“Yacht Rock” – Substack

Two friends build little libraries for their neighborhood. “Yacht Rock” a short story now on Substack. Blake’s tires snap and pop gravel when he pulls into the lot for El Mercado and its American and Mexican flags flying between mobile homes, rundown apartments, and the Whole Foods across the street. “Buenos noches,” he says to theContinue reading ““Yacht Rock” – Substack”

“Windowless UFO” – Substack

A student film distracts a woman applying to jobs. “Windowless UFO” a short story now on Substack. My health, I found out, is more important. Yes, I know what most of you on here will say: “You could have better health with a job.” And you’re right. But I don’t care about “amazing perks orContinue reading ““Windowless UFO” – Substack”

“Cash In the Past” Quarterfinalist for ScreenCraft Cinematic Short Story on Substack

“Cash In the Past” is now available on Substack. Two gameshow contestants untangle their pasts. This month’s story is a quarterfinalist for the 2024 ScreenCraft Cinematic Short Story Competition. Your book purchases and paid Substack subscriptions helped cover the submission fee—thank you. And while you’re on Substack, sign up as a subscriber. My fiction and updatesContinue reading ““Cash In the Past” Quarterfinalist for ScreenCraft Cinematic Short Story on Substack”

Pepper’s Ghost Second Edition Now Available

The second edition of my first novel Pepper’s Ghost is now available. Read the first chapter, and while you’re there, sign up as a subscriber. My fiction and updates reach your inbox once a month. I love sharing extraordinary stories (fiction short and long) about ordinary Americans. Good stories don’t, and shouldn’t have to, conformContinue reading “Pepper’s Ghost Second Edition Now Available”

ScreenCraft Cinematic Short-Story Competition and Pepper’s Ghost Second Edition

My short story “Cash In the Past” is a quarterfinalist for the 2024 ScreenCraft Cinematic Short-Story Competition. Also: Pepper’s Ghost second edition available 22 February 2024. And while you’re there, sign up as a subscriber. My fiction and updates reach your inbox once a month. I love sharing extraordinary stories (fiction short and long) aboutContinue reading “ScreenCraft Cinematic Short-Story Competition and Pepper’s Ghost Second Edition”

Year-End Goals and Joys, Pepper’s Ghost Second Edition, and Advance Readers’ Copies

And while you’re there on Substack, sign up as a subscriber. My fiction and updates reach your inbox once a month. I love sharing extraordinary stories (fiction short and long) about ordinary Americans. Good stories don’t, and shouldn’t have to, conform to the dominant aesthetics and politics.

Pepper’s Ghost Second Edition Cover, Release Date, and Advance Readers’ Copies

BEHOLD THE GORILLA-GIRL! Charlotte Alexandra Long is determined to leave all she knows: her ill-fitting office job, her unreliable boyfriend, and the city she has lived in since adolescence. But leaving that life requires leaving her haunted father who wants nothing but the best for her yet reminds her of a past he’s not readyContinue reading “Pepper’s Ghost Second Edition Cover, Release Date, and Advance Readers’ Copies”

Happy Halloween: “Christ Air” on Substack. Plus: Pepper’s Ghost second edition update.

A mother retrieves her son’s birthday gift from diabolical hands. I compose myself and follow the route my map suggests and stand under a sign shaped like a fist jammed into a pig’s backside. The metal gate creaks open, and out steps a family of four dressed in black except for the daughter dressed likeContinue reading “Happy Halloween: “Christ Air” on Substack. Plus: Pepper’s Ghost second edition update.”