P.S. Gear's Blog, page 73
February 14, 2016
No Tears (Flash Fiction)
“I sealed it,” Thom said, dropping into the rickety chair in front of me. The wood groaned in protest. Yet whether it held together because of the skill of my father’s hands or because it recognized that now would’ve been a slap in the face after what we’d faced, I don’t know. I smiled at the sight of Thom and the thought that it was both.
My smile dipped at the memory of my father. Watching him build that chair for my mother in this house that was home for precious years before the nightmare...
February 12, 2016
February 10, 2016
L&P #19Twirling and swervingDipping and divingJumping and...
L&P #19
Twirling and swerving
Dipping and diving
Jumping and floating
I am surrounded
by all of them
Yet I am alone
I feel no colour
I see no warmth
I am crushed
They see me smile,
projecting their own
happy hearts
I wish they could see,
ask, and touch.
Jon Willkening & p.s.w.
2/2/16
February 8, 2016
Sad Snow (674 words)
I fell to the ground, bare knee gouged by an icy rock. I wanted to stop and, at least, acknowledge the sudden pool of blood saturating the surrounding snow. But she pulled on my arm, a tow line snapped taut as she guided me into a harbor. Like she knew what was good for me.
I hoped she did because I stumbled forward in a haze, the ache of my torn knee dull and distant. The pain was somewhere far from my present. I don’t remember waking up; I just remember being away. I didn’t remember walking...
February 5, 2016
February 4, 2016
“The Bastard” by Patrick DeWitt, recommended by Electric Literature
Issue No. 193
AN INTRODUCTION BY HALIMAH MARCUS
Before launching Recommended Reading in 2012, Electric Literature published a quarterly anthology—five stories in each issue, available in print as well as eBooks. We had the privilege of publishing this short story by acclaimed novelist Patrick DeWitt in one of those volumes. “The Bastard,” which is uncollected and previously unavailable online, is reprinted here.The Bastard is a con man, motivated by money and braggin...
February 3, 2016
The Small Publisher's Pluck
While I was finished writing Charlotte Gnoll, I figured–what the hell–I’d send out some queries. (You can follow that process here.) I had no expectations of picking up an agent (which was borne out), but I thought I’d gain some practice talking about Charlotte and, who knows, I might hit a homerun and score the deal of a lifetime. I struck out, but it was still a great experience describing Charlotte and honing myappeal.
However, I wish I had considered directly approaching smaller presses i...
February 2, 2016
L&P #18The world of straight linesand shapes black &...
L&P #18
The world of straight lines
and shapes black & white
dissolves into a kaleidoscope of colors,
hewed from disappointment,
excavated from joy.
The squiggles of life
jump and squirm and
spit in the face of rulers
Wherefore art thou so close,
sweet Prince?
What bite does your tongue possess?
Enough
to sever my humanity
and eat this dream
of keeping
my self-autonomy?
1/27/16
Jon Wilkening & p.s.w.
