Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

This folder is for authors to post free stories/poetry for our readers.

I ask all authors to provide a short bio about themselves before leaving a post.

Thanks!

I'm always jotting down speculative short fiction so I'd be happy to share some here. I also have two published collections of fantasy stories; I've posted one, Death of a Furby, from my newest book, Passing Fancies.

FREE EBOOK SAMPLER

Hi, I'm Deborah Sheldon from Melbourne Australia. My professional credits include short stories, tv and play scripts, feature articles, non-fiction books and medical writing.

My short story collection 'All the little things that we lose' (Skive Magazine Press) will be published January 15th 2010. The publisher has released a Free Ebook (pdf) Sampler:

http://www.skivemagazinepress.com/pre...

“I’m a librarian and I kissed a film star once. I touched her nipples too. At least, I think I did.”
So begins the first story in my 75,000 words collection,A Cupboardful of Shoes.'' Horatio Humphries, on a rough Atlantic crossing, strikes up a brief friendship with star Hélène Martin, while his twin brother Arnold doesn’t believe him—particularly when he claims she visited him the following night. In the second story, “A Pregnant Woman with Parcels at Brock and Bagot,” an unnamed woman may or may not have an affair with a man she met at a party, depending on whether she can get by a woman in front of her.
Other stories are about disappointed love, and about violence and war. Some are satirical, some are frankly experimental with unreliable narrators. They are set in North America and those European countries I know from being fluent in six languages and teaching at Queen’s University in Canada. All have been published in literary journals.

A. Colin Wright,
www.sardiniansilver.com,
www.acolinwright.ca,
www.authorsden.com/acolinwright

This is a great listing and I can't wait to see how many cool stories come through this board.

I'm hoping for the same thing, Steven.

Given the large pool of authors, I figured it would be cool to have a reading lounge where we could see posted stories/poetry.

A. F. wrote: "I'm always jotting down speculative short fiction so I'd be happy to share some here. I also have two published collections of fantasy stories; I've posted one, Death of a Furby, from my newest bo..."

Where can I go to read this Death By Furby story? I checked you page here and haven't found it. The other works you have on here are amazing...I am so hooked on you work...I will have to plug you on my Facebook as well. Great stuff :o)

Steven wrote: "A. F. wrote: "I'm always jotting down speculative short fiction so I'd be happy to share some here. I also have two published collections of fantasy stories; I've posted one, Death of a Furby, fro..."

Death of a Furby is posted right here in the Reading Lounge; the title is Flash Fiction: Death of a Furby.

Hi. I've been messing around with writing for years but only recently got serious enough to pursue publication. My first novel, Nexus Point, came out last year. My first short story pubs were last year, too.

I've got several short stories up for free on my website as well as links to all the others. My book is up on Smashwords, if you want to read the free 50% sample.

http://www.jaletac.com and http://www.nexuspoint.info

I write primarily science fiction, though I dabble in comic horror and fantasy from time to time.

Dear all,
I invite you to check out my profile and take a look at the opening extracts from my series 'The Knight Trilogy'. (YA &Cross Over / Urban Fantasy / Dark Romance / Adventure & Quest)
You can also read a small selection from my poetry collection 'Mythologies'.
I would really value your feedback.
Website www.katiemjohn.co.uk

Dear Readers,

You can read my short story, Elder Cares, in the free download http://www.menage-a-20, and my YA short story, Unlocking William--also available for free--at http://www.unlockedproject.com

I'm currently writing some longer historical stories set in the first decade of the twentieth century. I spent a lovely week this summer at the post-grad writing conference at the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Michael Martone was the facilitator in our small group of fiction writers.

Inspired by Vincent, I'll post the poem I wrote on 9/11/2001 below.

I've posted a new story and some poems on my profile: http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/838705

Hi everyone!

Short bio, hm? I'm a twenty-something in Michigan, finishing a doctorate. I've published one novel but haven't completed any major projects since then. Life's been kind of crazy.

Life crazy in grad school? Isn't this normal? ;-)

@Jeanne: Why yes, yes it is. Thankfully, graduation is a mere nine months away.

@Eileen: Hi! Yay, someone else in MI. It's surprising how many authors are camped out in the Midwest!

Only eight months away now, Alice!

You can see samples of my writing here: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie...

All my 'military' related poems are here:

http://iwvpa.net/delaneydj/index.php

Hi everyone, my name is Emily Lear and my book Ladies of Market Street is available on Amazon.com. I would love to share it with all of you.

Ladies of Market StreetEmily Lear

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HO5LPE?t...

My website: http://whitwriter.webs.com/

Here is a peep show of what you can get in my book!

Veronica had enjoyed showing Ah Toy the wonders that are taken for granted by New Yorkers. Ah Toy’s pure stomach took a while to adapt, but ever since trying Mexican food made by the Chinese, and Chinese food made by Columbians she was excited to try anything.

“Pizza," Veronica said. "You can learn how to spell it later, it won’t make any sense. Just pick it up like this.”

She folded the crust in her fingers and let the rest fall. Ah Toy followed suit.

“Take a bite before all the grease drips off." Veronica said.

She watched Ah Toy's face to witness the joy, and sure enough there it was. Her eyes were big while she sat subconsciously devouring the slice as it dripped down her bare elbow.

“I have a theory as to why it tastes so good," Veronica continued. "If any other city tries to make New York style pizza they can’t do it. It’s just not the same. I think it’s obviously the water. I mean no one has nastier water than us. Mix a little lead and rat dung into that crust and a cup or two in the sauce. Gives it that kind of sweet flavor. Then you have it sit out all day long in the New York air. It’s viscous with all sorts of shit. So a nice hard layer coagulates on top of it. But then they shove it back into the oven, and it melts it all together. And there you have it! New York style pizza."

Hi, I'm Connie (C. M.) Barrett (goodreads ate most of my name when I registered). I have a small book of short stories that's free at Smashwords.

Brief description: In The Language of Stones, a young man tries to teach a stone to speak. Villains Victorious describes the attempt of fictional villains to rewrite the story. The Gargoyle Murder is the love story of a gargoyle and a cat. Also included is the first chapter of Big Dragons Don't Cry, which introduces some cats looking for trouble or enlightenment.

Hello. I'm Sherri Hayes, and I'm a romance author (you can find information on my books in the romance section or click on my author page here on Goodreads). I publish most of my stories, however, I started participating in something called Flash Fiction Friday. It is an author challenge where a picture is provided and then each participating author writes 100 words. No more. No less. This is my second week participating and I'm having a blast so far. To check out my post this week go to http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2011....

I'm Robert Thornhill, the author of the six volume Lady Justice mystery/comedy series.

The following is en excerpt from the series:

The Colon Cleanse

Sometimes, no matter how much you think you know about a person, they will surprise the heck out of you.
My sweetie, Maggie, with no fanfare, and in her quiet unassuming way, had been gently steering me into a healthier lifestyle.
While I hadn't violently resisted, I hadn't exactly embraced the idea either.
I figured maybe it was time to give it a try.
I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
"Thanks for caring," I said.
"You're welcome," she replied.
I had thought that the path to an enlightened way of living was not so bad: just eat healthier food and take a few pills each day, but I soon discovered that I had only taken the first few baby steps in my transformation.
One evening we had just polished off a large pepperoni lover’s from Pizza Hut. I was wiping the grease off my fingers when Maggie delivered her next salvo in my lifestyle overhaul.
“Walt, we eat entirely too much meat and grease. We need to do a colon cleanse.”
“Say what?”
“A colon cleanse. Over the years, especially as we grow older, mucous and fecal material build up in your colon.”
I looked at the glom clinging to the bottom of the pizza carton. That thought wasn’t how I wanted to finish off my meal.
“There’s nothing wrong with my colon.”
“Oh really? And just how do you know that?”
“Well, everything I eat seems to come out—eventually.”
“Experts say you should clean your colon of mucous, fecal matter, and parasites every year. Have you ever done it?”
“Parasites? What are you talking about?”
“You know, tapeworms, stuff like that.”
I looked at a piece of stringy cheese on the side of the box and noticed a queasy feeling in my stomach.
“Is this all really necessary?”
“Let me tell you a story. When Elvis died, they did an autopsy. His colon was filled with over seventy pounds of impacted fecal material—mostly old cheeseburgers and fries.”
This was way more information than I wanted to hear about my most cherished idol. “So how does this cleanse thing work?”
She produced a bottle of pills. I guess it was a foregone conclusion that we were
both going to be cleansed.
“We just take five of these at bedtime, and in the morning nature will take its course.”
Dutifully, I swallowed the pills.
At 6:00 a.m. the next morning, I had a rude awakening. It felt as if a volcano was about to erupt in my lower regions. Fortunately, the bathroom wasn’t far, and I waddled toward it with my cheeks clinched shut.
My butt hit the seat just in time, and in the next three minutes everything I had ever eaten from last night’s pizza to the hot dogs I ate after my senior prom came pouring out. I staggered from the bathroom, a beaten man.
Maggie greeted me in the kitchen.
“Now doesn’t that feel better?”
Actually, it felt like my asshole was on fire, but I smiled and said, “Yes! That was just grand!”
I opened my paper, drank my coffee, and ate my cereal, but before I had finished the comics, the fiber kicked in. I felt another rumbling in my stomach and made a beeline for the bathroom.
I was in the midst of another colon scourge when I heard the phone ring.
“Oh, swell. Here I am pouring out my guts, and I have to share the experience with someone on the line. This day just isn’t starting well.”
I opened the door just far enough for Maggie to hand me the phone. I thought I heard her cough and mutter, “Oh my God!”
“This is Walt.”
“Ox here. I was so excited about what we learned from Dr. Pearson I just couldn’t sleep. Can I pick you up a half hour early?”
“Just then, an enormous gas bubble reverberated from the porcelain throne.
“What was that noise?”
“Never mind. Where are you now?”
“I’m actually on the way.”
“Give me a few minutes. I’m just --- uhh --- finishing up a project I started last night.”
By the time Ox arrived, I thought I had everything under control, but two blocks from the apartment, mother nature struck again.
“Ox! Quick! Pull into that 7-Eleven!”
“What’s the emergency?”
“If you don’t pull over, we’ll be giving our car to Hazmat!”
After one final cleanse, I emerged from the can and saw an elderly gentleman who had been patiently waiting for his turn.
As I was walking away, I heard him mutter, “Good Lord!”

************************************************************************
An excerpt from the Lady Justice mystery/comedy series by Robert Thornhill
http://booksbybob.com/goodreads_333.html

An excerpt (and also the prologue) of my recent release, and the first in my YA series:

…PrOlOgUe: CrAcKed…
…Broken…

Reaye wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead as she ran down the narrow passageway, her throat closing in on her, her muscles aching.
It wouldn’t be long now.
The sides of the cavern weighed in on her as she pumped her legs faster, desperately trying to reach her destination before it was too late, desperately trying to tell herself that she hadn’t already run out of time.
Is he there? She wondered as her legs worked to sustain her rapidly beating chest, her footsteps echoing through the cavern. I know I heard him…
A fierce echo came to memory then -- an echo of a shouting, screaming voice filled with pain, longing. She’d recognized it, had felt her heart tugging her towards it, had known exactly who the voice belonged to...
Ikura. Reaye thought in anguish as she slowed her pace, eyes catching the moldy looking light coming from the room in front of her. She heard another shout, much like the one she’d heard only minutes ago, and her chest tightened at the sound. She couldn’t stand hearing it. That is him. I knew it. It’s him. I have to --
She had to hurry.
But before another step could be taken, the earth beneath her started to rumble, breaking, turning into a crack that ran along both the ground and the ceiling. Reaye gasped as she was thrown to the floor, the hard rock tearing into her flesh. She tried to fight the shaking of the ground as she pushed herself upright, hearing something strange...familiar...loud…
An explosion.
The explosion rocked her ears, shaking the ground and the ceiling as it tore through the caverns, destroying everything. She saw the boulders as they came down. She felt the sunlight that took the ceiling’s place. She screamed, but it was too late.
That explosion shattered her dreams, along with everything else.

©Alexandra Lanc, 2011
To read more, visit http://www.alexandralanc.com

Another Friday, another Flash Fiction Friday post. This one has a bit of a Halloween twist. :)

http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2011...

Here is the link to my Flash Fiction Friday post this week.

http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2011...

Hi all, I knocked up a short ghost story for a writing competition last month... It made the finals (which was nice) and has spooked its way onto my blog site... Check it out and follow the link if you fancy joining in with one the Mistress of the Dark Path's regular compo's... :)

http://anthonybellaleigh.wordpress.co...

Hiya folks! Here's a short story in my genre - comedy travel writing!
It's one of the adventures I had in Australia.
I won't spoil it by saying anything more!
Here it is:
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/3...
Enjoy!
Tony

Hey folks,

Short story titled "Drought" can be found here:

http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/3...

It's about two soldiers stranded in the desert, trying to find their way out after their entire unit is ambushed. Without giving too much away, the piece chronicles their day as they struggle against the harsh environment.

M Reed.

Another link to another short story of mine:

http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/3...

This one describes a short battle to the death between a Templar knight and a Turk during the Crusades. It's a little on the descriptive/poetic side and is written in the second person POV. Happy reading.

M. Reed

I'd like to share my article about a mentally challenged girl who may be executed in Pakistan for blasphemy, http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.ac...

Here's a short story from my latest book "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Club". The book is a behind the scenes look at us "road dogs" A.K.A touring comedians. Here's the Amazon link for the ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Funny-Thing-Hap...

Dave Ugly has his way with women

I was performing in Myrtle Beach about 10 years ago with my good friends Dave Ugly(Dave Evans) and Jay Moore (Rowland Jay Moore). We had finished our show and decided to go out for some drinks and maybe run into some women. We were single comedians in Mrytle Beach during the summer, what do you expect?

We were at a bar shooting some pool and at some point three young ladies came in. The math was perfect so we started talking to them and soon they were playing pool with us. Things were going great and we decided to have a man talk. We figured out which girl we each wanted and when we were in agreement we broke the huddle. Dave talked to his girl ( a little on the heavy side), I talked to mine (fairly attractive) and Jay got the hottie,but who's complaining. I was happy and Dave was bouncing off the walls.

When it was time to go, Jay left with his girl to go back to his condo. He was playing at a different club than Dave and me, so he stayed at that club's "comedy condo". Our girls drove together so we walked them to their car to say "goodnight". The four of us decided it would be more prudent to say our goodbyes in the car privately. Dave got in the front with his girl and I got in the backseat with mine.

I got real cozy with this attractive lady and we could hear Dave talking to her friend in the front seat. There was no conversation coming from where I was at, if you know what I mean, but I could still hear Dave making his move. Right in the middle of me kissing this girl I heard Dave say to his woman:

" You know what I like about you, you're just as ugly as I am."

Two things happened right after he sid that. I laughed and the girl I was kissing laughed so hard that our teeth clinked together. The other thing that occurred, was I looked up to see Dave and this lady making out. I was amazed. The man has skills! I won't go into details about the rest of the evening, but we all had a good time.

I did learn a valuable lesson that night. Never make out with someone when Dave Ugly is near, it hurts your teeth!

This story was written with Dave and Jay's approval.

Funny and very unique, Brian. A book about touring comedians sounds interesting. I don't remember seeing one before.

Thanks Jennifer!

Hello all,

My name is Philip Charles Stephens and I’m looking for people interested in reading and critiquing a sci-fi serial of mine. I've had one short story and two poems published in literary journals, I ghostwrite fiction for a company in England, and I’m currently on the third draft of a novel. The serial in question, Glyphein, was published on theinsidemag.com and is one of three prequels leading up to the events in my novel. I would greatly appreciate any critique I can get and am willing to return the favour to other authors.

The serial is available on:

http://www.theinsidemag.com/index.php...

and: http://www.goodreads.com/story/list/1...

Thanks so much, Phil

Hi! I'm John Gregory Hancock. I normally don't use my middle name but imagine if I wrote under "John Hancock" no one would ever find my books, so there you go.

Born in 1958 near St. Louis, Missouri, I spent over 25 years as a newspaper graphic artist, winning multiple national and international design awards. I also draw celebrities who tweet me on twitter, and my illustrations can be found on artsprocket.com.
My first book, A Plague of Dreams, Dreamwood Tales Vol. 1. is a collection of cross-genre short stories, and debuted at the beginning of 2013. It includes two stories previously published in Bewildering Stories, an online E-zine.

I live with my dear wife and son in the Midwest. Since my wife is a redhead, I walk the line between joy and abject fear (kidding). I write in whatever free time I can find between my 9 to 5 job, my drawings, and my family.
my

You can read for free the first story in the anthology:

http://dreamwoodtales.wordpress.com/f...

I hope it gives you a chuckle. Not all the stories are humorous, they run the gamut from scifi to fantasy to crime thriller to paranormal adventure. Some reviewers have likened them to the Twilight Zone television show.

Hi, I am a reader and a writer of mainly books about animals, the relationships between humans and animals, magic, and the supernatural. I wrote and published a book called: Mortal Realm Witch. In the book is a character called Trillman, who is a talking Golden Retriever who was once human before getting into trouble and being punished to live as a familiar to a witch called DWW. On my website is the story of how Trillman became a familiar. You can find it here: http://www.mortalrealmwitch.com/extra...
Because it takes place before my first book, you can read it without having read my book. There are no spoilers or anything in the story so just read and enjoy.

I also currently have two free to read short stories that I did for writing challenges here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
The first is about a wish made by a cat and a dog. The second is based on characters from a book I am working on called: Heroes United. The characters in this short story is the wacky horse Levi, based on the real horse by the same name, who is also known as Wonder Horse, and his human owner, Dillon, who is also known as Wonder Wolf. The story is about a training game that Dillon plays with Levi with unexpected results.

Hello my name is Michelle Cornwell-Jordan and I am one of the Hosts and Producer of IndieReview Behind The Scenes Internet Radio. We Spotlight Indie Writers and Musicians and their works...(There is NO FEE) to be featured on our show...Our purpose is to support IndieAuthors and Indie Musicians...I am inviting all Poets and Songwriters that are interested to submit to be included in our open Mic segment that will be featured in the Summer (Performance recorded and sent in MP3 link or performed live on air) Those interested please send the information with a small bio to [email protected]. IndieReview Behind The Scenes was launched March 2012 and just a year later we sit at close to 83,000 listens on the Blogtalk application (Featured 3 times)...We're here to get the word out regarding the IndieArtist and their works...(we are writers as well, myself and co-host Jamie B Musings) Here is my link for our show page...and then in the next comment will be the link to IndieReview Behind The Scenes NEW Face Book page that was just started to learn the details of the Open Mic where I am inviting all those interested to share their works!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/indierev...

IndieReview Behind The Scenes Internet Radio Open Mic

https://www.facebook.com/IndiereviewB...

Hi, my name is Francis Franklin, and I'm a self-published author with a love of vampires and a curiosity about human nature and sexuality.

I have a blog where I write poetry, reviews, short fiction, rants and miscellaneous musings:
http://alinameridon.wordpress.com/

Hey Everyone,
For those who don't know my name isJustin Bienvenue. I post frequently here on Goodreads. I consider myself both a poet and author and have two written works The Macabre Masterpiece: Poems of Horror and Gore and A Bloody Bloody Mess In the Wild Wild West.

I love to write and while poetry is my first passion I also write short stories, full fledged books and recently started writing articles. I am always looking for something good to write or lately a good book to read from a fellow Indie author. When I'm not writing I enjoy watching sports, big football fan. It's going to be a struggle to juggle football and writing but I am sure I can manage. Always enjoy meeting new friendly people who are either authors or readers and writers alike with common interests.

I will be making my own folder here where I will post my poems and short stories that I hope everyone will enjoy.

Thanks,
Justin

Good morning,
my name is Linda Ruth Horowitz and I am a graduate of 'Hardcore University,' having traveled in 53 countries. I'm a freelance photo-journalist working in Scandinavia and other international medias, publishing freelance photographs and stories for magazines and other medias.

My book has so far received all 5 star reviews on Amazon!

"This poetic novel captures the magic of Sinai; it becomes alive."
Gabriele Mahler.

"The plot is moving and the first person perspective is used in the best fluid sense. Beautifully written in its own flowing, nomadic lifestyle…"
C.J. Michael



Just drop me a line..... most welcome!

Hi, my name is Loretta Livingstone, and I have just published my fourth book of verse. I finally managed to sort out the joys of kindle publishing, so now it is available on Amazon.
I'd love to share a couple of verses from the latest one, here, if i may. These are serious verses, but I also include humour., and spirituality, reflecting my deep Christian faith. I hope you enjoy them.

I am British, and live in the beautiful Chiltern hills area. I suffer from ME, which kind of puts a kick in my gallop, but am mostly full of joie de vivre. I like to write stuff which will, mostly, leave you smiling.
Inside My Head

Within the banded treasure chest
inside my head,
I see words,
tumbled until,
like polished stones,
they gleam.
Opals, milky white,
with depths of fire.
Rubies, rich and red.
Pearls coiled in shining ropes,
fastened with gold.
My words,
to shape
and drape,
at will,
across the page.

�
Spring Harbour

Gulls screaming, buffet unaware,
chasing chips, uneaten, littered scraps.
Wheeling, squealing, reeling,
diving, fighting for their share.

Sky, chased with flighty, rushing mares.
Windswept clouds blown madly out to sea,
dancing, prancing, chancing,
spreading stray wisps everywhere.

Wind howling, whipping at our hair.
Sea dashing hard against the harbour wall,
slashing, smashing, crashing!
Salt spray scything through the air.

If you like these, you may enjoy the other work recently featured on my blog. There are three more current verses there - including two audio poems. Do stop by and say "Hi"

New blog post entitled:
Too wordy for an airport thriller and too much fun to be literature...

http://www.russellcruse.com/weblog.html

Preview the title story of the forthcoming anthology "A Certain Kind of Freedom: Stories and Poems from The Writer's Drawer."
Download the title story from the website - http://www.thewritersdrawer.net/a-cer...
Visit The Writer's Drawer. Submit your own stories.
http://www.thewritersdrawer.net/
email: [email protected]

Hi, I'm Jan from Durban, South Africa. I'm a writer/author/novelist - whatever. I also scribble bits of humorous verse when the spirit moves me.
If you're a writer who attends writers' workshops you might recognise the following scenario.

The Writers’ Workshop

“Now, tell me,” said Virginia, as she read her story out,
“if there are any flaws that I should know about.”

And so we listened carefully, each jotting down a hint,
Hoping that our comments would see her work in print.

“I think,” said Sonia Fairclough, in a diplomatic tone,
“your plot is too confusing. I’d cut it to the bone.”

“Oh, but,” said Virginia in a most defensive way,
“that’s how the readers like them. The twists will have to stay.”

“Another thing said Carol, careful not to hurt,
“your characters are static. Take for instance, Bert.”

“Oh, but,” said Virginia, “Bert takes a minor role.
Surely it won’t matter, when viewed against the whole.”

“And what about your theme?” asked a kind and gentle Sue.
“Is it triumph over evil? I really have no clue.”

“Oh, but,” said Virginia. “I had no theme in mind.
It’s just a piece of fiction – not a moral grind.”

Then Eleanor spoke up, about her favourite gripe.
“Your story has no atmosphere, no mood – it has no life.”

“Oh, but,” said Virginia, “In a novel maybe so.
But not in my short stories, it’s their pace that makes them flow.”

“Well, what about your flashbacks?” said Gail, “without a doubt,
they always slow a story. I think I’d take them out.”

“Oh, but,” said Virginia, “The readers like to know
what went on beforehand. There’s no way they can go.”

“Your dialogue is wrong,” ventured timid little Jane.
“It doesn’t quite ring true. I find it quite a strain.”

“Oh, but,” said Virginia, “I know that’s how they speak.
I’ve listened very carefully. My dialogue’s not weak.”

“I’d watch those long transitions,” said a worried Mabel Dick.
“Your scenes should change much quicker. Try the four-space skip.”

“Oh, but,” said Virginia, “They’re surely not a bore.
My hero’s inner monologue will even up the score.”

“And what about the opening? It should balance with the end,”
said an agitated Ethne. “They’re both supposed to blend.”

“Oh, but,” said Virginia, “That’s a lot of rot.
Who’s ever going to notice when they’re following the plot.”

“Are you sure that it’s a story, not an incident you’ve told,”
asked nervous Mavis Withers, surprised she’d been so bold.

“I’m quite sure,” said Virginia. “I know what I’m about.
I’ve had a story published in my church’s mag ‘Devout.”

“I thank you for your comments. I’ve learned a lot today.
But I won’t make any changes, till I hear what editors say.

And so Virginia’s story, was altered not a jot
And as for being published, it didn’t have a shot.

But confident as ever, Virginia sent it in,
The only one dumbfounded, when it ended in a bin.

I'm Stan Morris, the author of eight ebooks. Sometimes I need some poetry in my books. I try to write my own. Here are two poems from two of my books.
The first is from Sarah's Spaceship Adventure. A young space trader loses a bet to a young woman he loves and has to write her a poem.

I don’t pretend I know a lot
about the world in which you slide.
It’s hard to speak to people, you know
I’d rather go spacing and hide.

But I see it makes you happy
to hang out with a group,
and I know you never mind
when the group becomes a troop.

So I stay by your side and wait to see
if your eyes will turn to me.

The second poem is from Surviving the Fog-Kathy's Recollections.

Until we see you again,
We will not know what you might have looked like.
We will not hear you call our names,
‘til we see you again.

Until we see you again,
We will not know who you have become,
And we cannot teach you what we wished you to know,
‘til we see you again.

Until we see you again,
Mama and I will not hold you in our arms,
But we will always love you as if we did,
Until the day we see you once again.

Jan wrote: "Hi, I'm Jan from Durban, South Africa. I'm a writer/author/novelist - whatever. I also scribble bits of humorous verse when the spirit moves me.
If you're a writer who attends writers' workshops y..."

I truly love your poem, Jan
I found it such great fun.
I loved the scan, the sharpness too,
so clever, what you've done.
If you would ever like to post it
on my facebook page,
my members all would love it.
Sure, you would be all the rage.

Loretta


Thank you for the invite
To post my little rhyme
I’m pleased to hand it over
To use at any time

I'm Dylan White and I'm an author of YA fiction and snarky detective fiction. I'm a milkshake enthusiast and prone to naps. Figured I'd share a bit of Flash Fiction I wrote a little while ago …

Seven Minutes

I'm Brenda W. Clough, and I have been a published author of science fiction and fantasy since the 80s.
For a free story, go here: http://www.amazon.com/Beer-Saved-Worl...
It's the Amazon page for the anthology HOW BEER SAVED THE WORLD. Click on Look Inside. My short story "Below, Between, Above" is the first one in the anthology, and you can read it in its entirety.