Profile avatar
microsff.com
Very short science fiction/fantasy stories by O. Westin. Please repost any you like. Patreon: https://patreon.com/microsff Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/microsff Books: https://microsff.com/books
216 posts 7,906 followers 17 following
Regular Contributor
Active Commenter
Posts 24 Comments 26

** "On productivity, and lack thereof" - a rare blog post, with a graph! TL;DR: I almost gave up entirely, but have decided not to. microsff.com/on-productiv... **

submitted 1 hour ago • 6 comments

"You've been chosen," the spirit said. "What?" "Save the world, make it kinder, cleaner, safer." "Me?" "Yes." "Alone?" "We chose everyone." #CrossRepost

submitted 6 hours ago • 7 comments

"I heard a Xturi refer to you as a 'Noagai'," Captain Jones said. "Is that a title?" Her navigator, a Yuun, nodded. "Have you heard the saying 'For every problem, there's a Human that can solve it'?" "No?" "Well, how to find that Human?" "Er..." "They ask a Noagai." "A... You know a guy?"

submitted 1 day ago • 6 comments

"What gadgets do you have for me, Q?" "Here, you'll like this." Bond examined the device. "It looks like an Amazon Dash Button." "An AI-powered Dash Button. It will analyse what you need most, and deliver by drone." Bond pressed it. A moment later, a drone put a resignation letter in his hand.

submitted 3 days ago • 5 comments

Two knights arrived at the dragon's lair from different directions. "Stand aside!" the first said. "I will gain the byname Dragonslayer!" "Very well," the second said. "Should you win, I will be known as the man who killed the Dragonslayer." "What?" "She's my friend."

submitted 4 days ago • 3 comments

** To answer a question from a DM: This is not a magazine, and you can't submit stories. All stories and poems I post are written by me (O. Westin). Same goes for my accounts on other platforms. **

submitted 6 days ago • 2 comments

When I gathered the courage to tell my mother that I was her daughter, not her son, she simply said: "I have suspected so, ever since you were born." "Why?" "I was cursed when expecting you. A demon would take my firstborn son." "And?" "It came, looked at you and said 'Nah'." #CrossRepost

submitted 6 days ago • 4 comments

On Valentine's Day, a student asked the swordmaster: "What shall I give my beloved?" "A sword. It shows you trust them, and trust their abilities." Satisfied, the student left. Another student asked: "I am single, what shall I do?" The swordmaster thought. "Buy yourself a sword. You deserve it."

submitted 9 days ago • 5 comments

** Oh, since I tend to forget to say this: Huge thanks to all of you who repost stories you like and want to share with your followers! Both because you (hopefully) brighten their day, but also because that's how new readers find me, and that brightens my day. 🙂 **

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

** Oh, since I tend to forget to say this: Huge thanks to all of you who repost stories you like and want to share with your followers! Both because you (hopefully) brighten their day, but also because that's how new readers find me, and that brightens my day. 🙂 **

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

The Human ambassador bowed, hands behind their back. The Xturi envoy extended a big, soft paw. "I was told Humans greet with touch?" "Are Xturi comfortable being touched?" The Xturi's large, round eyes opened wide. Their thick, silky fur rippled as they laughed. "We relish touch!" "Excellent!"

submitted 11 days ago • 8 comments

** Award Elegibility: In 2024 I wrote 88 microstories, two short stories, and a poem. If you're nominating for the Hugo Awards, I'm eligible for Best Fan Writer, the stories for Best Short Story, and the poem for the Special Hugo (and the Rhysling Award). microsff.com/award-eligib... **

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments

🚀 Nominations for the 2025 Hugo Awards are now open! 🚀 Members of the 2025 Seattle Worldcon & the 2024 Glasgow Worldcon can nominate for the 2025 Hugo Awards, the Lodestar Award & the Astounding Awards Deadline: March 14, 2025, 11:59 p.m. PDT Learn more: https://buff.ly/3QcUTw6 #HugoAwards

submitted 13 days ago • 2 comments

"You promised me to whoever killed the dragon!" the princess said. "But-" the king said. "And she did!" "But she's a dragon too!" "And hot." #CrossRepost

submitted 13 days ago • 5 comments

"Hey, PS17, I grandad mentioned a game called 'Bubble Bobble'. Can you run that?" The PlayStation thought. "No, but I can emulate an earlier platform, that can emulate an earlier platform, that can emulate-" "How many layers of emulation will you have to run?" "Twelve." "I hope it's worth it."

submitted 14 days ago • 12 comments

"Has the old place been invaded?" "If so, they must have regressed- Ah! It's the monkeys!" "Monkeys?" "Walked upright, made stone tools, great painters, you remember?" "Huh. They've been busy." "We left fifty kiloyears ago. Shall we say hi?" "Nah, they must have forgotten us dragons by now."

submitted 16 days ago • 6 comments

"As a knight," the king said, "it is your duty to kill dragons." "Very well, my liege," the knight said. "Um. May I ask why?" "Because they hoard wealth without sharing, and people live in fear of their capricious moods." "Very well, my liege," the knight said and drew his sword. #CrossRepost

submitted 17 days ago • 4 comments

"What happens to books that nobody reads?" the king asked. "We send them to the archive for safekeeping," the librarian said. "There are many more books in the archive now than we have on the shelves." "That must cost a fortune!" "Not at all. Centuries ago, we found a dragon who hoards books."

submitted 18 days ago • 8 comments

A fleet of spaceships appeared in Earth's orbit. A message was broadcast: "Earthlings! Given your development the last few thousand years, you may discover interstellar travel any century now. To slow your advance, we are abducting the most successful millionth of you." "Yes, measured by wealth."

submitted 19 days ago • 12 comments

"What's that gun? Sto-" Captain Clever shouted. Dr. Dastard pulled the trigger. "-p!" The Captain looked around the grey, featureless void. "Where..." "It's a superhero dimension shifter. It moves a hero - you - and their foe - me - here until one is defeated." "Why?" "To protect civilians."

submitted 20 days ago • 5 comments

** PSA: If you would like to nominate for the Hugo Awards, you must be a member of this or the previous year's WorldCon, before the end of January. Which is tomorrow. Or today, if you are a few hours further East than me. Either way, it's soon. **

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

Once a year, the swordmaster saw students seeking advice on other weapons. At the end of the long line of people holding axes, spears, and tools, a girl stood, her hands empty. "What is your weapon?" "Anger. Anger and spite." The swordmaster smiled. "Finally, an advanced pupil!" #CrossRepost

submitted 24 days ago • 2 comments

The team picked to contact Earth were all sapiophiles (the term homophile, had, after debate, reluctantly been agreed against). They knew humanity, yet still liked humans. After making contact, they monitored media to gauge their impact. No number was followed more keenly than their AO3 fic count.

submitted 25 days ago • 2 comments

** Just to remind you that if one of my microstories inspires you, and makes you want to take the idea and write your own story around it, please go ahead. No need to ask permission, or give credit (it's nice but not required). **

submitted 29 days ago • 1 comment