Short Story: The Counsellor
He made it through the back door, past the ground-floor rec room and upstairs to Level Two. All without being hassled. But just as he slunk past the last door between him and his room, it flung open. A...
View ArticleShort Story: I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)
“Are you sure you want to? It might be hard. They’ll be devastated, the ones who love you the most.” “I know, Dad. Not everyone who loves me will be there; you won’t be. Some people go out of duty, not...
View ArticleShort Story: The Imposter
The young man calls to me across the set. “Fifteen minute call, Ms Florence. Mic live in 14.” “Please, call me ‘Vanessa’,” I say again to reinforce the years of work honing this warm, engaging persona...
View ArticleShort Story: Mama Waited For The Rain
Mama waited for the rain. She prayed to God under the ghost gum while the ground cracked beneath her feet. Stumpy watched from the cool of the veranda. I named him for his habit as a puppy to run into...
View ArticleShort Story: The Trick
He’d been with them for three months when they first started noticing the odd behaviour. They’d be watching movies when suddenly he’d stand up, alert to a call they couldn’t hear. He’d shadow the...
View ArticleShort Story of the Month: Iris by Anita Tavendale
Iris by Anita Tavendale Short story of the month, Jan/Feb 2023 Becky shuffled to turn and walk through the doorway backwards. Pushed her backpack on the flimsy security door, to bump the door open....
View ArticleShort Story of the Month NZ: I am where I eat by F. P. Donnan
Why is it that whenever I eat here I feel as if I have not eaten proper in days? “One fish burger,” Neil shouted from the other end of the food truck. A hot plate slid across the stainless-steel bench...
View ArticleShort Story of the Month AU: The Escape Artist
It’s the first day of the school holidays. The Spouse and I are juggling our employment in between driving the offspring to their social pursuits. Needless to say, our kids have a far more active...
View ArticleShort story of the month NZ: Triphena
My mother worked for the Matthews family all her life. When my goga (grandmother) died in the hills of Zululand, I came to live in the village, too. It was very different from being in the kraal, where...
View ArticleShort Story: Pity-Party
Stamping his feet to rid them of confetti and petals, Stewart quaffs a flute of champagne and assesses the information in front of him. A rainbow-coloured seating chart, drawn cheerfully on a...
View ArticleShort Story of the month Australia: Kenny
My last words to you weren’t I love you. Not I appreciate you, not what would I do without you, no. This could be a cautionary tale about how we should tell those we love that we love them, often....
View ArticleShort Story of the Month NZ: Goddess
If there is a God, surely he would show mercy and give me rain. Preferably a downpour, but even a few droplets would do. But no. The heavenly sky stretches for miles, taunting me with its cloudless...
View ArticleShort Story of the Month: The Piano Teacher by Danielle Deluka
Something physical” my therapist suggested. “Is there anything you’re curious about? You need to open yourself up to the universe.” ‘F**k the universe,’ I thought as I undid the rusty latch on the...
View ArticleShort Story: Honour Over Yabby Traps
“Salvage!” Tay yells, “salvage!” He’s using our keyword for useful junk someone has left behind. My heart sinks. He’s holding a yabby trap that’s bright green and almost has the price tag attached....
View ArticleDiscover the Joy of Short Story Clubs: A Fresh Take on Reading and Connecting
However, for those who have found themselves disenchanted with the traditional book club format or struggle to commit to lengthy novels, a short story club might offer a refreshing and engaging...
View ArticleMiNDFOOD Short Story: A Shallow Bush Grave
Casey’s fingers clenched the steering wheel. It was only 20 minutes since they’d left home. How far would she have to drag the body away from the road? How deep would she have to dig? Oh God. How could...
View ArticleShort Story: The Unlucky Fisherman
There once lived a man who loved to fish. He loved the salty air by the ocean. He loved the sound of the waves and the cool breeze on his skin. He loved the anticipation, the excitement at feeling that...
View ArticleShort Story: The Times are Hard
Down the end of the garden path was the lavatory, the WC, or when we were out of our parents’ earshot – the dunny. Inside was a dark home to spiders with their curtains of webs, fierce creepy-crawlies...
View ArticleMiNDFOOD Short Story: Elizabeth’s Funeral
I blame the Queen. Her funeral on TV was spectacular. Had she not had such a splendid send-off, I doubt Liz would have given her own demise any thought at all. Instead, as the Queen was lowered...
View ArticleShort Story: The Wishing Tree
Nina pulled her thin cardigan around her cold body but warmth evaded her. She turned on the gas to have the hot jets warm her hands for a moment, wasting precious gas, of course. She so hated this time...
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