Bryan's picks

"Bryan's picks" is a list of stories on Shifti that Bryan has picked as being of particularly good quality, both in terms of technical execution (formatting, spelling, etc) and in terms of writing.

If you've posted a story on Shifti that I haven't included here please don't take it personally. This list reflects my own subjective tastes, and furthermore I may have not even read it yet; I've had little time to read most of the submissions so far. Other users are encouraged to create their own lists and make their own editorial decisions. I'm doing this solely as a user, not as an administrator.

Note that I have high technical standards; a few incorrect "your/you're"s is sufficient to warrant the "needs copyediting" icon and a story that still looks like a rough draft won't be added here at all even if it's otherwise complete. I am happy to provide editing assistance myself, or for general assistance requests try the editor's corner.

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New additions

New additions remain in this section for at least a week before being moved into sections by subject.

August 17:

• Inspire Me by Michael Bard - If one can't find inspiration, giving it is not such a bad consolation.
• Keeping Secrets by Michael Bard - If you have secrets you shouldn't assume you're the only one.
• Hoof Beat by Bob Stein - A human cop insults a pompus elf and gets predictably cursed. But even magic wears down with time.
• An Unexpected Stop by Charles Matthias - A broken-down car, a stay at a farmhouse, the love of the farmer's daughter; a classic tale well told, and with a nice ending.
• Colony File:Star by Jon Buck - An alternate history where the New World has no native humans, and the magic of the land keeps it that way.

August 12:

• It's in the Skin by Michael Bard - a quick little tale showing why one should be careful to trust one's suppliers.

August 11:

• Mortal Danger by Bob Stein - A boat trip into the wilds results in a whole passle of shapeshifting, including an interesting version of the satyr/dryad dynamic.
• Far Indeed From Sherwood Forest by User:Xodiac - Robin Hood and Maid Mare-ian, now living the pun in modern Florida. A Xanadu story.

August 10:

• How did the Ceolocanth REALLY Survive? by Michael Bard - Thanks to shapeshifting, of course.
• Something Fishy by Michael Bard - How do aquatic aliens invent technology without the ability to make fire?

Animal TFs

Equine

• Baylor's Rein by Bob Stein - A wayward Prince will do anything to have his own way - even if it means using risky magic.
• Companion by Bob Stein - Aaron's life slowly starts to change. Who's responsible?
• Gypsy Gold by Bob Stein - A murdered Gypsy's ghost wants his rightful property restored.
• Jacked into the System by Bob Stein - Jake got a 'deal' on his BodMod suit - and finds out that the price tag is a lot higher than expected.
• Lasting Impression by Bob Stein - A couple of clever thieves run into a cleverer Wizard.

Cervine

• Escape by Jon Buck - The alien invaders have vastly superior technology, but humans have an advantage that the aliens simply don't understand...
• Forest Life by Bryan - The elevator stopped at a most unexpected floor.
• Summer Job by Erastus Centaur - Throughout the ages, summer jobs remain the same - a tedious way for young folk to earn a little extra cash on the side.

Other

• The Effect of Spotted Clothes by Erastus Centaur - A love story about a boy and his dog. Set in the Barken, Texas universe, but previous knowledge of it isn't needed.
• Spells of Brigervan by Virmir - Bryce's life flashes before his eyes.

Mythical TFs

• Bottom Up by Bob Stein - An old partnership from ancient Greece still holds firm to this day.
• The Limelight by Jon Buck - The magic of wisps mix with the magic of the stage. Set in the Wisp-touched universe.
• Of Love and Hate by Michael Bard - Also of good and evil.
• Olympus by Bryan - In 1935 magic swept out into the world and devastated civilization. A quarter century later Dalton thinks he's figured out where it came from. Origin story for the Wisp-touched universe.

Transgender

• Joker by Bob Stein - Prototype teleporters and practical jokers are an interesting combination.

Miscellaneous

• Just the Right Shoes for This Life By Erastus Centaur - Set in Bob's "Walk-a-Mile" universe, a man tries on a variety of lives to see which one fits best.
• Taylor Series Tom and Cat by Jetfire - An odd means of curing cancer, to be sure. First in the Taylor Series.