imaginarybeasts is "a bi-monthly webzine dedicated to original fiction of the oneshot variety". Anyone may participate, whether you would like to write, make visual art, volunteer to help with beta'ing, or, most importantly, read and review the stories. Blah, blah, you all probably remember this from yesterday.
Each edition, or "book", has a theme; May's was "Steampunk". My favorites:
Your Woman by
shinju_yuri. Another Walter and Frederick story, who I adore, but this is a lovely little piece even if you haven't read anything else about them. A story about robots, really, and the people who make them, with a killer last line.
The Grace Affair by
iseepurplehair. My favorite story of this issue. About a naive inventor and a country at war, and you probably already know where this story goes. And it does go exactly there, but it's well-written, so it makes the expected seem like the archetypes of mythology, that inevitable fall from grace. Excellent.
Lady by
rakugaking. A gorgeous piece of art, full of little details, but still being stark and vivid. So pretty.
You can read all of the stories and see all of the art
here, though it's a short issue this time. Another reminder: the next theme will be School Stories, and you can sign up
here (post locked to community members). You have until September 7th to submit a story.