Category: Short Fiction

Fantasy, Humour, Short Fiction

For Whom the Elm Toad by Leila Allison

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Ancient starlight is a key ingredient in Magick. Forget sunshine; aged roughly eight minutes upon arriving at Earth, it’s too raw and is to starlight what prison wine is to hundred-year-old cognac. And culling the rays that bounce back off something like Saturn only adds a few meaningless hours to the photons. Yes, the older the better, all the way from Deneb and Andromeda, Rigel and Beteguese, the maniacal red-shifted glimmers that howl silently through the endless now, the insane shine of forever.

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Latest News, Short Fiction

Week 443 – Ben Lamech sounds Scottish, ‘Please Can We Call It A Tallywacker’ And He Sang On ‘Down To Earth’

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My brother-in-law has decided to retire at Christmas.

I have asked him over the last few years why he hasn’t given up already and he stated that he was terrified that he would be bored. That got me thinking why I would retire tomorrow if I could and that is because I am the opposite of George – I’m fucking bored at my work!

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Short Fiction

442: The Leader of the Dirty Dozen Disciples; The August Heat Times Five; The Next Voice of Choice

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The Mysterious Ways of Lee Marvin

I was with friends, waiting to be seated at a restaurant, and I kept hearing “So and so party of such and such, your table is ready” over the speaker. Since I cannot keep my mouth shut, I joked “Christ, party of thirteen, your table is ready.” This earned me a sour look from a lady across the lobby, whom God must have endowed with keen hearing. She was wearing a crucifix large enough for a rapper or eighties’ era Madonna. I sighed, for it seems to me that God probably has a sense of humor, although many of the faithful do not.

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Short Fiction, Sunday whoever

Sunday Whoever

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This month’s Whoever has been with the site since we published her first work in 2015. We love seeing her name in the submissions emails because there is always something quirky and intriguing. If you haven’t checked out her back catalogue have a look at Ashlie Allan’s page. You’ll be glad you did.

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Latest News, Short Fiction

Week 441-Egg Mayonnaise To Mourn To, Mary’s Flying Baby And I Loved His Wee Trike.

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If I was to believe the stereotypes on TV I’d be very jealous of the Americans. You see, most times I have watched anything from a Comedy to a Thriller, most Americans are portrayed as hard working folks who strive to be the best at their work and are never happiest until they are happy at work.

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All Stories, Editor Picks, General Fiction, Short Fiction

Week 440: Cherophobia; Another Sane Summer Week; Actual Site News and More Rejected Questions

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Liquifying Cherophobia

Cherophobia is the fear of happiness. Fortunately, it is a treatable if not curable phobia. I guess I have the condition, but I view it as more of an aversion to buying into happiness than the fear of it. Sort of like counting a Gift Horse’s teeth, certain that your free Pony has a set similar to those of a Great White Shark, and that they will be dripping blood–and not Horse blood, either. Cherophobics suspect good news and are constantly listening for the other Horse shoe to drop.

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Latest News, Short Fiction

Week 427 – Having A Swatch, As You Can See, I’m Shit At Text Speak And Dirty Minds Rule!

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Before I begin, I need to thank Leila for taking on my turn last week – I’ll come to the reason why in a moment.

I wonder what the difference is between me (Or those of my age / those who think the same) and some / most of those fledgling writers?

When I was first accepted on a site, I delved in and had a look. I was curious to see what and who they published. I wanted to read the stories of others and if there were any comments, I especially wanted to seek out those folks works especially.

It was a privilege that I was proud to be part of and I wanted to familiarise myself with as much as I could.

Continue reading “Week 427 – Having A Swatch, As You Can See, I’m Shit At Text Speak And Dirty Minds Rule!” →