A writing critic reviews the construction of Charles Chesnutt’s stories and how to write surfiction.

Following a messy breakup, an MIT graduate and a PhD student at Indiana University separately talk about the problems in their former relationship in two spliced-together conversations, exploring conflicts surrounding language, intimacy, commitment, and intellectualism.

Everything all at once in word form.

An author discusses with his friend the best way to write about a poor aunt. Their words take on a new power when he manifests a literal poor aunt on his back and draws in spectators.

In Michigan, a recently divorced professor reflects on what it means to exist, first alone in his empty apartment and then alongside his student in a mission to find a missing girl.

Dermot, a being with an insatiable hunger but a controlled demeanor, works with police to find and kill predators, like himself, who are ravaging the city.

After a terrible tragedy befalls an airplane, an orphaned cat is rehomed to two roommates who constantly ponder the nature of life and death.

In the depths of his mind, a writer tries to uncover the autonomous, nefarious motivations of his own characters.

A family’s plans for the first day of the hunting season are delayed when the reason behind one son and his wife’s separation is revealed.

A young gay man attends the wedding of an ex-hookup, and suspects the ex has a fetish for Koreans.