Imagine a pet that only appears when it senses affection from its owner Thanks to the Mechanics Institute Review for publishing my short story Sugar Tiger Here’s the intro i rage about how jude is a fucking joke as a partner, and my mate cathy squints and purses her lips like she wants to say […]
Category Archives: Fiction
A short dialogue published in Final Girl Bulletin Board. Photo by Javier Amador – Dad, I’ve hit a roadblock. I need an idea for a project about the first years of the web. – The aughts were the best time ever. Online, we weren’t sure what was fiction or fact, if events were true or […]
An experimental work of mystery fiction, published in the 19th Issue of Sheffield University’s Route 57. Photo by Greg Rosenke Unknown Caller M6 delays between junctions 17 and 18 after bridge collision Karakoram Peak Final discounts on camping gear Log in to see your special offers From Alex Are you checking those figures from Q4? […]
A short story published in the Green Issue of Here Comes Everyone, Photo by Karl Anderson Wings, claws and pincers were everywhere. Flying, jumping, crawling, buzzing, spinning, nibbling, cutting, hustling, wrecking, rebuilding, eating, throwing up and eating the throw-up. In a wide-brimmed hat, poncho and loose pants, I kept watch on my feet, arms and […]
A short story published in Bandit Fiction online and in a podcast Whenever my cousin Mark was standing next to someone in public, at the bus stop, in a queue in the post office or supermarket, or in the pub, he turned to them, and started talking, as though they were old friends. Mark’s choice […]
A 50 word story, published on Fiftywordstories The rules are easy. Don’t hit people, or shout at them. If they say you’re too close, you’re too close. If they say don’t touch, you mustn’t touch. When I grew up, people didn’t follow the rules. Didn’t follow them with me. That’s my excuse. I know it’s […]
A short piece of fiction and second prize winner for The Short Story Net When I was eighteen, my therapist told me that every day I should draw a picture of my face. “Don’t think about what you’re doing,” he said, “and don’t try to be an artist. Take only a few seconds, look […]
A short story published in the Bristol Short Story Prize anthology GUS BROOKS TROUBADOUR MADMAN LIFE GAZER POP UP X Click to exit Gus Brooks ‘A better class of scum’ OUT NOW on Riposte Records Contains the tunes ‘England doesn’t want you’, ‘Love after love’ and ‘Stained by eyeliner’ Buy it HERE LINK […]
A piece of fiction published in the excellent Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Volume 8 Ana was the last name on the list. I had not met her at the court hearings or at the committee gatherings. Her name was not on any petitions. As far as I knew, the other women from the association […]
This short piece of fiction on divorce, family and the failure to communicate was shortlisted for the Wells Festival of Literature Short Story Award. The annual festival’s details are here – http://www.wellslitfest.org.uk/competitions.php “I can’t believe you bought it for him.” “I thought it would be festive.” “And you put it in his stocking.” “It seemed […]
Michael Bird Writer & Journalist 