In my mind's eye,
I sit at the #ocean edge,
the gray waves crashing before me,
my drowning melancholia not enough,
to hold them back.
Overhead, the gulls shriek,
hungry, impatient.
I could walk, just walk.
No one would miss me,
and the birds would cry hungry no more.
#vss365
I've co-authored a military sci-fi story in this anthology - now available for purchase!
It's benefitting Women's March, an incredible cause well worth supporting, and the other authors and stories in here are *awesome*.π
books2read.com/u/470REaa.co/d/69CqsAy
Beyond honored to be asked to contribute to this anthology, along with old friends and new. It's coming soon - and for such a good cause.
The other authors are just incredible.
Pre-orders are now live at:
books2read.com/u/470REaa.co/d/69CqsAy
I'm in this year's "Best of" SciFanSat magazine for 2024!
...and absolutely honored, and proud, to be published alongside such wonderful other authors. Incredible writing from all.
Thank you @Jason_H_Abbott and the @SciFanSat family.
Get it free at scifansat.comππ
AVAILABLE NOW! Issue sixteen of #SciFanSat is live at SciFanSat.com! Visit our worlds of science fiction, fantasy, and more!
Thanks to all who contributed! Every author and reader participating enriches the magazine!
#SFF#AmWritingScifi#AmWritingFantasy
ALT SciFanSat: The Monthly Magazine for Science Fiction, Fantasy and More!
Submissions are now closed for #SciFanSat issue sixteen, and we have begun assembling it for publication on Saturday, 11.30.2024. Many thanks to all the writers and poets who submitted pieces!
#SFF#AmWritingScifi#AmWritingFantasy#WritingPrompts
ALT SciFanSat: The Monthly Magazine for Science Fiction, Fantasy and More! Issue sixteen releases Saturday, November 30th, 2024.
βSo, what do you think?β I ask my editor.
βWell, itβll certainly make a hell of an #impactβ¦β she says.
βOh phew! I thought you were going to say it was too long.β
ββ¦ if it fell off a high shelf onto someoneβs head,β she continues.
#vss365
βNever felt it.β He lay on the hospital gurney.
βHappens to some people, othersβ¦β She shuddered and clutched her purse. βYou were lucky.β
βBut that truckβ¦ I saw it. The #impact must have been terrible. Yet here I amβ¦β He patted his arms.
βTime to go now.β #vss365
He insists his guardian angel saved him.
On the motorway that rainy night, braced for #impact - but the van went straight through him. Car, van, and drivers intact - if shaken.
But he hasnβt felt quite the same, quite real, since. He wonders if heβs on borrowed time.
#vss365
I was at a firework display yesterday evening, so plenty of inspiration for today's challenge... yet I feel I haven't quite hit the mark for @TopTweetTuesday.
Nevertheless, happy #BonfireNight to our rocket of a host, @MatthewMCSmith! πππ
#poetry#poetrycommunity
ALT THOUGHTBURST AT THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY by Helen Laycock
Jewelstorm,
perfumed with diamond dust.
Needlerain,
stitching effervescence over pinkcloud.
Kaleidoscope eye,
conjuring celestial confetti from broken glass.
Lustreveil,
rosebuds escaping from a thrown bouquet.
Cocktail glitz,
swift-swallowed sherbet shiver.
Orchestra of iridescence,
melting notes dropping from searing staves.
Hotwire topiary,
limbs shaking off molten fronds.
A lost mitten.
Empty-hand-reminder.
Burst arteries,
spattering rubied drops.
Swordsmith,
white-pointed steelscreams on stone.
Fairies,
feathered in phosphorous.
Emberstrands
of dancing angels.
Glitterwings
from a gold-flamed flock of phoenix.
Singing alerts me, then a crash. I find the entry point - a snapped branch & lone white feather. From there, I follow the #impact crater to the kitchen. Gabe's cooking grilled cheese & eating mayo from the jar. They really need to cut him off earlier at the Angel Arms.
#vss365
#Submerge me in your presence
Liven the dead inside
Hold my heart
tight arms, close
wrapping me
like paper around tobacco
Inescapable
Glued inside your kindness
I join your walk
Flap the bunting
but donβt rain on my parade
For once, Iβm not afraid
#vss365
I keep my political opinions to myself, but please, get out and vote, don't rely on others to do it for you.
Vote for who you think will treat society's most vulnerable with compassion, remembering that, tomorrow, that group could just as easily include you.
Good luck, America.
#vssHorror
This is how you leave me, dying in an alley, desperate for your touch, your love? Think again.
My scars still bleed at the betrayal, but the blood magic mutated me, feeds me.
Close the curtains to feel safe if you like, honey... I'll still be waiting outside for you.
Visual horror writing prompt by @TheUnclean (please credit when sharing)
Draw inspiration from the image for your terrifying #horrorprompt tales, horrifying #haikuhorrorprompt haikus and scary six-word #HorrorInSix stories.
'That's it, Pixie, #portal opening is officially banned.'
'Oh, come on, Gabe. You're just grumpy because other-world-you was a total blast.'
'Pixie, he had horns & a tail!'
'Fine, he was a bit odd. But other-me was a total monster. I mean, she gave YOU the last brownie!'
#vss365
βWhatβs this?β She crouched by the tiny door complete with ornate woodwork. βMaybe they liked mice.β
βHoney, we have the rest of the house to see.β He walked into the next room with the realtor.
She opened the door and was sucked through. βItβs a #portal!β
βHoney?β #vss365
I put down my book & scan the idyllic beach, a far cry from the harrowing novel Iβm reading.
βYou ok?β says my friend.
βWhy did I bring a #portal into a disturbing world on holiday?β I laugh.
βHow dβyou know thatβs not reality & this isnβt the novel?β
I stare out to sea. #vss365