Author of Glasgow and Scots-Noir
Short Stories by JS Apsley
JS Apsley has written a number of short stories, many of which have been published or are under active consideration from magazines and journals around the world.
Immersion
Set in Glasgow, a woman becomes infatuated with the Salvador Dali painting "Christ of St John of the Cross". This, JS Apsley's debut fiction submission, won the Ringwood Publishing Short Story Prize 2024.
Status: published on 9 January 2025.
Gleamers
Henry's new job is too good to be true; but he is prideful and blind to the strange signs around him. "Gleamers" is a modern twist on the classic vampire story, set in Glasgow.
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Status: Accepted for Publication by specialist online magazine Suburban Witchcraft. The story will feature in Issue 9, expected June 2025.
The Shape at Finnieston Crane
At the height of lockdown, a weary police officer interviews a strange man with the most incredible story. He has seen something alive ... alive and almost invisible, hanging from the Finnieston Crane. "The Shape at Finnieston Crane" is a science fiction short story set in Glasgow.
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Status: Accepted for Publication in online magazine Underside Stories, date of publication expected summer 2025.
Jenny Greenteeth
After the third body is found down by the river, the city is ready to believe in dark fairy tales. "Jenny Greenteeth" is a crime/fantasy short story set in Glasgow.​
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Status: accepted for audio performance on North American horror podcast "Tales to Terrify". More details to follow.
God of Soil - Trilogy
At the end of a dark hollow, an ancient beast lies hungry, but is soon to be fed. God of Soil is a horror genre trilogy of short stories (God of Soil; God of Soil II - The Dweller Rises; and God of Soil III - The Pact).
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Status: The trilogy will be published by specialist horror magazine Lovecraftiana, an imprint of Rogue Planet Press, starting in April 2026. More details to follow. Back issues of Lovecraftiana are available on Amazon.
Needle's Eye
Though the tide was high, he was drawn to the Needle's Eye, and before he reached it, he knew he would walk through, not knowing what may be on the other side. "The Needles' Eye is supernatural short story.​
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
Salvage
Come with me, the unknown protagonist, as I venture into the bowels of a sinking ship, searching for someone I know I must save. "Salvage" is a near-future dystopian science fiction short.
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
The Burned Man
Sophia is worried about her husband. He's distracted and distant. Then, he tells her about the burned man. "The Burned Man" is a thriller/horror short story about powerful vengeance.
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
The Night Crew
"The Night Crew": that's what the guys on the backshift called themselves as they lark around after hours. But then the boss asks them to clear the basement, and they find something down there, in the dark. Something ... awful. "The Night Crew" is a pulp horror short story.
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
The Last Days of Howard Hill
Jim and I met some characters in our time. None more so than Howard Hill. After all, he was the man who had taught Errol Flynn how to use a bow and arrow. So what was he doing in a Glasgow pub? "The Last Days of Howard Hill" is a comic, character driven fiction short.
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
The Far Shore at Black Lake
"I feel myself propel along the waters of the black lake. I peer back for one last look at my obsidian messenger, but is gone. They are all gone".
"The Far Shore at Black Lake" is an experimental science fiction short story.
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Status: accepted for publication in Bewildering Stories, expected Summer 2025. .
The Last Conversation
Two strangers share a very human connection, just as humanity is about to end. "The Last Conversation" is a near-future speculative dystopian short story.​
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
The Secret of Glasgow's Gold
Churchill moved a stash of bullion below George Square, during the war. We were sure we'd be the ones to find it. "The Secret of Glasgow's Gold" is comic, character driven short story.​
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
Another One of the Missing
Our new neighbour sat in his garden for hours, reading his strange lists. Just what was he doing? "Another One of the Missing" is short crime story.​
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
Home and Away
An old man at a football match is surrounded by fans who come just to hear how colourful his insults can be. "Home and Away" is a short narrative fiction piece exploring dementia and the use of dialect in dialogue.​
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
Sandy Bane
A rock band is invited to play a private gig for a gang of bikers in the Scottish woods, and get more than they bargained for. "Sandy Bane" is a horror short story, a modern twist on the Scots folk tale of cannibal Sawney Bean.​
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
The Last Free Wolf in Scotland
An impressionable young man falls under the spell of a re-wilder with dark, ulterior motives. "The Last Free Wolf in Scotland" is a thriller short story.​
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Status: under consideration for publication, more details to follow.
