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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! Fire Works1/14/2019 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. The Boy With the Coin12/3/2018 Author: Christine Van Deventer (Twitter)  Genre: Literary Fiction
Reading time: approx. 15 minutes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. The striking thing about this work is how the author starts it. You take a few steps in, then suddenly realize you're in quicksand. Not the bad "throw me a vine" kind, but the kind that drives your curiosity to solve the mystery presented in the opening lines. There is action that provides the backstory, presenting it in a way that does not feel disjointed, it weaves into the narrative seamlessly. There are a few parts that leave you wanting just a few more tidbits of detail, but not in a way that detracts from the overall story. A good short story, given its limitations on length, will provide you clues and let you fill in the blanks. Without revealing too much of the plot, the story deals with some of the big questions all of us might ask ourselves when we sense death is near. Overall, this story does everything that a short story should do. It focuses on one thing and paints background in that context, it makes you think, and leaves you satisfied when you are finished reading. PicksMy picks are a collection of reviews from fellow short story authors. I've tried to procure stories from different genres, from a wide variety of authors. Most importantly, you'll know how long it will take you to finish reading them.
Request a ReviewIf you want your short story reviewed on this page, contact me at authormsmiller@gmail.com. Stories should be no more than 5,000 words.
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