Being Short with You

The short story is a literary art form that some take to and others do not. I admit it's taken me a while. I was never a fan of reading them growing up, and still prefer a novel if pushed to choose, but writing them has been easy for me. Perhaps this is because my writing style is, for the most part, scene oriented. Like vignettes. Shorts are great in that, being in an anthology with other writers, they can introduce a one's work to readers who might never have picked him up otherwise.

I've had my shorts featured in a few anthologies and even had an anthology of my own, Slight Details & Random Events. If I ever had the chance to re-release that book, however, there are a few things I would change. While many of the stories would remain, there are admittedly a few stories in there that should never have seen the light of day. In fact, I am embarrassed by at least one of the pieces included therein (I'll leave you to decipher which one; it's too painful for me to think on it any further - Oy). But if I were ever offered another anthology I do have a list of my very favorite non-erotic shorts I've ever written (I may do an erotic list at a later date):

From my anthology mentioned above there are a few of the so-called "Cat/Gael" stories, which are the centerpiece of the collection. This is the telling of a relationship between two men from college to life beyond, and is quite autobiographical at times. Of these there are five I'm particularly fond of for various reasons. They are "The Things We Want," "Italian For Beginners", "Electronic Love, Australia", "A Massacre of Lions", and "A Hat on the Bed."

"Books By Covers" also from SD&RE - About a man on a jog and the people he passes. Focusing on their reactions to each other by sight alone without knowing the inner turmoils.

"Late Bloomer in the Water" SD&RE - A man learns to swim in parallel to allowing himself to fall in love with another man.

"Deacon Decides" from Mr. Right Now - On a flight to Australia a reserved young man finally takes a chance when flirted with. Based on my own true story.

"Man Falls Down" downloadable via Untreed Reads - A surreal story about a horrific fall. That's really all I can say without giving anything away.

"Camera Phone" SD&RE - A young man at a strip show, while taking pictures with his phone, sees something terrifying with each flash. Something that sees him in return.

"Dismagic Planet" SD&RE - A family is torn apart by an accidental death and a mother's encroaching madness.

"Honeysuckle Sycamore" SD&RE - A bit of a novella about a river valley and the sprites called Passions who live there. I'm waiting for an animated film offer from Japan ;-)

"Tater n Purgatory" SD&RE - A man who has recently lost his lover takes revenge with the help of a demonic dog named Purgatory.

"Cloud Touching Mountain" (unpublished) - I'll admit this is a weird little story. About obsession or love, however you choose to read it.

"Christ Walks in Blessed Springs" (unpublished) - Told in the form of a newspaper article. Lightning strikes a giant statue of Jesus and brings it to life. He goes a-walkin' through the town of Blessed Springs, Kentucky causing carnage and piety. I've found this piece a bit to controversial for most publishers, though they all seem to like it.

"She's Come Undone" (coming soon from Untreed Reads) - A neglected and put-upon school teacher finally puts her foot down.

Now, about those filthy erotic pieces...