Author:  Demetrius Sherman (Amazon/Goodreads)
Genre: Doesn't fit neatly into an genre
Reading time: about 10 minutes
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

There is a stream of creativity in Demetrius Sherman's "Shooting the Moon and Other Stories" which travels far from story tropes that we're all tired of reading.

From the title story to "Half a Beauty" (my personal favorite) and other places in between, this collection of flash fiction will have at least one story that you will enjoy. The ideas that the stories center on are unique, they are unlike any other plots I've read before. The plot of your favorite story in the collection will stick to the roof of your brain like peanut butter, begging you to contemplate it more.

Without divulging the plots, I can say that the stories have a Brothers Grimm-type of quality to them, as if they were folk tales with a lesson to be gleaned from them. (That is certainly true for "Half a Beauty".)  The stories are very short, each can be read in a minute or two, perfect for cramming a read into the spare time between meetings or during a commercial break.

Author:  Julia Benally (Twitter/Facebook/Amazon/Goodreads)
Genre: Thriller/Horror
Reading time: 6-8 minutes
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Much like the main character in Julia Benally's "Headlights" you'll find yourself breathless after reading it. 

One of the things I really enjoy about the short story form is that you tend to get dropped in the middle of the action, rather than reading page after page of backstory. Man, does this story have action. 

Without divulging too much of the plot, the story is essentially one long chase between the main character in the story and some mysterious form, one whose presence is indicated by strange headlights that seem to follow her where ever she goes or tries to hide.

You feel the character's innocence through the writing, and the tension builds at just the right pace. Will you ever find out what the form is and why she's being chased? Well, you have to read the story to find out, and it's well worth the handful of minutes it will take you to get from beginning to end of this one.

Reviewer's Note: This story originally appeared in The Horror Zine in July 2018. You can get Julia's book, "Pariahs (Ilings)" on Amazon.

Author:  Amr Nasser (Smashwords/Twitter)
Genre: Science Fiction
Reading time: 6-8 minutes
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

It took a little while to shake the disquieted feeling I had after reading Amr Nasser's "Semblance". It's one of those science fiction pieces that makes you wonder whether it has already happened and we just don't know about it. At the end, you're left feeling uncomfortable.

While the premise of the story is oft-tread in science fiction, part of the charm of the story is that the author is able to bring his own voice to the dangers of AI. We recycle plots as a society all the time, it is the telling of the story which engages us. This story is no different.

The author builds the suspense and deepens the mystery as the story unfolds, compelling you to read on to find out the ending. There are interesting characters, fleshed out primarily by the way they speak, which is an interesting (and refreshing) approach. 

In all, it's a very solid offering from a writer who has a great handle on how to build tension throughout his stories. Well worth the read, especially if you love Sci-Fi stories.
​

Author: Barbara Avon (Twitter)
Genre: Does Not Fit Neatly Into a Genre
Reading time: around 5 minutes
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

There are times when an initial read doesn't do a work of fiction justice. Barbara Avon's "The Last Hour" was one such work for me. 

Having completed a first read in a choppy, distracted fashion, I just didn't "get" the story. I wasn't quite ready to give up on it, because there were some wonderful descriptions in the story. Upon a second read (and a brief clarification from the author), I understood (and enjoyed) the story much better.

It's a lesson for both readers and writers: don't assume things about the other. I missed a major clue that hinted at the thrust of the story through a little careless reading. But authors should also make note of whether reader responses indicate that their clues in a story are a little too subtle.

As for the story itself, I can't describe the plot too much without giving up the twist. The author does a great job of focusing on a single event for a short story. Some writers try to weave too many things into the short form, this is a good example of how to keep a tight focus on a single event. There are parts that would beg for further exploration if the story were longer, but they are perfectly described for a short work.

And as mentioned earlier, there are some excellent examples of great descriptive writing in this work. You feel the story through the writing. Some of the feelings are uncomfortable, like sweaty legs sticking to your seat, but the fact that you find yourself making a face as you read those descriptions is a good thing.

Author: Stacy Chesters (Twitter/Amazon/Instagram)
Genre: Mystery (perhaps)
Reading time: 2 minutes
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

When flash fiction is done well, there is almost always a sense that you want more. You want the story to keep going, you want to know more.

Stacy Chesters' "The Weight of a Secret" is no different. Her story pulls you along, hinting at something strange. The ending blows you out of the water, but leaves you with more questions than answers. I have made no secret that I love this kind of writing. It's like the prose equivalent of a mic drop.

As for the story itself, you will find wonderful and unique turns of phrase not commonly found in flash fiction. Words are at a premium in flash fiction, few authors use the space on descriptions. Not so here, and that's part of what makes it so good. You get a little glimpse into a fully-crafted world.

I look forward to seeing more of her work, especially in this form. Many authors try to write flash, few succeed. Stacy Chesters is one who does.

Author: Lydia Schoch (Twitter)
Genre: Mixed genres
Reading time: 45 minutes to an hour
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

There is a cynicism in the world that no review that doesn't have a twinkle of criticism is trustworthy; so be it if you feel that way about this review.

The stories in Lydia Schoch's "Waiting for Earl to Die" are the kind I most enjoy: strange and mysterious, with hints of science fiction or dystopia without overt explanations. She introduces you to her worlds through her stories and leaves you (the reader) to imagine the rest. My personal opinion is that this is the hallmark of a writer who understands the short story construct perfectly. There are no wasted words.

As for the plots of the different stories, the common thread is the feeling that "something is not quite right" as you read through them. You keep waiting for the hammer to fall. Sometimes it is does gloriously, other times it is much more subtle. Stories such as "The Proof" shine especially bright as interesting and unique stories that provoke thought.

To read the whole book in one sitting would not be a stretch, most could finish it within an hour. Each story is between a five or 10-minute read, depending on how quickly you go. Either way, unless you just don't like these kinds of stories, you will find yourself mildly disappointed that there isn't at least one more story to read. It's an excellent collection, well worth the time!

Author: Christine Van Deventer (Twitter)
Genre: Literary Fiction
Reading time: approx. 15 minutes
​Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars.

There is something uniquely personal about grief that makes it difficult to write about. People experience it so differently, it is challenging to convey it to others.


In Christina Van Deventer's "Hot Wheels", you find yourself immersed in the main character's struggle with her loss. The narration feels gloomy, not in a bad way, but in a "I have experienced profound sadness" kind of way. I won't give away spoilers, as you should read the story for yourself. But you should know going in that the author is remarkably talented at conveying those emotions in her work.

She plants clues early in the story about the climactic event, in such a way that you'll find yourself reading just to know the details. I wished there were a few more details about that event, it felt a little rushed with respect to the rest of the story. The overall story and writing is so good that I'm more than willing to overlook that. It's a good, thought-provoking read, which are my favorite kinds of stories. 

I am sure I will find myself looking for and reviewing more of her work, the author is unquestionably talented, especially writing about these kinds of emotions.​

Author: George R. McNeese (Twitter/Wattpad)
Genre: Literary Fiction
Reading time: 8 to 10 minutes
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

There is something very calming about George R. McNeese's writing style. Almost like you're sitting on a porch sipping lemonade listening to him spin you a yarn. Fire Works has such an easy and natural flow to it, you sometimes forget you're reading it and think you're listening to it.

As with any short story, you are thrust into the action almost from the very start, trying to unravel a mystery along with the main character. The author does a terrific job of building tension as you can feel the character's anxiety growing throughout the piece. 

While I personally like stories that leave you feeling like you were dropped off a cliff at the end, some may find the ending a little abrupt. For me, it's the kind of ending that would keep me checking on the author to see if he writes a sequel to the story. I want to know what happens next. But I also appreciate the author giving me the latitude to formulate some of my own theories regarding the malady of Bobby Blake, the main character. Some people may be put off by it, and I can understand that to some degree. I know the author has more of this story in him. There is more to tell, and the fact that you as a reader want to know what happens next is a good thing. It means the author has you hooked, and only good writers can accomplish that.

In terms of your time commitment, you won't even notice how long this read takes (it is reasonably short, and can probably be squeezed into five minutes if you read reasonably fast). It's worth a look. The author has some burgeoning talent, and I want to see how the rest of his story plays out.

​Author: Katherine Coggeshall
Genre: Humor
Reading time: 5 to 10 minutes
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

There are times when you just want to shut your brain off and enjoy something. You just want to read something that doesn't make you think too hard, and possibly make you laugh. Katherine Coggeshall's "101 Reasons I'd Rather Marry My Cat" is such an offering.

As the title implies, this is more of a list than a narrative. I did not find anything that made me laugh aloud within, but I think that was a function of being "part" of the joke, rather than sharing it. The list is definitely female-slanted, though should be enjoyable for any man willing to laugh a little at himself.

The other thing I enjoyed about it was the discovery that my wife's idiosyncrasies are not uncommon. There were more than a few things on the list that made me think of her (and honestly, I love those quirks). And there are plenty of things in the list that dog owners (or people who hate cats) will still be able to laugh at.

It's a fun little piece that doesn't take long to get through, and will probably have you chuckling to yourself a few times throughout.

Author: Ashleigh Bonner (Amazon/Twitter/Goodreads/Wattpad)
Genre: Mixed, mainly Science Fiction
Reading time: varies, 5 to 25 minutes per story
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

It's not that much of a stretch to say that you have probably never read a book quite like Ashleigh Bonner's "Well Wishes from a Prompt". Writers rarely pull back the curtain on their craft, and they certainly don't tend to do it in a book that they're selling. That's only part of what makes this book so unique.

The writing is so beautiful and eloquent at times, other times it pushes you to some uncomfortable place (in a good way), but it never sags or drags. Between the prompts and stories are tips and discussion questions. I felt like I was reading "Read" magazine from 1985 all over again. (I loved that magazine, by the way.)

It's almost like an entertaining "textbook" for authors, one that takes the time to provide examples of writing techniques as opposed to simply explaining them. The writing in the stories themselves almost seem effortless. One reminded me of "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut. It was that good.

The book will take you several sittings to get through. There are a few longer stories, but most are relatively short and can be read in 10 minutes or so. Take the extra time and read the tips, then go back and re-read just how they were applied. It really is a book about writing that doesn't feel like a book about writing, with suggestions to help you improve.

I highly recommend it, even though it falls outside of my primary mission of procuring quick reads.