NICK YOUNG: We Pass This Way But Once

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

The sunlight’s slant has grown more acute, its dazzling mid-summer radiance muted. The late-afternoon breeze freshens, crisper now, swirling leaves grown sere, stirring the long garden chimes to a deep, dolorous melody. Unlike Nature, I resist this passage for I know without illusion what lies at the end of seasons.

Nick Young is a retired award-winning CBS News Correspondent. In addition to 50-Word Stories, his writing has appeared in dozens of reviews, journals and anthologies. His first novel, “Deadline,” was published in the Fall of 2023. He lives outside Chicago.

TIM BOITEAU: Night of the Televisual Dead

Adventure, Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

Revenants streamed out of the TV.
Tom attempted to vault over the couch, but they fell upon him, tearing him to shreds.
As putrefying hands reached for her, Kelly stumbled over the coffee table, accidentally stepping on the remote.
The horde flickered into sitcom characters.
Everyone started laughing.
Except Tom.

Tim Boiteau is a Writers of the Future winner and Editor at Every Day Fiction. His third novel, The Nilwere, is slated to be published by Grendel Press in 2024-25. See more at timboiteau.wordpress.com.

PATRICIA PEASE: Between His Toes

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

My ghostly, white cat with his albino face summons the twilight by purring mantras.

As his sandpaper tongue spreads dirty paws wide, he erases the day and its adventures from his spongy, grass-stained pads,
ready to soak up tomorrow between the yawning hours, the minutes, and his tiny pink toes.

Patricia Pease worked as an actress for 35 years. Retired, she now writes full time.

JANNIE DZIADZIO: Friend Dating

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

Exploring a new, wonderful platonic friendship with Alden is reminiscent of dating. I’m on my best behavior. Poised, shiny bright on the outside, insecure inside. I feel self-conscious, excited, vulnerable, engaged. I’m considering friend matrimony, yet am not wedded to the idea. I hope she’ll please give me a ring.

Jannie Dziadzio loves publishing 50 word stories, for better or worse.

JENNIFER BUSCH: Family Ties

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

There she goes… the woman I called sister. All makes sense now. But… how could she leave me? I was a child! And now, after all these years, she wants me to stop seeing Mum?

Or should I say… Gran?

She’s ringing! No, I can’t… No… What do I do?

Jennifer Busch’s mum is her actual, biological mum. At least as far as she knows.

ANGELA CARLTON: Whispers

Adventure, Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , ,

He took me away, mother, a long time ago. Dad beat me down with words, fists-fists. If sleep came, your whispers were loud in dreams saying, “Run-run-run, go.” At fourteen, I found our river. I floated amongst drifters, moving with the broken, living, as we built tents beneath Georgia stars.

Angela Carlton’s fiction has been published in Every Writer, Everyday Fiction, Pedestal Magazine, 6S, 50 Word Stories and Friday Flash Fiction. In 2023, her story “Swallowed,” was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. See more on Facebook.

SOPHIE PELL: Mis-Matched

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

A house at odds with itself. Sideboard of fragile knick-knacks next to a ping-pong table, as if trying to please too many people at once.

Slotted into the empty space on the floral-covered sofa, between a pair of boxing gloves and a set of garden shears, I fit right in.

Sophie Pell is a writer with a background in film and television production. Recent projects include the short story Inspiration, published in Chewin the Fat Magazine and A Country Christmas which was chosen as an Official Selection at the Adapted Screenplay Awards. She has upcoming publications soon to be announced and is a contributing writer for the Crumbling Creatives Club, a comedy sketch group based in London.

SANDRA JAMES: Clouds

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , ,

Clouds afford a soft landing. I climbed that stairway to Heaven, found you, and snatched you back. I didn’t want you to leave; couldn’t let you go; wasn’t ready to say goodbye. We eluded St Peter, leapt from the pearly gates. Down, down. I wake with tears on my pillow.

Sandra James leads a writing group in Heathcote, Australia.

DANIEL WEBSTER: The Gloom

Artistic, Submissions, ,

I found him in the gloom of the depths.
I never saw his back, nor could I see his face.
Standing on two legs not unlike mine, he reached out a hand to the wall.
He started to climb, I in turn followed.
Mile after mile, it’s been getting brighter.

Daniel lives and works in Dublin.