ADITY KAY: Leap of Faith

Artistic, Submissions, ,

This I know: that having run a long time, my breath a roar in my ears, one single leap will carry me over every high wall. Swimming underwater, I will find a transparent veil. And my words will find a way to you, across time and space.

Adity lives in New Jersey and studied for an MFA in Writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Common, The Missouri Review, On the Seawall, Past-Ten, The Maine Review, and elsewhere. Speaking Tiger Books, India, recently published her mystery novel, The Kidnapping of Mark Twain: A Bombay Mystery.

JOHN H. DROMEY: A Not-So-New Wrinkle

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

Speaking to seniors, the emcee referred to iconic moments in vintage radio programs. Jack Benny’s vault and Fibber McGee’s closet struck a chord with everyone except one stone-faced woman.

“Was she afraid a smile of recognition would give away her age?” the speaker asked the organizer.

“No. Too much Botox.”

John H. Dromey has micro-fiction, flash fiction, and short stories published in over 200 venues.

DOMINIQUE GÉLIN: I love you and nothing else

Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, , , , ,

Because the previous gods had created one apocalyptic fiasco after another, fraternization among The Entities was now forbidden. But that didn’t stop The Sun and Death from stealing kisses whenever they got the chance. They grew bolder and their love burned brighter, until a scorched Earth was all that remained.

Dominique Gélin is a writer based in Los Angeles, CA. Her book, Heebie Jeebies: 31 Creepy Stories You Can Read in 5 Minutes Or Less, is set to be released October 2024. You can learn more about her work by visiting her website at dominiquegelin.com.

PETER WILSON: The Bribe

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

The ice cream was melting.

I raced the sun, licking faster.

“How is it?” he asked, smoking a cigarette.

It dripped on my shirt: evidence.

At home, an interrogation. “Don’t lie,” she said. “I smelled it on him.”

I stared at the ground and shook my head. “I’m not lying.”

Peter Wilson is a freelance writer living in Toronto.

RAN WALKER: The Best Magic Trick

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

There’s a mirror in the box that makes it look like he’s disappeared. This is his best magic trick. He’s so good at it he sometimes refuses to come out from behind the mirror, having convinced himself that disappearing leaves behind a wonder that can’t be achieved by being present.

Ran Walker is an award-winning author of over 30 books and the creator of the 100 x 100 micro novel. He teaches creative writing and lives in Virginia with his wife and daughter.

JOHN SZAMOSI: Birthday Boy

Amusing, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

On his 104th birthday he has to ask his great-granddaughter to blow out the candle on the cake.

He says he has two wishes. One, Seabiscuit win the Kentucky Derby. Two, more for emotional than political reasons, FDR get re-elected.

If ever there was one good way to stay young…

John Szamosi is a wordsmith and peace activist who has published over one hundred short stories, satires and poems.

SUSAN ISREAL: Cataract

Adventure, Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

In his dreams he can see. He’s darting across the lawn after the sassy Shih Tzu in a pink pinafore. His paws thrash the air; he twitches and whines; he’s just about caught up with her now.

His person wouldn’t dare disturb his reverie now, would she? He can see!

Susan Israel is the author of two crime novels, Over My Live Body and Student Bodies (The Story Plant) Her short fiction has recently been published in Dark Winter Literary Magazine, JAKE and MacQueen’s Quinterly. She lives in Connecticut with her dog.

TIM BOITEAU: Delayed by the Rain

Adventure, Submissions, ,

The dark car pulls up to the curb.

Door shut, the unblinking driver ferries you away.

Your first impression: Why so many pine-tree air fresheners?

You wrap yourself in a snow-pale blanket and notice the smell, not of petrichor, nor the dangling pressed-paper forest, but the first notes of rot.

Tim Boiteau writes in Michigan. He is a Writers of the Future winner and the author of several novels and many short stories. See more at timboiteau.wordpress.com.

HELEN KSYPKA: Following the Rule

Amusing, Poetry, Submissions, , , , , ,

I want to write words that are polished and pretty
poetic, prophetic and wonderf’ly witty
with verses and stanzas and pages galore,
and when I am finished write ten pages more.
Except there’s a rule that I need to address.
The word count is fifty. No more and no less.

Helen Ksypka lives in Eliot, Maine. She is the author of “A Chef for the Queen,” and her humor has been published by Meadowrook Press, Reader’s Digest, The Saturday Evening Post, Light Poetry Magazine, and elsewhere.