Mulhollen

Might solve a lot of problems...

Justus P. Goodbody by Michael Hatcher

Michael is a high school English teacher in Ozark, Alabama. He has been published in fictionontheweb.com and is currently at work on a novel to be published in the near future hopefully. More of his work can be found at scribophile.com.

Hey, Stranger by Carly Kapusinsky

Carly Kapusinsky is a recent SUNY New Paltz graduate of the English program whose works can be found in the Sublunary Review, CBR and offMetro. A Rockland County native, she's most often scoping out the stacks of the nearest library, clicking away at her computer, or dragging friends on new hiking trails.

Rice Paddies by Charles Hayes

Some call it karma...

Mr. Adana's Lending Library by Kathleen Bryson

Alaskan-born Kathleen Bryson received her Ph.D. in Evolutionary Anthropology from University College London. She studies prejudice/empathy in humans and other great apes and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford University.

King Cobra of the Sahaydri Mountains by Shashi Kadapa

Based in Pune, India, Shashi Kadapa is the managing editor of ActiveMuse, a journal of literature. He is the 2021 International Fellow of the International Human Rights Foundation, NY. Thrice nominated for Pushcart Prize, he is a two-time award winner of the IHRAF, NY short story competition.

Runner by Gary Campanella

Mirror images...

Thermonuclear Heads-Up by Frederick Frankenberg

Frederick Frankenberg is a recent graduate with a BA in Creative Writing from SUNY New Paltz and an AS in Engineering. He has been published in Little Old Lady, Purple Wall Stories, and ShortStory.me.

Sticky Things by Steve Carr

Steve Carr lives in Richmond, Va., and began his writing career as a military journalist. He has had over 220 short stories published internationally in print and online magazines, literary journals and anthologies since June, 2016.

Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss by Alex Villepique

Alex Villepique is an astrophysicist from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who loves to ponder of "what if" sci-fi scenarios and turn them into stories. Currently living in mountains of South California and stares either at the night sky or computer screen.

For Pete's Sake by Terry Petersen

An old woman with an answer-for-everything disposition doesn't curse. Her tongue carries enough acid without it.

Selenium by Jim Bates

Jim lives in a small town twenty miles west of Minneapolis, Minnesota. His stories and poems have appeared in nearly three hundred online and print publications.

Rita Jackson's Wake by Gary Campanella

Even the least hint of incongruity can tell about what is about to come...

For Sale -- Not Haunted by Saoirse Ni Chiaragain

Saoirse Ni Chiaragain is an Irish writer living in Berlin, Germany. You can find her other work at saoirsenichiaragain.com

Room 17 by Ronald Paxton

At the end of things, you have to focus on the present -- the present that is what you see...

The Price of Freedom by Steve Carr

There's always a full payment at the end...

Direnistan by Jeffrey Wade Gibbs

Jeffrey Wade Gibbs is originally from the swamps of Central Florida, but has lived all over the world, including Japan and Turkey.

Feline Friendly Female Seeks Forever Playmate by Madeline McEwen

Madeline McEwen [she/her] has enjoyed publication in a variety of different outlets both online and in traditional print. Her fiction and non-fiction focuses primarily on disabilities [ableism] and humor.

Stand Your Ground by Nick Gerrard

It starts one way, but the way takes on a life of its own...

Picture This by Bernie Pilarski

A box of old photographs prompts an examination of relationships and beliefs. Is it better to look at them, or should we just put the lid back and cover it all up?

The Inside of a Ping Pong Ball by Terry Petersen

Sometimes the student teaches the teacher...

The Social Justice Uplifters by Dan Mulhollen

Why does everyone have to choose a side?

Just a Fluke by Lydia Manx

Well, we've all been warned often enough...

For the Sake of Soul - Voting by Frederick Foote

And what is the solution to all the hatred...?

Always by Charles Hayes

A product of the Appalachian Mountains, Charles Hayes is an American who lives part time in the Philippines and part time in Seattle with his wife.

THE CHANGING WOMAN HEALTH CONFERENCE by Ron Singer

Ron Singer (b. 1941) lives in New York with his wife, the painter, Elizabeth Yamin.

Aunt Clara's Scheme by John Mara

A 2020 Pushcart Prize nominee, 2020 Best of the Net nominee, and 2020 Best New England Crime Stories finalist, John Mara is a multi-genre writer who tends to converse in the genre he's thinking about and makes better company when it's humor, not horror. You can find John's 20+ short stories published in Liquid Imagination, J.J. Outre Review, Youth Imagination, and other venues.

Rejection Letter No. 106 by Frederick Foote

So that's how the publishing business works...

Unmasked by J.C. Miller

Hmmmm...

The Countdown by Nenad Pavlovic

Nenad Pavlovic is currently living in Norway, scribbling away every Friday night with a pint of cold lager by his side. His short fiction (mostly fantasy, sci-fi and horror, with a few exceptions) was featured in many magazines and short story collections in the Balkans and abroad.