One of the great joys for Laura and I is to discover new work and to give it a home. We’ve been blessed by, and are truly grateful for, the many wonderful pieces we have received in submissions, be they created by experienced writers and poets, or by newcomers to the literary scene. We like to think that by our work we give something back to the community as an act of service, and we do it because we love literature in all its many forms.
Making our selections for nominations for Best Of The Net 2026 was both a trial and a pleasure. A trial because it was so very difficult to choose, and a pleasure because we get to give something extra to some of our valued contributors. In truth, we wish we could nominate all of the pieces we have ever published, but we were limited by the terms of the contest to two CNF pieces, two short stories, and six poems. The pieces we selected also had to have been published between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, which is the period covering issues 1 and 2.
Here then are our nominations for Best Of The Net 2026. If you haven’t read these pieces then we strongly suggest that you do!
Sincere congratulations to you all!
Creative Non-Fiction
Life as Mask, Mask as Life // Nuala O’Connor
Of Love // Michelle Li
Short Stories
Here We Go Again: A Listicle // Aisling Walsh
Filthy Men and Skinny Bitches // Brianna Walsh
Poetry
You meet me at the Galactic Cafe // Sara Aultman
A Moving Pause // Hillary Smith-Maddern
Seeing Stars // Julian Cason
Greetings, You’ve Reached Hades // Rosie Copeland
SudZee’s // Spencer Robert Young
Fire Eater’s Cough // Sarah Wallis
Congratulations to Nuala Nic C, and all the nominees. Best of luck.