A boy helps his sister but not how he planned. “A Pale Sequence of Stars” a short story now on Substack. Plus: Night School – new novel available 23 January 2025. Sara slams the bedroom door. The TV and shower crank on. Pug expects a clang from the liquor cabinet in his parents’ bedroom RuthieContinue reading ““A Pale Sequence of Stars” – Substack”
Category Archives: Fiction
Happy Halloween – “Mrs. Carol’s Driving Lesson”
A mother traverses a gentlemen’s club. “Mrs. Carol’s Driving Lesson” a short story now on Substack. A Jeep behind us flashes its lights. I start for the turn, but the Jeep whirs around and lets me know I should shove my glasses into my body part that give birth to my children. I will prayContinue reading “Happy Halloween – “Mrs. Carol’s Driving Lesson””
Night School New Novel Available 23 January 2025 – Chapter 1 on Substack
“What you hear is what you know, but what you don’t know is what you need to hear.” When college radio DJ Scotty Piper receives mysterious messages connected to his love of music and encyclopedic knowledge about a legendary rock band and their enigmatic guitarist, he leaves behind his colleagues and everything familiar and raisesContinue reading “Night School New Novel Available 23 January 2025 – Chapter 1 on Substack”
Night School – New Novel Available January 2025
Plus Bookshop.org storefront and Pepper’s Ghost second edition on hoopla. “What you hear is what you know, but what you don’t know is what you need to hear.” When college radio DJ Scotty Piper receives mysterious messages connected to his love of music and encyclopedic knowledge about a legendary rock band and their enigmatic guitarist,Continue reading “Night School – New Novel Available January 2025”
“Yacht Rock” – Substack
Two friends build little libraries for their neighborhood. “Yacht Rock” a short story now on Substack. Blake’s tires snap and pop gravel when he pulls into the lot for El Mercado and its American and Mexican flags flying between mobile homes, rundown apartments, and the Whole Foods across the street. “Buenos noches,” he says to theContinue reading ““Yacht Rock” – Substack”
“Windowless UFO” – Substack
A student film distracts a woman applying to jobs. “Windowless UFO” a short story now on Substack. My health, I found out, is more important. Yes, I know what most of you on here will say: “You could have better health with a job.” And you’re right. But I don’t care about “amazing perks orContinue reading ““Windowless UFO” – Substack”
New Novel, 500-plus Subscribers, and Publisher Links — Substack
And while you’re there on Substack, sign up as a subscriber. My fiction and updates reach your inbox once a month. I love sharing extraordinary stories (fiction short and long) about ordinary Americans. Good stories don’t, and shouldn’t have to, conform to the dominant aesthetics and politics.
“Makers’ Monday” – Substack
A dad and his three kids make a gift at the library. “Makers’ Monday” a short story now on Substack. I look toward what I think is the room where Kiki and the others are, and in my head I see them making the most amazing things possible and the 3D printer working like GodContinue reading ““Makers’ Monday” – Substack”
“Cash In the Past” Quarterfinalist for ScreenCraft Cinematic Short Story on Substack
“Cash In the Past” is now available on Substack. Two gameshow contestants untangle their pasts. This month’s story is a quarterfinalist for the 2024 ScreenCraft Cinematic Short Story Competition. Your book purchases and paid Substack subscriptions helped cover the submission fee—thank you. And while you’re on Substack, sign up as a subscriber. My fiction and updatesContinue reading ““Cash In the Past” Quarterfinalist for ScreenCraft Cinematic Short Story on Substack”
Pepper’s Ghost Second Edition Now Available
The second edition of my first novel Pepper’s Ghost is now available. Read the first chapter, and while you’re there, sign up as a subscriber. My fiction and updates reach your inbox once a month. I love sharing extraordinary stories (fiction short and long) about ordinary Americans. Good stories don’t, and shouldn’t have to, conformContinue reading “Pepper’s Ghost Second Edition Now Available”