We have the privilege of reading a lot of stories in response to our monthly short story competitions at Phyllis Scott Publishing. However, the stories in this collection are unparalleled in the diversity and originality. We are truly excited to offer them to our readers. Noelle M. Hood's "The Lark," the first place winner in our June competition, relates the story of a Muslim fisherman who rethinks his vocation, his ethics, his faith and his future in this marvelously original tale....
More DescriptionWe have the privilege of reading a lot of stories in response to our monthly short story competitions at Phyllis Scott Publishing. However, the stories in this collection are unparalleled in the diversity and originality. We are truly excited to offer them to our readers. Noelle M. Hood's "The Lark," the first place winner in our June competition, relates the story of a Muslim fisherman who rethinks his vocation, his ethics, his faith and his future in this marvelously original tale. The story reverberates with a profound sense of critical respect for those caught up in the complexities of marginal existence in a marginal society on the horn of Africa. Disillusionment of another sort seeps from Autumn Wylo's account of a woman who has exchanged a young girl's grand dreams for a middle-aged woman's heartache and disillusionment. "The Price of May" teaches by example that the mere ability to wish is meaningless in the absence of sound decision-making. Wylo has given a prophetic warning for the starry-eyed to heed. David Corthell's "Cushman's Bakery" pits the wits of a strong, but unassuming, woman against the perceived wisdom of her male supervisors. You can guess who ends up broke in Brooklyn and who ends up lounging on a tropical beach! Alex Poppe's "Laffy Taffy" offers a feast of brutality. Guts, gore and body parts sustain a grotesque tale in this uncomfortable, but intriguing, commentary on the commodification of women's bodies. Jill F. Pender's "The Malignant Freckle" also rejects the use-and abuse-of women's bodies and hearts. The selfish, philandering man in this story gets what coming to him-and no one feels sorry for the sly, but selfish, deceiver. Violence comes in many forms, and our last three stories all reflect on violence. Jo Eager's "A Day on the Loose" follows a day in the life of a killer-from both the killer's and the intended victim's perspective. In a welcome twist, however, the ex-wife is stalking the ex-husband and the husband cowers in fear while waiting for police intervention-a provocative inversion of the traditional battered woman tale. Terrie Hofmann's "The Unknown Soldier" commemorates the sacrifice of those whose physical remains have been lost to the ravages of war. By giving her fictional soldier a name, a family and an identity, Hofman calls us to renew our gratitude to those slain in service. Hilary Staples's "Stanley Marshal's End" laments the suicidal impulses and decisions of a man who was too easily dismissed by those around him. A perusal of this story will leave readers looking to touch and heal the Stanley Marshals who populate their worlds. Phyllis Scott, series editor