Tag Archives: Short Story

March 11, 2014 · 12:00 am

Johnny America – “My Love Is Going To My Love”

Read the story on Johnny America’s archives here.

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“My Love Is Going To My Love ” was published by Johnny America.  The story represents not exactly a sea change, but a slow evolution in my approach to writing – more terse, less plot driven. The piece is about a man travelling to see his lover.

 Johnny America manage to find some of the funniest, most entertaining fiction out there. The fact that I genuinely believe they have a brilliant eye for talent and I wrote a story deemed worthy by their editorial staff.’

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Johnny America is a large rabbit who lives in a bungalow on the Moon between two rivers of wine (one red, one white). He is the also namesake of this website of fiction, humor, and other miscellany and of the Johnny America print zine that’s published sporadically by the Moon Rabbit Drinking Club & Benevolence Society (ISSN 1553-9177).

Johnny America spends most of his days lounging against a low crater, fishing rod in paw. Some afternoons he helps plow the cheese fields — to earn extra money for carrots — but usually he’s in the valley cut by the Mercer and Mancini Rivers, idling. The fish on the Moon are constantly drunk and easy to catch. They look almost exactly like bass but taste of marmalade and cinnamon.

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Review of Issue #9 by Pioneer Press: 

Sometimes we come across a zine and we’re like, “This. This is why we run a distro.” Johnny America is put together by local Lawrence folks (and fellow Rocket Grant Recipients!) Emily Lawton, Patrick Giroux, and Jonathan Holley and it hit us like a well-stocked ‘fridge dropped from space. Bam. Splat. Since 2003, Lawton, Giroux, and Holley (aka the Moon Rabbit Drinking Club) have been turning the McSweeney’s vibes of their early stuff into a whole new beast that’s all their own. Funny, smart, brave, and not afraid to take big steps into The Weird, Johnny America might be the best literary zine in the country. With a great silkscreened/stitched cover and interior design by Giroux, issue 9 is hot-damn enough to give the Paris Review a run for their money (and we say this as loyal Paris Review subscribers). Seriously, smart people of the world who have a love for short stories, beautiful ideas, and nonbullshitty things: This zine is a keeper like that big fucking rainbow trout your dad’s got on his wall.

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January 27, 2014 · 3:25 am

Monongahela Review – “To the Buses and Planes, I Thank You”

Monongahela Review is defunct, but read the story online here.

Monongahela Review

“To the Buses and Planes, I Thank You” was released in the final issue of Monongahela, on pages 20-38 of Issue 9.

The story itself addresses a theme that I often return to – public transportation.  Through a series of vignettes that transpire within buses, planes, terminals, and a light rail train, a narrator describes his dissolution and his possible redemption. 

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The Monongahela Review wants heartache, it wants romance, it wants death, it wants joy, it wants so many things that it is hard to say exactly what it wants. One thing is sure: the work must be genuine and passionate about its subject matter. Peruse our previous issues to get a complete idea of what we like.

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New Pages Review:

Issue 8, Fall 2013

Go to The Monongahela Review’s website, and you won’t find out much about the journal by just browsing. Without much information or submission guidelines, you really have to read the journal to get to know it. Download the PDF or open it in Issuu, and get cozy.

Joan Colby delves into the alphabet form in her poem “Choices” which begins:

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Derek Gromadzki experiments with pauses and sighs in his poem “Sospira,” setting the tone from the very beginning: “Come the being we call calm / from the motion that bodies tick out to measure time.” The repetitive “s” sounds sooth throughout, lulling as the lines move back and forth:

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Brenda Lynaugh’s “A Play for Tamara” tackles an unrequited love that starts in high school and has a bit of finality now that the main character has graduated college. Visiting his best friend Tamara at her university, he feels that even though she has a boyfriend, he needs to sort out his feelings: “He’d come to see her because of their history, because maintaining friendship was important, but he knew that wasn’t the whole truth.” Is he still in love with her? Or is it lust? Are the things she does actually endearing, or does he just view it that way because he likes her? There’s no resolution, but one thing is clear, relationships are messy.

And Ping, a character from Moria Moody’s “The Great Yu,” knows this sentiment all too well. Raising her son Qi in the United States while still struggling to speak English herself, she runs into conflict as the lies she tells him about his father and the way he meshes into this new culture both drive a growing fissure in their relationship: “Ping knows her son changes with every season. He is always slipping away from her, and she studies to stay close.”

So while the website may not offer much, there is plenty of poetry and prose and art to delve into once you’re inside the issue, and there is plenty to enjoy there.

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December 17, 2013 · 1:47 am

Bound Off – “Climbing”

Bound Off is defunct, but the story can be read here, and listened to here.

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“Climbing” was picked up by Bound Off, an audio publication.  The Bound Off editors described the piece: “In Climbing, Ben Leib’s young protagonists wrangle their way through court dates and friendship.” 

Though Bound Off is now defunct, it remains available to listen to online, including on Apple podcasts. I highly recommend investigating past episodes, as Bound Off consistently published incredible work for over seven years.

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Bound Off is a monthly magazine of literary short stories, founded in 2006 and based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our mission is to merge the oral tradition of storytelling with new technology to create a digital audio magazine. Bound Off is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to paying authors for their work. All staff are unpaid volunteers. We aspire to showcase work that is compelling and driven by narrative, with a force that keeps the listener listening. We are dedicated to publishing stories by both the established and emerging writer. In our interview on Duotrope’s Digest (an extensive, searchable database of current fiction and poetry markets), we discuss our decision-making process and you can view our average response rates.

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July 3, 2013 · 6:05 pm

Mosaic Art & Literary Magazine – “The Brave Man who Lives in my Gullet Whispers”

This issue is no longer available for purchase, but the story can be read here.

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“The Brave Man who Lives in my Gullet Whispers” was published in issue 52 of Mosaic Art and Literary Magazine. I had been waiting for a publication to pick this one up for a while, and I believed all along that it was a story with more merit than most of what I end up writing. The story is about cowardice in so many of its manifestations.

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Mosaic Art and Literary is the University of California, Riverside’s undergraduate literary journal. In 1959, Mosaic began as a small group of poets, and we’re still going strong nearly 60 years later, having expanded into a home for all writers, musicians, and artists. They are completely undergraduate-run, and publish one volume of prose, poetry, and art every year. But that’s not all–we also host a number of community outreach events (including our popular Open Mic Nights) in order to promote and nurture the Riverside art and literary scene.

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April 26, 2013 · 11:48 pm

Pisgah – “The Memoirist’s Christmas”

Pisgah Review is defunct, but read the story here.

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“The Memoirist’s Christmas,” was published in the Summer 2012 issue of Pisgah Review. I think that sometimes, when someone’s in a particular mood, a mood that leads that person to feel as if the world cannot accommodate them, then she or he might also be led to conclude that the world is unaccommodating in general.  This piece was certainly written from a place of misanthropy and the fear through which that distrust is derived. 

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“Pisgah” was wonderful enough to publish “The Memoirist’s Christmas,” but has since ceased publication. They operated out of the creative writing department at Brevard College, in Brevard, North Carolina. 

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March 6, 2013 · 4:05 pm

Temenos – “My Portrait in the Memorial”

Though the story is no longer available through the publisher site, you can read it here

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The short story titled “My Portrait In the Memorial”, published in the Winter 2013 issue of Temenos, relates an incident that traumatized my community while I was in junior high school.  I had a lot of issues writing this piece, and was even more conflicted when I began submitting it for publication.  But I believe that I was as honest as I could be (as if honesty is an excuse for publication), and I believe that it accurately reflects the ambiguities and ambivalences of unimaginable tragedy, so I hope that I acted reasonably here. 

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Temenos is the Central Michigan University graduate literary journal, founded in 2000. The magazine has no philosophical or esthetic allegiances. They publish poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and art by new and established writers and artists.

The Greek word “temenos” refers both to the ancient Greek concept of sacred space and the Jungian ‘safe spot’ where one may bring the unconscious into the light of consciousness. Temenos’ mission is to bring to light works that are engaging, memorable, and fearless.

They accept submissions year round. Please see their submission guidelines for more information.

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who we are

We seek outsider, clout-less, non-standard work that gleams.  We want to celebrate our contributors; both the artist and their art. For us, that means that upon publication, your submissions will appear in a journal that has been conceived by a team of caring and meticulous editors; it will look good. Ultimately, our goal is to publish catalysts of transition for the observer, to lull, or to instigate. We want work that encourages the appreciation of craft and the desire to create. 

The Greek word “temenos” refers both to the ancient Greek concept of sacred space and the Jungian ‘safe spot’ where one may bring the unconscious into the light of consciousness. Our mission is to bring to light works that are engaging, memorable, and fearless.
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As of 2021, Temenos publishes one online edition in the spring, and one in the fall. Please see submit for our current Call for Submissions and submission guidelines. Past and current issues of Temenos can be accessed for free on this website, on both the home page and in the Archives. We can be contacted at temenoslit@gmail.com

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who we’ve been

​Temenos is a literary journal that originated from Central Michigan University (CMU), founded in 2000 and run entirely by graduate student volunteers. The magazine has no philosophical or aesthetic allegiances. We publish poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and art by new and established writers and artists. Since 2020, Temenos operates entirely independently.

where we’re going

After a long period of tumult, the Temenos staff is happy to announce that we are back! We are so happy to be doing this and we’re excited to read and view your work.

Our submission fee is $5. Submission inquiries can be directed to temenoslit@gmail.com. If funds are lacking, we are willing to accommodate. Incarcerated artists and writers may submit for free, by email, as long as it is noted in the subject of the email.

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October 10, 2012 · 6:37 pm

Santa Clara Review – “My House of Cards”

Read the story here.

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“My House of Cards.”  It is about terrible roommates – including the narrator – and it was published in the Spring 2012 issue of  The Santa Clara Review . an accomplishment that I’m proud of.  Having spent most of my life in Northern California, and having lived for a couple of years in San Jose, Santa Clara Review felt like a home coming.  The publication is professional looking, their layout is great, the featured artwork is beautiful, and I’m published beside a number of talented authors and poets.

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For the online version of the magazine, click here.

For the free eReader download, click here.

For the free iPad edition, click here.

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You can also order yourself a physical copy of this magazine – just get in touch with the editors.  Back issues are $7.50.  Ask for Spring 2012.

Mail:
Santa Clara Review
500 El Camino Real, Box 3212
Santa Clara, CA 95053

Phone:
(408) 554 – 4484

Email:
santaclarareview@gmail.com

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Santa Clara Review:

Santa Clara Review is a student-edited literary magazine which publishes poetry, fiction, non-fiction, visual art, and music. The magazine is published biannually in February and May, drawing on submissions from Santa Clara University students, faculty, and staff, as well as from writers around the nation and globe. The Review is entirely student run by undergraduate students who are actively enrolled. The Review promotes the literary arts in several spheres: the student and alumni writing community within Santa Clara University, the academic literary community, and the national community of writers outside of SCU.

The Review is committed to the development of student literary talent, both in editorial and creative writing skills. The Review provides Santa Clara students an opportunity to gain knowledge in the practice of contemporary writing and criticism, and creates a forum for faculty, students, and alumni to express their creative energy.

History and Vision:

Founded in 1869, Santa Clara Review–formerly known as The Owl and The Redwood–is one of the oldest literary publications in the Western U.S. Throughout its duration the publication has represented Santa Clara University’s commitment to the humanities, a tenant of Jesuit education. Because the Review shares in Santa Clara University’s commitment to the humanities, the Review will accept only the highest quality material for publication, material which echoes Santa Clara University’s dedication to the pursuit of truth, honesty, and social responsibility within the literary arts.

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July 28, 2012 · 6:26 pm

Retort Magazine – “The Drive Home”

Retort is defunct, but read the short story here.

“The Drive Home” is about a man somewhat confused in his spirituality.  It’s a weird little piece, the work of a disturbed man, but I love it, and I knew the folks at Retort would love it too, so I sent it their way.  To my delight, they accepted it. Unfortunately, Retort has since folded.

Retort Magazine is dedicated to the publication and presentation of new innovative, experimental cutting edge art + text in all disciplines. Retort Magazine publishes both fiction and non fiction. Retort has published some of the worlds best known artists and writers but is also a platform for new and emerging writers and artists. We favor the cutting edge over the blunt of the handle, the avant-garde over backward walking, the delinquent imagination over the hammered economic mind. We publish whenever something interesting arrives in the inbox.

HISTORY

Founded in the laundry of an old queenslander behind a gas station in Brisbane in 2001 by Australian poet/writer Brentley Frazer RETORT was originally conceived as a spinoff to a live poetry/music/art/performance event called The Vision Area. The Vision Area was a monthly ‘culture jam’ started by Brentley and poet Adam Pettet and hosted by Ric’s Bar in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia. The Vision Area ran from 1998 – 2000 and only ended when the co-ordinators felt they had drained the talent pool.

In the beginning Retort was published as a bi-monthly online magazine. In 2003 after receiving a development grant Retort moved to an experimental ‘live’ format with new content being published whenever something cool arrived in the submissions inbox. After the experiment was deemed impossible by the exhausted editor (without the budget of at the very least a mid-sized newspaper in a large city), Retort resumed publishing on a semi-regular basis and has continued, throughout a whole decade, reaching millions of individual readers.

Retort is now based wherever the Editor is – which is usually somewhere on planet Earth.

Retort Magazine is archived on site and since 2003 also by The National Library of Australia as part of the Pandora Project which aims to permanently preserve electronic publications based on their national and cultural significance.

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Sadly Retort Magazine has closed down.  In the words of the magazine’s Editor, Brentley Frazer:

12.5 years. Enjoyed a huge readership in the 00′s. Broke some ground (and a bunch of rules). Had a good time mostly. Would have loved to grow it into something huge, like an alternative to the old school greats that have become a parody of their former glorious selves. Retort stayed truly independent, never even applied for a government grant. I refuse to read government endorsed literature or view government endorsed art. Rest assured, the only propaganda you were exposed to while reading Retort was my personal agenda to champion the creative spirit of my fellow humans.

Have a nice life.

best

Brentley

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July 1, 2012 · 7:58 pm

Grey Sparrow – “Packing the Wound”

Grey Sparrow is defunct, but you can read the story here.

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“Packing the Wound” was published in Grey Sparrow Journal and is about the trials and tribulations of post surgery home-care. Frankly, it’s disgusting, but more than being about the horrible things that a human body does to a person, this is a story of the love it takes for someone to care for such a human body. Anyways, despite the wretchedness of the content, this was an emotional story for me, and I think that it found a great home in Grey Sparrow. Unfortunately, Grey Sparrow has since ceased publication.

(Incidentally, David Sedaris wrote a similar piece, “Old Faithful.” I only discovered this after the fact, while reading When You Are Engulfed In Flames.)  .

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July 1, 2012 · 7:37 pm

Inwood Indiana – “Pyromaniacs, Bored and Young”

Inwood Indiana is defunct, read the story here.

I have another story out titled “Pyromaniacs, Bored and Young.”  Though the publication is defunct, you can still order a copy and check out page 335 of Inwood Indiana’s Summer 2012 issue, Harvest Time, then you can find out who I really am.

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Inwood Indiana Press is the smallest press in the world. They are officially located at latitude 41.318 and longitude -86.203 but they don’t have an office so you can’t find them. Inwood is, by census data, “a populated place,” which makes it less than a town and more than an empty lot.

Strange things happen in Inwood Indiana. Things come up missing, people see things and the old lady on the corner seemed to have secrets. This publication is the place to tell your stories, or shroud them in prose. We are interested in all things unusual. We are especially interested in poems and stories set in small towns.

Note from the editor: My name is Glenn Lyvers and I am the editor of Poetry Quarterly magazine. Inwood Indiana is a private publication that I produce personally. There is no set schedule for publication, and submissions are always open.

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