Good afternoon,
Life seems to have taken both RR and I hostage this last week. We both apologize for the delay!
Right to it, then!
Our winner this week is Sandra Davies with Problems with mother-in-law: Smooth use of the prompts, but truthfully, it was the last line that clinched it for me! Very clever and just really funny. Thank you.
Also in the winner's circle this week is Michael B. Fletcher with Guardian: I just like the flow of this, and a ginger werewolf? A rare thing indeed, in my experience.
The Tome has been growling at me and chewing at my boot. As my foot happens to be still in it, I'll go ahead and give the little darling leave to give us this week’s words.
Key
Fur
Damnation
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, March 6th. Winners and words on Saturday, March 7th.
Saturday, 28 February 2015
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Snow Blind.
Good afternoon.
I am beginning to firmly believe that whatever creatures might have come out into the snows of New England to stalk and haunt the darkest recesses of the mind, have given up the whole notion. I've lost count of how many inches of snow we now have, though I have just shoveled the walk, and I can tell you that the snow was just about up to my hips. I'm thinking about 3 feet and we're NOT talking drifts here.
Mind, body and soul feel bone white, ice cold, and dryly brittle, these days.
However, there are have been stories to read, and an internet connection to argue with, so I've been kept busy!
Our winner this week is Patricia Purvis with Le Rue Le Veut: A truly touching little tale of horror. More so, because of the truth of it. Thank you!
And now the Tome, which is as fed up with snow as I, has given us some new words.
Ginger
Measure
Sentry
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, February 20th. Winners and words on Saturday, February 21st.
Sunday, 8 February 2015
Stir Crazy
This is the part of winter I find the hardest. Snow is no longer a pretty surprise (if it ever really was), but instead a regular inconvenience. While my house is nicely insulated and comfortable, I grow weary of having to spend so much time indoors. Alas, I don't have the tolerance for cold that Colleen enjoys, so the result is that I get a bad case of cabin fever starting about mid-February and lasting until the earth wakes up with that particular warming dirt smell it has here in the Midwest. A couple of months off, that is, so instead, I shall keep myself amused by writing and reading dark tales here.
The winner this week is Foxxglove with her tale of bloodthirsty ambition, Fiddle-Dee-Dee. Thank for your sharing that delightfully dark story!
Honorable mention goes to David Barber, whose Untitled tale of an unknown assailant was chilling indeed. Welcome back, David!
And now for the words I hope will spark more great stories from you all:
Comparison
Express
Responsible
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, February 13th (oooh, spooky!). Winners and words on Saturday, February 14th (also spooky, in a different way!).
The Gates are Open!
The winner this week is Foxxglove with her tale of bloodthirsty ambition, Fiddle-Dee-Dee. Thank for your sharing that delightfully dark story!
Honorable mention goes to David Barber, whose Untitled tale of an unknown assailant was chilling indeed. Welcome back, David!
And now for the words I hope will spark more great stories from you all:
Comparison
Express
Responsible
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, February 13th (oooh, spooky!). Winners and words on Saturday, February 14th (also spooky, in a different way!).
The Gates are Open!
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Flash Fool Contest
Evening all,
Not sure how many of you enter writing contests, but I came across this one and I thought I'd post it up here in case anyone's interesed.
Flash Fool Contest
Here's the blurb on the splash page. From there you can get links to submit. They are charging $6.00 as an entry fee.
Not sure how many of you enter writing contests, but I came across this one and I thought I'd post it up here in case anyone's interesed.
Flash Fool Contest
Here's the blurb on the splash page. From there you can get links to submit. They are charging $6.00 as an entry fee.
"Flash Future is now in the past, and we’re moving on to our next quarterly contest. This go-round we’re cooking up a contest with the theme of#FlashFool that will appear in a mega-issue on (you guessed it) April Fool’s Day. That also just so happens to be The Molotov Cocktail‘s 5-year anniversary, so, yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.
The key to this contest will be a twist ending. Genre is wide open. Scare us, make us laugh, blow our minds, makes us feel all ushy-gushy… whatever. We simply require some kind of unexpected ending.
What’s in it for all you little M. Night Shyamalans out there? The following, as long as you can pull off a far less-contrived twist than that hack M. Night Shyamalan:"
$200 for Flash Fool winner
$75 for runner-up
$50 for second runner-up
(We also give mad props to 4th-10th place, publishing them as
Honorable Mentions in our April Fool’s Day mega-issue!)
Honorable Mentions in our April Fool’s Day mega-issue!)
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Winners and Words ! Week ending Friday, January 30, 2015
Good afternoon!
I'm going to get right to it, as my connection is still a bit wonky and has made me late.
Our winner this week is Antonia Woodville with Infinity 85: This installment is smooth as silk and delicious as the finest chocolate! Brilliant use of the prompts. A sheer joy to read. Thank you!
Also winning this week is Sandra Davies with Rallying [Threshold 52]: Sandra, I honestly had a difficult time deciding which of your installments this week to choose. Both were grand, but I just loved how you used the prompts in this. I'm dying to find out what happens next. Thank you!
And now on to the "other" good part! The Tome has provided new words!
Baton
Cry
Frost
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, February 6th. Winners and words on Saturday, February 7th.
The Gates are Open!
I'm going to get right to it, as my connection is still a bit wonky and has made me late.
Our winner this week is Antonia Woodville with Infinity 85: This installment is smooth as silk and delicious as the finest chocolate! Brilliant use of the prompts. A sheer joy to read. Thank you!
Also winning this week is Sandra Davies with Rallying [Threshold 52]: Sandra, I honestly had a difficult time deciding which of your installments this week to choose. Both were grand, but I just loved how you used the prompts in this. I'm dying to find out what happens next. Thank you!
And now on to the "other" good part! The Tome has provided new words!
Baton
Cry
Frost
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, February 6th. Winners and words on Saturday, February 7th.
The Gates are Open!
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Snowbound
Good morning! My apologies for being a bit late. I had connection issues and could not get hold of Miss Rebecca. Things seem to have righted themselves for the time being.
So, the rumor is that here in New England we are expecting about 23 inches of snow in the next two days or so. Mind you, it likely won't be that much, but there's a part of me that hopes it will be. There is something wonderfully relaxing about that much snow. You simply cannot go out, and no one is going to argue with you about that. It's an opportunity to let one's mind be enveloped by the deep, thick, silence that comes with that much snow, and to make a little magic in the kitchen with a huge pot of soup or some baked goods.
I find myself already thinking about what dark things might come out in such weather, and what sort of horrors they would bring with them.
This weeks stories were as always, amazing. I must say again how thrilled I am to have new writers among us. And with that, let me get on with it.
Our winner is is Kerry Liz with Ivory Silence: I don't think there's anyone who doesn't know the feeling of wanting screaming children to be quiet. Vanessa's resentment at her situation only heightens that feeling for her, and her solution is terrible and desperate. Thank you!
In second place this week is Patricia Purvis with THE THROWBACK: Lovely use of the prompts and great dialogue here. The last line made me chuckle. Thank you!
And so, the Tome has brought forth new words.
Blister
Harp
Parent
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 30. Winners and words on Saturday January 31st. As the 31st is New Years Eve and some folks may have celebrations to plan, or attend, if anyone would like me to extend the deadline by a day or two, let me know in comments and we can do that.
All right, m'dears. The Gates are Open!
So, the rumor is that here in New England we are expecting about 23 inches of snow in the next two days or so. Mind you, it likely won't be that much, but there's a part of me that hopes it will be. There is something wonderfully relaxing about that much snow. You simply cannot go out, and no one is going to argue with you about that. It's an opportunity to let one's mind be enveloped by the deep, thick, silence that comes with that much snow, and to make a little magic in the kitchen with a huge pot of soup or some baked goods.
I find myself already thinking about what dark things might come out in such weather, and what sort of horrors they would bring with them.
This weeks stories were as always, amazing. I must say again how thrilled I am to have new writers among us. And with that, let me get on with it.
Our winner is is Kerry Liz with Ivory Silence: I don't think there's anyone who doesn't know the feeling of wanting screaming children to be quiet. Vanessa's resentment at her situation only heightens that feeling for her, and her solution is terrible and desperate. Thank you!
In second place this week is Patricia Purvis with THE THROWBACK: Lovely use of the prompts and great dialogue here. The last line made me chuckle. Thank you!
And so, the Tome has brought forth new words.
Blister
Harp
Parent
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 30. Winners and words on Saturday January 31st. As the 31st is New Years Eve and some folks may have celebrations to plan, or attend, if anyone would like me to extend the deadline by a day or two, let me know in comments and we can do that.
All right, m'dears. The Gates are Open!
Sunday, 18 January 2015
Exploring the Darkness
Good morning, all! My apologies for being a few hours late. However, I'm quite grateful that my connection issue only lasted a short while. I think it's getting better!
The long dark of winter has begun in earnest here in New England. Most days are overcast and dull, and a bitter cold has settled in. Trees creak in the evening wind, as do my bones upon rising each morning. It's the time of year when my thoughts always turn to my own mortality. I don't fear these images, slithering and scratching quietly through my mind. I embrace and explore them. Time passes for all things and the cycles of life continue, after all.
My writing often takes a much darker turn during this time, as well.. So dark, that in the past, there have been stories I have been hesitant to commit to paper, as it were, fearing them perhaps too frightening to be read.
That being said, before I get to winners and words. I have a question for all of you. Have you ever written something you thought too "dark" to publish or show to anyone? Answering, obviously, is voluntary, but I'd be interested to know.
And now on to the reason we call come here each week:
Our winner this week is Michael B. Fletcher with The Trap: Michael, the sheer scope of this, conveyed in so few words, amazed me. Thank you!
Also in the winner's circles is Sandra Davies with A Change of Focus (113): Sandra, this has to be my favorite installment so far! I have always loved the relationship between Vanessa and Pettinger, and to me this piece expresses it beautifully. You have a wonderful talent for both dialogue and action! Thank you!
The Tome has obligingly brought forth new words for us to play with.
Result
Ivory
Silence
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 23d. Winners and words on Saturday January 24th.
The Gates are Open!
The long dark of winter has begun in earnest here in New England. Most days are overcast and dull, and a bitter cold has settled in. Trees creak in the evening wind, as do my bones upon rising each morning. It's the time of year when my thoughts always turn to my own mortality. I don't fear these images, slithering and scratching quietly through my mind. I embrace and explore them. Time passes for all things and the cycles of life continue, after all.
My writing often takes a much darker turn during this time, as well.. So dark, that in the past, there have been stories I have been hesitant to commit to paper, as it were, fearing them perhaps too frightening to be read.
That being said, before I get to winners and words. I have a question for all of you. Have you ever written something you thought too "dark" to publish or show to anyone? Answering, obviously, is voluntary, but I'd be interested to know.
And now on to the reason we call come here each week:
Our winner this week is Michael B. Fletcher with The Trap: Michael, the sheer scope of this, conveyed in so few words, amazed me. Thank you!
Also in the winner's circles is Sandra Davies with A Change of Focus (113): Sandra, this has to be my favorite installment so far! I have always loved the relationship between Vanessa and Pettinger, and to me this piece expresses it beautifully. You have a wonderful talent for both dialogue and action! Thank you!
The Tome has obligingly brought forth new words for us to play with.
Result
Ivory
Silence
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 23d. Winners and words on Saturday January 24th.
The Gates are Open!
Saturday, 10 January 2015
The Early Bird Gets The....never mind.
Good morning, m'dears!
The sun may be shining here in New England, but my mind is overflowing with the dark and lovely images you all created last week! I'm thrilled to see new writers joining us. Everyone who writes here has such a distinctive style and each new author adds something new and different to an already wonderful and supportive group!
The Tome and I have considered long and long, and we have finally come to agreement.
Our winner this week is Chris Allinotte with Birth: I love the slow yet horrifying build here. It inspires a sense of quiet terror as it moves along. And that last line? Perfect...visceral...horrible! Thank you!
A second winner this week is Patricia Purvis with Worth Its Weight: One of the hallmarks of a really good read, for me, is the writer's ability to pull the reader in completely. I love the visuals your words created for me! I truly cannot stop reading this piece. I fervently hope that you'll continue to gift us with your stories! Thank you!
And now, I have given the Tome its favorite treat of a bit of bacon, and it has reciprocated with new words for us to play with!
Torrent
Ashes
Whistle
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 16th. Winners and words on Saturday January 17th.
The Gates are Open!
The sun may be shining here in New England, but my mind is overflowing with the dark and lovely images you all created last week! I'm thrilled to see new writers joining us. Everyone who writes here has such a distinctive style and each new author adds something new and different to an already wonderful and supportive group!
The Tome and I have considered long and long, and we have finally come to agreement.
Our winner this week is Chris Allinotte with Birth: I love the slow yet horrifying build here. It inspires a sense of quiet terror as it moves along. And that last line? Perfect...visceral...horrible! Thank you!
A second winner this week is Patricia Purvis with Worth Its Weight: One of the hallmarks of a really good read, for me, is the writer's ability to pull the reader in completely. I love the visuals your words created for me! I truly cannot stop reading this piece. I fervently hope that you'll continue to gift us with your stories! Thank you!
And now, I have given the Tome its favorite treat of a bit of bacon, and it has reciprocated with new words for us to play with!
Torrent
Ashes
Whistle
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 16th. Winners and words on Saturday January 17th.
The Gates are Open!
Sunday, 4 January 2015
2015!
Please forgive the title. I couldn't think of anything really creative and since this is my first post since the New Year, I went for the obvious. ;)
Understandably, the holidays left us with few submissions besides my own. Even so, as always I had a very difficult time choosing. However, choose I did.
My choice this week is Antonia Woodville with Infinity 81: One thing I'm always impressed with, when the Captain speaks, is the ease with which you convey his mood with so few words. Each new submission is a frightening delight. Thank you.
The tome has enjoyed its little break and is ready with new words to get us started for a new year of Prediction. Let's see what it has for us.
Rank
Spark
Legend
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 9th. Winners and words on Saturday January 10th.
Happy New Year! The Gates are Open!
Understandably, the holidays left us with few submissions besides my own. Even so, as always I had a very difficult time choosing. However, choose I did.
My choice this week is Antonia Woodville with Infinity 81: One thing I'm always impressed with, when the Captain speaks, is the ease with which you convey his mood with so few words. Each new submission is a frightening delight. Thank you.
The tome has enjoyed its little break and is ready with new words to get us started for a new year of Prediction. Let's see what it has for us.
Rank
Spark
Legend
The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.
Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.
You have until Friday, January 9th. Winners and words on Saturday January 10th.
Happy New Year! The Gates are Open!
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