BACK-TO-SCHOOL COMEDY WINNER – JOSEPH KNOOP: Hordes

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Fending off hordes of little goblins was certainly not her preferred way to start the day.

The buggers quickly swarmed, dragging down her sword arm. Hot breath everywhere, gnashing little forks for teeth. The clank of gate levers could only mean reinforcements. Not good! Not good!

“Welcome to Lincolnville Preschool!”

An amateur writer since the 8th grade, Joseph Knoop is currently attending college & maintaining a weekly review blog in the hopes of one day becoming a journalist for the video gaming industry. Find his work at K.O. JOE.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL ARTISTIC WINNER – BRANDON KING: The Second Journey

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When I was three, I learned how to read.

Today, I learned that, even during something as joyous as a graduation, your mother will still cry.

I have never had a day in my 21 years when I didn’t feel compelled to learn something new. I hope that day never comes.

Brandon King is a volunteer for Leading Edge Magazine, an awesome sci-fi/fantasy publication that will publish and/or edit your short stories, poems, or artwork.

BACK TO SCHOOL – JOHN H. DROMEY: A for Effort; F for Accomplishment

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Whose idea was it to begin the school day with recess?

Mine.

How’d it go?

Not too well. A game of hide and seek was over within minutes when my siblings found me in the basement.

I’ve learned my lesson. Playing hooky is a bad idea.

Especially for the homeschooled.

John H. Dromey has had flash fiction published in a number of anthologies (print and electronic), as well as online at The Fast-Forward Festival, Liquid Imagination, three minute plastic, and elsewhere.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL – EMILY RAMSER: A Worm is a Girl’s Best Friend

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First day and I’m in hell. Crunch. Crunch. Ugh, does she have to chew so loudly? I can’t concentrate.

She screams.

The apple rolls along the floor, stopping beside my foot. A tiny green head pops out of the core. Wriggling out, it crawls across the linoleum.

“Thanks, li’l worm.”

Emily Ramser is a high school author living part-time between North Carolina and California. She’s been published in a few small online journals such as Vox Poetica and Spinozablue. Her story Sins of Murder will be published in Wolf Craft Anthology this coming fall as well.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL – JOHN B SINCLAIR: No Tears

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They had never been apart in five years. Not one day.

Now there was a new woman in his life. Could she handle her Bobby? Those moods?

Saying goodbye would be difficult. No tears, Rachel thought.

She passed his hand to the teacher on his first school day.

Tears flowed.

John B Sinclair now lives in Scotland and is a freelance writer of mostly comedy material to the local news media.

He worked abroad for many years (Bermuda and the Bahamas) and loved his visits to the US. Orlando, New York City, and Boston are his favourite places. JBS enjoys football (soccer) and Maine Lobster.

LEWIS COLE: The Tea

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“Would you like another tea?”

“Ooh, why yes, thank you. So, tell me about the house.”

“Well, it’s got two…”

“No, no, I know all the boring details. Tell me the interesting things.”

“It’s haunted.”

“Haunted! Really?”

“Yes, I’m serious. Who on earth do you think made all the tea?”

Lewis Cole is an English author who writes leisurely. He aims to improve his writing abilities with practice. His work can be found at http://coleshideyhole.blogspot.co.uk.

BRANDON KING: Reflections

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It was easy, in theory. Swim for a while, find the mainland, send help.

I was the strongest, the only survivor who could possibly make the journey. I was the king of the island. The hero.

As my lungs flooded, I could only wonder: can they afford to lose me?

Brandon King is a volunteer for Leading Edge Magazine, an awesome sci-fi/fantasy publication that will publish and/or edit your short stories, poems, or artwork.

BRYAN JOYNER: Foul

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Eric approached the plate the exact moment his marriage proposal flashed on the Jumbotron. Swinging early on a changeup, he hit a screamer foul down the third base line, hitting Amy as she beamed at the lights expressing his eternal love, killing her instantly.

The crowd, seeing the Jumbotron, cheered.

Bryan Joyner is a middle-aged banker who read about 50 word stories in Daniel Pink’s book “A Whole New Mind”, and began using the concept to connect with his two college age children. Each of them write stories and send them to each other for feedback.

CAROL AYER: Sacred Vows

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Furious at our fathers for divorcing our mothers, we made a pact to never marry.

I received her note inviting me to her wedding. The lack of details convinced me she felt guilty.

I was wrong, though. The guilt came not from breaking our vow but from marrying my father.

Carol Ayer’s short fiction has been published by Woman’s World, True Story, Golden Visions Magazine, and The Long and the Short of It.

BO MCGUIRE: A New Era

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She thought, So long, 25 years of gun-toting, criminal-chasing fun! She was optimistic to embark upon her exciting new career. She had limited experience and would have to wield an apparatus far more powerful than a simple firearm.

Despite these challenges, she smiled and reached for her new weapon, a pen.

Bo McGuire has over 25 years experience as a community corrections professional. Now she is a freelance writer and recently completed a manuscript for a young adult book. She has an M.A. in Social and Public Policy and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Duquesne University. She is a member of Writer’s Ink, The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the SM Writer’s Critique Club.