LEIGH SMITH: Love Offerings

Submissions, , , , ,

Not to be outdone by Grandma’s cat, who slathered a gob of squirrel viscera upon the sidewalk, Boon whined at the screen door. Usually it was dross—holey sock, long-gone bones—but something’s different today: a tobacco tin with old coins, curled Greybacks.

Good dog, I say, over and over.

Leigh Ward-Smith is a writer, editor, and amateur duck-wrangler with a passion for literature in its many forms. Her work has been published in or is forthcoming for The Ghouls’ Review, 52nd City literary magazine, and the Bikes in Space fiction anthology. When not reading, parenting, or being outdoors, she can most likely be found blogging at Leigh’s Wordsmithery.

LEE DeAMALI: Salt

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, Top Stories, Touching, , ,

I do not know, six decades from now, what memories will persevere in my children and grandchildren.

But I’m taking my shot at short-term immortality, dipping this toddler in the ocean, locking eyes as a loose dog licks salt from her giggles and her father screams at me from behind.

Lee D is hyphenetically challenged and not sure if this qualifies as a 50 word story. Editor: It does!

MICHAEL J MORAN: E-Shopping

Adventure, Amusing, Submissions, , ,

“My brother bought this chainsaw on one of those internet auction sites. He said he got a great deal, lots cheaper that the home improvement stores. He always wanted to own one but wouldn’t pay retail.”

“Too bad instructions weren’t included,” said the coroner as he zipped the body bag.

Michael J. Moran is a retired university professor living in Alabama. Having left behind the writing of scientific articles and text books, he now writes short stories and flash fiction reflecting the people and culture of the anthracite coal region of Northeastern Pennsylvania where he was raised.

KRISTEN MOTLEY: Stranded

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

She’d always hated her hair. Mousy. Flat. Utterly uncooperative.

But lately, ever since she got the news, well suddenly it wasn’t so bad after all. It was lustrous. It was thick. It was beautiful.

How could she have taken it for granted?

It would grow back. If she was lucky.

Kristen is an aspiring writer currently residing in Orange County, California. She enjoys writing fiction and non fiction-based fiction and reading others’ creative works.

ROLLIN T GENTRY: The Exterminator and the Mad Scientist

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

On my first day as a pest control technician, I met Dr. Krankenblatz. He came to the door in a lab coat, brandishing a raygun-like contraption.

He pointed to my sprayer. “It doesn’t detect tachyons, does it?”

“No, sir.”

“Oh,” he sighed. “I’m afraid this isn’t going to work out…”

Rollin T. Gentry lives in Birmingham, Alabama. A software engineer by day, he can be found reading and writing speculative fiction during much of his spare time. Several of his stories have appeared in other publications. Read more from him at rollintgentry.com.

GEORGE S KARAGIANNIS: The Cure to All Evil

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

When the scientist stepped into the office, his eyes flickered before his boss. “I’ve found the cure to cancer!”

His boss sighed, assuming a gloomy expression. “Forget about it. Cancer is an elegant way to keep the world population in check.”

“But,” he grimaced, “I have cancer.”

“So do I.”

George S Karagiannis is a cancer biologist, which is why he wrote this thought-provoking story. He is also an aspiring science fiction author Find more of his writing on his website.

MELISSA ROHEN: Old Habits

Artistic, Submissions, , ,

They drank coffee together every day of their marriage. It had always been a part of their routine. Like the evening shows. Like the dinner parties. Like the slaps to the face when she got out of line.

She looked across the table to his chair, empty now, and smiled.

Melissa is a writer, teacher, and dog lover in the Middle of Nowhere, Michigan.

PAUL FINNIGAN: Nobody’s Perfect

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

Doctor Lorne Calder returned home to meet with Bert Ryan, a carpenter he’d hired to complete renovations at his home. Upon entry, he noticed a flaw in the foyer.

“You’re a master carpenter? Just look at that!” Calder complained.

“It’s easier for you,” replied Ryan. “You bury all your mistakes.”

Paul Finnigan is an Ottawa-based writer who has a collection of short fiction that has appeared in both Canada and the United States. Some previous publishers of his work include Boston Literary Magazine, Feathertale, Polar Expression Publishing, and Every Writer the Magazine.

FRANCISO TUTELLA: The Ladybird

Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

He watched the ladybird crawl up the blade of grass. He pitied the beetle, its perspective confined to the soil; its miserable existence regulated by the basic needs to eat, defecate, and reproduce; its life dependent on the man’s whim.

He did not envy the ladybird… until it flew away.

Francisco Tutella’s fiction and poetry reflect his experiences growing up in northeastern Pennsylvania and his time spent studying and traveling in Italy. He has written for Wilkes magazine, and his poetry was included in the Luzerne County Transportation Authority’s 2014 Poetry In Transit program. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Wilkes University and teaches composition and literature in northeastern Pennsylvania.