2016 Micro Fiction Contest: Third Place Winner

Tags

Indie Author, Micro Fiction, Self Published Book, Writing Contest

Namaste

By Cheri Gillard

The students are laughing because he expressed his fear to their teacher. But the broadcasts everywhere warn disaster is coming. Even his new girlfriend laughs at him.
Racing through New Market, tearing past the merchants who curse him as usual, Bhavin runs home. He rushes inside, upending a metal pot.

“Slow down,” his grandmother says.

“The pandemic is coming,” Bhavin spits out. “It will reach us within days!”

The pandemic is raging from the U.S., sweeping across Europe. The Super Bug. The Death Bug, they’re calling it. Resistant to every antibiotic, worse than the Black Death in the 1300s, the newsmen say. But this is 2016! This shouldn’t be happening.

His grandmother looks grave.

“We’ll leave the city, Nani. I’ll get you out of Kolkata and we’ll go where there are no crowds.”

Finally she speaks. “I’ve been waiting for this day. It was prophesized to me long ago. You will leave. You will escape.”

She reaches up to her shelf for her box he is never to touch. The key around her neck
unlocks it. From inside, she pulls a gleaming jewel set in gold. Astonished, Bhavin can’t believe they live in such poverty with that in the house.

“This will take you.”

“We’ll sell it for train fare. We’ll escape.”

She shakes her head. “Only you. It was foretold.” She hugs him longer, tighter than ever before. “Go forth and be fruitful.”

Her words confuse him.

Taking his hand, she places the pendant in his palm, and cups his other hand over it. He
would take it to market—

A bird chirps not far away. No other sound.

He stands in a wide, empty street.

He’s never heard such silence.

No one is anywhere. The doorways are empty, the streets desolate. Slipping the jewel into his pocket, he steps forward, moving slower than ever before.

He wanders to New Market, one sheep and two pecking chickens the only other movement. A bent bicycle lies in the road, broken and twisted. Deserted stalls exhibit scattered pots. A rusted taxi with shattered windows and no doors slumbers on its rims. Never has it been so still, so silent. He hears the wind for the first time.

Fast footsteps break the quiet and spins him around. A girl his age charges at him. He braces for her attack.

She jumps at him, embracing him. She sobs, clinging to him in desperation.

“What took you so long?” she cries. “My nani promised you’d come!”

Bhavin takes her arms and pulls her away to look at her.

“What happened? Tell me what you know.”

She holds up a jewel like his. “We’ve been sent from the Pandemic. We alone have
escaped.”

“Where is everyone?”

Tilting her head, she is quiet. “Your nani didn’t tell you?”

He shakes his head, fear threatening his composure.

She steps back, touching her palms together and breathing deeply, composed now.
“Namaste. My name is Navya. This is 2060. We are all that’s left.”

Copyright 2016 Cheri Gillard

Thank you so much to author Cheri Gillard for submitting her story to the 2016 Micro Fiction Writing Contest!

About the Author

Cheri Gillard has been a freelance writer and editor for nearly twenty-five years. In addition to a slew of freelance non-fiction books and projects with major publishers, plus the three volumes of the Nephilim Redemption Series, her stand-alone medical thriller, The Clone’s Mother, has debuted to numerous five-star reviews. She lives and writes in Colorado. For more about her award winning fiction, and to follow her daily blog about raising quadruplets, visit cherigillard.com.

 

 

 

Check out her upcoming release!

Chloe’s Odyssey: Book 3 of the Nephilim Redemption Series

The perfect story for the holidays—experience with Chloe the first Christmas in a gripping, emotional adventure. Travel with her on an historical journey and feel the tension and vulnerability as she enters into a shaky alliance with her former enemy to try to save her own timeline. And hold your breath as she takes on a daring rescue mission, one from which she’s uncertain she will ever return.

RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 28, 2016

Curious about book one of the series?

Chloe’s boyfriend cheats on her and she just wants to die. But it’s not so easy to end it all. An amazing winged creature swoops in and saves her mid-jump. The angelic intervention must be a sign her troubles are over! But things only get worse. Missing her plane, losing her passport, crashing her car are nothing compared to when gangbangers jump her on a dark, empty street. She’s too paralyzed with fear to even scream for help. But her amazing half-angel creature reappears and saves her again—flying her right up through the heavens!

But they soar directly into more trouble. Horatius, her Nephilim savior, has a heap of his own problems. His beer habit doesn’t help a bit when he has to fight against his demon father, who targets Chloe with his evil rage. Chloe needs to be protected, and Horatius transports her to sixteenth century Scotland to hide her. But a curse renders him powerless and medieval Highlanders kidnap Chloe. Separated from Horatius, she has to depend on her own wits to escape and survive, and then negotiate with demons to get back to her own time and life.

Grab your copy on Amazon today or add it to your Goodreads list!

Published in a Flash!

Tags

101 Fiction, Micro Fiction, Science-Fiction

The 10th Edition of John Xero’s 101 Fiction e-zine was published today and is available for free at: http://www.101fiction.com/

What’s 101 Fiction? Micro stories told in exactly 100 words with a one word title, it’s the ultimate in brevity and an awesome writing challenge.

Why am I so excited about this? Two reasons: First, I’m a big fan of short fiction and of this particular e-zine. Second, because my story was published in this one!

For the link lazy, I’ve included my story below but be sure to head over to 101Fiction and grab yourself a story slice or two. Hey, eat the whole pie while you’re at it! This is one snack you won’t regret later  😉

 

Remnant

They rose from the ash, gangly silhouettes emerging from the smouldering ruins of our city. The fire used to raze the brick and stone on which we’d built New Earth did not consume their curse. Here in this place where the decomposed ferment the soil, where rot draws breath anew, and death becomes a restless imitation, only our hopes stay slain. To any who receive this transmission, come no closer. Sensors may detect a fertile land below but it is a lullaby of nightmares. Only bones and darkness reside now. Adjust course and let this world be swallowed by stars.

Micro Fiction Contest: Third Place Winner

Tags

Micro Fiction, Science-Fiction, Writing Contest

 Head Games

“It’s charming, in a medieval-insane-asylum way,” Patrick Faber mumbled to his wife. The fencing that guarded Garceau’s Institute ran up and down a grassy hill, forming a crooked iron smile.

“Remember, Dr. Williams said this place was the best,” Jennie said. She pulled on the clammy hand of her teen-aged son, Terry. He shuffled along and looked at her with eyes stained red from thirty days of sleep deprivation. When they reached the entrance, the weathered doors opened to reveal two men.

“You are late,” said the first man. His bushy brown beard and wrinkled lab coat told of a dedication to working over grooming.

“This place isn’t easy to find,” Patrick snapped back. The other man, dressed in a black suit, approached with open arms.

“Forgive Dr. Garceau, he’s overworked. Please, come inside.” After the Fabers entered the gothic hall, the second man cleared his throat. “My name is Director Pablo Delacruz,” he said with a warm smile. “Pardon our haste, but we have a full schedule tonight. We should begin the sleep study immediately.” Dr. Garceau placed his arm on Terry’s shoulder to lead him away.

“I’m coming too,” Patrick insisted.

“It’s best if you let him work with your son privately,” Pablo suggested. “While you wait, we can review your case.” Patrick stepped back after seeing a nod from his wife.  Then Dr. Garceau and Terry departed to a darkened hallway.

“How long has Terry been sleepwalking?” Pablo asked.

“Four weeks. Ever since he played that online game, Maze Mayhem,” Jennie answered.

“When did he start speaking new languages?” Pablo inquired.

“Last week. First Russian, then Greek.” Patrick said. “Then one I didn’t recognize.”

“It was ancient Gaelic,” Pablo answered. “After that, Terry broke into the museum and stole the Sumerian tablet?”

“Yes,” Jennie whispered. “He said he needed to finish a quest.”

During the next hour, Pablo posed more questions until a distant voice yelled incomprehensible words.

“What’s going on?” Patrick demanded.

“Have faith,” Pablo said. Another gurgling scream echoed from the hall.

“We’re leaving!” Patrick shouted, rushing toward the corridor. He stopped when he saw his son running toward him. Dr. Garceau limped behind.

“Dad!” Terry exclaimed. The teen’s face brightened, free of its gloom. “Where are we? What’s going on?” Tears streamed down Patrick and Jennie’s face as they hugged their son.

“Doctor, how can we thank you?” Jennie said.

“Destroy your computer,” Dr. Garceau wheezed.

After escorting the appreciative family outside, Pablo returned to his associate. Dr. Garceau’s brown beard now featured a gray streak. He leaned against the wall and dabbed his bloodied nose. Both of them turned to the window when headlights blazed at the gate.

“René, you must rest,” Pablo urged, frowning.

“It came through,” Garceau replied, watching horror crawl across Pablo’s face. He lit a cigarette with trembling fingers. “It will not stop. So we cannot.”

“Through the game?”

“New methods. Old hunger.”

“My daughter plays that game,” Pablo gasped. “What should I do?”

“Make her read books instead.”

By Eric Dallaire, author of “Shades: The Gehenna Dilemma”

In 2039, when people die owing money, the government turns them into mindless servants. Shades. These undead workers toil until their debts are settled. Without complaint, they pave roads, till fields, and build moon settlements for the wealthy.

Jonah Adams struggles to balance his life in this grim world. To prevent his dying mother from becoming a shade, he joins the IRS as a ghoul, an agent that collects recently deceased debtors. The pay is good, but the cost is high. His girlfriend, Vanessa, a bankruptcy lawyer protecting the rights of the poor, despises his line of work. To set things right, he just needs to complete a few more missions. With luck, he can settle all scores and maybe have enough to buy two tickets to the lunar colony. However, nothing comes easy for Jonah, especially when others come to reap what he has sown.

Bio: Eric Dallaire wrote his first book in 1995, the Strategy Guide for The Journeyman Project: Buried in Time for Prima Publishing. This led to a full time job at Presto Studios, a pioneer in the early CD-ROM adventure game genre. He became lead writer and designer of the acclaimed Journeyman Project adventure game series. Then Eric accepted the role of head writer for Activision, writing and producing Star Trek Hidden Evil and Away Team with Paramount Studios. Later, he formed his own mobile games studio and developed applications for Electronic Arts, Amazon, and other publishers. In 2005, he broke new ground with the Kindle, partnering with Amazon to create that platform’s first interactive adventure novel. The sci-fi noir novel Dusk World became the first Kindle book to feature a nonlinear story with multiple endings based on reader choice. The digital novel rose to number 54 on the Kindle Top 100. When he’s not writing, Eric pursues the development of technologies to further educational causes. He co-founded TeachTown, a company with a mission to deliver online lessons and applied behavioral treatments for children with autism and special needs. He co-authored a study that showed TeachTown’s intervention of behavioral science and game focused reward structure improved learning. More recently, he designed and produced Age of Learning’s groundbreaking mobile application to teach English to Chinese students. If you’d like to read more about him, check out his site at ericdallaire.com for more updates.

Micro Fiction Contest: 2nd Place Winner

Tags

Fantasy, Micro Fiction, Writing Contest

History Lesson

When I came to, the students and desks were gone. Mrs. Barry wasn’t staring down her spectacles at me. I wasn’t even in history class.

I was running—yes running—in a group of Scottish Highlanders. Scots covered in mud and blood, yelling, waving medieval weapons over their heads. I couldn’t even think of standing still or I’d be trampled by the stampede of barefooted giants around me.

And so I ran, trying to make sense of the crazy scene.

In my own hand was the hilt I’d just held up in class to show as part of my presentation, a remnant of a long-ago battle my great-great-a-whole-bunch-of-greats grandfather had proudly passed down, claiming brave heroism. Now the gilded hilt didn’t have a broken stub, but a long gleaming blade. As I ran, my knees pumped against a tartan kilt, identical to the ripped, ratted rectangle of fabric I’d brought to show with the hilt.

Then cannons blasted, blowing my eardrums. Men around me flew away, some in bits and pieces. The rest of us kept charging. A row of soldiers slammed into us, our weapons striking and clanging as men fell on both sides.

I swung my blade, nearly petrified with fright, but reacting with instinct. The battle went on and on, men dropping all around me, until only a few Highlanders stood.

The lull in the fighting gave the Scots a moment to retreat to a barn on the rocky hillside. I ran with them. We hunkered inside. They argued.

“All is lost. We must surrender.”

“Nay! Bonnie Prince Charlie will rise again!”

“His message, ‘each man, save yourself,’ ” said another. “We must flee!”

I trembled, wondering what in the world was happening.

Voices shouted outside the barn. “Come or we shall burn you out!”

When we smelled the smoke, the Scots sighed deeply, whispering prayers, and opened the doors. As we surrendered, many were slain. A soldier came at me. I cowered. He snatched away my sword. He raised it to strike, but only sliced off a rectangle from my kilt for a trophy.

The classroom materialized before me again, along with Mrs. Barry, waiting like nothing had happened.

Suddenly I knew. Grandfather hadn’t fought for the Jacobites, but had opposed them. He hadn’t been noble, but a bully.

After my report, I rushed to the cafeteria and found Leroy, a skinny kid with goofy glasses. He saw me coming and threw his sandwich onto the tray for a hasty departure. I waved for him to hold up, then sat across from him. He eyed me warily.

“Hey Leroy. I learned something today.” I reached into my pocket. He flinched. I pulled out ten bucks and tossed it onto his tray.

“I shouldn’t have taken your lunch money. Or bullied you. I’m sorry.”

He hesitated, smiled tentatively, and gave me a fist bump.

My knuckles left wet mud and blood on his as I pulled away my hand.

By Cheri Gillard, author of “The Clone’s Mother”

Releasing October 31st!

Kate has a date! An actual date, with a real person. Not just a Friday night with her finicky cat or a movie marathon with George Clooney. Mack is more than she could have ever hoped for. But there’s one catch: Mack’s lab partner, Kate’s creepy gynecologist, is up to something. Something dark. Kate finds evidence that the unethical doctor has used his patients as guinea pigs to make a breakthrough in his cloning research. She sleuths around, afraid she’ll scare Mack away if her paranoia is too obvious, but what she discovers might mean Mack isn’t what he says. Is he using her too, like all the men from her past? She won’t risk losing him until she figures out what’s really going on. But time is running out. People start dying. She’d better hurry. Someone knows she’s sorting things out, and that someone is working overtime to keep her quiet. Maybe permanently.

Bio: Cheri Gillard has been a freelance writer and editor for over twenty years, working for several publishing houses and companies writing or editing projects, books, magazines, and curricula. Before writing, she was an obstetric and pediatric registered nurse, but she hung up her nursing cap when she gave birth to quadruplets, who are now in college. She is also a musician, regularly playing violin in a folk-style band and in other venues when she can fit in the gigs between writing jobs. She lives with her family in Colorado. http://www.cherigillard.com/

Micro Fiction Contest: Winning Story

Tags

Fantasy, Micro Fiction, Writing Contest

CONDEMNED

We pulled up to the condemned house at sundown. In the recycling business, you have to move fast. George opened the door and I showed my token. The sealing spell broke across my face like a cobweb.

There wasn’t much on the first floor. An empty goblin nest, and some shards from a smashed crystal ball. George swept those up.

Anything is worth saving. Magic can neither be created nor destroyed, which means there’s a limited amount, and everybody is always looking for it.

“Boss!” George called from upstairs. “You need to see this!”

The first room off the hall was littered with broken wands. I picked one up, then dropped it. One of those single-use, untraceable types. Snapped like a wishbone from the force of a deadly curse.

Suddenly I wanted to leave everything, just get out.  But any magic is better than none. I can’t forget what I am now—a rag-and-bone man, making my living by picking up the bits.

The next room smelled like a sloth demon had been squatting there. But through the reek I caught a tang of salt water, and I found a lock of mermaid hair in the dresser. That went in my pocket.

Yes, I keep some stuff, like everybody else. George is living proof. Well, proof, anyway.

“Boss…” George sounded apologetic this time.

I sighed. “Your leg again?”

“No, a finger. It fell off when I was taking down this mirror.”

“Well, pick it up and we’ll fix it later,” I said automatically. Then what he’d said hit me. “Mirror?”

“Big one. Up here.”

I ducked in under the attic’s slanting roof. The mirror hung there, shrouded like a corpse.

George reached for it again, but I shook my head. “Let’s see it first.”

He pulled off the cover.  Something broke softly inside of me. I wanted to keep staring at the image, not even blinking.

But I closed my eyes. “Cover it up again.”

I heard cloth rustle, but didn’t open my eyes yet.  Sweat iced my skin. Mirrors of Desire are rare, and always in demand. They show you what you really want, deep down in whatever passes for your heart.

“Disposal,” I whispered.

“Boss…it’s worth a fortune.”

“Not to me.”

The front door closed behind us with a hollow sound.

Yes, we handle disposal too. We don’t advertise because legally, you need a license, which is impossible to get. But I have something better—a chamber in the truck filled with Muspel fire. Fire from before the world began, the same fire that will end the universe someday.

Of course, that’s impossible to get, too. You have to steal it. I had magic to burn, once. I traded it all for the fire.

George tossed the mirror in and it vaporized. I sighed. Being myself was okay again. As much as it ever is.

Magic can neither be created or destroyed.

Did I say that? Actually, it all depends on how much you pay.

By Eric Tanafon, author of “Robin Hood: Wolf’s Head”

Here There Be:

Creatures of darkness, not all alike. Kings without crowns, knights who left their shining armor behind. Witches, hermits, berserkers, and other honest outlaws. Ballads sung to the lute and spells spoken by moonlight.

Stories within stories, a Thousand and One Sherwoodian Nights.

And in the end…redemption.

Bio: Eric Tanafon lives in New Hampshire with his lovely wife in an 130-year old house. They don’t have any ghosts, but make up for it with five children and three cats.  https://etanafon.wordpress.com/

Writing Contest: Deadline Reminder

Tags

Dystopian, Fantasy, Micro Fiction, Paranormal, Science-Fiction, Self Published Book, Steampunk, Writing Contest

Hey there, folks!

Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to send in your Micro Fiction contest submission is this Saturday, August 22nd, 12 pm U.S. CST !

 

Some fabulous prizes are up for grabs, so prune those stories to a crisp 500 words or less and e-mail it to me at Finefablespress@gmail.com

Need a refresher on the guidelines, here’s the link

Happy Wednesday!

Writing Contest: Micro Fiction

Tags

Craft, Dystopian, Fantasy, Micro Fiction, Paranormal, Prizes, Science-Fiction, Self Published Book, Steampunk, Writing Contest

Calling All Scribes!

I’m excited to announce the blog’s first writing contest!

Up to 50 entrants will be allowed to compete for fabulous prizes. 

No entry fee required.

The theme?

Micro Fiction!

That’s right, stories of 500 words or less. Pith and brevity are your friends in this competition, people.

Guidelines are as follows:

1. Must have at least one self-published book (please provide a link in your e-mail)

2. Must be a subscriber to the Amid the Imaginary newsletter published through Fine Fables Press

3. Story must be 500 words or less and in one of the genres of the blog (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Paranormal, Dystopian, Steampunk)

4. One entry per person and once submitted the entrant cannot resubmit

5. Story format can be in PDF or Word

DEADLINE to submit: Noon, 12:00 pm (U.S. Central Standard Time) on Saturday, August 22nd. No exceptions.

Email your submission to finefablespress@gmail.com, Subject: Writing Contest Submission

Be sure to adhere to the guidelines listed above as it may impact the judgement of your entry if you do not.

Now for the good part!

This writing contest is sponsored by TJ’s Virtual Book Tours, a one stop shop for all your online book tour needs!

Prizes include:

Book Review Tour – Duration 5-10 Days – 28 Days to Deliver

The book review tour includes the book cover,  5 – 7 reviews posted to 5 stops along with an author bio and book blurb (max 300 words), one purchase link and one contact link (or email address).

Author Interviews – 14 Days To Deliver.

The author interview includes 10-15 questions, one contact URL (or email), a post on my website, and one purchase URL.

Spotlight Tours – Duration 5-10 Days – 28 Days to Deliver

This tour includes seven stops, book cover image, author bio and book blurb (max 300 words), one purchase link and one contact link (or email address).

Books Giveaways: “Moon-kissed Chi” by Grinelda Markowitz and “A Voice from an Inner World” by Montrée Whiles

1st Place:

1 Book Review Tour

1 Author Interview

3 Spotlight Tours

1 copy of “Moon-kissed Chi” and 1 one copy of “A Voice from an Inner World”

Guest Spot with winning story published in the Amid the Imaginary newsletter and on the blog’s website with Facebook notification. Winner also announced on the popular book review blog Bibliotropic.

 2nd Place:

1 Author Interview

2 Spotlight Tours

1 copy of “Moon-kissed Chi” and 1 copy of “A Voice from an Inner World”

Honorable mention in the Amid the Imaginary newsletter and story published on the blog’s website with Facebook notification.

3rd Place:

1 Author Interview

1 copy of “Moon-kissed Chi” and 1 copy of “A Voice from an Inner World”

Honorable mention in the Amid the Imaginary newsletter and story published on the blog’s website with Facebook notification.

4th & 5th Place: 1 copy of “Moon-kissed Chi”

Contest Judges:

• Tanya Jones from TJ’s Virtual Book Tours
• Ria Bridges from Bibliotropic
• And yours truly, your friendly neighborhood Hawaiian girl

We’re looking forward to reading your entries! Micro Fiction is certainly difficult but it’s a fun writing challenge. Ernest Hemmingway did it in six words:

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

Need more info on micro fiction to get going? Check out this great article here

Please remember to carefully review the guidelines above. We’ll accept the first 50 submissions, and once again, that deadline to submit is 12:00pm (U.S. Central Standard Time) on Saturday, August 22nd, 2015.

Questions? Please comment on this post or on the Facebook announcement so everyone can see the answers. Technical difficulties? Then e-mail the question to me directly at finefablespress@gmail.com