A sister struggling with PTSD requests something from her brother. She turns off the flashlight and fidgets with it like she’s saving it for other places. “The bear called the power company.” She turns for the fridge and downs a pitcher of purple liquid. “Those thunder cracks were so loud,” she says after gasping. “AndContinue reading ““Confluence” – Substack”
Category Archives: Short Fiction
“Names of Horses” – Substack
On her birthday, a girl meets a horse for the first time. Her father nudges the drawing toward him, his face falling briefly sad, before smiling at her. He loosens his tie and sits next to her. “You should go. The horses want to see you. They’ve been waiting all day for you. I justContinue reading ““Names of Horses” – Substack”
“Skeleton Key” – Substack
A super receives an evening call from an elderly resident in need. “Anything else I can help you with?” I asked Mrs. Hix another time through her door.” “The annual spikes in rent. They smother us like clockwork.” “I know. I’m sorry, but that’s out of my hands.” “Then I’ll give you more. I needContinue reading ““Skeleton Key” – Substack”
hoopla Digital
My recent novels October and In Another Sun and the short-story collection A Fine Day Will Burn Through are available as ebooks for checkout at your local library through hoopla Digital. They provide digital content (movies, TV shows, music, audiobooks, comics, and ebooks) to public libraries and their patrons across North America, and their uniqueContinue reading “hoopla Digital”
“All Clear” – a Bigfoot Yarn
The radio’s song scratches back into the truck’s speakers. Gerry adjusts his ballcap and shifts into gear. The twin mufflers reverberate underneath the license plate printed with CHEROKEE NATION and the dinged fender stickered with 9/11 NEVER FORGET and International Association of Fire Fighters. The country singer sings how killing time is killing him untilContinue reading ““All Clear” – a Bigfoot Yarn”
“Bloodsuckers” on Patreon for Father’s Day
“Come on. Let’s check the Four-Zero.” “Bloodsuckers,” William Auten As soon as the rusted lock clicks off and the barn doors open, more hot moisture billows around them. Matt pushes back his ballcap. Winches, tools, sawdust soaking oil spots, and fiberglass clippings litter the broken-up concrete floor. Water plops from the ceiling and slides offContinue reading ““Bloodsuckers” on Patreon for Father’s Day”
Video Thank You for Patreon Members – A Fine Day Will Burn Through
A thank-you video to Patreon supporters for the recent publication of my short-story collection A Fine Day Will Burn Through. Not yet a Patreon member? Well…come on by, and I’ll treat you right. Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop IndieBound
A Fine Day Will Burn Through: Stories Now Available
Summer’s gonna be great when you got two books out there. Now available A Fine Day Will Burn Through (Fire In Hand Media), which is a solid compliment to the novel In Another Sun (Tortoise Books). Get one or both, but go on and get ya some! Includes pieces first published in the following journals:Continue reading “A Fine Day Will Burn Through: Stories Now Available”
“Transplant” – A Fine Day Will Burn Through
“Friends,” he said, smiling at me. “Not wanting with anything else. Just sit under the stars as two good people. I’m on my way to get somebody in my life, but I am certain that cannot be because of my supervisor Chef. Double Mikes and Ms. C.S. would have a big roll of fair ticketsContinue reading ““Transplant” – A Fine Day Will Burn Through”
Pre-Order A Fine Day Will Burn Through
Pre-order A Fine Day Will Burn Through: Stories (Fire In Hand Media) from retailers, including Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop IndieBound Hollywood and Japan. The South and Midwest. Outer space and back home. Past and present. Myths and truths. Expectations and desires. Animals and humans. A storage locker and a softball game. A school playContinue reading “Pre-Order A Fine Day Will Burn Through”