HILLARY NICHOLS: Void of Vice

Amusing, Submissions, , , , ,

On the worst day possible, sorrow came.

In great gulps of anguish, it descended upon her. One wave crashed into another with nary a pause. Her sobs were heard throughout the house—and rightfully so.

How deep the wound, how massive the pain, to be catastrophically, inexplicably out of chocolate!

It is well known across the land that Hillary does not like to be without her chocolate. She has been published in 50-Word Stories before, and most recently won a contest with Six-Word that earned her a place in the book “Crush” by Cathy Alter and Dave Singleton (released in April 2016). #1stcelebcrush

STORY OF THE MONTH: May 2016

News

The Story of the Month is chosen from the Story of the Week winners announced from the past month.

The finalists for May were:

Cryptic Quest by John H. Dromey
Alone by Verity Park
Encroachment by Daniel Slaten
Alien Nature by Patrick Yu

The winner of the May 2016 Story of the Month, and the $10 prize, is…

Alien Nature

Patrick put together something very poetic, unique, and fascinatingly speculative. It gets my mind wandering in a lot of different directions, that’s for sure!

TONY AWORI: Her New Friend

Adventure, Submissions, , ,

Empty for eighty years, the mansion loomed over the village, and cautionary tales spread as wildfire.

She ventured in regardless, her explorer’s spirit unquenchable. To her parents’ chagrin, she returned late, yet regretted nothing.

In the mansion’s window a figure appeared, high above the village.

It watched, and it waited.

Tony is working on a research thesis. In his spare time, he enjoys playing music and writing short stories. Some of his writing can be seen at liretranger.wordpress.com.

ROBERT HOEKMAN JR: How I Became a Famous Writer

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

I read just one novel, the Great American one. I don’t recall what it said. I didn’t read it for its words. I read it for its intentions, its wonders, its accidents and daydreams. I read it slow and neat and kind, and when it was over, I wrote voraciously.

Robert Hoekman Jr is a writer and the cohost of Spillers, downtown Phoenix’s premier short fiction storytelling event. Learn more about him at rhjr.net.

MICHELLE ROMERO: React

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

When I showed him the two plusses, his face lit up, and he laughed with an, “Oh, wow.”

He saw my expression and the smile faded, being replaced by guilty eyes to match mine. He sat down next to me on the floor and placed his hand on my stomach.

Michelle Romero is a second-year Master of Arts in English graduate student from Lake Charles, Louisiana. In the fall of 2016, she will be joining the McNeese State University Master of Fine Arts program as a fiction writer.

GORDON LYSEN: Old Habits

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

It spun clockwise in an ever-decreasing circle. Its life ended in a gurgle, a final gasp. I straightened and felt relief that it was over. I quickly wiped everything down and, glancing around, verified that all evidence of my activities was gone.

No one knows I wash dishes by hand.

Gordon Lysen resides in Manitoba, Canada, spending his time between the city of Winnipeg and his true home at Sugar Point on Lake Manitoba. Retired from police work after some 27 years, Gordon co-authored the novel “A Deadly Blend of Souls” with his wife, Lisa. Writing and painting are Gordon’s relaxation methods when retirement becomes too stressful.

STORY OF THE WEEK: June 5

News

The story of the week for May 30 to June 3 is…

A double!

The Daily Check on His Enchanted Girlfriend by Mark Farley
The Leaking and the Legacy by Bob Thurber

This is what happens when two of the strongest repeat authors in 50WS history go up against one another. Both stories are exceptional in very different ways, and both deserved recognition.

RICHARD DAY GORE: Scrambled

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Daddy left early; he didn’t say goodbye.

No, they didn’t yell this morning. Last night, though.

Mommy didn’t make my eggs. Usually I get two, with an orange juice. She’s still sleeping. I shook her; her hand is cold. Will she wake up soon? I’m hungry.

Daddy didn’t say goodbye.

After chasing his muse from Virginia to Manhattan, Richard Day Gore settled in Southern California, where he spends his time pushing around words, paint brushes, and guitar strings. See more at richarddaygore.com.

FRANCISCO TUTELLA: Stab ‘n’ Grab

Adventure, Submissions, , ,

I thought it’d be an easy stab ‘n grab, but the old man didn’t flinch when I pointed the knife at his chest. Instead he grabbed the handle and thrust the blade between his ribs, past the lungs, to where his heart should have been.

He laughed and walked away.

Francisco Tutella’s fiction and poetry reflect his experiences growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania and his travels in Italy. His work has appeared in 50-Word Stories and Wilkes magazine. He holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Wilkes University and teaches composition and literature in northeastern Pennsylvania.

LISA BEYT: Handsome

Adventure, Odd, Submissions, , ,

I met him by the loch.

“If you ever meet a kelpie,” he said, “never look it in the eye.”

I stroked his hair. It was black and wet. When my fingers stuck there, his eyes pinwheeled. Long, equine lashes.

In a vortex of thunder, we began our riverbed descent.

Lisa Beyt recently relocated to Edinburgh which has fuelled a fascination with Scottish beasties. You can find her loitering on Twitter.