death
Final Goodbye
Making Peace with a Painful Past Photo by Cameron Venti on Unsplash I hated this old barn when I was a kid. I hate it
Pam Reeder February 4, 2022 1 Comment
Contemporary fiction
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The Many Lives of Mita (Part V)
*** Introduction: After an assault left her trapped in her own body, unable to move, speak, or open her eyes, Mita Lopez’s boyfriend and parents
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm June 30, 2022 No Comments
affirmation
Starbright
Should you ever gaze at the silent stars above and they begin to blink off one by one by wondrous one, do not be alarmed.
Donald J. Bingle December 8, 2021 No Comments
LDS fiction
There Might Be Another Way (a short story)
Pia had slept as late as she dared on a Sunday. She slipped into a pew halfway up the right side of the chapel just
David Rodeback September 25, 2022 No Comments
he
He
He grew up thinking that it was all fun. Thought he’ll have everything that he’ll ever need and was so trustworthy that sometimes he thought
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 2 Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Chapter 6 | What the Puck?
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels Sitting at her mahogany desk, Maisie flips through her mail, trying to stay distracted from last night’s date with
Crystal Walker February 23, 2022 No Comments
The Many Lives of Mita (Part VI)
*** Introduction: After fighting the odds and winning, Mita awoke from the unimaginable torment of being trapped within her own body, unable to move, speak,
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm August 2, 2022 No Comments
Abuse
Put Her Down
The first time Jörgen and Malena used the threat was when Katja was ten. Qetesh must have been one year old; Katja had been nine
Christina Nordlander January 13, 2024 No Comments
Romantic Comedy
Meet Leah
A supporting character in the serialized RomCom “Matchmakers” Image created via Canva and using a stock image from Pixabay Leah is one of four women
Crystal Walker January 31, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
Death Kiss: Love Kills
And each man kills the thing he loves.~Oscar Wilde Mark stared at his wife of five years with disdain, holding the gun loosely in his
Robin Honigsberg October 19, 2022 No Comments
The First Football Game of the Season
An exert from Last Free Exit: They arrived early at the football game, as the seats filled quickly in the first of the season, at
Mollie Lyon August 26, 2022 No Comments
church
Redeemed: A Macon County Supper Club Story
Thanks to the recent church elections, the Macon County Supper Club would now include two deacons. Yes, there was head Deacon Dean, a spiritual rock
Andy Spears May 29, 2022 No Comments
adam and eve
The Truth in the Garden of Eden - Flash Fiction
The woman giggled as the snake gently wrapped around her arm and rested his head in her hand. She adjusted herself in the tree and
Kai Parker November 29, 2021 2 Comments
death
He Is Sure They Can’t Hear’Em
I’m wounded, bleeding. Lying at the bottom of the pile of corpses. Who piled them up on top of me I wonder and when exactly?
Andrey Lukyanov August 16, 2022 No Comments
Matchmakers | Chapter 8 | The Cat-Loving Ted Bundy Doppelganger
Photo by KoolShooters from Pexels After a peaceful day at work yesterday, Maisie peels her eyes open and extends out a shaky stretch feeling ready
Crystal Walker March 9, 2022 No Comments
conor
The Tale Of Yuri; Don’t Feel Insignificant
There was once a country in Europe. A country where a man called Yuri lived. Yuri was raised by hard working parents who wanted him
Conor Matthews July 16, 2022 2 Comments
Contemporary Fiction Contest
Finding Refuge – Seeking Safety and Security After Relationship Failure
Abrial was away from her home in the stuffy inland town of Relway, California, visiting her sister Peg in Las Flores on the coast. She
Michael Burg August 23, 2021 No Comments
flash fiction
He Prefers Blondes
A Flash Fiction. “All of them?” Luke shrugged and said, “Well, yeah I guess so. The second girl might have been a natural brunette.” I
TzeLin Sam March 6, 2022 45 Comments
antique silver box series
The Antique Silver Box — Part Three: The Truth
The contractors fixing Casey’s basement and attic had found an antique silver box under a loose floorboard in the attic containing forged American birth certificates
Robin Honigsberg November 10, 2022 No Comments
Crime
The Night Stalker
The street seemed eerie and deserted as I made my way towards my apartment, which was situated on the other end of town. I had
willow hewett September 29, 2021 9 Comments
flash fiction
Petal Pills
A 500-word flash fiction piece. “Hydroxyzine.” “Excuse me?” I cleared my throat and pointed to the row of small circular welts on her exposed arm.
Tanya Hall February 26, 2022 9 Comments
The Many Lives of Mita (Part VII)
Introduction: When a woman with trust issues and a celebrity who works in an industry known for infidelity and oversexed debauchery date, problems should be
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm September 3, 2022 1 Comment
Matchmakers | Chapter 11 | Business and Pleasure
Photo by imustbedead from Pexels On the way to the Smash Room, Maisie walks with her head down, recounting last night’s strange events. What the
Crystal Walker April 6, 2022 No Comments
authors
Meet Moi
I’ve borrowed some money from people with no intention of paying it back. Fuck ’em, the whole thing would resolve by itself eventually or at
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 No Comments
bad memories
Beyond Ugly (a short story)
After 25 years it probably wasn’t even the same door, but it could have been. It led to the same school, the same fetid swamp
David Rodeback April 25, 2022 No Comments
Character introduction
Soy Luna
Hola. Soy Luna… well… Luna Ureña Noches. A name mi mamá gave me with some thought, but not with the full realization of how well
Jennifer Nieto September 27, 2023 No Comments
attraction
Blue Halcyon Days
Standing under a shimmering lampshade, Greg wasn’t sure this was a good idea. “It’s full of antioxidants and other vitamins. You know, all the good
Tanya Hall February 10, 2022 12 Comments
awkward but cute
Exchange from the Heart
Being on the third floor of a city apartment, his kitchen only caught short glimpses of natural light. The winter made that time even shorter,
Quillful Writer November 30, 2021 2 Comments
dark
Protest Seen
It wasn’t my fault. I was just minding my own business when it happened. I mean, really minding my own business. I was just walking
Donald J. Bingle October 21, 2021 No Comments
Halloween Story 2023
iSpy
Who is inside Chelle’s phone? Chelle couldn’t figure out what was going on with her phone. She kept insisting to
Andy Spears March 20, 2022 4 Comments
#lonely
An After Dinner Drink
Gail had finished her dinner, but, like always, her father still had food on his plate. She always got a head start as he never
Gene Glotzer February 15, 2022 No Comments
Evil
The Inheritance: A Short Story
Melissa said goodbye to the last of the mourners, closing the door with a sigh of relief. “It was so hard pretending I was devastated
Robin Honigsberg October 24, 2022 No Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Episode 3 | The Gaysian
Photo by Greta Hoffman from Pexels Getting off the trolley in downtown Ybor City, Maisie takes a gulp of her water bottle filled with chilled
Crystal Walker February 6, 2022 No Comments
Christian
For the Glory
Aaron let himself into the studio. He hung his coat on the rack. There was one other coat there. He walked down the hall to
Gene Glotzer January 7, 2022 No Comments
Dinosaurs
Jurassic Writing — Part Three: The final trip
Serena spent the next two days weighing the pros and cons of going back in time 150 million years. Despite her con list being longer
Robin Honigsberg November 16, 2022 No Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Chapter 13 | Photo-shoots and Confessions
Photo by Alexander Dummer from Pexels The next day Maisie meets up with Arnold at the studio for the Gallery Night photo-shoot. Hearing Arnold’s manicured
Crystal Walker April 20, 2022 No Comments
Books
The Final Page: Part 4 of 5— Porle Joen, 2014
A journey through the history (and future?) of books The Final Page is an exploration of writing through history and the future. Join me on
Kai Parker November 30, 2021 No Comments
afterlife
Satellites and Violets
Gina was old now by nearly anyone’s standards. Her face was wrinkled and her joints creaked when she moved, especially first thing in the morning
Shannon Hilson February 18, 2022 1 Comment
Compassion
Fathers Words To His Son
In a moment of father and son time together. The son asked his father what must I do to become a better person. His father
John Wimsatt September 19, 2022 No Comments
choices
Winter, Friendship, and Guilt: The Choices of My Life
A tough nut to crack. Tough indeed. In my case, it is as much metaphorical as is it literal. There is a recurring problem for
Michael Robert March 4, 2022 2 Comments
Early Signs
Timmy ran through the bunched up bulk of faded fall leaves. He cornered the edge of the playground, the swings still flowing back and forth
Greg Thomas February 12, 2022 No Comments
Abuse
“Burnt Chicken”
A short story by Vanessa S. Lewis It was an accident, I told myself. And I keep telling myself that, as if saying it over
Vanessa Lewis March 25, 2024 No Comments
advice
Episodic Writing vs. Mythic Arcs
A Vintage Blog Post About Writing and Attention Spans Now, I’m not a writer for television (though I’m available–call me, really), but I’m an avid
Donald J. Bingle July 24, 2022 No Comments
As The Cruise Ship Rises
The medium-size cruise ship named American Liberty was heading to Portland, Maine after leaving Boston thirty minutes ago. An announcement was made on the intercom
Gerald Washington February 2, 2022 5 Comments
Bitter Forever and Ever and Ever
There’s this one coffee machine at work that always makes the coffee bitter. The flavor of coffee’s been changed. The brand of coffee’s been changed.
Osprey White February 2, 2022 No Comments
Club
Rapture
She was starting a few minutes late, but it was close enough for jazz. She scanned the crowd. Not huge, but decent. Almost all white
Gene Glotzer December 3, 2021 3 Comments
Bougainvillea
After he had done the thing, he threw the shovel down, spit out his cigarette, and walked away from the mound of dirt. He had
Samantha Lamph August 12, 2021 1 Comment
Anything is possible
Things Aren’t Always What They Seem A short story
Ame stepped back and surveyed her work with a critical eye. She had built the makeshift hut as sturdily as possible years ago, using mathematical
Robin Honigsberg August 12, 2022 No Comments
flash fiction
Whelp
. Leave a Reviewfeature0 Pros (optional) Type new or select existing pros Cons (optional) Type new or select existing cons Save my name, email, and
Nick Gaudio August 23, 2021 2 Comments
Because I Love You
Winters were always Niko’s favorite. He loved the snow, and the cold, and the dark, vast nights. He loved being able to wear nice sweaters
Annie Ucci April 15, 2024 No Comments
The Many Lives of Mita (Part II)
The adventure continues… downhill. *** Book I in the Scottish Limelight and Love series *** Introduction Journalist Mita Lopez was not your ordinary woman. With
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm March 13, 2022 No Comments
antique silver box series
The Antique Silver Box — Finale: Closure
Casey reflected upon everything she had learned that day. While repairing a loose floorboard in the attic, the contractor found an antique silver box containing
Robin Honigsberg November 10, 2022 No Comments
Families
Arithmetic
After we have ordered and before our food has arrived, my sister’s boyfriend gets up to use the bathroom. The way is down a long
Kirsten Aguilar December 29, 2021 No Comments
The Trees Swallow People: Part 23
I awoke, however much later, on the stripped, hardwood floor of an empty yet not unused bedroom. The pain in my chest stirred me, catching
Conor Matthews May 19, 2023 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Ladybug, Black Ops, & Zombie Pops (Part VII of Book II)
Introduction: When Seanix Flannery’s ex-wife arrives in The Rock, he is frightened about how she will react to him. Then, after discovering that she suffered
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm May 15, 2022 No Comments
death
Sailor’s Sea
As he faded in a hospital room, he stared out the window, bruised eyelids low. The sunlight turned his irises a watery blue. Washed out.
Payton White October 14, 2023 No Comments
An Errand
Jack walked into the drug store not really remembering why he was there. I really need to start writing stuff down, he thought. I’m getting
Gene Glotzer November 5, 2022 No Comments
brother
The Silhouette Pine
By the time they got back from the funeral buffet, it had started drizzling. Mum parked behind grandma’s pale yellow VW. Jennifer looked out at
Christina Nordlander February 6, 2023 No Comments
comedy
An Important Decision
You shift your weight from one leg to the other fully aware of the fact that it is a bad habit of yours to lean
TzeLin Sam June 5, 2022 12 Comments
Santa’s Resignation Letter
I have debated whether or not to begin with my trademarked “Ho Ho Ho”, but I wish to convey the gravity of the matter. Let
Conor Matthews December 11, 2023 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose:The Jade Rose and the Blood Peacock (Part II of Book III)
Introduction: After a zombie apocalypse gripped the world, proving that horror movies were more prophecy than entertainment, Sean and Jade Flannery faced one horrific loss
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm August 2, 2022 No Comments
carousel
Olympius Hunting
The Girl She ducked down behind the sleigh; the light couldn’t reach her there. The man whistled along to the tune and walked between the
Kai Parker November 29, 2021 2 Comments
drama
Selfie
We stared at the ancient-looking phone that came out of the parcel. I wondered if it was a prank. It was unmistakeable that the anonymous
TzeLin Sam April 6, 2022 18 Comments
comtemporary fiction
The Burn
Tw: fire, injury Niamh Kelly sure knew how to throw a party. Any occasion, any time of year: she was your girl if you wanted
Casey Lawrence June 3, 2022 1 Comment
birds
Birds of Pray
10 AM Saturday morning. Supper Club day. Wanda would be hosting the group of eight that evening. She always relished hosting days. The chance to
Andy Spears January 30, 2022 69 Comments
attraction
The Greatest Gig
Andrew tapped a button on his synth allowing the long bass notes to shudder down his spine. Shifting from one leg to another in a
Tanya Hall February 10, 2022 3 Comments
Fight
Poetry Slam
I thought that I would never see A fight regarding poetry. Life can venture nothing worse, Than fisticuffs o’er flowing verse. * If poems be
Donald J. Bingle August 29, 2022 1 Comment
boarding school
The Sacred Angels Academy Haunting — Part Two: The Voices
MARCH 14 Maggie awoke to the sound of rain against the window pane, but the room was brightly lit by the lights left turned on
Robin Honigsberg October 30, 2022 No Comments
Short Fiction
Prayer Warrior: A Macon County Supper Club Story
Sandra got out of the passenger side of the mid-size luxury SUV parked in the back lot of the high school. She squirted germ-x on
Andy Spears June 26, 2022 No Comments
cancel culture
The Death of a Professor
Death to Israel’s apologists! Professor Kruger blamed himself for the graffiti sprawled in white spray paint on the bricks of the south wall of Altman
Daniel Lyons August 5, 2022 No Comments
alcohol
Precious is the Flow: A Macon County Supper Club Story
Martha was the only member of the supper club not to have been born and raised in the faith. In fact, until she married Ronald,
Andy Spears June 8, 2022 No Comments
Lie to Me
“Lie to me.” Three words. Three innocent little words. Well, they seemed innocent enough on their own. Still, what was she to do? She’d already
Alina Lee July 31, 2022 No Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Chapter 10 | The Honey Trap
Photo by Mae Mu on Unsplash At the studio, Maisie engulfs herself in her work. After hours alternating through various backgrounds and light combinations for
Crystal Walker March 25, 2022 No Comments
Crime
Sonoma Lake Merlot: First Dates
Melinda checked her watch for the umpteenth time since she arrived at the restaurant. Taking a compact from her purse, she discreetly touched up her
Robin Honigsberg July 1, 2022 3 Comments
Best Friends
“It’s all happening now!” Karen said with a mixture of sass and desperation only she could pull off. “Lovely day for a funeral.” “Shut up,
Greg Thomas February 11, 2022 1 Comment
Matchmakers | Chapter 12 | Between a Cock and a Hard Place
Image sourced from FatSiberian from Pixabay After packing a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches into her bag, Maisie grabs her camera and flicks
Crystal Walker April 20, 2022 3 Comments
autistic author
1. I Live in the House where my Brother Died
I live in the house where my brother died. He lives here too. Not in the traditional sense, of course. I cook meals for two
Katie Tomasko January 17, 2022 No Comments
Romantic Comedy
Matchmakers | Episode 1 | The British-American Blues
Photo by Valeria Boltneva from Pexels Here we go again. Another shitty date that I wish I could move out from under. Sitting here, twirling
Crystal Walker February 6, 2022 8 Comments
contemporary
Holmes Institute: Ch. 1: Choices
[Content Notes: Swearing | Jasper reference] Summary: Being one of the top students at Holmes Institute involves more responsibilities than Jasper Madero really wants. Luckily,
Quillful Writer September 1, 2022 No Comments
Alternative History
The Day the World Got Woke
Fiction for a Broken Country When I went to sleep last night, everything was normal. When I woke up, everything was different. Everything was Black.
Charles Bastille January 31, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
The Renter: A Short Story
Kelly Swain shook Harris Mason’s hand across the white-marbled table. “Welcome to your new home. I hope you’ll be happy here.” She slid a document
Robin Honigsberg October 26, 2022 3 Comments
Elections
Mayor Paul A.
Whatever it takes to win Paul easily won election to the Mayor’s Office. It was his second time running, and this time, he hadn’t made
Andy Spears March 27, 2022 4 Comments
romance
Matchmakers
Table of Contents | Serialized Fiction | Romantic Comedy Image created by the author via Canva; Image sourced by Pixabay Bad date after bad date,
Crystal Walker February 6, 2022 4 Comments
Don't read while hungry!
“Dad’s Donut Shop”
Everyone said the business was a crazy thing to invest in, but dad loved donuts. We knew how much of a morning person he was,
Vanessa Lewis September 3, 2023 No Comments
big bang
Story Choices
This entire story already exists, but you are only experiencing it one word at a time as you move forward through it. You could, if
Donald J. Bingle January 7, 2022 4 Comments
The Bravery Club
Linn waited while Efraim sat crouched in the rainy road, holding the earthworm. The worm was so long, it always hung a bit off the
Christina Nordlander June 13, 2022 No Comments
The Tree Swallow People: Part 19
It’s easy to think there’s only one outcome to events. Often the printing press is said to have brought about a new era in information,
Conor Matthews March 28, 2023 No Comments
Danger
The Many Lives of Mita (Part III)
It all begins normally… like a whisper. *** Book 1 in the Scottish Limelight and Love series. *** Introduction: After Mita Lopez left her abusive
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm April 19, 2022 No Comments
The Many Lives of Mita (Part VIII)
Introduction Mita Lopez survived domestic abuse, stalking, and an assault that left her a prisoner in her own body, hearing everyone and everything around her
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm October 27, 2022 No Comments
Antique Silver Box
The Antique Silver Box — Part Two: Revelations
Casey’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The contractors working on the house had found an antique silver box containing Nazi gold bars, loose gems,
Robin Honigsberg November 9, 2022 No Comments
work
Escalator Down for Repair
He walked up the metal steps past the sign every single day. Escalator Down for Repair. It had been permanently affixed to the shiny metal
Andy Spears January 9, 2022 5 Comments
birth
At Once with the Beginning of a Heartbeat
A creasing lightning bolt then a thunder in mid-roar woke me up, shaking the gluey walls of my home. Before the explosion of light and
Livia Cret November 28, 2023 No Comments
The Candidate: Part 1
The last four months of Gabrielle’s presidential campaign have been rough. She knew it would be, but it was still difficult. The attack ads went
Conor Matthews February 4, 2024 No Comments
#Graduation
Wildfire (a short story)
Getting to Maylee’s going-away party at all was a thing. My cousin Jaxson and I took a state highway into the country and turned onto
David Rodeback May 10, 2022 No Comments
Things We Don’t Talk About
I only heard from Lizzy once after she left home. More than ten years had passed by the time she called. Evan was asleep upstairs,
Rebecca Johnson June 7, 2022 No Comments
comedy
Meet Angie
A supporting character in the serialized RomCom “Matchmakers” Image created via Canva and using a stock image from Pixabay Recently, I introduced you to Maisie — the
Crystal Walker January 31, 2022 No Comments
intrigue
The Many Lives of Mita (Part I)
It all begins normally… like a whisper. *** Book 1 in the Scottish Limelight and Love series. *** When one’s life includes a secret
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm February 24, 2022 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose and the Blood Peacock (Part IV of III)
Introduction: Take Five – Secrets of the Beast How does something like an apocalypse start? Where does it come from? How can it be stopped,
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm October 27, 2022 6 Comments
Cellarella
There once was a young girl whose mother was gravely ill and whose father was an arrogant asshole. He did not care about the woman
Amanda Luallen September 26, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
The Trees Swallow People: Part 9
It had been days since we were trapped. What little light was managing to penetrate the forest of people outside my windows came in stages
Conor Matthews August 14, 2022 No Comments