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 28 of 61


Limestone in the Winter by Thomas Elson

Thomas Elson lives in Northern California. He writes of lives that fall with neither safe person nor safe net to catch them.

All Things Being Equal, Part Six by Bernie Pilarski

Is it possible to seek something if you don't even know it exists? And do you only know something exists when you perceive that it is no longer there?

Mindreading 101 with Professor Charles by Terry Petersen

Charles teaches engaged couples how to communicate on a deeper level. But Charles has a secret he hides from himself. And it takes more than mind-reading to hear truth...

Fool Me Once by Lydia Manx

A simple prank? No, not at all. A complex prank? Sure, why not? A killer of an idea for a prank? Of course!

The Lost Treasure by Dan Mulhollen

What a little princess she was!

Reunion by Michael Price

This is Michael Price's last work to appear in the Piker Press. Mike died unexpectedly on February 12, 2016, and will be sorely missed.

One More Day in the Park with Ingrid by Terry Petersen

Ingrid has been dead five years; she returns from the other side of life to meet with her husband, Mick. He doesn't know why she has come. Yet.

Tabula Rasa 2 by John Paulits

Conclusion. Carl Tyson has found a way to venture into the future -- and it appears that the future needs him to change things for the people who are left...

Tabula Rasa by John Paulits

This could be the most amazing invention in mankind's history...and a glimpse of mankind's future...Part One of Two.

The Haunted Necklace by Anna Sykora

Ah, Vienna, city of ancient beauties! But what may feast the eye may still endanger the soul...

Everybody's Got Problems by Joe Baldwin

All the people you see are like closed doors. You don't know what's behind them...

Celebration, Year One by Terry Petersen

Ricky is surviving on an inadequate paycheck. But his current problems seem to focus upon a mother who lives in la-la-land and a sister who wants to control his life.

Lindy's Fun Filled Follies: Dough of the Dead III by Lydia Manx

At first it seemed like it was only pizza zombies in the little town, but now Lindy has seen the marching undead on other streets as well. From horror to fear to now annoyed, Lindy makes a leap to regain control of her life...

Lindy's Night Continues: Dough of the Dead II by Lydia Manx

They're everywhere she looks, zombies gobbling and munching. What? Meatlovers' pizza? Lindy is almost as grossed out as she is scared! Part Two of Three.

Uncle Maxwell's One-Track Mind by Terry Petersen

Bailey left home when she went to college, returning only for short visits. She believes Uncle Max's funeral will be another stop in dysfunctional land. But Max's one-track has led in directions Bailey has never fathomed...

Lindy's Day -- Dough of the Dead by Lydia Manx

Nice clothes, new cell phone, company car -- now that's a good start to a business trip. But the way Lindy's day is going, you know it has to be Monday. Part One of Three.

Fish Story by Frederick Foote

There! By the pilings, the water moves in that certain way -- that's where you cast your line...

Reader, I Read To Him - Part Three by Ron Singer

Conclusion. What can have happened to Charles, who is arguably the most handsome, intelligent, and sensitive of cats?

Reader, I Read To Him - Part Two by Ron Singer

Charles has run away. Is it because of what was read to him? Part Two of Three.

Family by Terry Petersen

Jess has only three additional family members; only one of them speaks to her. A connection with her daughter seems as likely as bringing Jess's husband Stan back from the dead. But something even more unexpected than a sudden ice storm is about to happen...

Reader, I Read To Him by Ron Singer

How much do our animals understand from us? Do they merely act on instinct, or are they listening to what we actually say? Part One of Three.

Schoolday Memories (no, I wasn't paying attention) by Dan Mulhollen

Do you ever stop and think about what it was like back then, when the future was still an unknown iceberg in the Ocean of Life?

Playing Catch in the Street by Michael Price

Can you say ... "Automatic?"

Eternal Monday Afternoon by Alexandra Queen

Peace, joy, hope, happiness. All these are found in love...so how can we leave what we loved behind?

The Slith by Frederick Foote

And this world, and all things in it...?

Discourse With a Minor Deity by Dominy Clements

Dominy Clements studied composition and flute at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1983 to 1987. After graduating he came to The Netherlands in 1987 to study composition with Louis Andriessen at the Royal Conservatoire, also studying with Gilius van Bergeijk and Frederic Rzewski.

Thorn-In-My-Neck by Terry Petersen

Luther wasn't exactly human, but he is dead. He leaves behind a token that contains a power beyond anything even he could have expected.

The Mentor by Elaine Zentner

Is your writing a reflection of your soul? Or is it a biography of your life? Or a road map of your journey...?

All Things Being Equal, Part Five by Bernie Pilarski

Too many of the words we say are simply noises we've learned to make. We say they have meaning, but do we actually know what that is?

The Most Famous Person on Earth by Caroline Taylor

Caroline Taylor writes short stories, novels, and nonfiction. She's clueless about the purpose of social media, but she can imagine where it might be heading.