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 26 of 61


Brunch at Jacqueline's by Ralph Bland

A moment to make sense of the mysteries of the past -- how long to understand our future?

Nova Scotia by Ralph Bland

Did you see or did you miss the Great Eclipse of August 2017? Will your grandchildren remember where you were that day?

Choice Decisions by Patti Santucci

Patti Santucci holds an AA degree and has been published in "RePlay Magazine," "American River Review" and "Literally Stories." She recently won first place in Community College Humanities Association (Pacific Northwest Division) for her creative non-fiction work. She lives in California with one cat, one dog and one husband.

The Merry Reign of King Cole by Dan Mulhollen

Go ahead, look him up on Wikipedia...

The Painting by Frederick Foote

They say that when art is really good, the audience simply can't look away...

Dear Ruby: Four Unsent Letters by Terry Petersen

Trying to figure out what went wrong won't change the past, but what about the present?

Close Your Eyes and I'll Kiss You by Ralph Bland

Travel back in time fifty years and so much is different -- and so much the same...

The Disappearance of Caroline by Beate Sigriddaughter

Your heart can be like a closed door, and no one but you will know what's behind it...

Nappy Hair by Frederick Foote

Oh, for defiant hearts...

In and Out of Time, Part Two by J.C.D. Kerwin

James Paxton managed to hitch a ride with the strange time traveler Gregory Larrabee, but now he's trapped in the future, and Larrabee will hardly let him even look into the laboratory. What does this second future hold?

Anchorite by Bernie Pilarski

An ancient spirituality presents opportunity and danger for a bishop who sees his legacy in brick and mortar.

In and Out of Time by J.C.D. Kerwin

When the extraordinary shows up, will you have the courage to buy it a drink?

Heartache by Ralph Bland

Youth is often short-sighted, and what will you see when you're old enough to take the long view..?

The Bullfight by Frederick Foote

What did you come here to see? What has come to see you?...

Re-Learning by Dan Mulhollen

This future is closer than you think...

The Ring by Virginia Bond

Virginia Bond was born in Oregon and received a Masters in Ministry in 2001. She is the author of "The Reign", an adult historical fiction novel. She currently resides in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with her husband Michael.

Coffee of Course by Lydia Manx

It's nice when you can tell good stuff from lousy stuff. You know what to look for in the future. But what future is there when you know, absolutely, that you've had the very best there will ever be?

No Ordinary Recital by Terry Petersen

Jack has made a promise to his grandson that he will make it to his violin recital, but Jack is not known for keeping his promises.

Take a Shot by Artie Knapp

Jim Stebbins has received a sign, a sign that he hears tell him he's the luckiest man on Casino Street. When the fates tell you to take a shot, you have to be willing to wager it all ...

JC and the Projects Kids by Frederick Foote

Some say one thing, and some say another, but fact is, if you're doin' what you're supposed to be doin,' you'll be happy...

Gazpacho by Michele Host

Michele Host is a lawyer and writer living in New York. Her short story, "The Pitch at the End of the World," was recently published in the ezine, "Prick of the Spindle."

Smith, Jane Smith by Lydia Manx

More than100 years have passed since the birth of the famed author of the James Bond stories, Ian Fleming. Fleming has had a tremendous influence on novel-writing and movies, and this week, Staff Writer Lydia Manx pays a tribute to him ...

Soft Taco Supremacy by Josh Brown

Eating soft tacos has never had such galactic implications. But as Jack is about to discover, once you begin the Taco Belle Experience, anything can happen.

Fake News or Giving The Customers What They Want? by Dan Mulhollen

"Read all about it!" Does that include opinion and fantasy as well as news?

Good Things Happen Eventually by Wayne Faust

Well, what did you think caused the Northern Lights?

The Star of the Revolution by Ricardo Visinho

Ricardo Visinho is a writer and the author of "The Star of the Revolution," which was published by the Piker Press in 2017. You can follow Ricardo on Twitter at @RicardoVisinho.

Bad Feng Shui by Lydia Manx

The arrangement of furniture is so important. In an office, where things are placed can often affect productivity, and thus, profit. In which position a person is placed affects profits, too ...

Of Equal Dignity by Dan Mulhollen

Good thing they didn't have Facebook back then...

Eight Ball by Frederick Foote

Pride and greed and arrogance -- yeah, he can work with that...

Castaways, Part 2 by Tyler Willson

To be able to hear another's thought is like being suddenly put inside another's skin ...