Biome

Drought has left the land brittle and parched - a controlled burn is needed to restore the land to balance. The only problem? Flora's abuela has left notes that the Cinderbloom, possibly the very last of its kind, lies at the heart of the land about to go up in flames.Cinderbloom is by Cristina FarinasCristina is a Florida-based writer whose work often explores themes of environmental and wildlife conservation, belonging, and journeys of self-discovery. Her short fiction has been recognized in competitions, including winning the 2026 MagicFest Mock Event and shortlisting in the 2026 Parsec Short Story Contest. Her stories are published or forthcoming in Certain Age, 101 Words, Rat Bag Lit, and Quotidian Bagatelle. A passionate storyteller, Cristina also enjoys photography, hiking, and curating her travel blog, Wander Florida.Follow her on her socials:https://www.instagram.com/what.cris.writes/https://bsky.app/profile/criswrites.bsky.socialI deeply appreciate your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpecHave questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected] thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

War-forged but vulnerable, wise with the memories of another life, another body, a tiny alien returns to its own kind. But can it keep the pieces of itself long enough to share the tale of its lost progenitor? Should it even try?Homecoming by Proxy is by Erin CullenErin Cullen is a neuroscience researcher and speculative fiction writer based in New York City. Erin’s writing has appeared in various magazines and anthologies plus scientific journals even experts only look at for the pictures. Erin is nominally on BlueSky @erinrcullen.bsky.social but more often coming up with excuses to be offline and outdoors.I deeply appreciate your support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/BiomeSpecHave questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected] thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

How does Biome pick the stories we publish? What's the value of prizes and recognition?Your host and Biome editor Alex Zoubine discusses the value of curation and prizes in Sci-Fi and literature more broadlyCheck out the Biome submissions portal here if you're curious: https://biomespec.wordpress.com/submissions/Learn more about the Hugo Awards in Science Fiction: https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2026-hugo-awards/Learn More about the Nebula Awards here: https://nebulas.sfwa.org/award-year/2025/And of course, check out the official Nobel Prize website here: https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/Check out our recent interviews with some of our Season 1 authors:Jordan Hirsch: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-161200342/M.D. Smith IV: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-m-d-162930361/Grigory Lukin: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-165750671/Toshiya Kamei: https://www.patreon.com/BiomeSpec/posts/interlude-1-161022506/Have questions, comments or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you: [email protected] thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

Strange growths appear where violence has happened. Everyone can see them. Not everyone wants to. This is a story about what we do with the things we can't pretend away.Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected] is by J. M. J. Brewer.J. M. J. Brewer is a staunch supporter of nature conservation. His cats are named after lyrics in John Prine, Guy Clark, and Little Feat songs. You can find more of his fiction at jmjbrewer.com.Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

Contaminated pods get destroyed. No exceptions. That's what she wrote. That's what she's transmitting to Harlan, hundreds of years from Earth, along with one quiet addition: she was wrong.Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected] Pull of the Dough is by Nicholas PackwoodNicholas Packwood has taught narrative design in Game Design at George Brown Polytechnic, Toronto since 2009 and been program coordinator for Screenwriting & Narrative Design since 2015. Currently on hiatus, he appears to be taking refuge in Quaker body horror.Special thanks to our Biosphere Patreon supporter Shanella!

Every marriage has moments where you wish your partner were a little different. Marge never expected to be handed the list.Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected] Winnowers is by Christopher ThomasChristopher Thomas lives in eastern Kentucky and has published short fiction in the Los Angeles Review, The Eckleburg Review, Eclectica Magazine, WENSUM and elsewhere. He has one published novel, Never Sated, Never Sane (Chromium Press, 2005).Check out more of Christopher's work at: https://www.chillsubs.com/profile/cadamtSupport us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes:https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/Or give us a tip on buymeacoffee.com/biomespec.Every dollar helps us bring you more stories.Share your thoughts with Biome! Reach us at [email protected]

In a cracked and thirsty land, a doubting monk learns that divine wisdom doesn't always announce itself — sometimes it just grows quietly. Join us on Patreon and get early access to all episodes: https://www.patreon.com/c/biomespec/ and drop us a line at [email protected] Writing on the Wall is by Jordan HirschJordan Hirsch writes speculative fiction and poetry in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Her debut poetry chapbook Both Worlds is available with Bottlecap Press, and Four Women of Saint Paul--a collection of short fiction--is out with Red Bird Chapbooks. Find more at jordanrhirsch.wordpress.com.Follow Jordan on: Bluesky: [email protected]: @writejordanwrite