A.J. @TheWhyFiles has delivered the Best Click Bait All Year and a great Christmas message. I try to do the same thing, but he's inspired me to do even more. Not to make click bait, but to do the thing... well, you have to watch. And Merry Christmas! www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBX8...

Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice, Boxing Day, Yule, and Kwanzaa. Regardless of how you celebrate, the season, we wish you the gift of peace for you and your families.

After a woman opens her third eye to fight the demon horde sent to break her, she discovers that inviting her tormentors to tea might at least infuriate Lucifer beyond recovery go.dfstory.com/darjeeling

Looking for a last minute gift? Dreamforge Magazine makes a great Christmas gift for the reader in your life. Get a subscription as a gift. It's is a beautiful 8.5x11" full color magazine. SUBSCRIBE: dreamforgemagazine.com/subsc... BUY on Amazon: go.dfstory.com/https://go.df...

In DreamForge Anvil Issue 22, we look for connections via music, gifts, and a cup of tea. SUBSCRIBE: dreamforgemagazine.com/subsc... READ Free Online: go.dfstory.com/anvil22

Hugh McCormack is a short fiction writer and nonfiction writer/editor, based in Heraklion, Greece. His recent publications include stories in Water Dragon Publishing’s Dragon Gems anthology. You can read his latest work "The Beekeeper's Gift" in DreamForge: dreamforgemagazine.com/story/the-be...

Today's Word: Strenae Gifts given at the New Year for good luck. From the Latin strēnae, which were gifts of goodwill (like figs, dates, and honey). Before the modern age, the exchange of strenae was a widespread tradition. In lieu of figs, send home baked chocolate chip cookies!

Star Trek has decided that the Kelvin Timeline is no more. Under new management. 3dvf.com/en/after-sixty-year...

Finding myself near the cutting edge of treatment for advanced macular degeneration was not on my bucket list, but here we are. In any previous decade, the outlook may have been grim. Today, progressive vision loss has turned a corner to measurable improvement. go.dfstory.com/macular

Do you like actually holding a physical magazine in your hands? We've got you covered. DreamForge is a beautiful 8.5x11" full color magazine with illustrations for every story and poem. SUBSCRIBE: dreamforgemagazine.com/subsc... BUY on Amazon: go.dfstory.com/https://go.df...

Issue 22 has great stories of "communication" by David Hankins, Robert E. Harpold, Jane Lindskold, Hugh McCormack, and Wulf Moon - as well as an essay by Scot Noel. SUBSCRIBE: dreamforgemagazine.com/subsc... READ Free Online: go.dfstory.com/anvil22

Tangent reviews DreamForge Anvil, Issue 22. Some terrific reviews for some great stories. Are you reading DreamForge? tangentonline.com/e-market-qua...

Today's Word: Scrupulosity Pathological or obsessive concern with moral or religious issues, especially excessive guilt over minor sins. From Latin scrupulus ("small sharp stone"), figuratively a prick of conscience. "I only took that one paper clip from the office supply drawer!"

During DreamForge’s latest submission period, we found an oft-repeated pattern in story openings that just will not work for us. Let’s take a look at what bad habits to avoid. go.dfstory.com/story-opening

Still 1 month to go! January 14th is the deadline for Story Unlikely's Short Story Contest. Free to enter and $5000 in prizes. Subscribers can enter up to three stories. This year they even have a category for reprints.

A merchant beekeeper accepts mysterious pebbles from strangers in raspberry robes, gifts that others fearfully refuse. He discovers that these non-transactional encounters have the power to change the world. go.dfstory.com/bee-gift

When a woman meets the grandfather she never knew and learns of their magical family legacy, she must decide whether to risk everything to use an unpredictable power in saving a life she's only just found. go.dfstory.com/dog-helps

Visit our Welcome page and meet our writers for issue 22! dreamforgemagazine.com/story/welcom...

Congratulations to DreamForge Dreamcasters, contributors, and submitters who placed in Q4 Writers of the Future! writersofthefuture.com/writers-of-t...

In DreamForge Anvil Issue 22, we have the conclusion of Wulf Moon’s “Muzik Man,” then fight demonic attacks with diplomacy, learn good luck is never granted without a cost, that non-transactional encounters can bring good fortune, and much more! Free online dreamforgemagazine.com/digital-issu...

Today's Word: Floccinaucinihilipilification Estimating something as worthless. Maybe the longest non-technical word in English. Coined in 18th-century Eton Latin classes from a blend of Latin roots meaning "little or nothing." My Pathfinder character, "Root" is very proud of his "Worth-Less Amulet."

We're loving Pluribus. I had high expectations and it's meeting every one. www.inverse.com/entertainmen...

DreamForge Anvil Issue 22 is out and we have "Darjeeling and Demons," by David Hankins. After a woman opens her third eye to fight the demon horde sent to break her, she discovers that inviting her tormentors to tea might be her best defense. dreamforgemagazine.com/story/darjee...

Today's Word: Hiemal Winter's stark dominion of iron-gray skies and the season of snow and ice. From Latin hiemālis, "wintry" and the ancient Indo-European root gheim. Time for hot chocolate, spiced cider, and sitting around the fire... or the space heater in my case.

Issue 22 has great stories of "communication" by David Hankins, Robert E. Harpold, Jane Lindskold, Hugh McCormack, and Wulf Moon - as well as an essay by Scot Noel. SUBSCRIBE: dreamforgemagazine.com/subsc... READ Free Online: go.dfstory.com/anvil22

The conclusion of the Muzik Man, an novelette by Wulf Moon. After a heretical musical android is sentenced to destruction, can his greatest failure revolutionize the society he was sent to save? go.dfstory.com/muzik-man-2

12/7/25 DreamCaster writers group, 1:00 pm ET. We welcome back Award-Winning writer and writing coach Bruce McAllister to discuss “The shape of the story.” DreamCasters is our Patreon support group, but you can join this session free by completing the form at dreamforgemagazine.com/dreamcasters...

Finding myself near the cutting edge of treatment for advanced macular degeneration was not on my bucket list, but here we are.https://dreamforgemagazine.com/story/hope-notes-fighting-blindness-from-amd-a-personal-story

Today's Word: Aetherial Of or relating to the upper air, the heavens, or something too perfect for this world. From Greek aither (pure, upper air). Hmmm....sounds ethereal to me.

As unstoppable "inorganics" advance to demolish Mars' last garden, a grieving father tries to gain his daughter's attention and impress her with the need to carry both hope and heritage forward, one precious cutting at a time go.dfstory.com/garden-dome

Today we put a $50 loan toward Elvie’s farming project in the Philippines through Kiva. She supports her family and now needs fertilizer and pesticides to boost her next harvest. A small loan helps her keep her business thriving and her community supported. www.kiva.org

A homecoming that cannot be. An unlikely friendship. A dog who guards a secret. Can shy Sylvia learn the language of luck? dreamforgemagazine.com/story/dog-he...

Today's Word: Concinnity The harmonious arrangement or fitting together of different parts; creating seamless, beautiful unity. From Latin concinnitas (skillful joining). A rare skill applicable to creative tasks, like putting together a new issue of DreamForge.

In DreamForge Anvil Issue 22, we look for connections via music, gifts, and a cup of tea. SUBSCRIBE: dreamforgemagazine.com/subsc... READ Free Online: go.dfstory.com/anvil22

An unusual tale of non-transactional connections and the ripples they make in the world. The Beekeeper's Gift, by Hugh McCormack. dreamforgemagazine.com/story/the-be...

Today's word: Mundivagant. A wanderer who roams aimlessly across the globe, drawn by curiosity rather than destination. From Latin "mundus" (world) + "vagari" (to wander). Uncommon. Archaic, and with no famous examples that I could find. Is the title of a song by The Kid KILLUA from 2023.

After a woman opens her third eye to fight the demon horde sent to break her, she discovers that inviting her tormentors to tea might at least infuriate Lucifer beyond recovery go.dfstory.com/darjeeling

Issue 22 has been released! Great stories of "communication" by David Hankins, Robert E. Harpold, Jane Lindskold, Hugh McCormack, and Wulf Moon - as well as an essay by Scot Noel. Read Free online or buy an Epub at Amazon: go.dfstory.com/Anvil22

In this article, Wulf Moon shows us how a well-crafted title can evoke emotions, prompt questions, and entice readers into the author's world. dreamforgemagazine.com/story/title-...

Today's Word: Bibliosmia The pleasurable scent of a old book. Derived from the Greek biblio (book) and osme (scent or smell). When will Kindle figure out how to duplicate that vanilla-almond scent of aging paper that every book lover knows. Or maybe they shouldn't try.

Epiphanies are those lightning-strike moments when your character finally gets it—learn how to craft character insights that feel both inevitable and surprising, turning mere plot points into unforgettable moments of genius. go.dfstory.com/ss-eureka

An apprentice minstrel has survived three years of disasters following his master across plague-torn Europe— but in Naples, he discovers the catastrophes had a purpose and his master has a plan. go.dfstory.com/finding-a-voice

Today is Thanksgiving in the US. Instead of focusing on out troubles and worries, we can practice the art of thankfulness.

A soldier who couldn't pull the trigger in an alien jungle becomes a sought-after musician—haunted by a melody only he can hear and playing an instrument no human should possess. go.dfstory.com/play-it-again

We love to promote the success of our DreamCaster supporters. Today, we congratulate David Hankins for getting the cover story on Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond Issue #14 with “The Abrabanel Rescue.” www.amazon.com/Eric-Flints-...

Vellichor The wistful aura of used bookstores, with their musty smell and promise of forgotten stories waiting on shelves. From The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. It combines the Latin "velli" (of paper) and "ichor" (the ethereal fluid of the gods). A poetic describing half my book shelves.

A photographer follows a remote tribe's unusual life cycle, until the day his own camera stops working and the evening songs begin to make sense. go.dfstory.com/easy-song

While acclaim and success may be illusions, there are grounding realities which give opportunities to love, laugh, and enjoy the aroma of a new field of art. dreamforgemagazine.com/story/cities...

Today's Word is: Gorgonize: To have a paralyzing or mesmerizing effect on someone. Derived from the Greek Gorgons (like Medusa), whose gaze turned people to stone. Useful for modern times: News and Internet algorithms are designed to gorgonize, not apprise. To stupefy, not edify.

The Foresight Institute champions Existential Hope, and is betting on a brighter future, the Foresight Institute actively works to combat the "doom-loop." Read on to discover how they're mapping out credible paths to a better tomorrow. go.dfstory.com/existential-hope