Issue 28 – August 15, 2026
Welcome to Issue 28: Small Lights Holding Back the Dark
Even a small light can hold back the dark. A single touch of color can bring a scene to life — a berry in a winter tree, a lantern of wire and scavenged cloth, a crown made of soda can rings. But someone has to summon that spark and keep it shining, even when the neighbors mutter and shake their heads. Don’t let their disapproval stop you. We’ll keep the lantern lit. It won’t stay dark forever.
From raccoons to rattlesnakes, cockroaches to werecats, follow these stubborn souls as they kindle their small fires. And pass the flame along.
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Blue Winter by Joy Kennedy O’Neill
Letter from Burrowdeep by Justin Ocelot
The White Raccoon by Christian Emecheta
Old-Dry-Snakeskin by Ross Whitlock
Biological Contaminant Detected by Katlina Sommerberg
Rebel with a Lot of Claws by William Markly O’Neal
Piñon Smoke and Juniper by Spencer Orey
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We’ll see you again in October with more sparks to brighten the coming winter with its long nights. And as always, if you want to support Zooscape, check out our Patreon. Also, you can pick up e-book or paperback volumes of our earlier issues, complete with an illustration for every story.