After success at work, a man’s stress outlet accelerates. Heart racing, he sinks under his desk, but halfway down, he tightens after he bumps his mouse and his laptop glows on. When no one walks by and the screen sleeps again, he pulls papers from his trash basket and digs out his lighter. He clicksContinue reading ““Punk” – Substack”
Category Archives: Substack
“Cornerstone” – Substack
Before continuing down the hall, Becker slows his cart past the dining room and signals Outside to Von sitting at the back. Von nods, smoothes his toupee—black, a swoop of shine in the middle, and stacked high like a microphone waiting for God—and, patting his chest, raises his hand; he grumbles but stops himself from faking chestContinue reading ““Cornerstone” – Substack”
“Clean Slate” – A story from Inroads and NetGalley
Inside the SUV, Gerald uncovers his phone from beneath a stained and wrinkled copy of the festival’s schedule highlighting the Tasting Grand Prize and its amount; in the margins—Mark’s calculations for new equipment, additions to the brewery, more marketing; on the reverse side—Gerald’s scribbles and ideas for labels and brands. But the screen flashing NEWContinue reading ““Clean Slate” – A story from Inroads and NetGalley”
Inroads release date and cover and October – Quarterfinalist for Coverfly’s ScreenCraft 2023 Cinematic Book Competition
Inroads I’m pleased to announce Inroads, my second short-story collection, will be published on 23 March. Below you’ll find the cover and synopsis. Extraordinary stories about ordinary Americans. A stock-car driver gets money any way he can for his son’s birthday present. A girl meets a horse for the first time. Two firefighters help each otherContinue reading “Inroads release date and cover and October – Quarterfinalist for Coverfly’s ScreenCraft 2023 Cinematic Book Competition”
“Little Things” – Substack
Jeremy says to himself, I’m not him, and that’s OK, just like Ringo was Ringo, not John, Paul, or George. He thinks about Scotty staying with their sister; the prize money; Katie retying her shoes. We’re all here for a reason. William Auten – “Little Things” “Little Things” now available on Substack.
“Out There in the Sunlight” – Substack
Junior rummages through tools, supplies, and packing materials alongside the Porta Jon and, and when he snatches a sickle-shaped fruit knife, wielding it like a talon, men in the fields rush over, waving their arms and shouting, “¡Cuchillo, cuchillo!” Screams scare off birds. Workers huddle behind the water truck, shake their heads, or run forContinue reading ““Out There in the Sunlight” – Substack”
“Ghost Dog” – Substack Plus: A Fine Day Will Burn Through in the Beaver Creek Library, Arizona
MISSING GHOST DOG “STU” BEEN DEAD A WHILE NOW BUT OUR LIVES DON’T HAVE PEACE W/O HIM LOVES THE MARSH VERY MUCH A PEOPLE PERSON & SNUGGLE BUG PLEASE HELP FIND & RETURN WE ARE AUBURN FANS, BUT HE LOOKS LIKE THE UGA BULLDOG William Auten – “Ghost Dog” “Ghost Dog” is now available onContinue reading ““Ghost Dog” – Substack Plus: A Fine Day Will Burn Through in the Beaver Creek Library, Arizona”
October – Coverfly’s ScreenCraft 2023 Cinematic Book Competition
I submitted October (my third novel that came out last year) to Coverfly’s ScreenCraft 2023 Cinematic Book Competition. Hollywood has a history of transforming books into film and television, and Coverfly connects writers to industry professionals. The Cinematic Book Competition’s judges look for stories (novels, novellas, and short stories) that can be adapted for theContinue reading “October – Coverfly’s ScreenCraft 2023 Cinematic Book Competition”
“One Swift Effort” – Substack
Andrew leans up and peers over the backseat and begs her to come back, but the trees’ autumn colors smother him and his request as he can’t hold himself up and retreats into his fear of her telling them what he is. His teeth grind, he pushes up, but his neck cannot support him turningContinue reading ““One Swift Effort” – Substack”
“Touch and Go” – Substack
During the descent, her father stretches supine in the clouds—the wings carving out his wrist, elbow, and arm and the bed sheets wrapped around him before breaking down into seams when the plane touches down with summer baking the tarmac. Margo fidgets in the doorway, the sun noon-high, but smiles her best and clears herContinue reading ““Touch and Go” – Substack”