 A Garden for White Roses by Sara Cordova. "A Garden for White Roses" was written in a whirl of inspiration on the blank back pages of a borrowed catalog, while the author was trapped in a library that had no available computers. Many of Sara's short stories and novel chapters are similarly produced, and she can think of no happier way to go about the process. She lives and works in a house full of varied collections of excellent stories and creeping house plants.
I only go to see Stella on dark nights. The no-moon nights, the thunderstorm nights. Even when there's rain and hail pouring down on me, I set up my pots and my shovels..." (continued)
The Stones by Mary Thornburg. Mary is acquainted with darkness, having lived in a hundred-year-old house on a shadowed stretch of Indiana river, between a cornfield and a graveyard. Now, however, she lives in Montana with her husband, writer Thomas Thornburg, and writes full-time. Her short story "Darkness and Distance," for Zahir, won an honorable mention in the 2006 Year's Best Fantasy and Horror. She's currently finishing the sequel to her fantasy-adventure novel Underland. Visit her at www.underland.montana.com.
Some mysteries, it seems to me, are better left unsolved, at whatever cost to one's peace of mind--or, perhaps I should say, to one's faith... (continued)
The Design by Jean Russell. Jean lives in Burke, Virginia. Some of her stories have appeared in True Stories: Fiction by Uncommon Women (Red Dragon Press) and The Art of Life (Southwestern Publishing). Her poetry has appeared in many national literary journals, including Potomac Review and Poetic Licence in London. She is a member of the National League of American Pen Women, the Poetry Society of Virginia, and Poets Anonymous. She is also currently working on a play, "Petunia."
A silver-haired woman in a navy blue suit handed me the book. She smelled like face powder and old roses... (continued)
Smoke Demon by Grant Maher. Grant hunches over his keyboard by day and leaves his fortified bunker by night to forage for food. He has terrible luck with the female of the species, usually getting clawed or bitten during mating attempts. Most of his energy goes to fighting off bad habits. Grant's friends say his worse vice is dressing like a Tusken Sand Raider from Star Wars. His greatest anxiety is that the things he writes about might be real.
Had Ron not whipped his head around suddenly when the phone rang, he might not have spotted the thing for Lord knows how long... (continued)
The Way of Things by Keith Sutherland. Keith is 36 years old and lives in Farmingville, New York with his wife and two children. During his non-existent free time Keith explores the dark corners of his mind, writing of monsters real and imagined. Since he was a young boy he has dreamed of demons and murderers and all things supernatural. Most recently, however, visions of a chainsaw have captured his heart and imagination.
"What's in the envelope?" I asked, my chin resting safely on my hands. Father put the cigarette in his mouth and used his free hand to inspect the sealed white envelope... (continued)
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SPECIAL FEATURE:
THE LAURA BICKLE INTERVIEW
Author of "The Highwayman"
Bad Effigy by Daniel Bachleda. Born in Pennsylvania in the 80's, and educated there in the 90's, Daniel Bachleda decided to write professionally after the year 2000. Since then he has relearned how to shop for groceries. He is shopping around a debut novel, and his work can be found in Menda City Review, Crimson Highway, Thieves' Jargon, and Dark Reveries. Contact him at danielbachleda@yahoo.com. "Bad Effigy" was originally published in Menda City Review.
It wakes him up in the night, at the foot of his bed, gurgling helplessly in its crooked squished throat... (continued)
The Doppleganger Blues by Andrew Killmeier. Andrew was raised in Louisville, Kentuckyand Southern Indiana. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California where he works in the motion picture industry. Andrew spent several years as a touring musician before trying his hand at writing, and he plans to applying for an MFA in creative writing in the fall of 2007 (Antioch University). His work has recently been accepted by Swill Magazine, Dead Mule School of Southern Literature, and Zygote in My Coffee.
I first saw it on the Metro Red Line. I had been driven by loneliness from the white crypt of my apartment out into the desolate night... (continued)
Leslie by Barry Brennessel. Barry currently lives in Seattle. He graduated with degrees in English and French from SUNY Brockport, and earned his MFA from Johns Hopkins University. His work has appeared in Perspectives, Time Pilot, and Nocturnal Lyric, and his novel was a finalist in the 2006 PNWA literary contest. He has also received Honorable Mentions for his short story collection and several scripts in both the WriteSafe writing contest and the 74th Annual Writers Digest competition. When not writing, Barry enjoys consuming dark chocolate, in any form.
I was already five minutes late for the 8:16 bus. Ordinarily, I wouldn't care. But today was my last chance to prove to Dr. Durchschlag that I took my sessions with him seriously... (continued)
In the Kettle by Rik Hunik. Rik is a half a century old. He has sold some paintings and a few photographs, but in order to earn a living he's been in construction for the past fifteen years, working on everything from bathroom renos to a multi-million dollar college campus. He's written dozens of fantasy stories, ranging from horror to science fiction. Eight have been published in small press magazines and e-zines. He's currently working on his third novel, an alternate history fantasy mystery.
BOOM! Ssssssssssssssssssssss... Jeff saw Billy, "the Old Timer," clutching his ample belly and all but rolling on the floor with mirth... (continued)
MISSED IT IN THE LAST ISSUE?
Here's another chance to read the Elisabeth Hegmann Interview, author of "Jeremy."
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