Tag: flash fiction

The First Spring | Melody E. McIntyre

March 3, 2021

The icy planet floated in darkness. The star that had trapped it in its orbit was but a distant sparkle. Other than occasional glimpses of the others in orbit, the planet was alone.

But not completely alone. Something stirred within, waiting for a chance. That moment came when a meteor collided with the planet and sent it hurtling closer to the sun, into a warmer orbit.

The planet welcomed its new home. It could see the other planets and feel the sun’s warmth. As its ice thawed, the life within could now break through the surface and embrace the light.

Melody lives in Ontario and has loved reading and writing her entire life. Her favourite genres to write are horror and mystery. She has published several short pieces of fiction. She studied Classics in University and remains obsessed with the ancient world to this day.

Twitter: @evamarie41

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelodyEMcIntyre

Whispers and Echoes Poetry and Flash Fiction Index | February 2021

March 2, 2021

February saw a wonderful mix of new and regular contributors to Whispers and Echoes, as well as an almost equal balance between flash fiction and poetry submissions which were sent our way, all of which was lovely to see.

We announced at the end of February that the journal is currently closed to all submissions. The reason for this is we’ve had a flurry submissions sent our way and so our posting schedule for March 2021 is already full.  Closing to submissions allows us to get caught up with what’s in our inbox, and then once we’ve done that we shall be going on a short break.  However, we don’t anticipate being closed to submissions for long.  For more information regarding this closure, please check out this post.

You can always check out our submissions guidelines by visiting the SUBMIT page, in readiness for when we open to submissions again.

To see what we shared – or what you missed – in February, check out the links below.  Enjoy!

Poetry

Flash Fiction

Little Plum Trees Dancing | McKenzie Richardson

February 24, 2021

Snow speckled the mountaintop, but here and there sprout signs of growth. In the glow of the moonlight, the plum trees bloomed, their petals the palest of pinks.

Rafu-Sen stood among the blossoms; her face fierce as she prepared for the coming of spring. Many equate flowers with delicateness, but there is a resilience one so lovely must possess if there’s any hope of survival in a world so cold.

White gown rustling in the fragrant breeze, Rafu-Sen set out down the mountain.

The plum blossom does not fear the cold, it blooms despite the snow. For spring always comes.

McKenzie Richardson lives in Milwaukee, WI. Most recently, her stories have been published in anthologies from Eerie River Publishing, Black Hare Press, and Iron Faerie Publishing.

When not writing, she can usually be found in her book hoard, reading or just looking at her shelves longingly.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mckenzielrichardson/

Blog: www.craft-cycle.com

A John by Any Other Name | Michael Murdoch

February 22, 2021

“My dear boy; Jonathan, is it? Might I perchance trouble you with a common request.

You see, I am in dire need of a moments privy in the House of Office, so to speak. A little direction, if you would be so kind.”

“What?”

“Is there any possibility that I may venture by way of the vin. Or perhaps, given the appearance of your colourful clientele, asking the location of the Khazi would be a more colloquially accurate question.”

“What?”

Any Johns or Jacks, here or thereabouts?

“Who?”

“Where’s the crapper?”

Born beneath the Southern Cross, Michael Murdoch a.k.a. the mouse, is a poet and fiction writer, who chased love to his new home under the Northern Lights.
He resides in Helsinki with his wife and three children.
You can find a selection of his works at The Twisting Tail.  https://murdochmouse.wordpress.com/

Seeing the Future Unfold as the Dryer Spins | Michael Murdoch

February 15, 2021

I stand in front of my dryer, watching the dial slowly wind. The squeaking joints sound like frenzied birds in search of release.

There is life left in the old girl, but you can hear the end is near.

The time will come, wasted and worn, where man and machine will find a final resting place on the scrap heap.

If those apocalyptic films are anything to go by, one will be the cause of the other.

Born beneath the Southern Cross, Michael Murdoch a.k.a. the mouse, is a poet and fiction writer, who chased love to his new home under the Northern Lights.
He resides in Helsinki with his wife and three children.
You can find a selection of his works at The Twisting Tail.  https://murdochmouse.wordpress.com/

Moon Song | Frank Hubeny

February 12, 2021

They sat outside our dorm singing the Moon Song. It was his favorite. Even she knew it. He sang, “Yadda yadda goo goo.” She followed, “Doodoo doodoo wah wah.”

This would go on and on.

I imagine them singing the Moon Song for decades even after a long, hard day of fighting and making up. When they grew too old to vocalize, I imagine them singing it to each other in their hearts.

Indeed, I hope so.

But we didn’t have air conditioning. My window was open. This was exam week. And that’s my lame excuse for shouting, “Shut up!”.

Frank Hubeny spends his time between Miami Beach and Northbrook, Illinois.  He has appeared in The Lyric, Snakeskin and Ancient Paths Literary Magazine.  He regularly posts poetry, short fiction and photography to https://frankhubeny.blog.

Five Second Rule | Frank Hubeny

February 5, 2021

Diane dropped a biscuit. She glanced at Brian to see if he noticed. He did.

“Five second rule!”

“What if I waited ten seconds?”

“Ten second rule!”

“What if I found it a month later?”

“Blow off the dust rule!”

When Diane picked up the biscuit she found another reasonably good one down there she must have also dropped. She tossed it to Brian. He ate it.

“Brian, you didn’t blow off the dust.”

She wondered. Was that a smirk on his face? When Brian barked, she stopped teasing and tossed him the other biscuit. “Good boy.”

Frank Hubeny spends his time between Miami Beach and Northbrook, Illinois.  He has appeared in The Lyric, Snakeskin and Ancient Paths Literary Magazine.  He regularly posts poetry, short fiction and photography to https://frankhubeny.blog.

Whispers and Echoes Flash Fiction and Poetry Index | January 2021

January 31, 2021

First, a warm welcome to new and returning contributors and readers to our little online journal of short writing.

January saw us share the remainder of the evocative, season-capturing “Winter 2020” submissions we received, before turning our attention to un-themed poetry that was sent our way.

Most of February’s posting schedule is already full (we are moving back to Monday and Friday only postings for the month), but from the second half and on into March, we will begin sharing “Spring 2021” poetry and flash fiction which has been submitted. This call is open now and closes 15 February 2021, so get your submissions in! 🙂

To see what we shared – or what you missed – in January, check out the links below.  Enjoy!

To submit your own writing to the journal, please check out the submissions guidelines here.

Poetry

Flash Fiction