His caps lock button broke and he could only type in capital letters. He spent a notable portion of his money on... more
1.
so there's this girl, as there always is, except she's a movie star, which figures, since this is me,... more
Erin McGraw teaches writing at Ohio State, where she works with her husband, the poet Andrew Hudgins. She's the author... more
Paul Maliszewski's Fakers: Hoaxers, Con Artists, Counterfeiters and Other Great Pretenders, was published in January... more
1. Sweet Sixteen:
She is thinking of her father at the breakfast table, reading the paper. Can almost hear him... more
1. Janie
When I was sixteen, my dad's new wife and her daughter, Mary Ann, moved in, so I had to get out. I found a... more
At some point, the people in their thirties and forties decided to go one of two ways: dog fighting, or dog grooming. It was a simple... more
I first became a fan of Hannah Tinti's writing when I read her story, "Home Sweet Home," (appearing in her... more
Shopping
I was sitting at the kitchen table, it was morning, the light was pale and fine, he was messing about, making something... more
In less than an hour, the ferry was at half-speed, the wind had died and the magnificent flora of Cane Island was in full view. They... more
Elias was a banker, so we left with more than most. $1,600 to spend at the outfitters—three yoke of oxen, 2000 pounds of food,... more
Meine Liebe
It got to where I couldn't stop talking about him, though our relationship had to be secret — there was no other... more
John Brandon's debut crime noir novel Arkansas is full of men who become bored or dissatisfied with the straight life... more
In God's Country
Camping in the northern part of the state, two guys and a girl woke to the sound of what they thought was a... more
The boy mastered the alphabet, but the other boys were playing soccer. The boy mastered... more
It's Christmas Eve, our birthday's less than an hour away, and, per Tannen family tradition, it's Davie's and my first night... more
There is much to admire in the life and work of the author Michael Kimball: his sentence craft, his innovation,... more
1.
The sign is taped to a post and weathered and tattered as it is, it would be easy to believe that it has been there for... more
Conversation
She had nine faces already, and each time she began to talk a new one was added. "How does she manage to do that?"... more
My boyfriend and I have sex and when we're finished he holds me close and whispers into my ear, I just date-raped you. What do you do... more
In a walk-in closet, my father's ties were exactly six centimeters apart on wooden dowels. I gently touched the gaps between his ties... more
Leni Zumas' wonderful book Farewell Navigator is full of the kinds of stories I love and the kind of writing I envy.... more
Sumatra, Indonesia, 1963
The hibiscus hedge is the boundary line the girl is not supposed to cross. Sometimes, for something to... more
Those days I believed in Body over Mind. I believed Mind followed Body because I knew matter could think. I was a cook in this little... more
They think I don't hear their whispers, but I do. Even with a bathroom between our bedrooms, all I have to do is put my ear to the wall... more
