Tag: Short Fiction

All Stories, Christmas Crime Week 2025

The Viaduct by Hugh Cron

literallystories2014

I’m introducing my own story here.

I’ve not much to say other than this was a blast to write. It was based on some actual events that were told to me by an old work mate. Ironically it wasn’t long after Leila told me that this had been chosen for this week that my workmate passed away.

I am honoured to be part of this and I was honoured to have known the legend that is Murdoch Scott!

RIP Murdy – It was an absolute pleasure working with you and sharing a few pints!!!!

The Viaduct by Hugh Cron – Warning – Strong Language

Image: Jail cell with Christmas trimming chains on the bars by Angie at Studio Anjou

All Stories, General Fiction, Short Fiction

Hear, Hear by Karl Luntta

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As his hearing receded into the ethers, Frank’s days filled with numbing despair. He was going deaf, there was no denying it. He’d tried with what inner strength he possessed to stave it off, first by denying it completely like any sane person would do, then by telling himself he was only forty-two, things like this aren’t permanent at this age, of course it will pass.

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All Stories, General Fiction

The Summer He Let Me Be General by Jacob Alexander Cohen

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The last time Dave showed up clean, he brought bagels and a joke.

“I had to use the car key to spread the cream cheese,” he said, holding it up like evidence. “Don’t worry. I wiped it on my pants first.”

It was early—gray morning light, barely six—and we sat on the hood of his rusting Civic in the driveway, steam rising from coffee in mismatched mugs. He wore a collared shirt that still had fold creases in it. His hair was damp. He looked awake in a way I hadn’t seen in years.

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All Stories, General Fiction

The Lives of Gadu Tom Phillips

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Everyone knew Gadu told lies. But  no matter. He was an artist, and while nobody believed he’d run a cocaine factory in the Bolivian rain forest whilst living with an uncontacted tribe or been chief stone mason during the reconstruction of Mostar’s Stari Most, his stories were hilarious.

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All Stories, Fantasy, General Fiction, Short Fiction

Imaginary Friends by Gareth Vieira

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“What’s it like, being imaginary?” asked Lisa Hannigan.

She sat cross-legged on the edge of her bed, gazing down at her imaginary friends, Sally and Qney, who mirrored her posture on the carpet below, knees tucked neatly beneath their chins.

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General Fiction

Maddie is a prison by Tatiana Samokhina

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1994

Butcher

Standing by the entrance to the butcher’s, Maddie can’t take her eyes off Victor. Her braids tight, her nose – a pointed nettle. On her freckled bronze cheeks, a glowing blush.

I watch the soft corners of her lips stretch, as if pulled, her mouth opening slightly, and from within, a laugh breaks free—an escapee (Maddie is a prison). It’s as plump as a balloon. As thin as silk thread. It inflates and bursts like bubble gum.

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All Stories, sunday whatever

Sunday Whatever–M an essay by Dale Williams Barrigar

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“One of the most unappreciated people in the world.”

– Joshua Logan on Marilyn Monroe

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be
absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” – Marilyn Monroe

“Will the wind ever remember / the names it has blown in the past?”

– Jimi Hendrix, “The Wind Cries Mary”

There’s something about Marilyn that can bring tears to the eyes like no other actress can do, and that fact does not arise from any one movie she made, whether good or bad, unless it’s The Misfits, her last, in which she is truly brilliant as a performer; she flowers and blooms into a new “her” in that film, especially in a few scenes.

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All Stories, Fantasy, General Fiction

 Unlucky by Gareth Vieira

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 Johnny Smiles was the unluckiest person in Hope County.

How unlucky? So unlucky that the town council passed a bylaw restricting him to his home. A motion that passed unanimously. A sentence he accepted without protest.

Although Johnny was an older man, most folks considered him an overgrown child. He was brilliant, in the way all children in Hope County were brilliant—a lingering side effect of the Disaster, that tainted the drinking water and perfumed the air with long-forgotten toxins.

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General Fiction

Men without Women by Adam Kluger

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He heaved and cried uncontrollably.

Snot bubbles.

His mom told him not to be unhappy as he buried his face in the desk while lightly holding her wrist.

“Think of the good times you just had and will have in the future —and you can always write something about it”

He always got emotional when someone he loved left him.

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General Fiction, Short Fiction

Death on a Full Stomach by Christoper Ananias

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The two men sat in the dim kitchen. Drinking. Dark clouds hung low in the gray sky like they wanted to open their bellies. Cigarette smoke curled from a glass ashtray. Larry Miller got up from the yellow Formica table and pointed at a steak bone on a plate in the sink. The white plate was smeared dark with A-1 Steak Sauce. Larry said, “That was Jenny’s last supper. A T-bone steak, a baked potato, bread n’ butter, and a Coke.” He seemed proud to Thurman like he wanted Thurman to appreciate it.

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