The Lady in White
She didn’t know she was going to die today. And why would she? It was her wedding day, after all. She woke up to birds
Greg Thomas February 11, 2022 No Comments
Contemporary fiction
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alternate realities
For Every Time, A Season
The first sign was the tall grass receding into the soil. A few weeks later, the grass was entirely gone and a rich layer of
Donald J. Bingle November 23, 2021 4 Comments
Fiction
Hidden Secrets — Part One: Best Friends Forever
Courtney White was pissed off. A pipe was leaking in her basement, requiring a call to the plumber. His estimate was higher than she’d expected
Robin Honigsberg October 21, 2022 No Comments
Tales from Tartarus Volume I Theatre of Impossible
You walk up rotten black steps that lead to nowhere. You would walk back down but you are a slave to curiosity and your own
David Williams March 21, 2024 No Comments
Anna Clendening
Do You See Me? – Inspired by “Invisible” by Anna Clendening.
I wrote this story based on the song “Invisible” by Anna Clendening – I suggest listening to it after you finish reading! — Day 254
Kelsey Bjork September 6, 2022 No Comments
cats
Black Smoke
Part Three, Fact or Fiction? She fell to the floor. Black clouds rolled outside the window. From down the hill? What do I do now,
Mollie Lyon February 27, 2023 1 Comment
#contemporaryhorror
The Tank Cleaner
It was bright in the corridors of the hospital, but the lonely waiting room was dim. The overhead lights were off to deter loitering. Light
C.D. Hoyle August 11, 2022 No Comments
Fiction
The Cutting
This short story is a part of the MagicLand Chronicles. It is set during a time long before that of the events in my debut
Charles Bastille September 14, 2023 No Comments
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
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
Fiction
Mid-Morning at the Hair Salon
“So, what are we doing today?” Nikki asks. I stare at myself in the salon mirror. “Just a trim,” I answer. A few minutes later,
Elise Paxson February 2, 2022 No Comments
Reborn Through Mother Nature
It was on the coldest most pitch black night that the phenomenon took place. The angry sky roared and wept it’s hardest as if it
David Williams March 7, 2024 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
drama
The Unexpected Dinner Guest
This is it. I thought to myself as I walked out of the arrival hall at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. It had been many years
TzeLin Sam April 13, 2022 29 Comments
Entanglement
Story Choices: Quantum Storytelling
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 May 13, 2023 No Comments
breakup
Marie (a very short story)
I met Marie in the hallway after school. “The race is tomorrow,” I said. “We should sign up.” “The three-legged race?” “Yeah.” Running the three-legged
David Rodeback March 12, 2022 6 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
Lilith
Do you know why I can’t hang your art on my wall? It’s because it’s the Dead Christ to my Dostoyevsky. “A painting like that
Annie Ucci April 5, 2024 No 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
Dinosaurs
Jurassic Writing — Part Two: The Past
Dr. Andrew Lerner leaned back in his leather chair, running a hand through his blond hair. Dr. Serena Mulligan, a paleontologist, had found his writings
Robin Honigsberg November 16, 2022 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
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
404
A Brief Biography of Baron Otto von Korek (1717-1783), Brigadier-General of the Prussian Army, Ret.
Otto von Korek was born on March 14, 1717, in the German State of Thuringia to parents of noble birth, but modest means. Little of
Donald J. Bingle December 1, 2021 No Comments
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Ladybug, Black Ops, & Zombie Pops (Part I of Book II)
Introduction: In a world where a zombie apocalypse was impossible, the impossible struck the world with horror and death. Seanix and Jade Flannery sought shelter
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm January 2, 2022 No Comments
dating
Matchmakers | Chapter 4 | Red Carpet Treatment
Photo by sergio souza from Pexels Hearing her cell phone vibrating on the floating nightstand, Maisie rolls over and pulls it closer to her eyes.
Crystal Walker February 9, 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
#kids
Neighborhood Watch
The time has come. The time to protect this subdivision and all its fair inhabitants. I kneel down and adjust the playing card in the
Brandon Diehl January 11, 2022 2 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
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
diaster
Rescue
The sky outside the window grayed up. The sirens continued. “Why didn’t I get one of those emergency radios? I mean we have bad storms
Mollie Lyon March 28, 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
apocalypse
The Jade Rose: Ladybug, Black Ops, & Zombie Pops (Part III of Book II)
Introduction As the apocalypse raged on, Jade and Seanix Flannery’s life fell apart. Following the brutal deaths of their children, Jade came unraveled, and she
Bernadette O'Leary-Malcolm January 28, 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
Guardian Hawk
A sunny day in a lively forest. A proud healthy hawk flies through the air, high as the mountains. It sits on a tree branch
David Williams March 10, 2024 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
LEAVE EVERYTHING WHERE IT IS(after Lu Hsun)
Let me tell you about something that happened while I was in N____ton some while ago on business. N____ton is a bit of a dump
Andrew Larter February 26, 2022 3 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
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
Crime
The Battersea Park Bank Job
I miss my modelling days. They were good days, I felt like I was going somewhere in life. In the end, I realised, I wasn’t.
Sean Patrick Durham April 4, 2022 4 Comments
action
Options
“This was a mistake,” yelled Dave as he stared out the window at the dark, lurching shapes gathering even faster than the gloomy clouds on
Donald J. Bingle December 14, 2022 No Comments
#Home
Steering
“That’s crazy. I’m a terrible liar. I can’t.” “Come on, Will. I’ll owe you big time. I want the best house for me and Jen.
Gene Glotzer December 10, 2021 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
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
stalker
All Consuming Joy
My heart soared with pure joy as I caught sight of my true love. I didn’t think I could love her any more, but I
Yvonne Lang March 20, 2022 No Comments
discovery
The Antique Silver Box — Part One: Family secrets
Casey Spencer parked her black SUV in the middle of the circular driveway of the family manor she’d inherited from her grandfather. She turned the
Robin Honigsberg November 8, 2022 No Comments
#Ukraine
Unknown Soldier
Polina leaned over the soldier’s body and turned her cheek so that it almost touched his nose. She felt a slight quiver of air. “I
Donald J. Bingle July 24, 2022 No 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
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
Broadcast
It gets easier once you accept that nobody is coming to save you. Kind of like how those eight hour shifts at Hudson’s used to
Samantha Lamph August 12, 2021 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
Storm Of Grief
The affliction suffered has decayed the body Taking within, killing the inside slowly Once a warrior, now unable to stand Tightly holding on to dignity
Ellysa Greenhalgh February 5, 2022 1 Comment
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
#Halloween
Piggy Bank Princess
“Hey. Sarah Jane said when she was at the store with Makenzie she saw that princess costume.” “Uh-huh.” “You know, the one she’s been telling
Andy Spears November 11, 2022 2 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
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
Freddy’s New Life
Freddy sees something big. Now he has to go into witness protection. He needs the next available vehicle ASAP. Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash
Pam Reeder January 21, 2022 1 Comment
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
Faith
(P.S. poetry series) Worth A Shot?
Cars drove by, a simple sigh at six in the morning, The day starts and the body drops, Shots heard on the block in the
Andrey Lukyanov August 16, 2022 No Comments
baking
Bourbon-Flavored Baptist
Everyone at Connor Street Baptist loved Billy. He was a short, round man with a forgettable, round face framed by large round glasses. His sparse
Andy Spears January 23, 2022 16 Comments
contemporary
Holmes Institute: Prequel: Following in His Footsteps
[Content Notes: Adopted family, swearing, cliquey school dynamics | Jasper reference] Summary: Before Jasper was enrolled in Holmes Institute, she was a problem child in a
Quillful Writer September 1, 2022 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
Fresh Rack
James found himself sitting alone in his car at around 8:30 each night, wet from a mixture of his own sweat and the sprinklers on
Andy Spears February 20, 2022 10 Comments
justice
Quantum Blues
1. My prison cell isn’t the loud, dirty iron cage our ancestors knew. It is pristine, with a perpetual blue tint reflecting the metamaterials of
Charles Bastille January 17, 2022 No 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
#nearfuture
Under the Cherry Blossom Sky
There were no fires that night. They couldn’t risk it. Aurelia ran her fingers along the gold chain around her neck. The motion was comforting,
Julia Marsiglio January 27, 2022 9 Comments
champagne
The Cruise Ship: Tidal wave
Lyla stumbled on the deck, making sure not to drop her bottle of champagne. She and her husband, Cameron, had another fight. Lyla had gone
Robin Honigsberg November 5, 2022 1 Comment
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
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
Meet Arnold (aka “Glitter”)
A supporting character in the serialized RomCom “Matchmakers” Saving the best for last in this group of friends, meet Arnold (aka “Glitter.”) “Arnold is a
Crystal Walker January 31, 2022 No Comments
construction
Facing Lightning
Holding the stop/slow sign with little power on an unknown road, 20-year old Jim felt tired but relieved his construction shift was almost over. It
Gerald Washington February 24, 2022 4 Comments
criminal
A Criminal Affair
Special Agent Jordan O’Neill was vacationing for the first time in more than five years at a five-star resort in the Cook Islands. She wanted
Robin Honigsberg February 7, 2023 11 Comments
Alternate History
Cause Ways
“What if?” is the essence of genre fiction. What if monsters were real? What if mankind had faster-than-light travel? What if there was a world
Donald J. Bingle January 31, 2022 7 Comments
box
Present and Promise: A Mostly True Story
I wasn’t expecting anything. Yet, there it was. The unmistakable drone of the … well … drone dropping a package on the front stoop. I
Donald J. Bingle January 7, 2023 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
#Halloween
Halloween Betrothal
It hit the floor with a thud. She watched in horror as the pumpkin basket bounced merrily off the floor of the patio scattering her
Charlotte Rodricks November 1, 2021 7 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
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
10-word story
Left at the Altar
A Ten-Word Story I take off my wedding veil. He is not coming. ——— The 10-word story above is written as part of a Medium
TzeLin Sam July 13, 2022 19 Comments
Crime
The Culinary Killer Part I: A short story
Christopher Jones walked into his kitchen to find his very pregnant wife, dressed in a soft, red terrycloth bathrobe sitting in a chair and attempting
Robin Honigsberg July 22, 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
mental illness
A Day Like No Other: A Short Story
TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide event. Violet was getting sleepy. The last thing she saw was a photo of her as a child with her family on
Robin Honigsberg 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
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
Crime
Laid Back
The light from the lamp shade was turning everything under its grip into a shadow silhouette on the wall of this room with the curtains
Andrey Lukyanov April 26, 2022 No Comments
dante
Recording Angel
Beth had been sitting on the marble bench for ages, her eyes fixed on Michael as he worked silently at his desk. When he finally
Tim McDaniel February 9, 2022 2 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
demons
The Demonic Boyfriend: A Short Story
Three months earlier, a mutual friend introduced me to Ron Turner at a charity gala auction for cancer research. We had both bids on the
Robin Honigsberg July 10, 2022 2 Comments
contemporary fiction
The Bartender
“Where am I?” I caressed my sore wrist. “The Locomotion, gal,” the bartender sang. “What is that awful smell?” “Oh, that? Ahhh. That’s the smell
Devyn Beal March 7, 2022 No Comments
Book Recommendations
The Somnolent Critic’s Quick Reviews: Fiction, Jan.-March 17, 2022
The Feast of the Goat (by Mario Vargas Llosa) Year of publication: 2000 (trans. 2001)Print length: 404 pagesPublished by: Picador USA This is the first
Daniel Lyons March 17, 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
time travel
A Second Chance
They say we should not mess with time travel but I bet that they would change their minds if they had seen their disabled twin
TzeLin Sam June 29, 2022 17 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
cats
Zoom Cat
Louis Droesge/Unsplash A yellow cat walks across the desk, coming into full view of the screen. Christy strokes it from head to tail. There are
Andy Spears January 16, 2022 10 Comments
fable
Storm People
Not all storms are merely named after people. Some storms - often the most destructive sorts - can be people, as well. If you’ve ever wondered why it seems
Shannon Hilson February 21, 2022 1 Comment
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
AI
Blinking Noon and Midnight
Len put down the book. He’d been kidding himself for an hour at least; the sweater wasn’t enough. The place was just too darn cold.
Tim McDaniel February 18, 2022 No Comments
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
Alternate History
Standing Still
“Are you sure you wanna do this, doc?” The patrolman gestured across the lobby at the subject. “He’s got some sort of a device, with
Donald J. Bingle September 7, 2021 17 Comments
contemporary fiction
Falling Off My Shoes (a very short story)
When Mr. Bingham asked, “Why did Nixon go to China?” I kept a straight face and raised my hand. He nodded to me. “Ms. Morgenstern?”
David Rodeback March 12, 2022 No Comments
Rabbit Hole
I was the one man standing up to save the world from Satanist Aliens; that’s how bad things got. I used to be a family
Conor Matthews September 18, 2022 No Comments