TANISHQ KALRA: Lost in the Spotlight

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

You killed him.
Who?
Yourself!
What do you mean?
Shaped by applause, lost in the spotlight. Creativity replaced by business, happiness by validation.
I don’t understand.
Do you remember who you were, before the world told you who to be?
No.
Then bring him back, before it’s late.
Who?
Yourself!

Tanishq Kalra is an Indian writer who loves telling stories and writing poetry. He started writing in high school and recently published his poetry book, “Collection of a Novice Wordsmith.” His stories and poems are simple and powerful, which connect with the readers on a deep level.

MATTHEW SHEPHERD: Dependence

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

You inhabited my mind. Burrowed under my skin, took root, grew. Slept in my bed when I should have been alone. Whispered your words in my dreamless sleep. Tortured my conscience. You may be gone now, but I see you still in the mirror, trapping me in our past forever.

Matthew Shepherd is a teacher who lives in south-east England where he enjoys developing his creative writing.

TIM DADSWELL: Facing the Truth

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

In today’s sun-baked street, the curl of a desiccated maple leaf taunted me with the illusion of shelter.

Tonight, you lie beside me while rain pours outside.

But even this cosiness is a mirage. I cannot overlook the constant hollowness of your words.

Tomorrow, like the leaf, I’ll be gone.

Tim Dadswell is a retired civil servant who loves writing short fiction, having had a number of stories published over the past ten years. He can be found on X/Twitter: @TimD_writer & Bluesky: @timdadswell.bsky.social

TIM BOITEAU: Milfoil

Adventure, Artistic, Submissions, , ,

Below the pond’s scummy surface, hairy milfoil swayed to the rhythm of unheard music.

I turned to the woman beside me, the wind sweeping her sun-lambent hair across her face.

How would she look down below?

Squeezing her hand, I felt a swell of gratitude that I’d probably never know.

Tim Boiteau is a Writers of the Future winner and author of The Nilwere (Grendel Press, 2024).

RÂNA CAMPBELL: The Only Voice I Hear

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

“I’m Will Landon and you’re listening to Night Train on KHJZ, Radio R&R. Here’s a little lullaby…”

Your chocolate-fondue voice yields to silken jazz, a mastery of sound so artful it hushes my debilitating phobia.

Maybe one day I’ll venture outside, into a world equally endowed with such gentle manners.

Râna is currently trapped in her home by snowbanks as tall as herself.

MELANIE WINKLOSKY: Release

Adventure, Submissions, , , ,

The women gathered to celebrate the full moon. They meditated together, and then wrote down what they were ready to release. Around the firepit, under the moonlight, they watched their papers burn.

Earlier, her husband ridiculed her “monthly witchcraft.” His rage had become relentless.

She silently wrote down his name.

Melanie Winklosky wrote this story.

YENNIFER PEDRAZA: Two Walkers in One House

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

The girl hesitated.

Then, she left the walker by the steps, grabbed her crutches, and held the handrail. It was her fourth trip.

The older woman watched with concern. She couldn’t help.

Two women, two generations, matching walkers.

She sighed in defeat. Her granddaughter’s condition was temporary, hers was not.

Yennifer Pedraza is a writer and designer based in Boston, who believes in using storytelling as a tool for connection, healing, and change. In her spare time, she is the creator and host of Her Own Words, a podcast dedicated to amplifying the stories of everyday women.

ELINA TSAI: Somewhere, USA: Ceremony of One

Artistic, Submissions, , , ,

He clicks— praying, refreshing, repeat— until the screen freezes.

Confetti explodes. Champagne pops. Angels sing.

He pumps his fists and hurls his transcripts into the air, luxuriating in dopamine like golden liquid drizzling over crystal glasses.

The party streamers dissipate, revealing the holy message:

Congratulations! Welcome to the class of…

Elina Tsai is a 15-year-old-writer and a two-time Gold Key award-winner of the Scholastic Writing Contest. A student of advanced writing and literature workshops at the Morning Star Institute and a member of the Chinese Dance Company of Southern California, her pieces combine postmodern techniques and authentic community experiences to share the beauty of simple lifestyles.

CRAIG KIRCHNER: No Need For Papers

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

We are evolving in America, ears getting smaller, feet bigger, but we are losing our little toes. Josh was born today with a red, white and blue label at the base of his neck: “Made in USA – White, no bleach.” No one in the delivery room could read it.

Craig loves storytelling. He has been nominated for the Pushcart three times, and has a book of poetry, Roomful of Navels. He’s been published in Chiron Review, The Main Street Rag, One Art, Glacial Hill Review and about eight dozen other journals.