Susan Elliott's Blog, page 2

Submissions to Mythic Delirium

(c) Skin Magazine

I really, really want to share with you two of my new poems. But, I can’t! I just submitted them to the magazine Mythic Delirium. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to meet Mike Allen and his lovely wife at a panel discussion. I was ecstatic to find out that there is an entire magazine devoted to science-fiction and fantasy poetry! I hope you take the opportunity to submit (submissions are currently open until October). They only pay a flat $5 fee. But, last year they published a Nebula Award winning author. If in fact my poems are turned down (or accepted) I know there will be a time I will get to share them with you, but until then, hold your breath and cross your fingers!

 

Thanks!

Susan

 

Flash Fiction: Welcome Back, Mr. Flannery

 

He hadn’t been expecting a letter, but the proof of it really existed, resting firmly in his clenched hand. Sean had been a good father to his three children, and a faithful husband for nineteen years, but the letter instantly took him back to the days prior to meeting Mariah.

Sean flipped the note open again eyeing its contents. He had always known that his life couldn’t really change. The dream he’d lived for the last twenty years, had been nothing more, could be nothing more. The letter made it clear, but how was he going to tell her?

His hand shook as he read the words. “Dear Mr. Flannery, the time has come…” Memories flooded his mind, and he closed his sapphire blue eyes. Sean could almost see Mariah walking down the aisle in her cream colored gown. She had been so beautiful back then. Her auburn hair upswept emphasizing her slender neck. His pulse quickened as his thoughts drifted to the pink negligee she had worn on their wedding night, and he swallowed hard.

Momentarily he allowed himself to relieve the birth of each child. The sterile hospital smell of the labor and delivery room danced inside his nose as he remembered their little round pink faces, their tiny hands, their feet. Sean had welcomed each of them into the world allowing himself to forget that this day would come. In fact, he had scarcely thought about it all for nineteen years.

His family had been such a blessing, they had changed him. Sean opened his eyes willing the letter to be gone. It still rested inside his white knuckles, so he balled the paper up and strode quietly to the kitchen sink. He reached into his pocket, retrieved his Zippo lighter, and lit a large Cuban cigar. Smoking; he had held on to the smoking. It was all that was left of the old days.

“Sean, are you in the kitchen?” Mariah’s voice drifted through the empty house, bouncing through his mind, and landing directly into the pit of his stomach. He gulped trying to swallow the guilt. He couldn’t let her know.

He steeled himself, trying to remember the training manual, it had been so long, but the words flashed before his eyes as if it were second nature. Sean hadn’t ever had to hide his emotions with Mariah. She accepted him. No questions, just understanding. He would miss her. “Yes, um…” He cleared his throat, fighting back unwanted tears. ” Just a minute. Would you like something to drink?”

“No, I don’t think so. I’m working on an article.” Mariah turned her attention back to her small pink laptop, her fingers flying quickly across the keyboard. Sean could hear the gentle clack-clack of the keys as her fingers hit each button. He would miss that sound, it was as much part of Mariah as the air she breathed.

Standing over the sink, Sean again lit his Zippo. This time running the bright blue flame beneath the letter. He had seen enough; he wouldn’t forget. He gently tossed the burning orb into the sink and waited for it to burn itself out before washing the ashes down the drain.

Sweat began to drip from the top of his forehead. “Hey, Mariah, I need to run to the store.” He knew she hadn’t heard, she was completely absorbed when she was working. He longed to run to her, and take her in his arms. He ached to feel her soft mouth pressed hungrily on his, feeling the warmth of her body as it embraced him. But, that was no longer an option.

He halted by the back door taking a long drag of the sweet Cuban tobacco, inhaling the smoke, and swirling it in his mouth as if he were tasting an aged wine. He exhaled watching the smoke drift heavily in front of the hammered bronze key plate. It was decided. He quickly grabbed his keys before taking one last look at his past. There was no turning back.

As the door opened, the blackness engulfed him. His eyes strained at the darkness until they finally focused on a bright white light. A soft metallic clang echoed in the emptiness. “Welcome back, Mr. Flannery, I trust you’ve enjoyed your virtual life.”

 

Mythic Delirium

(C) Charles Elliott

The following comes from the Mythic Delirium submission page. There is a link to the website at the top, and an e-mail address where you can contact them at the bottom.  While they are currently closed to submissions, it is definitely time to start thinking about what to submit. In fact, I have a new poem that I’ve written with the intentions of submitting here.

I met Mike Allen and his wife at Mysticon a few months ago. They are both great people, and I have been a big fan of their magazine ever since. Much of the magazine is online, and there are some great poems on it.  I am a huge fan of sci-fi and fantasy and that is what this is all about. So, I am sharing this great information with you. I hope you like it!

–Susan

Mythic Delerium Home Page

Mythic Delirium guidelines

 

CLOSED TO SUBMISSIONS. We will hold our next reading period from Aug. 1 to Oct. 1, 2014

 

Mythic Delirium is an online and e-book venue for fiction and poetry that ranges through science fiction, fantasy, horror, interstitial and cross-genre territory— we love blurred boundaries and tropes turned on their heads. We are interested in work that demonstrates ambition, that defies traditional approaches to genre, that introduces readers to the legends of other cultures, that re-evaluates the myths of old from a modern perspective, that twists reality in unexpected ways. We are committed to diversity, and are open to and encourage submissions from people of every race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, political affiliation and religious belief.

We publish 12 short stories and 24 poems a year. Our quarterly ebooks in PDF, EPUB and MOBI format, published in July, October, January, and April, will each contain three stories and six poems. We will also publish one story and two poems on our website each month.

Short stories: We are seeking short stories of up to 4,000 words. Electronic submissions only. Word limit firm. No unsolicited reprints. No simultaneous submissions. No multiple submissions. Please use the words “fiction submission” in the e-mail subject line. Stories should be sent in standard manuscript format as .rtf or .doc attachments. Payment is 2 cents/word on publication.

Poems: You may submit up to 6 poems at a time of any length. Electronic submissions only. No unsolicited reprints. No simultaneous submissions. Please use the words “poetry submission” in the e-mail subject line. Poems may be included in the e-mail or sent as .rtf or .doc attachments. Payment is a $5 flat fee on publication.

All submissions should be sent to mythicdelirium@gmail.com.

 

Every Flaw, Every Perfection Free Kindle Book of Poetry

Great news on the poetry front. My latest collection of poetry, Every Flaw, Every Perfection is available for free download on Kindle–for a limited time. If you like my poetry, I would love for you to download your own free copy today.  All followers of this blog know that poetry is my life blood. I truly hope you enjoy your copy of this book.

Thanks for following me, and supporting my dreams.

Susan Elliott

Every Flaw, Every Perfection

Susan Elliott’s New Books

While it isn’t poetry. I just had to announce that I have two new books available! I am super excited about them. They are both religious study books. One is entitled, Humanism: A Christian’s Greatest Enemy, and the other one is Rightly Dividing the Word, A II Timothy Study Guide. I am so happy with these books. The content is great, and the covers are spectacular. Thanks, for taking the time to check them out. And, while you’re at it check out my Author’s Page as well for my other books.

Susan Elliott’s Author Page

 

Humanism: A Christian’s Greatest Enemy

 

Rightly Dividing The Word, A II Timothy Study Guide

Demons

(c) Unknown

Like bottom feeders

their hungry eyes scan

judging, always judging,

casting lots, placing bets,

smiling with doll eyes

and filed teeth.

I ever feel them scurrying,

climbing, pushing, pulling.

When they succeed,

they feed generously;

and I dwell in the dark place.

I grasp out with bloodied fingers

begging you to understand.

And, like a Sir Knight of old,

you gallop in broad sword in hand

splitting marrow and bone,

severing heads from my demons.

You carry what’s left of

my tortured shell into the light.

And I whimper, “Lead me on.”

In the shelter of your gaze I am whole.

But, like bottom feeders

their hungry eyes scan

judging, always judging,

casting lots, placing bets,

smiling with doll eyes

and filed teeth…

(c) Susan Elliott

Judgment

(c) journey of clay 318

Why do we only see

the Converse, the faded jeans,

the Aeropostle hoodies,

and quickly judge their places?

Why do we make note

of the color of their eyes?

Blue, green, brown,

but never see their depths?

Why do we judge our sister,

our brother

to be too fat, too thin,

and never know their beauty?

Why do we wear blinders

When it comes to others,

and shields before our faces?

(c) Susan Elliott

Too much

(c) Unknown, Viral Photo

I don’t think of you

–at least,

not on purpose.

It’s not that I’ve forgotten.

It just hurts too much.

But,

just when I think I’ve steeled myself,

and I can breathe easy,

something brings you back, and

for a moment I smile, I remember,

but the tears always follow.

Sometimes

they fall so hard I can barely breathe.

It’s at those times I miss you most.

I want to scream out,

let you know,

I haven’t forgotten.

But, it’s pointless.

You won’t hear me.

(c) Susan Elliott, copyright

Kiss this love Goodbye

 

I can see it’s finally over.

The love we had is gone.

There is nothing left to change things.

This time you broke my heart.

But, before you walk away

let’s pretend its yesterday

you love me like before,

look into my eyes

and give me one last kiss goodbye.

Our time on Earth is short

too short for what might have been.

No time to reminisce

or dream of love again.

But before we say it’s over

and speak our last adieu,

please take me in your arms

hold me safe and warm

kiss me like you used to.

Let’s see this moment to the end,

finish as we started out.

Let’s leave each other friends.

Before you turn to leave

smile at me once more.

Look me in the eyes

and let’s kiss this love goodbye.

Look into my eyes

and kiss this love goodbye.

© Susan Pogue, 1994

(c) Susan Elliott, 2013

*Another blast from the past!