Blog Archives
Create From the Inside Out
Little Fortified Stories is an entrancing collection of flash fiction that plunges readers into a series of surreal, evocative realms. What was the inspiration for the original and fascinating idea at the center of the collection?
A few years ago I was introduced to what was then called short-short fiction, essentially micro or flash fiction. I won a scholarship to attend the Disquiet International Literary Program in Lisbon, a city steeped in the past but roaring into the future, with an arts culture that fascinated me, whether it was Paula Rego’s startling, fairy-tale inspired artworks, Pessoa’s idiosyncratic, modernist writing, or the gut-wrenching emotion of Portugal’s native fado music. It all poured into me and influenced my first faltering efforts at writing flash fiction, efforts that took place in Lisbon’s Port Institute after my short-short fiction classes. It was here that I sat in the dimly lit room and sampled the national drink (port) and in my own “act of distillation,” produced compact, weird, touching, unsettling stories which would grow to become Little Fortified Stories. I immediately knew this was my genre.
Was it important for you to deliver a moral to readers, or was it circumstantial to delivering entertaining stories?
My interaction with the reader starts with my interaction with the deep material lurking inside my subconscious. Writing, for me, is more about “translating” voices or lived experiences than educating readers. That being said, in my writing I operate in an empathic sphere, trying to illustrate a range of human emotions and situational states that move characters toward some kind of change, however small. Like the great master, Chekhov, whose work I cherish, I don’t operate on a moral basis. Fiction’s purpose, in my take on it, is to share human experience, allowing the reader to reach their own conclusions.
The cover for this book is interesting. How did you create the cover for Little Fortified Stories?
I’ve always been drawn to theatre. My first two years in university were in theatre. I had a knack and maybe even a yearning to inhabit the characters of other people, to “occupy” someone’s physicality and inner world. Little Fortified Stories is an outcome of this desire. Although I didn’t continue pursuing theatre as a career, I turned instead to studying English and writing and my approach to writing is, rather than artificially planning a story structure, to create from the inside out. As Ray Bradbury said, “Your subconscious is smarter than you are.” In the Ancestral Fabrications section of Little Fortified Stories, I reach into both the factual and mythic elements of my ancestry. The story, “The Jaeger Family Theatre,” depicted on the cover is based on my maternal Swedish heritage but steeped in a wildly imagined past when people interacted with pagan gods and occupied their native landscapes as if they were an integral part of it. In this world, the narrator’s mother dies and as a jaeger bird, flies back to her avian origins in Sweden’s north. The narrator, in her mourning, remembers her childhood as a kind of family “theatre” where all members of her family acted out their lives. I thought this story was an ideal illustration of what I’m doing overall in the collection, and so I chose to collage it for the cover, showing the narrator as a young girl performing her role as the fifth born of the Jaeger clan—in both human and bird form. In a way, many of the stories in Little Fortified Stories are fragments of my own inner or remembered life, steeped in a dreamlike other-place. Many other stories, however, are sheer fiction!
Will there be a follow-up book for this collection? If so, what can readers expect in the next book?
Little Fortified Stories is a collection of loosely linked stories, tethered to broad themes. My next work, possibly a novella in flash, will, although told in flash chapters, have an overarching connection, be anchored in a timeframe from the early 1800s to 1980s and set in a partly imagined community on Canada’s west coast. Considering the unusual characters already hanging out in my brain, I predict it won’t be a traditional narrative and it will likely feature my oft-cited “poetic prose.” Of course, the muse might have other ideas.
Author Links: Book’s GoodRead | Author GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Book Review
We Keep Flowing
Whirl of Birds is a collection of short stories that are each distinct yet interconnected by threads of surrealism, deep introspection, and the intricacies of human experience. What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this collection of short stories?
Every story in this collection was based on something that preoccupied me around the time when I wrote it, such as time and aging, betrayal and forgiveness, misuses of religion, judgment and prejudice, love and relationships, escapism through art, lies and truth, dream logic. Some of them were written while I was going through various personal crises, so the shadows that haunt the stories reflect my own struggles or those of people close to me. After moving to the US, I struggled for a long time not to feel or act like a stranger, and the slight alienated feeling sometimes returns; I had a health scare that, interestingly, made me more prolific, so I poured my heart out into stories; more than anything, I still struggle on a human level to “pass” for a well-adjusted individual, but I’m not always that great at it, so readers may glimpse at some of my less than stellar moments through my characters. But each story contains triumphs as well: if not a triumph of the story’s character, they are triumphs of the human spirit. I hope, in the end, whether they are happy or sad, the stories uplift or inspire in their own way.
What things do you find interesting about the human condition that makes for great fiction?
I see humans like the water of a river: you put an obstacle in front of a river, and it finds ways around it. You put a dam there, and the water finds cracks, or creates little streams, like branches, to sneak out and keep going. Water always wants to go somewhere—even lakes and seas have their inner currents, inner movement. For us, humans, our greatest instinct is to keep moving. We may carry the debris of the past with us, sometimes floating like garbage and sometimes like precious garlands that we treat with reverence. But we keep flowing. The best fictional stories are the ones that capture that flow. If something limits us or darkens us, we make ourselves smaller and our river trickles sideways and around the stones and keeps going. That’s what humans do: a tragedy is just a way to learn to bend and twist, and find another way forward, or another way to be free. Great fiction is what captures the movement, the struggle, and the moment when something is overcome and put in the past. It’s all in the movement forward.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am working on a novel set in Romania and in the United States. This will take me at least a year to finish, and probably another to edit and finalize. In the meantime, I have also been working on a middle grade fantasy book, which is closer to being done. It may become a series.
Author Links: FinishingLinePress
A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists
Radu Guiasu’s A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists offers readers a charming and heartwarming glimpse into the life of an academic through 36 lighthearted, witty pieces. This collection blends short stories, creative writing, and amusingly specific lists, bringing together scenes from Guiasu’s youth in Romania under dictatorship, his career in academia in Canada, and snippets from his dating life.
The overarching theme of Guiasu’s writing is an amusing self-awareness of his own perceived ineptitude, perfectly encapsulated in the story In the Wilderness, Reading Hemingway. He pokes fun at the expectations others place on him and the limits of his own understanding, giving readers a refreshing take on the uncertainties of life.
Highlights include stories of enduring friendships like The Day I Smashed My Guitar and The Day the Bear Came, biting satirical pieces such as Submission Guidelines and Save the Yellow-Bellied Scumsucker, and laugh-out-loud moments in Explaining the Reasons for the 1-Star (Out of 5 Stars) Rating I Gave a Book on Amazon and Test Question. Sprinkled throughout are humorous nods to Guiasu’s life in Canada, providing a personal touch. The lists within the collection are equally entertaining, sure to leave readers chuckling, if not outright laughing. Guiasu offers a humorous take on the academic world, capturing the frustrations many can relate to. Whether it’s the absurd number of authors on scientific papers, the scarcity of research funding, the sobering realization that years of hard work may lead nowhere, or the whims of peer-reviewed journals, Guiasu’s reflections on the trials of academic life are both hilarious and achingly relatable.
With its wry humor, intelligent yet accessible language, and sharp observations, this book is not only a joy to read but also strikes a chord with anyone who has navigated the peculiarities of graduate student life. A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists is a delightful, memorable collection, perfect for light reading.
WHISPERS OF A LOGOPHILE
Whispers of a Logophile, by Dev Dutt, is a tender and evocative collection of free-verse poems that masterfully explores the intricate connection between words and emotions. With themes ranging from love and loss to nostalgia and identity, each poem is delicately crafted to capture the fleeting moments and deep feelings that make up the human experience. The fluid, unconstrained structure of Dev Dutt’s writing enhances the emotional resonance, allowing the words to flow with a natural rhythm that feels both intimate and universal.
What stands out immediately in this collection is Dev Dutt’s clear passion for language. Each word feels meticulously chosen, yet there’s an effortless quality to the poems that invites the reader into a reflective space. The simplicity of the language belies its depth, with every phrase imbued with meaning, creating a reading experience that lingers long after the poems have been read. Themes of growth, heartbreak, and the complexities of life are explored with a gentle focus on the enduring power of love, making this collection not only a celebration of words but also a meditation on the emotions they convey. The use of free-verse gives the poems a sense of freedom and movement, untethered by traditional poetic constraints. This stylistic choice allows the emotional weight of each piece to come through more fully, enhancing the collection’s overall impact. Poems like “Nostalgic Rain” and “Memory Lane” offer a sense of warmth and comfort, ideal for reflective moments on a quiet evening. Others, like “Helplessness,” strike a more sorrowful chord, tugging at the heartstrings with their raw emotion.
The balance between lightheartedness and philosophical musings keeps the reader engaged, as the collection moves seamlessly from playful reflections to deeper contemplations. Dev Dutt’s affinity for rain is evident throughout the collection, with poems like “A Droplet” capturing the quiet beauty of nature and its connection to human life. In this particular piece, the poet evokes a sense of cosmic indifference through the life of a single raindrop. Its brief existence mirrors the transience of human lives, yet within that fleeting moment lies an unspoken beauty and purpose. This metaphor is skillfully rendered, reminding us that even in the grand, indifferent universe, there’s a quiet significance to every small life.
The illustrations that accompany the poems add another layer to the reading experience, providing visual cues that enhance the emotional tone of the collection. While some verses feel overwhelmingly poignant and beautifully crafted, a few moments fall short, lacking the depth and impact found elsewhere in the book. Nevertheless, this collection leaves a lasting impression, with certain lines remaining etched in memory—”the whole universe witnessed treasures we found in each other” being one of those standouts.
Whispers of a Logophile is a heartwarming and thought-provoking collection that will resonate deeply with lovers of free-verse poetry. It’s a celebration of words, emotion, and the nostalgia that binds us to our memories. While not every poem reaches the same emotional height, the overall collection is a lovely read—one I’ll surely return to on days when nostalgia calls.
Pages: 64 | ASIN :B0D4211DGP
Unheard
From an early age, Bhavini Bhargava had a love for badminton, and her family nurtured this passion. By age 8, she was playing with her dad, and by 10, she had already competed in her first open nationals. However, after sustaining injuries from the sport, she had to seek an alternative that put less strain on her injured foot. At 16, she turned to cricket, pursuing it with determination while continuing her education and exploring writing. Eventually, she found herself playing for the Australian cricket team. This book, a collection of poems, reflects the rich tapestry of experiences she has gathered along the way.
In the poem Sunflower, she offers a compelling message of resilience, urging us to flourish like sunflowers, no matter the setbacks we face. Throughout her poems, she shares the wisdom that comes with age, illustrating how life’s lessons have shaped her path. Even when we encounter dead ends, she reminds readers that there’s always another way forward. One theme that resonates deeply is the fear of stopping or walking away from something we’ve invested in, even when it no longer serves us. The author calls on us to recapture the curiosity and courage of childhood—the ability to rise again without fear of mistakes. Through this lens, she paints a picture of how adulthood often robs us of the carefree spirit and curiosity that once defined us. The collection also delves into personal reflections, including glimpses of a past relationship. The author reflects on love, disappointment, healing, and the road that lies ahead, offering poignant insights into the emotional landscape of her journey. Her use of storytelling, coupled with a natural rhythm, keeps readers engaged throughout. The poems flow effortlessly, creating vivid imagery that draws the reader in. The addition of sketches enriches the reading experience, breathing life into the words and making the collection even more captivating.
Unheard is a collection of modern poetry that explores themes of love, life, nature, and personal growth. It provides readers with a book that will speak to their hearts. It speaks to anyone who has faced setbacks, found new paths, or simply wishes to rediscover the adventurous spirit of youth.
Pages: 111 | ASIN : B0BY2X7397
Love Transcends the Physical
Just Love Her is a meditation on the essence of love and its impact on the soul’s journey, diving deeply into the metaphysical connections formed through love. Where did the idea for this book come from?
The idea for Just Love Her emerged from a deeply personal journey of exploring love in its most profound forms. I wanted to capture the essence of love that transcends the physical and delves into the spiritual. The inspiration came from my experiences, the beauty of relationships, and the spiritual connections that shape our lives. This book reflects those explorations intended to guide others on their paths of self-discovery.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
I needed to convey that love is more than just an emotion; it’s a powerful, divine force that influences every aspect of our existence. I wanted to share how, when embraced fully, love can lead to spiritual growth, self-realization, and a deeper understanding of our purpose in life. Additionally, I hoped to highlight the concept of the divine feminine and how recognizing this aspect within ourselves can transform our lives.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
I hope readers walk away with a renewed sense of connection—to themselves, to others, and to the divine. My goal is for them to see love not just as something to be received, but as a force to embody and express in their daily lives. I want them to feel inspired to explore their own spiritual journeys and to view love as a guiding principle that leads to deeper fulfillment and enlightenment.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m currently working on translating and adapting my earlier work, Hearts of Love, which was initially published 25 years ago. This book laid the foundation and created the principles and philosophy behind Just Love Her. I’m excited to revisit and adapt this earlier work to share it with a new audience. Fans can expect the release in the first quarter of 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website | Book Review
Each entry offers a poetic and reflective look at love that transcends time and physical boundaries, highlighting its transformative power. Mihal delves into the intuitive nature of the heart, presenting love as a divine force and a guiding goddess. He encourages readers to embrace the divine feminine within and to see love as a central guiding principle in their lives. Interwoven with philosophical insights on existence and the spiritual dimensions of love, the book provides profound reflections on spiritual connection, the practice of divine love, and the mystical experiences that shape our lives. Key themes include daily meditations on divine love, the challenges and complexities of love, and love’s power to bring about spiritual growth.
Perfect for readers interested in spiritual growth, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of love, “Just Love Her” is a testament to love’s transformative power. Mihal’s poetic prose and deep reflections make this book a valuable guide for embracing the divine love within your heart.
Town and Country: Voices from the Mid-Ohio Valley
Town and Country: Voices from the Mid-Ohio Valley, by Carl Parsons, is a collection of short stories divided into two parts, each offering a glimpse into the lives of small-town and rural characters. The book delves into the experiences, regrets, and sometimes peculiar situations that define life in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Parsons brings to life a world filled with nostalgia, longing, and an ever-present connection to place, capturing the essence of this region through a cast of vividly drawn characters.
Right away, Parsons’ knack for setting the scene stands out. The details pull you in. The first story, “Regrets,” hits hard with a wave of melancholy. The main character returns to his hometown, and the changes he sees stir up deep emotions. The descriptions and streets once familiar have now been altered by time—strike a chord. They spark a bittersweet sense of longing. His journey through old memories are heartbreaking and real. Small moments, like feeding his cats or driving past old spots, anchor the story in a way that feels personal and true. At times, the writing takes its time, allowing the reader to fully immerse in the scene. In “Hot Date,” the banter between the poker buddies is a perfect example. The dialogue is realistic, capturing the easy flow of conversation among friends. While the exchanges linger, they effectively portray the laid-back pace of small-town life. Parsons skillfully uses these moments to create a vivid sense of place, grounding the reader in the leisurely rhythm of everyday life. Themes of love, regret, loss, and time are timeless but Parsons gives them fresh life. “Judith and Phillip” is a standout. The story explores young love and its inevitable heartbreak. The innocence of their relationship shines through. Their separation feels gut-wrenching. Parsons doesn’t sugarcoat reality. Things fall apart, and the pain lingers. This story, like others in the collection, taps into emotions we all recognize. But it does so with a voice that feels distinctly Mid-Ohio Valley.
Town and Country is a reflective, thoughtful collection. It resonates with anyone who feels a deep connection to a place, whether with love or a sense of being stuck. This book is for those who enjoy literary fiction. It’s for readers who appreciate character-driven stories and settings that come alive. If you’re drawn to tales of small-town America, full of complexity and heart, Carl Parsons’ work is well worth exploring.
Pages: 181 | ASIN : B0DBH3RZDT
Making Choices
The Righteous Place In Light and Shadow is a collection of short stories rooted in both science fiction and horror. Where did the idea for this collection come from, and how did it develop over time?
As an introvert, confrontations are especially hard for me. So, this book is about my struggle to get out of difficult situations. I mostly write about trauma and express myself with fantastic metaphors of what happened to me and some people that I know. I am from Brazil, and it took me a couple of years to translate to English and to revise my writing until I was satisfied with the result.
Is there one story that stands out to you? One that was particularly enjoyable to write?
I enjoy sci-fi a lot, but after Asimov, the virtual bar is incredibly high. So, my favorite story is “This handwriting is not mine,” as I am awfully forgetful, which causes me a lot of trouble, especially in school and work. I’m terrified of Alzheimer’s and tiny Greys that walk funny and don’t need a spacesuit.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore throughout your stories?
Being a man means being pushed to your limits every day. If you are not in pain (either physical or emotional), you are not evolving. These stories are mostly for boys and about becoming men; that’s why there is the label “Big Boys” on the book cover. “Jacobs Games” is an example of making choices and facing their terrible consequences while surviving a terrible situation presented to you (growing up means controlling your inner beast). Most of the time, we cannot avoid the horror of losing someone or moving on to “dangerous places” to solve an impossible problem.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I will take a break and reflect, but I intend to release another three books in this exact format — the next one is The odd place next to Coincidence and Fate, (about 20% complete) which will continue to be a mix of sci-fi and Horror. I hope my readers saw this, but some stories are interconnected, and the lore of this universe will be expanded. I also don’t want to write completely solo anymore, and for the next book, I will hire a pro editor to help me out in the dark corners of my mind with a better flashlight.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
THE RIGHTEOUS PLACE IN LIGHT AND SHADOW is the first release in a trilogy of short stories that explores the theme of confrontations and close, deadly encounters. Those dangerous places are in for power and dominance — and the reader’s mind is the battlefield where all those forces will collide and see which one gains the upper hand.
Event [1]
In the aftermath of an unprecedented nuclear event that wipes out several blocks of the city, the following story shows the perspectives of many individuals caught in the mysterious and unexplained event. THE LOST ARE ALWAYS BURNING presents horror, violence, mystery, and spirituality through an intricate story told from different points of view.
Event [2]
After receiving a book order in the mail that Mark Wenbley does not remember, the biology professor sees his own hand coming to life and making a different signature. This odd incident triggers Mark to pay more attention to what is happening.
THIS HANDWRITING IS NOT MINE is an accelerationism science fiction story about the collapse of the frail human society, with the ongoing silent war in everyone’s heads as the cities are slowly becoming deserted without anyone even aware of it.
Event [3]
After a small plane crashes into the dark waters of Greenwood Lake, a strange metal box is retrieved and stored in the Finn family Lakehouse. In this story, we will follow the family drama of the Jersey Fire brigade officers Joel Finn and his father. THE UNDEAD OF GREENWOOD is a dark fantasy and horror story about addiction and the bad decisions people make instead of confronting the real terrors inside their minds: the absolute fear of change and facing the consequences of their choices.
Event [4]
We will follow the life of Chris Miller, a survivor of WWII who finds himself inside a string of crimes that unfortunately hide a more sinister and out-of-this-world hidden truth.As the head of security for an elite industrial group, Miller gets involved directly with the inexplicable death of one young son from a privileged family. After being fired and accused of failing miserably, this event pushes Chris to the edge in search of answers, including his own inexplicable past in rural Louisiana.
THE JENNTU ARTIFACT is a science fiction story with elements of horror, mystery, alien technology, and shadow government.
Event [5]
n the pioneering years of electronic games, graphics were not the cutting edge of technology.
Back in the eighties, when tech resources were scarce, the first light in interactivity was creating an entire virtual world by combining text and the player’s imagination.
JACOBS GAMES is set in a very dangerous Compton of 1993, following a young boy passionate about his text adventures found on a computer sold by a friendly VCR repairman. Spending his nights immersed in other realities, Jacob enjoys intricate puzzles and fantasy narratives to escape his private hell of school violence and a runaway mother.
Unfortunately for the young boy, he enters a real game of survival when he meets a demonic entity called Lucius — a vicious and treacherous adversary. To survive, Jacob must win the challenge from the “simulacrum” created by the game master from the mighty Umbra, the dark legion of hell.
LITERARY TITAN 