The story of the week for June 1 to 5 is…
Head Case by Mark Farley
It’s rare to see a story that’s so truly unique and evokes so much emotional complexity, but Mark pulled it off in spectacular fashion.
ISAIAH LACSAMANA: Foreshadowing
Left, right. Up, down.
He searches for the book. It’s still there. Relieved, but he still can’t afford it.
He walks away to the pens and picks a black one. Usually he just scribbles integrals to test the pen but this time he nonchalantly writes, “I’m gonna get her someday.”
Isaiah is a college student from the Philippines and is currently trying to salvage his semester. Please pray for him.
ARIEL D’AGOSTINO: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
I’m the only one who looks you in the eye.
I’m the one with you when you’re completely alone.
I’m the one who will never reveal your secrets.
I’m the one who sees the things you don’t want to show.
I’m your reflection, and your shadow’s, too.
I’m your mirror.
Ariel D’Agostino is studying English at International House Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has been studying there since he was 6 years old. Ariel celebrates his 13th birthday on June 16.
IMAGE RONIN: Fifty Shades of Beige
The monitor flickered, headset summoning clamouring sirens into his existence. A ballet of banality ensued, each reaction scripted, monitored.
Then a hiatus, sandwiches wrapped in cellophane and instant coffee.
He once dreamed of being a writer.
Now he lurked in isolation, constructing reassuring mantras.
Dreaming of sandwiches wrapped in cellophane.
Image Ronin wrote this story.
KEVIN DeLUCA: Thinking Outside the Box
“When is the end of the world?” he asked, looking up to ascertain the position of the stars in the cosmos. “Deneb has yet to wink out, while Orion’s lights still burn strong.”
She laughed, saying, “None of that matters—just archaic nonsense. Come, we have a demon to invoke.”
Kevin DeLuca is a writer of weird fiction and fantasy. He was short-listed for the 2014 Fish Flash Fiction Prize, and has been published in Flash Fiction Magazine.
NEWS: Submissions Temporarily Closed
Due to an overwhelming flood of submissions over the past couple of weeks, I am now sitting on a mountain of unread stories that will likely take me three months to sift through at my current pace.
Because of this, I am forced to close submissions until further notice. I’m sorry if you were just preparing to send in your submission, but you’ll have to hold onto it for a little while!
Once the slush pile is down to a more manageable level, and once I’ve come up with a plan for dealing with this kind of thing better moving forward, I will be reopening submissions and letting everyone know.
Thank you so much to everyone for your submissions and your interest in the site!
Tim Sevenhuysen
DANUSIA PANTECHIS: Unaware
She skipped contentedly, ignoring the gnarled trees with knotted braches that clawed at her. Her rich, scarlet cloak rippled in the bitter, icy wind, trailing behind her.
As she bounded joyfully down the sandy, meandering path she was oblivious to the malevolent wolf who was settled in the sombre shadows.
Danusia Pantechis is 12 years old and loves to draw and watch Youtube. Her favourite films are the Hunger Games and Harry Potter trilogies. She loves taking her dog Trevor for walks in fields. When she grows up she wants to be a fashion designer or interior designer.
MADDY TIDMAN: The Big Mistake
Ava shivered with angst as the screams of terror filled the misty air. Gusts of wind rushed through her long, blonde hair, making her yelp with fright. Questions circled her perplexed mind. Was this a mistake? Would she survive?
“Two tickets for the roller coaster!” Ava’s father told the ticket-master.
Maddy Tidman is 12 years old. She loves playing netball and badminton. Her favourite author is Veronica Roth and her favourite book is Divergent. She enjoys English because she can be creative and there is no right or wrong answer.
LUKE TAMBLIN: The Pursuit
James was running, faster than he ever had before. The thing (whatever it was) was in hot pursuit. A cold icy hand grabbed his shoulder, sending a deep chill down his spine. James could see the end. The beast brought him down.
Finally he knew what it was.
Too late.
Luke Tamblin is 11 years old and enjoys mountain biking, climbing, and skiing. His favourite food is pizza and he loves to read!
STORY OF THE MONTH: May 2015
The Story of the Month is chosen from the Story of the Week winners announced from the past month.
The finalists for May were:
The Week the Circus Came to Town by Bob Thurber
The Beast by Holly Coombs
The Stranger by Gaghe MacWilliams
Handyman by Kathryn Trattner
The Writer’s Son by Guy Preston
The winner of the May 2015 Story of the Month, and the $10 prize, is…
The Writer’s Son
Congratulations, Guy! Your story is beautiful and innocent. A great piece.